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Hot watches
[SINGAPORE] The Watches & Wonders fair may be over, but it doesn't mean the watch world has gone quiet since. On the contrary, aficionados still have plenty to lay their eyes and hands on, including these three recent models that have kept the market abuzz with excitement.
Blancpain: Fifty Fathoms
The new Fifty Fathoms comes in 38 mm for the first time, and is designed specifically for women. PHOTO: BLANCPAIN
At first glance, you might think this new lady's model is yet another collaboration with Swatch, which had previously teamed up with Blancpain to produce quirky versions of its legendary Fifty Fathoms watches.
But look closer and only Blancpain's name is visible on the watch's pink dial made of mother-of-pearl. Its matching pink bezel is not encased in plastic synonymous with most Swatch watches, but high-tech titanium.
Blancpain may have celebrated Fifty Fathoms' 70th anniversary two years ago, but this latest model marks two new milestones for the iconic diving watch.
Female divers had been the inspiration for the Fifty Fathoms, but the watches that were subsequently produced – at 42 mm and 45 mm – were more suitable for male divers. But finally, the new Fifty Fathoms comes in 38 mm for the first time, and is designed specifically for women.
But it's not just a smaller version of the original. The proportions have been redesigned for a balanced, harmonious profile. And the watch is well-equipped for diving, with water resistance up to 300 metres. It is powered by an up-to-date automatic movement fitted with a silicon balance spring and has four days of power reserve.
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Apart from the pink version, which is worn with a white fabric strap, the new Fifty Fathoms for women is also available in black with a smoky black dial encased in polished 18-carat red gold. It is matched with a black rubber strap.
Price: CHF 15,500 (S$24,335) to 18,200 for the pink edition; CHF 26,100 to 29,000 for the black edition
MeisterSinger: 24H Enamel Edition
MeisterSinger's 2H Enamel Single-Hand encourages a more relaxed approach to time. PHOTO: MEISTERSINGER
Big names may have an edge over others in business, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing for smaller brands. Take the case of stalwart Breguet, which recently revived the old one-hand pocket watch, and produced a wristwatch version that became an instant hit. Suddenly, the market is now rife with such single-hand timepieces.
Of course, many are just jumping on the bandwagon, but not MeisterSinger. The German mechanical watchmaker has been making single-hand models – and only such watches – since 2001. They show the time without any of the rushed minute and second hands of conventional watches, advocating a relaxed approach to time in a fast-moving world.
'The finely designed tip of the single hand literally points to the current moment in time,' MeisterSinger says in an introduction to the brand. 'Every glance at a MeisterSinger watch reminds the wearer of that one essential thing: The present moment itself.'
The 24H Enamel, in a limited edition of 25 pieces, is MeisterSinger's latest offering that features a hand-crafted enamel dial and an unusual 24-hour display, which allows the blue needle-shaped hand to circle the dial just once, not twice, a day.
Running on a Swiss self-winding movement with 38 hours' power reserve, the 40 mm watch can also be used as a compass in the day.
Price: 5,490 euros (S$8,125)
Greubel Forsey: GMT Balancier Convexe
The new overhauled GMT Balancier Convexe by Greubel Forsey. PHOTO: GREUBEL FORSEY
While still resembling the original GMT Balancier Convexe launched in 2001, Greubel Forsey's latest GMT model has been completely overhauled. The new GMT Balancier Convexe flaunts a redesigned case, an integrated power reserve and enhanced ergonomics.
Like the original, it is sculpted in titanium but in a smaller 42.9 mm size – down from 43.5 mm – which is more comfortable on the wrist. More notable is the addition of a power indicator which keeps track of the watch's 72-hour power reserve. The watch is a limited edition of 22 pieces.
Price: S$621,300 (rubber strap); S$686,700 (titanium bracelet)
