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Ralph Lauren adds a new size to its adventure-themed Safari Chronometer collection, adding a 42.6mm model with a choice of three different dial colors: khaki, camouflage and black. The watches previously were offered only in 45mm and 39mm options. 

One of three new Ralph Lauren Safari Chronometer models, each sized at 42.6mm in diameter.

Each dial color retains the Safari’s large 12 and 6 numerals and orange seconds hand and easy-to-read luminous hour and minute hands.   

The Safari collection’s signature “aged” stainless steel case and varnished matte anthracite bezel frame each dial.

As you might expect from fashion-forward Ralph Lauren, the strap choice here is retro-cool.

A weathered black/brown “aged” calfskin leather strap is offered on the camouflage dial and black-dial model while a black stainless steel three-link bracelet comes attached to the khaki-dial model.

Inside each watch Ralph Lauren fits an automatic RL300-1 Caliber, a Sellita-based automatic movement that boasts a 50-hour power reserve and is water-resistant to 100 meters. Each watch is protected by a screw-down crown marked with the RL logo. 

Prices: $3,500 and $3,800 (steel-bracelet model).

Nomos debuts two colorful watches in its Club Campus series, an entry level collection that the Glashütte-based independent watchmaker calls an “ideal gift—for recent graduates and all those celebrating milestone moments in life.”

The new Nomos Club Campus Endless Blue, here in 36mm. A 38.5mm model is also available.

While its relatively affordable price tag (starting at $1,500) may attract many gift-givers to the charms of Club Campus, it’s the clean dials, artful colors and watch’s solid manual-wind in-house calibers that seal the deal.

Club Campus 38 Nonstop Red from Nomos Glashütte.

With two new models in eye-catching ‘nonstop’ red and ‘endless’ blue hues, each available in two sizes (36mm and 38.5mm), the new Club Campus models expand the series with new color options and a continued focus on gift-giving.

The optional stainless steel back of Club Campus is available for engraving–at no extra charge.

To further enhance this prospect, Nomos offers free engraving on an optional solid caseback for all watches in the series. 

Of course, many future Club Campus watch owners might prefer to see the excellent manual-wind Nomos Alpha movement through the clear sapphire back, which is also available for an extra $300.

The dials here are contemporary, with a playful mix of Roman and Arabic numerals, echoing what is sometimes called a ‘California dial.’  In an interesting dial detail, Nomos has outlined the hour markers and numerals with contrasting color outlines.

Thus, the outlines are in light blue on the red model and are violet on the blue edition. Nomos also chooses differing hues for the minute numerals: light blue on the red dial and mint green on the blue dial. The seconds hand on both dials is neon orange.

A screw-down back ensures that this watch is water-resistant to 100 meters. The case is held to the wrist with a vegan velour strap.

Prices start at $1,500 for 36mm model with a solid back. 

 

Arnold & Son continues to debut new editions within its impressive Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton collection. Two new models display the model’s architectural finesse in new case metals: 5N ‘red’ gold and platinum.

The new Arnold & Son Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton Red Gold.

Still built within the same 41.5mm diameter by 8.4mm case size, the new models display this independent maker’s contemporary one-minute tourbillon prominently at the 6 o’clock position, flanked by rose-gold PVD bridges and nicely decorated with radiating Côtes de Genève stripes.

The new Arnold & Son Ultra Thin Tourbillon Skeleton Platinum.

On both models, a white opal dial displays the minutes and hours. The arrowhead on the staff of the tourbillon’s escape wheel serves as the watch’s seconds pointer.

The watchmaker’s 3.3mm-thick A&S8320 caliber movement is one of the thinnest skeleton tourbillons around. Its thinness is enhanced thanks to its lack of an upper bridge, which means the tourbillon is of the ‘flying’ variety. (See additional specifications below).

As with most Arnold & Son calibers, the power reserve of the Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton Red Gold and the UltraThin Tourbillon Skeleton Platinum is a spectacular 100 hours. Each model is a limited edition of twenty-eight pieces. 

Prices: Red gold: CHF 74,400, and platinum: CHF 86,200.

