Given the devotion of master watchmakers, it is likely that they create extraordinary watches simply for the pleasure of it. However, their pursuit of innovation and excellence is matched by the passion of collectors. And the more limited the edition of the watch, the more determination is the desire to possess it. Venerable watchmaking houses that make limited editions claim that their watches have distinguishing features that call out for them to be limited. They also know that a beautiful timepiece designed using groundbreaking technology or hi-tech materials will garner publicity in far greater proportion to the limited number of watches in the edition. 'First and foremost, a limited or special edition must be an interesting product,' says Jean-Sebastien Gerondeau, managing director of Officine Panerai Asia-Pacific. 'If it also has an emotional attachment to a place or anything that's meaningful, it becomes more interesting to those people who have the affinity for these external attractions. 'If we do a special edition, there must be a meaningful story behind [it] to tell.' Officine Panerai has launched a special edition of its popular diving model, the Luminor Marina (HK$34,200) to mark five years in the mainland market. There are only 1,500 pieces available exclusively in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland. The watch comes with a 44mm case made out of a block of polished stainless steel, a black oxide strap and an OP II calibre hand-wound mechanical movement developed by Panerai. The Chinese character 'Fu' replaces the original numeral on the typical Panerai dial. 'This is our way of showing how much we have grown to respect and understand Chinese culture and also to pay homage to our Chinese clientele,' Gerondeau says. The Piaget Altiplano 43mm 'Anniversary Edition' Watch is also commemorating a special occasion. Piaget has been a pioneer in the field of ultra-thin movements since the 1950s and this year marks the 50th anniversary of its Calibre 12P movement - the world's thinnest mechanical self-winding movement, which first came out in 1960. Piaget has created another record-setting movement for the occasion - the Calibre 1200P which is just 2.35mm thick. The new movement is housed in the Altiplano, one of Piaget's most iconic models. The anniversary edition measures 43mm in diameter and has multilevel dials and a platinum rotor. The piece looks modest - in keeping with its signature style, only hours and minutes are displayed. Its most significant feature is its slimness. At 5.25mm thick, it is the thinnest automatic watch on the market today. Available in white gold (HK$178,000) and pink gold (HK$168,000), both models are limited to only 235 pieces each and the individual number is engraved on the oscillating weight of each movement. Rolf Schnyder, the owner and president of Ulysse Nardin, turned 75 this year, and he has introduced a new limited edition to celebrate the Freak Diavolo Rolf 75 (HK$1,434,000). 'Almost 30 years ago, I bought Ulysse Nardin, a calculated risk as I believed there was a strong chance that unique, innovative mechanical watches could thrive, and it turns out I was right,' Schnyder says. 'To celebrate my 75th birthday, I've chosen the Freak because it was an historic breakthrough for Ulysse Nardin and for the watch industry in general, and it is by far our most important piece.' When the original Freak was first launched in 2001, it created a buzz in the watchmaking industry, with its carousel tourbillon without crown, hands, or dial and novel silicium escapement that required no lubrication. The brand has since made a name for itself by creating extremely complicated timepieces. Schnyder's signature is engraved on the case of the Freak Diavolo Rolf 75. The watch has a power reserve that lasts more than eight days and, like the original model, has no true dial, crown or hands. It is wound by turning the watch's lower bezel and the time is adjusted by turning the upper bezel. The case is made from platinum and the band is black crocodile skin. In keeping with the occasion, only 75 pieces are available. 'Fans of the Freak are mostly collectors. They have to pay a deposit before we can make an actual order to get one for them. Formula One driver Michael Schumacher was one of the first to acquire a Freak Diavolo Rolf 75,' the company says. Breitling, which recently introduced the limited-edition Navitimer Calibre 01, is also boasting a new movement. The Navitimer is Breitling's signature pilot's watch and the oldest mechanical chronograph still in production. The COSC-certified Calibre 01 is the first movement to be produced in-house. The milestone called for a limited edition, the company says. Available in steel (2,000 pieces) and red gold (200 pieces), the watch has a 43mm diameter case and a transparent back, which is rare for Breitling. Like most of the brand's other aviation pieces, it is built to handle all airborne navigation calculations, such as average speed, distance covered, rate of climb or descent, fuel consumption and more. Those keen to acquire this watch, however, may have to go on waiting lists for now. The watch is so new in Hong Kong, retailers have yet to set a price for it. Geneva-based DeWitt has also recently introduced a limited-edition (250 pieces) aviation-inspired watch, the Blackstream Triple Complication GMT3 (HK$353,000). This sporty black timepiece is designed to appeal to a younger clientele. It features cockpit-like counters and hands shaped like wings to give the notion of speed and mechanics. Its elongated and rounded bridge is remint and has a power reserve of 42 hours. Its 44mm round case is made of titanium and black rubber. Wristbands come in either alligator or rubber. Omega has created a special edition of its popular Seamaster Planet Ocean series made out of a ceramic compound and a revolutionary new material called 'Liquidmetal'. The result is a stunning timepiece with a smooth bezel that is resistant to scratching and corrosion because of the hardness of the two compounds. The Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition (HK$40,900 ) is powered by Omega's renowned Calibre 2500 co-axial COSC-certified movement, water resistant to 200 metres and comes with steel case and bracelet. The watch is 42mm wide and the bracelet is 22mm wide. Seamaster has released 1,948 of the watches in honour of the year the Seamaster was first launched. Continuing the maritime theme, Glash?tte Original has also merged history with technical prowess with its new Marine Chronometer Set Special Edition (HK$1,098,500). The noted German watchmaker has recovered and restored 13 chronometers and paired each with a Senator Chronometer Platinum. The latter is the Platinum edition of the manufacturer's extraordinary Senator Chronometer, winner of multiple Watch of the Year awards last year. Closer to home, Seiko has released the Grand Seiko HI-BEAT 36000 - SBGH005J (HK$51,000) which is the brand's first hi-beat calibre in 41 years. Hi-beat calibres require 50 per cent more power than conventional watches and Seiko has developed a new mainspring and a new alloy from which it is made. The new mainspring allows a power reserve of 55 hours with just one barrel.
