Chopard got creative with hexagons of dyed straw, Buccellati used the design in a new Tulle secret watch, and Olivia Burton offers more approachable takes
Honeycomb motifs are quietly emerging as a feature in luxury watchmaking, appearing across a range of recent releases. Whether used for decoration or integrated into the function of a timepiece, the hexagonal pattern has appeared in new launches from Rolex, Tissot and Chopard, each with a distinct take on the theme.
The watch’s other details are just as quietly luxurious. The six and nine numerals are open-worked, referencing earlier Rolex designs such as the Explorer and Air-King, while Chromalight hour markers glow blue in low light. Inside, the new calibre 7135 delivers around 66 hours of power reserve, and includes innovations like the Dynapulse escapement, ceramic balance staff and Syloxi hairspring, all of which significantly boost the calibre’s stability and magnetic resistance.
Tissot, meanwhile, is using the honeycomb pattern for performance. In its new PRC 100 Solar, launched in a 39mm size back in March, with a smaller 34mm version added in June, a honeycomb of photovoltaic cells lie beneath the sapphire crystal. Unlike traditional solar watches, where the cells sit beneath the dial, these tiny solar units are hiding in plain sight, just visible as they absorb light from natural and artificial sources, powering the quartz movement without affecting the dial’s clean aesthetic. A 10-minute charge provides a full day of autonomy, while a full charge delivers up to 14 months of power in complete darkness.
