Luxury Watches

Watch complications, though no longer strictly necessary, serve more than a utilitarian purpose. They embody ingenuity, an enduring respect for tradition, and a blend of smart mechanics and design finesse.

Up until the 20th century, quality watches were primarily encased in silver or gold. Over the past 100 years, however, we have witnessed immense advances in the types of materials used to keep mechanical movements safe from the elements. 

'MB&F' stands for 'Maximilian Büsser and Friends'. Since its inception in 2005, from the moment the business name was registered, this watchmaker and purveyor of mechanical art objects has had collaboration at its core. Essentially, it’s a vehicle for founder Büsser to partner with individuals possessing specialised skills, in order to make innovative horological concepts and out-there inventions a reality.

It’s almost difficult to recall the state of horology only a few decades ago, when high watches were elegant, svelte, timeless. How things have changed. These are the brands that blazed the trail.

Boulevard's private event concept, ‘The Fireside’, debuted in Sydney with an evening hosted by LexPedersen, co-founder of supercar fund Chrome Temple.

Franck Muller is known for its signature Curvex CX cases that house not only the most complicated technologies but are also crafted with exceptional design. The Silhouette CX Snake is an extraordinary timepiece that represents the next evolution of the iconic watch case, crafted by renowned master casemaker Vartan Sirmakes.

In 1810, when Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger sister envisioned Breguet’s first wristwatch, she commissioned Abraham-Louis Breguet to create a timepiece befitting her status. This marked the beginning of the world-famous Reine de Naples line. In 2025, the Maison adds another exclusive masterpiece to this iconic collection in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Swiss luxury watchmaker Richard Mille first collaborated with renowned Italian marque Ferrari in 2021, unveiling the RM UP-01 Ultraflat Ferrari—a timepiece that, at just 1.75mm thick, stunned the watch world with its razor-thin profile. When it was officially launched in 2022, the watch sparked controversy over its unconventional design, yet it nonetheless demonstrated Richard Mille’s horological prowess. It also edged out Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Ultra, which debuted the same year, to claim the title of the world’s thinnest mechanical watch.

Jacob & Co unveils the latest edition of The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone Tourbillon, featuring a stunning world map dial and welcoming a tourbillon at its heart.

The significance of the snake is deeply rooted in rich symbolism, drawing from ancient Chinese myth, where the creature is seen as a symbol of wisdom and transformation. It is also renowned for its mystique, strength and ability to shed its skin, embodying renewal and resilience. These powerful traits have inspired some of the world’s leading watchmakers to embrace the Wood Snake tradition.

Franck Muller continues its quest in crafting timeless creations by marrying together the beauty of high jewellery and the complexity of haute horology in the new Round Skeleton Baguette 31. This iconic piece is part of the Maison's Asia Pacific Exclusive collection. It is also the latest addition to the Round Skeleton lineup but made more unique, thanks to the baguette-cut diamonds and coloured gemstones that adorn the bezel and case.

In 2016, Swiss watchmaker Hublot partnered with Maxime Plescia-Buchi, founder of Sang Bleu, to bring tattoo artistry into the world of haute horology. Together, they transformed intricate geometric tattoo art into wearable timepieces and released over a dozen designs, including the Big Bang Sang Bleu.

MB&F's fruitful decade-long partnership with L’Epée 1839 has produced some memorable machines and mechanisms, 15 of them to be exact. The StarfleetMachine, for instance, wowed audiences as an intergalactic spaceship-cum-table clock with double retrograde seconds. Grant, on the other hand, was a combination of what seemed to be a reconfigured futuristic tank, having a clock as a shield on its back.

Jacob & Co is one of the most recognized luxury watchmakers for its horological expertise, as well as its use of high-end materials in crafting great complications. Each masterpiece has made its benchmark around the world and became a true collector's item, just like the Billionaire Timeless Treasure watch which fused high jewellery and horology together and was only available in a limited release of 21 pieces.

