Ever since it was launched in 2015 de Grisogono’s New Retro has appealed to me. From the initial versions in gold to the tourbillon and power reserve models and the more recent “Double Jeu”, it is a watch that has always flied in the face of horological conventions in the typical de Grisogono spirit. Few luxury watches are rectangular, so the brand opted for this shape, but with the longer side on the horizontal. Few watches have their crown at 12 o’clock, so this was the natural position for the New Retro, which also neatly avoids an extra protruberance on a case that is already 50mm wide. And few brands are bold enough to use just two hands on the dial, especially when using a self-winding mechanical movement. de Grisogono does just that, creating a timepiece that shuns comparison.

JD Watch made its official introduction to the watch industry a year ago as main sponsor of the GMT cocktail during the SIHH ; what have the major steps been since then ?
We continuously partner with more new brands, with Oris and Carl F. Bucherer having recently opened flagship stores on JD. Brands always rely on us because of our commitment to product authenticity and protecting their brand images. In October, we signed a strategic partnership with international watch retailer Xinyu Group, aiming to provide better integrated shopping experiences designed for our over 300 million customers. We have also strengthened our cooperation with our existing partners. This year in Basel, TAG Heuer launched its Explore the Moon special edition on JD.com, in cooperation with the China National Space Administration. A year into its successful partnership with JD, Chopard’s exclusive concept store, whose launch last August marked the brand’s e-commerce debut in China, has now become an official flagship store. We will continue to leverage our resources in e-commerce, marketing and logistics to help brands build greater awareness in China. We have expanded our presence in Europe, including an office in Paris, through which we are deepening our partnerships with brands and working with them on their China strategy. 

The HyperChrome collection by Rado is famous for its watches of timeless style, which marry modern yet classic design. The production process behind Rado’s plasma high-tech ceramic is akin to modern-day alchemy. The warm metallic colour is made possible by the plasma high-tech ceramic. To produce this material, high-tech ceramic is heated in a plasma oven, where a temperature of 20,000°C causes gases to form that change the molecular structure of the ceramic components and gives them their characteristic metallic shine. Thanks to the high-tech ceramic case with a monobloc structure, this watch offers what Rado stands for: lightness, scratch resistance and wearer comfort. 

On 24th of October 1994, A. Lange & Söhne’s founder Walter Lange and his partner Günter Blümlein presented the first four new-era wristwatches at the Dresden Palace, including the Lange 1. The asymmetric arrangement of its dial, its technical facets – such as the outsize date, the twin mainspring barrel and a lavishly finished mechanical calibre  – triggered discussions. This was deemed a provocation by many people. But the unusual design attracted considerable attention and made A. Lange & Söhne famous again overnight.

Little did I know when I penned my Monday editorial on the links between watch brands and the history and future of space exploration that an entire project team (researchers, engineers, historians, watchmakers – you name it) had been working under the secret codename Alaska 11 over the past two years to bring the legendary Omega calibre 321 back to life. After writing the editorial I concluded that, when it came to space exploration, watch brands had their attention focused on the past. In a way, Omega has proved my point, but they have done so in a brilliantly revolutionary way.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of Cartier watches is the volume of the watch cases, their lines and their proportions, even the link between the case and the width of the strap. These shaped watches – unlike round watches – make up the lion’s share of the Cartier collection and were, in fact, how Louis Cartier kicked off his entrance into watchmaking. The first square Santos appeared in 1904, followed two years later by the Tonneau. The Crash, Tank, Tortue and Drive followed (in no particular order).

The spirit of Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, breathes on this rare masterpiece of jewellery. The capital of Tuscany, a gentle region set in the heart of an Italy of dolce vita and genetic elegance, is at the heart of this limited series of 68 pieces.

Over the years and through its different guises, Longines has constantly striven to complement its quest for precision with exacting aesthetics. These aspects still characterise its production today. The 185 years of know-how have been shaped by tradition, elegance and performance. As such heritage deserves to be honored and perpetuated, the brand has continually worked to preserve its legacy. 

It would appear that everything has already been said about this primary colour: the sea, the sky, boys, the blazer, the uniforms of pilots or the monochrome of Yves Klein. For some it’s a royal colour, for others the colour of the flag. One thing is certain: blue is everywhere.

Best of British displays works by British blue chip and established artists and rising stars including Dan Baldwin, Mark Evans, The Connor Brothers, Harland Miller, Banksy, Marc Quinn, Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, David Yarrow, Russell Young and Grayson Perry. The exhibition will continue until 28th January 2019.