The latest smartwatches and other wearable devices took the spotlight at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show but the most luxurious of the luxury watch brands will have their turn at the 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie coming up January 19-23 in the city of Geneva. This is where we will get our first look at the newest timepieces from some of the industry’s most legendary watchmakers.
This year’s event will mark 25 years of showing off the best of the watchmakers’ craft and 16 exhibitors will exhibiting their new creations for a select audience of 12,500 privileged guests. Those invited include journalists, international retailers and brand representatives. With 1,200 members of the press from all over world in attendance, the uninvited public should have ample opportunities to feast their eyes on the latest batch of dream watches.
This year’s exhibiting brands include Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Greubel Forsey, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Panerai, Parmigiani, Piaget, Ralph Lauren, Richard Mille, Roger DuBuis, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vacheron Constantin. Obviously, this list does not contain every maker of fine Swiss watches but it’s still an impressive lineup.
So what do we have to look forward to this year? One of the more interesting models will be the Crash Skeleton from Cartier, the latest incarnation of the original Crash that allegedly received its inspiration from a damaged watch that was turned into the brand’s London office for repair back in 1967. While on that watch only the case was “crashed,” the new model also gives that treatment to the movement. The result is a fully visible movement with polished Roman numerals atop the watch’s inner workings. Price available upon request.
Another exceptionally beautiful piece is the A Lange & Söhne Saxonia with its solid-gold applied markers and accents. With a petite 35mm dial size, this timepiece is perfect for women or men with small wrists. Price available upon request.
A heavenly example of the watchmaker’s art is the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Automatic Skeleton with constellations decorating the dial while the tips of the stars point out the hour markers. The pink-gold case and bezel make this a decadently attractive watch with a price tag of £52,800 or about $80,000 USD.
For lovers of superslim timepieces, the Piaget Altiplano Flyback Chronograph Hands-On is a mere 8.24mm thick. That combined with the classic, sophisticated design makes this an ideal accessory for the most formal of occasions. The price is £21,100 or approximately $32,000 USD.
Another slim, sleek timepiece is the Baume & Mercier Hampton 10155. Just 10mm thick with a tapered profile, this is a classic watch with a modern flair. This one will sell for £1,800 or approximately $2,730 USD.
These new timepieces and more luxury Swiss watches will be introduced at the 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie coming up January 19-23.
