Aquasitions: All about the instant confidence Aquamarine pieces of jewellery bring

Said to have sublime soothing qualities, aquamarine supposedly not only helps ease anxiety but also bolsters self-belief and instils a sense of inner tranquillity. In classic lore, it was also believed to have a special association with the throat chakra, consequently having an impact on how we communicate, particularly with regard to boosting the confidence of those tasked with public speaking. 

More latterly, fine examples of aquamarine – a relatively moderately priced and widely-available gemstone – have become a regular feature of the accessory collections of many leading jewellery brands, including Cartier, Gubelin and Chopard. Its popularity is partly down to the wide variety of blue hues it comes in, a range almost as broad and vivid as the ocean depths its name commemorates. Over the years, the jewel’s cool blues have wooed many admirers such as Elsie de Wolfe, Princess Diana and Meghan Markle.

Also Read: Heart Gallery – right Heart’s Day gifts spark a positive emotion and work all year round

(Text: Joseff Musa)

Face Time: Delightful dial styles for discerning haute horology investors and collectors

Through the ages, many of the finest watchmakers have frequently sought inspiration from the worlds of art and fashion. Typically, this has led to powerful graphic imagery being incorporated into the delightful dial styles of some of the most memorable high-end precision timepieces. At present, numerous such high-concept horological high points merit particular attention.

Delightful dial styles

First up, there is the third watch in Chopard’s L.U.C Skull One series, an exclusive collection inspired by Día de los Muertos – Mexico’s infamous Day of the Dead festival. Available as a 25-piece limited edition, its bold, high-concept design embodies the marque’s hallmark creativity and innovation, while also remaining a prime example of horological excellence. Its centrepiece is a vivid, pop art-inspired Mexican calavera – the annual festival’s unmistakable skull motif – presented in bright flashes of colour and surrounded by a 40mm black beadblasted, DLC-coated stainless-steel case.

In essence, the L.U.C Skull One Calavera Pop Art is a striking blackened stainless-steel watch powered by an exquisite, hand-finished mechanical movement. Defined by its uncompromising and iridescent homage to the Day of the Dead’s timeless rituals, its dial features a transferred skull motif in punchy hues of blue, red, orange, green and yellow, giving the watch an unashamedly non-conformist, pop-art feel.

Delightful dial styles

Second up is something of a departure for Hermès, with the forefronting of its new Super H brand hero motif akin to a horological Bat-Signal in the sky above a stunning graphic representation of Paris. The timepiece in question – the Slim d’Hermès Minuit au Faubourg – ably fuses the world of pop art with the French capital’s iconic skyline and is available in two limited edition series, each comprising 24 highly distinct, exquisitely wrought watches. The singular style of the range, meanwhile, is largely derived from a celebrated silk scarf designed in 2014 by Dimitri Rybaltchenko, an award-winning French artist.

On its highly distinctive dial, the Eiffel Tower stands out against a sky streaked with clouds and studded with aventurine stars, while a beam of light (fashioned from Super-LumiNova) projects out from the unmistakable monument. It is surrounded by a hand-drawn, micropainted embodiment of Parisian life, with its multi-layered rendering bestowing a grimy canvas-like finish.

Also Read: Spring Time – Stylistic Watches are a Motif for all the 365 Days

Delightful dial styles

Equally enchanting is the fourth iteration of Roger Dubuis’ Urban Culture Tribe collection – the Excalibur Liu Wei Monotourbillon (MT). Keen to make this edition supremely special, the marque granted renowned sculptor and illustrator Liu Wei access to its fabled inner sanctum – the Manufacture itself. It was within its venerable walls that the much-admired artist set about reinterpreting the astral signature of the iconic Excalibur MT. Opting for a complex composite of multi-coloured lines, Liu delivered a stylised, bustling, digitised statement piece, which reinvented the original Excalibur MT as a beguiling blend of clashing colours and pulsing lights that uniquely captures the modern urban world.

