IRONMAN

IRONMANBREITLING

BREITLING CELEBRATES THE POWER AND STAMINA FUELING THE PHENOMENAL IRONMAN SPORTING EVENTS WITH A NEW SERIES OF LUXURY TIMEPIECES - THE ENDURANCE PRO IRONMAN

Breitling and Ironman have signed a long-term partnership and teamed up to co-design the Endurance Pro Ironman watches, a special series of Breitling’s ultimate athleisure watch. The result is a set of perfectly lightweight and lighthearted luxury sports watches combining high precision, innovative technology, and vibrant, colourful design. The launch features two exciting new watches: a red version available globally at all Breitling boutiques and retailers and at breitling.com for sports and timekeeping enthusiasts, and a black and gold piece exclusively available for Ironman race finishers. Additional models reserved for the Ironman community are planned for the coming months.

In 2019, Breitling and Ironman had already launched the highly successful Breitling Superocean Ironman Limited Edition. This new partnership kicks off a long-term collaboration with Breitling becoming the new Official Luxury Watch of Ironman.

Its 44mm watch case is made out of Breitlight, which is 3.3 times lighter than titanium and 5.8 times lighter than steel, but significantly harder. This exclusive high-tech material boasts exceptional resistance to scratches, traction, and corrosion. It also stands out for its antimagnetic and anti-allergic properties, as well as its thermal stability, which gives it a warmer feel than metal.

It’s powered by the Breitling Caliber 82, a COSC-certified thermocompensated SuperQuartz™ movement that is ten times more precise than regular quartz and offers a battery life of approximately three to four years.

The bidirectional rotating bezel has engraved compass points, and the tactile molded crown provides excellent grip and maneuverability. The hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova, making them legible even in limited lighting conditions. Along with a small-second subdial, there are 1/10th second and 30-minute chronograph counters that have also been designed for easy reading. The watch is water-resistant to 10 bar/100 meters/330 feet.

At present there are two versions available: Endurance Pro Ironman and Endurance Pro Ironman Finisher. The former comes with a red dial featuring a black inner bezel with a pulsometer scale. The watch is presented on a red rubber strap with a Breitlight double tang-type buckle. It features a unique Ironman inscription instead of the Breitling inscription. The latter - black accented with gold - is targeted at athletes who’ve completed an Ironman event. This version will be available exclusively through Ironman channels, and its caseback features a special Ironman Finisher Series engraving.

The original Endurance Pro was inspired by the Breitling Sprint, a colourful and impressively lightweight watch from the 1970s. Its pulsometer made it ideal for athletes who wanted to monitor their heart rates.

Watch this space for news of further watches that will complete the Endurance Pro Ironman collection. For more information on the Ironman brand and global event series, visit ironman.com.

Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic: Alpina takes to the sea

On World Ocean Day, Alpina unveiled a new limited ecoresponsible watch, the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic. Not only does this line feature an environmentally friendly case, strap and packaging, it also symbolises the Brand’s commitment to associations fighting to protect the environment.

Introduced in 2020, the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic launched the Brand’s groundswell of support for more responsible, environmentally friendly watchmaking. Widely adopted by a new generation of divers, surfers and sea lovers, this creation presents a very contemporary look.

This line and its name were inspired by the encounter and collaboration between Alpina and the watch journalist Bernard Werk in the Netherlands four years ago. Personally involved in the preservation of the oceans, he co-created the concept and the name “GYRE” with fellow journalist Jorrit Niels, in reference to the giant circular ocean currents - and the reuse of “ghost” fishing nets from the Indian Ocean.

There is no reference to a glorious past, no vintage spirit here. This “Gyre”, as its fans call it, is a piece for the future: the future of the oceans, the future of the planet and, to some extent, the future of watchmaking. It is a creation that emphasises eco-design, its case is made up of 70% plastic debris from ghost fishing nets collected in the Indian Ocean (and of 30% glass fibre, thus forming an ultraresistant and lightweight whole).

As for the strap, Alpina has developed an eco-responsible NATOtype made from recycled plastic bottles and is the perfect synthesis of the colours expressed on the watch, with a black central band and a turquoise edge. A second, entirely black strap is supplied with the men’s model, this time made from “apple leather”, one of the first “vegetable leathers” used in the watch industry.

