Patek Philippe Gondolo Ladies First Ref. 7043: Six New Watches

Patek Philippe has introduced six new watches in its Gondolo Ladies First collection, presenting a contemporary interpretation of the brand’s Art Deco-inspired design language through precious metals, diamonds, coloured gemstones and quartz technology.

The new collection revisits the spirit of the 2009 Ladies First Chronograph Ref. 7071 while taking a distinctly jewellery-focused approach. According to Patek Philippe, the watches were conceived around President Thierry Stern’s desire to offer women an easy-to-wear jewellery watch that combines refined gem-setting with the practicality of a quartz movement.

A modern interpretation of the Gondolo

The Gondolo has a long association with Patek Philippe’s design history. Originating during the Art Deco era and created for the Brazilian market during the Manufacture’s golden age of design, the collection has appeared in cushion, square, rectangular and tonneau forms.

The new Gondolo Ladies First watches use a fully polished, cushion-shaped gold case with rounded contours and articulated lugs. The design combines square and circular forms while maintaining the slender profile made possible by the thin quartz movement. The articulated lugs are designed to allow the case to sit flush against the wrist.

The six new references are divided into two groups: three models with diamond-set dials and three Joaillerie models featuring extensive diamond-setting across the dial, case and lugs. They join two existing Haute Joaillerie versions featuring pearls and diamonds.

Three diamond-set dial models

The first three watches combine opaline dials with a diamond-set flange containing 108 diamonds. The stones follow the contours of the sloping flange, with graduated sizes and near-invisible grain settings.

The references are:

  • Ref. 7043G-001: white gold case, blue-gray opaline dial and matching blue-gray calfskin strap with a denim pattern and contrasting white stitching.
  • Ref. 7043R-001: rose gold case, chestnut opaline dial and matching chestnut calfskin strap with a denim pattern and contrasting cream stitching.
  • Ref. 7043GR-001: white gold case with rose gold lugs and crown, silvery opaline dial and grained beige calfskin strap.

Each dial features a concentric wave pattern, creating a textured surface beneath the faceted trapeze-shaped hour markers. Leaf-shaped hands complete the design.

The technical specifications are shared across the three references: a Caliber E15 quartz movement, measuring 15 x 13 mm and 1.8 mm thick, with 57 components and six jewels. The movement operates at a frequency of 32,768 Hz and uses a 1.55 V silver oxide battery with an approximately three-year battery life.

The watches measure 31 x 34.8 mm, have a thickness of 8.03 mm, feature solid case backs and are water-resistant to 30 metres.

Joaillerie versions bring colour and diamonds

The three Joaillerie references take the collection considerably further into jewellery-watch territory. Their cases, dials and lugs are set with diamonds, while coloured gemstones form the hour markers.

Patek Philippe specifies 687 brilliant-cut diamonds across each Joaillerie watch. The diamond-setting includes 253 diamonds on the case and lugs, 108 diamonds illuminating the dial flange and 303 diamonds arranged around the centre of the dial.

The three versions are:

  • Ref. 7043/250G-001: white gold with blue topaz hour markers and a shiny peacock-blue alligator strap.
  • Ref. 7043/250R-001: rose gold with green tsavorite hour markers and a shiny green alligator strap.
  • Ref. 7043/250GR-001: white and rose gold with purple amethyst hour markers and a shiny purple alligator strap.

The gemstones are set as trapeze-shaped hour markers in gold settings. Patek Philippe says the construction allows light to pass through the gemstones, enhancing their colour. The hands receive an ALD, or Atomic Layer Deposition, treatment and are matched visually with the coloured straps.

687 diamonds, plus coloured gemstones

The technical specifications provide a detailed breakdown of the Joaillerie setting.

For the Ref. 7043/250R-001, the watch contains:

  • 411 diamonds on the dial and dial flange, totalling 1.37 carats
  • 12 trapeze-cut tsavorites, totalling 0.22 carat
  • 253 diamonds on the case, totalling 1.56 carats
  • 23 diamonds on the buckle, totalling 0.18 carat
  • 687 diamonds in total, totalling 3.11 carats
  • 12 trapeze-cut tsavorites totalling 0.22 carat

The Ref. 7043/250G-001 uses 12 trapeze-cut topazes totalling 0.2 carat, while retaining the same 687-diamond, 3.11-carat total. The Ref. 7043/250GR-001 uses 12 trapeze-cut amethysts totalling 0.17 carat, again with 687 diamonds weighing a total of 3.11 carats.

The straps continue the colour theme: shiny green alligator for the tsavorite model, shiny peacock blue for the topaz version and hand-stitched shiny purple alligator for the amethyst model. Each buckle is set with diamonds.

Quartz at the heart of the collection

While the Gondolo name carries substantial mechanical-watch heritage, the new Ladies First models use Patek Philippe’s E15 quartz movement.

Patek Philippe describes the E15 as combining precision and ease of use. According to the Manufacture, 20% of the movement’s components are electronic, while the remaining 80% are manufactured using methods also employed for its mechanical calibres.

The movement provides hours and minutes, with the crown pulled out to set the time. Its approximately three-year battery life is specified for a new battery.

Gem-setting as a central part of the design

Patek Philippe states that the diamonds and coloured gemstones are selected according to its criteria and in line with GIA standards, with attention given to clarity, colour, proportions and finish.

The diamond-setting is carried out in the Manufacture’s own gem-setting ateliers. The press material says the setters use specialised gem-setting microscopes to achieve the required precision.

That emphasis is particularly visible in the Joaillerie watches, where the diamond arrangement extends from the case to the dial and buckle rather than being confined to a single decorative element.

A new campaign for Patek Philippe’s ladies’ collection

The Gondolo Ladies First collection also marks the inaugural appearance alongside Patek Philippe’s new “IAM. I WEAR.” campaign.

Created by London-based Leagas Delaney, the campaign is directed toward the modern woman and accompanies the introduction of the new watches. Patek Philippe also states that a short film supports the launch and was directed by Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet.

A Gondolo collection shaped around colour, jewellery and wearability

With the six new references, Patek Philippe combines the Gondolo’s historic cushion-shaped silhouette with contemporary colour and jewellery design. The three diamond-set models take a relatively restrained approach, pairing 108-diamond flanges with textured opaline dials, while the three Joaillerie references transform the same basic architecture with hundreds of diamonds and coloured gemstone hour markers.

The result is a collection that connects the Gondolo’s Art Deco heritage with a modern jewellery-watch format, while retaining the practical specifications of the E15 quartz movement.

Ressence unveils its art watch TYPE 9 Jules Wittock

Maze with a Message

For this year’s art watch, Ressence teamed up with Belgian artist Jules Wittock to introduce a handdrawn maze onto the dial of the brand’s TYPE 9. The T9 JWE and T9 JWB – limited to 60 pieces, 30 each – is a visual experience, made to awaken the senses and wonder your way through.

Wittock is known for tracing mazes freehand. In the case of the T9 JWE (Emerald Green colourway) and T9 JWB (black), a miniaturised design offers the wearer a single entrance, a single exit, and a path between them that spells a word.

“I like hiding things in my paintings,” says Wittock. “There’s always a mystery within the maze.”

Only at midnight does the maze align to reveal its hidden message — a nod to Wittock’s childhood ritual of making a wish at times like 11:11 or 22:22. What that message is remains between the artist and those who own the piece.

The T9 JWE features a white-filled maze on an Emerald Green ALD-coated titanium dial that changes to a purple colour depending on the angle of the watch; the T9 JWB features a white-filled maze on a black titanium dial in a black coated case. The patterns are milled directly into Grade 5 titanium and traced at 0.2 millimetres wide — made visible by the painted fill catching against the metal. Both editions debut on leather straps.

“The criteria we use to choose the artists we collaborate with run deeper than creativity or graphic impact alone,” says Benoît Mintiens, Ressence’s founder and creative mind. “We look for a visual language that translates physically onto the watch. Jules’s labyrinths are engraved into the dial and filled by hand, so the drawing lives in depth. His line stays extraordinarily consistent across every path — remarkable mastery, given that he draws each one freehand.”

The result, in watch form, draws on Ressence’s patented Orbital Convex System (ROCS) technology, which allows the dials, now carrying Wittock’s hand traced paths, to orbit in continuous motion. It’s a playful interpretation of a watch built to be handled, enjoyed, and lived with.

“A Ressence adds a fourth dimension to the canvas: time,” Mintiens adds, noting that it’s only at midnight and midday that the watch dials align for wearers to solve the labyrinth. “The artwork keeps changing. It appears differently with every glance.”

Being in the Now

Wittock has drawn labyrinths since childhood to find a path through complexity. “When I create my work, it’s a moment when I am in the present,” Wittock explains. “I don’t think about what I am doing, what I need to do, or what I did. I’m just doing right now, and I love being part of right now.”

It is a philosophy of clarity drawn from complexity — and it is where his world meets Ressence’s. Both strip away the noise to reach the essential. Both make objects meant to be lived with that reward attention over time. “I love how they think,” Wittock says of Ressence. “They are starting over with watchmaking, rethinking the whole concept. The way they work is minimalist, optimal, efficient — and I have exactly that in my paintings: the maximum space given to the logic, never to empty space.”

For Mintiens, that shared instinct is the point. “We move through life guided by instinct, and the coherence reveals itself in hindsight,” he says. “The labyrinth stays intricate. Then a moment comes when the pattern resolves and the word can finally be read.”

Art Watch Series

Each guest edition watch begins with a shared way of seeing between Ressence and its collaborators. Ressence partners only with artists whose work already speaks its language — clarity, curiosity, and the conviction that an object is made to be experienced as much as owned.

Previous guest editions include Shantell Martin’s TYPE 1 Square White, featuring her fluid line drawings and “Enjoy Life” mantra for TimeForArt 2024. Stefan Sagmeister’s TYPE 3X Look Up (2020) embedded his “Now is Better” philosophy into the dial, while Alain Silberstein’s TYPE 1 S REV Grail Watch (2022) offered a symbolic exploration of “Carpe Diem.” More recently, Daniel Engelberg’s TYPE 8 DE1 and DE2 (2025) brought the artist’s “Inside Out” concentric circles into kinetic form, and

Terumasa Ikeda’s TYPE 9 IKE (2026) brought his urushi lacquer and mother-of-pearl craft to the rotating dial.

The brand’s “art in motion” philosophy underscores Ressence’s belief that a watch should engage the wearer emotionally as much as technically.

“My work is based on challenge,” says Wittock. “The more complex the process, the more satisfying it is at the end.”

Ressence TYPE 9

Built on the TYPE 9 design — Ressence’s smallest and lightest watch to date — the new editions exemplify the brand’s ‘Less is More’ philosophy, focusing on simplicity in both form and function. By distilling watchmaking to its essence, the TYPE 9 offers a pure time-reading experience with hours and minutes displayed through the patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS).

The T9 JWE and T9 JWB will be available from 17.09.2026 through Ressence’s online store and select global retailers. As the latest release in Ressence’s art series, they continue Ressence’s ongoing dialogue with contemporary art, affirming a vision of watchmaking as a meaningful form of creative expression.

Technical Specifications
Name TYPE 9 JWB – TYPE 9 Jules Wittock Black

Functions
• Hours
• Minutes
Movement
• Patented ROCS 9 — Ressence Orbital Convex System — module driven by the minute axle of a customised automatic base calibre
• Self-winding
• 36 hours power reserve
• 28,800 vibrations per hour
• 31 jewels
• 20 gears
• 4 ball bearings
Dial
• Grade 5 titanium dial (75mm diameter) running on a jewel ball bearing with eccentric satellites rolling on jewel ball-bearings inclined at 9.75° (hours)
• Engraved indications hand-filled with white lacquer and Grade A Super-LumiNova® on a Black PVD-coated titanium dial
Case
• Polished Grade 5 titanium
• Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside
• 39 mm (diameter) x 11 mm (thickness)
• 1 ATM splash-resistance
• Manual winding over 12° and set-up via caseback
• Rotating two directions
Buckle & Strap
• Titanium ardillon buckle
• Leather strap (20/18 mm)
Components
• 182 components
Weight
• 42 grams (strap included)

Name TYPE 9 JWE – TYPE 9 Jules Wittock Emerald Green

Functions
• Hours
• Minutes
Movement
• Patented ROCS 9 — Ressence Orbital Convex System — module driven by the minute axle of a customised automatic base calibre
• Self-winding
• 36 hours power reserve
• 28,800 vibrations per hour
• 31 jewels
• 20 gears
• 4 ball bearings
Dial
• Grade 5 titanium dial (75mm diameter) running on a jewel ball bearing with eccentric satellites rolling on jewel ball-bearings inclined at 9.75° (hours)
• Engraved indications hand-filled with white lacquer and Grade A Super-LumiNova® on an Emerald Green ALD-coated titanium dial
Case
• Polished Grade 5 titanium
• Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside
• 39 mm (diameter) x 11 mm (thickness)
• 1 ATM splash-resistance
• Manual winding over 12° and set-up via caseback
• Rotating two directions
Buckle & Strap
• Titanium ardillon buckle
• Soft calf leather strap (20/18 mm)
Components
• 182 components
Weight
• 42 grams (strap included)

About Jules Wittock

Jules Wittock is based in Brussels and raised in a family of artists. He is known for hand-drawn labyrinths painted onto large-scale linen canvases. He has drawn labyrinths since childhood to find a path through complexity — each one traced freehand. Each maze follows the same internal logic: a single entrance, a single exit, and a path between them that spells a word. Some pieces carry secondary layers — UV-revealed patterns, mechanical mechanisms, and other concealed elements — that invite the viewer to interact with the work.