Building on this, the brand then opted to enhance the hour markers with black SuperLuminova, creating a vivid glow-in-the-dark effect, which is most strikingly apparent under UV light. In a further refinement, the Roger Dubuis and Swiss Made logos have been accentuated with powdered SuperLuminova for the first time, an innovation that sees this element of the timepiece shift through three different colour variants – silver by day, green by night and blue under UV light.

Delightful dial styles

Moving on now to something equally engaging for the lady who loves fine timepieces, the Vacheron Constantin Égérie collection, with its eternally elegant embrace of Haute Couture and Haute Horlogerie, was unashamedly conceived as a paean to discerning femininity.

Daintily engraved in the style of Burano lace, the dial of the Égérie Creative Edition sees five enchanting elements expertly superimposed to create a dial of rare distinction. Re-deploying an ancient decorative technique and executed by the marque’s master guillocheur on venerable 100-year-old equipment, the pleated tapisserie motif sits on a silver base, a fine counterpoint to the black enamel.

Commenting on the inspiration for the piece, Christian Selmoni, the brand’s Style and Heritage Director, said: “During the course of Vacheron Constantin’s long history, many of its finest timepieces have been inspired by embroidery and lace motifs, particularly those drawn from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras. More recently, lace has inspired our Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements – French lace timepiece combining guilloché work, Grand Feu enamelling and gem-setting.”

Delightful dial styles

Finally, for this month, we turn to the Moonphase, Skeleton and Flying Tourbillon Pasha de Cartier watches. Developed and produced at the Cartier Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the first of these features a delicate moon-phase movement in the shape of a circle surrounded by a midnight-blue star-strewn planisphere, a striking contrast to the typically bold design of a Pasha de Cartier watch.

(Text: Neil Dolby)

Exquisite Accessories With A Hint Of Chinese Heritage

Elevate your wardrobe with these stunning accessories that add so much glamour to your look and have you celebrating Chinese culture in a fashionable style. From a crystal-embedded Gucci purse to a diamond-bezel Chopard watch, check out Gafencu’s pick of the best accessories.

Clockwise from top to bottom:
Vanguard Lady Crazy Hours timepiece by Franck Muller
Vanguard Heart Skeleton timepiece by Franck Muller
Double Mystery timepiece by Franck Muller

From top to bottom:
Intreccio Padded bag by Bottega Veneta
Goya Puffer mini bag by Loewe 
Origami Rabbit by Indigo Living


From left to right:
Mini gold metallic minaudiere with crystals ribbon and chain shoulder strap by Gucci
RV Broche hair band by Roger Vivier
Lipstrass pump by Christian Louboutin
Jasper Oblong serving tray by Indigo Living

From top to bottom:
Green Carpet collection watch in white gold set with marquise-cut rubies, rubies and diamonds by Chopard
Red Flora Coupe side plate by Indigo Living
Temptations collection necklace in white gold set with pear-shaped tourmalines, oval-shaped rubies,
pear-shaped amethysts, diamonds and amethysts by Chopard
High Jewellery collection earrings in white gold set with rubies and diamonds by Chopard

From top to bottom:
Red Hydrangea stems by Indigo Living
Ruby Low Dimos Thick Glass vase by Indigo Living
Paloma bag by Christian Louboutin
Sunglasses by Cartier
Raspberry Pink case by Rimowa
Gold Anagram Chevaliere ring by Loewe

(Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Jack Fontanilla)

Linear Silvers

Jewellery is always an investment worth making and now more than ever, there has been an influx in sales. We’re familiar with the dazzle of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. As of late, other labels too are catching our eye.

Chaumet Ring

On the runways, jewellery frequently plays a supporting role as a lovely decoration or a subtle accent that you only see when you zoom in.

Chopard Pendant

But jewellery may also reveal a lot about a person’s personality and sense of style, whether it be basic or maximalist, daring or conservative.

Chopard Ring

It provides insight into a person’s priorities and interests, whether they be family and craft as demonstrated by antique artifacts and hand-made trinkets, or nature with crystals and sustainable materials.

Cartier Bracelet

Elsewhere, fashion’s artistic inclinations came through in astonishing statement hoops, wire-like sculptures, and extra-long fringe earrings, elevating the body to a walking canvas.

