https://www.scmp.com/rss/323842/feed News and insight on the Swiss luxury watchmakers en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Josiah Ng Josiah Ng The record-breaking 66 brands exhibiting at Watches and Wonders this year gave us plenty of exotic complications, materials and designs, but as market share between top, middle and smaller scale brands continues to shift wildly amid universal price increases, this year’s biggest releases seem geared to making watches more universally wearable, durable and modernised. Brands experimented with familiar materials like platinum or titanium, but began to expand possibilities for ceramic, forged... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3350452/best-watches-and-wonders-2026-launches-cartier-and-hublot-patek-philippe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3350452/best-watches-and-wonders-2026-launches-cartier-and-hublot-patek-philippe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:44:13 +0000 Joshua Hendren Joshua Hendren Whether you’re a collector or simply curious about watchmaking, travel can offer a way to connect with horology beyond boutiques. From specialist museums to historic workshops and brand archives, these destinations reveal the places and stories that have helped shape the craft. German Watch Museum, Glashütte, Germany The small town of Glashütte has been synonymous with German watchmaking since the mid-19th century, and its dedicated museum presents a thorough review of that legacy. The German... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3340134/worlds-best-watch-museums-workshops-and-archives-panerai-seiko?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3340134/worlds-best-watch-museums-workshops-and-archives-panerai-seiko?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:00:12 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter Some bimetallic magic has been sprinkled over a daring collection from one of Switzerland’s most sought-after independent watchmakers. Parmigiani Fleurier has been drawing the attention of knowledgeable watch lovers ever since it was founded in 1996 by visionary watchmaker and restorer Michel Parmigiani, a man steeped in the history of horology. The brand’s watches exude his love for the craft of watchmaking and showcase an obsessive attention to detail, with sophisticated aesthetics that... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3331454/style-edit-parmigiani-fleuriers-tonda-pf-stainless-steel-and-rose-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3331454/style-edit-parmigiani-fleuriers-tonda-pf-stainless-steel-and-rose-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 02:00:10 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng The high horology scene has been bubbling all summer as Taylor Swift and The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Conrad Fisher (played by Christopher Briney) sported vintage gold watches for viral moments in August. Meanwhile, both the Grand Prix D’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) and Louis Vuitton are ramping up the festivities leading up to their respective watch awards by announcing competing watches. Brands are releasing a wide variety of watches – some in gold, some in blue, some in ceramic and some that... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3323879/5-watch-moments-july-and-august-2025-taylor-swifts-engagement-watch-rolexs-new-undertaking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3323879/5-watch-moments-july-and-august-2025-taylor-swifts-engagement-watch-rolexs-new-undertaking?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:53:58 +0000 Joshua Hendren Joshua Hendren If one thing stood out at Watches and Wonders 2025, it was the return of blue. While the colour has long been a favourite in horology, this year’s releases showed how brands are pushing the palette further, delivering unexpected textures, materials and finishes – from icy platinum to matte ceramic and pearly lacquer. Rolex’s most talked-about launch, the new Land-Dweller, may have made headlines for its technical leap – the brand-new calibre 7135 and patented Dynapulse escapement – but... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3319305/blue-watches-are-back-fresh-shades-materials-and-textures-heres-our-rundown-models-matter-most-rolex?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3319305/blue-watches-are-back-fresh-shades-materials-and-textures-heres-our-rundown-models-matter-most-rolex?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:00:08 +0000 Anders Modig Davin Anders Modig Davin Scratch resistant, heat-resistant, non-corrosive – what’s not to love about ceramics? Used by humankind for some 25,000 years – and by the watch industry since the 1970s – the material is now becoming a ubiquitous material for high horology, appearing on timepieces in a wide variety of textures, colours and finishes. Audemars Piguet and Chanel are among the brands releasing new-school ceramic pieces. An example from the latter is the J12 Bleu collection of nine watches in a deep blue, nearly... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3312295/how-modern-ceramic-techniques-are-revolutionising-high-horology-watches-and-wonders-2025-showcased?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3312295/how-modern-ceramic-techniques-are-revolutionising-high-horology-watches-and-wonders-2025-showcased?