The Santos de Cartier collection received a major facelift last year and this year at the SIHH 2019, the focus was on the release of a new Santos Chronograph, a couple of new Skeletonized references —one of them with superluminova on its bridges—, the new Santos Dumont lineup and the new Santos large model with blue dial we have here. Named after Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont whom Cartier made a watch for, the Santos de Cartier features a square case with curved edges and exposed screws that are unmistakable design cues of this legendary watch. The Santos large size with blue dial features a stainless steel case measuring almost 40 mm wide —39.8 mm x 47.5 mm actual size.
Posts filed under SIHH
SIHH 2019: Panthère de Cartier Figurative Black Lacquer. Live Pictures & Pricing.
As much of a bracelet as it is a watch, the new Panthère de Cartier Figurative is one of the most unique timepieces presented by Cartier at the SIHH 2019. An 18K yellow gold bangle that opens up by twisting one of its sides with the iconic panthère on one end and a quartz watch on the opposite end, the new Panthère de Cartier Figurative is an absolute objet d’art —art object. Feminine, tasteful and exuberant are some of the words that come to mind when perusing this new timepiece in the form of a piece of jewellery.
SIHH 2019: Cartier Baignoire Allongée Celadon & Cartier Tank Chinoise Red. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Amongst many novelties released by Cartier this year at the SIHH 2019, the new Cartier Libre collection stands out because of its lineage and strong DNA. While five pieces were recently presented, there are two watches that we absolutely loved because of their strong art deco look and because they exude Cartier all the way. First let’s talk about the Baignoire Allongée Celadon. Named ‘baignoire’ —word in French for bathtub— because of the similarity between its oval case profile resembling a bathtub, this new watch is endowed with an 18K white gold case measuring 47 mm in length by 21 mm in width and 8 mm thick. Its case in an ode to the jewelry mastery of Cartier is studded with diamonds, emeralds and Paraiba tourmalines.
SIHH 2019: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds Burgundy Red. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Paying tribute to the original and first Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso launched in 1931 comes a new iteration of the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in stainless steel this time sporting an intriguing burgundy red dial. In a hue that could also be described as ‘ox-blood’ color, the watch is equipped with a Casa Fagliano matching red strap. Created in the 1931 as a convenient watch for polo players, the purpose of the Reverso was to be able to maintain the front of the watch protected during a polo match by virtue of swiveling and exposing a solid case back on the front. A perfect example of the Art Deco movement, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds Burgundy Red is one of the sexiest Reversos out there.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Collection. Live Pics, Details & Our Point of View.
As soon as we saw the first pictures that were leaked of the new CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection, we decided to respectfully wait until we saw the watch in the metal before we could pass any judgement. While our first impressions based on those pictures were not positive, the right thing to do for WCL was to wait for the dust to settle and not comment anything until we had perused the new watches long enough to provide an unbiased point of view and our honest impressions.
SIHH 2019: Piaget Polo S Green Blueish Dial Limited Edition. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Endowed with a 42 mm stainless steel case the Piaget Polo S on strap sports a limited edition new dial that is die for. Despite that since the time of its launch we haven’t been the biggest fans of the Piaget Polo S because of its design lacking much originality and looking more like a crossbreed between a Patek Philippe Nautilus, an Aquanaut and the original Piaget Polo, when it comes to this particular new Polo S Green Limited Edition, our stance is completely different. After seeing the watch in the metal sporting this new dial at the SIHH 2019, we have to say that this Piaget Polo S is extremely good looking and one that we would consider wearing without any hesitation.
SIHH 2019: Panerai Submersible Luna Rossa PAM 1039. Live Pictures & Pricing.
This year Panerai focused their novelties around their Submersible line and released a dozen Submersible timepieces. While some of them were not linked to some sort of partnership or strategic alliance, there were others like the Luna Rossa that are the result of a collaboration with the 36th America’s Cup Challenger of Record. The new Panerai Submersible Luna Rossa comes with a Carbotech case measuring 47 mm in diameter and a grey dial featuring recycled old sails from the America’s Cup Luna Rossa AC75 team.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15500. Live Pictures, Pricing and Detailed Explanation of Nuances.
