Another week has come and gone, and that means another round up of all the latest watches in the latest instalment of our regular series, Watches of the Week. In our latest highlight we take a look at the latest pieces from the likes of Audemars Piguet, Chopard, H. Moser & Cie, MB&F, Patek Philippe and a handful of other impressive watchmakers. Safe to say this week is chock-full of awesomeness. Enjoy!
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked in Black Ceramic
The beast just got a whole lot cooler. With the introduction of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black ceramic, Audemars Piguet virtually created a new market space for itself. And now, building on that incredible momentum comes the latest and arguably the greatest (or at least, most bad-ass perpetual calendar out there), the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked in Black Ceramic. With this openworked version, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar has evolved exponentially into something that is both appeasing to the eye and satisfying to the senses. Featuring an abundance of colours like blacks, rose golds, silvers and blues, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked in Black Ceramic is a well thought out package that does well to cap off a very successful lineage of contemporary perpetual calendars. Priced at 130,000CHF the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked in Black Ceramic is hardly cheap, but for those with the dough you can rest assured that if you do manage do secure one, you'll be strapping to your wrist one very highly sought after watch.
MB&F HM9 "Flow" Red Gold
MB&F never ceases to amaze me, and its latest invention does well to marry up the romanticism from the automotive and aircraft design of the Golden Age with contemporary flair. The HM9 "Flow" Red Gold is like the proverbial knife between the ribs for all the purists in the industry. Cunning, adventurous, slightly boisterous but nevertheless completely captivating, the HM9 "Flow" Red Gold has an incredible sense of presence that is further accentuated through its supple lines with the use of red gold as the main case material. Again, this confronting look is furthered by the unique vertical dial design, which is certainly something that needs to be seen in the metal, as they say. Priced at $198,000USD.
Chopard Alpine Eagle
Taking a step into the already very crowded and very competitive luxury sports watch market can be seen both ways. Either you're very silly or you're slightly mad. But often a moment of madness ends up in an eventuality of brilliance. Let's hope that that is the case for Chopard's Alpine Eagle, the manufacture's latest piece bringing it to the heavies of a very established niche. The Alpine Eagle is available in two sizes: 41mm x 9.7mm, and 36mm x 8.4mm. The larger model is available from 12,450CHF for the steel version while the two-tone steel and gold version will cost 19,100CHF, with those two models comprising the entire "large" collection. The "small" collection has a lot more choice, however. Available from 9,760CHF for a full stainless steel model all the way up to 43,800CHF for a gold and diamond encrusted variation, the Alpine Eagle has something for everyone through its collection. Is it enough to draw eyes, ears and wallets away from the Royal Oak, the Nautilus, the Overseas, and to a lesser degree, the Laureato? Only time will tell. I am impressed, however.
Patek Philippe Releases Two Limited Editions for the Singapore Grand Exhibition
Sporting a red twist on the 5167A and the 5930G to celebrate the manufacture's Grand Exhibition in Singapore, Patek Philippe's latest pieces will be available in a limited run of only 500 and 300 pieces, respectively. Interestingly enough, both models will only be available in Singapore and Southeast Asia, and with that being said I (amongst many others, I'm sure) am very curious to see what prices these will draw on the grey and second-hand market. Nevertheless, these are both very cool watches, and a stark contrast that really elevates them above their own respective collections with thanks to the colour additions, especially with the 5167A. Prices are yet to be confirmed.
H. Moser & Cie's Unique Pieces with Dials Designed by Children for the "Room To Read" Charity
Room to Read is an almost two-decade old charity that helps children in Asia and Africa to access education. H. Moser & Cie reached out to the charity and asked the fortunate children of two classes in India and Sri Lanka to draw something imaginative. H. Moser & Cie then chose two distinctive and colourful drawings, one from Arif of Mumbai, and the other from Kasun in Sri Lanka, to be painted on to two unique watches with the intent of these pieces being auctioned off during two fundraising galas organised by Room To Read. Hats off to one of my favourite watchmakers for continuing to make the world a better place.
Breitling Relaunches the Avenger Collection
Breitling introduced a handful of new Avenger models to mark the revamping of one of the brand's most durable collections. Various models like the Avenger Chronograph 45 Night Mission, the Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission and, my favourite, the Super Avenger Chronograph 48 Night Mission make up a collection that combines the traditional aesthetic of the original Avenger timepieces with some contemporary flair. Big, bad and more than capable of taking a beating, the Avenger is available is case sizes from 43mm all the way up to 48mm, with each piece looking and feeling exactly how a true Breitling Avenger should. Yes to all, thanks.
Breitling Avenger Swiss Air Force Team Limited Edition
The second release from Breitling comes in the form of the Avenger Swiss Air Force Team Limited Edition. Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Patrouille Suisse Swiss Air Force Team, the Avenger Swiss Air Force Team Limited Edition features a 45mm wide stainless steel case, a black dial with the Patrouille Suisse squadron logo emblazoned on the 9 o'clock subdial, and touches of red and yellow. The Breitling Avenger Swiss Air Force Team Limited Edition is limited to only 550 pieces and will cost $7,800AUD.