Last week, LVMH featured the third edition of its acclaimed watch week, highlighting new releases from its luxury watch brands, Zenith, Bulgari, TAG Heuer and Hublot. This five-day event was held digitally, where the respective brands were able to showcase their latest innovations on a global scale. Zenith presented a handful of new and impressive releases, TAG Heuer revisited its past, Hublot continued to expand its Big Bang collection and Bulgari packed some serious horological punch with its latest tourbillon. Enjoy!
Bulgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon
Epic, bold, captivating and aggressive, the new Bulgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon was a highlight of LVMH Watch Week 2022. Bulgari did release a variety og precious metal and diamond/jewel encrusted watches, but my focus here is the horological heavy that is the Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon. Featuring a tourbillon, a minute repeater and a chiming repeater (carillon), the new Bulgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon clad in titanium is a beast of haute horlogerie. I love its architectural case design, the horizontal panels on the partly-inverted dial and the enhanced, almost futuristic take on that atypical Octo aesthetic.
Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only
Hublot unveiled a plethora of new timepieces, but the one that caught my eye was the Big Bang Integral Time Only in titanium. Its semi-openworked dial matched the monochromatic colour palette of that titanium case and bracelet really well, offset only ever so slightly by some pops of black, red and purples of the balancing jewels. It's an interesting watch in that its greatest attribute is how plain it looks. Absolutely brilliant stuff.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200
Simple, no nonsense and packed with tradition, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 embodies the brand so well. Functional, wearable and affordable, the Aquaracer has long been the standing entry point for many budding enthusiasts and collectors, and now with the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 being the collection's most contemporary model, there really doesn't seem to be any reason to not like it. Added bonus: automatic manufacture movement.
TAG Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Chronograph
Another winner from TAG Heuer, this time in the form of the Autavia 60th Anniversary Chronograph. Steeped in 60 years of history and heritage, the TAG Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Chronograph is as conventional as they come, albeit with some appreciated modern additions. We have the COSC certified Calibre Heuer 02 flyback manufacture movement powering the TAG Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Chronograph, a beautiful panda-stylised silvered dial, exposed chronograph pushers and a riveted crown, as well as a look that is as inspired from the first model way back in 1962 as it is contemporary.
Zenith DEFY Skyline
Zenith went bananas at LVMH Watch Week 2022, expanding its DEFY collection with six new models. The first is the new DEFY Skyline. Available in stainless steel with either an off-white, blue or black textured dial and off-centre seconds register, the new DEFY Skyline is a signal of intent from the brand and offers a whole lot of bang for your buck.
Zenith DEFY Chroma
Clad in white ceramic with a white rubber strap, the new Zenith DEFY Chroma is an epic array of horological might, of colour and of modernity. I am absolutely infatuated by the DEFY Chroma's stunning aesthetic. I love how Zenith has added all of the colours of the rainbow across the dial, with those colours extending to the strap and crown. Not to mention the 1/100 of a second chronograph providing ample oomph in the back ground. Just epic.
Zenith DEFY Extreme Carbon
A far cry from the white look of the DEFY Chroma, here we have the Zenith DEFY Extreme Carbon. Clad in a case made of carbon and titanium, the new Zenith DEFY Extreme Carbon is just that: extreme. I love the textured carbon look of the case and bezel, the layering of that architectural case and the durable look of the black rubber strap. Plus, we have the maison's 1/100th of a second automatic high-frequency chronograph, to match. My pick of the show.