TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 60th Anniversary Limited Edition
Let's start this live blog off with one of my favourite launches from the show - this stunning limited edition Carrera Chronograph created to celebrate the model's 60th anniversary.
The new 600-piece edition TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 60th anniversary - a faithful reinterpretation of the Heuer Carrera 2447 SN - becomes the curtain-raiser to the 60th anniversary of Jack Heuer’s timeless creation now recognized worldwide for its classic, elegant profile, ultra-legible dial, and utterly dependable engineering.
The “panda” colourway is lifted directly from vintage to new, and the vintage Heuer logo is in place, too, with the name Carrera above it on a silver sunray-brushed dial.
Check out this amazing lifestyle image of the TAG Heuer Carrera 60th Anniversary edition in its natural habitat - on the wrist of someone driving a classic sports car. If this don't make you desperately want to own the watch then I don't know what will.
Zenith DEFY Skyline
Let's skip over to TAG Heuer's stablemate, Zenith, which this year is focusing on its DEFY range of watches.
Zenith is expanding the DEFY Skyline collection with a new skeleton line that goes far beyond open-worked. It's the world's first skeleton watch with a 1/10th of a second timer.
Housed within an angular 41mm steel case, the symmetrical skeleton dial takes on the form of four-pointed stars, in a nod to the Zenith “double Z” logo of the 1960s.
The chapter ring’s applied baton hour markers as well as the central hour and minute hands are filled with Super-LumiNova for easy legibility; something that is usually sacrificed in skeleton watches.
Here's what the Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton looks like on the wrist:
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph Titanium
A few months after launching its groundbreaking TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph at Watches and Wonders 2022, TAG Heuer has announced the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph Titanium, powered yet again by its innovative TH50-00 solar movement.
Known for its exceptional quality, resistance and performance this new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph model’s strengths lie in its lightness and durability - it's being billed as the ultimate outdoor companion.
As the name suggests, TAG's Solargraph movement is recharged by the sun or artificial light. A two-minute exposure to direct sunlight is enough to power the watch for an entire day, and, once fully charged, after less than 20 hours in the sun, the watch can run for up to six months with no light exposure. If the timepiece stops ticking, it only needs exposure to any light source for ten seconds to get it started again.
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Infinity
Okay, how about a little bit of bling now?
For the first time, Bulgari's Serpentine silhouette continues from the watch case all the way to the bracelet, thanks to refined gemsetting on a modular construction.
The rings are moulded – each in unique dimensions – before being polished, gem-set and assembled on a titanium blade.
The result is Serpenti Tubogas Infinity, Bulgari's dazzling new snake. The brilliance of the diamonds extends the head of the snake, lit up by snow setting on the dial, a gem-set bezel and eight diamonds on the curve of the case.
Hublot Classic Fusion Original
Now time for some Hublot action!
This year, Hublot has brought back the watch that shook up conventions in 1980. Both refined and sporty, this precious gold case strapped on a simple rubber strap, unthinkable at the time, sent huge shock waves through the world of fine watchmaking.
This vision inspires the Maison in everything it does, including new product development, designs and partnerships. The new Classic Fusion Original celebrates this timeless simplicity, available in yellow gold, titanium and ceramic; the cases are available in 42, 38 and 33mm.
The 6 famous screws place their hallmark on the bezels while their sapphire case backs reveal the mechanical parts. Hublot’s iconic details bring the original watch up-to-date, to undoubtedly make it a new timeless, classic.
Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO said of the new Classic Fusion Original range:
'Daring... Shattering established conventions, mastering traditional heritage to push back the boundaries, merging high-tech composites with precious, natural materials, working with sectors or people who transcend our motto "to be first, unique and different." 40 exhilarating years have shaped these Classic Fusion Originals. We have redesigned them because Hublot has changed, they embody these rebellious alliances that make us who we are today.'
Hublot Big Bang Unico Integrated Rainbow
On the opposite end of the Hublot scale, we have the new Big Bang Integrated Rainbow models.
The two pieces are not simply stone-set, but fully paved from the case to the bezel to the bracelet. Precious stones take their place alongside the most stunning minerals: ruby, amethyst, blue topaz, tsavorite, as well as a whole spectrum of sapphires – pink, orange, blue and yellow.