Wittock works across media and techniques — from marker and paint on linen to bronze and aluminium sculpture, as well as kinetic pieces. His labyrinths run up to 10 metres in length, yet the work stays minimalistic in purpose: typically a single colour, driven by the logic of the maze.

His work has been exhibited across Europe and includes large-scale public commissions, among them a ceiling mural at the Brussels Palace of Justice. He is currently expanding into sculptural work in bronze and aluminium.

About Ressence

Founded by Benoît Mintiens in 2010, Antwerp-based Ressence is setting a new paradigm for watchmaking — rethinking what a mechanical watch would be if it were a 21st-century invention.

Known for its patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), which replaces hands with rotating discs, Ressence crafts watches that are intuitive, legible, and deeply human. Awardwinning innovations like oil-filled dials and the absence of a crown serve a clear purpose: ergonomics, clarity, and experience.

Ressence applies design thinking to fine watchmaking, providing mechanical watches with functional meaning for those who value clarity without losing soul and functionality without compromising beauty. Ressence calls this Simplication — a dedication to innovation, minimalism, and human connection in watchmaking.

In an industry dominated by tradition and status, Ressence stands apart as a design-led independent. Its made-in-Switzerland watches are built for modern life, not the museum. Its audience is curious and optimistic, seeking watches that spark conversation without pretension.

Wearing a Ressence is a statement of optimism. A belief that the future holds more promise than the past.

Blancpain Lady B: A Mechanical Jewel Reimagining the Ladybird Legacy

What happens when 70 years of watchmaking history is condensed into a 19mm mechanical jewel?

Blancpain answers with the Lady B, a distinctly contemporary interpretation of the idea that gave birth to the Ladybird collection in 1956.

Created under the leadership of Betty Fiechter, the first woman to lead a Swiss watch manufacture, the original Ladybird Bullet was built around an extraordinary ambition: create a remarkably small yet robust mechanical movement. Its R52/R55 calibre measured just 11.85mm in diameter and became the world’s smallest round mechanical movement produced in series, according to Blancpain’s historical account.

Seven decades later, Blancpain isn’t simply bringing that watch back.

It is rethinking the idea behind it.

From Ladybird Bullet to Lady B

The new Blancpain Lady B is explicitly described as a contemporary reinterpretation rather than a reissue of the 1956 Ladybird Bullet. Its design takes the original watch’s philosophy of miniaturisation and translates it into an entirely new architecture.

Its most immediately striking feature is its spherical case.

Measuring only 19mm in diameter, the case has a thickness of 13.20mm and a volume of just 2.9cm³. Rather than treating the watch as a flat object defined primarily by its diameter, Blancpain conceived Lady B in three dimensions.

The result is closer to a polished mechanical pebble or jewel than a conventional round wristwatch.

And that is precisely the point.

A Mechanical Heart in a Tiny Space

Inside the spherical case is Blancpain’s Manufacture Calibre 615, an automatic movement measuring 15.70mm in diameter and 3.90mm thick.

It contains 180 components and 29 rubies, operates at 3Hz, or 21,600 vibrations per hour, and delivers a 38-hour power reserve. Its plates are finished with Côtes de Genève, while a silicon balance spring is part of its evolution.

The movement’s compact architecture wasn’t simply placed inside an existing case.

The entire watch was developed around it.

Blancpain says the spherical case, sapphire crystal, polished rehaut, integrated strap passage and water resistance were developed in parallel to accommodate Calibre 615.

That makes the Lady B’s small dimensions more than an aesthetic exercise. They are the consequence of designing the watch around its mechanical core.

No Lugs. No Conventional Case Architecture.

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of Lady B is what it leaves out.

There are no traditional lugs.

Instead, the calf leather strap passes directly through an opening machined into the case. The passage measures just 10 × 1.6mm, and Blancpain describes the interior as micro-blasted so the leather can glide through it. The edges and knurling are finished by hand.

This creates a continuous visual relationship between the spherical case and the strap.

The watch doesn’t look as though a strap has been attached to it.

The strap appears to emerge from it.

Minimalism Is Doing the Heavy Lifting

The dial takes an equally restrained approach.

The warm beige opaline dial is identical across the stainless-steel and 18K red-gold versions. There is no gem-setting, allowing the dial surface, gold indices and reflections from the polished rehaut to define the visual character.

The applied stick indices are made from gold and measure only 1.82 × 0.39mm.

The hands remain deliberately simple, displaying only the hours and minutes.

This restraint is important because the case is already doing most of the visual talking. The polished spherical architecture creates changing reflections across its surface, while the clean dial prevents the watch from becoming visually busy.

Seven Straps, One Tiny Wrist Presence

The Lady B arrives on a double-tour calf leather strap, reinforcing its jewellery-like character.

There are seven colour options:

  • White
  • Beige
  • Mocha
  • Burgundy
  • Blue
  • Coral
  • Purple

The strap fits through the rear of the watch and can be changed easily.

The double-tour construction also changes how the 19mm case sits visually on the wrist. Instead of functioning simply as a tiny watch, the strap becomes an integral part of the design language.

Betty Fiechter: The Woman Behind the Original Vision

The Lady B story becomes considerably more interesting when you look back at Betty Fiechter.

Fiechter entered Blancpain’s workshop in Villeret as a 16-year-old apprentice in 1912. By 1933, she had become co-owner of the Manufacture, and she ultimately became the first woman to own and lead a Swiss watch manufacture.

Her contribution wasn’t limited to keeping the company operating through difficult economic and historical circumstances.

She also recognised the importance of mechanical watches for women.

Blancpain’s historical account notes that Fiechter believed women’s watches deserved the same ingenuity and mechanical integrity as other timepieces, making this area one of Blancpain’s defining strengths.

In 1956, the Ladybird emerged from this philosophy.

The Lady B now connects that history to Blancpain’s contemporary approach to mechanical miniaturisation.

The 1956 Technical Miracle

The original Ladybird Bullet’s R52/R55 calibre was only 11.85mm in diameter.

Its compact architecture incorporated a fifth wheel into the gear train and shock protection for the balance, allowing Blancpain to pursue extreme miniaturisation without abandoning robustness. The movement contained 133 individually machined components and operated at 3Hz.

The movement’s influence extended beyond Blancpain, with the press release noting that houses including Omega and Longines subsequently adopted it for their own creations. Its tiny footprint also enabled a wide variety of jewellery watches, bracelets, bangles, rings and pendants.

That history explains why the Ladybird is more than simply an old model in Blancpain’s archive.

Miniaturisation became a creative platform.

Lady B continues that idea in a radically different form.

Stainless Steel or 18K Red Gold?

Blancpain offers the Lady B in two case materials:

Stainless Steel

  • 19mm diameter
  • 13.20mm thickness
  • 30m water resistance
  • CHF 9,500

18K Red Gold

  • 19mm diameter
  • 13.20mm thickness
  • 30m water resistance
  • CHF 14,500

The watch is not a limited edition and is available through Blancpain boutiques and authorised retailers from 17 September 2026.

A New Chapter, Rather Than a Reissue

The Blancpain Lady B succeeds by resisting the obvious route.

It doesn’t attempt to reproduce the Ladybird Bullet line for line. Instead, it takes the central idea behind that watch, mechanical watchmaking on an extraordinarily small scale, and pushes it into a new design language.

A spherical 19mm case.

A tiny automatic movement.

An integrated double-tour strap.

A deliberately quiet opaline dial.

And a direct connection to Betty Fiechter and the Ladybird’s history.

Seventy years after the Ladybird first appeared, Blancpain’s smallest statement may also be one of its most conceptually interesting.

The Lady B is tiny in dimensions.

Its mechanical ambition is anything but.

Hublot MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons: A Mechanical Universe

Hublot and Jeff Koons have turned the idea of creation into a mechanical work of art with the new MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons. Unveiled in New York on 16 September 2026, the timepiece brings together sapphire architecture, gem-setting, contemporary art and Hublot’s high-horology expertise in an exceptionally complex 44 mm creation limited to just 30 pieces.

Rather than simply decorating a watch with artistic references, the collaboration attempts something considerably more ambitious: to make the watch itself behave like a miniature universe, with a central tourbillon acting as its mechanical point of origin and concentric rings appearing to expand around it.

A collaboration built around transformation

The partnership between Hublot and Jeff Koons brings together two creative disciplines that share an interest in transforming familiar ideas into something unexpected. Alongside the MP-14 Origin, the collaboration also introduces the Classic Fusion Balloon Dog, connecting Koons’ artistic vocabulary with Hublot’s watchmaking.

For the MP-14 Origin, that philosophy is expressed through an architecture combining sapphire, titanium and gem-set white gold. The result sits at the intersection of high jewellery and high watchmaking, while its visual concept is rooted in the creation and expansion of the cosmos.

The watch also represents an important technical development for Hublot: the introduction of the manufacture’s first automatic central tourbillon.

Why “MP-14”?

The name MP-14 is not simply a sequential designation. According to Hublot, the number 14 references an important moment in Jeff Koons’ early artistic career.

Koons held his first solo exhibition in 1980 at the New Museum in New York, which was then located at 65 Fifth Avenue at 14th Street. Hublot connects this address with the MP-14 name, making the number part of the artistic story behind the watch.

The MP-14 also belongs to Hublot’s Exceptional Timepieces collection, the brand’s experimental high-horology laboratory dedicated to unconventional architectures, advanced materials and radical mechanical concepts.

A miniature universe constructed in sapphire

The MP-14 Origin measures 44 mm and uses an octagonal case made from polished sapphire crystal and titanium. Its transparent sapphire structure is central to the design rather than merely a material choice.

According to Hublot, machining the sapphire case requires approximately 534 hours. A titanium case back, H-shaped polished titanium screws and Hublot’s characteristic case “ears” at 3 and 9 o’clock complete the architecture.

Inside, the transparent construction reveals a series of concentric rings that create the impression of orbital movement. The rings are crafted in white gold and set with baguette-cut diamonds and blue sapphires, gradually directing the eye towards the centre of the watch.

At that centre sits the tourbillon, positioned beneath a transparent sapphire dome. The dome takes inspiration from Jeff Koons’ Gazing Ball works and is hand-coated in translucent blue varnish by a micropainter.

It is a clever visual metaphor. Instead of representing the universe through a conventional celestial dial, Hublot places mechanical motion at the heart of the composition.

Time appears to orbit the movement

The MP-14 Origin takes an unconventional approach to displaying the hours and minutes.

Two suspended rotating rings carry floating indicator cubes. The hour indicator is a polished stainless-steel cube finished with translucent red varnish, while the minute indicator is represented by a polished grey stainless-steel cube.

Two additional rings remain fixed. Blue sapphires mark the quarters on the minute ring, while the hour ring uses blue sapphires to indicate the hours. Collectively, the four rings contain 202 gemstones, representing approximately 2.6 carats.

The result is a time display that deliberately avoids the familiar arrangement of hands moving around a stationary dial. Here, the indicators appear suspended within a layered mechanical environment.

The HUB9014: the mechanical heart

Driving this unusual architecture is Hublot’s HUB9014 manufacture movement.

It is an automatic central tourbillon equipped with a peripheral oscillating weight, operating at 3 Hz, or 21,600 vibrations per hour, with a 60-hour power reserve. The movement contains 594 components.

The peripheral winding system is particularly important to the design. By moving the oscillating mass away from the traditional central position, Hublot can preserve the open appearance of the movement while maintaining the visual continuity of the architecture.

The tourbillon cage sits beneath the sapphire dome, becoming the visual and mechanical centre of the watch. In the context of the Koons collaboration, Hublot describes this as the first pulse from which the surrounding structure appears to expand.

Even the winding system disappears into the architecture

The MP-14 Origin takes its unusual construction a step further by concealing the functions normally associated with the crown.

Two hidden crown systems are integrated into the case, allowing the wearer to wind the watch and adjust the time without interrupting its clean architectural appearance.

The winding function is associated with the engraving “ENERGY PULSE”, while the time-setting function is marked “COSMIC ALIGN.”

It is the sort of detail that makes the watch less like a conventional timepiece and more like an engineered object whose functions have been absorbed into its design.

From watch to immersive presentation

Hublot extends the cosmic concept beyond the watch itself.

The presentation case uses an infinite mirror installation, incorporating LED illumination and one-way mirror technology to create an impression of limitless depth. Its octagonal geometry echoes the shape of the watch and is topped by a transparent dome, effectively turning the presentation environment into an extension of the timepiece’s architecture.

This matters because the MP-14 Origin is designed to be experienced as more than an object on the wrist. Its visual language continues from the sapphire case to the presentation environment, reinforcing the central idea of an expanding mechanical cosmos.

Jeff Koons’ interpretation of creation

For Koons, the MP-14 Origin represents a horological interpretation of creation itself, centred on the transformation of energy into form and form into time.

The central tourbillon becomes the starting point, while the surrounding mechanical structures suggest controlled expansion. Hublot’s press material specifically connects the concept to the Big Bang, translating that idea through mechanical movement, material tension and the interaction of light with the watch’s transparent architecture.

The concept is therefore not simply about putting a cosmic image on a dial. The movement, case, gemstones and rotating indicators all participate in the same visual narrative.

