04.11.2016 - News

Our Highlights From the Opening Night of SalonQP 2016

The scene was set for what was a great night of exquisite watches at the Saatchi Gallery for the 8th annual SalonQP Exhibition. Of course, Luxe Watches was in attendance and here are just a few of our highlights from the event:

 

 F.P. Journe

One highlight of the exhibition was the F.P. Journe collection of new and vintage watches on display. The super rare vintage watches were something to marvel at, yet fitted so well together with their latest collection. Such collection, the Souveraine, is simply a stunning classic Swiss watch. Cased in a 40mm Stainless Steel case, and with a silver and satin finished dial, this watch is really a watch to be seen with.

 

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Looks aside, the movement and mechanical genius of the Souveraine collection is truly remarkable. The in-house developed Calibre No. 1408 is a manually wound movement entirely in 18K rose gold and holds up to 33 jewels inside. The watches also hold a 56-hour power reserve and show the power reserve through an special power dial at 3h00. At 7h30, the watches also show a sub-second complication.

 

Orolog by Jaime Hayon

The quirkiness and style of Orolog watches was also something that really stood out. Orolog is a contemporary Swiss watch brand established by Jaime Hayon, with partners Angela Adams and Ian Lowe, to explore the possibilities where art and design meet swiss watch manufacture.

The newest collection on display, The Orolog OC-2 Swiss “Miko”, was playful and very stylish. Explained by partner Angela Adams on the night:

 

“In Jaime’s universe, all is not often what it first seems, where objects come to life, things and creatures merge and are transformed. From his realm of rich fantasy comes a unique wristwatch. At this moment when time-telling becomes enveloped in Jaime Hayon’s world, the fun begins.” – Angela Adams

 

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The Orolog ‘Miko’ Swiss Chronograph is available in 3 models each in a limited edition of 50 pieces numbered and signed by Jaime Hayon. Featuring the iconic ‘Hayon’ sculptured case and unique ‘Miko’ dial face. The OC2 Miko is available in Matt Steel, Matt Red Gold PVD, Matt Black PVD, with matching custom buckles and exquisite French calf leather straps.

 

Robert Loomes & Co

Loomes & Co is a small family firm of watchmakers. They are based in Stamford and pride themselves on having the capacity to machine 80% of the components needed in building their watches in Britain – making the watch a truly British watch.

 

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On display was there gentlemen’s collection, The Robin, The Red Robin & The White Robin. All limited in numbers, these stunning watches had a real classic look and feel to them and mechanically is up there with the likes of the Swiss giants. What stood out for us is the real passion the team had for their brand and a true identity of the British-ness of the company and watches.

 

L.U. Chopard

Chopard celebrated 20 years of the L. U. C. collection at SalonQP and their exhibition was something to behold. Over the 20 years since, the L. U. C. collection has developed a distinctive niche in fine watchmaking that’s marked by both creativity and a genuine respect for tradition.

 

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One watch that really stood out for us was the L. U. C. Time Traveller One. The watch shows local time and time in each of the 24 times zones on the outer ring dial. The stainless steel version features a sunburst black dial with contrasting orange accents. The worldtime rinf stands out clearly, with a slate grey half indicating the night-time hours, and a silver-toned half showing daytime. The rose-gold version’s dial is silver-tone, apart from the night-time hours that a shown in deep blue on its 24-hour disc, while the platinum case has a blue-grey dial and a half silver-toned worldtime ring.

 

Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross pulled out all the stops to produce quite an extraordinary display of watches. This year Bell & Ross put forward its new Instrument De Marine Collection, as well as the new versions of the BR-X1 Hypersonic Chronograph: Hyperstellar, the BR-X1 Tourbillon Sapphire and the BR01 Burning Skull – all were exceptional.

 

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One watch that really stood out for us, and because Halloween has just gone past, was the BR01 Burning Skull. The model is limited to only 500 pieces worldwide and is quite a sight! Encased in 46mm of engraved microblasted steel and hand filled with black lacquer. The Skull dial consists of a black Superluminova – coated stamped metal skull – enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. The movement, a signature caliber BR-CAL.302. automatic mechanical is also something that watch enthusiasts were purring over. The watch is finished with a sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating, and is water resistant to up to 100 metres.

 

SuisseMechanica

Newly formed SuisseMechanica, co-founded by partners François Renoult & Juliana Arbelaez-Renoult, showcased a beautiful selection of watches. Their new collection, the SM8, completely blew us away with a seemless balance of style and tradition.

“The soul of the SM8 collection draws from the 1970s, influence by a design considered as experimental or even explosive during that era of transition; some indomitable and original designers created that generation of watches with the surprising curves.” – Juliana Arbelaez-Renoult

 

The limited edition pieces fit harmonically together thanks to the design, in a clever play on shapes that is part of the visual language inherent to SM8. 49mm in total, including their iconic sliding crown protector. The first edition of the collection is made of high-grade circular brushed stainless steel – yet can be made in titanium or other precious metals if needs be.

The movement of the SM8 collection is 100% Swiss made and called is the Calibre SM1-2222, which was exclusively developed by Suissemecanica. The SM8 collection is water resistant of up to 200 meters. A beautiful watch with much of the Swiss horological values and integrity it can muster.

 

By Josh Martin

 

Gallery – live images from the show

 

 

Image Credit: luxewatches.co.uk