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This Apple Watch lookalike requires no updates, no charging, doesn't ping notifications, and doesn't have any functions other than telling time. First released in 2016 in a limited edition run of 50 pieces, the Swiss Alp was H. Moser & Cie's cheeky rebuke on the rise of connected watches, a sort of industry insider joke.

At the time of the launch of the original watch, people were questioning the longevity of traditional watchmaking, and whether connected watches would soon take over precious wrist space on collectors. (It had not.)

We all love watches that make a statement, and the original Swiss Alp was an instant success. Since then H. Moser & Cie had developed the collection further, with different versions in white gold and steel, fitted with different complications and dial colours. But this latest release marks the end of the collection. There's a ring of finality to it, as the caseback is engraved with the words "last edition".

The Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade

Of course, from afar, the watch looks nearly identical to the Apple Watch. Its case takes direct inspiration from the Apple Watch's rectangular case shape with rounded corners. For its last hurrah, the brand has gone all out to make its final edition even more alike the Apple Watch.

The Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade comes with a dial coated in Vantablack, and features no logo or indices to mimic the aesthetic of the smartwatch's dial. Vantablack is the blackest material ever produced artificially, and while Moser has used the material for other Concept watches, this is the first (and last) time it will be used on the Swiss Alp.

The hour and minute hands are also blackened to keep with the aesthetics. And for a final touch, the small seconds at 6 o'clock is designed to look like the "loading sign" we're accustomed to seeing on our daily digital devices.

The seconds are shown by 5-second increments as the shaded disc moves around the openings of the sub-dial. The idea for the sub-dial design actually came from a customer and a fan of the Swiss Alp collection. Edouard Meylan, CEO of Moser, loved the idea, saying that it was "perfectly in line with our philosophy, with a touch of humour and a hint of provocation."

Of course, not being powered digitally, the movement can be viewed via the sapphire caseback. The Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade is powered by the hand-wound HMC 324 Manufacture calibre, beating at 2.5Hz with a power reserve of 96 hours.

Learn more about the watch here.

The post One Last Hurrah: The Moser Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

2020 will probably go down as the most dramatic year since the Quartz Revolution shook up the watch industry — from the calamity called Covid that shuttered manufactures for months on end, to the fiasco called Baselworld and more, it's been quite a show. But obstacles aside, our favourite watchmakers have not stopped in their creativity and in their determination to bring us new timepieces that excite and drag us out of our gloom from time to time. Here are the seven watches that defined 2020 for us.

Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon

The question of the future of major Swiss watch fairs has already been a question on everyone's minds for some time — many had already pulled out of Baselworld at this time, and the newly re-christened Watches and Wonders had also been pushed back to mid-year. Bulgari's CEO Jean-Christophe Babin, with contrary views, decided to strike out on his own, along with Bulgari's sister brands within the LVMH Group.

Bulgari kicked off the year with the launch of LVMH Watch Week in Dubai from January 13 to 15. The debut event offered up a variety of spectacular watches from Bulgari, TAG Here, Hublot and Zenith, and would also become the only watch fair to have gone on successfully before Covid hit full force.

In particular, the Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon launched at this time was remarkable. Bulgari combined both their expertise in jewellery and watchmaking to bring us the world's thinnest tourbillon movement in the beautiful, bejewelled Serpenti Seduttori timepiece. The new Calibre BVL150 is the smallest tourbillon in current production, with an overall dimension of 22mm x 18mm and only 3.65mm thick.

Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept

Since the 1960s, Piaget has been a leader in creating ultra-thin movements, with the creations of the automatic calibre 12P and the hand-wound calibre 9P. In 2018, Piaget broke all records by releasing the prototype Altiplano Ultimate Concept that was only 2mm thick. It was so thin, it was thinner than many watch movements on the market. It took two years to make the technical feat an actual production watch and Piaget finally did it this year.

The Altiplano Ultimate Concept is the world's thinnest mechanical watch today in production today. Not only that, Piaget has made the watch fully customisable, with over 10,000 permutations that you could play around with online, from changing the colours of the bridges and wheels, to the colour of the bezel and straps.

