HAUTE TIME

Lexus LC 500 Coupe

A powerful yet refined grand tourer.

BY TIM LAPPEN

THIS IS NOT MY MOTHER’S LEXUS. REALLY. HERS WAS AN LS 400, purchased around 1990, and it lived up to the LS designation as a luxury sedan. The younger man I was then was not thrilled with the superinsulated ride, as I wanted road feel. But even then, I had to admit that it was quiet and comfortable.

Flash forward over three decades later and the Lexus of today has a surfeit of models and a panoply of vehicle designations, denoting a brand that has something for everyone. Case in point — the LC 500 (Luxury Coupe with 500 cubic centimeters [CCs] of displacement — which has a pretty direct correlation to power — in this case 471 hp coming from a naturallyaspirated [no turbo or supercharger] muscular V8). The sporty ones among us will enjoy the throaty roar of the exhaust on full throttle, and the almostsprightly feel of the car’s response to acceleration and braking. Those who prefer a more sedate ride will appreciate that this car is an Lexus L (luxury), with leather-trimmed power seats and a transmission so slick it’s hard to discern any shifting going on (note – it has eight speeds, but good luck trying to count them while underway).

Creating the LC500 must be something like creating holy water — you boil the hell out of it — as all of the vestiges of sports car ride and feel have been tamed, smoothed, and luxuriated into submission. That’s not to say that the LC500 isn’t a performer, as it can hang with the others at the “Stop Light Grand Prix.” With a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph (stats provided by Lexus), it’s a respectable athlete. But Lexus has never been known as a manufacturer that focuses on such statistics alone, as they’ve always blended the ability of the car with the comfort, convenience, and ease of driving, all of which, to many of us, add up to a great grand tourer (GT) instead of a car that excels in one or two speed metrics.

“My” Lexus (for a week) was in the Cadmium Orang colorway which, I admit, was not love at first sight. It did grow on me, though, as did my appreciation for what Lexus brought to the GT table. I grew to appreciate the sound and the relative-fury for what they were, and actually enjoyed the ergonomically-designed cooled and heated seats. On top of the base price of $93,050, the build sheet showed a relatively-modest $7,790 in options, which resulted in a sticker price of $102,545 (I have seen some as-tested LC500s priced above $120,000). However, mine did not seem meager in any sense, partly because the options did include the $5,000 Sport Package, with 21” wheels, Alcantara seat inserts, and the $1,220 Mark Levinson 13-speaker sound system.

Though my week with the LC500 was not replete with canyon carving or test-track driving, I enjoyed my time with the car. When I wanted to merge on to the 405 with alacrity (which one can do only if driving between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m.), the abundance of power was quite welcome. When I had a longer drive, especially in traffic, the insulated nature of the Lexus was a welcome respite from the day. All in all, I enjoyed the LC for all that it offered, and also for what it didn’t.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB & CO. WATCHESHaute

The Great Evolution

Omega releases eight new models of the famous Speedmaster ‘57 timepiece in new, autumnal colorways.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES, THE SPEEDMASTER HAS become an iconic Omega style. Inspired by the complex dynamic between race car drivers and engineers while on the track, the Speedmaster debuted in 1957 as Omega’s first line of chronographs. Since its inception, there have been many iterations of the Speedmaster, including the famous Moonwatch and the Speedmaster ‘57. Originally launched in 2013, the Speedmaster ‘57 makes its grand return this year with eight new models that feature an impressive Master Chronometer upgrade.

Designed through a modern lens, the new Speedmaster ‘57 timepieces sport a slimmer 40.5 mm silhouette and are fabricated in premium stainless steel, but elements of the original style remain, such as the brushed metallic bezel with its “Dot Over Ninety” and the renowned Broad Arrow hands. The new models introduce an elevated range of dial colors, from deep navy blue and burgundy, to black and green gradation, with interchangeable leather straps for the bracelet. Inside, the new Speedmaster ‘57 is equipped with the Co-Axial Master Chronometer 9906 movement, highlighting Omega’s dedication to reaching the pinnacle of precision, magnetic resistance, and performance. `The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 has become a timeless icon of the brand; in fact, actors George Clooney and Hyum Bin just recently starred in the campaign, revealing their admiration for its revolutionary design.

The Sky’s The Limit

Rolex’s new Oyster Perpetual Air-King pays tribute to the art of aviation.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

DESIGNED FOR THE PIONEERS OF AVIATION AND THOSE WHO dare to explore the vast heights of the sky, the new Oyster Perpetual Air-King is a timepiece that embodies the spirit of flight. The history of the Air-King dates back to the 1930s — the golden age of aviation, a period when the aviation industry made massive leaps in aircraft performance, paving the way for future pilots. Several pilots set records while wearing an Oyster, while others used a Rolex watch as an onboard chronometer, solidifying it as a legendary aviation timepiece.