Buccellati Pendant

 

(Text: Joseff Musa)

Speed against Time- Best Racing watches for living life on fast track

A test of speed against time, the creation of racing watches is truly an exciting feat. Although it rose to prominence in the mid-90s, its inception dates back to 1821 – the invention of the first racing chronograph. Crafted for the passionate horse racer Louis XVIII, its evolution has since been adjusted to serve racers of all types, including car racers.

Racing watches boast features that distinctly stand out from other timekeepers. Notably, the tachymeter scale and high-contrast angled dial that track every split second of the wearer’s journey for the former, while the latter allows wearers to check the sweeping seconds of the watch’s hand without having to take your hands off the wheel.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is undoubtedly the most famous racing watch of all time. Named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, the timepiece was introduced as a racing chronograph in 1963 and became especially popular after being worn by actor and enthusiastic racing driving Paul Newman, who had his own collection of Cosmograph Daytona models. The tachymetric scale on the bezel provides excellent legibility, making the Daytona the ideal instrument for measuring speeds of up to 400 units per hour, either in kilometres or miles. It has a power reserve of 72 hours and remains on the front line of classic sports chronographs even after almost six decades.


The Omega Speedmaster, on the other hand, was one of the first chronographs to have a tachymeter scale etched onto the bezel instead of the dial on the original 1957 model. It has since shifted to the edge, improving readability. The Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional in particular, though a tribute to Neil Armstrong and mankind’s first steps on the moon, was originally a traditional racing watch with a perforated leather racing strap and a dial featuring a checked racing-style minute track.

Meanwhile, the Mille Miglia by Chopard flaunts a new, sleek, grey-and-blue dial design and exceptional functionality. The 2022 iteration, a limited edition of 1,000 stainless steel pieces and 250 dual-tone versions with 18-carat ethical rose gold, marks its position as the official timekeeper of the annual Brescia to Rome round trip, with the race logo engraved on the caseback that houses its automatic cam-lever-integrated chronograph, built on Valjoux 7750’s architecture.


Lauded for its uncommonly high-frequency automatic chronograph movement, Zenith has put out an optimised version of the Chronomaster Sport. Building on its revolutionary one-tenth of a second chronograph display, its newest sports edition is replete with a broad, super-legible ceramic bezel, a tri-compax dial in matte black and matte white, and a 60-hour power reserve.

After a successful collaboration with Lamborghini, Roger Dubius is laying strong foundations in the Motorsport industry by joining hands with Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli, while sharing a piece of victory with its wearers. The Excalibur Spider Pirelli straps are made with rubber inlays from the Pirelli Formula 1 tyres of actual winning vehicles, also featuring the Cinturato intermediate pattern. Taking as much time as it takes to change a tyre at a F1 pit stop (three seconds), the straps comes off and on just as quickly. Within its titanium casing is a self-winding movement of 28,800 bph and a power reserve of up to 60 hours. However, the model is limited to only 88 pieces per colourway, while the crown and bezel are also interchangeable with the brand’s first ever automatic skeleton.

Reputed for producing automobile-inspired racing watches, Tag Heuer’s Monaco collection is another firm favourite for Formula 1 racecar drivers, though its original 1969 design was the world’s first square-case water-resistant automatic chronograph. Its latest edition, powered by the Heuer 02 calibre movement with a reserve of 80 hours, features the same square-form in a masculine 39mm stainless-steel case.

Another classic timepiece embodying the spirit of a racing cars is Hublot Fusion Ferrari GT, made in collaboration with Ferrari’s head designer Flavio Manzoni. Featuring Hublot’s UNICO HUB1280 flyback openwork movement with a power reserve of 72 hours, its design is a brilliant combination between traditional Swiss watchmaking and cutting-edge technology. Created as a limited 500-piece series, it arrives in Titanium, King Gold and 3D carbon. It’s black rubber strap is made of Schedoni leather which is known to be used in Ferrari’s Maranello GT cars, while its dynamic design boasts an intricate skeleton dial.

