For its 30th edition in April 2020 in Geneva, the SIHH —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie— makes the biggest change in its history. With a new format, new name, new dates and new audiences, SIHH becomes Watches & Wonders Geneva: an unprecedented concept, now in association with the City and the Canton of Geneva.Watches & Wonders: a name, a brand, a global concept. The FHH has been working for the past three years on a plan to evolve its activities and associate brands to better align with the changing needs of their key audiences —watch manufacturers, retailers, media and end consumers— and the shifts taking place in the fine watchmaking world overall.
Insider: Introducing the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1. A Watch 95% Hand Made Using Hand-Operated Tools.
For the very first time we bring you live pictures before any other U.S. media outlet all taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max straight from the SIAR 2019 in Mexico City. With 95% of this timepiece —including the hairspring— made using only hand-operated tools, one single timepiece requiring an extraordinary 6,000 hours work —equal to three years man-hours—,the new Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 takes traditional watchmaking to a new unprecedented summit. Never before has a hand-made timepiece exhibited such a high level of workmanship and precision. This timepiece, unique in the history of watchmaking, is the fruit of a technical and human endeavor of epic proportions, enlisting extraordinary talents and setting the course for the future.
News: Louis Moinet 'Only Mexico' Unique Piece. Honoring the Aztecs, Zapotecs, Mayans and the Allende Meteorite.
The just released Louis Moinet ‘Only Mexico’ watch is a unique piece that pays tribute to roots of Mexican culture. Ateliers Louis Moinet painstakingly gathered information and sought out the most typical materials for Mexico and then blended them together in this spectacular, original creation. One key highlight is the presence of the Allende meteorite, found in the State of Chihuahua. Released on the occasion of the SIAR 2019 —Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería México—, the Louis Moinet ‘Only Mexico’ is fitted with Louis Moinet’s mechanical tourbillon calibre LM35. This mechanical manual wound movement won the gold medal at the most recent International Chronometry Competition.
Insider: HYT SOONOW Mexico 'Día de los Muertos' Edition. A 5-Piece Limited Edition with Green and Red Like the Mexican Flag.
First released back in June of 2019, the HYT SOONOW offers an intriguing and captivating presentation of time’s flow is a constant reminder that every second counts. The HYT SOONOW showcases this dynamic view of the now as a mobile pivotal point between the path traveled so far, and what could potentially lie ahead. Immediacy becomes an open door. The past empowers the present; then they build the future together. Available in two editions —one in black DLC stainless steel with green fluid and the other in satin-brushed stainless steel with blue fluid— up until then, the new SOONOW Mexico ‘Día de los Muertos’ Edition brings the green and red colors of the Mexican flag into the equation.
Experience: Visiting the Armin Strom Manufacture in Biel/Bienne. A Small but Mighty Fully Integrated Independent Watchmaking Manufacture.
Biel/Bienne is the tenth largest city in Switzerland and the only Swiss city with bilingual signage in German and French. Located in between German and French speaking cities, Biel/Bienne —name in both German and French— is surrounded by the Swiss Alps and magnificent crystal clear water lakes. Home to the Armin Strom Manufacture and also to Swatch Group brands like Omega and Swatch along with one of Rolex’s final assembly facilities, Biel/Bienne will captivate your senses with its Art Deco architecture, Bauhaus landmarks and views of the Swiss Alps for days. Less than two hours away by train from Zürich and only 15 minutes from Neuchâtel, Biel/Bienne is situated alongside the Biel Lake that together with Lake Morat and Lake Neuchâtel, is one of the three large lakes in the Jura region of Switzerland.
Eye Candy: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar ref. 4300V. A Blue Dial and 121.5 Grams of Gold Goodness.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar ref. 4300V was first released in 2018 and this year ref. 4300V/000R-B5094 was added. This reference sporting a gorgeous blue dial brings this watch another notch up. The watch is fitted with a slender case in 18K 5N pink gold measuring just 8.1 mm in thickness and powered by a new calibre 1120 QP/1. This new Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar is simply stunning in the metal and is powered by one of the slimmest movements on the market.
News: Presenting the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked Black Ceramic ref. 26585CE
Perhaps the hottest watch released by Audemars Piguet this year, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar makes a new appearance now with an openworked dial and cloaked in a black ceramic case. The new Audemars Piguet ref. 26585CE.OO.1225CE.01 is a true feat of technical mastery with its openworked sapphire dial and the movement’s visible pink gold components. Measuring 41 mm in diameter like all other Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars released as of the end of 2015.
