This month, 38 of the world’s most prestigious fine watches brands exhibited their new releases at Watches and Wonders, Geneva. Contributing watches editor Robin Swithinbank reveals the pieces that everyone was talking about.
Watch launches don’t typically break the internet – but Rolex’s annual product mega-drop isn’t your typical launch. Our contributing watches editor Robin Swithinbank has the highlights.
Functional design defines pilot’s watches. Numerals, markings, and case diameter are larger for legibility when airborne, while GMT and time zone complications are commonplace. IWC Schaffhausen’s Big Pilot’s watch exemplifies the genre, with oversized crowns to improve dexterity for those wearing gloves and pressure-proof glass for sudden drops in air pressure.
2
Diver’s Watch
A true diver’s watch can handle underwater depths of 100m or more. Tudor’s Pelagos FXD edition is a blueprint of the style – designed with luminescent hour markers and hands for legibility in dark conditions. Scuba features such as helium-escape valves and sustainable innovations including straps made from ocean waste are regular fixtures.
3
Sports Watch
Sports watches arose as the gentleman-at-leisure’s timepieces of choice. Circular dials are signature to the category. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Polaris Chronograph, for one, is rendered in sapphire crystal and showcases features such as a tachymeter to measure the wearer’s speed over a fixed period. You’ll find further complications such as integrated second and minute dials to be regular tropes across the board.
4
Dress Watch
Envisioned as companions to tailoring, dress watches eschew complications in favour of considered elegance. Subtle on the wrist. Precious metals are par for the course – Vacheron Constantin chooses 18-karat rose gold for its self-winding Patrimony watch, inspired by 1950s design.
Collection Highlights
Fine Watch Stories
Read the latest industry news, expert advice and horological know-how.
Email the Fine Watches team at [email protected] or call +44 (0)20 7730 1234 ext. 2142.
Lower Ground and Ground Floors
Opening Hours
Monday10am - 9pm
Tuesday10am - 9pm
Wednesday10am - 9pm
Thursday10am - 9pm
Friday10am - 9pm
Saturday10am - 9pm
Sunday11.30am - 6pm*
* browsing only 11.30am–12pm
In-Store Services
Unrivalled in knowledge, professionalism and passion, our in-store team is comprised of artisans, engravers and boutique specialists – all ready to assist you in your discovery of the department.
Ground Floor — Experts in leather goods with unrivalled craftsmanship, Maison Jean Rousseau offers an array of beautifully made watch straps and bespoke customisation services. Connect with our Personal Shopping service to find out more.
Lower Ground and Ground Floor — If you have a fine watch you no longer need, visit any boutique in Fine Watches to find out its value, and in exchange we’ll load the amount onto a Harrods Gift Card for you to spend in-store.
Defining luxury, up close. Join us as we celebrate all that makes Harrods magnificent, from spectacular brand icons and the masters that make them to cutting-edge innovations at their best and biggest. This is Harrods, magnified.