Welcome to the next instalment of our regular series covering all of the new watch releases of the past seven days, Watches of the Week. In this week's round-up, we'll be featuring new watches from the likes of Audemars Piguet, MB&F and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Enjoy!
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
In what is a world first for the brand, Audemars Piguet has released its first non-concept flying tourbillon with an automatic movement. Available in three stunning variations, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon is absolutely outstanding.
The three model variations include a steel model with a stunning blue fume Evolutive Tapisserie dial, a rose gold model with a beautiful smoked grey dial in the same Evolutive Tapisserie pattern, and finally a titanium version with a sandblasted slate grey dial. All three models are powered by Audemars Piguet's Calibre 2950, an automatic flying tourbillon movement. Pricing is available on request for now.
MB&F HM3 'Frog X'
A decade since its unveiling, MB&F's HM3 is back, this time clad entirely in a case made out of sapphire. Three colour variations are available, purple, blue and turquoise. I really like the use of sapphire with the HM3 'Frog X', the way it exposes the inner workings of a timepiece that is so unconventional itself is incredible.
Often the use of sapphire in lieu of a solid case material sheds light on imperfections in the watch, but in the case of the MB&F HM3 'Frog X' it only works in its favour. Each variation is limited to 10 pieces, with each piece costing $152,000USD.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Tourbillon Moon
Jaeger-LeCoultre's horological might is uncontested and undeniable. Such is this case with its latest haute horlogerie masterpiece, the Master Ultra-Thin Tourbillon Moon. It combines the intricate complexities of tourbillon with the natural beauty of a moonphase indicator in a package that is as subtle as it is gorgeous.
Clad in a case made out of rose gold and with a silky white dial, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Tourbillon Moon is, in its entirety, flawless. Which leads me to my next point, its price. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Tourbillon Moon is priced at a very approachable $81,500USD (for this calibre of watch, that is). Considering what the sum of money gets you nowadays, I think that this is the "bargain" of the year.
Ulysse Nardin Freak X Qatar Watch Club
The third timepiece created in collaboration with Qatar Watch Club, the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Qatar Watch Club was conceived by the brand's local retailer Ali Bin Ali along with members of the esteemed club. Featuring a dark aesthetic highlighted by the dark green hour markers, which is a colour historically associated with the Middle East, the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Qatar Watch Club continues on the fundamental theme of the Freak X as being something that is ultra-contemporary, super avant-garde and completely novel. Limited to only 10 pieces and available exclusively from Ali Bin Ali in Qatar, the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Qatar Watch Club is priced at $26,000USD.
Girard-Perregaux x Bamford Laureato Ghost
To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Laureato, Girard-Perregaux has teamed up with Bamford Watch Department. The result is the Laureato Ghost, a supremely impressive collaborative effort between the two. The Laureato Ghost is a reflection both of Girard-Perregaux and Bamford, stylistic, detailed, modern and timeless. It's crafted in white ceramic and comes on either a white calf strap or a white ceramic bracelet. This is a very interesting watch and it's a piece that exceeds my expectations. The Girard-Perregaux x Bamford Laureato Ghost will be made in a limited run of only 45 pieces.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Aventador S
To mark its debut into the world of e-commerce, Roger Dubuis has released its latest and greatest, the Excalibur Aventador S. Limited to only 8 piece, the Excalibur Aventador S features a case made out of titanium and Ceramic Composite Fiber (CCF), a compound that is 20% lighter than carbon. The Excalibur Aventador S has of course been heavily openworked, with virtually the entire RD103SQ manually wound calibre on show. Definitely my favourite variation of the Excalibur Automatic so far.