Welcome to the next instalment of Watches of the Week, our regular series where we feature the newest watch releases of the past seven days. In this week's column we'll be featuring new watches from Zenith, Oris and Montblanc, among others. Enjoy!
Zenith DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone
New from Zenith is the DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone, a highly charismatic and eclectic timepiece that balances the worlds of modernity and art. But first, Felipe Pantone. He is an Argentine-Spanish contemporary artist whose work focuses around kinetic art, graffiti, geometrical patterns and bright, eye-catching colours, with Forbes magazine calling his design style "the intersection of Blade Runner and Photoshop". So, it's only natural that that aesthetic gets applied to the DEFY 21 in the most dramatic of fashions. Everything else about the DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone is fundamentally the same, including its black ceramic case, an openworked dial and the chronometer certified Calibre El Primero 9004. The Zenith DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone will be made in a limited run of only 100 pieces and will be priced at 18,900CHF.
Oris Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition
With its distinct 44mm wide gun-metal grey PVD stainless-steel case, army-green facade and military-esque aesthetic, the new Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition from Oris is a sure fire way to up your wrist game. The case features a machined look with the final result being a distinct pattern surrounding the bezel. The crown also received the same treatment, but the Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition isn't all show no go. It features a red-tipped sweeping seconds hand with a day-date indicator, ensuring functionality and real-world applicability. The Oris Pro Pilot TLP Limited Edition will be released in a limited run of 750 pieces and will be priced at 2,200CHF.
Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H
Manually wound sports chronographs were once upon a time as revered as they were admired, and in my opinion they still hold their own as some of the most desirable watches around. Hamilton has just released the Intra-Matic Chronograph H, its very own manually wound chronograph based on the super appealing Intra-Matric Chronograph aesthetic. It's available with either a black or white dial, both encased in 40mm of stainless steel, both available on either a leather strap or mesh bracelet and both powered by the H-51 calibre (ETA-7753). Not much to complain about aside from the fact that there is a closed caseback. Buzz kill. The Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H will be priced from $2,045USD.
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins
Another manually wound chronograph, this time thankfully with a movement that you can actually see by way of its officer-style caseback, the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins is a wonderfully appeasing and satisfying timepiece that pays tribute to a bygone era of watchmaking. With a larger-than-normal 46mm wide case made from a special alloy of bronze, the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins does away with convention and ensures originality, purity and of course oodles of charisma. The real magic here is that gorgeous monopusher chronograph, namely the MD16.29 calibre, an authentic reproduction of the Minerva calibre found in the original piece from the 1930s. The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins will be made in a limited run of only 100 pieces and will be priced at €30,000.
The Hour Glass Presents: The Persistence of Memory
The Hour Glass, one of the world's leading houses of luxury watches, has put together an exhibition that highlights the last fifty years of artisanal watchmaking. The point of origin begins in 1970, focusing on the likes of Dr. George Daniels and Derek Pratt, while moving on to covering the works of artisans like François-Paul Journe, Philippe Dufour and Kari Voutilainen, finally finishing with Roger Smith, Felix Baumgartner and Rexhep Rexhepi. Michael Tay, the Group Managing Direction of The Hour Glass and the exhibition's curator had the following to say: “This survey has been a project that has been fermenting for several years now and I couldn’t have been happier with its outcome. We assembled some 150 of the finest examples of artisanal watchmaking of this period including two of George Daniels’ masterworks – the Space Traveller and the Grand Complication. Many of these watches were on loan from important private collections as well as from the artisans themselves.” Mr Tay continues, “Due to the pandemic and safe distancing restrictions, we were required to innovate and realised this exhibition via our bespoke online viewing room (OVR). This OVR platform is highly immersive in that it allows for thorough story telling accompanied by precise macro photographs of the watches. Something I’m certain the global enthusiast community will appreciate.” Easily one of the most exciting and ambitious events of recent years. Follow this link for more info.