Best Watch Releases of Watches & Wonders 2021 – Part 2

By Dimitri Tsilioris - News Published: 11 Apr 2021

Watches & Wonders 2021 is well and truly in the swing of things. Our first piece of coverage focused on brands like A. Lange & Söhne, Panerai and IWC’s new watch releases. This next instalment will see brands like Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Hublot featured. Enjoy!

You can check out Part 1 here.

Rolex

Rolex Sky-Dweller on a Jubilee Bracelet

Previously only available on an Oyster bracelet and an Oysterflex bracelet, Watches & Wonders 2021 sees the Sky-Dweller finally strapped to Rolex’s infamous Jubilee bracelet. For now, however, only the Oystersteel and white gold variant as well as the Rolesor model will be available on the Jubilee bracelet, but we’re sure to see the majority of the collection have the Jubilee option, too.

Rolex Explorer II 226570

Rolex’s approach to the new Explorer II 266570 was perhaps focused on not reinventing the wheel, rather making subtle adjustments and improvements where deemed necessary. The new Explorer II 226570 is quite similar to the previous model, with minor adjustments made to the 42mm case to but with the main point of differentiation being the integration of the in-house calibre 3285 (which is the same movement found in the GMT-Master II). Not groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be.

Rolex Daytona with Meteorite Dials

Rolex unveiled three new variations of the Daytona in the form of a white gold, yellow gold and Everose gold cased model. The white gold model will come with an Oysterflex bracelet, while the yellow gold and Everose gold models will be strapped to a matching bracelet. All three models will feature meteorite dials, all of which in the same colour palette, and all of which look superb. My favourite would definitely be the white gold model.

Rolex Explorer 36mm

Next up is the revamped Explorer 36mm. Two new models were unveiled. The first is the stainless steel model, and the second is the somewhat polarising two-tone Rolesor model. Both models retail the Explorer’s understated dimensions, but both breathe a breath of fresh air into the collection. I’m a fan of both, but for the sake of versatility I’d definitely take the stainless steel model.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds

With such a heavy emphasis on green in the past few years, it seems only pertinent that Jaeger-LeCoultre endow its famed Reverso in the same colour. The Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is a beautiful, subtle and reserved rendition of the tried and true classic, with a clear emphasis on the original model’s Art Deco lines. This is a welcoming addition to the ever-expanding collection of Reversos.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 Quadriptyque

Touted as the most complicated Reverso ever, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 Quadriptyque is an incredible achievement of haute horlogerie. Featuring a whopping 11 complications and priced at €1.35 million, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 Quadriptyque packs a remarkable amount of tech in such a small space, including a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, various moonphase display types and a digital hour time display.

Hublot

Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Full Sapphire

Iced out watches are few and far between, but in the past half-decade they seem to be coming back in full form. The Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Full Sapphire is a delightful piece that has a sapphire case and a full sapphire bracelet, along with a trio of sapphire bridges and price tag to accompany it of $422,000.

Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon High Jewellery

484 baguette-cut diamonds for a total carat size of 31 is what you get when you drop $685,000 on the new Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon High Jewellery. Oh, and the cherry on top is that illustrious tourbillon. In!

Hublot Big Bang Unico Yellow Magic

A bit more on the quiet side. Wait, did I say quiet? Well when you compare it to the other two pieces from Hublot, the Big Bang Unico Yellow Magic certainly is the most low-key of the three. But don’t get it twisted, the Big Bang Unico Yellow Magic is still one boisterous watch. It features a yellow ceramic case (not the easiest colour to work with when dealing with ceramic) along with a ceramic-cased automatic chronograph. The perfect watch to hang out the window of your yellow Ferrari or Lamborghini.

Cartier

Cartier Tank Must

Fans of colourful watches rejoice! Cartier has released three new variations of its acclaimed Tank, each with a monochromatic dial colour of either red, blue or green. The new Tank Must models retain the original’s aesthetic qualities, including the jewel-encrusted crown, along with the ever-so subtle details, clean lines and elegant styling. I particularly like the blue model, but wouldn’t say not to that deep wine-green model either.

Cartier Pasha de Cartier 41 mm Chronograph Watch

Since its introduction to the world in 1985, Cartier’s Pasha collection has been met with affection and adoration. Now in 2021, Cartier has revamped the collection by adding several new features, including blue cabochon pushers and a rotating bezel. Not your most typical chronograph, but it’s one that combines elegance with functionality in a package that is supremely unique and inexplicably beautiful.

Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier

Now featuring an in-house movement and a 40mm case, the Watches & Wonders 2021 premier of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier is perhaps the collection’s greatest yet. Available in a variety of metal and dial configurations, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier certainly has the appeal of a traditional dress watch that can be worn more casually. From steel to gold and diamonds, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier has you covered.

Cartier Privé Collection Cloche De Cartier

The iconic cloche shape of the Cloche De Cartier has been around since the 1920s, worn as a brooch watch. Now, in its latest version, the Cloche De Cartier is an acclaimed and ultimately spectacular timepiece that marries the worlds of aesthetics and watchmaking brilliance superbly. Balanced, existentially amazing and supremely well put together, the Cloche De Cartier is some of the finest watchmaking from Cartier, period.

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Best Watches & Wonders 2021 – Part 1

Mr Dimitri Tsilioris

Dimitri Tsilioris is a watch enthusiast and founder of watch blog, Haulogerie. From his daily updates on his Instagram page (@haulogerie), to his constant and borderline excessive pursuit of the perfect watch, Dimitri lives and breathes horology. A passion that only begun a few short years ago, he has embroiled himself in the intricate world of tiny mechanisms and astronomical prices. The endless hunt of the perfect watch to satisfy his overarching criterion; aesthetically captivating and mechanically intriguing.

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