The quest for innovative materials and a new aesthetic often go hand in hand. As such, lightness, robustness, hypoallergenicity, and eco-responsibility share the spotlight with bold nuances.
Emerald Green
Hublot has an integrated Metallurgy & Materials laboratory dedicated to research in materials, standing out for its ability to innovate. The manufacture introduces SAXEM (Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral), originally developed for satellite technology and unprecedented in watchmaking. Lightweight, robust, with a crystalline transparency reminiscent of sapphire, it opens the door to many chromatic possibilities. In green, it graces the Big Bang Tourbillon, limited to only 18 pieces, powered by the in-house MHUB6035 caliber.
Bronzed
Richard Mille reinterprets its ultra-flat rectangular watch, the RM 016, in an unprecedented, summery terracotta color. The RM 16-02 Automatic Extraplate in Quartz TPT Terracotta offers a creative and urban vision of time measurement, unconventional and technological. Its terracotta color is the result of an innovative and complex process. Layers of 45-micron silica are impregnated with a new pigmented resin, then stacked at a 45° angle between each layer before being subjected to a temperature of 120°C under 6 bars of pressure. The result, a raw composite, is then mounted on a white cream Quartz TPT case. The RM 16-02 Terracotta has now become a must-have, powered by the automatic skeletonized CRMA9 caliber, with its openworked platinum baseplate.
Camouflage
Audemars Piguet unveils a new color of gold, neither rose, nor white, nor yellow… but all three at once! Called "chroma gold" and patented, this polychrome gold is created using SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering) technology, which allows rapid sintering of gold powders of different colors. This unique blend of gold, created by Audemars Piguet’s Research & Development team, opens up vast creative possibilities for the brand. It provides the most precious camouflage pattern. A first, presented on the Royal Oak, and one that is expected to expand across other Audemars Piguet collections due to its irresistible nuances!
Sustainable
Chopard only uses Ethical Gold (RJC refineries, Fairmined gold, and Swiss Better Gold) and diamonds certified according to the Kimberley Process and the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) guarantees system. Its sustainable approach extends to steel with Lucent Steel. A recycled steel made up of 80% recycled materials, it now takes center stage in the brand’s watch collections. Its unique characteristics are a perfect match for the Alpine Eagle automatic model. Hypoallergenic, it also has properties comparable to surgical steel, making it highly dermo-compatible. It is 50% more resistant to abrasion than traditional steels and exhibits excellent hardness. Finally, due to its superior crystalline structure, its purity gives it a unique shine under light.
