New Measures: Audemars Piguet, Panerai, IWC, and More at SIHH 2018

The 2018 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) took place last week in Geneva. A premier event for the fine watch community, SIHH is a platform for the world’s leading luxury watch brands from the Richemont Group to showcase their newest timepieces. Whitewall was there, and this week we’re be showcasing some of the standout watches we saw.

Audemars Piguet
Since the Royal Oak Offshore launch in 1993, 25 years of horological upgrades and improvements have been made. This year, chronographic collection steps into the future with two limited-edition series, each limited to 50 pieces. The Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph 45mm case is robust and houses a new technical movement in its design. Sandblasted titanium bridges and satin-brushed chamfered edges make the movement appear suspended from the bezel. The case back is curved for a more comfortable fit, set with a black rubber strap and 18-carat pink gold pin buckle. The 18-carat pink gold edition is water resistant to 100m and features pink gold hands with luminescent coating.

Greubel Forsey
Taking new measures of architecture and technology, Greubel Forsey took up the challenge of offering a comprehensive, three-dimensional view of the terrestrial globe. The GMT provides a 360-degree view of the planet from the North to the South Pole. The three-dimensionality of this watch first appears at the highest point of the dial. The GMT Earth also enables three time zones to be viewed simultaneously. As well as all these technical feats, Greubel Forsey accommodated a sapphire crystal bezel and special artistry on the case band. The white gold edition is limited to only 33 pieces, making the GMT even more anticipated.

IWC
As part of the Jubilee collection, the IWC Tribute to Pallweber celebrates the company’s 150^th anniversary. For the very first time the company is incorporating a digital hours and minutes display in a wristwatch. The 18-carat red gold, with a white dial and lacquered finish features two rotating discs that show hours and minutes in large numerals. A new first marks the importance and significance of this design, making it a luxury worth waiting for.

Panerai
The Astronomo is the first of Panerai’s creations to have a moon phase indication and a system that uses polarized crystals to indicate the date. In a timepiece dedicated to Galileo, inventor of the telescope, the moon phase indication is only logical. Two superimposed disks rotate in combination to display the day/night indicator as well as the phases of the moon. The polarized crystal date display can be seen on the front and back faces of the watch and is designed to integrate perfectly with the skeletonisation of the watch’s movement. This exclusive creation is made to order and personalized, from the material and finish of the case to the color of the hands or alligator strap.

Roger Dubuis
Inspired by the automotive world, Roger Dubuis launched colorful iterations of its iconic Excalibur line in conjunction with partners Perfect Fit Pirelli and Raging Mechanics Lamborghini Squadra Corse. This calibre is notably distinguished by engine strut bars and the iconic skeleton principle of the company. The Excalibur Adventador S Pink Golf features the multi-layered carbon skeleton case, teamed with a sophisticated black Alcantara strap in its 88-piece limited editions. This sporty combination of watch excellence and technology makes this piece even more unique.

Ulysse Nardin
Ulysse Nardin is breaking the boundaries of traditional conventions, exploring treasures from the ocean. The first automatic watch in the Freak Collection, the Freak Vision boasts a super-light silicium balance wheel with nickel mass elements and stabilizing micro-blades. The new platinum case design is made even thinner by a box-domed crystal and creates a new open look. A flying-carrousel rotates around its own axis, indicating the time in the “Freak” manner. A new 3D carved upper bridge is inspired by the boat’s hull.