The landscape of watchmaking continues to evolve with the introduction of several distinguished timepieces that seamlessly blend heritage craftsmanship with contemporary innovation. In this curated exploration, we delve into the unique features and mechanical marvels of five extraordinary watches from renowned brands such as Breguet, Oris, Frederique Constant, BREVA GENEVE, IWC and Zenith. Each piece captures the essence of their brand’s storied history while pushing the boundaries of horological design and functionality. From the classic charm of the Breguet Type XX chronograph to the avant-garde creativity of the BREVA GENEVE Segreto di Lario, these timepieces offer something for every discerning collector and enthusiast.
Table of contents
- Breguet Type XX Chronographe Reference 2075
- ORIS Hölstein Edition 2025
- Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Mother-of-Pearl
- BREVA GENEVE Segreto di Lario
- IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert
- Speake Marin Openworked Dual Time Terracotta Watch
- Zenith DEFY Revival Diver
- Horological Digest Gallery
Breguet Type XX Chronographe Reference 2075
The Breguet Type XX 2075 chronograph showcases a classically designed dial available in two distinct versions. The first presents a black anodised aluminium dial, a testament to Breguet’s pioneering use of materials with a discreet “Al” marking confirming this innovation. Its Arabic numerals and hour markers, crafted in beige luminescent paint, ensure optimal legibility, capturing the spirit of the historic 1955 model. The alternative version boasts a 925 solid silver dial with applied 18K Breguet gold numerals and indices. Both dials honour Breguet heritage with delicately applied Breguet names in 18K gold and hands treated with luminescent material with a green emission hue, enhancing readability.
Housed within the Type XX 2075 chronograph is the manual winding calibre, specifically the calibre 7279 for the black-dial version and the calibre 7278 for the silver. These high-performance movements beat at a frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) and feature a robust 60-hour power reserve, ideal for precision timekeeping. The Breguet calibre 7279 incorporates a 15-minute counter at 3 o’clock, while the calibre 7278 features a 30-minute counter, both complimented by a small seconds display at 9 o’clock. Each movement is finely finished, and the case back exhibits intricate hand engravings depicting the celebrated transatlantic flight route of 1930.
The case of the Breguet Type XX 2075 is crafted entirely in Breguet 18K gold, known for its unique composition with enriching elements such as silver, copper, and palladium. With a diameter of 38.3 mm and a thickness of 13.2 mm, the case retains the dimensions of its predecessors while offering modern durability with a water resistance of 5 bar (50 metres). Its satin-finished middle and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coatings preserve both form and functionality. The black-dialled version’s bezel features black numerals, whereas the silver-dialled variant contains blue numerals, complemented by interchangeable gradient calfskin straps, representing a seamless blend of historical homage and contemporary design.
More information about Breguet can be found on the dedicated pages Ref. 2075BH/99/398 – EUR 43.100 & Ref. 2075BH/G9/398 – EUR 44.900.
ORIS Hölstein Edition 2025
Introducing the Hölstein Edition 2025, a distinguished timepiece by Oris that beautifully encapsulates over 120 years of watchmaking heritage. This exclusive watch, limited to just 250 pieces, is a unique iteration of the adventurous ProPilot model, bringing to life ideas that might otherwise remain mere sketches.
The Hölstein Edition 2025 features a full-lume dial, marking a first within the ProPilot family. Displaying an elegant white hue by day, the dial transforms in the dark, glowing green to reveal the whimsical silhouette of the Oris Bear between 3 and 4 o’clock. Enhancing its allure, the dial also has bespoke matt black applied numerals and hands, including hours, minutes, and seconds, alongside a minutes scale—all without a date window, adding to its collectibility.
Powered by the Oris Calibre 400, this edition assures exceptional timekeeping with a commendable power reserve of 120 hours. As with all movements in the Calibre 400 Series, it provides elevated anti-magnetic resistance, a standout feature that reinforces Oris’s commitment to innovation. Backed by a 10-year warranty and a 10-year recommended service interval, this movement exemplifies mechanical engineering excellence.
Encased within a 41.00 mm multi-piece stainless steel frame, the watch is finished with a robust black DLC (diamond-like carbon) plating for resilience and a refined aesthetic. Its fluted bezel and screw-down crown add to its functionality. The watch is complemented by a see-through sapphire case back, accented with Super-LumiNova® details and special engravings. Embellishing the package is a textile strap, equipped with an Oris-developed ‘LIFT’ clasp, also in black DLC, ensuring both security and style.
Mori info can be found on the Ref. 01 400 7803 4781-Set website: CHF 4.150, Limited edition 250 pieces,
numbered 001/250.
Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Mother-of-Pearl
The Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture presents itself as a masterpiece of horological artistry and refined elegance. This exceptional timepiece seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, appealing to discerning collectors who appreciate both aesthetic beauty and mechanical ingenuity.