Technical specifications

Specification: Hublot MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons
Reference: 914.NJ.0100.JX.9941
Edition: Limited to 30 pieces
Case: Polished sapphire crystal and titanium
Case size: 44 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30 m
Winding system: Peripheral oscillating weight
Movement diameter: 39.20 mm
Movement thickness:14.65 mm
Components: 594
Jewels : 55
Frequency: 3 Hz / 21,600 A/h
Power reserve: 60 hours
Gem-setting: Baguette-cut diamonds and blue sapphires
Gemstone total: 202 stones / approximately 2.6 carats
Crystal: Sapphire
Case back: Polished and satin-finished titanium
Strap: Sapphire crystal and titanium deployant buckle

 

A 30-piece expression of experimental watchmaking

The Hublot MP-14 Origin by Jeff Koons is limited to just 30 pieces and is available through selected Hublot points of sale. The press release lists pricing at CHF 405,000, EUR 479,000, USD 488,000 and GBP 383,000.

At its most interesting, however, the MP-14 Origin is not about rarity or price. Its significance lies in how Hublot has attempted to make mechanical watchmaking itself tell the story.

The central tourbillon becomes the point of origin. The sapphire case provides the space. The gemstone-set rings create the impression of orbital structures. Floating cubes indicate the passage of hours and minutes. Even the winding and time-setting systems have been absorbed into the architecture.

In that sense, the MP-14 Origin does not simply depict a universe.

It builds one around the mechanism that makes the watch come alive.

 

TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph Celebrates 50 Years of Racing Heritage

Half a century after its debut, the TAG Heuer Monza returns in a limited edition inspired by one of the Maison’s most celebrated racing chronographs. The TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph combines the collection’s motorsport heritage with contemporary materials, purposeful design and mechanical precision.

Presented ahead of the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026 in Monza, the new anniversary edition pays tribute to the original 1976 model while embracing the technical expertise and design language of today’s TAG Heuer. Only 500 numbered pieces will be produced, bringing together fifty years of racing history in a chronograph designed for modern performance.

Born on the Circuit

The history of the TAG Heuer Monza is closely connected to Formula 1® and Ferrari. In 1971, Heuer became the Official Timekeeper of Scuderia Ferrari, becoming the first watchmaker to partner with a Formula 1® team. Four years later, Niki Lauda secured the Formula 1® World Championship, bringing Ferrari its first Drivers’ title since 1964.

To celebrate this achievement, Heuer introduced the Monza collection in 1976. The chronograph immediately stood apart through its distinctive racing appearance and character. Its bold personality and close connection with motorsport established the Monza as one of the Maison’s most recognizable chronographs. Over subsequent decades, the collection evolved through successive interpretations reflecting the technical progress and creative direction of their respective eras.

For its fiftieth anniversary, the TAG Heuer Monza enters a new chapter. The limited edition draws inspiration from the collection’s visual identity while building upon the contemporary TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph introduced in 2023. The result honors an important moment in the Maison’s history while expressing its current vision of performance and precision.

Engineered for Today’s Race

The TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph offers a contemporary interpretation of one of the Maison’s distinctive racing chronographs. Its design combines modern materials, purposeful details and mechanical precision while preserving the visual cues that have defined the collection for five decades.

At its center is a 42 mm forged carbon case. Recognized throughout modern motorsport for its exceptional strength and remarkably low weight, forged carbon provides wearing comfort while creating a unique marbled texture. As a result, each watch has its own individual appearance. The cushion-shaped case introduced with the contemporary TAG Heuer Monza reinforces the watch’s sporting character and its connection to modern racing technology.

The case is complemented by a carbon fixed bezel and a domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment. The watch also features a carbon crown at 3 o’clock, black DLC steel round push buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock, and a black DLC titanium-grade 2 screwed case back carrying the limited-edition engraving. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters.

A Dial Inspired by the Original Monza

The black matte dial introduces design elements inspired by the original 1976 Heuer Monza while remaining rooted in contemporary watchmaking. Matte black chronograph counters contrast with the dial to maximize legibility, while red accents recall the historic color signatures of the collection.

White lacquered hour and minute hands are treated with white SuperLumiNova® for readability. The dial layout includes a black matte minute chronograph counter with a red lacquered hand at 3 o’clock, a black matte permanent seconds indicator with a white lacquered hand at 6 o’clock, and an angled date aperture at 9 o’clock. A red lacquered central chronograph hand adds another distinctive detail.

Framing the dial is a black flange featuring both a tachymeter and pulsometer scale, referencing the functional origins of the chronograph.

The TH20-12 Flyback Chronograph

Through the sapphire crystal case back, the TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph reveals the COSC-certified manufacture Calibre TH20-12. The movement incorporates a flyback chronograph function, allowing consecutive timing intervals to be measured without interrupting the chronograph.

A single press resets and restarts the timing sequence, making the complication particularly valuable in motorsport, where fractions of a second matter.

The watch is completed by a black perforated calfskin leather strap with red stitching, a detail described by TAG Heuer as a subtle reference to the world of classic motor racing. The strap is paired with a black DLC titanium-grade 2 sandblasted folding clasp with double safety pushbuttons.

A Limited Edition of 500 Pieces

The TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph is presented as a limited edition of only 500 numbered pieces, reinforcing its position within the Maison’s collector-focused chronograph offerings. The case back carries an individual limited-edition engraving in the format XXX/500.

The model is identified as CR5092.FC8372 and measures 42 mm in diameter. It is powered by Calibre TH20-12 and features a black matte dial, carbon case and bezel, sapphire crystal, and black perforated calfskin leather strap with red stitching.

Fifty Years on the Racing Line

Unveiled during one of the most anticipated weekends of the Formula 1® season, the TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph continues the connection between the Maison and motor racing. Fifty years after the original TAG Heuer Monza celebrated a World Championship victory, the anniversary edition carries that story forward with a contemporary flyback chronograph focused on performance, precision and racing heritage.

TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph (42mm)

CR5092.FC8372

Movement
Caliber TH20-12

Dial
Black matte dial
Black flange with pulsometer, tachymeter 2 counters :
– 3 o’clock : black matte minute chronograph counter ; red lacquered hand
– 6 o’clock : black matte permanent second indicator ; white lacquered hand
White indexes printed with white Superluminova®
Hour and minute hands with black and white lacquer with white Superluminova®
Red lacquered central chronograph hand
White TAG HEUER printed logo
9 o’clock angled date
“MONZA”, “OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED CHRONOMETER”, “FLYBACK “ & “SWISS MADE” printed

Case
42 mm diameter
Carbon case
Carbon fixed bezel
Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
Carbon crown at 3 o’clock
Black DLC steel round push button at 2 o’clock
Black DLC steel round push button at 4 o’clock
Black DLC titanium-grade 2 screwed case back with limited edition engraving (XXX/500)

Water resistance : 100 meters

Bracelet
Black perforated calfskin leather strap with red stitching
Black DLC titanium-grade 2 sandblasted folding clasp with double safety pushbuttons

Hublot Big Bang Original Soft Touch: All Red & All Black

Hublot introduces the Big Bang Original Soft Touch, a new interpretation of its iconic Big Bang Original that brings a tactile dimension to the collection. Available in All Red and All Black, the new watches use an exclusive textured rubber compound across the case, bezel, dial and strap, creating a distinctive soft-touch surface. Hublot describes the material as neither a coating nor a surface treatment, but as a new approach to constructing the watch.

A New Sensory Expression of the Big Bang Original

The Big Bang Original Soft Touch remains rooted in the unmistakable design of the original Big Bang, introduced in 2005, while incorporating two decades of Hublot innovation. For the first time, the watch is designed not only to be seen, but also to be felt.

The defining feature is Hublot’s exclusive textured rubber compound. Developed using a dedicated overmoulding process, specially engineered tooling integrates the texture directly into the material during production. Its microscopic surface structure consists of thousands of fine micro-elements, creating a remarkably soft tactile finish while maintaining the durability and resistance associated with Hublot’s signature rubber.

The textured material extends across multiple elements of the watch, including the case, bezel, dial and strap. The result is a cohesive visual and tactile identity rather than a conventional surface treatment.

Big Bang Original Soft Touch All Red

The Big Bang Original Soft Touch All Red brings Hublot’s distinctive red aesthetic into this new tactile format. Hublot positions the model as a tribute to its material expertise, particularly its development of vividly coloured high-tech ceramic, introduced in 2018. The All Red Soft Touch instead creates its visual and tactile character through titanium combined with the exclusive soft-touch rubber.

The watch features a 43 mm titanium case overmoulded in red rubber with a velvet effect, with a matching red rubber dial with a velvet effect. The strap combines black rubber with red structured rubber with a velvet effect, and the watch is secured by a titanium deployant buckle clasp.

The official reference for the All Red model is 431.RXR.2770.RX.VEL. It has a water resistance rating of 100 metres / 10 ATM and uses a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.

Powered by the HUB1280 UNICO

Inside the Big Bang Original Soft Touch is Hublot’s HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding Chronograph Flyback Movement with Column Wheel. The movement is developed entirely in-house and incorporates a column wheel, dual-clutch architecture, layered construction, an optimised gear train and a skeletonised tungsten rotor open-worked in the shape of an H.

The movement provides an approximately 72-hour power reserve. The HUB1280 UNICO has a thickness of 6.75 mm, a diameter of 30.00 mm, 354 components and 43 jewels, with a frequency of 4 Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The 43 mm case combines the architecture of the original Big Bang with contemporary refinements, including bevelled edges, curved and smoother lugs, a rubber-clad crown and rectangular pushers with Hublot’s signature rubber inserts. The strap also incorporates Hublot’s One Click system for interchangeability.

All Black: A Monochromatic Classic Reimagined

Alongside the All Red, Hublot introduces the Big Bang Original Soft Touch All Black. The model continues the history of Hublot’s All Black concept, which was introduced in 2006 as a monochromatic expression in which the absence of colour emphasised form, architecture and identity.

For the Soft Touch version, the monochromatic approach is combined with a deep black titanium case, black DLC-coated pushers and the new textured rubber construction. As with the All Red, the objective is not simply a change in colour, but a different sensory experience.

The All Black carries reference 431.RXN.2740.RX.VEL. It measures 43 mm in diameter and 13.2 mm in thickness, offers 100 metres / 10 ATM of water resistance and is powered by the HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding Chronograph.

Material Innovation at the Hublot Manufacture

The Big Bang Original Soft Touch forms part of Hublot’s broader Art of Fusion approach to materials. The Manufacture has developed watches using materials including coloured ceramics, sapphire and Magic Gold, and the Soft Touch introduces another material-focused development centred on sensation as well as appearance.

The Big Bang Original Soft Touch is conceived, developed and assembled at the Hublot Manufacture in Nyon. Hublot also extends the tactile concept to the presentation case, which features a matching textured Hublot logo that echoes the surface of the watch’s soft-touch rubber.

The collection is available through selected Hublot points of sale and online.

Hublot Big Bang Original Soft Touch: Specifications

Specification All Red All Black
Reference 431.RXR.2770.RX.VEL 431.RXN.2740.RX.VEL
Case Titanium overmoulded in red rubber with velvet effect Titanium overmoulded in black rubber with velvet effect
Diameter 43 mm 43 mm
Thickness 13.2 mm 13.2 mm
Water resistance 100 m / 10 ATM 100 m / 10 ATM
Movement HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding Chronograph Flyback HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding Chronograph
Power reserve Approx. 72 hours 72 hours
Dial Red rubber with velvet effect Black rubber with velvet effect
Strap Black rubber and red structured rubber with velvet effect Black structured rubber with velvet effect

Conclusion

With the Big Bang Original Soft Touch, Hublot takes one of its most recognisable designs into a new sensory territory. The combination of the Big Bang’s established architecture, an exclusive textured rubber compound and the in-house HUB1280 UNICO movement gives the new collection a distinct identity centred on material innovation.

The All Red and All Black versions express the same concept through two of Hublot’s strongest colour signatures: one vivid and expressive, the other deliberately monochromatic. In both cases, the defining idea is simple: material innovation that can be seen, and felt.

AWAKE Frosted Leaf 2026: Blood Moon, Storm & Lagoon

AWAKE’s Frosted Leaf collection returns in 2026 with three new watches inspired by exceptional moments in nature. Blood Moon, Storm and Lagoon transform rare natural phenomena into handmade lacquer dials using traditional Vietnamese Sơn Mài craftsmanship, silver leaves and natural pigments.

Through the life of a brand, some pieces make a lasting impression. Back in 2025, when AWAKE presented the Frosted Leaf technique for the very first time, watch collectors and enthusiasts all around the world were unanimously… enthusiastic.

One year—and two Awards—later, Frosted Leaf is back, featuring three new creations inspired by rare and intense natural phenomena. These three versions convey the feeling of Mankind, awestruck by the grandiosity of Nature.

Blood Moon, Storm, Lagoon—they tell us about Life, catching these exceptional moments granted by Nature. They push even further the limits of a unique craftsmanship, fixing fleeting instants in lacquer for all eternity. Unforeseeable but unforgettable instants.

PRESERVING, MODERNIZING, TRANSMITTING

AWAKE’s relationship with the Métiers d’Art is not just a matter of watchmaking. It is a matter of highlighting craftsmanship, transcending borders and boundaries, and giving prominence to diverse identities and cultures—within the frame of a dial. Promoting aesthetics, handicraft, meticulousness, and timelessness is also key. Each project of the brand aims at showcasing and preserving traditional savoir-faire by making them part of our daily lives.

CATCHING A FLEETING MOMENT

Since AWAKE was created in 2019, Nature and Arts have been the core inspirations of the brand. The common thread of all AWAKE’s watchmaking projects, allowing the brand to create unique and enthralling pieces. This mindset is shared by AWAKE’s Master Lacquerers, who wish to push further the limits of their antique techniques. Thanks to their commitment, the dials of the Frosted Leaf collection convey the beauty of the world. In 2025, AWAKE drew its inspiration from the breathtaking sight of Earth from Space.

