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CEO statements on current trends and innovations in 2019:
Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari
At Baselworld, we presented a completely new collection of Serpenti women’s watches: the Serpenti Seduttori in the three colours rose gold, white gold and yellow gold. This collection brings together everything that is of fundamental importance for Bulgari, namely the ultimate in elegance, refinement and total luxury. The newly designed case and the brand-new bracelet cling to the wrist, offering total comfort in wear. Since its presentation in 2012, the Octo Collection has also seen strong growth. In just five years we have achieved a world record in fine watchmaking with five extraordinary watches, among them the Octo Finissimo minute repeater which we presented in 2016. In 2019 we now have the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT, which is fitted with the thinnest automatic chronograph movement. In addition, the iconic B.zero1 jewellery collection celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2019. The inspiration for this collection came from the Colosseum in Rome. What we love most about the B.zero1 is that it can be continually reinterpreted through visionary and contemporary design.
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen
Every year IWC puts the focus on a different range. This year we decided in favour of our pilot’s watches. Among others, we have presented a new Spitfire Collection. For the first time we are also showing a pilot’s chronograph with a manufacture movement and a reduced case diameter of 41 millimetres – either in stainless steel or with a bronze case which develops a distinctive patina over the course of time. In addition to the Spitfire range we also presented the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Ceratanium in a newly developed material based on a titanium alloy, which is as light and break-proof as titanium while at the same time having the hardness and scratch resistance of ceramic.
Catherine Rénier, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre
Our Master Ultra Thin range enhances our collection with three new limited editions in white gold and blue enamel. The most striking feature is the complications which represent our watchmaking expertise – moon phase, date and perpetual calendar. These three models enhance our collections and testify to the precision and refinement of our watches. We are continually aware of our company’s heritage while at the same time we continue to explore new aesthetic and technical paths. The Reverso has been one of the most important collections at Jaeger-LeCoultre since 1931. Our most recent expansion of the range is the Reverso One Duetto with its silvered, guilloché and sunray-brushed front dial contrasting with the festive and brilliant Burgundy red on the back. The Rendez-Vous with diamond bezel also bears as a watch the insignia of an exquisite piece of jewellery.
Caroline Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard
We focus on timeless designs and we celebrate the rebirth of classic models. For our iconic Happy Sport watch, we have once again taken up the well-known “galet” bracelet from the first Happy Sport which dates from 1993. This is used for the new Happy Sport with oval case made of ethical rose gold or stainless steel, and fitted with our in-house Chopard automatic calibre. Our collections this year are very colourful. Many coloured gems have been used, such as sapphires, rubies, tanzanites, emeralds and opals. In order to show these off to even better effect, this year for the first time we have presented the “Magical Setting” collection. As the name suggests, this technique allows the setting to “disappear”, thus intensifying the expressive power of the gems.
Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling
Breitling is the clear number one in the pilot’s watch sector, but in the period from the 30s to the 70s the company also covered many other segments. During Baselworld 2019 we launched not only the new Navitimer 1 Automatic 41 models, which are based in our “air” theme world, but also products in our other two brand worlds of “water” and “earth”, e.g. the sporty Superocean Collection (based on the “water” theme) and the elegant Premier Norton Edition based on the “land” theme. With the Superocean 36 which we presented at Basel, we have developed a watch for women who want the quality and performance of a fantastic sports watch in a more compact size. Further innovations for women will follow soon – prepare to be surprised!
Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Panerai
The special feature of luxury products is that they underline our own individuality. But in order to have this effect, they must be recognisable. In our particular case, this means – apart from the products being status symbols – that we specialise in watches for sporty people. Anyone who wears a Panerai is – as far as style is concerned – familiar with the Italian way of looking at things. To a certain degree, men also want to use these models to test out their own limits. Panerai’s attitude is firmly interwoven with the “laboratorio di idee” slogan. Our aim is to position ourselves as an innovative watch brand which is also making a significant contribution to watchmaking in the 21st century. We are driving forward research and development into new materials in order not just to keep up with the times, but also to be ahead of the times. And we have fulfilled that aim in 2019 with the material we use for the production of our cases and dials. Panerai will therefore continue to use high-tech materials such as BMGTECH, carbotech, DMLS titanium and also forged carbon, to name but a few.
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Overview of new models presented at SIHH and Baselworld 2019:
The models presented at both exhibitions provide convincing proof that a contemporary reinterpretation of the “tried and tested” makes good sense. The 2019 “watch year” therefore offers a wealth of exciting new models.
Rolex
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in 18 karat white gold provides a strong signal. The interplay of the white gold case with the Cerachrom bezel in matt black ceramic and the black lacquered dial with Chromalight white gold hour markers gives this model its particular character. Inside is the Superlative Chronometer certified manufacture calibre 3235. For women, various versions of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date and the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36, fitted with the COSC certified automatic calibres 3255 and 3235, are available in charming dial variants.
More information on new Rolex models in 2019: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller, Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31
Breitling
reinterprets its Superocean range of models: the range is now available in four different case sizes (36 mm, 42 mm, 44 mm and 48 mm), all emphasising once again the sporty appearance of this collection. New arrivals are also to be found in the Navitimer family, which now includes the models Navitimer 1 Automatic in stainless steel or bicolor with the automatic caliber 13 and the Navitimer 1 Chronograph 41 in 18 kt gold.