The dial of the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture is a harmonious interplay of natural beauty and meticulous craftsmanship. For the first time, Frederique Constant has adorned the dial with exquisite blue-grey mother-of-pearl, creating a subtle yet striking backdrop that captivates with its ever-changing lustre. This pristine setting is complemented by applied silver-coloured diamond-cut indexes, which shimmer against the iridescent dial. The minimalist design is further accentuated by hand-polished silver-colour hour and minute hands, ensuring that the natural beauty of the mother-of-pearl takes centre stage. At 6 o’clock, a Heart Beat opening reveals the 60 seconds tourbillon, adding a dynamic focal point to this elegant display.
At the heart of this exquisite timepiece is the FC-980-4 in-house calibre, an automatic movement that exemplifies Frederique Constant‘s commitment to precision and innovation. This fourth-generation calibre, updated in 2023, features a silicon escapement wheel and anchor, enhancing its resistance to magnetic fields and temperature variations. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and comprises 33 jewels, providing a power reserve of 38 hours. The movement is a testament to traditional Swiss watchmaking, adorned with chamfering, circular graining, flanks drawing, and mirror polishing, visible through the see-through case back for uninterrupted admiration.
Encasing this horological marvel is a polished 18K white gold case, exuding timeless elegance and sophistication. With a diameter of 39 mm and a height of 10.99 mm, the case is both compact and refined, featuring a 3-part construction for additional intricacy. The anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal ensures clarity and protection, while the threaded case back is both engraved and see-through, offering a view of the movement’s exquisite decoration. The watch is water-resistant up to 3 ATM, providing practical resilience amidst its luxurious design. Completing the piece is a light blue alligator leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching, fastened with a folding buckle for comfortable and secure wear.
This limited edition of just 36 pieces underscores the exclusivity and uniqueness of the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture, with each timepiece individually numbered, celebrating Frederique Constant‘s dedication to high craftsmanship and bespoke elegance.
More info can be found at the following link: Ref. FC-980MPBL3H8 – EUR 34.995
BREVA GENEVE Segreto di Lario
The BREVA GENEVE Segreto di Lario watch captures the enchanting essence of Lake Como through its exquisite craftsmanship and design. With its intricate blend of Swiss horological expertise and Italian elegance, this timepiece is a testament to refined sophistication.
The dial of the Segreto di Lario comes in two captivating options, each inspired by the atmospheric moments of Lake Como. The “Slate Grey” version boasts a deep moonlit hue, enhanced by silver accents and rose gold details that dance elegantly with light, reminiscent of the lake’s reflective waters. Alternatively, the “Sunset” dial exudes warmth with its copper-toned hue, echoing the evocative glow of dusk. Both versions offer supreme legibility and are punctuated by handcrafted elements, including blued and polished hands, ensuring both style and clarity.
At the heart of the Segreto di Lario lies an extraordinary hand-wound mechanical movement, crafted exclusively for BREVA GENEVE by master watchmaker Jean-François Mojon and Chronode. This triple retrograde movement features 29 jewels and operates at a frequency of 3 Hz. Its remarkable 7-day power reserve is displayed through an ingenious twin-barrel system and a unique, double retrograde power reserve indicator—track both long-term and immediate energy needs with precision. Impeccable finishing, such as Côtes de Genève, rhodium-plated bridges, and polished bevels, further enhances the movement’s visual allure and performance.
The case of the Segreto di Lario is available in titanium grade 5 elegantly crafted to reflect the watch’s graceful and understated spirit. Measuring 41 mm in diameter and 11.10 mm in thickness, the case ensures a robust yet refined presence on the wrist. The intricate detailing includes a circular satin-brushed finish, high-precision laser engravings, and polished elements such as lugs and bevels, underscoring a commitment to high-end finishing. A water resistance of up to 50 metres offers practicality alongside luxury, while the option of a bespoke alligator leather strap or taupe suede provides bespoke comfort and style.
More info can be found on these pages: Reference Titan Sunset and Reference Titan Slate Grey, both priced at CHF 46.000 (before taxes).
IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert
The dial of the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert is elegantly crafted in a brown hue that harmonises with its overall tone-in-tone design. Its minute scale and numerals are presented in a subdued tone, delicately coated with Super-LumiNova® to ensure flawless legibility in low light conditions.
This exquisite timepiece is powered by the IWC-manufactured calibre 32112. Known for its precision, the calibre oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz. The movement is equipped with an automatic pawl winding system that efficiently harnesses the rotor’s movements in both directions, providing a generous power reserve of 120 hours.