With the release of the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15500 with a 41 mm case, the 41 mm Royal Oak reference 15400 is now officially discontinued. While many felt that the reference 15400 was not perfect, to us it was a very well balanced Royal Oak in terms of overall proportions and design. When the Royal Oak reference 15400 first came out in 2012, collectors of the brand were critical about the fact that the AP calibre 3120 seemed relatively too small for a 41 mm case size —as it was originally launched for the 39 mm reference 15300—, and that due to that, the date aperture was positioned too far to the left needing a small hash marker to its right.
SIHH 2019: A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Solid Pink Gold Dial. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Originally launched in 2016, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is one of the most complicated watches from our friends from Saxony and this year at the SIHH 2019 it simply just got much better. A first for the brand and in a limited edition of only 100 pieces, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon jhas been graced this year with a very special solid pink gold dial in a white gold case. Unexpectedly, given its compact dimensions, this unique multi-complication watch features a flyback chronograph, a perpetual calendar with moon phases, a tourbillon with stop seconds, and a power-reserve indicator.
SIHH 2019: IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition 'Mojave Desert'. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Amongst the many novelties released by IWC, all of them with focus on the Pilot’s Watch line including the Spitfire and the Big Pilot’s, one of our favorites from the SIHH 2019 is the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition 'Mojave Desert' with its sand colored ceramic case –a first for the brand. Limited to 500 pieces, this watch could’ve clearly come straight from Operation Desert Storm with its very appealing and unique color hue. Sporting a sand colored dial and sand colored fabric strap, the new IWC ‘Mojave Desert’ is a tribute to the home of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake —the largest land area of the U.S. Navy— and the color of the uniforms worn by Navy Pilots.
SIHH 2019: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel. Live Pictures & Pricing.
One of the greatest stars at the SIHH 2019 was the just released Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetual Calendar. A watch that shows the prowess of the manufacture in its fifth multi-axis tourbillon with miniaturization of the tourbillon component to create a more wearable watch. Additionally, the watch combines to other major complications turning it into a Grande Complication type of watch. Combining a Westminster carillon minute repeater that replicates the melody of London’s Big Ben clock tower and a perpetual calendar, the watch is available in a limited edition of only 18 pieces and a hefty price tag of CHF800,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $805,000 USD. The watch is available with two different dials, one being a silver grain dial and the other a gorgeous enamel guilloché blue-greenish dial as shown here.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin White Gold ref. 15202BC with Pink Toned Dial. Live Pictures & Pricing.
First released in 2012 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Jumbo ref. 15202 is the closest one can get to the original Royal Oak from 1972. After several iterations have been released of this watch in stainless steel, 18K rose gold, 18K yellow gold with green dial for The Hourglass and more recently in 18K yellow gold with two different dials, the saga of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin continues this year at the SIHH 2019 with an 18K white gold case and a pink gold toned dial.
SIHH 2019: Ulysse Nardin Freak X. Live Pictures & Pricing.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak X is now the point of entry into the Freak collection as it was just presented at the SIHH 2019. Though many of the same aesthetic and functional elements are in place, the Freak X pushes out into uncharted territory. With a case measuring 43mm instead of 45mm, the watch is less bulky and more legible. Unlike its predecessor the Freak, the Freak X is equipped with a crown for setting the time instead of the use of the bezel to correct the time. The new watch is available in four different iterations that include a titanium model, a titanium black DLC, carbonium —forged carbon— and a 5N rose gold model, all of them with a black DLC titanium case core that extends from the middle case all the way to the center of the lugs. All four watches are also delivered on ‘point bridge’ alligator straps with deployant double folding buckle.