MB&F x H. Moser LM101 and H. Moser x MB&F Endeavour Cylndrical Tourbillon

In a heartwarming turn of events, two of the most well-beloved independent manufactures, MB&F and H. Moser & Cie, came together in a mutual display of respect and creativity to bring us two collaboration limited edition watches. From Moser, we have the H. Moser x MB&F Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon, inspired by the MB&F FlyingT. And from MB&F, we have the MB&F x H. Moser LM101, which puts Moser's incredible fumé dials and hairspring innovation at the forefront.

Launched in June, the watches were offered in an array of stunning colour — the LM101 was available in 60 examples divided into 15 pieces each in funky blue, cosmic green, red and an exclusive aqua blue for retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. The Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon is offered in five versions, in funky blue, burgundy, cosmic green, off-white and ice blue, with each version available in 15 piece editions as well.

Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Navy Blue

When Rolex, Patek Philippe and Tudor pulled out of Baselworld in April 2020, we didn't know what to expect next. Could we still expect any of them to release anything this year? And if so, in what format? Tudor was the first to do so, with the release of the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Navy Blue. Tudor only released one watch last year, but it was enough to sweep the internet off of its feet.

In the seven years since its launch, the Black Bay has planted itself firmly in the hearts of many. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight in particular, with a black dial and gilt accents, was an instant hit when it arrived on the market in 2018. The 2020 Navy Blue is a beautiful new addition to the collection, inspired by the "Blue Snowflake" Tudor Submariners from the mid-70s.

Omega Speedmaster "Silver Snoppy Award" 50th Anniversary

For the most part of the 2020, Omega had been mum about what they had been up to. But as we edged closer and closer to October, we knew they had something in store for us. The release of the Omega Speedmaster "Silver Snoopy Award" 50th Anniversary coincided with the very anniversary date of the Silver Snoopy Award to Omega — on October 5, 1970 — following the Apollo 13 mission. The Silver Snoopy Award is a special honour awarded to NASA employees and contractors for their outstanding achievements related to flight safety and mission success.

There couldn't have been a more uplifting watch than this latest Silver Snoopy timepiece. The Omega Snoopy watches have always been some of the most desirable Omega watches - a great juxtaposition between the playful comic and the recognition of Omega's efforts during the space exploration years. The 2020 version is presented in the classic 42mm Speedmaster steel case, with a stark white dial and blue accents on the bezel, hands, hour markers, sub-dials and logo. There's also a Snoopy illustration in the small seconds sub-dial.

The ultimate surprise however, lies in the back. On the back of the watch is an animation of the moon, the earth and Snoopy in a white Command and Service Module. When the chronograph is started, Snoopy in his command module will travel to the far side of the moon, hidden from view, and reappear on top of the earth at 14 seconds — an homage to the trip taken by the Apollo 13 crew.

Patek Philippe Grande Sonnerie ref. 6301P

This year has seen many brands return to basics — and Patek Philippe has also done the same. Kind of. If you could call a grand complication basic. There is of course, nothing basic about chiming watches, but Patek Philippe's new ref. 6301P is what they call its "purest manifestation to date" of a grande and petite sonnerie. It's almost unbelievable that this is the first timepiece Patek has created that has placed the focus singularly on its striking complications. Patek's previous grande sonnerie was in the Grandmaster Chime launched in 2014 to celebrate Patek's 175th anniversary. The ref. 5175 featured a second time zone display, a perpetual calendar, an alarm function that sounded the hours, quarters and minutes two minutes before the selected time, a striking date function in decimal format, a minute repeater and a grande and petite sonnerie on four hammers. That watch was also grandiose and almost baroque in its aesthetic execution.

Not the 6301P in comparison. It still comes with six complications (counting the dual power reserve indications, the minute repeater and jumping seconds at 6 o'clock), but its design is so sleek. The 44mm Calatrava-style platinum case, with its grand feu black enamel dial, white printed chemin-de-fer style minute track, Breguet applied numerals in white gold and luminescent leaf-shaped hands - it is all of Patek Philippe's most revered design codes rolled into one. If there was an award for the most understated complication watch of all time, this would be it.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Double Balance Wheel Black Ceramic

AP has continuously rolled out hits this year and it was clear that no pandemic was going to stop it in its tracks. Released in December, the Royal Oak Openworked Double Balance Wheel appears for the first time in a highly polished satin-brushed black ceramic case. The complication has been released in both 37mm and 41mm and various case materials, but this is the first time the watch has been dressed in black ceramic. The scratch-resistant material also perfectly frames the slate grey dial and the rose gold double balance.

