Take Your Time to Rediscover the City – A Sensory Journey by the Oriental Watch Company
The Oriental Watch Company launched an advertisement campaign that encourages people to admire Hong Kong around them with four of their senses – sight, aroma, sound, and taste.
Naming the campaign Take Your Time to Rediscover the City, the bespoke horology brand has collaborated with Omelette Digital Agency to release four different videos each targeting a particular sensory organ.
One video titled Take Your Timeto Listen has veteran tram driver Captain Luk Wenwei taking the viewers on a tram ride while he asks everyone to set aside their phones and pay close attention to the different sounds that the vehicle makes.
He adds that ding ding which is an onomatopoeia that is commonly associated with transport is not the only thing you can hear. There are other sounds like the coins shaking around in the money box and the tram moving on its tracks.
Another video called Take Your Time to See features Wu Chi-Kai who has been crafting neon lights since he was 18.
While pointing to the radiating beauty of these neon lights, he also reminds people that these lights are not very common as they used to be. Hence, he asks people to observe the city around them and snap a photo whenever they see a neon light as it is definitely something special.
For the tasting video, which is called Take Your Time to Taste, the Oriental Watch Company invited the Tsui brothers of the Milktealogy project who discuss Hong Kong’s buzzing tea culture which is locally referred to as the Cha chaan teng culture.
Then, for aroma, audiences see Jonathan, who co-owns an aromatherapy brand, in the Take Your Time to Smell video.
In this clip, he mentions the different smells people come across in just a single street in the city. He advises everyone to concentrate on the different scents as they can be pretty therapeutic.
This new campaign, which is an extension of the brand’s previous one Take Your Time, strives to bring out the charms of Hong Kong where the watch company gets its roots from.
As long-frustrated would-be travelers finally get the green light to globetrot once again, there couldn’t be a more opportune moment to reassess that most trusty of travel companions – the world time watch. Doing pretty much exactly what it says on the tin, these precision-engineered wonders tell you the time anywhere in the world just by glancing at the appropriate time zone indicator.
Typically, this involves viewing the outer chapter ring, located just within the bezel displaying the names of one (or more) cities for each of the 24 reference time zones. There are seven current models that we commend as worthy of your particular attention…
First up is the Breguet Marine Hora Mundi 5557 (appropriately Hora Mundi is Latin for ‘World Time’). To be fair, this may be something of a controversial nomination, given that the watch is more truthfully a GMT model – one designed to display both local time and Greenwich Mean Time – rather than a true world timer. This quibble aside, the Ref. 5557 is a truly impressive wrist adornment.
Undoubtedly more of a true world time timepiece, however, is Patek Philippe’s Ref. 5935A World Time Flyback Chronograph. The very first Patek to feature a finely integrated calibre CH 28-520 HU movement, its fetchingly designed salmon dial comes ringed with the requisite 24 cities’ names, while the time zone chapter ring is usefully burnished in black and white, making distinguishing night and daytime refreshingly straightforward.
Putting a playful spin on traditional aesthetics, meanwhile, is Bovet’s Orbis Mundi, which was launched to celebrate the maison’s recent bicentennial. Boldly incorporating a new manually wound in-house calibre 15BM01HU movement, the world time mechanism resides on the 12 o’clock subdial, while a window on the lower half of the aventurine dial allows for a fascinating view of the inner workings of the escapement below.
Marking a similar milestone for a rival marque is the blue-on-white Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer GMT Steel from OMEGA. This 15th anniversary edition features a luminous blue dial with all the requisite 24-city and 24-hour discs boldly depicted. Featuring a date aperture at 6 o’clock, the main attraction here is the gorgeously hand-enameled sapphire crystal world map at its heart.
Another artwork-themed creation comes courtesy of a canny collaboration between independent watchmaker Svend Andersen and famed Singaporean vintage watch collector Benjamin Chee: the Celestial Voyager Sunset over Cappadocia. Burnished in a similar white-and-blue motif, the timepiece’s dial is dominated by the iconic hot air balloons and picturesque vistas synonymous with its eponymous Turkish locale, all brought to life through painstaking cloisonné enameling work.
