Hublot Big Bang Depeche Mode „The Singles“ Limited Edition

Hublot and Depeche Mode are releasing a collector’s edition series of 55 unique Big Bang watches, inspired by each of the band’s 55 singles. All net proceeds from the sale will benefit charity: water. Hublot and Depeche Mode work together since 2010 – always for the benefit of the NGO.
One of the most influential, beloved and best-selling musical acts of all time, Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have played to more than 30 million fans since their formation in 1981. And, in their 37-year career, Depeche Mode have released an incredible 55 singles, from „Dreaming of Me“ in 1981 to last year’s release of „Cover Me“.
In tribute to this achievement, the Swiss watchmaker Hublot introduces a collection of 55 unique pieces of its Big Bang Unico Model. „We are greatly honoured and moved by Hublot’s support of charity: water with this new collection of watches commemorating all of our singles,“ says Martin Gore, Depeche Mode’s main songwriter and founding member. Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, is also thrilled about the collaboration: „Depeche Mode are iconic in the history of contemporary music. We identify with their passion, stronger now than ever, and with their constantly growing creativity. We are lucky enough to share many values with them, including the commitment to the activities of the charity: water NGO.“

As previously mentioned are all 55 models unique pieces, basing on Hublot’s Big Bang. Each of the watches features, on its dial, a disc that partially shows the image of the record cover it represents, which is reminiscent of the very first model produced by the partnership between Hublot and Depeche Mode. The back of each watch features the entire cover of the single as well as the charity: water logo.
The case has a diameter of 45 mm and is made from polished black ceramic. They are water resistant up to 10 atm.
All  Big Bang Depeche Mode „The Singles“ watches are powered by UNICO movements. Produced by the Hublot manufacture. The automatic calibre HUB1242 is a flyback self-winding movement chronograph; it works at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of 72 hours.

Jedes Modell ist mit einem Armband in einer speziellen Farbe ausgestattet.
Die Kollektion ist mit dem UNICO Werk aus Hublots eigener Manufaktur ausgestattet. Das Kaliber HUB1242 ist ein Automatikwerk mit Flyback-Chronograph und bietet eine Gangreserve von 72 Stunden. Es arbeitet mit 4 Hz oder 28.800 Halbschwingungen pro Stunde.

Each piece will be fitted with a strap in a colour specific to each model, completed with cuff straps in the same hue, and rock-and-roll inspired rubber studs.
A Roland JP-08 synthesiser will accompany each timepiece.  The Roland JP-08 is a limited-edition synth module from the Roland Boutique series, paying homage to the legendary Roland Jupiter 8 synth, used by Depeche Mode throughout the years.

New Limited Edition by Raymond Weil: Bob Marley Tango

Watch enthusiasts know Raymond Weil among others for its limited editions in which the Swiss manufacturer honors musical icons. In the recent past fans could gush over a model celebrating the Gibson Les Paul guitar, Buddy Holly, David Bowie and two different Beatles watches. Now Raymond Weil has introduced a new music collaboration, honouring the iconic Reggae legend Bob Marley.
Bob Marley remains one of the 20th century’s most important and influential music icons. Famous for having put reggae on the global map, his lifestyle and music continue to inspire new generations illustrated by the millions of albums sold worldwide. His daughter said about the collaboration: „We are honoured to work with Raymond Weil on the creation of this timepiece that celebrates our father’s legacy and recognizes the artistic contributions of so many great musicians in this unique way,“ Cedella Marley said.

The Bob Marley Tango 300, a tribute to the renowned artist was developed and designed by Raymond Weil in collaboration with the „House of Marley“. The manufacturer has chosen ist emblematic tango 300 collection for its versatility and durability, as the canvas for the design of this limited edition. Its 41 mm diameter stainless steel case comes with a black PVD plated bezel and houses a quartz chronograph mechanism. The case back is engraved with the iconic Bob Marley logo.

Punctuated with green hands on the sub-dials and a yellow coated second’s hand, this timepiece takes in the color palette from the Ethiopian national flag. The colours stand out spectacularly against the black dial and the red details on the beveled minute track ring complete the look with a subtle reference to the flag. The dial is textured while the subdials aren’t and therefore contrast with its surroundings. At 3 o’clock you’ll find the running seconds, at 6 o’clock the chronograph counts the hours, at 9 o’clock the minutes. Raymond Weil has placed a small date window between 4 and 5 o’clock and there is our only point of criticism because its background is white and therefore stands really out, disrupting the balance a little.
Hour and minute hands as well as the indexes glow in the dark.

