At the 2019 SIHH, Ian was jolted at a private Hermès presentation by a watch so new that it would not be launched for a couple of months yet: the Slim d’Hermès Titane. Two things surprised him about the Slim d’Hermès Titane: just how much he liked it (and “liked” as in “he wants to buy one”) and how, when Ian personally focuses on the independents, did he start considering Hermès?
The Hermès Arceau L’Heure de la Lune offers a unique view of the moon and its phases using a simultaneous display from the viewpoints of both the northern and southern hemispheres. And then there’s that flying horse. . .
The Artistic Crafts category of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is for watches, “ . . . demonstrating exceptional mastery of one or several artistic techniques such as enameling, lacquering, engraving, guilloche (engine-turning), skeletonizing, and more.” Our panel picks its favorites to win the category while discovering how much taste can vary. Which one do you prefer?
Our friends at The Watches TV visited Cristalleries Saint-Louis to find out how Hermès achieves the modern, “square” look of the crystal dial in the ultra-limited Arceau Lift Millefiori.
La Montre Hermès belongs to the elite circle of watch manufacturers offering a profoundly poetic expression of timekeeping through its métiers d’art watches. One recent example is the Slim d’Hermès Marche du Zambèze, a vibrant and colorful celebration of African wildlife en miniature.
While blue is still on top in the world of watches, we have witnessed the introduction of a great amount of magnificent green dials lately. Here are five vibrantly green newcomers using expressive color to create horological excitement.
Despite seeing aventurine in six new wristwatches at SIHH – more than the number of new tourbillons Elizabeth counted – it remains a decorative artisanal element used only by luxury watchmakers in small series or unique pieces for its beauty and decorative properties. While there is some uncertainty about the origin of aventurine, it continues to add mysterious shine and scintillating glamour to watches. Here is what aventurine really is and where it comes from.
Today, many premium watch brands look for that certain “extra element” to get ahead of the competition, and one hot item now is straps. If it is true that shoes make the man, then the strap must make the watch. Here is a selection of interesting partnerships.
As a great many watch lovers know, straps and bracelets can make or break a watch. While many might find the “vintage” appearance of mesh too delicate for today’s watches – for me mesh remains one of the most beautiful ways to dress up a watch, whether new or old.
What is the most precious element of any watch brand? Its manufacture? Its skilled employees? Its brand ambassadors? Its boutiques? Martin Green thinks that it’s none of those, because the most important asset of a brand is its so-called DNA. Here he explains how brands better used their DNA at the 2018 SIHH.