In 2022, Grand Seiko released the first Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon, a complication that houses a tourbillon and a constant-force mechanism as one unit on a single axis. It was the first time in horological history that one timepiece holds both complex mechanisms, which is the reason why it garnered the Chronometry Prize at that year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. This year, Grand Seiko unveils its daybreak counterpart to complete the portrayal of light and dark in its Kodo collection.

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms traces its origins to the navy, like many iconic dive watches of its era. In the early 1950s, the French Navy challenged watchmakers to create a timepiece that could withstand underwater operations. At the helm of Blancpain was CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter, an avid diver whose passion shaped the watch’s design. His hands-on approach led to a timepiece prized by militaries worldwide, including those of Pakistan, Germany, and the United States.

Hublot first began its partnership with renowned Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami in 2021, united by a shared vision of creating timepieces that are exceptional, as they are functional. These include the Classic Fusion models and a series of NFT artworks that are paired with unique pieces.

Wolf is a renowned British-based luxury brand that curates the most exceptional watch winders and jewellery boxes. It has gone through five generations of the Wolf family line and has continuously operated since its inception in 1834. This year, Wolf celebrates its 190th anniversary by releasing five limited-edition collections, each inspired by its five generations.

After their vibrant 2021 collaboration with the LM FlyingT Allegra, high jewellery Maison Bulgari and Swiss watchmaker MB&F partner once more to reimagine the iconic Bulgari Serpenti – blending heritage with bold innovation.

The Marine Equation Marchante 5887 is arguably one of Breguet's highly technical timepiece, featuring a 43.9-mm diameter case and an ultramarine face that first came out in 2017. Three years later, the tourbillon collection was reimagined in warm reflections of pink gold, complemented with a beautiful chocolate-coloured dial.

Moonphase complications are among the oldest and most intricate movements in horology, requiring exceptional precision. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a watch but also showcase the complexity and attention to detail involved in its creation. In its latest masterpiece, Glashütte Original reinterprets the moon, offering a glimpse of its captivating aura within the PanoLunarInverse.

IWC Schaffhausen first introduced the Ingenieur in 1955 as an antimagnetic wristwatch designed for civilian use, marking a significant milestone for the Maison. The timepiece gained even greater prominence in the 1970s when renowned Geneva watch designer Gérald Genta reimagined and transformed it into a stainless-steel luxury sports watch.

Since 2013, IWC Schaffhausen has forged a profound partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, becoming its ’Official Engineering Partner’. The Maison crafted the first official team watch in 2022 with the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition, followed by the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 in 2024.

When MB&F first introduced the limited-edition series of its Legacy Machine (LM) Split Escapement in 2021, it brought the novels of French author Jules Verne to life through an intricately hand-engraved dial crafted by Eddy Jaquet.

Skeleton timepieces represent a statement of engineering excellence for the world’s finest luxury watchmakers. For the house of Cartier, watchmaking often incorporates rich elements of art and breathtaking jewellery design.

Most have come to associate Jacob & Co with lavishly radical watchmaking. Each piece is an exercise in bold complications using traditional methods. Its Opera Godfather Musical Watch is no different. This limited-edition release, with its mechanical musical box and triple-axis gravitational tourbillon, enjoys the quintessential features of a definitive Jacob & Co classic.

Only a handful of watchmakers focus on the thrills of mechanical depth like Rebellion. Its translucent skeletonised cases and elegantly sportier character are indicative of a passion for motorsport. The spirit of the brand's timepieces is synonymous with that of a sportscar: light, stylishly bold, high octane and visually stunning.

When you've mastered the full suite of mechanical complications – including an extraordinary phases of the moon dial complete with orbiting satellite – where to next? For Bovet 1822, it was a step back from engineering, and into art.

De Bethune is among the most innovative watchmakers in operation today. So it seems apt to ask the company’s CEO, Pierre Jacques, how he drives his team to remain inventive and inspired. Jacques deflects all praise in this regard to his partner in the business, De Bethune cofounder and master watchmaker, Denis Flageollet.

