In spite of the global economic slowdown, a fantastic range of luxury watches was launched in 2020. Several watchmakers around the world unveiled timepieces, both, at virtual and offline showcases such as Watches and Wonders in Shanghai (September 9 to 13) and Sanya (September 29 to October 31) and Geneva Watch Days (August 26 to 29). We list 11 of the classiest timepieces of the year.
Rolex
Oyster Perpetual Submariner
Oyster Perpetual Submariner
The new Oyster Perpetual Submariner and Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date have a larger 41 mm case and a bracelet with a broader centre link. The former is characterised by a recently launched calibre 3230 while the latter has calibre 3235. These movements use Rolex’s Chronergy escapement and have a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
Oyster Perpetual Datejust
The new white Rolesor versions of Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 combines Oystersteel and 18k white gold. The watch has a diamond-set bezel, surrounding a dark purple, sunray-finish dial. The dial stands out because of its Roman numerals crafted in 18k white gold. The highlight is number IV, set with 11 diamonds.
New Oyster Perpetual
Oyster Perpetual 41
The Oyster Perpetual 41 has two sun-ray finish dial colour options; silver and bright black. The first version, an Oystersteel watch gives off a retro vibe with hour markers and hands crafted in 18k yellow gold. While the second version has the same in 18k white gold.
Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller
Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller
The Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller is the first from this collection to be equipped with Rolex’s Oysterflex bracelet. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this version features a bright black, sunray-finish dial and an elastomer bracelet with an Oysterclasp and the Rolex Glidelock extension system. Its calibre 9001 consists of a blue Parachrom hairspring, created by Rolex in an exclusive paramagnetic alloy. You can expect a power reserve of around 72 hours.
Panerai
PAM01209
PAM01209
Panerai Submersible Goldtech, a gold alloy with an intense and stable colour made possible by its significant copper content and enrichment with platinum. The dial features applied indexes and satiné soleil decoration, which is an unconventional embellishment in the Submersible collection. Known as Carbotech™, this composite consists of overlapping carbon fibre sheets with alternating orientations. It is water-resistant up to 30 bar and features a black rubber strap and a trapezoidal pin buckle in titanium with black DLC coating.
Luminor Blu Mare – 44 mm
Panerai Luminor Blu Mare – 44 mm
The Luminor Blu Mare – 44 mm is a reflection of their marine heritage. The name ‘Blu Mare’ is Italian for ‘blue sea’. The first Luminor Blu Mare in the collection features a blue dial, has a satiné soleil decoration along with the hour and minute hands in a rhodium finish. It includes a strap attached to the lugs with the Panerai Screw System, which is a sort of a tradition in the timepieces.
The smart-looking watch is forged and turned in AISI 316L steel, a high-performance low-carbon metal that is characterised by good resistance to corrosion. The clean, angular lines of the timepiece reminiscences the Luminor of the 1990s. Revived in the aesthetic dimension with carefully perfected mechanical components, it conforms its design codes to the latest generation of manual Luminors.
Carl F Bucherer
Adamavi collection
ADAMAVI AUTODATE KEYSTONE/Carl F. Bucherer
Carl F Bucherer launched their new six Adamavi Autodate models, which are modern versions of the classic Adamavi collection. Available in two sizes, these automatic watches are sleek and minimalistic. The three models with 39 mm and 31 mm diameters are enclosed in sophisticated stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and are available in nude, blue and dark grey.
IWC Schaffhausen
Portugieser Chronograph
Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen’s iconic Portugieser Chronograph now comes in a stainless-steel bracelet. The polished bracelet has a satin-finished surface and comes with a butterfly folding clasp. It has a clear and open dial with two recessed totalisers at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. The inner flange is printed with a quarter seconds scale and this timeless modern chronograph has become one of the most popular models from Schaffhausen.
Top Gun
IWC Schaffhausen’s TOP GUN edition of Pilot’s Watches Chronograph ‘SFTI’ has a special Air Force connect. In 2018, IWC had created the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor’ in collaboration with instructors based on US Naval Air Station Leemore in California. Featuring a case made of black ceramic and the iconic TOPGUN patch on the dial, the rugged timepiece was awarded exclusively to the graduates of the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
Limited to only 1,500 pieces, it is made with extraordinarily robust materials to withstand the extreme strain that pilots experience in the cockpit of supersonic jets like the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Its large 44-millimetre case is made of black zirconium oxide ceramic. Ticking away inside the sturdy case is the IWC manufactured 69380 calibre and the measurement of stopwatch times of up to 12 hours. The sporty timepiece is fitted with a green textile strap.
Ulysse Nardin
Ulysse Nardin Blast
Ulysse Nardin Blast
The ‘Blast’ collection by Ulysse Nardin is inspired by the magnificence of nature – from glacier to earth to magma. Available in four colours, white, black, blue and rose gold, the watch has a self-winding tourbillion and a stellar silver X motif is stamped on the dial.
Seiko
Porco Rosso special-edition
Seiko Porco Rosso edition
Japanese watchmaker Seiko launched two new watches inspired by a Japanese comedy-adventure movie Porco Rosso. These watches fall under Seiko’s Presage series, which is a collection of completely mechanical watches that are inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The white dial carries Seiko’s innovative Spring Drive movement while the black dial, with an automatic chronograph, is a tribute to the watchmaker’s contribution to the history of traditional horology.
Jaipur Watch Company
Jump Hour Watch
Jump Hour Watch
Homegrown bespoke watch manufacturer Jaipur Watch Company’s limited edition watch is unique. A part of their Harmony Collection, the brand new ‘Jump Hour Watch’ has an ‘hour window’ instead of the hour hand. Unlike the traditional watch, in which the hour hand sweeps the dial, the elegant timepiece is a distinctive creation that has a disc behind a tiny window on the dial.
This dial ‘jumps’ to indicate the hour accurately when the minute hand touches 12 (60 minutes). It has an enamelled blue dial with the hour window placed right on the top. It has one long hand that sweeps the dial indicating the minutes and a sub-dial displaying a tiny seconds hand. This mechanism is based on a modified automatic movement, with a power reserve of 40 hours. Part of the complexity of creating a jump hour movement is the regulation of power that is transferred to the hour disc.
