In response to the lack of physicality of a traditional trade show when the world went on lockdown, Watches & Wonders adopted a digital approach with a one-stop online platform to connect watch professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. Here are the coolest horological hitters from our favourite brands.
Lange & Söhne Odysseus
Taking luxury to another level, the new Odysseus has a 40.5mm white gold case. The sporty 11.1mm think case is outfitted with a sapphire caseback. The dial shows a traditional hours and minutes display; a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock; day at 9 o’clock; and date at 3 o’clock. The dial and subdial, inner surfaces and indices, the watch offers multi-textured surfaces.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40
The IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, featuring the small seconds at 6 o’clock, boasts timeless design and functionality in equal parts. With a case slightly more than 12mm, the watch isn’t too chunky. Further heightening the charm is the immaculately decorated IWC-manufactured 82200 calibre, which can be viewed through the sapphire glass back. Four variants are available in 18-carat gold or stainless steel.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar
This chronograph calendar from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Control collection is making headlines. The traditional dial configuration features a stopwatch and full calendar, framed by a pulsometer scale. Equipped with the newly developed calibre 759, JLC combines a chronograph with a triple calendar and moon phase for the first time. Measuring at 40mm wide and 12.05mm high, the watch is relatively compact.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere
The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere designed for travel and exploration was an immediate success amongst enthusiasts when it was introduced in 2018. This year, the watch receives a new dial colour, namely blue. In addition, it comes with a new grade 5titanium case and a well-executed bi-metal bracelet that wraps snugly around the wrist. The seven summits are marked on the globes with small blue instead of red dots.
Breitling Top Time Limited Edition
The first Breitling Top Time was introduced in the Sixties with a clear mission: to meet the needs of the young and active professionals. Inspired by original version, the new Top Time Limited Edition sees the return of the iconic name as well as dial design that excites both seasoned collectors and chronograph lovers. The watch also debuts Breitling’s new blockchain system to help prove authenticity and to transfer ownership of the watch to a new owner.
Cartier
After presenting new versions of the Crash, Tonneau and Cintrée, this year, Cartier reinterprets Tank Asymétrique, the fourth watch in the Cartier Privé collection. The model is unique for its slanted rectangular case and its triple-lug composition. The new Asymétrique watches are available in platinum, pink gold, or yellow gold, as well as a skeletonised version accompanied by the signature Cartier cabochon-set winding crown. 100 pieces of each are released.
Hermès Arceau L’heure de la Lune
The Arceau L’heure de la Lune watch reasserts Hermes’ mission for creating good-looking timepieces that pushes traditional design conventions by turning the concept of traditional moonphase watch on its head. The 12 o’clock moon features silhouette of the Pegasus artwork designed by Dimitri Rybaltchenko, while the 6 o’clock moon illustrates the actual lunar surface. And get this: the dials are made with an actual meteorite material.
Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept
What started out as just a horological experiment in 2018, the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept is now a fully developed, tried and tested watch that is available to purchase. Measuring a mere 2mm thick, the watch is powered by the hand-wound 2mm Calibre 9P that isn’t only embellished with sunburst and satin-brushed, chamfered and polished bridges, but also enhanced with the PVD treated case/baseplate.
Panerai Luminor Marina Fibratech
The Luminor Marina Fibratech (PAM01663) is the first Panerai creation to utilise Fibratech by combining it with Carbotech, a proprietary material based on carbon fibre. Obtained with natural and eco-sustainable row fibers, Fibratech is 60% lighter than steel, resilient and highly resistant to corrosion. Within the 44mm case sits a blue dial that darkens towards the edges and the in-house automatic calibre P.9010 that stores up to three days of power reserve.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton
Showing off watchmaking prowess in a 41.5mm pink gold case with a height of just 8.1mm, the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton is a horological beauty with unabashed charisma. The polished hexagonal bezel juxtaposes with the brushed case and bracelet, emphasising the high level of finishing touches of the Maison. The month counter is located at 12 o’clock; the day at 9 o’clock; the date at 3 o’clock; and the moon phase at 6 o’clock.
