Now it’s back and coating men’s and women’s replica watches ready to sail the high seas, walk the earth and travel the Milky Way as it washes over the straps.If there’s one big trend to spot in 2016, it’s blue’s big comeback. It may often be dropped for more popular, mainstream and easy to match colours like black, white and silver but blue has popped up in collections over the last few years. It keeps a low profile but it’s definitely here, often in the small details.
Blue may be seen as cold in graphic art but it’s a colour that’s full of tone and life. Here are four examples to prove it.
Sea blue
The blue dial is dotted with luminescent triangular markers with the hours, minutes and chronograph seconds in the centre. Two blue counters at 9 and 3 o’clock display the seconds and chronograph minutes.When you think of blue, you naturally think of the ocean, the deep sea and whales. The colour whisks you off the coast to play at being an adventurer on or under the water which is exactly what Eterna’s Super KonTiki chronograph is made for. Its solid steel case (45mm diameter, 16mm thick) is topped by a rotating blue bezel; it houses the self-winding 3916A calibre which provides a 65-hour power reserve and the time, date and chronograph functions.
True blue
“Overseas” is literally an invitation to travel and cross the ocean. The collection has been reinvented by Vacheron Constantin for 2016 with a range of models including this three-handed stunner with the date. Its clear blue lacquered dial bears luminescent hour markers whilst the minute track lies on the chapter ring. Three silver hands burst from the heart of the azure disc to track the hours, minutes and seconds. The white date display appears at 3 o’clock and the functions are brought to life by the 5100 calibre designed and made by the Genevan brand. The movement fuels the 65-hour power reserve from inside the 41mm steel case.
Complicated blue
We’ve seen the sea, now let’s take to the skies! The heavenly Rotonde de Cartier Day and Night Moon Phase takes its lucky owner to the stars. Its white gold and blue paillonné lacquer dial unveils a semi-circle to track the sun and moon framed by two rows of diamonds in shades of blue. The day goes from left to right, from dawn to dusk, whilst the diamond and blue sapphire moon at the bottom of the dial showcases its seven phases. A hand with a steel ring tip shows the moon’s status whilst a spear-shape hand tracks the minutes brought to life by the 40mm white gold case’s 9912MC calibre.
Feminine blue
The emerald-cut was Harry Winston’s favourite (1846-1978). In 1949 the brand founder bought Hope, the biggest ever blue diamond to be found so far. These two features, cut and colour, gave rise to a new collection: Harry Winston Emerald. Its white gold case (17.75 x 24mm) is paved with 54 diamonds enclosing a quartz movement. The case has the edgy shape of an emerald whilst the bright blue dial is reminiscent of the Hope diamond’s unique colour. The electric energy is elevated by three diamond markers (at 3, 6 and 9) and a white gold HW at 12 beneath the hour and minute hands. A blue satin twin strap wraps the replica watch around the wrist.
By Sharmila Bertin