Welcome to the next instalment of our regular series, Watches of the Week, where every seven days we highlight some of the newest watch releases and associated news. In this week's column we'll be featuring new watches from the likes of H. Moser & Cie, Piaget, Omega and Franck Muller. Enjoy!
H. Moser & Cie Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade
H. Moser & Cie has unveiled its latest piece and apparently, as per the manufacturer, the final piece of the collection, the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade. It features a dial made from Vantablack, one of the darkest materials in the world and one that absorbs more than 99% of light, a stainless steel case with a DLC coating and the manually wound manufacture calibre HMC 324 visible through the open sapphire caseback. However, perhaps the most interesting feature of the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade is its running seconds indicator, mimicking that of a digital watch. This was accomplished by creating openings in the Vantablack dial and is, of course, completely mechanical. Novel and hilariously avant-garde, the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade continues on its theme of rebellion against the digital world. The H. Moser & Cie Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade is available in a limited run of only 50 pieces and will be priced at $30,800USD.
Piaget Polo Skeleton
Now this is exciting. Piaget has released its acclaimed Polo in a new openworked version, aptly named the Polo Skeleton. Encased in 42mm by a paper-thin 6.50mm of stainless steel, the Polo Skeleton is available in two distinctive editions, one with a movement coated in galvanic grey PVD or blue PVD. My choice would definitely be the stealthy galvanic grey option, which pairs beautifully with the cold steel case. This is an exciting piece that really pays tribute to Piaget's capabilities as a watchmaker. You have absurd dimensions coupled with a magnificently openworked in-house movement that looks and feels a million bucks. Absolutely, unequivocally faultless. The Piaget Polo Skeleton is available now and will be priced at $45,500AUD.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M "Beijing 2022" Special Edition
Omega really doesn't mess about, does it? The brand has just announced its commemorative timepiece to celebrate the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. The piece in the spotlight is part of the Seamaster family, and is absolutely gorgeous. The Seamaster Diver 300M "Beijing 2022" Special Edition features a beautiful titanium bezel, a wavy blue dial and the colours of the famous Olympic rings in lieu of the standard-coloured hour markers at 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12. The Seamaster Diver 300M "Beijing 2022" Special Edition will be powered by the METAS-certified in-house manufacture caliber 8800 and will be priced at $6,150USD.
Bremont RFU 150
Bremont is the official timing partner to England Rugby, and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Rugby Football Union, it has released the limited edition RFU 150 timepiece. The RFU 150 features a chronograph movement with a GMT function and has a blue ceramic bezel, an automatic helium escape valve and a crown protector. Interestingly enough, the RFU 150's bezel also indicates half-time/full-time in red and any extra time added on in white, enabling its wearer to monitor game time.
Franck Muller Master Banker Asia Exclusive
Franck Muller's Master Banker Asia Exclusive is an innovative piece, giving its wearer the ability to set and view three time zones at a single glance. It is called the "Master Banker" for the simple fact that bankers not too long ago often were faced with the problem of tracking and syncing trades across the three major markets in Asia, Europe and US. The Master Banker Asia Exclusive solves a problem that has already been solved but is still quite a novel solution in the world of mechanical watchmaking. You have the local time displayed in the centre stack of hands, along with two separate sub-dials depicting the times in the other two zones. There is also a date window synchronised to the local time. Fantastic stuff.
Schwarz Etienne Phoenix
Schwarz Etienne has partnered with Les Ateliers Blandenier to create a piece unique, the Phoenix. Showcasing the watchmaking mastery of Schwarz Etienne as well as the artisanal skills of Les Ateliers Blandenier, the Phoenix is symbolic of the capabilities of both respective maisons. Two worlds harmoniously coexist with Phoenix. The first is the horological component to the timepiece, in its mechanical components, the decoration of those parts and the fluidity of their assembly. The second is the dial artistry, with the use of enamel and gold creating a depiction of a phoenix flying around the dial. This is a marvellous timepiece that pays tribute to age-old watchmaking and artistry techniques. Spectacular
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph
TAG Heuer has announced its partnership with Porsche, and so to celebrate this momentous occasion the watchmaker has released its newest timepiece, the Carrera Porsche Chronograph. It features a red, black and white colourway, matching Porsche's Motorsports arm racing colours, a Porsche-signed ceramic bezel and a textured grey dial not that dissimilar to the surface of a road. The Carrera Porsche Chronograph will not be a limited edition piece and will retail for $5,850USD on a leather strap or $6,050USD on a steel bracelet.