 – Mexico City as the Center of the Haute Horology "Pin It")
The seventh Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería that was held last week in Mexico City brought together the cream of the haute horology, proving its status of the most important watch fairs in Latin America and one of the world’s top five watch events. Along with presentations of the latest novelties, organized in the luxurious Four Seasons hotel, the highlight of the 7th SIAR was the award giving ceremony which revealed winners in several categories. For his contribution to the watch industry, Tag Heuer’s Guy Sémon got the 2013 ‘Tiempo de Relojes’ Special Award. At the charity auction, Vacheron Constantin ‘Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time’ Unique Piece was sold for $ 80,000.
SIAR 2013
Among 40 brands that were promoting their latest product during three days of the SIAR watch fair, there are names of Armin Strom, Audemars Piguet, Carl F. Bucherer, De Bethune, Greubel Forsey, Richard Mille, Louis Moinet, Vacheron Constantin, Hautlence, Jacob & Co., Montblanc, TAG Heuer, Cartier, Zenith, Piaget, Bell & Ross, Cyrus and other high-end manufacturers. The fact that most of them were presented by the highest executives testifies about huge importance of the event that gathered the elite and watch connoisseurs from Mexico, but also from the entire American continent.
On the final day of the seventh Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería, the jury announced the award winners. Among them, two creations deserved two prizes: Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement watch that received the Best Concept Watch and the “Premio de la Critica” (critics’ price) awards, as well as Rotonde ce Cartier Double Mystery Tourbillon timepiece which, along with the “Best Watchmaker’s Value” award, also was recognized by the visitors of the fair that chose it as the best creation at the SIAR.
Rotonde De Cartier Mysterious Double Tourbillon Watch
A.Lange & Söhne’s Grand Complication was awarded as the Best Highly Complicated watch, the Best Chronograph is Louis Vuitton Tambour Twin Chrono, while the Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe has been recognized as the year’s best sport watch. The title ‘Up-and-Coming brand of the Year’ went to De Bethune for its DB28T Black Gold watch, while the winner in the Ladies’ Watch Category was Jaeger-LeCoultre for its Rendez-Vous Celestial timepiece.
Novelties at the 2013 Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería
Among novelties presented at the event, the freshest one was Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James watch that had been launched just several days ago in Miami. Specially created for SIAR, Richard Mille RM 30 ultra-light carbon watch revealed the colors of the Mexican flag on its interface.
Richard Mille RM030 Mexico Limited Edition Watch
While this model comes in the limited series of 30 pieces, another high-end model, specially created for Mexican market, Vacheron Constantin stunning Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time timepiece in red gold, is the unique piece that was sold at the Sotheby’s private auction, organized as the part of SIAR. Although estimated to $ 40,000, this watch reached the double price. All the proceeds will benefit the INAH —Mexico’s national institute of anthropology and history.
JeanRichard also tried to adapt its timepieces to the new continent, by creating two special limited editions, dedicated to the legendary animals of Mexico – Golden Eagle and Jaguar. Cyrus put the stress to its new Kambys limited edition, while Louis Moinet proudly presented its Stardance watch which runs for the Best Ladies’ Watch title at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. A. Lange & Söhne revealed its 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar watch. Another classic looking timepiece came from Girard-Perregaux which came up with Bi-Axial Tourbillon Three Golden Bridges watch, exclusively made from the Mexican market.
