Cut For Time: Dinosaur-Inspired Timepieces, Mechanical Skulls, And A Big Air Skier

Kpavio’s work revolves around themes of death, mortality, and the passing of time. Skulls are frequently the starting point for the Catalonian’s creative work, onto which he fixes movement parts, totally covering the bone to create arresting sculptures.
 

His latest work, Driver Time, includes layers and layers of horological components – which were meticulously fastened to the skull over three and a half years – but it also features a working stainless steel Rolex Daytona, reference 6239, from 1967. This much sought-after timepiece is also known as the Paul Newman Daytona, as the famous actor was frequently seen wearing one during his lifetime.
 

“I love watches, and using watches in my art, for me, is a way to show my passion,” explained the artist. “Every work of art I make, I want to transport you to the world related to the work. I do this in a different way each time. With Driver Time, I start from the fact that the Rolex Daytona is a chronograph. A chronograph is related to life; it is a measure of time. You stop it and start it. Our lives stop and start from birth to death.”

Spanish-Swiss skier Thibault Magnin recently became an ambassador for Angelus. Magnin is in the International Ski Federation’s Top 20 for his two preferred disciplines, big air and slopestyle. Born in Switzerland, Magnin holds Swiss and Spanish nationalities. But currently, he is living in the Principality of Andorra, where he is preparing for this season’s world championships and has his eye fixed on the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
 

Angelus was drawn to the young athlete’s spirit and his open-minded and multi-disciplinary approach to his sport, all values that are also important to the brand.
 

Magnin is wearing the Angelus U41, a hand-wound, one-minute flying tourbillon housed in a 42mm titanium case. There are two versions to choose from – one blue, one orange – both of which are limited to 25 pieces and are priced at CHF 31,700.

In honor of the Chinese Zodiac and the upcoming “Year of the Ox,” Arnold & Son has created an eight-piece limited edition of its high-precision moon phase model. The “Year of the Ox” starts on February 12th and symbolizes appeasement, dialogue, and soil fertility.
 

The timepiece comes in a 42mm 18-karat red gold case fitted with a metiers d’art dial that includes an 18-karat yellow gold hand-engraving of a buffalo, black guilloché for the night’s sky, and miniature painting with gold and silver powder and Super-LumiNova.
 

The large mother-of-pearl moon with its hand-painted shadows dominates the upper part of the dial. And the Caliber A&S1512's perpetual moon phase function will remain accurate for 122 years before deviating by one day . Coated with Super-LumiNova, it also lights up the watch like the Moon does the night sky.

Backes & Strauss announced last week it is teaming up with Lux Afrique Boutique. As Africa’s first luxury online shopping boutique, Lux Afrique is revolutionizing the African luxury market by delivering to 54 countries across the continent.

The e-boutique includes a 24-hour concierge service, gift service, and caters to Africa’s high-net-worth individuals, offering them curated objects from the world’s finest, rarest, and most exquisite luxury brands without them having to travel to Europe. The Lux Afrique Boutique includes jewelry, fragrances, homeware, technology, and now, with the arrival of Backes & Strauss, fine watches.

Check it out at Luxafrique.boutique.

Last but not least, Mido unveiled its new Commander Big Date with a deep blue, sunray satin-finished dial adorned with touches of rose gold-colored PVD on the hands and indices. The 42mm stainless steel case is also coated with a rose gold-colored PVD treatment, giving a warm glow to the timepiece.
 

The Commander Big Date is powered by the automatic Caliber 80 (based on the ETA C07.651) and indicates the hours, minutes, and seconds in the center and a larger date at 6 o’clock. It is paired with a semi-matte brown, crocodile-esque, leather strap.