Watches and Wonders 2024: Episode #4
On water or on the road, racing is at the heart of this 4th episode of Watches and Wonders. Chopard, TAG Heuer and Panerai compete with each other in terms of expertise and innovation to take the first place in the heart of lovers and collectors of fine mechanics.
CHOPARD, Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7, lead of the race
The new Mille Miglia Chronograph introduced during Watches and Wonders 2024 by Chopard is the seventh creative partnership between Karl-Friedrich Scheufele – Copresident at Chopard – and his friend Jacky Ickx, the famous former F1 pilot. Inspired by the iconic helmet, the driver was the first to wore in 1969, the model is 40.5 mm and in limited edition of 250 in Lucent Steel™, a steel made of at least 80% recycled metal, and in limited edition of 50 in Lucent Steel™ and 18-carat yellow Ethical gold.
The dial’s colour echoes the colour of the helmet the driver wore in 1972, which due to its shape was nicknamed “owl”.
Paying tribute to the 6 victories of Jacky Ickx at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the numbers 6 and 24 in the calendar aperture are painted in red. The flange decks a tachymetric scale easily readable thanks to a ‘glass box’ set by a thin bezel. Both versions are powered by a self-winding chronograph calibre with a COSC certification delivered by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. The watch offers a 54 hours power reserve.
As the ultimate partnership’s signature, the sapphire crystal case back is ornate with the famous “owl” helmet and wears the mention “Time Attack” to recall the spirit of competition and performance. The model is fitted on a rubber strap with the typical Dunlop tyre-tread pattern of the tyres used in the 1960s. Prized by classic car lovers, this new piece is numbered and displayed in a special packaging along with a miniature reproduction of the legendary helmet.
€11,100 – limited edition 250 pieces – in Lucent Steel™
€13,000 – limited edition 50 pieces – in Lucent Steel™ and yellow Ethical gold
Click here to read the full Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Jacky Ickx.
TAG HEUER
Carrera Chronograph, yin and yang on the track
Revealed for the first time in 1963, TAG Heuer’s Carrera Collection – echo of the famous car race Carrera Panamericana dear to Jack Heuer – celebrated its 60th birthday in 2023. This year, the inspiration comes from the 7753 SN model launched at the end of the 1960s. Wishing to create an instrument with high readability, TAG Heuer equipped its watch with either a silver dials with black counters – called “panda” – or a black dial with silver counters – called “reverse panda”.
On a silver sunray brushed dial with twin black “azure” counters offers optimal legibility.
Faithful to the characteristic design, the new Carrera Chronograph offers ultra-modern features with a brushed steel 39 mm case topped with a glass box. This specific crystal blends with the case and highlights the tachymetric scale which rims the dial. Besides its black counters at 3 and 9 o’clock punctuated by lacquered red hands, the dial displays luminescent hands and applied index legible even in the darkest night.
With a water-resistance up to 100 meters, this chronograph features the bidirectional self-winding Heuer 02 calibre equipped with a shield-shaped cut out oscillating weight. The watch offers a comfortable 80 hours power reserve.
€6,550
Click here to read the full TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph technical sheet.
Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, races legacy
Available also in blue, the new Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph turns red and equips itself with a split-second facility. This 41 mm edition is set in a rich legacy of chronograph timepieces.
In 1960, a split-seconds chronograph was able to measure the 1/10th of a second. In 1989, a bracelet-chronograph powered by a complex mechanical-quartz movement appeared at the wrist of the legendary Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger and Michael Schumacher. The racing DNA runs in the veins of this model. In a brushed, black DLC-coated titanium case, the watch is extremely light with its 85 grams. Star of the show in this avant-garde piece, the split-second mechanical movement TH81-00 equipped with a 65 hours reserve is entirely manufactured in titanium. Result of a partnership with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, this movement outstrips the boundaries of precision with the measure of two distinct intervals.
The beauty of the calibre ornate with a brushed checkered pattern can compete with a slightly domed and bevelled crystal sapphire protected dial. The watch is mounted on a hand sewn calfskin red leather strap and is water-resistant up to 30 meters.
€135,000
Click here to read the full TAG Heuer Monaco Split Second technical sheet.
