The Wind Up – Watch News #162

Another week down, another round up of all the latest watches and watch related news in our weekly series, The Wind Up. In this week’s instalment, we’ll be featuring new pieces from the likes of MB&F, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Girard-Perregaux. Enjoy gents!

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MB&F HM3 ‘FrogX’

In 2009, MB&F released its third iteration in its Horological Machines collection, the Frog. Now, over a decade later, it’s back and it’s cooler than ever. Dubbed the ‘FrogX’ due to its remarkable similarities with the reptile, this new model is clad in a case made out of sapphire, giving an almost uninterrupted view into the inner workings of the Horological Machine. The ‘FrogX’ is an incredible feat of imagination and creativity, something that MB&F has become known for around the world. Shop MB&F watches at MBandF.com

• Brand: MB&F
• Model: HM3 FrogX
• Case Diameter: 48.3 × 52.7 mm
• Case Thickness: 17.5 mm
• Case Material: Sapphire crystal with coloured gaskets (blue, purple, or turquoise variants)
• Water Resistance: 30 m
• Movement: Automatic, Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor design on Girard-Perregaux base calibre, 28,800 vph, 36 jewels
• Power Reserve: 48 hours
• Strap: Hand-stitched alligator leather with titanium folding buckle
• Price (at launch): USD$152,000

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Aventador S

To celebrate the debut of its e-commerce platform, Roger Dubuis has released its acclaimed Excalibur Aventador in its latest version. Clad in a material known as Ceramic Composite Fiber which is actually 20% lighter than carbon, the Excalibur Aventador S is a striking combination of complexity and beauty. Roger Dubuis calls it “Hyper Horology”, which I think is wonderfully befitting of the piece. Shop Roger Dubuis watches

• Brand: Roger Dubuis
• Model: Excalibur Spider Aventador S
• Reference: RDDBEX0613
• Case Diameter: 45 mm
• Case Thickness: 14.05 mm
• Case Material: Multi-layered carbon fibre and titanium (Lamborghini Giallo Orion yellow, 88-piece limited edition)
• Water Resistance: 50 m (5 bar)
• Movement: Roger Dubuis Calibre RD103SQ, manual winding, twin sprung balance wheels at 45°, 57,600 vph (8 Hz combined), 48 jewels, Poinçon de Genève certified
• Power Reserve: 40 hours
• Strap: Black rubber base with black rubber-tech inlay; titanium folding clasp
• Price (at launch): Approx. USD$185,000

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition

TAG Heuer has released its latest version of the Carrera Chronograph to celebrate Jack Heuer’s 88th version. Named the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition, this 188-piece limited edition model is clad in rose gold and features a beautiful white dial contrasted by two horizontally-placed sub-dial registers. This is a very beautiful piece that has been soundly executed. Shop Tag Heuer watches at Tag Heuer

• Brand: TAG Heuer
• Model: Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition
• Reference: CBN2041.FC8306
• Case Diameter: 42 mm
• Case Thickness: 9.86 mm
• Case Material: 18K 5N rose gold, fine-brushed and polished
• Water Resistance: 100 m (10 bar)
• Movement: Calibre Heuer 02, self-winding in-house manufacture
• Power Reserve: 80 hours
• Strap: Black alligator leather with 18K 5N rose gold pin buckle; Jack Heuer’s signature in gold on lining
• Price: AUD$31,150 (at launch)

Hublot Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown

Hublot first collaborated with the emblematic men’s fashion house Berluti with its Classic Fusion. Now, some four years later, the collaboration extends to one of Hublot’s most recognisable pieces, the Big Bang Unico. Dubbed the Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown, the piece features a dial made out of Berlutti’s iconic Venezia leather along with a bezel featuring the same material. The leather also extends to the Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown’s strap. Additionally, there is a cut-out in the dial enabling the wearer to see the various gears of the Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown’s movement in motion, too. Shop Hublot watches at Hublot.com

• Brand: Hublot
• Model: Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown
• Reference: 411.CI.0500.VR.BER20
• Case Diameter: 45mm
• Case Thickness: 16.40mm
• Case Material: Microblasted and polished black ceramic with Berluti Venezia leather bezel overlay
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Hublot Calibre MHUB1242, self-winding flyback chronograph with column wheel, 28,800 vph, 38 jewels
• Power Reserve: 72 hours
• Strap: Berluti Venezia leather in Cold Brown patina with deployant buckle
• Price (at launch): USD$26,200 (limited to 100 pieces)

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Ghost

To celebrate the Laureato’s 45th anniversary, Girard-Perregaux has teamed up with Bamford Watch Department to create the Laureato Ghost. Clad entirely in white ceramic, the Laureato Ghost’s white guise extends to its dial and matching ceramic bracelet. While it’s also available on a white calf leather strap, for all intents and purposes the choice here would definitely be having it on the ceramic bracelet. Super cool stuff. Shop Girard-Perregaux watches 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/CICw6-lnRfs/

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• Brand: Girard-Perregaux
• Model: Laureato Ghost × Bamford Watch Department (limited edition, 45 pieces)
• Reference: 81005-32-733-32A (ceramic bracelet) / 81005-32-733-UB7A (leather strap)
• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 10.20mm
• Case Material: White technical ceramic; black PVD-coated titanium crown
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Calibre GP03300-0139, in-house self-winding automatic, 28,800 vph, 27 jewels
• Power Reserve: 46 hours (minimum)
• Strap: White technical ceramic integrated bracelet or white calf leather with black stitching; both with triple-folding clasp
• Price (at launch): GBP £10,300 (leather strap) / GBP £12,000 (ceramic bracelet)