Larger than average with its 42 mm in diameter, the 2009 Eterna KonTiki Date (ref. 1220.41.63.1183) is still elegant and lean and will look great on a hand of a guy who spends three nights a week in a gym while keeping a low-carb diet.
Chopard L.U.C Lunar Big Date chronometer
Chopard was founded back in 1860 as an independent Manufacture. Now, the brand works under the umbrella of the Fleurier Quality Foundation (a joint project of Chopard, Parmigiani Fleurier, and Bovet Fleurier) and has access to the most advanced machinery and manufacturing processes. In 2009, it has presented the gorgeous L.U.C Lunar Big Date automatic chronometer with a brilliantly executed moon-phase display.
Perrelet Tourbillon in gold and titanium
Stepping on the heels of Ulysse Nardin’s Maxi Marine Diver Titanium chronometer, Perrelet reveals its new masterpiece: the self-winding Tourbillon (ref. A3021/1). What is the connection between the two? Both are made of titanium and polished gold: a combination that was unthinkable for mainstream watchmaking brands only a couple of years ago.
Patek Philippe 10 Day Tourbillon 5101R in rose gold
The 2009 Patek Philippe 10 Day Tourbillon 5101R comes in the same art-deco-inspiring body as their 2003 10 Day model, but now offers a lot more appealing grey-and-silver dial with polished rose gold Arabic numerals and sand-blasted surface. The new version not only looks gorgeous, but also offers such a degree of, um, pedigree, which is rare even at this, extremely high, price.
Certina DS Action Chrono C013.417
With its 42.5mm case machined out of 316L low-carbon stainless steel and a Rolex-like unidirectional rotating bezel, this quartz-powered 2009 Certina DS Action Chrono is available both on a sexy black rubber strap (ref. C013.417.27.057.00, pictured) and a more practical stainless steel bracelet (ref. C013.417.11.057.00.)
Cimier Retrograde Automatic with power reserve (ref. 5104-SS021)
In March 2009, during the annual Baselworld international trade show in Basel, Switzerland, Cimier has presented its Retrograde Automatic (ref. 5104-SS021) collection. The new line featured a complex-looking dial with retrograde annual calendar and power reserve indicators complementing the usual “three-hander” layout of the base caliber ETA 2892.
Chronoswiss Tachoscope Audi Centennial edition
Audi, a German luxury brand, which right now is busy celebrating the 100th anniversary of the marque, has recently partnered with the German watchmaker Chronoswiss to present a co-branded version of the last year’s Tachoscope regulator-style chronograph. Just like the most recent generation of Audis (except, perhaps, for the gorgeous R8) the restyled watch looks, well, just like another overpriced German chronograph: an artifact that oozes perceived quality, but is otherwise absolutely nondescript.
Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Titanium chronometer 265-90-3/92
Staying true to the original Maxi Marine Diver series design, the 2008 Maxi Marine Diver Titanium chronometer 265-90-3/92 features the usual rose gold unidirectional rotating bezel with black rubber inlays, a Cyclops’ eye above the small round date window, and basically the same dial layout. That’s good news. The bad news is after the jump.
Breitling Navitimer 125th Anniversary Chronograph
The 2009 Breitling Navitimer 125th Anniversary successfully mixes the brand’s signature bold styling with the legendary slide-rule bezel in a surprisingly compact 43 mm stainless steel case. Although I find some of its design elements puzzling to say the least (I am talking mostly about the “unique” Air Racer bracelet that, to my eyes, looks here like a set of polished 22-inch light alloy rims on a 1946 Cadillac Series 62 coupe: they do the job, but make an awkward impression), with the bracelet replaced for something more adequate the gadget will be a crown jewel in any collection of pilot’s watches.
Oris Rectangular Bob Dylan Limited Edition
Revealed at the end of January 2009, this limited-edition Oris Rectangular Bob Dylan (ref. 01 733 7618 4084-Set) is not an all-new model but is simply a slightly refreshed version of the Oris Rectangular Date collection introduced in 2008. However, with its 37.80 mm x 39.00 mm rectangular case, the timepiece is considerably larger and, for some reason, is powered by a different movement.
IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph in Gold and Platinum
The IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph was first presented at the annual SIHH-2009 show that was held in Geneva, Switzerland. Although as cold and impartial as a man can be, I must confess however that this gorgeous timekeeper currently tops my list of IWC’s Most Wanted Watches being second only to the recently revealed Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month time-measuring device.
Hamilton Khaki X-Mach Pilot Automatic (ref. H766860)
The now Swiss-owned and former American-based brand is the one that is responsible for the world’s first electric wristwatch, as well as for the world’s first electronic watch Hamilton Pulsar. Now it is going to start selling its new Hamilton Khaki X-Mach Automatic (ref. H766860): the world’s first mechanical timepiece featuring a real Machmeter gauge!
Bulgari Sotirio 125th Anniversary Edition in rose gold
Established back in 1884, the Italian fashion house celebrates its anniversary with a rose gold version of its Bvlgari Sotirio 125th Anniversary Edition. With its symmetrical art-deco dial and so called “hunter” case back cover that is becoming more and more popular for the last couple of years, the timepiece produces a very strong impression. In fact, it looks like the most Italian (if not “Roman”) among recently introduced “Swiss Made” devices.
IWC Aquatimer Deep Two Diving Instrument
IWC will soon start selling its new flagship: the 2009 model year Aquatimer Deep Two (refs. IW354701 & IW354702) diving tool. Being a direct descendant of the now discontinued GST Deep One instrument, the instrument also features a built-in mechanical depth meter: a complication that you will rarely find while searching for a luxury diver.
Fortis IQ Art Edition Automatic for REAL Nerds
Selling at a recommended street price of just $38.72983352, the new tongue-in-cheek Fortis IQ Art Edition LE automatic watch was designed by an architect and a business tycoon Rolf Sachs, the man standing behind the Fortis B-42 one-handed time keeping instrument and lots of other pieces of art.