(Text: Zaira Abbas)

Bare-faced Glory: The timeless allure of skeletonised dials

Even though they seem the very epitome of contemporary design, skeletonised dials have been around for centuries. Indeed, they date back to the eighteenth century when André Charles Caron – clockmaker to King Louis XV of France – first eschewed all the window dressings of a timepiece to afford clear views of the intricate machinery beneath. Since then, the open-worked aesthetic has charmed haute horology enthusiasts the world over, be it to exemplify a minimalist theme or spotlight avant-garde stylings. Below, we highlight seven superlative new examples of this transparent motif.

Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise

Bare-faced Glory The timeless allure of skeletonised dials watches gafencu cartier

First up is Cartier’s 100-piece Privé Tank Chinoise, the latest avatar of the iconic design first launched exactly a century ago in 1922. As its name suggests, it embodies a distinct Oriental allure. Ringed by a diamond-studded bezel and housed in a platinum case, its fascia is dominated by vertical and horizontal bars inspired by the traditional architecture of ancient Chinese temples. Peeking out beneath these stripes are the inner workings of the brand’s new 9627 MC manual-winding movement, the elaborate stylings of which can be better viewed through its transparent caseback.

H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton

Bare-faced Glory The timeless allure of skeletonised dials watches gafencu h moser & cie

Next to the table is the ultra sleek Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton from Swiss manufacture H. Moser & Cie. Blending minimalism and extravagance in equal measure, graceful anthracite PVD-finished bridges hold the hour-and-minute Funky Blue fumé domed subdial at 12 o’clock, contrasted beautifully with the timepiece’s pièce de résistance – a one-minute flying tourbillon – on the bottom half of its fascia. Visible underneath is the automatic calibre HMC 811 movement, which churns out a generous 72-hour power reserve.

Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph LE58

Bare-faced Glory The timeless allure of skeletonised dials watches gafencu montblanc

From Hamburg-headquartered Montblanc comes the 1858 The Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph LE58. Available in a limited release of 58 pieces, this blue-on-steel creation pays tribute to the maison’s historic Minerva manufacture – a famed watchmaking facility known for its specialisation in precision-engineered chronographs and folded into the brand in 2006 – by ‘unveiling’ one of its handmade movements beneath its open-worked dial, in this instance, the MB 16.29 calibre. The traditional transparent caseback, meanwhile, has been replaced with a beautiful engraved relief of the aforementioned Villeret factory.

Piaget Polo Skeleton

Bare-faced Glory The timeless allure of skeletonised dials watches gafencu piaget

For a more slimmed down finish, though, look no further than Piaget’s latest Polo Skeleton. Unsurprisingly for a label that holds several records in crafting hyper-thin designs, its latest offering boasts one of the world’s thinnest mechanical movements: the skeletonised 1200S1, which measures a scant 2.4mm. Injecting an element of sparkle to proceedings, its 42mm white gold case is graced with a staggering 1747 brilliant-cut diamonds across its dial, bezel, case and bracelet. Deftly fusing high-end watchmaking with haute joaillerie know-how in one attractive package, this is a timepiece that will surely ensnare any passing gaze.

Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire

Bare-faced Glory The timeless allure of skeletonised dials watches gafencu chopard luc

Opting for a wholly transparent aesthetic, meanwhile, is Chopard’s new LUC Full Strike Sapphire. To fully enhance the chiming function of this minute repeater watch, its entire case has been fashioned from a translucent sapphire case, with its crystal gongs similarly crafted from that same material. At the heart of its skeletonised fascia beats the 533-part calibre LUC 08.01-L movement that boasts five new patents to achieve the clarity of its sounding of the hours, quarters and minutes.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monobalancier EX0953

Bare-faced Glory The timeless allure of skeletonised dials watches gafencu roger dubuis

A more outré example of the open-worked motif comes courtesy of Roger DubuisExcalibur Monobalancier EX0953, whose sharp geometric lines and sand-blasted finishing gives it an almost industrial appeal. Housed in a 42mm Eon gold case ringed with 60 round-cut diamonds, it affords direct views of the RD 720SQ calibre movement underneath. The ruby accents of the mechanism, meanwhile, are perfectly accentuated with purple calf-leather straps.

