Tick Talk: Audemars Piguet’s groundbreaking Royal Oak RD#5, Jay Chou helps design Tudor’s 1926 Luna

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5

Audemars Piguet is marking its 150th anniversary in style with the launch of the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5.

The watch – which took five years to develop – debuts the brand new Calibre 8100, an ultra-thin automatic movement that combines, for the first time in the Royal Oak line, a flyback chronograph with a flying tourbillon.

Outstanding features include a rare instant-jump minute counter and push-pieces so easy to operate, they have been likened to smartphone touchscreens.

True to the Jumbo heritage, the 39mm titanium case retains the classic sleek profile at just 8.1mm thick. The watchmaker has used a mix of titanium and its proprietary Bulk Metallic Glass for the case and bracelet accents, finished with satin and polished surfaces.

Limited to 150 pieces, the RD#5’s signature Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 dial carries the iconic Petite Tapisserie pattern, with snailed chronograph counters, luminescent hands in white gold and titanium chronograph arms for featherlight precision.

Price: 260,000 Swiss francs (S$421,550), excluding taxes

Tudor 1926 Luna

To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and the artistry of Tudor ambassador and Mandopop king Jay Chou, the watch brand has dropped a moon-phase watch in its elegant 1926 line-up. The collection is named after the year the brand’s German founder Hans Wilsdorf registered The Tudor.

Set in 39mm stainless-steel cases, the line – which Chou helped to design – comes in three dials: blue, black and champagne gold.

Each dial features a unique moon-phase indicator at six o’clock, with the champagne model sporting a whimsical gold moon that waxes and wanes behind a black cutout, conjuring the shimmering beauty of moonlit nights.

The watches combine 316L steel, water resistance to 100m and Swiss chronometer precision. Each flaunts vintage-inspired dials, sword-shaped hands and a seven-link bracelet.

Price: $3,700

Hermes H08

Hermes has updated its popular H08 sports watch with an eye-catching titanium edition flaunting a sophisticated grey dial, attractive blue numerals and a matching rubber strap that balances industrial cool with playful charm.

Since launching at Watches & Wonders 2021, the model has carved out a niche in the sports watch market with its cushion-shaped case inspired by the numerals zero and eight, a distinctively Hermes flourish.

The 39mm proportions remain unchanged, housing the Calibre H1837 by Swiss movement maker Vaucher in Fleurier, where Hermes holds a strategic quarter stake.

Water-resistant to 100m and built for everyday wear, this iteration continues the brand’s evolution of the line, which has expanded from its original five versions to include the snazzy H08 Colours editions, the striking Blue Edition and the sophisticated 2023 Monopusher Chronograph.

Price: $11,700

Omega Constellation 25mm and 28mm

Available in refined 25mm and 28mm sizes, Omega’s new Constellation pieces showcase fully polished steel cases and the brand’s unique mono-rang bracelets that catch the light from every angle.

There are eight references in all. A standout is the 25mm version with a stunning blue aventurine glass dial reminiscent of a starry sky. Another is a silvery sun-brushed option adorned with touches of 18K Sedna Gold.

The 28mm editions add bold burgundy and peacock-blue lacquer, classic black and a contemporary silver galvanic dial, all featuring skeletonised white gold hands.

Each watch – with diamond or Roman numeral bezels – is powered by the watchmaker’s Calibre 4061, with water resistance up to 30m and the signature Geneva Observatory eight-star medallion on the caseback.

Price: From $4,450 to $11,450

Tag Heuer Formula One Pop-up

Tag Heuer shifts Orchard Road into top gear with a pop-up that celebrates the excitement of Formula One and watchmaking mastery.

Open until Oct 6 at Ion Orchard’s Level 1 Atrium, this immersive showcase puts the brand’s racing heritage centre stage, featuring industrial-style black-and-red containers and the slogan, Designed to Win.

On display are a full-scale Oracle Red Bull Racing show car, rare racing suits and curated campaign visuals.

At The Tone of Victory station, guests can relive race day through dynamic audio installations. The Truly Yours station offers visitors the chance to create personalised Tag Heuer merchandise with racing-inspired patches.

For the first time in Asia, legendary watches worn by racing icons like Jo Siffert, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are on display, alongside the rare Formula 1 Chronosplit Ferrari Edition.

From Oct 3, watch enthusiasts can reserve a coveted Tag Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph box set – only five are available – plus shop individual models and the highly awaited blue-dial piece. Admission is free.

Franck Muller Vanguard

Franck Muller’s latest V 43 stainless-steel model retains the signature tonneau curves of the iconic Cintree Curvex case while introducing a guilloche pave de losanges dial which plays with light and reflection.

Crafted entirely in-house through four precise stamping stages at the Swiss manufacture in Les Bois, this geometric marvel creates a dynamic light show with every wrist movement.

The contrasting microblasted sunburst centre draws focus inward, while hand-painted applique numerals rise dramatically from the textured surface.

There are five distinctive iterations: modern navy, sophisticated grey, vibrant green, bold black and warm brown, each revealing a different character as light dances across the guilloche pattern.

Driven by a movement with a 42-hour power reserve and paired with a hand-sewn alligator strap, this watch is exclusive to the Asia-Pacific region.

Price: $17,800