Chopard, Vacheron Constantin & Hublot: Bold Moves and Timeless Tributes in Watchmaking
This week, discover Chopard’s tribute to Stirling Moss, Vacheron Constantin’s global craft residency, Hublot’s Mykonos celebration, and Pirro’s unique Albanian creation shaking up the watch world.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS
Pirro, Albania, and the Watch That No One Will Have
He is known simply as Pirro—a name that stands both for the man and the brand. Elusive and enigmatic, Pirro speaks only Albanian, and so does his first creation: a one-of-a-kind watch called Primordial Passion, unveiled in July 2024. This singular timepiece, the first high-end watch entirely conceived and crafted in Albania, is not for sale. Its value is emotional, not commercial.
According to his daughter, Alba, the watch's launch was met with “emotion and warmth” in Albania. Locals saw it as more than a technical feat; they recognized it as a moment of cultural pride. The piece’s intricate design and handcrafted detailing resonated as a statement of identity, artistry, and national potential. Internationally, collectors and critics responded with enthusiasm, praising its craftsmanship and the cultural narrative it embodied. “It reminded many that innovation in luxury can come from far beyond the industry’s traditional centers,” Alba explains.
The watch will remain a unique piece. The family intends to preserve its singular status by not reproducing it. Instead, they plan to share the story behind its creation in an intimate journal: the sleepless nights, creative exploration, and the quiet intensity of artisanal labor that gave it life.
Looking ahead, Pirro Watches is developing a full collection, where each model will be customizable through techniques such as engraving and enameling. A highlight will be a watch inspired by Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg—a design reflecting courage and heritage through rich symbolism.
Despite their ambitions, the Pirro brand will remain a 100% family-owned business. “That does not mean we are closed to collaborations,” says Alba, hinting at future partnerships—so long as they align with the values of craftsmanship and cultural storytelling that define Pirro.
Baume & Mercier Charts Its Course Toward 2030 with Renewed Purpose
Less than a year into his role, and just two months after Watches and Wonders 2024, the CEO of Baume & Mercier is laying out a strategic roadmap that spans from current market shifts to the brand’s upcoming bicentennial in 2030.
The Geneva fair confirmed several key market trends. There was “remarkable enthusiasm” from clients, media, and visitors. For the first time, Baume & Mercier sold directly to end customers during the event—an initiative that met strong demand. Authenticity emerged as a defining value, as clients increasingly connect with brands that can balance heritage with contemporary creation. Vintage aesthetics also stood out, prompting the brand to unveil a 73-piece limited edition of the Riviera chronograph flyback, inspired by retro styling. Case sizes are trending downward, while colored dials continue to resonate, as shown by the Riviera 33 mm quartz models in seasonal hues.
The Baumatic movement, launched in 2017, remains at the heart of the brand’s offering, powering every Clifton model. With five days of power reserve, it showcases Baume & Mercier’s horological credibility and accessibility. The focus now is on educating consumers about its benefits and continuing to highlight its value.
The collaboration with Pierre Soulages continues to inspire new releases. However, future partnerships will only move forward if they align with the brand’s identity and balance boldness with simplicity. “We do not pursue collaborations for the sake of it,” the CEO emphasizes.
On the younger audience, the brand remains committed to marking personal milestones with timepieces, while also refocusing on its historic collections. The Baume line was discontinued earlier this year to reinforce that direction.
With 1,200 museum pieces, Baume & Mercier is building a traveling exhibition to spotlight its underappreciated design heritage by 2026–2027. As for the bicentennial, creative surprises are underway. While details remain under wraps, one thing is clear—the brand intends to celebrate without constraints.
NEW WATCHES
Chopard Marks Racing History with a Stirling Tribute
Chopard commemorates a milestone in motorsport history with the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Sir Stirling Moss, a limited-edition timepiece honoring the 70th anniversary of the British driver’s iconic 1955 victory. That year, Sir Stirling Moss and co-driver Denis Jenkinson completed the 1000-mile Mille Miglia in a record-breaking 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds—averaging 97.96 mph, a record that still stands.
Produced in just 70 pieces, this chronograph features a 40.5 mm case made of Lucent Steel™, Chopard’s exclusive alloy containing 80% recycled material. The design draws inspiration from vintage automotive details, with welded lugs and a 'glass box' sapphire crystal offering a view of the silver-toned, opaline dial. Its matte finish echoes the appearance of Moss’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, a car emblematic of the Silver Arrows era. Baton-shaped hands and hour markers coated with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova® ensure clarity in low-light conditions, while a perforated brown calfskin strap blends comfort and classic styling.
At its core is a COSC-certified self-winding mechanical chronograph movement with a 54-hour power reserve. A tachymeter scale reinforces its racing spirit. On the caseback, the engraved details include the race date, the elapsed time, and the edition number, all encircled by the Mille Miglia motif. The sapphire crystal bears an engraving of the checkered flag entwined with the Union Jack—a discreet nod to Moss’s British heritage.
The story behind the original race is equally compelling. Moss and Jenkinson prepared meticulously, mapping the course using an 18-foot scroll navigated by a dashboard device. With no verbal communication possible, they relied on hand signals amid the roar of the engine and the wind. Their daring effort, including close calls with straw bales and a near miss at a pit stop, became a defining moment in motorsport.
Chopard’s bond with Sir Stirling Moss extended far beyond this tribute. The racing legend shared a long-standing friendship with the Scheufele family and often wore Chopard watches. “Chopard to my mind are one of the finest watches available and I rarely wear anything else,” he once stated. Since 1988, Chopard has served as World Sponsor and Official Timekeeper of the Mille Miglia, reinforcing a connection between watchmaking and motorsport that continues to endure.
