Flamboyant Favorites From The Watches And Wonders Bonanza Extravaganza
Forget about tool watches, retro styling, and refined elegance. It’s Friday, and the weekend is upon us! It’s time to dress up, let your hair down, and hit the club. It’s your time to shine. You best do it with a big dose of flamboyance. For inspirational purposes, check out our curated Watches and Wonders bonanza extravaganza, featuring the likes of Louis Moinet, Roger Dubuis, Bell & Ross, and, quite unexpectedly, Oris.
I didn’t know that Louis-Abraham Breguet, the inventor of the tourbillon, and Louis Moinet, the inventor of the chronograph, were friends. They were. And they would’ve followed and tagged each other if, back in the 18th century, Instagram had already been a thing. Jean-Marie Schaller, the CEO and Creative Director of the 21st-century watch brand Louis Moinet, brings the two friends together in the Impulsion. The Impulsion is a mono-pusher chronograph tourbillon. And it’s a bold display of friendship. The 42mm watch has a Grade 5 titanium core in either black or Moinet blue to protect the movement — and keep the weight down. The flamboyant frame of the Impulsion is executed in 18K pink gold, and it shows very spectacular, hollowed-out lugs.
The Watches and Wonders bonanza extravaganza kicks off with the Louis Moinet Impulsion
The Louis Moinet Impulsion (price on request), a limited edition of 28 pieces, is more than a showman. The Impulsion is also the utmost reflection of a skilled watchmaker. And it’s for all to see because everything about the watch is in the function of the movement. But that movement, the decorations, and the color choices combine technicality with great showmanship. Underneath the curved crystal, the very original, frontal layout of the chronograph mechanism is on full display. The 301-part movement is outfitted with a column wheel, a classic horizontal clutch, and a single pusher. Just push that pusher, and you get a clear impression of how a mechanical chronograph actually works.
The added magic of a whirling tourbillon creates even more dynamism. There’s a lot to see and a lot to take in, but the extravagance of the Impulsion is more than skin-deep. There’s serious horology on display.
Party hard with the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone MB
Be the star of the dance floor with the Poinçon de Genève-certified Roger Dubuis Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone MB. It’s a 42mm EON gold creation — that’s a gold alloy that’s more resistant to tarnishing — outfitted with a skeletonized RD720SQ automatic movement with a micro-rotor. You can look at the watch as a contemporary work of art disguised as a watch or as a showstopping party piece.
You can literally light up the party thanks to the curved synthetic sapphires in gradient hues with luminescence on the bezel and the dial, which also shows pink-gold-plated hour markers filled with black Super-LumiNova in the center. Being the star of the club doesn’t come cheap, though. This party animal with the heart of an artisan will set you back US$154,500 before taxes.
Release your inner digital pirate with Bell & Ross BR01 Cyber Skull Bronze
Bell & Ross is no stranger to skulls. The crew members of the French brand are the pirates of luxury horology, and the BR01 Cyber Skull Bronze is Bell & Ross’s most modern skull creation. It’s a limited edition of 500 pieces with a price of CHF 11,000, and the watch is adorned with bronze, the most dynamic of alloys. With a non-round and edgy shaped case that measures 45 × 46.7 × 13.7mm, the watch is hard to overlook. But even if the size didn’t catch the attention of your entourage, the skull will. And once you have their full attention, you can reveal the watch’s party trick. When you wind the hand-wound movement, the jaw of the angular skull starts to move. For extra effect, I suggest making a scary noise while winding it.
Dive into bling with the Oris Aquis Date Diamonds
To end this Watches And Wonders bonanza extravaganza, let me present you with a most unexpected candidate. You might think the 41.5mm Oris Aquis Date Diamonds (CHF 5,200) is just for show. Well, you’re very wrong. This deep red timepiece might be set with 48 Top Wesselton G, VVS Lab diamonds (1.2ct.), but it’s also water resistant to 300 meters. This is a watch that can handle every situation you put it in. It will shine bright while out on the town and keep time while in the water. But please don’t go scuba diving with it. Look at the bezel. No indications, no lume, no nothing but diamonds. Doesn’t matter. Fish don’t appreciate flamboyance anyway.
Find and follow me at Lex Stolk • Instagram.