Without a doubt, the year 2020 has been a rough year. It’s been a year of changes with a global pandemic in full and a year where we’ve learned to live differently. As we wrap up a very intense year, how about we focus on some incredible blue watches for those experiencing the blues during this holiday season or just because here at WCL we are absolute lovers of everything blue.
From the holy trinity of watchmaking to the independent brands, these are timepieces that are hard not to think of as we start making our wish list for the year to come. Let’s welcome the new year with a bang and with these gorgeous watches that have taken our breath away at least once.
Health, fortune and happiness to all of you that are avid readers of WCL. Without you, we wouldn’t be here today.
The De Bethune DB27 Digitale International Polo Watch is for sure one of those very under the radar De Bethune watches that not everyone knows about. Released in 2015 as another option for Polo players, De Bethune rendered a hardened steel iteration of the Digitale to celebrate the first time the brand sponsored Liechtenstein’s Polo Club and created the ‘De Bethune Princely Polo Cup’. This international tournament has seen polo players and teams come from all over Europe to participate in one of the most elitist tournaments in the world.
Most people outside of the U.S. in Europe and Latin America celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. Since we also share the tradition of celebrating on Christmas Eve, we decided to prepare a small collection of Christmas-inspired images to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. May you and your families be blessed with health and may all your dreams come true. Hopefully, your Christmas tree is keeping one of these Royal Oaks nice and warm inside a gift box for tomorrow morning.
A while back we brought you a feature on Frédéric Malle, one of our favorite perfumiers, and today we bring you Frédéric Malle’s latest release. An underrated name in the world of fragrances that was introduced in 2000 as Editions de Parfums, it was presented as a completely new concept whereby the world’s greatest noses composed exclusive fragrances to be sold under their names. Founded by the grandson of the founder of Christian Dior Parfums, Frédéric Malle himself started his career in 1988 at the prestigious perfume laboratory Roure Bertrand Dupont.
Blancpain celebrates the Chinese New Year with a limited series of 50 watches dedicated to this tradition and its festivities. The Year of the Metal Ox begins on February 12th, 2021, and ends on January 31st, 2022. Housed in a precious 45 mm platinum case, the new Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar bearing the effigy of the ox features an exclusive complication appearing on an elegant Grand Feu enamel dial. Forged in noble platinum, the 50-piece limited-edition Traditional Chinese Calendar watch pays homage to the age-old culture of the Middle Kingdom. The Grand Feu enamel dial of this exceptional timepiece reveals the complexity of a display combining Chinese calendar indications with those of the Gregorian calendar and moon phases.
Today we are talking about a topic that typically gets overlooked. How to set your watch is as important as knowing your watch from A to Z. Setting a perpetual calendar is never an easy process, even when the watch is equipped with one or two correctors only, or if everything can be set via the crown —like on many of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Perpetual Calendars. When it comes to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574 it is better to be safe than sorry.
Girard-Perregaux unveils the 1966 East to West, in celebration of the 160th anniversary of its trading relationship with Japan, together with Darren Romanelli, the celebrated streetwear designer. Darren Romanelli aka DRx, is recognized for his love of Japan and Japanese culture making him the ideal collaborator for this important model, launched on the cusp of another landmark, the 230th anniversary of the Manufacture, in 2021.
Back in 2019, Vacheron Constantin released two pieces from the FiftySix collection sporting petrol blue dials. Today, December 16th, 2020 the FiftySix collection continues to expand this time with the FiftySix Day-Date featuring a petrol blue dial in a numbered 30-piece limited edition exclusively available on MR PORTER, the global online retail destination for men’s style. Cased in stainless steel and measuring 40 mm in diameter the watch is delivered on a sepia brown calfskin strap. In 2018, Vacheron Constantin embarked on a partnership with London's legendary Abbey Road Studios bringing together their shared values of Excellence and Craftmanship.
Richard Mille just released the new RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph and we now bring you the stunning images by Fabien Nissels that show the deconstructed Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph in all its glory. These images show the movement assembly, dial setup, and overall casing process. The new Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph is the culmination of some five years of development and the most complex timepiece ever to leave Richard Mille’s workshops.
A highly complex sports timepiece, a masterpiece of technical prowess designed for everyday use and for any situation is the latest execution of Richard Mille’s tireless quest for innovation, the new RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph. The culmination of some five years of development, this watch is the most complex timepiece ever to leave Richard Mille’s workshops.
On the eve of the Reverso’s 90th anniversary, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils a special Tribute edition in burgundy red. As the Reverso approaches its 90th anniversary in 2021, Jaeger-LeCoultre reinterprets one of its most admired models. Issued in a limited edition, with a burgundy-red dial and pink gold case measuring 47 mm x 28.3 mm x 10.3 mm, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano ref. Q398256J pays tribute to a design of rare longevity.
