Tag Archives: Limited Edition Watches

Blancpain brings back the vintage spirit of the Bathyscaphe with a 70th anniversary limited edition

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Born from the golden age of recreational diving, the Bathyscaphe embodies the typical skin diver codes through its balance of elegance and everyday wearability. Created in 1956 as the civilian counterpart to the Fifty Fathoms, the model bore a name that had already been registered in 1953 by Blancpain’s then-CEO and passionate diver, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, reflecting his early vision of creating a diving watch designed not only for professional use but also for enthusiasts. Seventy years after its creation, Blancpain celebrates this legacy with a reproduction of a landmark model from 1968. A timepiece that bridges the aesthetic design of the past with watchmaking excellence, this 300-piece limited edition pays tribute to a defining chapter in the evolution of the diver’s watch.

The Skin Diver Style: A New Relationship with the Underwater World

During the 1950s and 1960s,a new generation of watches emerged alongside the growing popularity of recreational diving: the skin diver. More than purely technical instruments, these watches reflected a new relationship with the underwater world, one shaped by leisure, enjoyment, and a growing fascination with this emerging lifestyle. They captured the spirit of a time when diving became not only a professional activity, but also a source of personal adventure. Characterized by more compact proportions, clean lines, and a refined aesthetic, skin diver watches combined essential diving features with a more understated and daily- wear design.

Emerging from that philosophy, the Bathyscaphe was created in 1956 – despite the name having already been registered in 1953 – by Jean-Jacques Fiechter, then CEO of Blancpain and creator of the Fifty Fathoms, bringing Blancpain’s pioneering diving expertise into
a civilian expression designed for everyday wear.

The Bathyscaphe: The Diver Legacy

The name “Bathyscaphe” refers to the pioneering deep-sea exploration vessel conceived by Swiss scientist Auguste Piccard in the 1940s. Designed to reach the greatest depths of the ocean, the Bathyscaphe represented a major milestone in humanity’s exploration of the underwater world, an achievement that resonated with Jean-Jacques Fiechter’s own passion for diving and exploration.

While the Fifty Fathoms, introduced in 1953, was developed as a professional diving instrument for military forces, professional divers, and underwater specialists, the Bathyscaphe offered an everyday interpretation of the same heritage yet preserving the essential features of the diver’s watch. The distinction between the two models was particularly evident through their proportions. Measuring slightly over 41 mm in diameter, the original Fifty Fathoms was created to be a robust professional instrument. With a more compact 35 mm case, the first Bathyscaphe adopted a slimmer profile, reflecting a more civilian style while maintaining the reliability expected from a true diver’s watch. Over seven decades, the Bathyscaphe has evolved through various interpretations but has always remained faithful to its original identity.

The Spirit of 1968, Reborn

For the model’s 70th anniversary, Blancpain turns to one of the most emblematic expressions of the Bathyscaphe’s history with a watch from 1968. This timepiece was selected for the way it embodied the collection’s defining qualities: balanced proportions, functionality, and understated elegance. Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, 1968

Staying as close as possible to this iteration, Blancpain translated the anniversary piece through contem- porary watchmaking standards. The new edition retains the original 37.40 mm diameter and stainless- steel construction, but its case was specifically developed around the movement to achieve the desired proportions and ergonomics. The remarkable diameter-to-thickness ratio, defined by a slender case middle, contributes to the watch’s harmonious profile on the wrist. The polished finishing, curved surfaces, and carefully shaped lugs enhance its refined aesthetics.

The bezel continues this dialogue between heritage and innovation. Made of steel with a ceramic insert and lacquered numerals – replacing the original black hesalite material – it reinforce durability and legibility.

Every element has been considered to reinforce the aesthetic codes of the original design, from the mid-20th century Blancpain logo to the baton hands and indexes enhanced by vintage-coloured Super-LumiNova®, which recalls the warm tones of the luminous materials used in the past. The hand- stitched chocolate calf leather strap further drives this heritage-inspired spirit, developing a natural patina over time.

The result is a faithful contemporary Bathyscaphe reproduction carrying the unmistakable character of its 1968 inspiration.

Vintage Soul, Contemporary Performance

Beneath its vintage-inspired exterior, this anniversary edition reveals the expertise of Blancpain’s contemporary watchmaking. The Manufacture calibre 1150 was selected to equip this timepiece, offering a combination of reliability, precision, and exceptional autonomy with a 100-hour power reserve.

Its silicon hairspring provides antimagnetic properties, contributing to the movement’s stability and long- term performance.

Visible through the sapphire crystal case back, the movement showcases the meticulous Haute Horlogerie finishing. Inspired by the design of that of the original Fifty Fathoms, its open worked 18K gold oscillating weight highlights the beauty of the mechanical architecture. Unlike the 1968 inspiration piece, which featured a closed case back, this new interpretation allows the movement to become part of the experience of ownership, emphasizing the daily- wear DNA of the piece. This choice reflects Blancpain’s desire to offer not only a connection to the past, but also a direct appreciation of the watchmaking expertise behind the timepiece.

