Celebrate the Festive Season with Remarkable Watches
Discover watches from Jeager-LeCoultre, Chanel, MB&F, Zenith, and more this Christmas. Celebrate the season with timepieces blending tradition, innovation, and artistry
CHRISTMAS VIBES
Which Watch Will Steal the Show This Christmas?
This festive season, why not aim for excellence? For aficionados, the pinnacle of watchmaking combines stunning design and exceptional savoir-faire.
Mastering Ultra-Thin Craftsmanship
Piaget, a symbol of ultra-thin expertise since 1874, showcases its artistry with the Altiplano Ultimate Automatic in rose gold. A mere 4.3 mm thick, this 41 mm timepiece embodies refined simplicity. Its 910P self-winding calibre is seamlessly integrated into the case, with an off-centre dial complemented by a striking blue alligator strap. Every detail has been meticulously pared down, creating an ode to minimalist elegance.
Bold Sophistication in Black
Chanel’s Monsieur de Chanel Superleggera Intense offers a masculine edge to the Maison’s repertoire. This 42 mm ceramic watch exudes sleekness, paired with a nylon and calfskin strap. At its heart lies the manually wound Calibre 1, an in-house movement with jumping hours and retrograde minutes. The result? A watch as dynamic as a luxury race car.
A Visionary Architectural Timepiece
MB&F redefines creativity with the Horological Machine No. 11 Architect. Drawing from Le Corbusier’s insight that “A house is a machine for living in,” this titanium creation mimics a futuristic “bubble” house. The centerpiece tourbillon connects to four “rooms” displaying time, power reserve, temperature, and time-setting functions, a design as imaginative as it is groundbreaking.
Retro Appeal
Zenith revives the 1969 Defy Revival A3648. This octagonal dive watch, with its 37 mm steel case and 14-sided bezel, radiates vintage charm. The two-tone black and orange dial is powered by the Elite 670 calibre and offers water resistance up to 600 metres, blending nostalgia with performance.
Pushing the Limits of Size
Kerbedanz’s Maximus GR8 astonishes with its 47 x 56 mm dimensions and record-breaking 27 mm flying tourbillon. Housed in a titanium case and powered by the manual KRB-08-2 calibre, it offers an unparalleled view of this intricate mechanism.
Celebrate this Christmas with a timepiece that truly stands out!
Tissot Gets in the Holiday Spirit
It is time for the magic of gifting a watch this holiday season and what better way to do this than with one of Tissot’s new models, each designed to enchant and inspire.
PRX Quartz 25
The PRX collection, reborn in 2021, harks back to its 1978 origins. This season, a new mini quartz version takes center stage, with its PVD rose gold finish, sunray dial, and 36 dazzling diamonds. A trendy gift for CHF 475, it offers variations to suit any taste.
PR516 Chronograph
A nod to 1970s racing heritage, the PR516 Chronograph features a dynamic blue and grey dial, accented with Super-LumiNova. Powered by the Quartz G10.212 movement, it offers precision and versatility with a quick-change bracelet system and 20 strap options. Priced at CHF 475, it’s ideal for the adventurous spirit.
PR Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium
Blending classic design with modern flair, this model features a 40mm stainless steel case and glacier blue dial. Its 80-hour power reserve, courtesy of the Powermatic 80 movement, ensures reliability and precision. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal adds refinement, making this watch a standout at CHF 795.
PRX Powermatic 80
For those with an eye for sharp design, the PRX Powermatic 80 showcases angular lines and a waffle-textured glacier blue dial. Equipped with a movement featuring the innovative Nivachron hairspring for enhanced precision, it’s a stunning gift at CHF 685.
T-Touch Connect Sport
The ultimate choice for tech enthusiasts, this smartwatch boasts solar-powered functionality in a 43mm titanium case. Tracking fitness metrics and unmatched battery life, it’s a high-performing tool for CHF 945.
