The estimated 3,000 guests enjoyed the latest novelties and icons of the exhibiting brands, as well as global releases, unique pieces and limited editions created for the Mexican market. It was a very special SIAR due to the high energy and enthusiasm of the hundreds of young people in attendance, at a key time for Mexico to gain momentum in the global context of watchmaking.
"The presence of young people was solidified in this SIAR, an effort in which the organization focused on. This year we received influencers who did not know much about the world of watches or the Salon, but as from now they already see them as something appealing to share with their audiences. We anticipate that SIAR must incorporate a balanced mix of fun, experiences and culture to captivate this young audience and make prestige watchmaking remain highly active in Mexico,” said Carlos Alonso, CEO of SIAR.
“Mexico is an oasis of what is happening with watchmaking in other parts of the world, as the market is slowing down. In Mexico, watchmaking has been growing for 18 consecutive years and has not yet reached its peak. We have an opportunity to strengthen the position of the country in the global map of the industry. This will bring more brands, more watches and more CEOs. SIAR is providing the young people and all the ingredients needed to keep on the path to success,” said Alonso.
Several top global industry leaders were at SIAR 2024, including Julien Tornare, Hublot’s new CEO, who introduced the Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Green Carbon Mexico, a limited edition with a cactus strap and green accents in the design. Jacob Arabo, founder of Jacob & Co. also attended to celebrate the worldwide release of the Skull Double Tourbillon, with a dial decorated by a rose gold skull created in honor of the Day of the Dead. Edouard Meylan, CEO of the successful independent firm H. Moser & Cie. joined the event for the first time to mark the debut of Moser and Hautlence, which is owned by his family, at the Salon.
Also in attendance were Anne-Laure Ritter, President of the Americas for Jaeger-LeCoultre; Greg Weeter, President of the Americas for Piaget; Alain Delamuraz, CEO of Jaquet Droz; Massimo Rossi, CEO of Cuervo y Sobrinos; Vahé Vartzbed, CEO of HYT; David Gouten, CEO of Manufacture Royale; Stefan Kunz, CEO of Cvstos; Patrick Alexandre Ulm, founder and CEO of Charles Girardier; Christian Knoop, Chief Design Officer of IWC, and Gianfranco Gentile, Global Heritage Director of Breitling.
Once again, SIAR was the perfect setting for guests to discover an array of 2024 novelties. Bvlgari showed its groundbreaking Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie and Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon, as well as the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, which is only 1.70 mm thick. IWC displayed the Portugieser Eternal Calendar, one of the year's best watches, and the new Portugieser models in Horizon Blue and Dune shades. Panerai unveiled the Luminor Quaranta Carbotech PAM01526, a striking Carbotech model with a matte green dial and strap. Bovet unveiled Wild Horses, a unique piece with a hand engraved dial showing two magnificent gold horses. Zenith revealed the DEFY Skyline Americas, a black ceramic watch with green and gold details available exclusively in the Americas. Jaeger-LeCoultre came with the newly launched Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon, as well as the innovative Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual. Tudor had two major stars at SIAR: the Black Bay Chrono Pink and the Pelagos FXD Chrono “Cycling Edition”.
In addition, Breitling presented its three first-ever perpetual calendar chronographs, marking the 140th anniversary of its foundation. Piaget showed the Polo Skeleton Ceramic, its first timepiece made of ceramic. Franck Muller introduced its distinctive and mighty Carbon Collection. Girard-Perregaux featured the new edition of the groundbreaking Neo Constant Escapement and Ulysse Nardin showed the Freak One Ops.
Longines exhibited a gorgeous 1959 timepiece which served as the inspiration to the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve Limited Edition. Norqain arrived with the Independence Skull Chrono, Maurice Lacroix with the Aikon Automatic Titanium and HYT with the T1 Series Millésime editions. Bianchet unveiled the B 1.618 Flying Tourbillon Grande Date Sapphire, Perrelet the Turbine Skull and Golf, and Charles Girardier the Synchronaut GMT Date/Night Indication. Also on display were the new Pioneer Retrograde Seconds by H. Moser & Cie, the 2300 Sport Chronograph Khaki by Louis Erard and the The Rolling Stones Automaton, a unique piece by Jaquet Droz based on the cover of the album Some Girls by the legendary English band.
