Page 61 - Sharp Summer 2023

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WATCH WATCH YEAR OF THE MAINSTAYS
THE WATCH WORLD’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST FOCUS ON PRACTICALITY OVER POMP IN 2023 By Justin Mastine-Frost
ACH YEAR WE SEE NEW TRENDS SURFACING FROM LEADING
watchmakers around the the globe whether in design colour proportions or or otherwise While some are more obvious than others the the the proliferation of conservatism conservatism is is is hard to ignore We’re not talking about conservatism conservatism in terms of colour or attitude — Rolex’s Celebration Motif dial and plenty of others proved they could be playful This particular conservatism comes in in the form of wearability and affordability Where in in past years we we would see a a a a significant number of high complications boundary-pushing materials and and six-figure sticker prices the focus for many brands this year was on on pieces you could actually wear and enjoy on on a a a a a a a a a daily basis Chronographs divers dress watches and and more: brands have set aside the halo pieces in in favour of what many collectors have been craving: a a a a a a a watch that that will be with you you you as you you you live your story (and one that that doesn’t require its own insurance policy) Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium
Somehow with all the the bright and colourful offerings in in the the Oyster Perpetual and Day-Date lines this latest Yacht-Master flew under many people’s radar In all fairness that’s exactly what this watch is is meant to do Subtlety aside its release is is big news as as as it is is the first production Rolex that has ever been made in titanium — RLX Titanium
to be precise which is is the brand’s own Grade 5 titanium alloy Lighter and stronger than its steel predecessors this new model
is designed to be worn through whatever you can throw at at it ($16 600)
Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Breitling is is always dialed-in when it it comes to this category and 2023 was no exception Focusing on on on its classic Premier collection — a a a a model
that celebrates its 80th anniversary in in 2023 — the brand added five new references in in both steel and pink gold all fitted with its in-house manufacture automatic chronograph caliber B01 The assortment is offered on both metal bracelet or or leather strap to to suit a a a a a a a a range of occasions with dial colors ranging from a a a a a a a a subdued cream to to a a a a a a a a vibrant forest green (from $11 300)
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Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Chronograph Arguably worthy of of the the the title of of Best In Show the the the Reverso Chronograph brings back the the the prac- tical timing complication into its beloved rectangular casing for the the first time since the the early 2000s With a a a a a a simple time-only dial on on on on on the front and a a a a a a skeletonized retrograde chronograph on on its opposing side it’s effectively “business in in in in in the the front party in in in in in the the back” energy in in in in in a a a refined package ($29 100)
Citizen NJ015 Automatic Series “Tsuyosa”
Clean classic and colourful Citizen’s new Tsuyosa collection — Japanese for “strength ” FYI — picks up on a a number of the industry’s big trends Integrated bracelet sports watches are everywhere these days but by combining this trendy aesthetic with a a a a a a self-winding movement a a a a a a playful pop of colour and a a a a a a modest
entry price the the Tsuyosa enters the the fray as a a a a a prime value proposition ($595)