STYLE Edit: Gravity-defying Zenith Defy Zero G among watches at DFS’ ‘Masters of Time X’ event

“Masters of Time”, the annual premier watch and jewellery exhibition of DFS Group, the global luxury travel retailer, is back for its 10th-anniversary edition, “Masters of Time X”, in Macau from Friday.

The three-day event, ending on Sunday, promises to be a spectacle of horology and high-jewellery, with more than 450 exclusive timepieces on show.

Here’s a quick peek at some of the sophisticated complications and unique designs that will be on show.

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Stunning complications ...

First, something tried-and-true.

The Audemars Piguet Classique Grande Complication Lépine offers three complications within its emblematic pocket-watch: the perpetual calendar, a split-second chronograph, and a minute repeater with varying gongs.

Named after Frenchman Louis Lépine’s contest for innovative inventions, this exquisite example of watchmaking offers heritage, precision and expertise inside a 52-millimetre (2-inch) case of 18-carat pink-gold – something traditionally known for enhancing sound.

The Breguet Marine Équation Marchante 5887 continues the watchmaker’s renowned maritime associations.

It features specially created wave-pattern detailing on the dial, hand-carvings of a French royal navy vessel on the sapphire-crystal case back and the inscription “Marine Royale” engraved on the tourbillon bar – emphasising more than 240 years of the brand’s royal connections – in a 43.9 millimetre frame.

The timepiece’s star complication is revealed by means of an additional minute hand, adorned with a faceted golden sun: the “running” equation of time.

In simple terms, the equation of time, one of the rarest complications, serves to display the difference between mean solar time, which corresponds to civil or standard hours and minutes, and true solar time, meaning the actual solar hours and minutes.

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So the timepiece simultaneously indicates civil time and true time by means of two separate minutes hands, with the running solar hand giving a direct reading of solar time minutes that is both quicker and more user-friendly.

The complex running equation of time is complemented by the sophisticated perpetual calendar.

Looking to the future, the exhibition will also showcase the Zenith Defy Zero G – a timepiece which defies gravity with its patented “Gravity Control” gyroscopic module.

The skeletonised case allows us to see the famous Zenith device at 6 o’clock.

... and unique designs

Other eye-catching creations on display include the Arnold & Son Globetrotter, which features the largest rotating 3D world-time display on any wristwatch, and the Glashütte Original Sixties Panorama Date with its green dégradé dial.

We also highlight a timepiece elevated by the past, and another by the present.

The Jaquet Droz Loving Butterfly Automaton is inspired by one of Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz’s 18th century automata.

The Draughtsman was capable of drawing a scene of Cupid on a chariot, pulled by a butterfly.

The Loving Butterfly Automaton brings the hand-engraved butterfly to life on a meteorite dial with the simple push of the crown.

The meticulously created chariot also animates, with the cherub in tow.

The first mechanical golf watch, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf, is made with sports performance in mind.

The fibreglass and aluminium composite, Texalium, is a Hublot exclusive.

Despite the case being 45mm in size, the material is ultra lightweight – perfect for the wrist of a golf professional or enthusiast. Indeed, one of the world’s top-ranked golfers, Dustin Johnson, teamed up with Hublot to unveil the watch last year.

“Masters of Time X” takes place from Friday to Sunday at T Galleria by DFS, Macau, Shoppes at Four Seasons.

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