This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on January 20, 2020
Against the lapping waves of the Persian Gulf, four chief executive officers greeted a gathering of journalists, retailers and collectors, welcoming them to the first-ever LVMH Watch Week. Stephane Bianchi of TAG Heuer (and the head of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE’s watch group) was joined by Ricardo Guadalupe of Hublot, Julien Tornare of Zenith, and Bulgari’s Jean-Christophe Babin last Monday as the four spoke of friendship among the brands and a group identity apart from the mass of watchmakers that will muster together to show new timepieces at the Baselworld watch expo later in the year. It was both a show of independence and a flex of luxury muscle, with guests treated to dinners in the desert under the stars, performances by fire dancers, fireworks, and lavish accommodations at the Bulgari resort in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
“We wanted to showcase our novelties. We wanted to drive business in the first quarter,” Bianchi said. “Then we decided to do it in Dubai, because Dubai at this time of the year — it’s a warm place! And it’s a bit in the middle of the world, so quite accessible for many journalists and many retailers.”
Below are the most exciting watches shown at the event. — Bloomberg
Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori
Bulgari, ever more ambitious with its watchmaking, created a special tear-shaped movement to fit perfectly into the rounded cases of the new Serpenti Seduttori line. (Often, simply round movements are sandwiched into square or oval cases.) They also inserted the smallest tourbillon on the market into some Seduttoris, filling a market gap in serious horology aimed at women. There are several versions, but the most fun is the one that is slathered in diamonds, from the pave face (which features contrast hour numerals in blued steel) to the glittery bracelet. US$151,000 (RM611,550)
Zenith Elite Classic
This collection of timepieces stood out for its simplicity and refinement among a wash of rare materials and diamond adornment. Sometimes the classics are the strongest! With an 18-karat rose gold case and gold-plated hands and hour markers, the Zenith Elite looks like a watch your dad would be proud to pass down to you. 12,900 Swiss francs (US$13,366/RM54,132.30)
Hublot Classic Fusion Gold Crystal
Like a snowflake, each of these watches features a unique face, created in Hublot’s research and development lab by heating 24-karat gold until it is basically a gas. Once the gold encounters a cold surface, it accumulates in crystal form. Hublot applies the crystals to a black watch face for a textured visual effect, then covers them with 20 layers of a transparent lacquer so they lie perfectly flat. The black ceramic case further highlights the drama of the gold; it is definitely a watch that everyone will ask you about no matter where you wear it. And if you are in Times Square, do not be surprised if people ask you whether it is a promotion for the popular new Tina Turner Musical. US$21,000
Zenith Defy 21 Land Rover Edition
In Zenith’s continuing partnership with British carmaker Land Rover, the Swiss brand has developed a matte gray timepiece in honour of the Defender, which returns to the roads this year. The watch’s automatic El Primero movement comes with 50 hours of power reserve ticking away inside, and its ceramic case makes it ultralight. It was one of the event’s most elegantly designed pieces. 3,900 Swiss francs
Bulgari Diva’s Dream Minute Repeater
This little jewel looks like a straightforward fashion watch — the kind Bulgari has been making for years with quartz movements. But once again, its clean malachite dial conceals some bold complexity. It is a minute repeater, meaning it has a very advanced mechanism that chimes the time. Just pull on the little malachite tassel on the side, which is designed to evoke the famous tiles in the Caracalla baths in Bulgari’s home of Rome, and you will hear a series of dings and rings. €197,600 (US$220,000/RM891,000)
Hublot Big Bang Unico Integral
A sweeping trend in the industry is to build a new metal bracelet that integrates directly into the watch. It is a minor feat of engineering that helps communicate what kind of timepiece one is wearing — dressy, sporty, formal, funky. Watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Rolex Datejust, and Patek Phillipe Nautilus are iconic in no small part because of their bracelets. This year, Hublot developed one for its flagship Big Bang line. The all-black, ceramic version is satin-finished with black-plated titanium screws. US$23,100
Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic
This ceramic timepiece’s bright red colour is so hard to create, it is patented by Hublot. The seven barrels across the bottom half of the dial can host up to a whopping 14 days of power reserve after manual winding, and the days count down on a wheel at the far left of the barrel system. The small dial is sapphire, with crimson hands and numerals to match the case. It will be limited to 100 pieces, so collectors who admire Hublot’s beefy watchmaking and bold colours should put in their requests now. US$86,000