Owner Pascal Raffy’s audacious vision was to put the most mesmerizing feature in watchmaking, the fl ying tourbillon, into the smallest BOVET case for this complication ever — 42mm — blending global versatility with artisanal splendor.

HORIZONS REDEFINED

In over two centuries, BOVET has mastered travel horology — from the DST-solving Récital 28 Prowess One to the rare three-time zone Récital 27, and many other timepieces in-between. Yet a true GMT was never in the collection… until now.

Enter the Récital 32: Pascal Raffy’s BOVET-style response was to insist on more than simply a second hour hand. This is a symphony of an expanded flying tourbillon (elevated for greater spectacle and transparency), a fully hand-engraved manufacture movement with 10 days of power reserve displayed on a roller, and eight layers of lacquer on its offset domed guilloche dial.

HIGH COMPLICATION, SMALL PACKAGE

In BOVET’s collection, tourbillons tend to be in larger but still very wearable cases, like the 46.3mm Récital 28 (with 744 components) and the 44mm Virtuoso VIII (with 356 components). But Mr Raffy’s mandate was to make this timepiece smaller and more wearable for everyday use. So, the brilliant engineers, constructors, and master watchmakers at BOVET found a way to place the 375-component manufacture movement in a 42mm case by using a box sapphire crystal and raising the patented flying tourbillon above the main plate to make it more visible from the front and the side.

Being a fully-integrated manufacture, BOVET makes more than 95% of everything that goes into its timepieces, emphasizing the human touch at every step. This self-reliance certainly made this masterpiece possible. And the watchmaking world is paying attention, as BOVET has won more than 70 awards since 2006, when BOVET first started producing its own movements, and 6 GPHG prizes in the last 8 years.

Encased in grade 5 titanium or 18K red gold, the case — echoing the Récital 30 — prioritizes daily elegance over grandeur. Local time nestles at noon with a blue guilloché day/night indication, encircled by a 24-hour track for the independent GMT hand.

A dedicated pusher at 10 o’clock advances this hand effortlessly, while the patented spherical rewinding system doubles every crown turn, filling its single-barrel reserve to ten days. The ability to put so much high watchmaking substance into a wearable 42mm case is truly exceptional.

Setting is pure instinct: wind fully, pull the sapphire-cabochon crown to adjust local hours (mindful of day/night), advance the GMT via the pusher, and savor. Two patents underpin it all — flying tourbillon and spherical winding — highlighting BOVET’s engineers’ triumph after two years of research and development.

BOVET’S TRAVELER’S MANIFESTO

Mr. Raffy designs all of BOVET’s timepieces, and he is the first to wear-test every single one. An almost-constant traveler, whether it is to visit his partners or his collectors in every corner of the world, one thing he needs to know is what time it is where e is and where his artisans are “What a gorgeous timepiece — I’m excited to wear it, with dials matching the strap, a huge tourbillon carriage, power-reserve roller, and intuitive day/night, hours, minutes, and GMT amid our signature finishing,” explains Pascal Raffy, BOVET’s owner. “I have dreamed of being able to do a true high horology movement in a 42mm case for a very long time, and now our first true GMT, combined with an expanded flying tourbillon, is a reality. To me, it is profoundly meaningful: timepieces so easy to read and use. High complications in a small, wearable package redefine everyday luxury.”

HAND-ENGRAVED AND HAND-FINISHED EXCELLENCE

Every component in the new Récital 32 is hand-finished, and the plates on the reverse side of the movement are completely hand-engraved. The master engravers developed a brand new motif- étoiles carrées or “square stars.” This hand-engraving takes at least 15 hours to complete, and worth every minute.

Available in titanium or 18K red gold, the Récital 32 is available in three color combinations, with rubber straps matching the dial color, and each variation is limited to 60 numbered pieces.

The Récital 32 transcends utility, emerging as a seductive fusion of wanderlust and watchmaking finesse: a complication that whispers across time zones of international adventures and far-flung locations, hand-engraved front and back on the in-house manufacture movement, forever attuned to the rhythm of the discerning explorer.

With the Récital 32, BOVET invites you to truly feel every second.

The post THE RÉCITAL 32 – THE MAISON’S FIRST TRUE GMT appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Conceived by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin in 2001, Ulysse Nardin’s Freak shattered conventions with its revolutionary design: no hands, no dial, and no crown. Combined with groundbreaking mechanics and the pioneering use of silicon technology, it redefined contemporary watchmaking. Since then, the Freak has driven a quarter century of innovation through 35 patents and 17 calibers, becoming an icon of contemporary watchmaking, one of the most unconventional creations in horology, and the most complicated time-only watch ever made.

In 2019, the Freak [X] challenged the very principles of the original Freak concept: it was a Freak with a crown. More compact. More versatile. Built for daily wear, while remaining faithful to the flying carousel architecture in which the movement itself tells the time.

The year 2026 marks two major milestones for Ulysse Nardin: 180 years of legacy and 25 years of the Freak. To celebrate both anniversaries, the Manufacture unveils a year marked by Freak novelties and continued innovation, including a complete reengineering of the Freak [X], which required more than two years of development by Ulysse Nardin’s engineers and designers.

More compact in design, more advanced in engineering, and enhanced in finishing, the new Freak [X] combines high horology with high technology. Engineered for daily wear.

ALL-NEW CALIBER

Among watch connoisseurs, the Freak needs no introduction. Defined by its flying carousel architecture, the movement itself tells the time: the rotating carousel completes one revolution every 60 minutes to indicate the minutes, while the hours are displayed via a pointer on a rotating disc. The carousel is described as “flying” because it operates without an upper bridge. Fully suspended and entirely visible, it creates an immediate sense of mechanical depth on the wrist.

