Connect with us

Article by Barbara Palumbo

The last couple of weeks have been busy for many of the world’s watch brands, both big and small. The industry saw its first Swiss in-person event for 2020 – Geneva Watch Days – which took place Aug. 26-29. And while many non-European retailers and watch enthusiasts could only view the latest novelties virtually, the event still gave the industry a feeling of normalcy and togetherness.
But Geneva Watch Days’ 17 exhibiting brands weren’t the only companies releasing late-summer collections to the horological universe. Major players such as Rolex blew up the internet on Sept. 1 with their latest editions for 2020, and they weren’t the only ones making waves.
Here are 15 wow-inducing wristwatches proving that even during a pandemic, time refuses to stand still.

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic

If you’re interested in record-breaking timepieces, look no further than anything Bulgari manufactures these days. If you’re a believer of the mantra “thin is in,” then take it one step further and research Bulgari’s “Octo Finissimo” collection. And if your thing is watches considered to be highly complicated, then you’re in for a real treat this year.

Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic was released during Geneva Watch Days and yet again, the company broke records by combining a single-push chronograph with a tourbillon complication, all driven by a peripheral oscillating mass for a mere 3.50mm movement thickness.

Bulgari.com

Space Revolution by Louis Moinet

While Louis Moinet may not be a household name, watch enthusiasts around the world and here in the U.S. recognize him as an early 19th century horologist and artist who worked alongside some of the world’s most iconic watchmakers, such as Abraham-Louis Breguet and Louis-Frédéric Perrelet. Moinet’s legacy lives on today as a brand founded by Jean-Marie Schaller, who remains its CEO and creative director.
During Geneva Watch Days, the brand introduced its Space Revolution timepiece as part of its Cosmic Art collection to rave reviews. This space-aged double tourbillon has a 48-hour power reserve and features two 18K rose gold spaceships floating above a Vantablack dial.

Louismoinet.com

The Breitling Endurance Pro

Breitling has proven itself to be a force during the pandemic by continuing to release new watches via virtual conferences often accessible on its YouTube channel. The brand was also one of the more recognizable names (meaning, not an indie brand in the traditional sense) taking part in Geneva Watch Days, where it introduced the Breitling Endurance Pro collection.
The 44mm, ultra-lightweight Endurance Pro features a thermo-compensated SuperQuartz movement said to be 10 times as accurate as conventional quartz movements often used in sport watches. Water resistant to 100 meters, the Endurance Pro is available in five vivid colors and is accompanied by a two-year warranty.

Breitling.com

The Limelight Gala Automatic by Piaget

Male watch enthusiasts were not the only ones seeing new watch releases in late summer, thanks to female-focused brands such as Piaget. For decades, Piaget has prioritized its ladies’ timepieces, focusing largely on aesthetics, metalworking and a creative use of gemstones, but its latest release for women got a little deeper than a watch’s outward appearance.
The Limelight Gala Automatic timepiece features the Maison’s manufacture self-winding 501P movement and an exhibition sapphire crystal case back through which the wearer is able to see the movement at work. As always, the Limelight Gala stuns outwardly with its two asymmetrical extended lugs, featuring and an array of diamonds or gemstones.

Piaget.com

The H5 Red Cobra by HYT

Independent watch brand HYT continues to defy how time is traditionally told by making its own rules and playing the game at a level not previously reached. “Time is Fluid” is more than HYT’s mantra; it’s how its watches actually work. Using advanced chemistry, two types of liquid flow through capillaries within the watch, showing the wearer how much time has passed in a day and how much time is yet to come.
In late August the brand released a new version of its popular H5 watch: the limited edition H5 Red Cobra featuring a manual-wind mechanical movement with a 65-hour power reserve, high-tech ceramic fluidic restrictors, and a strap made of red rubber with a titanium folding buckle.

Hytwatches.com

The Ulysse Nardin BLAST

Ulysse Nardin is known widely for its ocean-related and dive-themed timepieces, but its newest novelty not only steps foot on land, but rather theoretically goes deep into the earth to experience the proverbial rush of a moment just before an explosion; the moment when all time stands still.
The BLAST watch by Ulysse Nardin (shown here in the white version) features a self-winding caliber UN-172 manufacturer’s movement and a flying tourbillon, all able to be easily seen because of the watch’s skeleton dial and raised rectangular bridge. The BLAST is accompanied by a 72-hour power reserve, is water resistant to 50 meters, and has a case made of titanium and white ceramic.

Ulysse-nardin.com

The Streamliner Centre Seconds by H. Moser & Cie

No one will ever be able to accuse independent watch brand H. Moser & Cie of not having either the guts or the gumption to do what it does. It’s often considered the watch industry’s Prometheus, regularly defying rules and norms and taking the path less traveled because, well, that’s usually the one that’s most adventurous (and the most fun).
The H. Moser & Cie Centre Seconds watch with steel integrated bracelet – the second watch in its Streamliner collection, which was introduced in early 2020 – made its debut during Geneva Watch Days and hasn’t looked back. This three-hand watch is a throwback to simpler times, while showcasing a vibrant green fume dial that will clearly impress generations to come.

H-moser.com

The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Nekton Edition

If there is any brand that is undeniably consistent in the world of watches, it’s Omega. It’s popular, sought-after and still mostly affordable. The brand continues to put out quality timepieces year after year while also supporting initiatives that improve the world’s oceans and help the environment.
August saw the release of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Nekton Edition, a dive watch that is water resistant to 300 meters. According to Raynald Aeschlimann, OMEGA’s president and CEO, this new release falls in line with Omega’s vision. He stated in a press release, “Our friends at Nekton are protecting the ocean with the global goal of 30% protection by 2030. As a pioneering brand with a long history of pushing at the boundaries of what is possible, we have the utmost respect for this bold, confident vision and we’re thrilled to help make the goal a reality.”

