Hands-on – Montblanc Heritage Small Second Limited Edition 38, With Historic Minerva Movement
Back at the SIHH 2019 last year, Montblanc introduced a brand new collection of classic, slightly retro watches named “Heritage”. Elegant, well-designed, available with desirable salmon dials, it was available from a simple 3-hander, to a surprising (and well-priced) Monopusher Chrono… And two limited but really attractive versions, a perpetual calendar or a Minerva chronograph. […]
Finally, we have the last additions to the “Watch & Act!” Auction. Lot 22: TAG Heuer – Unique Piece, Autavia Caliber 5 ‘Watch & Act!’ Edition First released in 2019, this collection represented the first time the name Autavia had been given to a time-only watch, which is originally a portmanteau of automobile and aviation and used for chronograph tool watches. This TAG Heuer Autavia Caliber 5 is offered in a warmly toned bronze case that complements the graduated moss green dial and strap, and is framed by the ceramic bezel. This model was chosen by TAG Heuer to “symbolise the colours of Australia”. The watch is a Unique Piece and features a caseback engraving of the “Watch & Act!” logo, as well as the text “UNIQUE PIECE AUSTRALIA”. On the dial, note the crossed axe insignia associated with firefighters all around the world — this will be a constant dial-side reminder of the ‘firies’, as Aussies call them, who your watch purchase will benefit. The watch has a bidirectional rotating bezel in brown ceramic and is water resistant to 100m. The sapphire crystal is anti-reflective and the dial is khaki fumé and rhodium plated. The indexes and hands are filled…
Over the next two posts, we’ll be showing the final additions to the “Watch & Act!” Auction. Lot 19: Baltic Watches – Aquascaphe Prototype Based out of France, Baltic Watches have carved themselves a niche in producing watches inspired by the second half of the 20th century, with a range of genuinely attractive references that have proven themselves to be hugely popular with watch enthusiasts around the world. After the roaring success of the Bicompax chronograph release, they immediately began work on their vision of a diving watch, which resulted in this Baltic Watches Aquascaphe Prototype. While several elements of the design were changed for the final production model, this prototype expresses the no-nonsense restraint of a vintage tool watch that was built with a specific purpose and intent. The 3, 6, 9 style of dial was let go in favour of arrow markers at the cardinal points of the dial in the eventual production piece, but the prototype design reminds of the legendary tool watches of the ’50s and ’60s that are so collectible today. It is through the enormous generosity of the team at Baltic Watches that we are able to offer this Aquascaphe Prototype for sale, and…
Montblanc’s Heritage Collection draws inspiration heavily from the watchmaker Minerva and the timepieces they produced in the ’40s and ’50s. And there’s a very good reason why – Montblanc owns the once great Minerva. As a result, we get great-looking watches like this – the Montblanc Heritage Automatic. Replete with its period correct and vogue salmon dial, this elegant three-hander offers a great amount of vintage flair and modern technicality. Housed inside the subtly rounded 40mm stainless steel case, which is just 11.65mm thick, you’ll find Montblanc’s Calibre MB 24.26. This trusty self-winding movement offers 38 hours of power reserve, 26 jewels and an operating frequency of 28,800 (4Hz) vibrations per hour. Complementing the anthracite characteristics of the dial, the Heritage Automatic is paired with a grey Sfumato alligator strap, which has been created by Richemont themselves, in their Pelletteria located in Florence, Italy. What we like about it Montblanc has really been nailing its heritage watches of late, and this heritage automatic is another great addition to the collection. The salmon dial is one to adore, with styling cues that have been borrowed from Minerva timepieces from the ’40s and ’50s. Features Manufacturer: Montblanc Model Name: Heritage Automatic Year:…
This eye-catching special edition, launched at the Dubai Watch Week 2019, features a satin-finished steel case and lush starburst dial inspired by the green in the UAE flag – a colour chosen to inspire hope, growth and prosperity – and four Hindi Arabic numerals painted in Super-LumiNova. This is the first Bell & Ross model to ever feature Hindi Arabic numerals. This watch has been generously donated by Seddiqi Holdings. What we like about it It’s pretty well established in the watch world at the moment that green dials are just better. Case in point is this limited edition Bell & Ross, which has been graciously donated by the Seddiqi family. It’s a stunning watch, featuring Eastern Arabic numerals and, much like a few other lots in this auction, is one that is sure to be hugely popular. Features Manufacturer: Bell & Ross Model Name: BR 03-92 Green Arabic Limited Edition Year: 2019 Reference: BR0392 Material: Steel Dimensions: 42mm diameter Calibre:Mechanical automatic Bracelet/Strap: Brown leather strap View the lot right here.
World women’s number one tennis player Ash Barty has collaborated with Rado to release a watch this year, bringing us the Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition, a white-hot polished ceramic watch that matches perfectly with the uniform of Wimbledon, which was her first junior Grand Slam win – ahead of her career-defining Grand Slam win at the French Open in 2019. Taking advantage of Rado’s expertise in ceramics, both the case and bracelet of the watch have been produced in a polished white ceramic, with the case reinforced with stainless steel. The bracelet is finished with a deployant clasp for a snug fit, and tapers nicely into the 36mm case. The gleaming case is where the watch really shines. The bezel is fitted with 60 diamonds around the circumference of the dial, which not only draws the eye inward but could also be used as minute markers. Once your eye has been drawn into the dial, you’re treated with the soft pearlescent glow of the mother-of-pearl dial, which has been radially spoked for emphasis and is only punctuated with a white date indicator. As a final touching nod to the career success that Ash Barty has had at such…