FOR THIS LATEST GENERATION OF THE FREAK [ X ], ULYSSE NARDIN DEVELOPED AN ENTIRELY NEW IN-HOUSE CALIBER, THE UN-232: SLIMMER, SMARTER, AND MECHANICALLY MORE ADVANCED.

The new caliber is more compact than its predecessor, allowing the watch to be housed in a redesigned 41 mm case (reduced from 43 mm) with a new glassbox sapphire crystal. Beyond its reduced dimensions, the movement architecture has been completely rethought with a more modular and intelligent construction, enabling for instance compatibility with a wider range of métiers d’art hour discs.

For the first time in a Freak [X], the movement features an escapement in DIAMonSIL, enhancing precision, efficiency, and durability. This high-tech surface treatment acts as a protective shield, increasing hardness and resistance to mechanical stress in one of the movement’s most highly solicited components, subjected to more than 250 million impacts per year. The Freak
[X] also features an oversized silicon balance wheel and silicon hairspring, crafted at SIGATEC, Ulysse Nardin’s silicon laboratory.

For the first time in a Freak, automatic winding is powered by a rose gold micro-rotor, fully integrated into the movement to preserve compactness while delivering exceptional efficiency.

The movement further benefits from three advanced micro-engineering systems, manufactured to micron-level tolerances and developed to reduce noise and friction throughout the regulating organ while optimizing energy transmission.

Built on 35 Freak patents, the new UN-232 caliber integrates five patents, including the DIAMonSIL escapement, a thermocompensated silicon hairspring, ovoid hairspring geometry, optimized pivot contact, and axial assembly solution for silicon components. The movement is produced at Ulysse Nardin’s Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and is assembled from start to finish by a single watchmaker. Assembly demands extreme precision, patience, and expertise. Despite its more compact architecture, the caliber delivers a 72-hour power reserve.

REENGINEERED CASE

The new Freak [X] introduces a completely reengineered case architecture, developed to bring the Freak experience into everyday wear without compromising its radical identity.

Compared to the original Freak [X], every proportion has been refined. The diameter has been reduced from 43 mm to 41 mm, the lug-to-lug from 49.6 mm to 47.3 mm, and the thickness from
10.7 mm to 10.3 mm (13.6 mm including the crystal).

The construction itself has also evolved. Unlike previous generations of the Freak [X], which relied on a modular titanium

architecture, the new model is built around a monobloc case crafted from 80% recycled steel or full rose gold. This redesigned architecture improves structural rigidity while optimizing acoustic stability by minimizing the propagation of mechanical vibrations through the case.

A newly developed glass box sapphire crystal further transforms the visual experience of the watch. More immersive and more architectural, it amplifies the depth of the flying carousel movement, offering a panoramic view of the Freak’s signature baguette mechanism in motion

ENHANCED WATER RESISTANCE

A product of high horology and high technology, the new Freak [X] introduces a screw-down crown and water resistance up to 100 meters — a significant technical evolution engineered for everyday wear.

Combining mechanical innovation with enhanced robustness, the watch is designed to accompany active lifestyles without compromising refinement.

ELEVATED FINISHING

With the new Freak [X], Ulysse Nardin further elevates the level of finishing and detail throughout the watch.

Every component of the Freak [X] — from the movement and case to the metal bracelet — is executed to Haute Horlogerie standards, combining mechanical precision with strong visual impact. Contrasting satin-brushed, polished, and hand-finished surfaces create depth, light, and movement throughout the watch, affirming the Freak [X] as a true high-horology timepiece beyond its radically technical architecture.

The hour and minute indicators, as well as the oscillator bridge, are hand-beveled, emphasizing the architectural construction of the movement itself. The watch features applied hour markers with white Super-LumiNova®, adding depth, legibility, and a more three-dimensional expression to the architecture. The open caseback reveals the rear architecture of the caliber, where alternating satin-brushed, grained and polished surfaces accentuate the sculpted geometry of both the movement and the case.

Another new feature, the Freak [X] now incorporates a rose gold micro-rotor visible through the caseback. Suspended between jewels, it introduces both visual warmth and mechanical contrast within the movement’s predominantly technical architecture. The rose-gold micro-rotor is framed within a perfectly balanced double-bridge design, mirroring the barrel opposite it, while both are enhanced by delicate colimaçon finishing.

THE NEW FREAK [ X ] INTERCHANGEABLE STRAPS OFFER

With the new Freak [X], Ulysse Nardin introduces a quick-release interchangeable strap system, allowing the wearer to change straps easily and independently, without the need for tools or assistance. Available in nine different configurations, including metal bracelets, rubber straps, and leather options, the system brings greater versatility to the collection across formal, contemporary, and sporty settings.

Crafted from 80% recycled steel, the new integrated metal bracelet follows the same advanced finishing language as the case, combining satin-brushed surfaces with polished bevels. Its integrated construction ensures both visual continuity and exceptional comfort on the wrist, while a 2 mm micro-adjustment system on both sides allows for precise comfort throughout the day.

The post ULYSSE NARDIN INTRODUCES THE NEW ERA OF THE Freak [X] COMPACT. ADVANCED. ELEVATED. appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

“The Laureato endures through the strength of its architecture: a measured balance of lines and the movement within, naturally evolving with depth, presence and enduring character.”
Marc Michel-Amadry, Managing Director – Girard-Perregaux

The Laureato stands as a balance of technical authority, architectural clarity and aesthetic harmony, never excessive, always precise. Its beauty resides in proportion, balance and coherence rather than ostentation. Fifty years is not a retrospective moment, but rather the continuation of a presence that has endured across time with singularity and consistency.