News: Presenting the New Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Feuille. The Rebirth of a Watch from 1959.
Under its veil of diamonds, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Feuille watch for women in white gold combines watchmaking expertise and jewellery perfection, a tradition at Jaeger-LeCoultre. After the 101 Reine and 101 Feuille interpretations in rose gold were made available for the 2018 Venice Film Festival, the Grande Maison drew inspiration once more from its extraordinary legacy to bring an iconic model back to life, which was first created in 1959. Under the dome of the elegant and refined leaf, which gives it part of its name, this new jewellery-watch conceals the renowned Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101.
News: Presenting the Chopard Alpine Eagle Collection. A Reinterpretation of the St. Moritz from 1980.
Contemporary, refined and assertive, the new Alpine Eagle sports chic timepiece collection is a state-of-the-art reinterpretation of the St. Moritz, the first watch created in 1980 by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, now co-president of Chopard. Imagined and personally designed by him, Alpine Eagle is driven by his passion for the Alps and by the lofty power of the eagle that reigns supreme there. Crafted from an exclusive, ultra-resistant and light-reflecting metal named Lucent Steel A223, it beats to the rhythm of a Chopard chronometer-certified movement. Bearing testament to Chopard's ethical approach, Alpine Eagle gives the Maison an opportunity to reveal its new commitment to protecting the Alpine environment through the launch of the Eagle Wings Foundation of which Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is founding member. Alpine Eagle is dedicated to contemporary eagles, the aspiring men who outperform in their daily lives and whose vision inspires and elevates.
News: Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019. Six Limited Edition Watches Unveiled.
After 2012 in Dubai, 2013 in Munich, 2015 in London and 2017 in New York, Singapore has now been chosen by Patek Philippe as the venue for the fifth exhibition that offers in-depth insights into its universe and its creations. From Saturday, September 28 until Sunday, October 13, 2019, collectors, aficionados of watchmaking artistry and the general public can immerse themselves in the world of Patek Philippe as if they were personally visiting the historic salons on Rue du Rhône in Geneva, the manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, or the Patek Philippe Museum. It is a unique opportunity to cast a backstage glance at the last independent family-owned Genevan watchmaking company.Taking place during the Singapore Bicentennial year, the Grand Exhibition underlines the importance of Singapore and Southeast Asia for Patek Philippe.
News: Presenting the Richard Mille RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ. The Brand's Most Complicated Watch Ever.
Richard Mille and Airbus Corporate Jets —ACJ— launch a new travel watch, inspired by and adapted to exclusive journeys on an Airbus Corporate Jet. A watch featuring an all new grand complication, an incomparable timepiece for travelers, and a companion suited to daily wear and use, the RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ exemplifies the entire Richard Mille philosophy: taking functionality and performance to new limits. From its complexity, to its complications, to its ergonomics, this piece constitutes a total work of haute horlogerie. The new RM 62-01 follows in the footsteps of the 2016 RM 50-02 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph ACJ, from which it inherits its distinctive lines.
Eye Candy: Greubel Forsey Diamond Set Balancier Contemporain. A Perfect Watch for Ladies that Appreciate Horological Masterpieces.
And just because ladies also appreciate the horological masterpieces of Greubel Forsey, the brand released this diamond-set Balancier Contemporain earlier this year. This highly original creation is distinguished by its 39.6 mm case diameter —a first from Greubel Forsey which generally makes much larger timepieces—, that represented a challenge not only by making sure that the case was big enough to house the large balance wheel within a limited space, but also to achieve optimal proportions and an attractive three-dimensional construction by safeguarding the emblematic aesthetic codes of Greubel Forsey.
News: Presenting the UR-Bethune Moon Satellite. A One-Off Signed De Bethune x Urwerk for ONLY Watch Auction.
Expressing the perfection of the celestial order, this unique timepiece is a complex interaction of mechanisms specific to De Bethune and Urwerk and a true fusion of their watchmaking genes. This one-off watch signed De Bethune x Urwerk has been expressly made for the ONLY Watch auction taking place next November 9, 2019. In support of the ONLY Watch biennial charity auction of unique timepieces, De Bethune and Urwerk have joined their creative energies for the very first time to bring a timepiece unlike any other.
