Watchmakers put best hand forward in Hong Kong
Print Edition
The latest creations in fine watchmaking and the expertise of watchmaking houses was demonstrated in Hong Kong in response to spectacular growth of the market in Asia.
The event took place last month at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. The first Watches&Wonders event presented the latest creations of 13 fine watchmakers belonging to the Richemont Group and shared its history and wealth of expertise.
Chief executives of all the participating maisons were present to acknowledge the region’s connoisseurs and collectors. Watchmakers, gem-setters and enamellers demonstrated their skills in a specially reserved area.
They were joined by watchmakers from exhibiting maisons who worked at benches inside many of the booths.
In addition to presenting their newest collections and timepieces, the exhibiting maisons also demonstrated their innovation, inspiration and dedication to excellence, organizers said.
“Watches&Wonders provides a rare opportunity to meet the creators and craftsmen behind fine timepieces, and a chance to experience firsthand the cultural heritage of one of Europe’s most exquisite traditions,” said Fabienne Lupo, chairwoman and managing director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, organizer of the event.
It is the first event in Asia to explain, to educate, to show the craftsmanship behind the timepieces and the patrimony of the brands, organizers said. It will also help the brands forge closer relationships with the Asian market.
Asia has become the number-one market for Swiss watches. In 2012, exports to China totaled 1.6 billion Swiss francs (US$1.77 billion), while exports to Hong Kong were 4.1 billion Swiss francs and to Southeast Asia 2.4 billion Swiss francs. Purchases by Asian customers when traveling abroad are also growing.
Many of the participating brands presented new models and limited editions at Watches&Wonders, but most of all, the fair gave watchmakers a chance to explain who they are and what they have to offer.• A. Lange & Sohne
A. Lange & Sohne presented the new Grand Complication, company officials said. With seven complications, some of them extremely rare, the Grand Complication is an exceptional instrument that defines new benchmarks in 21st century precision watchmaking.
• Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet unveiled the Millenary Minute Repeater and the Royal Oak offshore LeBron James Chronograph Limited Edition. The LeBron James Chronograph is the first limited edition that AP is launching with the NBA star, one of the brand’s faces.
• Baume & Mercier
Baume & Mercier brought the limited edition Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon watch, which will grace the wrists of but 30 fortunate owners. It pays homage to Baume & Mercier’s heritage and technical achievements.
• Cartier
Cartier’s presented the new Tank MC, an elegant yet masculine version of the timeless Tank. In Asia, Cartier also presented both Cartier ID One and Cartier ID Two. ID One is completely adjustment and lubricant-free. The ID Two uses no screws with its case back, but instead is vacuum-sealed.
• IWC
IWC celebrates the 70th birthday of the novella “The Little Prince” with the launch of the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Le Petit Prince in red gold, limited to 270 watches, and the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII Edition Le Petit Prince in stainless steel, limited to 1,000 watches.
• Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre presented a range of watch models composing its latest High Jewellery Complications collection, and offered an exclusive viewing of masterpiece creations including Duometre Spherotourbillon (limited to five pieces) and Master Grand Tourbillon Enamel.
• Montblanc
The new ExoTourbillon Rattrapante from the Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 offers a large balance positioned outside the tourbillon’s rotating cage, a chronograph with split-second function, and a three-dimensional regulator dial.
• Officine Panerai
Officine Panerai, with Italian design flair and Swiss watchmaking technology, has been present in China in a structured manner for only four years so the Watches&Wonders was an important opportunity. Panerai showed two new special editions, Radiomir 1940 Chrono Monopulsante 8 Days GMT Oro Rosso and Oro Bianco.
• Piaget
Piaget again claimed the title of master of ultrathin Grande Complication watchmaking by creating an exceptional minute repeater. Ultra-thin movements are a brand signature identified with the iconic Altiplano line, including the thinnest automatic gem-set Skeleton watch.
• Richard Mille
Richard Mille presented a special Asian edition, the RM 26-01 Tourbillon Panda for the very first time at the exhibition. The watch is in a limited edition of 15 pieces in 18k red and white gold gem-set case.
• Roger Dubuis
Roger Dubuis unveiled a hard-hitting interpretation of the acclaimed Excalibur Quatuor, appearing in a 188-piece limited edition with a brand-new case in full titanium black DLC — a material renowned for modern elegance and impressive durability.
• Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels showed a new addition to the Poetic Complications series appealing to collectors with an interest in kites. The disk rotates over 24 hours to reveal a kite-strewn sky by day, with stars at night.
• Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin — founded in 1755 — celebrated its “The Sound of Time” exhibition as well as the global launch of its new Patrimony Contemporaine Ultra-thin Calibre 1731.
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