On Sunday, our writer Robin kicked off our annual Christmas Special with his picks from three different price categories that he would like to receive under the Christmas Tree from 2015 new releases. For the 2nd Installment, our News Editor makes his picks in the same categories for his Christmas wishes.
Below $8,000: Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black
For a watch under $8,000 I have chosen the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black. We think the Tudor Heritage range has been designed wonderfully with vintage Tudor chronographs and divers being the inspiration. The Black Bay diver is one of the best value watches under $8,000 and with the release of the all black variant, it is the icing on the cake.
The 41mm stainless case with no crown guards, the gilt accented dial & snowflake hour hand all get top marks for build quality and aesthetics. With the reliable ETA 2824 movement powering the watch, you would be hard pressed to find a watch as well built as the Tudor. It retails for S$4248 the leather strap and S$4680 for the steel bracelet. Each version comes with an additional fabric strap.
Between $8K to $50K: Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second in Stainless Steel
My next pick is the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second in stainless steel. When the press release for the watch was issued for Watches and Wonders 2015, our interest was immediately piqued. Seeing the watch in the flesh at the fair, only reaffirmed our fondness for this timepiece. We have a soft spot for watches that feature a deadbeat seconds (Seconds Morte in french). The use of an additional hairspring by Jaeger LeCoultre to provide the constant force for the precise tick is a neat feature along with the new Gyrolab escapement. The placement of luminous dots on the inner flange allows the watch to look formal while adding a touch of sportiness to it. The Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second in stainless steel retails for S$13,300.
If Money Is No Object: MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar in Platinum
If I was given carte blanche for a Christmas gift, my pick would be the MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar. We are big fans of MB&F at Deployant. Max Busser has a great creative mind and has produced some very special pieces. The latest Legacy Machine is an aesthetic and technical treat. As the perpetual calendar mechanism and movement are built as one, it allows for the architecture of the movement to be seen in all its glory on the dial side. We feel the sub dials for reading of the date, day and moth are very legible. The signature floating balance wheel of the Legacy Machine series completes the eye candy. MB&F have done a fantastic job with the Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar and we would love to receive this under the tree on Christmas Day! The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar in Platinum is limited to 25 pieces and retails for S$275,100.