It pursues its path without ever losing its core nature, embodying the full spectrum of Girard-Perregaux expertise. Above and beyond aesthetics, the Laureato reflects Girard-Perregaux’s integrated approach to Haute Horlogerie. From movement conception to finishing, from architecture to wearability.
Since 1975, the collection has reflected the Manufacture’s comprehensive in-house mastery of: movement development, construction, finishing and execution.
The Laureato Fifty unites some of the Manufacture’s most refined dial-making, finishing and movement execution within the enduring architecture of the Laureato, with particular attention devoted to wearability and comfort. From the softness of its lines and the fluid integration of the bracelet to the addition of a refined micro-adjustment system, every detail is designed to reinforce both precision and everyday ease.

The result is perhaps the most immediate expression of 235 years of Girard-Perregaux expertise distilled into a single object.

THE LAUREATO FIFTY COLLECTION

Conceived as a concentrated embodiment of the Laureato’s enduring identity, the Laureato Fifty collection intensifies the dialogue between proportion, refined materials and horological finesse. More than just an anniversary edition, the Laureato Fifty introduces an elevated degree of sophistication and craftsmanship. Each reference reflects a deeper expression of the Manufacture’s savoir-faire while preserving the coherence and restraint that have defined the Laureato for fifty years.

The collection is expressed through two complementary interpretations of the Laureato’s architecture: alongside the 39 mm version introduced last September, Girard-Perregaux now unveils a new 36 mm dimension, offering a more intimate and highly balanced incarnation of the collection’s distinctive silhouette.

In addition to its immediate presence, the Laureato Fifty reveals a more discreet level of consideration through details that naturally speak to attentive eyes: the in-house enamel execution over the textured motif, the rose gold balance bridge visible through the sapphire caseback, and the precision of the finishes and the particular care devoted to comfort and wearability. A collection designed not to assert itself, but to be progressively discovered over time.

39 MM MODELS, DEPTH, TEXTURE AND LIGHT

The 39 mm models emphasize depth, texture and light interaction through a deep blue in-house enamel dial over a “Clous de Paris” motif and an 18K rose gold-toned dial with date display.

Presented for the first time within the Laureato collection, the blue enamel work adorning the signature textured pattern introduces a level of artisanal complexity rarely associated with integrated-bracelet timepieces. The entirely in-house crafted enamelling creates remarkable transparency, depth and chromatic variation through ever-changing, shimmering light effects.

The 18K rose gold-toned dial offers a different variation of this same pursuit of depth and refinement. Continuously interacting with the “Clous de Paris” motif, the precious metal surface creates a mesmerizing set of reflections, oscillating between warmth, radiance and shadow as light moves across the dial. The result is both highly sophisticated and deeply architectural, reinforcing the Laureato’s characteristic balance between visual intensity and structural restraint.

36 MM MODELS, ORIGINAL SENSE OF PROPORTIONS

The 36 mm models express a more compact and highly balanced interpretation of the Laureato, revisiting the collection through proportions long appreciated by collectors for their elegance, versatility and fidelity to the spirit of the original design.

The 36 mm 18K rose gold-toned dial offers this same pursuit of refinement through a more restrained and intimate expression of the Laureato. The trimmer size enhances the purity of the geometry while allowing the warmth of the precious metal and the subtle relief of the “Clous de Paris” motif to interact with light in a particularly nuanced and sophisticated manner.

A more luminous interpretation combines a mirror-finished “Clous de Paris” silver-toned dial with a gem-set bezel featuring 64 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.55 ct), where light, reflection and precision interact with remarkable subtlety rather than overt ornament.

LAUREATO: FIFTY YEARS OF ARCHITECTURAL COHERENCE

The Laureato emerged at a pivotal moment in modern watchmaking.
In 1971, Girard-Perregaux developed the high-frequency quartz movement that established the 32,768 Hz frequency standard still used throughout the industry today. In 1975, this innovation found its place within the Laureato, combining technical precision with a distinctive architectural identity.

Entirely conceived and developed in-house, the first Laureato introduced a design language that would become instantly recognizable: an octagonal bezel resting on a circular plinth, a tonneau-shaped case and an integrated bracelet striking the perfect balance between elegance, proportion and sporty presence.

Over the following decades, the Laureato evolved through successive generations introduced approximately every ten years, each one extending the collection’s technical and aesthetic vocabulary while preserving the coherence of its original architecture.
The second generation expanded the Laureato universe through increasingly sophisticated executions and complications.

The third generation, introduced in 1995, marked an important evolution with the arrival of the automatic Manufacture calibre GP3100, reinforcing the Laureato’s mechanical legitimacy. In 2003, the fourth generation introduced more assertive proportions and a stronger sportive character while maintaining the collection’s characteristic balance and integration.

In 2016, Girard-Perregaux unveiled the fifth generation of the Laureato through a contemporary reinterpretation faithful to the spirit and geometry of the original design, reaffirming its place as a central pillar of the Maison.

Today, the Laureato Fifty continues this trajectory through four new references distinguished by increasingly refined execution, craftsmanship and finishing. Rather than transforming the Laureato, the collection reveals a more concentrated
expression of its enduring identity and of the Manufacture’s Haute Horlogerie savoir-faire.

Across five decades, the Laureato has embraced new materials, dimensions, movements and complications while preserving the essential coherence of its architecture — a balance of technical precision, visual clarity and enduring elegance.

