It’s true… The SIHH 2018 hasn’t started yet. However, as every year, the game of the “pre-SIHH” watches (novelties introduced as teasers for what is to come during the fair) brought its dosage of new watches. In order to prepare yourself for what’s coming in a week, here is a short recap of the main novelties already introduced as part of the SIHH 2018 collections.
All of you here might know the story behind the creation of the “Luxury-Sports Watch”, a long-lasting trend that started back in 1972 when a certain Gerald Genta designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The idea began with a thin, integrated watch in stainless steel, featuring attributes from haute-Horlogerie and sports-watches, and priced over most of the gold watches at that time… Who could have imagined, back in the 1970s, that these watches could become so popular today? Well, as a demonstration that the Luxury-Sports Watch is fully alive, here are 5 of them, all introduced in 2017.
With their softly rounded square cases and inner round opening, cushion-shaped watches are a sure way to stylishly stand out from the crowd. Masculine and refined, here are 6 high-end cushion shaped watches released in 2017, for those who want to look original, yet stylish.
It seems that Vacheron Constantin’s current favorite complication might well be the triple calendar (or full calendar, or complete calendar… all refer to the same complication). Brought back at center stage with the stunning Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942 in steel and its gold sibling, the Triple Calendrier 1948, two superbly vintage-inspired pieces, the elegant calendar display is now integrated into a more modern – and highly precious – watch, as a preview of the SIHH 2018. Please meet the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar “Excellence Platine“.
This week, Vacheron Constantin is previewing one of the new additions it will be making to its popular Overseas collection in 2018, aptly named the Overseas Dual Time. Due to be officially launched at SIHH 2018, the Manufacture took the opportunity to get its new model in front of serious collectors from the Middle East (and further abroad) who attend the Dubai Watch Week event each year. Inside is the new Vacheron Constantin Caliber 5110 DT, which allows for the simultaneous reading of two time-zones, hence the name of the watch. A standard complication no doubt, but one that has been noticeably missing from the collection of this luxury sports watch.
As you’ve probably seen through the live feed we provided to you, today was the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, also known as the Oscars of the Watchmaking Industry, celebrating the best watches (via 12 different categories, for 16 different prizes) of the year. While in 2016 the “Aiguille d’Or” (the prize for the best watch of the year) went to Ferdinand Berthoud and their superb FB1 watch. Well, if a brand can’t win twice in rough the GPHG, the “Aiguille d’Or” will, however, remain in the hands of the Scheufele family, as the winner of the GPHG 2017 is Chopard and the impressive Full Strike.
Recently, Vacheron Constantin unveiled a mid-size version of one of its most appealing watches, the desirable and highly original Historiques American 1921. Yet, there’s something tricky with this watch, and it’s all about its name, and the size that is implied by this “mid-size” appellation. Such watches have always been complex in terms of market segmentation… Large feminine watch, smaller masculine timepiece? It often falls between two stools, but in the case of the American 1921 Mid-Size, my decision is now clear… I needed to wear it and here’s what we (a unanimous decision from the Monochrome editorial team) think.
With the holiday season approaching, it’s time for us to make our wish lists… We already started with a selection of the dress watches introduced in 2017 – part 1, with a focus on watches under CHF / EUR 20,000. Now we move up, with a selection of 6 of the best dress watches, for those with larger pockets.
In a piece of news that dropped on our computers a couple of weeks ago, Vacheron Constantin announced several new “Historiques” watches. As a reminder, this collection comprises the deliberately “vintage-inspired” models of the brand, including the American 1921 or the Chronograph Cornes de Vaches. With the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942, saying that we’ve been impressed is quite of a euphemism. Beautifully designed, balanced, with heritage and pedigree, and all of that in an “accessible” (relatively speaking) steel case. It is now time to experience this Triple Calendrier 1942 in the metal.
In 2009, Vacheron Constantin unveiled the Historiques American 1921, a re-edition of one of its classic timepieces from the Art Deco period that was made exclusively for the North American market. A highly desirable watch, it pays homage to what is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful yet original Vacheron Constantin models ever. Despite its modest (on paper) 40mm size, however, the squared case wears quite large on the wrist, discouraging some collectors. Listening to this feedback, the brand announced today that the Historiques American 1921 will be available in a mid-size, unisex version with a case measuring 36.5mm. Read on for all the details.