The Bob Marley Tango 300 is a 600 piece limited edition and is completed by a black rubber strap.

Breitling: Bentley GT „Dark Sapphire“ Edition

Breitling has introduced a new, limited wristwatch, a homage to the new Bentley Continental GT. With its ultra-light chassis made of Breitlight enhanced by bluish „Dark Sapphire“ tints, this watch is a vibrant tribute to a magnificent car. Accordingly is this timepiece equipped with an efficient engine, a 30-second chronograph.
Bentley presented the third generation of the Continental GT at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2017, redefining the quintessence of Grand Touring. The car is a new interpretation of the classic Bentley design that is long and sharp-edged, with a new optimised 6-litre W12 TSI engine, state-of-the-art onboard equipment, a refined and beautifully hand-crafted interior.

The limited edition by „Breitling for Bentley“ marks the occasion by launching a limited edition reflecting the entire spirit of the new Continental GT. The ultra-light, ultra-sturdy case is made in Breitlight, a Breitling-exclusive high-tech material distinguished by its qualities. It resists to scratching, traction and corrosion, is non-magnetic, non-allergenic and is thermal stable. is subtly black streaked effect takes on a bluish shimmer echoing the colour of the Bentley „Dark Sapphire“. The dial features a diamond motif picking up the pattern appearing in several areas of the Continental GT interior and dashboard controls.
The case measures 48 mm in diameter and is water-resistant up to 100 metres.

The motorisation of the Bentley GT „Dark Sapphire“ takes the form of a Manufacture Breitling B06 calibre officially chronometer-certified by the COSC. This movement was entirely developed and produced in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops. It is distinguished by its ingenious 30-second chronograph system, inspired by a 1926 Breitling patent, with a central hand completing a full sweep of the dial in half a minute – thus ensuring extremely accurate readings of times to the nearest eight of a second. This feature is highlighted on the black dial by a blue measuring scale, picking up the subtle shades of the case. The calibre is working with a frequency of 28.800 vibrations per hour and guarantees a 70-hour power reserve.

The watch is fitted with a specially created rubber strap, bearing the same diamond motif as the dial.
The Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition is a 500-piece limited edition.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Team

TAG Heuer launched two special series in honour of the famously unconventional Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing. Back in December 2015 TAG Heuer became the Official Timekeeper & Official Watch of the Formula 1 Red Bull Racing team in a landmark agreement. The two brands announced the new name of the 2016 car „Red Bull Racing – TAG Heuer RB 12“, with the watch manufacturer being included in the team’s official name. It’s the first time a watchmaker has ever been named directly in the official title of an F1 team.
Red Bull Racing has amassed four Double World Champion titles, having won the FIA Constructors‘ and Drivers‘ titles four years in a row. However, it was Red Bull Racing’s unorthodox approach to the sport and to to entertainment in general wich appealed to TAG Heuer, one which is perfectly in line with the brand’s new marketing strategy.
Now, at the most glamorous of all Formula 1 Grand Prix events (no, there’s no doubt about that) – Monaco – and to celebrate its first year of partnership with the most unconventional team in the Formula 1, TAG Heuer introduced two special series TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Team watches.

The steel chronograph bears the team’s colours – midnight blue and red – an alliance which naturally alludes to the racing mindset. Adorned with a bezel sporting a tachymeter scale in matte blue aluminium, this piece truly reflects the DNA of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection.
Inside works a quartz chronograph movement, the Ronda 5040D with the 1/10 second and hour counter at 6 o’clock, a minute counter at 9 o’clock and the current seconds counter at 3 o’clock. The hands are red, matching the team colours, while complementing the white counters and deep blue case.
The case back is engraved with the legendary black and white chequered flag, a symbol of Formula 1, as well as the Red Bull Racing Team logo. The watch is water resistant up to 200 metres.