Faithful to the standards of the Fifty Fathoms collection, the Bathyscaphe remains water-resistant to 30 bar. Limited to 300 individually numbered pieces, each delivered in a PeliTM case, this anniversary edition celebrates a 70-year-old legacy by combining contemporary reliability with the enduring character of a historic model. ©Tim Vaux Photography

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe
Ref. 5903 1110 63A

Movement: Blancpain Manufacture Calibre 1150
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 100 hours (~4 days)
Dimensions: 26.20 × 3.25 mm
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)
Hairspring: Silicon
Jewels: 28
Components: 210
Case: Stainless steel
Glass & back: Sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 30 bar (300 metres)
Diameter: 37.40 mm
Thickness: 12.30 mm
Lug-to-lug: 46.50 mm
Lug width: 18 mm
Dial: Sunburst meteor grey
Hands: Baton shape, with vintage-colour
Super-LumiNova®
Indexes: Baton shape, 18K white gold with vintage-colour Super-LumiNova®
Strap: Chocolate calf leather
Clasp: Pin buckle
Limited Edition: 300 pieces
Warranty: 5 years

Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue: A New Shade of Innovation in Sapphire Watchmaking

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Hublot continues to redefine transparent watchmaking with the launch of the limited-edition Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue, pairing its signature sapphire expertise with the impressive Meca-10 manufacture movement.

There are watches that tell time, and then there are watches that make a statement before you even glance at the dial. The Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue belongs firmly in the latter category. Limited to just 100 pieces worldwide, this latest creation showcases everything Hublot has become synonymous with over the past decade: innovative materials, bold engineering and contemporary design.

Hublot’s Mastery of Sapphire Continues

Working with sapphire is no simple feat. Renowned for its exceptional hardness and transparency, sapphire is one of the most demanding materials in watchmaking. While many brands have experimented with it, Hublot has consistently expanded its possibilities, introducing coloured sapphire cases that combine technical complexity with striking aesthetics.

The Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue captures the calm brilliance of a summer sky through its fully polished 44mm sapphire crystal case. Its transparent construction allows light to flow through every angle of the watch, giving it a presence that constantly changes depending on its surroundings. Titanium H-shaped screws secure the sapphire bezel, while a structured sky-blue rubber strap completes the distinctive monochromatic look.

The Meca-10 Movement Takes Centre Stage

Inside the transparent case is one of Hublot’s most celebrated in-house calibres: the HUB1201 Meca-10.

Originally introduced in 2016, the Meca-10 broke away from conventional movement architecture. Rather than hiding the mechanics beneath the dial, Hublot designed the movement to become the visual centrepiece of the watch. Inspired by mechanical construction systems, its fully skeletonised architecture reveals every functional component.

The manually wound movement consists of 223 components, delivers an exceptional 10-day (240-hour) power reserve, and uses two parallel mainspring barrels to maintain consistent energy delivery. One of its most distinctive features is the innovative rack-and-pinion power reserve display that moves horizontally across the movement, reinforcing the industrial aesthetic that has become synonymous with the Meca-10 collection.

Transparency That Reveals Every Detail

The appeal of the Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue extends beyond its sapphire case. Its matte sky-blue skeleton dial, matching movement bridges and sapphire case-back ensure that the watch remains visually captivating from every angle.

Instead of concealing its mechanics, the watch celebrates them. Every gear, bridge and wheel becomes part of the overall design, creating a fascinating interplay between engineering and aesthetics. It is a reminder that modern haute horlogerie is as much about visual storytelling as it is about precision.

Built with Confidence

The Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue is more than an exercise in design. It also reflects Hublot’s confidence in its manufacturing capabilities.

Eligible models purchased from 1 January 2026 benefit from Hublot’s 5+5 warranty programme, providing a five-year standard warranty with the possibility of extending coverage to ten years through the Hublotista programme. It is among the most comprehensive warranty offerings in contemporary luxury watchmaking and reinforces the brand’s trust in its products.

Limited to Just 100 Pieces

Exclusivity remains central to the appeal of this release.

The Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue is limited to 100 pieces worldwide and will be available through selected Hublot boutiques, authorised retailers and the brand’s official online store. The watch is priced at USD 84,300, reflecting both the complexity of its sapphire construction and the sophistication of its in-house movement.

Final Thoughts

Few brands have embraced sapphire as confidently as Hublot. Over the years, the manufacture has transformed what was once considered an experimental material into one of its defining signatures. The Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue continues that journey, combining a transparent sky-blue sapphire case with the technically impressive Meca-10 movement in a package that is both futuristic and unmistakably Hublot.

For collectors who appreciate avant-garde watchmaking, architectural movements and limited-edition craftsmanship, this latest Big Bang demonstrates exactly why Hublot remains one of the industry’s most daring innovators.

Zenith G.F.J. Bloodstone Edition Revives the Legendary Calibre 135 in Yellow Gold

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Few movements have left a mark on watchmaking quite like Zenith’s Calibre 135. Revered by collectors and historians alike, it remains one of the most successful chronometer movements ever created. Now, Zenith continues that story with a striking new interpretation of the G.F.J., pairing the modern Calibre 135 with a distinctive bloodstone dial and an elegant yellow-gold case.

Limited to just 161 pieces, the latest G.F.J. is more than a new aesthetic variation. It reinforces the collection’s role as the permanent home of a movement that helped define Zenith’s reputation for precision.

A Movement That Defined an Era

Zenith’s pursuit of chronometric excellence dates back to the late nineteenth century. Over the decades, the manufacture accumulated an unmatched 2,333 chronometry prizes, establishing itself as one of the most accomplished names in precision watchmaking.

At the centre of that success was the Calibre 135.

Produced from 1949 to 1962, the movement was developed specifically for observatory timing competitions. Its competition-specification version, known as the 135-O, earned an extraordinary 235 chronometry awards, including five consecutive first-place victories at the Neuchâtel Observatory between 1950 and 1954, a record that remains unbeaten.

When Zenith introduced the G.F.J. collection in 2025, named after founder Georges Favre-Jacot, it provided a contemporary platform for the rebirth of this historic movement. The collection’s debut was recognised with the Chronometry Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2025.

