In light of the unprecedented challenges we are all facing, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie —FHH— has accelerated the digitalization of its Watches & Wonders concept and will be able to launch a new online platform on April 25th at watchesandwonders.com. Featuring 30 of the world’s leading fine watch brands including A. Lange & Söhne, Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, HYT, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, MB&F, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin amongst others, the FHH’s site will provide an unparalleled opportunity to discover the watchmaking universe, as well as the newest watch introductions for 2020. A robust offering of customizable content, curated by the FHH, will also ensure a vibrant educational experience for all watch enthusiasts.
Posts filed under SIHH
Breaking News: Watches & Wonders Geneva 2020 Cancelled Due to Coronavirus
Watches & Wonders Geneva cancels its upcoming edition initially planned from April 25th to 29th 2020. In view of the latest developments concerning the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie as the organizer of Watches & Wonders Geneva 2020 has proactively anticipated the potential risks that travels and important international gatherings could entail. Therefore, in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all their guests, press, partners and teams, the decision has been taken to cancel the upcoming edition of Watches & Wonders Geneva.
Breaking News: The SIHH Geneva Rebrands as Watches & Wonders Geneva. From April 25th thru April 29th, 2020.
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.
SIHH 2019: IWC Big Pilot’s Constant Force Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’ Platinum. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Since 2005, IWC has been in collaboration with the family of French aviator and author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This partnership has already seen a variety of special editions launched within the Pilot’s Watches collection. While some pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of the great humanist himself, others are dedicated to his most famous literary work "The Little Prince" —Le Petit Prince. These timepieces, characterized by their distinctive midnight blue dials, have been a highly regarded addition to the Pilot’s Watch collections since 2013. At the SIHH 2019, added some exclusive models to this line including the new Big Pilot’s Watch Constant Force Tourbillon Edition ‘Le Petit Prince’ ref. IW590302 in platinum —also available in hard gold.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574PT Ice Blue. Live Pictures of the 50-Piece Limited Edition.
With most of the Midwest under below freezing temperatures and the polar vortex in full, there’s no better watch to bring some heat and ice —at the same time— to our readers in Chicago —our old stomping grounds and the city that saw WCL come to fruition— than with a new iteration of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar quietly unveiled at the SIHH 2019. Just another one of those very special watches that we got to see and shoot for you. After the release of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar for Latin America ref. 26584OR.OO.1220OR.O1 —one of the hottest watches in 2018—, now comes this version in solid platinum sporting an ice blue dial with navy blue accents. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574PT.OO.1220PT.01, joins the other four Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars fitted with a 41 mm case and the new automatic calibre 5134.
SIHH 2019: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Enamel Dial Limited Editions. Live Pictures & Pricing.
New for the SIHH 2019 are three Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin watches with blue guilloché and enamel dials. A new Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon, a Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar and a Master Ultra Thin Moon phase watch enrich the ultra thin collection with the most emblematic complications in watchmaking. Showcasing Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise in the field of horology, these new dials are a testament to precision and sophistication. All cased in 18K white gold cases and exclusively available in limited editions, the three new watches feature a midnight blue —blue greenish depending on lighting conditions— enamel dial with sunray guilloché motif.
SIHH 2019: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date. Live Pictures & Pricing.
The first A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk was launched back in 2009. An exceptional mechanical watch fitted with a digital display unlike any other watch out there just got even better at the SIHH 2019 with the release of the new Zeitwerk Date. If Lange timepieces seem too dressy or formal for your lifestyle, we think that the Zeitwerk brings the perfect balance between cool and elegant to finally make you take the plunge and get that first Lange. With its hours and minutes indicated with jumping numerals and the time bridge dominating the dial, the master watchmakers at the German manufacture were incredibly talented at adding a date function to this watch without disrupting the perfectly balanced dial or affecting the original case size of 44.2 mm.
SIHH 2019: MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 Space Pirate Final Edition. Live Pictures & Pricing.
