In the field of watches intended for the practice of a leisure activity or dedicated to a passion (car racing, diving, mountaineering, etc.), it is customary to see the dials respect certain codes: silver with black “panda”-style counters or vice versa for chronographs; blue for underwater models. But we also see watch brands freeing themselves from these rules and exploring other aesthetic territories. For TAG Heuer, signing a partnership with Porsche in 2021 offered the promise of being able to run the gamut of the rainbow. In fact, if the owners of the current Zuffenhausen cars willingly bet on dark colors because of their elegance, the 911s of yesteryear often sported bright colors: Signal yellow, Viper green, Indian red, Tangerine orange… Enough to give ideas, today, to the designers of the Swiss manufacture.
After promoting red and yellow over the past two years, the sixth watch born of the collaboration between the watchmaker and the car manufacturer ventures this time in an orange that contrasts sharply with the intense black of the case and dial. . The new model’s full name says it all: Carrera Porsche Chronograph Orange Racing. “The bright orange hue runs throughout the watch and is inspired by the heat sparks produced by the car on the asphalt. It’s also an allusion to the color of fire, an iconic symbol of speed.” The perimeter of the snailed counters and central sweep second hand thus benefit from perfect visibility to enable essential indications to be grasped at a glance. On the mechanical side, this new collab is powered by the automatic Heuer 02 caliber whose performance and precision are in perfect harmony with the temperament of the piece.
Ulysse Nardin Diver X Skeleton White watch. Polished/brushed titanium case. Diameter 44mm. Automatic skeleton movement, manufacture caliber UN-372. Unidirectional rotating bezel. X-shaped skeleton dial. Transparent back. Water resistance 200m. White rubber strap with titanium folding clasp, or fabric strap with Velcro closure. €26,800.
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Overturning the codes, aesthetics and architecture of watchmaking has become one of the components of Ulysse Nardin. While the Swiss house continues to offer watches that faithfully respect the spirit of the marine chronometers that forged its reputation in the 19th century, it does not hesitate to take cross roads to approach new fields of expression, thanks in particular to his Freak collection. The new Diver X Skeleton White also bears witness to the creativity made in Ulysse Nardin. For the manufacture, this 200m water-resistant piece which is entering its current collection testifies to the “fusion of fine watchmaking and sports watches”. Made of titanium with a diameter of 44 mm, it is adorned with white to offer a very particular face. Its unidirectional rotating bezel topped with rubber thus displays the same whiteness as the bracelet. Only rare touches of blue create a contrast effect in this immaculate decor. Connoisseurs will note the presence at the heart of the case of a UN-372 skeletonized automatic movement. Also visible through a transparent caseback, it features several high-tech silicon components: oversized oscillator, escape wheel, lever and hairspring.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 60 Years of James Bond watch. 18k “Canopus Gold” white gold case. Diameter 42mm. Automatic movement, Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 8807. Dial in natural gray silicon. Unidirectional rotating bezel set with diamonds of ten different shades. Case back with James Bond animation. Water resistance 300m. Bracelet in white gold “Canopus Gold” Milanese mesh. €162,000. © DR
Admittedly, the Omega Seamaster was worn by a certain Bond, James Bond, and experienced some green and unripe ones during the often exotic adventures of the most famous secret agent of cinema. However, the surprise is great to discover today this model in tropical colors. This release is actually meant to celebrate 007’s six decades of on-screen presence. It is other than a particular white gold possessing an extraordinary brilliance and resistance. Remembering that it was in the film Goldeneye released in 1995 that the legendary spy had worn an Omega for the first time, the designers of the new piece wanted to pay homage to Jamaica, dear to the heart of Ian Flemming, the “father by James Bond. Surrounding the dial made of crystallites, the bezel is set with diamonds in ten shades of green and yellow. Offered in a diameter of 42 mm, the watch is powered by a prestigious Co-Axial Master Chronometer 8807 caliber. sports watchmaking is sometimes quite daring.