CALIBRE GP4800, ARCHITECTURE, BALANCE AND FINISHING

At the heart of the Laureato Fifty beats the Manufacture Calibre GP4800, an automatic movement defined by architectural coherence, balance and precision.
Compact and precise, it operates at 4 Hz with a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. Its architecture draws direct inspiration from the Three Bridges, reinterpreting these structural elements and organizing the movement with clarity and intention.
The result is entirely deliberate. Exclusively for this release, the balance bridge is crafted in rose gold, reinforcing the movement’s visual depth and identity.

Conceived, developed, assembled and finished entirely in-house, the movement incorporates ten distinct finishes: polishing, sandblasting, anglage, Geneva stripes, engraving, snailing, circular satin-brushing, circular graining, sunray finishing and straight graining. More than decoration, these finishes express the Manufacture’s enduring commitment to Haute Horlogerie craftsmanship.

The GP4800 also marks the beginning of a remarkable new chapter for Girard-Perregaux. Since September 2025, the Manufacture has unveiled three entirely new calibres in rapid succession: first the GP4800, followed by the Grand Complications movement Laureato Three Gold Bridges GP9620, and most recently the Minute Repeater GP9530. Beyond demonstrating exceptional creative and technical momentum, this sequence reaffirms a Manufacture that continues to surprise, evolving its watchmaking language with confidence and depth while suggesting that this dynamic is far from complete.

The post Laureato FIFTY THE MOST IMMEDIATE EXPRESSION OF 235 YEARS OF HAUTE HORLOGERIE. appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Leading the season are two Big Bang Summer models with the same color face and design: a pastel composition of mint, pink and sky blue; yet their inner mechanics set them apart, highlighting Hublot’s watchmaking savoir-faire through two distinct expressions: the manufacture Unico flyback chronograph in 42 mm and the manufacture automatic Tourbillon in 44 mm.

Blending multi-colored ceramic in tones inspired by Mediterranean shades, Hublot captures the shifting palette of summer; from soft sunrise pastels to the glow of endless sunsets. A bold chromatic composition of pink, mint green and sky-to-sea blue ceramic, in a fusion only Hublot knows how to engineer. Light yet highly resistant, the case embodies Hublot’s mastery of material innovation. At Hublot, ceramic is not just vivid colors, it is process, precision and control.

The 42 mm manufacture Unico Flyback chronograph, produced in a limited edition of 200 pieces, features a sculpted case in microblasted and polished pink and mint green ceramic, framed by a sky-blue ceramic bezel and matching sky-blue case-back. The dial blends matte pink and mint tones, echoing the soft light shifts of the Mediterranean.
The 10-limited pieces 44 mm manufacture automatic tourbillon reveals a more architectural expression, with a transparent pink sapphire crystal dial exposing the movement beneath amplifying depth, light and mechanical transparency.

Both versions are fitted with interchangeable straps in sky blue, mint green and pink, all white-lined rubber, secured by a titanium deployant buckle clasp and featuring the One-Click system for instant style and mood match

FROM MATERIAL INNOVATION TO MOVEMENT – PERFORMANCE THROUGHOUT

Since 2018, Hublot has redefined ceramic, creating the world’s first and only palette of colored high-tech ceramics, from intense tones to soft pastels, continuously expanding what ceramic can be and what it can express. As a result of multiple patents and constant enhancements, Hublot delivers a ceramic up to 300 Vickers harder than traditional ceramic, with extreme scratch resistance and lasting brilliance.
Since 2010, the Manufacture Unico flyback chronograph caliber has continuously evolved, with reworked components, optimized architecture and refined proportions. One of the most advanced integrated chronograph calibers of its generation, it integrates five patented innovations, including dual oscillating clutches, a constant-pressure minute counter system, a zero-friction ratchet blocker and a fine balance wheel adjustment system; ensuring smoother engagement, enhanced accuracy and mechanical efficiency under pressure.

The tourbillon, powered by the HUB6035 manufacture movement, elevates this vision further. Its sapphire architecture reveals the movement in full transparency, enhanced by a micro-rotor for optimized energy efficiency visible dial side and a 72-hour power reserve. Lightness, depth and precision merge into a single mechanical signature.

INTRODUCING NEW BIG BANG IN NEW VIBRANT CERAMIC HUES IN 33MM & 42MM

On this special occasion, Hublot also introduces 3 monochrome ceramics in peach, mint and petrol blue. Known for its bold, high-impact colors, Hublot ceramic now reveals a softer side. Same cutting-edge material, same in-house mastery, now expressed in summer-infused tones that feel as smooth as they look. Fresh, vibrant and effortlessly cool, these Big Bang pieces channel the lighter side of the season: sun on the skin, salt in the air and that feeling you wish would never end.

For the first time in the history of the Big Bang, the 33 mm appears without diamonds, amplifying the intensity of its monochrome aesthetic and letting color speak in its purest, boldest form. Powered by a three-hand automatic movement, these versions embrace full color with dials entirely dressed in peach, mint or petrol blue. The monochrome aesthetic extends from dial to case and bezel and continues onto the structured lined rubber strap.

The 42 mm Big Bang Titanium Peach Ceramic, driven by the manufacture Unico flyback chronograph, adds a more technical edge. Housed in a titanium case with 100 m water resistance, the color peach appears dominant, on the bezel, the skeletonized dial, hands and rubber strap.

Soft from tones to materials, yet strong in presence and resistance. Light on the wrist, strong in character, these pieces are designed to move with you, from beach to sunset, day to night.

The Big Bang Summer editions and the Big Bang ceramic editions are available at selected Hublot points of sale as well as online at hublot.com and benefit from Hublot’s 5+5 warranty, extending international coverage up to ten years.

