Introducing: The Lady Serenade Limited Edition by Glashutte Original

With Valentine’s Day now less than a month away, the countdown has begun to finding the watch-loving woman in your life that special something as a symbol of your affections. Luckily, German haute horology label Glashutte Original has introduced a very special piece of wrist candy just in time for the most romantic day of the year that fits the bill to a T – the Lady Serenade Special Edition.

*The scarlet-hued Lady Serenade Limited Edition by Glashutte Original*

Inspired by the colour of love, the dominant design conceit of this beautifully crafted chronogram is painted in liberal swathes of red, from the 52 radiant rubies – one for each week of the year – gracing its elegant stainless steel bezel and the cabochon ruby embedded in its crown to its cherry-red Louisiana alligator leather straps. The overall effect creates quite a statement indeed.

What’s more, these scarlet overtones provide the perfect foil for its subtly iridescent mother-of-pearl dial, ensuring any passing gaze is centred immediately upon its gleaming fascia. The dial is, in fact, so super slim that it requires the delicate handling of Glashutte Original master craftsmen to complete, replete with three Roman numerals and eight brilliant-cut diamond hour markers. Polished white gold hour and second hands and a date aperture at 6 o’clock complete its passion-inspiring look.

Powering this sophisticated statement timepiece is Glashutte Original’s proprietary calibre 39-22 automatic movement, a specimen of mechanical engineering that produces 28,000 half-oscillations per hour, all to ensure that the Lady Serenade Limited Edition keeps time accurately. Replete with a 40-hour power reserve, this ruby-red, femme-focused wrist adornment is limited to a release of just 50 pieces, guaranteeing its status as an eventual collector’s item. To get your hands on this rare design and put a doting smile on the face of your horologically-inclined lady, visit a Glashutte Original boutique near you today.

Wrist Candy: Four fabulous watches that caught our eye at SIHH 2019

It’s no secret that the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) watch fair kicks off the watch industry’s annual calendar each year. Last month, the 29th iteration of the illustrious showcase kicked off in Geneva, with some of the world’s leading watchmakers unveiling some serious showstoppers in a bid to be the Brand with the Best Watch. From the hundreds of newly launched timepieces, here are four fabulous watches that particularly caught our eye at SIHH 2019.

SIHH 2019: Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night and Day Jewellery watch — *Jaeger-LeCoultre –* *Rendez-Vous* *Night and Day Jewellery*

Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night & Day Jewellery

Watch-minded women were not left wanting at SIHH 2019, with a veritable slew of wrist candy designs up for grabs. Of these, perhaps Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new Rendez-Vous Night & Day Jewellery is worth a more serious look-see. Created with an eye-catching diamond-and-mother-of-pearl conceit, the day/night indicator at 6 o’clock further burnishes its sophisticated appeal. Fitted with an automatic movement, both pink and white gold models of this 36mm timepiece are equally chic – a fitting addition to the wrists of any femme fashionista.

Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Imperial Tiger

Long known for its dedication to precision handcraftsmanship and creative flair, Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin did not disappoint at SIHH 2019. Several stunning one-of-a-kind additions to its Mécaniques Sauvages range were unveiled, each boasting a unique combination of wood marquetry and ‘bas-relief’ artisanal designs, paired enticingly with a majestic animal motif. Among these models, it was perhaps the Les Cabinotiers Imperial Tiger that truly stood out, with the eponymous golden tiger perched mid-prowl atop a rockface and surrounded by foliage.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur One-Off

Roger Dubuis, with its penchant for all things avant garde, pulled back the curtains on its all-new Excalibur One-Off. The latest instalment of its successful partnership with Italian motoring marque, Lamborghini, this sporty chronogram was inspired by the recently-launched Lamborghini SC18 Alston supercar. Boasting clean lines, an aggressively-styled fascia and bezel in a bold red-black theme, the jewel in its crown is undoubtedly the double flying tourbillon placed at 4 and 8 o’clock.

Girard-Perregaux Bridges Cosmos

Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, meanwhile, opted to look beyond terra firma to the cosmos as inspiration for its Bridges Cosmos. Heralded as being ‘a new dialogue between earth and sky’, this outré timepiece is aptly fitted with two globes – a miniature Earth and a micro star chart – that take centrestage on its generously spacious dial. If that weren’t enough, this all-encompassing creation also boasts a tourbillon and a second time zone indicator as well, a move sure to inspire interest from even the most discerning haute horlogerie enthusiast to peruse the veritable treasure trove of horological designs to bless SIHH 2019.

