Another week has come and gone, and that means we’ve got another Wind Up instalment to share with you! In this week’s round-up we have some amazing watches from the likes of Ulysse Nardin, Hublot and Rado, just to name a few. So, as always gents, sit back and enjoy!
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The Wind Up – Watch News #97
Ulysse Nardin Diver Blue Shark
Limited to only 300-pieces and celebrating the 11-year partnership with the most prestigious nautical show in the world, the Monaco Yacht Show, Ulysse Nardin have released the Diver Blue Shark, a balls-to-the-wall deep-diving beast of a watch. Measuring 42mm across, its stainless-steel case is robust and durable. The sand-blasted blue dial adds a textural component to the piece, and the touches of orange on the dial, bezel and strap stitching break up the very blue look of the watch. This is an exciting watch with a very exciting directive. It’s brash, it’s brawn, it’s very macho and I absolutely love it.
Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Berluti
Innovation seems to be embedded in Hublot’s DNA, and their collaboration with luxury Parisian shoemakers Berluti extends to their next partnership-based piece, the Classic Fusion Chronograph Berluti. This fusion of technique brings together two artisans, both at the top of their respective games, marrying up immense talent into something that is beautiful, unique and intriguing. Two versions were made, a Cold Brown model and a Cold Gold variant. Both pieces have the same foundational layout and look, but they’re two completely different watches, visually speaking. The Cold Brown is quite reserved and indiscreet, while the Cold Gold is a bit more ostentatious and loud. I’d even go as far as to say that the Cold Brown is the introvert, while the Cold Gold is the extrovert. But both are exceptional and both represent just how far each respective manufacturer is willing to go to portray their own unique styles.
Rado Golden Horse Collection
Retro-inspired, the Rado Golden Horse Collection features a handful of some very interesting watches, but the one I’ll be focusing on is the red-dialed Tradition Golden Horse Limited Edition. Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of coloured dials. Call me conservative, but I like a neutral coloured dial. But, in light of finding the Tradition Golden Horse Limited Edition, I’ll bite my own tongue in this instance. I love the Tradition Golden Horse Limited Edition’s gradient red dial. The golden horse insignia above 6 o’clock matches the look of the dial well, and I love the contrasting red-coloured date numeral in its respective aperture at 3 o’clock. The sword-shaped hands and nice and sharp, and the hour markers are clean and distinct. This is a simple watch, no doubt. But it’s one that has been executed supremely well.
Chopin OP. 10 NO. 12
Chopin may not be a brand you’ve heard of, and for good reason. As of April 26th, this year, it may very well be horology’s newest manufacturer. Their first model, the OP. 10 NO. 12, is a beautiful aesthetic affair of partial skeletonisation, sound finishing, blued steel everywhere and pleasing lines. At the heart of the OP. 10 NO. 12 is the brand’s mission to combine the legacy of the composer, Fryderyk Chopin with contemporary horology. And there are plenty of indications of this throughout the watch. There is a multilevel stave surrounding the openworked inner dial, a tribute to Chopin’s piano work. The power reserve indicator looks like a piano. The watch movement has an engraving of an excerpt from Chopin’s manuscript. And the red balance wheel represents Chopin’s heart. Whether you understand its reference or not, the OP. 10 NO. 12 is still a very special watch.
Christopher Ward C60 Trident Pro 600
Building on the success of the Trident’s history, Christopher Ward has released the C60 Trident Pro 600, a beefier upgrade to their renowned watch. One of the brand’s hallmark watches, the C60 Trident Pro 600 is an affordable deep-diving piece whose affordable price-tag belies its ability to truly hold its own against some very stiff and very costly competition. Ten years in the making, the C60 Trident Pro 600 is perhaps the best Trident Christopher Ward has ever made. Plenty of details, solid legible, durable and robust, the C60 Trident Pro 600 has a lot going for it. Everything on the C60 Trident Pro 600 serves a purpose, but while doing so still looks wonderful. Little to complain about here.
Image: Frederique Constant
Frederique Constant Slimline Power Reserve Manufacture
Available in four different colour variations, the Frederique Constant Slimline Power Reserve Manufacture features the brand’s 28th in-house caliber. The FC-723 has a very respectable power reserve of 50-hours and gives the Frederique Constant Slimline Power Reserve Manufacture a unique dial layout. In the centre stack there are the passing hour and minute hands, with the date being indicated in the sub-dial at the bottom of the dial, and the power reserve in the top left quadrant. This is a functional and legible design that I really enjoy. The ornate crown and smooth bezel definitely point to the direction of the Frederique Constant Slimline Power Reserve Manufacture being a dress watch, and its classical proportions and aesthetic rings the same tune. Lots of bells and whistles from such a small manufacturer.
If you enjoyed The Wind Up and would like to continue reading about watches, you can head on over to my blog, Haulogerie, where I delve a bit deeper into the wonderful world of watches.
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You’ll also like:
The Wind Up – Watch News #97
The Wind Up – Watch News #96
The Wind Up – Watch News #95