The watch is available in two versions, one of which has a steel bracelet in keeping with the brand’s flagship models. But the model is also available with a strap made from technical textile for a sportier look, with red stitching inspired by the seat belts of racing cars.
So there’s nothing much new here and calling a watch two special editions that only vary in terms of the strap is a bit of a stretch we would say. But: Nonetheless, these watches are perfect for people who prefer a bit of colour on their wrists and of course they are high-quality like one would expect from TAG Heuer.

Prolific Partnership: Hublot and Ferrari Present a New Watch

To celebrate Ferrari’s 70th anniversary, the Italian marque and its partner Hublot are presenting a new original collection.
Conversed with the same approach used for designing a car at the Ferrari Design Centre and integrating Hublot’s watchmaking expertise, the Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph opens a new chapter in the partnership that unites Hublot and Ferrari.

Designed by Ferrari, crafted by Hublot – what’s the worst that could happen? This watch is the result of a team effort that began with Ferrari in maranello and ended in Nyon with Hublot. This new line in Hublot’s collections is intended to offer a watch that is deeply rooted in Ferrari’s DNA – combining strength, performance and agility – while being produced and perfected by the Hublot manufacture.
Created and designed by Ferrari, under the leadership of Head of Design Flavio Manzoni, the new Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph was designed by Ferrari, using the same creative processes as that used to developed a new sports car. The starting point for the designers was the Hublot movement around which they freely designed a high performance chassis. Like that of a Ferrari, its lattice structure offers maximum strength for minimal weight.

The black structure on the dial holds the chronograph counters and offers excellent legibility. The crown at 4 o’clock reduces the size of the watch and increases its aerodynamic look. Finally, the red push-button makes the design more ergonomic.
The chassis case comes with a modular construction and consists of three components – a skeleton middle, container, and back cover.

Beyond its design, the Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph is an epitome of fine watchmaking. This tourbillon chronograph is driven by a movement that was designed and developed by Hublot: the new HUB6311 calibre with manual winding which offers 5 days of power reserve. The tourbillon is visible on the dial and it offers both the aesthetics of a flying tourbillon and the operational stability of a tourbillon with two pivot points. It rotates once a minute.
The Ferrari logo is clearly visible at the 9 o’clock position whilst the Hublot logo is at 5 o’clock. The sapphire crystal reveals the mechanics that it shelters. A matt black block, affixed to the sapphire holds a twin half-second counter at 3 o’clock, the minutes counter at 11 o’clock and the column wheel at 1 o’clock.

The Techframe Ferrari 70 Years is available in three versions – King Gold, PEEK Carbon, and Titanium – each of which is produced in 70 limited editions. Every watch comes with a black rubber strap.

Raymond Weil and a Legendary Guitar – the Gibson Les Paul

Raymond Weil celebrates with the Freelancer a true music icon – the Gibson Les Paul. You don’t need to be a guitarist or a musician of any kind for that matter, to have heard of this legendary instrument. This guitar has inspired and served the best artists of all time; from Jimmy Page to Keith Richards and Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton musicians have turned to this instrument, making Rock’n’Roll history.
The manufacturer honors this icon with a new watch – the Freelancer Les Paul. Raymond Weil has been putting its name in lights alongside some of the greatest musicians of all time for nearly half a century in various special editions.

The body of the 43.5 mm case is made of steel and its tachymeter bezel is enhanced with black PVD inspired by the lacquer on the „Black Beauty“ – a guitar renowned for its electrifying performance that continues to astound musicians worldwide.
The board features a circular guilloché motif featuring six chords studded by fret-shaped hour markers. The „fittings“ – tri-compax chronograph counters, date and strap topstitching – of the Freelancer are also inspired by the Gibson Les Paul and set with golden highlights. At 12 o’clock, the names of the guitar manufacturer and the Les Paul signature appear, while the split-diamond inlay – a distinctive feature of the Les Paul Custom shines in golden tones next to the date window at 4.30. At 9 o’clock Raymond Weil has placed the small seconds. Hands and indexes are luminous and contrast well with the black dial, which makes the watch very legible, even in the dark.

The Freelancer is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, the RW5010. It provides the energy for central hours, minutes and small seconds, a date and the chronograph functions as well as a power-reserve of 46 hours.