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 May 2025 20:00:14 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Visitors to West Kowloon Cultural District’s Freespace in Hong Kong between May 26 and June 8 can catch an exhibition on one of Rolex’s most important models: the GMT-Master. The watch celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, an occasion that marks one of watchmaking’s most elegant answers to the problem of tracking multiple time zones. The watch and its namesake GMT complication gain their name from the addition of an extra watch hand that tracks time on a 24-hour index. The GMT hand can be... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3311477/enduring-legacy-rolexs-70-year-old-gmt-master-it-revolutionised-time-zone-tracking-and-brands-tudor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3311477/enduring-legacy-rolexs-70-year-old-gmt-master-it-revolutionised-time-zone-tracking-and-brands-tudor?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 May 2025 20:00:11 +0000 The 24th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), often referred to as the Oscars of watchmaking, brought to the fore many of the world’s leading brands and horologists. The winners, announced in November 2024, were picked from 90 finalists, selected from 273 submissions. Twenty-one watches were ultimately accorded honours in their relevant categories. There was a brand new category for 2024 – time-only watches. H. Moser & Cie was the winner here with its Streamliner Small... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3295000/why-spotlight-was-time-only-watches-2024s-oscars-watchmaking-made-popular-likes-rolex-omega-cartier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3295000/why-spotlight-was-time-only-watches-2024s-oscars-watchmaking-made-popular-likes-rolex-omega-cartier?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jan 2025 04:00:09 +0000 As ever, this year has seen brands digging deep into their archives, as some much-loved maisons remind us what made these signature models horological fan favourites in the first place. Of course, there’s also no better time than the present to revisit time-only models. The Grand Seiko SLGW005 recalls the high beat rate, precision Grand Seiko 45GS from 1968, including a return to printing both Seiko and Grand Seiko logos from that era. Leaning more towards the designer side of revivalist... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3290997/luxury-watchmakers-explore-their-archives-revive-vintage-classics-grand-seiko-and-piagets-time-only?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3290997/luxury-watchmakers-explore-their-archives-revive-vintage-classics-grand-seiko-and-piagets-time-only?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Dec 2024 21:00:09 +0000 As watch buyers become more sophisticated, so has visibility and demand for pieces that give you the time in new and unexpected ways. After all, why settle for three hands rotating around a circular dial? Here are some of our favourite pieces with complications like the retrograde where hands snap back to reality, or where time literally jumps back and forth with wandering or jumping hours. Some have alternative calendars, and there is – yes – a high horology, high fashion digital watch. 1.... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3245863/7-watches-are-beyond-three-hands-and-dial-audemars-piguet-and-vacheron-constantin-longines-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3245863/7-watches-are-beyond-three-hands-and-dial-audemars-piguet-and-vacheron-constantin-longines-and?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jan 2024 06:00:10 +0000 As the leaves change colour, we expect horology enthusiasts all over the world to change colours on the wrist – and nothing is more autumnal than a tastefully done red dial. While not as prevalent as the green dial trend – brands tend to release red dials as just one of several colour variants rather than as its own thing – red dials have come a long way. Here are eight of the most iconic uses of the colour in watchmaking this year. 1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 16202 XT There’s no better... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3233445/8-bold-watches-owning-red-dial-trend-2023-audemars-piguets-royal-oak-jumbo-fume-burgundy-and-grand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3233445/8-bold-watches-owning-red-dial-trend-2023-audemars-piguets-royal-oak-jumbo-fume-burgundy-and-grand?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Sep 2023 08:00:18 +0000 There are few brands that have spoiled the world of horology with outstanding version after version of a single collection, like Parmigiani Fleurier has done with the Tonda. Over the last two years, the Tonda has seen stunning takes on the GMT Rattrapante, a Chinese calendar, a skeletonised piece, a tourbillon and a chronograph that proves Parmigiani Fleurier’s design language – knurled bezel, skeleton delta hands and all – is nearly unmistakable. However, the brand is not content to rest on... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225882/style-edit-parmigiani-fleurier-releases-new-tonda-pf-sport-automatic-and-sport-chronograph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225882/style-edit-parmigiani-fleurier-releases-new-tonda-pf-sport-automatic-and-sport-chronograph?