WHAT'S NEW WATCHES
THE PROFESSIONAL
There are hundreds of timepiece brands in the world,
but only a few are trusted by serious watch collectors.
Here are three models from top brands that set the standard.
STORY: SOMPOL MINGKHUAN
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF BRANDS
OMEGA
Omega Speedmaster was the first watch worn on the moon on the Apollo 11 mission 50 years ago, and the Speedmaster line has remained flight-qualified for NASA space missions until today. The Speedmaster Professional ‘Moonwatch’ here replicates the legendary watch back in 1969, this time in 42mm stainless steel case and bracelet. The caliber 1863 of the Speedmaster is featured through the sapphire crystal caseback and the watch comes with an interchangeable NATO strap.
PANERAI
Panerai had big role in the World War II as a trusted diving watch brand. Recently, it has introduced a Submersible Carbotech PAM01616. The watch, 47mm in size, features a unidirectional rotating bezel and a Carbotech™ case which is lighter than titanium but highly resistant to external shocks and corrosion. It is water resistant to 300 metres and the intense blue colour of the Super Luminova is applied to the dot and baton indexes of the dial.
IWC
Known as the ultimate pilot’s watch, IWC presents Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’ marking the tale of “The Little Prince” by the French pilot and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The 43mm stainless steel watch comes with protection against the effects of external magnetic fields in the form of a soft-iron inner case. It features a chocolate brown dial, automatic chronograph movement, and a pilot-style calfskin strap.
THE LUXURY
Watches not only tell the time, but also the person’s status.
Fashion and luxury brands have created many watches,
while legendary watch brands present more luxury.
CHOPARD
Chopard is the official sponsor and timekeeper of the prestigious Mille Miglia race in Italy. The race takes its competitors over a distance of 1,000 miles through the magnificent roads of Italy. In 2018, to mark the 30th anniversary of its sponsorship, Chopard has created the self-winding Mille Miglia Racing Colours. The collection offers a variation of five different colours, and shown here is “British Racing Green” which is limited to 300 pieces.
BVLGARI
Bvlgari’s Octo Finissimo is the world’s thinnest automatic watch and continues to break its own record with yet thinner creations. The recently launched Octo Finissimo Skeleton comes with an ultra-thin skeleton movement that is just 2.35mm thick. It offers 65 hours of power reserve and sapphire crystal on the front and on the back with a distinctive octagonal titanium bezel, 40mm in size.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE
The Polaris collection by Jaeger-LeCoultre was meant to be a sport watch, but the Polaris Chronograph in 18K pink gold, 42mm in size, is extremely elegant. The watch comes with a stunning grey dial and delivered on a chocolate brown alligator strap. It has undergone a rigorous ‘1000 HOURS CONTROL’ test before leaving the factory. It is water resistant to 100 metres.
THE RUNWAY
Fashion brands don’t just create pieces for dazzling runway shows — good designs should be good on both runway and real way. If you love what you wear, everywhere is your runway.
EMPORIO ARMANI
Renato Ref.AR11215 is a cool sports watch from Emporio Armani which features a grey/blue matte 43mm dial with an elegant gunmetal stainless strap. This watch is water resistant to 50 metres and offers great precision with quartz chronograph movement. The watch is indicated in a 24 hour format on a smaller dial in the clock centre. It is covered by scratch resistant mineral crystal.
FOSSIL
We can’t decide which one to feature so we’ll do both. Let’s begin with the simple Belmar Quartz Ref.FS5530 which is 44mm in size and features polished stainless steel and is finished with a black dial with a 60-minute scale like a diving watch. The 3-hand quartz watch offers great precision and a date display window. It is water resistant to 50 metres and offers two years’ warranty.
FOSSIL
Next is a sport retro watch Townsman Ref.FS5522 which features two subdials at 6 and 12 o’clock. The Bicompax watch features up to 60 minutes timer with a quartz chronograph movement encased inside a 44mm case. It is water resistant to 50 metres. The case is made with gunmetal stainless, which perfectly suits the grey and black dial.