Michèle Brunner - Baume & Mercier Petite Promesse
On this last day at the SIHH under a grey Geneva sky, and after seeing dozens of sophisticated, luxurious, extravagant and incredibly technical watches, my favourite of the day is a modest one of simplicity and colour. The small Promesse model (22mm) from Baume & Mercier, with a radiant double-wrap strap whose freshness and glamorous touch I find appealing. The oval/round case in steel, edged with diamonds, is delicately precious.
Camille Gendre – Cartier Panthère Mystérieuse
My last daily favourite of the SIHH 2016 is the Panthère Mystérieuse de Cartier, a watch that combines the sophisticated work of the jeweller with the signature mysterious complication that has been part of the brand's heritage since more than a century. The panther, delicately set iwth diamonds, black lacquer and emeralds, is lounging around the dial. The hour and minute hands, which appear to float on the dial, are driven by the invisible calibre 9981 MC.
Paul O'Neil - Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie
It’s one of the technical highlights of the show and we will no doubt come back to it in more detail soon, but the “Supersonnerie” is a watch that above all needs to be heard rather than seen. Its unique construction means that its chimes sound ten times louder than other minute repeater watches and that wearing it on the wrist actually amplifies the sound even better. The inspiration: a challenge from a guitar maker in the Vallée de Joux who said that the way most minute repeaters were constructed meant that the sound they produced was like trying to play a guitar while sitting on it!