Ten years ago, MB&F introduced the amphibious inspired HM3 Frog in all its bug-eyed glory. It was one of the brand’s best sellers throughout its five-year run. Featuring two large “eyes” that rotated to display the hours and minutes and a broad grinning “smile,” MB&F’s Frog pushed the boundaries of design and looked ready to jump at a moment.
The turquoise edition with white alligator strap. Credit: MB&F
Now to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its creation, MB&F has created a special limited edition FrogX in three different colors with a new sapphire crystal case and a “secret that appears only under the right light”.
The amphibious “horological machine” in Purple. Credit: MB&F
Like the previous Frog edition, two paper-thin domes milled out of light-weight black anodized aluminum indicate the hours and minutes and are housed under two sapphire crystal domes. What is different with the new FrogX model is that the entire case has now been crafted out of sapphire crystal (instead of only the domes combined with a metal case).
The FrogX case is made entirely out of sapphire crystal. Credit: MB&F
On both editions of the Frog, the curvature of the domed “eyes” has to be exactly right and the thickness of the crystal strictly controlled throughout so as not to distort the time display. With the new FrogX, however, the two sapphire domes are fused to the sapphire crystal upper case body, creating an additional level of difficulty.
Machining and polishing each case of HM3 FrogX requires weeks of intensive and meticulous work, a time-frame that would be significantly multiplied if not for MB&F’s experience in sapphire crystal design dating back to 2005.
Incorporating the distinctive HM3 engine built by watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, the FrogX still offers the wearer an uninterrupted view of the 22K gold and titanium winding rotor and the oscillations of the balance wheel but has forgone the date display to ensure the MegaWind rotor and domes are given enough real-estate on the dial.
Black line markers indicate the correct hour and minutes. Credit: MB&F
To make it easier to read the time at night, the dome numbers are coated with Super-Luminova and appear like two glowing eyes of a wild tree frog peering out of the darkness in the Amazon.
Super-LumiNova coated numbers to assist with telling the time at night. Credit: MB&F
Another unique attribute of the FrogX is the secret MB&F battle-axe “signal” that appears at just the right angle thanks to some clever light-sculpting techniques by Swiss company Rayform.
The secret battle-axe signal that appears at the right angle. Credit: MB&F
Using the FrogX’s crown (usually engraved with MB&F’s iconic battle-axe insignia), the smoothly polished crown has instead been sculpted at microscopic levels that allow light to be reflected in a highly specific way. By micro-forming a metal surface at levels nearly imperceptible to the human eye, Rayform’s technology allows direct incident light beams to be reflected in the battle-axe shape that can be viewed on any relatively uniform surface.
If you look closely you can see the battle-axe signal underneath. Credit: MB&F
Limited to 10 pieces of each of the three versions (blue, purple or turquoise), the HM3 FrogX 10th anniversary limited editions are priced at CHF 138,000 each (approx USD$150,000) and available through retailers and MB&F directly.
MB&F HM3 FrogX Details
Variants
Sapphire Crystal case with blue dial plate
Sapphire Crystal case with purple dial plate
Sapphire Crystal case with turquoise dial plate
Engine
3D Horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/ Agenhor on Girard-Perregaux GP03300 base
Power reserve: 48 hours
Balance frequency: 4Hz / 28,800 bph
Number of components: 277
Number of jewels: 36
Functions / Indications
Hours on one dome and minutes on second dome
“Secret message” crown that reflects light rays to project MB&F battle-axe icon
Case
Material: Sapphire Crystal
Dimensions: 48.3 mm x 52.7 mm x 17.5 mm
Number of components: 70
Water resistance: 90ft / 30m / 3 ATM
Strap & Buckle
Hand-stitched alligator strap with titanium folding buckle
Breitling has joined forces with Australian moto/surf lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina to create the new retro-styled Top Time Deus Limited Edition watch.
The new Breitling Top Time Deus Limited Edition. Credit: Breitling
Watchmaker Breitling has joined forces with Australian moto/surf lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina to create the new Top Time Deus Limited Edition, a retro-themed chronograph inspired by Breitling’s 1960’s Top Time design.
Made for today’s “young and active professionals”. Credit: Breitling
Originally marketed to “young and active professionals” in the 1960s, Breitling’s Top Time was introduced by Willy Breitling, who wanted a youthful design and something sportier than the dress watches of the day. Now almost half a century later, the same remains true of the Top Time design, and with the latest collaboration between Breitling and Deus Ex Machina, those “young and active professionals” look like surfers, bikers, boarders, and backpackers inspired by the open roads and a thirst for adventure.
Powered by Breitling’s Caliber 23, offering a 48-hour power reserve at a 28,800 bhp beat rate. Credit: Breitling
This time around, the new Breitling Top Time features a 41mm polished stainless steel case on a brown calfskin leather racing strap with a yellow underside. It continues the retro feel with a cream dial signaling the collaboration with a small “Deus” logo in black below the Top Time text and two “squircle” (square + circle) shaped black chronograph counters in the middle, one with a red hand and one with an orange hand.