The new model boasts a completely redesigned case, with a crown guard and straight sides like most Professional category models. Its display has been refreshed and balanced with the addition of a 0 before the 5 on the minutes scale — two digits now mark each five-minute interval.

Like its predecessors, the new-generation Air-King has the distinctive black dial — but this edition is enhanced with an optimized Chromalight display, guaranteeing maximum legibility in dark conditions. Additionally, the hands and triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock are filled and coated with new luminescent material — exclusive to Rolex — for a longer lasting, more intense glow. The 3, 6, and 9 numerals are now also visible in the dark thanks to this innovative material.

Finally, the new Air-King is equipped with caliber 3230, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, released in 2020 and now fitted on this model from 2022. Caliber 3230 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with excellent dependability, making the new Air-King the ultimate air companion.

Steel Perfection

Grand Seiko unveils the new and incredibly sleek SLGH013 in Ever-Brilliant Steel

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

GRAND SEIKO’S DESIGN INSPIRATION HAS always been derived from nature and the dynamic relationship between storytelling and high watchmaking. Each new timepiece delves deep into the rich history of Japan’s landscape, telling the story of the culture through unparalleled design details in every watch. And so, in true Grand Seiko style, the latest release within the Heritage Collection, the Hi-Beat 36000 reference SLGH013, is symbolic of the melting snow of Mt. Iwate, the mountain that overlooks the Grand Seiko Studio in Shizukuishi.

The sleek style of the light blue dial represents the distinct texture of the snow on Mt. Iwate as it melts during the seasonal transition from winter to spring. The dial is achieved through a multi-step process involving press-patterning to create the texture. This creates a dramatic lighting effect and fashions the one-of-a-kind dial depth that Grand Seiko is known for. Complementing the brilliant radiance of the dial is Zaratsu polishing, which delivers a smooth and distortion-free mirror finish on the upper surfaces of the 40mm case.

This timepiece also makes Grand Seiko design history as the first mainstream creation to feature the high-grade Ever-Brilliant Steel for not only the case, but the bracelet as well. The Ever-Brilliant Steel has a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value almost two times higher than the standard grade of steel used in high-class watches — catapulting this timepiece’s design into its own echelon. Remaining true to the incredibly high standard to which Grand Seiko holds itself, the movement that powers the SLGH013 is caliber 9SA5, seen through the sapphire caseback, and has a power reserve of 80 hours — an enhanced precision that the Hi-Beat movement can deliver.

Another testament to Grand Seiko’s powerful art of storytelling through high watchmaking, the SLGH013 is steel perfection.

The Timeless Timepiece

Louis Vuitton launches a limited edition watch to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tambour.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

LOUIS VUITTON IS A MAISON THAT CONTINUALLY LOOKS TO its past design DNA in order to catapult the brand into a modern era. Case in point: to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its firstever automatic GMT watch, the Tambour, the brand has launched a new timepiece, the Tambour Twenty, that honors the design of the original timepiece launched two decades ago.

The first iteration of the Tambour timepiece, unveiled in 2002 at the La Chaux-de-Fonds workshop in Switzerland, sported a 39.5mm diameter stainless steel case with a gradient dial in rich chocolate brown with contrasting yellow markers. Today, the new Tambour Twenty chronograph embodies some of the same design codes, retreating back to the deep brown color of the sun-brushed dial with bold yellow hands, while also giving a fresh perspective on the timepiece, as the Tambour Twenty boasts a larger, sportier 41.5mm stainless steel case fitted with a luxurious leather strap. Inside the new timepiece lies the high-frequency LV277 movement based on the Zenith El Primero, the first automatic chronograph ever. Similar to the original Tambour, the Tambour Twenty also features “Louis Vuitton” across the numbers and indexes for a more subtle, minimalistic style compared to the previous dynamic Tambour iterations designed throughout the years.

The Tambour Twenty is limited to just 200 pieces, which are uniquely numbered on the caseback, and comes in a mini trunk in Monogram canvas (a Louis Vuitton signature), making this timepiece a true collector’s piece. “Watch enthusiasts will recognize all the features that made the Tambour’s design so unique. While this limited edition is a true concentrate of everything that made this watch stand out, it also boasts brand new features that will set it apart for collectors,” notes Jean Arnault, the Marketing and Development Director for Louis Vuitton watches.

Over the last two decades, Louis Vuitton has released over 20 complex versions of the Tambour watch, further proving the Maison’s devotion to high watchmaking and its unparalleled craft; thus, there’s no better way to celebrate its 20th anniversary then by paying homage to the legendary timepiece that started it all.