More information on new models from Breitling: Breitling Superocean, Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic 41, Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition, Breitling Premier Norton Edition
Breitling in the Wagner Webshop →
Bulgari
once again sets a record in terms of superlatives in 2019: the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is fitted with the thinnest (only 3.3 mm thick) automatic chronograph movement. This exceptional model with GMT function has a total case thickness of just 6.9 mm. Function and design have once again been combined in an extremely impressive way. The Serpenti Seduttori “Born to be gold” adds a whole new facet to the range of women’s watches. 18 kt gold characterises not only the striking case in the form of a snake’s head, but also the bracelet with its hexagonal links. The pavé diamond setting lends this exquisite model even more brilliance and expressive power.
More information on new models from Bulgari in 2019: Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori, Bulgari Serpenti Spiga, Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas, Bulgari B.zero1
Cartier
has redesigned two iconic models without losing sight of their special character. The new Cartier Santos models in stainless steel, rose gold and bicolor with 43.3 mm x 51.3 mm case diameter succeed in presenting an impressive look which gives the classic model a new and yet familiar appearance. Inside, the automatic manufacture calibre 1904-CH MC ensures precision. Careful reinterpretation has also been foremost with another classic model from the House of Cartier, the Panthère de Cartier in 18 karat rose, white or yellow gold.
More information on new models from Cartier in 2019: Panthère de Cartier, Santos de Cartier, Cartier Privé, Baignoire de Cartier
Chopard
Chopard is dedicating its new Mille Miglia Race Edition Chronograph with grey dial to its partnership with the legendary Mille Miglia rally in 2019. The COSC Chronometer certified model with a case diameter of 44 mm and automatic movement Eta/Valjoux 7750 forms a more than adequate statement. The Happy Hearts Collection in 18 kt rose gold is extended to include a heart bouquet pendant with a moving diamond in one of the hearts.
More information on new models from Chopard in 2019: Chopard Happy Sport oval, Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition, Chopard Happy Hearts Wings
Hublot
and Ferrari are continuing their existing partnership in 2019. Three limited edition models of the Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary are a fitting way to mark the 90th anniversary of the sport and racing car brand. Inside the 45 mm diameter flyback chronograph, the automatic manufacture movement HUB 1241 performs its task. The close connection with Ferrari is also evident in another model family: the sporty Classic Fusion Ferrari GT flyback chronographs are fitted with the automatic manufacture movement HUB 1280. And in the sphere of Classic Fusion models, King Gold in combination with black ceramic makes a strong statement.
More information on new models from Hublot in 2019: Hublot Classic Fusion Orlinski, Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Orlinski Red Magic, Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II, Hublot Big Bang Unico, Hublot Classic Fushion Ferrari GT, Hublot Big Bang One Click 39 mm, Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari 90th anniversary
IWC
is focusing on pilot’s watches in 2019. The Pilot´s Watch Chronograph Spitfire in stylish retro look with a 41 mm diameter case is dedicated to the legendary fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force. A soft iron inner case reliably protects the automatic manufacture movement 69380 from magnetic fields. With the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun ceratanium, IWC focuses entirely on black: the specially developed matt black case material ceratanium, a composite of ceramic and titanium, is used here for the first time, protecting the chronograph movement which is covered by a soft iron inner case.
More information on new models from IWC in 2019: IWC Pilot´s Watch Spitfire, IWC Pilot´s Watch TOP GUN
Jaeger-LeCoultre
is devoting itself in 2019 to elegant complications, presenting the limited edition Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel with moon phase in 18 kt white gold and the automatic manufacture caliber 925/2. Two additional limited edition models, the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel and the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Enamel, are fitted with a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar. As a women’s model, the limited edition Rendez-Vous Moon in 18 kt white gold demonstrates the company’s watchmaking skills and its extremely high levels of craftsmanship. Beneath the guilloché enamel dial with moon phase display ticks the manufacture automatic caliber 925A/1.
More information on new models from Jaeger-LeCoultre in 2019: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Enamel, Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon, Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night & Day Jewellery
Panerai
is expanding its collection of professional diver’s watches to include two models of the Panerai Submersible – 42mm. Also to be found among the diver’s watches is the Panerai Submersible Carbotech™ with a case size of 42 mm. The highly stable high-tech carbon case with titanium base is water-resistant to 30 bar. The Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ – 47mm is dedicated to the partnership with the Italian Navy. In the Carbotech™ case under the carbon dial ticks the manufacture caliber P.9010.
More information on new models from Panerai in 2019: Panerai Submersible 42 mm, Panerai Submersible Carbotech, Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech, Panerai Submersible BMG-TECH, Panerai Submersible Chrono Gullaume Néry Edition, Panerai Submersible Mike Horn Edition, Panerai Submersible Luna Rossa
TAG Heuer
The TAG Heuer Autavia Calibre 5 enters the race as a new model family containing a total of seven models, fitted with the COSC certified in house automatic movement Calibre 5. Smoke-blue, black and grey dials give these models their special character. Impressive technical innovations include the temperature-neutral coil spring made of carbon composite material and a balance wheel made of an aluminium alloy.
More information on new models from TAG Heuer in 2019: TAG Heuer Autavia
Tudor
presents, in the Black Bay model range product family, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G with the COSC certified manufacture caliber MT5813. Yellow gold makes a clear statement on the bezel, the crown and the push-buttons as well as the central part of the stainless steel bracelet. The three-hand models of the Black Bay family in 32 mm, 36 mm and 41 mm extend this model range. Another new model is the Black Bay Bronze with 43 mm diameter, fitted with the manufacture caliber MT 5601. Finally, the Black Bay P01, a COSC certified model with asymmetrical crown, is appearing for the first time on the market, having previously existed only as a prototype for the US Navy.
More information on new models from Tudor in 2019: Tudor Black Bay 32/36/41 S&G, Tudor Black Bay Bronze, Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G, Tudor Black Bay P01
