The Best Drops of Watches and Wonders 2021: Day 3
From Chanel and Louis Vuitton to Hublot and Greubel Forsey.
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The third day of Watches and Wonders saw Zenith clad its twin escapement El Primero 21 chronograph movement in an imposing suit of titanium armor, bulking out its Defy to offer the new Defy Extreme.
Here are the other pieces HYPEBEAST saw on Watches and Wonders Day 3.
Louis Vuitton Carpe Diem
Louis Vuitton and its Genevan atelier, Fabrique du Temps, have been on a watchmaking odyssey for the past 10 years but this year marks a milestone for head watchmaker Michel Navas, who has now realised one of horology’s most complicated creations, the Jacquemarte. Here the animated dial is activated by the snake-shaped pusher on the caseband, causing the snake’s head to move aside and reveal a jumping hour indication while the snake’s tail flicks into life indicating the minutes. The Carpe Diem is a $470,000 USD one-off.
Greubel Forsey GMT Sport
Greubel Forsey
Greubel Forsey
It’s taken Greubel Forsey 17 years to produce its first watch on a metal bracelet but it, along with a redesigned bezel, has completely transformed the brand’s titanium GMT Sport, a watch that had already changed how the studious brand was viewed. Just 33 pieces are being made, priced at $500,000 USD.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Yellow Magic
Hublot
Hublot
Color is everywhere in watchmaking this year, it’s arguably the driving force pushing both contemporary design and consumer choice in the same direction for once. And nowhere is that color brighter than in Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Yellow Magic, a 42mm full ceramic chronograph with color-matched rubber strap. Just 250 pieces are being made, priced CHF 24,900 ($26,900 USD).
Chanel J12 X-Ray Electro Caliber 3.1
Chanel
Chanel brings together the two big trends of the moment, color and sapphire crystal construction, something else that is suddenly everywhere. Here it is used (along with 18k white gold) to form the case, dial, bridges and bracelet of a limited edition run of 12 individually numbered pieces set with diamonds and baguette-cut rainbow sapphires. Available now, priced $690,000 USD.
In other watch news, Tudor has dropped a pair of its Black Bay Fifty-Eight dive watches in 18k gold and sterling silver.