In 2026, AWAKE intends to catch Nature in some of its most exceptional moments. Mixing poetry and craftsmanship to fix them in lacquer, thus turning ephemeral into eternal. Blood Moon, Storm, and Lagoon are inspired by three rare and intense natural phenomena. When witnessing them, people are suddenly aware of their own smallness, facing something way bigger than themselves. Such a striking, universal feeling. During these natural epiphanies, while the beauty of Nature is fully on display, Time seems to stop.

“The Blood Moon only appears for a few hours per year. A clap of thunder only lasts a split second. A perfect lagoon can only be found in some places around the World. Put together, these three phenomena illustrate the dichotomies at the core of AWAKE’s creative universe: ephemeral VS eternal, light VS dark, common VS uncanny, perceptible VS hidden.”

Lilian THIBAULT—AWAKE’s founder

TURNING EPHEMERAL MOMENTS INTO ETERNAL ITEMS

Blood Moon, Storm, Lagoon: three new iterations with powerful dials that poetically capture life in motion and preserve nature at its most rare and fleeting. They push even further the boundaries of this singular ancestral Vietnamese technique (known as glacis) which makes it possible to seal within lacquer, for eternity, that which by nature does not last. Each dial is conceived as a complete visual and sensory experience, inviting inward reflection and reminding people to cherish those unplanned moments that arrive without warning, and stay with them forever.

Blood Moon

The dials of the “Blood Moon” version are inspired by one of the most fascinating celestial phenomena: the so-called “Blood Moon” which happens during a total lunar eclipse. The Moon moves through Earth’s shadow, assuming a deep shade of red and looking almost unreal. Such a rare event, which only happens a few days every ten years, tends to overwhelm anyone who witnesses it. Paradoxically, the Moon shines in darkness. But it shines differently, adding some mystery. As if our faithful companion was revealing its dark side. No wonder so many civilizations saw it as a sign of profound changes to come.

The dials wear black and red: the colors of passion, desire and mystery. They defy each other, enhance each other, creating an exceptional visual depth, between light and darkness. Such a transient moment, captured for eternity thanks to AWAKE’s exclusive Frosted Leaf technique.

Lagoon

The “Lagoon” dials pay tribute to the mesmerizing beauty of lagoons and their relation to light. Between sea and land, depth and surface, they display incomparable and magical optical effects. AWAKE decided to capture them in its dials. Translucent greenish blue, intense turquoise, deep cobalt blue or silvery pale blue, lagoons are like breathing, living creatures, always changing. Transparent at first glance, the “Lagoon” dials actually include a whole universe. Diving into them is like diving into yourself, finding some hidden truths. Such an artistic achievement was allowed by AWAKE’s Frosted Leaf technique and the command of its Master Lacquerers. Light goes through several layers of lacquer, natural pigments, and silver leaves, producing visual effects similar to lagoon waters.

“Lagoon” watches foster people to see beyond what is visible. They are made for those who know that the most precious things are way under the surface. A silent reminder that some treasures, and savoir-faire, are timeless. You reach wiseness when you realize how much is left to discover.

Storm

The “Storm” dials are an artistic rendering of one of the few natural phenomena which generates awe and fear alike: storms. Mankind has been both fascinated by and fearful of storms, since the dawn of time. They still have a strong, universal meaning, even today. Black and orange hues convey the beauty and danger of a flash of lightning ripping the darkness. It merely lasts a split second—all it needs to illuminate everything around, with unequaled intensity. A bold dial with electric vibes, illustrating the huge amount of energy suddenly unleashed by Nature. It also displays the duality of destruction and creation, silence and crash, fear and amazement.

“Storm” is for those who are looking for a lively and unpredictable watch, neither conventional nor discreet. People who live life to its full and who know that unforgettable moments happen suddenly, without notice, with an unpredictable strength.

15 HOURS TO CATCH THE UNCATCHABLE

The remarkable technique used to produce the Blood Moon, Storm and Lagoon dials requires the highest level of focus and dexterity. It is a long and complex handicraft—each movement is of paramount importance. And perfection is the only objective. Each dial is like a hypnotizing “millefeuille”, playing with light.

  • A rare and delicate raw material: it starts with the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, which grows in North Vietnam. After a decade, each tree only gives 200 ml of the precious liquid per year. The harvest happens only at daybreak, in June and July. Purified and dehydrated, the sap becomes a transparent lacquer, well-known for making shine and protecting surfaces.
  • An antique and unique Vietnamese art: Sơn Mài is an age-old technique, requiring several years of practice. It consists in applying and polishing several layers of natural lacquer to obtain a mirror-like surface with unrivalled depth. Contrary to the Chinese and Japanese traditions, Vietnamese craftsmen include precious materials between layers of lacquer—like silver leaves, in this case—to create a one-of-a-kind texture, with relief and plays of light.
  • A shining and sparkling silver leaf: At the bottom of the dial, the craftsmen apply a first layer of lacquer and very dark black pigments. Then they varnish it. They apply the first layer of pure silver leaves with a brush and delicately sand it to remove the excess of material. It all gives an organic quality to the dials, with metallic and warm flashes of light.
  • An exceptional depth: That is where the “Frosted” technique comes in. Instead of starting the lacquer layering as usual with “classic” dials, AWAKE’s Master Lacquerers repeat the previous process, adding silver leaves to lacquer. Said lacquer is enriched with blue, orange or red pigments, thus creating a striking contrast. The material laying between each layer is lively. This technique requires patience and consistency. And time… It dramatically enhances the complexity of the dials.
  • A gifted craftsman: This light and substance “millefeuille” is then entrusted to the most experienced craftsman of the workshop. He must sand it with the greatest care, directly with his fingers, to slowly unveil the reliefs and patterns that render every dial unique. Several layers of lacquer, each sanded and polished, are needed to offer a perfect and eternal brilliance. The process is methodical, demanding, and lengthy (about 15 hours). Any mistake could spoil the dial.
  • A unique piece of art: The full process requires patience, dexterity and focus. It turns each dial into a one-off piece, where Light and Time stop and converse. They also bear the marks of the expert hands that made them. They are the results of an antique handiwork, bringing a century-long tradition to the present days.

NEW 38 MM CASE

These three models are equipped with AWAKE’s new 38 mm case—with thinner proportions. Perfectly balanced, its elegance is definitely accentuated by the concave lines of the polished bezel, along with the slightly convex sapphire crystal, and the delicately rounded lugs. The result is a mix between 1960s aesthetics and contemporary design. The contrast between polished surfaces and satin-finished sides is an adhesion to modernity. The slightly resized and now screw-down winding crown—allowing a 100 m water resistance—is adorned with a new “coat of arms”, symbolizing AWAKE’s commitment to Artisanship. Finally, the rehaut has been reshaped, expounding AWAKE’s vision with clarity and authenticity.

REIMAGINED BRAND IDENTITY

The dials show AWAKE’s new visual identity with a handwritten logo, as a tribute to the craftsmen’s handiwork. It is not only about aesthetics, it is about highlighting Tradition, Savoir-faire and Métiers d’Art in a contemporary frame. Punched with AWAKE’s new coat of arms illustrating transmission and cultural dialogue, the watches embody the brand’s sensibility and commitment. Each detail glorifies the richness of Artisanat and AWAKE’s will to keep it alive.

HIGHLIGHTED SAVOIR-FAIRE—QUITE LITERALLY…

Blood Moon, Storm and Lagoon display AWAKE’s exclusive “Chiaroscuro” luminous signature, which enhances the depth and contrasts of the dials, whether by day or by night. Hands and indexes combine Super-LumiNova® BGW9 and polished, brushed, and faceted steel. This innovation, called “coiffe”, allows for a subtle diffusion of light and a better readability without spoiling the dial. During the day, discretion is de rigueur. In the dark, luminescence works its magic. A gentle luminous halo appears and accentuates the brilliance of the lacquer, the sparkling of the silver leaves and the contrast of the pigments, bringing poetry and technical exploit together. A feast for the eyes!

LA JOUX-PERRET G101 MOVEMENT

The automatic G101 movement—made by Swiss manufacture La Joux-Perret—is the beating heart of the Blood Moon, Storm, and Lagoon models. Performing and reliable, up-to-date and precise, this finely-finished caliber offers a 68-hour power reserve. Besides, it is equipped with AWAKE’s new custom-made rotor. Made of tungsten, the rotor associates technical prowess and elegance, thanks to its reliefs and counter-reliefs, embellished by polished, brushed and bead-blasted finishes. The rehaut is engraved with AWAKE’s motto—Illuminating the hands and heritage behind rare crafts—and its slogan—Artisanship, Awakened.

HOMEMADE AND HANDMADE STRAPS

To make the new pieces even more sublime, AWAKE chose nubuck calfskin straps in orange, red and blue. They are made by hand in France. More precisely, AWAKE calls on the master leather workers of Maison Bouveret, in Franche-Comté (French Jura). No less than 60 steps are necessary to produce comfortable and sustainable straps, according to strict specifications. Each one shows tone-on-tone topstitching and black rubberized calfskin lining, which offer a highest level of flexibility, water, and wear resistance. Finally, these straps are equipped with AWAKE’s new Fitwell M1 micro-adjustment ardillon buckle, with only 3 mm between each hole. Hence a perfect fitting to feel comfortable all day long. The outcome is both technical and refined, so that connoisseurs can enjoy their watch on a daily basis. Dimensions: 115×75 – 20/16.

A PROPOSITION LIKE NO OTHER

The new creations have many assets: unique handmade dials, using two antique Métiers d’Art techniques; an exclusive luminous signature; a reputable Swiss caliber; straps made by hand in France. They are worth €2,820, taxes and shipping costs included, all around the world. True to its vision, AWAKE does its best to offer watches associating aesthetics, fine watchmaking, traditional savoir-faire and pure emotions, while remaining within the same price range.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

References:

Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf « Storm » – standard collection – around 100 pieces a year

Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf « Blood Moon » – standard collection – around 100 pieces a year

Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf « Lagoon » – standard collection – around 100 pieces a year

Case: 316L Stainless Steel

Diameter: 38 mm

Lug to lug: 44,75 mm

Lug width: 20 mm

Thickness: 11.5 mm, glass included/10 mm without glass

Métier d’Art dials: each dial requires 15 hours of work. They are handmade, using two traditional savoir-faire: Sơn Mài Vietnamese lacquerwork and pure silver leaves

Indexes and hands: Super-LumiNova® BGW9, AWAKE exclusive luminous “coiffe” signature

Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 m)

Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Case back: screw-down, sapphire crystal

Movement: Automatic La Joux-Perret G101 – 68-hour power reserve

Decorations: New custom-made rotor made of tungsten, with reliefs and counter-reliefs, polished, brushed and bead-blasted finishes. Bead-blasted and engraved rehaut

Strap: Maison Bouveret – nubuck calfskin – rubberized calfskin lining, tone-on-tone topstitching – curved quick-release spring bars – new adjustment ardillon buckle

Warranty: 3 years, globally

Patek Philippe Calatrava 7200/50G-012: Ice Blue Elegance

The Patek Philippe Calatrava 7200/50G-012 brings together the understated elegance of the Calatrava with a distinctive ice-blue palette. Its 34.6mm white-gold case is entirely polished and frames a sunburst ice-blue dial, while a pearly ice-blue alligator leather strap continues the same refreshing tone. Patek Philippe describes the watch as epitomising feminine elegance and highlights its Officer’s-style case as one of its defining characteristics.

Behind this refined exterior is the ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 240. Measuring just 2.53mm thick, the movement features a 22K gold off-centre minirotor and offers a minimum power reserve of 48 hours. Together, the slim movement and 7.37mm-thick case give the Calatrava a remarkably slender profile.

The result is a watch where the appeal comes not from complexity on the dial, but from the careful relationship between colour, proportions, traditional details and mechanical refinement.

An Officer’s-Style Calatrava

The 7200/50G-012 is presented in a white-gold case measuring 34.6mm in diameter and 7.37mm in thickness. Patek Philippe specifies that the case is entirely polished.

The Officer’s-style construction gives the case its distinctive character, with straight lugs and screwed-in strap bars. These details are particularly noticeable against the otherwise clean silhouette of the Calatrava.

The case is water-resistant to 30 metres and features a sapphire-crystal case back, allowing the wearer to see the movement within.

It is a compact set of proportions, but one that allows the design to retain the restrained character associated with the Calatrava.

An Ice-Blue Dial Takes Centre Stage

The defining visual element of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 7200/50G-012 is its sunburst ice-blue dial.

Patek Philippe pairs the dial with applied white-gold Breguet numerals and white-gold pear-shaped hands. White-gold applied cabochons form the minute scale, adding detail while maintaining the clean appearance of the dial.

The sunburst finish gives the ice-blue surface a changing appearance as it catches the light, while the white-gold elements provide a crisp contrast.

There is a deliberate sense of restraint here. The dial focuses on the essential indications and allows the colour and finishing to become an important part of the watch’s identity.

Matching Ice Blue on the Wrist

Patek Philippe continues the colour of the dial onto the strap.

The watch is fitted with a pearly ice-blue alligator leather strap with square scales, secured by a white-gold prong buckle. The maison specifically describes the strap as echoing the refreshing tone of the dial.

This creates a continuous visual connection between the dial and the strap, with the polished white-gold case providing the neutral element between them.

The combination is distinctive without relying on an overly elaborate design.

The Ultra-Thin Calibre 240

The mechanical heart of the Calatrava 7200/50G-012 is Patek Philippe’s Calibre 240, an ultra-thin self-winding movement.