When Fatemeh Laleh assumed the role of International Communication and Image Director at Piaget, the company’s CEO Benjamin Comar asked her what she thought of the brand. Beyond a loose awareness of the logo, Laleh says she struggled to answer. “I’m not capable of telling you what the brand is today,” she told her new boss, with remarkable candor.

Back in June, Blancpain celebrated its Bathyscape collection with a contemporary ceramic reinterpretation. The Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune incorporated the Maison's innovative calendar DNA with the Bathyscape's signature diver aesthetics and functionality, adding another layer to the series' proud history.

If there's one thing Hublot has always understood, it's the beauty that lies in heritage. Since the Maison's launch in 1980, it has continued to push the boundaries of Swiss watchmaking and what a modern timepiece could be. This, of course, started off with the introduction of polished and brushed gold and rubber into haute horology, presenting new ways of defining style and adaptability.

As a younger player in the prodigious world of Swiss watchmaking, Emera prides itself in its sense of creativity and horological ingenuity. The Maison's collections are exercises in new aesthetic frontiers, opting for more futuristic styling laced with centuries-old mechanical practices. This is especially evident in one of its flagship pieces, the Cyborg Exoskeleton Tourbillon Super Structurae.

In the realm of luxury aviation watches, IWC Schaffhausen has earned itself quite the reputation, thanks to its use of ceramic and titanium, functional calendar complications and the iconic moon phase calendar.

Franck Muller's spirit of collaboration is most evident in its work with contemporary art world. The Maison has worked with the likes of Loes van Delft, Hom Nguyen and Daniel Arsham, among others, to create some of its most fascinating modern timepieces. And its latest Cintrée Curvex piece with Japanese artist Ryoko Kaneta is no different.

The famed Classique Double Tourbillon 'Quai de l’Horloge' is arguably the ultimate homage to the richness of Breguet's history. It was with the piece that the Maison would introduce the world to the idea of the tourbillon, which would eventually be patented by Abraham Louis-Breguet himself. All these years later, its latest reiteration, the 5345 in rose gold, still references the same styling cues, as well as Breguet's legendary birthplace in Paris.

Thinking about the Aeternitas Mega, one can't help but appreciate this masterclass in Franck Muller's technical prowess. It's only fitting that the most complicated watch in the world (built with a whopping 36 complications and 1,483 components) is made by the master of complications themselves. This piece encapsulates the brand's commitment to horological innovation. It's a philosophy that has defined its iconic collections since the introduction of the Cintrée Curve in 1987.

The first thing that comes to mind with Roger Dubuis is its distinctive architectural designs and sharp aesthetic quality. In particular, its skeletonised dials allow the wearer an intimate look with the intricacies of the mechanical movements. Each timepiece boasts a unique expression that is sure to impress even the most savvy collector

Nearly 70 years later, Blancpain's Bathyscape collection still enjoys quite the notoriety among watch collectors. The daily-use version of the iconic Fifty Fathoms collection, and its decreased diameter, made it one of the most celebrated diver's watches ever. Recently, the Maison introduced a contemporary reinterpretation of such with the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune.

It was only in 2020 that Grand Seiko introduced a jewellery watch into its Masterpiece Collection. The iconic Lion would be replaced by the regal white lion, and soon enough, Spring Drive jewelry timepieces would set a new standard for the Maison. At Watches and Wonders Geneva, the latest Spring Drive 8-day jewellery would be met with a glorious reception, leading to some of the most sought-after divers in the world.

In the world of haute horology, these watches stood out as symbols of refinement, horological ingenuity and enduring style. These rare timepieces exuded a particular feminine grace, a kind of unique charm that captivated its fellow Maisons. From sleek minimalist designs to intricate complications and timeless accents, these revered expressions paid homage to women's place in the watchmaking industry.

"The chronograph complication holds a dear place in our Maison," Roger Dubuis Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Sadry Keiser says. "Mr. Roger Dubuis was passionate about traditional horological complications, so when he launched his company in 1995, he included a chronograph calibre in the very first watches he created."

At this year's Frieze Art Fair in New York, independent curator and Apsara Studio founder Jenn Ellis would unveil the product of an artistic collaboration brokered by Breguet and Frieze a year ago.

