WATCHMAKING
Swiss watchmakers haven’t embraced smartwatches. Mechanical watchmakers who don’t own platforms like Android and iOS have no experience with making electronic gadgets. Whereas fashion brands, like Emporio Armani, are embracing smartwatches. The elite Swiss watchmakers, however, aren’t out of touch with innovation or given up on producing trendy watches like Rolex and Hublot, as this month’s watch list shows.
Rolex Cellini Moonphase
Before Rolex began making the watches known today, they had several models with a moonphase complication that eventually died out. The rebirth of this complication comes with the Cellini 50535, clearly inspired by the design of the Rolex 6062 Stelline and the Rolex 8171 Padellone, both of which were made in the early 1950s. The dial is clean and simple in white, and the applied indexes and hands match the 18k Everose gold case except for the blued date hand. A well-executed watch and a piece of timeless luxury.
REFERENCE NUMBER: 50535
PRICE: RS4,769,000
AVAILABLE AT:
CHATHAM LUXURY WATCHES
Hublot Aerofusion Cricket World Cup 2019
HUBLOT is the first watch brand to work with the ICC and to partner with its elite international cricketing events. This piece is the second cricket- inspired watch and features several design touches. The grey and red detailing found on the dial, satin-finished & polished ceramic bezel, and leather & rubber strap are inspired by the colours of this year’s logo. The hands of the twin counters are shaped like cricket bats, the triple applique hour marker at 12 o’clock resemble wickets, and the sapphire caseback is decorated with the ICC World Cup logo.
With only 100 pieces being made, cricket aficionados should keep an eye on this.
REFERENCE NUMBER:
525.NF.0137.VR.WCC19
PRICE:RS2,950,000
AVAILABLE AT: COLOMBO JEWELLERY STORES
Casio Edifice EX361
CASIO is well renowned as the working man’s watchmaker, and as such has a range of watches that cater to almost any taste imaginable, value in mind. One that caught our eye is model EX361 in black. A budget piece that doesn’t skimp on aesthetics. Its multi- layered black dial complete with red accents accentuate the elements on the face and don’t detract like typical examples in this price bracket. Features-wise, it comes with all the expected bits that are standard on a quartz watch, but its looks are what sell.
REFERENCE NUMBER:
EFR-556DB-1AVUDF
PRICE: RS28,900
AVAILABLE AT: BLINK
Emporio Armani Smartwatch
DYNAMIC styling meets wearable tech with Emporio Armani’s new collection of smartwatches. The range is compatible with both iOS and Android phones and is powered by Android Wear 2.0. Messages and notifications are delivered straight to your watch, all the while remaining stylish with a customizable watch face and interchangeable
watch straps to customise your looks. Your favourite apps can be linked to track activity and access your music library. Housed in stainless steel and presented on a brushed and polished stainless- steel bracelet, this is one watch that combines form and function.
REFERENCE NUMBER:
ART5000
PRICE: RS71,799
AVAILABLE AT:URBAN.LK