Eterna present a new limited edition  watch, a re-release of the Super KonTiki divers watch of 1973.  The new piece is slightly larger than the original at 44mm, but retains the characteristic unusual shaped hour and minute hands and tonneau case.

Functionality and readability are ensured and the piece has a reassuringly reliable Swiss  ETA caliber 2824-2 automatic at its centre. With its basically monochrome looks there is nothing not to like about this watch, especially when you compare it looks and price-wise to  IWC’s Aquatimer which has a similar bezel without that distinctive chunky squared-off case that you get with the Eterna.

Eterna Heritage Super KonTiki 1973

The original piece was named as a tribute to explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s  1947 voyage across the Pacific to the Polynesian islands in his raft KonTiki and an engraving of the craft features on the back of the watchcase. Water resistance is to 200m with a power reserve of 38 hours.

Presented on a mesh bracelet with a diving extension the Heritage Super KonTiki is a limited edition of 1973 pieces worldwide.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Zenith present the new Elite Captain model for 2010.  The piece forms part of the trimmed down portfolio which sees the brand re-discovering its classical styling and traditional values.  Jean-Frédéric Dufour the CEO of the brand for just over a year had the seemingly mammoth task of slimming down the  collection of models which the brand had amassed in previous years.  He found himself in control of a brand whose collection was not  over-weight, it was obese.  Some of the models, part of the Zenith heritage had to stay, others whose designs were a bit more extreme ……..well let’s wait and see.

The 2010 Elite Captain model measures 40mm, its elegant sunray dial is ever so slightly domed, the  faceted applied indexes slightly shimmering, the whole design completely understated.  If ever there was a fine example of “less is more” then this is it.

Zenith Elite Captain Stainless Steel

The stainless steel model has a subtle red-tipped central second hand whilst the rose gold version features an exquisite blue central second hand with a new date window at the 6 o’clock position for both versions.

The Zenith Elite Captain Rose Gold

At the centre of both models is the  Zenith in-house calibre Elite 670 Automatic movement with 144 components and 27 jewels.   Côtes de Genève features on the oscillating weight viewable through an exhibition caseback.  Considered to be an “entry level” model within the Zenith family, the Elite Captain is surely a new piece which any manufacture would be proud to unveil.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Franc Vila release a celebratory piece the EVOS 8 Cobra Estrella Roja to honor the achievements of the Spanish World Cup team who won the coveted trophy earlier this month.

The colours of the Spanish National team suit the chunky styling of the Cobra to perfection and are to be found on the dial and strap stitching with a little estrella amarilla…… at the one o’clock position.

The piece will be a limited release of just 88 pieces which could have been sold many times over considering that this is the first time Spain have won the World Cup.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Innovative Master Watchmakers Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey unveiled their first Double Tourbillon 30° at Baselworld in 2004, a patented concept comprising a tourbillon caged within a cage, working at an incline of 30 degrees.

The latest and last release in the Contemporaine series within the collection, a limited edition of just 22 pieces worldwide has now been unveiled under the title  Greuble Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique.

The Double Tourbillon Edition Historique features a new intricate dial which incorporates three sapphire crystal plates and 3D text surrounded by a new flatter bezel.  Eleven pieces will be available in red gold with the same exclusive release in the platinum version.

Attention to detail, as expected from this level of watchmaking is, of course superb.  That this is a release which will appeal to watch collectors is in no doubt and many of the 22 pieces will rarely if ever be worn.  However this level of technical creativity is of utmost importance to the industry, a tribute to Master Watchmakers of the past and surely an inspiration to those who will come in the future.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Corum release the latest in their highly distinctive nautical-inspired series – the Admiral’s Cup Black Chronograph 40.  The piece measures  a slightly more petite 40mm and is sure to appeal to any sailing diva.  All the usual functions are present along with the now iconic nautical pennants and Corum key on the seconds hand.

The Chronograph 40 features an combination of 66 diamonds and black PVD-treated steel presented on a chunky rubber strap – a mix which some manufacturers wouldn’t get away  with but one which Corum being Corum manage to harmonize.

Two versions are available, black dial limited to 355 pieces and a more exclusive white dial limited to 155 pieces – just don’t check the time while sailing into the sun, those blinding diamonds might just knock you off your course.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Longines release a replica of a watch once used by the scientists on the Expéditions Polaires Françaises – Missions Paul-Emile Victor which began in the 1940′s with the purpose of  exploring the coast of  Greenland and the Adélie Coast.

