TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT has two new designs in either a stainless steel metal bracelet or on a deep midnight blue rubber strap to match the dial and bezel. For this new version, a second time zone is added and fans will appreciate the same form and functionality of the automatic released last year.
Unchanged is the recognizable 12-sided bezel that ties the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional family to the previous ones such as a fluted edge on every other facet so that the wearer can grip and adjust the bezel with ease. The crown is still screwed and protected, and the 43-mm case continues to offer 300 meters of water resistance.
Collectors will recognize how these details conform to the six signature features introduced in the 1980s and found in the original TAG Heuer Aquaracer model blueprint of 2004: a uni-directional rotating bezel; a screw-down crown; water resistance to at least 200 meters; luminous markings; a sapphire crystal; and a double safety clasp. Functions for the divers, surfers and adventurers. Colours have been added to give a lift to its new look in shades of blue, yellow and white – to represent the sky, the sun, the water and the crashing waves near the shore.
Franck Muller
Always pushing the boundaries, Franck Muller adds a bold new element to the Vanguard Rose Skeleton, a stunning black PVD treatment on a white gold case and movement bridges. That’s not all, check out the 422 black brilliant-cut diamonds on the case and 75 brilliant-cut gems on the dial.
The complexity of the design lies in the fact that gem-setting on PVD-coated components is more challenging to achieve than on regular precious metals, as the stones have to be treated in a specific way before and after setting them in place. Each of the five versions of the timepiece has hand-painted enamel varnish displays in five different colours, a tribute to the colours of nature. They are a crisp white with green accents on the leaves and diamonds; cherry red with rubies; lime green with green diamonds; pastel pink with pink sapphires to match; and lastly, a sleek all-black boutique exclusive piece. The beauty on the outside continues inside with an exclusive in-house 1540 VS17 calibre, a manually-wound movement with twin barrels that offer a combined 4-day power reserve.
Chopard
Pianist Wu Muye has just been appointed as the L.U.C Collection ambassador. The talented pianist’s synergy with Chopard lies with classical music and intricate French conservatory style. Closely resonating with the elegance and technical and aesthetic refinement inherent to the L.U.C Collection, Wu Muye’s musical virtuosity, elegant, sophisticated style, and constant challenging of himself, have made him a great pianist and the perfect ambassador for these timepieces.
In 1996 Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele designed the first in-house watch at the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier, naming it after Maison’s founder, Louis-Ulysse Chopard. Every L.U.C timepiece is crafted by a master artisan at Chopard Manufacture and each piece epitomizes the highest standard of Swiss watchmaking. Showcasing a stunning repertoire of mechanical complexity and artistic excellence, the collection meets the aspirations for exceptional timepieces of modern gentlemen.
In Wu Muye’s role as ambassador of the L.U.C Collection, he will embody all the dignified charm of refined contemporary men who choose to wear the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon. The 20-piece limited edition minute repeater timepiece is made with ethical 18-carat rose gold and features a monobloc sapphire crystal/gong system adjusted by well-known soloists and virtuoso brothers, Renaud and Gautier Capuçon.
See also: Defying traditions
Breguet
With its three interchangeable straps in an exquisite box set, the new Classique Dame 8068 by Breguet will be one coveted by women. The rapid interchange system offers a quick change through the pusher located under the strap that enables the user to lift up, remove and replace it. In a matter of seconds, you can transition from a black satin fabric strap to a colourful alligator leather strap: teal blue and Byzantium purple for the white gold version; and peacock blue and raspberry pink for the rose gold iterations.
The new Classique 8068 is powered by Calibre 537/3 with its 191 components. The platinum oscillating weight is hand-engraved on a rose engine with a circular barleycorn pattern. Its balance oscillates at a frequency of 3.5 Hz. The rhodium-plated self-winding movement is endowed with a 45-hour power reserve. It is equipped with an in-line Swiss lever escapement and a silicon balance spring. Silicon has many properties. In addition to being resistant to corrosion and wear, it is insensitive to the influence of magnetic fields and improves the precision of the timepiece. The case is water-resistant to 3 bar (30 m) and its sapphire back enables one of Breguet’s cherished skills to be admired, with decorations such as chamfering and the Côtes de Genève motif embellishing the various movement components.
