5 of the Most Unique Watches On Every Collector’s Radar Today

Two acclaimed independent watch brands join forces to squeeze out a juicy limited collection that whets the appetite of watch collectors. Prolific nominees in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in their own right, H. Moser & Cie. and Studio Underd0g reimagine the fruity duo through a unique lens, blending H. Moser & Cie.’s signature minimalism with Studio Underd0g’s vibrant prism. Limited to 100 pieces, each watch brandishes the imprints that have garnered the brands cult followings.

Underneath the minimalist dial of the H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Passion Fruit bears the great complexity of a perpetual calendar watch. Every detail is indicative of Haute Horlogerie. Lacquered purple in a sunburst motif, the Maracuja fumé Grand Feu enamel dial is crafted upon an 18-carat yellow gold base with hammered indentations. It features a simplified perpetual calendar layout, a reinterpretation championed by H. Moser & Cie. to improve legibility and repositioned to fit modern times.

A serious watch made approachable, the stripped-down dial following the elimination of letters and numerals is juxtaposed with a transparent case back, revealing H. Moser & Cie.’s award-winning manual-winding HMC 800 Perpetual Calendar movement and its symphony of exemplary hand finishing techniques. Fun, unconventional and energetic, its impactful design brings a breath of fresh air to luxury watches. This is H. Moser & Cie. at its finest.

Marrying functionality with wanderlust, the Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum Around the World In 80 Days Limited Edition is a watchmaking exegesis inspired by the novel Around the World in Eighty Days. The Jules Verne classic published in 1872 captivates readers young and old, encouraging the intrepid to set out and make their own mark. Filled with intrigues, the story follows Englishman Phileas Fogg and his French valet Passepartout in a race to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. On their voyage, they encounter a series of unexpected events that seem to make their endeavour an impossible feat.

A worldtimer enabling the reading of 24 time zones across the globe all at once, this Montblanc creation is crafted with the modern explorer in mind. Fogg’s journey is represented with the 80 gold dashes on a multi-layer dial featuring the Earth viewed from above the North Pole. London, highlighted in gold, is the starting point of their adventure. Precisely displaying the time in a 24-hour scale across the world, the innovative MB 29.20 automatic movement propels the rotation of the map, creating a visually arresting effect.

Faithful to the author’s narrative, the titanium case back features the elephant Kiouni, a 3D laser engraving that lends realism to the timepiece. Accompanied with a backdrop of the Allahabad Fort, a Mongolian steamboat, a Japanese temple and a locomotive, Montblanc transports explorers back in time to the Golden Age of Travel. To top it off, the lining of the alligator-printed blue calfskin leather strap is embossed with Chinese coins and Boteh leaves discovered on the 80-day journey. This worldtimer is more than a watch, it is an invitation to travel.

TAG Heuer Reimagines the Stopwatch

A modern homage to a legacy of speed, the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph marks TAG Heuer’s return to Haute Horlogerie d’Avant-Garde. Altogether remarkable, this groundbreaking timepiece marries split-seconds chronograph function with extraordinary lightness through the innovative fusion of materials and craftsmanship, creating a stunning contemporary variation of the iconic Monaco.

Made of sapphire and grade-5 titanium, known for its lightness and durability, the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph weighs a mere 85 grams. This ultra-technical construction redefines watchmaking engineering, accentuating its exceptional transparency central to the chronograph’s distinctive aesthetics. The eye-opening visual effect extends to the brand-new TH81-00 mechanical split-seconds chronograph calibre, also crafted from grade-5 titanium for enhanced shock resistance.

With this creation, it surpasses other movements within the brand’s catalogue as the lightest automatic chronograph movement ever made. All this was possible thanks to the partnership with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. Beyond its exemplary technical finesse, the movement is entirely decorated by hand, sporting TAG Heuer’s signature checkered flag pattern on its bridges. It is a masterpiece bridging artisanal craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology and expert know-how.

The Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph represents the pinnacle of TAG Heuer’s family of watches dedicated to motorsport and its own history in shaping the future of watchmaking. It was nominated for the 2024 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in the Chronograph category.