The 2023 summer season is now in full swing and Pisa Circle is one of its protagonists. For lovers of the sea, it is the only time of the year to get back to feeling that sense of freedom that only this element can convey. In what way? Not just one, but many: from scuba diving to sailing via a simple swim, the sea becomes a tool for re-establishing a strong, deep connection with nature. A panacea for the mind and mood: thoughts and worries vanish. And so, even the rituals that usually punctuate everyday life seem a distant memory. Time slows down, stretches endlessly, and with it also the load of emotions and sensations that the marine environment brings. (Here all our posts about Pisa Circle).
A year of special birthdays
If it is a diver’s watch that marks them, even better. Not least because 2023 has risen to prominence for a series of special birthdays. Starting with the 70th birthday of the Fifty Fathmos, a true legend whose name speaks volumes about its connection with the sixth continent. Seventy just like the age of the Submariner watch that Rolex presented to the general public in 1953. Going further back in time, 2023 celebrates the 75th anniversary of Omega’s Seamaster. If we go back in history, the 1973 box sees Baume & Mercier in the front row thanks to the Riviera collection that saw the light of day that very year. Stages in a journey that have recently been enriched with new, equally exciting contents. Like those starring Tudor, whose link is certified by the brand’s presence alongside Alinghi Red Bull Racing, the Swiss challenge to the next America’s Cup. Not to mention Ulysse Nardin, which has made headlines as the official timekeeper of The Ocean Race, the round-the-world stage sailing race that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Still on the subject of excellent adversaries.
Sea and adventure stories with Pisa Circle
Stories of the sea and adventure can also be experienced on the wrist thanks to Pisa Circle. The initiative promoted by Pisa Orologeria is proposed as a true digital showcase thanks to which it is possible to view at any time, and with any device, a selection of 2,000 available products from over 30 jewellery, accessories and haute horlogerie brands. All it takes is a click to satisfy one’s thirst for knowledge or to make an appointment directly in the Pisa Orologeria flagship store in Via Verri 7 in Milan. A safe landing place for those who nurture a great passion for watchmaking and, above all, a precious compass to orient themselves in the boundless sea of proposals that boast a strong link with the sixth continent. Below is a selection of 10 models available on Pisa Circle to experience a summer of sea and emotions.
Tudor flies with Alinghi Red Bull Racing
As the Anglo-Saxons say: a must have. And, when you look at it, the term makes a good point. The new Pelagos FXD “Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition” celebrates the partnership between the maison and the Swiss challenge to the next America’s Cup. Available on Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/tudor/modello/?rmc=M25707KN-0001 is distinguished by its matt black carbon composite case, 42 mm (25707KN) with fixed bars for attaching the strap and an Alinghi Red Bull Racing logo engraved on the caseback in matt black carbon josites and 60-minute retrograde graduation with Swiss SuperLumiNova® Grade X1 luminescent coating. The matt blue dial features luminescent ceramic composite applied hour markers. This timepiece is powered by the Manufacture Calibre MT5602 certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control (COSC), with a silicon balance spring and a 70-hour power reserve. The “Snowflake” hands, one of the distinguishing features of TUDOR diver’s watches since 1969, have a luminescent Swiss Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 coating. The blue fabric ring strap features red touches and a hook-and-loop fastening system.
Blancpain 70 years of diving and excitement
A pillar of the Fifty Fathoms collection, the Batyscaphe line includes a model for true connoisseurs and diving enthusiasts. Available on Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/blancpain-05000o012010ng52a-fifty-fathoms-bathyscaphe/ this Batyscaphe model features a 43mm case in grade 23 satin-finished titanium. Water resistance is guaranteed up to 30 bar (300 m). Another distinctive feature is the watch’s dial. Anthracite in colour, it features a hand-crafted vertical satin finish, giving the timepiece a very modern matt effect. A style revived by the baton hands and luminescent geometric hour markers typical of the Bathyscaphe models, as well as a satin-finished titanium bezel fitted with a satin-finished ceramic insert and a Liquidmetal time scale. Regulating the hours, minutes, seconds and date functions is the Manufacture calibre 1315, a self-winding movement with a 5-day power reserve which, thanks to its silicon balance spring, has the advantage of being totally insensitive to magnetic fields.
Panerai and sea time on Pisa Circle
Marking some of the most important stages in the recent history of the Florentine maison is certainly the Submersible QuarantaQuattro collection and, more specifically, the reference PAM01226. Available on Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/panerai-pam01226-submersible-quarantaquattro-bianco/ this model features a 44mm steel case framing a white dial. From a chromatic point of view, the colour palette is completed by the military green of the rubber strap that matches the case of this timepiece. Regulating the hours, minutes, small seconds (at 9 o’clock) and date functions is the tried and tested P900 calibre, a self-winding movement with a 3-day power reserve. Water resistance is guaranteed to a depth of 300 metres.
Bulgari and Capri two Italian icons
It pays tribute to one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean and now a globally celebrated destination. The Roman maison wanted to dedicate a limited series of timepieces to its irresistible charm. It is also a way of celebrating the watchmaker’s Italian roots. The Bulgari Aluminium Capri Edition is all this but also much more. Available on Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/bulgari-103815-bvlgari-bvlgari-aluminium-capri-edition/ features a blue shaded dial with luminescent hands and hour markers, all enclosed in a 40 mm aluminium case surmounted by a rubber bezel. The caseback is embellished with an engraving of the Faraglioni of Capri, an element that adds a touch of exclusivity and elegance to the watch. With water resistance to 100 metres, it is powered by the B77 calibre, an automatic mechanical movement with a 42-hour power reserve, which is entrusted with the hours, minutes, seconds and date functions.
