This week fired on all cylinders, with a plethora of watchmakers dropping some seriously cool new watches. We had releases from the likes of Blancpain and Breguet, Girard-Perregaux and Swatch, as well as something very special from the haus of Jaquet Droz.
Happy reading and have a great week ahead.
Omega MoonSwatch "Snoopy" Mission To The Moonphase
Here we go! The latest Omega x Swatch piece is here: the Omega MoonSwatch "Snoopy" Mission To The Moonphase. Complete with a white Bioceramic case with matching white dial and the coolest little moon phase disc complete with mirrored images of Snoopy relaxing on a crescent moon, the Omega MoonSwatch "Snoopy" Mission To The Moonphase is one of those fun watches. Do yourself a favour and wait a few weeks following its release date, and then go enjoy it. That's my plan, anyway.
Brand: Omega x Swatch
Model: MoonSwatch "Snoopy" Mission To The Moonphase
Reference: SO33W700
Case: 42mm x 13.75mm
Case Material: Bioceramic
Water Resistance: 30m
Calibre: Quartz
Price: AUD500
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique Now In 42mm
The title basically speaks for itself: the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique is now in 42mm. The first Fifty Fathoms Automatique piece released was in the steel 70th Anniversary Act 1 limited edition model from 2023, and now it's available in two full production models. We have a titanium and a red gold model joining the Fifty Fathoms collection, both in a very wearable 42mm. All the tell-tale signs of the original model are apparent: Arabic numerals, sword hands, italic numerals, a date window and the look of a bona fide tool watch. Small but significant changes, and some very welcomed ones at that.
Brand: Blancpain
Model: Fifty Fathoms Automatique
Reference: 5010 12Bxx
Case: 42mm
Case Material: Titanium: Red Gold
Water Resistance: 300m
Calibre: Cal. 1315
Price: From CHF15,300
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49
To celebrate the Laureato's almost-50 year anniversary, Girard-Perregaux unveiled an all-titanium version of one of its most historic and polarising pieces. The Laureato deserves a place amongst the greats -- be it the Royal Oak, the Nautilus or the Overeas. The Laureato was launched in 1975, right in the middle of a period where some of the most legendary and iconic watches were ever made. In steel the Laureato is fantastic. In titanium and with its light weight properties, perhaps it's even better. I really like the grey dial which pairs well with the shine of the titanium case and bracelet, and in keeping with tradition (and much to my persistent groaning), the Laureato Chronograph Ti49 retains a closed caseback. Either way, this new non-limited Laureato model is exceptional.
Brand: Girard-Perregaux
Model: Laureato Chronograph Ti49
Reference: 81020-21-3263-1CM
Case: 42mm x 12mm
Case Material: Titanium
Water Resistance: 100m
Calibre: GP03300-0141
Price: AUD32,200
Raymond Weil Millesime Collection Expansion
In breaking news, Raymond Weil has expanded its Millesime collection to include 11 new references. This includes three completely new models including a chronograph, a moon phase and a woman's piece, along with new colourways for the Challenge Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2023 winning small-seconds Millesime. Exciting stuff ahead, with the new Tri-Compax Chronograph bringing it home for me. Just wow.
Breguet Adds New Strap Options To Its Type XX Collection
Breguet has released a bunch of cool new strap options for the Type 20 2057 Chronograph and the Type 20 2067 Chronographe. We've got new steel bracelets that continue the thematically vintage nostalgic look of the Type XX collection, along with some very cool NATO straps. The new steel strap option brings the recommended retail pricing of both the Type 20 2057 Chronograph and the Type 20 2067 Chronographe to AUD35,800, with the NATO straps able to be purchased separately for AUD640.
Jaquet Droz Tourbillon Skelet Sapphire Opal
From Jaquet Droz is the work of art that is the Tourbillon Skelet Sapphire Opal. Encased entirely in sapphire crystal, the Jaquet Droz Tourbillon Skelet Sapphire Opal from the outset looks to be one of the most striking pieces from the maison. But then you peer through the dial where you can see the finest of opal which makes up the openworked bridges throughout the piece. Shades of blue, green and grey adorn the Jaquet Droz Tourbillon Skelet Sapphire Opal, adding to the marvel of what is a very astute and capable piece of haute horlogerie, complete with a proprietary flying tourbillon.
Brand: Jaquet Droz
Model: Tourbillon Skelet Sapphire Opal
Reference: -
Case: 42mm
Case Material: Sapphire
Water Resistance: -
Calibre: -
Price: -
Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer
The brilliant Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer is perhaps one of those unsung heroes of modern watchmaking. A complete and uncompromising emphasis on chronometrical performance makes for one of the most compelling concepts, irrespective of the many different guises it is available in. Originally launched in 2020, the Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer was deemed a fairly large piece, measuring 44mm across. But now, much to acclaim of the watch community collective, the Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer is available in a 39mm size in either white or rose gold (with a blue or grey dial colour, respectively). An absolute, definitive yes from me.
Brand: Lederer
Model: Central Impulse Chronometer
Reference: -
Case: 39mm x 10.75mm
Case Material: White Gold; Rose Gold
Water Resistance: -
Calibre: Manufacture
Price: CHF136,800 (Limited to 20 pieces in each metal)
Renaud Tixier Monday
Dominique Renaud and Julien Tixier have teamed up to create one of this year's most interesting feats of watchmaking in the Monday, which addresses one of seven fundamental principles of watchmaking in winding efficiency. What we have with the Monday is something that can be considered completely novel in a "dancing" micro-rotor. Within a very conservative exterior, lies an answer to a problem of inefficiency from the smaller size of a traditional micro rotor, more of which you can read about on Renaud Tixier's website. But in essence, it's as novel as it is ingenious. I really can't wait to see what Tuesday will look like.
Brand: Renaud Tixier
Model: Monday
Reference: RTVI2023
Case: 40.80mm x 11mm
Case Material: Rose Gold; White Gold
Water Resistance: 30m
Calibre: RTV12023
Price: CHF79,000