By Gilad Zadok
Watches and Wonders 2024 debuted several watch-making “firsts” and world record-breaking timepieces at this year’s annual showcase in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing Zadok Jewelers–Houston’s fine timepiece destination–and as a self-proclaimed watch enthusiast, I have attended Watches and Wonders every year for the last 15 years.
From my experience, I’ll guide you through the insider’s view of watch novelties and most hyped, new releases this year. Let’s start with the top five watches breaking the Internet, smashing world records, and pushing new boundaries in the advancement of haute horology. FYI that’s how us watch nerds refer to the absolute finest of high watchmaking.
World’s Thinnest Watch: Bulgari Breaks Records with Octo Finissimo
What’s thinner?… A Platinum Amex or Bulgari’s new Octo Finissimo Ultra?
Bulgari just set a new world record at Watches & Wonders 2024 with the new Octo Finissimo Ultra, (re)claiming the title of “World’s Thinnest Mechanical Watch” at 1.7mm.
It’s also the thinnest chronometer-certified watch. The Octo Finissimo line has a history of record-breaking achievements. The watch features a titanium case and a tungsten carbide caseback. The movement is COSC-certified, adding complexity but maintaining stability.
The sapphire crystal was reworked to achieve the record thickness. Setting the watch is made easier with a dedicated case. For those curious about the Buglari Octo Finissimo Ultra Price, the limited edition of 20 pieces costs $529,000. A platinum version with a 1.80mm thickness has also been released, setting a record for platinum watches.
So what’s thinner?… A Platinum Amex or Bulgari’s new Octo Finissimo Ultra? Well, you’ll have to check out the original demonstration reel on the @zadoktime Instagram account.
At Zadok Jewelers, discover the Bvlgari “thinnest watch” and full collection, including Serpenti and Octo Finnissimo watches available to buy in Houston.
Montblanc Watches and Wonders Show Stopper: “1858 Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph,” – First of its Kind
A personal favorite from Watches and Wonders, the Montblanc “1858 Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph” is the first monopusher chronograph with the bridges on the dial side. This timepiece is absolutely stunning and was a personal standout for me at Watches and Wonders.
The Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Limited Edition presents a captivating showcase of the Maison’s MB M17.26 caliber, ingeniously reversed to showcase the intricate workings of the chronograph movement. This meticulous process involves more than just flipping the movement, as it requires reversing the direction of the hands as well. The pillar construction of the movement ensures that the view of the wheels, chronograph lever, and escapement is largely unobstructed, with five additional sapphire crystal windows that allow a side view of the finely decorated hand-wound caliber from Montblanc’s Minerva manufacturer.
Limited to 100 pieces, this exceptional timepiece is housed in a 43mm horizontal satin-brushed stainless steel case; the fluted white gold bezel is reminiscent of Minerva’s first fluted bezel of 1927. It is paired with a luxurious blue nubuck alligator strap, secured by a distressed steel triple-folding clasp equipped with a fine adjustment system for added comfort and precision.
At Zadok Jewelers, we are an authorized Montblanc retailer of watches, pens, wallets, and more fine accessories. Shop in our Houston store or buy Montblanc watches online, with our watch specialists available via live chat to answer any questions you may have.
IWC Watches and Wonders Recap: Portugieser Eternal Calendar Watch – World’s Most Accurate Moon Calendar
The new IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Eternal Calendar was a marquee new release and horological marvel at Watches & Wonders 2024. It features a perpetual calendar complication, ensuring accurate display of date, day, month, and year without adjustment until 2100, even factoring in leap years.
Part of the iconic Portugieser watch collection, this IWC Eternal Calendar is the first secular perpetual calendar wristwatch in which all adjustments can be made by the crown and a new record holder of the world’s most accurate moon phase display.
The double moon display of the Portugieser Eternal Calendar automatically takes into account the Gregorian calendar’s leap year exception rules by skipping three leap years over 400 years and will – theoretically – only deviate from the moon’s actual orbit by one day after 45 million years. On that particular issue, I guess we’ll just have to take IWC’s word for it.
So basically, this record-breaking timepiece will not need to be adjusted until the year 3999! Combined with a hyper-precision moon phase display that will deviate from the Moon’s orbit by one day in 45 million years, this Eternal Calendar Portugieser in platinum is a masterpiece.
Well done IWC, well done.
If you’re ever in Houston, visit the IWC Schaffhausen boutique at Zadok Jewelers to explore our collection of Pilot’s, Portugieser, Portofino, Ingenieur and Aquatimer watches.
Piaget Altiplano: Thinnest Watch of Its Class, the Ultimate Concept Tourbillon
What’s thinner?… A 10¢ Euro Coin or Piaget’s new Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon?
Another world record was broken by Piaget this year at Watches & Wonders 2024, and this time it was for the title of “World’s Thinnest Tourbillon Watch.” The ultra-thin Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon watch is meticulously crafted from a unique cobalt alloy and powered by the manual-winding 900P-UC caliber housed within a sleek 41 mm case. This luxurious timepiece embodies the pinnacle of watchmaking excellence. Witness the remarkable fusion of technical prowess and artistry, adorned with the world’s thinnest hand-wound tourbillon watch, measuring a mere 2mm in thickness.
The awe-inspiring 900P-UC movement, concealed within the cobalt alloy case, is showcased through its captivating openwork design, revealing the intricate mechanism in all its splendor. Piaget embraces its legacy of horological innovation and distinction with the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, a recipient of the esteemed “Aiguille d’Or” at the 2020 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). The Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept price is available upon request.
Shopping for Piaget watches? Zadok Jewelers is the authorized Piaget watch retailer you want to visit in Houston. In addition, our watch specialists can assist you with buying Piaget watches online.
JLC Watches and Wonders Highlights: Heliotourbillon Watch – First Ever Triple Axis Tourbillon
As Zadok Jewelers houses the Jaeger LeCoultre boutique in Houston, I was blown away by JLC’s New Three-Axis Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual. It features an entirely new tourbillon construction: one that rotates on three axes to create a ‘spinning top’ effect. This is a masterful achievement in pure aesthetics and high-watchmaking prowess deserving the title of “grail watch.” Jaeger LeCoultre is called the watchmakers’ watchmaker for a reason.
This manual movement is a fusion of sophistication, marrying a three-axis tourbillon with a perpetual calendar and grande date display. The tourbillon, reminiscent of a spinning top, redefines accuracy by countering gravity in every orientation through its three titanium cages gliding on ceramic bearings. Crafted from decades of expertise, this tourbillon is both lightweight and exceptionally precise.
Another feat of complexity is the perpetual calendar, which adapts to varying month lengths and leap years, requiring manual adjustment only once every hundred years. With the Duometre mechanism’s dual-barrel design ensuring consistent power and accuracy, the Heliotourbillon Perpetual stands as a true testament to horological ingenuity.
About the Author
Gilad Zadok is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and Watch Expert by trade as co-owner of Zadok Jewelers: Houston’s premier, family-owned jeweler and authorized watch retailer since 1976. He enjoys breaking the latest in haute horology on ZadokTime, an Instagram account which has garnered an international, cult following among watch collectors and geeks alike. Keep up with @ZadokTime for more awesome watch content.