The movement measures 27.5mm in diameter and 2.53mm in thickness. It consists of 152 parts and 27 jewels, with a minimum power reserve of 48 hours.

Its winding system uses a 22K gold off-centre minirotor. The movement also incorporates a Gyromax® balance and a Spiromax® balance spring. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, or 3 Hz, and bears the Patek Philippe Seal.

The movement’s slim architecture is particularly relevant to the watch as a whole. At only 2.53mm thick, Calibre 240 allows Patek Philippe to combine automatic winding with the 7.37mm-thick case of the Calatrava.

Classical Details Meet a Contemporary Colour

The 7200/50G-012 is a good example of how a familiar watchmaking language can take on a different character through colour.

The Breguet numerals and pear-shaped hands bring traditional elements to the dial. The Officer’s-style case adds another classic detail, while the sunburst ice-blue dial and matching pearly strap give the watch its distinctive visual identity.

The design therefore does not depend on a complicated display to establish its personality. Instead, the details are distributed across the case, dial, strap and movement.

That balance is central to the appeal of this particular Calatrava.

A Feminine Expression of the Calatrava

Patek Philippe describes the 7200/50G-012 as “epitomizing feminine elegance.”

The watch’s 34.6mm diameter, white-gold case and ice-blue colour palette contribute to that positioning, while the mechanical construction ensures that the watch remains firmly rooted in traditional fine watchmaking.

Rather than overwhelming the design with decorative elements, Patek Philippe focuses on the relationship between the proportions, materials and finishing.

The result is a Calatrava that is elegant without being visually complicated.

The Details Collectors Will Notice

The first thing likely to catch the eye is the ice-blue dial, but the details become more interesting the closer one looks.

The Officer’s-style case features straight lugs and screwed-in strap bars. The dial combines applied Breguet numerals, pear-shaped white-gold hands and white-gold applied cabochons for the minute scale. The strap uses pearly ice-blue alligator leather with square scales and a white-gold prong buckle.

Then there is Calibre 240.

Its 2.53mm thickness, 22K gold off-centre minirotor, Gyromax® balance, Spiromax® balance spring and Patek Philippe Seal represent the technical side of the watch, all contained within a movement measuring 27.5mm in diameter.

The contrast is what makes the watch compelling: a relatively quiet exterior concealing an ultra-thin mechanical movement with a substantial list of technical specifications.

Key Specifications

Reference: 7200/50G-012
Collection: Calatrava
Case material: White gold
Case finish: Entirely polished
Case style: Officer’s-style
Case diameter: 34.6mm
Case thickness: 7.37mm
Lugs: Straight
Strap bars: Screwed-in
Water resistance: 30m
Case back: Sapphire crystal
Dial: Sunburst ice blue
Hour markers: Applied white-gold Breguet numerals
Hands: White-gold pear-shaped hands
Minute scale: White-gold applied cabochons
Strap: Pearly ice-blue alligator leather with square scales
Buckle: White-gold prong buckle
Movement: Calibre 240
Movement type: Self-winding, ultra-thin
Movement diameter: 27.5mm
Movement thickness: 2.53mm
Number of parts: 152
Number of jewels: 27
Power reserve: Minimum 48 hours
Winding rotor: 22K gold off-centre minirotor
Balance: Gyromax®
Frequency: 21,600 semi-oscillations/hour (3 Hz)
Balance spring: Spiromax®
Distinctive sign: Patek Philippe Seal

A Refined Take on the Calatrava

The Patek Philippe Calatrava 7200/50G-012 brings together a compact white-gold case, an ice-blue sunburst dial, traditional Breguet numerals and an ultra-thin self-winding movement.

Its identity comes from the details: the Officer’s-style case with straight lugs and screwed-in strap bars, the pear-shaped white-gold hands, the matching pearly ice-blue alligator strap and the Calibre 240 visible through the sapphire-crystal case back.

At 34.6mm in diameter and 7.37mm thick, the watch maintains a slim, compact profile, while the 2.53mm-thick Calibre 240 provides the mechanical foundation for that construction.

The 7200/50G-012 is therefore less about adding more and more to the watch, and more about getting every element to work together. It is a Calatrava expressed through colour, proportion and ultra-thin mechanical watchmaking, with the ice-blue palette giving the familiar design a distinctly fresh identity.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Returns in 2026: A Smarter, More Refined Regatta Chronograph

There are few watches in Rolex’s Professional collection that divide opinion quite like the Yacht-Master II. Introduced in 2007 as one of the world’s few purpose-built mechanical regatta chronographs, it stood apart with its programmable countdown timer and unmistakable blue Cerachrom bezel. While admired for its technical ingenuity, its bold styling was never universally embraced.

For 2026, Rolex has taken a fresh approach.

Rather than simply updating the outgoing model, the brand has comprehensively re-engineered the Yacht-Master II, refining its appearance, simplifying its operation and introducing a new movement designed specifically for competitive sailing. The result is a watch that remains unmistakably a Yacht-Master II while becoming significantly more intuitive and contemporary.

A Cleaner Look Without Losing Its Identity

The most noticeable transformation is the dial.

Rolex has removed much of the visual complexity that characterised the previous generation. The countdown scale has been relocated from the bezel to a precisely positioned flange surrounding the dial, creating a more balanced and easier-to-read display.

The dial itself now features a matte white lacquer finish that reduces reflections, while the Professional collection’s applied hour markers further improve readability in varying lighting conditions.

The familiar blue Cerachrom bezel remains, but its role has changed. Instead of carrying the countdown scale, it now functions as a traditional 60-minute graduated bezel, giving the watch a cleaner and more purposeful appearance.

Designed Around the Regatta Start

The Yacht-Master II has always been different from conventional chronographs.

Instead of measuring elapsed time after an event begins, it helps sailors prepare for one of the most crucial moments in competitive yacht racing: the starting sequence.

The new generation retains Rolex’s programmable countdown with mechanical memory and “on-the-fly” synchronization, allowing sailors to adjust the countdown during a race without interrupting its operation.

For 2026, Rolex has also simplified the user experience. The countdown is now programmed and controlled exclusively through the two side pushers, eliminating the Ring Command bezel interaction used on the previous generation and making operation more straightforward under race conditions.

New Calibre 4162 Powers the Next Generation

At the heart of the watch is the entirely new Rolex Calibre 4162, developed exclusively for the Yacht-Master II.

Building on the previous Calibre 4161, the new movement introduces a completely re-engineered countdown mechanism while incorporating several of Rolex’s latest movement technologies.

Among the upgrades are:

  • Chronergy escapement for improved energy efficiency
  • Rolex Côtes de Genève bridge finishing
  • Skeletonised oscillating weight
  • Enhanced reliability and precision
  • Self-winding mechanical architecture developed entirely in-house

Like every current Rolex, the movement meets the strengthened Superlative Chronometer standards introduced in 2026, ensuring exceptional precision and performance after casing.

Built for Life at Sea

The Yacht-Master II continues to feature Rolex’s robust Oyster architecture.

Key highlights include:

Specification Details
Case Size 44 mm
Water Resistance 100 metres (330 feet)
Materials Oystersteel or 18 ct Yellow Gold
Bracelet Oyster Bracelet
Clasp Oysterlock Safety Clasp
Extension Easylink Comfort Extension (approximately 5 mm)

On the yellow gold model, Rolex also incorporates patented ceramic inserts inside the bracelet links, helping reduce wear while improving long-term flexibility and comfort.

Available Variants

At launch, Rolex offers two versions:

  • Oystersteel with a matte white dial and blue Cerachrom bezel
  • 18 ct Yellow Gold with matching premium finishes

Both share identical functionality and the new Calibre 4162 movement.

EyesOnTime’s Perspective

The Yacht-Master II has always been one of Rolex’s most technically fascinating creations, but also one of its most polarising.

With the 2026 generation, Rolex appears to have listened carefully to years of collector feedback. The watch is noticeably cleaner, more legible and easier to operate, while preserving the unique regatta functionality that has always set it apart.

Rather than reinventing the concept, Rolex has refined it where it matters most. The redesigned countdown interface, the introduction of Calibre 4162 and the simplified aesthetics collectively make the Yacht-Master II feel more mature and purpose-driven than its predecessor.

Whether this translates into broader appeal among collectors remains to be seen, but from a technical and design standpoint, the new Yacht-Master II represents one of the brand’s most thoughtful evolutions in recent years.

Technical Specifications

Feature Specification
Collection Rolex Yacht-Master II
Reference 126680 (Oystersteel), 126688 (18 ct Yellow Gold)
Case Oyster, 44 mm
Movement Rolex Calibre 4162
Functions Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Programmable Regatta Countdown
Power Self-winding Mechanical
Water Resistance 100 metres
Bracelet Oyster
Clasp Oysterlock with Easylink

FAQ

What is new about the Rolex Yacht-Master II in 2026?

The 2026 model introduces a redesigned countdown display, a new Calibre 4162 movement, simplified countdown controls using only the side pushers, improved dial legibility and a cleaner overall design.

What is the Yacht-Master II designed for?

Unlike a traditional chronograph, the Yacht-Master II is specifically engineered for yacht racing and features a programmable countdown timer designed for regatta starting sequences.

Which materials are available?

The new Yacht-Master II is available in Oystersteel and 18 ct yellow gold.

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

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.

GPHG Exhibition 2026 Mumbai: Ethos Brings Watchmaking’s Biggest Showcase to India

India’s luxury watch journey reaches another defining milestone this September.

From 28 September to 1 October 2026, Mumbai will host the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Exhibition, presented by Ethos. Recognised globally as the “Oscars of Watchmaking,” the travelling exhibition brings together the year’s finest nominated timepieces, offering collectors, enthusiasts and industry professionals a rare opportunity to experience contemporary haute horlogerie up close before the winners are announced in Geneva.

The exhibition reflects India’s growing stature in the international watch industry and highlights the country’s rapidly expanding community of knowledgeable collectors. Over four days, visitors will have the opportunity to discover exceptional creations that showcase innovation, craftsmanship and mechanical excellence from some of the world’s most celebrated watchmakers.

A Rare Encounter with the World’s Finest Timepieces

Unlike the awards ceremony itself, the travelling GPHG Exhibition allows watch enthusiasts to experience the shortlisted watches firsthand. The Mumbai showcase will feature finalists across multiple award categories, ranging from complicated mechanical masterpieces and sports watches to artistic métiers d’art creations and groundbreaking independent watchmaking.

For many collectors, this is a unique chance to compare some of the year’s most significant horological creations side by side, all under one roof.

Why Mumbai Matters

India has steadily emerged as one of the most exciting luxury watch markets in the world. A new generation of collectors, increasing appreciation for independent watchmakers and growing demand for high-end Swiss timepieces have transformed the country into an important destination for global maisons.

Bringing the GPHG Exhibition to Mumbai is recognition of this momentum. It demonstrates the confidence that the international watch industry has in India’s collector community while creating a platform for enthusiasts to engage more deeply with contemporary watchmaking.

Ethos Continues to Shape India’s Watch Culture

As India’s leading luxury watch retailer, Ethos has consistently invested in building awareness around fine watchmaking through exhibitions, educational initiatives and partnerships with global brands.

Hosting the GPHG Exhibition further strengthens that commitment, giving Indian audiences direct access to watches that represent the very best of modern horology and reinforcing India’s place within the global watchmaking conversation.

A Must-Visit Event for Every Watch Enthusiast

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an aspiring enthusiast or simply fascinated by mechanical craftsmanship, the GPHG Exhibition promises an extraordinary experience.

From 28 September to 1 October 2026, Mumbai becomes a destination where innovation, artistry and centuries of watchmaking tradition come together, offering a glimpse into the future of haute horlogerie.

Hublot Big Bang Summer 2026: Pastel Ceramic Innovation Meets Swiss Watchmaking

Most luxury watch launches follow a familiar formula. New dial colour. Slight case update. A movement you’ve probably seen before.

The Hublot Big Bang Summer 2026 collection takes a different approach.

Inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean, Hublot’s latest seasonal release combines mint green, pink and sky blue ceramic in a bold expression of the brand’s expertise in materials innovation. At first glance, the collection feels playful and relaxed. Look closer, however, and you’ll find manufacture chronograph and tourbillon movements that showcase the technical side of modern Hublot watchmaking.

For a brand that has made summer part of its identity since 2017, the 2026 collection continues a tradition of turning seasonal inspiration into something genuinely distinctive.

A Celebration of Colour and Ceramic Innovation

At the heart of the Big Bang Summer 2026 collection is Hublot’s mastery of coloured ceramic.

The brand notes that since 2018 it has continuously expanded its palette of high-tech coloured ceramics, developing proprietary processes that allow vibrant colours to maintain durability, scratch resistance and long-term stability. According to Hublot, its ceramic is up to 300 Vickers harder than traditional ceramic while retaining exceptional resistance to everyday wear.

This expertise is on full display in the new Big Bang Summer models, where pink, mint green and sky blue ceramic components come together in a single case design inspired by Mediterranean landscapes, from soft sunrise tones to colourful seaside sunsets.

Big Bang Summer Multi-Colored Ceramic 42mm

Leading the collection is the Big Bang Summer Multi-Colored Ceramic 42mm, produced in a limited edition of 200 pieces worldwide.

The watch features a case crafted from microblasted and polished pink and mint green ceramic, paired with a sky-blue ceramic bezel and matching caseback. The dial continues the colour theme with matte pink and mint green tones that echo the soft palette of the Mediterranean summer.

