Dark Side of the Moon
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 moon mission. In order to commemorate the momentous event, Omega aptly released the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece. Why the Speedmaster? Well, after all, it is the model which has been trusted by astronauts during greatest missions, and yes, including the Apollo 8 in 1968. The expertly skeletonised dial reveals the blackened movement with realistic imagery of the lunar surface inside. To contrast the dark tone, yellow is used on the chronograph hands while the watch tachymeter scale and crown are filled with Super- Luminova. The phrase “We’ll see you on the other side” uttered by Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell is engraved on the caseback.
Creator of the Universe
The limited-edition Bell & Ross BR03-92 Diver Bronze “Demiurgus” is created in celebration of the 15 years of partnership between Cortina Watch and Bell & Ross. Made of satin-polished CuSn8 bronze – an alloy made of 92% copper and 8% tin, the material represents a close relationship with diving history when it was once used for deep-sea helmets or naval construction. Inalterably, patina may form on the surface of the bronze with time and depending on its environment, giving it a rugged touch of reddish brown or greyish green as time passes. We find the dial to be most genuinely appealing where the drab khaki dial is adorned with its gold-plated appliqué indices with Super-Luminova inserts.
Modernity in All of Its Facets
Having collaborated for two years, Hublot and contemporary sculptor Richard Orlinslki continue to elevate watchmaking art and sculpture to a laudable level. The new Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski carves out a creation that is as shapely as it is free, with a wide bevelled case that reveals the ultra-modern architecture within. Whether it is in sapphire, gold or ceramic, this structural timepiece features a 45mm diameter case with its wide mechanism apertures highlighting its gears and tourbillon cage, sleek matte bars with inward-pointing angles, and a power reserve display. In addition, the manufacture manual-winding movement is distinguishable thanks to its long five-day power reserve, indicated on the dial side, and its sculptural tourbillon making one revolution per minute.
In the World of Sports
Besides staying true to its fascination with the world of aquatic sports, the polished and refined Longines adds a highly technical bezel enhanced with a coloured ceramic insert for that touch of modern brilliance to the HydroConquest models. Ultra-resistant and scratch-resistant, this insert, which matches the colour of the dial, ties together the fully modernised design and sporty silhouette of this collection. In addition, the hands and the hour markers adorned with Super-Luminova pops against the distinctive dark look of the grey, black and blue sunray dials. Featuring a perfect blend of performance and sophistication, the stand out characteristics of this collection include water-resistance to 300 metres, a unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown and case back, crown protection and a double security folding clasp with integrated diving extension.
Into the Woods
Taking inspiration from mountain exploration, the new Montblanc 1858 watches – namely, Montblanc 1858 Automatic, Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph and Montblanc 1858 Geosphere – depict the spirit of the past in an ultra-urbane manner. The polished and satin-finished, vintagelooking bronze cases are enriched with aluminium that evolves over time. Featuring slim bevelled horns, the caseback is crafted from titanium with bronze colour coating in order to prevent risk of skin allergies. For readability and aesthetic purposes, the khaki-green dials contrast with luminescent cathedral hands with a “cloisonné” design that have been slightly domed for one of the finest finishes. The refined, robust, durable and very comfortable on the wrist NATO straps boast the same khaki-green colour of the dials.
