Geared up for travel

The mere mention of faraway destinations, whether southern seas or northern landscapes, never fails to strike a chord with the ordinary Joe or Jane. The promise of distant travels and exotic horizons rarely leaves anyone indifferent. While the idea that we might one day leave it all behind is often little more than a dream, keeping that dream alive is as good a therapy as any. At any rate among watchmakers hunting down new growth opportunities. In more down-to-earth terms, those of Philippe Léopold-Metzger, CEO of Piaget, this means “managing icons and seeking to introduce new ones so as to inject creativity.” And what better theme than travel to set the scene.

Beyond the sea

For Vacheron Constantin, this is clearly a winning formula. “2016 is the year of the Overseas,” declared CEO Juan-Carlos Torres at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). “In this difficult economic context, where no market is really as it should be, we need to get away from it all, and we have the ideal travel companion.” A worthy heir to the 222, Vacheron Constantin’s first incursion into sport watches, designed in 1977 by Gérald Genta, the Overseas is the epitome of the watchmaker’s casual elegance and clearly identified by its six-sided bezel. The Maison is marking this icon’s twentieth anniversary with a collection that has been subtly revisited, and which features five new models and three new movements for twelve references. Each hallmarked with the Poinçon de Genève, they are a chronograph (Calibre 5200) and two three-hand automatics, one with a 37-mm diameter for women. The line-up also extends to two ultra-thin styles, including a Perpetual Calendar that is driven by the famous Calibre 1120. A non-negligible detail: the watches are delivered with two or three straps which can be switched in just seconds, pin buckle included, without any special tools.

The briny sea calls at Montblanc, which sets sail on a maritime excursion for its 110th anniversary, a reminder that the origins of the brand were sealed in 1906 by the three founders, after crossing the Atlantic from Hamburg to New York on a vast ocean liner. “The theme we have chosen for this jubilee is that of transatlantic travel aboard the ocean-going liners which, in the early twentieth century, competed to make the fastest crossing that would win them the Blue Riband, the ultimate accolade in this booming industrial age,” declared Davide Cerrato, head of the Montblanc watch division, at the SIHH. “We have chosen the 4810 line to develop this theme.” This historic range, whose name alludes to the height of Mont Blanc, the mountain, moves up a notch in terms of technique with five mechanical movements, including three in-house developments that equip the 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim (4.5 mm high), the 4810 TwinFly Chronograph (chrono with central hands, GMT, date) and the 4810 Orbis Terrarum (world time). Completing the range are a Chronograph Automatic, a Day-Date and a Date Automatic. Not forgetting the anniversary editions, including three series of the 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim 110 Years, complete with a miniature painting of the continents on their dial.

The road ahead

Cartier takes to life on the open road with the new collection of Drive watches, guaranteed to add a stylish touch behind the wheel. The range reprises Cartier’s longstanding tradition of form watches, with a cushion case surrounding a guilloché dial marked by the traditional Roman numerals. The collection makes its debut with three models in gold or steel. Cartier’s workhorse Calibre 1904 MC drives the basic automatic version and the beautifully balanced GMT model. Travellers seeking a Fine Watch rendition can choose the Drive Flying Tourbillon, which is powered by the hand-wound Calibre 9452 MC.

The need for a suitable timekeeper when down on the ground is equally as important when up in the air. So thinks IWC which this year presents a complete line of Pilot’s Watches, with a choice that ranges from the Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch at 55 mm, directly descended from the original observation watch of 1940 with the 52 T.C.S calibre, and the Automatic 36 mm for ladies with a head for heights. On a more technical note, IWC has introduced the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph. Changing the time zone is the result of simply pressing and turning the bezel. The 24-hour day/night indicator and date move automatically in sync. A world first, essential for the odyssey of a lifetime.