If you look closely, you’ll also notice Deus Ex Machina’s slogan “In Benzin Veritas” (“in gasoline, truth” or more loosely “in petrol we trust”) inscribed in the black tachymeter bezel around the outside of the dial. A block of orange and yellow also breaks the black at 3 PM and gives it an almost fuel gauge feel.
Look closely and you’ll notice the lightning bolt seconds hand and “In benzin veritas”. Credit: Breitling
Another very subtle playful element is the red lightning bolt-shaped central chronograph seconds hand, which the observer at first glance may miss but appears recognizable upon closer inspection.
On the case back, an engraving of Deus Creative director Carby Tuckwell on a retro-looking motorcycle features in the center, with other markings to signify the limited-edition collaboration between Breitling and Deus.
Sketch of Deus Ex Machina creative director Carby Tuckwell featured on the case back. Credit: Breitling
The Breitling Top Time Deus is priced at US$4,990 and is limited to 1,500 models. It is currently available exclusively online and will be available through authorized dealers in late March 2021.
TAG Heuer and Porsche have made it official with a new partnership that will see the brands collaborate on a range of joint projects in the future, starting with the new TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph watch.
The new TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Watch. Credit: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer and Porsche have recently announced a new partnership based on their shared love of motorsports and racing, which will begin with the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph release.
While TAG Heuer and Porsche have long crossed paths over the years in various “friend of a friend” circumstances and even shared the name “Carrera” in both automotive and watch models (thanks to the inspiration of the 1950’s Carrera Panamericana road race), this is the first time they’ve made it official.
Porsche detailing on bezel and signature red, black and grey colors. Credit: TAG Heuer
The new partnership will see TAG Heuer and Porsche collaborate on a range of joint projects focused on their shared commitment to speed and precision sports, including Formula E, FIA World Endurance Championship, the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup, golf, and tennis.
The automotive kind of “Carrera”. Credit: Porsche/TAG Heuer
Commenting on the new partnership, new TAG Heuer CEO Frédéric Arnault noted, “TAG Heuer and Porsche have common history and values, of course, but more importantly, we share an attitude. Like Porsche, we are disruptors at heart, always in pursuit of high performance. With this alliance, TAG Heuer and Porsche finally come together officially after decades of close encounters and will create unmatched experiences and products for customers and fans that are passionate about both our brands and what we stand for.”
To kick off the partnership, the brands have created the new TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph special edition, powered by TAG Heuer’s Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic with a power reserve of 80 hours.
TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition with Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic. Credit: TAG Heuer
The watch utilizes a 44mm steel polished case with the tachymeter scale engraved on the ceramic bezel and features Porsche’s red, black and grey colors and either a black calf leather strap with hand stitching, reminiscent of Porsche’s upholstery or a steel H-shape bracelet.
Available with calf leather or polished steel bracelet. Credit: TAG Heuer
The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition 44mm Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic is priced at USD$5,850 and is available online at TAG Heuer.
H Moser is closing out production of their tongue-in-cheek Swiss Alp Watch with one last edition – the “Final Upgrade” with a Vantablack® dial.
The new H Moser Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade. Credit: H Moser & Cie
In 2016 Swiss watchmaker H Moser & Cie introduced the world to their very own “smartwatch,” the Swiss Alp Watch, which for all intents and purposes, LOOKED like the ever-popular Apple watch but was powered mechanically.
Smart watch at the front, all mechanical at the back. Credit: H Moser & Cie
Just over five years later, H Moser & Cie have unveiled their “Final Upgrade,” which was inspired by a customer of the brand and will bring the tongue-in-cheek concept to a close.
“This idea was conceived by a customer and friend of the brand, a true enthusiast and fan of the Swiss Alp Watch collection. He came to visit us with an extremely precise design, and we immediately wanted to create this model, perfectly in line with our philosophy, with a touch of humour and a hint of provocation”, says Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie.
Unmarked dial in Vantablack with black DLC coating on the steel case. Credit: H Moser & Cie
Featuring an unmarked ultra-black dial (created with Vantablack® – the blackest material produced artificially that barely reflects light), H Moser has included a seconds subdial made to represent the spinning/loading icon associated with most Mac products (but thankfully not the colorful spinning wheel of death).
The Swill Alp Watch Final Upgrade is housed in a 38.2mm steel case similar in size to the Apple Watch 6 series and is coated in black DLC with blackened hands and a black alligator leather strap to tie the whole concept together.
Powered by the manually winding HMC 324 movement. Credit: H Moser & Cie
Powered by its 100% Swiss manufactured HMC 324 manual wind movement, the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade has a minimum power reserve of 96 hours and, with its mechanical heart, will most likely outlive any smartwatch of its same birth year.
Limited to 50 pieces, the Swiss Alp Final Upgrade is priced at USD$30,800 and available from h-moser.com