The Best New Watches That Dropped in September
Watchmakers once again demonstrated their ability to cross-pollinate horology with various industries this month. Several big brands unveiled timepieces with influences that run the gamut from sport and racing to aviation and sailing. TAG Heuer and Ulysse Nardin dropped models inspired by motorsport, Omega released a new high-tech Seamaster for the America’s Cup, and Jacob & Co. rolled out a limited edition in honor of soccer club Manchester City.
Other watchmakers such as Blancpain, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Arnold & Son dropped fresh takes on old favorites this month. And still others like Hodinkee and Zenith came up with a cool take on a killer chronograph.
More from Robb Report
The Best New Timepieces to Check Out at WatchTime New York This Fall
Hublot's First Luxury Watch Dedicated to Canada Is Hit and Miss, According to This Canuck
How Collector Charlie Gray Learned to Ignore the Purists and Love Watch Customization
Below are the best watch releases of the month.
Best of Robb Report
Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.
Audemars Piguet: Carbon Royal Oak Concept
Audemars Piguet knows that a high-tech chronograph deserves a high-tech material. The Swiss watchmaker has unveiled a new Royal Oak Concept crafted from a new type of forged carbon. Developed over five years, the material uses in-house Chroma Forged Technology (CFT) to color the carbon fibers directly rather than the resin. As a result, the black 43 mm case features luminescent blue accents. This striking two-tone colorway also extends to the dial and strap. Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date, $206,800.
Learn More
Blancpain: Air Command Chronographe Flyback
Blancpain launched not one but two new Air Command models in September. The limited editions take design cues from the legendary military chronograph the Swiss watchmaker made for the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s but showcase a distinctive, camouflage-green hue. The two newcomers also feature hardwearing titanium cases that measure 42.5 mm and 36.2 mm, respectively. Air Command Chronographe Flyback 42.5 mm, $21,800; Air Command Chronographe Flyback 36.2 mm, $20,500.
Learn More
Arnold & Son: Double Tourbillon Charoite Edition
Arnold & Son has made a rare purple gemstone the star of its latest timepiece. The one-off features a dial made of gorgeous, semi-precious charoite, which changes hues in the light. The mesmerizing mauve backdrop is juxtaposed by a white gold case, two white opal subdials, and two striking tourbillons. Truth be told though: Design-wise it’s giving us MB&F Legacy Machine vibes. Double Tourbillon White Gold Charoite Edition, 227,100 Swiss francs (about $267,000).
Learn More
Hublot: Big Bang Unico Carbon Canada
Hublot has decided to pay horological homage to the Great White North, releasing a new timepiece inspired by the country Canada. The limited edition features a 42 mm black carbon case with white and red accents that reflect the country’s snowy landscape and autumn foliage, respectively. A Canadian maple leaf is also emblazoned on the caseback in a nod to the country’s flag. Big Bang Unico Carbon Canada, $29,900.
Learn More
Jacob & Co.: Epic X Sport Edition Manchester City
Jacob & Co. thinks it’s time the eight-time champions of the Premiere League got their own wristwatch. The watchmaker has unveiled a new Epic X Sport in honor of Manchester City. The limited edition features a 41 mm titanium case and a rhodium dial with the club’s logo at six o’clock. The strap, hands, inner ring, and crown are finished in the sky blue synonymous with Man City. Epic X Sport Edition Manchester City, £15,000 (about $20,000).
Learn More
Jaeger-LeCoultre: Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 184
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s latest release is the epitome of high horology. A riff on the Master Hybris Artistica, the limited edition features a fresh 43 mm pink gold case and a dazzling new dial. Sapphire crystals sit on both sides of the case, allowing the wearer to fully appreciate the incredible Calibre 184. The movement combines three complications, including a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and constant-force gyrotourbillon. Another wonderful quirk is that the minute repeater plays the Westminster Carillon just like London’s Big Ben. JLC will produce just five of these handmade beauties in pink gold, with a white-gold reference to follow. Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 184, price upon request.
Learn More
Omega: Seamaster Regatta
Omega released the ultimate watch for sailors to mark the 37th America’s Cup. Labeled “a multifunctional tool that you can wear on your wrist” by Omega President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann, the 46.75 mm titanium timepiece features both analog and digital displays, a moonphase indicator, a chronograph, a sailing logbook, a temperature gauge, an accelerometer, three alarms, and a regatta race function, naturally. Seamaster Regatta, 6,500 Swiss francs (about $7,700).
Learn More
Perrelet: Turbine Skull
Perrelet is known for designing watches with distinctive dials, but the Swiss maison’s newest Turbine timepiece has a face that might just blow your mind. The limited edition features a giant 3-D skull on the lower dial, with a 12-blade turbine that spins above it in spectacular fashion. The design is a nod to the skull motif that has been incorporated into horology since the 16th century. The 44 mm steel watch comes in black and blue colorways. Turbine Skull steel case/blue version, $5,000; Turbine Skull black PVD steel case/black version, $5,250.
Learn More
TAG Heuer: Monaco Chronograph Racing Green
TAG Heuer just gave the Monaco Chronograph a racy update. The latest iteration has been decked out in a racing green that was inspired by the British racing cars of yore. (The Swiss watchmaker dropped another Monaco dressed in French racing blue last August.) The newcomer features a 39 mm titanium case, a silver sunray dial, and white and yellow accents in honor of the historical four-wheelers. Monaco Chronograph Racing Green, 9,100 Swiss francs (about $10,700).
Learn More
Ulysse Nardin: Freak X Gumball 3000
Ulysse Nardin celebrated the Gumball 3000 in a fittingly insane fashion, unveiling a new Freak timepiece to commemorate 25 years of the legendary supercar rally. As with the other Freaks, the limited edition eschews the traditional dial, hands, and crown to make a deconstructed movement the centerpiece. The black Carbonium case is juxtaposed with Gumball orange accents for added pizzaz. Limited to 150, the watch will be offered to the drivers of the Gumball rally in September. They’ll get their names engraved on the caseback, too. Freak X Gumball 3000 Limited Edition, price upon request.
Learn More
Zenith: Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition for Hodinkee
Hodinkee’s latest creation with Zenith may be its best yet. The limited edition is a horological ode to a rare prototype El Primero from 1970 that featured a triple calendar moonphase module atop an A386 movement. The modern successor showcases a 38 mm steel case, a black dial with meteorite subdials, and an exhibition caseback. The beating heart is the incredibly accurate El Primero Caliber 3610 triple calendar movement. Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition For Hodinkee, $13,500.
Learn More
Jaeger-LeCoultre: Reverso Tribute
What’s better than one new Jaeger-LeCoultre? Three, of course. The Swiss watchmaker unveiled three new takes on the classic Reverso from 1931. The latest Reverso Tribute Monoface features a new, smaller 40.1 case that is very in close in size to the original’s and will make an elegant addition to any wrist. The updated Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon is now available with a steel case, while the new Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds has been reimagined in 18-karat pink gold and fitted with a dark-blue lacquer dial. Reverso Tribute Monoface, $8,900; Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon, price upon request; Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds, $25,500.
