Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie

A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Thin Watch

My favorite high-end German watch maker released a new thin movement for 2011. Not that A. Lange & Sohne movements are super thick to begin with, but the new Saxonia Thin is an elegant two-handed watch with a surprisingly warm spirit. You'll notice that the piece isn't called an "ultra-thin." The movement is just 2.9mm tall, so it could technically be referred to as that. The watch itself is 5.9mm thick. I think that A. Lange & Sohne is not a brand of self-promoting names. The Germans are straight forward and sober in their execution of watches - and I like that. Technically speaking the concept of "ultra-thin" doesn't mean anything. The watch is "thin," end of story.

40mm wide, the case, hands, and hour indicators are in 18k pink gold. The dial is solid silver, done in a classic, but not boring style. This is a watch for when you want that Lange look in a simple watch. The in-house made and designed movement is the new Calibre L093.1 manually wound movement. It is the thinnest movement A. Lange & Sohne has done so far. Despite the thin size, it still has three days of power reserve. A good looking watch, expect it to arrive soon - with more colors in the coming years (I am guessing).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Thin Watch

Tags: a. lange sohne, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, saxonia, sihh, thin, watch

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The theme of many of this year's watches at SIHH was sellability versus novelty. There is next to nothing new or exciting about this new incredibly long-named Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin watch. Though it is a handsome fellow. It will sell well in Asia - what else can I say? My favorite part of the watch is something which is hard to tell in this image. That being the fact that the blue background of the moonphase indicator is lapis lazuli.

I give the watch a hard time because it doesn't feel special - that doesn't mean it isn't. A watch like this will have a timeless appeal, which is enhanced by its easy to read time, 41mm width (in 18k pink gold), and very slim case. Inside the watch is a Vacheron Constantin made Calibre 1120 QP automatic perpetual calendar movement. Look for it later this year.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2011, calendar, patrimony, perpetual, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, sihh, thin, vacheron constantin, watch

Stars Gather In Geneva For Watch Events

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

It may be awards season in Hollywood but that hasn't kept stars from convening in Geneva. The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva, also known as the International Fair of Fine Luxury Watchmaking, has brought international stars from movies, television, sports and more to Switzerland.

Some of the world's top sporting and entertainment stars came together at a special event to celebrate the launch of luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen's new generation of its Portofino watch family. The 'A Night in Portofino' event brought Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey, Matthew Fox, tennis legend Boris Becker and Elle Macpherson among others.

Around 900 guests where at the Italian style evening that included an exhibition by photographer Peter Lindbergh, whose shoot in the picturesque harbor town of Portofino featured a selection of international friends of the brands including party attendees Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey and Elle Macpherson.

The 21st Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie is held from January 17th to 21st 2011 in Palexpo, Geneva. The private trade fair is a landmark event for the fine watch sector, and at this year's show 19 watch brands will present their new products, including Baume & Mercier, IWC, Cartier and Mont Blanc. Other stars are also in Geneva to check out the watches including Gwyneth Paltrow who recently began working with Baume & Mercier.

Tags: cate blanchett, IWC Ingeniuer, iwc schauffhausen, kevin spacey, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, SIHH

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SIHH 2009 Watch Exhibition January 19th-23rd In Geneva

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Events

The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) is the second most important annual watch show next to Baselworld (held in Basel, Switzerland typically in April). SIHH is held in Geneva, Switzerland, and showcases the new watches from its member brands. This year, a few new faces are among the 17 exhibiting brands that include: Piaget, A. Lange & Sohne, Cartier, IWC, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Baume & Mercier, among many other watch makers who typify distinction in mechanics and design.

Not just anyone can attend this private event, a fact that makes SIHH a lot different than the larger Baselworld show. To be included you need to be specifically invited by the exhibiting brands. At times like this it is good to know people in the right places. SIHH has always been a more gala like event celebrating not only the watches, but the glamour and appeal of the luxury industry and all its participants. If you are invited and flying to Switzerland, getting there is really easy as the show is actually located in a part of the Geneva airport.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: baselworld, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, SalonInternationalDeLaHauteHorlogerie, sihh, swiss watch shows, SwissWatchShows, watch shows, WatchShows