These timepieces aren’t just tough, but they also pack a punch in terms of style and technical refinements that let you transition between indoor and outdoor seamlessly.
Rado
Borrowing inspiration from traditional Chinese steelyard, the latest Rado True Square design collaboration with famed graphic designer Yuan Youmin merges divine cultural elements with a modern minimalism. The watch features a concaved round dial depicting the weighing tray with the hands serving as the lever arms of the steelyard. The phoenix motif graces the back of the polished black lacquer angular case. Powered by a Swiss-made automatic calibre with an 80-hour power reserve, the sophisticated True Square is the first watch made from solid high-tech ceramic with rounded edges, which boast not only scratch-proof longevity but also flowing shapes and a delicate touch and feel.
Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross introduced the first-ever square diving watch – BR 03-92 Diver – in 2017. Fast-forward to this year, the French luxury watch brand release the coveted yet highly resistant BR 03-92 Diver Red Bronze. Crafted with satin-polished CuSn8 Bronze, an alloy combining 92% copper and 8% tin, the watch features anodised red on the bezel, red lacquer for the dial and a reddish-brown strap. The three tones work well together, while showing off an eye-catching overall appearance. Similar to the 2018 black, 2019 green and 2020 blue version, every metal part of the case is sculpted from bronze except for the stainless steel case-back and the anodised aluminium bezel ring.
Panerai
Boasting distinguishable crown-protection device, the Submersible Blu Notte is the first Panerai Submersible 42mm watch with a metal bracelet with a combination of polished and brushed finishes. Outfitted with the patented Panerai interchangeable strap system, changing the bracelet to strap whenever the mood strikes, is effortless. The watch features a steel bezel composed of a blue ceramic in the same shade as the dial, while the uni-directional counter-clockwise bezel unifies the watch as a whole and is a resistant tool for calculating immersion time. One of the leanest movements in the Panerai portfolio, the 4.2mm think P.900 calibre offers a three-day power reserve. The tough and sturdy watch also matches comfortable with any setting, relaxed or formal.
Breitling
The latest Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44 is one of those supercharged sports watches that won’t get in the way of the wearer’s style. Staying true to the original Chronomat, the rider tabs protect the sapphire crystal. The ones at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock are interchangeable, so the wearer can use them for countdowns a well as count-ups. Accompanying the bold 44mm case are new features such as a stainless steel bezel with a ceramic insert – a first on a Chronomat – and a choice of a Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap or a bracelet with a butterfly clasp. Equipped with the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, the B01 44 offers about 70 hours of power reserve and is water-resistant up to 200 metres.
Casio
Lastly, a new addition to the square full metal Casio 5000 series, the GMW-B5000TR is a shock-resistant watch made with a new titanium alloy developed specially for G-Shock. The external components employ a new titanium alloy from TranTixxii, a designing titanium brand. This special alloy delivers roughly twice the hardness of pure titanium, but still boasts the same lightweight, anticorrosive and hypoallergenic properties. This intense hardness makes it possible to produce a mirror finish comparable to stainless steel on titanium, which typically has been difficult to process in this way. Casio has also taken advantage of this advanced material technology to create its first full-metal watch with multicolour ion plating, with the multicolour dial adding to the pop feel.
This story first appeared in the August 2021 issue of Men’s Folio Malaysia.