Vacheron Constantin is a brand that dedicates a lot of time and resources to the preservation of fine artistic crafts. Combined with their passion for making highly complex watches, this results in one-of-a-kind timepieces like the Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Bacchus. As the name already indicates, it is dedicated to the Roman god of vines and wine. The engraver and gem setter worked in tandem to execute this theme in great detail. The bezel, lugs, and sides of the case were engraved with vines in a bas relief, where the gem setter placed the cabochon cut rubies representing the grapes. The result is as mesmerizing as it is breathtaking.

When visiting the village of Glashütte in Germany, the rest of the world seems far away. It is surrounded by beautiful nature, which gives it a deep sense of serenity, that the watchmakers there utilize to make the most marvelous creations. However, this stunning location doesn't mean that they are out of touch with the rest of the world. On the contrary, it gives them just the right perspective, as Glashütte Original proves with its Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar.

Patek Philippe's history is a constant stream of highlights, particularly when looking at their more complicated pieces. The brand invented the annual calendar, but not before making its mark on one of the most coveted complications available, the perpetual calendar. The reference 3974 holds a special place in this, as it was the very first perpetual calendar with a minute repeater, powered by an automatic movement.

A perpetual calendar remains one of the most coveted complications. While there is in today's high-tech world no particular need anymore for such a mechanical timepiece, its complexity remains mesmerizing. Unlike an annual calendar, does a perpetual one not even need adjusting in the leap years. This unique feature is very challenging to make and means that, when it runs continuously, it doesn't need manual adjustment for decades, sometimes even centuries. Watch brands also love to take this esteemed complication to the next level, from both a technical as well as an aesthetical point of view. The following four are perfect examples of this and crafted to be cherished forever.

The Overseas collection from Vacheron Constantin is gaining in popularity. This is not so surprising as it combines the looks of an attractive sports watch with the refinement of a dress watch. How potent this combination is, becomes especially clear with the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin. Vacheron Constantin opted for a traditional dial layout of this complication, with a subdial for the day, date, and month and a moon phase display on a rotating disc. Combining this with bold hands and hour markers and a chapter ring utilizing a sportive font for the 5-minute indication perfectly balances the piece.

Within the collection of A. Lange & Söhne, the Lange 1 holds a unique position. After being introduced 27 years ago, it quickly became almost synonymous with the brand. With its prominent case and asymmetrical dial, it also quickly achieved the status of an icon. Not surprisingly, as it combines its good looks with a superb movement, both in design, execution, as well as finish. What might come as a surprise is that the Lange 1 was never available with just a perpetual calendar but always combined it with other complications. With the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar, this all changes and brings A. Lange & Söhne this complication in its purest form to its signature collection.

For decades Jaeger-LeCoultre has been known as the watchmakers' watchmaker. The reason behind this is that its movements, and they have made over 1200 different calibers to date, are so good that they also supplied them to some of the greatest names in the watchworld, such as Cartier, Audemars Piguet, and Van Cleef & Arpels. One field in which they excel in particular is that of grande complications. In this, Jaeger-LeCoultre likes to challenge itself, as they did this year with the Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185.

The perpetual calendar is a complication that has always held an important place in the history of Patek Philippe. In 1925 the brand already launched its very first perpetual calendar wristwatch, and in 1941 the brand introduced Ref.1518, combining a perpetual calendar with a chronograph, something that has never been done before on a watch made in series. Patek Philippe always had a strong presence when it came to pocket watches as well, and in 1972 they introduced a novel perpetual calendar with in-line display. Now, part of its rich legacy in this field merges with the introduction of the new Ref. 5236P-001 In-line Perpetual Calendar.

When one of the most desired sports watches in the world is fitted with a refined and complex movement, magic happens. This has for sure been the case with the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar Ref.5740/1G. Upon introduction, it took the famous Gerald Genta design to new heights as it has never before been fitted with a perpetual calendar movement. It can in many ways be seen as combining the best of both worlds: the iconic look of the Nautilus, with one of the sophisticated, complex movements Patek Philippe is known for.

To watch connoisseurs, the Patek Philippe reference 3448 needs no introduction. When launched in 1962, it became the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar powered by an automatic movement. It immediately also became one of the most beautiful, as even today, few other perpetual calendars can match the pure style of reference 3448. One of its most prominent features is the moon phase display, which is located at six o'clock, and surrounded by the dates, indicated by a hand. But not all reference 3448 have this feature, as some are "Senza Luna."

These days there is no shortage of perpetual calendars. Most brands have one in their collection, yet not all are equal. Because there are quite a few to choose from, standing out of the crowd can be a challenge. Hermès has no problem tackling this by simply staying true to their own DNA and use an interesting mix of materials.

This year's edition of the GPHG, the Oscars of the watch world, was quite different than the years before. What is usually a phenomenal black-tie event was now heavily scaled down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The event could be followed online by watch enthusiasts and industry insiders around the globe, who saw a few surprising, and a few not so surprising winners.

In the 15 years after its founding has MB&F launched one revolution after another. They tackled classic complications in ways that nobody has done before, introduced us to new ones, but showed most of all that there are no boundaries to creativity. Now it is time for a revolution to evolve, as the brand launches a new chapter with the Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO.

With three new creations is A. Lange & Söhne paying tribute to its founder, Ferdinand Adolph Lange, who founded the manufacture 175th year ago. All three watches are part of the 1815 collection, named after his birth year, and feature a honey-gold case. This has become a tradition of the unique “Homage to F. A. Lange” anniversary editions, as ten years ago, they did the same. Despite that they come from the same collection and share the same case material are all the three watches quite different in nature.

The small town of Glashütte, located in the beautiful region of Saxony, Germany, has a population of just over 7,000 people. Despite this, it is the beating heart of German watchmaking, with the manufacturers of Nomos, Tutima, Moritz Grossmann, A. Lange & Söhne, and Glashütte Original all located within the city limits. Glashütte Original holds a unique position among them, with a collection that contains watches in both a sportive as well as classic Glashütte style, all with manufacture movements.

While no official standards are indicating when a watch can be called (ultra-)thin, it is reasonably easy to pass your judgment about it. The heights of both the movement and the watch itself are common knowledge for most watches, and can therefore be compared to the record-holders in a specific category. Especially in recent years thin movements, and watches, have become en vogue again, as many people realized that in a sense they represent the nec plus ultra of the watch industry. Watches like the Bulgari Octo Finissimo also showed that it is not only classic dress watches that can benefit from this. Even the cool-factor of a modern-looking watch for every day, and every occasion, increases significantly when powered by an ultra-thin movement. Leave it to the following four watches to that thin is in.