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March 2024

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The Watches

MB&F Adds Onyx to LM FlyingT

 

MB&F combines onyx with yellow gold to create the latest model in its GPHG-award-winning Legacy Machine FlyingT collection, the independent watchmaker’s series of three-dimensional watches inspired by women.

The new MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT Onyx.

The new Legacy Machine FlyingT Onyx follows previous models in the collection that have featured colorful stone dials such as malachite, tiger eye and lapis lazuli.  

Tilted to a 50-degree angle, the dial, here in polished onyx, is positioned to be primarily visible to the wearer. The dial sits adjacent to a dramatic flying tourbillon that beats at a leisurely 18,000 vph. Atop the tourbillon MB&F affixes a single large diamond that operates just shy of the top of the sapphire crystal dome.

On the back MB&F creates a rotor that looks like a three-dimensional red gold sun with sculpted rays.

The movement provides four days of power reserve. (See below for additional technical specifications).

You may recall that MB&F debuted the LM FlyingT in 2019 in three editions, all in white gold and set with diamonds. Two limited editions in red gold and platinum came next, both without diamonds but with guilloché dial plates. New gemstone dials have been added to the collection each year. The debut won the GPHG prize in 2019 in the Ladies Complication category.

“I wanted LM FlyingT to reflect the personality and qualities of the women of my family, particularly my mother,” MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser explains “It had to combine supreme elegance with tremendous vitality.”

Price: $133,000.

 

Specifications: MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT Onyx

Movement: Three-dimensional vertical architecture, automatic winding, conceived and developed in-house by MB&F, central flying 60-second tourbillon.

Power reserve: 100 hours

Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000 vph

Three-dimensional sun winding rotor in 18k 5N+ red gold, titanium and platinum

Number of components: 280

Functions/indications:

Hours and minutes displayed on a 50° vertically titled dial with two serpentine hands.

Two crowns: winding on left and time-setting on right.

Case: 38.5mm x 20mm yellow gold, high domed sapphire crystal on top with anti-reflective coating on both sides, sapphire crystal on back.

Water resistance to 30 meters.

Strap & buckle:

Calf or alligator leather straps available with gold pin buckle matching the case.

Price: $133,000.

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The Watches

Citizen Expands Series 8 Automatics 

Citizen adds two models to its hot Series 8 collection of sporty automatic watches, and also launches a limited edition Series 8 model in the same new collection with an unusual ‘pink copper’ dial inspired by cherry blossoms.

The Citizen Series 8 890 Mechanical, one of two new Citizen Series 8 debuts. A third limited-edition new model also available.

The new watches are being launched within an impressive slate of 2024 debuts that also includes new Promaster watches, a new Citizen L Arcly series and a limited-edition, manually wound pocket watch.

A new Citizen Series 8 debut, the Series 8 890 Mechanical, features a gold-hued steel case and bracelet.

Since its entry into the U.S. market three years go, Citizen’s Series 8 has expanded to include a wide-ranging set of mechanical three-hand (with date) and GMT models. The series expanded the watchmaker’s U.S. offerings beyond Citizen’s Eco-Drive-focused collections, exposing U.S. consumers to a broader range of the many mechanical watches made by the Japanese-based watchmaker.

The new watches, called Series 8 890 Mechanical, each feature a 42.6mm steel by 11.7mm case with a sporty octagonal bezel, three-piece case construction and a 200-meter water resistance rating. 

Two of the debuts offer a lively, patterned dial that echo those seen in earlier (880 Series) watches, though the dial has been updated with a bolder interpretation of the pattern. The design is inspired by the skyscraper-lit night sky of Tokyo.

Similarly, Citizen has updated the case of these new watches as compared to the earlier 880 Series, adding a thicker bi-directional inner bezel, enhancing the watch’s sporty appeal. Citizen continues to mirror-finish and brush-finish each case, in keeping with earlier Series 8 designs.

