Nerves of steel and strong will
Steel watches introduce their fierce temper into watchmaking collections with their bold, sports-chic design. Here is solid proof with five pieces… on a steel platter.
BVLGARI, Octo Roma Automatic
Bvlgari unveiled three new 41-mm Octo Roma Automatic which perfectly marry Italian inspired designs and fine Swiss watchmaking techniques. With their steel, octagonal case (“Octo”) they pay tribute to the architecture of the Eternal City, the Pantheon, and Leonardo da Vinci’s artworks.
The case perfectly combines round and octagonal shapes, which creates a striking light and shadow effect. It is endowed with a 100-m water resistance and a screwed-in crown with a ceramic insert. The crown is seamlessly incorporated into the case and safeguarded by crown protectors.
This bold steel watch triptych is powered by a self-winding manufacture calibre. The dial displays a distinctive Clous de Paris motif. This meticulously executed pattern consists of tiny, juxtaposed pyramidal shapes which bring dimension to the overall design.
The blue, white and anthracite grey variations of the dial are contrasted with luminescent-coated hands, indices and numerals. Besides this great visibility, it also displays a date aperture at 3 o’clock. The timeless Octo Roma Automatic is equipped with the convenient, interchangeable strap system and therefore, with an additional rubber strap.
€7,900
Click here to read the Octo Roma Automatic full technical sheet.
MIDO, Multifort TV Big Date
The Multifort collection, inspired by a 1970 model, is back on the front page of Mido’s catalogue. Its instantly recognisable design is retro down to the smallest details. The dial is reminiscent of the shape of old televisions.
Despite its vintage appeal, the watch boasts a modern design with the vertical brushed dial in a slight gradient of black, blue or green. The Multifort TV Big Date has nothing to hide and everything to show with the 12 o’clock big date that gave it its name. This is the first time this Mido signature function appears in the Multifort collection.
Shapes steal the show with the square bezel, trapezoidal and round indices, fluted crown, etc. Admire the automatic calibre through the transparent caseback. It is equipped with an approx. 80-hour power reserve, an anti-magnetic Nivachron™ balance spring and a “Côtes-de-Genève” finished oscillating weight.
A very trendy, sportier version is also available with an orange rubber strap or a navy blue rubber strap.
€1,140 with steel bracelet
€1,100 with rubber strap
Technical details:
Steel, rectangular case – 40 x 39.2 mm
Sapphire crystal with dual-sided, anti-reflective treatment
Transparent caseback
Screwed-in crown
Black, blue, or green dial
Applied indices
Big Date function
80-hour power reserve
Mido Automatic ETA Movement
100-m water resistance
CHOPARD, Alpine Eagle
The Alpine Eagle is the reinterpretation of the iconic St. Moritz model designed in the late 1970s by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-President of Chopard. This new version from 2019 stays true to the original model of the Alpine Eagle, with a more modern design. This timepiece boasts a striking, pine green brass dial. Its surface is reminiscent of an eagle’s eye.
This regal bird of prey also inspired the design of the feather-shaped counterweight of the seconds hand. The 41-mm sports chic watch was crafted in an in-house alloy of steel, Lucent Steel A223. This alloy is made of 70% recycled material and is 50% more resistant to abrasion than regular, hypoallergenic steel.
The case is water-resistant up to 100 metres and topped with a bezel with eight visible screws and a wind rose-engraved crown. The COSC-certified, manufacture automatic calibre is visible through the sapphire caseback, engraved with an eagle.
Chopard also donates proceeds from the sale of this watch to the Alpine Eagle Foundation which actively defends Alpine ecosystems.
Click here to know more about the Alpine Eagle Foundation projects.
€16,900
Click here to read the Alpine Eagle full technical sheet.
IWC, Pilot’s Watch Mark XX
With its instantly recognisable five-link bracelet and EasX-CHANGE integrated system, the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX is the successor of the legendary Mark 11 model. This flight instrument from 1948 was created for pilots and aviators of the British RAF. The current 40-mm edition, both resistant and robust, displays a gorgeous dark green dial in steel with a sapphire crystal secured against pressure drops. The contrasting triangular marker at 12 o’clock and luminescent-coated elements ensure optimum visibility under all circumstances. The overall design houses a precise, high-performance automatic manufacture calibre with an approx. 120-hour power reserve. It’s a shame that the closed caseback gives no overview of the movement. However, a plane engraved on the caseback references the origin story of the timepiece.
€6,790
Technical details:
Steel case, 40-mm
Screwed-in crown
100-m water resistance
Self-winding manufacture movement – Calibre 32111
120-hour power reserve
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 V/h)
“Côtes-de-Genève” finish
Central hacking seconds
Domed sapphire crystal, dual-sided anti-reflective treatment
Sapphire crystal secured against drops in air pressure
Date display
CARTIER, Santos de Cartier Watch
In 1904, this iconic Cartier watch was born. Pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont asked his friend Louis Cartier to design a wristwatch that would be easy to handle while flying an aircraft. The designer came up with a timepiece that was both innovative and elegant: the Santos de Cartier. As decades passed, it progressively became a signature model for the Maison, with many variations of different sizes, metals and colours.
This year, the watchmaking Maison broadens its range of colours with an intense green, slightly gradient version. This shape watch boasts all of Cartier’s signature features. The sword hands, railroad track minute scale, crown topped with a synthetic blue spinel and Roman numerals are there. Still, it’s a shame there’s no hidden signature feature. This large model is powered by an automatic manufacture movement. It comes with an interchangeable green alligator strap thanks to the “QuickSwitch” system. Peak chic.
€8,350
Click here to read the Santos de Cartier full technical sheet.
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