Ladies, watch out! In 2019, as we have already seen with Breguet’s latest timepieces for women, many brands are catering to their female customers in a more mindful way, bringing out intriguing examples that both set fashionable accents and make bold statements in terms of sophisticated technology.
Here’s a selection of three stunning new daily wearers (that could well be unisex) from Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Carl F. Bucherer.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ladies’ Automatic Ref. 7118R-010: gold vibrancy
Baselworld is always the number-one event for Patek Philippe fans because here the venerable Swiss manufacture unveils the majority of its new timepieces each year. Prominently placed in Hall 1, Patek Philippe’s impressive booth is home to some of the most technically and artistically sophisticated introductions of the year.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ladies’ Automatic in gold
And should you visit Baselworld, don’t be surprised if you accidentally (literally) run into enthusiasts just standing in awe as they ogle the showcases full of the new larger-than-life masterpieces.
Here, fans excitedly discuss Patek Philippe’s annual refreshes of its classics, often keying in on new material choices, smaller/bigger case sizes and, of course, new dial colors. This annual trek is true for both male lovers of fine wristwatches and for aficionadas, for who the time-honored company has always offered much to cheer about.
Movement of the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ladies’ Automatic
This year, the Nautilus Ladies’ Automatic, a staple in luxury sports watches, takes center stage with five new automatic executions. I instantly fell for the pink gold Reference 7118R-010 thanks to its stunning color scheme. Forgoing the previous diamond-set bezel in lieu of smooth gold and employing a new golden-brown opaline dial with a new wave pattern, it offers a harmonious and well-proportioned look.
The vibrant, warm color choice reminds me of cinnamon powder – and beautifully highlights the characteristic horizontal waves gracing the dial.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ladies’ Automatic
Apart from the new color choice, the non–diamond-set bezel, and a new folding clasp with an integrated adjustment system, specifications such as luminous hour markers and hands and a water resistance of 60 meters remain the same.
The watch is powered by tried-and-tested Caliber 324 S C, whose top-notch decorations and massive gold rotor are viewable through the sapphire crystal case back.
For more information, please visit www.patek.com/en/collection/nautilus/7118-1R-010.
Quick Facts Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ladies’ Automatic Ref. 7118R-010
Case: 35.2 x 8.62 mm, pink gold
Movement: automatic Caliber 324 S C with Gyromax balance and Silinvar Spiromax balance spring, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency, power reserve 45 hours, Patek Philippe Seal
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Price: CHF 42,200/$47,629
Rolex Datejust 31: chronometric chic in a new color scheme
Rolex calls its iconic Datejust, first introduced in 1945, “the archetype of the classic watch thanks to functions and aesthetics that never go out of fashion.” And for watch lovers, nothing further needs to be said.
Rolex Datejust 31
The Rolex Datejust’s excellent reputation for more than 70 years can be chalked up to a formula for success comprising the robust Oyster case, chronometric precision, a classically simple design, and the signature date indication at 3 o’clock magnified by the Cyclops lens on the crystal, a Rolex invention from 1953.
Highly distinctive, the Datejust has been one of Rolex’s most recognizable timepieces and has ranked among the most sought-after timepieces on the market for over half a century.
For 2019, Rolex unleashed two new variants of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31, one featuring a two-tone case (which Rolex calls Rolesor) combining stainless steel and yellow gold paired with an olive green, sunray-finished dial with yellow gold hands and Roman numerals.
The Rolex Datejust 31’s most obvious dial detail
The Roman numeral VI sparkles with the brilliance of 11 brilliant-cut diamonds, while the brand’s crown logo is positioned at 12 o’clock as a visual counterpart to this distinctive luxurious accent.
This color scheme combining radiant yellow gold with the warm green hue adds a decidedly fresh zest to the proven classic. The cool look and feel of the watch are topped off by the iconic Datejust fluted bezel and echoed by the Jubilee bracelet’s three inner links crafted in yellow gold.
As an aside, the five-link bracelet was especially designed for the launch of the first Datejust back in 1945, which also introduced the fluted bezel. Rolex has updated both of these elements over the years, always managing to retain the original look.
