5 Desirable Sports Watches Recently Launched

The summer is almost over. Amid the virus-fuelled uncertainty, new watch launches have been massively disrupted, but September remains a strategic time of year to introduce new products… The past weeks have seen a slew of new watches and we have picked up five, eye-catching sports watches presented recently. Let’s dive right in… hoping you find something you love.

Dive Watch – Rolex Submariner 41mm 124060

There is a new Sub for 2020! At first glance, you would hardly spot the difference. The evolution is subtle but Rolex remodelled almost everything. If the Sub has measured 40mm across for decades, the new 124060 is 41mm in diameter (in fact, closer to 40.5mm). Its proportions have changed, in particular with thinner and more tapered lugs. On the wrist, it gains in elegance and compactness. The bracelet width has been increased by 1mm at 21mm. The new Submariner also gets the brand’s new-generation movements, replacing its calibre 3130 with the modern calibre 3230.

For more details, read our in-depth article here or visit www.rolex.com.

Quick facts: 41mm Oystersteel case – unidirectional rotating bezel – water-resistant to 300m – automatic calibre 3230 – hours, minutes and seconds – Oystersteel bracelet with Oysterlock folding clasp and Glidelock extension – CHF 7,700

Pilots Watch – Fortis Flieger F-39

Known for crafting rugged, functional watches and for its long-lasting connection with aviation, Fortis has kicked-off a new Flieger collection. If the nod to the brand’s tradition is obvious, the new Fortis Flieger is far from being a mere reproduction of past glories. The focus on legibility is evidenced by the illuminated bricks forming the rail track, the triangular orientation marker and the “synchroline” to help squadron synchronisation. As always with Fortis, the case feels robust and built like a tank. We picked the 39mm version of the time-and-date version with its elongated lugs and quirky retro-vibes. 

For more details, read our in-depth article here or visit www.fortis-swiss.com.

Quick facts: 39mm steel case – 12h rotating bezel – water-resistant to 200m – automatic calibre UW-30 (SW200) – hours, minutes, seconds and date – steel bracelet, folding clasp with extension – EUR 1,950

Sporty-Chic – Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph

Bvlgari brings back one of its most iconic watches revisiting its Aluminium collection. Back in the late 1990s, the big novelty of the Bvlgari Bvlgari Aluminium was the use of aluminium and rubber, materials not usually associated with luxury watches. Its combination of black rubber and lightweight aluminium resulted in an attractive, eye-catching sports watch with an unmistakable Italian soul. The 2020 Aluminium comes is a 40mm case made from aluminium with titanium DLC-treated caseback, crown and push-pieces to keep the weight down to a minimum. The Aluminium Chronograph is equipped with the Bvlgari calibre B130, a tried-and-tested automatic movement based on an ETA 2894 with a 42-hour power reserve. For the brand, it is a cool, more accessible alternative to the Octo Finissimo collection.

For more details, read our in-depth article here or visit bulgari.com.

Quick facts: 40mm aluminium case, titanium caseback, crown and push-pieces with black DLC coating – black rubber bezel – 100m water-resistant – automatic calibre B130 (ETA 2894) – hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph – black rubber bracelet with aluminium links and pin buckle – EUR 4,250

Traveller’s Watch – Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec Color Edition

The Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec is made to travel and it is by far one of the most technical watches of its kind. Three time zones, a chronograph, COSC certification, a dynamic look and an infinity of details all around make it hyper practical. New for 2020, the Four Seasons Color Edition is available in four new models with vivid colours to match the seasons. The robust 46.6mm case is identical to previous versions and is made of brushed and polished steel. Inside is the automatic calibre CFB 1901.1 based on the ETA 2894, yet heavily modified.

For more details, check our article here or visit www.carl-f-bucherer.com.

Quick facts: 46.6mm steel case – 50m water-resistant – automatic calibre CFB 1901.1 (ETA 2894 base) – hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph and three time zones – rubber strap and folding buckle – EUR 9,300

Accessible Luxury Sports Watch – Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC

Relatively few brands offer steel sports watches with an integrated bracelet in the accessible luxury segment. Frédérique Constant now enters the game with the Highlife collection, a modern take on one of the brand’s late 1990s watches. For its 2020 comeback, the Highlife has a far more modern design with a barrel-shaped case featuring half-moon facets located near the strap attachment and a round bezel framing a large dial opening. Underlining this dynamic style, the grid-like pattern engraved into the dial mimics the imaginary longitude and latitude lines dividing the globe. The integrated bracelet is an H-link bracelet and has the particularity of being interchangeable. 

For more details read our article presenting the whole new collection here or visit www.frederiqueconstant.com.

Quick facts: 41mm steel case – 50m water-resistant – automatic calibre FC-303 (SW200) with COSC chronometer certification – hours, minutes, seconds and date – steel bracelet or alligator pattern calf leather and rubber strap with folding clasp – From EUR 1,695