Eye Candy: Breguet Classique 'Grand Feu' Enamel Dial ref. 5177. A Very Understated Piece of Horological Art.
Endowed with a ‘grand feu’ enamel dial and a slim case in 18K white gold measuring 38 mm in diameter, the Breguet Classique ref. 5177 is an understated timepiece and a piece of horological art. Completely adhered to the DNA and design cues of the Breguet lineage, the Classique ref. 5177 is unmistakably Breguet. The white ‘grand feu’ enamel dial features Breguet Arabic numerals, the traditional blued steel Breguet hands and a trapezoidal date aperture conveniently located at 3 o’clock without compromising the numeral ‘3’.
News: Presenting the Richard Mille RM 50-04 Kimi Raikkonen. A Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph Movement Weighing 7 Grams.
The Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix is the perfect occasion for Richard Mille to present the RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen alongside its partner. The piece pays homage to both this great driver and his team: Alfa Romeo Racing Team, the legendary manufacturer inseparable from car racing. Richard Mille has supported Alfa Romeo Racing Team since 2018, so Kimi first entered the Richard Mille world when he was signed by the Swiss manufacturer in 2018. Crowned world champion in 2007 after being vice world champion in 2003 and 2005, 39-year-old Kimi Räikkönen is a seasoned veteran on the 2019 stage.
Experience: The Breguet Museum in Paris. A Must When Visiting the City of Light.
One of the few horology museums outside of Switzerland, the Breguet Museum is a must when visiting Paris. Located at the top level of the Breguet Boutique at the Place Vendôme, the museum displays some of the most exquisite timepieces from Breguet. As soon as you get to the boutique, head to the second level where you will be able to see a chronological journey of Breguet timepieces along with the archives safeguarded by a vault. The museum, just like all things related with the history of the brand are carefully curated by Monsieur Emmanuel Breguet a direct descendant of the Breguet family and vicepresident of Montres Breguet S.A.
News: Tudor Presents Limited Edition Black Bay Chrono Dark. Celebrating the New Zealand All Blacks.
To celebrate Tudor’s global partnership with the New Zealand All Blacks, and to mark the Rugby World Cup beginning September 20th, 2019 of which Tudor is the Official Timekeeper, the brand just unveiled a Limited Edition Black Bay Chrono Dark in black PVD steel. The watch is available in a limited edition of 1,181 pieces that references the number of players that have served the legacy of New Zealand’s national rugby team since its creation in 1903. The one number that will not be available to end customers, is #1115, which belongs to the one and only Beauden Barrett…
News: Presenting the Urwerk UR-100 Space Time. Two 25-piece Limited Editions.
The Urwerk UR-100 was inspired by a 19th century pendulum clock —a present to Felix Baumgartner from his father Geri, a now-retired renowned clock restorer— made by Gustave Sandoz for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The regulator-style dial does not show time. Instead it shows the distance of the Earth’s rotation at the equator. The extra-long pendulum beats every 2.16 seconds, making every oscillation one kilometer. The main dial has a scale of 10,000 kilometers, shown in units of 100 kilometers, so that each tick —half oscillation— indicates 500 meters traveled on the Earth’s surface—at the equator. The top subdial —10 km— is divided into 10 units, while the lower subdial showing a total of 40,000 km —approximately the equatorial circumference of the Earth— is divided into increments of 1,000 km.
News: Presenting the New Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Limited Edition for North America
Following the successful launch of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva last year, the Grande Maison is extending the Polaris line with a special new creation: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Llimited Edition for North America. Produced in a limited series of 800 pieces, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date combines the Manufacture’s high-watchmaking expertise with contemporary proportions, vintage design motifs, and several important aesthetic changes.
News: Presenting the Audemars Piguet Millenary Frosted Gold Philosophique ref. 77266. A Stunning One-Handed Timepiece.
In the 70s, the advent of quartz shook the foundation of the watchmaking industry, spurring watchmakers to find innovative solutions to the ravages caused by the emergence of this new technology. The Manufacture responded by breaking mechanical records with its world’s thinnest perpetual calendar mechanism in 1978, as well as by releasing revolutionary mechanical watches combining tradition and avant-garde design. Audemars Piguet introduced its first hand-wound “Philosophique” watch in 1982, inviting wearers to question the notion of passing time. This model referred back to the beginning of time measurement devices, which were equipped with a single hour hand until the beginning of the 18th century to simplify energy transmission.
