Perrier-Jouët’s famous flower-trimmed bottle, the exquisite Belle Epoque champagne, is one of the most recognizable and well-known wines on the planet. Far less encountered are others in the range, including Ros and Blanc de Blancs. Ken Gargett thinks that the 2002 Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs is one of the finest champagnes on the planet.
One of the big surprises for me at the 2018 SIHH was Panerai’s new releases of some – I guess I would call them – small watches. I’m not talking about delicate models under 35 millimeters in diameter when I say small, but a respectable 38 millimeters for the smallest model. Yes, you read that correctly.
Here’s a prediction by Ian Skellern: the relatively nondescript AMC movement Urwerk presented at the 2018 SIHH will not only become one of the horological highlights of the year but will take its place among history’s most significant timepieces. Ever. That’s a bold statement, he knows. Especially when all we have at present from Urwerk is the slave watch movement. Here Ian explains why he thinks AMC is so significant.
At SIHH 2018, two competitions highlighted creative young watchmakers: one by F.P. Journe in collaboration with the FHH and one from A. Lange & Söhne. Each of these competitions has a specific focus, but both are aimed at giving young watchmakers an opportunity to find the spotlight for their talents. Judging by the finalists, there is plenty of creativity to keep mechanical watchmaking alive for the next generation.
On the last day of SIHH 2018 in Geneva, Elizabeth and Ian met with Marc André Deschoux of Watches TV to discuss what we had seen during the second part of the fair.
Łukasz Doskocz has no problem being quite frank with anyone when it comes to watches: he enjoys every watch fair and looks forward to seeing what comes next. This year, unlike the years before, it seems to him as if brands have started to listen to collectors, finally appreciating what we want for our money. Which is why the SIHH 2018 mattered to him greatly . . . well, that and a few other things.
In the world of watches, especially with regards to collecting, rarity is a large factor contributing to the cost of a luxury timepiece. The reason is because rarity is almost always an implied condition that seems beyond control – like it just happens. In this article Joshua explains why he thinks that out of all the metals, especially the white metals like platinum and white gold, stainless steel is the most precious metal.
There is a certain sense of irony in it: while trying on a new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore I realized during the 2018 SIHH that current trends seem to favor smaller watches. It seems that the watch world has finally returned to its senses with smaller sizes. And that is a good thing!
It sometimes escapes notice, but between A. Lange & Söhne’s Lange 1 and Tourbillon Pour le Mérite resides the Saxonia, whose name refers to the federal state in which Glashütte is located: Saxony. Here, Sabine Zwettler provides a rundown of the history of one of the German brand’s understated second-row stars.
After Fabergé merged with Gemfields in 2013, this historical brand became a specialist in colored stones, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to wear one of its lovely high-jewelry necklaces featuring emeralds to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2017, where I was in the jury. I also had the chance to wear the enigmatic and beautiful Lady Compliquée Peacock Black.