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.
In a nod to their brand’s identity, Cartier showcased their latest watch addition: the Révélation d’une Panthère. The 37mm pink gold case frames a face with 900 gold balls that tumble across the dial to form the panthére pattern that appears floating on the dial itself. No sacrifices were made in the five-year development of this watch, formulating the liquid and beads so that the dial is completely temperature resistant. There is an unlimited number of black dials, however the red and green dials are limited to 100 pieces.
Cartier showcased their latest watch addition: the Révélation d’une Panthère.
For the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Kalparisma watch collection, Parmigiani released its latest feminine and captivating watch to the collection, the Kalparisma Nova Galaxy. Two very limited editions were released, with the rose gold casing set with 46 Top Wesselton diamonds for a total of ~0.84 carats limited to 50 pieces and the even more exclusive white gold version with a total of eight pieces. The dial of the watch presents a story of a star-scattered sky, reflecting the passage of time. Delta-shaped hands are skeletonised to reveal this celestial display. Another high point of this watch being its small seconds at six o’clock, taking shape in the form of a star performing one revolution per minute.
The newly released Altiplano Metiers D’arts Concept from Piaget is an ultra-thin mechanical hand-wound timepiece, at only 4.6mm. Set on a green or blue alligator leather strap, the 18K pink gold features malachite marquetry and a sapphire case back. Alongside style features such as 23 set jewels and red gold colored hour-markers, the new barrel increases the power reserve. Piaget showcased this new release at a stunning booth that boasted a circular water feature and green foliage that wrapped around the walls and overhead skylight.
Hermès’ booth at SIHH designed by Levi Van Veluw.
Richard Mille set a new precedent, marrying diamonds and black ceramic in the RM 07-01. The watch’s black ceramic case is framed by diamonds around the dial. The case itself is made of red gold around the band with the black ceramic possessing an extremely fine grain ensuring a perfect scratch resistant matte finish. At the heart, the dial is red gold set with black onyx and diamonds. A feature that makes this RM 07-01 even more impressive is the row of diamonds set in the black ceramic case of the outer bezel.
The Savana Dance watch unveiled by Hermès can be described as playful yet classic. With a limited numbered edition of 12 pieces, its rarity adds an element of desire. In 18K white gold bezel, the anti-glare crystal and case back features 29 jewels. The dial also presents a motif of its namesake painted on natural white mother of pearl. Set on a smooth sapphire blue alligator strap, the presentation is both elegant and fun. Hermés presented their newest piece next to an impressive booth befitted with sculptural pieces of interlocking wheels, gears, and ropes, reflecting the mechanical nature of clockwork, designed by Levi Van Veluw.
Slim d’Hermès Savana Dance watch.
Van Cleef & Arpels debuted Pâquerette, a stunning bracelet, stylishly discreet in its watch face. Dedicated to excellence and extravagance, this timepiece features diamonds, yellow sapphires and tsavorite garnets set in 18K white and yellow gold. The intricacy of the floral patterns on the band boasts its elegance whilst the minute scale of the watch face itself is an “act of secrecy,” presenting itself as convenient but beautiful.
