Past Future Perfect
Prestige Singapore|June 2023
In this second instalment of our coverage of Watches and Wonders 2023 in Geneva, we spotlight manufactures that look to the future as they push the limits of traditional watchmaking techniques and know-how
ALLYSON KLASS
Past Future Perfect

TAG HEUER

CARRERA PLASMA DIAMANT D'AVANT-GARDE CHRONOGRAPH TOURBILLON

In 2022, Diamant d'Avant-Garde technology enabled the manufacture to use lab-grown diamonds for the first time on a chronograph case, crown, dial and indexes. In line with the Carrera's 60th anniversary this year, the Swiss watchmaker is taking its Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) expertise a step further by adding lab-grown diamonds in custom shapes to this audacious timepiece's aluminum bezel and bracelet.

Signature Carrera features of a highly legible bi-compax dial and facetted lugs are maintained, while the case, bezel and bracelet are made of sleek, matte black sand-blasted anodised aluminum and set with lab-grown diamonds of various shapes. The 44mm case includes 4.3 carats of 48 lab-grown white diamonds, while the bezel features 26 diamonds totalling 1.9 carats. The bracelet holds 34 scintillating stones for a weight of 1.9 carats. An impressive 2.5-carat lab-grown diamond tops the crown.

The visually arresting 4.9-carat dial, composed of 12 white gold indexes set with lab-grown diamonds and three polycrystalline diamond plates, is one of this piece's most groundbreaking features. The spectacular result is achieved by growing a vast number of diamond crystals as one, as well as creating breathtaking reflections and light effects in a single diamond entity. These are just a few of the many creative applications of CVD.

The hours and minutes hands are rhodium-plated with matte black lacquer and white Super-Luminova for optimal legibility. At 3 and 9 o'clock are two elegantly contrasting minutes and hours chronograph sub-counters in black polycrystalline diamond that are animated by finely polished rhodium-plated hands.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of Prestige Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of Prestige Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PRESTIGE SINGAPOREView All
Youthful Bloom
Prestige Singapore

Youthful Bloom

From evocations of horseback rides to anti-ageing formulas, this month's selection of beauty products shaves off the years.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
Private drinker
Prestige Singapore

Private drinker

Whisky and jazz bar Maduro finds its niche in Sofitel Sentosa.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
A QUIET SPACE
Prestige Singapore

A QUIET SPACE

The Mercedes EQS 450 4MATIC SUV is one of the most luxurious cars to be driven in.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
IN THE KNOW
Prestige Singapore

IN THE KNOW

As part of well-known names in the hospitality game, these hotels are so much more than places to lay your head for the night. The Prestige team checks in to these newcomers to find out why they're the talk of the town.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
ESSENCE OF THE TERROIR
Prestige Singapore

ESSENCE OF THE TERROIR

Martell introduces the Single Cru collection in a tribute to the distinctiveness of the region's varying terroir. Prestige visits the brand's home in France to immerse in the savoir-faire of the house and beauty of the spirit.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2024
STATE OF THE ART
Prestige Singapore

STATE OF THE ART

With Art Basel Hong Kong, Frieze Seoul and ART SG in full swing once more, the region is back on the world stage. But how is it rebounding? Prestige quizzed the industry's top experts.

time-read
10 mins  |
March 2024
A CASE OF GREATNESS
Prestige Singapore

A CASE OF GREATNESS

Prestige dropped into the Australian Open to check out Louis Vuitton's latest trophy trunks...and caught the making of tennis history.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
THIS IS HER ICE SONG
Prestige Singapore

THIS IS HER ICE SONG

Prestige Singapore meets ZARIA FORMAN in Niseko to find out why the artist-activist-explorer from Vacheron Constantin's \"One of Not Many\" collective pursues glaciers and icebergs.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2024
THE SHINE FROM MIAMI
Prestige Singapore

THE SHINE FROM MIAMI

LVMH Watch Week kicks off the year's calendar of watch events in sunny Florida. Here, Prestige's watch expert talks about her top picks from the show.

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
ARTISTS TO WATCH 2024
Prestige Singapore

ARTISTS TO WATCH 2024

Each year, we identify the Asian artists on the rise, shining a light on the exciting and provocative works enriching the region's artistic and cultural landscape. Here are 19 upcoming talents to put on your radar, from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 2024