Standing in stark visual contrast is the black-dominant Blast Moonstruck from Ulysse Nardin. In something of an ambitious move, this particular watch not only shows world time, but it can also indicate dual time, while also delivering a highly accurate recreation of the moon’s real-time waxing and waning, as well as its effect on the global tidescape.
All of these displays extend in continuous circles outward from the central, geocentric image of Earth as viewed from the North Pole. This complexity is elegantly packaged in a sleek combination of ceramic and blackened titanium.
Finally, we turn to the truly avant-garde in the notable form of the GMT Balancier Convexe, a recent release from the house of Gruebel Forsey. In an interesting counterpoint to our first candidate chronometer, this watch, too, is somewhat misnomered.
Rather than being a conventional GMT model, instead, it ambitiously incorporates a multitude of travel-related features, all separately arrayed across its distinctive dished fascia. Local time is indicated by two red arrow hands, while a second time zone sundial is propped on the left and a dominant 3D rotating globe ringed with the 24 time zones and cities is on the right, all of which are underscored by an inclined balance wheel at 6 o’clock.
(Text: Tenzing Thondup)
Speed against Time- Best Racing watches for living life on fast track
A test of speed against time, the creation of racing watches is truly an exciting feat. Although it rose to prominence in the mid-90s, its inception dates back to 1821 – the invention of the first racing chronograph. Crafted for the passionate horse racer Louis XVIII, its evolution has since been adjusted to serve racers of all types, including car racers.
Racing watches boast features that distinctly stand out from other timekeepers. Notably, the tachymeter scale and high-contrast angled dial that track every split second of the wearer’s journey for the former, while the latter allows wearers to check the sweeping seconds of the watch’s hand without having to take your hands off the wheel.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is undoubtedly the most famous racing watch of all time. Named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, the timepiece was introduced as a racing chronograph in 1963 and became especially popular after being worn by actor and enthusiastic racing driving Paul Newman, who had his own collection of Cosmograph Daytona models. The tachymetric scale on the bezel provides excellent legibility, making the Daytona the ideal instrument for measuring speeds of up to 400 units per hour, either in kilometres or miles. It has a power reserve of 72 hours and remains on the front line of classic sports chronographs even after almost six decades.
The Omega Speedmaster, on the other hand, was one of the first chronographs to have a tachymeter scale etched onto the bezel instead of the dial on the original 1957 model. It has since shifted to the edge, improving readability. The Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional in particular, though a tribute to Neil Armstrong and mankind’s first steps on the moon, was originally a traditional racing watch with a perforated leather racing strap and a dial featuring a checked racing-style minute track.
Meanwhile, the Mille Miglia by Chopard flaunts a new, sleek, grey-and-blue dial design and exceptional functionality. The 2022 iteration, a limited edition of 1,000 stainless steel pieces and 250 dual-tone versions with 18-carat ethical rose gold, marks its position as the official timekeeper of the annual Brescia to Rome round trip, with the race logo engraved on the caseback that houses its automatic cam-lever-integrated chronograph, built on Valjoux 7750’s architecture.
Lauded for its uncommonly high-frequency automatic chronograph movement, Zenith has put out an optimised version of the Chronomaster Sport. Building on its revolutionary one-tenth of a second chronograph display, its newest sports edition is replete with a broad, super-legible ceramic bezel, a tri-compax dial in matte black and matte white, and a 60-hour power reserve.
After a successful collaboration with Lamborghini, Roger Dubius is laying strong foundations in the Motorsport industry by joining hands with Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli, while sharing a piece of victory with its wearers. The Excalibur Spider Pirelli straps are made with rubber inlays from the Pirelli Formula 1 tyres of actual winning vehicles, also featuring the Cinturato intermediate pattern. Taking as much time as it takes to change a tyre at a F1 pit stop (three seconds), the straps comes off and on just as quickly. Within its titanium casing is a self-winding movement of 28,800 bph and a power reserve of up to 60 hours. However, the model is limited to only 88 pieces per colourway, while the crown and bezel are also interchangeable with the brand’s first ever automatic skeleton.