The exercise does not stop there, as each version is delivered in a new-generation giftbox, also made entirely of recycled plastic. It contains a single guarantee and certificate of authenticity sheet printed on FSC Recycled paper. The instructions for use have been dematerialised, further reducing the weight of the case and the use of paper and ink. It can be accessed via a QR code printed on the lining of the box, which is also made of recycled plastic bottles (rPET).

These new limited editions feature new shades of blue, a colour with multiple variations that continues to inspire Alpina designers. On the 44mm model, which is water-resistant to 300 metres thanks to its screw-down crown, the idea is to offer a striking contrast between the darkest seabed, where the light can no longer penetrate, and the surface waters which, depending on the region of the world, range from intense blue to the most sparkling turquoise.

The black dial features a turquoise minute track with silver luminescent markers, so that the time can be read even underwater in reduced light. A detail that Alpina collectors will not fail to notice: the counterweight of the seconds hand, the famous Alpina red triangle, has been made exclusively for this model with the same turquoise tone.

The unidirectional 60-minute graduated bezel, made of steel with a blue PVD treatment, gives pride of place to this colour, a symbol of the great depths, where the sunlight no longer reaches. Markers for each ten minutes are placed on it. Black in appearance, they are in fact luminescent and will enable the wearer to determine the time of immersion or decompression by adjusting the bezel opposite the two large luminescent hour and minute hands.

Equipped with the AL-525 calibre, offering 38 hours of power reserve this stunning piece is exclusively limited to 288 pieces.

O R I G I N A L

The long-awaited successor to the A386 is finally here: Zenith Watches present the Chronomaster Original – The 21st Century rendition of the most iconic El Primero.

Original by name, original by substance. Few watches have been as influential and truly iconic as the Zenith A386, which made its debut in 1969 as one of the first steel watches to be equipped with the revolutionary El Primero calibre - the world’s first automatic highfrequency integrated chronograph movement. Over 50 years later, the El Primero remains the benchmark of precision among automatic chronograph movements, giving way to new versions and iterations in a constant evolution of technicity and performance.

While Zenith has paid tribute to many of its emblematic historical references, including gold versions of the A386 in its Chronomaster Revival collection that debuted during the El Primero’s 50th anniversary, a steel re-edition as part of the permanent Zenith collection has long been something that Zenith collectors and chronograph aficionados have been eagerly awaiting. But beyond a modern reinterpretation of this enduring staple among chronographs, Zenith has gone a step further with the Chronomaster Original, which masterfully retains the singular and enduringly relevant design of the A386 while packing the performance of the 21st century version of the El Primero boasting 1/10th of a second precision and time measurement.

Upon a first glance, the Chronomaster Original, and the A386 it’s based on, appear nearly identical. The 38mm round bezel-less steel case with a raised and domed crystal, the pump-style chronograph pushers, the faceted lugs and the mix of radial brushed and polished surfaces throughout are indistinguishable between the past and present models. The steel bracelet has been reimagined, foregoing the open “ladder” design of the 1960s for solid links that are sumptuously chamfered and decorated in the same fashion as the case.

Undoubtedly, the most visually distinctive design element of the A386 is its dial. Its unique aesthetic language includes the emblematic tricolour chronograph registers in shades of grey and blue, the trapezoid date window at 04:30 and the red chronograph second hand. All these intrinsic parts have been passed down to the Chronomaster Original, with a few subtle updates to match the boost in performance. The black inner scale surrounding the dial of the A386, once used to calculate time spent working using a 1/100th of an hour time division system, finds a new purpose in the Chronomaster Original, with its 1/10th of a second chronograph hand making a rotation around the dial in 10 seconds, totalling 100 measurable time units. Substituting the tachymeter scale on the outer circumference on the dial, a 1/10th of a second chronograph scale takes its place, allowing for the measurement and reading of elapsed time in precise fractions of a second. And for instantaneous, precise reading of the 10th of a second, the paddle-shaped seconds

SAFARISTYLE

When the designers at Zenith asked themselves what an El Primero from 1969 inspired by the great outdoors would look like, they imagined something entirely different from what the Manufacture had produced in over 50 years since the famed calibre’s introduction; something that evoked the vivid colours and textures found on wild terrains with the same utility and ergonomics as its most prized chronographs. The result is the Chronomaster Revival Safari, a lush reinterpretation of a signature vintage chronograph icon.

