Archiv für den Monat: Februar 2020

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Skeleton

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In a freshly restyled Aikon case, Maurice Lacroix has fitted a new manufacture, openworked, automatic calibre of unique design. True to its vocation of manufacturing high quality timepieces at an affordable price, deeply rooted in urban and contemporary culture, Maurice Lacroix introduces the Aikon Automatic Skeleton.
Openworked timepieces are an integral part of Maurice Lacroix’s history and watchmaking culture. Several successive generations of its watches have featured this graphic and horological principle. In consists in the hollowing of a movement’s parts, in order to retain only its bearing and functional structures.

Based on the 2016 AIKON Quartz design, the AIKON Automatic case leans towards a more masculine, sharper state of mind, one that is also more polarizing. It is 45 mm wide, yet only 13 mm thick, which provides it with strong and harmonious proportions. Entirely made of steel, both brushed and polished, it stands out thanks to the six arms on its bezel, positioned once every two hours. This is a signature feature of the AIKON collection, as is the one-piece case shape. Without lugs, it bears two prongs that descend on the bracelet and shape its curve.
The case is water-resistant up to 10 atm.

The calibre ML134 was entirely designed for the Aikon Automatic Skeleton. The automatic movement is the result of a thorough aesthetic and functional reshuffle of the ML134 calibre, one of the first to have come out of the Maurice Lacroix manufacture. And as is the case with all its in-house skeleton movements, it is born of design, not necessity. It is structured by a series of five concentric circles, that run diagonally through the entire watch. Bridge after bridge, they radiate from the centre of the barral, at one o’clock.
Said bridges are black due to a DLC surface treatment. Their central canal is lower and sandblasted. Their outline is one level higher and satin-brushed. All of the components are skeletonised; the barrel, which sits at the pattern’s core, the balance wheel, the winding mechanism, and the oscillating weight too. The latter is visible through the sapphire case back.
One level above this mechanical lattice, a sapphire dial bears rhodium-pleated indices and the small seconds hat at 6 o’clock.
The movement works at a frequency of 2.5 Hz and provides a power-reserve of up to 52 hours.

Aikon Automatic Skeleton introduces Maurice Lacroix’s Easychange system. These fast-swap attachments allow to singlehandedly remove the bracelet made from black alligator leather.

Vacheron Constantin Has a New Horological Muse

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The Égérie is the new horolocial muse of Vacheron Constantin, and it joins the world of Haute Manufacture. In this new collection dedicated to women, Haute Horlogerie meets Haute Couture, seen through the prism of craftsmanship, precision, excellence and beauty.
The sophisticated style of Haute Couture is subtly paired with the asymmetrical aesthetic faithfully perpetuating the Vacheron Constantin heritage. Thus, the new Érégie collection weaves the face of watchmaking femininity; a watch featuring a classic look, draped with a mischievous touch: inspiring, independent and charismatic.
The feminine name of this collection derives from the famous nymph Egeria featured in Roman mythology to the contemporary muses who inspire artists and designers.

A delicate interplay of textures and intertwined shapes, alternating flat and raised areas; a pleated effect reminiscent of fabric; a singular asymmetry borne by a fluid aesthetic: such is the exquisite aesthetic of the Égérie watch.
Égérie is also the modern interpretation of aesthetic codes cherished by Vacheron Constantin, which has been offering off-centre displays since the early 19th century, notably by playing on two intertwined circles. Égérie has made this its signature touch. The date or moon-phase integration is thus part of a subtle diagonal line formed by the logo and the crown daringly placed between 1 and 2 o’clock. Depending on the model, the latter is adorned with a cabochon-cut moonstone or a rose-cut diamond.

A dial featuring a pleaded pattern. A diamond halo resembling slender braiding and accentuating the feminine shape of the case. And above all, sophistication in every detail, expressed through pleasingly harmonious geometry punctuated by gold Arabic numerals, daintily scalloped like lace.

The Érégie self-winding is availbable in rose gold or stainless steel. The 35 mm pebble-shaped case is crowned with a slender bezel overstitched with 58 diamonds. The dial sets the stage for a delicate opaline silver work of art composed of concentric circles, graced with a pleated pattern. The calligraphic numerals evoke fine embroidery, while the leaf-type hours and minutes hands recall fine needles used by nimble fingers.
The Égérie self-winding is powered by the calibre 1088, an in-house automatic movement that provides a power-reserve of 40 hours.