The post HUBLOT SUMMER: THE ART OF PASTEL CERAMICL CERAMIC appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

A contemporary vision of Riviera elegance

With the Riviera 73, Baume & Mercier reinterprets the aesthetic spirit of the first generation of the Riviera launched in 1973. Since its launch, this model stood out for its unique silhouette and a design approach that blends modernity and elegance. Its dodecagonal case – the collection’s signature – introduced a bold geometry to the watchmaking world of the time, while its balanced proportions and understated lines asserted a style that is both timeless and distinctive. Riviera 73 carries forward the style of the collection, reinterpreting its founding codes in a contemporary way while remaining faithful to its original spirit.

The Riviera 73 M0A10844, M0A10845 and M0A10845 models, featuring a 39 mm diameter, are powered by a quartz movement. Their 7.7m thickness emphasises its harmonious proportions, and the dodecagonal bezel without visible screwsalong with wide dial opening showcase the elegance of its shape. On the case back, each model features the engraving “73” among vertical stripes, evoking the deck of a boat, and a typography inspired by the 1970s, a discreet signature that echoes the collection’s origins.

The history of the Riviera collection

Created in 1973, the Riviera collection stands out for its bold, innovative style, as one of the first steel sport chic watches. It was memorable from its launch, with its dodecagonal case and metal flat-link strap;style elements that laid the foundations of an original, immediately recognizable watch identity. The first generation was launched in quartz, and it quickly became available in a self-winding version, asserting the care brought to both design and technical achievement.

The second generation, released in 1980, introduced bicolor versions and the first appearance of the name ‘Riviera’ on the dial. In 1983, the collection stood out for its ultra-thin quartz movement with a thickness of just 2.5 mm and unprecedented complications such as a split-seconds, a perpetual calendar, and a second time zone. The third generation, launched in 1985, featured softened edges on the case and strap, played on polished and satin finishes, and incorporated a miniaturized crown for better water-tightness. The fourth generation, presented in 2004, included two distinct styles: a classic model and a sporty one, recognisable by its bezel equipped with four screws.

In 2021, the fifth generation affirmed the modernity of the Riviera with feminine 36 mm models and masculine 42 mm ones, some equipped with the Baumatic movement, others by a self-winding movement, featuring a dial adorned with a mountain-and-wave pattern. The collection was then extended to 39 mm self-winding and Baumatic models, as well as women’s 33 mm timepieces equipped with self-winding and quartz movements. Lastly, in 2025, the collection was completed by 41 mm chronographs, confirming the precision and unique style of the Riviera.

Today, the Riviera 73 continues to write history with a new expression of the Riviera design, inspired by the aesthetic codes of the first generation.

The post RIVIERA 73, THE ELEGANCE OF ORIGINS appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

That hero is the UR-120 Blue Planet.
The third and final iteration of a now legendary model, it claims blue as its signature: deep, almost liquid, suspended somewhere between Earth seen from orbit and the endless azure of infinity. Lifted by touches of gold, this final UR-120 appears to drift between two realities: one governed by the cold precision of mathematical mechanics, the other by tales of exploration, distant galaxies and heroes raising one last farewell before vanishing from sight.

The case: a technical object in the service of style
The UR-120 Blue Planet is built on an interlocking two-part case construction, a structural principle dear to URWERK co-founder and artistic director Martin Frei: ” I’ve always been drawn to this two-part case approach – a base and an upper shell that fit together with precision. A hallmark of Gerald Genta’s work. Technically, it’s remarkably clever. You find that idea of a carapace, of built-in protection. The seam vanishes, the assembly becomes invisible. At that point, construction is no longer just a technical constraint, it becomes an act of design.”

Here, blue does not soften the UR-120. It sends it elsewhere. The watch becomes the hull of a space module, a fragment of interstellar architecture, an object designed for another atmosphere. Its smooth upper surface, free of visible screws, seems to stretch forward. The domed sapphire crystal draws the eye into the display. The articulated lugs – a rare feature in URWERK design – extend the case with seamless continuity, while a spring concealed within the 6 o’clock lug fine-tunes the fit on the wrist.
Nothing is accidental. Nothing is just cosmetic. Every detail serves the structure, the ergonomics and the visual trajectory of the watch.

The calibre: kinetics of a salute
At the heart of the UR-120 Blue Planet beats Calibre UR-20.01, a mechanism designed not only to indicate time, but to stage it. Three hour satellites orbit a central carousel. Each advances in turn along the minute track before leaving the stage to prepare for the next hour. Then comes the gesture. As a satellite reaches the left-hand side of the case, it opens. Its two rectangular arms split apart to form a V. The Vulcan salute comes to life.
Familiar to generations of science-fiction devotees, this gesture is transformed here into a genuine horological complication. The carousel rotates. The satellites counter-rotate to remain legible. The arms pivot independently on their own axis. Their opening and closing are controlled by a lyre-shaped spring, while Maltese crosses choreograph each sequence with absolute precision.

Felix Baumgartner, URWERK co-founder and master watchmaker, explains: “In actual fact, once we realised we had to open these satellites, it became a cause for personal celebration. A new horological conundrum to solve. The UR-120’s carousel alone comprises 175 components, while the complexity of the satellites requires us to control their interactions to the nearest micron. Our challenge has always been to optimise the forces in play. Energy management is delicate and intricate. Among other things, we used our signature Maltese cross element and produced the lyre-shaped spring at the heart of this complication in our own workshops.”

