New releases from Arnold & Son, Hermès, AVI-8 and more

Pietro Pilla

Merry Christmas! With the Lunar New Year coming closer and closer, we have many more releases paying tribute to the upcoming Year of the Dragon. To celebrate it, brands are making a great effort in métiers d’arts and handmade techniques, creating authentic works of art. Nearing the end of the year also means a reduction in the number of watches being released, but this week’s selection will not disappoint. Happy reading and happy holidays!

IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Ceratanium

• Unexpectedly, IWC has collaborated with DC on two watches inspired by prop watches for the ‘Aquaman’ sequel, ‘Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom’.
• The very stealthy appearance of the Ceratanium cases and tone-on-tone dials is brightened up by vivid red or blue accents.
• While the prop watches worn by the villains Black Manta and Dr. Stephen Shin are time-only and glow, these production models are perpetual calendars with digital date and month displays, illuminated by Super-LumiNova.

Learn more about the IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Ceratanium here.

Spinnaker Hull Pearl Diver

• The Spinnaker Hull Pearl Diver isn’t afraid to make a big watch pretty, sporting mother-of-pearl dials.
• Its three colours include twilight blue, emerald green, and frost white (which almost doubles as a rainbow).
• It’s a limited edition of 750 pieces – 250 for each colour – and is powered by the Seiko NH35.

Learn more about the Spinnaker Hull Pearl Diver here.

Arnold & Son Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon”

• Arnold & Son releases a special edition of their Luna Magna, featuring a spectacular 12mm spherical moon with a sculpted red gold dragon guarding it.
• It’s available either with a moon crafted from polished red gold and pietersite or red gold and black onyx, with stone-matched dials.
• This is a limited edition of only eight pieces per variant, 8 being the luckiest Chinese number.

Learn more about the Arnold & Son Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon” here.

Bernhard Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer ‘InVerto’

• The Central Impulse Chronometer receives a radical change that positions the movement as the star of the show, visible even from the sides of the sapphire case.
• The design is based on the model presented by Bernard Lederer for OnlyWatch 2023, which has now postponed.
• The movement excels in functional design with its symmetrical layout of components – just look at the two independent barrels and gear trains, each equipped with a 10-second remontoire!

Learn more about the Bernhard Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer ‘InVerto’ here.

Hermès Arceau Costume de Fête

• These latest Arceau watches, with their brand-iconic stirrup-inspired lugs, feature colourful dials inspired by a silk scarf designed by Polish artist Jan Batjlik.
• The dials exemplify the craftsmanship of Hermès’ artisans, using leather marquetry, miniature painting and sequin art.
• The calfskin straps are perfectly colour-matched to the base colours of each respective model’s dial.

Learn more about the Hermès Arceau Costume de Fête here.

Corum Bubble 47 Dragon

• The original Bubble from 2000 is used as the base for celebrating the Chinese New Year with two dial variants in 47 mm cases.
• The 8 mm thick sapphire dial acts as a magnifying glass for the gold dragon and the dragon’s eye that characterise these two models.
• This is a limited edition of 88 each, both featuring stainless steel cases with black PVD treatments combined with integrated black rubber straps.

Learn more about the Corum 47 Dragon here.

AVI-8 Flyboy Sector 40 Meca-Quartz Limited Edition

• AVI-8 releases two limited editions of aviation-inspired watches, available either in Deep Blue or Slate Gray.
• This is the brand’s first collaboration with SHW, the largest wristwatch YouTube channel for Korean-speaking watch enthusiasts.
• This limited edition of 200 in each colour is sold on a colour-matched NATO strap to emphasise the utilitarian nature of these timepieces.

Learn more about the AVI-8 Flyboy Sector 40 Meca-Quartz Limited Edition here.

ArtyA Curvy Purity Tourbillon Bicolor Yellow & Purple

• ArtyA is famous for its use of coloured sapphires in its watches, and in this latest addition to the Purity Tourbillon Collection, it has really pushed the boundaries with a dual-coloured case.
• The tonneau-shaped case is made from a single block of sapphire with one yellow and one purple side merging in the centre.
• The sapphire case allows us to have a look at the movement weighing only 9 grams from every possible angle.

Learn more about the ArtyA Curvy Purity Tourbillon Bicolor Yellow & Purple here.

Frédérique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC 39mm

• Two new dial colours expand the Highlife Collection in a more compact 39 mm case with time and date complications.
• The dark blue and dark green dials are engraved with a globe motif, like all their siblings, and feature a red chronometer indication in the lower half of the dial.
• This more compact case, together with the 100-metre water resistance, makes it a strong contender for an excellent everyday watch.

Learn more about the Frédérique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC 39mm here.

Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound Chronomaster Valjoux 72 V2

• These two Nivada Grenchen watches are the last Worn & Wound limited-edition collaborations for 2023.
• 15 Valjoux 72-powered Chronomasters are up for grabs for US$6,900.
• 150 Datomasters are available for US$499.

Learn more about the Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound Chronomaster Valjoux 72 V2 here.