One of the most cherished traditions of SIAR is the introduction of limited editions and unique pieces devoted to Mexico. This year was no exception with several amazing watches that were inspired by our country, like the previously mentioned Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Green Carbon Mexico by Hublot. Featured on the list were:
- Legends of Mexico Chapter 1: Benito Juarez, a Bovet watch with an extraordinary craftsmanship in homage to one of the most important characters in Mexican history.
- The unique piece Fuego Nuevo, from independent brand Louis Moinet, with a meteorite dial and a motif based on the Aztec “Piedra del Sol”.
- 7 Windows Mexico Limited Edition, by Minase, with a dial that combines the eagle of the Mexican shield with a Japanese wave decoration known as Seigasha.
- Master Grand Date Green Mexico Edition and Master Grand Date Grey Mexico Edition, developed by Maurice Lacroix after one of its most complicated models.
- 1770 Hatue Voltige Mexico Edition by Manufacture Royale, with a color scheme dedicated to Mexico.
- KS06 Viva Mexico, the impressive central tourbillon by Kross Studio in green.
- Historiador Reserva de la Familia, a limited edition of 50 pieces by Cuervo y Sobrinos.
Since its inception, SIAR has been a display of outstanding indie brands such as De Bethune, Laurent Ferrier, Speake-Marin, Gerald Charles, Ludovic Ballouard, Artime, Angelus, Arnold & Son and L'Epée, all of which were at this year's edition. Like in the past, the event also welcomed small independent firms with fresh and original products which are part of the Swiss Independent Watchmaking Pavilion (SIWP): David Van Helm, Greco, Moya, Ollivier Saveo, Pilo & Co. and Vulcain. Also participating this year were G-Shock, the Japanese firm that has become a pop phenomenon thanks to its ultra-resistant and cool watches; Seiko Luxe, with an interesting exhibition on its 100 years of history, and Buben & Zorweg, with its stunning watch winders and ultra-luxury safes.
“The results of this year, which were very positive in all senses, will enable us to build up to a strong SIAR in 2025 if the economic circumstances of the country continue the positive course. We had very good commercial results, particularly in the top-range pieces, which are those sought after by the mature collectors attending SIAR. This year's edition witnessed a stronger presence and more activity from all the country's retailers and from their sales teams throughout the three days of the event. In addition, some Latin American jewelers attended,” said Carlos Alonso.
"The brands that made their debut at SIAR 2024 obtained good results quickly, such as in the case of H. Moser & Cie, Hautlence, Maurice Lacroix and Norqain. This is a proof of the fact that the Salon is the ideal platform to make oneself known in an emerging, mature and successful market like the Mexican one,” said Alonso.
The brands attending SIAR Mexico 2024 were: Angelus, Arnold & Son, Armani & Son, Armani & Son, Armani & Son, Armani & Son, Armani & Son, and Hublot: Angelus, Arnold & Son, Artime, Bianchet, Bovet 1822, Breitling, Buben & Zorweg, Bvlgari, Charles Girardier, Cuervo y Sobrinos, Cvstos, David Van Helm, De Bethune, Franck Muller, G-Shock, Gerald Charles, Girard-Perregaux, Greco, H. Moser & Cie, Hautlence, Hublot, HYT, IWC Schaffhausen, Jacob & Co, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Kross Studio, L'Epée 1839, Laurent Ferrier, Longines, Louis Erard, Louis Moinet, Ludovic Ballouard, Manufacture Royale, Maurice Lacroix, Minase, Moya, Norqain, Ollivier Saveo, Panerai, Perrelet, Piaget, Pilo & Co, Seiko Luxe, Speake-Marin, Tudor, Ulysse Nardin, Vulcain, Zenith.
