Vacheron Constantin’s Traditionelle Complete Calendar Collection Excellence Platine, released just ahead of the SIHH, was already a pleasing novelty. However, an expensive and limited one. This model, with great calendar display, is now flanked by a model in lustrous pink gold for the SIHH 2018, as a serially-produced piece in the collection.
Girard-Perregaux deftly blends past and future in the all-new Laureato 38mm White Ceramic watch that was just unveiled at SIHH 2018. Guys, you are going to want to invest in this white wonder for the woman in your life. Trust me, after seeing it, I can also add this: the pictures do not do this watch justice.
Czapek sets the tone for 2018, with new versions of the Quai des Bergues, full of colors. The independent brand, a revival of the name of Patek’s ex-partner, started its life with an online subscription campaign (yes, quite special for a brand with such high-end watches) and is now becoming more established than ever. New collections, new watches, new styles… For 2018, Czapek unveils its Quai des Bergues watch with colored guilloché dials.
The Cartier Santos is back! Based on the first wristwatch created by Cartier in 1904 for aviator Santos Dumont, this legendary model had been in the collection since its introduction in 1978 – at least, the modern version of the Santos, with a steel case and screwed bezel. However, the Santos was discontinued two years ago – and for a good cause. A new model is about to hit the stores and Cartier presented its redesigned version at the SIHH. Meet the new Cartier Santos 2018, tested here in steel, large size and with quite some cool features for the strap/bracelet.
Chinese New Year is fast approaching and there is another victory girl in the Graham pin-up line up. The concept of the vintage-inspired pilot chronograph, with its bold lefty-case, combined with painted dials depicting Nose Art is now a signature style for the brand, and there’s a new “babe” coming. She goes by the name of Kelly, she is Asian and she wears a long red floral dress. Here’s an early hands-on look at the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd. Kelly.
Oris swims in new waters with its 39.5mm iteration of the iconic Aquis Date. A formidable underwater tool, the Aquis Date is more compact and stylish, ready to conquer smaller wrist sizes, and still with the same tool-is attributes and the new design introduced on the 2017 version of the 43.5mm case.
Prior to the SIHH 2018, back in December, IWC introduced a series of 4 watches, including one very surprising watch. A stand-alone piece, not included in any of the existing collection, the IWC Tribute to Pallweber is a watch specifically created for the 150th Anniversary of the Schaffhausen-based brand. This re-edition of one of the greatest pocket-watches IWC ever made is now available in steel, still with the same digital hours and minute display.
Now that the big stress linked to the opening of SIHH 2018 is gone, it is time for us to look at less important novelties. Alongside the RD#2 (the thinnest automatic QP ever), Audemars has many other watches to show in the 2018 collection, including this one, a new version of the Royal Oak Chronograph with a smoked slate grey dial. Nothing revolutionary here, just a cool looking watch – but not for every pocket though.
IWC is celebrating a major milestone this year and has been previewing pieces from the epic “150 Years” collection that are now presented in full at SIHH 2018. So far, we’ve seen some exceptionally complicated pieces, like the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition 150 Years and the Portugieser Constant Force Tourbillon Edition 150 years, which highlight the company’s technical prowess. Today, however, we’re looking at something a little more modest, the Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days Edition “150 Years” (Ref. 5102).
IWC celebrates its 150th anniversary with a generous line-up of 27 limited editions of the brand’s icons – including this popular Pilot’s Watch Chronograph, also known as the “FliegerChronograph“. The “150 Years” watch displays elapsed times against a glossy, white lacquered dial that pays tribute to the enamel dials of IWC’s historic pocket watches.