Rebellion T-500 Titanium

Bare-faced Glory The timeless allure of skeletonised dials watches gafencu rebellion t500 titanium

The final entrant on our list is none other than the T-500 Titanium by Swiss watchmaker Rebellion. Exuding an undeniable avant-garde aura, this rectangular timepiece’s see-through dial perfectly displays its unusual timekeeping mechanism. Under the curved sapphire dome, the 380-part manual winding vertical movement and six barrels that charge its jaw-dropping 420-hour energy reserve is on full display. Further underscoring its race car-esque appeal, the traditional hour-and-minute indicators have been eschewed in favour of two parallel rollers at the centre of its fascia. Available in the buyer’s choice of blue, red, orange, green or black, it’s the perfect choice for watch enthusiasts enamoured with a bit of experimental horology.

 

(Text: Tenzing Thondup)

Nautical Charm: High jewellery pieces inspired by the ocean

For centuries, the allure of the deep sea has served as inspiration for many artistic creations – be it the undulating waves of the high seas or the marine life that inhabit the diverse watery depths. Its captivating beauty and awe-inspiring seascapes transport the senses to a world beyond the familiar. Yet its expanse remains an intriguing mystery. It is the vastness and lure of the ocean that allows the artistic mind to roam free – inspiring maisons of haute joaillerie to re-imagine life under the sea and create ocean-inspired motifs that pay homage to the charm of the nautical world.

From Chopard’s red carpet ring to Van Cleef & Arpel’s Seven Seas collection to Gübelin’s Grace of the Sea Anemone cocktail ring, these fine works of jewellery for the fingers, wrist and décolletage are masterfully crafted and set with the rarest and most dazzling of semi-precious gemstones and diamonds to reflect the essence of maritime beauty.

  1. Fawaz Gruosi High Jewellery Collection
  2. Fabio Salini Necklace
  3. Gubelin Grace of the Sea Anemone Cocktail Ring
  4. Chopard Red Carpet Collection
  5. Van Cleef & Arpels Seven Seas Caspiansea Clip Mysterieuses
  6. Van Cleef & Arpels Seven Seas Caspiansea Clip Trois Tortues
  7. Tasaki Eveil Ear Cuff
  8. Annoushka Hidden Reef Cuff
  9. Pomalleto Sabbia Ring
  10. Aurelie Bidermann Necklace
  11. Chanel Bo Precious Float Earrings
  12. Cindy Chao Art Jewel Collection Coral Earrings

Chopard celebrates the 2022 Cannes Film Festival with a new Palme d’Or

Swiss fine jeweller Chopard honours 75 years of the Cannes International Film Festival and 25 years of partnership with the prestigious institution with a new design of the Palme d’or, the highest award at the closing ceremony that celebrates the best film screened at the festival.

 

Chopard celebrates the 2022 75th Cannes Film Festival with a new redesigned Palme d'Or
(In this photo: The redesigned Palme d’Or by Chopard’s co-founder and artistic director Caroline Scheufele)

In honour of the coveted annual event, as well as the Maison’s quarter-century-long partnership with the festival, co-founder and artistic director of Chopard Caroline Scheufele revisited the Palme d’Or this year and gave the esteemed prize award a new look in celebration of the double jubilee.

Chopard celebrates the 2022 75th Cannes Film Festival with a new redesigned Palme d'Or ruben ostland best film
(In this photo: Swedish director Ruben Östlund wins the Palme d’Or for Best Film at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival)

Coined as a radiant symbol of unconditional love that binds the festival with cinema, as well as the Maison’s long-standing partnership with the event, the redesign of the iconic palm branch motif features two delicately crafted strands of gold leaves set with 75 and 25 diamonds to mark both the festival’s and the Maison’s long-standing presence in the world of cinema. Both the 18-carat yellow gold and diamonds were ethically sourced from certified suppliers and are mounted on a gorgeous rose quartz base, instead of its traditional rock crystal cushion.

