Anniversary Watches
For great watchmaking maisons, the end of 2022 also brought about the end of their anniversary year. Chanel, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Herbelin, Longines and Rado all celebrated this meaningful occasion by launching exclusive anniversary watches. A true testament to the brands’ savoir-faire, they came straight from the set of the Frank Sans C show. And for the big finish... The Pebble Watch from Cartier!
Anniversary Watches or celebrating the birthdays of seven icons.
CHANEL – Montre Première Edition Originale
Thirty-five and still as appealing as day one, the Première de Chanel has always kept us on our toes. Created by famous designed Jacques Helleu in 1987, this quintessentially feminine watch soon became an icon of the maison. It now (re)appears in a revisited original version in steel, subtly draped in yellow gold.
This is pure timelessness in watch form. It features the aesthetic references of the collection: an eight-sided case, reminiscent of the shape of the stopper of the N°5 fragrance bottle, but also the famous Place Vendôme, as well as the iconic chain bracelet interwoven with black leather, a nod to the handbags from the brand.
The watch is powered by a high-precision, high-performance quartz movement. The hands stand out on its intense black lacquered dial. The steel and yellow gold crown is topped by an onyx cabochon. The quintessential jewellery watch.
Price: €5,500
See our technical specifications for the Chanel Première Edition Originale.
Audemars Piguet – Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph “50th Anniversary”
With its iconic design from Gérald Genta, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph “50th Anniversary” from Audemars Piguet needs no introduction. Winner of the LA MONTRE DE L’ANNÉE 2022 awards in the €25,001 to €50,000 category, it displays a night blue dial – a colour named “Cloud 50” for the occasion – delicately adorned with a Grande Tapisserie pattern. This steel anniversary edition is 41 mm in diameter and offers the flyback function, allowing the owner to reset the chronograph to zero and start another timer with only one press of the push-button. The automatic calibre can be seen through the sapphire case back and has a power reserve lasting approximately 70 hours. Its rose gold openworked oscillating weight is dedicated to the 50 years of this watchmaking icon.
Price: €35,100
See our technical specifications for the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph “50th Anniversary” from Audemars Piguet.
BREITLING – Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 France Edition
In his video, Frank Sans C introduces a pair of Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43, including this edition, exclusive to France. This model, only available in French boutiques, is limited to 152 pieces.
There might not be enough to go around, then. It’s only natural: this is a highly-coveted instrument, with its thin bezel offering great readability to a deep blue dial with a slide rule. This 43mm steel chronograph is elegant yet sporty, powered by a manufacture calibre. The sapphire case back protects and reveals the inner workings of its automatic movement, delicately adorned with a Côtes-de-Genève pattern.
Price: €8,650
Technical specifications:
B01 Breitling manufacture calibre
Mechanical movement, self-winding
70-hour power reserve
Chronograph: 1/4 second, 30 minutes, 12 hours
43mm steel case
Screwed-in case back
Bidirectional bezel, slide rule
Water resistance: 30m
Crown: non screw-locked, two gaskets
Sapphire crystal, slightly domed, glareproofed on both sides
Golden brown leather strap
Unfolding clasp
BREITLING – Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43
A little while ago, to celebrate seventy years of the Navitimer, Frank Sans C boarded a plane specially charted by Breitling for a unique and exclusive look at the new anniversary models (see “New Breitling Navitimer : un vol en 1ere classe”).
Different materials, bracelets, sizes and dial colours – numerous variations are offered, each more successful than the last. These sporty-looking chronographs, intimately linked to the world of aviation, have undeniable charm.
Price: €8,500
See our technical specifications for the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43.
HERBELIN – Newport Slim Skeleton
A winner of LA MONTRE DE L’ANNÉE 2022 awards in the €1,001-€2,000 category, the Newport Slim Skeleton from Herbelin is the anniversary watch launched to celebrate seventy-five years of the maison.
This minimalist watch is characterised by an entirely openworked dial, revealing the cogs of its finely crafted Swiss mechanical movement with manual winding. Everything is laid bare, nothing extra. This fine instrument in 316L steel is limited to 500 pieces. With its 42mm diameter case, it provides a very comfortable fit. You simply have to wear it to appreciate its incredible thinness, only 7.15mm thick. This men’s watch is bound to turn some heads when worn on a woman’s wrist – speaking from experience!
Price: €1,799
See our technical specifications for the Newport Slim Skeleton from Herbelin.
LONGINES – Master Collection 190th Anniversary
Reaching 190 years is no mean feat. Maison Longines celebrated this historic event with three exclusive watches. Frank Sans C showcased one of them, with a 40mm steel case.
The case is round and houses a silvery dial with sanded finish, offering a backdrop to the slender blued steel hands, circling over engraved stylised Arabic numerals. Offered on a charcoal grey leather strap, the piece is powered by a manufacture automatic calibre. Boasting a power reserve lasting approximately 72 hours and an anti-magnetic silicone balance spring, this delicate movement can be seen through the watch’s sapphire case back.
Price: €2,280
See our technical specifications for the Longines Master Collection 190th Anniversary.
RADO – DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary
In 1962, Rado, earning its industry nickname of “Master of Materials”, introduced a watch that was ahead of its time, design-wise. It was also forward-thinking in its materials: the watch was made of exclusive, ultra-durable, scratch-resistant steel. Named “DiaStar”, the watch soon became an icon of the maison.
As it celebrated its sixtieth anniversary, the watch enjoyed a well-deserved rejuvenating treatment, courtesy of designer Alfredo Häberli. The bezel is made of Ceramos™, a blend of high-tech ceramic (90%) and metal alloy, and lightly brushed. It complements the metallic grey dial, protected by a six-sided sapphire crystal, reminiscent of a diamond shape, and displays the date at 6 o’clock. Being quite small, it’s difficult to read – this architectural piece’s only drawback, sure to be flouted by true collectors.
Price: €2,100
See our technical specifications for the Rado DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary.
Arriving on set: the Cartier Pebble
The Cartier Pebble is one of the lesser-known models, part of the Cartier Privé collection. However, it takes centre stage to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Designed by Jean-Jacques Cartier, in the days of 1970s Swinging London, a time of creative effervescence, this shape watch boasts a unique design: round case and square dial. The brand’s identity is all here: sword-shaped blued steel hands, Roman numerals, classic railway track and the secret Cartier signature (it’s up to you to find its hiding place). The 2022 version keeps its vintage look: its yellow gold case is 36mm in diameter and incredibly thin (only 6.3mm thick). The result is remarkable, powered by a calibre with manual winding and a 38-hour power reserve.
Price available on request – Limited to 150 pieces
Technical specifications:
18K yellow gold polished case
36mm diameter
6.3mm thickness
Mechanical movement with manual winding
430MC calibre
38-hour power reserve
Leather strap
Pin buckle
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