Watches and wonders Act I: the tone of the year in watchmaking
Chanel Première Ruban Rouge
Hermès Cape Cod Mini
Created in 1987, the Première watch marked Chanel’s first expression of its style in watchmaking. A true watch-jewel, it bridges the Maison’s creative worlds with an octagonal shape inspired by both the stopper of the iconic N°5 perfume bottle and Place Vendôme, which Coco Chanel admired from her suite at the Ritz. Crafted in yellow gold and deep red – a color beloved by Gabrielle Chanel –the Première Ruban Rouge pays tribute to her sense of purity, with a lacquered sunray dial featuring two gold hands and a velvet-touch rubber strap.
A “mini” version (27 × 20mm) of the watch designed by Henri d’Origny in 1991, the new Cape Cod retains the subtle geometry of its signature “square within a rectangle,” inspired by the anchor chain link. Available in steel or yellow gold, it plays either on tonal harmony with sunburst gold or silver dials, or on contrast with single- or double-wrap straps in coordinated hues. The Cape Cod Mini strikes a balance between style, boldness, and lightness.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini
Piaget Polo 79 bicolor
At Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak embraces a feminine sport-chic aesthetic with a 23mm diameter and two new dials in mother-of-pearl or black onyx. This model asserts a confident, understated femininity, playing on the contrast between the velvety glow of pink gold and the angular lines imagined by Gérald Genta. On the dial, the deep, mirror-polished black stone enhances the brilliance of diamonds set within a precious gold case.
This new interpretation of the Piaget 79, unveiled in 2024 to mark the 45th anniversary of the Polo (and the Maison’s 150th-anniversary), perfectly embodies the Piaget spirit. Inspired by a rare 1979 model and faithful to the watchmaker’s motto – “Time is measured only in gold”– this 38 mm watch with an integrated bracelet combines satin-finished white gold and yellow gold within an ultra-thin case, another signature of Piaget watchmaking.
TAG Heuer connected calibre E5 45 MM × Formula 1
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium
To keep pace with every Grand Prix, TAG Heuer – official timekeeper of Formula 1– leans into innovation, high-tech materials, and cutting-edge technology. This watch is filled with nods to the world of F1, from its titanium case to its Race Track dial, which displays each circuit in real time. A dedicated menu, developed in partnership with the FIA, allows wearers to follow the championship throughout the season in real time.
Limited to 1,500 pieces, this edition of the Portugieser Chronograph explores, for the first time, the technical and aesthetic potential of Ceratanium, developed by IWC. Its 41mm case, pushers, and crown are crafted from this exclusive material, combining the lightness and strength of titanium with the hardness of ceramic. Entirely monochrome, with a black dial and rubber strap, the Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium highlights the purity of its design.
Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike: “The sound of eternity”
Featuring a grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie, and minute repeater paired with a tourbillon, this exceptional timepiece showcases the expertise Chopard has developed over the past twenty years in striking mechanisms. Fully skeletonized, the L.U.C Grand Strike reveals the mesmerizing choreography of its 686 components, combining visual emotion with the purity of sound.
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