The moon and its astronomical implications was the overriding theme for Jaeger-LeCoultre at the 2015 edition of the SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in Geneva. And there was no better way to illustrate this than to introduce new variations on some of the Le Sentier-based brand’s most complicated, astronomically-themed timepieces.
The Richard Mille booth was more than ever a visual treat at SIHH 2015.
Behind the uniform exterior of the elegant booth facade, the visitor to Richard Mille was greeted not only by graphically and mechanically interesting wristwatches, but also exceptionally decorative stand personnel.
In fact, despite the cold snow and wind outside the fair hall, it was positively blooming with springtime flowers here: meet the brand’s new timepieces, including the incredible and unique RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur.
Greubel Forsey had an impressive SIHH 2015, which included two new variations on the GMT, one all black and one with an eye-catching red gold dial in a white gold case, and the all-new Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision.
A tourbillon is actually a type of escapement and not a real complication. Tourbillons are not only quite complicated in themselves – some more complicated than others – they come in a very wide variety of shapes, sizes and functionality. Here are five tourbillons presented at the SIHH 2015 by Cartier, Greubel Forsey, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Parmigiani, and Roger Dubuis.
Montblanc’s watch division was motivated by Vasco De Gama, a Portuguese navigator, to write a horologically inspirational tale of pioneering spirit by creating a line of special edition watches accompanying the new Heritage Chronométrie collection.
Monday is usually a fairly easy day at the SIHH as the press conferences start later to allow visitors time to check in and get badges, etc. The Quill & Pad team kicked off SIHH 2015 with the Ralph Lauren, Richard Mille, and Montblanc press conferences.
Paradoxically, the SIHH really begins at least a day before its doors open; Sunday is the time to visit the smaller brands holding private exhibitions Geneva. So we put on our Sunday best and headed into town for a busy day of meetings with De Bethune, Urwerk, Laurent Ferrier, Revelation, Christophe Claret, Speake-Marin.
The art of skeletonizing a watch is definitely a rare skill, but so is creating a skeleton movement from the ground up to conceive only the essential right from the start: in essence, the most nothingness possible.
For the art of skeletonization, emptiness is the holy grail that is emphatically sought.
One great example was released at SIHH 2015: the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Automatic Skeleton. Like the majority of the Excalibur Skeleton pieces, it’s a skeleton movement instead of a skeleton-ized movement.
Greubel Forsey has begun the new year with a bang by presenting three new models at the 2015 SIHH: GMT Black, GMT with a striking red gold dial, and the all-new, beautifully pared-down, Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision.
It is impossible to think that the SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) has been around for 25 years already…you know what they say, tempus fugit (time flies). The Geneva fair began in 1991 with five exhibitors: Cartier, Piaget and Baume & Mercier Gérald Genta and Daniel Roth.