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Timepieces

Timepieces
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Timepieces. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Shoppers queue outside a Dior boutique on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, in 2024. The luxury market has cooled down recently, but is predicted to make a comeback by 2030. Photo: Jelly Tse
Luxury brands

Self-expression, experiences, resale: what luxury clients really want

A new McKinsey and Business of Fashion report reveals how aspirational spending, emotional connection and experience are reshaping the luxury sector.

Charles Leclerc

Formula One’s Charles Leclerc and 4 of his most expensive watches

Style Edit

Style Edit: 7 new sporty Solargraph timepieces from Tag Heuer to watch

Luxury brands

Why tantalum is the ‘final boss’ of watchmaking materials

Notoriously difficult to work with, the blue-grey metal is nevertheless appealing to independent horologists like H. Moser & Cie, Atelier Wen, Fleming and Ming.

Atelier Wen Inflection with fumé enamel green dial and hand-hammered silver dial base. Photo: Handout
Rolex

Rolex celebrates 100 years of the Oyster, its first waterproof wristwatch

‘Oyster Story’ traces the history of the brand’s first waterproof wristwatch, from Mercedes Gleitze’s English Channel ‘vindication swim’ to modern horological marvels.

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Style Edit: Hublot unveils new boutique at The Venetian Macao

To mark the occasion, Hublot is also introducing the Big Bang Ceramic Carbon timepiece – exclusively available in Greater China.

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Style Edit: Chanel opens temporary IFC salons for fashion, watches and sparkle

While Chanel renovates its Landmark Prince’s flagship store, the temporary IFC Mall boutiques present the house’s full range in a VIP‑ready setting.

Ready-to-wear on display in Chanel IFC – one of two temporary boutiques presenting the house’s full range while the maison renovates its Landmark Prince’s flagship store. Photo: Handout
Luxury brands

May’s hottest watch moments and major new releases

An unlikely pocket watch tie-up went viral, Kevin Hart dazzled with luxury watches at his Netflix roast, and Omega released a James Bond special.

Luxury brands

Why white ceramic watches are such a bold fashion choice

The bold watches are challenging to work with and even seen as ‘offensive’ by some … so why do brands like Omega, Cartier and IWC Schaffhausen seem to love them? Chris Rovzar finds out.

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Style Edit: Rolex powers tennis’ history-makers at the 125th French Open

The tournament at Roland-Garros features 3 of last year’s singles finalists: Rolex Testimonees Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka.

Coco Gauff of the US holds the French Open women’s singles trophy in June 2025. Photo: Handout
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Style Edit: Chanel’s fireside chat to discuss all things time – and the J12

Chanel brought together director Juno Mak, architect Betty Ng, and Olympic swimmer Siobhan Haughey for an intimate fireside chat last month.

From left to right: Siobhan Haughey, Juno Mak, Betty Ng and moderator and Monocle editorial director Tyler Brûlé at the Chanel J12 x Monocle On Time event at Duddell’s Hong Kong, in April. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: Omega’s two-hand Constellation Observatory rewrites history

The new models, in a range of gold and steel alloys, are the first watches to attain Master Chronometer certification without a seconds hand.

Fashion

‘People got crazy’: Swatch’s US$400 Royal Pop watch and drop-culture madness

After the Audemars Piguet x Swatch watch launched to ‘mosh pit’ vibes from Europe to Asia, buyers are being assured there’s no shortage.

videocam
Style Edit

Style Edit: Swatch and Audemars Piguet unveil Royal Pop pocket watches

The 2 iconic Swiss brands collaborated on these brash watches-on-a-lanyard, which are multicoloured mash-ups of the Royal Oak and Pop collections.

The Royal Pop Swatch and Audemars Piguet collaboration firmly focuses on fun. Photo: Handout
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Style Edit: Hermès’ revamped Elements store is a cosmology-inspired escape

The maison’s revamped boutique in West Kowloon layers phoenix-inspired ceramics, stylish salons and curated art into a calm, fable-inspired setting.

A phoenix feather-inspired facade graces the outside of Hermès’ Elements store in West Kowloon, Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
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Style Edit: Christie’s Hong Kong Luxury Week features a jadeite masterpiece

The week of sales coincides with the house’s 40th anniversary in the region and puts stand-out wines, handbags and watches in the spotlight.

Hong Kong economy

Scalpers list Swatch-Audemars Piguet watches hours after launch in Hong Kong

Dozens braved rain and queued for days to snap up ceramic pocket watches, with resale prices nearly seven times their retail value.

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Style Edit: Richard Mille’s pared-back powerhouse, RM 55-01 Manual Winding

All 3 versions of the new watch – in black Carbon TPT, and in grey or white Quartz TPT – are masterpieces of minimalism.

The new Richard Mille RM 55-01 Manual Winding comes in three colours including in White Quartz TPT. Photo: Handout
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Style Edit: Emmanuel Perrin, Panerai CEO, on its watches’ maritime heritage

The brand has long worked with the Italian Navy – resulting in ‘big, tough, functional watches’ that appeal to Sylvester Stallone and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

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Style Edit: Vacheron Constantin unveils 2 new Overseas marvels

The Dual Time Cardinal Points and Self-Winding Ultra-Thin blend Swiss craftsmanship and mechanical refinement to redefine luxury travel timepieces.

Watches and Wonders

5 watch moments in April and May 2026 – from the Met Gala to a shocking theft

Timothée Chalamet joins Urban Jürgensen, Connor Storrie and Colman Domingo wear Omega at the Met Gala, and Watches and Wonders returns.

From left: Watches and Wonders 2026; Cleguer Inspiration One; Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie wearing Omega at the Met Gala. Photos: Handout, Reuters
Luxury brands

Is Swatch teasing a Royal Oak collaboration with Audemars Piguet?

The cryptic “Royal” ad, featuring the same font Audemars Piguet uses on its iconic model, has sparked speculation among collectors and watch enthusiasts.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar John Mayer Limited Edition timepiece. Photo: Getty Images
Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton unveils Mythica high jewellery collection in Marrakech

Stars including Ana de Armas, Léa Seydoux, Alicia Vikander and Shin Min-a were at the unveiling of the 110-piece line, arranged across 11 chapters.

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Style Edit: Bulgari updates its Octo Finissimo and Serpenti models for 2026

At Watches and Wonders, Bulgari introduced smaller Octo Finissimos and a limited edition of the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon Platinum, among other stand-outs.

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Style Edit: Hermès revealed craft and theatre in motion at Watches and Wonders

Hermès’ releases in Geneva – from skeleton watches to a design featuring a roaring lion rendered in wood – showcase mechanical beauty and depth of expression.

At Watches and Wonders 2026, dazzling Hermès watches were complemented by the wonder of Jean-Simon Roch’s Mysterious Mechanisms installation, which combined elements of stage design and kinetic sculpture. Photo: Handout
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Style Edit: Cartier reshapes 5 of its most storied watch collections

This year, the house has reinvented the Privé Crash, Santos de Cartier, Baignoire and Myst de Cartier, and has brought back the Roadster.

Anatomy of a Crash: a view of the components that go into the new Cartier Privé Crash in platinum. Photo: Handout
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Style Edit: Audemars Piguet launches a new atelier at Watches and Wonders 2026

At the annual Geneva event, the maison announced the Atelier des Établisseurs to preserve traditional watchmaking skills, and also released 3 distinctive new models.

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Style Edit: Chanel’s watch and jewellery releases, from J12 to a chessboard

Chanel’s president of watches and fine jewellery, Frédéric Grangié, discusses the Nœud de Camélia watch, Chanel Coco Game collection and more.

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