“The fact that Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Calendar Meteorite Dial is made from one meteorite puts it at a level beyond limited edition”

seconds subdial. Besides being a lovely homage to IWC’s legacy, it was also a strong response to all the critics who felt that the brand has lost touch with its core principles by shifting its focus to celebrities as well as extra-large watches. True, the 43mm case of the 75th Anniversary model might sound rather large-ish; but it is actually the exact same size as its ancestor. Besides, it wasn’t the largest watch at SIHH 2015.

The title of “largest watch case at SIHH 2015” sits squarely in the hands of Panerai and its Mare Nostrum Titanio. On the one hand, Panerai is rather well known for its giant watches, but, at 52mm, the Mare Nostrum Titanio is in a league of its own—especially when you consider that the wide blank bezel further accentuates its already considerable size. On the other hand, this is a faithful 21st-century recreation of the original WWII-era Mare Nostrum (which is Latin for “our sea”) designed for Italian naval deck officers of the time. There have been a few reissues of this watch in the past couple of decades, but none have captured the spirit of the seagoing timekeeper like the limited edition Mare Nostrum Titanio—which, as the name suggests, has a case made of titanium. While this does make the watch sit easier on the wrist, don’t expect that it will fit easily under the sleeves of a suit jacket. Then again, one does not go sailing around the Mediterranean while wearing a suit, right?

With the colossi of SIHH out of the way, it’s time to head over to the booths of those presenting the aforementioned “smaller, classic designs.”

If Panerai is the master of giants, then Piaget is the champion of ultra-thin timepieces. Last year, it made waves with the Altiplano 900P—the thinnest mechanical watch ever made. This year, the brand continues its tradition of wedging dozens of tiny parts into narrow spaces with the Altiplano Chronograph. At a mere 8.25 millimeters, it is, by far, the thinnest mechanical flyback chronograph in existence. Even then, the brand’s engineers have found a way to cram in an additional subdial to display a second time zone. Furthermore, the watch’s minimal size is enhanced by minimalist aesthetics. The dial is stark white with markers and hands in the form of simple black lines. The clear case back, however, gives us a glimpse of the finely crafted movement running the show.

When exquisite movements meet exotic materials, however, another kind of magic happens. Such is the case with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s SIHH highlight, which

came from the stars. We’re talking, of course, about the Master Calendar Meteorite Dial. Yes, the dials for these watches are slices of a meteorite found in Sweden. Besides the obvious cool factor of having a piece from a fallen star on your wrist, the fact that these dials are made from that one meteorite puts that watch