Re-Engineering the Calibre 135 for Modern Watchmaking

Rather than simply recreating a vintage movement, Zenith chose to re-engineer the Calibre 135 for contemporary use while preserving the defining characteristics that made it famous.

The hand-wound calibre retains its original 30mm diameter, oversized balance wheel and leisurely frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour. At the same time, it incorporates modern technical improvements designed to enhance reliability and performance.

The movement now offers a 72-hour power reserve, an optimised gear train, a large balance wheel with regulation screws and a traditional Breguet overcoil hairspring. A stop-seconds mechanism allows precise time setting, while each movement is regulated to an impressive accuracy of ±2 seconds per day and certified by COSC.

Visible through the sapphire caseback, the calibre features broad Côtes de Genève decoration, hand-finished bevels, a dark ruthenium finish and gold-coloured engravings that create an elegant contrast against the movement’s architecture.

The Beauty of Bloodstone

The defining feature of this edition is its remarkable dial.

Zenith maintains the G.F.J.’s signature three-part construction while introducing a centre section crafted from bloodstone, a variety of jasper known for its deep green appearance and naturally occurring red inclusions. Because every stone is unique, no two dials are exactly alike.

The centre section is framed by a finely executed guilloché outer ring inspired by the brick façade of the Zenith Manufacture in Le Locle, a subtle tribute to Georges Favre-Jacot’s vision of vertically integrated watchmaking.

At six o’clock sits an oversized small-seconds display crafted from mother-of-pearl, adding both visual contrast and depth.

Applied yellow-gold hour markers and faceted yellow-gold hands complete the composition, balancing warmth, texture and refinement.

Vintage Proportions with Contemporary Elegance

The G.F.J. Bloodstone Edition is housed in an 18-carat yellow-gold case measuring 39.15mm in diameter and 10.5mm in thickness.

Its stepped bezel, curved lugs and slender profile draw inspiration from mid-century chronometers, while the warm glow of yellow gold gives the watch a distinctly contemporary presence.

The proportions feel particularly well judged, offering vintage elegance without sacrificing modern wearability.

Limited to 161 Pieces

Zenith will produce only 161 examples of the G.F.J. Bloodstone Edition worldwide.

The watch is delivered with three strap options: a beige nubuck alligator strap, a green alligator strap and a black calfskin strap, each fitted with an 18-carat yellow-gold pin buckle. Collectors can also opt for an 18-carat yellow-gold bracelet equipped with a double folding clasp.

G.F.J.
Reference: 30.1865.0135/56.C216

Key points: Rebirth of the Legendary calibre 135. COSC-certified movement. Breguet Hairspring.
Stop-second mechanism. Manual winding. Limited to 161.
Movement: Calibre 135
Frequency: 18,000 VpH (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 6 o’clock.
Finishes: Côtes de Genève with Ruthenium finishing
Material: 18-ct yellow gold
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Case: 39.15mm / Thickness: 10.5 mm / Lug to lug: 45.75 mm
Dial: Signature brick guilloché on the outer ring with a jasper “bloodstone” centre and a mother-ofpearl small-seconds counter.
Hour markers: 18-ct yellow gold applied indices
Hands: 18-ct yellow gold faceted
Bracelet & Buckle: Delivered with a beige nubuck alligator leather strap, a green alligator leather strap and a black calfskin leather strap, fitted with a yellow gold pin buckle. Optional for purchase: 18-ct yellow gold bracelet with double folding clasp.

Final Thoughts

The Zenith G.F.J. Bloodstone Edition succeeds because it focuses on substance rather than nostalgia. The watch celebrates one of the most important chronometer movements ever produced while demonstrating how historical watchmaking achievements can remain relevant today.

The combination of the re-engineered Calibre 135, a unique bloodstone dial and an elegant yellow-gold case results in a watch that feels both rooted in history and entirely contemporary. For collectors who appreciate chronometric excellence and meaningful horological heritage, the latest G.F.J. represents one of Zenith’s most compelling releases of the year.

AWAKE Sơn Mài Guilloché Main Combines Hand Guilloché and Vietnamese Lacquer

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When Two Rare Crafts Meet on a Watch Dial

Independent watchmaker AWAKE has introduced the new Sơn Mài – Guilloché Main collection, a series that brings together two traditional decorative arts rarely seen at this level of execution in contemporary watchmaking: hand-operated guilloché engraving and Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer work.

The collection also marks the debut of a new 38 mm case for the brand, shifting AWAKE toward more compact and classically proportioned watchmaking while maintaining a distinctly modern design language. Limited to 200 pieces each across three dial variations, the collection focuses heavily on craftsmanship, texture, and light interaction rather than excessive complication or overt luxury cues.

A Rare Combination of Decorative Arts

What makes the collection notable is the combination of two highly specialized crafts executed by separate artisan workshops across Europe and Asia. AWAKE collaborates with the Renzetti family in Italy for the guilloché work and with master lacquer artisans in Vietnam for the Sơn Mài finishing.

The guilloché patterns are created entirely by hand using historic straight-line and rose-engine machines dating back to the 19th century. Unlike stamped or CNC-generated textures commonly seen today, these patterns rely entirely on manual control, with artisans simultaneously guiding both the dial and cutting tool to engrave hundreds of precise grooves into the metal surface.

Once engraved, the dials are sent to Hanoi where layers of natural Sơn Mài lacquer are applied and polished repeatedly to create depth, transparency, and shifting color gradients. Derived from the sap of the Rhus Verniciflua tree, the lacquer develops a distinctive visual richness that changes depending on lighting conditions.

