The refined aura of the New Retro imbues it with a strong feeling of kinship with the Fifties look, the ultimate expression of sartorial elegance and a style akin to that of the modern-day dandy.
The clear, simple lines of its large, rectangular case – 12 mm thick, 50 mm wide and 44 mm long – are balanced with gently sensuous rounded angles. A minimalist, uncompromising design that soberly expresses time in a two-handed model. The easy-to-read dial is adorned with a round counter and Arabic numerals in a new font developed by de Grisogono. Cut-outs at 3 and 9 o’clock create a transparent effect and the impression that both the dial and the movement are suspended in a glass cage. The two curved sapphire crystals are identical and subtly connected by a thin gold band.
The New Retro fits perfectly into a minimalist ethos. Dressed in five different outfits, it remains true to the timeless spirit of the modern dandy. This tasteful watch with its impeccable clothes is also ideally suited to a more casual look. This is a truly versatile style that can be paired with all the mainstays of menswear, from chic dandy style to classically understated pieces, from a deliberately casual look to the most eccentric allure.
Meanwhile, the colour palette expresses classical dress sense through an off-white dial with creamy undertones and a deep housesignature black tone. The most iconic version features an original and daring colour scheme in the form of subtly graded shades of green that convey the impression of a dial that has survived the passage of time. This unique hue strikes a contrast with the Super-LumiNova® markers featuring rich colour combinations that infuse the blue with a shimmering iridescence. These nuances are strongly reminiscent of Zellige, the famous enamel-covered terra cotta mosaicpatterned tilework from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions so dear to the creator of this watch. The result is a vintage-effect dial evoking the inimitable patina of time and giving the piece its strong, uncontrived character. In order to achieve the accuracy of colour and the depth of nuance sought by its designer, the dial features a matt, sand-blasted finish. Its retro look is accentuated by the fact that it is reminiscent of the dials on old alarm clocks – made of light-coloured wallpaper with contrasting hour-markers that are extremely pronounced and readable – discoloured by time. A dial which also bears the chiaroscuro effect that is cherished by de Grisogono.
Powered by a black PVD-coated mechanical self-winding movement, the New Retro displays a highly elegant gold, openworked oscillating weight reprising de Grisogono’s emblematic scrolling motif. Its impeccable style continues right down to the shape of its movement, whose mainplate has been incorporated into a base that is an identical reproduction of the shape of the watch. The New Retro’s large, elegant strap made of large square-scale alligator leather features a saddle-stitch finish.
Click on the photo at the top of this article to see a slideshow of the full de Grisogono New Retro collection.
