Welcome back to Watches Of The Week, your go-to retrospective look at last week's new watch releases. Weeks feel like they're turning into days, days into hours, and so on and so forth. In other words, 2024 is absolutely flying by. In this week's recap, I'll be featuring a range of new watches, including pieces from Omega, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, as well as a new collaborative reference made between Hodinkee and TAG Heuer.
Happy reading and I hope you have a great week ahead.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Titanium Ultra-Light
Brand: Omega
Model: Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Titanium Ultra-Light
Reference: 220.92.41.21.03.002
Case: 41mm x 13.50mm
Case Material: Gamma titanium
Water Resistance: 150m
Movement: Calibre 8928
Frequency: 3.5 Hz
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Price: AUD85,150
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M "Ultra Light" is a remarkable tribute to Swedish pole vault legend Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, who wore this timepiece during his record-breaking gold medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Priced at AU$85,150, this 41 mm watch is crafted from sand-blasted Gamma Titanium and features a sand-blasted silicon nitride bezel ring. The blue anodized dial, made from sand-blasted Grade 5 titanium, showcases an engraved horizontal stripe pattern, complemented by blackened indexes and hour-minute hands with Super-LumiNova. The yellow varnished 3D laser-shaped cylindrical central seconds hand is inspired by a pole vault. The watch comes on a blue and yellow integrated rubber and nylon fabric strap, and its sapphire crystal caseback reveals the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8928 Ti, ensuring top-tier precision, performance, and magnetic resistance. This exceptional timepiece is presented in a special box, emphasizing its exclusivity and significance.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee
Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee
Reference: CBS2014.FT6293
Case: 42mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Calibre TH20-13
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Price: USD7,950 (Limited to 968 pieces)
The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer x Hodinkee is a modern homage to the brand's maritime heritage, drawing inspiration from the iconic 1968 “2446C Seafarer.” This contemporary edition boasts a 42mm stainless steel case and a black opalin dial accented with bold blue details. A standout feature is the dedicated tide indicator at 9 o’clock, a nod to the original model's pioneering functionality, allowing sailors and enthusiasts to track tides with precision. The watch's glassbox construction blends vintage inspiration with modern engineering, while the black textured integrated rubber strap offers both comfort and durability. A new “Tide” push-button enhances its sophisticated design. Powered by TAG Heuer’s in-house Calibre TH20-13 movement, this chronograph exemplifies the brand’s ongoing dedication to horological excellence.
Audemars Piguet's New Royal Oak Offshore Models
The latest additions to the Royal Oak Offshore collection exemplify the daring and innovative spirit of Audemars Piguet, blending unconventional materials and striking contrasts to redefine traditional watchmaking. The first model, designed for smaller wrists, features an 18-carat pink gold 37 mm case with a grey rubber-coated bezel, enhancing its sporty appeal. The rhodium and ivory-toned Grande Tapisserie dial, accented with pink gold hour markers and hands, complements the grey inner bezel and mosaic rubber strap, with an additional black rubber strap for added versatility. The second model showcases a 43 mm stainless steel case paired with a blue rubber-coated bezel and strap. Its smoked blue Méga Tapisserie dial, highlighted by rhodium-toned gold hour markers and hands, offers excellent readability, while the AP monogram at 12 o’clock adds a refined touch. This model also includes an interchangeable black rubber strap.
The third model, a 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, features a stainless steel case with a matching steel bezel and black ceramic crown and push-pieces. Inspired by Habanos, the smoked bronze Méga Tapisserie dial with darkened edges and black inner bezel creates a sophisticated look, further enhanced by luminescent blackened gold hour markers and hands. The chronograph comes with a brown alligator strap and an additional black rubber strap, allowing for a more casual aesthetic. All three models are meticulously hand-finished with Audemars Piguet's signature satin-brushed and polished techniques, ensuring a dynamic play of light that highlights the robust architecture of the Royal Oak Offshore collection.
The three new Royal Oak Offshore models are powered by advanced selfwinding movements that blend refined elegance with durability, perfectly suited for an adventurous lifestyle. The 37 mm model, designed for smaller wrists, features the Calibre 5900, Audemars Piguet’s latest automatic movement introduced in 2022. This movement, just 3.9 mm thick, operates at 4 Hz and offers a 60-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable performance for modern use. The 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding model is driven by the Calibre 4302, known for its precision and stability. Its 32 mm diameter enhances chronometric performance, while its 4 Hz frequency delivers a 70-hour power reserve. The 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph is equipped with the Calibre 4401, Audemars Piguet’s latest integrated chronograph movement. Featuring a column wheel with a vertical clutch system, it ensures smooth activation, stopping, and resetting of the chronograph. The flyback function allows for consecutive measurements without needing to reset, highlighting the movement's advanced engineering.
Each of these high-performance movements is visible through the sapphire caseback, showcasing the collection’s signature blackened 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight. The movements are beautifully decorated with techniques like Côtes de Genève, vertical and circular brushing, circular graining, and polished chamfers, reflecting Audemars Piguet’s commitment to horological excellence.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art – Tribute To Traditional Symbols
Vacheron Constantin has unveiled a new series in its Métiers d'Art collection, paying homage to ancient Chinese culture with the "Tribute to Traditional Symbols" series. This collection features two unique interpretations of the "Seawater Cliff," a legendary Chinese motif originating in the 14th century. The motif, which symbolizes stability and resilience, is steeped in the cultural heritage of Imperial China. To ensure authenticity, Vacheron Constantin collaborated with Mr. Song, a former Associate Research Librarian at the Palace Museum, who provided expert guidance on the project.
The watches in this series are housed in 38 mm cases made of 18K pink or white gold, powered by the in-house Calibre 2460 movement. The dials are intricately designed to reflect Chinese cultural symbolism, particularly the "Seawater Cliff" motif, which has been a significant element in Chinese art, architecture, and clothing since the Ming and Qing dynasties. This motif, often seen on imperial robes and other courtly artifacts, represents the emperor's immutability against the challenges of life, with the towering cliffs symbolizing peace, longevity, and stability.
In Chinese culture, the words for 'tide' and 'dynasty' are homonyms, while 'cliff' can also mean 'ginger buds,' adding layers of symbolic meaning to the motif. The "Seawater Cliff" motif became a popular symbol across various social classes, appearing in furniture, decorative objects, and architecture. The series' watches are not only a tribute to this rich cultural heritage but also showcase Vacheron Constantin's horological expertise. The Calibre 2460 movement, chosen for its compact size and aesthetic appeal, is enhanced by a 22K gold rotor engraved with wave motifs, further tying the design to its cultural inspiration.
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