Summary Top 5 Watches Chosen by Waqt from Watches And Wonders 2024

After much anticipation, Watches and Wonders finally opens its curtains, marking the culmination of days filled with excitement. Waqt Editorial team stood witness to exceptional craftsmanship, where renowned brands competed amiably to showcase their latest novelties. However, amidst the buzz of new releases, Watches and Wonders was more than just a showcase of timepieces. It was a meeting ground for passionate watch lovers, journalists, and avid collectors, converging in one place to celebrate their shared love for horology.

As the final day of the event dawns upon us, Waqt takes a glance back at the highlights of the biggest watch fair of the year. We've picked five watches that captivated us with their design, complexity, or perhaps the fusion of both.

De Bethune DB28xs Purple Rain 

De Bethune stepped forward in innovation, presenting the regal color with their signature artistic touch. Departing from conventional painting methods, the company delved deeper, introducing the color through a heat treatment process for titanium. Following the success of previous colors achieved through this chemical method, including black and blue, De Bethune introduces a new hue, violet. The independent brand ventured into uncharted territory by unveiling a classic time only watch with a simple design that undoubtedly carries the distinctive De Bethune aesthetic. 

Crafted entirely from purple grade 5 titanium, the watch features a modest case size of 38.7 mm in diameter and 7.4 mm in thickness. The dial is fashioned from a purple titanium plate which revitalizes and modernizes the traditional guilloché technique across its expansive flat surface. Additionally, the dial is adorned with De Bethune's beautiful starry sky pattern, embellished with white gold stars. This exceptional timepiece is priced at AED 363,000.

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph Collection Excellence Platine

In 2006, Vacheron Constantin introduced the Collection Excellence Platine, a prestigious series of timepieces unveiled periodically. Each watch, released in limited editions, serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of platinum, ranging from cases and dials to crowns and buckles. Joining this esteemed collection is the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph CEP. This model showcases an in-house movement that integrates a beautiful tourbillon with chronograph complication. The case of this timepiece embodies the distinguished characteristics of the Traditionnelle collection, crafted from 950 platinum. With a diameter measuring 42.5 mm and a thickness of 11.7 mm, it exudes elegance and presence.

The platinum dial features a delicate, soft-grained finish and displays a small "Pt950" hallmark positioned between four and five o'clock. Noteworthy is the subtle asymmetry observed in the sizing of the tourbillon, the placement of the dial text, and the visual balance of the two subdials. Priced at AED 995,000, this timepiece epitomizes the epitome of luxury and craftsmanship, making it a beautiful addition to any watch collection.

Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon 150th Anniversary

Piaget marked its 150th anniversary with a grand celebration, unveiling a range of timepieces, but the brand's spotlight shines on a new iteration of one of the brand's most renowned accomplishments: the creation of ultra-thin movements. The "Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon" watch, a fitting tribute as Piaget celebrates 150 years since its inception, 67 years since pioneering the first ultra-thin caliber, and six years since unveiling the world's thinnest watch in 2018. Once again, Piaget pushes the boundaries of watchmaking by maintaining the impressive 2mm thickness of its predecessor while incorporating a tourbillon mechanism.

Crafted from a deep blue treated cobalt alloy, the 41.5mm case offers guaranteed water resistance to a depth of 20 meters, striking a balance between thinness and durability, further enhanced by a blue PVD treatment. However, the true marvel lies in the extraordinary 2mm thickness of the case, complemented by the 0.2mm thick sapphire crystal and the placement of the tourbillon at 10 o'clock. As for the price, it remains available upon request. 

Beda'a Fortress

Beda’a is a fresh and ambitious Qatari watch brand making its debut under the esteemed Al Bida’a Group. By selecting Geneva, the epicenter of traditional watchmaking, for its grand introduction, Beda’a isn't merely announcing its presence, it's making a resounding statement. The Fortress Collection, Proudly drawing inspiration from Arabic culture, and Bidaa’s first timepiece. Inspired by the resilient and intricate architectural elements of fortresses, this collection embodies strength and a subtle elegance, embodying a distinctive yet timeless design philosophy. The collection comes in a rectangular stainless steel case with dimensions of 37.5 mm x 28 mm and a height of 6.8 mm.

The dial comes in  maroon, green, or black hue, with a dual-layered construction, featuring a textured base and a second layer adorned with enamel inserts. Priced at QAR 5,300, the Fortress Collection exemplifies Beda’a's commitment to crafting exceptional timepieces that blend heritage with contemporary style.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Quantieme Lunaire

The Duometre collection by Jaeger-LeCoultre stands as one of the brand's most captivating and technically impressive lines, embodying an innovative concept applied to various complications, resulting in a series of exceptionally precise timepieces. Recently, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a new generation of Duometre watches, among which is a reimagined Duometre Quantieme Lunaire (Moon Phase) model. This updated version, presented in steel for the first time after its initial release in gold, features a striking blue dial and a contemporary case design. With a comfortable diameter of 42.5 mm and a thickness of 13.05 mm, the case is constructed from 34 components. 

The dial showcases a blue opaline glass, with a “seconde foudroyant” hand positioned at 6 o'clock and a moon phase indicator at 10 o'clock, encircled by a ring indicating the date. Priced at EUR 40,000, equivalent to AED 159,000. 

It has been an incredibly captivating week in Geneva, where we've had the privilege of experiencing a plethora of new novelties. The timepieces highlighted in this article represent merely a selection, with no particular order, amidst the diverse array of releases unveiled. As our journey through this horological adventure draws to a close, we invite you to delve deeper into the new releases on our website, where every watch is accompanied by a wealth of detailed information.