Reputed for producing automobile-inspired racing watches, Tag Heuer’s Monaco collection is another firm favourite for Formula 1 racecar drivers, though its original 1969 design was the world’s first square-case water-resistant automatic chronograph. Its latest edition, powered by the Heuer 02 calibre movement with a reserve of 80 hours, features the same square-form in a masculine 39mm stainless-steel case.
Another classic timepiece embodying the spirit of a racing cars is Hublot Fusion Ferrari GT, made in collaboration with Ferrari’s head designer Flavio Manzoni. Featuring Hublot’s UNICO HUB1280 flyback openwork movement with a power reserve of 72 hours, its design is a brilliant combination between traditional Swiss watchmaking and cutting-edge technology. Created as a limited 500-piece series, it arrives in Titanium, King Gold and 3D carbon. It’s black rubber strap is made of Schedoni leather which is known to be used in Ferrari’s Maranello GT cars, while its dynamic design boasts an intricate skeleton dial.
(Text: Zaira Abbas)
Time Warp: Six of the best – and quirkiest – watch dials on the market
Choosing a timepiece with a point of difference is a way to make a statement about your own personality. There are many aspects of a watch that can set you apart from your contemporaries, but nothing makes a statement quite as strikingly as a unique dial.
Jaquet Droz is a watchmaker that has long prided itself on creating watches that not only have exemplary technical specs, but also boast collections that have elegant and vivid dials that are worthy of being called works of art in their own right. True originals. The maison’s Relief Petite Heure Minute Tiger wristwatch is a case in point. Emanating power and masculinity, this bold creation has 18-karat white gold and opal dial, black onyx subdial with carefully hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat white gold tiger relief appliques.
The case (also 18-karat white gold) houses 144 baguette-cut diamonds and crown set with a diamond, with 28 jewels and 2.15 carats in total. It has a power reserve of 68 hours, is 41 mm in diameter and water resistant to 30 metres. A rolled-edge hand-made black alligator wristband completes the deal. The Relief Tiger also comes in an 18-karat red gold version.
More feminine, but still in a similar vein, is the Lady 8 Flower series. Featured next page is the iteration with the grand feu enamel dial. The 18-karat white gold case set boasts a to-die-for 114 diamonds, totalling 1.40 carats. There is a mechanical opening flower automaton movement and push-button automaton triggering mechanism. Meticulously hand-engraved petals in 18-karat white gold are prominent and there is a rotation of a briolette blue sapphire (0.24 carat) in both directions. The buckle is an 18-karat white gold folding clasp set with 47 dazzling diamonds.
Sticking with the theme of artistic horological creations with unique dials is this sublime offering from Franck Muller, in collaboration with acclaimed artist, Hom Nguyen. The two have joined forces to produce this exceptional timepiece: the Cintrée Curvex Double Mystery with Tourbillon. Nguyen is a French painter of Vietnamese origin who is famed for creating portraits in a figurative style – clearly depicted in the watchface.
In place of hands, time is shown by rotating discs with the brand’s trademark double mystery complication. Completly hand-drawn and assembled in the purest watchmaking tradition, this timepiece is equipped with a manual winding mechanical movement and boasts a power reserve of 60 hours.
Also from Frank Muller and distinctly more ladylike – but still retaining a certain degree of quirkiness – is the Vangaurd Lady Heart. Playfully replacing the numbers ‘3’ through ‘7’ with a burst of tastefully designed hearts, this watch incorporates dynamic and graceful features. The collection is a tribute to femininity, with a poignant silhouette and a poetic dial. Shown on previous page are the red and pink iterations.
This month’s offering by Roger Dubuis takes us way back in time to the days of merry old England, the Knights of the Round Table MT Gold is as playful as it is historically accurate – and a beautifully crafted timepiece to boot – with each number on the dial replaced with a mini-sculpture of one of the aforementioned knights of King Arthur’s fellowship, from Lancelot to all the others.