The ebony perforated calf leather strap brings to mind the sound holes that are part of the body of a guitar.
This watch clearly is a collector’s edition and limited to 300 pieces. Every Raymond Weil Freelancer Gibson Les Paul is delivered in a presentation box inspired by the famous Gibson guitar cases.

Return of an Icon: TAG Heuer Autavia

The legendary driver’s chronograph from the Sixties, the Autavia, is making a comeback in 2017. A contraction of the words „automobile“ and „aviation“, its name is synonymous with its rotating bezel, its large snailed counters and the black and white dial. Created in 1962, this iconic model celebrates its 55th anniversary in the form of a neo-retro successor featuring updated functions and a proprietary movement – so what’s not to like?

Modern yet faithful to its roots, the new generation Autavia channels the spirit of the golden age of motor racing. As innovative as the original, this contemporary model is the result of an interactive campaign called the „Autavia Cup“, run in 2016.

The Autavia was the first wrist chronograph with a rotating bezel designed by Jack Heuer. This watch was worn by the best-known racing drivers of the 1960s and 1970s, including Mario Andretti and Jochen Rindt. The version worn by Rindt was the inspiration for the new Autavia, TAG Heuer presents this year.
The Autavia is synonymous with a rotating bezel, the large snailed counters and the exemmplary legibility of its black and white. The diameter of the stainless steel case was increased from 39 to 42 mm and it also comes with a higher water-resistance of 100 metres.

 

The Autavia is powered by a in-house chronograph movement, the calibre Heuer 02. Its functions are tailored to modern requirements: a self-winding calibre, power reserve of 80 hours, date at 6 o’clock and a water resistance to 100 metres.
„Mushroom“ push-pieces, a ridged crown, the Heuer logo and a distressed calfskin leather strap add to a vintage feel. Like the patina of a vintage watch, the luminescent coating has a beige tint, in harmony with the strap stitching. The studied neo-retro style encompasses the minute track subdivisions, employing the 1/3-2/3 ergonomic rule of the era created to enhance legibility and accuracy.

This bold watch combines a retro look with modern elements – unique, classy and beautiful.

A New Chronograph: The Chrono Diamond Okeanos

Swiss watchmaker Chrono Diamond is now around for seven years and is committed to produce nicely made, reliable watches, aiming higher with each new model they create. And the Okeanos is no exception. The brand added this watch recently to its current collection, combining a toothed bezel, three subdials and a rubber strap. This handsome, classic chronograph can be worn on a daily basis.
We are sure that the Okeanos will evolve into one of the favourite models in Chrono Diamond’s collection with its rugged, beautifully balanced looks. It combines a nice case with an attractive dial, featuring an interesting woven pattern.

The dial is dominated by the highly polished indexes and hands. The hour and minute hands are slightly skeletonized and equipped with a tip made of lume, providing best legibility even at night.
The subdial at 3 o’clock is for the running seconds, the chronograph hours are displayed at 6 o’clock, the chronograph minutes at 9 o’clock. At 12 o’clock dominates a big date. We would have loved to see the date wheel matching the colour of the dial, making the date a little less intrusive, but okay.
The characteristic Chrono Diamond diamonds are replacing the indexes at 12 and 6 o’clock.

The case measures 41 millimetres in diameter and 11 millimetres in height which makes this watch not at all overly dominant. The classic design of the chronograph surely fits most wrists and we can imagine that the Okeanos will be attractive for women too, although it is promoted as a men’s watch.
The case combines a toothed, polished bezel with brushed sides and lugs, adding to an overall attractive look.

The Chrono Diamond Okeanos is powered by a Swiss made quartz movement which assures highest reliability and precision. It offers everything you’d need out of a three-register chronograph.
Highly functional and handsome, this watch will be a trustworthy partner in every situation. Chrono Diamond offers four different coloured versions.

The Hublot Classic Fusion Italia Independent Collection

Hublot will introduce a new collection at the Baselworld 2017 in which the watchmaking expertise of the manufacturer combines with the creativity of Italian Independent and the treasures of the Italian tailor Rubinacci.
Since 2014, two collections have been born from the partnership between Hublot, Italia Independent and Lapo Elkann. Although both of the previous collections were based on the Hublot Big Bang Unico model, but this time the creative team has decided to go with the Classic Fusion model. Its name seems to have predestined it for this new special edition, because it is a fine example of the fusion of the „classic“ and innovation.

