INTRODUCING: A watch for the opera – the Raymond Weil Parsifal
It goes without saying really, Raymond Weil have a penchant for the melodious methods. Releasing scores of limited-edition pieces that pay tribute to all things musical – from Gibson guitars and Marshall amps, to Aussie rockers AC/DC and Ol’ Blue Eyes, Mr Frank Sinatra. The latest note in their sonata of releases revisits a collection the family-owned Swiss-made brand first introduced in the early 1990s, taking you to the opera and drawing its inspiration and name from Richard Wagner’s famed oeuvre, Parsifal. Designed for the everyday, with just the right amount of dressy appeal, Raymond Weil’s latest sees the Parsifal collection’s key design elements refined with a contemporary touch, with its curved outlines and unique cross link bracelet updated subtly and reflecting the model’s recognisable aesthetic. As does the stainless-steel case with its characteristic gadroon bezel. For that classic two-tone look, the bezel is also available with a yellow gold PVD plating that is mirrored on the central links of the bracelet as well as on the inner crown guards and on the dial’s Roman numeral hour markers. An embellishing of blue lacquer on the crown then gives each version of the Parsifal a subtle pop of colour, which can…
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Editor’s note: The Octo is so hot right now, which is kind of odd considering that the design is decades old, and has been in Bulgari’s stable since 2010. And while much of the glory has (deservedly) been laid at the slender feet of the Octo Finissimo, the ‘regular’ Octo is no slouch in the looks department either. Just take this inky black and blood red stunner as an example … Bulgari has unveiled some of their latest collection in advance of Baselworld, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on a few key pieces. One model that particularly took our fancy was this crimson and black take on the Octo Ultranero. The changes on this latest version of the Octo are purely cosmetic — it’s still a 41mm black DLC-treated steel case rated to 100m, powered by Bulgari’s in-house BVL 193, mounted on a sporty black rubber strap — but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a different story to tell. The dial is black lacquer, polished to a gloss black finish. On top of this, Bulgari has added blood-red indices and hands to the mix. The result is impressively moody, adding a touch of drama to the typically stealthy Ultranero.…
There’s a lot of options in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Polaris collection. But I think this one might be my favourite, the Polaris Date. It’s a choice purists might find a little weird. After all, this is an uncomplicated watch, lacking either the classic alarm or the more impressive chronograph/world timer functionality. And while it’s not particularly complicated, it’s not entirely uncomplicated. I’m committing that most cardinal of watch nerd sins — opting for a watch with a date window. Really, though, I think the Polaris Date is the key piece in the Polaris collection. It’s got a lot going for it. First of all, the case is pretty awesome: 42mm across, and 13.1mm high places it in proper Goldilocks territory, and the finishes are, as you should expect from JLC, outstanding. And while the leather and rubber straps on offer are great, I think the new ‘H-link’ bracelet is great, and adds a dressy touch. Interestingly enough, even though we photographed this watch on the bracelet, it’s not offered on the bracelet as a standard option, and would have to be a special order – something worth considering If the case and bracelet are pretty great, I’m even more into the dial.…