Ninety is a new luxury concept located in the heart of Mayfair. Conceived as a progressive relationship between product and experience, the brand aims to combine the most sought after and rarest of watches and jewellery with tailored, exemplary service. The project is owned by Peter Harrison, and operated by his daughter Tilly and her business partner Ben Cleary, the jewellery expert. The two are determined to depart from a conventional sales approach and instead aim to engender longstanding and two-way relationships with their clients – acting not only as the predominant destination for seekers of pre-owned Richard Mille pieces and high jewellery.

Blancpain is proud to announce its association, as presenting partner, for the 2021 edition of the annual United Nations World Oceans Day – hosted by Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), and produced in partnership with Oceanic Global. In addition to this role, Blancpain looks forward to supporting the photo competition and the concert for the ocean that will mark this blue day. On 8 June 2021, the world will once again celebrate the ocean and its importance to human life – extending thinking concerning the need to protect it and the solutions with which to do so.

WatchBox welcomes Alp Sever and Langepedia to the global WatchBox family, as it announces an official partnership in media, content, and community. Founded as an Instagram account in 2016 during his freshman year at university, Langepedia is the preeminent resource for the study and appreciation of A. Lange & Söhne, the brand’s artistic and technical masterpieces, and the renaissance of German watchmaking. Through his Instagram presence and recently inaugurated website, Alp has captured the attention of enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. This partnership unites encyclopedic knowledge and in-depth, independent content with WatchBox’s global community and superlative inventory.

From the very beginning, Panerai’s watchmaking heritage is derived from its profound respect for the ocean. Today, the Maison is partnering with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Development, the agency responsible for implementing the Ocean Decade. The partnership will develop programs and actions with the final objective of developing transformative solutions to the existing and future challenges that face the ocean. From 2021 to 2030, the Ocean Decade will promote science-based management of the ocean and marine resources to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Extreme E is pleased to announce that Swiss luxury watchmaker Zenith will become Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner of the pioneering electric off-road racing championship. The agreement was signed right on time ahead of the inaugural season of Extreme E, which started in the AlUla region of Saudi Arabia on 3-4 April. As Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner, Zenith will provide live timing at each event directly to the Command Centre, the innovative pit wall and strategy room where key team players will be located on-site. Fans will also be able to follow their favourite team and driver and view live sector times via the official Extreme E website and on mobile devices.

IWC Schaffhausen launches a smartphone app in time for the digital Watches and Wonders exhibition. This IWC app will bring the Swiss luxury watchmaker even closer to watch lovers, connecting IWC’s global family digitally. The signature launch feature is a virtual watch try-on based on Augmented Reality (AR). Customers can point their camera at their wrist and try on IWC’s 2021 novelties virtually. This new functionality not only makes IWC’s high-quality mechanical timepieces much more tangible but also enables customers to compare different case diameters. In addition to the virtual watch try-on, the app is filled with exciting features and exclusive content related to the world of IWC.

2021 marks the start of a collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Marvel, one of the most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Inspired by historical character watches, Audemars Piguet wanted to pay tribute to the next generation of inspirational Super Heroes and chose to focus on the powerful Marvel Universe. CEO François-Henry Bennahmias’ long-lasting friendship with Marvel Cinematic Universe Avenger Don Cheadle, who portrays Marvel’s War Machine, sparked the beginning of this partnership in 2017. Audemars Piguet has formed a long-term joint-collaboration with First Book and Ashoka, two non-profit organisations, to correspond with the launch of the Marvel collaboration. Together, First Book, Ashoka and Audemars Piguet will establish a programme wherein students will be given the resources to drive change in their communities.

After having secured a funding for $40 million, Hodinkee has announced the acquisition of the online pre-owned luxury watch specialists, Crown & Caliber. Hodinkee was founded by Ben Clymer in 2008. Over the past decade, it has grown to become a leading watch blog for horologists and even sells watches that it has made in collaboration with top brand. Hodinkee has not disclosed the value of the deal, but Crown & Caliber is among a respected top tier of trading companies that includes Watchbox and Bob’s Watches in the United States along with Richemont-owned Watchfinder and Chronext, which are headquartered in Europe.

IWC introduces new watch straps made primarily of paper from responsible sources. Conscious of the importance of offering alternatives to its responsibly sourced leather, the Swiss brand already provides bracelets in steel, textile and rubber. Today, the Manufacture is broadening this existing collection further with the addition of TimberTex straps. Luxurious in look and feel, the TimberTex straps have a soft and supple texture. Unlike synthetic leathers, which are often plastic or petroleum-based, the material is composed of 80% natural plant fibres. The cellulose used comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified trees. It is then manufactured in Italy, using traditional papermaking techniques and coloured with natural plant-based dyes The material’s irregular grain makes every strap unique.