Watch companies make limited editions for a number of reasons: to flex their watchmaking muscles, to demonstrate their abilities in a particularly challenging arena (e.g. high watchmaking, special materials, etc.) or simply to keep certain decorative arts alive.
When you buy a special limited edition, few other people in the entire world have the same watch. And if you buy a unique piece, you are the only one wearing that watch.
Here are some of the best limited editions on the market today.
Longines Triple Crown Conquest Classic Special Edition
With Nyquist winning the Kentucky Derby, this is the perfect time for Longines, the official timekeeper of the Triple Crown, to introduce the Triple Crown Conquest Classic Special Edition to celebrate American Pharoah’s incredible achievement.
The watch, adapted from Longines’ Conquest Classic timepiece, features a brown leather alligator strap and brown dial to match American Pharoah’s coat. This timepiece is available in three versions: the stainless steel pictured here ($4,200), limited to 160 pieces; a two-tone steel and rose gold version, limited to 160 pieces ($4,600); and a 18K rose gold version, limited to 60 pieces worldwide ($13,500). Longines.com
Panerai Radiomir 1940 Minute Repeater Carillon Tourbillon GMT 49mm
The latest limited edition from Panerai is a spectacular watch that combines limited and bespoke, as each example is customizable by the final client. The retail starting price is $395,000, and changes from there depend on the choices of the client.
This grand complication features a Carillon minute repeater (a first for Panerai), a tourbillon and a GMT display, all skeletonized with the movement on full display. A highly complicated piece, made in-house at the Panerai manufacture in Neuchatel, Switzerland, the Radiomir 1940 Minute Repeater Carillon Tourbillon GMT 49mm keeps all the codes of traditional Panerai timepieces, while upping the complexity. Panerai.com
Patek Philippe Ref. 6002 Sky Moon Tourbillon
This Grand Complication from Patek Philippe isn’t technically a limited edition, but is limited production, as Patek Philippe has only so much capacity to manufacture these highly complex pieces.
Ref. 6002 combines a tourbillon with a cathedral gong minute repeater, perpetual calendar, moon phase, sidereal time, sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon and more, all in a double-faced, completely hand-engraved timepiece that will make anyone envious. It’s one of the most sought-after watches made by Patek, so get your order in right away; the black enamel dial is new for this year. 1,250,000 chf converted to US dollars at time of delivery. Patek.com
Alexander Shorokhoff Babylonian II
This relatively unknown brand has just been introduced in the USA, via Ray Grenon of About Time Luxury Group. The Babylonian II from Alexander Shorokhoff is a limited edition of 300 pieces and is completely hand engraved, front and back. Powered by a hand-wound movement, the 47mm steel case features a blue mother of pearl ring with zodiac symbols. In the center of the dial, you can find the sun and the moon, as well as two wavy lines representing the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (between which was ancient Babylon). $3,250, Alexander-shorokhoff.de
