Seiko Presage The Conte Limited Edition Review: Negroni-Inspired Watch

Discover Seiko's new Presage "The Conte" limited edition watch, inspired by the classic Negroni cocktail. Only 1,000 pieces available in Australia and New Zealand. Learn why this timepiece celebrates both watchmaking and mixology craftsmanship.

What Makes the New Seiko Presage "The Conte" Special?

Seiko just dropped something special for watch lovers in Australia and New Zealand. Meet "The Conte" - the latest limited edition from their popular Presage Cocktail Time collection.

Why Should You Care About This Watch?

This timepiece draws inspiration from the classic Negroni cocktail. Only 1,000 pieces exist worldwide, making it exclusive to the Australasian market.

The watch celebrates two crafts: fine watchmaking and mixology. Both require precision, patience, and attention to detail.

What's the Story Behind "The Conte"?

The Negroni has a rich history dating back to 1919 Italy. Count Camillo Negroni asked his bartender to strengthen his favorite Americano by replacing soda water with gin.

This simple request created one of the world's most beloved aperitifs.

How Does This Watch Connect to Cocktail Culture?

Seiko designed "The Conte" to honor the ritual behind great drinks. Every detail reflects the craftsmanship you'd find in a premium cocktail bar.

The watch face likely features colors and textures inspired by the Negroni's signature amber and red hues.

Who Is This Watch For?

Are you a watch collector who appreciates limited editions? Do you enjoy fine cocktails and the stories behind them?

"The Conte" appeals to people who value:

• Craftsmanship over mass production
• Stories that connect objects to culture
• Exclusivity without pretension
• Quality that lasts generations

Why Choose Limited Edition Watches?

Limited pieces hold their value better than regular production models. You own something that won't flood the market next year.

This scarcity creates a connection between you and other collectors worldwide who share the same piece.

What Makes Seiko Presage Different?

Seiko Presage watches blend traditional Japanese watchmaking with modern design. They offer luxury features at accessible prices.

The Cocktail Time series specifically targets people who appreciate both form and function. Each piece tells a story beyond just keeping time.

Should You Buy "The Conte" Now?

Limited editions sell out fast. If this watch speaks to you, waiting might mean missing out entirely.

Consider your budget and collection goals. Does "The Conte" fill a gap in your current watches?

Where Can You Find More Information?

Check authorized Seiko dealers in Australia and New Zealand. Call ahead to confirm availability since only 1,000 pieces exist.

TAOS Tuxedo Watch: Swiss Haute Horlogerie Meets Formal Elegance

Discover the TAOS Tuxedo watch featuring a grand feu enamel dial, VOP318 caliber, 18K white gold case. Swiss craftsmanship with 72-hour power reserve. Price: 140,000 CHF.

The Art of Formal Timekeeping

The TAOS Tuxedo watch transforms evening wear inspiration into horological artistry. This timepiece captures the sophistication of black-tie attire through meticulous craftsmanship and technical excellence.

Dial Craftsmanship That Captivates

The dial showcases the brand's mastery of grand feu enameling techniques.

Key Features:

• Blue and black color palette with silver accents
• Multiple enamel layers with embedded silver foil
• Hand-applied silver paillons create textile-like patterns
• Light plays across the surface mimicking woven fabric

Each dial requires multiple firings at extreme temperatures. The process demands precision timing and expert temperature control.

VOP318 Caliber: Swiss Engineering Excellence

TAOS partnered with Télôs of La Chaux-de-Fonds to create this exclusive movement.

Technical Specifications:

• Self-winding automatic mechanism
• Double-barrel configuration
• 72-hour power reserve
• 30.40mm diameter, 4.20mm thickness
• 4Hz frequency with 26 rubies

The Entrelacs caliber features over 150 hours of manual engraving. Atelier Olivier Vaucher in Geneva handles the decorative work. The oscillating weight remains hidden within the case structure.

Case Design and Materials

The 18K white gold case measures 38mm in diameter with 10mm thickness. Water resistance reaches 3 ATM, suitable for daily wear but not swimming.

The proportions balance presence with wearability. The case profile complements both formal and business attire.

Strap and Buckle Details

The black calfskin strap features an alligator pattern with visible saddle stitching. Geneva craftsmen hand-sew each strap for durability and comfort.

The 18K white gold pin buckle carries exclusive TAOS design elements. This completes the formal aesthetic while ensuring secure wearing.

