Crafting timepieces is no easy feat. From its intricate machinery down to the very art and design, you could argue that watchmaking is an art all its own and is for that reason alone why premium timepieces can fetch such a high price.
There’s a time when function reigns supreme above everything else but, at a certain price point, watches become a canvas for the artists’ creative imagination. If you want proof, check out these stunning creations.
CIGA Design x Label Noir Blue Planet II Black Star Edition
The Blue Planet II Black Star Edition, a stunning partnership with Swiss atelier Label Noir, has been revealed by CIGA Design. It reimagines the Blue Planet series from a cosmic perspective.
With a dial that evokes a black hole, the Black Star Edition departs from Earth-inspired themes and ventures into deep space. A void-like visual effect is produced by the Super Black pigment-coated 8.5mm concave pit at its centre, which absorbs 99.6% of light.
This is surrounded by CMYK gradient-printed spiral galaxy patterns, with a bright polar star hand circling overhead to show the passing of time.
The watch has a folding clasp, a black fluororruber band, and a 46mm Grade 2 titanium case with a black DLC coating. Its sapphire crystal glass has a 3 ATM water resistance rating and provides anti-reflective clarity and scratch resistance.
The watch is powered by an internal Swiss-made CD-04-S automatic movement that makes use of CIGA Design’s exclusive Asynchronous-Follow Technology.
This mechanism provides a smooth and user-friendly single-hand time display by rotating the hour ring by 30 degrees and the minute ring by 390 degrees. The watch has a power reserve of about 41 hours at a frequency of 28,800 vph.
The Label Noir-partnered Blue Planet II Black Star Edition watch retails for US$1,980 (~RM8,417) and can be purchased through CIGA Design’s official website.
Citizen’s 30th Anniversary Eco-Drive Limited Edition
Citizen has dropped a new, limited-edition watch in honour of the 30th anniversary of its Eco-Drive technology. The hand-dyed indigo Tosa washi paper dial of reference AQ4106-26L, which is limited to just 300 pieces globally, was made using the Murakumo shibori technique, which uses delicate compression and dyeing to create patterns resembling clouds.
The brand’s commitment to creativity and individuality is reflected in the distinctiveness of each dial.
The piece, which is protected by a darkened Super Titanium and Duratect DLC-treated case, is also evidence of the brand’s commitment to using high-quality, long-lasting materials.
The watch has a light-powered Eco-Drive movement with high accuracy in addition to its eye-catching design. Additionally, it has a perpetual calendar with an instant calendar change at midnight and automatic adjustments until 28th February, 2100.
An impact detection and lock feature further improves the watch and safeguards its fragile mechanism.
Its constant accuracy is further guaranteed by an automatic hand correction feature.
Citizen’s 30th Anniversary Eco-Drive Limited Edition retails for US$3,300 (~RM14,029) and will be hitting store shelves later this August. For more information, visit CITIZEN’s official website.
