One of the most interesting categories of the 2015 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève was the one called Petite Aiguille (which means “small hand” in French) as it comprises wristwatches retailing for under 8,000 Swiss francs (about $7,800).
If you’ve been following my writing for a while, you’ll know that the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève selects six finalists from all the entries to a given category. I am of the opinion that the six finalists in this category constitute some of the most interesting watches available right now at very interesting price points.
In case you don’t believe me, have a look at this round table discussion among a few industry opinion leaders in which these six watches are debated and predictions were made before the ceremony took place on October 29, 2015.
First up, there is the Hermès Slim d’Hermès. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this is one of the best looking and most wearable watches to come out this year. Available in rose gold or stainless steel, the Slim d’Hermès with automatic winding measures a very svelte 39.5 mm in diameter and 8.14 mm in height.
However, the real eye-catcher is that understated, quasi-Bauhaus dial that is both simple and complicated at the same time. The eye is immediately drawn to the numerals, which are boldly printed in a font created by graphic designer Philippe Apeloig for the Slim d’Hermès line. The stainless steel model retails for a modest 6,400 Swiss francs (approximately $6,000).
For more detailed information, please see Introducing Slim d’Hermès: The Elegant New Backbone Of The Hermès Collection.
Then there is the watch that ended up becoming the winner of the category in 2015: the Habring2 Felix. Habring2 is a small, independent watch firm located in the heart of Austria. While this boutique brand has always made very high-quality watches at extremely fair prices, the Felix is different in that it contains the first wristwatch movement ever made in Austria – right in Habring2’s own workshop.
This automatic timepiece, which comes in an ultra-slim 38.5 x 7 mm stainless steel case, retails for an exceedingly fair 4,450 Swiss francs (about $4,000). For more detailed information, please see Habring2 Gets Happy (And Serious) With Felix, Featuring First Austrian Movement.
Montblanc has really upped its watch game since the arrival of CEO Jérôme Lambert two years ago, and the Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum is a perfect example of the new attitude at this German-Swiss company. Housed within the 41 x 12 mm stainless steel case is an automatic movement that contains a worldtime complication – meaning that it can display the time just about anywhere in the world. Additionally, the design is just gorgeous. The Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum retails for 5,400 Swiss francs (approximately $5,000).
For more information on Montblanc’s renaissance over the last two years, please see BOOM! Montblanc’s Explorer-Inspired Heritage Chronométrie Collection.
Tudor has also been going gangbusters over the last two years, though this winning streak may falter a bit now that Montblanc has snatched away Tudor’s clever head of design and product development (see Montblanc Creates New Watch Division Headed By Davide Cerrato, Previous Head Of Marketing, Design And Product Development Of Tudor). But not before Tudor – who is better known as Rolex’s little sister in watch circles – was able to come out with a watch powered by its very own automatic movement in the North Flag model. Housed in a 40 mm stainless-steel-and-ceramic case, the Tudor North Flag retails for $3,550.
See original photos of this timepiece in Legendary Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes And The Tudor North Flag With In-House Movement.
Zenith Elite 6150
Historically, Zenith had been known as a brand that was fairly priced while offering great quality. While the first part of that statement changed quite a bit since LVMH’s takeover of the Le Locle, Switzerland-based brand in 2000, it is now trying to head back into that area.
The Zenith Elite 6150 is a good example of this new feel for consumer needs. A classic watch in both visuals and size (well, the latter just stands as true), the stainless steel Elite 6150 measures 42 x 9.45 mm. Powered by a manually wound Zenith Elite caliber, it retails for 7,500 Swiss francs (approximately $7,000) – making it the most expensive watch in this grouping.
Bulgari Diagono Magnesium
The automatic Bulgari Diagono Magnesium is without a doubt the most high-tech of this group. Housed in a 41 x 9.48 mm ceramic case, it contains “connected” technology via a cryptographic chip and an invisible antenna using Near Field Communication enabling the watch to transmit a digital certificate to the Bulgari Vault app on an Android or Apple smartphone. The watch simply has to be placed near the smartphone for the app to be activated, and only the watch’s owner has access to the confidential content recorded on the app using bank-level security.
This interesting-looking watch outfitted with a standard mechanical movement also tells the time. And all that for 5,000 Swiss francs (about $4,700).
Elizabeth Doerr is the editor-in-chief of Quill & Pad, an online publication that keeps a watch on time.
