Our very own special Instagram contributor located in Singapore and a well-rounded watch collector, @orangedial17 is very well known for his stellar photography as one of Asia’s finest collectors. Not only @orangedial17 is a good friend of ours but someone that we also admire from a watch collecting standpoint. A longtime contributor to The Rolex Forums, The Purists and Timezone, he is a watch collector that is easily recognized because he is either wearing his very unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono in 18K white gold with salmon dial or his 36 mm Royal Oak in Tantalum.
Experience: Sipsmith London Dry Gin. As Refreshing as the Look on the Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Collection.
A few months ago while we attended the release of the Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Tourbillon, we visited the Sipsmith distillery in London. Sipsmith is the first copper pot distillery in London in nearly two hundred years. A classic and refreshing London Dry Gin that is bold, complex and very aromatic, this well balanced gin is perfectly suited for a Negroni or a classic Gin and Tonic. As refreshing as the look on the recently launched Vacheron Constantin FiftySix collection, Sipsmith is produced using a complex mix of botanicals that include the fundamental juniper berries —without them you can’t make Gin—, Bulgarian coriander seed, Belgian angelica root, Chinese cassia bark —from the same family as cinnamon—, Italian orris root, Spanish ground almond, Madagascan cinnamon bark, Spanish liquorice root, Seville orange peel and lemon peel.
Experience: Smythson Greenwich Holdall Bag. The Attention Grabber While Attending the SIHH in Geneva.
After receiving dozens of compliments about this bag during our time attending the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève last month, we decided to do a feature on it and tell you everything about it. At the end of the day, we know you come to WCL for the extensive watch content but also because of the good life and the occasional Paella recipe on our Instagram stories —no pun intended. As we travel the world in search for new luxury items to fall in love with, bags are one of our biggest weaknesses here at WCL and Smythson of Bond Street along with Faure Le Page are among the top of our list due to their exclusivity and understated look, very much like wearing a stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST with ruthenium toned dial.
Insider: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán. Almost Like Wearing a Lamborghini on the Wrist.
Taking inspiration from the Lamborghini Squadra Corse and its unique automobile aesthetic showcased in the Huracan Performante the watchmakers at Roger Dubuis have developed a few incredible timepieces brimming with racing design codes. Along with the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán Performante and its new movement —the RD630 with its 12-degree inclined balance wheel representing the calibre signature associated with Lamborghini—, comes the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán with its 45 mm titanium case and the automatic winding mechanism displaying a rim‑like oscillating weight. The upper calibre features a strut‑bar designed bridge recalling the ones of the V10 engine of the Lamborghini Huracan super car.
Insider: HYT H1.0 Blue, Red and Green. Unconventional Fluidic Timekeeping with a Skeletonized Dial.
The HYT H1.0 is the latest and greatest iteration of the hydro-mechanical timepieces by the avant-garde house that is nestled in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. HYT is the only watchmaking company to display time with fluids and it was launched in 2012 with the introduction of the H1 at BaselWorld. Today, after much work done in the R&D department, HYT has consolidated as one of the top independent watchmaking brands with a truly unique offering that remains unrivaled and that awarded them the innovation prize at the Grand Prix de Horlogerie de Genève in 2012.
Experience: Watches & Wonders Miami 2019. Watches, Cars, People and the Good Life.
This past weekend, we attended the second edition of Watches & Wonders Miami 2019 which took place at the Miami Design District from February 15th-17th, 2019. This event organized by the Miami Design District Associates in partnership with the FHH —Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie— presented 30 brands including: A. Lange & Sohne, Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari, Cartier, De Bethune, Dior, F.P. Journe, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie., Hublot, HYT, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Kari Voutilainen, Louis Vuitton, Omega, Panerai, Piaget, RJ Romain Jerome, Roger Dubuis, Romain Gauthier, Speake-Marin, Tag Heuer, Tiffany & Co., Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels and Zenith.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402ST 'Blacked Out'. The Watch that Belonged to Karl Lagerfeld Himself?
A very sad day in the world of luxury, fashion and glamour as Karl Lagerfeld passed away today February 19, 2019. Karl Otto Lagerfeld was a German creative director that led design at Chloé, Chanel and Fendi amongst others. In his early days as the mastermind of the fashion house Chloé, where Lagerfeld worked until 1992 —with a short 8-year hiatus in the 80s—, the are numerous pictures that were taken by Daniel Simon at Gamma-Rapho where Karl Lagerfeld is wearing nothing else than a ‘blacked out’ Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402ST A-series.
