Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer 40
The bigger, the better? That seems to be the case as Rolex has introduced a new 40mm model to its Explorer range. As expected of a bigger case, the legibility is enhanced and as expected from a tool watch, this is a highly robust piece crafted in Rolex’s special Oystersteel material. It comes equipped with the same calibre movement 3230 as the previous Explorer models with the only difference being the ‘Explorer’ text is now placed at 12 o’clock.
The middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel material (similar to the kind of steel material often used in fields such as aerospace and chemical industries), giving it a lustrous sheen despite being exposed to the harshest conditions. This new model also comes with a Chromalight dial, a luminescent feature that is exclusive to Rolex. But for those looking for a smaller option, fret not, Rolex will still offer the option of the Explorer in 36mm.
A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Chronograph
Producing a self-winding movement is possibly one of the toughest domains for a watchmaker, and yet A. Lange & Söhne has done just that. Four years after launching the Odysseus, the house’s first ‘sporty elegance’ timepiece, A Lange & Söhne has introduced a chronograph version with a newly developed L156.1 calibre, making this model the first self-winding chronograph movement from the brand.
An innovative detail on the chronograph is the specially sealed tapered button that comes with a dual function. The buttons at 2 and 4 o’ clock are used to operate the chronograph functions to reset the chronograph hands back to zero. Meanwhile, when the crown is pulled, the date and day of the week can be corrected. The Odysseus Chronograph comes in a 42.5 mm case and is limited to 100 pieces.
Santos de Cartier
Cartier joins in on the green dial trend with a new After Eight mints-like deep metallic green dial on the Santos de Cartier. Coated in a thin layer of tinted lacquer and applied by hand, the luxurious texture and depth of the shade is mesmerising. In addition, there’s also the Santos de Cartier blue dial in medium size after last year’s release in large. The design highlights the iconic Santos tapered lines and is available in two sizes in steel cases. Large comes with a date window and the medium comes without a date window and is equipped with the 1847 MC automatic movement.
Tudor Black Bay 54
We’re noticing a trend of black dials recently and the new Tudor Black Bay has caught our eye. Tudor has introduced a new addition to its Black Bay line in tribute to the watchmaker’s first dive watch, the 7922 reference, which was first introduced in 1954. Today the model is given a modern iteration with a 37mm case. The stainless steel case comes with an unidirectional bezel and the manufacture calibre MT5400 with a 200m depth rating. The seconds hands also stay true to the original with a lollipop design but this model is revamped with updated ergonomics through the redesigned crown and bezel.
Piaget Palace Decor
Piaget stuns at Watches & Wonders with the new Palace Decor cuff watch in a stunning robin-egg blue turquoise stone dial. The Palace Decor was first developed in the 1960s and is inspired by the guilloché technique famed in watchmaking. Beginning with a bracelet of gold links, an artisan will then incise using the sharp tip of an echoppe to sculpt stylised grooves and outlines. The new collection of cuff watches highlights Piaget’s love of nature.
Patek Philippe Calatrava 24-Hour Travel Time 52246
Are you a jet-setter? Then you need a tool such as the Patek Philippe Calatrava 24-Hour Travel Time 52246 on your wrist to keep track of the various time zones you’ll be in. Adding on to its variety of complications, the new Calatrava ref 5224r – 001 comes with a 24-hour display where the two central hands keep track of home and local timings. The sleek 42mm rose gold case accentuates the dazzling blue dial. The model is powered by the new calibre 31-260 PS FUS 24-hour self-winding movement, a patented system for correcting local time by the crown and a 48-hour power reserve. We especially love the embellished hand-applied numerals on this classic yet timeless piece.
Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph
Drawing inspiration from the first ever Reverso, Jaeger LeCoultre revealed the Reverso Tribute Chronograph powered by a new calibre 860 movement, uniting a chronograph with the Reverso’s signature double-sided time display. The best part here is – it comes in steel and pink gold. The steel version comes with a sleek dark blue strap, while the pink gold is paired with a black strap.
One side of the watch shows a classic dial, but when reversed, you get to marvel at a fully skeletonised dial with a chronograph mechanism and it comes with a 52-hour power reserve. Jaeger LeCoultre says there are no fewer than 300 components in this timepiece, yet the rectangular movement fully aligns with the maison’s philosophy of elegance, fitting all those little mechanical bits and bobs into the slim 12mm case.
Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback
The Zenith Pilot collection is one of the longest-standing collections for the manufacturer. One of its latest iterations, The Pilot Big Date Flyback, comes with a new El Primero 3600 calibre movement added onto the popular design with new functions that work perfectly even if you’re not manning a plane.
The oversized date display features a next-gen patented compliant mechanism that advances and stabilises both of the big date’s wheels in less than 0.03 seconds. The model comes in two distinct versions, one in stainless steel and one in black ceramic, both housed in a 42.5mm case. The chronograph minutes totaliser comes in alternating colours to easily distinguish between the five-minute marks. It is also equipped with a convenient big date and flyback function.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 in Titanium
Titanium watches have been getting a lot of attention lately and IWC is one watchmaker to highlight the material in the new Ingenieur Automatic 40 which comes in both steel and titanium. This model is inspired by the vintage 1970s design of Gérald Genta’s Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832, but with a few modern touches in regards to the ergonomics, finishing and a new IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre. At 40mm, it sits quite large on the wrist, but as titanium is a much lighter and sturdier material than stainless steel, the titanium Ingenieur Automatic 40 makes for the perfect day-to-day watch that’s also dressy enough for the evenings.