While the trend for more affordable watches that started in earnest last year continues, the high end is not being ignored

affordable watches that started in earnest last year continues, the high end is not being ignored. Take Bulgari, for example, which introduced the world’s thinnest minute repeater, the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater. A few steps away, Patek Philippe presented the 5930G World Time Chronograph to the great satisfaction of collectors who had lamented the recent trend for larger case sizes. Tag Heuer made a big splash a year ago, announcing its partnerships with Google and Intel to develop its Connected smartwatch. Following its New York unveiling a few months ago, the smartwatch was given pride of place at the front of the Tag Heuer booth, allowing visitors to take a closer look and try out its various functions. De Grisogono also joined the connected device fray in partnership with Samsung, presenting a smartwatch with a jewellery feel.

The talk of the fair, though, was Rolex’s latest timepieces, and in particular the new Daytonas. Technically, the 2016 Daytonas retain the same dimensions and 4130 calibre we’re familiar with, but they’re distinguished by a black ceramic bezel evoking a somewhat vintage aesthetic that has struck a nerve among hardcore Rolex collectors.

Of course, many more timepieces caught our attention, some of which you will discover in the following pages. These are highly attractive pieces, most at price points that will not lead you to remortgage your apartment, but whether that will be enough to spark the commercial side in the short term, particularly within Asia, remains to be seen. From a collector’s perspective, we’re more than happy with the level of innovation coming from the industry as it seeks to address market conditions.