The result is a dial construction that feels more architectural than decorative. Rather than sitting on top of the guilloché, the lacquer amplifies the engraved patterns underneath, creating a layered surface that changes character throughout the day.

Three Celestial-Inspired Dial Variations

The collection is offered in three executions, each inspired by different atmospheric and celestial phenomena.

Sunset

The “Sunset” model features a drapé-moiré guilloché pattern inspired by wave-like ocean movement. Around one hundred engraved grooves create flowing textures beneath layered lacquer shades of pink, violet, and blue. The final effect resembles fading light reflecting across water during sunset conditions.

Alba

The “Alba” edition takes inspiration from sunrise energy through a helical guilloché motif designed to evoke movement and momentum. Warm lacquer tones intensify the engraved geometry underneath, producing a more dynamic and radiant visual profile.

Borealis

The “Borealis” dial uses a radiant guilloché pattern combined with cool-toned lacquer gradients intended to mirror the shifting reflections of the Northern Lights. Under changing light, the dial develops strong tonal transitions and pronounced depth.

Rather than treating color as a simple aesthetic choice, AWAKE uses lacquer almost like a lens over the engraved metal surface, allowing the dial texture to evolve depending on viewing angle and ambient light.

A More Refined Case Design

The introduction of the 38 mm stainless steel case represents a significant design evolution for the brand. With a lug-to-lug measurement of 44.75 mm and a thickness of 11.5 mm including the crystal, the proportions position the watch firmly within the growing preference for smaller, more wearable case sizes.

The case combines polished and brushed surfaces with a concave bezel and softly curved lugs that reference mid-century watch design without feeling overtly vintage. A domed sapphire crystal enhances the dial presentation, while the redesigned screw-down crown now delivers 100 meters of water resistance.

AWAKE has also introduced a new handwritten logo and emblem for the collection, emphasizing the brand’s growing focus on artisanal craftsmanship and cultural storytelling. Thankfully, the branding remains understated and complements the watch rather than competing with it.

Night-Time Legibility Without Sacrificing Dial Integrity

One of the more thoughtful technical details in the collection is the luminous execution. The hands and indices use Super-LumiNova BGW9 combined with steel caps featuring brushed, polished, and engraved finishing.

This construction allows the lume to remain visually discreet during daylight while still delivering strong night-time visibility. More importantly, it preserves the visual purity of the dial, ensuring the lacquer and guilloché work remain the dominant elements.

La Joux-Perret G101 Movement

Powering the collection is the Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101 automatic calibre with a 68-hour power reserve.

The movement features a custom tungsten rotor finished with alternating brushed, polished, and micro-blasted surfaces. Visible through the sapphire caseback, the calibre reinforces the collection’s balance between decorative craftsmanship and practical modern watchmaking.

While the watches are clearly dial-focused creations, the use of the G101 gives the collection strong everyday usability and reliability, rather than positioning it purely as an artistic object.

Jean Rousseau Straps and Wearability

The collection is paired with Alcantara straps produced by French strap specialist Jean Rousseau. Available in green, violet, or orange, the straps feature colored stitching, rubberized calfskin lining, curved quick-release spring bars, and AWAKE’s new Fitwell M1 micro-adjustable pin buckle with 3 mm adjustment increments.

It is a small but meaningful detail. Independent brands often focus so heavily on dial artistry that wearability becomes secondary. Here, the strap and clasp system appear designed with daily comfort in mind.

Technical Specifications

  • Case: 316L stainless steel
  • Diameter: 38 mm
  • Thickness: 11.5 mm including crystal
  • Lug-to-lug: 44.75 mm
  • Water resistance: 100 meters
  • Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire
  • Movement: La Joux-Perret G101 automatic
  • Power reserve: 68 hours
  • Limited edition: 200 pieces per dial variant
  • Strap: Jean Rousseau Alcantara with adjustable buckle

Final Thoughts

The Sơn Mài – Guilloché Main collection succeeds because it treats craftsmanship as the foundation of the watch rather than a decorative afterthought. Many modern artisan-focused releases rely heavily on storytelling, but here the techniques themselves shape the identity of the piece.

By combining hand-operated guilloché with traditional Vietnamese lacquer work, AWAKE has created a collection that feels culturally layered, technically interesting, and visually distinctive without becoming theatrical. The restrained 38 mm sizing and accessible pricing further strengthen the proposition, especially in a market where genuine métiers d’art execution is increasingly associated with far higher price points.

There is a quiet confidence to this collection. It does not attempt to overwhelm with complexity or spectacle. Instead, it focuses on texture, craftsmanship, proportion, and the human hand behind every detail. Rare qualities in modern watchmaking, where half the industry seems convinced another skeletonized tourbillon shaped like a lunar insect is what humanity truly needed.

Block RG Stealth Tourbillon: When Time Becomes Sculpture

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Block RG was never conceived as a watch in the conventional sense. It emerged as a gesture — a deliberate rupture from established horological language — and a sculptural exploration of what time becomes when reduced to pure form. Its purpose is not to please, persuade, or conform. It exists with presence and intention.

The Stealth Tourbillon marks the inaugural chapter of the brand’s Stealth Collection, and with it, Block RG asserts a philosophy closer to contemporary art and architecture than traditional watchmaking.

A Volume Shaped by Light

At first encounter, the Stealth Tourbillon presents itself as a monolithic object — sharp, faceted, and architecturally pure. Its form draws inspiration from stealth aviation, where geometry, tension, and surface interaction define both function and identity.

