Welcome back to Watches of the Week, our regular series where we highlight some of the newest watch releases of the past seven days. In this week's edition, we'll be featuring new watches from Panerai, Bremont, Jaquet Droz, Breguet and Hermès. Enjoy!
Panerai Radiomir Eilean PAM 01243
Panerai is quickly becoming one of the more exciting watchmakers that hasn't fallen onto the hype bandwagon, i.e. they're still super accessible! The latest piece from the esteemed watchmaker is the Radiomir Eilean PAM 01243. Celebrating its iconicity since its introduction into the world, the new Radiomir Eilean PAM 01243 is modelled off of the eponymous yacht that Panerai acquired in 2006 with the intent to fully restore. The Eilean yacht was crafted by William Fife III and sailed the seas of Europe and the Caribbean for decades. Many of its distinct features adorn the new Radiomir Eilean PAM 01243, in particular the dial which evokes the teak deck of the yacht, along with the caseback and strap which bear the inscription reading "Eilean 1936". The Panerai Radiomir Eilean PAM 01243 will be released in a limited run of 449 pieces per year and will be priced at $11,600AUD.
Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon
Jaquet Droz has released one of its most impressive timepieces yet, the Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon. Avant-garde, distinct, highly detailed and meticulously finished, the new Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon combines a very beautiful inverted dial with a captivating and majestic tourbillon which is on full display. Encased entirely in red gold, the Jaquet Droz calibre 2625SQ is a stunning movement whose visceral attributes are only accentuated by the warmth of the red gold and offset by the black geometrically shaped openworked bridges. Not a limited piece and readily available for $152,300USD.
Bremont MB Savanna
Bremont absolutely outdid itself with the new MB Savanna. Following the foundational format of the MB1 which could only be purchased by someone who actually used the Martin-Baker ejection seat, the new MB Savanna is a triumph in the use of contemporary materials. Clad in 43mm of grade 4 titanium finished off in a sandy colour offset by a grey dial, the new MB Savanna is indeed a looker. I love the addition of the Martin-Baker ejection seat handle on the end of the second's hand, along with the red dial highlights and the understated hour numerals. Fantastic stuff. The MB Savanna will be priced at $7,800AUD.
Breguet Reine de Naples 8938
New from Breguet is the Reine de Naples 8938. Available in either a white gold with light blue strap or in rose gold with an orange strap, the Reine de Naples 8938 builds upon a famous artisanal look that is as classical as it is delicate. With a bezel, dial flange and lugs set with 161 brilliant-cut diamonds, a crown set with a rare briolette-cut diamond and a snow-set diamond dial, the Reine de Naples 8938 is quite the extravagant piece. Powering the Reine de Naples 8938 is Breguet Calibre 537/3 which has a stunning guilloché platinum oscillating rotor. The white gold model Breguet Reine de Naples 8938 is priced at $73,900AUD, while the rose gold model is priced at $72,400AUD.
Graham Fortress Monopusher Limited Edition
Could this be Graham's tide-turning piece? The watchmaker, which was created in the 1990s and named after the infamous English clockmaker Georges Graham, is known for its oversized, bold and vintage-inspired pilot's chronographs. Not always to everyone's liking, Graham did have the penchant of being different. But now with its new Fortress Monopusher Limited Edition, I feel that there is a change in the wind, as they say. Featuring a monopusher chronograph with a left-sided crown, the Fortress Monopusher Limited Edition does look like the typical Graham, but with dashes of restraint. It's powered by a Valjoux-base calibre which works well in its favour of remaining somewhat affordable at €6,450. More of this, Graham.
Hermès Arceau Toucan de Paradis
And from Hermés we have the new Arceau Toucan de Paradis. Colourful, distinct and refreshing, the new Arceau Toucan de Paradis features a radiant miniature enamel and silk thread toucan on the dial encased in 38mm of white gold set with 82 diamonds. I love the unique architecture of the asymmetrical lugs as well as the Zanzibar blue calfskin strap. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, as is its availability.