TAKE A LOOK INSIDE. It’s clear to see why these four transparent novelties deserve all the praise
Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black
Ten years ago when Hublot premiered their All Black concept, the catchphrase was “invisible visibility.” An all-black watch was seen as eschewing the basic functionality of time reading in favor of an iconic design. This year, the creative watch company turned that notion around with a new concept, “visible invisibility,” which materialized in the Big Bang Unico Sapphire pieces. While the first transparent model favors the clarity of sapphire crystal, the star of the new All Black collection is the black version made of black smoked sapphire crystal. This see-through property is extended to many parts of the movement—including the chronograph complication—and down to the strap itself. Transparency, as it seems, is the new black.
Case size: 45mm
Dial: Transparent black
Strap: Black transparent material
Movement: HUB 1242 Unico, automatic
Power reserve: 72 hours
Water resistance: 50m
Limited edition: 500 pieces
Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique Sapphire
Greubel Forsey has made quite a name for themselves with their unparalleled commitment to traditional watchmaking. Their Double Tourbillon 30° Technique line, in particular, made a big splash when it was launched several years back, owing to two tourbillons constantly rotating in a single case. Now, they upped the ante by reintroducing the timepiece in a sapphire crystal case made out of a single block. This is certainly a case to show, as it also allows a completely unobstructed view of the watch’s tour de force—the precious movement itself. If you think this is the watch for you, get ready to fly to the U.S. where the only eight pieces ever produced are sold, for slightly over US$1.1 million each.
Case size: 46mm
Case height: 17.15mm
Strap: Rubber
Movement: DT30°, automatic
Power reserve: 120 hours
Water resistance: 30m
Limited edition: 8 pieces
MB&F HM6 SV
This is not a watch, some would say. Maybe, it’s a work of art, but it does tell the time. More importantly, it’s a very beautiful work of art. Following last year’s launch of the HM6 (“HM”stands for Horological Machines), Maximilian Büsser and his friends—which actually make up the name MB&F—reinvented the piece nicknamed “Space Pirate” in sapphire crystal. The HM6 SV (“SV” stands for Sapphire Vision) is an absolute talking piece, what with the horizontally pivoting hours and minutes at the front and a flying tourbillon at the center. Since a tourbillon is quite sensitive to changes in the movement’s lubricant, there is a retractable, semi-spherical shield from titanium that can be activated through the crown at 9 o’clock. Either red gold or platinum wraps the sides of the case, and each model is limited to 10 units only.
Case size: 51mm x 50mm x 22.7mm
Case material: Red gold or platinum and sapphire crystal
Strap: Alligator
Movement: HM6, automatic
Power reserve: 72 hours
Water resistance: 30m
Limited edition: 10 pieces each
Bell & Ross BR-X1 Tourbillon Sapphire
There’s such apparent enthusiasm when the Bell & Ross team unveiled this exceptional piece at this year’s Baselworld. The BR-X1 Tourbillon Sapphire happens to be their successful attempt to craft a sapphire crystal case. Although it might look like glass, sapphire crystal is actually the second hardest material on earth after diamond. It’s almost impossible to scratch, and, thus, it takes quite a while to cut it as well. For this timepiece nicknamed the “treasure chest”, the French watch company puts in not just their signature mono-pusher chronograph complication but also a flying tourbillon, which is uniquely topped with an “&” logo, a reference to the brand’s name. The team definitely deserves a pat on their backs for this one.
Case size: 46mm
Strap: Combination of materials
Movement: BR-CAL.285, automatic
Power reserve: 100 hours
Water resistance: 30m
Limited edition: 8 pieces