Three More Collaborations Shaking Up Watchmaking

If history remembers May 2026 for anything—beyond Arsenal Football Club finally winning the English Premier League—it will be the subversion of horological norms.

Three weeks ago, an unlikely collaboration between two Swiss manufactures that couldn’t be more different from each other sparked a global phenomenon, drawing snaking queues through major global capitals.

Yet, the momentum has not slowed. This past week, the watch world was treated to a fresh wave of exceptional partnerships. This trend is a testament to the transformative power of creative synergy; when renowned organizations intersect, they do more than stir consumer frenzy—they grant traditional brands the artistic license to create something truly unforgettable.

The unexpected alliance between Bell & Ross and luxury lighter manufacturer S.T. Dupont has yielded a striking 42mm automatic steel chronograph. The dial’s sunray finish offers an exquisite contrast to the rose gold accents illuminating the numerals, markers, and hands. This captivating play of light is mirrored in the rose gold-and-steel bracelet, which perfectly evokes the mesmerizing glint synonymous with both luxury houses—though it can be seamlessly swapped for a gradient brown leather strap.

Marking the fourth cigar-themed timepiece from Bell & Ross since the inaugural ‘Edición Limitada’ in 2006, the BR-05 Chrono S.T. Dupont is powered by the robust BR-CAL.326 movement, boasting a 60-hour power reserve.

Limited to just 150 pieces, this exclusive edition is presented in a magnificent Macassar ebony and Spanish cedar presentation box. Doubling as a functional humidor for up to 50 cigars, the set comes complete with a matching S.T. Dupont cigar cutter and lighter.

Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition

In commemoration of Lou Gehrig Day on June 2nd, Oris unveiled a rugged yet refined time-and-date piece dressed in classic New York Yankees livery. Modeled after the brand’s beloved 40mm Big Crown Pointer Date, the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition features a subtle tribute: the number four on the date wheel is highlighted in honor of the legendary batter and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ambassador.

The Yankees’ iconic blue-and-white colorway sweeps across the dial’s concentric tracks, providing a sharp backdrop for the lume-coated hands. The silver dial itself features a brushed texture—a nod to Gehrig’s enduring nickname, the “Iron Horse.” These utilitarian details are balanced by Oris’s signature fluted crown and bezel.

For versatility, the watch features a rugged NATO strap that can be exchanged for a rich brown leather strap, double-stitched to mimic the craftsmanship of a baseball glove. Following the Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron editions, this release beautifully rounds out Oris’s baseball-inspired trilogy.

Zenith G.F.J. Calibre 135 Double Signed with Naoya Hida & Co.

Limited to a highly exclusive run of just 10 pieces, the Zenith G.F.J. Calibre 135 Double Signed with Naoya Hida & Co. harmonizes three captivating design elements with a trio of intricately handmade straps.

Originally conceived in 2025 to mark Zenith’s 160th anniversary, the elegant 39.15mm platinum case is named “G.F.J.” in honor of brand founder Georges Favre-Jacot. Within this 950 platinum exterior beats an enhanced rendition of the historic Calibre 135—complete with a 72-hour power reserve and a stop-second mechanism—a movement that famously secured numerous chronometry prizes for Zenith.

The crowning achievement of this collaboration is the solid silver dial, engine-turned by Naoya Hida. A Japanese indie brand currently commanding headlines with staggering auction results and lengthy waitlists, Naoya Hida & Co. brings its signature artisanal touch to the piece. The indices, numerals, and brand signatures are hand-engraved using a traditional pantograph machine, then meticulously filled with deep blue Japanese urushi lacquer. The solid gold hour and minute hands are CNC-milled before being finished by hand, paired elegantly with a heat-blued seconds hand. These aesthetics echo the design language of the Naoya Hida NH Type 2A, which in turn pays homage to mid-century Calatrava models.

Priced at US$75,500, this horological masterpiece is accompanied by three bespoke straps: one crafted from rare Himeji Kurozan leather (traditionally tanned and layered with urushi lacquer), a second fashioned from premium Wagyu leather by Kyoto Leather artisans, and a third made from non-stretch denim sourced from Hiroshima’s famed Kaihara Denim. With this sensational release, Zenith not only honors the meticulous restoration of the Calibre 135 but also proudly inaugurates its new Double Signed Program. Read more about the making of the Zenith G.F.J. Calibre 135 Double Signed with Naoya Hida & Co. here.