A watch as a last-minute Christmas gift
Tick tock, tick tock goes the clock, and you’re running out of time to find a good Christmas gift… Fortunately, Frank Sans C went in a quest for you and is here to guide you to choose.
Oh my! Christmas is just around the corner and you still have no idea what to offer to your loved ones? Well, here is a little eclectic selection of timepieces by Cartier, Michel Herbelin, IWC, Bvlgari, Carl F. Bucherer and Ressence.
CARTIER – Panthère de Cartier: chic and wild
The 1980s watch made its comeback in 2017 and has since been reinterpreted many times. Frank Sans C had a rough time choosing the models, since they are all beautiful. But he managed to choose these three beautiful pieces for different budgets.
The case was enlarged by some millimetres compared to the original model of 1983; this was done to ensure its water resistance (up to 30 meters). This luminous trio displays a bezel (two of which are set with diamonds) with six bombed nail heads. Powered by a quartz movement of Swiss manufacture, it holds the distinctive features of Cartier watches: a blue cabochon-cut sapphire surmounting the winding crown, Roman numerals with a secret signature on the number X, blued steel “sword” hands, and also a “railway” style minute track. Available with a mesh bracelet, the watch can be worn by women and men alike.
Models:
W3PN0007 – Read our detailed technical data sheet – Price: € 13,200
W4PN0008 – Read our detailed technical data sheet – Price: € 9,450
WSPN0007 – Read our detailed technical data sheet – Price: € 4,850
MICHEL HERBELIN Newport Slim Dame: the embodiment of city and sea
Chic and made for the city life, the Newport Slim Dame from the French brand Michel Herbelin is a beautiful gift to put under the Christmas tree for your loved ones. Inspired by the original model of 1988, the 32mm steel watch keeps the aesthetical characteristics linked to the ocean world: central clasps, and a crown engraved with a marine wheel. But what attracts the eye the most is the mother-of-pearl dial, with a dark blue imitating the depths of the ocean, which reflects the iridescent shades as you place the watch on your wrist.
Price: € 590
Dubail – IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Dubail Edition watch: a limited and poetic series
Here is a beautiful idea for a Christmas gift if you want to offer something for a collector in quest of complication watches. As part of the “Collection privée pour Dubail”, the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar watch displays the characteristic colour code of the limited series from the family-owned Maison Dubail. Black is the main colour on the leather strap, the dial and also the subdials; while hands are delicately coloured with a red shade.
The moon phase: a poetic complication, from IWC.
Limited to only 50 pieces, this steel timepiece of 44,20mm diameter is equipped with a perpetual calendar (or annual calendar) that shows, among other things, the moon phases. Placed at 12 o’clock, the star-studded night sky disc turns to reveal a mini show: the moon appears on the left, seems to hover in space and then disappears on the right.
“Perpetual calendar”, “annual calendar” or “AC”
This edition also displays the date, the day of the week, the month and the years. Everything is set to work mechanically, synchronized with the stars and in an autonomous way. Apart from an adjustment that has to be made in February 2100 (when the Gregorian calendar will be modified) you’re fine. But do not forget to warn your descendants so they don’t forget their appointment with the watchmaker!
Price: € 30,600
Reference number IW503310
Technical details:
Steel case
Diameter: 44,20mm
Automatic movement
Functions moon phases, power reserve, and annual calendar
Water resistance 30m (3 bar)
Alligator leather bracelet
Read our data sheet on the IWC Portugieser watches.
BVLGARI Bvgari Aluminium: this sporty, yet chic watch is perfect for Christmas
Among Bvlgari watches, the Aluminium timepiece doesn’t lack arguments.
Created just before the 2000s, the Bvlgari Aluminium watch (1998) has marked the brand’s history with its exclusive combination of materials: aluminium and titanium for the case, rubber for the bezel. Pioneering, sporty, disruptive… the timepiece has made its big comeback last year.
Yes, this watch has been around for two decades already and a lot of trends have come and gone, but it is still a universal instrument.
The Bvlgari Aluminium belongs to the timeless models family, as its appearance hasn’t really changed (its name was Diagono Aluminium before). Of course, its designers have revamped some pieces and stretched some lines to add more comfort to the wearer. They have also increased the size of the dial (now at 40mm) and detailed some of its elements for a better readability.
Another important detail: the Italian-Swiss manufacture (which incorporates its entire production line inside its ateliers) guarantees a water resistance up to 100 meters.