Gold: when function becomes light
Against the deep blue architecture of the UR-120 Blue Planet, the lyre springs and Maltese crosses are finished with a 24K yellow-gilt PVD coating. Here, gold is not an ornament. It reveals the function. It draws the eye to the active components, the points of tension, the parts where energy is stored, released and transformed into motion.
Like the Bussard collectors glowing at the front of the USS Enterprise’s warp engines, these gilded elements seem to capture and channel power. Every passing second becomes energy made visible. Every mechanical impulse becomes light.
Soaring towards the stars
The UR-120 Blue Planet does not announce a sequel. It is a final transmission.
For one last time, its satellites open. For one last time, that fleeting V-shape appears beneath the sapphire crystal. A Vulcan salute. A signal from the bridge. A nod to those who grew up with distant galaxies, impossible spacecraft and the belief that adventure might begin at any second.
The final UR-120 does not take a bow.
It soars away in a blaze of golden fireworks, then vanishes into the blue !

The post URWERK UR-120 BLUE PLANET The Final Salute from the Cosmos appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

To celebrate this momentum, Gerald Charles decided to craft a unique timepiece dedicated exclusively to this market: a bold, vibrant and technically challenging limited edition built around one of Asia’s most culturally significant materials – jade.

Enter the new Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Asia Edition
Limited to only 80 pieces, this special creation combines Gerald Charles’ unmistakable design language with one of the most difficult natural stones used in watchmaking. Not because jade is rare – although it absolutely is – but because shaping it into the iconic Maestro silhouette is an entirely different story.

Stone dials have always been part of Gerald Charles’ creative universe and one of the Maison’s most intrinsic signatures since its origins. Mr. Gérald Charles Genta himself had a deep fascination for precious stones and continuously explored unconventional materials, textures and colors throughout his career, pushing the boundaries of watch design with his artistic and experimental vision.

Harder, more fragile and far more unpredictable than many precious stones, jade is notoriously difficult to machine. And while the market has seen jade dials before, creating one specifically for the Maestro case shape required an entirely new level of technical expertise and craftsmanship.

The jade selected for this edition is among the world’s most precious and sought-after varieties, chosen for its vibrant green tone, natural depth and unique character. Across Asia, jade is far more than a decorative stone – it symbolizes prosperity, harmony, protection and virtue, and has been treasured for millennia as a material even more valuable than gold.

As the ancient proverb says: “gold has a value; jade is invaluable.”

Transforming this exceptional material into a Gerald Charles dial is an intense process where precision becomes obsession.

Each dial starts from a rough jade stone that must first be cut into an ultra-thin disc before being shaped, milled and finished to the exact Maestro geometry. The final dial thickness reaches only 0.4 mm – an extraordinary challenge considering jade’s natural brittleness.

Every phase demands extreme care:
slow machining speeds, ultra-precise tolerances and custom-made supports designed to eliminate any vibration, movement or pressure that could fracture the stone instantly.

The rejection rate is exceptionally high. The margin for error? Almost zero. And yet, this complexity is exactly what makes every piece unique.

No two dials are identical. Veins, inclusions and tonal variations naturally differ from one stone to another, giving each watch its own personality and organic texture – something no lacquered or painted dial could ever reproduce.

To further emphasize the beauty and authenticity of the stone, the dial has been intentionally left pure and minimalist, completely free of indexes and numerals. This deliberate choice allows the jade itself to become the true focal point of the watch, preserving the elegance of the design while fully showcasing the material’s natural depth, colour and unique character.

The result is striking.
The vivid green jade dial explodes visually against the bright white strap, creating a fresh, modern and high-contrast aesthetic that feels both luxurious and playful at the same time.

Ultra-thin at only 9 mm, water-resistant to 100 metres and designed with Gerald Charles’ signature Ergonteq® architecture for exceptional wrist comfort, the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Jade Edition proves that technical watchmaking can still have attitude.

This isn’t simply a jade dial watch. This is Gerald Charles cutting jade its own way.

The post WHEN JADE MEETS MAESTRO Introducing the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Asia Edition – An Asia Exclusive Limited to 80 Pieces appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

The mind within the Machine

The robots of founder Maximilian Büsser’s childhood have influenced MB&F’s creations from the beginning. One of the most striking examples came in 2015, when MB&F partnered with L’Epée 1839 to create Melchior, a robot-clock shaped by Büsser’s memories of toys, science fiction and machines imagined as personalities rather than objects. In 2026, MB&F introduces something new: a wristwatch conceived as the brain of a robot; and a robot that gives the wristwatch a presence far beyond the wrist.

A total horological concept to open the third decade

Originally imagined to celebrate MB&F’s 20th anniversary, the development of HM12 The Guardian took far longer than expected. The project expanded and became more complex. What first seemed like a delay gradually revealed itself as an opportunity: it became the perfect object to launch the brand’s third decade.

HM12 The Guardian is not a watch; it is a complete horological concept – and a deliberate return to MB&F’s roots, at a time when much of the brand’s audience has discovered it only recently. HM12 arrives as a recalibration. A way « to put the church back at the centre of the village » as we say in French.

Back to the Idea

At MB&F, going back to the roots does not mean revisiting the past. It means returning to the ideas and principles that have shaped the brand from the beginning, and testing whether they still hold when pushed forward. One of those principles has always been: a creative adult is a child who survived.

HM12 The Guardian revisits key elements developed over the past twenty years and recombines them into a single object. Part Horological Machine, part Legacy Machine, part Co-Creation, it brings together narrative design, high-end watchmaking, mechanical experimentation and a playful relationship with the object.

