New watches to kick off 2024

THE year 2024 is set to be a banner one for luxury watches. January isn’t over yet, but major brands are already rolling out new models. Among those first off the mark are Vacheron Constantin, Omega and Longines. 

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Quartz

While not a new watch, it is an updated version of an existing model in the brand’s highly popular Overseas collection, which is inspired by travel and an openness to the world. As its name suggests, the Overseas Quartz is powered by a quartz movement. What it doesn’t say is that the petite timepiece, which is aimed at ladies, is the first 33 mm wide quartz watch in the collection that comes in 18K 5N pink gold with an integrated bracelet. And it has a new design – the Overseas’ signature six-sided bezel is elegantly decorated with 78 brilliant cut diamonds that light up the path of the hands and the date at 3 o’clock on a translucent denim blue lacquered dial. If the S$74,000 price tag feels high, think of it as one watch with three different looks. Thanks to its interchangeability system, the watch can be worn with a pink gold bracelet, light blue calfskin band or denim blue rubber strap.

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8

This is an update of the Dark Side of the Moon which first appeared in 2018, marking the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8’s orbit of the moon – the first human flight to do so. The new “Speedy” sports a familiar 44.25 mm large ceramic case and a textured dial reminiscent of the moon’s surface. As with the original, the new Co-Axial Master Chronometer hand-winding movement in the 2024 model also depicts the lunar surface as seen from Earth on its skeleton dial. On the back case is the dark side of the moon that only astronauts get to see – but with greater realism. Thanks to laser engraving and contrasting surfaces, the moon is now more defined, with clearly pronounced features. Engraved on the case-back are the words “we’ll see you on the other side” – the final words spoken to ground control by Command Module Pilot Jim Lowell, just before the Apollo 8 mission vanished to the far side of the moon – and out of radio contact for the very first time. Another new touch is the small rocket-shaped seconds hand at 9 o’clock, which takes after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s famous Saturn V rocket.