NEW WATCHES
Time Sped Up: The Kerbedanz Maximus GR8
Kerbedanz is back with the Maximus GR8 2-Minute Tourbillon, a creation that masterfully fuses innovation and bold design. The Neuchâtel-based brand, renowned for crafting timepieces that blend storytelling with cutting-edge mechanics, redefines its iconic 2017 Maximus, renowned for featuring the largest tourbillon in the world, with a faster, more dynamic version.
At the heart of the Maximus GR8 is its impressive titanium tourbillon cage, now completing a full rotation in just two minutes compared to six in the original model. This enhancement improves chronometric performance by minimizing gravitational effects on the 2.5 Hz balance wheel. Despite the increased rotation speed, the re-engineered movement, equipped with a patented four-barrel system, retains its 54-hour power reserve, underscoring Kerbedanz’s mechanical ingenuity.
Visually, the timepiece takes a bold step forward. The new octagonal-tonneau case, measuring 46mm in diameter and just 11mm in thickness, offers a contemporary and streamlined aesthetic. Available in materials such as titanium or sapphire (in both colorless and blue options), it delivers a striking interplay of transparency and modernity. The dial, featuring layered grey-tinted elements radiating from the tourbillon, is complemented by colorful bridges and an ergonomic rubber strap, further emphasizing its sporty character.
For collectors, Kerbedanz maintains its tradition of personalization, offering tailored combinations of colors and materials. With a starting price of CHF 220,000, the Maximus GR8 is not merely a continuation of the Maximus legacy, it’s a statement of reinvention. By combining refined mechanics and avant-garde design, Kerbedanz confidently signals its resurgence, heralding a dynamic new chapter for the brand.
Rendez-Vous With Jaeger-LeCoultre
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous makes a luminous return this holiday season, adorned with a dazzling halo of diamonds and featuring the specially created Serenity Blue dial. Originally introduced in 2012 under the leadership of Jérôme Lambert, this collection continues to embody timeless elegance. A decade later, Lambert’s return to La Grande Maison coincides with the unveiling of this sparkling new rendition.
This latest version draws inspiration from the Rendez-Vous Tourbillon and Jewellery models, combining the intricate mechanics of a tourbillon with 2.52 carats of diamonds meticulously placed across the bezel, case, and dial. At the heart of its allure lies Serenity Blue, a shade introduced in 2023. This dynamic color transitions from silvery-grey to a radiant turquoise, accentuated by a sunray finish, lending the dial an ever-changing vibrancy.
The watch's design harmoniously revolves around three concentric circles: the hour numerals, a minute track defined by diamonds, and a smaller circle at 6 o’clock enclosing the tourbillon. Precision is a focal point, as evidenced by the 60 diamonds that encircle the tourbillon to mark each second, perfectly aligned with the watch's meticulous construction.
Despite the abundance of 215 diamonds, the Rendez-Vous Jewellery Tourbillon retains an air of understated sophistication. Jaeger-LeCoultre's masterful gem-setting emphasizes the circular motif while maintaining balance and legibility. The Serenity Blue dial is left unadorned, allowing its subtle brilliance to take center stage. At 39mm, the watch offers a refined presence, complemented by a sapphire crystal case back and an interchangeable light blue alligator strap.
This exquisite timepiece joins the permanent collection, exemplifying the perfect marriage of technical precision and artistic elegance, ready to accompany its wearer on every occasion.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS
Team Test: WorldTempus x Bovet
The Bovet Récital 12 is a bold statement in haute horlogerie, merging classical elegance with modern materials. The case and bracelet, crafted from Grade 5 titanium, a lightweight yet durable alloy, demonstrate resistance to corrosion and wear while offering biocompatibility. This high-tech material, once reserved for avant-garde designs, is here elevated with polished and matte finishes that enhance the timepiece's aesthetic.