Chopard celebrates the 2022 75th Cannes Film Festival with a new redesigned Palme d'Or (2)
(In this photo: 25 and 75 diamonds set on two gold leaves of the Palme in tribute of the 75th Cannes Film Festival and 25 years of partnership with the institution)

The stunning laurel has been an iconic prize that honours filmmakers from around the world. This year, the accolade, presented by Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón and Cannes president Vincent Lindon, had been given to Swedish director Ruben Östlund of satirical film Triangle of Sadness for Best Film.

Chopard celebrates the 2022 75th Cannes Film Festival with a new redesigned Palme d'Or song kang-ho rueben ostland Zahra Amir Ebrahimi
(In this photo: Song Kang-Ho, Ruben Ostlund, Viencent Lindon and Zahra Amir Ebrahimi)

That evening, the stage was also shared with Korean actor Song Kang-Ho who won Best Actor for Broker, while the award for Best Actress went to Iranian actress Zahra Amir Ebrahimi for her performance in Holy Spider, and the award for Best Director was received by Korean director Park Chan-Wook for his film Decision to Leave.

The memorable event marks Cannes’ 75th edition of its international film festival, and drew to a close on 28 May with a successful celebration of arts, cinema and craftsmanship.

Chopard presents The Gentlemen’s Evening in celebration of masculine elegance

Kicking off the highly anticipated annual Cannes Film Festival this year is venerable Swiss luxury brand Chopard, honouring its gentlemen’s collection with a lavish celebration.

Chopard presents The Gentlemen’s Evening in celebration of masculine elegance gafencu 1
(In this photo: The Scheufele family)

In what has turned into something of a tradition during the festive occasion, co-presidents of the maison of fine jewellery and watches Caroline and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele co-hosted the exclusive soirée atop the gorgeous Chopard Rooftop to honour stylish gentlemen of our times.

Chopard presents The Gentlemen’s Evening in celebration of masculine elegance gafencu 10
(In this photo: The Kimberose performs at Chopard’s The Gentlemen’s Evening)

The venue was transformed into a space that took the form of an English club, a true embodiment of the theme that reflects the classic elegance of masculinity. To set the tone of the evening, with breathtaking panoramic views of the bay of Cannes in the backdrop, pop-soul band Kimberose enlivened the room with a selection of their top hits such as Back on My Feet, Escape and Sober.

The occasion welcomed actors, socialites and individuals renowned for their exquisite style. Besides the attendance of Scheufele friends and family, the presence of the likes of legendary race drivers and official Chopard Ambassadors Jacky Ickx and Romain Dumas, as well as UFC champion Conor McGregor were added to the celebratory air and personified the type of gentlemen for whom Chopard timepieces are intended.

Chopard presents The Gentlemen’s Evening in celebration of masculine elegance gafencu 4
(In this photo: DJ Nathalie Duchêne)

To further elevate the event with a well-rounded sensorial experience, a French gastronomic affair was served to guests in attendance that evening, courtesy of Executive chefs Arnaud Faye of La Chèvre d’Or restaurant (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) and Christian Sinicropi of La Palme d’Or restaurant.

The dishes — an exquisite fare — were accompanied by Monestier Latour wines (from Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s vineyard in Bergerac) and Perrier-Jouët “Blanc de blancs” champagne, as well as cigars and handcrafted cocktails prepared by Campari.

A toast to a brilliant evening to remember, Chopard concluded the night of its Gentlemen’s Evening marking its 25th partnership with the Cannes Film Festival.

 

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022

Once known as the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), Watches and Wonders is undoubtedly one of the most hotly anticipated watch fairs each year. For its first 2022 outing – held in Geneva earlier this month – 38 internationally acclaimed brands showcased their latest products to almost 22,000 visitors. Celebrating the spirit of innovation and precision engineering, hundreds of watches were on display, with the seven below deserving special mention.