Known as the 'Florence on the Elbe', the city of Dresden is often associated with romantic landmarks. Whether it's the Frauenkirche, the Academy of Fine Arts or the Baroque Zwinger Palace, the city's most important icons were made to stand the test of time. Right in the middle of this is where Glashütte Original established its operations, taking mostly from styling cues prevalent in the 19th century.

If there's one feature that distinguishes IWC Schaffhausen from the rest, it's the revered perpetual calendar. The horological calendar mechanism, first devised by none other than Kurt Klause in the '80s, signaled a turning point. Manual synchronisation was introduced and it became a pillar for haute horlogerie complications from then on.

Few names come close to the horological ingenuity of Blancpain. The brand is commonly associated with watchmaking innovation and craftsmanship. And the Villeret Quantième Perpétuel offers its own unique expression, featuring the complex perpetual calendar, as well as the under-lug correctors.

Since its inception, Piaget's savoir-faire is often defined by their daring creativity. In the late '50s, it announced its reintroduction to the world in the form of the first ultra-thin clockwork: the Altiplano collection. The Maison's groundbreaking new movement remains one of the most historically significant innovations in the 20th century, blurring the distinction between art and timepiece.

In only about a decade since its debut, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller has quickly transformed itself into one of the most revered watches in recent memory. It's one of the most complicated watches released under the Rolex name in the modern age, combining the perks of the annual calendar and GMT functions. If the beloved GMT-Master was built for the pilot, then this timepiece is handcrafted with the traveller in mind.

It was only two decades ago when Ulysse Nardin introduced an unorthodox timepiece in the face of 'Freak.' At the time, it was heralded for breaking the rules of traditional watchmaking: no dial, no hands and no crown. It was a risk when it was released but has since proven to be a groundbreaking timepiece with a deconstruction concept ahead of its time.

When Caroline Murat, Napoleon Bonaparte's younger sister, imagined Breguet's first wristwatch in 1810, she had Abraham-Louis Breguet create a timepiece worthy of her pedigree. Thus, the introduction of a series that would culminate in the world-famous Reine de Naples line. In honor of Women's Month, Breguet debuts a fresh new silhouette in the 8918.

When Franck Muller's Long Island watch first hit the market in 2000, it was revered for being a true homage to the Art Deco movement, with its curved rectangular case and rectilinear, arched numerals. It was a tasteful, innovative rendition of the Novecento style. More than two decades later, the renowned series gets reconfigured and revitalised with the Franck Muller Long Island Evolution.

It's easy to forget how transformative the first release of the Hublot Big Bang was in 2005. It was a timepiece that paved the way for steel, ceramic and rubber to be seen as opulence redefined. From the 'sandwich' construction and 44-mm case to the large pushers and skeleton dial and strap, it has since become one of the most recognisable watches in the world.

It wasn't so long ago that Audemars Piguet’s first Royal Oak concept for women made quite a splash. Launched in 2018, the 18-carat white-gold timepiece featured a flying tourbillon and an array of brilliant or baguette-cut diamonds. At the time, it completely disrupted ideas of what a women’s wristwatch should be

When Hublot first came to Richard Orlinski, the Swiss luxury watchmaker wanted a watch that had the makings of a contemporary piece of art. The collaboration ended up producing the coveted Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Orlinsk, mirroring the celebrated artist's stylised geometric subjects. Now, they've linked up again to create another stunning timepiece in the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski.

Girard-Perregaux gained the reputation of being an iconoclast in watchmaking with the introduction of the Constant Escapement in 2013. A winner of the Aiguille D'Or at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, the timepiece was a masterclass in chronometry and mechanical depth. It was a holographic revelation in many ways, addressing the fundamental concern of amplitude drops in watches.

Leica is a name forged in the history books of photography – with a reputation for precision imaging tools dating back to its foundation as Ernst Leitz Optische Werke in 1869. So what happens when a legendary German camera maker applies its philosophy of fine engineering to an entirely new discipline?