A new creative duo

HM12 also marks a pivotal moment in MB&F’s creative structure. For the first time, after 20 years of collaboration with renowned designer Eric Giroud – who remains a key partner on other projects – an Horological Machine is conceived and developed entirely by the tandem formed by Maximilian Büsser and Maximilian Maertens. Max and Max have been collaborating for several years, but until now Maertens’ work had been mainly visible in the clocks and music boxes co-created by MB&F with L’Epée and Reuge.

Büsser provided the initial impulse for HM12 The Guardian, framing the concept: What if a robot’s head were a watch? He then stepped back and Maertens became the architect and guardian of the project. Over four years, Maertens iterated relentlessly: drawing, modelling in 3D, printing prototypes, testing stability and adjusting proportions.

A face, before a watch

Visually, HM12 is frontal. It reads immediately as a face, the head of the robot it sits on. Two eyes. A presence. The references are layered. For Max Büsser, they stem from early memories of robots and toys, from the science fiction imagery of the 1970s and 1980s, when machines were imagined as characters, explorers, or guardians. For Max Maertens, they come from a later generation, shaped by Transformers, animated series, and films like I, Robot, where robots evolve, adapt, and take on more complex roles. HM12 sits at the intersection of these imaginations across different eras.

A mechanical face

Developed entirely in house, HM12 is the result of a movement and case architecture that took more than four years to complete. Every element was designed internally, with narrative intent and mechanical constraints addressed simultaneously.

HM12 is conceived as a face, the entire watch forming the robot’s head. The time display occupies the position of the eyes. Instantaneous jumping hours on the left and trailing minutes on the right are read at a fixed point, while the information moves on rotating discs.

Below, one side of the micro-rotor – shaped like the MB&F battle-axe – sits where the mouth would be. Above, the flying tourbillon functions as the brain, deliberately exposed, with a classical aesthetic grounded in high-end watchmaking rather than futuristic design. The skull of HM12 is largely made of sapphire, allowing light to enter from multiple angles and strike the tourbillon directly, visible from the front and laterally through the side of the case.

The face shield, a mechanism within the mechanism

One of HM12’s defining features is its face shield system, treated as both a complication and a functional element tied to the object’s narrative. Within the logic of the watch, the shields exist to protect the robot’s face. They also radically transform and bring colour to the face of the watch.

Actuated via the left crown, the shields move in a continuous, linear way. The wearer controls how exposed the face remains and can stop at any point, from fully visible to concealed. The crown is declutching: once the shields reach their stop, it disengages.

The system is entirely mechanical and fully independent from the movement. More than 200 components are dedicated to this function alone, a level of complexity that exceeds that of many complete mechanical watches. Chatons, polished wheels and inward angles demonstrate a level of finishing usually reserved for traditional horology.

Development was handled in parallel, one engineer focusing on the timekeeping movement and the other on the shield system, while maintaining constant alignment to prevent conflicts in space, kinematics, and function. The result is a single machine in which mechanics and narrative are developed together.

The other side of the head

Developed entirely in house, the HM12 calibre has a power reserve of 84 hours and comprises 646 components – most of which are hand-finished – including 86 jewels. From the back, HM12 reveals a different register: this side follows a more classical, traditionally horological language. Where the front leans toward a futuristic expression, the back is restrained. The calibre was shaped to follow the case, not the other way around. Echoing the proportions of a human face, the movement is open, balanced and symmetrical.

The finishing reinforces this contrast. Bridges are softly curved and hand finished, with a grained surface on the mainplate. The rear rotor features a guilloché dome executed with the involvement of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen and his team, a demanding exercise given that the guillochage is applied to a curved, spherical surface rather than a flat plane.

HM12 sits deliberately between two worlds, combining the expressive futuristic language of the Horological Machines with the classical refinement of the Legacy Machines.

The Guardian, a companion, not a stand

HM12 is delivered with The Guardian, the rest of the robot’s body – the two are one. The watch detaches from its strap via a quick-release system and mounts directly onto the head via a clipping system designed to secure it firmly while allowing repeated handling. The strap is stored in a hidden drawer integrated into the robot’s base. This is not a base or a stand. It is a body built around the watch.

The development of The Guardian was entrusted to L’Epée, a long-standing partner of MB&F. The robot is conceived as a mechanical extension of the watch and includes 755 components. At the centre of its chest sits a mechanical thermometer, acting as the heart of the robot. Each arm carries a tool. On one side, a shield that contains a loupe, calibrated to inspect the movement and reveal its finer details. On the other, a detachable torch with UV capability, designed to activate the Super LumiNova on both the watch and the robot itself.

A one-time object opening to the future

HM12 The Guardian is produced in three limited editions: blue, purple, or green. Only twelve pieces per colour, for a total of thirty-six. No more.

HM12 The Guardian brings together many of the elements that have shaped MB&F over the past twenty years: a sci-fi inspired Horological Machine, an entirely in-house calibre, traditional high-end finishing, an unconventional display, and a mechanical companion designed to be handled and explored. What first appears as a playful sculpture is in fact the result of years of development and nearly 1,500 components working as one.

HM12 The Guardian revisits MB&F’s roots – creating mechanical objects with strong personalities, real technical substance and a sense of wonder. It reaffirms those foundations and carries them into the brand’s third decade.

The post HM12 THE GUARDIAN A total horological concept to open the third decade appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

A Heritage Forged in Speed
Introduced in 1969, the Heuer Monaco was a game changer. It was the world’s first square, water-resistant chronograph wristwatch, and among the first commercialized self-winding chronograph powered by the Calibre 11.
Recognizable by its unconventional left-sided crown, it was named after the glamorous principality of Monaco and its legendary Formula 1® racetrack. The TAG Heuer Monaco quickly ascended to iconic status, becoming a symbol of avant-garde watchmaking. Visionary and futuristic model was introduced to mark this milestone: the TAG Heuer Monaco.