Crafted in either rose gold or titanium, the case expresses two distinct emotional registers. Rose gold introduces warmth, density, and gravitas, giving the sculpture a grounded presence. Titanium, by contrast, offers lightness and modern clarity, emphasizing precision and contemporary restraint.

A multi-angled sapphire crystal completes the architectural intent, creating depth and visual tension while allowing light to refract across the movement beneath. The result is not decorative transparency, but spatial drama — the sensation of a mechanism suspended within a crystalline structure.

A Strictly Limited Creation

Exclusivity is not a marketing exercise here; it is intrinsic to the object’s philosophy.

Only 24 pieces of the Stealth Tourbillon exist worldwide:

  • Eight in rose gold

  • Eight in titanium with a red hand

  • Eight in titanium with a blue hand — already sold

Each watch is individually assembled, adjusted, and finished as a singular object. These are not units on a production line, but autonomous works, each carrying its own presence and subtle variation.

The Mechanical Heart

At the core lies the Block 1 Tourbillon movement, developed in collaboration with Telos. Hand-wound, operating at 4 Hz, and offering a four-day power reserve, the movement comprises 187 components and 29 jewels.

Yet, unlike traditional high-complication watches, the movement does not seek visual dominance. It is integrated with restraint. It breathes quietly within the sculpture, serving the form with honesty rather than spectacle. Hours and minutes are indicated with clarity, while the tourbillon carries seconds and reinforces the sense of time in motion — present but never intrusive.

This is mechanics as architecture’s silent partner, not its centerpiece.

A Contemporary Presence on the Wrist

In the hand and on the wrist, the Stealth Tourbillon defies expectation. It appears strong and imposing, yet feels unexpectedly light. It is monolithic in form, yet refined in wearability.

At 46.7 × 36.7 × 13.9 mm, the watch does not attempt to disappear. Instead, it balances contradiction and harmony — weight and lightness, sharpness and fluidity, precision and emotion.

This is not a watch designed to blend in. It is designed to exist.

A Statement of Identity

Collectors who choose Block RG are not simply adding another complication or heritage reference to their collection. They are introducing a different language — one that aligns more naturally with contemporary art, industrial design, and architectural thought than with classical horology.

The Stealth Tourbillon does not reference the past. It speaks in the present tense, offering a vision of watchmaking where form leads function, where restraint becomes strength, and where time itself is treated as a sculptural concept.

Block RG does not ask to be understood immediately. It asks only to be encountered.

Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo Redefines the Art of Black

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Hublot and legendary brand Yohji Yamamoto unite once again to redefine the art of black. For the fourth time since their first collaboration in 2020, they elevate black from a color to the Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo. A limited edition of 300 pieces where every texture and contrast are intentional. Matte black ceramic sculpts the 42mm case into light and depth, a monochrome camouflage pattern adds rhythm and motion while fabric and rubber fuse seamlessly on the strap.

This collaboration is more than fashion or watchmaking. It’s about vision. About how far you can strip something down to its essence. Both Hublot and Yohji Yamamoto have built their legacies on the same foundation: questioning the meaning of luxury. Both create through deconstruction. Hublot first broke Swiss tradition in 1980 with its Art of Fusion, blending gold with rubber, innovation with heritage. Since its debut at the Paris Fashion Week in 1981, Yohji Yamamoto redefined the conventions of fashion, using black as a response against excess and fashion’s norms.

For both creators, black is not absence, it is essence. Hublot pioneered the All Black concept in 2006, where light is defined by volume and texture, beyond its color. When Yohji Yamamoto first presented the collection in Paris in 1981, the black silhouettes were seen as revolutionary, an anti-fashion statement that freed creation from decoration. At Hublot, black is sculpted through material: matte ceramics, smoked sapphire, surfaces that play with shadow. For Yohji Yamamoto, black is woven through fabric: wool, silk, cotton layered to breathe and shift. Both treat black as visible and invisible.

“For Yohji Yamamoto, black reveals what truly matters, it purifies form, letting silhouette and texture speak. At Hublot, we treat black as a living material, sculpted, layered, folded where each surface interacts differently with light. This project marks our very first collaboration on a Classic Fusion model, and together, we share the belief that luxury is not what shines, but what endures”, stated Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot.

Camouflage, reimagined in Yohji Yamamoto’s language, becomes a study in movement and material. On the Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo, the pattern appears as monochrome relief, black on black, dynamic under changing light.

“Black is modest and arrogant at the same time” affirmed Yohji Yamamoto.

The 42mm matte black ceramic case absorbs light and sculpts shadow. The black-on-black camouflage dial shifts subtly with movement, alive with contrast. The smoked sapphire caseback unveils the MHUB1110 Hublot automatic calibre and its skeletonized rotor while preserving a monochrome mystery. The strap, crafted from fabric and rubber, echoes the Japanese designer’s tactile couture and Hublot’s technical precision. The signature of Yohji Yamamoto is incorporated into the design of each of the 300 custom All Black boxes. The new Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo is available at a selection of Hublot points of sale and online at hublot.com.

HUBLOT

In 1980 and for the first time, a watch dared to put a gold case on a rubber strap, turning the luxury watch world upside down in the process. Named for the porthole-shaped bezel with its exposed screws, Hublot was born and with it, the Art of Fusion.

In 2005 the brand took this exercise in creative thinking to a new level with the Big Bang and its iconic design, size and layered construction case. That same year, Hublot received the Best Design award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Since then, spurred by this revolutionary mindset, the Big Bang has never stopped reinventing itself. The twenty-first century has its first watch Icon.

