Watches and Wonders 2024: A Return to Simplicity
After a couple of years filled with bold innovations and daring ventures that introduced a wide array of unique timepieces, such as a Stormtrooper-inspired metaverse watch, the 2024 edition of Watches and Wonders—the yearly gathering of the global watch and jewelry industry—appears to be taking a more understated approach.
The Thinnest Watch Battle: Bulgari Strikes Back
In response to the growing demand for slimmer watches, luxury brands have been vying for the title of the world’s thinnest timepiece. Last year, Richard Mille unveiled a watch that measured an astonishing 1.75 millimeters in height, roughly the thickness of a quarter. However, not one to be outdone, Bulgari has reclaimed the crown with the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, which stands at a mere 1.70 millimeters thick.
This latest iteration of the Octo Finissimo features a 40-millimeter case housing a 170-component manual-winding movement, complete with a tungsten carbide back for enhanced durability despite its slender profile. With only 20 pieces available, this record-breaking timepiece comes with a hefty price tag of $32,100.
Tudor’s Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K: A Luxurious Dive Watch
Tudor has introduced a new version of its popular Black Bay Fifty-Eight dive watch, now crafted entirely in 18-karat gold. The watch boasts a fully matte and satin-finished case, water resistance up to 200 meters, and an impressive 70-hour power reserve. While the previous Black Bay 18-karat model was priced at $18,000, the new gold bracelet version commands a higher price point of $32,100, reflecting its premium materials and craftsmanship.
Bovet’s Revolutionary World Timer
Traditional World Timer watches have always struggled to account for daylight saving time (DST) changes in countries that adjust their clocks twice a year. While there have been partial solutions, no comprehensive answer existed until now.
Renowned Swiss watchmaker Bovet has developed the Orbis Mundi, a groundbreaking timepiece that addresses this long-standing issue. As Bovet’s owner, Pascal Raffy, proudly states:
“This is the first time that a mechanical watch can, at any moment, display the correct time in all 24 time zones, even taking into account daylight saving time.”
The Orbis Mundi represents a significant milestone in the world of horology, showcasing Bovet’s commitment to innovation and precision timekeeping.
4 Comments
Watches and Wonders 2024 just showed us time is not just passing, it’s evolving into art!
Honestly, who needs a mortgage when you can strap one of these beauties to your wrist?
So they basically turned the clock into a flex, huh?
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