Powering the watch is Hublot’s manufacture HUB1280 Unico self-winding flyback chronograph movement with column wheel architecture. The calibre operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers approximately 72 hours of power reserve.

Each watch is supplied with interchangeable rubber straps in sky blue, mint green and pink, allowing owners to quickly change the look of the watch using Hublot’s One-Click strap system.

Big Bang Summer Multi-Colored Ceramic 44mm Tourbillon

For collectors seeking greater exclusivity, Hublot has created the Big Bang Summer Multi-Colored Ceramic 44mm Tourbillon, limited to just 10 pieces worldwide.

While it shares the same pastel ceramic colour palette as the chronograph model, this version adopts a more architectural appearance thanks to a transparent pink sapphire crystal dial that reveals the movement beneath. The transparency creates an impressive sense of depth while allowing the mechanical details to take centre stage.

The watch is powered by the manufacture HUB6035 automatic tourbillon movement. Visible through the sapphire architecture is a micro-rotor designed to optimise energy efficiency, while the movement provides approximately 72 hours of power reserve.

Like its chronograph counterpart, the Tourbillon is delivered with three interchangeable rubber straps in matching summer colours.

New Monochrome Ceramic Colours Join the Big Bang Collection

Alongside the limited-edition Summer models, Hublot has expanded the Big Bang collection with new monochrome ceramic references in Peach, Mint Green and Petrol Blue.

These watches present a softer expression of Hublot’s ceramic expertise while maintaining the bold character that has defined the Big Bang since its introduction.

A particularly notable addition is the 33mm Big Bang collection. For the first time in the history of the Big Bang, the 33mm model is offered without diamonds, allowing the monochromatic ceramic design to become the focal point. The watches are powered by the self-winding HUB1120 movement and are available in Peach, Mint Green and Petrol Blue ceramic.

Big Bang Titanium Peach Ceramic 42mm

Completing the line-up is the Big Bang Titanium Peach Ceramic 42mm.

Combining a satin-finished and polished titanium case with a polished peach ceramic bezel, the watch is powered by the manufacture HUB1280 Unico flyback chronograph movement. The peach theme extends across the skeletonised dial and structured rubber strap, creating a cohesive design while retaining the technical appeal associated with the Big Bang collection.

The watch offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve and 100 metres of water resistance.

Final Thoughts

The Hublot Big Bang Summer 2026 collection demonstrates the brand’s continued commitment to combining innovative materials with contemporary watchmaking.

While the vibrant pastel colours immediately capture attention, the collection is supported by manufacture chronograph and tourbillon movements, advanced ceramic technology and Hublot’s signature approach to design.

From the limited-edition multi-coloured ceramic models to the new monochrome Peach, Mint Green and Petrol Blue references, the collection offers a fresh interpretation of summer through the lens of modern Swiss watchmaking.

In a year filled with new luxury watch launches, the Big Bang Summer 2026 collection stands out not only for its colour palette, but also for the technical expertise that lies beneath it.

Hublot Antikythera: Exploring the Origins of Time Through Archaeology, Innovation and Watchmaking

Hublot’s Extraordinary Journey to the Island of Antikythera

The story of watchmaking is ultimately the story of humanity’s quest to understand time. Few projects illustrate this connection more vividly than Hublot’s latest expedition to the Greek island of Antikythera, a place that continues to fascinate historians, scientists and watch enthusiasts alike.

As part of its ongoing commitment to scientific research, innovation and heritage preservation, Hublot has partnered with Swiss content creator Anil Brancaleoni to document an extraordinary scientific mission to Antikythera. The resulting documentary, available on the Hublot and Anil B YouTube channels, offers a fascinating look at the intersection of ancient history, pioneering exploration and cutting-edge technology in the search for what Hublot calls the “origin of time.”

Why Antikythera Matters

Antikythera is a small Greek island that became famous after the discovery of an ancient shipwreck in 1901. Among the treasures recovered from the wreck was the Antikythera Mechanism, a remarkable device dating to around 60 BCE.

Widely regarded as the world’s oldest known astronomical calculator, the mechanism was capable of predicting celestial events, tracking eclipses and calculating the movements of stars and planets with astonishing accuracy. Its complexity revealed a level of technological sophistication far ahead of what historians once believed possible for the ancient world.

More than two thousand years after its creation, the Antikythera Mechanism remains one of history’s most important scientific discoveries and continues to inspire modern innovation.

Hublot Xplorations and the Search Beneath the Sea

Since 2014, Hublot’s dedicated Hublot Xplorations department has played an active role in missions to Antikythera, spending more than two weeks each year supporting archaeological dive teams working at the historic wreck site.

Specialising in research and development, the team has created advanced underwater technologies, including state-of-the-art drones designed to help archaeologists locate artefacts still buried beneath the seabed. These innovations enable more accurate exploration while helping preserve the fragile underwater environment surrounding the wreck.

The latest documentary follows Hublot Xplorations and Anil Brancaleoni during an 18-day expedition alongside an international team of archaeologists, divers and specialists investigating one of the most important underwater archaeological sites in the world.

The Watch That Brought Ancient Astronomy to the Wrist

Hublot’s connection to Antikythera extends beyond exploration.

In 2012, the Swiss watchmaker unveiled the MP-04 Antikythera, a groundbreaking concept watch inspired directly by the famous ancient mechanism. Designed to reproduce the astronomical functions of its ancient predecessor on a wristwatch scale, the timepiece represented an extraordinary technical achievement.

The MP-04 Antikythera incorporated highly complex indications inspired by the original device, including displays linked to lunar cycles, eclipses, zodiac positions and astronomical calendars. Through this ambitious project, Hublot demonstrated how ancient scientific ingenuity could inspire modern haute horlogerie.

The Antikythera SunMoon Legacy

A year later, Hublot expanded the concept with the Antikythera SunMoon.

Inspired by the world of the Antikythera Mechanism, the watch features displays for both the sun and moon while offering a unique indication of the actual zodiac sign corresponding to a specific date. Unlike conventional zodiac interpretations, the watch takes into account the precession of the equinoxes, delivering a more scientifically accurate representation.

The Antikythera SunMoon remains one of the most unusual and technically fascinating creations in Hublot’s history, reflecting the brand’s passion for combining science, astronomy and watchmaking.

Innovation Beyond Traditional Watchmaking

The Antikythera project highlights a lesser-known side of Hublot’s activities.

Through Hublot Xplorations, the brand actively supports scientific research, technological development and cultural preservation initiatives. Beyond underwater archaeology, the programme has contributed to ambitious projects including the European Space Agency’s ExoMars mission, reinforcing Hublot’s commitment to exploration and discovery.

This approach reflects Hublot’s long-standing philosophy of the “Art of Fusion”, bringing together diverse worlds including technology, science, history and watchmaking.

A Modern Exploration of Humanity’s Relationship with Time

For watch enthusiasts, the Antikythera story offers a compelling reminder that the fascination with measuring time predates modern horology by centuries.

By supporting archaeological research and developing technologies that help uncover humanity’s scientific heritage, Hublot is contributing to a deeper understanding of one of history’s most remarkable achievements.

The Antikythera expedition is not simply an exploration of an ancient shipwreck. It is an exploration of humanity’s enduring desire to understand the cosmos, measure the passage of time and push the boundaries of knowledge.

In that respect, the mission embodies the very spirit of watchmaking itself.

Final Thoughts

Hublot’s involvement in Antikythera demonstrates how a modern luxury watch brand can contribute meaningfully to scientific research and cultural preservation while remaining connected to the values that define fine watchmaking.

Through Hublot Xplorations, advanced underwater technology and a shared passion for discovery, the brand continues to bridge the gap between ancient innovation and modern horology.

The result is a fascinating journey that reminds us that the quest to understand time is as relevant today as it was more than two millennia ago.

Parmigiani Fleurier Carillon Tourbillon: A Four-Gong Minute Repeater Celebrating 30 Years of Independent Haute Horlogerie

Thirty years after its founding, independent Swiss watchmaker Parmigiani Fleurier has unveiled one of its most ambitious and meaningful creations to date. The new Carillon Tourbillon is far more than an anniversary watch. It is a celebration of the Maison’s philosophy of restoration, transmission, and mechanical excellence, expressed through a remarkable combination of a four-gong minute repeater and a tourbillon.

Created to mark Parmigiani Fleurier’s 30th anniversary, this exceptional haute horlogerie timepiece is limited to just five examples worldwide. Entirely conceived, developed, assembled and finished within the Manufacture, the Carillon Tourbillon stands as a testament to the independent Swiss watch brand’s dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship while advancing contemporary watchmaking.

A Legacy Rooted in Restoration

Few modern watchmakers can claim a foundation as unique as that of Parmigiani Fleurier. Before establishing the Maison in 1996, Michel Parmigiani built his reputation as one of Switzerland’s foremost restorers of historic timepieces, automata, clocks and mechanical masterpieces.

His approach to restoration was never driven by nostalgia. Instead, it was a process of understanding. Through decades of studying historical mechanisms, Michel Parmigiani developed a profound appreciation for the intelligence, architecture and artistry hidden within traditional watchmaking.

The Carillon Tourbillon is a direct reflection of this philosophy.

Its origins can be traced to an early nineteenth-century pocket watch created by Perrin Frères and preserved within the renowned Sandoz Collection. Restored by Parmigiani Fleurier in 2000, the historic timepiece became a source of inspiration for the Maison’s latest creation. Rather than replicating its design, Parmigiani Fleurier sought to reinterpret its acoustic architecture, mechanical ingenuity and distinctive serpentine gongs within a contemporary luxury watch.

The Art of Sounding Time

At the heart of the Parmigiani Fleurier Carillon Tourbillon lies one of watchmaking’s most revered complications: the minute repeater.

Historically, the carillon tradition originated in bell towers, where the sound of bells marked the passage of time for entire communities. The Carillon Tourbillon transforms that public experience into something deeply personal, allowing time to be heard on demand through an intricate mechanical symphony worn on the wrist.

Unlike conventional minute repeater watches that utilise two gongs, the Carillon Tourbillon employs an advanced four-gong system.

The chiming sequence consists of:

  • One low-pitched gong for the hours
  • One high-pitched gong for the minutes
  • Two additional gongs dedicated to the quarter hours

Together, these four gongs create a rich and distinctive four-note melody that gives the watch its unique acoustic signature.

The striking mechanism is regulated by an integrated flywheel governor that ensures a smooth and perfectly controlled cadence throughout the chiming sequence. This guarantees a fluid acoustic performance free from acceleration or slowing, preserving the purity of every note.

A Contemporary Haute Horlogerie Statement

While inspired by historical horology, the Carillon Tourbillon is unmistakably modern in its execution.

The 41.6mm case is crafted from 18-carat white gold and features vertical gadroons inspired by classical architecture, a recurring design element deeply associated with Michel Parmigiani’s aesthetic vision.

A sapphire crystal box construction allows an unobstructed view of the dial-side mechanics, including the visible hammers responsible for striking the gongs. Their presence transforms the watch into a dynamic performance, revealing the exact moment when mechanical energy is converted into sound.

One of the watch’s most distinctive visual features is its four serpentine gongs, which elegantly wrap around the dial. Inspired directly by the Perrin Frères pocket watch, these flowing curves create a powerful visual identity while simultaneously serving an essential acoustic function.

In the Carillon Tourbillon, acoustics become design.

The Beauty of Morning Blue

The dial itself represents another showcase of Parmigiani Fleurier’s artisanal expertise.

Crafted from 18-carat white gold, the dial features a hand-hammered finish and is presented in a subtle Morning Blue hue that shifts between silver and azure depending on the light.

The textured surface reflects the Maison’s belief in the value of the human hand. No two surfaces are exactly alike, ensuring each watch possesses its own individual character.

This hand-hammered finish continues the design language introduced through Parmigiani Fleurier’s recent anniversary creations and reinforces the Maison’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship.

Calibre PF950: A High-Complication Masterpiece

Powering the watch is the manually wound Calibre PF950, an extraordinary manufacture movement designed specifically for the Carillon Tourbillon.

Comprising 456 components and 42 jewels, the movement integrates a minute repeater, a four-gong carillon striking mechanism and a 60-second tourbillon within a remarkably refined architecture.

The calibre operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and delivers a power reserve of at least ten days, an impressive achievement for a high-complication watch featuring a chiming mechanism.

To achieve this performance, Parmigiani Fleurier developed a sophisticated three-barrel system.

Two superimposed barrels provide power to the movement, while a dedicated third barrel is reserved exclusively for the striking mechanism. This third barrel is automatically rewound each time the repeater slide is activated, ensuring optimal energy delivery whenever the chiming function is engaged.

Among modern haute horlogerie creations, combining a tourbillon and a minute repeater within a movement offering such extended autonomy remains a significant technical achievement.

Hidden Complexity and Refined Finishing

In keeping with Parmigiani Fleurier’s philosophy of restrained elegance, much of the watch’s complexity remains discreetly hidden from immediate view.

The tourbillon and power reserve indicator are positioned on the reverse side of the watch, preserving the balance and clarity of the dial while rewarding closer inspection.

The movement itself serves as a canvas for exceptional hand-finishing. Its components are decorated with the Maison’s distinctive mezzo vibrato engraving, a technique previously explored on the Armoriale Objet d’Art collection.

Executed entirely by hand, the decoration creates a visual rhythm across the movement’s surfaces, echoing the acoustic resonance generated by the chiming mechanism.

The calibre’s bridges and components are further enhanced through hand-bevelling and hand-graining, underscoring the artisanal nature of the piece.

A Case Designed for Resonance

In a minute repeater watch, the case plays a crucial role in shaping the quality of sound.

