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.
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 love so much with only a small 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.
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.
Blancpain L-Evolution Chronographe Flyback a Rattrapante Grande Date
Blancpain has recently revealed a model that combines an in-house automatic movement and a classic shape of the body with decisively high-tech bezel and case-back crafted from ultra-lightweight carbon fiber. The material has recently attracted the attention of major brands specialized in manufacturing luxury timepieces. Finally, Blancpain joins the revolution. Meet the new Blancpain L-Evolution Chronographe Flyback a Rattrapante Grande Date chronograph!
Cartier Tank Folle Ladies Hand-Wound
Unveiled during the Baselworld 2012 trade show, the hand-wound Cartier Tank Folle (ref. WJ306017) is a reincarnation of the (almost) legendary Cartier Crash from the late 1960s. Clearly influenced by Salvador Dali’s “liquid” clocks, the original watch was a morbid homage to one of Cartier of London senior managers who died (actually, was incinerated alive) in a car crash. His wristwatch was deformed by fire to a degree of melting and some other member of staff happened to be crazy enough to take the destroyed timekeeper as a source of inspiration. Now, eat your heart out, Stephen King.
Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon Dragon Fob Watch (Ref. G0A36563)
Besides the gorgeous (and unique, too) Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif Dragon (Ref. G0A36545,) the Swiss watchmaking House has also presented another dragon-themed product. Presented in a shape of a so-called “fob watch” (or, more plainly, a “pocket watch” although I highly doubt that the piece is supposed to travel it in your pockets,) the hand-wound Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon Dragon (Ref. G0A36563) is equipped with what is claimed to be the world’s slimmest tourbillon movement.
Van Cleef & Arpels Timeless XL in White Gold VCARN9VB00
The French fashion and jewelry brand has finally updated its Timeless line with a new, larger-than-life version. Sporting an impressively massive oval case 50 mm x 35 mm in dimensions and a hand-engraved dial with its deep blue color, the Van Cleef & Arpels Timeless XL (ref. VCARN9VB00) may not look as entertaining as their other collections featuring retrograde indicators and thoroughly executed “romantic” scenes, but it still leaves a strong impression on an unsuspecting mind.
Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Square Ladies Watch
The American fashion brand that was established by an immigrant of Belarusian origin has just presented their new hand-wound Ralph Lauren Slim Classique Square designed for ladies. Offered in an ultra-thin case that is currently available not only in flashy 18-karat rose gold, but also in a lot more inconspicuous white gold alloy, the new timekeeper is deceptively simple and absolutely fabulous.
Hublot The Baby Million Big Bang 44mm Haute Joaillerie Chronograph Automatic (Ref. 301.WX.1170.WX.9804)
First revealed in Paris, France at the Belles Montres Watch Show back in December 2011, the Hublot The Baby Million Big Bang 44m Haute Joaillerie Chronograph (Ref. 301.WX.1170.WX.9804) is the tour de force of the high-jewelry subdivision of the Swiss-based brand. It is not just an ultra-luxury toy for the one-percenters: it is a perfectly manufactured timekeeper, which is powered by a bullet-proof (although mass-produced) mechanism, and set with more than eight hundred diamonds of different cut! That doesn’t mean that I like it.
Harry Winston Avenue C Large (Ref. 335/UQWW.DB/BD/BD)
The American jeweler and luxury watchmaker has recently updated its high-jewelry collection with the new Harry Winston Avenue C Large (Ref. 335/UQWW.DB/BD/BD). Although the brand is capable of producing the most complicated mechanical watches (and the gorgeous Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon No. 2 Limited Edition that was presented in January at the SIHH 2011 industry fair is a living proof of that,) when it comes to jewelry timepieces, HW doesn’t shrink from equipping them with the simplest (but still bearing the proud “Swiss Made” inscription on them) quartz movements.
Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon Three Golden Bridges in White Gold
The new Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon Three Golden Bridges automatic watch offers a variation of the well-known GP Caliber 9600 installed into a compact, Art Deco-styled white gold case. Set to be officially revealed early next year at SIHH 2012, the watch is absolutely beautiful in its sober -even if somewhat monotonous- combination of polished white gold and rhodium-plated surfaces. With its bold styling, it may be one of the best choices for a gentleman searching for an elegant, classic-styled dress watch with a nice subtle twist to its exterior.