Welcome back to the next 'Watches of the Week' round up, where we highlight the latest watch releases of the past 7 days. In this week's instalment we have new pieces from the likes of Audemars Piguet, De Bethune and Roger Dubuis. Stay safe and enjoy!
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 34mm
Nothing revolutionary, nothing majorly different. Just a size adjustment. Now available in 34mm, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak comes in a small guise, perhaps opening up the market to more prospective female buyers. Or for buyers with smaller wrists. This new 34mm model will also feature the same automatic calibre 5800 used in the larger Royal Oak models. Available in steel, steel with diamonds, two-tone steel with pink gold or solid pink gold with diamonds variants. Priced from $18,300USD for the steel model, while the pink gold version with diamonds will cost $44,500USD.
De Bethune DB28XP 10th Anniversary Watches
To celebrate the watchmaker's staple that is the DB28, De Bethune has released three incredible models from that delightful and fairly polarising collection. The first is the DB28XP Starry Sky, a romantic expression of artistry and horological beauty, priced at 72,000CHF. The second is the DB28XP Ultra-Thin, a brilliant example of sublime aesthetics and modernity, also priced at 72,000CHF. And the third piece is the DB28XP Tourbillon, drawing inspiration from the DB28 Digitale's dial, the DB28XP Tourbillon is a beautiful expanse of mastery, personality and character. The DB28XP Tourbillon is priced at 180,000CHF.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table IV
Four variations later and Roger Dubuis has released the latest version of the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table. This model features a 45mm rose gold case, an assortment of red gems on the dial and figures posing as hour markers made in solid rose gold. The Excalibur Knights of the Round Table IV is perhaps not everybody's cup of tea with respect to its brash, almost abrasive aesthetic. But I love it! Pricing is upon request and it is limited to only 28 pieces.
Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade
One of my favourite aspects of Jaquet Droz's timepieces is the expansive and almost plain dials. These are incredibly beautiful, albeit simplistic. The new Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade is a prime example of how less is more. Featuring a blade jade dial encased in 43mm of red gold, the distinguishing elements of the Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade, being the black dial and warm red gold case, are clear and focused. There is no hocus-pocus, no wish-wash, no smoke and mirrors, just simple, effective and utterly stunning watchmaking. The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade is limited to 88 pieces and will be priced at €27,000.
Nordgreen Native
Jaquet Droz's expression of simplistic watchmaking was superb, albeit quite expensive. Here's an alternative. This is the Nordgreen Native, a watch I had the pleasure of spending some hands-on time with recently. It features a similarly expansive black dial, a wonderfully thin case and a black mesh strap. It is the ultimate expression of balance, minimalism, eccentricities and design. It blends tradition with modernity in such an impressive manner, especially considering its price. The Native is available in a variety of sizes, case colours and dial variations, with even more bracelet and strap options. Have a play around with the fun and easy-to-use configurator and pick your favourite