Hamilton, discovering the legend of the Frogman on Pisa Circle
The sea for Hamilton takes on the contours of the Khaki Navy Frogman Automatic, a highly successful model judging by the popularity it has enjoyed since its launch. The range also includes a reference in a 46mm case available as part of the Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/hamilton-h77825331-khaki-navy-frogman-46-mm/ Made of steel and water-resistant to a depth of 300 metres, it features a well-defined black dial embellished with Super-LumiNova® for legibility in poor light conditions, while orange touches on the minute sphere and the end of the seconds sphere ensure clarity at a glance. Details that make it a reliable instrument when diving. The H-10 automatic movement guarantees absolute precision and reliability, with an increased power reserve of 80 hours and optimised performance thanks to the Nivachron™ balance spring.
Hublot and the sporty charm of the Big Bang
Among the proposals for the summer, the house of Nyon could not miss the call. Also a protagonist in the world of sailing with its sponsorship of the team led by Swiss sailor Alain Roura, Hublot has turned the spotlight on the Big Bang by introducing a new and exclusive collection also available on Pisa Circle in a titanium version. The Big Bang Integrated in titanium https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/hublot-451-nx-1170-nx-unico-integrated-titanium/ comes with an integrated bracelet in the same material that fits perfectly around the wrist. The style echoes the codes of the case, with edges that recall not only the aesthetics of the push-buttons, but also the architecture of the case middle. The polished-satin finish, the anglage and bevel of the links evoke the same effect of depth and contrast between case and lugs. To achieve a perfectly integrated bracelet, Hublot had to revise the design of the case. While the dial and bezel are identical to the 42 mm Big Bang model, except for the hourmarkers which replace the Arabic numerals, the pushpieces echo the codes of the original 2005 model. In an interplay of sharp and bevelled angles, the pushers have inspired the style of the bracelet, while alternating polished and satin finishes punctuate the design from the case middle to the bracelet. Dominating the scene on the skeleton dial is the refined architecture of the manufactory-made UNICO HUB1280 self-winding flyback chronograph movement.
Baume & Mercier and the 50th anniversary of the Riviera available on Pisa Circle
A special birthday for the Riviera collection, which celebrates its 50th anniversary by announcing a load of novelties for women’s wrists as well. Prominent among them is ref. M0A10727. Available on the Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/baume-and-mercier-10727-riviera/ is distinguished by the blue of the satin-finished soleil dial with a transparent applied wave motif that recalls the colour of water reflections. The date is indicated in a date window at 3 o’clock, while the hours and minutes are marked by Roman numerals, riveted indexes with Superluminova coating (C1, blue-emitting) and facetted rhodium-plated hands. All regulated by a quartz movement with a 10-year power reserve. Embossed on the octagonal crown is the Phi logo, the symbol of the Maison. The watch is water-resistant to 5 ATM (approx. 50 m). The 33mm steel case has a dodecagonal shape, the signature and hallmark of the Riviera collection for half a century.
Ulysse Nardin: an abysmal attraction
A limited series of 300 pieces. A true connoisseur’s piece. Aimed at those who share both a passion for watchmaking and for the sixth continent. The Hammerhead Shark Limited Edition gives added value to the famous Diver Chronograph collection from the house of Le Locle. Also available on the Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/ulysse-nardin-1503-170le-3-93-hammer-diver-chronograph-44-mm/ is a version with a 44mm titanium case whose water resistance is guaranteed to a depth of 300 metres. The innovative calibre UN-150 chronograph movement made in-house and equipped with a 48-hour power reserve, regulates the hours, minutes and small seconds functions displayed on the counter at 9 o’clock. The caseback reveals an engraving depicting the image of a hammerhead shark. The red hue is featured on the bezel, the chrono hand, the start/stop/reset pushers and finally on the rubber strap with a shark sculpted in rubber at 12 o’clock.
IWC and the myth of the Portuguiser to be rediscovered on Pisa Circle
Calling it a cult of watchmaking may not make the point all the way. The Portuguiser collection remains an indisputable landmark for watchmaking enthusiasts. A history its boasts a strong connection with the sea. It all began in the late 1930s when two Portuguese entrepreneurs (hence the name) approached IWC for a watch that was practical, easy to read and accurate. At the time, the Maison had an agreement to supply navy watches to the Royal Navy. The intuition was to put this experience to good use by making a timepiece that was inspired by the models used on British navy ships. The rest is history. Or rather, a history that also lives on in the Portuguiser Chronograph version that recently underwent a revamp. Ref. IW371605 available at Pisa Circle https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/iwc-iw371605-portugieser-chronograph/ features a 41mm steel case enclosing a silvered dial on which the blue hands, Arabic numerals and hour markers stand out. The dial’s aesthetics are characterized by the presence of the two chronograph counters at 12 and 6 o’clock. Regulating the chronograph functions, to which are also added the hours, minutes, and seconds functions, is the new in-house caliber 69355.
Glashütte Original on the waves of time
The SeaQ Chronograph is the first Glashütte Original diver’s watch equipped with a chronograph movement. It is an important first for the Saxon watchmaker, which has conceived a timepiece whose connection to the sea is revived by the blue hue that characterizes the hand-crafted dial of the reference available in the Pisa Circle showcase https://www.pisaorologeria.com/it/product_circle/glashutte-original-13723028134-spazialist-seaq-chronograph/ The 43.2mm steel case is designed to withstand depths of up to 300 meters. Like every diver, the SeaQ Chronograph also features a unidirectional rotating bezel enriched with a blue ceramic insert while to ensure immediate reading of information even in low-light conditions, the hour, minute and chronograph seconds hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. This timepiece is powered by Caliber 37-23, a self-winding movement. Completing the fittings is a gray synthetic fabric strap made from recycled fishing nets.
Matteo Zaccagnino
