Fratello Classics: My Top 5 SIHH 2014 Watches


A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna - rose goldThe Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) last year in Geneva saw very interesting new watches from an array of brands, and from the days I was there, I have compiled a Top Five list of my personal favorite watches.

1. A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar “TerraLuna”
A timepiece that was the talk of the town last week in Geneva. The back side of the watch is even more impressive than its dial, and shows the constellation of the earth, moon and sun. I personally prefer the rose-gold version but would certainly settle for the white-gold model.

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna - rose gold - front
A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna, front (above) and back (below)

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna - rose gold - back

2.  Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica 11 Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon
It had already been introduced (here) to the public right before the SIHH began, but this watch is still mind-blowing when you see it in the flesh. Safely tucked away in a display case, only a lucky few were able to fiddle around with it. The name of the watch says it all, but let me assure you that it really is ultra-thin considering the complications it features.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica 11 Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon

3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 42mm “Elephant”
Audemars Piguet decided to update its Royal Oak Offshore collection. With nicknames like “Navy,” ‘Safari,” “Panda,” et cetera, these watches have become icons in their own right. The new models have new crowns and pushers, made out of ceramics instead of rubber, and slightly different color schemes.  Audemars Piguet also decided to put a transparent caseback in these watches. My personal preference is for the “Elephant,” the gray-dialed version with gray alligator strap.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 42mm "Elephant

4. Baume & Mercier Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon
Although Baume & Mercier is focusing on affordable luxury, it did decide to show off what it can do when it comes to traditional watchmaking and introduced a flying tourbillon in the Clifton collection. “1892” refers to the year that the company’s pocketwatch tourbillon won an observatory price for accuracy. There are no real noteworthy similarities to mention, except for the finishing on some parts of the movement and the fact that it is also a tourbillon. However, it is a flying tourbillon and not a “fixed tourbillon” as the 1892 pocket watch was. In any case, it’s a beautiful tourbillon movement in a 45.5-mm gold Clifton case. More on the new Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon can be found here.

Baume & Mercier Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon

5. Cartier Calibre de Cartier Diver
Introduced shortly before the SIHH started (click here), Cartier’s new divers’ watch was still one of the best surprises during the show in Geneva. In stainless steel on a rubber strap (starting at approx. $7,500) it is the most affordable timepiece in this short list. The gold version is actually my favorite model in this new collection by Cartier. For this model, Cartier used its in-house-developed 1904MC movement.

Cartier Calibre de Cartier Diver

 

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  1. Cartier diver definitely…but I’ll wait for the rose gold chrono diver…

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  2. Casio protrek titanium Watch

    All the watches are nice but i like the second watch.It is very cool and trendy.Thanks for the info!

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  3. Automatic citizen watches

    I have never seen such a Fantastic collection of watches. Really Very interesting post!

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  4. I like the TerraLuna, the Navy ROO and the Cartier Diver. A few of the De Bethune pieces were also nice. They do a beautiful job on so many levels. Love the polished titanium. I’m sick of tourbillons. Overdone in my opinion.

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