Chiming watches hold a special place within the world of horological complications. For more than two centuries, these complex mechanical devices have been given pride of place by Vacheron Constantin. The new Les Cabinotiers Split-Seconds Chronograph Tempo ref. 9740C/000R-B692 is the crowning embodiment of this approach, with its 24 complications orchestrated by the new in-house 1,163-part calibre 2756.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Singing Birds Unique Pieces
Honoring the talent and expertise of the Les Cabinotiers department, Vacheron Constantin presents four one-of-a-kind timepieces with enameled dials depicting a songbird, beautifully offset by the delicate guilloché pattern adorning the area devoted to time indications. Artistic crafts play a unique role through the enameling work done using the champlevé technique on each of the dials. To give life to the bird motifs, the master artisan has broadened his palette to encompass ten colors and their subtly graded shades.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Watch Regular Production Now Available (Live Pictures Included)
At the SIHH 2018, Piaget unveiled the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, the thinnest mechanical watch in the world. Two years later, Piaget presents the same watch as a regular production watch that you can now finally get to own. You can see our live pictures of the concept watch in this feature. Measuring 2 mm in thinness, the new Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept served as a stage for numerous Piaget innovations, including a case that formed part of the movement, a unique, integrated winding crown, an ultra-thin crystal and, more importantly, new constructions for the barrel and energy regulation.
From the Archives: Revisiting the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Watch with Live Pictures
First presented as a ‘concept only watch’ at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie —SIHH—in 2018, it is worth revisiting the world’s thinnest mechanical watch at only 2 mm thin, now that the regular production Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Watch has been released at Watches & Wonders 2020. This feat of horology is finally now available for purchase and more than one is eager to see live pictures of it. Well, look no further as we have here live pictures of the concept watch that is identical —other than the dial— to the new Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Watch just unveiled.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic Day-Date Moon Phase
We rarely feature watches from Baume & Mercier here at WCL, but this novelty is one that how could we not feature. The new Clifton Baumatic Day-Date Moonphase ref. 10547 packs a lot of watch for its price. Available in 18K rose gold ref. M0A10547 or stainless steel ref. 10548 with a 42 mm case, this extraordinary timepiece joins the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic collection. A new small complication with day-date and moon-phase, the watch is powered by the Baumatic BM14 in-house calibre, an automatic movement with an outstanding 5-day power reserve.
Experience: Havana Club Unión. The Only Time You'll See a Rum of this Caliber Alongside a Pepsi.
There are rums made to be mixed with cola and there are others that you just don’t even dare to do so and you drink either neat or over a big rock of ice. While a Cuba Libre —Rum with Cola— calls for cola in the mix, it’s sacrilege to ever mix it with a Pepsi and not with a Coca-Cola. Here at WCL we like to go against the tide and we are mixing this Havana Club Unión with a Pepsi, at least just from a photo essay standpoint. If you ask us why?, we’ll tell you that the reason behind is because a Rolex GMT Master Pepsi was the iconic watch that Fidel Castro —the former dictator of Cuba— used to wear after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution he once led.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Diabolus in Machina Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon Unique Piece
The brand’s most recent creation is a stunning juxtaposition of the brilliance of these past artisans and the most inventive modern techniques. Enter the Excalibur Diabolus in Machina, a creation guaranteed to astound even the boldest souls and partisans of the idea that life must be lived intensely, passionately, and —let’s say it like it is— excessively.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Twofold
Since 1995 Roger Dubuis manufacture is defined by “no limit” innovation, technical prowess, demanding savoir-faire, and stylistic audacity. Vivid proof of its excess in excellence, exclusivity, know-how, and performance, most Roger Dubuis watches bear the Poinçon de Genève —Geneva Seal. The use of avant-garde materials inspired by other cutting-edge industries —such as Additive Manufacturing and Composite Material technologies— highlights even further the expressive singularity of the Maison.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication
Highlighting its expertise in chiming watches, Jaeger-LeCoultre reinterprets its Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication with a magnificent new design. This follows the introduction in 2019 of two minute repeaters, the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel with calibre 184 and Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle with self-winding calibre 950.
