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Dimitri Tsilioris

Watches Of The Week: 26/02/2024 - 03/03/2024



As we bid farewell to Summer and welcome Autumn, so too do we wave hello to another edition of the regular column, Watches Of The Week. In this week's instalment, several pieces feature from the likes of Blancpain, MB&F and Cartier. 


Enjoy and have a great week ahead.



Blancpain Villeret Quantième Perpétual 



New from Blancpain is the Villeret Quantième Perpétual reference 6656-3653-55B. The Blancpain Villeret Quantième Perpétual's main point of differentiation from the collection is that sunray finished green dial, designed to evoke the scenic forests of Le Brassus Manufacture in Switzerland. The dial itself has been thoughtfully laid out, with Blancpain's iconic moonphase sitting at 6 o'clock. The combination of green and red gold is tried and very true. What we also have is Blancpain's same thoughtfulness being extended to the mechanism, with the maison integrating a utility to prevent damage being done to the movement if the wearer adjusts the watch as the indications are changing. And the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Perpétual also has under-lug correctors, which is a patented system to adjust the calendar indications, forgoing the need for any correction tools.


Brand: Blancpain

Model: Villeret Quantième Perpétual 

Reference: 6656-3653-55B

Case: 40.30mm x 10.80mm

Case Material: Red Gold

Water Resistance: 30m

Calibre: 5954.4

Price: AUD80,600



Cartier Tank Louis Cartier Watches of Switzerland 100th Anniversary Limited Edition



To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the United Kingdom's largest retailer, Cartier has created a commemorative piece in the new Tank Louis Cartier Watches of Switzerland 100th Anniversary Limited Edition. A simplistic design accompanies the new reference WGTA0213, with a slim yellow gold case, a sunburst brushed dial and mirrored Roman numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock. The soft ensemble is complimented by blued steel sword-shaped hour and minute hands, Cartier's iconic blue sapphire cabochon crown and a dark blue alligator strap. The Cartier Tank Louis Cartier Watches of Switzerland 100th Anniversary Limited Edition is powered by the slim hand wound 1917 MC manufacture calibre which measures 2.90mm in thickness.


Brand: Cartier

Model: Tank Louis Cartier Watches of Switzerland 100th Anniversary Limited Edition

Reference: WGTA0213

Case: 25.50mm x 6.60mm

Case Material: Yellow Gold

Water Resistance: 30m

Calibre: 1917 MC

Price: £12,700 (Limited to 100 pieces)



Tissot PR516 Chronograph



Perhaps the piece we didn't know we needed, here is the Tissot PR516 Chronograph with a hand wound movement. Drawing inspiration from the original 1968 model and not looking that dissimilar to Zenith's Chronomaster Sport, the new Tissot PR516 Chronograph is a door opener for the brand, especially for those looking to dabble in the world of manually wound chronographs. The aesthetic of the Tissot PR516 Chronograph is fairly sporty, with pump-pushers, tachymetric and pulsometric scales, a black dial with white-rimmed registers, orange, red and blue dial highlights, and some surprisingly ergonomic dimensions. The talking point with the Tissot PR516 Chronograph is the use of the hand wound Valjoux A05.291 which beats at 4Hz, has a power reserve or 68 hours and is visible through the open sapphire caseback.


Brand: Tissot

Model: PR516 Chronograph

Reference: T149.459.21.051.00

Case: 41mm x 13.70mm

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 100m

Calibre: Valjoux A05.291

Price: AUD2,925



MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Evo



From MB&F we have the latest Legacy Machine Perpetual Evo reference. Encased in titanium and featuring an Icy Blue CVD dial, the new MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Evo is one of the coolest renditions of the maison's acclaimed model, pun definitely intended. The visceral nature of the MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Evo continues on, with that hovering balance wheel dancing on top of the time and perpetual calendar registers. There is a certain practicality to the MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Evo as well, where the atelier has utilised contemporary case materials like titanium, along with FlexRing shock absorbers, a screw-down crown providing 80m water resistance and rubber straps. 


Brand: MB&F 

Model: Legacy Machine Perpetual Evo

Reference: -

Case: 44mm x 17.15mm

Case Material: Titanium

Water Resistance: 80m

Calibre: Calibre developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell

Price: CHF168,000



BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD



BALL celebrates its utilitarian approach with the Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD. Encased in titanium and featuring either a luminous ceramic or stainless steel bezel with a gas tube inset, the BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD's attributes extend far beyond what you can see. The case has a mumetal shield, which is an alloy of nickel, iron, copper and molybdenum with very high magnetic permeability, which gives the Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD an anti-magnetic rating of 1,000 Gauss. It also has a patented shock absorption elastomer ring, a patented crown protection system, a SpringLOCK® patented hairspring anti-shock system, a SpringSEAL® patented regulator anti-shock system, a special movement oil to endure -45°C to 80°C variations, a shock resistance rating of 50,000Gs (10-metre free fall), a COSC certified movement and a depth rating of 300m. 


Brand: BALL

Model: Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD

Reference: DM3200A-S1C-BK/DM3200A-S2C-BK

Case: 42mm x 13.70mm

Case Material: Titanium

Water Resistance: 300m

Calibre: BALL RR1101-CSL (ETA base 2892-A2)

Price: AUD5,800/AUD6,800



Ralph Lauren Safari



Last but certainly not least, we have the new Ralph Lauren Safari. Available with either a black, khaki or camo-stylised dial in a blackened aged stainless steel case complimented with a shot-blasted finish, the new Ralph Lauren Safari is an interesting piece that pertains to the fashion brand's suave and adventurous direction for its watchmaking. The Ralph Lauren Safari is available on a leather or canvas strap, or you can pay a bit more to get a stainless steel bracelet that matches the look of the case.  


Brand: Ralph Lauren Safari

Model: Safari

Reference:46892126900xx

Case: 42mm x 11.50mm

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 100m

Calibre: RL300-1 (Sellita base SW300-1)

Price: From USD3,500


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