Insider: Ulysse Nardin Marine Mega Yacht Watch. As Amazing as the Mega Yacht Where it was Launched.
Just released in Miami on Saturday February 16th, 2019 while we were attending Watches & Wonders Miami 2019, the new Ulysse Nardin Marine Mega Yacht was presented aboard an incredible 156-foot mega yacht made by Baglietto boasting 342 square meters —3,681 square feet— of luxury area accommodations for 12 guests. During the presentation, we enjoyed a few early morning glasses of Perrier-Jouèt Grand Brut along with some fresh tuna and caviar. Without a doubt, the perfect luxury setting to reveal an incredible timepiece priced at $310,000 USD. For Ulysse Nardin setting out to sea is a key moment in any new voyage.
Insider: Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech Special Edition PAM 961. A Watch that Includes a Training Experience with Commandos of the Italian Navy.
This year Panerai focused their SIHH novelties around their Submersible line and released a dozen Submersible timepieces. The new Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech Special Edition PAM 961 is one of our absolute favorites and the buyers of this 33-piece limited edition will have the opportunity to participate on a spectacular experience that includes one day of training with the COMSUBIN —Comando Subacquei ed Incursori— “Raiders and Divers” Commandos of the Italian Navy. The number of pieces in this limited edition is 33 like the number of gold medals earned by COMSUBIN for Military Valour. First and foremost the COMSUBIN is a secret special operations unit. Its membership is a fairly well-guarded secret and estimates account for this group to have around 700 specialized men.
News: Romain Gauthier Prestige HMS Stainless Steel. A Meteorite Dial 10-Piece Limited Edition.
Today, Romain Gauthier announced its first series watch in stainless steel featuring a stunning dial crafted from ultra rare, visually arresting meteorite. Founded in 2005, Romain Gauthier is a very high-end independent watch brand based in the Vallée de Joux and led by its passionate founder Romain Gauthier. The new Romain Gauthier Prestige HMS Stainless Steel is available in a 10-piece limited edition and its dial is crafted from an ultra rare Henbury meteorite. The meteorite used to make the dial is an octahedrite —an iron meteorite— that was discovered in 1931 at the Henbury crater field in the Northern Territory of Australia, one of the country’s best known meteorite impact sites.
Insider: HYT H0 'Time is Precious' Edition. A Strikingly Beautiful Multifaceted Reflective Mirror Dial.
After the huge success of the HYT H0 during Baselworld 2017, HYT presented the H0 'Feel the HYT' Edition during Watches & Wonders Miami 2018. Continuing with the saga of engraved casebands with exciting messages that enhance the primal curves of the pebble shaped case/crystal construction, the new HYT H0 ‘Time is Precious’ Edition is one of the latest pieces released by the Hydromechanical horologists during the SIHH 2019. Fitted with a multifaceted mirror dial that resembles a broken mirror and red fluidic hours, the HYT Time is Precious pays tribute to the phrase mastered by humanity for centuries regarding the priceless value of time.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26480TI. Is this the Next Generation of the 42 mm Offshores?
With all the attention focused on the new CODE 11.59 collection, many of the other Audemars Piguet new watch releases flew under the radar and such is the case of the new Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26480TI.OO.A027CA.01 released at the SIHH 2019. This new watch sporting a 42 mm case in titanium is a perfect hybrid between the previous generation of 42 mm Royal Oak Offshores and the 44 mm ones. Sporting a totally new designed set of crown guards, pushers and crown, the new Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26480 shows a more robust and modern look. In addition to the redesigned case elements, the dial, flange and hands also received a face lift.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoutlre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Pink Gold. Classic, Elegant and Timeless.
For most of us, the first things that come up to mind when thinking of Jaeger-LeCoultre are slim, time only watches with a timeless design. Jaeger-LeCoultre is not only a master of complicated watches but a brand that helped forge the horological world as we know it today, thanks to the development from the ground up of some of the most amazing movements and ebauches powering not only their own watches but also watches from the holy trinity of watchmaking —Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe—, as it happened with the development of the JLC calibre 920 which gave birth to the AP 2121, the VC 1121 and the Patek 28-255.
Insider: Santos de Cartier Chronograph. A Great Looking Watch with a Very Clever Chronograph Pusher System.
