Distinction lies in the details. Anyone can build and wear a watch, one of the world’s oldest instruments and accessories. However, it takes true mastery over technique, material, and elegance itself to turn a standard piece of clockwork into an authentic work of art. Worldly brands strive towards this goal, but few make it, and those few are always featured in the Watches and Wonders exposition, an event that, in this atypical year, became the first on- and offline watchmaking event. ÖVRFLÖD now brings you the very best pieces showcased in the world-renowned expo, from the very best brands, ideal for those who experience luxury like a lifestyle.
CARTIER
BALLON BLUE
The Ballon Bleu series by Cartier presents several sizes and finishes, including a 40 mm, a 33 mm, and a 26 mm version in both steel and 18 karat pink gold, all sharing a key characteristic that serves as their namesake: the crown is set with a precious blue stone. Our top choice is the 33 mm gold watch, set with 47 brilliant-cut diamonds all around the casing. This edition comes with either an interchangeable pink gold bracelet or a grey alligator leather strap, offering an option for any style. The crown is set with a sapphire cabochon, making this watch a beautiful and precious member of the Ballon Bleu family. The mechanical movement that winds this watch is as detailed and excellent as the outside of it, creating a truly luxurious accessory inside and out.
TANK LOUIS CARTIER
Cartier has always distinguished itself for its capability to revisit designs of old and breathe new life into them. Originally created in 1917, the Tank line is inspired by the shape of war vehicles, the brancards, the treads and the case being the turret. Among other innovations in the Tank line, like the introduction of photovoltaic power and environmentally friendly straps, the 2021 collection features the unique Tank Louis Cartier. Powered by a Manufacture 1917 MC movement and manual winding, this edition comes in two colours: red with yellow gold, and blue with pink gold. Roman numerals, “rail tracks” and the case themselves are crafted in 18 karat gold, with the face’s colour coordinated with the alligator leather strap. The crown is capped with a blue sapphire cabochon. This watch is an ode to Cartier’s long history in design and innovation, a worthy successor in the Cartier tradition.
MONTBLANC
GEOSPHERE 1858 LIMITED EDITION
Montblanc, a brand of excellence in writing and watchmaking, has worked for some time with Reinhold Messner, world-renowned alpinist, explorer, and writer. The Geosphere 1858 line celebrates the exploration of the vast landscapes of nature, and the previous editions have commemorated the Seven Peaks of the World and the jungle. This year, the Geosphere 1858 Limited Edition watch takes inspiration from the Gobi Desert and Monsieur Messner’s voyage through it in 2004. Finished in a brown-to-beige gradient, the whole watch takes inspiration from the desert landscape, with pink gold for details and brown lacquer, everything topped with the Super-LumiNova technology patented by Montblanc. The reverse of the watch is decorated with a precious representation of the Bayanzag “flaming cliffs” and a compass styled after Mongol motifs, all etched in the premium titanium through a specialized laser-engraving process, for which Montblanc is to be recognized as a true innovator.
MONTBLANC 1858 MONOPUSHER CHRONOGRAPH ORIGINS LIMITED EDITION
Limited to only 100 pieces, the Monopusher Chronograph Origins revisits the historic innovations of the original Minerva chronographs from the 1930s, which still today look like a modern and advanced piece of design and watchmaking. Crafted in German Silver, or Alpaca, the mechanism that powers this watch is a reedition of the original chronograph by Minerva. This homage is furthered by the portrait of the Greek goddess on the back, etched into the metal with an innovative laser technique. The box is made from a bronze alloy, which acquires an aged look with time, and reminisces the exploration tools of old. Inside the box, a phrase is engraved: «Ré-édition du chronographe militaire Minerva des années 1930 doté d’un calibre fait main dans la pure tradition horlogère suisse calibre» (Re-edition of the military Minerva chronograph from the 1930s, with a hand-made calibre according to Swiss watchmaking tradition).
BVLGARI
OCTO FINISSIMO PERPETUAL CALENDAR
Available in both titanium and platinum, the slimmest watch in the world marks the seventh world record by Bvlgari. Intrinsically connected, the aesthetics of this watch are closely related to its functionality, and Bvlgari brings innovation to haute horlogèrie with its Estetica della Meccanica. Made to work until February 2100, the mechanism, miniaturized by optimizing pieces and space consumption, manages to show the calendar functions including retrograde-display date, day, month, and retrograde-display leap years, all within the slender 5.80 mm case. A true ode to elegance and technological prowess, the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar is Bvlgari’s answer to the XXIInd century.
SERPENTI MISTERIOSI CLEOPATRA
Part of the Colour Treasures series, the Serpenti Misteriosi Cleopatra marks the continuation of Bvlgari’s love affair with the serpentine symbols. Wrapping around the arm, this jewellery-watch consists of precious golden scales, an abstraction of the totemic snake, reminiscent of the cuffs worn in Ancient Egypt by the elite. Spanning most of the forearm, the scales are set with snow-set diamonds and unique in shape and size. Nine precious stones are set in select locations, creating a beautiful rainbow of colour with amethysts, citrines, aquamarine, tourmaline, tanzanite, and peridot, and of course the faceted rubellite that covers the diamond-set watch face. The Serpenti Misteriosi Cleopatra is the most precious piece of Haute Joaillerie and watchmaking savoir-faire to date. Unique in the world, the definitive jewellery-watch by Bvlgari is this year’s most surprising piece to be unveiled at Watches and Wonders.
Photos: courtesy.
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