New releases from Bell & Ross, Ōtsuka Lōtec, Oris and more
Pietro PillaWhen the solid gold Vacheron Constantin 222 was re-released in 2022, everyone was (not so) secretly hoping for it to make a return in steel as well. This week, we finally saw that dream turn into reality, in what’s undoubtedly among the most discussed watch drops in recent memory. It’s the first chapter of the 270th anniversary celebrations the brand is holding, and we’re hoping to see a crescendo from Vacheron Constantin this year. But this year is full of celebrations, and we have two complicated releases from MB&F celebrating 20 years of the brand and Oris celebrating 60 years of its diver’s watch. Discover the rest of our selection below and let us know what you think about it. Enjoy the reading!
Tudor Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue
- After increasingly less subtle teases from brand ambassadors David Beckham and Jay Chou, Tudor officially debuted the Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue.
- It is seen as a spiritual sequel to the Black Bay Chrono Pink, with a similar “daring” Miami-flavoured dial.
- Like the pink configuration, it is said it will be “produced in a small number of examples.”
- Price: US$5,875.
Learn more about the Tudor Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue here.
Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers D’art
- Piaget blends engineering and artistry in the latest Altiplano Skeleton while maintaining a remarkable thinness.
- The skeletonized movement has been additionally set with diamonds and blue sapphires.
- To complete the look, master Anita Porchet painted the bottom part of the dial with Grand Feu cloisnné enamel.
- Price: On Request.
Learn more about the Piaget Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers D’art here.
Ōtsuka Lōtec № 5 KAI
- Japanese Independent watch brand Ōtsuka Lōtec launches the new № 5 KAI model following the success of last year’s GPHG-winning № 6.
- This model features a wandering hours complication made possible by an in-house module on top of a Miyota 90S5.
- The highly domed sapphire crystal leaves the movement’s mechanics highly visible to appreciate the engineering going behind them.
- Price: JP¥748,000 (~US$4,786).
Learn more about the Ōtsuka Lōtec № 5 KAI here.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five 60th Anniversary Edition
- Oris’ iconic Divers Sixty-Five turns 60 this year, with the brand presenting a celebratory model inspired by the first edition.
- The dial goes back to the brand’s roots, using the retro Oris logo and big luminescent numerals.
- The 40mm stainless steel case has a domed sapphire crystal and a bi-directional rotating bezel.
- Price: US$2,500.
Learn more about the Oris Divers Sixty-Five 60th Anniversary Edition here.
MB&F LM Perpetual Longhorn & LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn
- Kicking off its 20th anniversary celebrations, MB&F has expanded upon the Longhorn unique piece from 2021.
- The Longhorn case shape, with its extra-long lugs, was conceived in 2009 while the first MB&F Legacy Machine was in the prototype stage.
- Both the LM Perpetual Longhorn and the LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn carry complicated movements designed by Stephen McDonnell, one of MB&F’s oldest ‘friends’.
- Price: On Request.
Learn more about the MB&F LM Perpetual Longhorn &LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn here.
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 Steel
- Vacheron Constantin debuts a long-awaited new metal in the Historiques 222 collection, being faithful to the original models.
- Unlike the monochromatic look of the solid gold model, this latest edition features a matte blue dial for added contrast.
- While the finishing is the same as its previous iteration, the brushing appears much more subtle on the stainless steel bracelet.
- Price: US$32,000.
Learn more about the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 Steel here.
Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite
- Omega introduces two new Speedmaster Moonphases featuring meteorite dials and dual hemisphere moon-phase displays.
- These new models also introduce a new movement to the catalogue, the manually-wound calibre 9914.
- They are cased in stainless steel and come with matching bracelets.
- Price: US$17,100.
Learn more about the Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite here.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Skeleton
- Maurice Lacroix announces a couple of Aikon Skeletons in both a 39 and 42mm size.
- The skeletonized dial is coated in a varnished finish that leaves enough space to have a glimpse at the movement.
- It’s available in a blue dial tone in both sizes and a grey in the 42mm case.
- Price: US$3,950.
Learn more about the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Skeleton.
Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono Patrouille de France
- Bell & Ross continues its partnership with Patrouille de France, which started in 2021, with a new watch.
- The dial matches the colours of the French Air Force aerobatic team, with a light blue sunburst dial, navy blue counters and emblem at 6 o’clock.
- It’s a limited edition of 500 pieces and preorders will be available starting from February.
- Price: US$7,400.
Learn more about the Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono Patrouille de France here.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Auto 42mm
- Hamilton expands the Jazzmaster collection with a new sparkling dial configuration.
- The cosmos inspire the open heart dial and it’s rendered in a midnight blue dial.
- An H-10 automatic with an 80-hour power reserve and Nivachron balance spring powers the watch.
- Price: US$1,125.
Learn more about the Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Auto 42mm here.
Delma Midland Purple
- Delma introduces a new iteration of the Midland collection with a vivid purple dial.
- The inspiration for this stainless steel model comes from the 1980s.
- It is powered by a SW 200-1 with a Delma custom rotor and 41 hours of power reserve.
- Price: US$1,350.
Learn more about the Delma Midland Purple here.
Electra Dare-Devil Diver
- Franco-Swiss watch label Electra has been brought back from the dead by a group of French watch enthusiasts, drawing inspiration from its back catalogue.
- The Dare-Devil Diver pays homage to various ‘Skin Diver’ models produced by Electra back in the day, and features a decidedly vintage look, with a 37mm diameter, bidirectional bezel and retro indices.
- Assembled in France at the Pequignet manufacture, 5 different dial colours are available, all powered by a Soprod P024.
- Price: €599 (~US$618).