Watch manufactures under the LVMH Group kicked off a new season of novelties with the LVMH Watch Week 2022. Days leading up to the week were filled with a mix of thrill, anticipation and excitement as we caught glimpses of what the manufactures have in store for us. Now that the dust has more or less settled, here is a quick roundup of the highlights of LVMH Watch Week 2022.
Pictured above: Bvlgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon
Two traditional complications, namely the tourbillon and minute repeater, are given a modern rendition as Bvlgari unveils the Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon. Though it is not an entirely new watch as the Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon debuted last year, the blue variant features a new material update compared to its predecessor. Clad in a platinum case, the Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon features an openworked titanium middle-case to allow maximum propagation of sound when the minute repeater is activated. The gongs and hammers are purposefully set on the dial-side of the watch allowing viewers to marvel as the minute repeater chimes the hours, quarters and minutes. A contemporary grilled dial is treated with an elegant shade of deep blue using a high-tech carbon-based vacuum-deposition coating. The perforations allow peeks into the BVL428 calibre comprising 432 components as only 30 pieces of this masterpiece are created.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200
Adventures of the ocean come ashore as TAG Heuer unveils the Aquaracer Professional 200. After the radical success of the revamped Aquaracer Professional 300 last year, TAG Heuer is altering the dive watch’s blueprint for an all-terrain adventure timepiece. The end result is a slimmer and sleeker version of the Aquaracer Professional that promises to be the best companion while taking on exhilarating experiences on land. Case dimensions of the Aquaracer Professional 200 have been brought down to 40mm from 43mm to minimise knocks. Available in either a smoky black or blue dial, the Aquaracer Professional 200 is housed in an all steel construction for extra robustness against the elements.
Zenith DEFY Skyline
Zenith unveils the latest addition to its futuristic DEFY collection with the Zenith DEFY Skyline. Inspired by the Zenith Defy A3644 from 1969, the new collection features an octagonal stainless steel structure that pays homage to a trailblazing design from Zenith’s archive books. A matching integrated bracelet is the finishing touch for a sleek and stylish look, complemented by a sunburst-patterned dial. A nifty quick strap-change mechanism set at the bottom of the lugs allows owners to switch the bracelet to an accompanying rubber strap in mere seconds. The innovations of the Zenith El Primero take centre stage in the heart of the Defy Skyline with a brand new El Primero 3620 calibre that measures 1/10th of a second as seen on the sub-dial at 9 o’clock.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II
The Hublot X Sang Bleu story continues with three new iterations of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II. To mark their 7th year of collaboration, tattooist Maxime Plescia-Buchi chose to apply his ink to two iconic Hublot materials born from the Art of Fusion — Magic Gold and ceramic. The end result is a unique sculptural showpiece that combines geometrical shapes (hexagons, rhombuses and triangles) with an expert use of relief and depth effects. Available in either Magic Gold (gold and ceramic alloy), Black Magic (black ceramic) or Green Ceramic, the Big Bang Sang Bleu II houses the Unico self-winding HUB1240.MXM with a column wheel flyback chronograph.
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