Almost Christmas Time: 11 gift ideas to place under the tree…
It is now a tradition that Frank Sans C and Jean Lassaussois gather to announce their favourite watches for Christmas, a guarantee of a successful festive season. These beautiful mechanical wonders will for sure make your loved ones happy. Here goes episode 1…
BULGARI, Serpenti Tubogas
Such a nice introduction, it cannot be denied. This Serpenti Tubogas comes straight out of the creative imagination of maison Bulgari. In pink gold and paved with brilliant-cut diamonds, this 35 mm case is topped by a pink gold crown set with a pink cabochon-cut rubellite. Containing a silver opaline dial with a delicate guilloche work, it is shaped like the head of a snake. The emblematic animal of the luxury brand crawls around the wrist of its owner and will not let go.
Imitating the body of a snake undulating along the arm, this bracelet was invented following the Tubogas technique, brought back up to date by the maison in the 70s. Made up of rounded spirals reminiscing of 1920s gas pipes, this flexible strap characteristically always springs back to its initial shape. It has one row on this model, but also exists in a two-row version – that you can admire in the “Summer watches” video – and in a stunning seven-row version – that you can see in the video dedicated to Bulgari at the Geneva Watch Days. As glamour as can be, this piece is animated by a high-quality quartz movement.
€38,900
Click here to read the Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas technical details.
CARTIER, Santos de Cartier Large Model
The Santos was created in 1904 by Louis Cartier for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. The pilot indeed asked him to create a watch that would be easier to see on his wrist while piloting his aircraft. Over a century later, this model is still part of the Cartier collections and has joined the very closed circle of watchmaking icons. This year, it is enhanced by many new colours, as you can see on this 39,8 mm steel version, whose dial displays an intensely deep green. The slightly sun-brushed dial has all the identity codes of Cartier: a “rail-track” motion work, Roman numerals – sadly, the secret signature is absent – and sword hands.
Animated by the 1847 MC automatic movement, the watch comes with a bracelet equipped with the exclusive interchangeability system QuickSwitch – patented by the manufacturer. Available in a choice of steel or green alligator skin.
€8,350
Click here to read the Santos de Cartier full technical sheet.
CHANEL, J12 Caliber 12.2
Masterfully designed by the late Jacques Helleu in 2000, the J12 by Chanel made history as the first watchmaking icon of the 21st century. With the arrival of Arnaud Chastaingt – current director of the Watch Creation Studio of Chanel – the J12 underwent a meticulous surgery. Everything changed in a perfectly unnoticeable way.
Second stroke of genius for a collection that keeps pushing the limits of possibilities. The 33 mm white ceramic and steel J12 model released in 2022 is a perfect example of this. It represents a serious technical challenge, as it now has a brand-new automatic movement: the Caliber 12.2. developed by Swiss manufacturer Kenissi, this miniature calibre is COSC-certified and its oscillating mass in the shape of a perfect circle is perfectly decorated and offers a nearly 50-hour power reserve. This J12 Caliber 12.2 also exists in black highly resistant ceramic. Particularly appropriate for Christmas!
€7,500
Click here to read the Chanel J12 Caliber 12.2 in white ceramic full technical sheet.
HUBLOT, Classic Fusion Ceramic Blue
In the 1980s, Hublot started a small revolution in the high watchmaking world by releasing a watch with a simple rubber strap. The Classic Fusion Original was born. This code breaker comes in precious and high-tech materials: gold, titanium, or ceramic. Speaking of, black polished and satin-finished ceramic coats this 45 mm Classic Fusion Ceramic Blue, which is animated by an automatic calibre with a 42-hour power reserve. This clean-looking dial has a navy-blue sun-brushed finish, punctuated with discreet hands and indices and with a date at 3 o’clock. Elegant and sporty-looking, this piece comes with a blue-lined rubber strap.
€9,800
Click here to read the Hublot Classic Fusion Ceramic Blue technical details.
OMEGA, Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer
Intended for globetrotters, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer by Omega stands out with its 43 mm titanium case. Very light, robust, and corrosion-resistant, this watch has a black satin finish ceramic bezel that enhances the black and grey dial, on which the Worldtimer function offers a beautiful show to its owner.
