A New Aesthetic for the Perpetual Calendar from Montblanc

Montblanc just unveiled its new Heritage Manufacture Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition 100. This watch features vintage aesthetics, being inspired by historical Minerva wristwatches from the 1940s and ’50s, and a beautiful rose gold case.
Invented in the 18th century, the perpetual calendar complication is a highly complex mechanism that automatically takes the number of days in the month, as well as the cycle of leap years, into account. This way, the perpetual calendar automatically corrects itself for short month, including the 29th of February in leap years. This way, as long as a watch with a perpetual calendar is kept running, it won’t require any manual adjustment for decades. To achieve this, the functions draw on a technical memory of 1460 days, representing four years. To this day, the perpetual calendar continues to fascinate and delight watch enthusiasts, making it a very popular complication.

The Heritage Manufacture Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition 100 indicates the hours, minutes, day, date, month, moonphase, and leap year – and is still a very legible watch. This is due to the large subdials at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. And the new aesthetic, featuring a brown colour scheme, suits this watch extremely well. The sapphire crystal class box continues the elegant vintage look of this watch.
In line with the design codes of the Heritage line, the Heritage Manufacture Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition 100 comes in a 40 mm rose gold case with curved horns. It is water-resistant up to 5 atm.

This watch is powered by the in-house calibre MB 29.22. This movement with its perpetual calendar complication took Montblanc three years to develop and was introduced two years ago. The calibre comprises 378 components of which 259 are dedicated to the perpetual calendar function. The mechanism allows the user to adjust the watch via the crown in both directions, which is unusual. Also, Montblanc has built in a safety feature, that prevents any setting between the hours of 6 pm and 12 pm, when any manipulation could potentially (and very likely) damage the movement. The movement works at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power-reserve of approximately 48 hours.

The Heritage Manufacture Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition 100 is equipped with a brown alligator leather strap, which completes the overall design nicely.

Bell & Ross Is Playing with Luminous Contrasts

For the second time in its history, Bell & Ross has introduced a fully luminescent watch, the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2. It’s predecessor, the BR 03-92 Full Lum, was introduced in 2019 and a huge success. And now, the manufacture has decided to add another model, which combines two Super-LumiNova Colours while holding up a professional appearance.

First, let’s take a look at the case of the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2. It is made of stainless steel and features a diameter of 41 mm. The black anodised aluminium bezel has a 60-minute scale and is fixed. The chronograph pushers are screwed down to ensure they cannot be activated accidentally, and everything is water-resistant up to 10 bar.

Bell & Ross has coated the dial of the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2 completely with a paint made of green Super-LumiNova C5 luminescent pigments, while the applique skeletonized numerals, indices, hands, and counters are filled with the pale yellow Super-LumiNova C3.
The brightness charge and discharge cycles are endless and never alter the efficacy of the watch. The recharge is quick and the light intensity is very good, ensuring maximum readability in the dark.
Of course, the look of the dial in daylight is probably even more crucial. We know Bell & Ross to design its dials clear and with a focus on legibility and the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2 is no different. The subdial at the 3 o’clock position shows the running seconds while the one at the 9 o’clock position counts the chronograph minutes. And the latter glows in a blue hue instead of green.
This chronograph features an ultra-domed glass-box sapphire crystal.

The case back is also made from sapphire crystal and opens onto the mechanical movement, the BR-CAL.301. It is a reliable automatic movement that Bell & Ross uses frequently in its chronographes. This calibre operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of at least 42 hours.

Just like its predecessor, the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2 is a limited edition of 250 pieces. The watch is made from weave black rubber, also known as „tropic“, which provides the final vintage touch to this contemporary watch.

The New Portugieser Chronograph from IWC Schaffhausen

At the end of last year, IWC Schaffhausen introduced the iconic Portugieser Chronograph on a stainless steel bracelet for the first time in its long history. This way, the elegant and sporty chronograph becomes even more versatile and apt for a whole new range of new adventures.
The Portugieser Chronograph has been part of the eponymous family at IWC Schaffhausen for more than 20 years. From its very first appearance, the watch introduced a sportier design language to the Portugieser line and quickly found enthusiastic followers world wide and grew to be one of the manufacturer’s most popular models.

The timelessly modern chronograph boasts a clear and open dial that is uncluttered and therefore excellently legible. The two recessed subdials at 12 and 6 o’clock show the chronograph minutes and the running seconds. Of course, this Portugieser is also equipped with a quarter seconds scale. The blue hands and appliqués stand out wonderfully against the argenté-coloured, silver-plated dial.

The Portugieser Chronograph comes in a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41 mm. It is only water-resistant to 3 bar.
Inside works an in-house calibre, the 69355. This automatic chronograph movement is designed in classic column-wheel fashion, operates at a frequency of 4 Hz / with 28,800 of half oscillations per hour and builds up a power reserve of 46 hours. Since IWC Schaffhausen has opted for a sapphire crystal case back, the movement can also be viewed.

As you would expect from the manufacture, the bracelet is beautifully finished with polished and satin-finished surfaces. It sits ergonomically on the wrist and naturally offers excellent wearing comfort. And of course, stainless steel is an excellent material for everyday wear and use, as it is robust, corrosion-resistant and durable, as well as very easy to clean.
The new stainless steel bracelet with its butterfly folding clasp is also available as an additional accessory for all new Portugieser Chronograph models, so customers can easily upgrade their watches.

A Striking Special Edition: Hublot and the City That Never Sleeps

Some time ago, Hublot established its largest flagship in the U.S. on Fifth Avenue right in the heart of New York City. Since then, the manufacturer has not only become an unwavering beacon in the city, but also sees itself influenced by the metropolis. This is expressed in the latest Special Edition, the Classic Fusion Concrete Jungle New York. The city that never sleeps did not simply inspire this creation – with this wristwatch, Hublot is paying tribute to New York City.
Concrete as an industrious material is noteworthy for its strength and endurance. As a city built on these foundations, New York is not just a place but a symbol of vigor and resilience. Hublot draws inspiration from the bustling streets, their exuberant spirit, brilliant energy and limitless opportunities, moved by the city’s perpetual ability to endure, evolve and overcome. Drawing on these elements, the Swiss watchmaker has created an avant-garde tribute to New York’s bedrock of strength.

The Classic Fusion Concrete Jungle New York presents the city’s sophisticated poise and everlasting elegance without ignoring its raw elements. Developed in an even more robust material, the Classic Fusion is reinforced in a fine concrete with minute detailing that evoke the city’s edges and structure.
The concrete material is composed of 65-75% fine cement, 25-30% epoxy resin replacing water in standard concrete, and 5-10% fiberglass replacing steel to reinforce the concrete. But that’s not all: The epoxy resin has been upgraded with an anti-UV additive to prevent color change over time and an anti-graffiti treatment has been applied on the finished components to prevent the concrete from becoming impregnated with other contaminants like dirt.
The 45-mm-case is water-resistant up to 5 atm.

Muted grey tones juxtaposed against a black strap are quintessential New York with its ability to be simultaneously monochromatic and effervescent, uniform and unconventional. The two subdials are also grey and present the running seconds at 3 o’clock and the chronograph minutes at 9 o’clock. The small date window at the 6 o’clock position blends seamlessly into the design of the dial.

The concrete encases the HUB1143 Manufacture self-winding chronograph movement. This calibre offers a power reserve of 42 hours and a high precision and reliability thanks to its frequency of 4 Hz.

The Hublot Classic Fusion Concrete Jungle New York is a limited edition of 50 pieces.