We're edging closer and closer to the end of the year, and with a new week comes the latest edition of your retrospective go to for all things horology, Watches Of The Week. New watches galore was the name of the game for last week, but one watchmaker stood out amongst them all.
The watchmakers' watchmaker did the trifecta, unveiling 3 (well 4 if you include two variations of the same model) spectacular renditions of one of its most esteemed and iconic models, Richard Mille went lightweight with its latest tourbillon masterpiece, Hublot unveiled its newest haute horlogerie piece in support of conservation, Ulysse Nardin flexed its lab-grown sapphire capabilities and Blancpain dropped a couple of new Air Command references.
Hope you enjoy reading all about these new watches and have a great week ahead.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon
Reference: Q392845J
Case: 27.40mm x 9.14mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Calibre 847
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Price: Price on request
Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled the latest iteration of its acclaimed Reverse Tribute Duoface Tourbillon. And for the first time, the model is available in stainless steel, paired with a beautiful sunray grey dial on the front face, while the reverse features a guilloché finish with a Clous de Paris motif, tended to by the meticulous hands at the Atelier des Métiers Rares™. The bridge alone required 232 lines of guilloché work to achieve that super fine finishing. The reverse side features a second time-zone, along with a day/night indicator. The stainless steel case measures 45.50mm long by 27.40mm wide, and sits at a very svelte 9.14mm in height. The focal point is that spectacular flying tourbillon carriage, of course. Jaeger-LeCoultre utilised ball bearings to suspend the carriage, reducing the thickness of the complication to a remarkably thin 3.90mm (and light - 0.5 grams). The drama continues with the S-shaped balance-spring as it spins around the aperture, where all 62 components can be admired.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Reverso Tribute Monoface
Reference: Q716848J/Q7168420
Case: 24.40mm x 7.56mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Calibre 822
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Price: AUD14,300
Jaeger-LeCoultre also unveiled two new watches in the Reverso Tribute Monoface models, reminiscent of the original 1931 references. Smaller in proportion, the Reverso Tribute Monoface comes with a Fagliano designed calfskin leather strap, designed specifically for the Reverso. The Reverso Tribute Monoface is available in two distinct but very similar models. The first boasts a beautiful deep sunray brushed blue lacquered dial, while the second has a lovely clean and crisp opaline siliver-grey dial.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds
Reference: Q3982590
Case: 28.30mm x 9.613mm
Case Material: Pink gold
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Calibre 854
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Price: AUD41,100
The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds is beautifully lux take on the quintessential Reverso. With two faces comes two distinct watches. On the "recto" dial you have a sunray-lacquered blue dial which involved a process with 50 production stages and 20 coats of lacquer. And on the "verso" dial" you have a sunrayed silver dial which displays a second time zone. The piece itself has charisma and presence, with the added benefit of having a super svelte profile to slip seamlessly under a cuff.
Richard Mille RM17-02 TI
Brand: Richard Mille
Model: RM17-02 TI
Reference: RM17-02 TI
Case: 40.10mm x 13.08mm
Case Material: Titanium
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: RM17-02
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Price: Price on request
Richard Mille's latest and greatest revisits one of the maison's most iconic aesthetics. Big, brash but almost hilariously light, the new Richard Mille RM17-02 TI boasts all of the bells and whistle of a typical Richard Mille timepiece, minus any sort of heft. What we have is an exposed calibre in the RM17-02 complete with blue PVD and 5N gold bridges, a baseplate made from titanium with black PVD treatment and a tourbillon which has a variable-inertia balance wheel and fast-rotating barrel. In essence, this uber-watch is a marvel of technique, engineering and daring.
Blancpain's New Air Command Models
Blancpain unveiled a handful of new watches, all based on the maison's Air Command reference and all in titanium. The first is the Air Command Camouflage Green, available in either a 42.50mm or a 36.20mm case with a distinct green aesthetic. The 42.50mm model is powered by the Calibre F388B, is limited to 200 pieces and retails for AUD34,800, while the smaller model is powered by the Calibre F188B, is limited to 100 pieces and is priced at AUD32,700AUD. The second is the Air Command in blue. Like its green counterpart, these references also come in 42.50mm and 36.20mm cases, are powered by the same respective calibres and cost AUD36,000 and AUD33,900, respectively.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve SORAI
Brand: Hublot
Model: Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve SORAI
Reference: 645.FX.8020.NR.SOA24
Case: 42mm x 13.25mm
Case Material: Ceramic
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: HUB6020
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 115 hours
Price: CHF100,000 (Limited to 30 pieces)
The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon x SORAI is a special collaboration between the Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot and the conservation group SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa and India), founded by former cricketer Kevin Pietersen. The watch, limited to just 30 pieces, is designed with a focus on supporting rhino conservation. Its 42mm case is crafted from microblasted grey ceramic, mimicking the tough texture of rhino hide. The timepiece showcases a skeletonized dial with an open tourbillon mechanism positioned at 6 o’clock, a symbol of precision and craftsmanship in haute horlogerie. Its technical prowess is highlighted by a manual-winding movement that offers an impressive five-day power reserve. Furthermore, the piece comes with two interchangeable straps in grey fabric or camouflage rubber, offering versatility and a rugged aesthetic. As with all of Hublot's collaborations, there's a strong philanthropic angle—proceeds from sales are directed toward rhino conservation projects in Africa. The retail price is CHF 100,000, and this initiative aligns with Hublot’s ongoing commitment to blending luxury with purpose, as this unique timepiece serves as a reminder of the pressing need to protect endangered species.
Ulysse Nardin's New Sapphire Models
Ulysse Nardin dropped two super limited and super expensive all-sapphire models in the Royal Sapphire Blue and Royal Sapphire Ruby. The Blue model is limited to 18 pieces, while the Ruby model is limited to just 8, with both priced at an eye-watering USD328,300. But, what do you get for that insane amount of money? For starters, you get the maison's manufacture manually wound UN-79, which in itself is a flying tourbillon calibre boasting an immense 100 hour power reserve. And for that amount of cash, you also get a Ulysse Nardin lab-grown sapphire case which originally began its life in a large block between cut down with diamond-cutting tools and CNC machining.