It’s been a busy few weeks for us here at Horologii. After returning from our first Swiss-based watch event in what feels like a lifetime (thanks COVID), we have never been more excited for what’s to come. We have already reviewed many of the releases on our website here, but for those that want a full rundown of some of our favourite pieces from the event, here’s our list of the best Watches & Wonders 2022 releases…
IWC Big Pilots Top Gun 43
As one of our favourite ever Swiss watch brands, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing a piece from IWC Schaffhausen in our Best of Watches & Wonders 2022 rundown. The IWC Big Pilots Top Gun 43 topped the charts for us at the event, delivering for the first time a 43mm Big Pilots Top Gun watch with a stealthy all-black aesthetic designed in partnership with the TOP GUN flight school. The deep matte black ceramic case of the IWC Big Pilots 43 Top Gun IW329801 offers the scratch resistance and lightweight wear you’d expect from the Schaffhausen-based brand alongside a contrasting titanium crown and case back offering a 100 metre water resistance. Matching the black case is a black rubber strap with black textile inlay and a black dial set with Superluminova hands for classic time-only complication. Powering this is the IWC-manufactured 82100 calibre with a 60 hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800vph.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
One of the most unexpected releases at the 2022 Watches & Wonders event was that of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph. Utilising all the design language of the recently launched Aquaracer Professional 200 series, the design premier’s TAG Heuer’s first ever solar-powered movement. The TH50-00 calibre has been developed by La Joux-Perret for TAG Heuer and according to the brand, requires only a couple of minutes of light a day to give you a day of charge. With 20 hours in the sun, you’re good to go for a full six months. The movement is housed within a lightweight stainless steel case with a black PVD coating fitted with a unique carbon bezel. The bezel is stunning, dressed in organic ribbons of lume and a 60 minute scale. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph also features a black dial with white Superluminova hardware, a pastel blue-coloured seconds hand and a matching black rubber strap.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Skeleton
Last year, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF collection was widely targeted for suppling some of the best-looking luxury sports watches on the market. Now, the family expands with a new duo of Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Skeleton watches, one in stainless steel and a second in 18ct rose gold. Defining both are the breathtaking skeleton dials which expertly showcase the automatic movement working inside. From the top, you can admire the graphite-coloured bridges, hand-chamfered edges and elegant curving compositions of the Calibre PF777. The in-house automatic winding movement also impresses with a skeletonised 22k gold rotor viewable through the case back and a 60 hour power reserve. In keeping with the rest of the Tonda PF line, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Skeleton watches feature a slim 40mm case and integrated bracelet.
Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Salmon
Another must-have luxury sports watch launched at the Watches & Wonders 2022 event was the Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake. Alongside a Glacier Blue model, the brand released the Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Salmon which featured, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful, coloured dials we have seen. The centrepiece maintains the collection’s unique trapezoid motif with a stamped flinqué surface that produces a play of shadows across the dial but in a wonderful orange-pink hue created using a galvanic treatment. As if the front view wasn’t enough, through the case back of the Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Salmon watch, you can admire the architecture of the Calibre SXH5. The platinum 950 micro rotor and seven bridges will immediately capture your attention complimented by a 60 hour power reserve and 28 jewels. Protecting the movement is a 40.5mm stainless steel case opting for all the classic design codes of a steel sports watch including an integrated stainless steel bracelet with polished C-shaped middle links.
Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400
Next up in our run down of the best Watches & Wonders 2022 releases is the Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400. There’s something distinctively different about this design compared to anything we’ve seen before from the Swiss watch brand, but it’s hard to put your finger on exactly what that is. The design is distinctively Oris with the ProPilot’s unmissable coin-edged bezel and large knurled crown but the dynamic proportions and clean dial deliver a resolutely urban aesthetic. The 39mm cases are engineered from full titanium with domed sapphire crystal glass, a full titanium bracelet and a 100 metre water resistant rating and at the centre, a choice of three dials offer a streamlined, easy-to-read finish. Available in grey, blue or salmon pink, the dial features a subtle grained texture with needle-shaped hands dressed in black or white Superluminova. Powering the Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400 is the well-known Calibre 400 in-house movement offering an impressive 5 day power reserve, 10 year warranty and a chronometer-worthy level of precision.