The concept of fusion is omnipresent, the guiding principle for every collection. Big Bang timepieces reshape the geometries of time; Classic Fusion balances boldness and restraint, while the Exceptional Timepieces overwrite expectations to create unprecedented horological objects. With its disruptive approach of challenging convention, Hublot’s DNA is transcribed in the Unico, Meca-10 and tourbillon in-house movements, to add another tier of meaning to the Art of Fusion.

Alchemy is ingrained into Hublot and not just at La Manufacture. Magic can take place on a football pitch, producing partnerships with major events (UEFA Champions League and UEFA EuroTM). Sometimes it happens at a concert, a basketball match, an artistic performance or at a unique gastronomic experience with Hublot’s family of starred Chefs. And so, the Hublot Vibes come to life, through shared moments of exaltation amongst the Hublotistas, its very own community of proud Hublot owners. The Art of Fusion goes beyond the tangible. It is a way of being, the Hublot way of life.

Yohji Yamamoto

Since his debut runway show in Paris in 1981, Yohji Yamamoto has been revolutionizing the fashion world through his philosophy of “conquering fashion through antithesis” – namely, an antithesis to traditional western clothing. Armed with a spirit of rebellion, he expresses his design philosophy though creating pieces that have endured the test of time, and which challenge taboos and propose radical convictions.

REFERENCE: 542.CI.6670.NR.YOY
300-piece limited edition

CASE
Microblasted Black Ceramic
Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment
Screws: Black plated H-Shaped polished Titanium
Size: 42 MM
Thickness: 10.4 MM
Water resistance: 5 ATM / 50M
CASE-BACK
Microblasted Black Ceramic

BEZEL
Microblasted Black Ceramic Screws 6 H-shaped Titanium
(Black plated polished Titanium)

DIAL
Black and Grey Camo Printing
Hands: Black plated matt

MOVEMENT
HUB1110 Self-winding Movement
No. of Components: 177
Jewels: 25
Frequency (Hz): 4 (28’800 A/h)
Power Reserve: Approx. 48 Hours

STRAP AND CLASP
Black Fabric and Black Rubber
Black-plated steel and Black-plated steel deployant Buckle.

AWAKE Unveils the Sơn Mài – Fragments Collection: When Material Becomes Light

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SƠN MÀI – FRAGMENTS: When material becomes light…

Since its inception, AWAKE has explored the paths of conscious and poetic watchmaking, where the craftsman’s hand becomes an extension of time itself.

With the Sơn Mài – FRAGMENTS collection, the brand takes a new step in its creative adventure, combining Vietnamese lacquer, natural mother-of-pearl and the ancient Japanese art of Raden in a mesmerizing, luminous harmony.

Three limited editions combining exceptional craftsmanship, creative poetry and Swiss watchmaking precision, each dial becoming a work of art in itself: a handcrafted iridescent mosaic that captures and diffracts light, transforming every second into a suspended moment.

An invitation to slow down, to contemplate, to remember that the beauty of the world lies in the most subtle details — those that only the human hand can reveal.

KEY FEATURES OF THE FRAGMENTS COLLECTION

• A new exclusive technique. One year after the launch of the Sơn Mài collection, whose first iteration combines the purity of traditional Vietnamese lacquer with the subtlety of silver leaf, the artistic exploration of Hanoi’s craftsmanship of excellence continues with mother-of-pearl, prized for its multiple colors and iridescent beauty – the embodiment of mystery and elegance.

• Three versions, each limited to 100 pieces. Three poetic interpretations of light and time.

• Exceptional craftsmanship. Each dial requires nearly 15 hours of manual work, combining precision, patience and emotion.

• A unique luminous signature. Inspired by Japanese chiaroscuro. The hour markers and hands reveal a poetic and hypnotic depth in the night.

• Swiss precision. La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement, 68-hour power reserve, high-end finishes.

• Sensory elegance. Jean Rousseau – Paris straps, handcrafted in black calfskin and lined with Alcantara.

EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP TO TRANSCEND BORDERS

The starting point for the FRAGMENTS collection lies in our fascination with the Japanese art of Raden: a refined technique dating back several centuries, consisting of inlaying fragments of mother-of-pearl, ivory or shell into lacquered objects to enhance their iridescent reflections and create a hypnotic sense of depth.

AWAKE offers a free and contemporary interpretation of this technique, blending different cultures and skills. In their workshops in Hanoi, master lacquerers have developed a unique method that combines natural Vietnamese Sơn Mài lacquer, renowned for its purity and brilliance, with mother-of-pearl, a universal symbol of light and elegance. Each dial is the result of a long, meticulous and entirely handmade process, demonstrating rare mastery and a true passion for the art of lacquer.

This new collection becomes a true dialogue between Japan, Vietnam, France and Switzerland: four territories, four craft traditions united by the same quest for beauty, poetry and meaning.

“We aim to transcend borders and bring different know-how together. The FRAGMENTS collection was born from this idea: uniting cultures in the tiny space of a watch dial.” – Lilian THIBAULT – Founder of AWAKE

FROM SAP TO LIGHT

The creative process begins long before the first brushstroke… The lacquer used for the FRAGMENTS collection comes from the sap of the Rhus verniciflua, a tree native to northern Vietnam. It takes ten years of growth for a tree to produce just 200 ml of sap per year, harvested only in the early morning in June and July. Purified and dehydrated, this sap becomes a lacquer of incomparable transparency and brilliance, renowned for its protective properties.