A closer look at the dial reveals Bovet's dedication to artistry. Designed in-house, the off-centered dial is adorned with a guilloché pattern of twelve lotus-shaped petals, a symbolic nod to the 12 hours. Each dial is coated in layers of deep blue, emerald green, or turquoise lacquer, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow. The relief, finesse and a play of light and shadow with every movement of the wrist are the hallmarks of this beautiful work of art, flanked by slender steel hands.
Underneath its striking design lies a manual-winding movement featuring an inverted baseplate for a slimmer profile, exposing intricate components like the balance wheel and gears. With 227 finely finished parts, this mechanism provides a seven-day power reserve and includes an intuitive indicator on the dial.
Adding to its versatility, Bovet introduces its first integrated titanium bracelet, a response to client demand. Two years of development resulted in a design that combines brushed and polished links with an expansion mechanism for enhanced comfort.
The most ambitious clock co-created by L’Epée 1839 and MB&F
The Albatross clock, born from the creative partnership between L’Epée 1839 and MB&F, represents an extraordinary fusion of horological precision and mechanical artistry. This 17kg marvel, crafted from 1,520 meticulously assembled components, is the duo’s most ambitious creation to date. Drawing inspiration from Jules Verne’s Robur the Conqueror and his fascination with flight, designer Eric Meyer envisioned the Albatross as a tribute to airships and rockets, embodying both elegance and innovation.
The Albatross features a dual functionality: a chiming hour mechanism that strikes on the hour and half-hour, and an automaton comprising 16 pairs of propellers that spin to life every hour. Measuring 60cm in height and length, this piece blurs the line between functional clockmaking and sculptural art.
Inside, two distinct movements power its operations. The time and chiming functions are driven by two barrels, while a third barrel provides energy to the propellers. Each system is independently wound using the propellers themselves, clockwise for the chiming function, anti-clockwise for timekeeping. The automaton can run for a full day, while the clock boasts an eight-day power reserve.
Customization elevates the Albatross to new heights. Two buttons allow owners to activate the chime or propeller mechanisms independently. The propellers rotate in synchronized pairs at a controlled speed, creating a dynamic visual effect without generating wind. As Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Epée, remarked, “We had to make several attempts to find the correct power and speed for the propellers as our initial experiments caused chaos in the workshop: it was like a helicopter ready for take-off!”
Offered in five vibrant colors, blue, red, green, champagne, and black, each limited to just eight pieces, the Albatross comes with a lacquered finish that adds depth and highlights its intricate detailing. More than a clock, the Albatross is a testament to the spirit of exploration and creativity ignited by Jules Verne’s timeless imagination.
MUST-SEE THIS WEEK
Precious Objects by Van Cleef & Arpels
From December 1st, 2024, to March 30th, 2025, Salon 1906, nestled within the boutique at 31 Rue du Rhône, will unveil the patrimonial exhibition “Precious objects by Van Cleef & Arpels”. This exclusive display showcases ten remarkable creations alongside sixteen archival pieces.
The exhibition highlights Van Cleef & Arpels’ legacy in accessory design, presenting items that intertwine elegance with functionality. Among the featured pieces are evening bags from the 1920s, adorned with intricate gemstone clasps, and designs inspired by Indian embroidery from the 1960s. These objects illustrate the Maison’s dedication to enhancing everyday life through artistry and refinement.
One of the exhibition’s focal points is the Minaudière, described as "an ingenious case patented in 1933, which gathers everything you need to go out into compartments." This iconic design revolutionized luxury accessories by combining practicality with an unmistakable aesthetic.
Salon 1906, specifically created to host Van Cleef & Arpels' traveling patrimonial exhibitions, is a unique venue found in only a select few boutiques worldwide. Its presence at 31 Rue du Rhône, in Geneva offers a rare opportunity to explore the Maison’s illustrious history and its timeless contributions to the art of living.
Don’t miss this captivating journey through Van Cleef & Arpels’ heritage, a testament to the artistry and innovation that define the Maison’s legacy.
