New Year, New Decade, New Watches to Covet
In less than a week, we will be welcoming not only a new year but the start of a new decade. As we say goodbye to the 2010s and usher in 2020, there are already a handful of freshly announced watches on our wish list. Here are four new watches to covet in the coming new year.
F. P. Journe Astronomic Souveraine
For the Only Watch 2019 charity auction, F. P. Journe created the one-off Astronomic Blue watch with a tantalum case, blue dial, and an impressive 18 functions and complications spread across both faces. Not long after that prototype fetched $1.8 million for a great cause, F. P. Journe announced the production version of this grand complication piece in the form of the Astronomic Souveraine. Housing an identical movement, Caliber 1619, within its 44mm case, the stainless steel Astronomic Souveraine includes a tourbillon with remontoir d’égalité, a minute repeater, an annual calendar, a second time zone, a moon phase display, an equation of time, and a slew of other complications. The Astronomic Souveraine is set to hit F. P. Journe boutiques by the second quarter of 2020 and will no doubt have collectors clamoring to get their hands on one.
Hublot Big Bang MP-11 SAXEM
No stranger to experimental materials, Hublot recently announced yet another innovative material never before used in watchmaking. To achieve the deep emerald green color of SAXEM, which stands for Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral, Hublot mixed aluminum oxide (the basic component of sapphire) with rare-earth elements like thulium, holmium, and chromium. The result is a material that is extremely hard and transparent with a finish that not only offers a brilliant luster but one that retains a consistent color from every angle. Hublot has debuted the novel material on the new Big Bang MP-11 SAXEM, driven by the mechanically impressive 14-day power reserve Caliber HUB9011. Limited to only 20 pieces, the Big Bang MP-11 SAXEM is reserved for the ultimate Hublot enthusiasts.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time
A little over a year after the launch of the Overseas Dual Time, Vacheron Constantin has now added a new sleek black dial option to the lineup. The black lacquered dial complements the stainless steel exterior exquisitely while the flashes of red plays up the sporty nature of the Overseas model. Aside from the new face, everything remains the same from the 41mm case topped with a hexagonal bezel to the three interchangeable bracelet/straps to the super practical dual time functionality. This new color option will surely enhance the appeal of the already popular Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time watch.
Richard Mille RM 11-04 Flyback Chronograph Roberto Mancini
Italian football (aka soccer) coach Roberto Mancini gets yet another Richard Mille timepiece made in his honor, in a vivid colorway befitting of his team. The new Richard Mille RM 11-04 Flyback Chronograph Roberto Mancini sports a Carbon TPT in the brand’s signature tonneau case silhouette, which is paired with a vibrant blue strap that matches the blue details on the dial and crown. Completing the team colors are the touches of red, white, and green throughout the watch. Of course, in honor of its namesake’s profession, the RM 11-04’s flyback chronograph dial displays match time on the basis of two 45-minute halves, and up to 15 minutes of stoppage time. For fans of Gli Azzurri and Richard Mille alike, this is one of the coolest new watches to covet in 2020.
