GOLD RUSH
The Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour Le Merite” was the star of A. Lange & Sohne’s 2017 novelties and, indeed, one of the most spectacular watches to debut at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie that year.
It was a combination of a split-seconds chronograph, tourbillon and an ultra-precise moon phase that also enjoyed a fusee-and-chain transmission for added accuracy.
Such extraordinary watchmaking deserves an encore, and it has returned as part of a commemorative trio of
watches to celebrate the brand’s 175 years in Saxony, this time in the proprietary honey gold. Now known as the Tourbograph Perpetual Honeygold “Homage to F.A. Lange”, the 43mm timepiece is encased in Lange’s
exclusive gold alloy, typically reserved only for its most distinguished models, and features a dark, grained rhodium
dial.
The bridges on the calibre L133.1 are rendered in a similar gold shade with inscriptions in matching rhodium. Limited to 50 pieces.
BLUE MOON
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the first spaceflight to land humans
on the moon. Apollo 13, the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space programme, celebrates its 50th this year.
Both momentous events are dear to Omega as it provided its Speedmaster watches for those historic missions, which
is why collectors have had a ball collecting limited-edition Speedmaster Moonwatches in recent times.
The latest is the Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary. More surprising is the fact that it’s neither limited nor dissimilar to previous Silver Snoopy editions with the canine icon also appearing on one of the chronograph subdials.
This reference is distinguished by white and blue livery as well as an animated caseback that has Snoopy travelling in a Command and Service Module (CSM), thanks to its attachment to the chronograph’s seconds hand.
SPORT AUTHORITY
It’s been a decade since tennis star Rafael Nadal teamed up with Richard Mille to make watches of increasing lightness and toughness. The RM 27- 04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is a culmination of all their past efforts.
Weighing in at an unbelievable 30g – including the strap – the RM 27-04 shows off its
skeletonised movement through a tennis racquet-inspired lattice held in place by gold-coated titanium hooks. Contributing to its (lack of) weight is a case made of TitaCarb, a carbon composite consisting of 38.5 per cent carbon fibre.
It looks slightly precarious, but the watch can resist shocks and forces up to 12,000Gs – a new record for the brand. Only 50 pieces were made and you’ll have to fork over a cool US$1.05 million (S$1.4 million) for one.
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