The geometry and overall proportions of this fresh and modern chronograph are identical to those of the historical A384, but the look and feel of the case couldn’t be more different. Instead of the traditionally finished stainless steel in a mix of satin-brushed and polished surfaces, the Safari is crafted in titanium that’s lighter yet harder than steel. The entire case including the star-emblazoned crown and pump-style pushers are fashioned in an intriguingly muted finish that’s entirely microblasted to bring out the dark nuances of titanium by absorbing light rather than reflecting it.

hand of the original A386 has been replaced with a straight, red-lacquered hand. The logo has also been updated to the more contemporary script Zenith uses today.

The result of 50 years of gradual improvement and a true mastery of the automatic high-frequency chronograph movement, the Chronomaster Original is equipped with the latest version of the El Primero calibre, dubbed the El Primero 3600. With its high frequency of 5 Hz (36’000 VpH), the movement is able to precisely offer a true 1/10th of second indication. Its autonomy has also been rendered more efficient, with an extended power reserve of 60 hours. Visible through the sapphire display back, the new architecture features a sleeker and more open design, revealing a blue column wheel and open rotor marked with the five-pointed star Zenith.

Besides the signature steel with tri-colour dial configuration - starting at 8,400 CHF, the Chronomaster Original is available in two other versions: A steel case with a “reverse panda” black dial with silver chronograph registers; and a luxurious 18k rose gold version with the tri-colour dial priced at 18,900 CHF.

Exhibiting tones ranging from deep olive-green to cooler spruce, the dial of the Chronomaster Revival Safari is a deep matte green with contrasting black registers and tachymeter scale, with a touch of vintage inspiration with its warm beige-coloured SuperLumiNova on the applied baton markers and hands. The white on green date wheel is perfectly camouflaged with the rest of the dial; legible when you need it but never distracting. The rubber and cordura-effect strap takes on the same khaki-green tone as the dial, and is fixed to a matte microblasted titanium pin buckle.

Powering this retro-inspired but resolutely modern and edgy chronograph is the El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre, visible through the display back. In production since 1969 and gradually evolved throughout the years, this is the closest iteration to the original version of the seminal chronograph movement. The Revival Safari is ready to go where no El Primero has gone before.

Torsade de Chaumet

The new high jewellery collection from Chaumet

Right - Torsade de Chaumet

Ring in White Gold, set with Brilliant-Cut Diamonds

The history of Chaumet has been entwined with the History of France ever since its founding in 1780, in Paris. The Maison very quickly became the official jeweller to Empress Josephine and the High Jewellery savoir-faire of the Maison has been passed down through generations of jewellers for over two centuries.

Crafted at the very heart of the place Vendôme, the jewellery and watchmaking creations reflect these exceptional skills and pay tribute to the Parisian style. The saying that High Jewellery is to jewellery what Haute Couture is to fashion - creating jewels, by hand and custom-made by craftsmen with exceptional skill, who use traditional techniques and tools - is as true today as it has ever been. In the 12 Place Vendôme workshop in Paris, jewellers, setters, polishers and gem cutters have created exceptional pieces for more than 240 years. Looking down from the Vendôme column, the statue of Napoléon keeps watch over the Maison’s High Jewellery workshop, where jewellers, gem-setters and polishers work each day to bring Chaumet’s creations to life, thus perpetuating ancestral virtuosity under the attentive eye of the 13th head of the Maison’s workshop. This precious virtuosity, which can only be reproduced by hand, has been passed on from workshop head to workshop head since the establishment of the House.

Left - Torsade de Chaumet Necklace in White Gold, set with Brilliant-Cut Diamonds

Torsade de Chaumet Ring in White Gold, set with an Oval-Cut D VVS1 Diamond of 3.02 Carats and Brilliant-Cut Diamonds

Above - Torsade de Chaumet Earrings in White Gold, set with 2 Brilliant-Cut D VVS1 Diamonds of 1.58 Carats each and Brilliant-Cut Diamonds Below - Torsade de Chaumet Ring in White Gold, set with an Oval-Cut Vivid Red Mozambique Ruby of 3.05 Carats and Brilliant-Cut Diamonds

THE POWER OF INSTINCT