TAG Heuer Autavia GMT
Starting off with TAG Heuer. The iconic Swiss watch manufacturer is releasing three new TAG Heuer Autavia models in 2022 to celebrate the model's 60th Anniversary. The collection debuts a flyback chronograph and the first-ever three-hand GMT within the Autavia collection (pictured above).
The completely new three-hand GMT Autavia – the first GMT model in the collection and a perfect fit in terms of components for those who love to travel by road or by air – immediately captures the attention with a brilliant blue sunray- brushed dial, a blue and black ceramic bezel and a polished stainless-steel case.
The numerals and hands are coated with Super-LumiNova for readability, and inside is the Calibre 7 COSC GMT movement.
TAG Heuer Autavia Chronometer Flyback
Also new to the TAG Heuer Autavia range is the Chronometer Flyback, which brings the flyback function to the Autavia collection for the first time. The newly developed Calibre Heuer 02 COSC Flyback manufacture movement takes complexity to another level. It's a rarely seen function in chronographs due to its difficulty to implement, the flyback function makes it possible to reset the chronograph hand and commence a new timing without the need to stop it first, saving valuable time in high-pressure situations, such as recording lap times at the racetrack.
The two new Chronometer Flyback models are ruggedly handsome, with their distinctive chronograph pushers and an extra-large crown, both of which are inspired by the historic TAG Heuer dashboard timers.
Super-LumiNova coating on the hour markers and hands ensures quick and clear legibility, once again taking inspiration from a historic Autavia reference, the 73663, which included a dial variation that also featured large luminous Arabic numerals.
One of the two chronograph models features a silver dial and polished stainless-steel case, a nod to the rare and coveted panda dials that were produced for the Autavia in extremely limited quantities in the 1960s, while the second Autavia flyback model showcases the direct link to TAG Heuer’s military pieces of the past with its black dial and DLC-coated case.
Zenith DEFY 21 Chroma
With the new DEFY 21 Chroma, Zenith is aiming to express the notion of high-frequency precision through frequencies of light and colours. The watch's matte-finished white ceramic case gives way to a refracted rainbow spread evenly across the open dial and movement, in a perfectly transitioning gradient of colours spanning the entire spectrum.
The red-painted marker at 12 o’clock shifts through orange, yellow, green, blue, violet and pink in a clockwise manner. The meticulously applied colours on the markers and 1/100 of a second scale extend beyond the dial and out of the case, with the crown’s rubber grip ring as well as the white cordura-effect rubber strap’s stitching following the colour arrangement of the dial. This also extends to the chronograph counter hands, each tipped in a different tone.
The open dial features raised white chronograph counters matching the case, beneath which the extraordinarily decorated movement shines through. Each bridge is finished in a different metallic colour, again following the gradient of the dial’s markers.
Visible through the dial as well as the sapphire case back, one can admire the singular El Primero 21 automatic high-frequency 1/100th of a second chronograph that’s at the peak of performance and precision, featuring two independent regulating organs and gear trains for the timekeeping and chronograph functions, operating at frequencies of 5Hz (36’000 VpH) and 50Hz (360’000 VpH), respectively.
The Zenith DEFY 21 Chroma is limited to 200 pieces and available at Zenith boutiques and authorized retailers around the world.
Zenith DEFY Skyline
The biggest news from Zenith this year puts the spotlight on the DEFY collection, with the brand new DEFY Skyline. It builds upon the DNA of robustness and performance that has defined the line since it began.
The DEFY Skyline pairs a sleek and evocative design with an unprecedented function. Its architectural and highly faceted silhouette draws inspiration from the early DEFY models. The 41mm stainless steel case features sharply defined edges, a faceted bezel, and a screw-down crown emblazoned with the star emblem (providing a water-resistance of 10 ATM).
The DEFY Skyline brings something new to the table that’s as much a demonstration of technical prowess as it is a visually captivating animation rarely ever seen on a wristwatch. On the small counter at 9 o’clock, a constantly running 1/10th of a second-hand makes steady jumps in fixed increments. Zenith claims this reminds the wearer of the fleeting nature of time and the precision of the 5Hz movement within.
This performance is delivered by the new El Primero 3620 calibre, visible through the sapphire display back drives the 1/10th of a second hand directly from the escapement. It is also endowed with a stop-second mechanism for precise time-setting.
