The second major fair in Geneva opens its doors today – to the tune of 55 exhibitors; many of these are exhibiting true originality and creativity.
WORLDTEMPUS - 16 January 2011
Elizabeth Doerr
If you visited GTE during last year's SIHH week, like me you probably went into it not really knowing what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by both the quantity and quality of the exhibitors at the first-time event and felt I had not given enough serious time to the fair held at the International Conference Center of Geneva (CIGC).
This year, I decided to budget more time and I am glad I did. The fair this year not only boasts a level of uniqueness provided by independent companies and artists that is nearly unparalleled, it also provides more than a couple of world firsts and even the promised appearance of celebrities.
Three-Dimensional
One of the new companies to premiere at GTE is Cyrus Watches. This new brand is being launched by its founders Julien Lecamp, Laurent Lecamp, and Jean-François Mojon. The latter may ring a bell with those interested in horology as the creator of Harry Winston's Opus X, released last year at Baselworld. The main watch being shown at GTE is the Klepcys, which contains two years of development, two patents, and three-dimensional design. While its case shape may be reminiscent of MCT, the rest is unadulterated, creative originality complete with a retrograde hand that changes color, a linear – yet round – display of time (slightly reminiscent of the Opus X), a satellite and retrograde date display that is completely new, and a three-dimensional moon replete with craters. Further details await the wondering eyes of the observer.
World Premieres
Also premiering is Heritage Watch Manufactory, the new company powered by classic-style movements – one even outfitted with true constant force – crafted by Karsten Fraessdorf (link to story of Jan. 6). RGM of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania, USA shows its in-house tourbillon for the first time in Europe. Quinting premieres The Ghost, a quartz chronograph with a mysterious movement; the hands of which appear to be disconnected from the movement, which is nowhere to be seen. Ladoire's new line Black Widow, featuring the mysterious yet colorful Mr. Green, is also being shown for the first time. The German/Swiss company Zeitwinkel debuts its classy brand of Bauhaus with a new movement. HD3 steps back into the spotlight with the brand-new Slyde, a timepiece that allows the wearer to “slide” time using touchscreen technology. Louis Moinet continues its astronomically limited line with the Astralis Tourbillon containing a split-seconds chronograph and a “planetarium” at 6 o'clock featuring bits of extremely rare stones from space. Frédéric Jouvenot premieres a new way of telling time in the form of the Helios model from the Solar Deity line. Last, but certainly not least, we see the debut of a whole new brand in Arcadia, masterminded by the Bunter team.
Even Celebrities
While last year's GTE remained fairly low-key, this year's event promises a little more glamour provided by some of the exhibitors' brand ambassadors. Marvin's muse Sébastien Loeb, recently crowned world champion for the seventh time and widely considered the greatest rally driver of all time, is scheduled to make an appearance – as is Frédéric Jouvenot ambassador Carl Peter von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria. A royal brand ambassador is rare enough, but an ambassador as ambassador is even rarer: Cyrus Watches' Thomas Borer – former Swiss ambassador to Germany and highly praised Swiss foreign affairs diplomat – should also be in attendance.
Stay tuned to this space, for tomorrow the results of the eagerly anticipated GTE Superwatch Award will be announced.
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