WATCH NEWS

The latest and most talked-about collections.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

The latest and most talked-about collections.

Dolce&Gabbana fall/winter 2019

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Clockwise from top: White gold and sapphire Royal Oak Frosted Gold Double Balance Wheel Openworked “Snow Rainbow” watch, $146,600, Audemars Piguet; Versace fall/winter 2019; Rose gold, sapphire and diamond Imperiale Joaillerie Rainbow watch, $120,000, Chopard; King gold and multi-stone Big Bang One Click Rainbow King Gold watch, $107,700, Hublot; White gold, sapphire, and diamond Oyster, Perpeptual Day-Date 36 watch, Rolex; Rose gold and sapphire Tonda 1950 Rainbow watch, Parmigiani Fleurier

CHASING RAINBOWS

Celebrate diversity in all its forms with every colour under the sun. Carry good vibes wherever you go and you might find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

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From left: Steel Portofino Automatic 43 watches, $7,500 each; Gold Portofino Automatic 34 watches, $18,500, IWC Scaffhausen

JOIE DE VIVRE

Slender-wristed fans of IWC Schaffhausen will be breaking out the champagne at news of the brand’s latest Portofino editions. For the first time in its 35-year history, the Portofino is now available in a reduced size of 34mm, ensuring that women with petite wrists are able to find one that ficomfortably. Five new Automatic models have been introduced, each equipped with a DIY interchangeable strap system and 12 straps to choose from, in addition to a Milanese steel mesh bracelet for greater style versatility.

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Bronze 1858 Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition watch, $9,400, Montblanc

FOR NATURE EXPLORERS

Montblanc’s 1858 collection got the popular vote when it was introduced at the start of last year; making it little surprise that the watchmaker would expand this collection soon after. Presenting a winning combination of khaki green dials and bronze cases, the new editions—which include a limited edition Geosphere as well as Automatic, Automatic Chronograph models—further capture the spirit of exploration and the great outdoors with NATO straps, handcrafted by a traditional weaving manufacture in France. Case-backs engraved with the Mont Blanc mountain, a compass and ice pick-axes complete the picture.

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Pink gold, ruby and diamond Dazzling Rendez-Vous Red, $104,000, Jaeger-LeCoultre

RED ALERT

What a difference a gem makes. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new Dazzling Rendez-Vous Red sees the brand’s Rendez-Vous Night & Day Timepiece take on a new look and personality with a new 36-ruby bezel—heldfirm with a minimalist prong setting that makes the stones look like they’re

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White gold Arceau Grands Fonds watch, $135,400, Hermès

FISHY BUSINESS

Looking to a 1992 scarf design by Annie Faivre for inspiration, Hermès’ Arceau Grands Fonds watch features an exotic fish on its dial that warrants a closer inspection. Comprising countless tiny glass tiles that have been handcrafted specifically for this purpose before being meticulously positioned, each métier d’art dial takes Hermès Horloger artisans over a month to complete—perhaps explaining why only six pieces of this limited edition are being released

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Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept watch is made from a tough cobalt-based high-tech alloy to counter its 2mm thinness

CONCEPT BEYOND

A Singapore 50-cent coin has a thickness of 2.03mm. Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept watch, in comparison, clocks in at just 2mm, delivering the world’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound timepiece. Taking Piaget’s “Research and Innovation” division four years of R&D to achieve, this concept watch reaffirms Piaget’s standing as a master of ultra-thin horology with five patents, a new ultra-rigid and robust cobalt-based high-tech alloy (to counter the fragility of its slenderness) and technical solutions that sees the watch case functioning as both an exterior component and the movement baseplate. For this watch, the word “Ultimate” in its name is not hyperbolic.

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White gold and diamond Inspired by Twombly diamond watch, GRAFF

WE’ RELOVING …

… GRAFF’s Inspired by Twombly diamond watch. It’s a joyous swirl that glitters with 25.8 carats of diamonds, each bearing a bespoke cut to ensure a perfect fit within its ribbon-like frame. 

Glamorously fabulous, this watch ensures you shine on all occasions.

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Ceramic Defy Classic Farfetch Exclusive 41mm watch, $10,671, Zenith

EXCLUSIVE EDITION

Zenith commemorates its year-long partnership with online luxury fashion retailer Farfetch with an exclusive DEFY Classic watch that will do much for one’s street cred. The 41mm ceramic number features a skeleton execution of its automatic Elite movement, finished with nude rubber and satin-like insert straps. It’s a Sandtrooper for the wrist, released in a 25-piece limited edition available exclusively on farfetch.com.

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From top: Red gold and diamond Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara Humming Bird watch, $87,000, Jaquet Droz; White gold, sapphire and diamond Premier Precious Peacock Automatic 36mm watch, Harry

BIRD WATCHING

You don’t have to be an aspiring ornithologist to appreciate these watches. Jaquet Droz’s Petite Heure Minute “Smalta Clara Hummingbird” comes in two variations of plique-à-jour enamel work (each in an eightpiece limited edition set). Harry Winston’s Premier Precious Peacock Automatic 36mm, on the other hand, brings the celebrated bird to life through glass mosaics and gem setting, and is also available in two limited editions of just 30 pieces each.

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Château de Chantilly sets the stage for the biennial event

HIGH LIFE

Awesome concept cars alongside gorgeous classic cars over a glorious weekend: That’s what Chantilly Arts & Élégance Richard Mille 2019 at the end of June had to offer its 18,000 visitors. 

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There were supercars galore

Held every two years in alternation with Le Mans Classic, this year’s installation of “the world’s most elegant automotive competition” saw 16 automotive manufacturers (including Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lexus, McLaren, Porsche, Tesla and Volkswagen) parading their latest and greatest on the historical, manicured grounds of the Château de Chantilly for an unforgettable spectacle of the senses.