Chopard – L.U.C XPS 1860
The discreet and elegant L.U.C XPS 1860 is a tribute to the very first watch in the L.U.C collection, which was unveiled 20 years ago, when the Chopard Manufacture was first set up. Exquisitely finished like its predecessor, the L.U.C XPS 1860 has contemporary dauphine hands and elegant applied indices. Its 18K pink gold case encloses the automatic P-96.01-L calibre, the first movement created by Chopard, which is wound by a solid 22K gold micro-rotor. The ultra-slim L.U.C SPX 1860 offers hour, minute, seconds and date functions. Like all L.U.C watches with a second hand, this new watch has been awarded chronometer certification by the COSC. It has also earned the Geneva Hallmark. The L.U.C XPS 1860 is available in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
Corum – Bubble Tourbillon GMT
The Bubble watch, a mainstay of Corum’s catalogue, is available this year with grand complications. The Bubble Tourbillon Chronograph, which brings tourbillon and chronograph functions together for the first time, is driven by the CO398 calibre, an automatic movement exclusive to Corum. The tourbillon, which is visible at 10 o’clock, is shaped like the key in Corum’s logo. The column wheel chronograph counts seconds via a centrally mounted second hand, while the chronograph minutes are displayed on a counter at 6 o’clock. Just five of these 18K rose gold Bubble Tourbillon Chronographs will be made.
Armin Strom – Manual Cognac
The very first piece of these three is that the Armin Strom Gumball 3000 Watch Replica Manual Gumball 3000, which includes the AMW11-GB hand-wound movement, offering a 5-day electricity reserve. This calibre is visible through the display case back and also has a definite look of the Old West relating to it. I can not quite put my finger on it, but something about the nearly wood-like graining and the style of the engraved script screams Saloon Bar to me (which I absolutely love). The balance bridge is a finely crafted curve which plays a distinctive second fiddle to the twist balance wheel. The equilibrium itself, which is, as many of Armin Strom’s components are, refreshingly chunky and easy to observe. Making a centrepiece of the real mechanics is a great way to make a watch seem busy. The situation appears to be exploding with movement, which, in the instance of the this watch, is doubly important given the plainness of the movement decoration.I really like the sense of space and strength of complete on the back of this Armin Strom Manual Gumball 3000, along with the build quality is, of course, excellent, because we have gotten used to seeing from Armin Strom. With a price tag of $15,200, nevertheless, it actually is aimed at a market that has the capacity to enter and finish the Gumball 3000 rally. I find the dial side to be a little more exciting than the rear, using all the classic, off-centre cutaway dial showing the bare metal of the movement, that was engraved using a playing card theme that surrounds the 9 o’clock sub-dial. And it is there that we see the real branding of the Gumball 3000!
Watchmakers are blessed with vivid imaginations, constantly vying with each other to come up with the most original ideas for new timepieces. The latest unconventional example is Armin Strom’s Manual Cognac. As a result of a partnership between the independent watchmaker and Wealth Solutions, a distributor for the brand in Poland and collector of exceptional products, the watch features a sealed sapphire disc on its dial at 5 o’clock, containing a few drops of 1762 Gautier Cognac. The Manual Cognac is available in a 43.3 mm steel, rose gold or titanium case, and is driven by an automatic manufacture movement. A bunch of grapes is hand-carved onto the baseplate, which is visible at the back of the watch. As you would expect, production is limited. Just 40 will be available.
Bulgari – Octo Ultranero Finissimo Tourbilllon
This year’s model from Bulgari’s legendary Octo collection is dressed in a 40 mm ultra-light matt black DLC-treated titanium case with rose gold accents and a black lacquered dial. The Octo Ultranero is fitted with the slimmest tourbillon movement in the world, the Bulgari BLV 268 Finissimo, 1.95 mm thick with a power reserve of 52 hours.
Chronoswiss – Sirius Flying Regulator
This new reference features the iconic Flying Regulator guillochage, a graceful central minute hand and subdials for the hours and seconds. The guillochage on the dial is accentuated by the silvered, black or deep midnight blue dial. The 40 mm timepiece, whose manufacture C.122 calibre is visible through the sapphire caseback, is available in stainless steel, rose gold or DLC-treated steel. The watch comes with either an elegant and dressy alligator strap, or embossed calfskin for a sportier look.
