TAG Heuer’s Autavia is back in a very big way

Tudor toughness, Ferrari fusion and retro TAG style.

Tag Heuer Autavia Isograph.

TAG HEUER AUTAVIA ISOGRAPH

The Autavia (a canny combination of automotive and aviation) was born in 1962, and offered a rugged, legible timepiece perfect for that golden era’s adventurers and action men. Fast forward to 2019 and the Autavia is back in TAG Heuer’s catalogue in a big way. The watch

still bears its core traits of legibility and simple construction, thanks largely to those big Arabic numerals made from solid blocks of luminous material. There’s also an extra dose

of retro style, courtesy of the smoky blue dial and heritage-style brown calf strap. The big news, though, is on the inside, as this watch is fitted with TAG Heuer’s proprietary carbon Isograph technology, making it more accurate and reliable. Perfect for modern adventurers. RRP $4700

-

Tudor Black Bay P01

TUDOR BLACK BAY P01

For the past seven years, Tudor’s Black Bay has been one of the frontrunners on the new wave of heritage-inspired watches. Over the years the line has seen incremental evolutions – in the form of a new colour, case material or complication, but the fundamental form has remained unchanged. Until now. The P01 (shorthand for Prototype 01) takes its designator-like name from a little-known 1960s prototype Tudor produced for the US Navy. And there’s definitely a tough, no-nonsense vibe to this piece; the 42mm satin-finished steel case stands out thanks to its asymmetrical crown at the four o’clock position. And then there’s the bracelet end-links. These oversized, articulating links add an elongated ’60s aesthetic to the watch, but there’s a functional element in the design. The top end link is actually hinged, and serves as the locking mechanism for the bi-directional bezel. Ingenious stuff. POA

Hublot Classic Fusion Ferrari GT King Gold.

-

HUBLOT CLASSIC FUSION FERRARI GT KING GOLD

Baselworld, the watch industry’s largest showing of their latest and greatest, has been on shaky ground recently, with shrinking numbers of both attendees and exhibitors. But for now it’s still an event full of spectacle and surprise. Both were very much in evidence recently at the Hublot booth, with a diverse and glittering array on show, including its latest collaborative collection with automotive partner Ferrari. The standout was the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT, shown here in King Gold. A few years ago a biomorphic take on the brand’s iconic angular Big Bang would have been inconceivable, but here we are in 2019 looking at exactly that. Designed in partnership with Ferrari’s Centro Stile, the watch, with its profusion of elegant lines and soft curves, lives up to its Grand Touring name. It’s built for comfort and style, but underneath that polished veneer the chassis and engine clearly has what it takes. RRP $50,000