In its usual 41mm case sizing, the open-worked timepiece allows you more than just a glimpse into the inner workings of the in-house self-winding calibre 3132 with the pink gold double balance wheel, a patented technology that improves the watch's precision and stability. Audemars Piguet has had a pretty superb 2020 despite the circumstances, and we can't wait to see what this year will bring them.

The post The 7 Watches that Defined 2020 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Having two young children at home, Christmas is a big occasion in our household. We'd usually celebrate the holidays in the US but this year, as many families are, we're staying put. We've dusted the Christmas decorations and lights and they're all decked and lit up. And as is our tradition, we'd have the girls make a wish list and it's worked wonderfully so far. One would argue it ruins the element of surprise but these days, I'd much rather get them gifts they really want. Interestingly, I've never really thought of making one myself, nor has it ever been suggested - note to the hubby . So it was a delight making my 2020 Christmas wish list, which contained just that right amount of bling, items that are practical - and not quite so, as well a few things I came across I'd also love to gift the special people in my life.

Sauvereign

You got me at bespoke. Formerly R. Sanderson, Sauvereign provides a different retail experience where you can customise your shoes and in this case, your bag. My favourite feature? The “GEM” which you can pick to your preference to be used as the buckle that features a gold leaf - in real gold, mind you - intertwined with colours and dashed with gold powder. 

Van Cleef & Arpels

The French maison had just released its new Winter collection called Rose de Noël, which is ultra-feminine and dainty but can totally rock a jeans and white T-shirt ensemble. Crafted in n yellow gold, white mother-of-pearl and diamonds this pair can easily be your everyday go-to accessory.

Hermès

I’ve always preferred dressing in block colours, and often in dark shades so what better way to get a pop of colour than with this Hermès silk Exposition Universelle scarf designed by Jan Bajtlik. Surely it’s a fine, pastel-perfect accessory I’d love to get this Christmas.

Bvlgari

I saw this Bvlgari Serpenti diamond ring on a friend and it was quite a sight. I could not tear my eyes from it and I instantly knew it was gonna make it to my 2020 Christmas wish list. I suppose with anything Bulgari, that is always the point, is it? While it’s definitely a bold piece, it’s one you can pull off wearing casual clothes, and of course, needless to say also be perfect for that fancy night out. I also like that the ring has several articulations that make it expandable and really comfortable to wear.

Montblanc

I’m old school and still prefer jotting things down so I’ve included in my wish list Montblanc’s notebook with the Heritage Egyptomania cover - will you look at that brilliant colour combination - which is made with calfskin Saffiano leather and digital print pattern.

H. Moser & Cie

While I’m usually partial to watches that fit my wrist to a T, I will make an exception for H. Moser & Cie’s Streamliner watch. The watch is every bit sleek, reminiscent of 1920s locomotive designs. Its minimalist and steely appearance is nicely countered by the Funky Blue fumé dial.

Tiffany & Co

I don’t have a dog, not yet anyway, but I have many friends that do so when I came across this Tiffany & Co suite of dog accessories, which includes a leather pet collar, bowl in bone china, and a collar charm, I couldn’t help get that furry feeling.

Louis Vuitton

These Louis Vuitton Vivienne 4 Seasons goblets made from white porcelain and painted with LV’s Vivienne mascots in different locations around the world is just something I’d love to have on the table setting - and isn’t the silver-colour rim detail such a classy touch?

Dior

And for my 7-year-old girl who loves anything and everything feminine, who has included in her wish list "high heel shoos" this pair of Dior patent calfskin Miss B ballet flats with a woven ribbon is just perfect. I can imagine it will look just as gorgeous with one of her puffy party dresses or with trousers matched with a dainty pea coat.

Cartier

To keep my work desk organised but still decorative - and festive, I'd love this Cartier Panthère de Cartier trinket tray, where I can stash everything from my Airpod case, pens, loose change and accessories.

Lalique

Having a full household, there is almost always cooking going on so we usually have scented candles lit to counter the smell, and indeed, it's just such a wonderful, relaxing aroma to linger about so this Lalique La Nuit candle caught my fancy and definitely deserves a spot in my 2020 Christmas wish list, and it burns for as long as 60 hours. And it certainly does not hurt that it looks beautiful on the coffee table next to your books and ornaments.