Investment and Availability

The TAOS Tuxedo retails for 140,000 CHF. This positions it within the haute horlogerie segment alongside established Swiss manufacturers.

The price reflects the extensive handwork involved in both dial creation and movement decoration. Limited production numbers maintain exclusivity.

Why Choose the TAOS Tuxedo

This watch serves collectors seeking contemporary design with traditional Swiss techniques. The enamel dial work represents skills passed down through generations of artisans.

The hidden rotor design allows full appreciation of the decorated movement. Few manufacturers offer this level of finishing in modern timepieces.

Final Thoughts

The TAOS Tuxedo demonstrates how fashion inspiration can elevate watchmaking artistry. Every element from dial to movement receives artisanal attention.

For those who appreciate both technical mastery and aesthetic refinement, this timepiece offers a compelling combination of Swiss heritage and modern design vision.

The TAOS Tuxedo is a luxury Swiss watch featuring a grand feu enamel dial with silver paillons, an exclusive VOP318 caliber with 72-hour power reserve, an 18K white gold case, and a handmade leather strap. Priced at 140,000 CHF, it represents haute horlogerie craftsmanship with over 150 hours of manual engraving and a hidden oscillating weight design.

MB&F LM101 EVO: 20th Anniversary Titanium Edition

Discover the MB&F LM101 EVO, launched for the brand’s 20th anniversary. A 40mm titanium case, FlexRing shock system, 14mm flying balance wheel, and Straumann® double hairspring define this collector’s piece.

MB&F LM101 EVO – A 20th Anniversary Release

MB&F launched the Legacy Machine 101 (LM101) in 2014.

With its 40mm case and thin profile, it became one of the smallest Legacy Machines. Yet it stood out for its massive 14mm flying balance wheel that seemed to float above the movement.

Collectors quickly embraced the LM101. Over the years, many asked for an EVO edition.

For its 20th anniversary in 2025, MB&F has answered. The LM101 EVO arrives as a tribute to two decades of horological design.

Case and Build

• Material: Titanium with FlexRing shock protection

• Diameter: 40.0 mm

• Height: 16.5 mm

• Lug-width: 17 mm

• Lug-to-lug: 49 mm

• Crystals: High-domed sapphire on top, box sapphire on back

• Coating: Anti-reflective on both sides

• Water resistance: 80m / 8ATM / 270 feet

• Crown: Screw-down

Dial options:

• Salmon CVD dial plate

• Green CVD dial plate

Would you choose the warm salmon tone or the bold green?

Engine and Movement

• In-house three-dimensional movement

• Finishing: Kari Voutilainen specifications

• Manual winding with slipping mainspring barrel

• Power reserve: 60 hours

• Balance wheel: 14mm with four regulating screws

• Balance spring: Straumann® double hairspring

• Frequency: 18,000 bph / 2.5 Hz

• Components: 233

• Jewels: 23 in gold chatons with polished countersinks

Finishing details include Geneva waves, polished bevels, internal bevel angles, NAC black bridges, and hand-made engravings.

Would you value a watch more for its technical movement or its artistic finishing?

Functions

• Hours

• Minutes

• Power reserve indicator

• Suspended 14mm balance wheel above the dial

The floating balance wheel remains the LM101’s signature. It draws the eye before you even check the time.

TAOS Gala Watch: Swiss Luxury Timepiece With Rose Gold And Diamond Details

Discover the TAOS Gala luxury watch featuring 5N rose gold, diamond setting, Grand Feu enamel, and exclusive Swiss movement. Handcrafted masterpiece at 150,000 CHF.

The Art of Horological Couture

You witness true craftsmanship when five ancient techniques merge into one timepiece.

The TAOS Gala draws inspiration from luxury ball gowns. Each watch tells a story of Swiss precision and artistic vision.

Dial Craftsmanship Excellence

Five Traditional Techniques United:

• Champlevé engraving creates intricate patterns in 5N gold
• Natural feathers undergo multi-layer cutting and precise assembly
• Grand Feu enamel work includes silver paillon details
• Mother-of-pearl receives hand engraving and micro-painting
• Diamond setting adds brilliance to every surface

The dial requires over 150 hours of manual work. Master craftsmen shape each element by hand.

Swiss Movement Engineering

VOP318 Calibre Specifications:

The exclusive movement comes from Télôs in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

• Self-winding automatic system with double-barrel configuration
• Invisible oscillating weight hidden within the case
• 72-hour power reserve for extended wear
• 30.40mm diameter with 4.20mm thickness
• 4Hz frequency with 26 rubies

Atelier Olivier Vaucher in Geneva handles all hand decorations.

