Of the many collections that debuted something new last week at SIHH, IWC Schaffhausen, Ralph Lauren, and Richard Mille put forth timepieces that showcased a range of diverse craftsmanship.
IWC looked to the moon’s gravitational pull, control of the tides, and affect on our lives as human beings and applyied their expertise in technology and development to produce two gorgeous pieces for the Portugieser collection. Premiering the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar with a double moon (northern and southern hemispheres) and the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar with a single moon, IWC managed to create a new level of gravitational attraction to the moon phase displays on the dials. New features include arched-edge front glass to reduce the optical height, slimmer proportions, perforated bridges, twin barrels, and ceramic components. The elevated rotor and two barrels supply enough power needed to provide seven days of running time while driving nine functions and displays.
Ralph Lauren found inspiration in his 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe—only four of which exist in the world—connecting precision, style, and high performance to create six new Ralph Lauren Automotive timepieces. Combining materials that emulate the clarity and color of the Bugatti’s dash, such as rich, rare hardwoods, the collection offers watches with refined details like wooden bezels in amboyna burl on the dial. The RL Automotive Skeleton, caliber RL1967, features a hand-wound mechanical movement and an open-worked face, black finish on the plate and bridges and a subtle contrast of stainless steel on the case. Letters RL appear at the 12 o’clock spot, steel and brass elements make up the gear train, black oxidized hands coated in beige Super-LumiNova® enhances the visual experience, and it is all framed by a polished amboyna burl bezel.
Richard Mille blurred the lines between artistic creativity, life, nature, and reality itself by creating only 30 editions of the new RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur. Made up of unique grade five titanium, five delicate magnolia petals encompass a five-lever flying tourbillon escapement. The magnolia opens and closes with consistent rhythm, and its opening and closing cycle can be adjusted. When fully opening bloom, the entire stone-set stamen magnolia moves upward 1 mm, mimicking the natural process of pollination.