The main material of the dial is gold and a matching case with sapphire crystal with a special anti-reflective coating open case back with a sapphire crystal pink gold bezel with a saphhire crystal crown with Murano glass. The clasp comes with a gold cover, with titanium blades – triple folding – interchangeable with an ingenious crystal release system.
Rounding out our set of six is the Tag Heuer Monaco V4. This racey little number was made famous when it first appeared on the wrist of action-man film star Steve McQueen duirng his appearnce in the 1970 film Le Mans. This revolutionary watch features four barrels mounted on ball bearings, pinions and belts. The timepiece displays its movement through its anti-reflective sapphire glass – revealing the intricate design features within, comprising tungsten ingot, linear mass and two pairs of barrels, that are mounted in parallel and cleverly connected by belts.
Celebrating the timeless allure of the moon-phase complication
The moon has inspired artists and artisans for countless generations, and those plying their crafts in haute horology are no exception. Indeed, the first watch mechanism that tracked the changing lunar phases was introduced by Patek Philippe nearly a century ago, in 1925, with Rolex following suit in 1949 with the Reference 8171.
For the uninitiated, a moon-phase complication precisely tracks a lunar cycle from new moon to new moon – a period of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and three seconds. Watchmakers display each phase through a rotating disk that displays the illumination of the moon as it appears from Earth in real time. We highlight seven standouts that showcase this mesmerising lunar-tracking complication.
Breguet Reine de Naples 8905
(Photo courtesy of Breguet)
First to the table is the femme-focused Reine de Naples 8905 from Breguet, which features an unusual oval-shaped 18K-white-gold case neatly ringed with a diamond-studded bezel. Its luminous white mother-of-pearl dial features an hours-and-minutes subdial at six o’clock, while the moon-phase indicator graces the top of its oblong fascia. A red leather strap completes the chic appeal of a release limited to just 28 pieces.
Next up is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Rendez-vous Dazzling Moon Lazura, replete with a stunning blue lapis lazuli dial that perfectly captures the hue of a clear night sky. The mother-of-pearl moon rotates through an aperture at six o’clock, which is further encircled by a star chart that underscores the model’s lunar inspirations. Powered by a self-winding Manufacture Calibre 935 movement, the large moon-phase indicator need not be adjusted for 972 years – a true haute-horological feat.
Montblanc Star Legacy Moonphase
(Photo courtesy of Montblanc)
Adopting a subtler colour scheme is Montblanc’s Star Legacy Moonphase, whose 42mm-stainless-steel case not only displays the phases of the moon, but also the day and date. Interestingly, its Breguet-style Arabic numerals – reminiscent of the brand’s historic Minerva pocket watches – have been lined with a unique railway minute track that signals the seconds via a red-tipped hand.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface
(Photo courtesy of Vacheron Constantin)
Much lauded for the myriad complications that grace its precision-engineered designs, Vacheron Constantin has unveiled the Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface. Here, the open-worked dial is not only punctuated with a moon-phase indicator, but also tracks the day, date and month. Encased in either 18K 5N pink gold or 18K white gold, and visible beneath the various displays, is the impressive Calibre 2460 QCL/2 movement, which develops a 40-hour power reserve.
Hermès Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune
(Photo courtesy of Hermes)
Hermès’ new Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune – which, as its name suggests, offers a super slim design – similarly utilisies a skeletonised design. Powered by the self-winding Hermès H1953 Manufacture movement, its moon-phase indicator at six o’clock displays not one, but two oscillating moons. Crafted from ultra-lightweight titanium and boasting an airy architecture with contrasting matte and gloss finishes, it encompasses an almost industrial aesthetic.
Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck
(Photo courtesy of Ulysse Nardin)
Elsewhere, embracing an all-black look is the Blast Moonstruck from Ulysse Nardin. The star turn here is undoubtedly the Moonstruck, an astronomical complication which not only follows the lunar cycle but also tracks the sun’s visible trajectory across a representation of Earth that forms the centre of its mineral-black dial. This geocentric design also features a dual-time mechanism. Crafted from black ceramic and black DLC-treated titanium, this 45mm creation can be paired with a choice of alligator leather, velvet or rubber strap in, yes, black.
De BethuneDB25 GMT Starry Varius
(Photo courtesy of DeBethune)
Taking the final spot in our round-up of standout moon phase-fronted designs is De Bethune’s avant-garde DB25 GMT Starry Varius. Eschewing typical dual-time dial layouts, this GMT watch measures the home time, local time – which can be set at the crown in both directions – and date through three concentric rings of differing depths. The ring closest to the hour markers indicates the home time, with day/night hours burnished in gold and black respectively.
Interestingly, rather than giving the moon-phase indicator its own subdial, this complication takes the form of a microsphere that indicates time in the centre circle. An impressive technical feat, the 3D revolving moon is something of a signature for the brand, as well as a highly innovative reimagining of this beloved complication classic.
Roar into the Year of the Tiger with these luxury timepieces
As the Ox gives way to the Tiger, the world’s leading haute-horology houses are celebrating with an array of timepieces that pay tribute to the striped feline in question. Scroll below for seven stunning examples that merit particular mention.
Harry Winston’s Premier Chinese New Year Automatic 36mm
First up is the whimsical, gem-studded Premier Chinese New Year Automatic 36mm from renowned American jeweller Harry Winston. Featuring 57 twinkling diamonds on its bezel, lug tips and crown, its appropriately red-hued dial is fronted by two adorable tiger cubs with bejewelled eyes, red beaded mother-of-pearl stripes and peony ‘tattoos’. Visible through the rose-gold caseback is the automatic movement that develops a robust 68-hour power reserve, while a chic red leather strap completes its festive appeal.
IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Chinese New Year”
Another timepiece utilising the Chinese colour of good luck, happiness and success is IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Chinese New Year”. Here, the striking burgundy dial – replete with hours, minutes and seconds displays and day and date apertures – is lovingly enveloped in a 41mm stainless-steel case. Underneath the hood is the in-house 69385 calibre movement and a specially-designed tiger-shaped rotor, all viewable through the transparent sapphire-crystal caseback.
Breguet’s 7145 Classique Year of the Tiger
For its part, Breguet unveils the 7145 Classique Year of the Tiger, whose fascia is adorned with a majestic tiger vividly brought to life through an intricate combination of bas-relief engraving and the brand’s iconic guilloché work. Adding to its super-slim sophistication, the 40mm rose-gold case boasts a depth of less than 5.5mm – a feat made possible by the ultra-thin, self-winding calibre 502.3 movement within. Just eight creations of this homage to fine artisanal watchmaking will be released.
Piaget’s Altiplano Year of the Tiger
A similarly slim CNY-inspired design comes courtesy of Piaget, with the dial of its 38-piece limited-edition Altiplano Year of the Tiger also dominated by the fearless feline. In this instance, however, it is the arts of cloisonné and grand feu enamel that enable the creature to pop out from the shimmering white mother-of-pearl dial. Ribbons of gold are painstakingly used to create each miniature portion of the tiger’s body before enamel pigment is added in an effect that heightens its lifelike vivacity. In a further statement of elegant embellishment, brilliant-cut diamonds ring the white-gold case.
Not to be outdone, Ulysse Nardin’s Classico Tiger relies on not one but two separate enamelling techniques to capture the essence of the eponymous giant cat, which is envisaged ready to pounce under a dramatic midnight-blue sky. The first – champlevé – involves creating recesses that are then filled with enamel, while the second, termed paillonné, utilises tiny slivers of gold or silver leaf coated with translucent enamel to create a shimmering metallic effect. After hours upon hours of labour-intensive craftsmanship, each of the 88 pieces of this model is unique.
Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Tiger
Turning to the ancient Japanese art of urushi lacquering, meanwhile, is Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Tiger. Powered by the L.U.C 96.17-L movement and crafted from 18K ethical rose gold, this 88-piece limited release depicts a tiger looking back towards a mountainous landscape. It’s an artistic image that is created through a months-long process of applying the sap of urushi trees (also known as lacquer trees) and tempering them into a hard consistency.
Vacheron Constantin’s Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Tiger
The final stop on our journey through the year’s outstanding Chinese Zodiac-inspired timepieces is Vacheron Constantin’s Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Tiger. Available in platinum with a blue dial or in rose gold with a brown dial (with 12 of each set to be released), just four apertures are visible on its 40mm fascia, displaying the hours, minutes, day and date. The rest of its expansive dial, meanwhile, is aptly dedicated to the Zodiac emblem of the year – a meticulously engraved prowling tiger whose eyes are firmly on its wearer.
Blue hued: Exploring the appeal of cerulean-faced statement timepieces
Blue-dialed watches, timepieces boasting a cerulean face, were once regarded merely as a passing fad, eschewed by haute horology brands as being somewhat inferior to their sleeker white- and black-fascia’d brethren.
But a change has befallen the industry of late, with blue-dial watches now eagerly embraced by discerning collectors, who see them as accessories to be sported proudly, ones that impart their wearers with an aura of je ne sais quoi. The preferences of these style setters have not gone unnoticed, with high-end watch manufactures rising to the occasion by releasing a slew of sleek, blue-hued iterations of some of their iconic designs. Among them, the seven below are some of the latest standouts.
Omega’s Constellation 29mm with aventurine dial
Ladies in search of a discreet blue-dialed design could do far worse than give Swiss luxury maison Omega’s latest aventurine-dial Constellation29mm a thorough perusal. Here, its slender body is delicately punctuated with a diamond-set bezel and hour markers, all playing a perfect foil for the beautiful aventurine dial beneath, further enhanced by the buyer’s choice of yellow gold, Sedna rose gold or stainless steel case straps.
Royal Oak Selfwinding 34mm by Audemars Piguet
Similarly utilising a diamond-set bezel to enhance a blue-dial design is Audemars Piguet’s latest Royal Oak Selfwinding 34mm. One of four new avatars in the 34mm range, it boasts an attractive blue-grey “Grande Tapisserie” – a signature hand-guilloché square-cut pattern – dial that comes fitted with a date aperture at 3 o’clock. Underneath beats a Selfwinding Calibre 5800 movement, with a delicate stainless steel bracelet rounding out its sophisticated appeal.
“Blue-dial watches are now embraced by collectors as true statement timepieces”
Gentlemen collectors are also spoilt for choice when it comes to stunningly intricate blue-dial creations. Take, for instance, the nautically-themed Diver Chronograph 44mm Hammerhead Shark Limited Edition from high-end watch manufacture Ulysse Nardin. Created to celebrate the partnership between the brand and shark conservation non-profit OCEARCH, this 300-piece limited edition sees a hammerhead shark lovingly engraved on the caseback, while its blue-dominant dial and straps are enhanced with bold red accents throughout.
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph
For a more formally sophisticated aesthetic, a good place to start is the latest ‘ocean deep’ version of Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph. Measuring 41mm in diameter, the 18K pink gold case perfectly offsets its stunning smoked blue lacquer dial. This, in turn, plays host to a small seconds subdial, hour and minute hands and the flyback chronograph. Blue hand-stitched alligator leather straps complete its cerulean aesthetic.
Chanel’s Monsieur Blue Edition
Also joining the fray of blue-dialed watches is the new Monsieur Blue Edition from luxury label Chanel. Part of a limited release of just 55 pieces, this exclusive design houses the brand’s first-ever in-house manufactured movement that powers the jumping hour and minute retrograde complications proudly punctuating its dark blue fascia. A white gold case and matte blue straps round out its sleek appeal.
