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MB&F FrogX Reimagines 10th Anniversary of HM3 Frog Watch

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Initially launched in 2010, the new MB&F FrogX watch celebrates the 10th anniversary of the brand’s most popular model.
MB&F HM3 FrogX 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. Credit: MB&F
MB&F HM3 FrogX 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. Credit: MB&F

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
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
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).

MB&F Frog X Purple 10th Anniversary Front Back
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.

MB&F Frog X Turquoise 10th Anniversary Front Back

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
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.

MB&F Frog X Purple 10th Anniversary Night
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.

MB&F Frog X 10th Anniversary Blue Lifestyle
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
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 Frog X 10th Anniversary Trio

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

Price

  • MB&F HM3 FrogX Price: CHF 149,000 + VAT / USD$152,000 + tax / EUR 138,000 + tax

Lifestyle

Breitling Releases Limited Edition Premier Chronograph in Burgundy

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Breitling releases Premier B09 Chronograph in a new burgundy color, limited to 250 pieces.
Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Side
The new Breitling Premier Chronograph in burgundy. Credit: Breitling

Breitling’s latest addition to the Premier Collection has flown relatively under the radar and is a limited edition B09 Chronograph in burgundy limited to 250 pieces.

First introduced in 1943 by Willy Breitling, the “everyday elegant” design of the Premier collection pays homage to three generations of inventors – Léon, Gaston & Willy Breitling – and embodies Breitling’s legacy of inventing the modern Chronograph.

Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Strap
Steel 40mm case with brown alligator strap. Credit: Breitling

Encased in a 40mm steel case, the new Premier B09 Chronograph features a burgundy colored sunburst dial with Arabic numerals and complementary brown chronograph subregisters in line with the heritage feel of the Premier collection.

Additional rectangular chronograph pushers and design details such as grooves on the case sides, open sapphire case backs and vintage-inspired hands complete the elegant Premier aesthetic.

Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Front
The new release will be limited to 250 pieces. Credit: Breitling

Powered by Breitling’s in-house B09 movement offering a power reserve of 70 hours, the new Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph Burgundy comes on a brown alligator strap and is limited to 250 pieces priced at US$8,400 each.

Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Caseback
Caseback with limited edition engraving. Credit: Breitling
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Lifestyle

IWC Unveils New Portofino 39 Chronograph Trio

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The IWC Shaffhausen Portofino family has expanded with the addition of the new 39 Chronograph edition in three new colors.

IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Watch Trio
The new IWC Portofino 39 Chronograph watch trio. Credit: IWC Shaffhausen

For over 30 years, IWC’s classic Portofino Collection has represented the laid-back lifestyle of the Mediterranean and is distinguished by its classic round case and uncluttered dial of the “pocket-watch-style wristwatch.”

IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph White Detail
Silvered dial with gold hands and markers. Credit: IWC Shaffhausen

Now IWC Shaffhausen has released the Portofino as a 39mm chronograph edition with three new colors: a silver-plated dial with gold hands and markers on a black alligator strap, a green dial with a green alligator strap and a black dial, and gold hands/markers on a brown alligator strap.

Enclosed in a polished stainless steel 39mm case, the Portofino 39 features an elegantly clean dial with delicate leaf-shaped hands and two smaller chronograph sub-dials displaying a 30 minute counter and a seconds subdial.

Along with the chronograph stopwatch functions, the Portofino 39s hacking seconds function also gives the wearer the ability to stop the second’s hand when the crown is pulled out to help synchronize time with a second watch.

Powering the Portofino 39 Chronograph is IWC’s 79350 self-winding movement (based on the modified Valjoux 7750) which offers a 44-hour power reserve.

The all-new IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Collection is currently available online with prices starting at $5,900.

IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Black Detail
Black dial with gold hands and markers. Credit: IWC Shaffhausen
IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Brown Strap
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Lifestyle

Hublot Makes a Splash With New Big Bang Unico Summer

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Hublot is making a splash with the new turquoise New Big Bang Unico Summer edition available in select Mediterranean retail stores this Summer.
Hublot Big Bang Summer 441 UB 5120 Watch Life
The new Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer edition limited to 200 pieces. Credit: Hublot

Hublot is celebrating the warmer weather with the creation of a new turquoise-colored unisex Big Bang Unico Summer edition.

Made with a 42mm aluminum case, the lightweight Big Bang Summer uses anodized satin-finished and polished aluminum to create a modern colored material that guarantees longevity and protects it from scratches.

The lagoon colored Big Bang Unico Summer on the rubber strap. Credit: Hublot
The lagoon colored Big Bang Unico Summer on the rubber strap. Credit: Hublot

Powered by the UNICO caliber HUB1280 offering a 72-hour power reserve, the new Big Bang Unico Summer features an oscillating seconds clutch, a chronograph friction system with ball-bearing adjustment, and a column wheel that is visible through the dial.

Equipped with Hublot’s patented interchangeable “One Click” attachment system, the Big Bang Unico Summer comes with two turquoise-colored straps: a Velcro strap with matching stitching and matching sports buckle and a natural rubber strap with deployant clasp made with turquoise anodized aluminum with an engraved logo.

Anodized satin-polished case and buckle are hard-wearing and scratch resistant. Credit: Hublot
Anodized satin-polished case and buckle are hard-wearing and scratch resistant. Credit: Hublot

Sharing on the inspiration for the new Big Bang Unico Summer, Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe says, “What I love most when traveling is the amazement of the return, wrote Stendhal. This enchantment of the journey that we bring back with us transforms us a little, for the better… And even if daily life has not really changed on our return, our eyes being open to other horizons is enough to lend it new colour.”

“Right from its beginnings, Hublot has adopted a future-focused approach to watchmaking, sparking trends through the many patents it has filed for its innovations. The Big Bang Unico Summer embodies the beauty of our summer experiences. We wanted to give you another shade for this year, to let you relive these magic moments any time you want.”

Priced at US$20,900, the new unisex Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer is limited to 200 pieces and will be available online at hublot.com and in the Mediterranean boutiques in Capri, Forte dei Marmi, Mykonos, Ibiza, Bodrum, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco.

Hublot Big Bang Summer 441 UB 5120 Front
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