DIVERSIONS
52 PRESTIGE J U LY 2019
JAQUET DROZ
Automatons are Jaquet Droz’s forte, and the brand
has unveiled new creations this year. The Magic
Lotus Automaton here is a departure from the
typical bird-related motifs that inhabit the brand’s
timepieces, and features a Japanese pond complete
with lotus and koi instead. The incredibly complex
scene alludes to the passing of seasons and the
cycle of life, and plays out for over four minutes — an
unusually long time for such a complication.The Swatch Group’s departure from Baselworld didn’t just throw a wrench in the
works for the annual watch and jewellery fair, but was also a sea change for the
watchmaking conglomerate itself. While the group’s entry- and mid-level brands
were freed to communicate and release their respective novelties as they saw fi t,
the six premium brands at the upper echelon banded together for Time To
Move instead. Held separately for retailers and the media in March and May this
year respectively, the event was more intensive — and exclusive — compared to
the Baselworld trade show format. Here’s a highlight from each brand.Breguet
The technical masterpiece from
Breguet this year is the Classique
Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette
ref 5395, which features an ultra-thin,
skeletonised tourbillon movement
just 3mm thick — rendered in
gold, no less. Despite the greatly
reduced movement dimensions, the
watch still manages an impressive
80-hour power reserve.OMEGA
Omega’s claims to fame may lie
elsewhere, but the brand routinely
creates stunning jewelled watches for
women that deserve a closer look. Case
in point: the new Constellation Manhattan
timepieces featuring Sedna gold cases
and bracelets, opal dials, and diamond-set
bezels and bracelets. The shooting star
pattern formed by diamonds set into the
bracelet is especially stunning.CH ANGING TEMPO:
SIX FROM SWATCH