While the weather in the Northern hemisphere may be cold, the watch planet is still red-hot, especially for Rolex collectors. The Christie’s auction that took place on November 10th in Geneva was the highlight of the Cosmograph Daytona’s 50th anniversary year. 50 lots went under the hammer at prices that were not only well above the higher estimates, but also set new records. A 6239 with a pulsometer dial of which only two are known to exist, went for 761,000 Swiss francs, while several iconic models set the house on fire, such as the 6263 Paul Newman Panda which sold for 989,000 Swiss francs – meaning 2.5 times the upper estimate. The auction mechanism was running on full steam – a reminder that collector’s watches can bring a flush of pleasure to their owner’s faces and raise a sweat among bidders.

 

Covering up
From the Alps to the Jura, the climate is pretty cold and harsh  – especially among watch brands that are not sufficiently independent. After lengthy deliberations, the COMCO has taken a decision regarding delivery of components and movements from the Biel-based Swatch Group – which now has a schedule regulating the gradually diminishing quantities of these elements supplied to brands outside the group. The stream will thus slowly but surely dry up and brands that have procrastinated in modifying their sourcing and development strategy are going to have to get their bloodstream circulating pretty fast if they wish to avoid severe frostbite. TAG Heuer had definitely grasped this urgency and has just inaugurated a new production facility dedicated to its new 1969 chronograph calibre.

 

Showcasing talent
Those not afraid of catching a chill are willing to showcase their talent. At the Grand Palais in Paris, Cartier has inaugurated a major exhibition devoted to its rich history as a jeweller, an inventor of precious objects and of course a watchmaker. From December 4th to February 16th, “Style and History” presents a panorama of shaped watches that have made their mark on their time. A few days earlier, the last of the European public watch shows closed its doors. Belles Montres was held in Paris soon after the SalonQP in London, Munich Time and Vienna Time.  These events represented a unique opportunity to discover small brands with relatively modest exposure, along with the creative talents behind them and their creations.

 

Keeping on the move
That being said, there are limits to the exposure one might desire. You have to be pretty sure of yourself. And a glance at the results of the 2013 International Chronometry Competition reveals that some of those involved had not sufficiently prepared their watches. In this third modern-day edition, half of the competitors were eliminated during the testing procedure – despite the fact that the shocks, magnetic fields and temperature variations involved in these trials are designed to replicate real-life conditions. Tissot took the first and second spots in the classic watch category, while L. Leroy won the tourbillon category in which it was the sole candidate. Next time around, one cannot help hoping that those involved will ensure that the results offer a prouder reflection of the watch industry…