Day 1 at Watches and Wonders 2023

What is everybody talking about?

Day 1 at Watches and Wonders, yes, that’s right!

The watch industry’s largest and most important trade show began with a bang. Geneva is witnessing the exhibition of the biggest and best watch brands, including some nascent brands, into the fold.

The following week will unveil novelties from Maisons that are coveted and greatly looked forward to. The design and innovations in this space are worth watching out for.

Stay with us for the latest updates on what’s happening at the most happening show.

We shall dive deeper and what better way than to start out with a mythical model?

Cartier Privé

We love the Tank models and every new addition to this collection is welcome. This year Cartier Privé dropped a limited edition timepiece its 7th opus: the Tank Normale. 

Cyrus Geneve

CYRUS Genève is expanding the KLEPCYS GMT RETROGRADE collection and introducing two new versions, “Klepcys GMT Ocean Blue” & “Klepcys GMT Palm Green” with a 42 mm titanium case and the in-house CYR708 automatic calibre with a 55-hour power reserve.

These time instruments featuring a dual time function are designed to be “user-friendly” and intuitive.

Also, for the first time in a CYRUS collection, a metal bracelet is the new key feature of these creations for 2023. Both models are also available with a grey Cordura strap with a titanium folding clasp personalised with the Cyrus logo.

Grand Seiko 

Evolution 9 Collection Tentagraph is the first mechanical novelty from Grand Seiko.

Exciting, new and a first, it is a sporty automatic high-beat chronograph. It is emblematic of the next-gen Grand Seiko sports watches for its technological innovation and equally stunning Evolution 9 Style.

Tag Heuer Carrera

From the short-lived yet mythical Carrera Panamericana race of the 1950s, the Carrera collection epitomises the relentless passion for the speed and precision of motor racing pilots. For its 60th anniversary in 2023, TAG Heuer is reinventing an icon. Imbued with unique novelties, all iterations express the legendary Carrera’s unstoppable drive for style and performance on the tracks. 

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Tourbillon, a classic watch with an intense blue dial and orange highlights, is a complex technical gem – mastered by only an elite circle of watchmakers – bringing high accuracy to the chronometer-certified automatic TH20-09 movement, backed by 65 hours of power reserve. Ideal on the track.

Hautlence Linear Series

The Hautlence Linear Series 2, the latest addition to the Linear collection, has a new style of movement and design. Unveiled as ‘black is the new black’, the Linear Series 2 takes on darker tones to further highlight the kinetic elements in striking blue.

The full-black PVD-coated case with an integrated black strap makes the watch matte and modern, highlighting the elements of the striking blue hour’s hand, long arm and tourbillon bridge.

The signature TV-shaped case, its unique shape, and its linear retrograde jumping hours make the watch exciting and intriguing.

Louis Moinet – IMPULSION

The idea was to make the chronograph mechanism entirely visible on the dial side and then the magic of a tourbillon was added. This timepiece is bolder and original and thus, the naming of it, Impulsion, is apt and draws from its capacity to transfer energy to the chronograph and the tourbillon producing a show of spectacularity.

Pequignet Concorde Navy Blue

This deep blue model from the Concorde collection invites us to immerse ourselves in its dial. Its fascinating features include Luminova hour markers and a date aperture at 3 o’clock driven by the Calibre Initial. The Concorde has a steel bracelet that follows the architectural codes of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, namely its obelisk. It is available in 36mm and 40mm sizes to fit all wrist sizes.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Minute Rattrapante

Tonda PF Minute Rattrapante, a new world première following on from Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante. After superimposed hours hands comes the turn of superimposed minutes hands! They sum up the brand’s approach: rethinking functionalities to adapt them to contemporary needs.

 

Wonderful Novelties at Watches and Wonders – Day 1

The excitement was palpable and there was a buzz in the city of Geneva which woke up to the first day of Watches and Wonders. This was the day everyone was looking forward to since 2020. The wonderful novelties that were unveiled at Watches and Wonders on day 1 were long awaited. The watch was on.

