SIHH 2019: Hermès, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Söhne, and Baume & Mercier

While Hermès shared a number of beautiful designs, our favorite was the Slim d’Hermès Carreve: an ultra-thin 39.5mm timepiece with a sleek, simplistic design. While the case and strap remain effortless and uncomplicated—round white gold with a matte black alligator strap—the dial design is one to remember. Against a white background, a crescent moon is formed by wording in both French and English posing queries like, “Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that, yet we sleep, we dream.”

Reinterpreting a past masterpiece, A. Lange & Söhne introduced the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, which boasts an unusual combination including a flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar with moon phases, a power reserve indicator, and a tourbillon with stop seconds. The timepiece features a rich combination of pink and white gold with a brown alligator strap, making it impressive not only technically, but also aesthetically.

Expanding on the Clifton Baumatic collection which debuted in 2018, this year Baume & Mercier presented the Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar. A combination of the BM13 version of the Baumatic movement with a perpetual calendar, the watch boasts a self-winding movement and only requires maintenance every seven years, opposed to the 3 to 5 years of a traditional watch. Timeless but modern, the design includes a warm white porcelain finish dial with a 42 mm red gold case and a black alligator strap, which is easily interchangeable to best match the mood of the day.

Vacheron Constantin shared a series of one-of-a-kind timepieces that were anything but forgettable. Highlighting the techniques of bas-relief engraving and marquetry (wood inlay), the Les Cabinotiers “Mécaniques Souvages” creations include the Imperial Tiger, the Majestic Tiger, the Wild Panda, all brought to life on the dial in exquisite detail and color. Each unique Les Cabinotier watch features a 41mm dial, pink or white gold case and details, an alligator strap, and comes in a luxury box made of Makassar ebony.