Zenith DEFY Extreme Carbon
Another addition to the Zenith DEFY lineup, this one slightly more extreme than the other. The DEFY Extreme is built to withstand the elements and equipped with the world’s fastest and most precise automatic chronograph movement.
Introduced in 2021 as the boldest and most rugged iteration of Zenith’s groundbreaking 1/100th of a second automatic high-frequency chronograph to date, the DEFY Extreme has already proven that it’s more than capable of withstanding even the harshest elements during the first season of Extreme E. Now, the DEFY Extreme arrives in a lightweight and sporty carbon fibre design, inspired by the world’s first off-road electric rally racing championship.
The case as well as the pushers and crown are made of highly durable layered carbon fibre. Highlighting the angular geometry of the case, the pusher protectors as well as the twelve-sided bezel are made in micro-blasted titanium.
Within the monolithic case, the open multi-layered dial features a mix of racy colours inspired by the EXTREME E’s “X Prix”. The 1/100th of a second chronograph scale features bright yellow markers, while the tinted sapphire crystal dial’s chronograph counters are in bright blue, green and white, with matching-coloured small hands.
The DEFY Extreme is delivered with three straps that are easily interchangeable without requiring any tools, these include a black textured rubber strap with a micro-blasted titanium folding buckle, a red textured rubber strap and a black Velcro strap with a carbon fibre buckle.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf Orange Carbon
Now time for some Hublot.
In 2017 and in partnership with Dustin Johnson, Hublot introduced the world’s first mechanical golf watch with aperture display, the Big Bang Unico Golf. Most golf watches are digital, but this innovative Swiss Made watch brought the joy of watchmaking mechanics to golfers’ wrists.
Hublot developed a module for its iconic Unico movement so that through three apertures, the watch shows golfers which hole they were on, how many shots they’d taken on that hole, and their cumulative score for the round.
The Big Bang Unico Golf Orange Carbon continues the story, casing the ground-breaking Hublot MHUB1580 automatic movement in zesty, lightweight orange carbon.
Hublot Yellow Gold collection
The other new Hublot pieces unveiled at LVMH Watch Week aims to recapture the original essence of the brand: the fusion of gold and rubber in a sporty-chic aesthetic, at a time when, over 40 years ago, the concept of the sport-chic watch didn't even exist.
Each of these six new models represents a little piece of the brand's history. Pictured above is the most essential expression – the Classic Fusion Chronograph. This is the first time it has been produced in yellow gold in a diameter of 42 mm. It's a clean, understated, stylish, self-winding bicompax.
Other yellow gold models available are the Big Bang, the Spirit of Big Bang, the Big Bang Integral, the Big Bang Unico, and, finally, the Spirit of Big Bang.
Talking about the new Yellow Gold models, Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, said:
'Collective strength is something we're very familiar with at Hublot! Embarking on our fifth decade, we decided to revisit yellow gold – one of our core materials – with not one, but six pieces. This is the first time we have unveiled such a rich set of pieces based on a single theme. The best way to reiterate our continued connection to our DNA and our ongoing commitment to forging our future!'
Bulgari LVCEA Intarsio
Okay, now time for something a little different.
Since its introduction, Bulgari's signature round watch pays homage to the sundials of ancient Rome that captured light to signal the passage of time. The new 2022 models add new colours to the palette, with three-dimensional dials crafted in materials that capture and enhance the light.
Furthering a classic métiers d’art technique applied to the mother-of-pearl, each of the dials is assembled using the marquetry technique in a pattern called Intarsio. In both cases, each of the mother-of-pearl and blue aventurine micro-elements are cut and then faceted by hand before being assembled according to a precise and regular geometry to form the three-dimensional surface of the dial.
Bulgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon
The new Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon combines two traditional complications of the tourbillon and the striking mechanism, both of which can be glimpsed through the highly graphic skeletonised movement with blue bridges.
The platinum case has been designed to amplify the sound rendition and clarity, while the generous proportions of the case are designed to maximise sound propagation.
The movement is equipped with one classical barrel ensuring the power reserve of at least 75 hours for the movement at full charge.
The Bulgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon is available as a 30-piece limited edition, with a transparent sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistance to three atmospheres, and comes with a blue alligator leather strap secured by a platinum triple-blade folding clasp.
