Sneak Peak into Day 1- SIHH, 2018, Geneva

The finest watchmaking show SIHH has completely taken over the city of Geneva. Day 1 has bought in thrilling showcases by the biggest and the most innovative watch brands. While we are constantly devouring the news, we have lots of updates for you to munch on. This year, unlike never before SIHH has over 35 Maisons exhibiting their latest timepieces and watchmaking technicalities.

The SIHH was waved off yesterday at the grand auditorium with an introductory presentation by Piaget. Chabi Nouri, CEO held an intriguing session on New Watches and unveiled its new global campaign as well as its latest novelties including the new Altiplano and Possession watches.

The next session was a rendezvous with Cartier CEO Cyrille Vigneron followed by an exclusive exhibition of Cartier’s new Santos collection. The collection is a tribute to practical watchmaking, and has an add on factor of technology spicing up the vintage. Its fitted with automatic movements and strap collections and is available in three sizes.

While the space manifested a wide range of chic timepieces and there were phenomenal activities all around, some pieces became the showstoppers and our favorites.

Most Curious Launches:

• Audemars Piguet: SIHH this year is seeming to be a centre of ultra-thin records. And AP’s limelight product that made it big at the carpet was the Royal Oak RD#2 Perpetual Ultra-thin. Probably the thinnest ever automatic calendar in the market today i.e the overall thickness of the watch incredibly got down to 6.33mm. A sleek beauty with a gorgeous blue Grande Tapisserie dial AP’s oak watch is worth a million bows.

• Montblanc : As hailed from before, Montblanc has three kinds of watches in its kitty this year including the 1858 collection, the TimeWalker , and the Star Legacy On Day 1, the brand launched its 1858 collection marking the 160^th anniversary of its Minerva marque. The new watches exhibited were the 1858 Automatic, 1858 Automatic Chronograph, the 1858 Geosphere, the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 100, and the 1858 Pocket Watch Limited Edition 100. They are perfect smart watches with subtle features which promise an everlasting value.

• IWC: Marking a stunning presence of 150 years in market, IWC celebrated its anniversary by displaying 27 limited-edition timepieces at the SIHH. To demarcate the glorious occasssion, unlike earlier display of one specific product family, IWC this year got on table peculiar pieces from all families including Portugieser, Portofino, Pilot’s and Da Vinci. And the watches which won hearts were the Portugieser Constant-Force Tourbillon 150 Year Edition and the Pallweber 150 Year Edition.

• The Vacheron Constantin – One of the oldest names in this sector this brand exposed its new design, inspired by post-war period and dedicated to the fifties. VC’s high water resistant collection was reproduced under the name FiftySix and has three faces all based on 40mm cases. With a 1326 Calibre movement the new collection has a boastful power reserve of 48 hours and are available in pink gold or steel. It’s a praiseworthy classic set of watch collection.

• Greubel Forsey: Known for its impeccable R&D and intimate fine watchmaking techniques, GF unveiled its Constant Force with Deadbeat Seconds compilation for the decade long wristwatch différentiel d’égalité. The watch swiftly compacts the complex mechanism and runs for a whooping 60-hour reserve. Based in white gold, its limited to 33 pieces which by the way gave it the biggest limelight.

The SIHH nexus got together the who’s who of the watch world, with over 16,000 only-on-invite visitors. If only you can book your tickets, you can witness the great watch fair which is open to public for 19^th January.

Nevertheless, keep the excitement intact as there’s much more being cooked in Geneva. And we assure to keep you best posted. Stay tuned!