Record attendance figures have been reported at the annual 2023 Watches and Wonders event in Geneva, an iconic trade show that celebrates creativity, design, engineering and craftsmanship in the world of watchmaking.
As the trend for luxury jewelry continues to grow, this year saw an increase in younger visitors at the event, with those aged 25 years and under comprising 25 percent of all attendees.
The event boasted an extensive program, with the LAB experience giving visitors a rare glimpse into the future of watchmaking and the Touch and Feel sessions attracting visitors keen to get their hands on the latest new releases.
Below are some of the mechanical masterpieces steering the world towards ever greater horological heights and contributing to the growth of the global watch market.
1. Hublot Square Bang Unico
After introducing the unconventionally square-shaped Square Bang Unico, which posed a challenge to watchmakers accustomed to working with round cases, Hublot unveiled three new models at this year’s event. The new models showcase the maison’s mastery over state-of-the-art materials.
“True to our motto, ‘First, Unique, Different’, Hublot dared to successfully confront square-shaped watches with the Square Bang Unico. Now, we see this model as a new field of expression for our technical know-how, taking on the additional challenge of developing new versions using advanced materials,” Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe said.
The new models include the water-resistant Square Bang Unico Sapphire, limited to just 250 timepieces, and two ceramic editions that have been micro-blasted and polished. The ceramic models come in black and white and feature a rubber strap alongside a titanium deployant buckle.
2. Chanel Interstellar Capsule Collection
Chanel’s Interstellar timepieces offer a fresh interpretation of some of the maison’s most iconic models, including the J12, Première, BOY.FRIEND and Code Coco.
With designs inspired by time travel and science fiction, these watches are anything but conventional, with 168 baguette-cut diamonds on a dial and another with a black-quilted patent leather strap and diamond-set circuit board.
However, the star of the show is undoubtedly the latest version of Première X-Ray, which features a glamorous network of intertwining links crafted from sapphire crystal and white gold.
3. Hermès H08 collection
Hermès sporty elegant line has been injected with a fresh new eye-catching esthetic thanks to blue, yellow, orange and green color options that are featured on the woven rubber straps, markers and hands.
With new composite material made from a combination of carbon fiber and graphene powder, you’ll be guaranteed a watch that’s sturdy yet lightweight for casual, everyday use.
4. A Lange & Söhne Odysseus Chronograph
Available in a limited edition of 100 watches, the Odysseus Chronograph incorporates ground-breaking technology with its self-winding chronograph movement that also communicates sophistication.
The L155.1 DATOMATIC caliber is the new movement that was specially developed for this model, which resets the chronograph hands to zero.
Similar to other Odysseus models, the Odysseus Chronograph creates the illusion of depth that adds weight to the watchmaker’s reputation for precision and horological intricacy.
5. Tag Heuer Carrera Plasma Diamant D’Avant-Garde (44 millimeter)
Set with 124 custom-made, lab-grown diamonds, which are contrasted against lightweight black sandblasted aluminum, this watch is not only visually striking but technically advanced.
The imaginatively-cut diamonds are dispersed throughout the bezel and bracelet using the Diamant d’Avant-Garde technique.
The watch also features a polycrystalline diamond-plated dial and Caliber Heuer 02 Tourbillon Nanograph movement, a fine example of the watchmaker’s expertise in pairing innovation with stunning esthetics.
6. Czapek Antarctique S ‘Carte des Nuages’
‘Carte des Nuages’, which translates to ‘map of the clouds’, features a dream-like dial in white or gray mother-of-pearl that is offset with six fine guilloche grid lines etched into the surface. This creates the illusion of depth and marks a rare achievement in the world of horology.
The dial is bordered by diamonds on the bezel and ‘C’ links within the bracelet that add to the watch’s sophistication and elegance.
7. Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
This stunning new timepiece features an emerald green dial and three subdials for the date, month and weekday alongside a moon phase display.
At only 8.65 millimeters thick, the model offers an ultra slim design, with interchangeable straps for a touch of versatility while boasting a four-millimeter 1255 Panerai caliber for proven reliability.
8. DOXA, Sub 200 C-Graph II
Crafted from the highest quality stainless steel and a dial that’s coated with scratch-resistant sapphire, this timepiece is designed for the needs of the contemporary diver.
It offers a power reserve of up to 56 hours and is water-resistant up to 200 meters, reaffirming its reputation as the most reliable, high-performance timekeeper for marine explorers.
The most striking feature is the sunburst effect that illuminates the dial and guarantees visibility, while the mechanical automatic chronograph is for keeping track of diving times.
Unlike previous models, the Sub 200 C-Graph II offers a slimmer, more contemporary look and feel paired with high functionality for the most high-risk dives.
9. Hautlence Linear Series 2
This new model takes the Linear Series 1 to new heights with a redesigned case and black PVD coating that contrasts the colored elements displayed within the multi-layered dial.
Unlike most timepieces, this new model has a dial that reveals parts of the movement with accents of sapphire.
What’s more, the new caliber D50 self-winding movement was designed entirely by the maison, signifying yet another progressive turning point for the watchmaker, while retaining Hautlence’s signature TV screen shape.
10. Laurent Ferrier Square Micro-Rotor and Classic Micro-Rotor Evergreen
At this year’s Watches and Wonders event, Laurent Ferrier unveiled two new models within its Micro-Rotor line: the Square Micro-Rotor Evergreen and the Classic Micro-Rotor Evergreen.
Blessed with a timeless esthetic, the models come in a square stainless steel case or a round 18-carat gold case, both with a distinct green dial with a satin-brushed finish.
Each case additionally features a ball-shaped crown and a sapphire crystal case back for the wearer to observe the intricate micro-rotor movement, even when submerged up to 30 meters underwater.
