Keeping time with three trends we spotted at the salon international de la haute horlogerie (sihh) 2017.
Keeping time with three trends we spotted at the salon international de la haute horlogerie (sihh) 2017.
Clothes maketh the man, but watches maketh the gentleman – and woman. Sharpen your look with a timepiece that’s not only luxurious, but also tastefully on point. Get a head start with these pieces that reflect three of the hottest trends at SIHH 2017.
NATURAL SHINE: MOTHER-OF-PEARL DIALS
Harvested from the sea, mother-of-pearl shimmers with a glorious iridescence and exudes a regal elegance. Gracing the dials of watches from every house, classic references include the A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia and the Patek Philippe Diamond Ribbon Joaillerie Ref. 4968G, while the Omega Constellation Tahiti dramatically uses black mother-of-pearl.
On the other hand, Harry Winston opts for the artisanal route with its Premier Pearly Lace Automatic 36mm, which flaunts a beautiful lace motif created from delicate mother-of-pearl marquetry. The blue-on-white colour scheme outlines the intricate filigree motif, giving it a dazzling three-dimensional effect.
Mother-of-pearl also figures prominently in the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra collection, with the material – in white or a combination of white and grey – set on the bracelet strap.
COCOA CRUSH: BROWN DIALS
Instead of the usual black and blue, brown is emerging as the colour of choice when you need a neutral dial that’s not a complete wallflower. The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry” has a handsome dark hue reminiscent of its namesake French aviator-author’s flight suits. Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer “Chocolate” comes with a rich brown ceramic dial and bezel, while the Panerai Radiomir 3 Days Acciaio PAM687 has a shaded brown dial framed by a 12-sided bezel.
LUNAR ATTRACTION: MOON PHASE WATCHES
Constantin Malte Moon Phase & Power Reserve. Popping up on more faces is the moon phase complication. Cartier goes for traditional, classical and legible with the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch, but Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Rendez-Vous Moon takes the cake for biggest and most prominent moon phase display, while throwing in a celestial map and a heap of diamonds for good measure. Those with a penchant for minimalist aesthetics would not be able to resist the charms of Vacheron Constantin’s Malte Moon Phase & Power Reserve.
TEXT CELINE YAP &王爱婷