Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

As a seasoned connoisseur of timepieces, I must admit that this latest collection leaves me utterly captivated. From the exquisite craftsmanship of the 18-karat rose gold Toric to the futuristic styling of the Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad, each piece is a testament to the artistry and innovation that defines horology.


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What’s the popular color style in luxury wristwatches this summer? To get a sense of it, you could watch one of Denis Villeneuve’s movies titled “Dune,” or drive with the roof down on the I-15 towards the Mojave Desert to observe the colors that are influencing high-end watchmakers at present.

The California desert aesthetic is evident in a variety of brands, ranging from affordable options to luxury pieces that are popular among Hollywood celebrities. Texture is significant in conveying this trend; for instance, the suede bands on watches by Baume & Mercier and Laurent Ferrier, as well as the sand-textured finish on the latest Parmigiani Fleurer Toric Chronograph Rattrapante, which Keanu Reeves appreciates. Speake-Marin’s latest dial is designed to resemble sand dunes, while the dial color of the recently launched Portugieser Automatic 42 by IWC – a brand preferred by A-listers such as Chris Pratt, Sterling K. Brown, and Lewis Hamilton – has been referred to as Dune.

As a watch enthusiast, I’m excited to delve into the desert trend sweeping unisex styles, with fresh additions like the Alpina Alpiner and Oris Aquis Date gracing our wrists in a soft, appealing beige hue. Here’s a roundup of a baker’s dozen watches that are sure to heat up your summer wardrobe with this season’s must-have color!

Alpina Alpiner Extreme Quartz

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

Experiencing pure excitement over the brand-new Alpina Alpiner Extreme! This beauty flaunts a distinctive triangle-patterned beige dial housed in a 34mm stainless-steel case, finished with both brushed and polished accents. The matching steel bracelet completes its rugged charm. With luminescent-treated hour markers, hands for hours, minutes, and seconds, it’s easy to tell time even in the darkest conditions. Not forgetting the date window neatly placed at 6 o’clock. Available for $1,295 at Watch Connection, Costa Mesa, Huckberry, and Alpina Watches‘ official website.

Arnold & Son Longitude Titanium

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

The new Arnold & Son Longitude Titanium, limited to 88 pieces, honors the historic timepieces created by the brand’s founder, John Arnold, an 18th-century English watchmaker. This officially certified chronometer is housed in a stylish 42.5mm titanium case with both polished and satin finishes. It comes attached to a comfortable titanium bracelet, designed with gentle curves to fit snugly against your wrist. The dial sports a vertical sandy-toned finish, known as “Kingsand,” inspired by the Cornwall beach where Arnold spent his childhood years. Key features include a small seconds subdial and a power reserve indicator. Priced at $23,900, you can purchase it from Feldmar Watch Company in Los Angeles or online at feldmarwatch.com.

Baume & Mercier Classima 10782

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

On the latest Baume & Mercier Classima 10782 automatic chronograph, a sunburst dial with a sand tone is complemented by accents of anthracite. The watch, housed in a 42mm stainless-steel case, offers functions such as day and date windows, a chronograph, small seconds subdials, and a power reserve of 48 hours. To match the dial, it comes with a calf nubuck suede strap. Retailing at $3,200, you can find it on nordstrom.com and baume-et-mercier.com.

Czapek Promenade Guilloché Soleil Ivoire

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

Nestled within a sleek 38mm steel casing and set against a beige nubuck strap, the seconds subdial on Czapek’s Promenade Guilloché Soleil Ivoire takes inspiration from the sun. It showcases intricate sunray engravings in an unbalanced pattern. This self-winding movement also boasts a 60-hour power reserve. The item is currently up for pre-order at Cellini Jewelers, New York, and on czapek.com with the price yet to be disclosed.

