More exciting watch news arrives from this year’s Basel World. Following the announcement of a two-tone Sea-Dweller, Rolex has unveiled a special take on its white gold GMT-Master II “Pepsi” (Ref. 126719 BLRO).
Maintaining its white gold construction, blue and red Cerachrom bezel, and Oyster bracelet, the new “Meteorite” GMT-Master II is still powered by the updated COSC-certified automatic caliber 3285 movement, but its dial receives a completely different finish. This time around, the dial is made from a meteorite — no word on if the material was taken from the Gibeon Meteorite like the past issued Daytona — and displays a unique splintered effect due to the iron and nickel composition of the meteorite.
No word yet on availability, but we can only guess that this version will also be highly limited. The retail price is set at CHF 36,600 (approximately $36,800 USD).
In 1979, Martin Sheen wore the original Seiko 6105-8110/9 during his portrayal of Captain Willard in the movie sensation Apocalyspe Now, the film also featured legendary actor Marlon Brando. Ever since then, the watch earned the nickname “Captain Willard”, and has become one of the most iconic dive watches ever. Realizing its popularity over the last four decades, Seiko has finally unveiled a modern version of the “Captain Willard:” the Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition SLA033.
While the new SLA033 measures at 45mm, just slightly larger than its predecessor (44mm), it is nonetheless a faithful adaptation of the legendary original. The crown on the new model is also iconically located at 4 o’clock position and sits tightly between bulky crown guards, while the design of the bezel and dial remains largely unchanged. The water resistance has been increased to 200 meters from the original 150 meters, with the case incorporating a super-hard coating. The dial is protected by a dual-curved sapphire crystal, finished with an anti-reflective coating. Of course, with four decades on the last model, the movement has now been upgraded with a 8L35 automatic caliber movement. The watch also holds a power reserve of 50 hours, and will be hand-assembled by Seiko in Japan — limited to only 2,500 units.
The Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition SLA033 will be available some time in July and will retail for $4,250 USD.
Following the footsteps of Rolex with its new two-tone Sea-Dweller, Tudor has just unveiled its two-tone Black Bay Chrono S&G. Departing from its previous models, the new Chrono S&G features a gold bezel, crown, and pushers on the exterior, with two gold sub-dials and various gold highlights and lettering on the black dial itself. The bezel in particular receives a significant makeover, going from a full steel version (2017) to a gold bezel with a black anodized aluminium insert.
The case measures in at 41mm, holding in its heart a chronometer-certified MT5813 automatic chronograph movement that Tudor developed in partnership with Breitling. The movement holds a power reserve of roughly 70 hours, and can reach depths of 200 meters, or 660 feet. The timepiece comes in three strap options: a gold and steel bracelet, a black 19th-century Jacquard loom-woven fabric strap, or a brown aged-leather strap with a removable bund reminiscent of racing watches from the ’70s.
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G does not have a release date yet, but prices will range from $6,800 USD for the two-tone bracelet to $5,600 USD for the leather or fabric strap.
At this year’s Baselworld watch convention, TAG Heuer turned heritage on its head, showcasing a revamped lineup of its classic Autavia timepieces. The Swiss watchmaker originally debuted the Autavia in the ’60s, and the new models retain the initial designs’ reliable sturdiness and versatility.
The LVMH-owned watchmaker introduced over a half-dozen new iterations of the Autavia, retaining the carbon-composite hairspring technology that makes each watch an Isograph. Familiar touches include Calibre 5 movement, highly legible faces, smoked dials and easy-swap designs that allow the wearer to switch out straps by using simple push buttons on the underside of the case.
Available in several forms, the stainless steel 42mm version is directly inspired by the rounded first-gen Autavia case. The utilitarian timepiece is offered with either leather straps or stainless steel bracelets; the latter option also comes with a NATO strap. Meanwhile, the discerning collector is offered two bronze watches for a more sophisticated look.
Expect TAG Heuer retailers to stock up on the new Autavia watches later this year, with prices ranging from $3,600 USD for brown leather strap models to $4,300 USD for the bronze calfskin-strapped editions.
Those that missed out on the now-impossible to buy 126710 BLRO “Pepsi” GMT Master II, will be delighted to learn that Rolex is releasing an updated version to its popular 116710 BLNR “Batman” GMT Master II. While many questioned Rolex’s decision to release one of its most sought after models paired with a Jubilee bracelet, watch enthusiasts are speculating that the updated “Batman” will eventually grow on them, much like the 26710 BLRO did, after being seen in person.
On top of the bracelet, the updated Batman receives Rolex’s new caliber 3285 movement — a movement that promises accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day, and has a power reserve of 70 hours. Those with the earlier version might want to hang on to theirs as with the announcement of this new model comes the discontinuation of the 116710 BLNR and the all-black 116710LN version.
Those lucky enough to reserve this new watch can expect to pay CHF 8,800 ($8,850 USD) for retail, while the rest of us will most likely be paying a hefty premium. Check back soon for more Basel World 2019 news.
Rolex has just unveiled its newest two-tone Sea-Dweller, bringing for the first time 18K yellow gold into the Sea-Dweller collection. Combined with classic Oystersteel, the Rolesor version of the Sea-Dweller is a perfect blend of function and form, diving down to more than a kilometer under the sea.
Built with a 43mm Oyster case that was crafted from a solid block of corrosion-resistant Oystersteel, the two-tone timepiece features a unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute graduated black insert made from Cerachrom, a special ceramic material developed by Rolex, which is virtually scratch-proof and unaffected by ultraviolet rays. With a matching black dial, the inscription “Sea-Dweller” is painted in yellow to mirror the new inclusion of 18K gold around the watch. The crown is fitted with a Triplock waterproof system, which when coupled with Rolex’s unique and patented helium escape valve, allows this diving watch to reach depths of 1,220 meters. The crystal is made from scratch-proof sapphire, keeping the watch face clear and perfectly intact even in the harshest of environments. At the heart of the watch, the two-tone Sea-Dweller sees a newly-developed Perpetual Calibre 3235 movement, capable of holding a power reserve of 70 hours.
For the wealthy few who love to dive deep, the Rolex 18K Rolesor Sea-Dweller will sell for $16,050 USD later this year.
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