INSPIRED BY FIELDS SUCH AS AVIATION, SAILING AND MOTOR SPORTS, THE CHRONOGRAPHS ACROSS THESE PAGES ARE PERFORMANCE TOOLS THAT GO BEYOND MERE TIME-TELLING.
INSPIRED BY FIELDS SUCH AS AVIATION, SAILING AND MOTOR SPORTS, THE CHRONOGRAPHS ACROSS THESE PAGES ARE PERFORMANCE TOOLS THAT GO BEYOND MERE TIME-TELLING.
FULL LOOP
Winner of the “Revival” prize at the latest Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, the Longines Avigation (a term meaning the navigation of aircraft) BigEye reinterprets a vintage chronograph that was in turn inspired by aviation watches of the 1930s. Housed in a 41mm steel case, the automatic column-wheel chronograph, like all good pilots’ timepieces, is highly legible thanks to a black dial with large lume- coated numerals and an outsized 30-minute counter.
SET SAIL
At regattas, participating vessels gather in a row behind an invisible line a certain time before the race starts. The regatta countdown timer on the Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta PCYC 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic (PA M 652) can be set with the button at four o’clock. Each press sets the golden chronograph minute hand one step backwards along the minute track between nine and twelve o’clock. This watch might be large at 47mm, but its titanium case doesn’t weigh it down.
FULL SPEED A HEAD
Compared to the other engine-shaped timepieces arising from the partnership between Bugatti and Parmigiani, the Bugatti Aerolithe is highly wearable – but that doesn’t mean it ’s boring. Taking its design cues from a short-lived car from 1935, the watch stands out with the textured checkerboard motif on its dial and caseband, created using a combination of laser technolog y and hand-fi nishing. The 41mm titanium timepiece features a double tachymeter scale in kilometres as well as miles.
HIGHLY DRIVEN
Designed by former Tag Heuer owner Jack Heuer in 1962, the Autavia was the fi rst wrist chronograph with a rotating bezel and was sported by many top drivers of the day. The version that Tag Heuer has resurrected for today is the Autavia “R indt ” from 1966, a model worn by former F1 champion Jochen R indt. This 42mm steel watch is powered by the Heuer-02 automatic chronograph calibre.
IN THE ZONES
Designed as an aviation chronograph, complete with sturdy and scratch-proof ceramic bezel, the Chronoliner by Breitling also allows for three time zones to be simultaneously read: This is thanks to its GMT hand, as well as a 24-hour scale bezel. The 46mm steel chronometer features a dial resembling an instrument panel, with contrasting chronograph counters set against a bronze-coloured dial.
STUFF OF FICTION
In 2013, IWC embarked on a partnership with the descendants of A ntoine de Saint-Exupery, creating watches paying tribute to the aviator and author’s most famous story The Little Prince. The latest additions to the range include the Pilot ’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince”, a 43mm steel timepiece with the series’ signature blue dial. It ’s powered by a robust automatic movement protected against magnetic fi elds by a soft-iron inner case.
ALL REVVED UP
Since they began collaborating in 2011, Hublot and Ferrari have produced several sporty timepieces bearing the hallmarks of both brands. Recently given a style update, models such as the Big Bang Ferrari Unico Titanium feature dial details inspired by Ferrari dashboards – the minute counter and date window at three o’clock, for instance, resemble a car tachometer. Its engine is all Hublot: The brand’s own Unico automatic chronograph movement drives this 45mm watch.
PHOTOGRAPHY VEE CHIN
ART DIRECTION CHELZA POK
