by Dana Li
It’s finally here! I woke up this morning to a flurry of new images and announcements from all the watch brands and couldn’t be more excited. With an abundance of new designs, technical innovations, and reissues from vintage collections, here are some of my favorite releases so far.
Cartier Collection Privé Tank Chinoise
Cartier is bringing back the Tank Chinoise from the 1920s in its latest Collection Privé lineup. The new slightly elongated case compared to the original square one elevates the watch and creates a timeless feel. There are 6 versions of the watch in multiple precious metal configurations including yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum. One of my favorites is the yellow gold skeleton Tank Chinoise that incorporates Chinese architecture motifs and showcases everything that Cartier does best from a design perspective. All versions of the watch will be limited editions and have 100-150 pieces for each version, with the exception of the diamond-set platinum skeleton which will have only 20 pieces.
Grand Seiko White Lion and Kodo Complication
I was already incredibly excited to see what Grand Seiko would announce during Watches and Wonders this week but the SBGD209 White Lion and the SLGT003 Kodo are just downright amazing and blew any previous expectations I had out of the water. These two pieces really cement Grand Seiko’s standing as an innovative watchmaker that seamlessly blends technical capabilities and gorgeous aesthetic design.
The detail on the White Lion piece is absolutely incredible from the dial mimicking a lion’s mane to the expert gem-setting that dazzles the watch. The opulent high-jewelry piece is set with a total of 267 diamonds with a total weight of 5.97 carats, accentuating an already breathtaking design. There will only be 5 pieces produced of this stunner.
The newly debuted Kodo is also noteworthy. The piece is the first Grand Seiko mechanical complication and incorporates the T0 Constant Force Tourbillon that was developed in 2020. This watch really shows off Grand Seiko’s technical capabilities and is a true powerhouse while also maintaining a delicate design with the skeletonized movement. The Kodo is limited to 20 pieces and is expected to be available later this year beginning August.
Rolex GMT Master II
As a left-handed gal, I heavily considered asking the lovely folks at my AD to put me on the waitlist for the latest Rolex GMT Master II. Green is having a moment almost everywhere these days and it’s no different with the GMT. The green and black bezel combination works well together and wears great for everyday. The GMT Master II is available on both the Oyster and Jubilee bracelet, similar to the other steel models. Kudos to Rolex for releasing this piece - it may very well convince me to add a modern GMT to my collection.
Oris ProPilot X Caliber 400
The new Oris ProPilot X Caliber 400 is quickly becoming one of my favorite Oris watches. The watch has a clean design and a sleek case, making it extremely wearable for just about any wrist. Since the bracelet and case are both made of titanium, the ProPilot is also lightweight and more comfortable to wear. The watch also has an exhibition case back and is available in 3 colors: blue, salmon, and grey. For $4,300, Oris packs a punch with this piece in terms of value and aesthetic without compromising on quality.
Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques 222
As a vintage lover and a fan of the vintage 222’s, I’m absolutely stoked that Vacheron decided to re-introduce this piece into their Les Historiques collection. The watch is nearly identical to the original with the exception of a few departures including an in-house Vacheron movement and an exhibition case back. The 222 was debuted in 1977 to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of Vacheron Constantin and was in production for about 7 years. The original run of the piece came in yellow gold, steel, and two-tone. The new Les Historiques 222 will be available in 18K yellow gold through Vacheron boutiques only.