The night star is at the very heart of the Égérie moon phase model, which comes in a 37 mm case in rose gold or steel, which a diamond-set bezel. An offset circle glittering with 36 diamonds displays a dreamlike version of time, with the gold moon appearing in a starry sky revealed behind clouds formed by a delicate mother-of-pearl assembly. The enchanting charm of this model is further enhanced by its opaline silver dial and pleated pattern.
The Égérie moon phase model is available in stainless steel or rose gold; both versions feature a generous diamond setting. Both are also fitted with the calibre 1088L.
But – the Égérie moon phase is also available as diamond-pavé model in white gold. Its white gold case bears 292 diamonds, while the dial deploys its concentric circles amid a shower of 510 diamonds.

Vacheron Constantin supplies all models on either stainless steel or leather straps, depending on the version.

The Updated Omega Constellation Gents‘ Collection

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For the Swiss watchmaker Omega, the pursuit of excellence is a lifetime’s work. In all of its most iconic collections, the brand is constantly innovating its designs to achieve advanced levels of sophistication and precision. This is particularly true for the famous Constellation Gents‘ collection, which is now welcoming its 5th exciting generation of models. The diverse selection includes 26 new models – in yellow and Sedna gold or stainless steel.
Although the Omega Constellation line was first launched in 1952, it was the models released in 1982 that first introduced the familiar look that we recognise today. Most notably, the features of those 1982 models included the four „claws“ on the side of the case, the barrel-shaped case with its half-moon facets at the top and bottom, the mono-link bracelet and also the perfectly circular dial and indexes on the bezel.

Following a similar makeover for its Constellation ladies‘ models in 2018, all of the gents‘ models have been given significant updates. These include polished and bevelled edges along the case, claws and bracelet and slimmer bezels with redesigned Roman numerals. A conical crown adds a little extra touch of sophistication – in perfect harmony with the rest of course. All cases come with a water-resistance of 5 bar.

On the dial, also a lot has changed and the new collection offers a wide range of dial colours and patterns. Hands and hour-markers have been re-designed; they have taken inspiration from the triangular facets of the Freedom Tower in New York. Some of the models also come with diamond hour-markers.
Each dial also features a trapezoidal date window below the golden star.

And of course, all of the models in the Constellation Gents‘ collection have been upgraded to Master Chronometer status. As a result, these watches have the highest certification for precision, performance and magnetic resistance. And of course, a contemporary calibre.
The Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8800/8801 can be observed through the sapphire crystal case back. This automatic movement provides a power reserve of 55 hours and withstands magnetic fields up to 15,000 Gauss.

The watches come with a stainless steel or leather bracelet, depending on the version.

Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II Limited Edition

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Blue is the new black – at least if you ask watch manufacturer Hublot. And the new Limited Edition of the Big Bang Sang Bleu is also a true artistic sculpture on the wrist. The watch reinforces Hublot’s Big Bang Integral collection. The overall design and functionality of the Sang Bleu II are identical to previous models of this collection, but the colour scheme is a different one.
The introduction of the iconic, award-winning Big Bang design in 2005 paved the way for further successful collections such as the Classic Fusion or the Spirit of Big Bang with complications ranging from the most classic to the most complicated of watchmaking. This is one of the reasons why it continues to shape Hublot’s extraordinary DNA with constant growth.

From an ancient practice to a worldwide cultural phenomenon, tattooing has become an art form in its own right thanks to the work of visionary artists such as Maxime Plescia-Büchi, founder of Sang Bleu. And the Big Bang Sang Bleu II is the expression of Plescia-Büchi’s craft of geometry and dimensionality, implemented in the form of a timepiece. A watch, a sculpture, a work of art that tells the time – a fusion of different concepts to create a unique, timeless watch, brought to life by Hublot’s expertise in materials.

As already mentioned, the new Hublot Limited Edition is entirely blue – blue like the ink of the Tattoo Studio, which name it bears. Both, dials and bracelets come in this colour, emphasising the design of geometric lines that run across the hands, bezel and case. The bezel is not round but hexagonal and is fitted with the classic six H-shaped screws. And the alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces further emphasise the geometry of this Big Bang. The case of the Sang Bleu II is water-resistant up to 10 atm.
The skeletonized dial consists of different layers which together create a complex 3D effect. Reading the time display is a challenge and may require some practice. A central chronograph seconds hand extends across the entire diameter of the dial; the hours and minutes are indicated by arrow-shaped hands placed on square, dragon-shaped structures. Two hexagonal, rotating subdials are placed beneath several elements; at three o’clock you’ll find the chronograph minutes, at nine o’clock the running seconds. And between four and five o’clock there is also a small date window.

The 45-mm-case of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II houses an Unico in-house calibre. The HUB1240 automatic chronograph movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph and provides a power reserve of 72 hours. The movement can be seen through the sapphire case back, including the rotor which was designed by Buchi.

The Big Bang Sang Bleu II is available in two limited versions. Hublot offers 100 pieces of the King Gold version and 200 pieces of the Titanium version. Both models are presented on a blue rubber strap.