“10Best Watches” SIHH 2011
I. Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea
The Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea is a re-edition of Jaeger Le-Coultre’s original alarm watch. The original versions of the Deep Sea are highly collectible, thankfully Jaeger-LeCoultre tried to keep this piece very true to the original. Careful attention was paid to details as minute as the patina and color of the dial. It even features a plastic crystal, like the original.
Retail $12,450, Jaeger-LeCoultre
II. Ralph Lauren Guilloche Chronograph
The RL Guilloche Chronograph has a classic look with Breguet style hands, Roman numeral hour markers, and a basic black and white color scheme, but it is the beautiful guilloche-work dial and bezel that really sets this chronograph apart. Furthermore, it is powered by a manufacture quality Jaeger-LeCoultre column-wheel chronograph movement.
Retail $7,300 (39 mm), $8,250 (45 mm), Ralph Lauren
III. Vacheron Constantin Historiques Aronde 1954
The Aronde 1954 is a throwback to Vacheron Constantin’s original 1954 Aronde model. The Aronde Historique Aronde 1954 has a very complex case design, the specially curved case flanks give the Aronde its distinctive style. The opaline silvered hand-guilloche dial, curved sapphire crystal and VC manufacture calibre further distinguish this as a masterpiece.
Retail $26,200, Vacheron Constantin
IV. A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite”
The Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Merite is Lange’s fourth offering within the Richard Lange collection, it is an exclusive piece, from a very exclusive brand. And accordingly, Lange used their in-house balance spring, a fusee chain transmission and a one-minute tourbillon for the ultimate in refinement and precision. The most unique feature, though, is the mechanically pivoting section of the hour dial.
Retail $193,600 (pink gold), $233,600 (platinum), A. Lange & Sohne
V. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony World Time
The Patrimony World Time was one of Vacheron Constantin’s most talked about pieces this year, and rightfully so. It is the first mechanical watch to feature all 37 world time zones, and it even has the ability to be adjusted for any time zone changes in the future. The coolest feature, though, is the half shaded sapphire disk which rotates over a map in the center of the dial, this effectively illustrates where in the world it is day and night.
Retail $39,900, Vacheron Constantin
VI. Richard Mille RM033 Extra-Flat
The all new RM033 Extra-Flat has the same sporty, skeletonized and high-tech contemporary look that is a signature of Richard Mille timepieces, but in round case. The case diameter is modest compared to most Richard Mille timepieces at 45.70 mm, but it is how thin the watch is that is most impressive. At only 6.3 mm in height, it is quite thin, especially considering that it is a skeletonized automatic movement. A platinum micro-rotor was used to save space, for the exceptionally thin 2.6 mm movement.
Retail $70,000 (titanium), $85,000 (red gold), $90,000 (white gold), Richard Mille
VII. Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Super Sport
The Parmigiani Fluerier Bugatti Super Sport timepiece is an amazing example of what can be done when there are no boundaries. The design, movement and overall look are like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Retail $259,000, Parmigiani Fleurier
VIII. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore
Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Offshore features a new design, reminiscent of the famous Rubens Barrichello model that is now a collector’s piece. Available in steel, forged carbon or rose gold cases, each piece has a ceramic bezel. A clear caseback allows a rare view into the AP 3126 in-house self-winding chronograph caliber. This is maybe the best looking Royal Oak Offshore yet.
Retail $28,100 (Stainless Steel), $31,000 (Forged Carbon), $52,100 (Rose Gold), Audemars Piguet
IX. A. Lange & Sohne Dual Time
The A. Lange & Sohne Dual Time is an elegantly simple timepiece. It allows you to quickly change between the second timezone by just pressing one of the two pushers on the left flank of the case. Lange choose not to incorporate a date display, which makes the dial much cleaner, and puts all the focus on effortlessly keeping track of time across different timezones.
Retail $25,400 (pink gold), $26,600 (white gold), A. Lange & Sohne
X. Roger Dubuis La Monégasque Chonrograph
Roger Dubuis introduced a totally new collection at SIHH 2011, the La Monégasque. The La Monégasque Chronograph is powered by a RD 680 self-winding calibre with a column-wheel. The movement is finished to Geneva seal specifications, and is COSC chronometer tested, ensuring both very high quality timekeeping and aesthetics. The look is contemporary and blends well with the design of earlier Roger Dubuis timepieces, while still having a distinctly new style of its own.
Retail $24,200 (steel), $36,800 (rose gold), Roger Dubuis
Click here for all 2011 SIHH coverage