SpotlightSIHH 2016 – Highlights
The Watch Guide was there to cover this year's first major watch event from Geneva, so you know what’s heading your way
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SIHH 2016 was an exhilarating fair for us as well as the watch industry. From revived classics, unexpected collections and special editions, there was a lot to be excited about, as well as many interesting stories to cover. Yes, The Watch Guide was there to soak the hustle and bustle in Geneva so you know what exactly happened, and what’s coming to India very soon. And trust us when we say the watches were more than impressive. The brands lined up some of their best watches and this time on, we got to see a lot on offer for not just high end but for the value buyer as well. The good news though, is that many of the launches are on their way to India! So without further ado, let’s get straight to the top picks of SIHH 2016 from The Watch Guide team:
A.Lange and Sohne:
- Saxonia Thin 2016 (Rose Gold)
Subtly re-done dial, super slim case and now in Rosegold! Five years since its debut, the Saxonia Thin has made a major comeback this year with a new, rose gold version.
Price: INR 800,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: December 2016
- Saxonia Thin Moonphase 2016 (Rose Gold)
And (wait for it) a moon phase Saxonia as well! What hasn’t changed though is the signature ‘argenté-coloured’ dial that sort of restores the harmonious design. Powered by Lange’s gorgeous looking manually wound Calibre L093.1 which is only 2.9mm high, the 2016 Saxonia is a watch that caught every connoisseur’s eye and we can’t wait for it to hit Indian shores later this year.
Price: INR 2,000,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: December 2016
Cartier:
- Drive de Cartier
Last year Cartier stunned everyone at SIHH with the Clé. This time on, the brand’s taken a walk back to yesteryears to bring us a Cartier many of us had been waiting for; behold the “Drive de Cartier”!
A Modern day wrist watch with a classic Cartier touch and not surprisingly, the most talked about timepiece of SIHH this year. Despite having an unusual cushion shaped thin case, a classic guilloche dial and an in-house mechanical movement, it’s the crown (like every other Cartier timepiece) that stole the limelight again (it’s inspired by the bolts used in cars). Drive de Cartier is pipped to be one of the popular men’s watches of 2016, if not the most popular.
Price:
Steel model in white dial: Rs 437,500 (Approximately)
Pink gold model in black dial: Rs 1,372,000 (Approximately)
✈Arrival in India: Second half 2016
- Cartier Hypnose
Hold on, we’re not done yet! Cartier announced something for the ladies as well:
Hypnotic and endlessly alluring as they call it, “Hypnose” is the dress watch ladies have been waiting for from La Maison. The watch is an example of why Cartier’s craftsmanship is better than anyone else’s.
✈Arrival in India: Second half 2016
We’re happy that both these beauties are on their way here!
Baume Mercier:
- Clifton Chronograph 2016
Baume’s launches this year were a “celebration” of all their successful collections, three to be precise: Clifton, Capeland and Promesse. The promise? A brand new range of Clifton Chronograph watches with an improved chronograph movement and multiple strap/dial options.
Price: INR 340,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: April 2016
- Capeland Shelby Cobra 2016 (Limted edition – Yellow and Black)
A new twist to the limited edition Capeland Shelby Cobra (now in yellow and black), is considered to be of one of the most successful limited edition watches coming from the brand.
Price: INR 350,000 – 400,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: April 2016
- The new Promesse collection
And for the ladies, the ever fashionable Promesse collection with a choice of straps and precious stones. “Joyous moments to come” for sure.
✈Arrival in India: September 2016
Jaeger-LeCoultre:
- Reverso One Cordonnet
SIHH proved to be a platform for celebration of all sorts for Jaeger-LeCoultre. Celebrating 85 years of the launch of the iconic Reverso collection, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched three new collections namely: the Reverso Classic, Reverso Tribute and Reverso One. The Reverso OneCordonnet, in all its feminine grace, caught our fancy. Delicate and precious, the watch has sophistication written all over it, and powered by an accurate JLC calibre 657.
Price: INR 880,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: August 2016
- Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Moonphase 2016
Another charmer by JLC is the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual. Donning the mask of the dark knight, the watch looks glorious with a black dial and offers watch lovers a perpetual calendar in an ultra-thin exterior shrouded in deep colours. We couldn’t help but bring this one for our beloved watch connoisseurs.
Price: INR 1,340,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: May 2016
IWC:
IWC, the brand known for its pilot’s watches, lived up to its reputation at the SIHH 2016.Introducing a large and refreshing line of Pilot’s watches, IWC kept us hooked throughout the fair.
- IWC Timezoner Chronograph
The IWC Pilot’s Timezoner Chronograph was the show stopper and unlike anything we’ve ever seen from IWC! A boon for frequent travellers, the watch, using a unique in-house movement, simplifies the change from one time-zone to another. Surely this watch will not disappoint.
Price: INR 910,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: October 2016
- Spitfire Chronograph 2016
The Pilot’s Chronograph Spitfire is another feather in the cap of IWC. With a special back engraving, it features a mechanical chronograph movement inspired by the single engine fighter aircraft, Spitfire.
Price: INR 456,000 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: April 2016
- The New Le Petit Prince 2016
The Pilot’s Mark Le Petit Prince is another stellar watch from the house of IWC for the child inside you.
Sitting stylishly with a midnight blue dial, the watch is the newest addition to the family of Le Petit Prince. IWC stole the limelight and our hearts with these watches, forcing us to bring them to our stores!
Price: INR 314,000 (Approx)
✈Arrival in India: April/May 2016
Panerai:
Stepping out of its comfort zone, Panerai released a whole set of watches this year.
- Luminor 1950 3 Days Acciaio
Taking inspiration from vintage watches that have undergone the discolouring effect caused by the luminous material, the brown dial of the watch is the showstopper. A brown dial, now who saw that coming?
Price: INR 696,800 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: September 2016
- Luminor 8 days Set
The Luminor 8 Days Set is our big surprise for you this year! Limited to 500 sets, there are two watches inspired by models created in the era when Panerai made its first collection for the public, and 1997, the year in which Panerai was acquired by Vendôme, part of the Richemont Group.
The 8 day set holds a historical relevance in the heritage of the brand. Oh and did we mention, the box contains a model of the human torpedo along with a rare publication about the military equipment of the special forces of the Royal Italian Navy, in which Panerai watches and instruments appear.
Price: INR 1,373,500 (approx)
✈Arrival in India: April 2016
How can we deprive our watch lovers in India of such brilliant timepieces?
If you have one in mind that we haven’t covered, let us know in the comments section below!
