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WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Horological Meandering

My thoughts…

 

Dear Tony,

 

A really great review of the SIHH offerings and some wonderful commentary which had me laughing out loud as well as nodding in agreement.

 

I too was most impressed with the offerings from VC: the Patrimony Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Chronograph has the right blend of whimsy with that engraved moon and functionality (but they are up against Patek in price). The 2-register Chronograph was great (but I would probably go a Datograph first). The 38mm Patrimony Traditionnelle is superior to the new JLC MUT but the Americaine 1921 has really caught my imagination. This was a watch that I initially dismissed, but it’s the one my eyes keep coming back to, and thankfully the comments of those who have seen it ‘in the metal’ are all very positive. I am expecting this to be a long term favourite.

 

Yes that new Jules Audemars APChrono is a brilliant piece of engineering. At 46mm, however, I think it is too large and despite the engineering and design reasons for a small balance wheel in a high beat movement, I think it looks out of proportion. [I’m just being old fashioned here as I like my Chronometers to have beautiful large balances – get with the times, Andrew!]. Design wise I would go for the MC12 over this.

 

The JLC Grand Reverso 986 as a very successful dress watch but I am under-whelmed by the movement architecture of the 976.

 

The A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange PLM is a brilliant stealthy dress watch with a knockout movement. Brilliant.

 

And finally I agree with you about Cartier. I have never dismissed them as ‘just a jewellery brand’ and they have had some great designs over the years, but this 2009 offering is particularly strong and impressive.

 

I am also pleased that the Basel Fair is more temporally separated from the SIHH as we have more time to savour and consider.

 

Thanks again for taking the effort to put this together and kind regards,

 

Andrew

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23 Comments view entire thread 

SIHH 2009: A Personal View

 
By: tony p : February 2nd, 2009-05:31
SIHH 2009 was truly a watershed moment for the haute horlogerie industry, which has had insufficient time to adjust its new offerings in response to the dramatic world economic crash of this past October. The warning signs for a financial downturn were pr...  

Not bad T

 
By: Jpvfx : February 2nd, 2009-08:19
But you over looked IWC and Panerai the more important brands ;-) (well bar the Egiziano, which BTW is a remake of an older OP war model) and nothing to do with collectors receding physique, well not as far as I'm aware. The new Panerai Auto movements P.9... 

Thanks a lot Tony for your comments.

 
By: foversta : February 2nd, 2009-14:20
I saw this year a quite interesting SIHH, at least better that we could expect before going to Geneva. You're right, the RL PLM is an amazing watch. Is it not a bit too overpriced ? Only the customers have the answer. Fr.Xavier...  

Very interesting, Tony

 
By: amanico : February 3rd, 2009-04:51
Like you, I was wondering if the Brands will present some interesting novelties, this year, due to the fact that the SIHH was 3 months earlier, and due to the Crisis. In fact, this was a bit surprising, not to say surrealist... Crisis? What Crisis? There ... 

Still Giggling ....

 
By: emmykins : February 3rd, 2009-05:59
Tony I am rarely without speech but I must confess your witty quips had me convulsing with laughter..... Dare I say “Genius” Thank you for giving a sense of FUN to a "sometimes" serious topic. I thoroughly enjoyed every sarcastic moment ... PS: I also hav...