Recently held in Miami, USA, LVMH Watch Week marked the beginning of the year for the watch industry, showcasing six brands under the LVMH Group.
The event unveiled numerous releases, featuring updates to timeless models and avant-garde creations. Three watches, in particular, caught our editor’s eye. Crafted as tributes to historical timepieces, these creations ingeniously infuse subtle design updates while remaining faithful to their origins. These watches are poised to evolve into iconic pieces, capturing the essence of their heritage while embracing contemporary nuances.
Bulgari Bulgari
In 1975, the Bulgari Bulgari watch collection, originally named Bulgari Roma upon its debut, emerged as a beacon of bold and precious beauty. Its unique alchemy was envisioned by Gianni Bulgari and brought to life on the sketch pad of the renowned designer Gérald Genta.
Characterized by distinctive yellow gold bezels, Bulgari Bulgari swiftly garnered international acclaim, becoming an iconic creation of its time. However, what may come as a surprise to many is that the Bulgari Bulgari model was initially crafted as a gift for the brand’s top clients. Its exclusive nature, not readily available for purchase, added to its allure. Due to overwhelming interest from other customers, it was eventually included in Bulgari’s commercial lineup of timepieces several years later, and renamed as ‘Bulgari Bulgari‘.
To celebrate its approaching 50th anniversary, Bulgari has reinterpreted the original allure of this iconic collection with two exquisite editions that retain the boldness of its bezel and the minimalistic beauty of the dial: yellow gold paired with a captivating black dial, and rose gold complemented by a silver opaline dial. These new iterations come in two case sizes—26 mm and an innovative, gender-neutral 38 mm. The larger model is driven by the self-winding calibre BVL 191 from the Bulgari Manufacture in Switzerland, fully visible through a transparent caseback. The daintier version, powered by a quartz movement, makes for the perfect wrist candy at just 6.35mm thick.
Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar
Zenith’s Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar artfully intertwines horological tradition with contemporary elegance. Unveiling six new references, this collection harmoniously marries the cherished calendar complication with a high-frequency chronograph—a ground-breaking fusion for the brand. What distinguishes it is the resurrection of a compact 38mm case, faithfully replicating the original A386 blueprint from 1969.
The stainless-steel case, echoing the 1969 model, exudes vintage charm with its bezel-less, round design and iconic features such as pump-style chronograph pushers. The dial masterfully blends vintage and modern elements, showcasing weekday, month, and date apertures alongside the Zenith moon phase. Three distinct variants, including a sporty “panda-style” opaline and a refined slate-grey, along with an exclusive olive-green boutique edition, highlight meticulous attention to detail. The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar emerges as perhaps the most versatile model in the series, seamlessly integrating a 1/10th of a second chronograph with a complete calendar.
The design prioritizes legibility, with symmetrical day and month windows above the chronograph counters and the date window at the traditional El Primero position at 04:30. The moonphase display aligns gracefully with the 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock. This captivating timepiece is powered by the El Primero 3160 self-winding high-frequency chronograph calibre, pulsating at a rate of 5 Hz and offering approximately 60 hours of power reserve—a spectacle revealed through a transparent sapphire caseback.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon
TAG Heuer‘s Carrera Dato Chronograph Tourbillon pays homage to the iconic Carrera collection and its evolution. Debuting in 1963, the Carrera initially lacked a date complication. In 1966, a date function was introduced at 12 o’clock, giving birth to the first Dato design. A significant transformation occurred in 1968 as the date window shifted to 9 o’clock, marking the emergence of the iconic Dato layout. This design has become synonymous with TAG Heuer’s commitment to precision and style. The Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon, with its tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock, encapsulates the brand’s rich history, seamlessly blending vintage influences and modern elegance. The teal-green dial is a nod to motorsport history, reflecting one of the prominent vintage racing car colours from the 1920s to the 1960s, infusing this distinctive collection with nostalgia, as well as a fresh and dynamic dimension.
This eye-catching timepiece boasts a 42mm case that retains the iconic ‘glassbox’ design, providing a panoramic view of the tourbillon through a curved sapphire crystal. The teal-green flange, rhodium-plated applied indexes, and symmetrical sub-dials enhance readability and elegance. Powered by the self-winding Heuer 02 – TH20-09 calibre, it features bidirectional winding, ensuring efficiency, and accuracy. The black alligator leather strap, secured by a finely brushed, polished steel folding clasp, completes this creation that harmoniously blends tradition, innovation, and elegance.
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