ISSUE 58
In recent Issues, QP has devoted plenty of space to the resurgence of ambition on British watchmaking and QP58 is no exception as we recount the debut of M [...]
In recent Issues, QP has devoted plenty of space to the resurgence of ambition on British watchmaking and QP58 is no exception as we recount the debut of M [...]
By way of passing on a little of the flavour of SIHH, the Richemont-dominated watch industry show in Geneva, it's day two and a couple of things are becoming apparent: yesterday's snow disaster stories have finally lost currency (everyone finally made it and no-one died) and the shine of new media gizmos is wearing off fast (the realization dawning that instant updating of every last new watch is both impossible and of strictly limited interest). The scale, overwhelming beigeness and the number of brand presentations do make it hard to put everything in proper perspective, as well as enforcing a curious group dynamic, so bear with us!
It has been a day of horological extremes at the SIHH, with presentations by the likes of Baume et Mercier following hot on the heels of Van Cleef & Arpels and a 3D spectacular from Richard Mille. Lange started the day with a relatively low-key presentation by their standards - quite rightly Lange are not concerned to have big new products every year, there were plenty of tweaks and variations, but nothing to raise the pulse.
Richard Mille (one of the few non-Richemont brands at the SIHH) were the polar opposite, launching seven new models, including some genuinely radical ideas - look out for the new Rafael Nadal model in particular - and almost none were over the top compared to recent years (relatively speaking - who really needs a g-meter?). Van Cleef were reliably wondrous (you may never want an enamel butterfly watch, but if you did, you would never find a better one) and their new Poetic Complication has the nerve to be a minute repeater without chimes.
So, plenty in the bag for the next QP editorial meeting, and Audemars Piguet is yet to come. Tomorrow brings delights such as Vacheron and Panerai, and a side-step to see SalonQP hits Julien Coudray and Laurent Ferrier at the GTE in downtown Geneva.