TAG Heuer’s connection to motorsport has only deepened over the decades, from iconic racing figures of the past to contemporary champions who define the sport today. As Official Timekeeper of Formula 1® and partner of the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, TAG Heuer has celebrated the remarkable achievements of Max Verstappen, whose multiple World Drivers’ Championship victories reflect the same bold focus, relentless precision, and pursuit of excellence that have driven the TAG Heuer Monaco collection since its inception.

True to the TAG Heuer Monaco’s design codes, the TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 carries this heritage forward, bringing the thrill of high-performance engines to life on the wrist and translating high-octane racing into Avant-Garde Horlogerie.

The Art of Time at Full Throttle

The TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 transforms the energy of a 12-cylinder engine into a mechanical spectacle. Twelve rotating pistons circle the dial, indicating the corresponding hour with every revolution of the central minute hand, offering a mesmerizing reinterpretation of the jumping hour complication.

Created in collaboration with La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, this timepiece is the result of their innovative savoir-faire and TAG Heuer’s bold DNA. It builds upon the exclusive Spin Time movement, developed and patented by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and exceptionally used for this one-of-a-kind creation. Uniting TAG Heuer’s racing-inspired vision with their Manufacture’s expertise in high-complication movements, this timepiece represents a true achievement.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 is an entirely novel interpretation of one of the most iconic watches in history, elevating it to new heights of innovation and craftsmanship. It reflects a striking balance between watchmaking tradition and forward-thinking design.

Crafted in Grade 5 titanium, the signature square case frames the round movement, creating the refined duality that defines the TAG Heuer Monaco design language, squaring the circle. Four DLC-coated open-worked arches suspend the movement within the case, introducing both depth and transparency, hallmarks of Avant-Garde Horlogerie timepieces.

The sandblasted and brushed rotating pistons with engraved Arabic numerals lacquered in black emphasize the mechanical sophistication of the jumping hour display. Lightweight yet robust, the titanium case is topped with a domed sapphire crystal and caseback. It also features a square sapphire bezel that maximizes visibility on the pistons from all angles.

The open-worked dial invites the wearer to explore the intricate mechanics beneath, echoing the finishes and precision of engine blocks, as if peering under the hood of a finely tuned supercar. The vertical grooves at the center of the dial evoke high-performance engine covers while the skeletonized central minute hand mimics that of dashboard instruments, underscoring the watch’s racing inspiration down to the smallest details. A black rubber strap with textile embossing and red hand-stitching completes the sporty aesthetics of this incredible timepiece.

An Ode to 12-Cylinder Engines
Powering the TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 is the automatic Calibre TH84-00, a movement developed and produced by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, drawing on their watchmaking expertise from high-end movement development to fine finishing. TAG Heuer has reinterpreted the iconic Spin Time movement developed by Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, founders and Master Watchmakers of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vouitton. The resulting Calibre TH84-00 is a dynamic expression of speed and mechanical artistry. The twelve indexes that rotate around the dial are precisely shaped like pistons, carefully integrated to echo the rhythm of a high-performance 12-cylinder engine, evoking its firing sequence through horological motion.

As the minute hand completes a full rotation around the dial, a precise sequence unfolds: one piston returns to its initial stance, while the following one executes a precise 90-degree turn, unveiling a previously concealed facet indicating the hour, resulting in a dynamic display of time.

On the Starting Grid
Limited to 50 individually numbered pieces, the TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 celebrates TAG Heuer’s racing DNA. It is an invitation for collectors to experience an exclusive combination of motorsport energy and Avant-Garde Horlogerie.

With the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026 as its stage, the TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 is a tribute to the thrill, precision, and passion that define TAG Heuer’s motorsport legacy. From Steve McQueen to today’s champions, TAG Heuer continues to translate speed and engineering into mechanical art, offering a timepiece that lives and breathes the adrenaline of the racetrack.

The post PREPARE FOR THE ENGINE ROAR AVANT-GARDE HORLOGERIE IS SPEEDING AHEAD WITH THE TAG HEUER MONACO SPEED 12 appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Lou Gehrig is remembered as one of baseball’s greatest players, having played 2,130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees, a record that earned him the nickname “The Iron Horse” and defined his reputation for endurance and consistency. In 1939, following his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he delivered a farewell speech at Yankee Stadium that remains one of the most powerful moments in baseball history, marked by gratitude, humility, and composure in the face of adversity. His story continues to be closely associated with ALS awareness, and 2 June is now observed in the United States as “Lou Gehrig Day” in recognition of his legacy.

The Lou Gehrig Limited Edition translates this legacy into a series of thoughtful design details based on the Big Crown Pointer Date. The silver dial with its vertical brushed finish evokes the strength and endurance that defined Gehrig’s career as “The Iron Horse,” while subtle design cues reference the aesthetic language of the 1920s and 1930s. The dial combines a mix of numerals and indices, echoing vintage Oris design codes from the era. A blue “4” highlighted on the date ring pays tribute to his iconic jersey number, retired by the New York Yankees in 1940, while blue accents across the dial and the NATO strap reflect the team’s colours. The design is completed with a brown leather strap inspired by the stitching of a baseball glove, alongside an additional blue, white and grey NATO strap.

The story continues on the case back, where an engraving of Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech is paired with the individual limited-edition number. The watch is limited to 2,130 numbered pieces, a direct reference to his record-setting consecutive games and a lasting symbol of endurance. Through this edition, Oris supports The Lou and Eleanor Gehrig Family Foundation in its work to raise awareness of ALS and advance research into the disease.

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