Monthly Archives: November 2023

Zenith & Time+Tide unveil their second collaborative series, the Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero

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Zenith CEO Julien Tornare and Time+Tide Founder, Andrew McUtchen have come together to proudly unveil the second chapter of their highly sought-after collaboration.

After the DEFY Classic Skeleton Night Surfer limited edition of 100 pieces released in 2021, which captured the magnificence of the darkening night sky and the ocean in a microblasted titanium case paired with a liquid blue gradient dial, the Manufacture and Australian tastemakers present the DEFY Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero, a limited edition of 200 pieces.

An evolution of the DEFY Classic Skeleton, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton takes both the design and performance to new heights. Bolder, bluer, more geometric lines and the latest generation of the high-frequency automatic El Primero calibre, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero is both a sequel and evolution of the original. For Time+Tide, the objective was to retain all the elements that made the original Night Surfer so outstanding while incorporating all the improvements that the DEFY Skyline Skeleton offers.

A first for the DEFY Skyline Skeleton model, the entire angular 41mm case with its dodecagonal bezel and integrated bracelet are crafted in microblasted titanium, lending it a homogenous, subdued grey tone with minimal light reflection. The addition of a screw-down crown ensuring a water-resistance of 10 ATM (100 metres) makes this version more water sports-ready, as does the interchangeable strap system. A second textured blue rubber strap is included, which requires no tools to be swapped.

“These key upgrades to the Night Surfer Skeleton El Primero make it a totally different timepiece to both the first Night Surfer and the Skyline Skeleton collection in general,” Andrew McUtchen, founder of Time+Tide says. “But perhaps the most exciting new feature is the El Primero movement that drives it. The buttery smooth 1/10th of a second counter on the dial is the proof that you have a truly high performance machine on your wrist, wherever you take it; in the water, or out.”

The gradient night sky dial concept returns in the DEFY Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero, but takes on a new form and more dramatic execution. The open dial features a large central four-pointed star element, which is perfectly incorporated into the skeletonisation of the movement’s blue bridges and main plate. The dial’s metallic blue colour darkens from the bottom to the top, evoking the fading light on the horizon right after sunset. As a nod to the original Night Surfer, which featured the ZENITH applied star logo in Super-LumiNova, the entire four-pointed star on the dial is highlighted with luminescent lines that come to life in the dark, making the star that much more visible and brighter. Positioned at 6 o’clock, the dial features a unique feature among skeleton watches: a running 1/10th of a second indicator.

This highly animate feature in the DEFY Skyline Skyline Night Surfer El Primero is delivered by the El Primero 3620 automatic high-frequency manufacture movement, beating at the rate of 5Hz (36’000VpH). This rate allows for the 1/10th of a second indicator to be directly driven by the escapement. Its efficient automatic bi-directional winding mechanism with a blue star-shaped rotor delivers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.

The DEFY Skyline Skyline Night Surfer El Primero is a limited edition of 200 pieces, available exclusively on Time+Tide’s online store and ZENITH’s online boutiques around the world.

https://www.zenith-watches.com/int/product/defy-skyline-night-surfer-el-primero-97-9300-3620-79-i001

 

Time in Full Bloom: Hublot and Takashi Murakami’s Latest Creative Symphony

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Hublot’s philosophy revolves around being first, unique and different. The brand, renowned for its audacious and groundbreaking approach to watchmaking, chose a distinctive path by unveiling its inaugural central tourbillon within a timepiece shaped like a flower. This avant-garde brand collaborated again with the iconic artist Takashi Murakami, resulting in the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire, a limited edition masterpiece limited to 50 pieces. This release epitomizes the fusion of horology and artistry.In 2021, Hublot began its partnership with Takashi Murakami, debuting the all-black Classic Fusion. The unveiling of an all-sapphire Rainbow model succeeded this introduction. The subsequent year witnessed the launch of thirteen collaborative timepieces, commencing with the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow. Each watch delved into the artist’s “Smiling Flower” motif, expressing it with distinctive intricacy and artistry.In this exuberant creation, the unmistakable Smiling Flower motif, Murakami’s signature, is meticulously rendered in transparent sapphire. The transparent medium transforms the watch into a jubilant work of art, seamlessly integrating case and movement manufacturing. Notably, this collaboration began in 2021 with the all-black Classic Fusion, followed by the all-sapphire Rainbow model. The MP-15 Tourbillon Sapphire takes Murakami’s motif to new heights, bringing it into the realm of wearable art.
Crafted within a surprisingly compact 42mm wide case resembling 12 petals, the MP-15 is a luminous marvel when illuminated. The sapphire case is not merely ornamental; it houses Hublot’s first central HUB9015 Manual-Winding Tourbillon. The flying central tourbillon, devoid of an upper bridge, features the artist’s Smiling Flower image, subtly reinforcing the thematic element without overwhelming the design.Remarkably, the hour and minute hands, positioned peripherally, traverse beneath the tourbillon cage, resting on the same level as the escapement. This ingenious construction, utilizing Hublot’s co-axial design, necessitated repositioning the cannon pinion and hour wheel around the tourbillon. Far from a mere gimmick, the MP-15 boasts the manual-wind HUB9015 movement, comprising 236 parts, operating at 3 Hz, and offering an impressive 150-hour power reserve.Beyond its technical prowess, the watch introduces an extravagant winding system. A special stylus, rechargeable via USB, completes 100 revolutions to wind the movement fully.

