2010 Watch Introductions from SIHH Geneva Show

Each year, Hyde Park attends the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Switzerland to discover the newest announcements and introductions from the most distinguished brands in the world of fine watchmaking. Here are some exciting introductions from this year’s show (held January 18th-22).

Calibre de Cartier
A much anticipated introduction from Cartier, this creation is equipped with the first self-winding mechanical movement crafted entirely by Cartier: the caliber 1904 MC. Caliber de Cartier’s mechanical construction resolutely confirms this initial impression: its round case, measuring 42mm in diameter, is heightened by a bezel and extended by four curved horns set precisely into the cylindrical case middle. Available in three versions: pink gold, steel, or a combination of the two. With a dial in black, white, or chocolate brown, this new creation has made a striking entry into the 21^st century. Estimated availability: August 2010

Captive de Cartier
The Captive de Cartier watch is Cartier’s latest model showing the brand’s incomparable sense in designing female watches. Captive de Cartier features a very unconventional design with sharp contrast in size between the hour indexes and watch hands. The central dial is 35mm in diameter, but the hour and minute hands were shrunk to a very small size that they look like a subsidiary dial. On the other hand, the most space of the dial is occupied by the radiant gem-set hour markers, which is mounted on a clean and sleek 18 carat rhodium plate in light gray. The bezel, of course, is set with round diamonds in concert with the glittering hours. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters, although probably no one will wear such a watch to go diving. Overall, the Captive de Cartier light gray color theme with the unstinted use of glittering diamonds makes the watch like a ice rose in full bloom. Estimated availability: June 2010

Panerai Composite Marina Militare PAM 339
This new introduction from Panerai is very special in many different ways. The 47mm case is made out of a new material called “Panerai composite”, which is allegedly even harder than ceramic. The watch is very light in weight. The color of both the case and the dial is brown. The bezel and the case are made out of one piece. The in-house Panerai P.2002/7 movement has an eight day power reserve. The watch is limited to 1000 units. Estimated availability: late 2010 –  early 2011

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Chronograph
Audemars Piguet‘s new Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Collection embodies the powerful ties between watchmaking and automobiles. There are three versions, all featuring forged carbon. A rose gold and forged carbon, a platinum and forged carbon and an all forged carbon model. All three variations are powered by the robust 3126/3840 selfwinding in-house caliber. The case is 44mm x 15.65mm and features the inscription “Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix -Limited Edition” engraved on the solid caseback. The straps are made of a cool blend of black calfskin and alcantara, hand-sewn with alcantara inserts and edges. Depending on which version you select, the pin buckle comes in beadblasted titanium, 18K gold or platinum. Estimated availability: Winter 2010 – 2011

Audemars Piguet Millenary Quincy Jones Limited Edition
Audemars Piguet‘s new Millenary – limited to 500 pieces – has a blackened and polished steel case with the Millenary’s signature “off-center” positioning of the hours, minutes and seconds functions. The case back is engraved with Quincy Jones’ signature, and also reads “Millenary Quincy Jones – Limited Edition” as a reminder of its exclusivity. The piece is comes on a black leather strap with matching “AP” folding clasp. The watch contains Audemars Piguet’s in-house Caliber 3120. Estimated availability: Winter 2010 – 2011

Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre á Quantième Lunaire Moonphase Chronograph
Among the most elegant premieres of the SIHH 2010 international trade show, this watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre has all the characteristic design elements of the Duomètre series, but adds to the mix a moonphase complication and a partial skeletonization of the dial. This piece displays time with a jumping foudroyante seconds hand showing 1/6th of a second increments, along with the date and the age of the moon. The “dual-wing” movement features two independent power supplies: one regulated by the escapement and balance, and the other for the time, date and age of the moon displays. Estimated availability: Summer 2010

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox International
Jaeger-Lecoultre is bringing back the Memovox.  For those of you not familiar with the original Memovox, it has the distinct and privileged honor of being the first wristwatch with an automatic movement with alarm function (enabled by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 815), achieved in 1956. The 2010 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox is powered by a Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 956 (first introduced in 2008), a descendant of the Caliber 815, and delivering 45 hours power reserve.  Available in stainless steel or rose gold case – with a very well chosen case size of 40mm – this watch will fit nicely on the wrist.  The silver dial of the Memovox is punctuated by numerals marking the 6, 9 and 12 hours, while the 3 o’clock position gives way to the date.  Note the inner disk of the Memovox – the signature of the watch – marked with an arrow symbol to indicate the alarm time. Estimated availability: Summer 2010