SIHH - An Elegant Year
WORLDTEMPUS - 16 January 2011
Each year the SIHH has a defining trend, one that stands out as a pervasive theme. This year, the key look collectors can be sure to find in almost every brand collection is classically elegant appeal - further delineated by many brands with the unveiling of an ultra-slim watch. More than ever before - perhaps even rivaling the era of its introduction half a century ago - ultra-thin is in.
With most brands opting for a return to their roots, or perhaps just a less cumbersome way to present sophisticated complications, the ultra-thin watch takes on a new dimension (pardon the pun). Brands that have long been masters of the super slim movement are perfecting it to such a degree that it's barely there. Other brands that are just beginning to dabble in the realm of chicly elegant men's watches are doing so with refined taste - unveiling clean looks, enamel dials, and superb beauty.
Piaget, a master of ultra-thin movements since the late 1950s when it wowed customers around the world with a few record-setters, unveils the Ultra-Thin Automatic Tourbillon. Three years in the making, it is housed in the Emperador Coussin case. This large, flat, svelte masterpiece is the thinnest self-winding tourbillon on the market, only 10.4 mm high. It is housed in a 46.5 mm case.
Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the 80th anniversary of the famed Reverso in 2011, and unveils two versions of the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute 1931 timepiece. These classic beauties are so reminiscent of the company's first art deco timepieces of 1931 that they don't even have the Jaeger-LeCoultre name on the dial, as at that time Jaeger and LeCoultre had not yet united. The Grand Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute 1931 houses manually-wound Caliber 822, just 2.94 mm high, making it the slimmest Reverso yet. The 134-part movement with 21 jewels offers 45 hours of power reserve. The watch is offered in either steel or in 18-karat rose gold in a limited edition of 1,931 pieces.
At IWC, the focus in 2011 will be on its Portofino series: many new, elegant pieces debut here that rival the rich lure of the Mediterranean town for which they are named. The Portofino is the entry level price line for IWC, and one of its most classical styles. New pieces this year include the Portofino Automatic (hours, minutes, seconds, date, 40 mm rose gold or steel case); the Portofino Chronograph (increased case size from 41 to 42 mm, slim chronograph buttons and day/date display powered by Caliber 79320); the Portofino Dual Time (time zone change and date adjustment simply by crown); and - last but not least - the flagship Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days powered by the new IWC in-house Caliber 59210 caliber with 192 hours of power reserve.
Recalling the classical elegance long-ago decades, Girard-Perregaux unveils the 1966 Small Seconds, inspired by the brand's 19th century pocket watches. Offered in 18-karat rose or white gold, the Small Seconds is powered by a new GP automatic movement that was developed based on the brand's Caliber 3300. It offers a power reserve of at least 46 hours. The dial features a large sub-seconds dial at 6:00 and gently curved Arabic numerals for chic appeal and easy readability.
Indeed, the classic, thin, elegant men's watch list goes on - keep checking back right here as we report on all the new products introduced during Geneva's Watch Week.
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