Breitling To Resume Production April 6 With Renewed Focus On Sustainable Packaging

At a time when event cancellations and factory closures have become commonplace due the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Breitling has offered a glimmer of real hope. According to recent statements by Breitling chief executive Georges Kern, the band’s factory in La Chaux-De-Fonds, Switzerland, will resume production on April 6 following a brief virus-related shutdown. The facility will be using social distancing techniques to prevent contact between its workers, and production is expected to resume at approximately 70 percent of usual capacity due to these changes.

An additional change to Breitling’s production will be rolled out later this year, as the brand intends to phase out traditional box and papers packaging for most watches in pursuit of greater sustainability and reduced material waste. This new packaging concept is expected to include smaller pouches made of recycled materials in place of more traditional large boxes, while the blockchain-based verification solution rolled out with last month’s new Top Time model is slated to replace most traditional watch papers. For those that prefer the traditional luxury box and papers experience, Breitling will provide those on request in exchange for a small donation to one of a variety of environmental charities.

Corum Unveils The Admiral 42 Automatic All Black Limited Edition With Five Unique Color Schemes

The Corum Admiral is arguably the brand’s most iconic modern model, and for 2020 the marque is reinterpreting the distinctive angular case and flag indices of the Admiral 42 in five aggressive, ultra modern colorways for the limited edition Admiral 42 Automatic All Black series. As the name suggests, these new models offer a black PVD treatment for the 42 mm stainless steel case with its unique 12 sided shape. Despite the nautical pretensions, however, only 50 meters of water resistance are on offer here. While the first version of the Admiral 42 Automatic All Black, unveiled in 2019, was truly a black on black affair, each of the five dial variants of the new model add a single vibrant color. These colors, including yellow, red, blue, green, and orange, feel futuristic and bold in their execution with lines of neon color on a stark black background. All variants are powered by the ETA based CO 395 automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve and a 28,800 bph beat rate. Only 100 examples of each color will be produced. For more information, please visit Corum’s website.

Gerald Charles Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Limited Edition Maestro Anniversary Watch

Legendary designer Gerald Genta left many impressions on the watch industry over the years, penning historic models for brands from Omega to Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, but one of his best kept secrets is the Gerald Charles brand. Founded by the designer himself in 2000, the boutique watchmaker is now celebrating 20 years of production with a special sporty limited edition version of its signature Maestro watch. The Maestro Anniversary is the first time this unorthodox Genta-designed case has been rendered in stainless steel, as well as the first time the Maestro has boasted a 100 meter water resistance. The dial feels pure Genta as well, with Nautilus style paddle hands and large, airy Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock. Also a first for the Maestro line is the big date at 6 o’clock, adding a slightly unusual complication to an otherwise simple design. The GCA131-9391 automatic movement, visible through the sapphire caseback, offers rhodium beaded bridges along with 42 hours of power reserve and a 28,800 bph beat rate. Gerald Charles mounts the Maestro Anniversary on an “Egyptian inspired” rubber sports strap, one that also shows more than a passing resemblance to the classic Seiko waffle strap. Only 252 of these unique variants will be made, one for each month of the brand’s 20 year existence and are available for purchase online now at an MSRP of $9,188. As part of the brand’s ongoing effort to combat the current pandemic, 30 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.