HAVING a hard time keeping track of time…or the latest timepieces? Check out our pick of the five watches that deserve a spot on your wrist below to instantly up your style game.
01: Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1
Bell & Ross unveiled the brand new BR 03-92 MA-1 at this year’s Baselworld. The watch’s design aesthetics are heavily influenced by the iconic MA-1 flight jacket of 1958, especially in the dial’s matt khaki upper insert with vivid orange Super-LumiNova numerals and indices on the lower insert. The hands are also coated with orange Super-LumiNova for easier time-telling, even in the dark.
The original dark khaki bomber jacket favoured by the US Air Force, with its bright orange inner, was a reversible piece of clothing. As a nod to this, the new Bell & Ross watch’s strap is reversible too: a combination of khaki/orange calfskin leather with hardy synthetics. The strap’s combination of khaki/orange calfskin leather with hardy synthetics is definitely a welcome addition to the brand’s iconic circle within a square watch shape.
02: Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100
Montblanc’s latest collection was inspired by its rich Minerva heritage and the sense of adventure invoked by the great outdoors, especially that of mountaineering. What caught our attention about the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100 was the telemeter scale that orbits its dial.
To the uninitiated, a telemeter allows you to track the time lapse between an event that is both visible and audible, such as lighting and thunder. The chronograph hand is activated the moment the visual event (eg. lightning) takes place and comes to a halt when the audible cue (eg. thunder) is heard. The timepiece houses the Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M16.31 movement and boasts a power reserve of roughly 50 hours.
03: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon in Pink Gold
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon in pink gold is one of the manufacture’s latest additions to its Master collection for men. The name says it all: the watch case is a mere 10.77 millimetres. Don’t be fooled by its delicate frame though – the case houses the complex Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 978G on the inside and offers a power reserve of 45 hours.
The most captivating aspect of the watch is no doubt the tourbillon. Thanks to a window at 6 o’clock, you can check out the intricate mechanism in action. This watch scores serious style points too – the eggshell dial is complemented by gold indices, while the brown alligator leather strap makes it ideal for formal dinners.
04: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán
Roger Dubuis dipped into the fast-paced world of cars and racing once again to present its novelties at this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. The Excalibur Huracán (you may recognise its automobile doppelganger, the Lamborghini Huracán) features a stunning skeleton movement that lets you glimpse the watch’s intricate mechanisms. The Excalibur Huracán is powered by the RD630 calibre, which comes with an automatic 12° balance wheel and mimics the Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s movement signature. Furthermore, the watch’s honeycomb structure is an element lifted from automobile design.
What makes the Excalibur Huracán truly unique is the fact that the sprung balance has been positioned in reverse, compared to the conventional mechanical movement. The results? You get to witness the watch’s heartbeat right on your wrist.
05: Franck Muller Vanguard Racing
Franck Muller‘s latest instalment of the Vanguard for 2019 comes with several notable updates. First off, the trademark tonneau-shaped case is available in glossy rose gold. Upon further inspection of the watch face, you’ll notice that the indices and inner bezel are raised, giving the dial an added layer of depth.
The very first Vanguard model in 2014 may have favoured Arabic indices, but the dial of the latest edition here is graced with baton indices instead. The baton indices bring to mind the starting lines of Formula 1 races, allowing the watch to stay true to its racing DNA. The Franck Muller Vanguard Racing is powered by the FM 2800-DT Calibre and comes with a power reserve of 42 hours.