Bvlgari, Hublot and Zenith announced some seriously cool watches last week...
This new year and decade have started off the right way for watches. With multiple releases from Omega, Longines, H Moser and now the LVMH brands are getting involved. Bvlgari, Hublot and Zenith all spent the 13th, 14th and 15th January announcing new models for 2020 and boy were we in for some treats. There’s a lot to get through here so let’s get right into it, starting alphabetically with Bulgari…
Bulgari at LVMH Watch Week Dubai 2020
The LVMH Watch Week 2020 Dubai - Image Credit: LVMH
My appreciation and love for Bulgari seem to develop every time we get something new from them. At Baselworld 2019 we saw the Octo Finnisimo Chrono GMT, late 2019 we saw the crazy iced out Octo L’Originale Blue Full Baguette Diamonds (desperately need hands-on with this one!) and now we have some fantastic additions for 2020…
The Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon
The iconic women’s jewellery watch from Bulgari has now grown up with a new tourbillon model. This addition now makes it the smallest tourbillon movement to feature in a watch and now the Serpenti Seduttori has ditched the wrap-around strap (for these models) it has made way for a completely diamond-covered bracelet.
Sure the model fitted to the bracelet is right around $151,000 but, look at it.
The Octo Finnismo received some love...
The ultra-modern Octo Finnisimo model also saw a handful of new models last week. They’re pretty incredible looking as you might expect:
Automatic Satin-Polished Steel
The Bulgari Octo Finnismo Automatic Satin-Polished Steel - Image Credit: Monochrome Watches
The most conventional Octo Finnisimo is now available in polished steel increasing its appeal. It retails at $12,000 which is a bit of premium when compared to other time only watches from similar brands however, the Octo Finnisimo's design and construction is like no other. It’s a beautiful watch that I’m expecting to see on a lot more wrists this year...
The Automatic Black Sandblast-Polished Ceramic
Okay, this one is just crazy. Here we have the Automatic once again however this time it’s finished in a mixture of sandblasted and polished finishes. Oh, and it’s ceramic. The result is a watch that looks just unbelievable on the wrist. There are not many non-press release images available online at the moment however I spotted one on an Instagram story recently and trust me, it’s fantastic.
Minute Repeater In Sandblasted Rose Gold
The world’s thinnest repeater is now available in sandblasted rose gold. Back at Baselworld 2019, we spent some time with the titanium version of the minute repeater and we found that piece to sound as unique as it looks. The sandblasted rose gold version (who knew we needed sandblasted gold in our lives?) take the aesthetic to a whole new level.
Okay, I think I need to stop talking about the Octo Finnismo as it’s making me very sad I don’t have one on my wrist.
Hublot at LVMH Watch Week Dubai 2020
Hublot is next up and it looks like they’re shaping up to have a pretty impressive 2020. They have also joined the integrated bracelet hype...
Big Bang Integral
In a move that shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us (although it still did), Hublot announced the Big Bang Integral. This new watch has a re-designed case to allow for the new three-link integrated bracelet. And with it being 15 years of the Big Bang, it makes sense for Hublot to celebrate in style.
Zenith at LVMH Watch Week Dubai 2020
And last but not least, Zenith. Much like Bulgari, the more I experience and handle Zenith the more I appreciate and fall in love with their creations. 2019 was a big year for both Zenith and the chronograph as a whole so they have quite a task to ensure 2020 continues the success…
The Defy 21 Land Rover Edition
To celebrate the release of the new Land Rover Defender and their continued partnership, Zenith announced Defy 21 Land Rover Edition. Previous watches from this partnership have been heavily focused on the collaboration with Land Rover logos in multiple places on the piece, however this piece feels much more apart of Zenith’s lineup. Much like Breitling did last year when they adopted their Bentley watches into their standard range, it feels Zenith is doing the same. I personally love the subdued look to this release. The titanium case with grey strap, clean dial design and use of orange throughout feels sporty, subdued and classy.
It very much reminds me of a top-spec Range Rover. At a glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking it’s a normal Range Rover, however, if you look closely you can see the more aggressive body, the two twin exhausts, the SVR badge on the rear and the larger alloys. This edition is certainly the watch equivalent of this.
This release is 44mm, only limited to 250 pieces and costs CHF 13,900 so the likelihood is it will be a rare sighting, but it will be a great looking one if so.
The Defy 21 Carl Cox
Staying with the Defy 21 and this time we have the first collaboration from Zenith and their latest friend of the brand Carl Cox. Music fans will recognise Mr Cox as a legendary DJ in the techno and house music genre. The new Defy 21, of course, has touches of Carl Cox throughout with the running seconds at nine shaped like a vinyl record. However, the biggest addition here is the lumed carbon fibre case. And the stitching on the strap is lumed also. Not to everyone’s taste, but very cool to see. Only Zenith could do this...
A384 Revival with Ladder Bracelet
The A384 was a non-limited release announced in 2019. Initially, we only saw it on a black alligator strap, however now the more historically accurate ladder bracelet is back. This one is truly a product of the 60s and if you’re committed to the vintage look, it’s the only move to make.
Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Rescue
Continuing the subtle sporty touches, Zenith announced the addition of the Rescue versions of their Type 20 Chronograph. We now see yellow touches throughout the watch, effectively combining classic style with a modernised design.
Tag Heuer releases last week 2020
The Tag Heuer Autavia from 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Now although Tag Heuer wasn't officially at the LVMH Watch Week, the LVMH brand still released a new watch last week. Tag Heuer earlier this year announced a new bronze version of their time only Autavia initially released at Baselworld 2019. The watch featured their in house isograph carbon hairspring however the brand has said the success of the model generated high demand that exceeded their production capacity on this extremely sensitive component. The result for 2020 is the watch being re-released with the COSC-certified TAG Heuer Autavia Chronometer Calibre 5 movement. Tag wasn’t done there though…
Tag Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition
2020 marks the 160th birthday of the Heuer business and to celebrate this, Tag Heuer has announced the Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition. Limited to 1860 pieces this new 39mm chronograph takes inspiration from the 2447S Carrera, one of the first references.
This is the type of watch from Tag that get us excited. What is not to like about a classic Carrera? The case design is stylish and classic, the dial is pure and clean and it’s a sensible size. We’re pleased Tag resisted the temptation of putting ‘Tag Heuer’ on the dial and respectably stuck with the classic Heuer. We know that will excite a lot of people.
LVMH did release a few other watches for each brand including expansions for each womens range so be sure to check out the Bulgari, Zenith and Hublot websites for all new releases.