Case and Construction Details

18K Rose Gold Foundation:

• 38mm diameter provides perfect wrist presence
• 10mm thickness maintains elegant proportions
• Diamond-set lugs add luxury accents
• 3 ATM water resistance protects daily wear

The 5N rose gold creates warm, lasting color.

Luxury Strap Design

Handcrafted Leather Excellence:

The mat bordeaux leather features alligator patterns. Geneva artisans hand-stitch each strap with visible saddle stitching.

The exclusive TAOS pin buckle uses matching 5N pink gold.

Investment and Availability

Price Point: 150,000 CHF

This places the Gala among elite luxury timepieces. The extensive handwork justifies the premium positioning.

Why Choose TAOS Gala

Exclusivity Factors:

• Limited production due to intensive handwork requirements
• Five traditional techniques in single dial execution
• Swiss movement exclusivity through Télôs partnership
• Geneva hand-decoration tradition
• Natural materials including feathers and mother-of-pearl

Technical Advantages:

• 72-hour power reserve exceeds industry standards
• Invisible weight system maintains clean dial view
• Double-barrel configuration ensures consistent power
• Swiss-madea  movement guarantees precision

Collector Value Proposition

You invest in more than timekeeping. The Gala represents wearable art.

Each piece requires months of specialized handwork. Master craftsmen apply techniques passed down through generations.

The combination of materials and methods creates unique variations. No two watches appear identical.

Care and Maintenance

Preserving Your Investment:

Regular servicing maintains movement precision. The natural materials require gentle handling.

Professional cleaning preserves enamel and featherwork integrity. Diamond settings need periodic inspection.

Conclusion

The TAOS Gala transforms traditional watchmaking into wearable sculpture.

Five ancient techniques create modern luxury. Swiss engineering supports artistic vision.

At 150,000 CHF, you acquire a piece of horological history. Each watch represents hundreds of hours of master craftsmanship.

The Gala belongs in serious watch collections. It bridges technical excellence with artistic beauty.

The TAOS Gala represents the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking artistry. This luxury timepiece combines five traditional crafting techniques in a single dial: precision engraving, Grand Feu enamelling, diamond setting, sculpted mother-of-pearl, and natural featherwork. The watch features an exclusive VOP318 calibre movement with 72-hour power reserve, housed in an 18K rose gold case. Priced at 150,000 CHF, each piece requires over 150 hours of manual engraving work.

Old Soul By Vianney Halter And Massena LAB

Discover Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB. A 47-piece limited-edition wristwatch powered by a revived Minerva 17’22 movement with a mystery dial complication.

Massena LAB partners with independent watchmaker Vianney Halter to create Old Soul, a limited-edition wristwatch that blends horological history with contemporary craftsmanship.

Why the Name “Old Soul”?

The heart of the watch is its movement.
It represents both the life force of a timepiece and its enduring essence.
The soul, like the movement, is built to outlast its vessel.

The Movement

• Built around the vintage Minerva 17’22 caliber

• Originally developed in the 1920s and used in pocket watches until 1942

• Rediscovered as new old stock and revived in 2025

• Modified to power a mystery dial complication—a first for this vintage movement

The Dial

• Multi-layered with steampunk influences from Vianney Halter

• Vintage and mid-century design cues from Massena LAB

• Hours at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock, minutes on the outer chapter ring

• Transparent disc for the minute hand, creating the illusion of it floating in space

• Arabic numerals in Halter’s signature typeface

• Railroad track styling across all three registers for a historical touch

• Branding (“Vianney Halter” and “Massena”) printed on the sapphire crystal interior, casting subtle shadows

• Steampunk-inspired shield atop the crystal, engraved and dotted with stainless steel studs

The Case

• 42mm stainless steel case with stepped lugs

• Polished and brushed finishing for contrast

• Crown fitted with tactile studs for grip and design symmetry

The Movement Finishing

• Displayed through sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating

• Hand-finished Minerva caliber 17’22

• Features include:

  • Côtes de Genève stripes

  • Anglage finishing

  • Black polish detailing

• Mainspring barrel engraved with the Minerva name

• Double emblem with insignias of both Vianney Halter and Massena LAB

Limited Edition

• Only 47 pieces worldwide

• Combines Minerva heritage, Halter’s technical mastery, and Massena LAB’s historic vision