Several companies revealed some of the watches they’ll be unveiling at SIHH 2019, January 14 -17. Early trends include a focus on case shapes as well as different variations of celestial themes
Like the larger, flashier event in Basel, Switzerland, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) luxury watch trade fair in Geneva has been undergoing a great deal of change since 2016. The difference is unlike Baselworld — which has been reacting to massive exhibitor and attendance declines along with long-held anger and criticisms — changes at SIHH have been proactive and without controversy.
A closeup view of the Cartier Dual Time Zone Skeleton XL in 18k rose gold Cartier
Known as the more exclusive of the two main Swiss watch trade fairs (and the more enjoyable), since 2016 SIHH has invited more exhibitors, more attendees and more press. It has seen its share of exhibitors leaving the show but it’s more because of changing distribution channels as opposed to unhappiness with the fair. Van Cleef & Arpels will not be exhibiting this year saying that it does very little business with retailers and distributors (if any). Two luxury watch brands, Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet, are leaving next year for similar reasons, as prestigious watch companies are dealing more directly with consumers.
In the meantime luxury Swiss watch brand, Bovet, known for their handmade watches with artistic finishes and highly complicated movements will be exhibiting at SIHH for the first time in 2019. In addition, Breitling and Bucherer recently became members of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), which manages SIHH. This is likely the first step in replacing Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet for 2020.
The scene at the Cartier exhibition space during SIHH 2018 SIHH
There will be 35 exhibitors at SIHH 2019,18 historic watch brands (the majority owned by the Swiss luxury goods holding company, Richemont Group) and 17 highly exclusive and in some cases experimental independent watchmakers. They are as follows:
Historic Maisons: A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Bovet, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, Greubel Forsey, Hermès, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin.
Carré des Horlogers (Watchmakers Square): Armin Strom, Christophe Claret, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, DeWitt, élégante by F. P. Journe, Grönefeld, H. Moser & Cie, Hautlence, HYT, Kari Voutilainen, Laurent Ferrier, MB&F, Ressence, Romain Gauthier, RJ, Speake-Marin, Urwerk.
Several companies have revealed some of the watches they’ll be unveiling at SIHH 2019. While most of the watch brands will unveil their best pieces during the trade fair being held January 14 – 17, there are some noticeable early trends that include a focus on case shapes as well as different variations of celestial themes. What follows are some of the watches that will be unveiled this month.
Cartier Privé Tonneau collection Cartier
Cartier Privé Tonneau collection
In recent years the French luxury brand has been reinterpreting some of the iconic watch shapes created by Cartier under the “Privé” banner. In 2015 the “Crash” watch received this treatment followed by the Tank Cintrée in 2017. At SIHH 2019 Cartier will unveil a capsule collection of the “Tonneau” watch. The Tonneau was one of the first models of wristwatches created by Cartier in 1906, just two years after it introduced the Santos, which Cartier claims was the first watch made for the wrist (there is plenty of debate on this topic). Tonneau, meaning “barrel” is both the name and shape of the watch. Over the years many watches have been made in the tonneau shape but the Cartier “Tonneau” is one of the earliest. The Privé Tonneau collection consists of two sets of four models all with alligator leather straps.
