Haute Fashion: Winter Chill

Call him “Rafa.” Mr. Nadal is the only title the world number three doesn’t want to add to his list. Watches, on the other hand, he loves to add to his ever-expanding collection. In October, we sat down with Rafael Nadal in Nice, France, during a promotional golf tournament organized by Swiss luxury watchmaker Richard Mille.

Haute Fashion: the secret behind miniature mechanics.

In October, Hublot launched its pop-up store and Ferrari F1 Racing Simulator at The Dubai Mall. During the event, Rebecca Anne Proctor met with watch industry magnate Jean-Claude Biver to talk about his new role at LVMH and the essence of the Hublot brand.

In our ongoing one-on-one series with our industry’s leading figures, we sat down with François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet.

Fans worldwide. Which means the haute horlogerie brands that make it onto the grid each season have a seat in the spotlight, especially in 2014, with what is turning out to be one of the most exciting championships in years.

Haute Time: Another year, another Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. What has the reception been so far to A. Lange & Söhne’s 2014 unveilings?

Behind green tinted glass walls at the Rolex headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland time slows down. Polished wood, brushed steel, and soft carpeting reminiscent of the atmosphere of a bank bring to mind reassuring notions of safety and reliability. It is a fitting environment for Rolex, which, despite being the largest luxury watchmaker in the world, shirks the glare of the spotlight.

The debate between vintage and avant-garde is a favorite among watch lovers, but it’s no longer their debate. Brands are now chiming in on the subject, and the watches on display at Baselworld 2014 made strong statements for either side. Some reminded everyone of their rich heritage by adapting an iconic case, introducing modern materials to a tested movement, or by exploiting their expertise of a particular complication. For others, the only way was forward, with daring, futuristic, and some might say, provocative designs that would complement any collection nicely. The debate between vintage and avant-garde is far from settled, and the ten watches in the following selection might not stand the test of time themselves, but they are the ones that impressed us the most this year.

Creativity is unchained underneath the ‘Palace’ that houses the independent watchmakers of Baselworld. Once again, they let their imaginations run wild in 2014, and introduced timepieces that had collectors smiling from ear to ear. But it’s not all fun and games! These five independent brands continued to develop new timekeeping techniques, and integrated innovative materials in their quests for growth. One of them even released its first in-house movement.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend especially when they are backed by complex mechanics! The watch industry is getting serious about watches for women and is developing unique complications instead of adapting those made for men. These five timepieces, introduced at Baselworld 2014, are beautifully engineered. Behind their stunning looks hides some of the most elaborate craftsmanship from high-end watchmakers, including tourbillons and moonphase indicators.

Haute Time: Let me start with a compliment. Your company has done the impossible: in less than 20 years you’ve made a cult of your product and created a “Paneraimania” trend. With respect to what you’ve done, I would like to ask: do you think that everything was done accurately? If you could go back in time, what would you change?

Wa caught up with the Miami Heat shooting guard...

It's a love-love relationship between the Le Locle-based manufacture and their newest ambassador...

Highlights of the new introductions from the 2014 Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie...

Ladies’ watches are no longer an afterthought, but have become the ideal venue for the elaborate craftsmanship that is now expected from the top-tier brands of high watchmaking. These five timepieces, introduced at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, combine fine craftsmanship with advanced technology in a beautiful package that epitomizes the modern craft […]