 

Specifications: Arnold & Son Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton Red Gold and UltraThin Tourbillon Skeleton Platinum

(Red gold: 1UTBR.Z01A.C246R; Platinum: 1UTBX.Z01A.C245X)

Movement: 

Caliber A&S8320, 1-minute flying tourbillon, manual winding, mainplate is skeletonized, rose-gold PVD treatment (4N), Côtes de Genève stripes radiating from the center. Bridges are skeletonized, rose-gold PVD treatment (4N), polished and chamfered by hand, Côtes de Genève stripes radiating from the center. Tourbillon carriage has ‘Arnold & Son’ signature, polished, satin-finished and chamfered by hand. Wheels are circular satin-finished and screws are blued and chamfered with mirror-polished heads. Power reserve is 100 hours. Frequency is 21,600 vph.

Dial: White opal.

Case: 5N red gold or platinum (PT 950) measuring 41.50mm by 8.40mm (with domed sapphire crystal).Case back sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Water-resistance to 30 meters.

Strap: Red gold: blue alligator leather, black alligator leather lining, hand-stitched. Platinum: brown alligator leather, black alligator leather lining, hand-stitched. Folding clasp in titanium with cover in red gold or platinum.

Prices: Red gold: CHF 74,400, and platinum: CHF 86,200.

Grand Seiko drops the case diameter of its 62GS Heritage Collection offerings to 38mm for two new seasonal Hi-Beat 36000 debuts.

One, the SBGH341 “Sakura-Kakushi” (hiding cherry blossoms) features a pink dial inspired by Shunbun, which is the vernal equinox of late March.

The new Grand Seiko SBGH341 “Sakura-Kakushi”

Its colors echo the effect of snow as it covers blooming cherry blossoms of the Tohoku region.

The new Grand Seiko SBGH343 Sakura-Wakaba.

The second debut, the SBGH343 Sakura-Wakaba, is inspired by the Seimei season of early April with its patterned green dial that blends cherry blossom hues and the colors of young leaves.

Both offer a 38mm 62GS titanium case finished by Grand Seiko artisans to the high standards of Zaratsu polishing. Each also is attached to the wrist with a beautifully finished ‘high-intensity’ titanium bracelet secured by a three-fold clasp.

Inside each watch Grand Seiko fits its highly-touted Hi-Beat 36000 9S85 Caliber, calibrated to deliver +5 to -3 seconds of accuracy per day with an impressive fifty-five hours of power reserve.

Like all the Heritage models in this collection, you’ll find extra-strong anti-magnetic protection (to 4,800 A/m) and water resistance to 100 meters.

Price: $7,300.

Girard-Perregaux expands its Bridges collection with a celestial twist. The new Free Bridge Meteorite features a central bridge framed by fragments from the asteroid belt.

The new Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge Meteorite.

As each slice of the Gibeon meteorite (discovered in Namibia) displays a slightly different Widmanstätten pattern, each dial is unique.

With its inverted movement, the watch displays its bridges at the front of the watch. This dial symmetry nicely echoes historic (and award-winning) Girard-Perregaux Three Gold Bridges pocket watches, but with a modern treatment.

Skeletonized hands sit atop a bridge that straddles the visible gear train wheels. The open-worked approach continues with a see-through spring barrel at the top of the dial. 

The meteorite pieces here are made of an iron-nickel alloy with small amounts of cobalt and phosphorous, and along with their Widmanstätten patterned lines, create a nicely contrasting tone on the bridged dial.

To create the namesake meteorite dial decor, Girard-Perregaux artisans first slice the meteorite. After machining them into the correct shape, the slices are then pierced with two holes to accommodate two functional and decorative screws. Each plate is then rhodium-plated to protect the iron-rich meteorite, inhibiting corrosion.

Girard-Perregaux polishes the watch’s 44mm stainless steel case with a blend of polished and satin-finished surfaces.

Inside the Free Bridge Meteorite the watchmaker fits its superb caliber GP01800-2085, a self-winding movement equipped with silicon components. 

Price: $25,700.