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. The black ceramic satin-finished and polished case measuring 41 mm is seven times harder than steel. Featuring a sunburst pattern on the dial radiating all the way from the cage of the tourbillon to the perimeter, the new Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin Black Ceramic ref. 26522CE.OO.1225CE.01 sports what is called the “Tapisserie Evolutive” pattern.
Posts filed under SIHH
Pre-SIHH 2019: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 "25th Anniversary". A 250-Piece Limited Edition in White Gold.
Since it premiered on 24 October 1994, it has epitomized the core and the identity of A. Lange & Söhne. With its unique combination of classic style elements and technical innovations, it stands for the determination of the Saxon manufacture to craft the world's finest watches. Even in its 25th year, the famous watch family created by A. Lange & Söhne remains an unconditional success. 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.
Pre-SIHH 2019: Armin Strom Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance Sapphire. The First Sapphire Case for the Brand.
Just released back in October 2018, the Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance by Armin Strom is a horological Masterpiece and the first watch in a new collection. Combining the practicality of two completely independent time indications with the increased precision of two independent movements in resonance, the Dual Time Resonance now is released with a sapphire crystal case which is a first for the brand. In a distinctive oval case, two independent movements sit side-by-side, their regulators wedded by Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch Spring performing a continually horological two-step between the dual eye-catching counter-oscillating balances.
Pre-SIHH 2019: H. Moser Nature Watch. As Alive as Nature itself in a Mechanical Timepiece.
Following the crazy creations they unveil every year right before the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève, H. Moser & Cie. strikes again with an incredible timepiece like no other. They had a dream of an era where time is infinite. It passes quietly, in perfect peace. It is within everyone's reach. They’ve realized this in the form of a promise, a warning to future generations: the Moser Nature Watch, a mechanical watch that is 'green' and living but not eternal. Since we don't live in utopia, time —like the natural world impacted by our actions— is increasingly fragile and precious. Each of us must take the utmost care of it.
Pre-SIHH 2019: MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 Space Pirate Final Edition. An 8-Piece Limited Edition in Stainless Steel.
Back in November 2014, when MB&F launched the Horological Machine No.6 —HM6 Space Pirate— they announced they would manufacture only 100 movements in total of this watch. Today, less than a week from the SIHH 2019 —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève— they are presenting the HM6 Final Edition. The MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 Space Pirate 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. Then in 2017, four unique pieces were presented as the ‘Alien Nation’ crafted entirely in sapphire crystal, each with its crew of miniature aliens.
Breaking News: SIHH and Baselworld to Coordinate Their Dates for 2020. Good or Bad? We'll Wait and See.
As of 2020, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève —SIHH— and Baselworld, the two major events in the watch industry, will synchronise their calendars to take place back to back. Starting 2020, the SIHH will be held from April 26th thru the 29th in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from April 30th to May 5th in Basel. Until 2019, the SIHH will continue to take place in mid-January while Baselworld will take place at the end of March. Due to this, professionals, press, and clients shared by large watchmaking brands would have to travel to Switzerland twice in the space of just a couple of months. With the new calendar synchronized until 2024, one trip will now be required.
Pre-SIHH 2019: Cartier Libre Collection. A Technicolor Vision Revealing Cartier's Wealth of Inspiration.
In preparation for the SIHH 2019 Cartier has just announced the Cartier Libre collection. In this latest edition, creativity shifts lines and meets a technicolor vision with the Tank Chinoise Red, the Diagonale watch and the Baignoire Allongée watches. Year after year, this union between watchmaking and creativity shifts lines, revisits established conventions and reveals Cartier’s wealth of inspiration in terms of form. By highlighting or putting certain aspects into perspective, the color exposes previously imperceptible facets. These four new watches revisit some of the oldest watches ever released by Cartier in the 20s bringing to the table three exceptional timepieces in white gold and one in yellow gold.
Pre-SIHH 2019: New Range of IWC Pilot's Watches Just Unveiled. Four Very Good Looking New Watches.
A whole new range of IWC Pilot’s watches was just unveiled at the Goodwood Aerodome in the U.K. in preparation for the SIHH 2019 —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Our friends from Schaffhausen will be presenting a new Spitfire line, a new Top Gun line and "Le Petit Prince" special editions. For the Spitfire line, all watches are fitted with IWC-manufactured calibres to celebrate the unique engineering of the British fighter aircraft. Within the Top Gun collection IWC will be featuring their new exclusive material named Ceratanium for their first ever completely jet black Pilot’s Watch. Among the products to be unveiled by IWC the ‘Le Petite Prince’ Editions will be the first Pilot's Watch to feature a constant-force tourbillon and the first case to be made from hard gold.
Pre-SIHH 2019: Cartier Privé Collection. Two New Watches in Platinum or Pink Gold.
Pre-SIHH 2019 —which is less than two months away—, Cartier has just unveiled a brand new collection with a tonneau-shaped watch. With its shape both strong and pure, the dial is on the cusp between a rectangle and an oval just as the case curves slightly, tendering one of the first significant modifications aimed at fitting it better to the wrist. This year, Cartier celebrates this legendary watch shape with a redesigned hours and minutes model and a skeleton dual time zone model, taking watch aesthetics to another level.
SIHH 2018: New Santos de Cartier Large and Medium Size. Fitted with New Case Sizes, SmartLink and QuickSwitch Systems.
