Geneva Watch Days 2021 - Year #2; Baselworld unveils its first pop-up event in Geneva; WatchBox invests in Independent Swiss Watchmaker De Bethune

   
 
 

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Geneva Watch Days 2021 - Year #2

Watchmaking in the city: an aptly succinct definition of Geneva Watch Days 2021. For its second edition, this open and inclusive event brings together 25 Maisons that unveiled their new products to the international media and retailers from August 30th to September 3rd. The group of officially participating brands is highly representative of the watchmaking landscape, offering the possibility of discovering a wide and varied spectrum of creations across all segments of the industry. Nor have members of the public been neglected, since a 600sqm pavilion on the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc is open during daytime hours for them to discover the new products from the participating Maisons in the 46 displays, as well as attend various daily presentations given by the experts of Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo. These cover the major themes affecting the watch industry and the challenges it is facing today: digitalisation, distribution, collection, etc. 
 

Baselworld unveils its first pop-up event in Geneva

Baselworld officially opened its first 'pop-up event' in Geneva at a press conference presenting the new Baselworld spirit, with 10 independent brands and a programme that favours openness, conviviality and networking. This event is part of the build-up to Baselworld 2022, which will take place in Basel from March 31 to April 4, 2022. Celebrating a premiere, the new Baselworld was launched with an unprecedented step outside its traditional premises to meet the industry and its customers. For the first time the new spirit of Baselworld was presented with a pop-up event in Geneva, which will run from Monday August 30 to Thursday September 2, simultaneously with the Geneva Watch Days. At the heart of the new concept is the customer.
 

WatchBox invests in Independent Swiss Watchmaker De Bethune

WatchBox, the global leader in collectible luxury timepieces, announced the investment in De Bethune, the independent watch manufacture established in 2002, and led by founder and visionary Master Watchmaker Denis Flageollet and CEO Pierre Jacques. WatchBox and De Bethune confirmed that the investment has been agreed upon and signed, and closing will take place within the following days. Since its 2017 founding, WatchBox has championed the work of contemporary watchmakers and independent brands, and through this investment, heightens its commitment to the independent watchmaking segment.
 
 

Product Launch

 

Bvlgari unveils its latest novelties at Geneva Watches Days

Bvlgari is a dense, rich and extensive world. Its creations speak a universal language, reaching beyond gender, style and differences, as expressed by the new models presented by the Maison at the Geneva Watch Days. Men's, women's, complications and jewellery creations all represent an open invitation to travel.  Travel is indeed highlighted in the truest sense of the term with the Octo Roma WorldTimer, which jumps at a glance from one time zone to another. The wings of the Octo Roma Papillon Tourbillon take flight on the highly original dial display, while the Roman jeweller takes women on an emotional and dreamlike journey with the enchanting Divina Mosaica Minute Repeater and its Divina sisters, which explore Bvlgari's Roman roots and its mastery of both jewellery and watchmaking. The journey would be incomplete if it did not include a reminder of a universal creature, known to all for decades. Enter the new Gerald Genta Arena Retrogade with smiling Disney Mickey Mouse.
 

Greubel Forsey presents GMT Earth - The Final Edition at Geneva Watch Days

Greubel Forsey unveiled the third terrestrial interpretation of its GMT Earth. This unique and now even more modern creation features a new titanium case and is adorned with an even more elegant intense black finish: limited edition of 11 pieces. Titanium is used not only for the entire case, but also the bridges, the GMT push-piece, the crown and the folding buckle, the latter two being the components most exposed to shocks and scratches. To accompany the light and matt tones of titanium, Greubel Forsey opted for a black finish on the dial. It is applied to the spotted bottom plate and to all the frosted bridges, with straight flanks, polished bevelling and countersinks. This finish is also featured on an all-black natural rubber strap, whose inner face is engraved with the cardinal values of the Greubel Forsey Atelier and which are visible on the bezel.
 

New Guilloché Colors in the BOVET Fleurier 19Thirty Collection

Capitalizing on the excitement and interest generated by the deep red guilloché dials in the 19Thirty collection, the House of BOVET is introducing additional materials and colors in this beautiful 42mm manual-wind timepiece. The ergonomic 42mm case in stainless steel provides optimal comfort no matter the size of the wearer's wrist, thanks to its slim profile (9.05mm). The 19Thirty Collection was designed with everyday use in mind. The real sapphire cabochon that is inset into the crown further highlights its elegance. The movement's technical excellence and the artistic aspect of the off-center dials come together to showcase an elegant silver or blackened "Côtes de Genève" treatment, or with superlative Fleurisanne hand-engraving, whose embellishment contrasts with and enhances the intense colors of the guilloché dials.
 

