Tag: Luxury watches

Panerai Gives the Submersible a New Edge

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The iconic diving collection welcomes its first 44mm model with a metal bracelet, combining professional capability with everyday versatility.

Shereen Shabnam

For decades, Panerai has built its reputation on creating uncompromising instruments for life at sea. With the launch of the new Submersible PAM01756, the Italian watchmaker adds a fresh dimension to one of its most recognisable collections by introducing, for the first time, a 44mm Submersible fitted with a stainless-steel bracelet.

While the addition of a bracelet may appear to be a subtle evolution, it significantly broadens the watch’s appeal, transforming it from a purpose-built diving instrument into a luxury sports watch equally at home beneath a wetsuit or a tailored cuff.

Inside beats Panerai’s P.980 automatic calibre, offering a generous three-day power reserve and incorporating a stop-seconds function for precise time synchronisation, a practical feature rooted in the brand’s long-standing military heritage. The movement is also tested in six different positions to ensure dependable chronometric performance under a variety of conditions.

The 44mm case is crafted from corrosion-resistant AISI 316LVM stainless steel, chosen for its strength and durability, while a polished blue ceramic unidirectional bezel adds both visual depth and exceptional scratch resistance. Designed for timing dives, the bezel remains one of the watch’s defining functional elements, reinforcing its credentials as a genuine professional instrument.

One of the PAM01756’s most striking design decisions is what Panerai chose to leave out. There is no date window, allowing the dial to remain clean, balanced and entirely focused on timekeeping. It is a deliberate nod to the brand’s historic military watches, where simplicity and readability always took precedence over unnecessary complications.

The black sun-brushed dial enhances that clarity with remarkable effect. Fine radial brushing creates a dynamic play of light, while generous applications of Super-LumiNova® ensure excellent visibility in every environment. Panerai also continues its distinctive colour-coded lume system, with the hour markers glowing green while the minute hand and bezel marker illuminate in blue, making elapsed dive time instantly distinguishable in low-light conditions.

At nine o’clock, the small seconds display features an intricate azurage finish, adding subtle texture while serving an important functional role. Historically, the constantly moving seconds hand allowed divers to verify instantly that the watch was still operating during critical missions.

Performance remains at the heart of the Submersible. Water resistant to 50 BAR (500 metres), every watch undergoes pressure testing at Panerai’s manufacture in Neuchâtel to standards exceeding its official rating by 25 per cent.

The new bracelet further strengthens the watch’s everyday credentials. Inspired by the signature crown-protecting bridge, its sculptural links combine polished and brushed finishes for a distinctive architectural look. Panerai has also introduced its Quick Length Adjustment system to the Submersible line for the first time, allowing wearers to extend the bracelet by 2mm on each side without tools, ensuring a comfortable fit as wrist size naturally changes throughout the day.

The Submersible PAM01756 successfully bridges Panerai’s rich naval heritage with contemporary luxury sports watch design. Rugged enough for professional diving yet refined enough for everyday wear, it represents a thoughtful evolution of one of the brand’s most celebrated collections, proving once again that true functionality never goes out of style.

The Longines Twenty-Four Hours Single Push-Piece Chronograph

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Watch longiness

 

Last month I was sent pictures of different watches from a  friend whose next big future indulgence is going to be a luxury watch – one of them was a Longines. So when I received The latest addition to the brand’s  Heritage collection – The Longines Twenty-Four Hours Single Push-Piece Chronograph, I just had to blog it. Housing an exclusive calibre, this single push-piece chronograph is a re-issue of an earlier pilot’s watch and displays the time on a 24-hour scale.

Longines has been based in the market town of St. Imier since it was founded in 1832. As a tribute to its precious heritage, the Swiss watch producer takes its inspiration from the models in its museum to design watches that reflect its vast know-how.