The piece features a self-winding movement, the Calibre L619 with a power reserve of 42 hours. The wearers of the original model required practicality, therefore the styling was functional and utilitarian – just perfect for today’s vintage-inspired niche of the watch market which continues to grow.

In honour of its origins the Longines Expéditions Polaires Françaises – Missions Paul-Emile Victor watch features the names of the two locations, Greenland and Adélie engraved on the back of the stainless steel case and the piece in true Longines fashion is unfussy and classical.

Popularity: 8% [?]

As the old saying goes, what’s in a name?  Eberhard & Co, that much respected Manufacture d’Horlogerie release the Chrono 4 BADBOY which, I have been assured, is not a tribute piece for any Gangsta Rap artist.

Eberhard & Co have been creating precision timers since 1887, progressing to wristwatch chronographs just over twenty years later.  With their Chrono 4 collection, the brand brought a unique layout to the chronograph dial, with the counters  presented in an orderly linear design.  The Chrono 4 BADBOY, the latest piece has been given a facelift, albeit a somewhat rugged one.

The unidirectional rotating bezel features  chunky black engraved numerals alternating with PVD treated screws.  More screws feature on the dial, this time to add impact to the metal inner circle which together with a matt finish on the centre of the dial and a black dial rim with a tachymeter scale add three-dimensional depth.  The various finishes on the dial are anything but fussy, however,  the efficient row of neat chronograph counters brings the whole composition together.

The Chrono 4 BADBOY measures 46mm and is presented on a black rubber strap.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Prominent Parisian purveyor of pricey premium products Hermès have recently announced the launch of a new addition to their collection of timepieces. The Hermès Carré H will be released in a limited edition of 173 pieces – denoting the number of years since the founding of the luxury goods family company in 1837.

Employing the skills of renowned French designer and architect Marc Berthier, the company set him the brief to create “what a Hermès timepiece for a travelling dandy might look like”. The result is a clever microbead blasted titanium cased carré design incorporating the Hermès signature stirrup theme with strap loops in lieu of more conventional lugs.

Hermès Carré H

Berthier’s take on the shape of the case was to maintain the lines of a square yet remove every sharp or right angle from it, with the result being an almost pebble-smooth finish, curving round as the flanks join the caseback which has a sapphire crystal exhibition window through which can be seen the decorated Girard-Perregaux Calibre 3200 automatic movement.

Hermès Carré H

The bezel is highly polished and it contrasts against the gunmetal grey of the case and beneath the sapphire crystal the dial is an unapologetic art deco throwback and perpetuates the watch’s carré theme featuring square small seconds within a square recess as well as classic period baton hour markers and hands.

The strap is black Barenia calfskin with titanium tang buckle.

Hermès Carré H showing 'H' decorated G-P automatic movement

This is a lovely designer’s watch – not as in ‘designer watch’ like you can pick up for a tenner in your nearest shopping centre – but as in the execution of Berthier’s concept. It’s almost too nice to limit to just the planned 173 pieces.

Who knows, if it is well received and sells as quickly as is hoped, then maybe we’ll see a more widely available model sometime in the future.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Chopard have some great looking watches in their Mille Miglia and Gran Turismo collections, and regular updates or limited editions over the years help to ensure that interest is strong on the brand.

This year, to commemorate their 150th anniversary, they have revisited their Gran Turismo XL and also joined forces with a rejuvenated Alfa Romeo, who coincidentally are popping the champagne round their way too this year as 2010 also marks their centenial anniversary.

And so, to commemorate both companies’ milestones in 2010, Chopard have unveiled a fab limited edition range of watches – and desk/travel clocks too.

Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Chronometer

The Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo collections are available in three guises; as automatic C.O.S.C. chronometer in a 44mm stainless steel case or the Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo C.O.S.C. Chronograph, which is available in 44mm stainless steel or cool Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) version. The three models are available in a limited run of 500 pieces each.

Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Chronometer

Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Chronograph in Steel

Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Chronograph in DLC-coated steel

All three versions come on the Dunlop ‘radial’ tyre natural rubber strap and the combination of red, white, steel and black do set the pulse racing, especially with the Alfa Romeo logo inscribed in rosso red on the black dial.

The watches are all powered by ETA-based automatic chronometer movements.

I also mentioned that the collaboration carried over into a travel clock and a desk clock, both faithful hommages to the Gran Turismo XL watch.

The Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Travel and Desk Clocks

Having spent four (mostly) happy years as the owner of a wonderful-sounding 3-litre Alfa Romeo 166, I have to confess a little bit of bias here, but heck, when a collection such as this comes around  – to celebrate big birthdays for both brands – it would be rude not to mention them here in The Watch Press.

Popularity: 17% [?]