Perrelet celebrates the majestic beauty of snow covered mountains with a new release which they call Weekend Arctic Dunes.
Press Release with commentary in italics.
New: Perrelet Weekend Artic Dunes
The Perrelet Weekend Arctic Dunes Ref. A1300/S4 is priced at Price: CHF/EURO 1,490. Limited Edition of 99 pieces.
Commentary
Interesting release from Perrelet. The name of the watch is Arctic Dunes, a part of their Weekend collection. The watch comes with a pastel blue dial with a wave texture. This suggests to us that this is named after the dunes in the north, perhaps within the Arctic circle formed by snow blown by wind. But the watch is intended for the Arabic speaking enthusiasts, with the appliqué numerals displayed in Arabic-Indian characters. Which strikes us as odd. Perhaps a sand or beige dial with the same textured motif may be a better fit the Middle East theme characterised by the numerals.
The watch is otherwise a standard 3 hand watch in a 39mm stainless steel case. The seconds display is a center sweep seconds.
The movement powering the watch is the Soprod designed Perrelet P-321. Soprod and Perrelet are sister companies wihich are a part of the Festina Group. Soprod provides Perrelet with complete autonomy in developing and producing its watch movements. The movement seems rather nicely designed and reasonably finished. We will not be able to judge the finishing till we have examined the movement in person.
Looking at the high resolution photographs in the release, this strikes us a very handsome watch, with an interesting textured dial and not your usual hour markers. The asking price of just below CHF 1.5k seems to a rather reasonable ransom.
Release information
Swiss Manufacture Perrelet introduces an appealing new addition to its Weekend collection. Named Arctic Dunes, this timepiece has been designed for Arabic-speaking watch enthusiasts, enabling them to read the time in their native language. The fluid and harmonious lines of the hour markers in Arabic-Indian numerals and the display’s design, inspired by the soothing splendour of winter landscapes, make this timepiece truly unique. This exclusive, limited edition of 99 pieces pays tribute to the dazzling beauty of snow-capped mountains, where light and texture converge in an ethereal ballet of reflections and ice-blue tones.
Since its debut in 2017, the Weekend collection has embodied a minimalist aesthetics characterised by understated elegance and exceptional versatility. Its timeless design adapts perfectly to both sophisticated, classic styles and more contemporary, artistic interpretations.
While traditional colours such as silver, black, blue, or green define its heritage, the selected ice-blue hue and the original embossed decoration of the dial identifying the Arctic Dunes introduce a refreshing, contemporary twist. This shade evokes the enchanting atmosphere of snow-capped mountains, instilling a sense of calm and relaxation.
The dial: elegance in motion
The highlight of the Arctic Dunes is its mesmerising ice-blue dial, inspired by undulating snowdrifts sculpted by the wind on mountain peaks. Like the soft contours of snow dunes glistening under sunlight, the dial’s delicate embossed pattern plays with reflections, creating an enchanting spectacle.
The raised silver indices are marked with Arabic-Indian numerals. Their soft, rounded lines combine perfectly with the pattern on the dial to create an overall sense of harmony.
At 3 o’clock, the date window on a white background stands out against the ice-blue dial, providing an additional practical function.
The case: sinuous and refined lines
With a 39 mm stainless steel case only 9.56 mm thick, the Arctic Dunes reflects Perrelet’s quest for harmony and balance. The interplay of polished and satin finishes enhances its sophisticated character, while its compact size makes it suitable for women, too.
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM, the watch is protected by a sapphire crystal glass and features a transparent case back, through which the impeccable finishing of the automatic movement can be admired.
The inscription “Arctic Dunes – Limited edition 01 of 99” and a finely printed depiction of a snow-covered mountain, a signature artistic tribute to the model’s inspiration, embellish the rear of the model.
The timepiece is completed by a blue calf leather strap with an alligator pattern, featuring a quick-release system and a stainless-steel pin buckle engraved with the Perrelet logo.
The movement: precision and craftsmanship
The Arctic Dunes with time-and-date functions is powered by the in-house Perrelet P-321 calibre, a self-winding movement that has been designed and developed by Soprod, Perrelet’s sister company, which is owned by Spanish entrepreneur Miguel Rodríguez.
Operating at 28.800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), this calibre offers a 42-hour power reserve. It boasts exquisite finishes, including bridges with circular-graining decoration and a rhodium-plated oscillating weight adorned with the Perrelet logo, mounted on ball bearings, which can be admired through the transparent porthole on the case back.
Perrelet Weekend Arctic Dunes Specifications
Movement: In-house automatic movement, calibre Perrelet P-321 * 28.800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) * Number of jewels: 25 * Power reserve (fully wound): 42-hour * Bridges: circular-graining decoration * Solid oscillating weight decorated with vertical engraved grooves and Perrelet logo in the centre
Case: Round, stainless-steel case * Polished/brushed finish * Diameter: 39 mm * Thickness: 9.56 mm * Water resistance: 5 ATM * Anti-reflective sapphire glass on dial * Screw-down case back, transparent porthole with depiction of snow-covered mountains Special inscriptions: Arctic Dunes – Limited Edition 01 of 99
Dial: Undulating, embossed snow dunes in ice-blue colour * Applied silvered indices in Arabic-Indian characters * Minute flange in Arabic script * Hour and minute dauphine hands * Slim central seconds hand * Date window at 3 o’clock with numerals in Arabic-Indian characters
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Strap: Blue calf leather strap with alligator motif, equipped with quick release system and a personalised pin buckle adorned with the Perrelet logo
