WATCHES & STYLE
Seconds to Spare: The Season's Most Anticipated Watch Launches
By Charmian Leong
11 Mar 2025
11 Mar 2025
Exploring the freshest horological highlights shaping this season’s watchmaking.
- BLUE STEEL
- FRESH FACE
- CARRY ON CRUISING
- OPEN SESAME
Given its track record of remarkable anniversary releases, we’re expecting a parade of horological wonders that demonstrate Vacheron Constantin’s technical and artistic mastery as the maison enters its 270th year. But the festivities have begun with something pure and simple, but highly anticipated: the Historiques 222 – finally in steel.
The very first 222 was launched in 1977 to mark the brand’s 222nd anniversary. Designed by Jorg Hysek in response to the exploding trend of sporty-chic watches with integrated bracelets, the 222 stood amongst its contemporaries with a fluted bezel, baton hands and hour markers, hexagonal central bracelet links, and an ultra-thin base movement made by Jaeger-LeCoultre.
It made a glitzy return in 2022, with the Historiques 222 in full yellow gold with, of course, a new in-house calibre 2455/2 and a sapphire crystal case back from which to admire it. But the brand was clearly waiting on a significant anniversary to give collectors what they really wanted – a more faithful homage to the original in steel.
Like the gold edition, the Historiques 222 is based on the original’s “Jumbo” size and comes in at 37mm, with a reengineered bracelet for greater comfort. The dial reproduces a blue face with the same logos and fonts. Certified with the Geneva Seal, the movement offers 40 hours of power reserve and a quick-set date. While it is thankfully not a limited edition, it is a boutique-exclusive.
(Related: Watches for Year of the Snake 2025)
- BLUE STEEL
- FRESH FACE
- CARRY ON CRUISING
- OPEN SESAME
FRESH FACE
Legendary watch designer Gerald Genta wasn’t just causing a sensation in 1970s Switzerland with creations like Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus – he was making waves over in Japan, too, with the Credor Locomotive. In 2024, the design was revived in a 300-piece limited edition cased in high-intensity titanium and featuring a black dial with an iris-like pattern Chopard fans might find familiar.
This year, a regular production model debuts with the same 38.8mm build and slim CR01 automatic movement, but introduces a new green dial with a hexagonal pattern that harmonises with the bracelet’s similarly shaped links. Overall, still a weird and wonderful Genta collectible.
- BLUE STEEL
- FRESH FACE
- CARRY ON CRUISING
- OPEN SESAME
CARRY ON CRUISING
Some watch companies express their associated lifestyles through beautifully designed marketing material. Others, like Panerai, let you live it. Since 2019, the Panerai Xperiences Program have let patrons of its special limited-edition watches go on personalised, prestigious adventures across the globe, from training with the Italian navy to exploring the North Pole with explorer Mike Horn.
Its latest invitation comes in the form of the Radiomir 8 Giorni Eilean Experience Edition PAM01643. Its case features pieces of bronze salvaged from the Eilean (Panerai’s own Bermudian ketch) to form the bezel, crown, and case back medallion, while the grainy beige dial recalls its sails. The accompanying experience in May will include a helicopter ride over Mount Etna, a private wine-tasting at a nearby winery, and a cruise on the Eilean. Only 30 pieces are available.
(Related: Precision meets power in these high-performance watches)
- BLUE STEEL
- FRESH FACE
- CARRY ON CRUISING
- OPEN SESAME
OPEN SESAME
It’s not just clocks that are transformed into kinetic sculptures by the skilled team at L’Epee 1839. The brand has recently applied its mechanical artistry to the humble watch box. The housing is transparent – not only ensuring easy visibility of your treasured ticker but also showcasing its mechanical heart.
A simple press of a button activates the lift system, causing the case to open and the wristwatch to gracefully rise. Closing the cover rewinds the mechanism, resetting the display. Much like a precious calibre, the components inside the box boast polished, sand-blasted, and satin-finished surfaces, all done by hand.
(Related: These clocks are monuments to time)
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