Montblanc has unveiled a brand-new Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph limited edition of the historic model that began as a timekeeper on Paris’ famous Champs-de-Mars horse racing  track in 1821, and has continued to be a sought-after timepiece by collectors around the world. The GCC Region Chronograph, limited to just 50 pieces, includes distinctive references to countries  in the Middle East’s GCC region, where the spirit and legacy of horse racing and fine watchmaking is equally cherished.

The exclusive collection is a beautiful continuation of the Maison’s renowned “inking” chronograph, which was updated in 2022 in a new 43mm case size, and is now presented in this highly  contemporary design in a stainlesssteel case with black DLC coating, a multi-layered anthracite dial, and refined touches of dark green.

Combining finishes and textures that play with the light, the timepiece features a graphic anthracite Clou de Paris base plate, with added anthracite sub dials that stand out with their sunray  finishing. The hour and minute indexes, along with the three counters, have been laser-cut to reveal the black finishings below, while the flange of the dial is satin finished for even more contrast.

Touches of green pay tribute to the shade of green included on most national flags of countries in the GCC, a colour that is deeply rooted in the region’s history, culture and religion, and represents unity, freedom and hope. The bevelled double indexes, skeletonized second time zone hand, screws, and Day & Night indications are also crafted in green, along with the alligator strap and the  luminescence seen on the hour and minute hands when the sun goes down.

Adding both aesthetic and cultural appeal – and enhancing the watch’s uniqueness and collectability – the Limited Edition GCC Chronograph is the first Nicolas Rieussec timepiece to feature  numerals on the chronograph counters and date in Arabic.

The Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph Nicolas Rieussec GCC Limited Edition is powered by the self-winding Manufacture monopusher chronograph movement MB R200, and the first in-house movement by the Maison. Designed to reach the highest level of technical efficiency and aesthetics, the Chronograph is equipped with a column-wheel that controls the monopusher mechanism.

To improve the chronograph’s start, the connection between the gear train and the chronograph’s wheels is alternately engaged and disengaged by a vertical disc clutch and functions without any  wear and tear. This mechanism prevents the elapsed time discs from jumping when the chronograph is switched on. The timepiece features a monopusher, which is ergonomically positioned at 8  o’clock, where the wearer’s thumb can conveniently operate it.

Additionally, a rapid-reset mechanism for the hour and date is extremely practical for travellers who journey from one time zone to another. These indicators can be reset either clockwise or  counter-clockwise without affecting the position of the minute hand.

The rate is regulated by a large 10-mm-diameter balance wheel with screws, which oscillates regularly thanks to its high moment of inertia (12 mgcm²) and its frequency of 28,800 A/h (4 Hz). The stable rate is further enhanced by the double barrel, providing 72 hours of power reserve. Furthermore, the balance bridge is open-worked, ensuring the precise positioning of the oscillator for optimal shock resistance.

The Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph GCC Limited Edition comes with two interchangeable straps – one in green alligator, and the other in anthracite textile featuring the  Clou de Paris motif – and will be sold exclusively in Montblanc Boutiques across the region.

The post Montblanc unveils Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph GCC Limited Edition appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Midway between Mars and Neptune, between warm and cool, the colour scheme of the Luna Magna Red Gold Meteorite evokes the sky, fire and the stars. Its three-dimensional moon-phase complication gives it an astronomical feel, the 44 mm red gold case a terrestrial side, and the blue PVD-treated meteorite dial a stellar dimension. The largest of all moons receives a rare and precious new interpretation in dynamic hues.

With contrasts between its shades, materials and perceptions, the Luna Magna Red Gold Meteorite is brought to life by the oppositions, symbols and energies of its fundamental components.

The subdial displaying the hours and minutes has a milky, almost lunar sheen thanks to its surface in opal, a semiprecious stone prized for its white colour, whose delicacy perfectly complements  the unique complication of the Luna Magna Red Gold Meteorite. The spacious dial, freed up by the structure of this display, is made from a large disc of ferrous meteorite coloured blue using the PVD process. The warm glow of the red gold, which contrasts with the midnight-blue dial, completes the precious and understated look of this imited edition of 38 pieces.

Endless details

The meteorite’s criss-crossing, jagged geometric structures, which are known as Widmanstätten patterns, reflect the light across a vast surface reminiscent of the Sea of Tranquillity. In no way  concealing their depth, the deep matt blue PVD treatment instead subtly reveals them to those who know to look for them. The moon, a sphere formed half from Cacholong opal and half from blue PVD meteorite, reflects the nature of the celestial body.

The way these textures catch the light, its rotation controlled by an exclusive complication, makes this an ever-shifting timepiece. All the more so as the opal half of the moon and the subdial are coated with Super-LumiNova, only revealing their blue-green glow – invisible by day – once night falls.