Omegawatches.com

The Balancier S by Greubel Forsey

Greubel Forsey and the term “sport watch” seemed about as foreign a combination as Kanye West and humility — that is, until late 2019, when Greubel Forsey officially released its first ever active lifestyle timepiece, the GMT Sport. Three weeks ago, the indie brand added to that sport watch genre by introducing the Balancier S.
The lightweight and durable titanium case of the Balancier S is constructed to fit against a wrist in an almost curved fashion. The ovoid case shape with integrated lugs and arched sapphire crystal provides protection for the caliber created for the watch, and the rubber strap and 100 meters of water resistance assures the wearer that this is indeed a watch to be worn when challenged.

Greubelforsey.com

The Breguet Tradition Quantième Rétrograde 7597

Watch manufacturer Breguet epitomizes what it is to be able to put forth a watch that is as equally stunning in design as it is mechanically remarkable, and the newly released Tradition Quantième Rétrograde 7597 shows off both of those attributes in an impeccable fashion.
Aesthetically, the 40mm 7597 features an hours chapter decorated with Roman numerals and bordered with an engine turned “Clous de Paris” pattern, all serving as a backdrop to two vibrantly blue steel Breguet hands. Movement-wise, the watch features the self-winding caliber 505Q accompanied by a 50-hour power reserve.

Breguet.com

The Antarctique Abyss by Czapek

Revived in 2015, the namesake brand of Czech-born Polish watchmaker François Czapek has produced some extraordinary – and even award-winning – watches over the last five years. While still a relatively unknown brand to those who aren’t in the horological “know,” Czapek’s popularity is on the rise thanks to attention received for its very special timepieces.
The limited edition Antarctique Abyss, introduced at Geneva Watch Days, made waves with its hand-varnished/hand-painted dial depicting the Antarctic Ocean. The watch also boasted the new caliber SXH5 in-house movement with 56-hour power reserve.

Czapek.com

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm Infinity Edition

Onyx isn’t a gemstone often used in watchmaking. When a watch’s dial is black, it’s usually enameled to appear that way. On more artistically decorated dials, onyx may occasionally be utilized as an accent, but only occasionally do we see the material as the dial itself. Girard-Perregaux sought to change that with the recent release of the Laureato 38mm Infinity Edition.
The polished black onyx dial is surrounded by the Laureato’s octagonal-shaped diamond bezel in this version. The onyx serves as a stark contrast to the brightly polished hands and satin-finished steel case and bracelet.

Girard-perregaux.com

The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Dragon

Remember the previous post about black onyx being used as a watch dial? The trend is something to watch for, as watch brand Jaquet Droz also seems to have caught the onyx bug.
As part of its Ateliers D’art collection of intricately crafted timepieces with elaborate dials, Jaquet Droz introduced the Petite Heure Minute Relief Dragon in two color ways. One of the two editions utilizes a black onyx hour dial and black onyx “pearl” being held by an 18K yellow gold, three-dimensional mystical dragon appearing to pop out of a “spiderman” jasper back drop. The 41mm case is crafted in 18K red gold and is accompanied by a black rolled-edge alligator strap.

Jaquet-droz.com

The DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon by De Bethune

One of the most exciting and innovative independent watch brands to surface in the last decade is undoubtedly Geneva-based De Bethune. After launching in 2010, De Bethune took the watch industry’s top prize – the Aiguille d’Or (Best Watch of the Year) – just one year later at the 2011 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), and it’s been upping its game ever since.
Launched at Geneva Watch Days, the DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon may have been the most posted about, liked, shared and videoed timepiece to come out of the new watch fair. The 43mm case is made of a polished grade 5 titanium, which houses the 272-part caliber DB2019V5 movement containing a titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts and silicon escape wheel. But it’s the curved, open worked and beveled barrel bridge with glass blued sapphire that gives the watch an otherworldly appearance.

Debethune.ch

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 41mm

And finally, the one that nearly broke the internet …
On Sept. 1, heads figuratively exploded all over the horological universe as Rolex introduced its 2020 releases. And while there are always going to be naysayers (and meme-makers) dissing whatever the brand puts forth, the collections were largely welcomed by the watch-enthusiast community. We *are* talking about Rolex, after all.
The novelty seemingly talked about most was the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, which was introduced in a diameter of 41mm and released in four color ways. The Submariner Date 41mm is, of course, just as waterproof as one would expect — to 300 meters. Other characteristics include the brand’s Triplock winding screw down crown, “Cyclops” lens at 3 o’clock, and approximate 70-hour power reserve.

Rolex.com

15 Late-Summer Releases from the World of Watches

15 Late-Summer Releases from the World of Watches

Article by Barbara Palumbo

The last couple of weeks have been busy for many of the world’s watch brands, both big and small. The industry saw its first Swiss in-person event for 2020 – Geneva Watch Days – which took place Aug. 26-29. And while many non-European retailers and watch enthusiasts could only view the latest novelties virtually, the event still gave the industry a feeling of normalcy and togetherness.
But Geneva Watch Days’ 17 exhibiting brands weren’t the only companies releasing late-summer collections to the horological universe. Major players such as Rolex blew up the internet on Sept. 1 with their latest editions for 2020, and they weren’t the only ones making waves.
Here are 15 wow-inducing wristwatches proving that even during a pandemic, time refuses to stand still.