Once again, another year had just come and went by. It was a roller-coaster ride for many, as 2015 offers people an equal share of joys and tribulations along the way. Of course, it was not entirely a bad year, as we are sure that there were wonderful memories that were created in 2015 as well.
In terms of horology, 2015 had been a rather interesting year. We have seen some magnificent timepiece that swept us off and stole our hearts, as well as controversial pieces that divided collectors into factions. Philosophically, there are no good and bad watches; only watches that one likes or dislikes.
Anyway, for this week’s article, we will be featuring six watches from 2015 that we have a crush on. Of course, we will be covering watches from different price range with different complications. In short, there will be something for everyone! So, let us begin, before the new year beckons.
Longines Pulsometer Chronograph
The Longines Pulsometer Chronograph. It is not just a pretty face; the watch offers a great value proposition as well.
First off, we have one of our favorite timepieces that offer one of the best value propositions: the Longines Pulsometer Chronograph.
For starters, the Longines Pulsometer Chronograph features a rather stunning facade. We pretty much adore its lacquered white dial, as well as the design that was inspired by the “Doctor’s Watch” of the 1920s. But the watch is not just a pretty face. This 40mm timepiece also features a rather impressive complication: the monopusher chronograph. Notably, the automatic movement (the Calibre L788.2, which is a custom-built ETA movement for Longines) includes a date indicator, as well as a power reserve of approximately 54 hours.
Oh, and lest we forget, the Longines Pulsometer Chronograph is priced very reasonably at SGD$6,360. Would it be hard to beat? Hmm, we can only wait and see!
Tudor Pelagos
The Tudor Pelagos, in blue with an all-new in-house movement.
In recent years, we have seen the incredible rise of Tudor watches. The formula is not that perplexing actually; Tudor have improved the designs of their watches, and a lot of effort has been put into the marketing. This had led to them acquire a growing fan base within the span of the last few years. The new Tudor Pelagos is one such testament.
Other than a new blue color scheme, the new Pelagos is armed with another game-changer: an in-house movement. This time, the Pelagos is fitted with MT5612 movement. This particular caliber features a date and a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The automatic movement features a bi-directional winding system, and it is Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
Similarly, this titanium dive watch offers collectors a rather decent value proposition. Not only is the Tudor Pelagos a robust timepiece, it looks very masculine and fashionable as well. It definitely gives the likes of the Seamaster and Submariner a run for their money, and it is something that a new collector should seriously consider to add into his or her collection.
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award
A lume shot of the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award. Very pretty.
Omega had impressed us with a slew of novelties this year. Their new pieces this year, notably, were excellent: some of them include the stunning Globemaster, the Seamaster 300 SPECTRE Limited Edition, and the Speedmaster Skywalk X-33. Oh, and did we forgot to mention the alluring Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award?
The Snoopy first found itself on the Speedmaster in 2003, when Omega launched the first generation “Snoopy Speedmaster”. It was meant to commemorate the Snoopy Award that Omega had won in 1970, when the Speedmaster Moonwatch was used to time the critical 14-second Mid-Course Correction accurately. 12 years later, Omega decided to launch another ‘Snoopy Speedmaster”, although this one is a bit different. Omega used a white dial on this timepiece, and paired with a beautiful luminescence combination on both the indices and the bezel. Notably, the motif at the caseback is fitted with a Snoopy medallion in Sterling Silver, with its surroundings filled with enamel and sprinkled silver powder. The combination is amazing. A limited production of just 1970 pieces, we think that this is going to be yet another collectible Speedmaster in time to come.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar with Meteorite Dial
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar with Meteorite Dial. A nice dressy timepiece for a gentleman.
Next up, we have something that is literally out of this world: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar, fitted with a Meteorite Dial.
First off, we note that the Master Calendar is not an entirely new timepiece from JLC. This particular model has been around since 2012, but with a silvered dial. In this year’s SIHH, however, JLC had decided to use a Meteorite Dial. The dial was made from a block of meteorite that was discovered in Sweden, and it was supposedly from an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The result of this is amazing, and what makes it even more special is the fact that each and every dial is different in terms of its pattern and appearance.
We are definitely in love right now.
MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual
The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual.
Following the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar, we move up a few notches with a more complicated calendar watch. Cue the MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual.
The Legacy Machine Perpetual is one of the latest novelties from MB&F, and it is certainly the most complicated timepiece in the Legacy Machine repertoire. The previous few models, notably, are time-only pieces with a power reserve. But this time, MB&F decided to up the ante by producing a LM with a perpetual calendar complication. Interestingly, this particular perpetual calendar is a little different from the usual: it is completely devoid of a grand levier system. We have done a thorough write-up on this, and we highly recommend interested readers to find out more from there.
Aesthetically speaking, the LM Perpetual is a stunning timepiece. For some, it may be a little too cluttered, as they were more used to the plainer and cleaner designs of the previous LMs. But we love how Max Busser incorporated the subdials into the watch face, and filling up the big gaps on the watch face. Once again, we feel that this is yet another winner from MB&F, and we will certainly look forward to what Max has to offer for the subsequent LM variants. This watch has set the bar once again.
Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph
The Vacheron Constantin Single Button Chronograph. Elegant beyond, stylish. And remarkably well finished.
Last but not least, we look at Vacheron Constantin’s Harmony Chronograph. The Harmony series, consisting of 7 different variants, was launched earlier this year to celebrate the brand’s 260th Anniversary.
While there were several impressive creations in the collection, we took particular interest in the simpler Single Button Chronograph Caliber 3300. The Harmony Chronograph is “a contemporary incarnation of a 1928 Vacheron Constantin Chronograph”. It features several classic design cues, which includes a red pulsometer scale, as well as its dial layout and cushion case. It gives the watch a rather elegant and timeless feel. Very charming indeed.
On top of that, the finishing is exquisite. One fine example would be the special engravings on the balance cock and the winding rotors. These engravings are executed by master engravers, who not only display great skill in their works but also restraint in not over filling the surfaces with engraving. This keeps the filigree to an aesthetically pleasing level.
In short, the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph is an amazing timepiece in terms of its execution and aesthetics. The entire package is simply astounding, and every bits and pieces simply came together to create a dreamy symphony. Little wonder why Vacheron Constantin had decided to name the watch “Harmony”!
Afterthoughts
Well, not only have we come to an end to this week’s article, but it seems like we have come to an end to 2015 as well!
Of course, we do not expect everyone to agree with our selections today. Granted, we all have different preferences, but it is also pretty tough to select six watches out of the hundreds of new novelties this year. We have also, as mentioned, keep a diverse selection to ensure that watches of different price points or category are well represented (although admittedly, there are three chronographs in this article, oops!).
As usual, we hope that you have enjoyed this article. We also hope that 2015 had been a horologically enriching year for you all, and may 2016 brings you more wonderful watches to add into your collection! Till then, ciao!