Masters of Time X: Bringing in the biggest brands to the 10th anniversary

It was just 10 years ago that keen watch watchers worldwide were thrilled by the very first iteration of Masters of Time, a finely curated collection of highend timepieces that all but took over Macau for the weekend. For 2018, rechristened “Masters of Time X” in honour of its momentous anniversary, it was billed as being bigger and better than ever, with DFS – the Hong Kong-headquartered luxury travel retailer behind the show – promising something truly spectacular.

From the off, it was obviously a promise they were determined to keep. The sheer scale of the opening ceremony – complete with multisensory dining, body bending acrobatics, arts masterclasses and fine wine tastings – ensured no attendee walked away unawed before even a single timepiece took its first public bow. That’s not to say that, for even one precise and everso-accurately measured minute, the organisers had forgotten what it was all about, with the welcoming hijinks only a prelude to the mesmerising main course of all the very best in haute horology that was to follow.

Keeping to their avowed intent of outdoing all that had come before, this year, this most singular of showcases featured more than 450 fine distillations of the master watchmaker’s craft, with 30 brands in all represented.

While it is surely folly to single out just a few particular merit-worthy items from amid such illustrious company, there were seven especially splendid timepieces that demanded further coverage. Starting off with the traditional, for lovers of classical craftsmanship, IWC’s marvellously minimalist Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years” was clearly created with you in mind.

Boasting a dazzling blue dial punctuated solely by jumping hours and minute displays (and a small hacking seconds sub-dial), the design is a clear homage to Josef Pallweber, the Austrian watchmaker who created this then-groundbreaking layout in pocket watch form back in 1883. Mounted on elegant black alligator leather straps and limited to just 500 pieces, this 45mm timepiece is sure to appeal to every gentlemanly collector.

Should you be a lady looking for an equally classical chronogram, the Altiplano-Piaget Rose has all but got your name on. The latest addition to Piaget’s super-slim Altiplano Collection, it’s blessed with an ultra-thin, hand-wound calibre 430P movement, all delightfully housed in a 38mm white gold case. A bejewelled pink Yves Piaget Rose – replete with 80 shimmering petals on a wood marquetry – takes centre stage on its mother-of pearl dial, a feature fetchingly ringed with a further 78 diamonds, gifting the piece the brand’s trademark haute joaillerie flourish.

Staying minimalist, but upping the bold and manly quotient, comes the latest offering from Ulysse Nardin – the Freak Vision Red. The first automatic watch to be ushered into the Freak Collection, it sports a superlight silicium balance wheel complete with nickel mass elements. An edition produced exclusively for Masters of Time attendees, its blue-dominant dial is further burnished with arrow-shaped minute and hour hands – all accented with DFS’ signature red hue – mounted on the escapement wheel in true tourbillon style.

Another edition created solely for this anniversary iteration of Masters of Time was Hublot’s simply iridescent Spirit of the Big Bang Sapphire Rainbow. Eschewing the conventional for the outré, its knowingly avant-garde design featured an open-worked skeletonised dial, revealing the marvels of its HUB4700 movement at even the most cursory of glances.

Never one to be outdone, a customised take on the Excalibur 42mm – the pride of the house of Roger Dubuis – also came complete with several bespoke touches, each a knowing nod to the event’s decennial incarnation. Most strikingly, its diamond-pavéd dial and bezel serve to enhance the stylised Roman numerals on its gem-studded fascia. In a tip of the cap to DFS, the 10 o’clock hour marker and the alligator leather straps of this automatic self-winding watch both showcase its now-unmistakable red accent.

Among the other craftily customised chronometers with a duly celebratory theme was Zenith’s Chronomaster DFS MOT X by Bamford Watch Department. Here, the Swiss marque’s Chronomaster had been customised by a London-based watch personalisation specialist, the dutifully namechecked Bamford Watch Department. With an El Primero Calibre 400 movement concealed within its stainless-steel case, this rare El Primero column-wheel chronograph is said to deliver a movement frequency of 36,000VpH – or, in layman’s terms, it can time an event to one-tenth of a second – making this the perfect watch for the time and motion obsessive in your household.

Even against such gallant and grand competition, though, it would be decidedly contrary not to honour the event’s true stand-out – Franck Muller’s Vanguard Crazy Hours DFS Exclusive (Hero Piece). Its appropriately-entitled diamond studded design features quirky non-sequential numbers – with the 10 o’clock hour marker highlighted once again – and the bold red of DFS emblazoned across its Vanguard bezel and leather strap stitching. With only five such watches ever set to be produced, limited special editions don’t get anymore limited. Or any more special.

