This week in watches: 75 years of the Omega Seamaster and Sam Kerr joins the IWC family
Esquire's guide to the new releases, innovations, and celebrity watch sightings making headlines in the watch world.
EACH WEEK, we’ll be taking a look at the hottest news, developments and rare model sightings in the watch world — what’s ticking, what’s trending and what’s causing jaws in various corners of the watch internet to drop. We’ll highlight new brand releases, celebrity watch spots and general news for all you horologically-minded enthusiasts.
This week, watch media (and a few celeb faces) gathered on the island of Mykonos to celebrate a very important milestone: 75 years of the Omega Seamaster. An apt setting, George Clooney and Paul Wesley were in attendance as the historic brand unveiled a slew of new Seamaster iterations that Bond would definitely have approved. From a new Diver 300m to a welcomed reissue of the PloProf, Seamasters were plentiful on the tiny Greek Island.
Elsewhere, 72 renowned watch brands have come together in the name of charity. To celebrate the biennial OnlyWatch charity auction, brands big and small brands created one-off timepieces to be auctioned at the sale, with a goal of raising much-needed funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Keep scrolling for all that dropped in the watch world this week.
1
Sam Kerr announced as IWC Friend of the Brand
IWC are renowned for partnering with some of the biggest-named individuals of extraordinary talents (think Lewis Hamilton, Gisele Bündchen, and Hans Zimmer). Now, one of the world’s best footballers has joined the IWC family as an official friend of the brand: Sam Kerr. The Chelsea Football Club captain and leading goal scorer will bring her authentic and uncompromising spirit to the IWC family.
“I am excited to represent IWC because it is a company that celebrates those who follow their dreams,” said Kerr via a press statement. “Throughout my career, I have always stayed true to myself which is something IWC and I have in common. Whether it is through sports or engineering watches, we strive for excellence by doing things our own way.”
2
72 watch brands unveil rare, one-off timepieces for OnlyWatch 2023
OnlyWatch is back for 2023, a biennial charity auction that raises funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. And the release of 62 rare, one-off timepieces was quite the remarkable feat. Some of our favourite designs include the Gerald Genta (pictured) minute-repeating MickeyMouse watch in Genta’s signature octagonal case. The Disney reference pays tribute to Disney’s 100th anniversary, and the 50th anniversary of Genta creating his first watch under his name.
For TUDOR, it was the unveiling of the Prince Chronograph One — a reinterpretation of the Big Block Tudor chronographs of the ’90s, and a timepiece that has since won over the internet.
Louis Vuitton needs a special mention, for the release of the Tambour Einstein Automata is truly spectacular. This watch — which pays a playful tribute to Albert Einstein — was designed, developed, and manufactured completely at Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking workshop in Geneva.
3
George Clooney among other actors celebrate 75 years of the Omega Seamaster in Mykonos
Over in Mykonos, Greece, Omega hosted a spectacularly-opulent party to celebrate all things Seamaster. To celebrate 75 years of Omega’s beloved oceangoing icon, guests were treated to the unveiling of a new Seamaster collection, including new Aqua Terra’s, an Aqua Terra Worldtimer, Seamaster 300, Diver 300m, Planet Ocean, PloProf, and Ultra Deep. Most watches were presented in a new summer blue hue, which is inspired by the Ocean.
4
Zenith unveils new Defy Skyline Boutique editions with an ice blue dial
Over at Zenith, the Swiss watchmaker continues its run of super successful releases for 2023 with the release of a new Defy Skyline. The exclusive boutique edition Defy Skyline is adorned in a trending ice blue dial, and comes available in three styles — a 41mm steel case, and a mid-sized 36mm counterpart in two versions, with or without diamonds on the bezel. and without diamonds on the bezel.