Herbelin has recreated its very first Newport chronograph, launched in 1988, to mark the 35th anniversary of its bestselling watch.
The French watchmaker has chosen to make a faithful reproduction of the original in silver, gold and blue, but with subtle tweaks to the look and feel of the watch to ensure it appeals to a modern watch lover.
It has also been given an automatic chronograph movement rather than the original quartz.
It is being made in a limited edition of 350 numbered pieces worldwide.
“Respecting the aesthetic essence of the Newport of 1988 while adapting it for the modern era, and what’s more, on an automatic chronograph which did not exist at the time, is a real challenge”, says Mathieu Herbelin, grandson of the founder and Associate Creative Director of the French brand.
“The original Newport adopted the shape of a porthole from transatlantic sailing boats. The result is a purely cylindrical case with a restricted thickness thanks to the presence of a quartz movement, a crystal positioned as an extension of a flat bezel and central lugs. It was not easy to remain faithful to this historic design while incorporating an automatic chronograph mechanism that required a certain amount of space within the case. Ingenuity was required to create a model that took up as little space as possible,” he adds.
The new Newport comes in a 42mm two-tone case in steel and steel with yellow gold PVD.
A blue sunray dial is framed with a brushed steel bezel.
Worn on a crocodile-print blue leather strap, the 35th anniversary Newport is on sale for £2,519.
