Officially revealed at the SIHH 2016 show, the IWC Top Gun Miramar Chronograph (ref. IW389002) brings everything you loved about the original Miramar collection, albeit in a smaller package. With a touch oversized case crafted from dark grey scratch-resistant ceramic and a high-contrast, yet discreet dial layout, this new model looks like an interesting choice for a person who always wanted a dressy “aviator”, but wasn’t quite satisfied with earlier models and their Gargantuan proportions.
ceramic
Tudor Fastrider Black Shield Ducati (ref. 42000CN)
Marketed as a sort of accessory for the 2016 Ducati XDiavel power cruiser, the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield Ducati 42000CN is as sporty and laconic as the Italian sports bike. While some may find its look a bit dated (while others may call it ‘classic’,) the choice of material for its chunky case easily compensates for its apparent lack of originality. It is a nice choice for a person willing to spend close to $5000 for a Swiss-made chronograph that offers you the same level of quality and functionality that we expect from a timekeeper in this price range.
Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk Hollywoodland
The 2014 Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk Hollywoodland (refs. 49970-34-132-BB6A and 49970-34-232-BB6A) looks like a normal version of the model that was first introduced during Baselworld 2013 event but has its steel body swapped for an extremely scratch-resistant ceramic one.
Saint Honore Worldcode Chronograph in Black Ceramic
Saint Honore Paris, a French company that has a number of great models in its portfolio, but is still inconsistent when it comes to design, has finally found a contractor capable of making fine ceramic components for their fashion watches. Unlike Hermes, another French fashion house that has enough resources to get the best industrial designers and the best mechanical movements for their timekeepers, SHP is forced to move by smaller increments towards their goal of becoming a great name in the industry. Still, they do make the progress and, around a month ago, the company has expanded its Opera line with a ceramic wristwatch designed for ladies, and now they introduce a sporty Saint Honore Worldcode Chronograph in Black Ceramic (ref. 890128 71CIN).
2013 Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver (Ref. 266-33-8C/922)
Expanding the bizarre collection of “fashion divers”, the 2013 Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver (Ref. 266-33-8C/922) offers a nice combo of 18-karat rose gold with elements of its chunky body and solid bracelet crafted from black rubber and glossy black ceramic respectively. While not a “tool,” the timekeeper is nevertheless equipped with a COSC-certified chronometer movement and features a water resistance rating that makes it suitable at least for recreational diving.
Ebel X-1 in Steel and Ceramic… and Diamonds (ref. 1216156)
The new version of the elegant Ebel X-1 (ref. 1216156) comes in the same glossy black ceramic body as previous iterations, but now features whole 71 diamonds adorning its bezel, the setting crown and, of course, the signature galvanic black dial. Almost twice as expensive as the version that is not decorated with precious stones, the new X1 is worth every extra penny that the Swiss-based brand asks for it.
Girard-Perregaux WW.TC Chronograph White Ceramic 49820-32-712-FK6A
Presented in a white composite body, this new Girard-Perregaux WW.TC Chronograph White Ceramic (Ref. 49820-32-712-FK6A) is inspired by the gorgeous an ultra-limited (only five individually numbered pieces were ever made) edition ww.tc Cabinet de Curiosites Thomas Erber (Ref. 49820-32-788SFK6A) created for the 2011 Cabinet de Curiosites event in London.
Panerai Radiomir Composite Black Seal 3 Days (PAM505)
The 2012 Panerai Radiomir Composite Black Seal 3 Days (PAM 505) is based on the ceramic Luminor Composite 3 Days (PAM 386) that was presented in October 2010. This version features the same manufacture-made caliber but is presented in a slightly larger body of the same classic “cushion” shape.
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec Four X (Ref. 00.10620.22.93.01)
The high-tech Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec Four X (Ref. 00.10620.22.93.01) chronometer was officially introduced at the Baselworld 2012 trade show in March 2012.
IWC Big Pilot Top Gun Miramar Automatic Chronograph
The 2012 IWC Big Pilot Top Gun Miramar IW388002 is named after the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, USA. Almost 43 years ago, the military installation gave birth to the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School that was immortalized in a Hollywood movie starring Tom Cruise and is now mostly known to the general public as TOP GUN.
Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Cabinet de Curiosites Thomas Erber (Ref. 49820-32-788SFK6A)
At the upcoming Cabinet de Curiosites annual luxury event in London, Girard-Perregaux will introduce the new version of its World Wide Time Control (ww.tc). The 2011 ww.tc Cabinet de Curiosites Thomas Erber (Ref. 49820-32-788SFK6A) will stun you with a new color scheme that looks like it was inspired by the 2007 Portal video game. Although events of this kind are often dominated by one-offs, the redesigned watch will be limited to the whole five individually numbered pieces.
Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX5 World Chronograph LMP1
The Swiss Grande Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre has recently revealed a limited edition of its popular (albeit expensive) AMVOX5 model created together with the British luxury sports car maker Aston Martin. The Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX5 World Chronograph LMP1 (ref. Q193J480) will be produced in a limited run of only 250 pieces with most of them probably going into heavily guarded vaults of the British automaker’s most valued customers.
Rado D-Star Ceramic Automatic
The 2011 Rado D-Star Ceramic (ref. R15609162) follows in steps of its more advanced sister: the limited-edition D-Star Basel Special 2011 model that was presented last March during the annual Baselworld 2011 exhibition. If you followed the above link, you may have noticed that both models are presented in the same oval-shaped (or, rather, elongated cushion-shaped) black ceramic case and basically feature the same styling with similarly shaped hands and applied hour markers.
Hublot Big Bang Black Magic amfAR BANG (301.CI.1170.GR.AMF11)
Hublot is going to sell 100 pieces of its special numbered edition Hublot Big Bang amfAR BANG (Ref. 301.CI.1170.GR.AMF11) automatic chronograph donating some part of the revenue to the US-based amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) nonprofit organization.
Bell & Ross BR 01-92 Ceramic
In March 2011, during the Baselworld 2011 trade show, Bell & Ross has presented its new BR 01-92 Ceramic automatic pilot’s watch.