All the brands were eager to welcome trade partners and watch enthusiasts and the visitors were equally elated to see the wonderful novelties displayed in all their splendor. The fruit of the hard labor was ripe, and all the innovations were ready to see the lights.

The convention was kickstarted with a beautiful opening ceremony and several brands had keynote addresses. But the moment the novelties were unveiled the magic began.

The first day saw a mix of brands and here’s a rundown on day one at the most happening event.

Armin Strom: Orbit

What is unique about this spectacularly beautiful piece?

It is the world’s first watch with an on-demand date indicated on the bezel. The pusher at 10 when pushed shows the date on the bezel for a few seconds. The date hand when in the stationary mode, remains in its fixed position pointing at 12 o’clock.

Their signature bridges, hold the micro-rotor at the one o’clock position, and the equal force barrel at the 6 o’clock position. The watch comes with transparency that is unique in the watch industry highlighting the inner workings of mechanical watchmaking on the dial-side. It comes with an integrated bracelet and a contrasting ceramic bezel. A sport-chic watch that is flaunt-worthy.

Discover the timepiece here: https://arminstrom.com/en/collection/system-78/orbit-first-edition/?v=ee2d312f5477

Chopard: Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillion

The Alpine Eagle flying tourbillion is a watch made in Lucent Steel making it 50% harder and more luminous. The well-highlighted flying tourbillon placed at 6 o’clock has no upper bridge and you can see right through to the movement.

The brushed dial starts at the tourbillion moving outwards. With an integrated bracelet, the watch is simple and yet a delightful piece.

Discover the timepiece here: https://www.chopard.com/intl/alpine-eagle-flying-tourbillon-298616-3001

Cartier: Tank Chinoise

A comeback after a century, in an art-deco design, rectangular and true to its vertical brancards design the Tank Chionese is as simple and elegant as they come. With two additional brancards across the top and bottom of the square case, it evokes the portico design.

In a beautifully polished gold case, its iconic design and shape with “chemin de fer” and the hidden Cartier signature it is a watch that puts geometry in fashion.

As part of the Cartier Privé collection, there are six models in this collection. Three models, in yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum. Made to a limited 150 pieces per model. There are also additional 3 models with see-through dials and skeletonized movements. The traditional Chinese window designs are eye-catching and made in a limited quantity of 100 pieces each.

IWC Schaffhausen; Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun Edition Woodland

IWC has new models in its Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun Edition. We are going to talk about Woodland here.  Featuring in sombre green ceramic with Ceratanium® at the case back and the pushers this watch looks as cool as the forests the pilots fly over. It is a double pusher chronograph, with the 30-minute and hour counter on the dial.

The indices look green but look nicely lit. Following the monochromatic design, the rubber strap continues to run in green with a fabric inlay. Each of the two models will be made in a quantity of 1,000 pieces.

Discover the timepiece here: https://www.iwc.com/en/watch-collections/pilot-watches/iw389106-pilot_s-watch-chronograph-top-gun-edition-woodland.html

Laurent Ferrier

A grade 5 Titanium, case making this an extremely light watch. The dial is in a blue gradient starting with a lighter centre and growing outwards to a darker blue. The assegai watch hands go so well with white gold indices adding to the elegance of the watch.

At the back is a see-through manual winding movement hand-finished and refined.

Discover the timepiece here: https://laurentferrier.ch/products/classic-origin-blue?variant=41961889759394

Tag Heuer: Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

Tag Heuer forays into its first solar-powered watch with a TH50-00 caliber.

The dial is transparent and allows the sunlight to enter the movement to power it up. Just two minutes in full sunlight can power it up for a day. It also lightens up the Super-Luminova that features on the carbon bezel as well as indices. If the timepiece stops working exposure of 10 seconds to sunlight can restart the watch.

A sporty watch that professional divers can take down to the depth of 200 meters. Comes with a power-saving mode.

Discover the timepiece here: https://www.tagheuer.com/in/en/event/tag-heuer-aquaracer-professional-200-solargraph.html