March 29, 2024

The authoritative Swiss watch publishing title offers its readers two gifts this week: firstly, the official catalog of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève inserted into its fall edition; and secondly, a new layout ensuring even more pleasant and convenient reading. Fine Watchmaking enthusiasts around the world can naturally also get the digital version of this fall issue from the WorldTempus shop by clicking here.

Time changes the color of autumn leaves, as well as the visual tone of our GMT pages. Time also modifies contents and aesthetic codes, much as it does with those of iconic watches. The GMT graphic design studio, as well as its salesforce and its editorial team, all wanted to give the same subtle touch of fresh momentum to the Great Magazine of Timepieces, without any major upheavals, just as it has enjoyed others since its launch in 2000. Keeping step with the times is also one of the concerns expressed by the heads of Parmigiani Fleurier and Vacheron Constantin interviewed in this issue (WorldTempus readers have already had a chance to enjoy the interview given by Steve Amstutz, indeed making it the most-read article of the week). Design necessarily plays a role in this process, as you will see in our two feature articles dedicated to legibility and to micro-rotors.

Fall also brings what some refer to as the Lake Geneva Watch Week: an amazing few days that begins with the inauguration of the largest independent boutique in Western Switzerland (A l’Emeraude, WorldTempus will be attending the event on November 6th); continues with the Forum de la Haute Horlogerie on November 7th and the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève on November 8th, before concluding with the traditional watch sales – complemented this year by the biennial Only Watch charity auction on November 11th! All these are not-to-be-missed dates on the watch industry calendar, for which GMT has been serving as media partner since their respective launches.

What is not entirely traditional is that the Ovale XL instance, which aBlogtoWatch has analyzed in its different Parmigiani types here. Personally, I love this instance because of its effective combination of elegant looks, flattering visuals on the wrist, and distinctiveness from a number of other watch case styles on the market. What is better is how comfortable the Ovale feels, and how it seems familiar yet not like other things on the market. Patek Philippe for many years attempted to assert the value of a situation similar to the at the Ellipse. Though, Parmigiani is the one which made this elliptical circle contour a fantastic selection for modern men’s watches.This brand new for 2017 Parmigiani Ovale XL Tourbillon introduces a “blue abyss” colored dial that has a blue colour applied over a metal base that’s decorated with vertical Côtes de Genève-style stripes. You do not find these on dials all of the time, however they are not as rare as they used to be anymore. The hour markers are implemented 18k rose gold, to match the situation material and color.Compare the pictured Ovale XL Tourbillon using all the Côtes de Genève dial to the other Parmigiani Ovale XL Tourbillon from 2014. You can observe how Parmigiani likes to play with a lot of dial fashions. The prior version had a semi-skeletonized dial, marginally different hour mark, and another power reserve indicator. The upside of that sooner version is being able to see more of the hand-decorated movement throughout the dial, but I like the higher sense of symmetry on this mention PFH750-1000600-HA3141 version.
If this exceptional early November schedule of events were not enough to satisfy collectors, this issue of GMT together with WorldTempus (fondly referred to as WT) are also offering them a chance to acquire 12 unique pieces created by major brands for the anniversary of worldtempus.com. To celebrate this landmark and this new layout, GMT and WT are gifting a splendid Reuge music box to those who are quickest in taking up this offer.  Exclusivity is also the keynote of the amazing Rally Timer chronograph from Montblanc’s TimeWalker collection, symbolizing the brand’s new ambitions in the sports niche and featured on the cover of this very special GMT issue. And sport naturally transcends seasons!