Understated and Refined
Here’s a look at the watchmaking maisons who showcased at the renown watch trade show Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) this year from the 14th to the 17th January 2019. We’ve picked the showstoppers at the event and the next on our list is — the Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon.
You can find the full series here.
The Altiplano is very, very Piaget—stylish, understated, elegant and of course ultra-thin—and this year is even more so with the introduction of a new line of meteorite dials. Meteorite is the kind of material that looks fairly standard from far away, but up close its organic yet metallic surface is shot through with fascinating geometric patterns that make each dial unique, and a deep blue shade made possible through a galvanic colouring process.
The Altiplano Tourbillon is limited to 28 pieces and bears the classic design codes of the collection: an 18k pink gold case 41mm across with clean lines and balanced proportions that speak of simple refinement. It acts as a counterpoint to the touch of dazzle that his timepiece has—literally, in the case of the 85 diamonds on the bezel that add up to approximate 1.59 carats, and mechanically in the flying tourbillon. Despite the high complication, the hand-wound 670P movement is just 4.6mm thick. The tourbillon and time indicator sit diagonally opposite each other, an unusual and playful orientation that recall celestial orbits and are a nod to the cosmic origins of the dial.
SIHH 2019 Recap
The 29th edition of Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) was another record-breaking one, counting 23,000 visitors over its four days. Geneva’s Palexpo convention centre was packed not only with people, but the latest about to be unleashed on the horological world from the 35 participating brands.
There were quite a few new beginnings and surprises. Ulysse Nardin reworked the iconic Freak, and Bovet’s debut introduced the fair to its historical pocket watch heritage. Vacheron Constantin and Hermes surprised with some truly innovative watchmaking, while Panerai showcased new limited editions that come with adventurous experiences attached. On their last appearances at SIHH, both Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille unveiled new collections—the former surprising with distinct and deliberate design, while the latter with a completely unexpected candy-themed range.
