New timepieces to kick off the year
Independent brands are quick to unveil their latest offerings
THE new year has just begun, and major brands from the two big watch groups – Richemont and Swatch – are still keeping their new timepieces under wraps. Many independent brands, however, don’t quite believe in keeping mum. Audemars Piguet, De Bethune and Bell & Ross are among those that have been quick to unveil their latest collectibles.
Audemars Piguet
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel is a horological complication that first appeared in the 17th century. The “wandering hours” was a timepiece where time was displayed by “a system of satellites that gravitates along a minutes scale in the form of an arc”. It didn’t catch on and dropped out of sight. Audemars Piguet tried to revive the system in 1991 and called it the Starwheel, apparently with little success. Now it’s hoping to give the Starwheel a new lease of life with its Code 11.59 collection.
Watch enthusiasts were earlier intrigued with the “wandering hours” because of its mysteriously hidden mechanism. Audemars Piguet made it visible on the dial, which tells the hours on three rotating discs in the centre, crowned by the minutes scale. In Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel, the system is reinforced by an ultra-contemporary design.
The new watch sports a refined hand-finished 41 millimetre (mm) case in 18K white gold with a black ceramic middle. An aventurine dial provides a shimmering backdrop to the minutes scale and hour satellites. The latter consists of three slightly domed aluminium discs which are tinted black – due to a PVD (physical vapour deposition) treatment – with wandering white hour numerals.
The time display is made possible by a central rotor mounted on the movement. It’s affixed to the discs which turn on their own axes. The watch is powered by an automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve. Price: S$84,300.
De Bethune
De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk JPS recalls the 1970s golden age of competitive motorsports. The new black and gold timepiece is powered by an automatic movement intended to be the last word in performance watchmaking.
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Like the engines found in the most cutting-edge racing cars, the movement provides the best in robustness, precision and performance – thanks largely to De Bethune’s signature titanium balance, with white gold inserts. An essential part of the movement on which the precision of the watch hinges, this balance spring has been honed and refined by the brand over two decades.
An optimised oscillating weight fitted for the automatic winding system, made of titanium and white gold, allows the movement to power with maximum efficiency.
The 43 mm case of the watch is crafted from black zirconium – a high-tech material that’s very strong and yet ultra-light – and frames a dial with golden accents, yellow titanium in fact. The contrasting colours echo the John Player Special Formula One livery used by the F1 Lotus team.
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The DB27 Titan Hawk JPS is a limited series sold exclusively through De Bethune. Price: US$60,000
Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross BR 05 Sincere Green Steel “Greenback” with its recognisable round-within-a-square case is given a green sun-ray dial embossed with a “&” monogram. The watch is a tribute to its partnership with local watch retailer Sincere Fine Watches and its new Bell & Ross boutique in Marina Bay Sands (MBS).
The watch is a limited edition of 111 pieces, a nod to the three towers of MBS. The numerals are also “a profound reminder” of the long and winding road Bell & Ross and Sincere have taken to make its presence felt today. Unmistakably masculine in a “striking sculptural and trendsetting silhouette”, the “Greenback” features indices and hands dipped in beige Super-LumiNova with light green emission. The watch is water-resistance to 100 metres and has a sapphire case-back which reveals an automatic movement with 38 hours’ power reserve. Price: S$7,900
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