Introducing the Chronometre FB 1.6-3 by Ferdinand Berthoud

With its black DLC-treated steal case, rubber strap and vertical satin-finish black dial, the Chronometre FB 1.6-3 exudes a sports feel at first sight. Its movement boasts angled sapphire half bridges, echoing the modernity of its housing. Among the output of Fine Watchmaking manufactures, creations in steel are often the most sought-after, being much rarer than their gold and platinum counterparts. The new Chronomètre FB 1.6-3 is all the more remarkable in that it is the first all-black creation by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud. The unique piece has been exclusively designed for the ART IN TIME watch gallery in Monaco, with part of the proceeds from its sale passed on to charity.
 

Breitling presents Top Time Classic Cars Capsule Collection

A distinctive celebration of design and freedom: Breitling’s Top Time Classic Cars Capsule Collection pays homage to classic sports cars from the 1960s. This unconventional trio of racing chronographs draws inspiration from the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Mustang, and the Shelby Cobra, three icons of the American car culture. These disruptive chronographs with a motoring twist stand out for their bold dial colors with orange and yellow or red and blue touches and racing-themed watch straps in calfskin leather. The range includes the Top Time Chevrolet Corvette in red and black, based on the striking design of the Corvette C2 from the mid-1960s, often referred to as the “Sting Ray” by aficionados. Then there’s the green and brown Top Time Ford Mustang version, inspired by a car developed in record time in 1964, sparking a new genre of compact and affordable sports cars. Last but not least there’s the Top Time Shelby Cobra version in blue and brown.
 

Girard-Perregaux unveils the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges

This year marks the 230th anniversary of Girard-Perregaux. As part of its celebrations, the Manufacture is revisiting its iconic models and releasing a number of new creations, often infused with a dose of modernity. The Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges is endowed with three New Bridges formed of pink gold, the first time all three Neo bridges have been made from this noble metal. Interestingly, after releasing the Free Bridge in 2020, the release of the new Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges will be the final subfamily to join the company's Bridges collection. The three bridges not only support the geartrain, barrel and tourbillon, they also act as the mainplate. The result is that the bridges appear to float in mid-air, seemingly untouched by gravity. This unusual construction required the Maison to affix the indexes to the flange which in turn is attached to the case.
 

Chronometry: Ulysse Nardin's Mantra for 175 years

On the occasion of the Geneva Watch Days, Ulysse Nardin, championing chronometry since 1846, introduces a new squadron of seven new Marine Torpilleur models, showcasing the brand’s 175 years of Haute Horlogerie savoir-faire and techniques: Silicium technology, tourbillon & astronomy legacy, chronograph, in-house enameling and design are our hallmarks of excellence. To celebrate this momentous 175th anniversary, the brand has widely enlarged its collection of the Marine Torpilleur with two new movements, complications, chronographs, and enameled dials. All the novelties are produced in limited editions and bear the signature "Chronometry since 1846" at 4 o'clock on the small seconds counter and a lightened minutes circle compared to the core collection.
 

Streamliner Perpetual Calendar by H. Moser & Cie.

In 2005, H. Moser & Cie. marked its return to Haute Horlogerie by revolutionising the perpetual calendar with the Perpetual 1. Distinctly minimalist and understated, to the non-expert eye, this movement simply looks like a calibre with three hands plus the date. Simple in appearance and yet so ingenious, it immediately earned its place as one of the Manufacture's flagship products. In 2021, H. Moser & Cie. is innovating and revisiting this famous movement with its instantaneous date change function as a version featuring four central hands and a resolutely contemporary look. Not only that, the brand is making this timepiece part of its Streamliner collection to create the Streamliner Perpetual Calendar. The fusion of two icons.
 

Armin Strom introduces the "Tribute 1” in Black and Blue

Armin Strom has launched of two new models of its ground-breaking Tribute 1. The brand’s post-modern interpretation of the classic dress watch was introduced in June of this year in an edition limited to only 25 pieces, which sold out quickly. Watch aficionados who missed the opportunity to acquire the Tribute 1 First Edition in grey with an 18k white gold barrel bridge now have the chance to add one of the new models to their collections. The two references – one with a black dial and one with a blue dial – are available in limited editions of 100 each.
 

Czapek & Cie presents the new Antarctique Rattrapante

Czapek & Cie has presented the latest model in its Antarctique family of timekeepers. The split-second chronograph takes this modern and sportive line deeper into grande complication territory. The brand new Antarctique Rattrapante, a split-second mono-pusher chronograph with a unique, dial-side mechanism, embodies these ideals. The focus of the movement is the tripod bridge in the centre that holds down a patented satellite minute train and the patent-pending split-second mechanism just below. The two column wheels, one at the top (for the chronograph) and the bottom (for the split-second mechanism) divide the movement into two halves. The minute totaliser at four o’clock and the small seconds at seven o’clock serve as visual anchors to this high-flying, modern and dynamic timepiece, and maintain the link to the company’s spiritus rector, the great nineteenth-century watchmaker, François Czapek, who was using vertical symmetry as a visual guide.
 

