Welcome to the next instalment of our regular series covering all of the latest watch releases, Watches of the Week. This week we have a stacked line up, including new watches from the likes of Vacheron Constantin, Richard Mille and Audemar Piguet. A. Lange & Söhne also dropped some masterpieces which you can check out here, too. Enjoy!
Vacheron Constantin Overseas in Pink Gold
Vacheron Constantin has just released a full precious metal variation of the Overseas. Clad entirely in pink gold (including a full pink gold bracelet), this balls-to-the-wall iteration of the Oversea is sure to appease fans of the Overseas who want a bit more bling in their watch. It's also available on a blue alligator leather strap and a blue rubber strap. Priced at $46,200USD.
Angelus U41 Tourbillon
Angelus has a penchant for making some of the most incredible openworked timepieces. The U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante is up there as one of my all-time favourite watches, and the new U41 Tourbillon doesn't fall short, either. Available in a titanium case with either an orange or blue colour scheme, the U41 Tourbillon is an exhilarating watch that both intrigues and excites. Oh, and it features a manufacture movement, too. Each model is limited to 25 pieces and each costs a very approachable $34,400USD.
Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph
As cliche as it may sound, Richard Mille is a lifestyle. The brand has created the notion that buying one of its timepieces means something more than just purchasing a product. It's about entering a lifestyle that is as envious as it is allusive. And the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph does well to continue that feeling. The RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph features a very interesting dial layout with atypically placed sub-dials. But perhaps the most note-worthy part of the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph is that it uses a brand new in-house movement. The Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph is priced from 170,000CHF.
Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture
Frederique Constant has just announced a variety of new timepieces aptly named the Highlife collection. Presumably aimed at offering consumers a more affordable alternative into the high-end steel sports watch game, the Highlife collection is actually quite impressive, with the Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture being my pick of the bunch. Featuring an in-house manufactured perpetual calendar movement, the Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture doesn't look that dissimilar to a Vacheron Constantin Oversea's hybrid. That's not necessarily a bad thing, given the Oversea's popularity, but there are enough points of differentiation to give the Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture an identity all of its own. For example, the smooth bezel and case, the polished bracelet links, the riveted crown and the patterned dial. I really, really like this watch. The Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is priced from $9,095USD.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph
The new Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is without doubt the collection's best watch, period. It marries the virtues of Audemars Piguet in a dramatic, modern and wholly new fashion. The Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph features Audemars Piguet's second-to-none openworking encased in the very polarising Code 11.59 case. This evolution really hammers home that the Code 11.59 is as relevant as it is incredible -- well worth your attention. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is priced at 240,000CHF and will be limited to only 50 pieces.
Hermès Arceau Lift Tourbillon Répétition Minutes
New from Hermès is the beautiful Arceau Lift Tourbillon Répétition Minutes. Soft, gentle and inviting, the Arceau Lift Tourbillon Répétition Minutes looks magnificent. Available as a piece unique in either white gold or rose gold, the Arceau Lift Tourbillon Répétition Minutes features a double-gong minute repeater and a tourbillon. Superlatives aside, the Arceau Lift Tourbillon Répétition Minutes is just brilliant. Priced at $270,000USD in either metal.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph on a Steel Bracelet
A first for IWC, the venerable Portugieser Chronograph is now finally available on a steel bracelet. While I much prefer the Portugieser in all of its forms on a leather strap, the usefulness of a steel bracelet trumps my sentiments completely. I'd expect that this will extend to other pieces within the Portugieser collection eventually, too. This particular model is available for $8,900USD.
S. Craft Transparency N°1
Openworked watches have the innate appeal of showing the world their own micro intricacies, details and complexities. Often they're associated with a high cost, given the nature of openworking a watch. One of two options are presented to the watchmaker, either undergo the arduous task of skeletonising an existing movement, or produce a brand new movement. Both options are incredibly difficult, which is why so many openworked timepieces are normally accompanied by a high price tag. Enter S. Craft, who have created the Transparency N°1, a fully openworked watch that won't leave too big a hole in your wallet. It features a multi-level movement encased in a single block of sapphire, allowing uninterrupted views of the entire movement from any angle. S. Craft went with option 1: utilising a base automatic 2892-A2 and treating it to extensive openworking. S. Craft has skeletonised the bridges, the main plate and the rotor, ensuring a clear and uninterrupted view. The S. Craft Transparency N°1 is available via Kickstarter with a starting price of 3,000CHF.