First introduced two years ago as an entry-level model styled on vintage marine chronometers, the Marine Torpilleur has just received an upgrade. The Marine Torpilleur Monaco Yacht Show is a limited edition fitted with a grand feu enamel dial, created to mark the watchmaker’s sponsorship, now in its 11th year, of the annual yachting event in Monte Carlo harbour.

While the standard model has a brass dial, the Monaco edition has a three-part dial made of vitreous enamel that’s fired in an oven – a desirable feature that increases its retail price by a modest 20% or so. Like all of Ulysse Nardin’s enamel dials, it is produced by Donze Cadran, a subsidiary of the watchmaker that’s one of the few dial makers in Switzerland able to make fired enamel dials in substantial numbers.

An old school dial

The dial starts out as a copper disc that is covered with white enamel powder that’s then baked in a small oven, several dials at a go, to melt the enamel and fuse it to the dial. The dial has two apertures for each of the sub-dials, which are separate pieces that are covered in grey enamel and fired separately.

After they are fired, the dials are printed with enamel markings, resulting in another trip to the oven to set the markings. Then the apertures on the main dial, as well as the edges of the sub-dials, are filed by hand to ensure a perfect fit with each other. Once complete, the sub-dials are soldered to the main dial.

The dial is marked “09.19” – the month of the yacht show – as well as the name of the event. And the date disc also has the numbers from 25 to 28 in red, being the dates of the show.

Dial aside, the Marine Torpilleur Monaco is identical to the standard model. The case is steel, 42mm in diameter, and contains the UN-118, an in-house automatic movement with a silicon escapement.

Key facts

Diameter: 42mm
Material: Stainless steel
Water-resistance: 50m

Movement: UN-118
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, and power reserve
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800bph, or 4Hz
Power reserve: 60 hours

Strap: Blue alligator

Price and availability

The Marine Torpilleur Monaco Yacht Show (ref. 1183-310LE/E0-MON) is priced at 9,500 Swiss francs. For more, visit Ulysse-Nardin.com.

The Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019 opened today for a sneak preview of the monumental showcase of watchmaking and horology. It includes everything from watchmaker demonstrations to a look into the art of enamelling, explained by no other than master artisan Anita Porchet herself; more on those in upcoming stories (or you can also buy the hardbound catalogue with proceeds going to charity).

For now, here’s a peek at the highly anticipated limited edition watches produced for the event. The outline of the Singapore 2019 collection is simple: four relatively accessible watches, two grand complications, and a variety of unique Rare Handcrafts clocks, pocket- and wristwatches. All of the limited edition watches bear “Patek Philippe Singapore 2019” on the case back, printed if the back is sapphire, and engraved if the back is solid.

The first is the Aquanaut Singapore 2019 ref. 5167A-012 in steel, a variation of the standard model. It has a dial with the minute track and seconds hand in red, matched with a red strap. This is limited to 500 pieces, and priced at 22,400 Swiss francs, or 33,500 Singapore dollars. (Full details on the Aquanaut here.)

It’s accompanied by the Aquanaut Luce Singapore 2019 ref. 5067A-027 in steel for ladies that has a red dial and strap, also a variation of the standard model. Only 300 will be made, with a retail of 19,900 Swiss francs, or 29,800 Singapore dollars.

Also for ladies is the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Singapore 2019 ref. 7234A-001 in steel. This is unique in having a steel case as the standard model is offered only in rose gold. Limited to 400 pieces, this has a blue-grey dial and a Cordura synthetic fabric strap, a first for Patek Philippe. It’s priced at 34,000 Swiss francs, or 50,800 Singapore dollars. (Complete details here.)

And next is the World Time Chronograph Singapore 2019 ref. 5930G-011 in white gold. The guilloche dial is a dark, graduated red that darkens towards the edges, and “Singapore” replaces “Beijing” on the cities disc. This is limited to 300 watches. The retail price is 74,000 Swiss francs, or 106,700 Singapore dollars. (Find out more here.)

The Singapore 2019 Grand Complications start with the World Time Minute Repeater Singapore 2019 ref. 5531R-010. This has a cloisonné enamel dial depicting the city centre of Singapore, along with the country’s name on the cities disc. Only five will be made, each priced at 540,000 Swiss francs. (Details here.)

And the last is an entirely new reference, the Minute Repeater Tourbillon Singapore 2019 ref. 5303R-010 that has an open dial revealing the mechanics of both the repeater and a tourbillon at six o’clock. It’s powered by the new calibre R TO 27 PS. This is limited to 12 watches, with a retail price of 590,000 Swiss francs. (Full details here).

Price and availability

Prices have yet to be announced, but the watches will only be available at Patek Philippe boutiques and retailers in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Exhibition information

Complimentary tickets to the Watch Art Grand Exhibition are available direct from Patek.com.

Watch Art Grand Exhibition
September 28 to October 13
Open daily 10am to 7pm
Admission is free

Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Avenue
Singapore

Update September 27, 2019: Prices and images of ref. 5303R added.

Update September 29, 2019: Links to detailed stories added.

Having created a number of appealing and accessibly priced “tool” watches over the years including the Seastrong Diver Heritage and the KM-710, Alpina now unveils the Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph, powered by a single-button chronograph movement supplied by its sister company, La Joux-Perret.

The Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph is the second mechanical chronograph in the Alpina catalogue; the first was the Alpiner 4 Manufacture Flyback, which had a Valjoux 7750, likewise modified by La Joux-Perret to include a flyback function.

The brand Alpina was actually founded over 130 years ago but fell victim to the quartz crisis in the 1970s. Then in 2002, it was acquired by Frederique Constant, which was itself then acquired by Citizen of Japan in 2016. Now, like its sister company Frederique Constant, it specialises in accessibly priced watches, made possible in part by the movement making expertise of La Joux-Perret.

As with most Alpina watches, the Startimer Pilot Heritage chronograph combines retro design with modern dimensions and build. Its styling is recognisably 1970s, and evokes the experimental spirit of the era without being overtly flashy or eccentric.

Measuring 42mm by 40.7mm, the Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph features a cushion case with the chronograph pusher located at two o’clock. Like all cushion-cased watches of the 1970s, it has a radially brushed top surface and case band that are separated by a wide polished bevel, which enhances the shape of the case.

It is available in three attractive iterations: a blue sunburst with white counters, a silvered and grey “panda”, or one that combines the previous two, a blue sunburst with a white tachymeter flange and counters.

The bi-compax layout is thanks to the Caliber AL-727, which is once again a Valjoux 7750 tweaked La Joux-Perret. It is without a date and has a extended power reserve of 55 hours, compared to 48 for the stock 7750.

Key facts

Diameter: 42mm
Material: Stainless steel

Movement: cal. AL-727 (modified Valjoux 7750)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800bph, or 4Hz
Power reserve: 55 hours

Strap: Black or brown leather

Price and availability

The Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph is priced at €2,895. For more, visit Alpinawatches.com.