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Best in Show: Wempe’s Watches of SIHH 2019

26 Feb 2019 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 |By Dominic Jeffares

Lynn Schroeder, Managing Director of Wempe in New Bond Street, selects her standout watches from SIHH 2019 and why she chose them

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Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, Vacheron Constantin

“The Overseas collection features a distinctive design that expresses fine watchmaking yet is dedicated to practicality.”

The 8.1mm-thick Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin comes in two colours: one is a more relaxed version graced with a blue dial framed by a pink gold case and blue straps; and the other a more elegant interpretation fitted with a pink gold bracelet offsetting its silver-toned dial.

Baignoire, Cartier

“The Baignoire watch is a signature watch for women who have their sights set high, who forsake trends and fashions and choose this piece for its timeless French chic.”

Perhaps no other watchmaker employs shape and form in the iconic way Cartier does. The story of the Baignoire begins in 1912 when Louis Cartier took the traditional round watch and lengthened it. His experimentation concluded in two parallel lines closed by two curves, forming the shape of a bathtub (“baignoire” in French).

Rendez-Vous Moon Jewellery, Jaeger-LeCoultre

“Even at a glance, these new versions of Jaeger- LeCoultre’s iconic watch show a stunning richness of detail with elements that fully adhere to the codes of ‘high jewellery.’”

On Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new Rendez-Vous Moon Jewellery model, a starry sky of aventurine midnight blue serves as the backdrop for a moon reimagined fully in mother-of-pearl.

Richard Lange Jumping Seconds, A Lange & Söhne

“The clear contrast of white markings on a black background adds a new dimension to this supremely handsome dress watch.”

A notable feature of this new Jumping Seconds is a low- power indicator between the two lower registers that notifies when precision is being lost due to lower frequency (10 hours before the reserve expires).

The Timezoner Spitfire Edition ‘The Longest Flight,’ IWC

“The Timezoner’s rotating bezel is terribly satisfying when you’re stationed on terra firma; and pretty handy when you’re flying between multiple time zones.”

IWC launched a five-reference family of Spitfire watches in Geneva. The Timezoner Spitfire Edition ‘The Longest Flight’ has been developed for airmen Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones, co-pilots who will attempt a round-the-world record attempt in a Spitfire later this year. The world time function is adjusted by pushing down and rotating a black ceramic bezel, which simultaneously rotates the hour hand and the 24-hour display.

Clifton Baumatic, Baume & Mercier

“The Clifton Baumatic collection expresses a combination of watchmaking expertise and contemporary style – the hallmark of all Baume & Mercier watches.”

The Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic line packs quite the punch, especially at its relatively affordable price point. A lot of effort has gone into developing the Baumatic BM12-1975A movement, which allows for an impressive 120 hours power reserve. The use of silicon in sensitive components of the movement makes it antimagnetic and shock resistant, providing for more accurate timekeeping.

Laureato Absolute, Girard-Perregaux

“This year, we get the Laureato Absolute, the most athletic and exciting manifestation of Girard-Perregaux’s sportiest timepiece.”

Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato takes its name from the Italian translation of The Graduate, that iconic sixties coming-of-age movie starring Dustin Hoffman. The Laureato Absolute case has been upped to 44mm, but, thanks to a PVD-treated titanium construction, wears incredibly lightly. Three models – a time-and-date, chronograph and world- timer – make up the all-black, electric-blue-dial collection.

Submersible Luna Rossa, Panerai

“A red central GMT hand and small-seconds hand, both in vibrant red, contrast smartly with a dial made from the same cloth as Luna Rossa’s sails.”

Later this year, Max Sirena, skipper of Italy’s Luna Rossa, will take to the waters of Sardinia in a bid to become the official challenger of 36th America’s Cup. Thanks to Panerai, the venerated yachtsman will do so wearing a watch manufactured from the same material as the space-age hull of his 75ft sailboat. The Florentine watchmaker has created the Submersible Luna Rossa – a 47mm dive watch constructed from super- lightweight, corrosion- resistant carbon fibre.

For further enquiries: wempe.com

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