Gone are the days when watches are only used for the purpose of timekeeping. Nowadays, they also function as an expression of personality, style and even a symbol of social status. What this means is that it makes more sense than ever to be spotted with a watch.
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Horograph
Bauhaus – one of the most influential fine arts school of the 20th century – inspires the minimal angels and lines of the Bell & Ross BR03-92 Horograph. Showing off the Bell & Ross iconic “circle within a square” shape, the case is made of micro-blasted steel with a matte finish. The high-pressure spraying of tiny glass beads texturises the surface, giving it a uniform tone of grey. Reminiscent of the clocks in airport terminals, the simple and uncluttered dial features a simple design with clear digits. The baton indexes, reinforced by baton-shaped hands, make reading time extremely easy. In addition, the contrast between the black dial and the white indexes and hands is functional yet stylishly contemporary.
Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept
Famed as the master of thin watch since the 50s, Piaget pushes the aesthetic and technical boundaries of what is possible in ultra-slim watchmaking with the release of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept mechanical watch. Shaving 1.65mm off its immediate predecessor, it measures at a remarkable 2mm thick for the entire watch. The case is machined from a new engineered material namely cobalt-based alloy that is over two times stronger than gold, while other parts such as the wheels and sapphire crystal are pared down from their conventional size. Despite the flat construction, the mainspring is still able to run up to 40 hours. Notice the unusual shape crown? It is constructed to match the case shape, with its own specially-designed wining tool.
Breitling Top Time Limited Edition
An obvious collectors’ favourite with one of the most distinctive dials in watchmaking, the Breitling Top Time Limited Edition has an unconventional design that makes a bold style statement – just like the original ’60s model. Inside the 41mm stainless steel case is the Breitling Caliber 23 chronograph movement with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The red hour and minute hands, as well as the dot markers for each hour, are coated with the luminescent Super-LumiNova. The dial features a decimal scale and two sub-dials – a small second counter at the 9 o’clock position and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The ultra-modern retro look is neatly completed with a brown nubuck leather strap. It’s worth knowing that it also allows you to access the watch’s digital passport at any time and transfer ownership – among others – with a simple blockchain transaction.
Tiffany 1837 Makers 27mm Square Watch
Launched just last month, the Tiffany 1837 Makers limited-edition 27mm square watch in 18-carat rose gold is engraved with the hallmarks of the Tiffany 1837 Makers collection – a nod to the Maison’s artisans. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal top glass lays on top of the rose gold dial, which is accompanied with a dark-grey alligator strap with an 18-carat rose gold knife-edge “T” buckle. The movement is comprised of 17 sapphires that can be seen through the caseback. The minimalist design, inspired by a clean-lined, vintage timepiece from the Tiffany archives, boast a classic style with a modern point of view.
TAG Heuer Connected
Powered with Wear OS by Google, the TAG Heuer Connected watch is an elegant combination of chronograph-inspired watch crafted with a state-of-the-art digital experience geared towards performance. The 45mm stainless-steel or titanium cases exhibits the distinct design, materials and finishes of TAG Heuer chronographs, not to mention their signature facetted lugs, polished and brushed details, a graduated ceramic bezel, a central rotating crown now flanked by two functional pushers, a screwed caseback and elegant bracelet and strap choices in black rubber or steel with a folding buckle. The dial features an ultra-legible all-active and flush OLED touchscreen protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Activities are recorded with high precision and accuracy thanks to top-of-the-line sensors, including a new non-medical-grade heart-rate sensor, made of high-tech resin and naturally integrated into the caseback.
This story first appeared in the May 2020 issue of Men’s Folio Malaysia.
