It’s been another amazing year for the world of horlogerie. Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak Chronograph, Chopard released the Mille Miglia, Hublot released the Classic Fusion and of course, Omega wouldn’t be left behind with its Seamaster 300.
As 2018 draws to another close, we take a look at what watch manufacturers may have in store for us in 2019:
Thin Is Still In
Over the last few years, manufacturers have geared towards flattening their watches and this trend will continue next year. With brands racing against each other to break thinness records, we can expect more stunning slender new pieces for 2019.
Iconic brand Piaget has five pending patents for its Ultimate Concept line, with the Altiplano Ultimate Concept being the thinnest watch in the world at just 2mm thick. Audemars Piguet also has a new concept model that is still set for release in the market. It will be the thinnest automatic perpetual calendar in the world.
Of course, there’s Bulgari with its record-breaking Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic, the thinnest automatic tourbillon, the thinnest automatic watch and the thinnest tourbillon in the world. So, if you’re looking to buy a gift, a thin watch in a wooden gift box will surely be a hit.
The Case of Wood
Wooden watch brands are slowly taking the spotlight this year, especially with more people joining the green movement, and this trend is set to continue in 2019. Wood watches don’t only make for ideal wooden gifts for men, they are also quite beneficial in many ways. For one, wooden watches are eco-friendly and they offer a sense of unique sophistication to anyone wearing them. They are also hypoallergenic, highly durable and heat resistant. So, it will not be a surprise if wooden watch brands will gain more footing against their bigger competitors next year.
Green Is the New Blue
We saw a lot of brands releasing blue-faced watches this year and they have been huge hits for those who want to steer away from the usual silver, white and black dials. Blue is a good choice since it’s different but still sophisticated enough for the fancy dresser. But with Pantone announcing Night Watch, a shade of green as 2019’s colour of the year, we won’t be surprised if brands will pick this as their shade of choice for new watch models, as Night Watch as the same elegant yet unique elements as blue.
All About the Mechanics
One thing that separates haute horlogerie from your typical watch is its attention to detail. This year, we’ve seen watches offering features never before seen in older models and 2019 will be no different. For instance, the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic may be your typical time-only watch, but it boasts of a silicone escape wheel and lever, silicone balance spring and an optimised Powerscape design.
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