Eight of the Best

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK CONCEPT RD#1 ACOUSTIC RESEARCH

Every year, Audemars Piguet comes up with cool and confident concept watches. While last year focused on tech materials, 2015 is centred on the improved acoustic quality of a minute repeater. The result of eight years of sound research that included a musician who makes stringed instruments, an academic consultant from the Geneva conservatory and a sound engineer, the Royal Oak Concept RD#1 offers a chime that is louder, clearer and cleaner than most minute repeaters, even with its water-resistant case. The timepiece, which comes in a titanium case, also features a tourbillon and chronograph with 30-minute counter, in an edgy, open-worked dial with black counters.

PARMIGIANI TONDA 1950 SPECIAL EDITION METEORITE

Parmigiani presents its stylish Tonda in one of the most interesting, but out of this world material: meteorite. The crystal-like patterns seen on the dial of this line of watches were formed from the rapid change of temperature that the meteor rock is subjected to as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere, revealed through a series of acid baths. The material, which is harder than normal rock and therefore more difficult to machine, has an unpredictable structure, requiring more patience and care to work with. This Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Special Edition Meteorite features two versions, one in black and another in Abyss blue. The model comes with an in-house automatic movement, finely finished as expected of a Parmigiani timepiece, and housed within a 39mm titanium case.