Watches & Wonders 2020: The Revamped Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Collection
Since it was introduced in 1992, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Control collection has been defined by technical rigor and stylistic restraint, its constant evolution imbued with the Maison’s deep respect for tradition and constant quest for innovation. In 2020, La Grande Maison relaunches the collection, drawing inspiration from the classic round watches of the 1950s, such as the Futurematic, PowerMatic, and Memovox models, and adding a dash of 21st-century flair.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Red-Wine Dial
Almost 90 years ago, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched the iconic Reverso in 1931. A watch that became an icon during the Art Deco era and a classic of the 20th-century. As an object that so deftly synthesized form and function, it has become one of the most immediately recognizable watches of all time, looking as fresh and modern today as when it first appeared. A perfect watch that brings a lot of value and that even in its large size can be easily worn by a man or a woman. The epitome of a unisex timepiece.
Watches & Wonders 2020: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater
For the first time ever in a mechanical watch, the new A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater combines a jumping numerals display with a decimal minute repeater. As a sequel to its launch in 2015, the new Zeitwerk Minute Repeater comes in a 30-piece limited edition in 18K white gold with a 44.2 mm case and a deep blue solid silver dial. A totally new interpretation of the classic complication, the striking mechanism sounds in ten-minute intervals instead of quarter-hours with double strikes.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Montblanc 1858 24H Automatic
In addition to this year’s blue novelties, Montblanc is also presenting two new 1858 models inspired by Minerva’s heritage which include the Montblanc 1858 24H Automatic and the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 1858. These new timepieces feature vintage aesthetics with new colored dials, case elements made of a special alloy of bronze, hand-made NATO straps, and unique complications.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 1858
The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph is one of the technical pillars of the Maison. In this new version, Montblanc reinterprets a historical Minerva chronograph with its calibre 13.20 from the 1930s. Like on the original timepiece, the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph features a black dial with a beige-colored railway track, as well as two counters at three and nine o’clock.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Blue
The Montblanc 1858 line features sporty vintage timepieces inspired by the trend for reconnecting to nature and the Montblanc heritage. Design and product codes take their inspiration from Minerva 1920s and 30s military chronographs. This year Montblanc is presenting a new blue theme, as a nod to glaciers and snowy mountain environments. Blue colors combined with icy white elements, creating a very cold and modern tool-watch look.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon
Laurent Ferrier is widely known for creating classical watches imbued with traditional watchmaking crafts and mechanical excellence. Now, the esteemed Genevan atelier has crafted a new contemporary watch, the Grand Sport Tourbillon, which upholds the company’s no-compromise approach to watchmaking. Housed in a sporty 44mm stainless steel case, this is the brand’s first model equipped with an integrated stainless-steel bracelet. This new addition to Laurent Ferrier’s portfolio of models features a tourbillon, double balance spring, and the firm’s legendary exalted finishing.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon for Ladies
For the first time, Vacheron Constantin highlights the majestic tourbillon complication through the prism of feminine elegance. This is the very first Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon for ladies. Housed within a new 39 mm case, mechanical sophistication appears attired in unprecedented finery. Available in 18K 5N pink gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds with a mother-of-pearl dial or in 18K white gold set with brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds on both case and dial, the Traditionnelle Tourbillon ref. 6025T and 6035T watch beats to the rhythm of the in-house calibre 2160
Watches & Wonders 2020: Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph
The new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 5100 sets the stage for a tourbillon placed at 12 o'clock and a monopusher chronograph, which pays tribute to the history of Haute Horlogerie and reflect Vacheron Constantin's technical mastery in the crafting of Grandes Complications. A complication single-handedly symbolizing the nobility of Haute Horlogerie. The “Etagé” case and lugs, a fluted case-back, a railway-type minute track, dauphine-type hours and minutes hands are some of the aesthetic codes of the Traditionnelle collection and all are clearly present on this new Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Ultra-Thin Blue Lacquered Dial
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin watch is now treating itself to an all-gold version including a matching bracelet. Its precious metal bracelet, featuring links inspired by the shape of the Maltese cross, is more elegant than ever while radiating a style all its own. In addition to the case/bracelet combination, the brilliance of the gold extends to the blue dial, whose hour-markers, hands, and moon discs are also made of 18K 5N pink gold.
Watches & Wonders 2020: Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Selwinding and FiftySix Complete Calendar with Sepia Brown Dials
Unveiled in 2018, the Vacheron Constantin FiftySix collection audaciously mixes eras. Its part-retro, part- contemporary silhouette inspired by an iconic 1956 watch reveals its playfulness through a new sepia brown-toned dial color. A look imbued with a vintage touch interpreted through two pink gold models with a calfskin strap designed for everyday wear. Two new pink gold versions reinterpreting the iconic reference 6073, launched in 1956 and inspired by the shape of the Maltese cross.
