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As the official timekeeper of the Olympic Winter Games Bejing 2022, Omega is preparing for the global event with a special-edition watch. The Seamaster Diver 300M “Beijing 2022” Special Edition features a 42 mm case crafted from stainless steel and includes a unique grade 5 titanium bezel ring with a 60-minute diving scale. The sun-brush […]

The post Omega Unveils The Seamaster Diver 300M “Beijing 2022” Olympic Watch appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

The latest version of Omega's iconic timepiece is armed with a new movement and bracelet.

The post The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch gets a serious refresh for 2021 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The latest version of Omega's iconic timepiece is armed with a new movement and bracelet.

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

Watches are bought to mark special milestones and occasions — graduation, a birth, an anniversary. But watches themselves also mark great milestones in human history. And this cannot be truer for the Omega Speedmaster. The chronograph, born in 1957, found its calling as a piece of essential NASA-qualified equipment that accompanied NASA astronauts to the moon on the Apollo 11, and also helped bring NASA astronauts back to earth on the aborted Apollo 13 mission.

Since then, many of us consider the Speedmaster Moonwatch sacred — nothing sparked more joy than when Omega revived the legendary Calibre 321 in 2019. The Calibre 321 was the original column wheel movement that powered the very first Speedmaster in 1957. Through tomography scanning, Omega was able to derive the new Calibre 321 that stayed true to the original version. The Speedmaster Calibre 321 "Ed White" in stainless steel, released that same year, instantly became a grail watch for collectors.

The Old Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

The standard production Moonwatch we know today is based on the fourth-generation Speedmaster from 1965. It had an asymmetrical case with twisted lugs, which gave added protection to the crown and pushers. For the first time, the word "Professional" was also printed on the dial. These models, references 105.012 and 145.012 were worn by the Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon.

The last update to the standard production Moonwatch was in 1996. So 15 years later, it was high time Omega turned its attention to what is basically the brand's bread and butter. And of course, to kick off 2021, Omega delivered just that.

The New Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

The new Omega Speedmaster Professional comes with a new movement, the Calibre 3861, marking a new era for the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. The Calibre 321 powered the watch until 1968/69 when the Calibre 861/1861 replaced it. From 2021, the Calibre 1861 will be discontinued, as the Calibre 3861 takes its place.

In releasing the new update, Omega had the delicate task of maintaining a balance between updating the Speedmaster with its proprietary Co-Axial Master Chronometer technology while still staying true to being a Moonwatch. Says CEO Raynald Aeschlimann, Omega has approached the redesign with the "most sincere respect."

We'd say Omega has done it with resounding success. It helped that the brand had released the heritage Calibre 321 Speedmaster Ed White to appease long-time collectors.

In modernising the Speedmaster Moonwatch, Omega did so by keeping much of the essence of the vintage Speedmaster. There is a new movement, yes, but vintage cues like the dot over 90 and the stepped dial (brought back from 1974!) are retained. There is also a major update to the bracelet. The new bracelet comes with five links per row, and is smaller and more lightweight than the previous model. The interlinks on the sapphire crystal Moonwatch is mirror polished, while the Hesalite model comes with a matte polish. The bracelet style recalls the Moonwatch styles of the past, and comes with a new satin-polished clasp.

The Calibre 3861 Speedmaster Moonwatch is also still very much a Moonwatch, adhering to the flight-qualified configurations from NASA, and is certified by NASA for all manned space flights.

The Speedmaster Moonwatch: Steel or Gold?

The version in steel (with a steel case back, steel bracelet and Hesalite crystal) is perhaps the most basic model, but it is also the most direct descendant to the Speedmasters that were used on the moon. On the caseback, the engraving reads "Flight Qualified by NASA in 1965 for all manned space missions". It's slightly different from the the original "Flight Qualified by NASA for all manned space missions". It could be for technical reasons. The Moonwatch with the new calibre wasn't tested by NASA themselves, but by Omega, based on the configurations provided by NASA.

There is also a sapphire crystal version, with a display caseback so you can admire the details on the Calibre 3861.

Then, there are the versions in precious metal. Omega has re-introduced the Moonwatch in two of its proprietary alloys - Sedna gold and Canopus gold. The red Sedna gold version comes with a glossy black dial. The white Canopus gold version is particularly gorgeous, paired with a silver-coloured dial that gives it a really clean, crisp look. With the entire watch and the bracelet crafted in gold, the watch will be a lot more substantial in weight than its steel counterpart.

The last time Omega did a gold Speedmaster Professional in the regular collection was in 2012. With all the new updates, a major revamp of the bracelet and this refreshingly beautiful combination of white gold and a silver dial. Dare we say this is the prettiest Speedmaster we've seen yet? We'll let you decide.

The post Is This the Best Speedmaster Watch Yet? appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

White gold may be subtle and pink gold may be largely flattering, but when it comes to a classic precious metal, there’s nothing quite like yellow gold.

The post Watch spread: yellow gold timepieces appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

White gold may be subtle and pink gold may be largely flattering, but when it comes to a classic precious metal, there’s nothing quite like yellow gold.

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

We examine the popularity of the very specific and constraining aesthetic of perhaps the most famous look for a wristwatch, the dive watch

The post Comprehending the Popularity of Dive Watches appeared first on LUXUO.

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.

Recently, we covered Omega releasing its 4th generation Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional, which includes two versions made from stainless-steel. The second round of Speedmasters added to the collection are made from Sedna (Yellow) and Canopus (White) Gold. The precious metal versions of the iconic watch worn during the first trip to the moon also include sapphire […]

The post Omega Releases Two New Gold 4th Generation Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Models appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.