While the Covid-19 pandemic may be continuing to confine the world to the most turbulent of times, that hasn’t proven any bar to innovation within the wider haute horology industry. In fact, many of the most high-profile Swiss marques have flown in the face of adversity and launched a staggering array of new precision timepieces over recent months, with seven meriting particular scrutiny…
Cartier’s Pasha de Cartier
First up is Cartier’s new Pasha de Cartier 41mm, the latest iteration of the brand’s iconic ’80s cult classic, which it relaunched last year. Boasting an undeniably Baroque aesthetic, this new 41mm incarnation comes fitted with a rotating bezel and a trio of blue cabochons gracing its crown and chrono pushers, while being available in two different versions – a gold edition with grey and blue alligator leather straps and a burnished steel take with a matching strap / bracelet. Both come fitted with Cartier’s signature QuickSwitch system as standard, allowing easy switching between your chosen fastenings.
41mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph
Again in a 41mm size is renowned watchmaker Audemars Piguet’s Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph. Powered by a self-winding calibre 4401 movement, complete with a column wheel and a flyback function, its black-on-rose gold aesthetic boasts an undeniably sleek appeal. Fetchingly, its middle case is crafted from black ceramic for a great lightweight feel, while atop sits its smoked grey lacquered dial and three recessed subdials. Also available in a white gold iteration, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm comes fitted with black textile straps, tempering its overall look with a subtle casual flair.
Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar from Lange & Sohne
Third in this month’s assembly of noteworthies is the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar from A. Lange & Sohne. A high complication watch, it has intriguingly eschewed all ostentation in favour of sleek minimalist lines, at least as minimalist as a perpetual calendar can ever really be. Powered by a calibre L021.3 movement, its grey dial features a date aperture, day counter, and a combined day-night-cum-moonphase-indicator, all encircled by a rotating month gauge.The brand has also released a 150-piece limited edition with an unusual salmon-pink dial.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
Adding a distinctly vintage aura to proceedings, meanwhile, are the two latest Black Bay Chrono timepieces from Swiss watchmaker Tudor.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
Channeling the eternal appeal of sister brand Rolex’s Daytona, these chronographs are noticeably slimmer, more modern expressions of that iconic sports watch. In another key difference, a black tachymeter bezel rings the buyer’s choice of a white dial with recessed black subdials – reminiscent of a panda’s face – or a black fascia with white subdials. Interestingly, in addition to the traditional stainless-steel straps, there’s also the option of either a more athletic fabric strap or a leather bund bracelet, with the latter bequeathing something of a racing driver feel.
Staying with Daytonas, Rolex has served up an almost out-of-this-world creation in the form of its new Cosmograph Daytona. Under its hood beats a calibre 4130 movement, which brings its ever-reliable power reserve to this classic chronograph, with the addition of a 60-second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers. Lovingly adorned with a stunning crystalline meteorite dial, this guaranteed collector’s item comes in three models – yellow, white or the brand’s proprietary Everose gold.
Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer by Omega
Another outer space-inspired horological wonder comes courtesy of the very brand that famously furnished the Apollo 11 team with their timepieces – Omega. In a significant move, the latest generation of the first watch to land on the moon, the Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer, has been given its first new movement since 1996 – the Co-Axial Calibre 3861. Furthermore, in order to aptly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand’s partnership with NASA, athletic-style Velcro straps emblazoned with the latter’s logo have been added into the mix.
DB28XP Meteorite from De Bethune
The final celestially-inclined wrist adornment comes courtesy of independent Swiss manufacture De Bethune, with its DB28XP Meteorite perfectly encapsulating avant-garde watchmaking at its very finest. Fronted by a most otherworldly blue meteorite dial – inevitably calling to mind a starry night sky – it’s fetchingly ringed with Arabic numeral hour markers, all finely housed within an ultra lightweight black zirconium case. Available in a limited edition of just 10, buyers can even opt to have the star constellation of their choice emblazoned across the dial.