St. Imier – a market town located in a valley in the Swiss Jura mountains. It was here that Longines was founded in 1832 and it is here also that, rooted in a rich history, the brand’s museum can be found. Very aware of its vast know-how and true to tradition, Longines likes to take the inspiration for new models, and in particular for the watches in its Heritage collection, from those on display in its museum. And so for its latest creation, the Longines Twenty-Four Hours Single Push-Piece Chronograph, the brand has replicated the lines of one of its pilot watch dating from the 1950s.

The diameter of the original model, a magnificent 47.50 mm, has been reproduced, as well as the dial with its 24-hour scale, available in black or silver. The steel case has a closed back, decorated with Longines’ famous hourglass symbol, in use since 1867 and the oldest logo still in active use in its original form in the international registers of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Each watch in this exceptional series is numbered.

The model on which this new creation is based was fitted with a calibre originally intended for a pocket watch and later adapted for use in a wrist-watch. The Longines Twenty-Four Hours Single Push-Piece Chronograph houses an L789 self-winding, mechanical movement. This new column-wheel chronograph calibre, produced exclusively for Longines, is an adaptation of Longines’ own single push-piece movement. It features a chronograph function, displays the time on a 24-hour scale, and has a small seconds at 18 o’clock plus a date aperture at 12 o’clock, at the bottom of the dial. It is fitted on a black or brown alligator strap to match the colour of the dial….check it out!

A little extra about the Watch – see the image I have uploaded above:

The Longines Twenty-Four Hours Single Push-Piece Chronograph

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The lines of the Longines Twenty-Four Hours Single Push-Piece Chronograph echo those of a pilot’s watch dating from the 1950s, as well as having the same diameter, namely a magnificent 47.50 mm. Fitted with the L789 self-winding, mechanical movement, this model features a chronograph function plus a 24-hour scale, a small seconds at 18 o’clock and the date at 12 o’clock, at the bottom of the dial. It is mounted on a black or brown alligator strap to match the black or silvered dial.

Hublot now in Abu Dhabi

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With Hublot Chairman

With Hublot Chairman

While attending the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, I did a quick detour to the Marina Mall to meet with Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot in Abu Dhabi. My gal pals had been raving about the boutique opening so I sacrificed a morning of coffee sessions with the race track dudes at F1 in favour of a coastal drive, a short tryst at Hublot and coffee at the Emirates Palace.

Hublot is the Official Watch of Formula 1™ and Abu Dhabi’s second Hublot boutique was opened to mark the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Grand Prix. In true diva fashion, I arrived late because having a touch of mascara was a bit more important but it was worth it as we listened to a very passionate Jean-Claude Biver giving us a low down on the expertise of the Swiss watchmaking art, expressed through their watch collections.

I loved the boutique-lounge set that is designed with the fusion of materials such as natural buckskin and ebony which create a warm yet hushed atmosphere. Amongst the notable features is an extremely elegant floor with leather tiles, created by a master craftsman and artist, which is now one of the signatures of the Hublot boutiques, with the ensemble completed by a wall of screens which immediately immerse the visitor in the brand’s world, with films on events, the latest new products and the ambassadors.

I thought that was indeed a nice touch….different and yet elegant. Check it out!

With gal pals at HUBLOT Abu Dhabi

With gal pals at HUBLOT Abu Dhabi

‘United Arab Emirates Edition’ Capeland timepiece from Baume & Mercier

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UAE inspired timepiece – Nice indeed

As UAE national day gets closer, most luxury goods providers are turning to personalise and brand items to a patriotic theme and the Swiss maison d’Horlogerie also announced a new ‘United Arab Emirates Edition’ Capeland timepiece. Since I started delving into marketing, its interesting to watch brands immerse their products and services with relevant local events and move with the times.

The new limited edition was specially designed to represent the colours of the UAE flag and is a true reflection of Baume & Mercier’s dedication to the country, reiterated by the brand having its only boutique in the world in the world-famous Dubai Mall.