Text: Bailey Atkinson and Tenzing Thondup

In Deep Waters: Famous Free-Diver Morgan Bourc’his Tests Tudor Pelagos

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Tudor has gone to new depths with its Tudor Pelagos watch. Waterproof up to a whopping 500 metres (1,640ft), Tudor Pelagos is easily being hailed as the ultimate diver’s watch. Its lightweight titanium case, auto-adjusting clasp, Manufacture Calibre MT5612 movement with 70-hour power reserve and fully luminescent display make it the timepiece of choice when in deep waters, even in the darkest and most extreme of conditions.

Not one to take things at face value, famous French free-diving champion Morgan Bourc’his himself tested the Tudor Pelagos timepiece under trying conditions – exploring the dark waters under ice high up on the French Alps, in numbing cold and with almost no light. Let’s see how the watch performs in the video below:

Art de Vivre: Celebrating the beautiful timepieces of Blancpain

Renowned Swiss watchmaker Blancpain hosted a very special exhibition recently to showcase its beautiful Grand Complication timepieces and celebrate its long-lived tradition of fine watchmaking. Organised in partnership with high-end wine merchant FINE+RARE, the event’s lucky VIP guests were also treated to a glimpse of the marque’s latest designs while enjoying an Art de Vivre experience.

Blancpain's Art de Vivre showcase celebrated fine watches, wines and gourmandry — *Blancpain’s Art de Vivre showcase celebrated fine watches, wines and gourmandry*

The Art de Vivre – or Art of Life – immersion afforded attendees a sneak peek at Blancpain’s upcoming Grand Complication novelties first-hand while being wined and dined in true style. In addition to brand new reinterpretations of the iconic Flyback Chronograph and the Carrousel, the watchmaker also highlighted a stunning Traditional Chinese Calendar watch – a perpetual calendar timepiece boasting a zodiac calendar, a Chinese lunar calendar and Chinese hour markers.

A master watchmaker was on hand to demonstrate Blancpain's legendary craftsmanship — *A master watchmaker was on hand to demonstrate Blancpain’s legendary craftsmanship*

Continuing the Art de Vivre celebration, Michelin-starred chef Philippe Orrico of On Dining Kitchen fame was on hand to serve a specially-created seasonal white truffle degustation menu. FINE+RARE, meanwhile, ensured that guests stayed well hydrated with a series of champagne, fine wines and whiskies.

To round off the event with an appropriately haute horological flourish, a master watchmaker from Blancpain’s own Grand Complications workshop in Switzerland personally demonstrated the painstakingly precise process of creating Blancpain’s chronographical complications by hand, ably emphasising the attention to detail and artisanal skills that have been the byword for this luxury watchmaker for over two centuries.

Twenty~4 Automatic: Glad Time-ings of Joy from Patek Phillipe

If you’re wondering just what to get for that special lady in your life this Christmas, look no further than the dazzling new Twenty~4 Automatic courtesy of renowned Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe. The latest addition to the luxury marque’s Twenty~4 Collection – launched to pay tribute to the modern woman’s sophistication, strength and style – is said to be its first-ever female-focused diamond-set steel design.

Featuring a new patented fold-over clasp and an intricate self-winding movement, this elegant 36mm wrist candy comes in both steel or rose gold versions. The Twenty~4 Automatic also offers an exciting array of dial hues in a bid to cater to the multi-faceted female personality. For a sparkle that will last far beyond the festive season, the bold fascia is further encircled by two rows of 208 flawless Top Wesselton Pure diamonds.

A stunning update on a timeless classic, Patek Philippe has married its signature precision mechanical engineering with a truly feminine artistic flair in its all-new Twenty~4 Automatic. A guaranteed style statement piece, it is the perfect companion to accompany any sophisticated modern woman, day and night, for today, tomorrow and beyond.

Omega celebrates 25th anniversary of iconic Seamaster Diver 300M in HK

Renowned Swiss watchmaker Omega picked Hong Kong’s Maritime Museum as an apt venue to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the luxury marque’s iconic Seamaster Diver 300M timepiece. A select group of lucky haute horology enthusiasts and VIP guests were wined and dined in true aquatic style as they discovered the unique heritage behind this most luxurious of maritimepieces.

The Maritime Museum was transformed into an under the sea universe that took its guests on an immersive deep-sea experience. The aqua-esque journey began with guests entering through a diving tunnel projected with rolling sea waves. The discovery of twelve vintage Seamaster pieces were found at the end of the passageway, including past watches from OMEGA’s Museum in Bienne, Switzerland. Of the vintage pieces presented were the James Bond Limited Edition timepieces from films such as Die Another Day (2002), and Quantum of Solace (2008).

