Rolex
Cosmograph Daytona
Introduced in 1963 to what can only be described as a lukewarm response, Rolex’s Cosmograph Daytona has subsequently become – arguably – Rolex’s most desired watch and has reached a hallowed status among watch collectors and consumers.
Designed as a racing driver’s timing tool, its chronograph complication is capable of measuring elapsed time from one eighth of a second up to 12 hours and, in conjunction with a ceramic-bezel tachymeter scale, a user’s average speed over distance travelled.
Graduated to 400 units per hour, the scale is applicable to miles, kilometres or whatever your preferred system of measurement may be.
See more at rolex.com
Patek Philippe
Nautilus 5980/60G
Patek Philippe’s Nautilus has become something of a totemic trophy in the luxury end of today’s cultural zeitgeist.
And while Patek may have discontinued the Nautilus collection’s founding model, the steel 5711 (in, one surmises, a shrewd move to prevent any one actor becoming bigger than the whole play and to allow refocusing of audience attention), it has released a new version of its automatic flyback-chronograph Nautilus with a tonal denim inspired design to (one surmises, again) cater to its new breed of younger audience members.
In keeping with high-end standards, the ‘denim’ strap is in fact calfskin, finished with a denim pattern, replete with contrast jean stitching. A colour matched dial completes the watch’s ‘double denim’ look.
See more at patek.com
Vacheron Constantin
Historiques Cornes de vache 1955
Forming a part of Vacheron Constantin’s beloved Historiques collection, the Cornes de vache 1955 is (as its name and membership of Historiques suggests) a pretty faithful reissue of a mid-century watch from VC’s archives.
The size has been increased to 38.5mm, in line with more modern tastes, and the proprietary Calibre 1142, with 48-hours of power reserve, now drives the show.
You’ll note flared ‘cow horn’ style lugs, a pink gold case, an opaline finish dial, two-register ‘side by side’ sub-dials, chronograph-function hands finished in contrasting blued-steel, and a tachymeter scale to the edge of the dial.
See more at vacheron-constantin.com
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph
Helping prove the Royal Oak’s ‘Midas touch’ is far from over, Audemars Piguet has introduced a yellow gold with golden ombré hue dial version of its Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph.
Featuring a 41mm case, water-resistant to 50m, the watch employs AP’s in-house Calibre 4410 movement with flyback function and column wheel with vertical clutch system; which (basically) provides smoother, improved chronograph functioning.
A discreet date window is found nestled between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions and, notably, the 12 o’clock AP signature is black rhodium-electroplated, galvanically grown 24ct gold.
See more at audemarspiguet.com
IWC
Portugieser Chronograph
Boasting another tonal colour scheme, IWC’s Portugieser Chronograph ‘Dune’ was, in fact, named in reference to its gold/buff hues.
Best described as an everyday watch, with ‘over/under’ configuration sub-dial display, the Dune Ref. IW371624 was released earlier this year in an aesthetic update to the brand’s evergreen Portugieser Chronograph.
The Portugieser can trace its roots back to the 1930s and a request from two Portuguese merchants, for a wristwatch with the accuracy of a marine chronometer pocket watch.
Housed in a 41mm stainless steel case the contemporary Portugieser in question is driven using a self-wound movement visible through a sapphire crystal caseback.
See more at iwc.com
Frederique Constant
Highlife Chronograph
In 1999, Frederique Constant launched the Highlife collection to fill a gap in the market for a luxury Swiss sports watch at a more accessible price point.
With an interchangeable, integrated bracelet and a distinctive case, it was ahead of its time – if you consider the current clamour for exactly this watch style.
Having laid dormant for a number of years, the Highlife returned in 2020 with a much more modern design. Now, to celebrate 25 years of the collection, the brand has launched two sporty chronos, including this dapper panda-like version finished in dark green and matte silver.
It features the FC-391 automatic calibre movement, featuring 60 hours of power reserve, as well as chronograph and date complications.
Longines
Avigation BigEye
Launched in 2017, Longines’ Avigation BigEye is a modern reinterpretation of an old early-20th century watch residing in the brand’s museum.
As such, the watch features a host of charming vintage elements so beloved by collectors, including - large pump pushers; snailed sub-dials; a box (sapphire) crystal; and the oversized asymmetric 3 o’clock sub dial, from which the BigEye takes its name.
The modernised touches include a 41mm case size and a self-wound column wheel movement with 54 hours of power reserve, beating at a standard 4hz frequency. The BigEye even went on to win 2017’s GPHG “Revival” award.
See more at longines.com
Grand Seiko
Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGC275
Employing one of Grand Seiko’s venerable Spring Dive movements - in essence, a combination of quartz and mechanical technology - the SBGC275 combines 12-hour chronograph and GMT complications within its 44.5mm titanium case.
The signature ultra-smooth gliding Spring Drive seconds hand and ‘Zaratsu’ polishing are, of course, all here, but it's the dial that’s the real talking point.
Changing colour depending on the angle from which it’s viewed, a patented process called ‘Optical Multilayer Coating’, which sees the layering of multiple coats of PVD-applied nanoscale film to the dial, has been used to create the remarkable polymorphous effect.
See more at grand-seiko.com
Zenith
Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar
No article about chronographs could be considered complete with inclusion of a Zenith El Primero.
Announced in January 1969, the El Primero is a true horological harbinger: the world’s debut automatic chronograph movement.
Looking to build on its innovation, a year later Zenith internally trialed an El Primero with triple calendar and moonphase complications, but it was decided focus was best kept on the flagship El Primero models and the prototypes remained a concept.
Until now. Making its way to commercial production 50-odd years later, comes the Chronmaster Original Triple Calendar - a handsome, throwback design which finally realises a little known piece of Zenith’s heritage.
See more at zenith-watches.com
TAG Heuer
Monaco Chronograph
Two days before this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer released a new skeletonised iteration of its legendary ‘Monaco’-namesake racing chronograph.
Housed in a sandblasted-PVD titanium case, its cutout dial employs a dark blue, against yellow-accent chronograph hands, colour scheme with generous amounts of Super-LumiNova, for good measure.
An embossed blue-dial matched calfskin/rubber strap is also supplied with the watch. Immortalised by Steve McQueen in his racing movie Le Mans (1971), the Monaco has been worn by individuals as diverse as Stanley Kubrick, Sammy Davis Jr. and, naturally, F1 driver Max Verstappen.
See more at tagheuer.com
Cartier
Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph
The likes of Longines, Zenith and Vacheron aren't the only ones looking back to go forward, at this year’s Watches & Wonders Cartier has also seen fit to rerelease a watch from its esteemed archives.
A single button, or monopusher, chronograph the Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph is based on a 1928 watch and is available as a limited edition in platinum or yellow gold, numbering 200 pieces of each metal.
Its 4.3mm thick movement, Cartier’s thinnest chronograph movement, is manually wound and decorated with Côtes de Genève finishing. The Monopoussoir sits under Cartier’s Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) collection, a forum the Maison uses to reissue some of its most coveted vintage designs.
See more at ablogtowatch.com