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jul 2023 02:00:08 +0000 Swiss watch maison Parmigiani Fleurier recently opened its first Hong Kong boutique, celebrating the occasion on March 7 by hosting a lunch and unveiling a prototype of their Tonda PF Xiali Calendar teased since January this year. The piece is set to be one of a unique class of watches, as Chinese characters feature extremely rarely among luxury watches – though there are plenty of Chinese zodiac pieces every year. As rare as they are, we take a closer look at some of our favourite uses of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3213038/4-best-luxury-watches-chinese-characters-dial-hublots-classic-fusion-singapore-special-edition-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3213038/4-best-luxury-watches-chinese-characters-dial-hublots-classic-fusion-singapore-special-edition-new?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2023 22:00:10 +0000 Gems continue to be a source of inspiration for watchmakers this year. From blinding, full-pave dials to rainbow gems-set bezels, we take a look at the sparkling timepieces that have caught our eye. 1. Jaeger-LeCoultre The Rendez-Vous is a contemporary design that has quickly become one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s flagship ladies’ watches. It’s the perfect counterpart to the brand’s iconic Reverso, with its round case and playful interpretation of a round dial. With or without a moonphase, or in some... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/3007814/11-dazzling-high-jewellery-watches-tell-time-fabulous?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/3007814/11-dazzling-high-jewellery-watches-tell-time-fabulous?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 May 2019 02:00:17 +0000 It is fascinating to see centuries of horological history at the heart of a contemporary watchmaker whose eponymous founder continues to preach the gospel of the good old-fashioned hand craftsmanship of traditional watchmaking. Gübelin and Parmigiani Fleurier collaborate on new watch Michael Parmigiani, the founder and name behind Parmigiani Fleurier, is a firm believer in the power of the human touch. His watchmaking background is rooted in restoration; in fact, he is one of the most celebrated... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/3002875/sihh-2019-parmigiani-fleurier-gives-craftsmen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/3002875/sihh-2019-parmigiani-fleurier-gives-craftsmen?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Mar 2019 02:00:09 +0000 This year’s edition of Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, the annual watch fair in Geneva, showcased beautiful timepieces from some of the world’s most elite watch brands. Here are our six favourite women’s timepieces that were unveiled at SIHH this year. Top 11 timepieces for men at SIHH 2019 1. Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rendez-Vous Night & Day Jewellery The Rendez-Vous is one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most popular options for women – and its latest model, the Rendez-Vous Night & Day Jewellery... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2183600/sihh-2019-6-best-womens-timepieces-unveiled-geneva?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2183600/sihh-2019-6-best-womens-timepieces-unveiled-geneva?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:01:36 +0000 Jewellery house Gübelin and watch company Parmigiani Fleurier have just launched their first collaboration timepiece. The Tonda 1950 Gübelin’s design is inspired by an inclusion formed by a drop of basaltic melt being trapped inside a ruby. The watch is limited to 28 pieces. The shape of the inclusion, which looks like two overlapping ovals, has been incorporated in the timepiece as well as two jewellery items – a bracelet and a pair of earrings. Here is how Parmigiani Fleurier designed the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/2166203/gubelin-and-parmigiani-fleurier-collaborate-new-watch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/2166203/gubelin-and-parmigiani-fleurier-collaborate-new-watch?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Oct 2018 07:02:37 +0000 Parmigiani Fleurier has hailed 2018 “The Year of the Kalpa”, celebrating the first tonneau-shaped watch created by founder Michel Parmigiani in 1998. The two-decade journey of this model began with the birth of the watchmaker’s first in-house wristwatch movement, the calibre PF110, which gave the design the distinctive profile. The teardrop-shaped lugs, inspired by the golden spiral in geometry, were created to achieve an ergonomical form. The watch was also a pioneer at the time on the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/special-reports/topics/sihh-2018/article/2137507/sihh-parmigiani-fleurier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/special-reports/topics/sihh-2018/article/2137507/sihh-parmigiani-fleurier?