IWC Portugieser Automatic 42

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

In a 42.4mm steel housing, the new IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 offers a sunray beige dial option, often referred to as Dune. This self-winding watch boasts a small seconds subdial, a seven-day power reserve indicator, and a date window positioned at 6 o’clock. It retails for $13,500, and can be purchased at IWC, Beverly Hills, or on the official website iwc.com.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph boasts a dial with a graduated gray appearance, achieved through the application of 40 layers of varnish and tonal lacquer. This timepiece features a chronograph seconds counter, tachymeter, and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, along with a power reserve of up to 65 hours. Included with this watch are two straps: one in black and the beige canvas color displayed here. It retails for $14,300, available at Jaeger-LeCoultre stores in Beverly Hills and online at jaeger-lecoultre.com.

Laurent Ferrier Classic Moon Silver

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

The Laurent Ferrier Classic Moon showcases its refined roman numerals within a 40mm case made of 18-karat red gold. This exquisite timepiece merges calendar functions with a moon-phase indicator. At the 12 o’clock position, you’ll find windows displaying the day and month, while vintage-style dates are arranged on the circumference of the dial’s satin-finished surface. All these features are beautifully presented on a strap crafted from brown calfskin, skillfully hand-stitched. Inquire about pricing at Cellini Jewelers in New York or directly from LaurentFerrier.ch.

Oris Aquis Date

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

As a seasoned watch enthusiast with years of experience in the industry, I find the new Oris Aquis Date to be a standout piece that resonates deeply with me. The mother-of-pearl dial, reminiscent of sand dunes swaying under the wind, evokes memories of my travels and adventures across diverse landscapes. The deep ivory rubber strap adds a luxurious touch while maintaining a rugged edge, making it perfect for both casual and formal occasions.

Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

Available only in a limited edition of 30 pieces starting in September, the recently introduced Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph Rattrapante stands out for numerous distinctive factors. Among these, the movement is particularly notable as it’s meticulously crafted from 18-karat rose gold and can be admired through a sapphire case back, mirroring the watch’s 42.5mm case. Rose gold is also utilized for the hours, minutes, and chronograph hands, as well as the hour markers on the periphery of the dial, which are adorned with a hand-grained finish in a shade named “natural umber.” This slender timepiece showcases a manual-winding movement that is an impressive 7.35mm thin. The price for this item can be obtained at Greenwich Time in Newport Beach or on the official website, parmigiani.com.

Speake-Marin Ripples Dune Date

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

As a longtime watch enthusiast and collector, I have always been captivated by unique and visually striking timepieces that embody a sense of adventure and timeless elegance. The Speake-Marin Ripples Dune Date is one such watch that has caught my attention due to its intricate sand-hued dial reminiscent of desert sand formations, which is beautifully housed within a 40.3mm stainless-steel case with a rounded square bezel and satin-finished surface.

Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

As a gamer, stepping into the world of Ulysse Nardin’s Freak S Nomad feels like diving headfirst into a post-apocalyptic landscape straight out of Mad Max. With only 99 pieces available worldwide, this masterpiece boasts a robust 45mm case made from a blend of carbon fiber and titanium. The heart of the Freak S Nomad is its innovative dial, featuring a flying carousel that orbits on its axis, serving as the minute hand. Beneath it, an intricate khaki-toned guilloché hour disc spins. All this comes at a price tag of $148,300, available exclusively at Feldmar Watch Company in Los Angeles and online at feldmarwatch.com.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date

Desert Hues Are Heating Up in Status Watches

The newly introduced self-winding Patrimony watch by Vacheron Constantin showcases a unique retrograde date function that circles around the upper half of its sunburst dial with a satin finish. At 6 o’clock, you’ll find an intricately crafted moon-phase indicator, featuring moons made of 18-karat rose gold within a starry backdrop. The dial is accentuated by a convex design and marked with 48 minute markers and 12 hour markers, all in 18-karat rose gold, housed within a 42.5mm white-gold case. Interestingly, despite being described as olive green, the leather strap appears more reminiscent of cactus hue. Pricing details are available at Vacheron Constantin, Beverly Hills or on their official website: vacheron-constantin.com

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2024-08-23 03:55