The UR¬100 ‘Electrum’ by URWERK

Electrum is one of the original precious materials, regarded by the ancients as a veritable treasure. This gold and silver alloy was indeed much coveted among Ancient Greeks, Amerindian civilisations and Ancient Egyptians. While the first coins were minted from this metal, the noble, flamboyant, luminous material gradually fell into oblivion... while awaiting a much-deserved new lease on life. URWERK recreates this magic in the UR-100 Electrum which proudly proclaims ‘here comes the sun’ as the Beatles famously sang. The UR-100 Electrum is the new edition of URWERK’s 100 collection. This 25-piece edition has a case made of an organic gold and palladium alloy. In addition to its sunny yellow colour, it features a structured, pleated and undulating surface.
 

The Globetrotter Steel by Arnold & Son

Having first made its appearance in red gold, the updated design for the Globetrotter now also featuring a steel case that co-ordinates perfectly with the large bridge spanning the world map of the northern hemisphere. Offering unparalleled aesthetics, this “world time” complication watch harnesses all the design skills and finishing dexterity at Arnold & Son. The Globetrotter adds to the prestigious lineage of marine chronometers that John Arnold created for the British Navy in the 18th century, instruments of precision and time telling renowned the world over. The Globetrotter Steel preserves the Earth’s half-globe and sapphire crystal ring, which together make it possible to read the time north of the equator. A choice of two dials is available. One in tonal blue, lacquered, with sunburst decoration, in an exclusive series of only 88 pieces. The other, in silvery white, also lacquered and with sunburst decoration, with no limit on the number of pieces.
 

DOXA reinterprets the iconic SUB 600T with the ‘pacific’ Limited Edition

It’s the 80s and DOXA presents the SUB 600T. Now, more than 40 years later, DOXA pays tribute to this milestone model with a Limited Edition SUB 600T ‘pacific’ – for the first time in titanium. Only 200 numbered pieces will be made. On the outside, this 3-hand dive watch remains true to the aesthetics that made the SUB 600T famous. On the inside, it impresses with all the technical features that make it a high-performance, reliable, accessible and desirable dive watch for our times. The SUB 600T’s brushed titanium 40mm case is topped by a sapphire crystal. Rated for depths up to 600 meters (60 bar, about 1970 feet), the watch’s water resistance provides ample margin even for the most ambitious of deep divers. The crown is positioned at 4 o'clock and the patented unidirectional ceramic rotating bezel, with dive time in minutes and depth in feet, prepares for safe ascents without decompression stops. 
 

Louis Erard presents its latest novelties

Louis Erard is going off the beaten track by combining contemporary design and high-end watchmaking expertise in fine stone and artisanal glass dials, geological time and mechanical precision, the visible signs of luxury and accessible fine watchmaking. The Franches-Montagnes watchmakers have chosen the Maison's historic model, Le Régulateur, to carve a new family of watches from the raw material of stones and mineral glass. The Excellence Régulateur Aventurine, Excellence Régulateur Lapis-Lazuli, and Excellence Régulateur Malachite. Three models. Three colours. Three moods. Each of the three editions is limited to 99 pieces, but every watch is a unique piece in itself: each dial bears the mark of the millions of years that have shaped the stones or a unique array of speckled filaments.
 

Charles Girardier introduces the 1809 Cobalt Blue 41 mm

Following through on the win in the Ladies' Complication category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2020, Charles Girardier now opens up the 1809 collection to a male audience. As the first men's version of the Mysterious Signature (Signature Mystérieuse) flying tourbillon, the 1809 Cobalt Blue 41 mm pushes the boundaries of the possible in both modern and traditional watchmaking. The most sophisticated craftsmanship techniques converge in a watch that is both complex and refined, masculine and elegant. Discreet from afar, stunning up close, it combines a grand feu enamel dial with an Haute Horlogerie movement, itself combined with a miniature automaton: The initials C and G at 12 o’clock, animated by the Mysterious Signature, visually counterbalance the tourbillon at 6, always in motion and according to their own rhythm. 
 

Bianchet launches Tourbillon B1.618 Openwork

New to the world of complicated watches, Bianchet is a creative contemporary Swiss watch brand founded on the modern reinterpretation of the Golden Ratio - 1.618 - in the world of fine watchmaking. The Tourbillon B1.618 Openwork’s tonneau case measures 43 mm in width, 50 mm in height (length) and 13 mm in thickness. From the side, the top and bottom of the watch follow a curve. The superposition of these two lines, the colored seam, the thickness of the bezel, the play on heights – they are guided by the Fibonacci sequence. An organic arc that affords maximum wear comfort, perfectly espousing the wrist. The case is available in titanium with multiple variations of hand finishing, each quite distinctive, even on the smallest surface areas. Nothing has been left out. Polishing, satin-finishing, and microblasting succeed each other from layer to layer, emphasizing the curves and their dramatic arc, marking the sharp edges of the bezel, all highlighted in bright red.
 
 
 
 

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