The most prestigious date in the watch calendar, SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève) sets the tone for what we can expect in watch trends this year and beyond. Now with 35 renowned exhibitors, the pieces on display range from the wildly technical to the deeply traditional, with watchmakers pushing the boundaries like never before. Here are a few of our favourites…
Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Automatic 910P
Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Automatic 910P continues the brand’s quest for ultra-slimness. Measuring in at a mere 4.30mm thick, the world’s thinnest automatic watch fuses the movement and case to form a single, slim entity, with the case itself acting as a manipulate for the unimaginably thin 219 components inside. More at: piaget.com
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph
The Royal Oak, a favourite of every high-profile watch lover, continues to make giant leaps forward. AP’s brand new Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph is, for the first time, housed in a 45mm case. A new movement seems to hover from the bezel, the result of a complex new dial construction which features sleek sandblasted titanium bridges and satin brushed chamfered edges. More at: audemarspiguet.com
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange”
The 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” pays tribute to the A. Lange & Söhne company founder who passed away in January last year. This newest model adds a stoppable jumping seconds complication, which exactly measures the smallest unit of time. More at: alange-soehne.com
Speake-Marin Vertical Double Tourbillon Openworked
The Vertical Double Tourbillon Openworked from Speake-Marin pays tribute to the iconic original model while adding some impressive upgrades. A redesigned dial means it is now fully open worked on the left-hand side, and at 46mm it is the widest diameter yet. It needs to be – containing two tourbillon cages and the day/night and power reserve indicators, it successfully combines impressive technical nous with stylish, contemporary design. More at: speake-marin.com
Christophe Claret Maestro Mamba
Standing out amongst a sea of tasteful gold is the fun, vivid Maestro Mamba from Christophe Claret. The venomous Mamba snake coils itself around the movement, its undulating, hand-engraved body acting as a warning not to come too close. More at: christopheclaret.com
Girard-Perregaux Laureato
Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato, now in pure white ceramic and with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds, promises to become a firm favourite thanks to an aesthetic that is both seriously chic and sporty. More at: girard-perregaux.com
Greubel Forsey GMT Earth
Featuring an exceptional rotating globe with universal time and day-and-night, the GMT Earth from Greubel Forsey has instant wow factor. Incredibly, it offers a complete and global view from the northern to the southern hemisphere, with universal time being available for 24-time zones. Necessary or not, you can’t help but admire it. More at: greubelforsey.com
IWC Jubilee Collection
Celebrating its 150th birthday in style is IWC, who have unveiled a special Jubilee Collection. It is comprised of 27 limited-edition models from the Portuguese, Portofino, Pilot’s watches and Da Vinci families. We especially love the sleek simplicity and original digital hours and minute display on the Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”. More at: iwc.com
Romain Gauthier Ladies Watch
Romain Gauthier’s first ladies watch is as intricately engineered as its male counterparts. The beautiful movement is the highlight on the Insight Micro-Rotor Lady: featuring a snow-set micro-rotor and mother-of-pearl dial, the overall effect is one of delicately shimmering depth. More at: romaingauthier.com
Hautlence Vortex Gamma Magma
The vivid hue of the Hautlence Vortex Gamma Magma comes from a material more commonly used in the aerospace industry. HLLightColor is charged with ceramic nanotube particles – if you can wrap your head around that – and is, conveniently, not only highly resilient but also four times lighter than titanium. More at: hautlence.com
