Cover Photo: Courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre
Modern reinterpretations of historical timepieces continue to capture collectors’ attention

Cartier's Santos de Cartier Gradient Blue

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Above Santos de Cartier Gradient Blue by Cartier. (Photo: Courtesy of Cartier)

Named after the famed aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the Santos was launched in 1904 as the world’s first wristwatch. With more than 100 years of history behind it, this year’s Santos de Cartier Gradient Blue is instantly recognisable.

The subtle blue dial beautifully contrasts against silvered Roman numerals and hands and the black date disc, adds modernity to this timeless classic.

See also: 6 Best Mechanical Watches By Fashion Brands

Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms Barakuda Limited Edition

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Above Fifty Fathoms Barakuda Limited Edition by Blancpain. (Photo: Courtesy of Blancpain)

Over the past decade, Blancpain has rummaged through its archives and released a number of re-editions of iconic Fifty Fathoms models, but this year’s Barakuda is something altogether different.

It features Blancpain’s in-house, extra-slim, self-winding calibre 1151, as well as a breathtaking dual-tone dial that’s strikingly similar to the original.

Initially created to meet the needs of French combat swimmers, the 1960s model, like this year’s re-edition, is renowned for legibility, making it a reliable choice—if you can find one.

Jaeger-LeCoultre's Polaris Date Limited Edition

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Novelties SIHH 2019
Above Polaris Date Limited Edition by Jaeger-LeCoultre. (Photo: Courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre)

Casual and sporty, the new Polaris Date Limited Edition, which comes with a rubber Clous de Paris strap that’s unique to this special model, takes inspiration from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s iconic 1970s Polaris II.

Limited to 800 pieces, this year’s rendition is differentiated by its double gradient dial, which is hand-lacquered navy blue with a complex finish that mixes opaline tones with sunray and grained surfaces.

See also: Introducing The Zenith El Primero 50th Anniversary Fine Watch Club Edition

Breguet's Type 20 Only Watch 2019 Pièce Unique

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Above Type 20 Only Watch 2019 Pièce Unique by Breguet. (Photo: Courtesy of Breguet)

Breguet’s Type XX range of pilot watches is inspired by military timepieces made by the brand during the 1950s.

Simply referred to as Type 20, these models have inspired this year’s unique piece, which is a coffee-coloured reissue of a Type 20 flyback chronograph that features a small seconds display and a 30-minute counter.

But what really stands out about this timepiece is its movement, which is a superbly refurbished example of a hand-wound, vintage Valjoux 235 calibre.

Patek Philippe's Calatrava Weekly Calendar

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Above Calatrava Weekly Calendar by Patek Philippe. (Photo: Courtesy of Patek Philippe)

The modest Calatrava dates back to the 1930s, when the wristwatch was still a relatively new phenomenon. Its concept remained virtually unchanged until this year, which sees the introduction of a new complication: the weekly calendar.

This semi-integrated mechanism displays the week’s number in addition to the day and date. The steel case, which sits very comfortably on the wrist, also houses a completely new self-winding calibre.

Breitling's Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition

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Above Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition by Breitling. (Photo: Courtesy of Breitling)

One of the most iconic watches ever released, the Navitimer secured Breitling’s place in history as a leader in aviation timekeeping.

Launched in 1959, the original model became a mainstay for pilots in the ’60s because of its groundbreaking design, which incorporated a rotating slide-rule bezel that allowed navigators to make vital flight calculations from their wrist.

Designed with painstaking attention to detail, an individually numbered, limited re-edition has been released this year, which features the same stainless steel case and all black dial with tone-on -tone small second, 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters.

 

See also: Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) Will Rebrand As Watches & Wonders Geneva In 2020

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