Parmigiani Fleurier selected white gold not only for its luxurious appearance but also for its controlled acoustic properties. The material contributes to the transmission, clarity and resonance of the chiming sequence, ensuring harmony between the movement and its surrounding architecture.

Integrated into the case band is the repeater slide, which activates the chiming mechanism through a deliberate and tactile gesture. The interaction creates a ceremonial connection between wearer and watch, reinforcing the emotional dimension of mechanical horology.

Why the Parmigiani Fleurier Carillon Tourbillon Matters to Collectors

For collectors of independent haute horlogerie, the Carillon Tourbillon represents far more than a limited-edition luxury watch.

It embodies everything that has defined Parmigiani Fleurier over the past three decades: restoration as a source of innovation, craftsmanship as a form of cultural transmission, and mechanical complexity pursued in the service of beauty rather than spectacle.

With only five examples produced, the Carillon Tourbillon is among the rarest watches ever created by the Manufacture. Its exclusivity is not driven by marketing, but by the extraordinary level of expertise, hand-finishing and acoustic tuning required to bring each piece to life.

Thirty Years of Independent Watchmaking Excellence

The Carillon Tourbillon serves as a fitting tribute to Parmigiani Fleurier’s first thirty years.

Combining a four-gong minute repeater, a tourbillon, a hand-hammered Morning Blue dial and a movement engineered for exceptional acoustic performance, it captures the essence of the Maison’s identity.

More importantly, it demonstrates that true innovation in Swiss watchmaking does not require abandoning tradition. Instead, the Carillon Tourbillon proves that the most compelling creations emerge when history, craftsmanship and contemporary engineering work in harmony.

For Parmigiani Fleurier, the sound of thirty years is not merely heard. It resonates.

Technical Specifications

Parmigiani Fleurier Carillon Tourbillon White Gold Anniversaire

Reference: PFH996-2010001-300181

Functions

  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Minute Repeater
  • Tourbillon

Movement

Calibre PF950

  • Manual-winding manufacture movement
  • Four-gong carillon minute repeater
  • Flywheel governor
  • 60-second tourbillon
  • 456 components
  • 42 jewels
  • Frequency: 21,600 vph (3Hz)
  • Power reserve: At least 10 days

Case

  • 18ct white gold
  • Diameter: 41.6mm
  • Thickness: 12.6mm
  • Anti-reflective sapphire crystal front and back
  • Water resistance: 10 metres

Dial

  • Morning Blue
  • 18ct white gold
  • Hand-hammered finish
  • Rhodium-plated gold appliqué indices

Strap

  • Akoya Grey hand-stitched alligator leather strap
  • 18ct white gold pin buckle

Availability

Limited to five pieces worldwide

AWAKE Sơn Mài Guilloché Main Combines Hand Guilloché and Vietnamese Lacquer

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.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36: Colour, Done the Rolex Way

Rolex doesn’t usually play with colour like this.
And when it does, it’s never casual.

The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 looks playful at first glance—but give it a moment, and it settles into something far more familiar.

This is still Rolex. Just… confidently more vibrant.

The POV

There’s a fine line between expressive and excessive. Most brands either cross it—or avoid it entirely.

Rolex walks it.

A multicolour dial. Repeated lettering. A motif that immediately draws the eye. On paper, this should feel like too much.

It doesn’t.

Because nothing here is random. The colours are measured. The layout is controlled. Even the repetition of the Rolex name feels structured rather than loud.

This isn’t Rolex chasing attention.
It’s Rolex exploring just how far it can go—without losing its identity.

What’s New

  • Multicolour lacquer dial with a revisited Jubilee motif
  • Rolex lettering repeated across the dial as part of the design
  • A colour palette that feels refined rather than loud
  • Classic 36mm Oyster case retained
  • Automatic movement with Superlative Chronometer certification
  • Oyster bracelet with Oysterclasp

No reinvention of the watch itself—just a shift in how it expresses itself.

Technical Breakdown

Movement (Under the Hood)

Inside, nothing flashy—just one of Rolex’s most reliable engines.

  • Calibre 3230 (in-house automatic movement)
  • Approx. 70-hour power reserve
  • Chronergy escapement for efficiency
  • Parachrom hairspring for shock and temperature resistance

In real terms:
You can take it off for a couple of days, put it back on, and it just keeps going.

Case & Build

This is where Rolex stays uncompromising.

  • 36mm Oyster case
  • Oystersteel (904L corrosion-resistant steel)
  • Screw-down crown with Twinlock system
  • Monobloc middle case construction
  • Water resistance: 100 metres

This is still a daily watch at heart—built to handle life, not just sit in a box.

Dial Construction (Where It Gets Interesting)

What looks playful is actually highly controlled.

  • Multiple layers of lacquer (built up gradually)
  • Controlled environment during production
  • Finished with varnish and polishing for depth

That colour isn’t applied—it’s built. Slowly, layer by layer.

Bracelet & Wearability

  • Oyster bracelet (three-piece solid links)
  • Oysterclasp with Easylink extension (5mm comfort adjustment)

Small detail, big impact—this is what makes it easy to wear every day.

Legibility & Everyday Use

  • Chromalight display (long-lasting blue lume)
  • Clean, highly legible dial layout

Even with all the colour, it still reads like a proper tool watch.

Certification

  • Superlative Chronometer certification
  • Precision: -2/+2 seconds per day

Rolex doesn’t just test the movement—it tests the finished watch.

Design Breakdown: Why This Works

1. The Colours
They’re not aggressive. They’re controlled, slightly softened, and intentionally balanced.

2. The Jubilee Motif
Less decoration, more structure. It gives the dial rhythm without overwhelming it.

3. The Rolex Lettering
This could have been too much. Instead, it becomes texture—part of the design rather than branding.

Why It Matters

Most watches try to stand out.
Rolex doesn’t need to.

So when it chooses to do something visually different, it’s worth paying attention.

This watch shows that Rolex can experiment—without ever looking like it’s trying too hard.

And that’s rare.

Who It’s For

  • Someone who already owns a classic Rolex
  • Someone ready for a bit of personality—but not chaos
  • Someone who values detail over obvious statements

This isn’t a first Rolex.
It’s a considered one.

EyesOnTime Verdict

This was a bold move—and it pays off.

What could have felt bright, busy, or overdone… doesn’t.

Instead, it comes together as something balanced, controlled, and entirely intentional.

This isn’t Rolex changing direction.
It’s Rolex stretching—just enough to remind you how good it is at staying itself.

Frederique Constant Carrée Moonphase Automatic

Frederique Constant expands its elegant Classics collection with the debut of the Classics Carrée Moonphase Automatic, marking the first time the iconic rectangular model features a standalone Moonphase complication.

A tribute to the refined aesthetics of the 1920s and 1930s, this new reference blends Art Deco geometry with classical Swiss watchmaking tradition. The Moonphase complication is positioned at six o’clock, offering visual symmetry with the “Frederique Constant Genève” signature at twelve.

Art Deco Design Meets Astronomical Heritage

The rectangular steel case measures 42.3mm in height and 30mm in width, maintaining a slim and graceful wrist presence. Its two-tiered polished profile subtly balances straight lines and gentle curves — a hallmark of vintage-inspired design.

Square and rectangular cases were once a technical challenge in watchmaking, often requiring round movements to be adapted within angular constructions. Frederique Constant continues that heritage while refining proportions for contemporary elegance.

Chevron Guilloché Dial in Silver or Blue

Collectors can choose between two sophisticated dial executions:

  • A silvered chevron guilloché dial with monochromatic refinement

  • A navy blue dial combining midnight blue and lunar grey tones

Both feature:

  • Twelve faceted applied hour markers

  • Dauphine hour and minute hands

  • Central seconds hand

  • Railway-style minute track

  • Crescent-shaped Moonphase aperture at six o’clock

The Moonphase display tracks the lunar cycle of 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes and 12 seconds, echoing horology’s deep connection to astronomy.

The subtle daily transition between lunar phases creates a poetic dialogue between the steady motion of the central hands and the almost imperceptible shift of the Moon.

FC-333 Automatic Calibre

Visible through a sapphire caseback, the watch is powered by the FC-333 automatic movement, a reliable calibre long used by the manufacture.

Specifications:

  • Automatic winding

  • 38-hour power reserve

  • Central hours, minutes, seconds

  • Moonphase complication

The movement reinforces Frederique Constant’s reputation for accessible luxury with traditional mechanical integrity.

Strap & Wearability

Each model is fitted with a calfskin strap featuring tone-on-tone stitching, enhancing its vintage elegance while maintaining modern comfort.

The rectangular dimensions ensure strong wrist presence without overwhelming proportions, making it suitable for both formal attire and refined daily wear.

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

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.

Frederique Constant Unveils the New Classics Première Collection

Frederique Constant Redefines Everyday Elegance with the New Classics Première Collection

Frederique Constant is proudly unveils two brand new Classics Premiere models sporting a dial in Blue or salmon – the year’s signature colours – and for the first time, a fluid, flexible steel bracelet and case combo. Retaining the compact 38.5-millimetre case format, each watch offers a more urban, contemporary look than the earlier leather-strap versions. Suitable for women and men alike, these two new Classics Premiere will win over collectors in search of a new automatic watch for everyday wear – as well as first-time buyers looking for a quality Swiss Made watch.

Rooted in the age-old canons of Geneva watchmaking, the two new timepieces also reflect the return of dials in pastel shades: one is blue, the other salmon pink. Both colours have emerged as collectors’ favourites at major international watch shows, being acclaimed for their elegance and discretion – and their homage to the finest watches of the 1950s and 60s.

The styling here unashamedly emulates vintage watchmaking’s greatest classics. A typical twentieth-century font has been used for the Arabic numeral hour markers; above them glide ‘pomme’ hands that became popular in the mid-eighteenth century, while the ‘railtrack’ minute circles hark back to the Art Deco timepieces of the 1920s and their sector dials. The dial itself showcases Frederique Constant’s watchmaking expertise, with a delicately grained matte finish capturing the light on the central section and a circular sunray finish on the surrounding raised hour circle diffusing light to the markers arrayed around the dial.

Both models feature a new bracelet that adds a decidedly urban touch: a flexible five-link strap. Here too Frederique Constant demonstrates its devotion to fine watchmaking finishes, with three mirror-polished links nestled amid the two others; meanwhile the case is mirror-polished throughout, matching the similarly finished hands and hour markers. The horological pedigree of both variations is clearly visible too, thanks to a sapphire caseback that reveals the innermost workings of the automatic FC-301 calibre. The latter is a Swiss Made product through and through, developed from a highly-acclaimed La Joux-Perret base, packed with mechanical precision and boasting a power reserve of 68 hours – almost three full days.

LIVE YOUR PASSION!

Founded in 1988, Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaking manufacture based in Geneva. Having celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2023, the brand continues to showcase its ever-advancing watchmaking expertise as it pursues its aim: providing Swiss Made luxury watches at fair prices. Through the decades, Frederique Constant has been characterised by creativity and inventiveness – and even more so by mechanical ingenuity and pragmatism.

Born out of the shared passion of an independent entrepreneurial couple, Aletta and Peter Stas, Frederique Constant has written its own rules, blazing a trail into territory where none had dared venture before. Today the brand can proudly offer a range of quartz and mechanical models – and most importantly, a collection of 34 calibres designed, developed and assembled in its own Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. These movements include Tourbillon, Perpetual Calendar, Flyback Chronograph, Worldtimer, Power Reserve and Big Date complications as well as the Monolithic escapement, made out of a single piece of silicon and beating at a rate of 40Hz.

Frederique Constant presently has close to 3,000 points of sale in 120 countries. To pursue its international expansion and develop new synergies, since 2016 the Frederique Constant Group (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers deMonaco) has been part of the Japanese group Citizen.

 

 

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

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

Jaquet Droz: Where Disruption Meets Emotion – An Exclusive Conversation with CEO Alain Delamuraz

In the world of haute horlogerie, few names carry the mystique of Jaquet Droz. Known for its automata, métiers d’art, and poetic approach to time, the brand has spent nearly three centuries challenging conventions while keeping emotion at the heart of every creation.

During his recent visit to India, Alain Delamuraz, CEO of Jaquet Droz, shared his thoughts on legacy, innovation, and the brand’s deepening connection with Indian collectors.

Art Beyond Time

When asked whether Jaquet Droz feels closer to a poem, a painting, or a piece of music, Alain Delamuraz resists a single definition: “I think that all the arts are connected. Watchmaking art, métiers d’art, paillons, enamel, engraving, micro-painting — all these things are together. If you copy an art, you die. All the arts need to be challenged every time.”

For him, watchmaking at Jaquet Droz is less about the object itself and more about the dialogue it inspires: “We do not make a piece and then try to sell it. We create it together with the people who will wear it. It’s a connection, a human connection.”

Disruptive Legacy

With centuries of history behind the brand, the temptation might be to look backward. Alain Delamuraz instead looks forward: “The question is not what did Pierre Jaquet-Droz do, the question is what he would do today if he were still alive… He was a disruptive person — inventive, creative, full of craziness. We have to keep this disruptive attitude. Disruptive is positive — it is not destroying, but it is faster and more creative than normal evolution.”
For him, disruption is not an occasional strategy but the brand’s DNA: “Innovation is our tradition. Disruption is our legacy.”

The Soul of Emotion

Precision is essential, but it is emotion that defines true luxury. As Alain Delamuraz explains: “You can have passion, authenticity, technical excellence — but without emotion, it is nothing. We are in direct connection between an artist and another artist who is the collector. If there is no emotion, people don’t buy. There is never, ever something we do without emotion.”