Montblanc 1858 Automatic Iced Sea
Montblanc have launched a huge number of designs for the Watches & Wonders 2022 event, predominantly limited edition Minerva watches. One of the few permanent collections however is that of the Montblanc 1858 Automatic Iced Sea which takes inspiration from the frozen glacial lakes of the Mont Blanc Massif. The freezing ice formations of the lakes are represented on a range of lacquered dials in blue, green or black offering a unique backdrop to large Arabic numerals and Superluminova cathedral-shaped hands. As dive watches, the Montblanc 1858 Automatic Iced Sea watches boast impressive 300 metre water resistant cases sitting on the wrist at 41mm with a unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic insert, sapphire crystal glass and a screw down crown. Turning the case over reveals and a laser engraved image of a scuba diver in glacial waters with an iceberg. Finishing the new Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic watches is the MB 24.17 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve.
Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono Edicion Limitada
Another unexpected launch from Watches & Wonders 2022 was the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono Edicion Limitada watch, a limited edition of 250 pieces inspired by the world of cigars. Like previous Bell & Ross Edicion Limitada watches, the release opts for a rich gold case and warm brown dial delivered within a wooden box that converts into a humidor to fit up to 50 cigars. The case maintains all the familiar elements of the BR 05 collection with a 42mm cushion-shaped architecture and four screw bezel, the latter of which is engineered from 18ct rose gold. The rest of the case is finished in steel including the screw down crown and case back. At the centre, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono Edicion Limitada watch takes inspiration from the Maduro cigar and its brown wrapper and red and gold stripe detailing with a chocolate brown dial detailed with gold Arabic numerals and counters and red stopwatch hands. The design is completed by a choice of a brown rubber strap or a dual-toned steel and gold bracelet.
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition
For lovers of the green, the launch of the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition is going to be one of your best Watches & Wonders 2022 releases. Less than two months ago, TAG refreshed their Connected collection with the Connected Calibre E4 which offered a more streamlined design and a re-designed interface. Joining the series is now the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition boasting the same slender 45mm case in black DLC titanium but with a new host of golfing features. One of its key characteristics is the ball marker strap buckle which is fitted with a magnetic ball marker for putting. It easy pulls away and clips back with ease meaning you don’t have to carry one with you around the course. The golfing smartwatch also features swing detection, new map technology and a driving range feature which together allow you to monitor your progress and come up with new strategies. There’s also a new watch face designed with the dimples of a golf ball to match that of the white leather dimpled strap.
NOMOS Tangente Neomatik Platinum Grey
Last but not least on our list of the best Watches & Wonders 2022 releases is a design from Glashutte watch manufacturer NOMOS. The NOMOS Tangente Neomatik Platinum Grey delivers the overly contemporary and minimalistic finish of previous Tangente watches but with a new dial colour and in-house movement. The stainless steel case is still incredibly slender with an almost invisible bezel and angled lugs available in 35mm or 39mm. The centrepiece is plated with rhodium which provides a striking grey hue with a shimmering effect. To match, the same shade extends out onto the snailed small seconds counter and rhodium plated hands. Powering these functions is brand’s in-house automatic movement, the thin calibre DUW 3001. It features a 43 hour power reserve, a NOMOS swing system and is decorated with stunning blue screws and gold lettering. The NOMOS Tangente Neomatik Platinum Grey can be ordered with a closed or exhibition case back depending on whether you want to be able to witness this decoration for yourself.
If you’d like to learn more about the best Watches & Wonders 2022 releases mentioned here and shop the entire case for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
