Art major
Cognitive differences between men and women remain a hotly debated topic. In watchmaking, this translates into the idea that men want cogs and gears while women yearn for precious gems. Richard Mille dismisses this too simplistic conclusion with the RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman, a collection for women that makes no distinction between art and mechanics. Inspired as much by Art Deco as by tribal art – precursors of modern-day design in their fusion of form and substance – it contains a tonneau-shaped skeleton movement that barely tips the scales at eight grams. So much for that old tale that “men are from Mars, women are from Venus”.
Frequent flyer
New York, London, Hong Kong…. September signals the start of a new round of business travel. Executives with one foot in one continent and one foot in another will appreciate the latest addition to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Polaris line, which made its debut in January this year. A limited edition of 250 pieces, the Geographic WT incorporates a world time function. Twenty-four time zones are represented by the city ring on the inner flange, which is adjusted by the crown at 10 o’clock. Ready for boarding?
Work that body
How many calories in a Spritz? A serving of ketchup and fries? If you spent summer never more than six feet away from the barbecue, the ice-cream stand or an ice-cold cocktail, now’s the time to dust off your gym membership. To help you train in style, Louis Erard has packaged its 1931 collection in sandblasted titanium. Kitted out with an ultra-light as well as highly resistant 44mm case, the chronograph comes with a sports-friendly black nylon strap on a leather back. That six-pack can be yours (and we’re not talking beer!).
Good clean fun
September 15th is World CleanUp Day. Oris joins millions of volunteers from 150 countries, and is helping clean up Basel in Switzerland. The brand’s other eco-friendly initiatives include the launch of the Oris Divers Sixty-Five on a 100% recycled plastic strap. What about a case to match?
Three's a charm
There are neo-vintage watches, there are dive watches and there are GMT watches. Not often do we get all three in one, hence why you need to find a place on your wrist for the Tudor Black Bay GMT. Cut from stainless steel with a 41mm diameter, the case is topped with a “Pepsi” rotating bezel in burgundy and blue. Wear it on the Terra di Siena brown leather strap and take the boardroom by storm.
Blue jeans
Long before trend forecasters or casual Friday latched onto their inherent cool, jeans were the rough-and-tough workwear of the American West. Omega is paying tribute to this industrial past by launching a denim version of its Railmaster 1957. The vertically brushed “blue jeans” dial looks the business against indexes and hands with a light grey Super-LumiNova treatment. The NATO strap is made from authentic blue denim with a leather lining and leather loops. Throw in a 40mm stainless steel case and you’ve got a new wardrobe staple.
Still sparkling
It’s 2018 and diamonds are still a girl’s best friend – closely followed by a romantic weekend for two and the latest It bag. A gem-encrusted watch will always please; with the added endorsement of a mechanical movement, it can do no wrong! Ticking all the boxes is the Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye High Jewellery Aventurine, with its diamond-rich case and dial and, inside, the GP03300-0140 automatic movement. Save it for after-hours office parties, when the aventurine dial can really work its magic.
Rock around the clock
Ladies, you’ve topped up your tan, recharged your batteries, and put your wardrobe back into work mode. If summer’s maxi dresses and Birkenstocks don’t fit the job description, don’t despair! There is still room for a touch of fantasy courtesy of the Chanel Première Rock watch, with its mirror dial and triple-wrap strap in steel threaded with gold-coloured fabric.
United we stand
The TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 is a great reason to support Manchester United for the 2018/2019 season. A sporty piece with a contemporary design, its imposing 43mm case surrounds an anthracite skeleton dial that gives a straight-to-goal view of the Heuer-01 chronograph movement inside. Released to mark the third season of TAG Heuer’s partnership with the English club, look out for it on the manager’s wrist. Whether that’s José Mourinho or Zinedine Zidane, we can’t say.
Get lucky
The Fabergé Clover watch has been shortlisted for the Métiers d’Art Prize at this year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Will the four-leaf clover on the dial be lucky for this watch, whose movement is the work of Agenhor? And the winner is…. Answer on November 9th at Théâtre du Léman in Geneva.