PANERAI
The new models below were introduced to illustrate the partnership which unites Panerai to the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team. The Italian watchmaking manufacture is the official sponsor of the team since 2019. Echoing its maritime heritage, the Maison reiterates the experience at the dawn of the 37th America’s Cup.
Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa Ti-Ceramitech™ PAM01466 and PAM01543
These two 44 mm watches stand out with the Ti-Ceramitech™, a patented material used for the case. After seven years of research and development in the heart of the Laboratorio di Idee de Panerai based in Neuchâtel, the Ti-Ceramitech™ is the result of a titanium ceramization process thanks to a plasma electrolyte oxidation creating thus this shade of blue. In simpler words, this is a technique which transforms titanium in a dense ceramic layer. This process radically accentuates the robustness of the watch which is 10 percent more resistant than classic ceramic and 44 percent lighter than steel. Furthermore, it can resist to high pressure and high thermal stress. The perfect watch for adventure in extreme conditions lovers.
Water-resistant up to 500 meters, both versions are available with a striking sun-brush dial in blue or white. The small seconds are at 9 o’clock while the date is at 3 o’clock. Index and hands are luminescent to be legible in deep waters. This highly technical duo is fitted on a bi-material blue strap in rubber and fabric embellished with the central “Luna Rossa” red line.
€16,900 blue sun-brushed or white dial
Click here to read the full Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa Ti-Ceramitech™ technical sheet.
Submersible GMT Luna Rossa Titanio – PAM01507
Like any other model of the Luna Rossa collection, the Submersible GMT Luna Rossa Titanio was engineered and tested to resist to the most extreme conditions. In grade 5 titanium, the light and robust 42 mm case has a blue sun-brushed dial with hands and index covered with Super-Luminova® X2 – a 10 percent higher luminescence than the previous Super-Luminova® X1, even after 180 minutes in darkness.
The automatic calibre offers around three days of power reserve and powers the GMT 24 hours display complication pointed by the red arrow which inspiration comes from the Luna Rossa sails. The case is equipped with a titanium unidirectional turning bezel rigged with a matte blue ceramic disk. The Submersible GMT Luna Rossa Titanio features the same straps as the Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa Ti-Ceramitech™.
€12,500
Click here to read the full Submersible GMT Luna Rossa Titanio technical sheet.
Submersible Luna Rossa – PAM01565
Limited edition of 300 pieces, the Submersible GMT Luna Rossa is available only on Panerai’s website. The online exclusive model features a satin finished steel 42 mm case.
Scratches and shocks resistant, a unidirectional turning bezel equipped with a matte black ceramic disk, luminescent hands and index, a water resistance of 300 meters, this watch possesses all the necessary features of a diving instrument. Recalling seabed colours, the intense blue dial with a light sun-brushed effect displays the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock. The automatic calibre is hidden to the wearer eyes by a screwed case back engraved with a slow-running manned torpedo called “Maiale” (nickname the “pig”) on which the Italian navy dived during World Warr II.
€11,500 – Online exclusive only
Click here to read the full Submersible Luna Rossa technical sheet.
Submersible Tourbillon GMT Luna Rossa Experience Edition – PAM01405
Available in July just before the start of the America’s Cup in August 22th, the Submersible GMT Luna Rossa Experience Edition is a 20 pieces limited edition. Beware, there won’t be enough for everyone! The lucky owners will have the opportunity to go behind the competition’s scenes and have the privilege of meeting the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. The 45 mm watch is made of Carbotech™, a material derived from the compression of carbon fiber sheets heated to a precise temperature at a high pressure with PEEK – polyetheretherketone – a polymer binding the composite to accentuate its wear resistance and lightness. Hypnotic, a tourbillon rotates every thirty seconds on a cut out dial. This marvel is powered by a manual winding with a 4 days power reserve indicated at the back of the watch. A 24 hours GMT function equipped with a day/night indicator at 6 o’clock completes the ensemble. The watch can be fitted on either a bi-material rubber and fabric with the Luna Rossa red line strap or a black rubber strap.
€195,000
Click here to read the full Submersible Tourbillon GMT Luna Rossa Experience Edition.
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