The Rolex Datejust has always been one of the most classic and iconic watches out there. When it comes to Rolex watches, this is the choice for those looking for an everyday watch that is not too sporty nor too flashy —especially when equipped with a smooth bezel rather than the flashier 18K white gold fluted bezel. Available in 31 mm, 36 mm, or 41 mm, the Rolex Datejust 41 ref. 126300 is to us the perfect Datejust in terms of proportions. Not too big nor too small and with a relatively slender case measuring only 12 mm in thickness, the Datejust 41 is the result of Rolex’s constant search for perfection and innovation.
After Paul Newman’s Rolex ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona ref. 6239 set a world record on October 26, 2017, selling for $17.7 Million USD including buyer’s fees, Phillips Watches just set another record with today’s sale of the Ultimate ‘Big Red’ Daytona ref. 6263 belonging to Paul Newman himself. Consigned by his Daughter, Clea Newman Soderlund, this incredible watch sold for $5,475,000 USD at the Racing Pulse Annual Flagship New York Watch Auction, today December 12th, 2020. Gifted to Paul Newman by his wife Joanne Woodward and engraved “Drive slowly Joanne”, this Paul Newman’s Rolex ‘Big Red’ Daytona ref. 6263 came out with an estimate in excess of $1 million USD but sold more than five times above the estimate.
For over 30 years, Frederique Constant has developed luxury Swiss Made timepieces accessible to as many people as possible. Today, the brand presents the new Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture in 18K rose gold. This very special timepiece is one for discerning collectors and will be limited to just 30 pieces. Created in 1999, the Highlife collection is making its comeback in 2020, having been entirely overhauled. Its distinctive redesigned case houses a dial decorated with a globe motif. Symbolizing the Earth, the perfection of the circle, it is also the icon of a new generation that shares the same ideal for saving the planet, sustainable and sensible living.
A new addition to the Hermès Arceau line is the new Arceau Grande Lune. Featuring a deep blue dial with a sunburst motif highlights the creativity of a timeless model. In 1978, Henri d’Origny freed the round watch from established aesthetic codes by imagining a classic and singular curve: the Arceau watch was born. Its case with asymmetrical stirrup-shaped attachments and sloping Arabic numerals evoking a galloping horse reveal a discreet and enduring elegance that lends itself to every possible expression of Hermès creativity and know-how.
There are times when a pair of retro-looking white sneakers is all that you need to complete a very Euro-chic look along with a pair of Armani blue jeans, a navy blue merino from Ferragamo, and a Rolex Datejust 41 ref. 126300. The Valentino Garavani Flycrew leather sneakers are exactly that perfect supple, ultra-luxurious 80’s-esque retro-looking sneakers you need to have. Handmade in Italy from ultra-supple white leather, these sneakers feature a row of gunmetal colored Valentino signature rockstuds along the profile of the heel.
First launched in 2019, the Legacy Machine FlyingT was MB&F’s first-ever machine dedicated to women. It embodies elegance and vitality over the softer conventions of womanhood. Awarded the prize for Best Ladies’ Complication at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Legacy Machine FlyingT launched in three different 18K white gold versions. This year they were joined by limited editions in red gold and platinum, featuring guilloche dials. Today, the sixth edition of the LM FlyingT makes its appearance this time with a Lapis Lazuli dial and an 18K white gold case set with diamonds.
A partner of the Louvre Museum since 2019, Vacheron Constantin is auctioning a Les Cabinotiers watch at the "Bid For the Louvre" sale organized online from December 1st to 15th by the Louvre Museum and Christie's, with the support of Drouot. More than a watch, this model represents a unique opportunity for its buyer to enjoy an unforgettable experience poised at the intersection of art and craftsmanship, between Paris and Geneva.
It all started in 2009 when Bell & Ross launched its first BR 01 Skull, which dared to shake up traditional watchmaking codes. From the Vikings of the first millennium to the paratroopers of the Second World War, including the pirates of the 17th and 18th centuries, the skull has always been a very prominent warlike symbol. Approaching its tenth anniversary, the iconic Bell & Ross Skull family welcomes a new addition with several faces, it is where watchmaking, design, symbolism and bold creativity meet. The new BR 01 Cyber Skull marks a break with style. It turns a page. Its avant-garde design sends this iconic series into the future.
The new Urwerk EMC Timehunter White Ceramic aka Stormtrooper was an easy nickname to choose, from Martin and Felix’s love of sci-fi and in particular, Star Wars. The universe that George Lucas built have heavily influenced the design of Urwerk timepieces over the years. The signature armor of the Stormtrooper was an instant icon ever since it blasted onto the scene in 1977. Designed for Lucas by Ralph McQuarrie, a conceptual artist who also worked on Battle Starship Galactica and E.T.