Not to be set adrift, guests of OMEGA were given a taste of the sea with a unique sea salt tasting and cocktail mixing workshop, following a submersion into underwater photo and video booths.

The conch of the event was but of course the new Seamaster Diver 300M models. Paying tribute to the past 25 years OMEGA has given the legendary brand a fitting facelift, with new designs and elements such as ceramic dials with laser-engraved waves. Sure to rock the boat is the new ceramic bezels with diving scales in Ceragold™ or white enamel. Driven by the Master Chronometer movement each piece is certified at the highest standard of precision, performance, and magnetic resistance within the watchmaking industry.

This aquatic adventure carries on as OMEGA is also celebrating 70 years since the very first Seamaster model was first unveiled. Emerging from its luxurious depths in 1948, the watch remains the trusted choice for deep-sea divers, sailors, and, of course, all discerning collectors with an eye for seafaring adventures.

Find more of OMEGA‘s dashing watches here before the limited editions drift away.

Rock and Rolex: Add a hint of haute horology to your fashionable outfits

Sequinned dresses, shimmering shirts, velour suits or striped sweaters – no matter how chic your haute couture ensemble may look, adding a dash of haute horology to the mix will always aid in ramping up your fashionista flair. Below, we highlight a stand-out selection of his-and-hers looks to help you ‘Rock and Rolex’ in style.

Look 1:

Her: Evening gown with rhinestones, half-moon earrings, both by Giorgio Armani; velvet sandals by Blugirl

Him: Velvet evening jacket, velvet shirt and trousers, all by Giorgio Armani; Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 in 18K yellow Rolesor with white mother-of-pearl and diamonds by Rolex

Look 2:

Her: Dress with feathers and crystal beads, silver skinny-belt, both by Blumarine; glittering platform sandals from Miu Miu’s Resort Collection

Him: Grey patterned suit by Berluti; shirt and velvet loafers by Giorgio Armani; Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 in 18K yellow Rolesor with white mother-of-pearl and diamonds by Rolex

Look 3:

Her: Velvet dress with sequined bow collar and velvet sandals, both by Blugirl; earrings by Giorgio Armani; Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in 18K white gold with white mother-of-pearl and diamonds by Rolex

Him: Velvet tuxedo jacket and dress shirt, both by Suitsupply; dress pants and velvet loafers, both by Bottega Veneta

Look 4:

Her: Furry coat with silk top, both by Giorgio Armani

Him: Turtleneck sweater with leather pants, both by Givenchy; Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in 18K Everose gold by Rolex

Look 5:

Her: Glittering party dress by Paule Ka; Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in 18K Everose gold with mother-of-pearl butterflies and diamonds by Rolex

Him: Velvet shirt-jacket and patterned trousers,both by Giorgio Armani; Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 watch in 18K Everose Rolesor by Rolex

Look 6:

Her: Sequined dress by Bottega Veneta; Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in 18K yellow gold with malachite and diamonds

Him: Patterned blazer by Giorgio Armani; dress shirt by Suitsupply; Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in 18K Everose gold by Rolex

Look 7:

Her: Leopard-printed lurex backless gown, tulle cape, glittering platform sandals, all from Miu Miu’s Resort Collection

Photos: Neville Lee
Art Direction & Styling : San Wong
Model : Klara K @ Quest, Hubert W @ A1M Management
Makeup : Zoe Fan
Hair : Catherine Au-Yeung
Venue : Dragonfly

Rare 1830 pocket watch by Edouard Bovet up for auction

It’s no secret that China and Hong Kong are the very heartlands of the world of haute horology, home to the keenest collectors and the biggest buyers. How, though, did this fixation with the world’s finest Swiss timepieces begin? The answer is engagingly simple – it’s all down to the bold ventures of one young enterprising precision engineer – Edouard Bovet.

Back in 1818, Edouard Bovet, a Swiss-born apprentice watchmaker working at London’s Magniac company, was transferred to Guangzhou in a bid to drive the sale of Swiss watches across China. Quickly gauging the size of the potential market, in 1822, he formed his own company – Bovet Fleurier – a luxury watch manufacturer specialising in high-quality timepieces for the Far East market.

Now, one of his hugely-rare watches – an 1830-made Bovet Fleurier centre seconds pocket watch – has come up for sale via the Hong Kong branch of Heritage Auctions. Encased in 18K gold, with figures of Venus and Cupid painted on translucent blue enamel, its near-mint condition is expected to help it fetch staggering figures, if certain horology experts are to be believed.