Hublot Lights Up Mykonos with the Big Bang Unico Summer 2025
Hublot opens the summer season with style and energy, unveiling the Big Bang Unico Summer 2025 during an exclusive celebration on the island of Mykonos. Since 2017, the brand has brought its signature flair to the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations. This year’s event, hosted with Hublot Ambassador Usain Bolt and Friend of the Brand Mattia Vitale of DJ trio Meduza, gathered clients, press, and partners to celebrate the spirit of summer in true Hublot fashion.
The timepiece reflects this vibrant season through striking color and technical mastery. Its 42 mm case, made of micro-blasted orange ceramic, radiates like the golden hour, while the sky-blue ceramic bezel evokes the calm of the sea. The featherlight ceramic construction offers both resilience and comfort, ideal for any summer escape. Designed for versatility, the model features Hublot’s patented One-Click system and comes with three interchangeable rubber straps—in sky blue, dark blue, and orange, all accented with white lining.
Underneath its vivid exterior lies the Unico movement, Hublot’s proprietary chronograph caliber developed entirely in-house. This mechanical engine provides exceptional reliability and a 72-hour power reserve. Since its introduction in 2010, the Unico has stood as a benchmark of technical refinement and modern architecture.
“Summer and its festive spirit have been celebrated at Hublot for the past 8 years. The Big Bang Unico Summer 2025 reflects what Hublot stands for: bold, vibrant and unforgettable moments,” said Hublot CEO Julien Tornare. The design pays tribute to the Mediterranean lifestyle, blending bold aesthetics with functionality, and embodies the essence of celebration, community, and joyful spontaneity.
With 100-meter water resistance and materials developed for endurance, the Big Bang Unico Summer 2025 is ready for any adventure—from beachside lounging to ocean dives. Once again, Hublot proves that innovation, craftsmanship, and lifestyle can coexist in a single statement piece.
WATCH KNOWLEDGE
Cvstos Celebrates 20 Years with the Bold Tourbillon 8
To mark its 20th anniversary, Cvstos introduces the Tourbillon 8, a limited series of 20 pieces available in four versions. Rather than leaning on materials or celebrity endorsement, this release centers entirely on the movement—its geometry, architecture, and visual presence. True to the spirit of shaped movements, the Tourbillon 8 takes the figure-eight structure as both form and function.
The use of the number eight is not new in horology, especially given its symbolic resonance in Asian cultures. However, Cvstos takes the idea further by designing a caliber in the exact shape of the numeral, positioning two overlapping circles—one housing the flying tourbillon, the other the barrel—within a curved rectangular case. Available in titanium, gold, or sapphire, the piece presents an openworked structure on all sides, including the mid-case, revealing the full depth of the movement.
On the dial side, the figure-eight is visually uninterrupted. From the back, vertical bridges flank the layout, although cleverly hidden by the gear train. This intricate engineering speaks to a high level of coordination between mechanical and aesthetic considerations during development.
The flying tourbillon enhances the minimalist construction. Often perceived as fragile, Cvstos addresses this by integrating the anti-shock system into the movement base, making the watch suitable for daily wear. Despite its compact barrel, the Tourbillon 8 delivers a 60-hour power reserve. This is made possible by a deliberate choice to lower the frequency to 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), reducing energy consumption without sacrificing precision.
This limited edition underscores Cvstos’s philosophy: technical boldness with clear intent, where the movement is not just a mechanism, but the very identity of the watch. For collectors seeking depth over distraction, the Tourbillon 8 offers a direct, unapologetic celebration of mechanical art.
Vacheron Constantin and The Met Launch Global Residency to Elevate Traditional Craftsmanship
Vacheron Constantin, in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, has introduced the Artisan Residency program—an 18-month initiative designed to preserve, evolve, and celebrate traditional craftsmanship. Announced during a special event commemorating the Maison’s 270th anniversary at The Met Cloisters, the program underscores both institutions' commitment to cultural heritage and innovation.
Three artisans—Aspen Golann (USA), Ibrahim Said (Egypt), and Joy Harvey (Italy)—were selected from a global pool of applicants through a three-round jury process. Each brings a distinct cultural and technical approach to traditional craft. Golann, a furniture maker, reinterprets historical American woodworking to explore themes of identity and power. Said, a ceramicist from a family of Egyptian potters, merges ancient form with contemporary technique. Harvey, trained in both chemistry and goldsmithing, fuses Armenian and Florentine traditions in her introspective jewelry work.
The program is structured in three phases. The initial stage emphasizes research and cultural exchange. Artisans will engage with The Met’s archives and collections in New York while also immersing themselves in Vacheron Constantin’s artistic ateliers in Geneva, learning skills such as engraving, enameling, and gem-setting. Throughout this phase, they will receive mentorship from museum and Maison experts.
The second phase will focus on production. Artisans will submit project proposals and begin crafting original works that reflect a dialogue between tradition and innovation. While working from their own studios, they will receive ongoing support from The Met to ensure their creations meet the program’s standards.
In the final phase, the completed works will be presented at The Met in a series of public engagements and educational events. This initiative complements other efforts, such as the “Masterpiece on your Wrist” program, where collectors collaborate with Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers to create bespoke timepieces.
For both Vacheron Constantin and The Met, the Artisan Residency is not only about artistic output but also about honoring the legacy of mentorship and preserving cultural knowledge for future generations.
