How Czapek’s New Antarctica Was the Star and Breitling’s Tribute to American Sports Cars from the ’60s Was a Really Bold Move
The contrast between the Geneva Watch Days, not controlled by a consortium, and the big watch fairs couldn’t be more striking. While the first, which closed on Friday, is informal, open to the public, and is spread across the city in hotel suites and retail showrooms, the fairs are by invitation. As was Watches and Wonders earlier this year, a star-studded affair that included a virtual fireside chat with the Watch CEO and a social media blitz. Meanwhile, the Geneva Watch Days Instagram account has just one post since the show began. That’s all. But independents are really celebrated here, with the announcement of pre-owned platform Watchbox’s investment in Swiss watchmaker, De Bethune, causing a stir in forums and clubhouse rooms. In the meantime, here are some brands that made an impact:
Breitling Top Time Classic Car Capsule
The brand has gone from Bentley to muscle cars, headlines about Breitling’s top time capsule collection. Inspired by classic American sports cars of the 1960s – the Chevrolet Corvette, Shelby Cobra and Ford Mustang – the three new chronographs feature a distinctive color and car logo. In the 44mm case (with caliber 41 the Shelby is 40mm) they are limited in volume, a good way to keep interest high. Approx ₹4.1 Lakh.
Bulgari Octo Roma Worldtimer
The soon-to-be sporty Octo Roma Worldtimer for international travel was planned ahead of the pandemic, says Antoine Pin, MD, watch division of the brand. With a softer and more rounded shape, it has a blue dial, steel case and a rotating world time disc operated with a crown. With a small dial of BVL257 caliber and neat on the wrist. About $8,350.
Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpillur Collection
MTo mark the brand’s 175th anniversary, the Marine Torpilour collection features seven new models with two new movements, complications, chronographs and enamelled dials. This is a wristwatch in which you can find all the codes and mechanics on the nautical chronology. Each piece is numbered, with a moon-face complication (here) of caliber 119, a variation of 118. Around $8,200-$42,400.
Montblanc’s pink statement
- The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Pink Dial – launched last month and part of The Pink Dial Project, a charity auction to fight breast cancer – deserves a mention. With its in-house worldtime complexity, it is assembled by one of the brand’s women watchmakers.
Czapek and Cie Antarctica Rattrapante
thThe Swiss watchmaker made an impact last year with its luxury sports contender. The split-second chronograph movement is visible from the dial side in the new Rattrapante. It made a splash this week with the automatic caliber SXH6, IC steel case and bracelet. And the limited edition, 77 pieces, has been swiped for around CHF 46,000.
GWD was from 30 August to 3 September. Read the full story online over the weekend.thehindu.com
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