From the back of each watch Citizen allows a view of the automatic  Caliber 9051, which is accurate to an  average of -10 seconds to +20 sec/day and offers a full 42 hours of water resistance. Citizen also equips the watches with extra strong antimagnetic protection.

Prices: $1,595 (steel with blue dial) and $1,695 (gold-hued steel with brown dial).  

Limited edition 

In addition to the two models noted above, Citizen is launching a limited edition model within the same new Series 8 890. This debut offers a special dial made to echo the look of “clouds of cherry blossoms,” a phenomenon created by groups of blooming cherry blossom trees.

Called copper pink, the dial’s unusual pattern is a bit more complex than the ongoing new 890 Series models, but equally eye-catching.

Price: $1,595, a limited edition of 1,700.

We’ll have more details about the other 2024 Citizen debuts in upcoming posts. 

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The Watches

Introducing The AOS Dark Sky 1962

 

By Steve Huyton

Over the last few years, I have written several books about design and horology. This has given me a unique insight into the world of luxury. What fascinates me is overall psychology, which also creates desire, fulfillment and necessity. 

Within the watch industry brands pay millions on complicated marketing campaigns. This is also the age of the brand ambassador that, in my opinion, has been a game changer. 

Ultimately this has had a profound effect on small independents who have found themselves in a David and Goliath type scenario. The positive news is that it has stimulated sole watchmakers to create more adventurous pieces. A great example can be found in Roland Stampfli, the owner of Swiss-based AOS Watches.

Roland Stampfli

I’ve known Roland for nearly a decade and absolutely love his backstory. Essentially the brand was established to honor the legacy of his father, Arthur Oskar Stampfli. Roland’s mission is to create a beautiful range of timepieces.

The AOS Black Wind Roses.

Some of my favorites have been the ‘Black Wind Roses’ and ‘Elements‘ collections made with renowned South Australian artist Timothy John.

Examples from The Cat Edition

Just over a couple of years ago, I wrote an article for IW Magazine called AOS Feline Frenzy featuring a super cool watch called The Cat Edition. This particular model features a cool cat tattoo style illustration that is consistent with Roland Stampfli’s passions. 

New watch

Recently Roland unveiled the Dark Sky 1962 watch, a limited edition of fifteen pieces worldwide. What differentiates this timepiece from other models is the scaled-up case size.

The AOS Dark Sky 1962

Previous AOS editions have had 46mm to 47mm diameters that generally wear smaller. The Dark Sky 1962 is a true 51mm (excluding the crown) which makes a much bolder design statement.

I’m definitely in favor of these increased proportions as a lover of XL watches. Due to the use of anodized aluminum, this watch only weighs 100 grams. Ultimately this means it feels exceptionally comfortable and lightweight on the wrist.

What makes the Dark Sky 1962 so special is the brown and black screen-printed graphic dial. This perfectly complements the matte black case which is punctuated with eleven torque screws (that act as indexes).

Other delightful features include a domed sapphire crystal, skeletonized lugs and screw-down crown. Powering the watch is a Swiss-made automatic movement sourced from ETA. The Caliber 2892-2 comprises 21 jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

Functionally the Dark Sky 1962 features hours, minutes, seconds and a date indication at 3 o’clock. The watch is also water resistant to a depth of 30 meters and has a power reserve of 42 hours. As a perfect finale, the timepiece is presented on a high-quality black leather strap with a matching buckle.

Steve Huyton is an industrial designer, illustrator and author who publishes Total Design Reviews

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The Watches

Girard-Perregaux Launches a Titanium Laureato Chronograph 

 

Girard-Perregaux adds titanium to its Laureato collection with the new Laureato Chronograph Ti49, a 42mm model that echoes the original 1975 Laureato design, complete with its octagonal bezel, round frame and tonneau-shaped case.

The new Girard-Perregaux the new Laureato Chronograph Ti49.

As the first new-generation Laureato Chronograph with a titanium-case, the new watch exhibits its light reflection and refraction with a material that differs in both weight and appearance from the steel models.

