Watch fans who managed to visit the second-annual TimeCtafters watch show, held last weekend at the heart of Manhattan, had the rare opportunity to see the very best of the haute horology, including the latest products of 22 high-end brands, some of which have been presented for the first time in the United States. Several elegant round timepieces from Harry Winston’s Midnight Collection have their world’s premiere, while the amazing display of the largest Swatch collection, including prototypes, hybrids and variations, as well as an interactive panel exhibition called “Think Time” highlighted this public-opened show.
Swatch Blum Collection TimeCrafters (Source: Jeff Schear/Getty Images North America)
Along with several museum-quality exhibitions of rare and highly valuable timepieces, TimeCtafters also hosted a number of world’s renowned engineers and designers who demonstrate their theories and approaches to watchmaking, providing in-depth look at the horological precision and craftsmanship. Thus, Girard-Perregaux brought in one of its newest hires, the legendary watchmaker, Dominique Loiseau, to present the brand’s “Manifesto of Time”, a new approach that will result with the launch of a luxury watch with a grande sonnerie and an integrated chronograph.
Dominique Loiseau at TimeCrafters
Girard-Perregaux also revealed its Bi-Axial Tourbillon that incorporates two concentric cages, enabling the regulating part of the movement to make multidimensional rotations. While the internal cage with a balance wheel, a balance spring and an escapement make one rotation in forty-five seconds, the external cage finishes one turn in one minute and fifteen seconds, enabling a rotation on its second axis. A full revolution is completed in three minutes and forty-five seconds, which can be seen through the dial.
Girard Perregaux Timecrafters
TAG Heuer made a remarkable presentation by involving the brand’s top technical specialist and engineer, Guy Sémon, who provided an interesting lecture about challenges and solutions involved in the developing of the stunning Mikro series. The series includes Mikrograph 1/100th Second Chronograph, the MikroTimer Flying 1000, the MikroGirder Concept watch, and the new MikroTourbillonS which had its public premier at the exhibition.
Harry Winston also offered an unusual experience by bringing in the creator of the Opus 12 watch, Emmanuel Bouchet, to discuss about this groundbreaking model and future plans. Among the brand’s models that had their debuts, there was a beautiful Midnight Moon-phase watch for ladies, crafted in 18 karat white or rose gold and set with diamonds. Besides, with a new Midnight Skeleton, Harry Winston presented a modern interpretation of a traditional complication, with bold bridges and a micro rotor. Finally, new Ocean watches amazed visitors with their triple retrograde Ocean Tourbillons.
Harry Winston Opus 12 Watch
Baume & Mercier presented the interesting watchmaking tools from the early 1900s, along with the historical collection of its timepieces, which inspired some of the brand’s latest models, while Hublot celebrated its partnership with Ferrari, by bringing a Ferrari racer car into the show.
At the second annual watch show in New York City, Dior brought a new collection of ceramic timepieces for ladies, beautified by diamonds and gemstones. The highlight of the collection is Dior VIII Grand Bar Resille watch, with a “Dior-inverse” caliber and an oscillating weight, crafted in white gold and set with either white diamonds or white-painted Italian rooster feathers.
Chopard TimeCrafters
The “Think Time” exhibition, made by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), brought in several interactive panels that nicely present the Swiss watch industry, along with a detailed look at the watch manufacturing process.
