New releases from Piaget, Urwerk, Grand Seiko and more

Pietro Pilla

This has been such an interesting week, especially for vintage lovers. The big news was Piaget’s reintroduction of the original Polo in the form of the Polo 79 to celebrate the Maison’s 150th anniversary. Grand Seiko is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 9R Spring Drive movement with two limited editions and Breitling has teamed up with Victoria Beckham on a Chronomat capsule collection, among other hot releases. Enjoy!

Grand Seiko SBGA497 “Pink Snowflake”

• Seiko first launched Spring Drive in 1999, but 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of Grand Seiko 9R Spring Drive.
• The SBGA497 celebrates this anniversary with a pink “Snowflake” dial inspired by the morning sun on the snowy surface of Mount Hotaka.
• This “Snowflake” meets “Shunbun” is a limited edition of 1,500 pieces.

Learn more about the Grand Seiko SBGA497 “Pink Snowflake” here.

Piaget Polo 79

• Piaget celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Maison and the 45th anniversary of the Polo with the new Polo 79.
• It largely retains the design cues of the original with subtle updates like an enlarged 38mm case and a mechanical movement instead of quartz.
• Boasting a 3N yellow gold case and weighing a hefty 200 grams, it costs A$120,000.

Learn more about the Piaget Polo 79 here.

Urwerk UR-100V Lightspeed

• Urwerk extends its collection with a model featuring a new complication inspired by the speed of light.
• The dial shows the eight different planets in our solar system and the time it takes for sunlight to reach them.
• Space, time and light are united in this watch and, as Martin Frei says, it is like wearing a piece of the universe on your wrist.

Learn more about the Urwerk UR-100V Lightspeed here.

Hermès Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des Saisons

• Hermès presents a quartet of timepieces inspired by the scarves designed by Pierre Marie in their Le Sacre des Saisons collection.
• The four dials feature different métiers d’art and the colour palettes gradually warm up as the seasons progress.
• Each season, housed in the Slim d’Hermès case designed by Philippe Delhotal, is a limited edition of 12.

Learn more about the Hermès Slim d’Hermès Le Sacre des Saisons here.

Zenith Chronomaster Sport Titanium

• Zenith follows up their strong slate of LVMH Watch Week 2024 releases with a titanium take on the Chronomaster Sport.
• This extra-sporty chronograph goes for a monochromatic look, with a titanium bezel, nickel grey dial and chronograph counters in anthracite, grey and silver.
• Available on either a titanium three-link bracelet or a black rubber strap, this might just tickle your itch for a titanium Rolex Daytona.

Learn more about the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Titanium here.

Grand Seiko SBGE305 “Hotaka Summer”

• The second limited edition celebrating the 20th anniversary of Grand Seiko 9R Spring Drive is this, the SBGE305 “Hotaka Summer”. 
• This fiery red Sport Collection GMT’s dial was inspired by the vivid sunrises that emerge over Mount Hotaka in summer.
• Like the “Pink Snowflake”, it too is a limited edition, this time of 1,300 pieces.

Learn more about the Grand Seiko SBGE305 “Hotaka Summer” here.

Formex x Worn & Wound Essence Sector 39 Chronometer

• Formex has teamed up with Worn & Wound for a fresh limited edition of the Essence 39.
• The three new sector dials have been designed with a mesh of vintage classicism and sci-fi edge.
• Paired with a COSC-certified SW200-1, it’s a real value proposition at US$1,590.

Learn more about the Formex x Worn & Wound Essence Sector 39 Chronometer here.

Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424

• The Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424 introduces a burgundy sunburst dial just in time for Valentine’s Day.
• Its 42mm case allows regular wrists to comfortably pull off a Panerai.
• Can Panerai keep up enough interest just by changing dial colours?

Learn more about the Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424 here.

Breitling x Victoria Beckham Chronomat 36 collection

• Victoria Beckham has collaborated with Breitling to bring her refined touch to a limited Chronomat 36 collection.
• The dial colourways are inspired by Beckham’s own Spring/Summer 2024 palette, including peppermint, midnight blue, dove grey and sand.
• Three steel models limited to 400 pcs. each, three yellow gold models limited to 100 pcs. each (1,500 total watches).

Learn more about the Breitling x Victoria Beckham Chronomat 36 collection here.

Christiaan van der Klaauw x Ace Jewelers stAriadne

• Christiaan van der Klaauw and Ace Jewelers join forces for a collaborative model proudly based in the Netherlands.
• The frosted grey dial features multiple apertures to show the full calendar complication, moon phase indication and chronograph counters.
• For the first time in the history of the Dutch brand, star indices (also known as ‘stelline’) are used.

Learn more about the Christiaan van der Klaauw x Ace Jewelers stAriadne here.

Namica Okami

• The Japanese company Namica publishes its second collection on Kickstarter after the success of the first.
• The Okami collection features an angular, almost futuristic case, available in hardened or DLC titanium.
• There is a choice of three dial options, which differ not only in colour but also in finishing techniques: brushed black, degraded purple and matte blue.

Learn more about the Namica Okami here.