The Grade 5 titanium used here is composed of almost 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and small traces of iron and oxygen, which means it is lighter than steel while remaining strong, corrosion resistant, non-magnetic and hypoallergenic.

Girard-Perregaux nicely accentuates the grey monochrome of the titanium alloy with contrasting finishes of brushed and polished angles, all of which re-define the chronograph’s look on the wrist when compared with the steel models. Here, Girard-Perregaux polishes the circular plinth beneath the bezel, the case edges, the chronograph pushers and the central bracelet links.

On the dial the watchmaker also perfectly complements the grey platinum tone with a grey dial finished using the deep Clous de Paris pattern well known to fans of the brand. Grey PVD-treated hour and minute hands and matching baton-type indexes (with white luminescent material) top the dial.

In addition to the chronograph counters, the dial also features the GP logo and name, a minute track and white markers that circle the counters.

Inside the watch Girard-Perregaux fits its superb Manufacture Caliber GP03300 (above), an automatic movement nicely decorated with the high-end finishing expected from this high-end watchmaker.

These finishes include Côtes de Genève in circular and straight form, circular graining, satin finish, chamfering, mirror polishing, snailing, engravings, sunray finishing and blued steel screws.

Price: $19,400. 

 

Specifications: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49

(Reference 81020-21-3263-1CM) 

Case:

Material: titanium, polished and satin finished

Dimensions: 42.00 mm

Height: 12.00 mm

Glass: anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Case-back: secured by 6 screws

Dial: grey with a ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern, grey PVD-treated GP logo, ‘baton’-type grey PVD-treated indexes with luminescent material (white emission)

Hands: ‘baton’ type grey PVD-treated hands with luminescent material (white emission)

Water resistance: 100 meters

Movement:

Reference: GP03300-0141

Self-winding mechanical movement

Diameter: 25.95 mm (111/2’’’)

Height: 6.50 mm

Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)

Number of components: 419

Number of jewels: 63

Power reserve: min. 46 hours

Functions: Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, date

Bracelet: titanium, polished and satin finished

Price: $19,400.

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The Watches

Bulgari Sketches an Octo Finissimo Dial 

Bulgari artisans illustrate an automatic movement on the dial of the new Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch, a playful limited edition to be offered in 40mm by 6.4mm steel and rose gold case options.

The new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch, steel edition.

Inspired by the Italian “schizzo”: sketch, the lacquered dial on the new watch depicts the look of the unusually thin automatic movement (BVL 138 caliber) as seen from the back, complete with an image of the watch’s micro-rotor, escapement, bridges, rubies, and even finishing details like Côtes de Genève and circular graining.

As if sketched in pencil by Bulgari’s master designer and creative director Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, the dial image features hand-drawn lines, arrows, descriptions and fonts that might appear in a technical brief for the thin movement and its components.

(The new watch is the first entry into a Sketch collection. Bulgari is also launching a Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Sketch, a 43mm steel watch with an even more complex dial image that mimics the back of the Bulgari BVL 318 caliber, a GMT chronograph movement.

We’ll show you pictures of that watch as soon as they are available. Above is an image of the Chronograph GMT Sketch dial.) 

On the steel Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch, the dial offers shades of grey on an off-white background and appears a bit more monochromatic when compared to the gold model. Polished and satin finishes on the case and bracelet, along with the Finissimo’s characteristic sunburst-brushed bezel, offer a metallic edge to the design.

In 18-karat 5N rose gold, the Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch also features a polished and satin-finished case and bracelet, but with a luxurious touch. Here, the richly colored dial is traversed by grey hands to enhance its subtlety.

Bulgari is offering the Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch series as two limited editions, with 280 pieces in steel and seventy in rose gold. On each clear sapphire caseback, which offers a view of the dial image source, the watchmaker has etched “EDIZIONE LIMITATA” and “1884 – 2024” to commemorate Bulgari’s 140th anniversary.

Prices: 17,800 euro (steel) and 51,000 euro. U.S. pricing is pending. 

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