The Wind Up – Watch News #143

Welcome to another instalment of our weekly series where we look at all of the latest watch releases of the past seven days, The Wind Up. In this week’s column, we’ll be covering new pieces from the likes of Blancpain, Jaquet Droz and TAG Heuer, amongst others. So, as always gents, sit back and enjoy!

You’ll also like: The Wind Up – Watch News #142

Blancpain Introduces Two New Villeret Models

Blancpain’s classical Villeret collection was recently expanded, with two new models being introduced. The two new models feature striking midnight-blue dials are encased in 40mm of opulent red gold. The first is the Villeret Quantieme Complet which harmoniously marries a complete calendar and a moon phase, while the second Villeret Ultraplate is a simpler time-only model but still as elegant and beautiful. Both pieces come on a midnight-blue alligator leather strap similar to that of the dial’s colour palette to wonderful effect. Shop Blancpain watches

Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate

• Brand: Blancpain
• Model: Villeret Ultraplate
• Reference: 6651-3640-55B (alligator) / 6651-3640-MMB (mesh bracelet)
• Case Diameter: 40 mm
• Case Thickness: 8.70 mm
• Case Material: 18k red gold
• Water Resistance: 30 m
• Movement: Calibre 1151, self-winding
• Power Reserve: 100 hours
• Strap: Blue alligator strap or 18k red gold mesh bracelet
• Price: CHF 18,200

Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet

• Brand: Blancpain
• Model: Villeret Quantième Complet
• Reference: 6654-3640-55B (alligator) / 6654-3640-MMB (mille mailles bracelet)
• Case Diameter: 40 mm
• Case Thickness: 10.94 mm
• Case Material: 18k red gold
• Water Resistance: 30 m
• Movement: Calibre 6654, self-winding
• Power Reserve: 72 hours
• Strap: Blue alligator strap or 18k red gold mille mailles bracelet
• Price: CHF 24,000

Jaquet Droz Loving Butterfly Automaton

Jaquet Droz has become the unofficial masters of the art of automaton, and its latest piece is a prime example of the manufacturer’s ability to produce micro-works of automaton art. The Loving Butterfly Automaton features a mineral dial made out of Chinchilla Red which is Australian wood petrified 150 million years ago. This is a stunning piece that treads the fine line between excess and beauty, and the Loving Butterfly Automaton is adorned with oodles of details that will surely appease even the most loupe-friendly of watch enthusiasts. Shop Jaquet Droz watches

A. Lange & Söhne Officially Opens its Sydney Boutique

The revered German watchmaker announced its Sydney boutique late last year, and this week the doors were open to Sydneysiders and fellow travellers, providing unprecedented access to some of the world’s finest, most complex and most beautiful timepieces. A. Lange & Söhne’s timepieces have long been considered in the upper echelons of Haute Horlogerie, so I think it’s fantastic that our proximity to these incredible mechanical machines has been reduced to but a few kilometres. If you’re in the area do yourself a favour and pay them a visit. Tell them Man of Many said hi, too. Shop A. Lange & Söhne dispatch

TAG Heuer 2020 Connected Watch

Introducing the third generation of TAG Heuer’s Connected Watch. First released “way back” in 2015, the Connected Watch was polarising but well-received amongst the vast majority of watch enthusiasts. The newest model has come leaps and bounds and now features a hi-res OLED touch screen, new fitness and sport tracking sensors, a ceramic bezel, mechanical buttons and improved functionality. Pricing for the 2020 Connected Watch is pretty reasonable too, coming in at $2,600AUD for the model on a rubber strap, while a steel bracelet model will set you back $2,800AUD. Shop Tag Heuer watches at Tag Heuer

• Brand: TAG Heuer
• Model: Connected (2020)
• Reference: SBG8A10.BT6219 (rubber strap) / SBG8A10.BA0646 (steel bracelet)
• Case Diameter: 45mm
• Case Thickness: 13.6mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel (also available in Grade 2 titanium)
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100; Wear OS by Google
• Power Reserve: 430mAh; approx. 20 hours typical use (6 hours continuous GPS/sports); charges in 1.5 hours
• Strap: Black rubber strap (interchangeable); steel bracelet option available
• Price (at launch): AUD$2,600 (steel on rubber strap); AUD$2,800 (steel on bracelet)

Bell & Ross Introduces 4 New R.S. Chronographs

Bell & Ross has pulled out all the stops and released four brand new iterations of its R.S. Chronograph. Projecting the design of the Renault F1 Team with yellows, blacks and greys forming the colour palette for each piece, the new chronographs include one round-cased model and three square-cased models. Of the lot, the ones that caught my eye were the BR-x1 R.S.20 with its open-worked dial and striking appearance. And, of course, the BR-x1 Tourbillon R.S.20, featuring a hand-wound flying tourbillon and mono-pusher column-wheel chronograph. Whether you’re a fan of Bell & Ross, Renault’s F1 Team or Daniel Ricciardo, I think it’s safe to say that these all hit the mark. Shop the BR‑x1 Tourbillon at Bell & Ross 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 horology. VISIT HAULOGERIE HERE https://www.instagram.com/p/B9tKLa9HnDS/

You’ll also like: The Wind Up – Watch News #142 The Wind Up – Watch News #141 The Wind Up – Watch News #140

For more context, read 18 Best Watch Blogs and Websites.