Seiko’s highest division of watches, Grand Seiko (GS), has just released a new watch that celebrates the Nissan GT-R’s 50th anniversary. Matching the Japanese supercar’s high level of detail and performance, the SBGC229 uses this half-century celebration to also mark Seikos 20th anniversary for its Spring Drive technology found in its movements.
Details like a blue ceramic case and rich white dial directly reflect the Nissan GT-R 50th anniversary model — ultimately acting as a nod towards to original Skyline 2000 GT-R “Bayside Blue.” Other traits include a white crocodile strap, a GT-R anniversary emblem in 18k yellow gold set into the oscillating weight, titanium inner-case construction, and a GS-stamped crown.
In terms of timekeeping, the watch boasts Seikos incredible accuracy of ±0.5 seconds per day, a power reserve of 72 hours, a power reserve indicator, magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m, a GMT function, and a chronograph function. Those interested in the commemorative Grand Seiko x Nissan GT-R’s 50th Anniversary SBGC229 watch can send a request over at the GS web store where it is priced at $21,000 USD. Act fast as there are only 200 units worldwide.
Omega has just released its latest Seamaster, a watch which helped set the new world record for the deepest dive in history. Over the course of April and May this year, the Five Deeps Expedition Team and adventurer Victor Vescovo carried out a 12-hour mission to the bottom of the Eastern Pool of Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench — the deepest known point on our planet. With his Deep Submergence Vehicle Limiting Factor, Vescovo dove singlehandedly down 10,980 meters (or 35,853 feet) into the ocean floor, breaking the previous world record, but he wasn’t alone — strapped to the arm of his DSV was Omega’s Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional.
At 28mm thick, the watch was constructed with Grade 5 titanium sourced from cutoffs from Vescovo’s own Triton submersible. Apart from the materials used, the design of the watch was also inspired by deep sea submersibles. One major point of issue was whether the sapphire-to-case assembly could withstand the extreme pressure, and Omega found a solution by mimicking the design of loadbearing conical viewports on the DSVs. The lugs of the watch were also left open — called Manta lugs as they resemble the stingrays — to lower the risk of exceeding material limitations at insane depths. Once built, the Seamaster was taken to Triton’s testing facilities where it performed exceedingly well, withstanding pressures from depths of a whopping 15,000 meters.
For the more adventurous out there, head over to Omega’s site to learn more about the mission, the watch, and how you might get your hands on one.
A rare 1947 Patek Philippe ref 1518 sold for £332,313 GBP (approx. $422,000 USD) at Bonhams‘ best-ever Fine Wristwatches sale. The combined sales totaled over £2.6M GBP (approx. $3.3M USD) and saw pieces such as the yellow gold iteration of the aforementioned Patek Philippe, which was one of the rarest pieces the watchmaker had ever made.
The watch in question was owned by the same family since it was bought in 1948. It featured a white dial finished with gold hands and numbers, a black tachymeter display, two day and month windows, three subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes register and a signature phases of the moon and date display.
Other notable sales at the Bonhams Fine Wristwatches auction include a large gold Patek Philippe dating back to 1952 which sold for £187,563 (approx. $238,000 USD), as well as a “box fresh” 2008 Patek 5970P that was never worn, achieving £100,063 GBP (approx. $127,000 USD).
Patek Philippe lead the auction with six watches in the top ten lots, however, other pieces such as a Rolex Submariner, Rolex Sea-Dweller and a Cartier Baignoire Oval Maxi also achieved big figures. The Cartier was a rare sight for the auction house and sold for £65,063 GBP (approx. $82,000 USD). It was handmade in London in a limited-run in 1968 and was made from 18K gold. Take a look at all the rare timepieces in the gallery above.
Gucci‘s latest campaign spotlights its upcoming timepiece collection for this season in a typically eclectic and retro-themed photo series.
The campaign centers on the handshake to show off each watch and was shot by Ari Marcopoulos — who has worked with Gucci before and photographed the artwork for Jay Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail album — and was directed by Alessandro Michele.
The imagery captures a political campaigner meeting and greeting a diverse range of Gucci-clad characters in a bid to debunk the images of power. Showcased in the campaign are two different watches — the Grip and the G-Timeless automatic.
Gucci’s Grip watch draws its inspiration from the skateboarding scene in the 1970s, referencing the way sneakers stick to the grip tape on a skateboard. The genderless Grip watch features three windows to show the hour, minute and date and is designed to be interchangeable. One design sees a yellow gold PVD case and a matching “GG” engraved strap, whereas another features a steel case and an interchangeable green alligator strap.
G-Timeless automatics are crafted from steel and include a black onyx stone dial with bees decorating the face all around. The standout offering from this collection is the steel case G-Timeless automatic with an 18kt yellow gold buckle, blue lapiz stone dial with bees and an interchangeable blue lizard strap.
Take a look at the campaign imagery in the gallery above and pick up the watches in Gucci boutiques and select stores when they drop in September.
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