The post 2020 Christmas Wish Lists: Charlene’s Picks appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Having two young children at home, Christmas is a big occasion in our household. We'd usually celebrate the holidays in the US but this year, as many families are, we're staying put. We've dusted the Christmas decorations and lights and they're all decked and lit up. And as is our tradition, we'd have the girls make a wish list and it's worked wonderfully so far. One would argue it ruins the element of surprise but these days, I'd much rather get them gifts they really want. Interestingly, I've never really thought of making one myself, nor has it ever been suggested - note to the hubby . So it was a delight making my 2020 Christmas wish list, which contained just that right amount of bling, items that are practical - and not quite so, as well a few things I came across I'd also love to gift the special people in my life.

Sauvereign

You got me at bespoke. Formerly R. Sanderson, Sauvereign provides a different retail experience where you can customise your shoes and in this case, your bag. My favourite feature? The “GEM” which you can pick to your preference to be used as the buckle that features a gold leaf - in real gold, mind you - intertwined with colours and dashed with gold powder. 

Van Cleef & Arpels

The French maison had just released its new Winter collection called Rose de Noël, which is ultra-feminine and dainty but can totally rock a jeans and white T-shirt ensemble. Crafted in n yellow gold, white mother-of-pearl and diamonds this pair can easily be your everyday go-to accessory.

Hermès

I’ve always preferred dressing in block colours, and often in dark shades so what better way to get a pop of colour than with this Hermès silk Exposition Universelle scarf designed by Jan Bajtlik. Surely it’s a fine, pastel-perfect accessory I’d love to get this Christmas.

Bvlgari

I saw this Bvlgari Serpenti diamond ring on a friend and it was quite a sight. I could not tear my eyes from it and I instantly knew it was gonna make it to my 2020 Christmas wish list. I suppose with anything Bulgari, that is always the point, is it? While it’s definitely a bold piece, it’s one you can pull off wearing casual clothes, and of course, needless to say also be perfect for that fancy night out. I also like that the ring has several articulations that make it expandable and really comfortable to wear.

Montblanc

I’m old school and still prefer jotting things down so I’ve included in my wish list Montblanc’s notebook with the Heritage Egyptomania cover - will you look at that brilliant colour combination - which is made with calfskin Saffiano leather and digital print pattern.

H. Moser & Cie

While I’m usually partial to watches that fit my wrist to a T, I will make an exception for H. Moser & Cie’s Streamliner watch. The watch is every bit sleek, reminiscent of 1920s locomotive designs. Its minimalist and steely appearance is nicely countered by the Funky Blue fumé dial.

Tiffany & Co

I don’t have a dog, not yet anyway, but I have many friends that do so when I came across this Tiffany & Co suite of dog accessories, which includes a leather pet collar, bowl in bone china, and a collar charm, I couldn’t help get that furry feeling.

Louis Vuitton

These Louis Vuitton Vivienne 4 Seasons goblets made from white porcelain and painted with LV’s Vivienne mascots in different locations around the world is just something I’d love to have on the table setting - and isn’t the silver-colour rim detail such a classy touch?

Dior

And for my 7-year-old girl who loves anything and everything feminine, who has included in her wish list "high heel shoos" this pair of Dior patent calfskin Miss B ballet flats with a woven ribbon is just perfect. I can imagine it will look just as gorgeous with one of her puffy party dresses or with trousers matched with a dainty pea coat.

Cartier

To keep my work desk organised but still decorative - and festive, I'd love this Cartier Panthère de Cartier trinket tray, where I can stash everything from my Airpod case, pens, loose change and accessories.

Lalique

Having a full household, there is almost always cooking going on so we usually have scented candles lit to counter the smell, and indeed, it's just such a wonderful, relaxing aroma to linger about so this Lalique La Nuit candle caught my fancy and definitely deserves a spot in my 2020 Christmas wish list, and it burns for as long as 60 hours. And it certainly does not hurt that it looks beautiful on the coffee table next to your books and ornaments.

The post 2020 Christmas Wish Lists: Charlene’s Picks appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

What was known as the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie takes the show online.

The post Horological highlights from Watches & Wonders 2020 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

What was known as the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie takes the show online.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

World of Watches set the scene for an overdue discussion on the many virtues of the metal bracelet of a wristwatch

The post Virtual Integration — a Dive Into the Watch Metal Bracelet appeared first on LUXUO.