Each radiant gemstone with its own unique hue, the subtle nuances of which have been paired, one by one, thanks to the expert eyes and hands of the master stone-setter. There are 174 gemstones in total for the Big Bang Integrated and 176 gemstones for the Time Only, and the bracelet for each piece features 768 and 748 set gemstones respectively.
Zenith DEFY Extreme Glacier
Following the DEFY Extreme Desert launched in 2021, Zenith is going to the opposite kind of landscape for the second edition: meet the DEFY Extreme Glacier, directly inspired by frozen barren landscapes.
An integral part of the titanium case, the component that protects the pushers as well as the dodecagonal bezel is crafted from chalcedony, a crystalline semi-translucent stone with a pale blue hue that evokes the frozen glaciers. Meticulously cut and polished by hand, each stone is different and exhibits slightly different colours and fibrous structures, making each of the 50 examples of the DEFY Extreme Glacier essentially a unique piece.
Keeping with the ice-cold theme, the chronograph counters are made from transparent sapphire crystal that’s given a frosted finish, recalling a layer of ice that allows light to pass through.
Just like luxury off-roaders that spend their entire lives in big cities, I doubt many of these DEFY Glaciers will every see these extreme conditions, but still, it's nice to know it's capable of surviving such weather.
Zenith DEFY Skyline 36mm
As well as beefy Extreme models and complex Skeleton dials, Zenith has also introduced these slightly more traditional DEFY Skyline designs in 36mm.
It keeps the angular form of the original while introducing more modest, unisex proportions that perfectly fit those with smaller wrists.
The mid-size DEFY Skyline comes in three dial colours; the same metallic deep blue found in the 41mm version, while the other two take on totally new tones, pastel pink or green.
Intended as a watch for all occasions and situations, its screw-down crown ensures a water-resistance of 100 metres, and, for added versatility, the quick strap-change mechanism on the case back allows for easy swapping between bracelets and straps.
Serpenti Seduttori
Perhaps the most traditional launch from Bulgari this year is the Serpenti Seduttori.
Two new Serpenti Seduttori models have been introduced with deep black lacquered faces. In contrast to the dial, the first is crafted in steel; while the second combines steel with rose gold.
Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 42mm in Black Titanium
TAG Heuer hasn't just focused on mechanical watches, the Swiss brand has also announced new models of the Connected E4 smartwatch.
Starting off with the much-anticipated sized-down version of the black titanium TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4.
The larger 45mm model, with its stealthy matte black sandblasted DLC titanium case, quickly became the most successful style in TAG's Connected collection.
The new 42mm version joins the core collection as of mid-February 2023 offering wearers an ultra-lightweight and highly resistant smartwatch for smaller wrists.
We think the TAG Heuer Connected E4 is one of the best smartwatches you can buy, and I think this model looks seriously appealing.
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Sport Edition 45mm
There is also a new Connected Sport Edition, distinguished, at first glance, by a new strap that both looks the part and makes exercising more comfortable. It is available in three colours, with a fine mesh material that allows the skin to breathe better. It is also equipped with a pin buckle, allowing the watch to fit perfectly to your wrist.
The TAG Heuer developers have added a new feature for this new edition: the fine-tuned use of the barometer to track gradients. With the release of a software update planned for mid-February, TAG Heuer will add a new “Trail & Hiking” application for runners and hikers who love the mountains and hills.
Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Sport Edition 45mm
The final TAG Heuer Connected model is aimed at golfers.
Following the original golfing community favourite (T3 Platinium Badge-winning) TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition, the new sized-down 42mm Golf Edition will bring its valuable benefits to golfers with smaller wrists. It is the lightest ever smartwatch made by TAG Heuer to date and features new algorithms that will once again take everyone’s game to the next level.
Now, every shot you take, from tee to green (and then your putts) are automatically tracked and recorded. Best of all, the shots are allocated to a club, so as your club statistics and distances evolve over time the club recommendation tool learns their true performance. This will make each watch highly customised to the golfer.
Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic in Neon Yellow Saxem
How about this Hublot to brighten up your day?
