Timeless treasures

Audemars Piguet – Mini Royal Oak

Swiss haute horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet (AP) has unveiled a new miniature Royal Oak quartz model – measuring just 23 mm in diameter and available in 18-carat yellow, white, or pink gold. These mini monochrome timepieces blend the robust aesthetic of the original Royal Oak with the shimmering brilliance of Frosted Gold, creating a striking visual effect. 

A tribute to the female designers like Jacqueline Dimier and Carolina Bucci who have shaped the brand’s history, the collection also offers a contemporary take on the 20 mm Mini Royal Oak launched in 1997. By rethinking proportions, design and performance, the new “Mini Oak” collection caters to slender wrists while featuring a quartz movement with over seven years of battery life.

Since the 19th century, AP has pushed the boundaries of miniaturisation and aesthetic refinement in women’s watches. The new Mini models continue this legacy, combining the strong geometry of the Royal Oak with the delicate Frosted Gold finish. The watches feature a tone-on-tone Petite Tapisserie dial, luminescent gold hour markers, and are powered by the Calibre 2730 quartz movement. 

Hublot x Argentine Football Association

Hublot has launched two Big Bang Unicos and one Classic Fusion in partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The three special edition watches – the Big Bang Unico Titanium AFA (25 pieces), King Gold (10 pieces), and Classic Fusion AFA (140 pieces) – celebrate Argentina’s triumph in major tournaments, like their 2022 World Cup victory. More recently, the La Albiceleste (the blues and whites) recorded their 16th Copa America title.

All three models are chronographs and feature the colours of the Argentine national flag. The Big Bang Unicos are powered by the HUB1280 movement, while the Classic Fusion uses the HUB1143 calibre. This marks the first time Hublot has produced mechanical chronographs exclusively for the AFA, continuing a relationship that began with the Big Bang Maradona in 2010 and the Big Bang e pieces in 2022.

Hermes Horloger – Slim d’Hermes Pocket Mysterious Rider

Hermes introduces the Slim d’Hermes Pocket Mysterious Rider, a limited edition pocket watch that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. This timepiece, crafted in white gold, features a cover adorned with champleve enamel depicting a futuristic motif inspired by Viktor Hachmang’s silk scarf design.

The cover showcases a mysterious rider on a gleaming motorbike against a backdrop reminiscent of the iconic 24 Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris. The watch’s white enamel dial is complemented by hand-painted red numerals and hour markers. At its heart beats the ultra-thin Manufacture Hermes H1950 mechanical self-winding movement. 

The timepiece is accompanied by a strap and pouch in matte Rouge H alligator leather, highlighting Hermes’ expertise in leather craftsmanship. Limited to just three pieces, this pocket watch exemplifies Hermes’ philosophy of creating functional objects that evoke emotion and celebrate spontaneity, transforming everyday moments into special experiences.

Franck Muller – Cintree Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon Limited Edition

Designed in collaboration with Japanese artist Ryoko Kaneta, the Franck Muller Cintree Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon is an Asia-Pacific exclusive timepiece limited to 500 pieces. The watch offers a whimsical take on the mythical dragon, depicting it as a series of doll-like girls interacting with the dial indices. The timepiece features a turquoise guilloche dial with black and white figures accented by aqua blue hair, symbolising the dragon’s connection to water and rain. The 5850 Cintree Curvex case showcases complex curves, complemented by spade hands and Arabic numeral indices.

SEE ALSO

Sylvia Earle’s unwavering mission to save our blue planet

Powered by the self-winding MVT FM 2536-SC movement, this watch combines Swiss watchmaking expertise with Japanese pop culture aesthetics. It reflects Franck Muller’s philosophy of pushing creative boundaries and Kaneta’s unique artistic style, which anthropomorphises nature while exploring traditional Japanese philosophies.

This limited edition watch also offers a fresh interpretation of the Year of the Dragon zodiac theme, and follows in the playful nature of the brand’s collaboration with Japanese street fashion brand #FR2 on a Vanguard timepiece.