Carl F. Bucherer: The rare, top-of-the line Manero Tourbillon headed Carl F. Bucherer’s collection at this year’s IBG, this version in rose gold with gray dial. Two other notable Baselworld debuts were there: the Manero Flyback Perpetual and the new Patravi ScubaTec dive watch, with a striking blue dial and rose-gold bezel.
Kingston’s presentation on this year’s Baselworld and SIHH watch fairs overflowed with new twists this year. The exclusive HD videos, which Kingston films on location in Switzerland, were a major attraction, and consisted of four mini-documentaries. The first, filmed in La Chaux-de-Fonds at Parmigiani’s dial-making manufacture, followed the process by which Parmigiani produces the two-piece dial for its chronograph. Next, it was off to Nyon, and Hublot’s workshops, to explore the technological magic behind the brand’s LaFerrari tourbillon and its 50-day power reserve. This unprecedented timepiece has 11 mainspring barrels and requires special techniques in its assembly.
The third video took us back to La Chaux-de-Fonds, to the workshops of Greubel Forsey. Brand co-founder Stephen Forsey himself explains how its double tourbillon is constructed and illustrates some of the challenges in its construction. The last film was a special treat, as it was filmed in the workshops of Kari Voutilainen in Motiers. It showcases many of the handcrafts that are part of independent watchmaking and even features Kari at the bench adjusting a balance spiral.
Finally, not only did the presentation feature the most important new watches that debuted this year in Basel and Geneva, Kingston prepared six special segments on the most over-the-top, push-the-envelope, audacious watches of the year, all under the rubric of “My Watch Is Not Like Yours.”
Tickets are still available for the two West Coast IBG shows, in Los Angeles on September 29 and in San Francisco on October 2. Click here for information, tickets, and a full list of sponsoring watch brands.
