(^1) BLANCPAIN
Fifty Fathoms Barakuda
This is a masterclass in vintage-
inspired 2019 re-issues. The Fifty
Fathoms Barakuda pays tribute
to the series that’s become the
brand’s trademark since it was first
introduced in 1953, setting the tone
for dive watch designs ever since.
It’s the spitting image of the old
one, complete with faux-aged lume
(thankfully it isn’t radioactive) and
powered by the bejewelled Caliber
- At 40mm, it’s smaller than
the original, but that only goes to
enhance its sartorial appeal.
(^2) PANERAI
Submersible Chrono Guillaume
Néry Edition
Inspired by the adventures of
French freediver Guillaume Néry,
Panerai’s new Submersible model
comes in titanium (pictured) and
black DLC versions, the latter
being limited to just 15 pieces.
Both feature the brand’s in-house
chronograph movement, rubber
straps and are water-resistant up
to 300m. But it’s the DLC version
that’ll get you a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to go freediving with
the champ himself, in the exotic
waters of French Polynesia.
Knowing how to swim is, of
course, a prerequisite.
(^3) JAQUET DROZ
Magic Lotus Automaton
Is it a watch? A sculpture? A
testament to the relevance of
handcrafted artisanal luxury in
an increasingly automated age?
These questions crop up every
time we encounter a Jaquet Droz
timepiece, and are once again
prompted this year by the Magic
Lotus Automaton, and those
miniaturised three-dimensional
animations that are the brand’s
stock-in-trade. The watch takes its
inspiration from life in a lake, the
highlight being a hand-painted koi
carp that moves its tail and dips
under the lotus leaves. Each dial
has taken 210 man-hours to be
made, with enough detail to keep
you enraptured for hours.
(^4) OMEGA
Seamaster Aqua Terra
Worldtimer
Platinum case, gold markers,
laser-blasted enamel world map –
there isn’t a whole lot we don’t love
about this Seamaster. Available
in stainless steel or Omega’s
patented sedna gold, the 2019
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THE TOP BILLED
HOROLOGICAL
STARS OF 2019
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