Like a meal that is cooked to perfection, there is something about a watch that is designed, crafted, and finished with passion and eye for detail. Vacheron Constantin did just that with the Traditionnelle Tourbillon, which is in regards to some of their other offerings a relatively simple time-only watch fitted with a tourbillon. But this watch is not about being the most complicated, but more about being one of the most refined offerings in its category.

In recent years it has become quite a thing for brands to launch a limited edition for a particular geographical region. In many ways, this is a smart strategy. It allows the brand to cater to local tastes, offer its clients and dealers there something exceptional and limited and therefore enable it to strengthen the brands present there. Both Jaeger-LeCoultre and Greubel Forsey have aimed at North America, each with a limited edition in which the color blue plays an important role.

In 2016 TAG Heuer took the world by surprise with a brand new watch in the Carrera collection. Christened Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T, this watch combined a chronograph with a flying tourbillon. The goal of TAG Heuer was to make this watch a gateway for enthusiasts who wanted a more complicated watch, as the brand gave it a very competitive price tag.

Black is a color that is nearly always appropriate to wear. Also in watchmaking does it have a dominant position, especially when it comes to dials and straps. Black cases were for a long time a rarity. At the beginning of the last century, some brands, like Cartier, for example, experimented with bakelite cases. These watches were scarce then, and even more so now. Later on, new technologies such as PVD-coatings made it that more watches with black cases entered the market. Today there are several materials which a brand can utilize to create a black watch case. Next to the traditional PVD-coating, are there now coatings made from 'Diamond-Like Carbon,' which are more resistant to wear. Next to coatings did also a whole new generation of materials emerged. Ceramic was one of the first to make its entrance, but now even carbon, in various forms, is being used to craft watch cases. Their popularity is increasing, and for a good reason, because no matter what black-colored material is selected, it often results in watches that are true dark delights!

Few movies, if any, can live up to the status that The Godfather has achieved. This 1972 blockbuster, featuring Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, also features one of the most memorable theme songs in history. It was written by Italian composer Giovanni "Nino" Rota, and its first few notes are enough to be recognized by people around the world. For Jacob & Co, the movie, but especially the music, was the inspiration for an exceptional watch.

Carbon has become an increasingly popular material for use in watchmaking these days but no other brand has taken this as far as Roger Dubuis. With the Excalibur Spider Carbon3, they present a watch which is not only equipped with a case and bracelet made from this material but incorporated it in the movement as well.

With its double-stepped bezel is Blancpain's Villeret collection not only instantly recognizable but also a true classic. Its details are subtle, but because of that, all the more powerful. Such a case also forms the perfect framework for the Tourbillon Heure Sautante Minutes Retrograde, which takes the purity of the Villeret-design to the next level with a tantalizing combination complications.

In the world of complicated watches, the GyroGraff collection by Graff has created its niche. While this is in part to its complicated movement, it is also because they often feature intricate dials and the most stunning gemstone settings. This is also the case with the latest creations within this collection, dedicated to endangered species.

Over the years Bovet has made quite a name for itself by creating extraordinary, and often very complicated, movements and wrap them in a very strong design that can only be mistaken for one of this brand. This has resulted in a very clear signature style and as a result, a strong DNA. However, as much as Bovet doesn't like to walk within the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, they also don't get too comfortable with their designs. Instead of repeating the same thing over and over again, also in here, they like to experiment a bit, and of this is the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One a perfect example.

This year Zenith is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legendary El Primero. This chronograph became known for its high frequency of 36.000 Vph/5Hz, which meant that it could measure up to 1/10th of a second. The movement was so exceptional that it was even adopted by brands such as Rolex, Ebel, Concord and Daniel Roth for the use in their watches, either in its original configuration or slightly modified.

What happens when you strip down a Breguet to its core? Take away everything that's not really necessary? Then you get the new Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395, which Breguet introduced earlier this month at their Swiss manufacture during #TimeToMove, the Swatch group's event where they launched the novelties from their top tier brands.

Of all the complications, the tourbillon must be the most mesmerizing. It is therefore not surprising that most brands also make this complication visible from the dial side so that whoever is wearing it, can fully enjoy it. For others, this is not enough, and they like to take the tourbillon to a whole other level;

There is a significant change visible in the field of ladies watches; they now tend to be more complicated, in either technical execution or design. The majority of these watches shows a refinement that comes from every single detail. Precious gemstones remain to play an important role to make just that right accent, or as one of the main ingredients for these gracious watches. At Baselworld this trend was also clearly visible, with many delightful creations.

In 2018 Bulgari smashed all thinness records with the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic. In one sweep it became not only the world's thinnest tourbillon but also the world's thinnest automatic tourbillon. That's not all, because perhaps its greatest accomplishment is that it also became the world's thinnest automatic watch. Up until now, this last record was usually held by watches that featured no additional complications, such as a tourbillon, because they tend to add to the height of a movement.

What once was a trend color, has resulted in an extensive love affair; at both SIHH as well as Baselworld where there many watches that features blue dials. With that, the color has most certainly proved its staying power, which is also evident from these four watches.

With the Angelico has Christophe Claret created yet another masterpiece. In his own unique style, he puts the mechanical aspect of the watch on center stage. The result is a watch that is very modern in appearance, although many of the technical ideas behind it are rooted in the history of watchmaking. Christophe Claret often reinvents them, refines them, or gives them an unexpected twist. This avant-garde approach has become his signature and is also clearly visible in the Angelico.