It’s been just four months since the horology spectacle at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024, and we’re already craving more mind-boggling creations. If you thought you’d seen it all, think again. Geneva Watch Days 2024 is here for its fifth year.
The heavyweights of the watch world, as well as emerging brands, have arrived with timepieces that are simply pure sorcery (think intricate complications), and a wide variety of designs that practically defy logic.
A brainwave of six top-tier brands, Breitling, Bulgari, De Bethune, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie., and MB&F, this event is accelerating faster than ever. It might not have reached the level of Watches & Wonders just yet, but it’s making waves in a big way. Here are the top nine watches that had us hooked.
1. The Blancpain Villeret collection is almost regal in green, red and gold
Blancpain makes its debut at Geneva Watch Days in the most classic fashion. Inspired by the rich green hue of Vallée de Joux fir trees, the classic Villeret collection features dials in rich shades of green. These timepieces cater to every horology enthusiast, offering a variety of complications, a captivating moon phase, a precise calendar, a stunning tourbillon, and a sleek date model. Powered by caliber 2322, the Tourbillon Carrousel flaunts a red-gold case. For watch geeks, all four are irresistible, blending tradition with a fresh, verdant twist.
Price: $22,100 to $357,600.
2. Doxa Sub 300T Aristera calls out to both left as well as right-handers
Doxa is stirring things up with the new SUB 300T Aristera, designed specifically for lefties. This dive watch flips its iconic style, featuring the trademark bright orange dial and rugged case, but with the crown on the left-hand side, Doxa’s first for left-handers. It’s got all the muscle too, with a 38-hour power reserve and water resistance up to a whopping 1,200 meters. Paired with a “Beads of Rice” stainless steel bracelet and a NATO strap, this limited edition of just 300 pieces will drop in October 2024. If you’re a collector, this one would make a great addition.
Price: $2,490.
3. The unrivaled beauty of Laurent Ferrier Classic Auto Sandstone Serie Atèlier VI
The Classic Auto Sandstone is a refined nod to Laurent Ferrier’s legacy. Driven by the LF270.01 caliber, it pays homage to the original automatic Micro-Rotor movement with its natural escapement. Wrapped in a sleek, round stainless steel case, this sixth edition sports a sandstone-colored dial that dances with light. The vertically satin-brushed center and circular brushed railway track give it a low-key, vintage vibe, while the earthy, coppery tones add a touch of understated cool. Limited to only 20 pieces, this watch is pure gold for collectors looking for timeless elegance.
Price: Approximately $59,000.
4. The Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Bridges is the IT watch
Girard-Perregaux’s Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges takes a bold leap into the future while honoring a nearly 160-year-old legacy. For the first time, all three Neo Bridges are crafted from pink gold, showcasing the brand’s signature design in a fresh, modern light. The bridges’ slim, vertical flanks are subtly exposed, hinting at their noble composition. This new model strips away distractions, letting the three bridges steal the spotlight. The skeletonized construction adds a futuristic edge to this classic aesthetic, proving that Girard-Perregaux continues to innovate while staying true to its storied heritage.
Price: $171,000.
5. Bvlgari’s Serpenti Pallini is the ultimate suave
The Serpenti Pallini, now animated by the Piccolissimo movement, is more captivating than ever. Crafted by Bvlgari’s Manufacture in Switzerland, the Piccolissimo is one of the world’s smallest round mechanical movements. This miniaturization allowed Bvlgari to refine the Serpenti Pallini’s design, achieving perfect balance in its serpent head and tail.
The Piccolissimo movement adds charm and versatility, enabling the dial to be rotated and adapted for different wearing styles, whether adorned with a diamond-set bezel or fully paved with diamonds. The timepiece now offers three new jeweled versions, white gold with diamonds, white and rose gold, and vintage-inspired white and yellow gold. Each metamorphosis showcases the serpent’s elegant and playful nature.
6. Favre Leuba resurrects with the Deep Blue
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of its iconic Deep Blue model, the Deep Blue Revival is a reissue that stays true to its original 1964 design. This 39mm watch blends tradition with modernity, featuring a sunray-finished gray dial, and baton-shaped indexes, all key elements of the original. With egg-shell colored Super-LumiNova for a vintage touch and a water resistance of 300 meters, this watch is built for serious divers. Powered by La Joux-Perret’s automatic G100 movement with a 68-hour power reserve, the Deep Blue Revival is as reliable as it is stylish.
The Deep Blue Renaissance is a modern twist to Favre-Leuba’s classic design. With a revamped 40mm case and a dial in deep blue, intense green, or anthracite gray, this watch oozes sophistication. Powered by the La Joux-Perret G100 movement, visible through a sapphire case back, it’s as much a visual treat as a performance powerhouse.
Price: Approximately $2,700
7. Arnold & Son never disappoints
Arnold & Son dropped two fresh dial variations for the Perpetual Moon 38 collection, and they’re absolute stunners. First, there’s a limited edition of 88 pieces in dazzling blue aventurine glass, and then a sleek, sunray brushed grey edition limited to just 28 pieces. Both Perpetual Moon 38 Red Gold models flaunt a show-stopping moon phase complication, with a luminous mother-of-pearl disc that lights up the sky, framed by Cassiopeia and Ursa Major. True to their watchmaking wizardry, Arnold & Son has engineered this moon phase with mind-blowing accuracy – it’ll stay spot-on for 122 years.
Price: Approx. $43,170 (Aventurine) and approx. $38,114 (Grey)
8. De Bethune’s watch marvel flaunts cutting-edge craftsmanship
The DB28 Steel Wheels, launched in 2018, is a showcase of transparency and modern design. Its open-worked dial reveals the intricate De Bethune caliber DB2115V13, featuring the brand’s signature delta-shaped bridge and a striking moon at 6 o’clock. With a blend of hemispherical, concave, and spherical shapes, the watch is both architectural and dynamic. The manual-winding movement boasts a titanium balance wheel with grey gold weights for impeccable inertia and the innovative De Bethune balance spring for unmatched precision. A 6-day power reserve highlights the brand’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship.
Price: $90,000
9. Breitling’s Premier flaunts its horological flair and functionality
Debuting in 1943, this watch set a new benchmark for elegant, functional timepieces. The anniversary edition – Premier B19 Datora 42 140th Anniversary – crafted from solid 18k red gold, retains the Premier’s iconic Arabic numerals, contrasting minute scale, and signature square pushers. Paired with a black alligator leather strap featuring tone-on-tone stitching and an 18k gold folding buckle, this chronograph is a timeless tribute to the original.
Price: $59,000
And there you have it – our top nine picks from Geneva Watch Days 2024.
