Chic and sporty: watches with a steely look…
Steel ‘sport chic’ watches are a vast subject. Often iconic creations, by the way. There were so many candidates for this Frank sans C’s video that even before filming, an episode 2 and even 3 were envisaged! A first selection based on the metal most favoured by the manufacturers.
TAG HEUER Aquaracer Professional 200: the sporty but chic watch par excellence
Unveiled last February at the LVMH Watch Week, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 has the same characteristics as its big sister, the Aquaracer Professional 300. But despite the 12-sided fluted bezel, the horizontally grooved dial and the design of the strap, it has its differences. The indexes are orthogonal instead of hexagonal, the unidirectional rotating bezel is made in steel without a ceramic insert, and the caseback is engraved with a compass rose instead of a diver. And for good reason, the 200 version is not intended for deep-sea diving but perfect for water sports.
Frank sans C presents here a 40 mm steel automatic version with a black dial (€2,500). But also a quartz model for the small wrists with an ice blue dial (€1,750). Is TAG Heuer aligning itself with this trendy color that is blooming everywhere this year? Well done, because this version will appeal to urban women who like sporty chic watches in steel.
Read all our detailed datasheets on the TAG Heuer Aquaracer collection.
TISSOT PRX: the return of a legend in the land of sporty chic steel watches
Tissot’s PRX collection continues to build on its success with new variations. And it is a ‘tailor-made’ trio that Frank sans C has unveiled on his video set. Indeed, the first pair consists of 40mm diameter watches. A beautiful Swiss manufacture quartz movement animates this seductive duo.
One has a bright green sunray dial served on a steel bracelet (€375). The second has a midnight blue sunray dial on a leather strap in the same color (€345). An interchangeable strap system equips these models, like the third watch presented with a 35mm blue dial, new for 2022 (€375). So, you can change it according to your moods and desires. Unisex, it can be worn on both men’s and women’s wrists.
Read all our detailed datasheets on the Tissot PRX collection.
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AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak, the icon of sporty chic steel watches turns 50
The emblematic Royal Oak, designed by the brilliant designer Gérald Genta in 1972, is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. A real event for this clear icon of sport chic watches. Audemars Piguet is celebrating this anniversary with several new references that all share one thing in common. A specific 50th Anniversary oscillating weight equips these automatic calibres.
There won’t be enough for everyone!
Attention ladies and gentlemen: these models with a specific anniversary rotor will only be produced during the year 2022… You will still be able to buy the same watch in 2023, but it will not have the same weight. As soon as this little fantasy was announced, the Audemars Piguet boutiques were flooded with calls and the waiting lists grew exponentially. However, by decision of the manufacture’s CEO, François-Henry Bennahmias, a part of these pieces will be reserved for buyers who are not yet Audemars Piguet customers. And we can only salute this beautiful idea that brings a glimmer of hope for all enthusiasts.
Royal Oak 50th Anniversary, you choose your case size and your blue dial
Frank sans C has put together a beautiful duo on his set. On the one hand, the 39mm Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Plate in steel with a dark blue dial (€32,100) and on the other hand the 37mm Royal Oak Automatique in steel with a light blue dial (€23,300).
The Jumbo model is aesthetically very close to the original model with its “Bleu Nuit Nuage 50” dial with a Petite Tapisserie pattern as well as its “bathtub” shaped indexes and hands filled with luminescent material. Another tribute to the past: the AP monogram is positioned at 6 o’clock and not at noon.
For the 37mm reference, a light blue hue adorns a dial with a Grande Tapisserie pattern and luminescent white gold Royal Oak hands and hour markers.
To know everything about these two superb models, read our technical datasheets:
Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Plate 16202ST.OO.1240ST.01
Royal Oak Automatique 15550ST.OO.1356ST.04
PIAGET Polo: sporty chic icon
Created in 1979, the Piaget Polo is undoubtedly one of the timeless sport chic watches in steel. Offered in numerous variations over the decades, it is now one of the manufacturer’s most emblematic collections.
Among them, this duo presented by Frank sans C: a Polo S 42mm in diameter (€12,000) and a Polo Date 36mm punctuated with gold indexes set with diamonds (€13,200). These two steel references remain faithful to the original design by combining a round case with a cushion-shaped dial. They propose a blue dial with horizontal gadroons characteristic of the Polo models. The dial features the historic Piaget logo at 12 o’clock and a date window at 6 o’clock. In addition, the dauphine hands evolve with a second hand with an openworked P-shaped counterweight. Both are powered by an automatic calibre whose gears are decorated with Côtes de Genève and the oscillating weight is visible on the caseback, which is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Below is the complete article about the launch in New York! Where Frank sans C met the Chef Jean-François Piège… A friendship was born there between him and the gastronome journalist who knows all his restaurants inside out! A video in perspective?
Read our Piaget Polo S men’s watch technical datasheet.
TUDOR Black Bay, diving inspiration for sporty chic watches in steel
Tudor presents its signature Black Bay diver’s watch in a multitude of variations. Case size and alloy, bezel and dial color, strap material, chronograph or GMT function: the possibilities seem endless. It even comes in various more urban versions – without a diving bezel – which naturally fit into the register of sporty chic watches.
A 36mm Black Bay with a black dial – very unisex – and a 32mm version – a more feminine size – with a blue dial made up the Tudor duo for the video. Both are water-resistant to 150 meters and powered by a beautifully crafted automatic calibre. And they are, of course, equipped with the famous luminescent “snowflake” hands. This aesthetic feature has been an integral part of Black Bay watches since the 1970s. It first appeared on models designed for the French Navy.
For more information, dive into our detailed datasheets of the Tudor Black Bay watches in 36 mm (€2,860)
Black Bay in 32 mm diameter (€2,770).
We also recommend you to read some articles on this icon and its different variations (Black Bay Fifty-Eight “Navy Blue”: Blue has never looked better, Tudor Heritage Black Bay Steel: the beautiful power of steel).
CHOPARD Alpine Eagle, an eye in the dial
With the Alpine Eagle, Chopard revisits its St.Moritz watch from the 1980s to give it a truly modern style, while paying tribute to the Alpine eagle… hence, among other things, the change of name.
It was Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, president of the Swiss manufacture, who imagined the original piece and it is also him who designed the Alpine Eagle. The man is a lover of nature, of the alpine environment, and a fervent defender of its fauna and flora. No other animal as mysterious and wild as the majestic bird of prey could embody this passion and inspire some details of the watch.
Each version (41 mm at €13,100 and 36 mm at €9,910) features an intriguing dial (blue or grey) decorated with a fine radiating relief. This pattern is directly inspired by the eagle’s iris. The seconds hand also evokes the bird with its wing-shaped counterweight.
Both watches benefit from the performance of Lucent Steel A223. This is an exclusive hypoallergenic steel alloy that is highly resistant and has a shine comparable to that of gold.
As for the calibres, they beat to the rhythm of Chopard’s beautifully crafted automatic movements, certified as chronometers by the COSC, the famous Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
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