A STEP IN TIME

They may not sync with an iPhone or monitor your heart rate, but the new league of technology emerging in the world of haute horlogerie is arguably even more astounding, writes Madeline Hoskin.

Since 1991, Geneva’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) has displayed the crème de la crème of esteemed watchmaking and, though its doors may have closed for yet another year, the legacy of its exhibited timepieces are bound to endure.

In an age that reveres innovation like the Apple Watch, it is refreshing to see that this brave new world is not corrupting the core values of elite manufacturers. Indeed, the world’s leading brands have shown that when it comes to advancing, they will do so through tourbillons and complications, not flashy electronics.

Inspired by the ocean High-speed match Back on land, Roger Dubuis set its sights on the race track. Not to be outdone, the watchmaker used SIHH to launch its partnership with Pirelli, a pairing that has produced some magnificent feats of engineering. However, it was a new addition to the bold Excalibur collection that really caught our attention. Not only does Excalibur Spider Automatic Skeleton ooze modern masculine chic, its faultless craftsmanship once again proves that Roger Dubuis truly is a master of detail.

Similarly, Greubel Forsey has lived up to its ‘Art of Invention’ motto, releasing a new model that has evidently been a labour of love: its first-ever Grand Sonnerie. Developed over 11 years, and assembling a gargantuan 935 parts, the complex timepiece boasts an impressive line-up of features. The design is both on-brand and ergonomic, offering Grand Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie and Silence modes, with the chime emitted being one of the most enchanting in haute horlogerie history. Unsurprisingly, only five to eight Grand Sonnerie pieces shall be released annually.

While the future of high watchmaking may remain unknown, SIHH has confirmed that the world’s leading maisons are certainly stepping in the right direction.

Travel file www.sihh.org www.mbandf.com/en www.rogerdubuis.com/en www.greubelforsey.com/en