F.P. Journe‘s signature aesthetic comprises an off-centred display secured by screws against a contrast colour dial – a look that Journe established with some of his earliest watches. The facelifted Octa Lune preserves that distinctive style, while managing to be recognisably different, most significantly with the diamond-polished, embossed numerals introduced for the first time on the solid gold dial models of 2014.

The Octa Lune is the first of the F.P. Journe Octa watches to undergo the facelift that will eventually be applied to the whole line-up. Now it’s available either in a 40 mm or 42 mm case, instead of the 38 mm and 40 mm options of before. With the facelift, the 38 mm case will no longer be available for the Octa Lune, and it will also be gradually discontinued for the other models.

Though identical in shape and form, the larger cases are more substantial, most notably with a noticeably large crown, losing some of the refined feel characteristic of Journe watches. That being said, even the 42 mm case is slim and elegant, standing just 10.7 mm high.

To suit the larger case, the movement displays are correspondingly larger. The date discs, moon phase, power reserve and time sub-dial are all larger, though the movement remains the same calibre 1300.3 automatic with a five day power reserve. Because the movement remains the same diameter, a visible spacer ring is needed to fit it in the larger case. Like all Journe movements, the calibre 1300.3 has a base plate and bridges in 18k rose gold.

Both dials – one silver-plated for the time display and the main dial – are made of solid gold. The sub-dial for the time display has been stamped to raise the hour numerals, which are then polished with a diamond-tipped tool, giving them a mirror-like surface. This is the most significant aesthetic departure from F.P. Journe’s traditional look with black printed Arabic numbers (that is clearly Breguet-inspired), as seen on the Chronomètre Optimum.

The new Octa Lune is available in red gold or platinum, with dials in solid red or white gold to match the case.

Prices are as follows, inclusive of 8% Swiss value-added tax:

Platinum 40 mm CHF48,060
Platinum 42 mm CHF49,680
Red Gold 40 mm CHF44,280
Red Gold 42 mm CHF44,928.

Matching precious metal bracelets are also available.

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Modelled on the classic pilot’s chronograph from the fifties and sixties, the Breitling Chronoliner is an aviator’s watch with a retro bent, featuring a second time zone function and a ratcheting, 24-hour black ceramic bezel.

Equipped with a dual time zone function and a clean black dial, the Chronoliner is typical of Breitling‘s aviation watches, large and hard to miss on the wrist. And as is often the case with Breitling’s recent introductions, the Chronoliner has a vintage-esque styling, just like the Transocean Chronograph 1915. Slated to be officially introduced at Baselworld 2015, the Chronoliner has a 46 mm, polished steel case fitted with a rotating 24-hour bezel in black ceramic. The dial is lacquered black with white luminous baton indices, while the second time zone hand is tipped with a red arrow for contrast; the 24-hour black ceramic bezel can be set to track a third time zone. Super-Luminova on the central seconds hand and elapsed minutes register allows the chronograph to be used to record up to 30 minutes in low light.

The Chronoliner is powered by a COSC certified Valjoux 7750 self-winding calibre, and fitted with a sapphire crystal coated on both sides with an antireflective layer. Breitling traditional double pane logo is cast in relief on the case back.

The Chronoliner is available with a mesh Ocean Classic bracelet for the complete retro look, or the more modern Navitimer bracelet. Prices start at 10,790 Singapore dollars or 7070 Swiss francs for the Chronoliner on Ocean Classic.