An endless mechanism

Luna Magna Red Gold Meteorite is driven by the A&S1021 calibre, which has been fully developed, machined, assembled and adjusted in the Arnold & Son Manufacture. This hand-wound calibre,  which has been designed with the lunar globe in mind, features a 90-hour power reserve and a regulating organ oscillating at a frequency of 3 Hz. The movement also includes a secondary display  detailing the age of the moon on the case-back side. Its clearly readable markings are designed for high-precision lunar adjustments.

The sophisticated celestial mechanics are also based on precise astronomical reality. The duration of a complete lunar cycle is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds and Arnold & Son has  managed to replicate it in such a way that it will take 122 years for the movement’s display to deviate from the correct celestial reading by one day. The correction required at this time will be easy to make, as the Luna Magna Red Gold Meteorite’s moon-phase function is directly accessible from the crown. This practical feature has been made possible by Arnold & Son’s total command of  the watchmaking process.

The post LUNA MAGNA RED GOLD METEORITE SPACE AND CONTRASTS appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

When we first approach Michiel to start brainstorming on a unique project, we wanted the brief to be very much influenced by our heritage, Arabic culture and strong nuances we have picked up from our local architecture, design and calligraphy.

The idea of the “الحكمة” project was to produce a very limited edition not more than 10 pieces to be offered to hand picked collectors that appreciate the art of combining new technology and modern design with local heritage – hence the result is our first unique edition with Holthinrich

The Dial Concept

The whole focus of the dial is the remarkably unique and captivating hand set. These hands will be produced by forming stainless steel and giving them a brushed finish to make them “pop” off the dial and take command, demanding attention like a famous actor on centre stage.

The supporting role of the dial background can not be underestimated. The green oxidized titanium colour scheme that is formed on a subtle relief based on the mashrabiya pattern offers a two dimensional pattern that provides an additional light play and charm.

The frosted finish on the dial surface brings a sense of romance and refinement to the overall aesthetic. Further to this there is a subtle but dramatic reference to the “15” market at 3 O’clock. The mashrabiya pattern is carefully positioned to present “15” in one of the stars.

The final feature of the dial is the delicate pad printing of the minute and seconds tracks with provides contrast and balance.

The Movement 

We are using latest movement finishing specifically for this collaboration – the finishing on the bridges includes the signature bridge design and clearly highlight the elevated edge of the plates with a contrasting polished bevels. In the higher end finishes the screw holes will be polished and create inward angles to highlight black polished screws.

The true highlight of this movement finish will be the appearance of the mashrabiya pattern on the plates between the embossed edges. There will be more depth and character to this unique casebook design – Finished with 14k gold plating.

3D printed Case

We will add a few words in Arabic along the cavity of the case with the name of each owner – the size of the case is 38mm and is made of Surgical steel 316L

The Hands

The most important feature on this design will be the hands expressly created for this project. The hands are cut out of extra thick hard en rust resistant spring steel with a satin brushed top finish and selectively bevelled by hand to make them stand out and to reflect the contrasting surfaces of the 3D printed case of the watch.

The watch has been pre-booked and is now in production with planned delivery by Dec 2021 – SHop

For more information about Holthinrich

The post Our 15th Special Edition – the new Holthinrich “الحكمة” appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

It has been an amazing journey since we started in 2015 and today we hit the 10th edition mark – the club with the most special editions to-date. For this release we have decided to collaborate with a very special brand that has been quiet forgotten for sometime and revived few years ago.

Of course, I am talking about Angelus watches and more specifically the U50 Diver Tourbillon they released in Baselworld 2018. It was whilst we were visiting their booth this March , that we discovered the beautifully executed diver watch model and decided that this should be our next edition; first it’s our first TOurbillon, and also first Diver. Great way to end 2018!!

What is exactly the U50 Diver Tourbillon Desert Mint AWC all about !!! Well, first it is crafted in a 45mm-wide lightweight Titanium case – It features two large screw-down crowns. The two-position crown at 4 o’clock is used for winding and setting the time, while the crown at 2 o’clock is used to rotate the uni-directional 60-minute flange ring

Opposite the crowns on the left side of the case at the 9 o’clock position, a helium escape valve is placed to ensure the watch’s water-resistance of 300 meters (1’000 feet).

With its core functions – hours, minutes, small seconds and one-minute flying tourbillon – the A-300 caliber has 23 jewels, a Swiss lever escapement and measures just 4.3 millimetres in thickness and 32.8 millimetres in diameter. The 4 Hz / 28,800 vph frequency is a guarantee for high performance and precision

Even though the A-300 caliber in the U50 Diver Tourbillon is intended as a high-performance movement ready to take on more extreme situations, the ultra-slim movement has painstakingly executed contemporary haute horlogerie finishing with snailed black ADLC coating and chamfered edges. The design is enhanced by a skeletonized ratchet and barrel in the exclusive Angelus six-spoke design.

We have created 16 of this beautiful masterpieces for the club members and released them in a private event at PDL shop in Dubai where the team from Angelus flew from Switzerland to hand deliver the watches to all the collectors.

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