The annual fine watch extravaganza that is SIHH rolled into Geneva last week and did not disappoint horology hunters.
There were so many fantastic new models, reiterations of classics, and plenty of curve balls along the way that we
could write about, but we'll leave most of the column inches to our infinitely more knowledgeable sister publication
Revolution (www.revolution.watch). For
now though, here is our pick of the watch releases that had us salivating...
A. Lange & Sohne
The German watchmaker A. Lange & Sohne came to SIHH
2019 with five new models to showcase to the horology world and none of them disappointed. To honour the
anniversary of the original Lange 1, they presented a stunning 25th-anniversary white gold reference that is
perhaps the nicest iteration of them all (only 250 of them will be made). But the watch that got tongues wagging
the most was the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, which must rank among Lange's most complex watches ever built.
Featuring a flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar with moon phases, an outsize date, a one-minute tourbillon,
and pink gold dial, it is a truly remarkable feat of miniature engineering and aesthetic mastery.
Jaeger LeCoultre
Where to start with Jaeger LeCoultre? Of the new
watches presented, - Master UT Moon Enamel; Master UT Enamel QP &Tourbillon; Master Grande Tradition
Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetuel; and Reverso Tribute Small Seconds (wine-red dial), I couldn't possibly pick
a favourite, but I would certainly pick all of them had I the funds! The diminutive dimensions of the Master Ultra
Thin were something to behold, and no matter how many times one turned the watch on its side, one still couldn't
believe it could achieve such a svelte waistline without some recourse to sorcery. The Gyrotourbillon, with its
melodic charm and ridiculous complexity was naturally the talk of SIHH, but there was something about the burgundy
Reverso that kindled an emotional response in me. Elegant, classic, but just a little bit naughty dressed in red.
Cartier
Cartier's presence felt huge at this year's salon, carrying forward
the momentum it created last year with the revamped Santos. This time around, there were plenty of fresh
iterations of the classic, not least a new big and bouncy 42mm chronograph model. My highlight, however, was the
emperor with no clothes, that is, the skeleton iterations of the Santos, which brought an edgy contemporary look
to old-school glamour. There was even a nod to the trend of all black watches with the release of the
'Noctambule', which features Super-Luminova on its skeletonized movement bridges.
Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet's hugely anticipated launch of its new
Code 11.59 series was, in no uncertain terms, a camp-splitter. You either loved it or loathed it, but all could
commend AP on its pursuit of precision and gallant attempt at changing the status quo. Frankly, if you're a
devotee of the Royal Oak family, then Code 11.59 would possibly leave you scratching your head, but for those
looking for something different, it presents a thoroughly modern introduction to a brand steeped in groundbreaking
tradition. The most noticeable aspect was the octagonal middle case sandwiched within a round case, together with
the unique lugs, which were attached only at the top fixture (with the bottom of the lugs resting on the case). As
usual with AP, there was a host of iterations to marvel at, my pick of which was a stunning blue perpetual
calendar.
Hublot
Hublot never does things by halves, especially when it comes to
case innovation. At SIHH 2019, the metallurgy masters revealed a bold new collaboration with the French
contemporary sculptor Richard Orlinski in the form of a eye-poppingly red Classic Fusion Chronograph. It won't be
to everyone's tastes, that's for sure, but you can never doubt that Hublot will bring the surprises. The ceramic
case was four years in the making, demanding a unique heating process that would not dull the vibrant red pigment.
Much like Orlinski's pop art sculptures, the Classic Fusion that bears his name is a heavily faceted piece of art,
featuring a 45mm case and matching red strap. Wallflowers need not apply.
Zenith
For the 50th anniversary of the El Primero, Zenith have
launched a very special package that will delight aficionados of this iconic watch. Three unique El Primero's come
will come housed in a box that recreates the look of a watchmaker's bench, the central point of which is the El
Primero high-frequency chain - the heartbeat of the watch movement. Each of the watches (an El Primero A386
Revival, the Defy El Primero 21, and the very impressive Chronomaster 2 El Primero) represents the mastery of
various fractions of time (, but there is, noticeably, a space missing for when Zenith's next advancement of
watchmaking precision comes to life in the future.
Vacheron Constantin
There were some real eye-opening novelties on display at Vacheron
Constantin this year, with the "Mechaniques Sauvages" collection front and centre. These were less
watches and more works of art, incorporating pounced ornament engraving and wood marquetry to bring the animal
kingdom to life on one's wrist. But watch geeks sidestepped these and made a beeline for theTraditionnelle Twin
Beat Perpetual Calendar. When worn, it beats at a high frequency that is aligned with modern active lifestyles,
displaying the hours, minutes, date, month, leap year cycle and power reserve on its dial. But when it's not
sitting comfortably on your wrist, its in-house developed calibre 3610 QP can be slowed down in order to guarantee
an extended power reserve of at least 65 days, saving you the bother of fiddling about trying to reset it when it
would have ordinarily powered down.
Ulysse Nardin
The freak came out at SIHH 2019 as Ulysse Nardin
continued to grow into itself as a genuine top table Swiss matchmaker. The brand's flagship model was first
launched in 2001 and has since been a fan favourite. This year's new release - the Freak X - continues along the
same aesthetic rapids as its predecessors, breaking rules at every twist and turn - this time it was the
introduction of a watchmaking first - its carbonium case material (also available in titanium, titanium DLC, and
rose gold). Ulysse Nardin also tinkered with the movement to create a more cost-effective manufacture and thus a
lower price tag. What's not to like?