One of the most iconic and popular Cartier watches from the 80s just got even better. Named after Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont whom Cartier made a watch for, the Cartier Santos with its rounded angles of the dial, the seamless curve of the horns, and the exposed screws made for an iconic watch that would inspire countless reinterpretations. The new Santos de Cartier is now available in two different sizes, the first one, a medium size measuring 35.1 mm x 41.9 mm and the second one, a large model with a case measuring almost 40 mm wide —39.8 mm x 47.5 mm actual size.
SIHH 2018: IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Edition “150 Years” ref. IW5105. A 100-Piece Limited Edition that is Simply Stunning.
Available in either white lacquered or blue lacquered dial comes the new IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Edition “150 Years”. This is the first time that IWC presents a Pilot’s Watch with a double date display featuring large numerals at 12 o'clock. Available in a limited edition of 100 watches for each dial color, the new Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Edition comes with a stainless steel case measuring the same 46.2 mm as the previous iterations of this watch and featuring a soft-iron solid case back with small opening.
SIHH 2018: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph QEII Cup 2018 ref. 26474TI. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Referred to by Audemars Piguet as a thoroughbred to celebrate one of the world’s great horse races. This year’s new Royal Oak Offshore QEII Cup 2018 sports a full titanium construction with a winning blue and grey color combination. Slightly inspired by the first Titanium Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721TI comes the new Royal Oak Offshore QEII Cup 2018.
SIHH 2018: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak RD#2 ref. 26586PT. Hands-on with the World's Thinnest Automatic Perpetual Calendar.
This SIHH 2018 was a great one for Audemars Piguet as most of their novelties were absolutely on point and the brand was able to show how they master the rules and how they can break them. One of the most special watches at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2018 was the new Royal Oak RD#2 —where the RD stand for Research & Development— ref. 26586PT.OO.1240PT.01 in platinum. This watch presented as a concept is now the world’s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar at just 6.30 mm thick, marking a new watchmaking record for the brand.
SIHH 2018: Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Complete Calendar ref. 4000E. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Last week, we brought you the live pictures on the new FiftySix Self-Winding here and the FiftySix Day-Date Power Reserve here; well, today, we bring you our live pictures of our second favorite watch within this new collection. 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.
SIHH 2018: Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium. A Fascinating Astronomical Complication for Ladies.
Following the successful release of their Midnight Planétarium in 2014, the watch that we still talk about to date and one of the most read articles here at WCL —you can read it here—; on the occasion of the SIHH 2018, Van Cleef & Arpels has drawn new inspiration to come up with a new interpretation of the watch created in collaboration with Netherlands watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw. The new Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium takes a slightly different approach not only in terms of size —measuring 38 mm instead of 44 mm like the Midnight Planétarium— but also in terms of functionality by centering the watch complication around fewer planets.
SIHH 2018: Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Automatic 910P. The World's Thinnest Automatic Watch.
It is very well known by watch collectors and watch scholars that when it comes to ultra-thin watches, Piaget is an authority. Defying the limits of feasibility, Piaget released three new watches —one as a concept— that continue to demonstrate their ability to succeed in the field of ultra-thin timepieces. Three years after the launch of the slimmest manual-winding watch in the world at that time, the Piaget Altiplano 900P, Piaget is once again wowing everyone, this time with the new Altiplano Ultimate Automatic 910P.
SIHH 2018: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Havana' Brown Dial. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Another brand new dial for the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in stainless steel, this time with an eye-catching 'Havana' brown Méga Tapisserie dial with navy blue subdials, white Arabic numerals and white chronograph hands. This new watch is exactly like all other Royal Oak Offshores in 42 mm with ceramic pushers and redesigned crown guards in black. Presented as ref. 26470ST.OO.A099CR.01, this new watch will be sold with a non-hornback large square scale brown alligator strap with blue contrast stitching.
SIHH 2018: Armin Strom Pure Resonance Fire and Pure Resonance Water. The New Resonance in a More Classic Size Measuring 42 mm.
Trying to appeal to a more conservative customer that prefers smaller timepieces, Armin Strom has just presented the new Pure Resonance housed in a slimmer 42 mm case —1.4 mm smaller than the original Mirrored Force Resonance— with reduced lugs and crown and practically with no bezel, though the characteristic lip at 6 o’clock remains as an homage to the ability of Armin Strom to customize any of its watches as well as to their founder Armin Strom, who offered this space to clients for personal engraving.
SIHH 2018: Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision. The First Automatic Watch in the Freak Collection.
The first automatic watch in the Ulysse Nardin Freak Collection is the new Freak Vision. A feat of horology and a very good looking timepiece, the new Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision incorporates the revolutionary innovations unveiled in the Ulysse Nardin InnoVision 2 Concept Watch at SIHH 2017 to give birth to a brand new winding mechanism called the Grinder Automatic Winding System. T
SIHH 2018: DeWitt Academia Endless Drive. The Watch with the Helical Screw at the Center of the Dial.
A huge comeback for DeWitt after presenting at the SIHH 2018 for the very first time. The new DeWitt Academia Endless Drive reveals an original design, consistent with the strong and distinct character of DeWitt creations, with an endless screw as the dial’s signature element. This rotating endless screw is a nod to automotive mechanics, which has been the field of inspiration to the brand's founder, Count Jérôme de Witt.