Zenith DEFY Midnight Borealis
The Zenith DEFY Midnight Borealis evokes the aurora borealis (northern lights) phenomenon witnessed around the arctic circle. It featuring a midnight blue dial that gradually shifts to a bright emerald green towards to bottom. White diamonds are applied on every hour marker, except at 3 o’clock where the date window is placed.
The DEFY Midnight Borealis is housed in a 36mm stainless steel case embellished with brilliant cut white diamonds on the bezel, and arrives with a sibling called the DEFY Midnight Sunset, which transitions from warm red to a deep yellow.
DEFY Midnight owners can now shop an exclusive collection of sustainably made straps with a high-fashion edge, made in partnership with Nona Source, a start-up incubated by LVMH that uses deadstock fabrics from the group’s most prestigious Fashion & Leather Goods brands that are upcycled and transformed into handmade watch straps.
Zenith DEFY Revival A3642
Following the highly acclaimed and sought-after “Revival” reproductions of historical El Primero models from the 1960s and 1970s, Zenith has turned its attention to another monumental piece from 1969: the DEFY A3642.
Reproduced as a limited edition of 250 pieces in stunningly accurate detail using the original production plans from 1969, the DEFY Revival A3642 brings back all the details and singular design elements that made the original so groundbreaking. This includes an octagonal case paired with a fourteen-sided bezel, a warm grey dial with a striking gradient effect that darkens towards the edges, unusual applied square hour markers feature horizontal grooves, and the now-iconic Gay Frères steel “ladder” bracelet.
The wide sword-shaped hands are generously filled with SuperLumiNova in a similar tone to Tritium found in the original, paired with a paddle-shaped seconds hand that is a prominent feature in numerous Zenith watches of the same era.
The only cosmetic differences between the Revival and its progenitor are the sapphire crystal, the display case back and the type of luminescent pigments.
The water-resistance of 30ATM has also been maintained from the original.
Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II
The Hublot X Sang Bleu story continues, with three new iterations of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II. To mark their 7th year of collaboration, Maxime Plescia-Buchi chose to apply his ink to two iconic materials – Magic Gold and ceramic. Two scratch-resistant materials which nevertheless bear the mark of the famous tattoo artist.
In a 45 mm diameter case made from Magic Gold or Ceramic, the master tattoo artist's designs alternate and are superimposed on the case and bezel, with the mechanism-/disc-hands taking the form of a geometric tattoo that extends to the rubber strap. This geometry reveals that of the HUB1240 manufacture self-winding Unico chronograph movement, which is visible beneath a skeleton dial and a transparent case back.
Hublot is making 100 pieces of the Magic Gold version, 250 of the Black Magic in full black ceramic and 200 of the Green Ceramic.
Talking about the collaboration, Maxime Plescia-Buchi said:
'When you get a tattoo, you take a risk, an indelible decision to express yourself and to impart important messages or symbols that convey a significant moment in your life. This is exactly the spirit we strive to inject into the watches. A Hublot watch is a choice, a decision, an affirmation, a reflection of your essence and the message you wish to convey. For me, tattooing such unique materials in an indelible way represents a complementary facet of my art.”
Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only
Thinner than ever, with a new 40mm case, this new Big Bang Integral collection from Hublot, simply named ‘Time Only’, refocuses on the essence of watchmaking: hours, minutes, seconds and the date.
It comes on the three-link bracelet that mirrors the sharp edges of the case, with each link individually polished and satin-finished, chamfered and bevelled, providing either matt or glossy complex, alternating surfaces to reflect every spark of light.
Simplicity is clearly the guiding principle when it comes to the movement: these three ‘Time Only’ versions have a sapphire crystal on the face and back, where the Big Bang's iconic oscillating weight is housed. Each surface is satin-finished to provide a matt finish on the dial for perfect legibility. The index, hands and date window of each version are finished in yellow gold, titanium or All Black ceramic.
The ‘Time Only’ Big Bang Integral is available in titanium (pictured above) and yellow gold, both of which are new to the collection, as well as an ‘All Black’ version, which is limited to 250 pieces.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200
Now for another bit of TAG Heuer goodness...
Last year, TAG Heuer breathed new life into the Aquaracer story with the Aquaracer Professional 300, the brand’s ultimate luxury diver’s watch, now the new Aquaracer Professional 200 is the next step in the revamping of TAG’s iconic tool watch family.
