Omega tends to create small runs of pricey, platinum watches to mark the launch of a new model, so the debut of the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer limited edition indicates there’s a world time watch in the pipeline.

The plainer versions of the Aqua Terra Worldtimer have yet to be revealed, so for now the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer Master Chronometer in platinum stands alone, in a limited edition of 87 pieces. Most of what’s visible is precious metal. The 43mm case is solid platinum, as is the frosted dial that’s decorated with a world map in vitreous enamel. Similarly, the hands and hour markers are 18k yellow gold.

The watch functions with a fixed cities disc and rotating 24-hour home time wheel; the enamelled globe is decorative and static. For seasonal time changes, the cities on the world time disc are colour coded: black indicates places that utilise summer time, and blue for locations without summer time. And while Paris or Geneva is typically used to represent the time zone of GMT +1, here it has been replaced with Bienne, the Swiss city that’s home to Omega.

The world timer is equipped with the cal. 8939, a Master Chronometer-certified movement that, thanks to patented alloys, boasts magnetism resistance to over 15,000 Gauss, an industry record. It’s also tested for accuracy and functionality by METAS, the Swiss federal meteorological and measures institute. And because the watch has a precious metal case, the rotor and balance bridge are 18k red gold, replacing the brass components used on steel watches.

Price and availability 

The Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer Master Chronometer Limited Edition (ref. 220.93.43.22.99.001) is limited to 87 pieces, priced at US$48,600. It will be available at Omega retailers and boutiques starting December 2017.

The third in an annual series of limited editions (last year’s was entirely gilded) decorated with the traditional Japanese tsuiki hammered finish, the Casio G-Shock MR-G Indigo Hammer Tone MRG-G2000HT combines cutting edge electronics with kasumi-tsuchime on the bezel and bracelet.

Based on the G-Shock MRG-G2000, the Indigo Hammer Tone has a newly developed “Connected Engine 3-Way” movement that’s able to sync its time with GPS satellites, radio signals as well as a Bluetooth-paired smartphone. The three-way sync also means the watch automatically adjusts the time display to the user’s location anywhere in the world. It’s powered by solar energy – the watch will run two years on a full charge – and has all the usual features of a G-Shock, including world time, stopwatch, countdown and alarm.

The entire watch is titanium, and finished with a “double hardening”, meaning that the alloy is first surface hardened and then coated with a layer of scratch-resistant diamond-like carbon (DLC). The DLC coating on the bezel and case back is a dark blue that’s intended to replicate aizome, a blue fabric dye from the indigo plant.

Both the bezel and centre links of the bracelet decorated with tsuiki, a centuries-old Japanese technique for hammering copper ware. Created in collaboration with tsuiki artisan Bihou Asano, the same craftsman responsible for the earlier Hammer Tone limited editions, the decoration is named kasumi-tsuchime, made up of overlapping hammered lines.

Price and availability  

Limited to 500 watches, the G-Shock MRG-G2000HT is priced at US$7400, while in Singapore pricing has yet to be set but it will be over S$10,000. It will be available at select G-Factory stores and authorised retailers starting September 1.