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Mar 2018 06:01:02 +0000 Hold your horses (or horsepower), because Parmigiani Fleurier and Bugatti have just unveiled their newest watch, the Bugatti Type 390 – and only 20 pieces are available. The watch, unveiled today at Bugatti’s headquarters in Molsheim, France, is the latest collaboration timepiece from Parmigiani and Bugatti’s partnership, which began in 2004. The design codes for the Bugatti 390 are directly inspired by the Bugatti Chiron, the newest car from Bugatti that boasts 1,500hp and a top speed of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2116741/worlds-fastest-car-inspires-parmigiani-fleurier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2116741/worlds-fastest-car-inspires-parmigiani-fleurier?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Oct 2017 10:30:45 +0000 Confidence comes with age and, as Parmigiani Fleurier eases comfortably into its third decade, it is revamping its most important creations that will serve as a solid foundation for the future. The idea is to form a defined structure within the company with a streamlined vision, backed with signature creations that will “stand the test of time”, the brand says. Parmigiani Fleurier’s founder, Michel Parmigiani, is well-versed in the importance of traditional watchmaking that can withstand the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/sihh-2017/article/2081445/parmigiani-fleurier-upgrades-some?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/sihh-2017/article/2081445/parmigiani-fleurier-upgrades-some?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Mar 2017 03:00:00 +0000 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) is one of the most important events in the Swiss luxury watch industry. The international exhibition, running this year for the 27th edition, sets the benchmark for the entire industry. The fair, which takes place from January 16 to 20, 2017 at Geneva’s Palexpo, features major players in the luxury watchmaking industry, many owned by luxury conglomerate Richemont Group, such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Piaget. It also features independent... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2060525/5-factors-forcing-change-sihh-2017?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2060525/5-factors-forcing-change-sihh-2017?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jan 2017 07:15:30 +0000 Independent watchmaker Parmigiani Fleurier is debuting three watches from its Tonda collection at this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH): the Tonda 1950 Galaxy, Tonda 1950 Météorite and Tonda Métrographe. Highlighting the craftsmanship of its dial-makers, the Tonda 1950 Galaxy features a dial of aventurine glass – a glittering glass made in high-temperature and low-oxygen environment. Adding to the sparkle are 84 diamonds that dot the bezel, while a white opal is set in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2060505/parmigiani-fleurier-highlights-intricate-dials?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2060505/parmigiani-fleurier-highlights-intricate-dials?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jan 2017 06:00:00 +0000 Attention, watch aficionados! The 26th edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie fair opens on Jan 18 in Geneva, Switzerland. STYLE will be reporting live on scene at the prestigious watch fair. This year the exhibition line-up includes not only 15 established exhibitors including Cartier, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget but also nine independent watchmakers such as MB&F, Urwerk and Laurent Ferrier. Follow STYLE on Instagram and Facebook to get a first look at novelties from the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1901252/sihh-2016-style-reports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1901252/sihh-2016-style-reports?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Jan 2016 02:45:30 +0000 Expect major changes at next year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Switzerland. Organisers just announced that nine independent watchmakers will be added to its list of exhibitors for the 26th edition SIHH, which runs from Jan 18 to Jan 22, 2016. The annual luxury watch fair organised by Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) showcases 15 luxury watch maisons including Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre that fall under Richemont Group umbrella as well as independent... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1854342/9-independent-watchmakers-join-genevas-luxury-watch-fair-sihh-2016?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1854342/9-independent-watchmakers-join-genevas-luxury-watch-fair-sihh-2016?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2015 03:30:45 +0000 This summer, the 48th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland featured Pharrell Williams, Jamie Cullum, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock and other performers. As the main sponsor of the festival since 2007, Parmigiani set up camp in the festival's VIP area. Participants were treated to evening concerts, as well as discussions on the philosophy of music and watchmaking during a hot-air balloon trip. Each evening, Parmigiani recognised some of the greatest talents in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1562754/parmigiani-continues-support-jazz-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1562754/parmigiani-continues-support-jazz-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Aug 2014 14:30:30 +0000