Now into its eighth edition, the event is set to be the most extensive in its history.
Art of Time makes its return this year starting Oct 12 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, marking Swiss Watch’s two incredible decades in haute horlogerie in Malaysia. Themed “Defining Moment”, the highly anticipated event headlined by 18 watchmakers features a unique partnership with five leading Malaysian talents. Here are some watches to look out for.
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
IWC Schaffhausen has expanded its Top Gun collection with two new models. First introduced in 2007, the Top Gun range has championed technical prowess and performance-oriented design. Joining the ranks of the Lake Tahoe and Woodland editions in white and green ceramic are pieces in Ceratanium and black ceramic.
First used in the IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun in 2019, Ceratanium is lightweight, and has a high scratch resistance and a unique black-matte colour dubbed by IWC and Pantone as “IWC Ceratanium”. The special manufacturing process is the reason for this unique shade that is dark and lightly metallic. This innovative metal is now making a comeback with the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Ceratanium — the first in the collection to use this black material for the case, pushers and crown. Powered by IWC-manufactured calibre 69385, this all-black watch features subdued white print and luminescence for visibility.
The other new addition to the collection is the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Top Gun in black zirconium oxide ceramic. Available in 43mm for the first time in the range, the zirconium oxide ceramic case is black — according to Pantone, “IWC Jet Black” — and paired with a titanium caseback and matching black dial and hands. Fitted with the IWC-manufactured 82100 calibre movement, the timepiece is safe from the effects of magnetic fields and a sudden drop in air pressure because of its soft-iron inner case and secure front glass respectively. Completing this Big Pilot is a green textile strap.
LONGINES
Over the years and through various guises, Longines has ceaselessly striven to combine its quest for precision with an aesthetic standard that still underpins its identity. Indeed, the history of the brand, whose logo is the infinitely recognisable winged hourglass, is punctuated by technical and aesthetic advancements that reflect the ambitions of Longines’ founders: to dare to be avant-garde, achieve excellence and make innovation a continuous quest — aspirations that shape the company’s legacy to this day.
The Master collection best represents Longines’ rich heritage, and is endowed this year with three stunning new models to celebrate the maison’s 190th anniversary. Combining classic elegance and excellence, these new timepieces stand out aesthetically through their meticulous workmanship and the special care lavished on every detail. Atop grained anthracite, brushed grey and sandblasted silver dials — each meticulously finished — are delicately engraved Arabic numerals in metals to match its case: stainless steel, red gold or yellow gold. Elegant pink, gilt or blued steel hands mark the passing hours, minutes and seconds, highlighting the dials’ refi ned purity.
The generously proportioned 40mm case houses an exclusive Longines calibre with a silicon balance-spring, guaranteeing high precision. The painstakingly crafted movement can be admired through the transparent caseback, which also manages to fi t in a commemorative engraving to fete the occasion. A soft, anthracite grey leather strap completes the look of this elegant, refined timepiece. While the stainless-steel models of this watch are not produced in limited quantities, the red gold and yellow gold models are — there are just 190 of each, marking Longines’ 190 years.
PANERAI
Committed to developing strategies for a sustainable future, Panerai strives to go above and beyond to reduce its impact on the environment. Reducing waste and promoting the reuse of materials are just some of the ways the watch house hopes to work towards a better future. One of its groundbreaking innovations is eSteel™ — made from 95% recycled steel, it still has all of the conventional properties of regular steel while being highly resistant to corrosion, and is hypoallergenic, lightweight and strong.
The latest Panerai collection to get an eSteel™ makeover is the sporty diver’s companion, the Submersible QuarantaQuattro. An impressive 72g (of a total 137g) of this timepiece is made from recycled materials, which translates into 52% of the entire watch being sustainable. The material’s name, eSteel™, is inscribed on the dial as well as engraved on the crown protection device.
The Submersible QuarantaQuattro eSteel’s eco-friendly nature is not limited to the case, but also the two straps that come with the watch — one is a fabric strap made from recycled PET and the other is crafted from recycled rubber. A handy tool is included to easily switch between each option. This hardy model, which is water resistant to 300m, comes in three variants: Blu Profondo, Grigio Roccia and Verde Smeraldo.
The eSteel™ diver’s watch is powered by the P.900, an automatic calibre with a three-day power reserve that also supports a date indication. The dial has a polished finish and colour gradient, but an additional special feature — which is a first for Panerai in more ways than one — is a unidirectional bezel in ceramic with a high-gloss surface.
TUDOR
The history of Tudor’s diving watches dates back to 1954, which marks the launch of the reference 7922. The Black Bay line is the result of a subtle blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary watchmaking, featuring dials inspired by Tudor’s diving watches produced over the last 60 years. Each edition is updated with unique characteristics, underscoring the watchmaker’s dedication to excellence and innovation.
The Black Bay’s new iterations for this year are presented in steel and yellow gold. Available in four sizes — 31mm, 36mm, 39mm and 41mm — the satin-brushed and polished curved cases are accentuated with a yellow gold bezel and crown, highlighting the brand’s ability to embrace versatility and sophistication. If one is looking for a touch of glitz and glamour, there is an option of a diamond-set bezel that is sure to enhance the wrist, owing to sparkles from the watch.
The COSC-certified watches are powered by manufacture Calibres MT5201 (31 mm), MT5400 (36 mm), MT5602 (39 mm) and MT5601 (41 mm). Designed to ensure robustness, reliability and precision, the power reserve of the large and medium-sized calibres can last up to 70 hours. It is also waterproof up to 100m (or 330ft).
The Black Bay collection features the signature “Snowflake” hands as well as indices covered in Super-LumiNova, set against a black, silver or champagne dial to ensure legibility in the day and night. Another element that makes this range outstanding is the five-link bracelet in 316L steel and yellow gold connected to the case. Completing the strap is a robust clasp with Tudor’s “T-fit” rapid adjustment for length, which requires no tools to adjust between five positions.
Defining Moment by Art of Time 2022 is presented by Swiss Watch and will run from October 12 to 23 (10am-10pm) at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Centre Court. See here for more.
This article first appeared on Oct 10, 2022 in Art of Time by Swiss Watch.