Closing Time: We bid farewell to some of 2018’s most wonderful watches

From extraordinary extraterrestrial-oriented timepieces to the very nattiest nautical designs, 2018 has been quite a year in the world of high-end horology. With the nights rolling in and with many of us gradually growing befuddled at the thought of the festivities to come, what better than to take a timely trot through the final push of wonderful watches that made the Year of the Dog quite so great?

2018's final push of wonderful watches — *2018’s final push of wonderful watches*

With the worlds of marine exploration and fine watchmaking sharing a long and intertwined history, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the tail-end of 2018 saw several renowned chronograph creators once again opt for a maritime motif. Taking point in this timepiece tsunami, of course, was Omega with its updated and upsized (42mm) Seamaster Diver 300M seen as glad tidings for all.

Omega's Seamaster Diver 300M — *Omega’s Seamaster Diver 300M*

Coming with a Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 movement – one fashioned entirely from non-ferrous materials in a bid to insulate its precision mechanism from any adverse magnetic influences – as standard, it also features an enhanced helium escape valve design, ensuring that it will remain fully waterproof up to 50m down even should the valve open accidentally.

*Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown by Breitling*

Holding steady on our oceanic overview, the next maritime masterpiece came courtesy of never-less-than-breathtaking Breitling, with the all-new Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown marking the marque’s first collaboration with Outerknown, the California-based sustainable outerwear manufacturer. In addition to its durable, eco-friendly straps, this unashamedly athletic timepiece features a striking DLC-coated black steel case housing a Breitling Calibre 13 mechanical movement. A deep blue dial, complete with Super-Luminova-coated hour and minute hands and a shock-resistant uni-directional bezel, round out its distinctive devil-may-care dive-watch design.

Tag Heuer's Aquaracer Carbon — *Tag Heuer’s Aquaracer Carbon*

Never one to be outdone, Tag Heuer’s own oceanic offering is equal parts H2O and 007, with its superspy stylings targetted more at a leisure-minded lagoon liquid luncher than a five-fathoms-down hardy ocean-bed explorer. Despite its aesthetic aspect, the watch – the Aquaracer Carbon – is still guaranteed to be water-resistant to a depth of 300m. With its black PVD-covered titanium case, carbon fibre bezel, fetching ‘carbon effect’ fascia and black textile straps, this is a watch to flaunt rather than to float about with.

In a timely reminder that all things maritime are not a solely male preserve, Chopard, meanwhile, fetchingly fused the very finest attributes of high-end jewellery and haute horology to fashion the limited-edition Happy Fish. With its delightfully dippy designation, its Happy Diamonds twirl atop an elegant deep blue mother-of-pearl dial, bedecked with a coruscating coral fish motif, making this a very savourable slice of ladylike luxury.

Patek Philippe's Twenty~4 Automatic — *Patek Philippe’s Twenty~4 Automatic*

Another traditionally macho marque looking to pique the interest of the burgeoning number of women watch collectors is Patek Philippe, with the latest expression of its iconic Twenty~4 model – the all-new Twenty~4 Automatic – said to be the first-ever diamond-set steel model manufactured with the madame in mind. In another first, this classic 36mm timepiece comes fitted with a self-winding movement, a sweeping second hand and a dominant date aperture at 6 o’clock. With a staggering 208 Top Wesselton Pure diamonds gracing its bezel and lugs, this is one clear statement accessory.

*Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days by IWC*

For the more manly collectors on the lookout for a classic design, the latest iteration of IWC’s Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days surely merits serious consideration. For this decidedly regal revamp, the signature Portofino look has been refreshed with a slate grey fascia, which pairs compellingly with the brand’s debuting grey-suede straps. Undoubtedly the biggest plus though is its 59210 calibre movement, which twinkles enticingly beneath the transparent sapphire crystal caseback even as it delivers pin-point precision for up to eight days.

*Parrot Minute Repeater pocket watch by Jaquet Droz*

For a truly vintage look, though, discerning wanters of wonderful watches should check out Jaquet Droz’s new Parrot Minute Repeater. Exquisitely crafted in commemoration of the watchmaker’s 280th anniversary, this one-of-a-kind adornment boasts the brand’s signature Bird Repeater automaton in the form of gloriously-bejewelled macaws perched on its cover, both of which chirp and chime while winding. Blending time-honoured horological artisanship, including enamel inlaying and exquisite gemwork, with cutting-edge precision engineering, this peerless package has a US$1 million price tag – irresistible, though, if you want to end the year in true style.

Text: Tenzing Thondup