As Rolex enthusiasts are undoubtedly aware, the brand’s philosophy has long focused on improving and perfecting every detail of the watch. This ongoing commitment is one reason for the overwhelming success and reputation Rolex enjoys worldwide.
Rolex Datejust 31 fluted bezel
The two-tone Oyster case, water resistant to 100 meters, has an appropriately sized diameter of 31 mm. The case marries the precious look of yellow gold with the resilience of steel. The Rolex-specific Oystersteel alloy, manufactured by the brand in house, belongs to the 904L steel family and is particularly resistant to corrosion.
The new versions of the Datejust 31 are equipped with automatic Caliber 2236 featuring signature Rolex inventions including the silicon Syloxi hairspring and a paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus escape wheel. The oscillator is fitted with the brand’s Paraflex shock protections, further increasing the movement’s shock resistance.
Like all Rolex watches, the Datejust 31 is adjusted to the Superlative Chronometer certification defined by Rolex in 2015. Applied to the fully assembled watch, it comprises a series of tests Rolex conducts in its own laboratories and guaranteeing particularly high performance in terms of precision, power reserve, and water resistance.
The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is in the order of −2 /+2 seconds per day, more than twice that required of an officially certified C.O.S.C. chronometer.
For more information, please visit www.rolex.com/watches/new-watches/new-datejust-31.
Quick Facts Rolex Datejust 31
Case: 31 x 11 mm, steel and yellow gold
Movement: automatic Caliber 2236, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency, power reserve 55 hours, Syloxi silicon hairspring, nickel-phosphorus escape wheel, Superlative Chronometer certificate, officially C.O.S.C. chronometer certified
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Price: $11,550
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ChronoDate: functionality meets luxury
All good things come in threes – a motto Carl F. Bucherer follows in 2019 with a beautiful trio of chronographs designed especially for ladies.
But their decidedly feminine looks belie the fact that the new Patravi ChronoDate models are serious mechanical chronographs, powered by Caliber CFB 1956 and boasting a particularly attractive large date variation.
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ChronoDate with pink mother-of-pearl dial
Also visible on the 44.6 mm men’s version of the Patravi ChronoDate, the framed indication is positioned just below the 12 o’clock mark, neatly integrated into the dial’s tricompax layout.
The Patravi ChronoDate is available in three new color schemes based around rose-colored, pale blue, and shimmering white mother-of-pearl dials upon which eight diamond-set hour markers provide luxuriously subtle accents.
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ChronoDate white
As a nod to the company’s heritage as a jeweler, the dials are framed by a bezel set with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds.
The tips of the hands are filled with Super-LumiNova for maximum legibility in suboptimal lighting conditions.
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ChronoDate in the pale blue color scheme
As to be expected from this top-notch Lucerne-based watch brand, the Patravi ChronoDate’s movement is finished to haute horlogerie standards, including decoration features like Geneva waves (côtes de Genève), beveled edges, and blued screws.
All of these details and more can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back. It is hard to decide which side offers more beautiful looks.
For more information, please visit www.carl-f-bucherer.com/en/novelties-2019.
Quick Facts Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ChronoDate
Case: 40 x 13.5 mm, stainless steel, 56 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1 ct)
Movement: automatic Caliber CFB 1956, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency, power reserve 42 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; large date, chronograph
Price: €8,400/CHF 8,900
Remark: each watch comes with two straps
You may also enjoy:
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Automatic: Women Now Served In The Round
2019 Rolex Datejust 36 Reference 126234: A Crowning Achievement In ‘Dating’
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I am surprised that the brands mentioned above think that the best watches for ladies are men watche resized, with shiny stones on it.
I wish the fantastic creativity of the 60s was back where shapes were far more adventurous.
The effort to make women specific design is small these days. Even tough the sales of ladies watches for the luxury brand are significant (obviously).
Chanel is the brand that comes to mind, where almost the opposite happened. Design a watch for ladies that eventually men started to want to have too.
Reine de Naples is another line of watches from Bréguet which is so elegant and fully feminine.
Side note: not many comment on posts about ladies watch. I wonder why.