The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, or more widely known as SIHH, is one of the few exhibitions that allow watchmakers to showcase their latest creations timepiece. As per the other SIHH, the event focuses more on the Richemont brands, as well as some other independent watchmakers.
Just like any other exhibitions, there are certainly going to be hits and misses. In the next few articles, the writers at Deployant will share their top 5 picks from this year’s SIHH and the reason for their choices. So, without any further ado, I shall pick the 5 pieces that impressed me the most in SIHH 2015!
Cartier Crash Skeleton
The Cartier Crash Skeleton. Does it reminds you of Salvatore Dali?
I have a soft spot for Cartier’s pieces, because their designs are always intriguing and unique. The Cartier Crash Skeleton epitomizes that. The Cartier Crash was inspired by a damaged Cartier watch that was sent for repair, because the head of London subsidiary thought that the damaged watch looks rather cool. The story behind the watch was special, but the design was really outrageous and unparalleled. A true conversational piece, especially since this is the skeletonized version of the Crash.
More information about the Cartier Crash Skeleton can be found here!
IWC Portugieser MInute Repeater
The IWC Portugieser Minute Repeater, in Platinum.
The IWC Portugieser Minute Repeater gets my vote because I like how subtle this timepiece is. Beneath that seemingly simple dial lies a rather complicated complication- the minute repeater. This is completely the opposite of the Cartier Crash Skeleton: it is quiet, unassuming, and rather deceiving. It is a great dress watch, in my humble opinion.
Click here to find out more about the Portugieser Minute Repeater!
A. Lange and Sohne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater
The Lange Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Ref 147.025F
The Zeitwerk, created by A. Lange and Sohne, has been a rather unique timepiece since it was introduced in 2007. We like the digital time display, and how unorthodox this timepiece looks. It is completely deviant from any other Lange timepieces, but somehow it still manages to keep its classy and elegant look.
This time round, Lange added another complication to the Zeitwerk- the decimal minute repeater. The decimal repeater works a little different from the normal minute repeaters. In a decimal repeater, the watch strikes the hours, the number of ten minute intervals since the last full hour, and the minutes.
As per all Lange timepieces, this one is exquisitely finished as well. In my opinion, this is one of the best watches in the exhibition. It is an all rounder, be it in terms of quality, mechanisms, or design. Well, looks like Lange had just made an instant classic even better.
For live pictures and information on the Lange Zeitwerk, please click here!
Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph
The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph.
In this SIHH, Vacheron Constantin launched a new collection: Harmony. This collection focuses on complications and designs of classic Vacheron Constantin timepieces, especially those from 1920s to 1930s.
Among the collection, my pick would be Harmony Chronograph. The other pieces in the collection are excellent, but the Harmony Chronograph stood out because of its timeless and classic design. I love how the rose gold casing brings out the characteristics and the personality of the timepiece. I like the inclusion of the pulsimeter, and the two subdials featured on the dial. Every component of the watch compliments each other so well that it made the watch so aesthetically pleasing and soothing. The finishing is done very well too. I’d say that this is going to be another instant classic.
Information on Vacheron Constantin’s HArmony Chronograph, as well as the rest of the Harmony collection, can be found here!
Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon Moon
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon Moon.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon Moon is a fascinating to watch to behold. Not only does it look fantastic, but its mechanical prowess is something that makes this splendid watch even more outstanding.
For a classic moon phase shows a one-day discrepancy every two and a half years. For a Jaeger-LeCoultre Perpetual Calendar, that difference amounts to just one day every 122 years. The Duomètre Sphérotourbillon Moon brings it to a whole new level: it is designed to remain accurate for a full 3,887 years!
The Spherotourbillon is also other intriguing complication. In short, it is a twin-axis tourbillon. The carriage axis takes about 15 seconds to complete a revolution, while the carriage takes 30 seconds to complete a rotation. The movement of the Spherotourbillon is rather magnificent.
The obsession with precision in this watch is so great that the team reinvented the hacking seconds mechanism which allows the balance-spring to continue its operation whenever the crown is pulled. The attention to detail here is simply staggering, which makes the Duometre Spherotourbillon Moon a rather remarkable watch indeed.
For more information on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbiilon Moon, please click here!
Well, these are the watches that impressed me and stole my heart in this year’s SIHH. Do check out this spot to see my fellow co-writers’ choices, and please share with us some the pieces that caught your eyes during SIHH this year!
