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New materials, gender-neutral watches, the return of gold… second-hand watch specialist deciphers the trends in the watchmaking landscape in 2024.
A year marked by innovation
In its report for this year, Watchfinder & Co. notes that companies are pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking and, more than ever, are innovating in terms of design, creativity and technique, but also sophistication. Bvlgari caused a sensation with its 1.70 mm thick Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, just as Piaget offers the Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon at just 2 mm thick. In terms of materials, while steel has dominated for decades, titanium, bronze, silver, carbon and even ceramic are increasingly in vogue. Sand Gold, an alloy of gold, copper and palladium that forms sand dunes in sunlight, was developed at Audemars-Piguet. Yellow gold is also making a notable comeback, embodying timeless elegance rather than bling-bling as it did in the 1990s. It transcends genders and styles and can be worn casual or dressed up, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
Watchmaking transcends genres
Another remarkable point is that gender boundaries are disappearing. Most houses have abandoned the categories of “men’s watches” and “women’s watches” and we are witnessing the rise of “Genderless” designs that transcend traditional labels. Celebrities are the first to embrace the trend red carpetTimothée Chalamet leads the way with a diamond-encrusted Cartier Crash or even Michel Yeo, who went bold with a rose gold and diamond Richard Mille RM 67-01 at the recent Golden Globes.
Understated luxury
Another phenomenon is the shake-up of watchmaking as well as fashion codes Quiet luxury . Cases are getting smaller in size and designs are becoming more sophisticated. Without lacking in boldness, the watch is designed to be understated and timeless. It’s all in the details and the finish. Ultra-fine polishing, dial textures, high-quality movements, every element is designed to create a harmonious aesthetic. Like the latest Hermès Cut, the watch is a subtle and elegant accessory that perfectly complements an outfit. The Reverso from Jaeger-Lecoultre, the Tank from Cartier, the Conquest from Longines, the mini-Royal Oak from Audemars-Piguet and the latest Constellation from Omega are perfect examples.
Jewelry variations
However, watchmaking has not abandoned its part of the dream, and the houses still continue to surprise us with exceptional jewelry. Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates the morning freshness of a summer’s day with its Lady Arpels Brise d’Été collection set with diamonds and embellished with flowers and butterflies. Bvlgari Serpenti also offers many jewelry options and goes well with ceremonial looks.
Source: Le Figaro
