Another week down, another round up of all the latest watch releases in our regular series, Watches of the Week. In this week's column we'll be covering new watch releases from A. Lange & Söhne, TAG Heuer, Romain Gauthier and Longines. Enjoy!
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone
The Lange 1 is certainly a brand-defining piece. In fact, I think it's safe to say that every collection of A. Lange & Söhne emphatically resonates with the German watchmaker. The latest update to the Lange 1 Time Zone includes a change to the 24-hour display, the pointer which indicates the time zone reference city (which now includes a window depicting whether the city is in Daylight Saving Time or Summer Time) as well as the subtraction of one of its twin barrels, giving the new Lange 1 Time Zone a single barrel with 72 hours of power reserve. The Lange 1 Time Zone is available in yellow gold, white gold or pink gold. In its yellow gold form the Lange 1 Time Zone will cost $56,100USD and is limited to only 100 pieces, while the white and pink gold models are not limited and are priced at $52,900USD.
TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edition
Initially released in 1972, the Heuer Montreal was a bold watch, fairly well received by collectors. The Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edition in its latest iteration is a more subtle approach, yet still portrays some of those defining details that made the Heuer Montreal such a cool watch. There is, of course, the super cool partial yellow rimming of the 30 minute chronograph sub-dial. The red and blue minute track contrasts well with the snailed azure blue sub dials. And the red chronograph hand rounds off a very intriguing look. The TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edition is priced at $6,750USD and will be limited to only 1,000 pieces.
Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor Squelette
When you hear that Romain Gauthier is going to be unveiling a new watch, then your automatic instinct is to put everything on hold and wait patiently for any news. Well, that's my reaction. Here is the Insight Micro-Rotor Squelette, a brilliantly avant-garde take on the beloved Insight Micro-Rotor. The Insight Micro-Rotor Squelette features a skeletonised movement made out of titanium and is available in a 42mm wide Carbonium case (or you can order a 39.50mm case in a choice of special metals or titanium). You may be wondering why Romain Gauthier chose the Insight Micro-Rotor to skeletonise. I'll let him explain: "If you skeletonized my first movement, Prestige HM/HMS, there would be sizable voids leaving little to see except the hair on your wrist, and that’s not ideal. The open architecture of my Logical One means that if you opened it up even more, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to view more of the mechanics than what you can already see. However, my Insight Micro-Rotor jumps out as a natural fit for skeletonisation.” For the 42mm Carbonium model, the Insight Micro-Rotor Squelette will cost 155,000CHF. There is alternative pricing if you opt to get one of the precious metal or titanium versions, too.
Longines Heritage Classic Tuxedo Models
Longines has been creating some marvellous vintage inspired watches lately. So, I was super keen to take a look at these two new editions. First off is the Heritage Classic Tuxedo. This is a conventional 38.50mm dress watch with a silver opaline dial centre and a black hours track offset with faux-patina numerals. The hands have been tended to with the same treatment. This is a distinct, bold but not over the top watch that is outstanding. The Heritage Classic Tuxedo will cost a very accessible $2,000USD. Next up is the Heritage Classic Chronograph Tuxedo. It features the same vintage aesthetic as the Heritage Classic Tuxedo, with beautiful details, flawless proportions, with the finishing touch of those blued steel hands rounding off a very intriguing package. The Heritage Classic Chronograph is also very accessible and is priced at $3,000USD.
Montblanc Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum
Throw-back to 2014 where Montblanc released the very well received Orbis Terrarum. This model is a refreshed and revamped version of that tide-turning watch. Details a-plenty flourish across the dial, such as the patterns of the blue dial between the continents, depicting the waves of the ocean. The interesting notion of the Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum is that it looks and feels a far more expensive, more exclusive watch than its price tag and manufacturer branding lets on. I think that in itself is one of Montblanc's strengths. The Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum comes in two metals, stainless steel and rose gold. The stainless steel is a production version and will cost $6,800USD while the rose gold model is limited to 500 pieces and will cost $20,800USD.
Atelier de Chronométrie AdC #8 Split-Seconds Chronograph
The Barcelona-based independent watchmaker Atelier de Chronométrie has released a piece unique rattrapante, the AdC #8 Split-Seconds Chronograph. Created for an independent watch collector, the AdC #8 Split-Seconds Chronograph combines a beautifully ornate yet functional 39.80mm wide 18k grey gold case, an expansive deep black galvanic gilt dial with a pulsometric scale as well as some stunning teardrop lugs, oblong chronograph pushers and a rattrapante pusher that doesn’t extend the case profile too much. The AdC #8 Split-Seconds Chronograph is powered by a spectacular movement based on the Venus 185 calibre. It’s difficult to summarise how many finer details are in this movement, but it’s safe to say that this is right up there with the best of them. While this particular AdC #8 Split-Seconds Chronograph model is a unique piece, Atelier de Chronométrie is able to do something similar with the starting price at €85,000. Absolutely magnificent.
Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01313
Panerai is a watchmaker that is really growing on me. It's a perfect blend of high-tech, super contemporary materials with an almost generic consistency that makes any Panerai instantly identifiable. The Luminor Marina PAM01313 is a wonderful mesh of modernity and tradition. Staying true to its roots of making large, bold watches, Panerai has endowed the Luminor Marina PAM01313 with a hefty 44mm wide by 15.65mm thick AISI brushed steel case. Not small, but then again those that buy a Panerai know exactly what they're going to get. The Luminor Marina PAM01313 is powered by the in-house automatic calibre P.9010 with a power reserve of a respectable 72 hours. This is a production version with pricing announced at $7,700USD.