Given the magic of watches is that they’re the tiniest mechanical machines, why hide the clever bits behind a blank dial or bland exterior?
Two brands that have raised exposure of the mechanics to a high level are Hublot and Richard Mille, and both have fresh offerings to tempt enthusiasts.
HUBLOT BIG BANG UNICO GMT
In Hublot’s case the new Big Bang Unico GMT manages to be complicated and simple at the same time, with the GMT function incorporating a patented module that enables changing from one time zone to another at the push of a button.
Local time is displayed via the conventional main hand of the watch while home time is indicated using a second arrow-shaped hour hand, which operates in tandem with a day/night indicator disc and is set using the crown.
An in-house self-winding movement with 72-hours power reserve drives things.
Whether travelling – or stuck at home – the 45mm watch, cased in your choice of polished titanium or carbon fibre, has the kind of looks guaranteed to make a lasting impression and is offered at the kind of price that means you can afford to.
RICHARD MILLE
Richard Mille for its part continues to live up to its “a racing machine for the wrist” motto, with the RM056 Jean Todt 50th Anniversary model, a watch of stratospheric presence and price to match.
It’s the most outlandish of three models Mille has dedicated to the motorsport major-domo, a personal friend, in what most would see as generous – or is that lavish – overkill.
This workings of the RM056 are on full view thanks to its presentation in a sapphire crystal case, one that requires 1000 hours of machining including 430 hours devoted to grinding and 350 hours of polishing.
The mechanism incorporates a split-seconds chronograph regulated by a tourbillon and features include extreme skeletonisation of the bridges and baseplate. The use of titanium and carbon nanofibre mean that it weighs a mere 9.5 grams.
Considering the complexity of it all, it’s no surprise just three examples of the Todt special are being produced. Given it’s possible Mille himself will want to keep one, ditto for his friend Todt, that means there could be just one available should you be interested.
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