Equipped with a colum-wheel chronograph and a clever chronograph pusher system comes the new Santos de Cartier Chronograph in an extra-large model measuring 43.3. mm x 51.3 mm and with a case thickness of 12.5 mm. The watch is available in three different references, one in stainless steel and 18K yellow gold duo-tone, an 18K rose gold model and a stainless steel with ADLC bezel. While the stainless steel model and the 18K rose gold are sold with an alligator strap and interchangeable rubber bracelet, the two-tone model sports a metal bracelet and includes an interchangeable rubber bracelet as well. Without a doubt, the new interchangeable system released by Cartier in 2018 is one of the most attractive features in the revamped Santos collection.
Insider: Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked. Unequivocally AP In Every Way.
A couple of weeks ago we shared with you our overall perspective on the new Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 collection here. If you haven’t read that article, we recommend that you do. While not all the watches in the new CODE 11.59 collection were our cup of tea, there are three that stand out and one of them is the Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked. This new watch is not only unequivocally AP all the way but a watch within this polarizing new collection were the DNA from the brand permeated through the whole design of the timepiece the right way.
Insider: MB&F Medusa Clock in Collaboration with L'Epée 1839. The Horological Jelly Fish.
The tenth collaboration with Switzerland’s premier clockmaker L’Epée 1839 and a clock where MB&F plunges into warm ocean waters to create the Medusa, a dual-configuration clock, housed in hand-blown Murano glass, that can be ceiling mounted or stood upon a desk. With its central mass formed by a large transparent dome of hand-blown Murano glass that evokes the bell-shaped body of a mature jellyfish. Two rotating rings, one displaying the hours and the other displaying the minutes, are visible through the dome, and the time is read off a single fixed indicator that extends over the rings. Like a jellyfish glowing in the abyss, Medusa glows in the dark thanks to superluminova. A 2.5Hz —18,000vph— mechanical movement beats underneath the time indication, forming the pulsating heart of this mechanical creature.
SIHH 2019: IWC Big Pilot’s Constant Force Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’ Platinum. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Since 2005, IWC has been in collaboration with the family of French aviator and author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This partnership has already seen a variety of special editions launched within the Pilot’s Watches collection. While some pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of the great humanist himself, others are dedicated to his most famous literary work "The Little Prince" —Le Petit Prince. These timepieces, characterized by their distinctive midnight blue dials, have been a highly regarded addition to the Pilot’s Watch collections since 2013. At the SIHH 2019, added some exclusive models to this line including the new Big Pilot’s Watch Constant Force Tourbillon Edition ‘Le Petit Prince’ ref. IW590302 in platinum —also available in hard gold.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574PT Ice Blue. Live Pictures of the 50-Piece Limited Edition.
With most of the Midwest under below freezing temperatures and the polar vortex in full, there’s no better watch to bring some heat and ice —at the same time— to our readers in Chicago —our old stomping grounds and the city that saw WCL come to fruition— than with a new iteration of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar quietly unveiled at the SIHH 2019. Just another one of those very special watches that we got to see and shoot for you. After the release of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar for Latin America ref. 26584OR.OO.1220OR.O1 —one of the hottest watches in 2018—, now comes this version in solid platinum sporting an ice blue dial with navy blue accents. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574PT.OO.1220PT.01, joins the other four Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars fitted with a 41 mm case and the new automatic calibre 5134.
SIHH 2019: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Enamel Dial Limited Editions. Live Pictures & Pricing.
New for the SIHH 2019 are three Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin watches with blue guilloché and enamel dials. A new Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon, a Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar and a Master Ultra Thin Moon phase watch enrich the ultra thin collection with the most emblematic complications in watchmaking. Showcasing Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise in the field of horology, these new dials are a testament to precision and sophistication. All cased in 18K white gold cases and exclusively available in limited editions, the three new watches feature a midnight blue —blue greenish depending on lighting conditions— enamel dial with sunray guilloché motif.
SIHH 2019: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date. Live Pictures & Pricing.
The first A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk was launched back in 2009. An exceptional mechanical watch fitted with a digital display unlike any other watch out there just got even better at the SIHH 2019 with the release of the new Zeitwerk Date. If Lange timepieces seem too dressy or formal for your lifestyle, we think that the Zeitwerk brings the perfect balance between cool and elegant to finally make you take the plunge and get that first Lange. With its hours and minutes indicated with jumping numerals and the time bridge dominating the dial, the master watchmakers at the German manufacture were incredibly talented at adding a date function to this watch without disrupting the perfectly balanced dial or affecting the original case size of 44.2 mm.
