2019 SIAR Awards
In this year 2019, the SIAR was attended by 48 brands to present new technologies and designs. On this occasion, more than 10 special editions were launched for Mexico and two brands took advantage of the SIAR to make themselves known: Harbor and The Unnamed Society. Carlos Alonso, SIAR’S Director and Founder presented the Awards, which recognize the best watches of the year in 11 categories, highlighted the Critics Award, which Stephen Forsey received for the “Hand-Made 1” timepiece.
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève was present with 84 models and the president of the Raymond Loretan brand tells us the importance of the “Oscar” watches: “it is necessary to be neutral after 19 years of existence”. Of those 84 watches will be the awards of the GPGH categories. These 15 brands travel with their pieces, places like: Sydney, Thailand, Mexico and Switzerland; help brands to promote it, to have a greater worldwide presence as well as the opportunity for the public to admire them live.
Watch of the year
Hermès Arceau L’Heure de la Lune
Men’s edition that exchanges its cardinal indication: south up, north down. A setback that invites you to lose the north. Designed in a white gold case with mother of pearl inlays form a cosmos. The horse, signature of the Hermès house, is exchanged for a Pegasus.
Rising Star
Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One
Pascal Raffy chosed a sapphire model for its crystalline transparency, it is the hardest material after diamond and is lighter than titanium. It simultaneously pre- sents four complications developed specifically to be housed in the lectern-shaped box.
High-End Complication
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar
The perpetual calendar indications are positioned at the bottom of the dial and fitted with sapphire crystal discs. Union of tradition and modernity, the dial is made in two main segments: a gold dial segment is decorated with hand-guillochage, and then fitted within an outer segment of sapphire crystal.
Concept Watch
Ulysse Nardin Freak Next
A showcase for technological expertise, the flexible silicium blade technology, the new FREAK neXt sets the tone for a new generation where innovation is taken to the xtreme.
Sport Watch
De Bethune DB28GS Grand Bleu
Grand Bleu was designed and adapted to the active current life, to illuminate the watch and the movement from the inside, the slightly bluish white light source is produced by a fully mechanical means that works on the dynamo principle.
Cronograph Watch
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic
Ultra-thin chronograph movements are notoriously difficult to make, they comprise more parts than time-only calibers, and those parts need room to move and interact with each other. This version is actually available in sandblasted titanium.
Watchmaker Value
Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395
Classic model, available in rose gold and platinum, sapphire back. Automatic movement with weight, hour tower with Roman numerals on a sapphire disk.
Woman’s Watch
MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT
The first MB&F women’s watch, everything is new: concept, design, mechanical movement. Manufacture in white gold, mount with 120 diamonds.
SIAR People´s Award
Le Rhöne Moön Limited Edition Act-One
Special edition model in rose gold, rotating moon disk in mother of pearl, 222 diamonds set with snow, a winning watch.
Critic’s Choice
Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1
This timepiece is handmade by 95%. Never before has a hand-made timepiece exhibited such a high level of workmanship and precision. Unique in the history of watchmaking, is the fruit of a technical and human endeavor enlist the course for the future.
Text: Amura ± Photo: Vacheron / Ulysse Nardin / Hermés / Bovet / Bethune / Bvlgari / Breguet / MB & F / Le Rhône / Greubel Forsey