The world’s largest watch fair, Watches & Wonders, will be held from April 9 to 15 in Geneva. Next door, some houses are taking advantage of the crowd to unveil their latest innovations in private locations or hotels bordering Lake Geneva.
Trompe l’oeil and recordings
First stop at Bulgari, celebrating its 140th anniversary. The Italian house transports its star model, the Octo Finissimo, into a more artistic universe. Remember, since its launch in 2014, the collection has won 9 records, including the world’s thinnest 3 wristwatch or the world’s thinnest automatic chronograph. Next to the dial, the Octo Finissimo Sketch reveals a playful trompe-l’oeil. Indeed, freehand drawing sketches with a lively line on the back of the movement… It was as if we were admiring the open back of our watch. Anything else new? A series of 4 watches by Serpenti Tubogas in collaboration with Tadao Ando. The Japanese architect celebrates the rhythm of the seasons by decorating the iconic reptile with marquetry figures whose hues evoke the changing nuances of nature. The first limited edition Tadao Ando Serpenti will be released on the summer solstice. In steel and yellow gold, it reveals a green aventurine dial.
Engraved steel
If there is a watchmaker who has left his mark on history, it is Gérald Genta, the creator of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, among others. His home, Gerald Charles, is presenting the Watches & Wonders show for the first time, opening its new address today. Located at 3 rue du Mont-Blanc in Geneva, Atelier Gérald Charles covers 300m2 dedicated to the art of watchmaking, with workshops, a VIP lounge and a museum around the maestro’s creations. A chance to discover the Masterlink, an evolution of the Maestro designed by the late Gerald Genta. This novelty stays true to the house’s heritage. stylish and sporty, it is cut from steel to perpetuate the tradition of the founder who was the first to use this material in luxury watchmaking.
Possession of fantasy
Let’s go to Beau-Rivage, where the HYT manufacture, known for its liquid time displays, presents its new collection, the T1 Series. With a smaller diameter and ergonomic design for optimal comfort, it symbolizes the marriage between hydromechanical technology and watchmaking complications. The first in the series, the HYT T1 Titanium Silver features a retrograde hour display using a blue liquid. Bright blue is found in the 3 new Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral models by Carl F. Bucherer. These limited editions prove that technique can be combined with fantasy. Available in blue, green or purple, this timepiece combines functionality, innovation and style, featuring a suspended tourbillon and stop-seconds in addition to hour, minute and small seconds displays.
Good news for enthusiasts. live streaming from Watches & Wonders with meetings and presentations; Madame Figaro will share her favorites and her surprises every day.
Source: Le Figaro