Reproducing a translucent case in a bright, fluorescent shade of neon yellow may seem like a simple task, but, in fact, it was incredibly complex to achieve. The yellow is a bright neon shade which almost seems to glow from the inside. To meet this highly technical challenge, Hublot had to search for a solution in space technology. In fact, SAXEM was developed in the field of satellite technology, it is a unique material that had also been used in 2019 for the Big Bang MP-11.
What exactly is SAXEM? It stands for "Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral". It is an alloy of aluminium oxide, the basic component of sapphire, with rare earth elements like thulium and holmium as well as chromium. The resulting material is ultra-resistant and endowed with a brilliance that is greater than that of sapphire.
Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO said;
'It has taken us almost three years of research, after the MP-11 Emerald Green, to develop a new colour fit for our Big Bang and that would be totally transparent and completely resistant. Once again, Hublot is pushing the possibilities of technology and aesthetics and fuses them to create a unique neon yellow manufacture piece.'
Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai
Let's start the second day off with another Hublot - this time created to support SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa India).
Hublot has been supporting SORAI since 2019. The organisation's work helps keep rhinos threatened with extinction safe from poachers, As with the two previous limited editions, part of the proceeds from the sale of the 100 Big Bang Unico SORAI will be donated to the organisation. The colours chosen for this third limited edition are those of the African sunset, evoking the heightened danger faced by rhinos as night falls.
The 44mm watch case is sculpted from polished and microblasted rhino-grey ceramic specially developed for this limited edition. It houses an openworked dial showcasing the Unico self-winding Manufacture movement with a 72-hour power reserve.
TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronometer
The TAG Heuer has revived the Monza!
The Swiss brand has called this one of the significant timepieces in its 160 years of history, showcasing the strong link between the company and competition motorsport.
The new TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronometer is a special edition with a 42mm case made of ultra-lightweight carbon.
Its black dial features a two-register layout with a translucent fumé blue sapphire crystal chronograph counter at 3 and the permanent second at 6 o’clock. The unique skeletonized dial reveals the movement underneath and echoes the piece’s mechanical roots. At 9 o’clock, the date window is in blue luminescent, a first for TAG Heuer, and the blue lacquered indexes and black and white lacquered hours and minutes hands are applied with Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility in low light.
Delivering high precision timekeeping the TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronometer is powered by the in-house Calibre Heuer 02 Flyback, a chronograph movement with COSC certification. The notable advantage of a flyback function is the ability to reset the chronograph without stopping it, using the black DLC steel pushbuttons.
The watch offers three functions that are tailored to a racing driver in action: a chronograph, a tachymeter scale which indicates average speed for a 1-kilometer or 1-mile distance, as well as a pulsometer, which helps determine one’s heartrate per minute.
This function is used based on the blue line in the top right quadrant of the dial which is calibrated to 15 heartbeats per minute. The user launches the chronograph and counts 15 heartbeats, obtaining his personal read when stopping the chronograph.
'We are delighted to reintroduce the TAG Heuer Monza, one of our most important designs that holds such rich emotional and historic motorsport heritage' says Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer, 'The 2023 TAG Heuer Monza is a very special reinterpretation of its famed ancestor, in which its unmistakable racing spirit comes alive in a bold and resolutely modern way, showcasing TAG Heuer’s most advanced expertise in dial design and performance timekeeping.'
While we're on the subject of TAG Heuer I'd like to revist my favourite launch of the show so far, the TAG Heuer Chronograph 60th anniversary edition. Just look how cool it looks in these lifestyle images:
Bulgari Divas' Dream
Has everything else launched at LVMH Watch Week been a little too understated for you? Even the rainbow gem-set Hublot? Well then you need the Bulgari Divas' Dream...
With Divas' Dream, Bulgari celebrates the Roman art of living, with precious mobile petals around the pearly face. Their shape is reminiscent of the ginkgo leaf, symbolising the union of opposites. In this model, Bulgari combines the hardness of the stones with the fluidity of the fanned petals. On the model pictured above, eight deep red rubies contrast with a white diamond pave motif.
Each Divas' Dream model is finished with a perfectly matched strap, contributing to a slim and elegant design that is quintessentially Bulgari.