In collaboration with MR PORTER, we're proud to present to you our favourite timepieces for the week curated from their extensive roster. Check them all out here.
BELL & ROSS + Revolution Bellytanker Dusty Limited-Edition Chronograph
Wondering where the term 'Bellytanker' originates from? It was used to refer to the drop tank on fighter planes and the high-speed race cars that were made from them after they were no longer in use. Bell & Ross' timepiece is inspired by the kind of watches the drivers of these vehicles would wear in the '40s and '50s. Designed in collaboration with Revolution, it's made from polished stainless steel and fitted with a smooth brown leather strap. Small second and minute counters on the dial allow for precise timekeeping, while the exhibition case back lets you see the Swiss-made Sellita SW 300 automatic movement hard at work inside. Limited to a small production run of 100, it's the ultimate gift for aficionados to add to their collection.
BREMONT Endurance Limited Edition Automatic GMT
When explorer Mr Ben Saunders presented the idea of retracing Mr Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated expedition through the Antarctic on his ship - the 'Endurance' - Bremont created a watch to help see him successfully through. Made from titanium with a sapphire glass lens and robust NATO webbing strap, it's designed to be durable even in the harshest of conditions. Limited to just 300 pieces, this lightweight chronometer is powered by an 11 ¼''' BE-93-2AE movement with a substantial 42-hour power reserve and has Super-LumiNova® coated markers and indices. The GMT hand and bidirectional bezel ensure you always keep your bearings.
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN Big Pilot's Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
Limited to 250 pieces, IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN's 18-karat red gold 'Big Pilot's' watch pays homage to journalist and aviator Mr Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - the tobacco-brown leather strap is inspired by his flight suit, while the tonal dial is etched with his initial. Powered by a precise 52850 calibre mechanical movement, this piece features an annual calendar displaying the month, date and day in three separate windows, and has a power reserve that supplies seven days’ worth of energy. The sapphire-glass back showcases the internal rotor, which is exquisitely crafted to resemble a plane.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE Master Geographic Automatic
Ideal for frequent flyers, Jaeger-LeCoultre's 'Master Geographic' watch has a second timezone function with a window displaying 24 of the world's cities. It's made from stainless steel with a sunray-brushed silvered dial and recto alpha hands and fitted with a polished black alligator strap. The 939A/1 automatic movement is precisely built from 310 components - observe the intricate mechanism at work through the exhibition case back.
NOMOS GLASHÃœTTE Orion Neomatik Datum
The dial of this NOMOS Glashütte's 'Orion Neomatik' watch was recently re-designed to accommodate a date window, making it the brand's largest (but slimmest) yet. This handsome piece has a 5-bar water-resistant DUW 6101 automatic movement encased in stainless steel and sapphire crystal glass and is anchored by a sturdy Horween Cordovan leather strap.
ORIS Aquis Hammerhead Limited Edition Automatic 45.5mm Stainless-Steel
Oris has partnered with the non-profit organisation Pelagios Kakunjá to pioneer a shark conservation initiative. Part of a limited run of 2,000, this stainless steel 'Aquis Hammerhead' divers watch has been made in Switzerland and purposefully designed for the depths - the Super-LumiNova®-coated hands and markers make it easy to read, while the unidirectional rotating bezel ensures reliable timekeeping. It comes in a special presentation box with a sleek coin that's engraved with the endangered animal.
TAG HEUER Autavia Automatic Chronograph 42mm Polished-Steel And Leather
TAG Heuer celebrates the 55th anniversary of its 'Autavia' watch with this reissue of the popular style worn by famed 'F1' race car driver, Jochen Rindt. Designed with modern functions and a contemporary automatic movement, it has a 42mm polished-steel case to accommodate the advancements and is set with sapphire crystal lenses at the front and back. The slick black dial is detailed with SuperLumiNova®-coated indexes and hands, while the brown leather strap is lightly distressed for a rugged appeal.
TAG HEUER Monaco Automatic Chronograph 39mm Steel And Leather
In the 1970 film Le Mans, Mr Steve McQueen sported a TAG Heuer crest on his racing suit and a square-case 'Monaco' watch on his wrist - the label is proud that the blue-faced timepiece and famously cool blue-eyed actor have been linked ever since. Powered by a Swiss-made Calibre Heuer 11 movement that's visible behind a sapphire crystal lens, this reference is crafted from hardy matte stainless steel anchored by a leather strap and has a useful 40-hour power reserve. The striking dial has red-tipped hands and indices that mean it's easy to read even if you're whipping round the track at top speed.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN Fiftysix Automatic Complete Calendar 40mm 18-Karat Pink Gold And Alligator
Vacheron Constantin has centuries of know-how under its belt - the horologer's first movements date all the way back to the 1700s - so it's well versed in mixing time-tested techniques with contemporary design. This watch from the 'Fiftysix' collection, for example, is made with a complete calendar including a moon phase indicator and comes with a hardy sapphire glass exhibition case back so you can peek at its intricate inner workings. Crafted from 18-karat pink-gold that's complemented by a sleek alligator strap, this 2460 QCL/1-calibre piece has a substantial 40-hour power reserve to keep it going should you leave it off for a day or two.
BREITLING Premier Automatic 40mm Stainless-Steel And Nubuck
Breitling's 'Premier' collection pays homage to the innate elegance of 1940s watch design. Powered by a precise Breitling 37 self-winding mechanical movement that has a power reserve of up to 38 hours, this automatic model has a stainless-steel case and securely fastens with a clasped nubuck strap. The silver dial features a vintage 'B' emblem at the 12-hour marker, a second subdial at six, and is edged with a white minute tracker just like the brand's archival references.
BREITLING Premier B01 Chronograph 42mm Stainless-Steel And Nubuck
Before launching its refined 'Premier' line in the 1940s, Breitling was best known for its functional watches, so the collection, which combined usability with what the horologist calls "everyday elegance", was exceedingly popular. Modelled on the original styles, this 'B01' chronograph has a robust stainless-steel case and nubuck strap. It's powered by the Swiss brand's 01 calibre automatic movement and has an impressive 70-hour power reserve, as well as 30-minute and 1/4th second counters and a date window.
BREITLING Premier Automatic Chronograph
Breitling is renowned for its aviation and diving watches, but it wasn't until the '40s that the Swiss horologist branched out into fashion designs that combined precision engineering with sophisticated style. In homage to that collection, this 'Premier Chronograph' piece brings together the company's land, air and sea heritage housed in a polished stainless-steel case. Powered by a Breitling 13 self-winding mechanical movement with an impressive 48-hour power reserve, this model has a blue dial with three sub-dials and a tachymeter scale.
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