The UAE Edition Capeland flyback chronograph has a diameter of 44mm. The off-white dial features a red tachymeter & green telemeter and a black alligator strap with red stitching. The sapphire crystal case back offers wearers the chance to view the manufacture self-winding movement (La Joux-Perret 8147) featuring an open worked oscillating weight adorned with “Côtes de Genève” snailed décor and Phi symbol, the brand signature. Only 100 pieces are available, and each is engraved “UAE Edition – 001/100” highlighting the exclusivity of this exceptional edition.

The sport-chic Capeland series of men’s exclusive automatic flyback chronographs possesses its own lineage, offering immediately identifiable features that reflect the line’s heritage and inspiration. The collection blends historical tradition with contemporary style and elegant appeal – enabling the wearer to celebrate each of life’s moments.

Inspired by a 1948 single-push piece chronograph vintage model, the collection was designed for easy daily wear. The charismatic series epitomizes a relaxed lifestyle and strength of character….sounds a bit like how one would describe me I reckon (Cheeky grin!) 🙂

NEW DOUBLE HEART BEAT BLACK BEAUTY

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Gorgeous…my favourite piece from Frederique Constant

It is no doubt that Frederique Constant Black Beauty is the most exciting addition to Frederique Constant’s bestselling Double Heart Beat Collection. As a watch fanatic, I totally relate to the deep black mother of pearl dial but I know most of my friends will however salivate over the many diamonds of the Black Beauty.

The original design of this range, that is two intertwined hearts forming an aperture in the dial revealing the ‘heart beat’ of the movement- makes the Frederique Constant Double Heart Beat more than just a watch. These fine timepieces have been developed with passion to reflect the values and aspirations of today’s woman (like moi). Frederique Constant’s Double Heart Beat watches are created with precision design and assembled by hand, allowing for a high quality timepiece each and every time.

When I buy a watch, perceived value is important but the real quality, consistency, craftsmanship ultimately is the main attraction….its just the way this brand thinks. I like the idea of being able to go corporate with my Mont Blanc, wild with my Roberto Cavalli snake watch in mother of pearl or when I feel uninspired, I go for the boring looking white metallic GC that looks like everything else in the market except that its white…big deal! But hey….there is no accounting for taste and sometimes one just isn’t in the mood. However, moods can be changed if there are ultra special pieces that totally give you that extra bit of endorphin kick, making you smile and I believe that the pieces from Frederique Constant have that edge.

As always I like brands that are passionate about charity….. What is nice is that US$50 from each watch sold in the Double Heart Beat Collection is donated to charities related to the heart and children. Hence the slogan for this collection is “Assembled by hand to touch your heart”.

For people who don’t know watches or don’t know the Frederique Constant brand, the first thing to learn is that they really are on the top position amongst leading makers of Swiss luxury watches. In 1994, Frederique Constant developed its first Heart Beat watch to show the mechanical nature of these Frederique Constant watches. Heart Beat watches have an aperture at the position of the balance wheel to show that the movement of the watch is mechanical.

Early in the 1990’s, automatic mechanical watches were slowly making their return to the market after the quartz crisis of the 1970-1980’s. Typically, the exterior of such mechanical watches looks similar to quartz watches except that the second hand moves continuously. On quartz watches, the second hand makes 60 steps per minute.  It’s an interesting lesson on how it all works and I am so glad that Frederique Constant considered it important to show the difference between mechanical and quartz watches….it helps uninitiated people like us learn a bit about the back-end of how these beautiful pieces work.

In a mechanical watch, the balance wheel beats 28’800 times per hour. The balance wheel rotates clockwise and counter-clockwise on its axes in a large ruby jewel. Its rotation is controlled by the hairspring, which constantly coils and uncoils, and can be seen through the open eye of the Heart Beat watches…i can never do justice in explaining how this works and how awesome these watches are. I suggest you check Frederique Constant pieces out yourselves!