The true changes happened inside the Bvlgari Aluminium
The main evolution took place inside the timepiece. First, there was a technical improvement of its materials with an aluminium and rubber alloy that is more resistant. Then, a self-winding mechanic calibre replaces the quartz movement.
Besides, you can choose which one you prefer: the three-hand and date version (with white or black dial, € 2,950) or the chronograph version (a nice … with its panda dial, € 4,250).
Read our detailed data sheet on the Bvlgari Aluminium white dial watch
Read our detailed data sheet on the Bvlgari Aluminium black dial watch
To know everything about the chronograph:
Read our detailed data sheet on the chronograph Bvlgari Aluminium watch
CARL F. BUCHERER Heritage BiCompax Annual Bucherer Blue: la vie en bleu
Launched in 2016, the Bucherer Blue collection is the result of the great partnership between Bucherer and famous watchmaking Maisons. Building on its success, the brand sees la vie en bleu thanks to its numerous partnerships. Blancpain, Chopard, Girard-Perregaux, Longines, or even Oris, have joined the team and revealed some exclusive models.
The Heritage BiCompax Annual chronograph watch is for sure a good idea for a Christmas gift
The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax is now displaying blue rays. The chronograph pays tribute to the TimeMachine boutique in New York that we call now the Bucherer Flagship.
Also available in Europe, this edition is limited up to 188 pieces, 30 of which were sent first to the boutique in New York. Last important detail: the Big Apple skyline is engraved on the case back of these exclusive models. Bearing a sporty look with a calf leather strap, this 41 mm automatic steel instrument holds a dial with different shades of blue and a tachometric outer flange. Two black counters bring contrast to the rest of the dial; there is also a big date at 12 o’clock and an annual calendar for the leap years at 4:30.
Price: € 6,400
Reference number: 00.10803.08.52.99
Technical details:
41mm steel case
Sapphire glass
Water-resistant up to 30m
Shading blue dial
Chronograph function
Big date
Annual calendar
Automatic calibre DD4902/CFB1972
Calf leather strap
Folding clasp
RESSENCE greases the wheels and knows what it wants
Ressence is a young brand that was born in Belgium during 2010. Its way of perceiving watchmaking is innovative and shows that it knows what it wants to present on the mechanics market. Indeed, the brand’s concept is made of several inventions, several principles, which can be found on this Type 3BB Black Black watch in black PVD titanium (about € 38,000).
For the display, the Maison has created a “satellite” system called ROCS, in which off-centre moving disks that move on a dial that is itself rotating replaces the hands (a complete turn takes 60 minutes). Right. But what is remarkable is that the display module is place inside a compartment filled with oil! The liquid is also the reason for the incredible visual effect of the dial that is bombed on its outer edges, and for its excellent readability (even if sometimes it’s hard to see at first glance where a particular indication is placed).
From ergonomic design to technological innovations, the Type 3 watch is a luxurious and original Christmas gift.
Fortunately for the wheels of the automatic calibre that powers this unique specimen, the indication “bubble” is perfectly sealed. No risk of leakage…of oil!
It is important to ask ourselves another question: if the ROCS is a perfectly closed system like a box, how are the elements of the dial powered by the movement? Well, it’s a magic trick! A titanium divider separates both calibre and module but are able to “communicate” with each other thanks to micro magnets. Of course, Ressence didn’t forget to protect the movement’s regulating organ against magnetic fields by using superconductors and shielding.
Technical details
FUNCTIONS
Hours
Minutes
Runner (180 Seconds)
Day
Date
Oil Temperature
MOVEMENT
Patented ROCS 3.5 – Ressence Orbital Convex System – module driven by the minute axle of a customised 2824/2 base calibre
Caseback winding and day/date/time setting
Magnetic Transmission
Compensating Bellows System
Self-winding
36 hours power reserve
28,800 vibrations per hour
47 jewels
44 gears
CASE
Grade 5 Titanium
Two separate sealed chambers with the upper one filled with 35.7 ml of oil
Domed sapphire crystals top and bottom with both sides anti-reflective coating
44mm (diameter) x 15mm (thickness)
3 ATM water-resistance
DIAL
Convex Grade 5 Titanium dial (125mm radius) with four eccentric biaxial satellites inclined at 3° (hours), 4.75° (thermal gauge and day) and 6.25° (runner)
Engraved indications filled with blue Superluminova
BUCKLE & STRAP
Ardillon Buckle, grade 5 titanium
Components: 376
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