For Lapo Elkann, the founder and artistic director of Italia Independent, has always put customization and bespoke designs at the heart of his different projects. For him, unique objects, the fact that they became truly his in the designing process while simultaneously meeting the taste of his clients, represent real luxury. Decades of experience, the „Tailor Made“ program as well as customizing cars, boats, planes and helicopters made the frequently named „most elegant man in the world“ uniquely qualified for working on Hublot’s Classic Fusion Italia Independent Collection.
The sartoria Rubinacci is an institution known for its good taste, masculine refinement and its beautiful collection of fabrics in its archives. The combination of those three parties – Hublot, Elkann, Rubinacci – created with the Classic Fusion Italia Independent a truly unique collection.

The collection features six models in total, combining four different fabrics with three cases. The Chronograph Independent Titanium, the Chronograph Independent Ceramic and the Chronograph Independent King Gold. The chosen fabrics are a traditional Houndstooth, two different tartans and the „Prince of Wales“ cloth. The fabrics are not only found on the dials of the watches but also on the straps; sewn on top of black rubber.
All Classic Fusion cases have a diameter of 45 mm are water-resistant up to 5 atm. The dials are protected by a sapphire crystal and all watches are powered by an automatic chronograph movement, the HUB 1143, which works at 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound.

The design of the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent is beautifully conclusive. The chosen fabrics complement the materials of the case perfectly, so does the stitching of the straps and the details on the dials. Aand all of this leads to a perfect balanced watch.
These watches are clearly not made for everyone but we predict that they will definitely find way more admirers than this edition has models. There will only be 50 pieces of the two King Gold models as well as of the Ceramic Tartan and the Titanium Prince of Wales. The Ceramic Prince of Wales and the Titanium Houndstooth models are limited to 100 pieces each.

Glashütte Original Presents the New Sixties Collection

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Following the inaugural presentation of the Sixties Iconic Collection in 2015, Glashütte Original takes its tribute to iconic ’60s design to a new level. In parallel with the 67th Berlinale, the German watchmaker introduces a special collection of five square chronographs featuring distinctive dials: The Glashütte Sixties Iconic Square Collection.
Dynamic, distinctive, unforgettable – the 1960s made their mark with inspirational design in watchmaking, furniture, fashion and beyond, with geometric forms and innovative, colourful visuals. In the mid-sixties, Glashütte’s watchmakers launched the Spezimatic in a series of versions destined to become lasting icons of style. And now the popular design elements of the time like the square cushion shape, domed dials, curved hands, idiosyncratic Arabic numerals, inspired the Sixties Iconic Square Collection.

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The dials are made by the Saxon manufacture’s own dialmakers in Pforzheim, Germany. The stunning colours and dial visuals take up iconic design elements first presented in a range of „Spezimatic“ models produced in the 1960s. Manufacturing these dials is a complex and time-consuming process and the dialmakers from Glashütte Original use original tools and authentic methods from the 1960s while paying obsessive attention to each of the steps. The application of coloured lacquers achieves precise hues and shading, from light centres to dark perimeters, known as the „dégradé effect“ – a finish found on every piece. The dials are given a galvanic base coat; layers of coloured lacquer are then added by hand in a series of subsequent steps and then, in a final step, black lacquer is carefully applied using a special spray gun. This technique produces an individual colour gradient on each dial.
Five colours give the models their names: Sixties Iconic Forest, Sixties Iconic Ocean, Sixties Iconic Graphite, Sixties Iconic Tangerine and Sixties Iconic Fire. Four of the five models are combined with a sunburst finish, while the fifth model, the Sixties Iconic Graphite, features an elaborate imprint instead.
The dials are protected by a sapphire crystal.

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Every watch is powered by the manufacture automatic Calibre 39-34 chronograph, featuring central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds as well as a small second and a 30-minute counter. The movement works at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a 40 hour power-reserve.
The five models also feature a distinctive square cushion shaped stainless steel case, measuring 41,35 x 41,35 mm and providing a water-resistance of 3 bar.

25 sets of the Sixties Iconic Square Collection will be available in Glashütte Original Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide.

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