Watch of the year 2015

The 22^nd edition of the Watch of the Year award was held on 19 November in the luxurious setting of the Hôtel de La Réserve, in Geneva. A winter fairyland of magical lights and colours welcomed around 500 personalities from the world of watchmaking. For the first time since its creation in 1994, both the Jury Prize and the Public Prize went to the same model, the Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 by Breguet, which was named Watch of the Year.

Drawing its inspiration from the subscription watches and tact watches which Abraham-Louis Breguet designed from 1799, the Breguet Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 derives from a collection launched in 2005. It was the first to feature the organs of the movement on top of the bottom plate. At 4 o’clock the shock absorber, predecessor of today’s Incabloc and an emblematic feature of the collection, protects the balance-staff from external knocks. This self-winding proprietary calibre is also equipped with a silicon escapement and balance-spring.

Second place on the podium went to F.P. Journe for its Octa Lune. Available with a 40 or 42 mm diameter red gold or platinum case, this timepiece has been redesigned to offer enhanced legibility: the date aperture has been enlarged, as has the hours and minutes dial. Its self-winding mechanical movement also provides an indication of the 120-hour (5 days) power-reserve, as well as the phase of the moon.

The third trophy to be awarded was won by Chopard for its L.U.C Regulator timepiece. Despite its six indications (minutes in the centre, hours at 3 o’clock, small-seconds at 6 o’clock, GMT function at 9 o’clock, power-reserve at 12 o’clock and date in an aperture at 4:30), the dial of this watch remains extremely clear. Complete with COSC chronometer certification and stamped with the Geneva hallmark, this 43 mm diameter watch in rose gold benefits from an incredible power-reserve of 216 hours, or 9 days.

And to top an anniversary year already rich in events, Vacheron Constantin won the Ladies Watch award with its Harmony Dual Time Petit Modèle timepiece, which won plaudits from the jury for the design of its case, its elegance and its ergonomic features.

The aim of the Watch of the Year award is to promote the best watch designs of the year, both from a technical and aesthetic perspective. To be shortlisted, timepieces must satisfy three essential criteria: manufactured in Switzerland (Swiss made), produced in quantities of at least 200 pieces, and sold at a retail price of not more than 50,000 francs.

December 03, 2015