We brought you the news before the SIHH 2019 about the new MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 Space Pirate Final Edition but there’s no real feature unless it’s accompanied by some of our live macro pictures. Therefore, here we go again. Originally released at the end of 2014, the Horological Machine No.6 —HM6 Space Pirate— came out with an announcement that MB&F would manufacture only 100 movements in total for this watch. The HM6 was first launched in titanium in a limited edition of 50 pieces, followed by 18 pieces in rose gold and then two 10-piece SV/Sapphire Vision editions, one in platinum and the other in rose gold. In 2017, four unique pieces were presented as the ‘Alien Nation’ crafted entirely in sapphire crystal, each with its crew of miniature aliens. Today, the HM6 Final Edition comes in a highly exclusive 8-piece limited edition in stainless steel.
SIHH 2019: Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB1 'Oeuvre d'Or'. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Four years after its launch by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, the co-president of Chopard and founder of Chopard's in-house manufacture L.U.C division, Ferdinand Berthoud not only has been awarded the highest prize in the watchmaking industry —Grand Prix “Aiguille d’Or” at the 16th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève—, but the brand doesn’t cease to impress with the release of incredible looking watches that are exquisitely finished. This time at the SIHH 2019, Ferdinand Berthoud brings a new collection called ‘Oeuvre d’Or’ in a new artistic interpretation of its original creation, the Chronomètre FB 1.
SIHH 2019: Santos de Cartier Skeleton Noctambule. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Following the success of the Santos de Cartier Skeleton released last year, the French maison released a new iteration of this watch at the SIHH 2019. The unmistakable design of the Santos de Cartier with its square case and exposed screws gets even better in the new Santos Skeleton Noctambule with its ADLC steel case —measuring almost 40 mm wide— and skeletonized bridges with superluminova, that at the slightest dimming of the ambient lights glows like a powerful greenish lantern.
SIHH 2019: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 "25th Anniversary". Live Pictures & Pricing.
To celebrate its launch as the cornerstone of A. Lange & Söhne on October 24th, 1994, Lange has decided to launch the Lange 1 “25th Anniversary” limited edition watch. With its asymmetric dial, the three-day movement, and the first outsize date in a regularly produced wristwatch, the Lange 1 elicited enthusiasm when it debuted. A quarter of a century later, the instantly recognizable watch joined the roster of the 20th century’s great timepiece classics. That is why, despite its new movement, it has remained almost unchanged externally. This new Lange 1 marks the kick-off of the “25th Anniversary” series that will be unveiled by the brand this year with one new watch for the next 10 months of the year 2019. These 10 new models wil be dedicated to the most important milestones of the Lange 1 watch.
SIHH 2019: Panerai Submersible Chrono Guillaume Néry Special Edition PAM 983. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Continuing with our coverage of all the Panerai novelties released at the SIHH 2019, comes the new Panerai Submersible Chrono Guillaume Néry Special Edition PAM983, not to be confused with the other Guillaume Néry Edition PAM 982. What makes this watch different, other than the obvious nuances with a black DLC titanium case and bezel and with a blue black dial, is that this watch is sold including an epic experience that only 15 lucky buyers will get to enjoy. The fortunate few who acquire this new Panerai will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive experience to take place in Moorea —French Polynesia— where free-diver Guillaume Néry lives.
SIHH 2019: Panerai Submersible Chrono Guillaume Néry PAM 982. Live Pictures & Pricing.
As mentioned during our review of the new Panerai Submersible Luna Rossa, this year at the SIHH 2019, Panerai focused their novelties around their Submersible line and released a dozen different Submersible timepieces. The new Panerai Submersible Chrono Guillaume Néry Edition PAM982 is one of our favorites and the result of a partnership with Guillaume Néry the free-diving champion. When we first heard that Panerai was partnering with him, we got really excited as we are big fans of Néry and his diving videos on Youtube are simply epic. We first discovered Guillaume Néry like 6 years ago when he was still an ambassador for Ball Watches —we really couldn’t care less for the watches— and he did a video base jumping into Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin Black Ceramic ref. 26522CE. Live Pictures & Pricing.
After the success of the black ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, Audemars Piguet brings back the heat this time with the intense blackness of this limited edition of 100 pieces of the Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin. An incredibly sexy watch in person, the black ceramic is satin-finished and polished just like any metal Royal Oak. Cased in a generous 41 mm case, this time the Tourbillon Extra-Thin featured a sunburst pattern on the dial radiating all the way from the cage of the tourbillon to the perimeter on what is called the “Tapisserie Evolutive” pattern.