Cartier Masse Mystérieuse

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022_gafencu_Cartier_Masse mysterieuse
(Photo courtesy of Cartier)

First on our list is Cartier’s Masse Mystérieuse, a stunningly sleek skeletonised design. Crafted from 950 platinum, this innovative watch is a study in minimalism, with half of its open-worked fascia remaining wholly transparent, while the other half reveals the inner workings of the Calibre 9801 MC automatic movement floating underneath. Adding a splash of colour to proceedings is the ruby cabochon crown, while a charcoal grey alligator leather strap completes its almost industrial appeal.

Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022_gafencu_Piaget_Altiplano Ultimate Concept
(Photo courtesy of Piaget)

Similarly open-worked is Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept. The brand is known for crafting super-slim designs – it holds several records for the thinnest timepieces in existence – and this new creation is a tribute to a model first presented four years ago that measures a scant two millimetres thick. To deliver this streamlined look, Piaget has fused the traditional four-layer structure (bezel and crystal, dial, movement and caseback) into one complex construct. Elsewhere, several touches nod to the exact moment this watch was dreamt up.

Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE290

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022_gafencu_Montblanc_1858_ Geosphere_Chronograph_0_Oxygen_LE290
(Photo courtesy of Montblanc)

Achieving different heights of invention, Montblanc has crafted a timepiece to withstand some of Earth’s harshest conditions – atop Mount Everest. The 44mm titanium case of the 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE290 is literally devoid of all oxygen in a bid to avoid fogging and oxidation at extreme altitudes and sub-zero temperatures. Then there’s the bidirectional bezel, which marks the cardinal points to ensure climbers keep their bearings. To prove that this isn’t just all promotional hype to boost sales, the brand has partnered with acclaimed Nepalese mountaineer Nimal Purja – scaler of the world’s 14 highest peaks in just six months and six days – who will wear the watch on his next Everest ascent.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht_Master 40

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022_gafencu_rolex_oyster_perpetual_yacht_master_40
(Photo courtesy of Rolex)

Rolex’s new gem-set Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 is inspired by the multitudinous colours of the aurora borealis. Equipped with a 40mm waterproof Oyster case in white gold, the latest avatar of this iconic timepiece comes burnished with the cutting-edge calibre 3235 movement and has been paired with the latest Oysterflex bracelet for optimum comfort and durability. A dazzling design, it’s sure to ensnare any passing gaze thanks to the shimmering blue, grey and pink diamonds and sapphires that stud its bezel.

Patek Philippe Ref. 7130R-014 Ladies’ World Time

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022_gafencu_patek_philippe_antiplano_ultimate_concept
(Photo courtesy of Patek Philippe)

Also treading a precious path, Patek Philippe has unveiled the new Ref. 7130R-014 Ladies’ World Time. Dominated by an all-green motif, this 36mm vintage-inspired creation sees its rose-gold bezel and buckle adorned with 62 and 27 diamonds respectively for a glimmering allure. The self-winding Calibre 240 HU movement, in addition to tracking home time, allows users to view all 24 time zones simultaneously in a ring around its dial – a convenient feature for the post-covid jet-setting fashionistas indeed.

Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022_gafencu_chopard_L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire
(Photo courtesy of Chopard)

Gentlemen in search of a modern statement timepiece might give Chopard’s L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire an admiring look. Created to mark the L.U.C collection’s 25th anniversary, its claim to fame is a fully transparent design that affords 360-degree views into the internal workings of its calibre L.U.C 08.01-L movement as well as the chiming minute-repeater complication. Limited to an exclusive five-piece release, this see-through effect has been achieved by crafting many of its parts from robust sapphire crystal.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945

The best of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022_gafencu_Jaeger_lecoultre_master_hybris_artistica_calibre
(Photo courtesy of Jaeger LeCoultre)

Last on our list of wow-inducing Watches and Wonders Geneva highlights comes courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945, which literally looks to the skies for its inspiration. Simply brimming with complications, this master class in high-end watchmaking features a zodiac calendar, minute repeater and sky chart with a celestial vault. At 12 o’clock is the gorgeous celestial flying tourbillon, which makes one full cycle circumambulation for each day. Crafted in Galaxia pink gold or Atomium white gold with just five of each available, it’s a guaranteed collector’s item.