Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/861960
96 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM SIMPLICITY, A STRONG TIMEPIECE TREND, IS TEMPTING CHICAGO TASTEMAKERS THIS SEASON WITH STRAIGHTFORWARD STYLE AND ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE. BY ALDOUS TUCK SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: With a caliber only 3.6mm thick, the insta-classic RM 67-01 Automatic Extra Flat from Richard Mille ($86,500) still provides visual depth to the brand's iconic skeletonized movement. Each case requires more than 215 machining operations—not to mention extensive hand-brushing and –polishing—before the move- ment is mounted within its subtle lines. Geneva Seal, 112 E. Oak St., 312-944-3100; richardmille.com Introduced at Baselworld, Tudor's Heritage Black Bay 41 ($2,950) continues the aesthetic tradition of the iconic Black Bay line. The elegant lacquer dial is inspired by the brand's diving watches from the 1950s and complemented by the "snowflake"-style hands first introduced in 1969. A flat sapphire crystal and steel case round out the clean, minimalist look, which can be customized with three different band options: stainless steel, leather, or camouflage fabric. James & Sons Fine Jewelers, 1457 N. Halsted St., 773-327-8800; tudorwatch.com Tissot presented the Excellence ($2,100) at this year's Baselworld as part of its T Gold Collection. With a slim, dapper design, the watch comes in two iterations: 18k rose gold with a dramatic gradient-blue dial complemented by a blue leather strap, and 18k yellow or rose gold with a more classic white dial and black leather strap. The Swiss-made quartz movement offers an EOL (End of Life) indicator. James & Sons Fine Jewelers, 1457 N. Halsted St., 773-327-8800; tissotwatches.com The Saxonia Thin by A. Lange & Söhne ($14,800 for 37mm diameter, $24,500 for 40mm) has a case height of 5.9mm, making it the brand's thinnest watch to date. The simply elegant 18k white-gold case (there's also a pink-gold model) houses a caliber L093.1 manually-wound movement, which offers a 72-hour power reserve and moves the dial's classic, Saxonia sword-shaped hands. Marshall Pierce & Company, 960 N. Michigan Ave., 312-642- 4299; alange-sohne.com Building on the popularity of last year's Drive de Cartier debut, Cartier released the limited- edition Drive de Cartier Flat ($14,300) at this year's SIHH in both 18k rose and white gold. The classic cushion shape seamlessly segues from sporty to dressy. The hand-wound, ultra-thin caliber 430MC movement is housed in the slim 6.6mm case and features a 36-hour power reserve. Handsome simplicity: Cartier at its best. Marshall Pierce & Company, 960 N. Michigan Ave., 312-642-4299; cartier.com Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Although this most famous Renaissance figure preceded the earliest watches by mere decades, his philosophy has stood the test of time. This season, Swiss watchmakers are embracing timeless design: Clean lines, uncomplicated dials, effortless construction, and straightforward materials are taking the market by storm—and speaking to those who crave the uncluttered. These finely crafted timepieces will make the right style statement for years to come, both in the boardroom and out on the town. For more watch features and expanded coverage go to michigan avemag.com/watches-and-jewelry. . STYLE TIME HONORED