In January 2022, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak series, Swiss luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet launched a new generation of Royal Oak Royal Oak series 39mm "Jumbo" ultra-thin watch (Ref. 16202). Equipped with the latest research and development and self-made Calibre 7121 self-winding ultra-thin movement. The watch is equipped with an exclusive automatic oscillating weight for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak Royal Oak series in the same color as the case, paying tribute to the 50-year innovation process of the Royal Oak Royal Oak series, and also kicked off the new year's sports steel watch war.
In fact, since 2020, the sports steel watch market has begun to show a different kind of vitality. A collection of neat lines, multi-faceted outlines like buildings, meticulous and scattered polishing, and high-quality movements, it is textured without being old-fashioned, decent without being too formal, and even a bit of intrepidness. The sports steel watch meets the wearing needs of the current mainstream market in all aspects. Today, the competition in the field of sports steel watches is intensifying, and more and more brands have entered the game, digging out the classic models that have outstanding performance in their own history.
The intersection of modern and traditional
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Royal Oak series "Jumbo" ultra-thin watch
As the first timepieces to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak Royal Oak series, the new stainless steel "Jumbo" watch retains the iconic design of the original Royal Oak Royal Oak series in 1972. The stainless steel case and strap are satin-finished and beveled by hand, and the dial features the classic "Petite Tapisserie" pattern in the "Night Blue, Cloud 50" colorway.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Royal Oak series "Jumbo" ultra-thin watch

But unlike the original, the case back of the new watch is made of sapphire crystal glass, which fully shows the exquisite structure of the new ultra-thin movement and the anniversary-exclusive automatic oscillating weight. The rhodium-coloured 22K rose gold automatic oscillating weight complements the stainless steel case and strap. The most important change of the new watch is the completion of the replacement of the movement. The original Calibre 2121 movement has been used in the Royal Oak series since 1972. From this new watch, the whole line was replaced by the Calibre 7121 machine. core.

Calibre 7121 movement

After five years of research and development, the new Calibre 7121 movement has a new structure and has more energy than the Calibre 2121 movement. The movement is also equipped with a patented ultra-thin and low-energy date setting system, which allows the wearer to quickly adjust the date by simply turning the crown. In addition, the watch is also equipped with a 22K gold skeleton automatic oscillating weight specially created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the series, engraved with the "50 YEARS" (50th anniversary) commemorative logo and the words AUDEMARS PIGUET.
The eternal brilliance is fixed with a big fire
GP Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Eternal Watch
Girard-Perregaux’s Laureate collection has a long history, and its design elements reflect the characteristics of sports watches of the 70s. The practical octagonal design of the bezel is inspired by Italian architecture and is very brand-specific. The case adopts a one-piece structure design, eliminating the need for lugs or rings, making the watch more simple. The combination of classic watch design and era craftsmanship makes the watch both full of retro style and in line with modern aesthetic concepts.

GP Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Eternal Watch

Now, Girard-Perregaux presents a new version of this iconic masterpiece: the Laureato Eternal 42mm. The model draws on the original design of the Laureato series in 1975, and is decorated with a dial decorated with Grand Feu enamel. The color of the enamel after firing is not easy to fade, which echoes the proposition of "eternity" this time.

GP01800 movement

Inheriting the genes of the early 1975 model, the Laureato 42mm Eternal watch features an integrated strap. Each link is polished or brushed, presenting an atmospheric effect of light and shadow that watch fans appreciate. The design of the watch’s combination of contrasting finishes also extends to the case and bezel, creating an atmosphere of opulence and luxury. The GP01800 movement is built by the brand's watchmaking factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This self-winding movement features a rose gold rotor decorated with circular Côtes de Genève.
Snow-capped eagle spreads its wings
Chopard Chopard Alpine Eagle Snow Mountain proud wing series watch
The Chopard Alpine Eagle collection, unveiled in 2019, was conceived and designed by Karl-Frederick Schaefer, the brand's co-president, and incorporates elements such as the Alpine Eagle and its biotope. Both the case and bezel have been meticulously satin-finished for a lustre and brilliance comparable to gold, with a chamfered finish on the sides for added sophistication. At the same time, the case and bracelet are made of Chopard’s original Lucent Steel A223 stainless steel. This alloy has been developed by the brand and voestalpine for four years, and has better hardness, skin compatibility and gloss than traditional stainless steel.

Chopard Chopard Alpine Eagle Snow Mountain proud wing series watch

Cal.01.01-C movement

The bezel is decorated with 8 screws, which is one of the most recognizable design elements of the watch. The design of Alpine Eagle runs through the theme of "eagle". The rock-like texture of the dial comes from the iris of the eagle, and the special blue color is reminiscent of the glaciers on the Alps. The design of the hands and the feathers of the raptor are very resemblance. It is equipped with a Chopard Cal.01.01-C self-made movement, certified by the Swiss Observatory, and has a power reserve of 60 hours.
The square and the circle are integrated, showing a different dynamic
PIAGET Piaget POLO watch
Piaget's POLO series began in the 1970s. POLO originally meant polo sports. The brand drew inspiration from the atmosphere of polo sports and launched this unique and novel sports watch series. G0A41002 is currently on sale. It uses a combination of satin silk and polishing. The front bezel and the side of the case are satin-polished. The bevel and lugs of the bezel are polished with high polishing. The two polishing methods are similar. Combined, it visually increases the sense of hierarchy and reveals a strong sports style.

PIAGET Piaget POLO watch

Piaget has always had deep attainments in the field of ultra-thin movements. The Piaget Cal.1110P self-winding movement on the watch is only 4mm thick and can provide up to 50 hours of power reserve time, once again demonstrating Piaget's outstanding skills in the field of ultra-thin watchmaking. Under the blessing of the Cal.1110P movement, the thickness of the case has also reached 9.4 mm. Compared with the sports steel watch of the same level, it undoubtedly has a full advantage.
Chasing the next skyline
Zenith DEFY Skyline Watch
In 2022, Zenith launched a new product line of the DEFY series - Skyline. This entry-level watch is positioned in the series, with a simple small three-hand design, and the second hand at 9 o'clock has a 1/10 second display function. The DEFY Skyline has changed the case of the DEFY series, which was dominated by titanium in the past, and chose to use stainless steel. The sun-patterned dial adopts a geometrically beautiful layout structure, and the engraved four-pointed stars are neatly arranged to form a delicate and harmonious pattern, like a beautiful sky, sparkling with stars. In fact, the four-pointed star pattern is derived from the Zenith "Double Z" brand logo reinterpreted in a modern way in the 1960s.

Zenith DEFY Skyline Watch

The DEFY SKYLINE watch is paired with a stainless steel bracelet with a satin-finished surface, chamfered and polished edges to blend in with the contours of the faceted case. In addition, a rubber strap decorated with a starry sky pattern echoes the dial, and using the DEFY series case's ingeniously designed strap quick-change mechanism, the strap can be easily changed without any tools by pressing the safety button on the back of the case. .

Caliber El Primero 3620

El Primero 3620 is a high-frequency movement, which is improved on the basis of El Primero 3600, and the timing module is removed accordingly. It vibrates at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5Hz, 10 vibrations) and has the same 60-hour power reserve, which is currently only available for the DEFY Skyline series. The unique 12-sided design, the plane is vertically brushed and polished, and the chamfered part is polished. The two different processes are intertwined with distinct layers, and the details are rich in look and feel. At the same time, the price of 6,5000 is also quite competitive in the same class.