Next, fragments of mother-of-pearl are selected one by one according to their color, fineness and reflections, then sprinkled delicately over the dial and adjusted one by one by hand to create a mosaic of light. The Mother-of-pearl is distinguished by its ability to capture and transform light: depending on the angle and the moment, it changes color, density and depth, evoking sometimes the calm sea, sometimes the sky at dusk.

This alchemy between organic matter and living light makes the dial a miniature landscape in constant evolution — a silent scene where time seems to stand still.

THE CREATING RITUAL: A WORK OF PATIENCE

Each dial in the FRAGMENTS collection requires nearly fifteen hours of manual work and a level of precision that only a mastered technique, repeated thousands of times, can provide.
The metal base of the dial is first prepared, then coated with a first layer of black lacquer with natural pigments, and polished to a perfect mirror finish. The mother-of-pearl fragments are then sprinkled and adjusted one by one with tweezers, according to a process that is both instinctive and skillful: the smallest ones first, to create the background, then the larger ones to create texture and relief.

Then comes the pigment phase: blue, green and pink, obtained from organic materials. These shades, sprayed on in a light veil, color the mother-of-pearl without masking its light, allowing each dial to express its personality.
Finally, around a dozen layers of pure lacquer are applied, dried, sanded and polished one by one. This is an extremely patient task, where each step reveals a new shine, sealing the fragments in an invisible case and revealing an almost infinite depth.

“Each dial then becomes a fragment of the universe, capturing the changing beauty of the world in the transparency of time” – Lilian THIBAULT – Founder of AWAKE

THREE INTERPRETATIONS OF LIGHT

Three unique expressions, each conveying its own emotion and atmosphere, created by the craftsman’s hand.

• FRAGMENTS – Green
Soothing and organic, green evokes the serenity of forests, light filtering through foliage, the murmur of nature in motion. The mother-of-pearl fragments, worked in a gradient, diffuse reflections of an almost meditative softness. An ode to slowness and harmony.

• FRAGMENTS – Blue
Inspired by the depths of the sea, the blue of this dial encapsulates the silent poetry of the ocean. Under the light, the iridescent fragments seem to come to life: blues turn silvery, grays take on azure hues. A living, changing dial that captures the fluid essence of time.

• FRAGMENTS – Pink
The most enigmatic of the three. Its pink and pearly shades embody the dialogue between matter and emotion, the visible and the invisible. From some angles, it evokes the softness of twilight; from others, the stellar reflections of the cosmos. A dial of light and mystery.

LUMINOUS SIGNATURE: CHIAROSCURO BY AWAKE

True to its unique aesthetic, AWAKE enhances the FRAGMENTS dials with an exclusive luminous signature inspired by the Japanese poetic concept of chiaroscuro, dear to Jun’ichirō Tanizaki. The hands and hour markers, crafted from a Super LumiNova® BGW9 base, are clad in faceted polished steel: discreet in daylight, they glow softly and mesmerizingly at night, revealing the hypnotic depth of the dial. The hands and hour markers, crafted from a Super LumiNova® BGW9 base, are clad in faceted polished steel: discreet in daylight, they glow softly and mesmerizingly at night, revealing the hypnotic depth of the dial.

SWISS PRECISION

This visual poetry is matched by the precision of the movement. FRAGMENTS watches are powered by the G101 La Joux-Perret movement, a symbol of excellence and reliability. With its 68-hour power reserve and meticulous finishes visible through the sapphire crystal case back, this movement echoes the craftsmanship of the dials. Its oscillating weight, machined from a block of tungsten and delicately engraved with the brand’s emblem and the words ‘La Joux-Perret for AWAKE’, also plays with light thanks to the alternation of sandblasted, polished and micro-beaded surfaces.

THE ELEGANCE OF DETAIL, BY MAISON JEAN ROUSSEAU

To extend the sensory dimension of the watch, AWAKE has partnered with Maison Jean Rousseau, an iconic figure in French leather goods. Each strap is handmade from calfskin leather and lined with Alcantara in colors that match the dials: forest green, midnight blue or purple. Suppleness, a velvety feel and tone-on-tone finishes are the hallmarks of the discreet elegance of an object designed to last. The straps are equipped with quick-release buckles and a recycled steel pin buckle, the result of complex machining. Because every detail counts, right down to the way the watch sits on the wrist.

A WATCHMAKING JOURNEY BETWEEN VALUE AND EMOTION

With Sơn Mài – FRAGMENTS, AWAKE continues its exploration of the link between art, culture and watchmaking. A collection born from the encounter between Asian traditions and Swiss excellence, between slow gestures and mechanical precision, between light and time.
In this tiny canvas, composed of fragments of mother-of-pearl, lacquer and light, a whole world comes to life: that of craftsmanship, transmission and pure beauty. A true distillation of excellence, passion and creativity, available at a price of €2,250 excluding tax.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Case: Recycled 316L stainless steel
Diameter: 39mm
Dimensions ‘Lug to lug’: 45.6mm
Lug width: 20mm
Thickness: 11.80mm including glass / 10.90mm excluding glass
Entirely handcrafted Métiers d’Art dials: Reinterpretation of the ancient Japanese technique of Raden using a mosaic of fragments of mother-of-pearl, Vietnamese lacquer and natural pigments.

– Sơn Mài – Fragments – Green : Limited Edition of 100.
– Sơn Mài – Fragments – Blue : Limited Edition of 100.
– Sơn Mài – Fragments – Pink : Limited Edition of 100.

