Watches Of The Week: 04/12/2023 - 10/12/2023

Last week was highlighted by a particularly interesting collaborative piece from Audemars Piguet that featured Travis Scott's Cactus Jack brand on one of the maison's most coveted timepieces, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked. 

This week featured an equally as intriguing bunch of new watches, including pieces from Zenith, Greubel Forsey and Roger Dubuis, as well as a brand new contemporary grail from Richard Mille. Happy reading and have a great week ahead.

You can check out the rest of last week's releases here.

Richard Mille RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal

Richard Mille unveiled its latest and greatest in the form of the RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal. With words like "sport mode", "carbon TPT" and "butterfly rotor system", you'd be forgiven for thinking that what I'm talking about here is something that goes vroom-vroom as opposed to something that goes tick-tock.

The Richard Mille RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal boasts a plethora of technical advancements, including the choice to disengage the rotor entirely to prevent over-winding during strenuous activity, the option to choose have the RM 35-3 in either Carbon TPT, blue and white Quartz PTP and a Carbon TPT cross white Quartz TPT, as well as a brilliantly designed calibre that is made of titanium and boasts a 55-hour power reserve supported by a double-barrel system that can adjust the torque from either barrel to enhance chronometrical performance. 

Brand: Richard Mille

Model: RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal

Reference: RM 35-03

Case: 43.15mm

Case Material: Carbon TPT; Quartz TPT

Water Resistance: 50m

Calibre: RMAL2

Price: USD238,000 

Verdict: Richard Mille proving, once again, why it sits at the top of that proverbial mountain.

Find out more here.

Zenith DEFY Extreme Mirror 

Zenith rounds out 2023 with an out-of-the-ballpark release. The already super impressive DEFY Extreme platform has been treated with a case and matching bracelet made entirely of mirror-polished stainless steel, topped off with a dial made of sapphire. The effect is something that is completely futuristic and carries with it a very chameleon-like aesthetic, literally blending into different environments. 

Technically, the Zenith DEFY Extreme Mirror is borderline unmatched in its class. What we have is the fantastic El Primero 21 automatic high-frequency movement, which has two escapements beating at 50Hz and 5Hz. Something you have to see to appreciate.

Brand: Zenith DEFY Extreme Mirror 

Model: DEFY Extreme Mirror 

Reference: 03.9102.9004/90.I001

Case: 45mm

Case Material: Polished stainless steel

Water Resistance: 200m

Calibre: El Primero 21

Price: AUD39,000

Verdict: From the case to the dial to the movement, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the dance.

Find out more here.

Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table 

Roger Dubuis brings about its latest version of the esteemed and highly coveted Knights of the Round Table. Since its introduction in 2013, the Knights of the Round Table has become synonymous with Roger Dubiuis, and in its latest version we have something defiantly different yet conceptually within the parallels that defined the model.

The Knights of the Round Table features a case made of a titanium Damascus middle with a titanium bezel and a titanium crown with ice-blue Murano glass. The dial is utterly exceptional too, with an ice-blue Murano glass base, Murano glass blocks coated with Limoges porcelain, ice-blue Murano glass inner flange and 12 micro-engraved knights crafted in 18k pink gold. We also have a Poinçon de Genève hallmark manufacture movement in the calibre RD821, so you know it's no slouch in this department, either.

Brand: Roger Dubuis

Model: Knights of the Round Table 

Reference: RDDBEX1058

Case: 45mm

Case Material: Titanium Damascus

Water Resistance: 30m

Calibre: RD821

Price: CHF300,000 (Limited to 28 pieces)

Verdict: Roger Dubuis flexing its creativity and pairing it with a masterclass of artisanship.

Find out more here.

Greubel Forsey Balancier 3

Greubel Forsey calls the new Balancier 3 its entry-level piece, and while its price is still eye-watering to most of us, comparing it to the prices of Richard Mille's new RM 35-3 and Roger Dubuis' Knights of the Round Table, you might do well to call this a "bargain". Maybe.

The Balancier 3 presents in type Greubel Forsey fashion. Ridiculously meticulous finishing, a level of attention to detail completely unrivalled, a contemporary aesthetic that plays on elements of geometry and gives it an abstract air, and a case that boasts architecture in the name of ergonomics. The only question left to ask is whether you want it in black or blue.

Brand: Greubel Forsey Balancier 3

Model: Balancier 3

Reference: -

Case: 43.6mm

Case Material: Titanium

Water Resistance: 50m

Calibre: In-house

Price: CHF160,000 (Limited to 88 pieces per colour) 

Verdict: Another Greubel Forsey grail that is second to absolutely none.

Find out more here.