Placed in majesty in the centre, the view of the Earth from the North Pole is slightly curved to mimic the curve of the globe. It is decorated with laser-engraved coloured continents. This miniature ultra-realistic scenery is topped with a 24-hour reading that indicates daytime and night-time. On the outer ring, cities are indicated with yellow gold, except for London, which is in red varnish for Greenwich Mean Time. Water-resistant up to 150 m, the instrument has a Master Chronometer-certified automatic calibre. It is endowed with an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring that offers a 60-hour power reserve.
€13,700
Click here to read the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer technical details.
MEISTERSINGER, Perigraph
Released in 2010, this 43 mm automatic Meistersinger Perigraph is part of the vintage section of the Lassaussois boutique.
In perfect condition, this piece has a nice brown sun-brushed dial – a very trendy shade this winter – that highlights an original way of displaying the time. Inherent to the maison, the hours indices are completed by a single hand that points both toward the hours and the minutes via 144 five-minute segments. This watch also stands out thanks to a 360° open date ring. The date is pointed by an arrow at 12 o’clock. This doubly vintage watch comes with a brown leather bracelet with a pin buckle.
€1,500
Click here to read the Meistersinger Perigraph technical details.
PATEK PHILIPPE, Aquanaut Chronograph
Available at the Lassaussois boutique, this second-hand 2019 steel Aquanaut Chronograph is in perfect condition. Delivered with its certificate of origin, this piece has an athletic look, emphasized by the structured black rubber strap, whose pattern is visible on the dial as well. The chronograph’s contrasting indications are in orange, as well as the date at 3 o’clock. The whole thing is 100 m water-resistant and animated by a high watchmaking automatic calibre. Its gold oscillating mass is visible through a sapphire case back engraved with the emblem of the manufacture.
€105,000
Click here to read the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph technical details.
RESERVOIR, Kanister 316
The 41,5 mm brushed finish case in 316L steel of the Kanister 316 by Reservoir contains a black dial inspired by the counters of the famous 356 Speedster of the 50s.
We look back in the rear-view mirror with this resolutely vintage model and its new RSV-240 calibre. This patented calibre combines three complications: a retrograde minute – a hallmark of the brand – a jumping hour and a nearly 56-hour power reserve. This watch received the Red Dot Design Award in 2022, one of the biggest international design competitions, and it comes with an additional black leather strap.
€4,800
Click here to read the Reservoir Kanister 316 technical details.
TAG HEUER, Monaco LS Chronograph
Vintage is still in. Jean Lassaussois understood it well and is now presenting a 2011 version of the Tag Heuer Monaco LS Chronograph in steel and with a 40,5 mm diameter.
Its appearance on Steve McQueen’s wrist in “Le Mans” (1970) made it legendary. The Monaco attracted attention in 1969 with its square case, but it is now considered an icon among icons. Reinterpreted times and times again, this version has atypical indications and display. On an architectural black dial, a linear small second sits. The minutes and the hours of the chronograph are displayed on two distinct counters, respectively placed at 9 and 6 o’clock. The 30-minutes one establishes its originality with a double hand that points to the first 15 units, then to the next 15 ones. As for the date, it shows in an angled aperture ringed with a black disc at 12 o’clock. 100 m water-resistant, the instrument comes with the original black alligator-skin strap.
€3,800 second-hand on the Lassaussois Les Montres Les Bijoux website.
What our tick-tock fanatics are wearing
AWAKE, Time Travelers – Lassaussois Limited edition for Jean
Limited edition, 100 copies available – €1,600
Click here to read the Awake Time Travelers Édition Lassaussois watch technical details.
Read our article on meteorite watches:
BREITLING, Top Time B01 Ford Thunderbird for Frank Sans C.
Frank Sans C drives the point home with this Top Time B01 Thunderbird by Breitling. This model was unveiled during the last Geneva Watch Days:
€7,550
Click here to read the Breitling Top Time B01 Ford Thunderbird full technical sheet.
Lassaussois Les Montres Les Bijoux Boutique
58, rue de Rennes, Paris 6th arrondissement – 01 46 34 71 38
LASSAUSSOIS LES MONTRES LES BIJOUX WEBSITE.
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