By Jovan Krstevski
We’ve seen really great timepieces introduced in SIHH 2017. I for one can’t stop rumbling about the ones that certainly tickle my fancy for mechanical watches, they’re all good so good that if I’d had the chance, I’ll pick them all. Realistically, though, it still feels better to be on the sidelines… even though some of these watches are targeted to a very few I’d still prefer to cover them since I really love watches. So without further ado, here are my picks for the top 5 best timepieces of SIHH 2017.
5. Cartier Drive de Cartier Extra Flat
Cartier is many things from chic to cool but for me, I like Cartier’s minimalist watches. I like something that is a watch, that’s it no fancy tech inside, just a precision device that tells time, as if this is easy to say. Well, I placed Drive de Cartier Extra Flat on the 5th place because I feel that its well designed manually wound calibre 430MC makes the cut for this list. With such a thin profile, you won’t expect that it’s capable of lasting 43 hours on a single wound. Add the distinguishable sunray dial and the signature Cartier Roman numerals, we get a really nice watch. cartier.com
4. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph With Sector Dial
What I love about this watch is its reasonable price of 8,000 USD. It wears comfortably and exudes a stunning wrist presence. Jaeger-LeCoultre packs a lot of punch for this watch for an entry level collection such as the JLC automatic in-house calibre 751G comprised of 235 parts including a double-barrel and 37 jewels. Its 12-hour chronograph is nice to have plus you get to choose between 3 stainless steel models: Master Control Date with time/date, Master Control Geographic with worldtimer complication and the Master Control Chronograph. jaeger-lecoultre.com
3. Ulysse Nardin Regatta
The Ulysse Nardin Regatta comes on a tough 44mm steel case that is water-resistant to 100 meters. It sports a fluted bezel with rubber inserts, a screw-down crown, and two molded rubber pushers. Two dial variants are available: ocean blue with bursts of signature Artemis Racing yellow and a black enamel Champlevé dial. This watch is innovative because it sports a bi-directional chronograph. Traditionally, when the chronograph for the regatta or race is started, the watch can’t be used for anything else, now, however, it’s a different story. The reversed chronograph/countdown timer automatically switches to a normal chronograph once the race has started. ulysse-nardin.com
2. A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual ‘Pour Le Mérite’
A. Lange & Söhne is a huge player in the SIHH 2017 and their watch is no other than the impressive Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour Le Mérite” Watch. It packs incredible technologies particularly the 1994 Tourbillon “Pour le Merit” sporting both the fusee-and-chain and the tourbillon with the additional chronograph with rattrapante and a perpetual calendar in a 43mm platinum case that is just 16.6mm thick. I like the open-heart view of the tourbillon at 6, it’s marvelous. Readability is superb even for a watch with these high-end complications. alange-soehne.com
1. Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600
Topping this list is no other than the magnificent VC Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication watch packing no less than 23 complications. With 5 years of development, I can really say that this VC is indeed a one of a kind watch. Interestingly, these complications fit in an 8.7mm thick case, this is utterly a ground-breaking feat. Of all the complications, I fancy the Mareoscope found at 11 O’clock showing the tide level and the Sun-Earth-Moon conjunction, opposition, and quadrature. It’s very informative and rarely found on any complicated timepiece. vacheron-constantin.com