The Professional 200 will sit in the Aquaracer Professional Series as a sister watch to the Aquaracer Professional 300, it is a singular design in its own right, with an extensive list of carefully considered aesthetic adaptions that lend it its sporty, versatile personality.
In all, there are eleven references at launch, all in stainless steel. No matter the case size or detailing, these are intended to be bold, dynamic watches fit for ice-climbing and speed-flying, just as they are for life in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities.
Each has been heavily tested at TAG Heuer’s La Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture for accuracy, resistance to water and abrasion, and to ensure the bracelet can withstand accidental stresses. The primary guarantee of the Aquaracer Professional Series is performance under pressure.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 VS Professional 300
The relationship between the Aquaracer Professional 200 and Aquaracer Professional 300 is easily defined. Both have the famous and now upgraded bezel with twelve facets first introduced in 1995; both feature a refined, repeating horizontal line dial decoration; both have sculpted, chamfered, shorter lugs with brushed and polished finishes; both are fitted with a three-link bracelet, and both have a screw-down crown with twelve facets and protection.
Closer inspection reveals a series of subtle, but definitive differences, however, all of which give the Aquaracer Professional 200 its unique character and versatility.
For a start, the Aquaracer Professional 200 is appreciably more compact at 40mm (compared to 43mm of the Professional 300), with the further option of a smaller 30mm case.
The bezel still features a diving scale, only now it’s engraved into a steel insert, rather than one in ceramic.
Finally, the central bracelet link is polished rather than brushed, giving the Aquaracer Professional 200 a more formal feel, intended to help it cross codes, from sea to mountain, via the office and a weekend hangout.
Frédéric Arnault, TAG Heuer CEO, said of the Aquaracer Professional 200:
'The Aquaracer is every bit as much a TAG Heuer signature as Carrera or Monaco. Its codes and the philosophy behind it were defined decades ago and continue to be as relevant and exciting as ever, particularly in this season of new beginnings and new journeys. The Aquaracer Professional 200 is a companion for a fast-paced, unforgettable life full of adventure and achievement, a life lived beyond the edge.'
Here's an awesome image of the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 in action:
I'll finish today with one more shot of the handsome Zenith Defy Skyline.
On the new DEFY Skyline, Zenith CEO Julien Tornare said:
'After a lot of time spent perfecting the design, proportions and precision, my team and I are extremely proud of the way the DEFY Skyline turned out. It’s the purest expression of the modernistic DEFY line that stands out without ever feeling out of place, and really solidifies the DEFY’s position at the forefront of the future of watchmaking.'
That's all for today folks, make sure you check back tomorrow for more launches and news from LVMH Watch Week 2022.
We'll start off day two with a close up image of the Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf Orange Carbon.
On this watch, Dustin Johnson, Hublot Ambassador said:
'I love this watch. It’s so complex and beautiful, but also so light and easy to use. Players can overthink golf, when it’s better to relax and just play the game. This watch captures some of that – it’s the kind of device that slows everything down, encouraging you to stay calm while you’re out there. What I like is that the same skill, patience and discipline you need to achieve that on the course are also behind making a watch this technical and this smart. I think it looks great and I am proud to add it to my collection. . Thank you, Hublot for another great watch and our continued partnership.'
You can read all about Hublot's latest golf watch below.
Here are some more shots of the stunning TAG Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Flyback Chronograph:
The launch of this new flyback chronographs is a nod to TAG Heuer's history. The reference 1550 SG – which is very popular among collectors – was specifically created as a flyback chronograph for the German Air Force in the late 1960's. It was designed to meet the special requirements of their pilots, who appreciated the ease of use and reliability.
Here's what the Zenith DEFY 21 Chroma looks like on the wrist.
The case is crafted from white ceramic with an all-over matte finish to provide a perfect contrast and further accentuate the colours on the dial.
Here's an image of Hublot's new Yellow Gold collection.
'Collective strength is something we're very familiar with at Hublot! Embarking on our fifth decade, we decided to revisit yellow gold – one of our core materials – with not one, but six pieces. This is the first time we have unveiled such a rich set of pieces based on a single theme. The best way to reiterate our continued connection to our DNA and our ongoing commitment to forging our future!' said Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO.
That's the end of our LVMH Watch Week 2022 live blog. Thanks for tuning in!