SIHH 2019: Richard Mille Bonbon Collection. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Today, on the opening day of the SIHH 2019, Richard Mille unveiled a new 10-piece series of watches: The Bonbon Collection. Only 30 examples of each of the ten models will be produced. Despite its disruptive appearance, the Richard Mille Bonbon Collection is directly descended from earlier Richard Mille creations and one that could’ve been inspired by Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York City. Forays into the spectrum of greens, crimson, yellow and even pink are possible thanks to a mastery of materials, many of them exclusive, that is a Richard Mille specialty.
SIHH 2019: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar ref. 4300V on 18K Gold Bracelet. Live Pictures and Pricing.
The Vacheron Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar ref. 4300V/000R-B064 was released last year in 18K 5N pink gold. Today, at the SIHH 2019, this watch just got infinitely better as it is now available on matching 18K gold bracelet. Back in 2018, the Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar ref. 4300V/000R-B064 came only with a blue alligator and a blue rubber strap and everyone was wondering when our friends from Vacheron would release a bracelet for it. Featuring the new interchangeable strap system that was released with the new generation of the Overseas line, this amazing perpetual calendar is now as hot as it could ever possible get.
SIHH 2019: MB&F Medusa Clock in Collaboration with L'Epée 1839
In what is now the tenth collaboration with Switzerland’s premier clockmaker, L’Epée 1839, MB&F plunges into warm ocean waters where the beautiful and ancient jellyfish proliferate. Medusa is a dual-configuration clock, housed in hand-blown Murano glass, that can be ceiling mounted or stood upon a desk. In the form of one of the most compelling yet mysterious creatures of the sea, Medusa blends exceptional artisanal skill with Swiss horological precision, and introduces new frontiers in both. The central mass of the MB&F Medusa is formed by a large transparent dome of hand-blown Murano glass that evokes the bell-shaped body of a mature jellyfish.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Double Balance Openworked 'Rainbow' ref. 15468BC
Continuing with the release of Frosted Gold watches, Audemars Piguet presents the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold Double Balance Wheel Openworked ‘Rainbow’ reference 15468BC.YG.1259BC.01 with a 37 mm frosted 18K white gold case and a bezel featuring 32 baguette-cut ‘rainbow-coloured’ sapphires —2.24 carats—, all individually cut. It’s a breath-taking setting for the rhodium-toned openworked dial and golden double balance wheel mechanism, visible on both sides of the watch.
SIHH 2019: Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Self Winding and FiftySix Complete Calendar with Petrol Blue Dials
The Vacheron Constantin FiftySix collection was released last year and for this year at the SIHH 2019 it just got even better —if that’s even at all possible. Inspired by the iconic reference 6073 —launched in 1956— two of the three models are now also sporting a gorgeous Petrol Blue dial. The blue dial with opaline center and sunburst exterior is now also 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.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin White Gold ref. 15202BC with Pink Toned Dial
First released in 2012 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Jumbo ref. 15202 is the closest one can get to the original Royal Oak from 1972. After several iterations have been released of this watch in stainless steel, 18K rose gold, 18K yellow gold with green dial for The Hourglass and more recently in 18K yellow gold with two different dials, the saga of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin continues this year at the SIHH 2019 with an 18K white gold case and a pink gold toned dial —very salmon looking at least in these images provided by AP. We’ll have to see once we see the watch in person.
SIHH 2019: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 44 Grey Ceramic ref. 26405CG
Much like in the previous two years, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 44 collection keeps getting updated every year at the time of the SIHH. This time at the SIHH 2019, the Royal Oak Offshore 44 mm ref. 26405CG.OO.A004CA.01 is being given a grey ceramic case with grey ceramic bezel, crown and pushers and a rubber strap in a hue that brings out the grey “Méga Tapisserie” dial with blue counters and inner bezel also in blue. The rubber strap is fastened by a titanium pin buckle and the watch continues to be powered by the calibre 3126/3840 with a power reserve of 50 hours.