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Control Memovox
An even more intricate design comes from Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre, whose expertise in crafting complications is wholly evident in the new Master Control Memovox. An homage to the brand’s original 1950 Memovox, it resurrects the design’s classic combination of alarm and date displays on a silver sunray-brushed ring on a deep blue dial. Visible through its transparent caseback is the self-winding Calibre 956 movement, which also powers the Memovox’s iconic ‘school bell’ alarm chime.
Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum by Montblanc
For the well-heeled jetsetter, though, there is perhaps no better blue-faced companion than the new Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum from renowned German marque Montblanc. This elegant, intricate yet easily legible world-time device allows wearers to check times in multiple locations at a glance. Taking its international motif to heart, at its centre lies the North Pole, with the map of the Northern Hemisphere radiating outwards. It’s an attractive design, one that fully utilises blue tones to capture our planet in one dial, and aptly demonstrates the appeal of cerulean-fronted timepieces.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife Watch: A limited-edition release
Intricate, sophisticated watches have been something of a staple in the blockbuster Kingsman series, and the latest instalment – The King’s Man, set to release in Hong Kong threatres come September 17th – looks to be no different. To fill in the time until the movie releases, though, haute horology enthusiasts can have something of a sneak peek courtesy of a special partnership between luxury watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre and MR PORTER, the online fashion portal dubbed the Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife Watch.
Available exclusively on MR PORTER, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife Watch actually features as part of the upcoming motion picture’s costume collection. With The King’s Man set to transport audiences some 100 years into the past to the founding of the Kingsmen agency, the wrist candy is set to be limited to a release of just 100 pieces.
Similarly looking to its past, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new design harks back to a 1907 pocket watch predecessor named ‘Couteau’, or ‘knife’ in French, and is equally sleek and slim at just 1.85mm thick. Fitted with an in-house calibre 849 movement, the Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife Watch is available now until September 6th.
Montblanc Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum: The world in one watch
To say that a well-chosen watch is an apt reflection of its wearer is an understatement indeed. And for the well-heeled jetsetter, there’s no better chronographical companion than a world-time watch. For those in search of just such a timepiece, fear not, for German luxury label Montblanchas just unveiled the latest iteration of its beloved Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum.
First launched in 2014, the Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum has built a reputation for being an elegant, intricate yet easily legible world-time device, one that allows its wearer to check the time in multiple locations with just one glance. For the 2020 version, Montblanc has pulled out all the stops to draw attention firmly on the dial. At its centre lies the North Pole, with the map of the Northern Hemisphere radiating outward from it, enveloped in gently undulating guillochéd waves. The waves are two-toned, each representing day or night in a whopping 24 time zones, as etched into the circumference of the dial.
The Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum, which perfectly blends beautiful form with unquestionable function, comes in two avatars – a stainless steel version with blue dial and Sfumato alligator leather straps, and a 500-piece limited-release rose gold iteration with brown dial and matching Sfumato alligator leather straps.
New day and night editions of MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT
Breaking with the more conventional femme-focused timepiece designs, horology marque Maximilian Busser and Friends, popularly known as MB&F, introduced its Legacy Machine FlyingT – its first every model for women – at the starting of 2019.
Proudly accoladed with the Prix de la Complication pour Dame award at the prestigious 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the watches are replete with intricately engineered details and dazzlingly avant-garde stylings.
Then available in three versions – Black Lacquer, Pavée and Baguette – the Swiss label has recently launched two more iterations of the Legacy Machine FlyingT – a black dial in a 18K red gold case that is reminiscent of night, and a light blue avatar housed in a platinum 950 case that is inspired by day.
Moreover, these guilloché dials, crafted by the horology maison’s long-standing collaborator Kari Voutilainen, serve to further enhance the centrepiece of it’s design, its eponymous feature – the tourbillon.
Adding to it, the small white-lacquered dial is placed at an inclination of 50° allowing only the user to see the time – thus improving the personal touch.
Limited to 18 pieces of each colour, these Legacy Machine FlyingT watches have a power reserve of 100 hours.
Omega’s Constellation 29mm with aventurine dial
Royal Oak Selfwinding 34mm by Audemars Piguet