That emotional connection is rooted in people — the watchmakers, artisans, and collectors who bring each piece to life: “The soul is that you can see the people making your piece of art. You talk with the engraver, the painter, the enameller. You create together. That, I believe, is the soul of Jaquet Droz: putting people together, humanizing luxury, and giving emotion — not only price.”

India: A Dialogue of Cultures

India, with its rich artistic heritage, resonates naturally with Jaquet Droz’s philosophy. “We take inspiration from every culture — Japan, China, India. We also did some Indian themes. Always by hand, always unique, one-of-one. That is why I am here in India — to feel the culture, to meet people, to understand more, and to be more ready to create bespoke pieces of art in the spirit of this culture.”

Indian collectors, he observes, are especially eager to co-create: “It would begin with colors, crafts, and themes unique to India — because this is what connects naturally to our métiers d’art. We work with the client to refine it: more blue, less green, more red, different materials. The idea is always to co-create.”

What excites him most about the market is its youthful boldness: “The younger generation cannot be fooled. They want authenticity, emotion, and individuality. They are curious and bold. That’s why we create both the timeless and the unexpected.”

Collaborations & Living Art

Beyond watches, Jaquet Droz has often blurred the lines between horology and fine art. A striking example is the brand’s collaboration with John Howe, the legendary illustrator behind The Lord of the Rings: “He created a dragon for us — his signature is engraved on the back, and the automaton moves with 16 separate pieces. This is live art. With a lot of pleasure, we are always ready to collaborate with artists. Our concept is to redefine painting, engraving, or sculpture so collectors can travel with their piece of art.”

 

It’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with India’s own artistic traditions — a fertile ground for future collaborations.

An Industry of Emotion, Not Marketing

In a world where marketing often overshadows craft, Alain Delamuraz insists on a more human-centered approach: “In our case, we don’t do advertising anymore. Our marketing concept is to know the people and to interact with them. Automata are about surprise and emotion — you don’t know what will happen, then suddenly something moves and you say ‘wow.’ That surprise is the emotion. We are not only a brand, not only a watchmaker. We are an emotion.”

Conclusion

Alain Delamuraz’s vision for Jaquet Droz is clear: a brand rooted in disruption, guided by emotion, and deeply connected to its collectors. Whether through métiers d’art, automata, or bespoke creations inspired by India, Jaquet Droz continues to prove that true luxury lies not only in what is made, but in the human connection it creates.

Bvlgari at Geneva Watch Days 2025: When Thinness, Art, and Time Collide

Every September, Geneva comes alive with a different kind of energy. Instead of the closed, high-walled watch fairs of old, Geneva Watch Days spills into the city’s boutiques, riverside pavilions, and galleries. It feels more like a festival than a trade show—one where collectors, journalists, and curious passersby all share the same stage.

In 2025, few brands captured that spirit better than Bvlgari. The Roman jeweller-turned-watchmaker has spent the past decade redefining what modern horology can look like, and this year, its spotlight once again shone on the Octo Finissimo.

What began as a daringly thin wristwatch over ten years ago has now grown into a whole world of experimentation. And at Geneva Watch Days, Bvlgari unveiled three very different but equally compelling takes on its philosophy: one rooted in art, another in nature, and the third in time itself.

Octo Finissimo Lee Ufan × Bvlgari – Minimalism With a Soul

One of the fair’s most talked-about watches was Bvlgari’s collaboration with Lee Ufan, the Korean-Japanese artist known for his contemplative works that balance stillness and space.

At first glance, the watch’s mirrored dial looks almost simple. But like Ufan’s art, it asks you to slow down. The reflection turns every glance into a dialogue—between presence and absence, light and shadow, permanence and fragility.

The titanium case keeps things featherlight, while the ultra-thin micro-rotor movement inside reminds us that this is still a serious piece of horology. Produced in just 150 pieces, it’s less of a wristwatch and more of a wearable artwork—one that lives at the intersection of philosophy and precision.

Octo Finissimo Marble Tourbillon – Nature on the Wrist

If the Ufan collaboration was about reflection, the Marble Tourbillon was about permanence. Bvlgari dared to carve a dial from deep-blue Italian marble, a material as stubborn as it is beautiful. To thin it down enough for a watch dial without losing its character is a feat in itself.

 

Framed by a platinum case and powered by a hand-wound flying tourbillon, the watch looks like a slice of earth frozen in time. On the wrist, it feels less like jewellery and more like sculpture—quietly powerful, endlessly fascinating. Limited to just 30 pieces, it’s destined to be one of the most coveted watches from the entire fair.

Bvlgari Aluminium Bronzo – Watches That Evolve With You

While the Octo Finissimo grabbed headlines, Bvlgari also surprised collectors by giving its sporty Aluminium line a new twist: bronze.

Two models joined the family:

A Bronzo Chronograph with bold racing-style sub-dials and a rugged, sandblasted bronze case.

A Bronzo GMT, built for travellers, with a clean 24-hour scale and dual-time functionality.

The beauty of bronze lies in its changeability. Over time, it develops a patina unique to its wearer—no two watches will age the same way. In a world where luxury often feels polished to perfection, the Bronzo celebrates imperfection as a form of individuality.

Why These Watches Matter

Bvlgari’s Geneva Watch Days 2025 novelties aren’t just new models—they’re statements.

Form: The Octo Finissimo continues to lead the ultra-thin category, proving less really can be more.

Material: Marble and bronze push watchmaking into fresh, tactile territory.

Culture: Collaborations with artists like Lee Ufan remind us that watches can carry ideas as much as they carry hours.

Together, they show that Bvlgari isn’t just making timepieces—it’s exploring time itself.

Eleven Years of Record-Breaking Innovation

Alongside these novelties, Bvlgari also took time to reflect on the Octo Finissimo’s journey. At Geneva Watch Days 2025, the Maison presented its first full retrospective of the collection—an exhibition charting eleven years of relentless innovation and ten world records.

The Octo Finissimo is as much about architecture as it is about mechanics. Its octagonal case was inspired by the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome, translating Roman geometry into a contemporary design language. Over the past decade, this architecture has become the canvas for groundbreaking engineering and creative collaborations alike.

Key Milestones

2014 — The Beginning: The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon introduced the ultra-slim BVL 268 calibre, measuring just 1.95mm, setting the stage for record-breaking thinness.

2017 — Everyday Icon: The Octo Finissimo Automatic debuted at 5.15mm thick, proving ultra-thin could be practical, elegant, and wearable.

2021 — A Crown Achievement: The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar in titanium not only claimed the record as the thinnest perpetual calendar at 5.80mm, but also won the Aiguille d’Or at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

2025 — Breaking Limits Again: This year, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, unveiled at Watches and Wonders, stunned with a case just 1.85mm thick—a technical feat that almost defies belief.

The retrospective made one thing clear: the Octo Finissimo is more than a collection. It’s a statement of intent—Bvlgari’s relentless drive to push design, engineering, and artistry beyond the imaginable.

Final Thoughts

Walking away from Bvlgari’s showcase this year, one thing was clear: these aren’t watches that quietly tick in the background. They’re meant to start conversations, to spark curiosity, to evolve with you.

Whether it’s the reflective stillness of the Lee Ufan edition, the sculptural presence of the Marble Tourbillon, or the ever-changing Bronzo Aluminium, Bvlgari has given collectors pieces that feel alive.

For anyone who believes a watch should tell more than the time, Bvlgari’s 2025 lineup is proof that horology can be as poetic as it is precise.

CHANEL AT WATCHES & WONDERS 2023

Explore the vast universe of CHANEL Watches and discover the stunning collection of pieces for both men and women. Each watch reflects the creativity and expertise of the House, showcasing the timeless elegance and sophistication that CHANEL is known for. From classic designs to modern twists, there is a CHANEL Watch for every style and occasion.

CHANEL INTERSTELLAR CAPSULE COLLECTION

The CHANEL Watch Creation Studio has imagined the CHANEL INTERSTELLAR CAPSULE COLLECTION, inspired by the world of science fiction, space and time travel.

A pixelated motif, a circuit board design, phosphorescent effects, a star charm and a 3D robot: Discover the new interpretations of the J12, PREMIÈRE, BOY·FRIEND and CODE COCO watches. Exclusive creations, including limited-edition Haute Horlogerie pieces.

J12 NIGHT STAR WATCH, 33MM

A new CHANEL Haute Horlogerie creation set with diamonds. A dazzling black dial intersected by a comet perpetually in motion. A starry sky on the wrist to wear day and night.

MADEMOISELLE J12 COSMIC WATCH, 38 MM

Gabrielle Chanel’s silhouette in a black-and-white evening gown. Hands that indicate the time, driven by the Caliber 12.1 movement. A dial illuminated by diamonds like a sky full of stars.

PREMIÈRE LUCKY STAR WATCH

An interpretation inspired by the stars. A black-lacquer dial surrounded by sparkling stones. A star-shaped pendant set with diamonds is like a lucky charm on the wrist.

PREMIÈRE ROBOT WATCH

An avant-garde interpretation. A 3D robot made with yellow gold, ceramic, blackened titanium, onyx and diamonds. A rubber strap with a velvet finish.

CODE COCO CYBERGOLD WATCH

A solar interpretation. A quilted gold leather strap declaring the 6 letters of the House’s logo. Two black-lacquer dials, one set with a diamond.

BOY·FRIEND CYBERDATA WATCH

A magnetic interpretation. A dial featuring a circuit board design set with diamonds. A quilted black patent leather strap with a silver-coloured lining.

J12 DIAMOND TOURBILLON WATCH CALIBER 5, 38MM

A bespoke solitaire diamond that rotates to the rhythm of the Flying Tourbillon movement developed by the CHANEL Manufacture. The subtle contrast between the smooth finish of the ceramic and the sparkle of the diamonds.

J12 SPATIOTEMPORAL WATCH, 38 MM, 36 BAGUETTE-CUT DIAMONDS 

Two exquisite creations where black and white intertwine, enhanced by gold and diamonds. Clean lines conceal the unparalleled technical complexity and watchmaking expertise of the CHANEL Manufacture.

J12 INTERSTELLAR WATCH, 38 MM

A monochromatic interpretation. A glittering black dial, like a starry sky, embellished with six diamonds and featuring a comet in motion.

J12 CYBERNETIC WATCH, 38 MM

A graphic interpretation. A white pixel motif on a black-lacquer dial as well as on the unique case shaped like a staircase.

MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION

The CHANEL Watch Creation Studio transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary with the new MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION collection. Inspired by a dressmaker’s pincushion, each piece features an exceptional oversize case with a curved crystal. Crafted from precious metals, diamonds, mother-of-pearl or onyx, the House’s Haute Couture symbols adorn the dials of these spirited timepieces.

Five watches born from a powerful creative gesture and embellished with the savoir-faire of the Métiers d’Art.

MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION LACE MOTIF WATCH

A hand-chiselled dial coated with grand feu enamel. Delicately drawn camellia flowers that give depth to the lace. Cultured pearls combined with diamonds to sparkle and reflect light.

MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION TWEED MOTIF WATCH

The pattern of the timeless little black jacket is set with diamonds. A gold chain that elegantly adorns the edge of the dial. Gold sewing tools, meticulously sculpted by hand.

MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION QUILTED MOTIF WATCH

The House’s iconic handbag repeated again and again. A quilted pattern in mother-of-pearl, inspired by the emblematic CHANEL motif. Chains, clasps and charms in gold and diamonds.

MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION PEARLS MOTIF WATCH

Printed tweed, like the House’s signature black jacket. Miniature necklaces and brooches, intricately carved out of gold. Hand-painted black-lacquer ribbons.

MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION EMBROIDERY MOTIF WATCH

A creation enhanced by snow-set diamonds.The contrast of intense black and dazzling white. Tiny gold beads are placed by hand around the dial.

PREMIÈRE

In 1987, CHANEL introduced its first watch, the PREMIÈRE, which drew inspiration from the brand’s signature design elements. The watch’s case design was modelled after the stopper of the iconic N°5 fragrance bottle, while the original bracelet featured a leather interlacing similar to that found on classic CHANEL handbags. Over the years, CHANEL has reinterpreted the bracelet in a variety of materials, including chain, ceramic, and velvet. The PREMIÈRE watch remains a timeless and elegant accessory suitable for both day and night wear.

PREMIÈRE ÉDITION ORIGINALE

The PREMIÈRE ÉDITION ORIGINALE watch, a watchmaking creation inspired by the House’s design codes : the case bears a striking resemblance to the cap of the iconic N°5 fragrance bottle, while the octagonal shape brings to mind the illustrious Place Vendôme. The bracelet, designed with intertwined black and gold links, is reminiscent of the chain on the iconic CHANEL bag.

BOY·FRIEND WATCH

 

The BOY·FRIEND watch is a true masterpiece of pure lines, balanced proportions, and perfect shapes. Its simplicity in BEIGE GOLD case and interchangeable calfskin strap with quilted pattern is so pure and elegant that it dares to assert a new look, erasing the lines between masculine and feminine styles. This watch is truly a work of art, and its radical elegance is sure to turn heads wherever you go. Whether you’re dressing up for a formal occasion or want to add a touch of sophistication to your everyday look, the BOY·FRIEND watch is the perfect choice for anyone who values style and quality.

CODE COCO WATCH

Discover CODE COCO, both a watch and jewellery. Each detail of this latest collection exudes the House’s signature style: an iconic clasp, a quilted motif, a diamond. The watch that features the most CHANEL codes.

 

Discover the latest collection at https://www.chanel.com/us/watches/collection/c/4×2/