One timepiece proved its durability by accompanying a Natural Geographic photographer to Climb Mount Everest’s summit.
The value of owning any limited edition piece is not only exclusivity but the sense of satisfaction of nabbing a coveted product while the sparse supplies last. But when it comes to luxury watches, the unique features these timepieces include serve as their most attractive details.
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Here are the newest limited edition luxury watch releases, from Vacheron Constantin’s first sports watch (which they prove can withstand the extreme climate of Mount Everest) to Panerai’s online-exclusive timepiece that incorporates their trademarked Carbontech case.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo chronograph GMT
The Roman watchmaker collaborates with The Rake and Revolution for a limited edition version of the Octo Finissimo. According to Bulgari, the pieces have the “thinnest ever mechanical chronograph in watchmaking history.”
A chronograph watch is different from analog watches because it has a second ticker that moves independently. If analog watches can only tell you the time, chronograph watches have features allowing you time events and serve as a stopwatch.
Bulgari collaborated with the Rake and Revolution back in 2016, releasing the titanium and brush steel model. However, the 2021 version reimagines the collaboration in ceramic material. In addition, the watch has a hyper luminous quality as it glows in the dark—which is not “for the faint of heart,” according to The Rake’s founder Wei Koh. “[It’s not for anyone that] doesn’t want to be noticed in a dark club, bar or restaurant,” Koh adds.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas “Everest” Chronograph
Comprising two models, the Swiss watchmaker releases limited edition watches made of titanium. With only 150 pieces each, the luxury sports watch is a new avenue the 266-year-old brand is expanding to.
In fact, to prove the Overseas Everest’s durability, National Geographic photographer and mountain climber Cory Richards geared up with the watch while climbing Mount Everest. The exact timepiece (a prototype at the time) fresh off Richard’s wrist after climbing the tallest mountain in the world was presented at the 2019 Vacheron Constantin press event in New York.
Panerai Luminor Marina Carbotech Blu Notte
The online-exclusive limited edition is the first model of Panerai that combines their signature Carbotech case with a midnight blue face they dub as ‘Blu Notte.’ The Carbotech material is a component made of carbon fiber, which hasn’t been done in the watchmaking industry until now.
The 300-meter water-resistant watch is available with an alligator skin leather strap (which matches the watch face’s color) or a black DLC (diamond-like coating) strap. Only 500 pieces of the Luminor Marina Carbotech Blu Notte to 500 pieces are on offer, priced at $13,900.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Flying Tourbillon Flyback
Limited to 100 pieces and priced at $264,514, AP’s newest limited edition timepieces were released in late June. The sleek gray and black design combines two grand complications in watchmaking: a flyback tourbillon and a flyback chronograph.
Banner photo from Audemars Piguet’s website.