The sand-coloured ceramic case is a striking feature of this watch, reflecting IWC Schaffhausen’s expertise in ceramic watchmaking. Crafted meticulously through a sophisticated process, the 41-millimetre case is not only visually appealing but also boasts extreme hardness and scratch resistance. The case’s unique “Mojave Desert” colour is achieved by blending zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides, creating an earth tone inspired by Navy pilots’ flight suits and the Western Mojave Desert landscape.
This timepiece is complemented by a beige rubber strap featuring a textile inlay and a robust titanium pin buckle. Additionally, the case back, made from lightweight titanium, is engraved with the iconic “TOP GUN” logo, adding a final touch of exclusivity to this remarkable watch.
More info can be found on IWC website’ dedicated page: Ref. IW328106 – EUR 9.000
Speake Marin Openworked Dual Time Terracotta Watch
The Openworked Dual Time Terracotta watch features a striking multi-layered dial that exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship and design innovation. The central feature is the openworked main dial, decorated with a frosted hand finish and embellished with a terracotta hue achieved through a positive PVD coating with a subtle hint of orange. The dial is an architectural marvel, adorned with rhodium-plated, micro-blasted skeletonised bridges and mirror-polished bevels on the barrel and oscillating weight. Its design incorporates a two-tone display on the upper level, with black and grey tones providing a sophisticated day/night indication at 9:00. This, coupled with light grey Super-LumiNova hands that glow with a vibrant blue in dim lighting, offers excellent legibility and a distinctive look. The retrograde date function, accentuated by a black PVD-treated minute flange with grey Super-LumiNova markers emitting a blue glow, adds an element of functionality and style to the ensemble.
Beneath the captivating dial lies the calibre SMA02, an in-house manufacture self-winding movement, showcasing the mastery of mechanical craftsmanship. Designed and crafted by Le Cercle des Horlogers in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the movement features a fully integrated micro-rotor, accentuating the watch’s technical prowess. Comprising 273 components, it beats at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and boasts an impressive 52-hour power reserve. The movement is adorned with exquisite decorative elements, including black rhodium-plated bridges with hand-bevelled edges and Côtes de Genève motifs, creating a refined contrast against the terracotta-orange micro-rotor. This dedication to detail underscores the brand’s commitment to haute horlogerie.
Encased in a sleek 38mm or 42mm grade 5 titanium Piccadilly case, this timepiece exudes both contemporary and timeless appeal. The watch’s remarkable structure is characterised by a polished-brushed finish, a domed bezel, and a flared crown embellished with the Speake Marin logo enhancing its elegant profile. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal on both the dial and case back offers a clear view of the intricate mechanism within, while ensuring water resistance up to 3 ATM. Completing the watch is a white rubber strap with a grade 5 titanium pin buckle, finished with the Maison’s iconic logo, providing a comfortable and secure fit for both formal and informal occasions.
More info at Speake Marin Website: Ref. 413809020 – 38 mm – CHF 31’900 (excl. taxes) and Ref. 414209020 – 42 mm – CHF 32’400 (excl. taxes)
Zenith DEFY Revival Diver
Elegantly revisiting its historical design roots, the DEFY Revival Diver fuses vintage charm with modern craftsmanship, making it a refined choice for divers and watch enthusiasts alike.
The dials maintain a classic aesthetic with a sophisticated black and yellow colour palette. Its surface is further enhanced by white transferred hour markers and yellow-painted hands, all treated with SuperLuminova SLN C1, ensuring excellent legibility under water.
This Zenith reference 97.A3648.670/21.M3648 is powered by the Elite 670 automatic movement, functioning at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). The movement houses an oscillating weight finished with the “Côtes de Genève”, offering a sound and gratifying performance with a 50-hour power reserve. Reference 97.9600.3620/21.I300 is powered by El Primero 3620 automatic movement, running at 5Hz frequency delivering 60-hour power reserve.
Fashioned in micro-blasted titanium, the case preserves the iconic design of ZENITH’s original 1969 model, replete with its distinctive 14-sided bezel. The unidirectional rotating bezel is enhanced with a vibrant yellow-tinted sapphire insert. The watch is water-resistant up to 600 meters, making it as reliable as it is aesthetically pleasing. Both watches are an embodiment of ZENITH‘s dedication to innovation and craftsmanship, offering exquisite detailing while delivering superior performance. These timepieces are available at ZENITH boutiques and authorised retailers worldwide.
More info can be found on the Zenith Webpage: Ref 97.9600.3620/21.I300 – EUR 12.900 or CHF 11.900 and Ref 97.A3648.670/21.M3648 – EUR 8.600 or CHF 7.900.
Horological Digest Gallery
Breguet Type XX Chronographe Reference 2075
ORIS Hölstein Edition 2025
Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Mother-of-Pearl
BREVA GENEVE Segreto di Lario
IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert
Speake Marin Openworked Dual Time Terracotta Watch
Zenith DEFY Revival Diver
