Guide Watches&Wonders 2022: Our Top Picks - Part I
After two years of waiting, Watches and Wonders 2022 is already over. A gathering of the biggest names in watchmaking and jewellery, the trade show has held all its promises. A rare glimpse of the incredible novelties and unique pieces presented by the brands. From Hublot to Ulysse Nardin, here are the Watches & Wonders 2022 timepieces that the Watchdreamer team fell in love with. Between technical feats and spectacular designs, we didn't know where to start. Here is a quick overview (part I, because yes, there are many!).
Favourite #1: TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma
This watch is totally insane! We were able to see it up close and we were stunned. Everything in this timepiece calls for exception, luxury, technique and audacity. With a diamond in place of the crown, TAG Heuer certainly wanted to surprise and it is quite successful. This new watch features the innovative Diamant d'Avant-garde technology and a disruptive design. With this model, the Manufacture marks a major step in the company's history and in the watchmaking industry.
But what is Avant-Garde Diamond technology? These diamonds are lab-grown diamonds, where all the conditions are met to create the perfect diamond. This know-how showcases brand-new possibilities in aesthetic and technical excellence, thanks to pioneering advancements championed by TAG Heuer in the field of lab-grown diamonds. The TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma, powered by the Heuer 02 Tourbillon Nanograph movement, has Diamant d'Avant-Garde lab-grown diamonds set in the case. The 44mm case is primarily made of sandblasted anodised aluminium, which perfectly complements the lightness and colour of the material and the strength and purity of the diamond. According to CEO Frédéric Arnault, less than twelve models will be produced, so take a good look at these images. Stunning!
Favourite #2 : Hublot and the Square Bang Unico
Is this the new shape to come? In any case, the "shaped watch trend" is clearly a thing even if it is a divisive, disruptive and unconventional shape. When the Manufacture, based in Nyon, goes square, it gives the Square Bang Unico. And a square case sets some challenges. Because a movement is rather round, right? Since every calibre has the wheel as its basic component, it therefore needs a round movement. And to place a round movement harmoniously in a square case, this requires a very specific style. In our opinion, Hublot has found this style wonderfully well.
Equipped with a self-winding Unico Manufacture chronograph calibre HUB 1280 with a 72-hour power reserve, this new timepiece is available in five variations: solid titanium, black ceramic or King Gold. The last two combine titanium or King Gold with a black ceramic bezel. Like all Hublot watches, the Square Bang Unico has no equivalent!
Favourite #3 : the Vertical Odyssey of Ulysse Nardin
When Ulysse Nardin goes Freak again, the result is two majestically incredible new models that challenge our understanding of what a watch can be: Freak X Aventurine and Freak S. The Manufacture also creates amazement with a third model, Moonstruck. The brand takes us on a journey through the universe. As futuristic as ever.
Freak X Aventurine
It's like having a piece of the sky on your wrist, a galaxy of infinitely small and bright particles, like those seen on the surface of water in the darkness of a full moon. The Freak X Aventurine is very light, very versatile. It is a high-end timepiece that embodies some of the technical characteristics of the Freak model. A modern timepiece limited to 99 pieces.
Freak S
This model is a spaceship! It represents the expression of contemporary luxury masterfully manifested in an avant-garde watchmaking design. It is the brand's first self-winding mechanism with a double oscillator. In this horological masterpiece, no crown, no hands, no dial, the movement is king. Ulysse Nardin looked to the brightest stars of the cosmos for inspiration for this new interpretation of the Freak and this model is limited to 75 pieces. The Freak legend continues with this mechanical marvel...
Moonstruck
Frank Sinatra might well have worn this watch while singing "Fly me to the Moon". The Moonstruck reproduces the rotation of the moon, the apparent movement of the sun around the globe as we observe it from the Earth. This new model is a mythical complication representing the universe. The geocentricity of the Moonstruck is easy to understand, even for a beginner with no knowledge of astronomy. The model has a sapphire crystal case with a domed planet Earth. With this model, simplicity is complexity.
Favourite #4 : Rolex and the GMT Master II
With this novelty, Rolex is making the lefties happy. If you are left-handed like many of us at Watchdreamer, you probably wear your watch on your right hand. And looking at this exceptional timepiece, you can see the crown on the left side of the case. Outside of the obvious change, Rolex has also given the new watch a green and black bezel to support the two-tone Cerachrom bezel.
From a technical point of view, the piece is powered by the ref. 3285 - the in-house calibre with 4 Hz and 70 hours of power reserve. This new edition of the watch echoes the GMT-Master created in 1955. Obviously, adjustments have been necessary to move the winding crown to the left side of the watch case and the date window to 9 o'clock. Long live Rolex, long live the left-handers!
Favourite #5 : New Black Bay GMT from Tudor
Are you looking for warm colours with a vintage feel? You should be seduced by the new Black Bay GMT model and its steel and gold makeover. The 41mm case is primarily steel, with gold accents on the bezel, crown and the bracelet. For a slightly less flashy look, opt for a fabric or brown leather strap. The timepiece is equipped with the same MT5652 movement as the Black Bay Pro.
As you can see, during this exceptional year of Watches and Wonders, a host of impressive new pieces have been unveiled. We are still coming down to earth. More on this in the next episode.