Just in time for the St. Valentine’s Day, Blancpain has presented the limited edition Ladybird Ultraplate Saint-Valentin 2016 (Ref. 0063F-1954-63A). Featuring an in-house automatic movement with an exterior design done by something that looks like a team of real professionals, this one may be a little expensive for most of us, but it still is worth every penny.
white gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524
Patek Philippe has first unveiled the self-winding Calatrava Pilot Travel Time (ref. 5524) collection during the Baselworld 2015 show. Combining in the same package a ‘historic’ dial layout of a 1930s pilot’s watch with a meticulously sculpted white gold body that only the modern tech makes possible, this is one of the most notable timekeepers presented at the trade fair. Also, there is an in-house self-winding movement that makes one drown in his own saliva while searching for one’s credit card.
Chopard L.U.C Lunar Big Date Redesigned (Ref. 161969-1001)
The stately Chopard L.U.C Lunar Big Date, one of the most striking models in their whole collection, has been slightly face-lifted in early 2014. Although the redesigned model doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking in terms of exterior finish or movement design, it now looks a lot more up-to-date and, well, relevant to the current design trends. Still a tiny bit too big for a modern dress watch, the new accessory nevertheless delivers you an extremely well-balanced combination of functionality and ease of use.
A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange “Terraluna”
A. Lange & Sohne has presented whole seven new models at the SIHH 2014 event, yet it is the gorgeous Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar “Terraluna” that will possibly get the most attention from both journalists and connoisseurs alike.
Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye High Jewelry Automatic
For the upcoming holiday season, GP has updated its Cat’s Eye line with an admirable Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye High Jewelry (ref. 91702B53P7B1-53A) watch. Powered by their in-house Caliber GP03300-0072 self-winding movement and sporting the same 38×33 mm white gold body as the rest of the family, the watch is still slightly larger thanks to an absolutely enormous amount of precious stones decorating it from top to bottom.
IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date Boutique Edition (Refs. IW516102 / IW516101)
IWC has revealed a nice addition to its splendid Portofino range of oversized timekeepers. Always conservative in its approach, extremely reluctant when it comes to evolving its design language, the Swiss watchmaker again brings us a watch that features all the elements that we loved so much in their 2011 IWC Portofino Eight Days that was equipped with the hand-wound Cal. 59210 (Ref. 5101) with only ones mall change: the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date Boutique Edition (Refs. IW516102 / IW516101) has the original simple calendar display replaced with a lot more appealing Big Date indicator.
Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe Chronograph (PFC329-3400600)
A tribute to the futuristic 1935 Bugatti Aerolithe Coupe, a legendary vehicle that still serves as a source of inspiration to many industrial designers, the 2013 Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe (PFC329-3400600) carefully mixes design cues taken from the vintage sports car with their traditional elements producing an object of stunning beauty.
Patek Philippe Gondolo 8 Days (Ref. 5200G) in White Gold
For a brand of such pedigree, Patek Philippe isn’t especially consistent when it comes to the design of their Gondolo series specifically or rectangular watches in general. The things that they share is an elongated body and, of course, a brilliantly executed mechanism: a Rolls-Royce of a mechanical movement that any wristwatch would be proud to be animated with. Among the three models of the series that are currently present on their corporate website, the 2013 Patek Philippe Gondolo 8 Days (Ref. 5200G) is the most exciting with its finely crafted Art Deco case and deliciously complicated, exquisitely finished movement.
Patek Philippe Calatrava Automatic (Ref. 5227)
Patek Philip‘s classic Calatrava line has just been updated for this year. Featuring a tried and true automatic movement and a body of classic proportions, the new self-winding Patek Philippe Calatrava (Ref. 5227) looks emphatically modest, even in its precious 18-karat rose gold body.
Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon Gold Bridge Limited Edition
At the Baselworld 2013 trade show, the Swiss watchmaker has re-introduced its Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon Gold Bridge (refs. 99535-52-131-BKBA & 99535-53-131-BK6A) collection. Not only dressy but also extremely classy with their understated exterior and carefully decorated dials, the watches have always been “signature” models for the brand. Judging by the 2013 collection’s specs, this one is more of a mild face-lift, rather than a full-fledged next-generation with a new movement and all.