Priced at CHF 300,000, the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire is not only an expensive and elaborate timepiece but, for aficionados, an exhilarating embodiment of Hublot’s unapologetically bold and divisive design ethos. Limited to 50 pieces, its exclusivity adds an extra layer of allure, making it a daring yet ambitious statement within the niche realm of artistic horology.

REFERENCE

915.JX.4802.RT

SIZE

42 mm

CASE

Polished Sapphire Crystal

BEZEL

Polished Sapphire Crystal

WATER RESISTANCE

30m or 3 ATM

CRYSTAL

Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment

DIAL

Polished Transparent Composite Resin
MOVEMENT
HUB9015 Manual-Winding Tourbillon

POWER RESERVE

150 Hours

STRAP

Transparent Decorated Rubber

CLASP

Sapphire Crystal and Titanium Deployant Buckle

ZENITH Unveils the Chronomaster Aaron Rodgers Editon

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ZENITH IS PROUD TO UNVEIL THE CHRONOMASTER SPORT AARON RODGERS EDITION, THE FOOTBALL LEGEND’S FIRST EPONYMOUS WATCH

As an exemplary figure living ZENITH’s “Time to Reach Your Star” philosophy to the fullest, legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers proudly took on the role of brand ambassador in 2021. ZENITH and Aaron Rodgers celebrate a new milestone in their relationship with the launch of the Chronomaster Sport Aaron Rodgers edition- the first timepiece he has designed, limited to 250 pieces.

A living legend on the field, ZENITH ambassador and 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers has come a long way in reaching his star. His passion, perseverance, and discipline have made him one of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. His commitment to excellence and precision and unique understanding of what a difference a single instant can make have made Aaron Rodgers the perfect ambassador for ZENITH, the renowned LVMH-owned Swiss watch manufacture.

 

Over the course of his relationship with ZENITH, Aaron has developed a particular affinity for the Manufacture’s Chronomaster Sport, which features the latest generation of the renowned El Primero column-wheel chronograph caliber that’s able to measure and display 1/10th of a second. A model that exudes performance, agility and elegance while also highlighting ZENITH’s unique mastery of the chronograph, the Chronomaster Sport has been a natural choice.

Every meticulous detail of this chronograph resonates with the profound connection that Aaron Rodgers shares with timekeeping and precision. The intricate design, the exquisite craftsmanship, and the carefully selected materials all bear witness to the profound journey of self-expression that Rodgers undertook in the design of this timepiece.

ZENITH CEO Julien Tornare shared, “I’m absolutely thrilled that our first-ever Chronomaster Sport limited edition was made in honor for our cherished brand ambassador Aaron Rodgers. It is a testament to his unstoppable spirit and determination. He continuously reminds us that the drive to reach your star should never be let go, even in times of challenge. And when you finally reach your star, aim for the next one. We had a wonderful time designing this special edition with Aaron and we are even more pleased to finally be able to share it with the world.”

Aaron Rodgers added, “I’m so thankful to ZENITH for giving me the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of designing my very own watch. As a history buff I have immense respect for ZENITH’s history and visiting their Manufacture last year gave me an even deeper appreciation of their craftsmanship and dedication to excellence. Working with their team to incorporate all the different elements I wanted to include was a fun adventure and I couldn’t be happier to see our vision come to life in this watch”.

Using the steel Chronomaster Sport as the foundation, Aaron Rodgers wanted his limited edition timepiece to heavily feature the color that has accompanied him throughout his phenomenal career. Exceptionally for this edition, the engraved bezel with a 1/10th of a second scale has been crafted in green ceramic. The dial is fashioned in the same shade of green as the bezel and, for the first time in the Chronomaster Sport collection, the hour markers featured are applied luminescent Arabic numerals, resembling jersey numbers. The tricolor dial configuration has been reinterpreted in shades of anthracite, light grey and silver. A three-link steel bracelet with fine-adjustment clasp complete the sporty look and feel without compromising comfort.

The latest in a long line of ZENITH chronographs that have raised the bars of performance and precision, the Chronomaster Sport is equipped with the newest version of the El Primero caliber.  With its high frequency of 5 Hz (36’000 VpH), the movement offers a true 1/10th of second indication, for those moments when every fraction of a second can make a difference. Its autonomy has also been rendered more efficient, with an extended power reserve of 60 hours. In further celebration of ZENITH’s collaboration with Aaron Rodgers, the sapphire display back is emblazoned with his “AR” logo.

The Chronomaster Sport Aaron Rodgers is a limited edition of 250 pieces and is available for purchase via ZENITH’s physical and online boutiques around the world starting November 2, 2023.