Christmas Swiss Watches - Part Two

Some of the finest Swiss brands have eventually released their end-of-the-year models. Please enjoy below a selection from the most representative brands.

HAMILTON Khaki Navy Pioneer Edition Limitée

The Khaki Navy Pioneer Edition Limitée aims to be different. First for its functionality, as Hamilton has designed this timepiece to be enjoyed as a wristwatch and as a desk clock, when set in a parallel position inside its distinctive hevea hardwood box. Then for its heritage, as Hamilton celebrates 120 years of time measurement and boasts watches of unparalleled accuracy. Indeed, the marine chronometers it produced in the 1940s demonstrated a degree of precision that was qualified as "zero rate". Equally noteworthy, the hand-wound calibre 6498-2 has the hallmark of a fine watch movement and bears a unique engraving in honour of this milestone year. Nostalgia is very much in evidence in the watch's design, whether in the profiled, blued hands, the velvety finish of the silver-coloured dial, or the top-stitched brown leather strap. A timepiece whose dual function makes the transition from past to present with intelligence and ease, proposed as a limited edition of 1,892 pieces in reference to Hamilton's founding year.

Movement Hand-wound, 6498 calibre Functions Hours, minutes and seconds Case Stainless steel, 46.5 mm Anti-reflective sapphire crystal Water-resistant to 100 m / 10 ATM Dial Silvered with velvet finish Blued hands Seconds counter at 6 o'clock Bracelet/Strap Brown leather with top stitching and buckle

LOUIS MOINET Jules Verne Instrument III

Louis Moinet takes us 20,000 leagues under the sea with the Jules Verne Instrument III, a timepiece that sends us off on a voyage with Captain Nemo. Inventive, technological and original all describe this chronograph. Inventive for the subaquatic-style monopusher and an astonishing function indicator (patent pending) inspired by chadburn ships' telegraphs. Technological because of its high-precision mechanism featuring ceramic ball bearings that ensure more efficient winding. Original with its black dial finished with "Côtes du Jura" guilloché, and a gold and titanium case with more than a hint at Nemo's Nautilus submarine. The monopusher at 2 o'clock also rates high in the originality stakes. A journey into time that fans of Louis Moinet will not want to miss! Proposed as a 365-piece limited series.

Movement Automatic, calibre LM30, 13¼ lines, 27 jewels, 28,800 vib/h, 48-hour power reserve; "Côtes du Jura" motif, blackened finish, blued steel screws, rotor mounted on ceramic ball bearings Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph and "Start-Stop-Reset" indicator Case 18k pink gold and grade 5 titanium with black PVD treatment, 45.50 mm Bezel with 6 hex screws Two sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating on both sides Individual number and Louis Moinet markings engraved on the back Water-resistant to 100 m / 10 ATM Dial Black with "Côtes du Jura" motif Luminescent hands and hourmarkers (blue and white) Small seconds at 9 o'clock 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and central 60-seconds chronograph "Start-Stop-Reset" indicator at half past 4, operated by the monopusher Date window at 7 o'clock Bracelet/Strap Rubber with folding clasp in grade 5 titanium and stainless steel

TUDOR Heritage Black Bay

Introduced in 2010, the Tudor Heritage collection is home to the brand's iconic models revisited to meet the latest stylistic aspirations. The Heritage Black Bay is the perfect example with its curved black dial - a fabulous vintage touch -, striking burgundy bezel and snowflake hands, all three inspired by the iconic, early dive watches of the 1950s. The long, slender lugs of the original model have been supersized to match the contemporary 41 mm steel case that is water-resistant to 200 metres. The pink gold of the hands and hourmarkers adds a hint of nostalgia by suggesting the distinctive patina of older timepieces. With characteristic attention to detail, the same burgundy circles the insert for the winding crown, which is engraved with the Tudor rose.

Movement Automatic, approximately 38-hour power reserve Functions Hours, minutes and seconds Case Polished and satin-finish stainless steel, 41 mm Unidirectional rotating bezel with a burgundy red disc Domed sapphire crystal Water-resistant to 200 m / 20 ATM Dial Black Luminescent hands and hourmarkers, edged with 18K pink gold Bracelet/Strap Aged brown leather strap or steel bracelet with folding clasp and safety catch, and a second black fabric strap with buckle

VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY Night Vision

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2012 has brought the renewal of the Night Vision by Victorinox Swiss Army. First launched in 2003, the watch has been entirely revamped and was presented at Baselworld 2012. The new edition features a more urban, streamlined design, seamlessly incorporating into the case design the lighting features of the original model – LED light modules for the dial illumination, flashlight and emergency strobe. As of October 2012, this iconic timepiece also shines on the internet via the nightvision.victoriniox.com website, inaugurated to coincide with the market launch of this new model. Devotees of the brand with the Swiss shield logo will thus have the possibility of testing all the watch functions online. They will also be able to follow the exhibitions and events featuring the Night Vision around the world, as well as attempting to win one model per month. A fine example of what can happen when Swiss multi-functionality is expressed through a timepiece.

Movement Quartz, Ronda 705 Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date, dial illumination, flashlight, emergency strobe, and battery end-of-life indicator Case Stainless steel, 42 mm Scratch-resistant triple anti-reflection sapphire crystal Screw-down caseback Water-resistant to 50 m / 5 ATM Dial Anthracite grey with silver-toned grey ring Luminescent hands, hourmarkers and numerals Date window and LED at 6 o’clock Bracelet/Strap Stainless steel with butterfly folding clasp Other versions Silver-toned dial with anthracite grey ring and steel bracelet or brown aviator-style leather strap with buckle and beige overstitching MAURICE LACROIX Masterpiece Lune Retrograde Perfetly summing up the expertise of Maurice Lacroix, the Masterpiece collection establishes its timepieces firmly in an urban, dynamic and elegant vision of the 21st century. The brand’s flagship range distinguishes itself in the interpretation of complications, especially of the retrograde and lunar indication type. The Masterpiece Lune Retrograde provides a splendid demonstration of this expertise. The moon pursues its path at 6 o’clock, moving across a black design providing a striking chiaroscuro backdrop. It dominates the upper part of the royal blue or silver-toned dial, while sharing its space with the hand counting off the days. The date appears at 10 o’clock in a broad retrograding arched segment, while the power reserve is dynamically displayed at 2 o’clock. The entirely in-house manufactured automatic ML 192 movement reveals its vertical-brushed and broadly snailed “Grand Colimaçon” finishing through the exhibition case-back, admirably reflecting the light playing across its jewels. A profound sense of authenticity shines through this model that embodies a decidedly mature approach to time. Movement Automatic, Manufacture Maurice Lacroix Calibre ML 192, 18,000 vib/h, 59 jewels, rhodiumed, vertical-brushed and “Grand Colimaçon” décor, 52-hour power reserve Functions Hours, minutes, day, date, moon phase and power-reserve indicator Case Stainless steel, satin-brushed and polished finishing, 43 mm Cambered anti-reflective sapphire crystal Screw-down back Water-resistant to 50 m / 5 ATM Dial 925 sterling silver, deep blue or silver-toned, satin-brushed and sunburst brushed finishing Retrograde date display at 10 o’clock Moon phase and day at 6 o’clock, power reserve at 2 o’clock Bracelet/Strap Blue or black crocodile with large scales and brown calfskin lining, steel folding clasp Source: www.swisstime.ch