HAUTE HOROLOGY

Time keeps on ticking. Here,

LAST YEAR’S Watches and Wonders Geneva (a new name, a new show!) was a groundbreaking success. And, after two years of virtual showings, it was a wonder, indeed, to have several dozen brands convened in Geneva, exhibiting – in person! But this year’s event at the Palexpo hosted nearly 50 brands, showcasing thousands of glimmering, glittering, mystifying, brain-defying, and simply stunning timepieces. And, for those who love complications, there were the usual frontal-lobe-defying mechanical movements that utterly dazzled. Whether you go in for simple, sleek and clean lines, or jewel-encrusted, fanciful dials, there was something for the casual shopper and the serious collector.

WATCH TRENDS TO WATCH (OKAY, FORGIVE US!)

LARGER FACES: The streamlined, more diminutive cases of yesteryear are fading into the memory bank of watchmakers. Statement-making cases are on the rise, so look for bolder, more decorative, more in-your-face beauties, as well as cases that make statements, all by themselves.

BRAZEN COLOUR: Yes, of course, the neutrals and the subtly-toned palette will always appeal to certain customers, but expect to see much more colour this coming year. Bold hues, bright statements, vibrant faces, lively watch bands. The Ralph Lauren women’s watches were shown with a red band and white face and, in truth, it could be unisex (another popular theme to look for), but if you look at the same Stirrup model with a black band and a black face, it speaks an entirely different language. Look for mix-and-match choices like that.

MIXED MEDIA AND MATERIALS: You’ll find a mélange of colours, textures, materials and metals in the newest-trending watches. And that is not surprising, as sustainability is also a keynote moving into the future. A melding of surface ornamentation, or unique watch bands, or the unusual use of a unique material all speak to individuality.

MORE IS MORE – EMBELLISHED WATCHES: You’ll find more decorative touches, unique staccato notes of explosive design and interesting twists on old themes, as les manufactures allow their design teams to dream of Michelangelo, Monet or Max (as in Peter). Expect excitement and euphoria.

SMART WATCHES: Apple and Samsung have not cornered the market here. You’ll see plenty of watches that speak to the latest in technology and that do things you never dreamed of – like helping you to start roasting a chicken at home while you are still at the airport. Well, not quite. But smart is a key word for the coming years.

Also, the popular GMT watches (Greenwich Mean Time – ground zero, so to speak, for setting the base for all other global time zones) have been very popular in recent times. And with the rise of “revenge travel,” fulfilling the pent-up desire to go, go, go, we are also seeing elegant, handsome watches that have the benefit of presenting your time as well as the time somewhere else…or in many other places. Another look to pay attention to is the retro reinvention of older styles, but with a modern twist. As we noted, this season there is truly something for everyone –and at price points that will span everything from affordable to aspirational.