Indexes and hands: Super LumiNova® BGW9, AWAKE luminous ‘coiffe’ signature
Water resistance: 5 ATM (50m)
Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Case back: Screw-down case back, sapphire crystal
Movement: Automatic La Joux-Perret G101, 68-hour power reserve
Decoration: Personalized tungsten rotor, alternating concave and convex surfaces with brushed, micro-beaded and polished finishes. Micro-beaded bezel engraved with laser inscriptions specific to each version.
JEAN ROUSSEAU strap: Matte black calfskin leather lined with colored Alcantara, tone-on-tone topstitching, equipped with ‘presto’ pumps and mounted on a hollowed-out pin buckle. 115×75 – 20-16mm.
Warranty: 3-year international warranty
Price: €2,250 excluding tax
Distribution: https://awakewatches.com
Retailers: https://awakewatches.com/pages/points-of-sale

Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire: A Celestial Masterpiece That Defies Gravity

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When Watchmaking Meets Weightlessness

Some watches tell time. Others redefine it.
Zenith’s Defy Zero G Sapphire belongs to the latter. It doesn’t just keep time—it defies gravity itself. Literally.

In a world where watchmaking has seen almost everything, Zenith dares to reimagine what precision can mean. And the result? Two breathtaking limited editions that look as if they were carved from starlight itself—one in deep celestial blue sapphire, the other in transparent crystal clarity. Each limited to just 10 pieces worldwide.

A Story of Defiance and Discovery

Back in 2008, Zenith unveiled a concept that seemed almost impossible: a wristwatch movement that could cancel out gravity’s pull on its precision. Fast forward to today, and that dream lives inside the Defy Zero G.

At the heart of this watch beats a world-first innovation — the Gravity Control module, a gimbal-mounted escapement that constantly keeps itself perfectly level, no matter how your wrist moves.
It’s inspired by marine chronometers that once helped sailors navigate the open seas. Only now, that same principle of stability lives inside a 46mm sapphire case, wrapped around your wrist.

That’s the kind of audacious engineering that makes Zenith… Zenith.

A Universe Captured in Sapphire

The blue sapphire edition is pure cosmic poetry. Its lapis lazuli dial, flecked with gold pyrite, shimmers like a slice of the night sky. Each piece has its own pattern—no two alike—like constellations drawn by hand.

The transparent sapphire edition strips everything down to pure form and function. Every bevel, bridge, and balance wheel is visible in luminous clarity. Nothing to hide, everything to admire.

Inside beats the manual-winding El Primero 8812S calibre, running at 5Hz, revealing a hypnotic dance of motion through openworked architecture. The rotating Gravity Control module at 6 o’clock keeps the escapement level, as if the laws of physics were optional.

Precision Becomes Art

There’s something almost philosophical about the Defy Zero G. In a world obsessed with speed, Zenith slows things down—to focus on mastery. Every movement, every polished edge, every laser-engraved star speaks of patience and purpose.

The counterweight of the gyroscopic system even carries an engraving that resembles a celestial body—a reminder that this isn’t just a watchmaker’s experiment. It’s a meditation on control, beauty, and balance.

Ten Pieces. Infinite Imagination.

Each Defy Zero G Sapphire is a limited edition of just 10. Priced around USD 207,500, it’s not a watch for everyone—and that’s exactly the point.
It’s for the dreamers, the collectors, the believers in the impossible. Those who see time not as something to measure, but something to master.

Because at Zenith, defying gravity isn’t a metaphor.
It’s a way of life.

Conclusion

The Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about emotion. It’s about watching centuries of horological heritage collide with modern innovation to create something timeless, transparent, and alive.

In sapphire and steel, light and motion, Zenith has built not just a watch, but a statement: that perfection is never static—it’s always in motion, just like time itself.

Technical Specifications

DEFY ZERO G
Reference: 04.9003.8812/51.R584
Key points: Full blue sapphire case. Entirely skeletonized movement : El Primero 8812.
“Gravity Control” gyroscopic module that ensures horizontal positioning of the regulating
organ. Now occupies only 30% of its initial volume. Inspired by the legendary marine
chronometers. Openworked dial. The movement is protected by 1 patent related to the
Gravity Control cage. Limited edition of 10 pieces.
Movement: El Primero 8812
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 50 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes excentred at 12 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock, self-
regulating Gravity Control module at 6 o’clock, power-reserve indication at 3 o’clock
Finishes: Exclusive two tones (blue and rhodium) signature on plates and bridges + milled
Starry Sky. Laser decorated Platinum counterweight of the gyroscopic system.
Price: 200 000 CHF / 220 000 Euros / 207 500 USD
Material: Blue Sapphire
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Case: 46mm
Dial: Openworked with Lapis Lazuli dial
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Blue Alligator leather lining on rubber with titanium folding clasp

DEFY ZERO G
Reference: 04.9000.8812/51.R584
Key points: Full transparent sapphire case. Entirely skeletonized movement : El Primero
8812. “Gravity Control” gyroscopic module that ensures horizontal positioning of the
regulating organ. Now occupies only 30% of its initial volume. Inspired by the legendary
marine chronometers. Openworked dial. The movement is protected by 1 patent related
to the Gravity Control cage. Limited edition of 10 pieces.
Movement: El Primero 8812
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 50 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes excentred at 12 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock, self-
regulating Gravity Control module at 6 o’clock, power-reserve indication at 3 o’clock
Finishes: Exclusive two tones (blue and rhodium) signature on plates and bridges + milled
Starry Sky. Laser decorated Platinum counterweight of the gyroscopic system.
Price: 200 000 CHF / 220 000 Euros / 207 500 USD
Material: Transparent Sapphire
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Case: 46mm
Dial: Openworked with Lapis Lazuli dial
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Blue Alligator leather lining on rubber with titanium folding clasp