The 2022 edition of Watches & Wonders launched in Geneva yesterday, introducing the latest creations in the world of Haute Horology. Here, we’re looking at what’s new from Jaeger LeCoultre, Panerai, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, and Montblanc.
Master Grande Traditional Calibre 948, courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre.
We saw several debuts from Jaeger LeCoultre, each examining the wonders of the cosmos, though our favorite was the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948. Looking at the direct links between the planets and constellations, and the passing of time, the flying tourbillon timepiece displays a detailed aerial view of the planet Earth, denoting international time zones. Imagined in white gold with a navy alligator leather strap, the watch’s intricate dial—crafted over a period of nearly 70 hours—also displays hours, minutes, and has a 24-hour indicator.
Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa, courtesy of Panerai.
Though a staple in the Swiss watchmaking community, Panerai returned to its Italian origins, debuting a new model in partnership with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team for the occasion of the 37th America’s Cup. Taking notes from the yachting world, the resulting timepiece is an elegant and sporty 44mm model, the Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa. Powered by an automatic mechanical movement, the watch is made with durable brushed steel encasing a blue sun-brushed dial, which notates hours, minutes, small seconds, date, and immersion time, fastened to the wrist with a red-striped fabric strap in navy.
Les Cabinotiers Tourbillon Jewellery – Sea Horse, courtesy of Vacheron Constantin.
From Vacheron Constantin, the model we can’t stop thinking of is Les Cabinotiers Tourbillon Jewellery – Sea Horse, from “Les Royaumes Aquatiques” collection. The exquisite one-of-a-kind timepiece combines guilloché, engraving, enameling, and gem-setting techniques to create a shimmering image of a seahorse on the dial, which accompanies a tourbillon carriage with small seconds, along with indicators for hours and minutes. The 39-mm pink gold case has been set with 74 gorgeous ocean-hued sapphires, completed with a matching hand-stitched strap in alligator leather.
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 40, © Rolex/JVA Studios.
Among the debuts from Rolex was the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40, a watch harnessing the beauty of phenomena like the aurora borealis and the glowing light of a sunrise. A round case in white gold, a smooth, black Oysterflex strap, and a simple face with hours, minutes, and seconds takes a classic approach, while the dial has been encircled in glistening blue, pink, and purple sapphires and diamonds, reminding us of the mystical colors of the Northern Lights.
Montblanc 1858 The Red Arrow Minerva Monopusher Chronograph, courtesy of Montblanc.
Taking cues from Montblanc’s historic pilot’s watches is the 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow LE88. With just 88 pieces created, a classic look has been executed with white gold, stainless steel, and black alligator leather, seen on a 42mm case and a dial in black opaline. Like models from the past, his new iteration features a fluted bi-directional bezel for ease of use with pilots’ gloves and a red arrow allowing for quick reading of time gone by, which accompanies Super-LumiNova markings notating hours, minutes, small seconds, elapsed seconds, and a 30-minute elapsed timer.