SIHH 2019: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon. Live Pictures & Pricing.
The new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon is the very first automatic tourbillon in this sporty collection. Housed in a 42.5 mm stainless steel case, the new Overseas Tourbillon features a striking translucent lacquered blue dial —sunburst satin-finished base with velvet-finished flange— in the exact same glossy finish as the one on the Overseas Dual Time released last year. With a tourbillon carriage shaped like a Maltese cross, the opening at 6 o’clock reveals its intricate beauty taking the center stage.
SIHH 2019: Urwerk UR-105 CT Maverick. Live Pictures & Pricing.
After the huge success of the UR-105 CT Streamliner and the UR-105 CT Kryptonite comes a new iteration of this iconic model this time with a bronze and titanium case construction under the name CT Maverick. A watch that could very well be shaped after the helmet of a Roman Centurion , the new Urwerk Maverick is a timepiece that would evolve acquiring the patina of the owner’s lifestyle. Constructed to withstand the daily abuse of its wearer, the UR-10 CT Maverick features Urwerk’s wandering satellite hours where the hours, minutes and seconds are indicated at the front thanks to the emblematic and instantly recognizable signature element of the brand for 18 years.
SIHH 2019: Hermès Arceau L'Heure De La Lune Moonphase Watch. Live Pictures & Pricing.
While Hermès has been making watches for a very long time, it wasn’t until the last three to four years that the orange box leather goods maker has turned into a power house in the field of horology with their very own watch manufacture located in Switzerland. Without a doubt, one of the best releases at the SIHH 2019 was the new Hermès Arceau L'Heure De La Lune moonphase watch available in two versions, one with meteorite dial and the other in aventurine. With two mobile subdials —time and date— that circle around the dial of the watch day-by-day eclipsing two moons located at 12 and 6 o’clock —South and North hemispheres respectively—, the indication of the cycles of the moon is cleverly represented in a way in which it was never done before by any other brand.
SIHH 2019: IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" ref. IW395501. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Centered around the The Spitfire designed by Reginald J. Mitchell —one of the most sophisticated developments in the history of aviation—, IWC launched several new watches in their Pilot’s Spitfire Watch collection to honor this aircraft and the Longest Flight Project. Just like the legendary British fighter aircraft which is the result of a perfectly functional design, so is the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" ref. IW395501. While the watch doesn’t come with any elliptical wings like the plane in question, the Timezoner —originally launched in a Chrono version for the SIHH 2016— is also easy to maneuver with its unique silhouette and bezel that controls the world timer complication.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44 'Pride of Germany' Limited Edition. Live Pictures & Details.
While the attention was centered on the new CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet as well as some of the new Royal Oaks released by the brand, there’s a pair of new watches that barely anyone got to see and that we were able to even shoot for you. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44 ‘Pride of Germany’ comes in two iterations and is the first time that AP releases a ‘Pride’ edition in a 44 mm case. The first one, an 18K rose gold model with black ceramic bezel ref. 26416RO.OO.A002CA.01 and the second one, a full black ceramic —case and bezel— model ref. 26415CE.OO.A002CA.01. Without a doubt, our favorite iterations of the Royal Oak Offshore 44 line.
SIHH 2019: Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Petrol Blue Dials. Live Pictures & Pricing.
When we received the press release about the new Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Petrol Blue dial we couldn’t wait until we could see the watches in person at the SIHH 2019. Finally, last week we had a real treat when we got to peruse these two new watches in the metal. This gorgeous new Petrol blue dial with opaline center and sunburst exterior is now available for the stainless steel versions of the FiftySix Self-Winding and the FiftySix Complete Calendar ref. 4000E with moonphase indicator. With an extremely well balanced dial thanks to its double apertures at 12 and a gorgeous moonphase indicator at six o'clock, this is without a doubt, one of the best looking Vacheron Constantin watches out there. Hopefully, these live pictures will get as close as possible to the real beauty of the dials in person.
