Round-UpA Look Back At 2017’s 17 Most Significant Developments In The World Of Watches

01. The Iconic Bulgari Serpenti With A Leather Strap For The First Time

The Bulgari Serpenti collection has become a symbol of the high fashion brand’s haute horlogorie and haute joaillerie offering. In the 2017 edition of the Serpenti watches, the coil bracelets made way for wraparound straps in leather. The double-twist Karung leather bands are interchangeable, making this collection even more versatile than before.

02. Carl F. Bucherer Marks 130 Years With A Boutique Edition in 2017

Technically, Carl F. Bucherer completes 130 years in 2018. However, the Lucerne-based brand decided to pay homage to its founder this year itself, by opening a flagship boutique in Lucerne, just as Carl Friedrich Bucherer had opened his first watch and jewellery store there in 1888. This was accompanied by the release of their new Manero Peripheral Boutique Edition, in blue, with gold hands and hour markers, drawing subtle inspiration from the colours of Lucerne.

03. Cartier Celebrates 100 Years Of The Iconic Tank Watch

The unmistakable Cartier Tank watches were first introduced in 1917, inspired by the silhouette of the French Renault tanks from World War I, and were created to be gender neutral. Over the years, with various versions of the Tank – such as the Américaine, Anglaise, and Française – the collection has evolved and stayed strong. This year, the brand marked 100 years of the signature collection and showcased its latest Tank watches, beaming with nostalgic pride.

Explore the Cartier Tank collection for men and women

04. Corum Goes Bronze With The Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Chronograph Bronze

Corum Admiral’s Cup watches, known for their extremely identifiable dodecagonal cases and nautical pennants, saw a unique addition in the form of a bronze case. The pre-patination of the alloy used in the Chronograph Bronze ensures that it will not corrode, and will remain durable. It was material innovation that took things a step further by incorporating a dial made of teak wood, reminiscent of a ship’s deck – all in keeping with the collection’s nautical inspiration.

05. Ethos Opens New Stores In Jaipur, Lucknow, And Pune

Ethos has made shopping for premium and luxury watches virtually possible from anywhere in India, through EthosWatches.com. However, in their endeavour to make high-end timepieces accessible to even those not in major metropolises, the company has, in 2017, paid special attention towards opening stores in smaller cities. With new boutiques in Jaipur, Lucknow, and Pune, Ethos gives people the opportunity to actually experience the products that they could earlier only buy online or in bigger cities.

06. Grand Seiko Becomes An Independent Brand

Seven years after the international launch of the Grand Seiko collection of more luxurious timepieces from Seiko, the range has now become its own entity. From establishing itself as the more premium offering from the pioneering Japanese watchmakers, it is now a brand of its own, earning its recognition in the world of more serious high-end timekeeping, with advanced innovation in the craft of watchmaking.

07. Hublot Celebrates 70 Years Of Ferrari With A Special Tourbillon Chronograph

The automobile brand that has a fan-base covering all age-groups completed 70 years in 2017, and it was a milestone that was celebrated by the bold and daring watchmaker, Hublot, as well. The two brands not only share similarities in their DNA; they also have a longstanding association, with Hublot as Ferrari’s official watchmaking partner of five years. To mark their partner’s 70th anniversary, Hublot unveiled a special Hublot Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph, in a limited edition of 70 pieces. The timepiece, featuring a chronograph and the prestigious tourbillon complication, is available in a 45mm case in either titanium, King Gold, or carbon fibre.

08. The IWC Portugieser Chronograph Goes Blue

In 2017, the International Watch Company introduced their beautiful watch, the Portugieser Chronograph in a gorgeous blue dial, adding just the right touch of avant-garde appeal to the classical design. The blue is vibrant and sophisticated, and upholds the fantastic performance that this collection is known for. This new version comes in a 40.9mm stainless steel case, which houses an in-house IWC automatic movement.

09. Jaeger-LeCoultre Releases A Master Control 25th Anniversary Special Edition

At the Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie 2017, Jaeger-LeCoultre marked the 25th anniversary of the Master Control collection, unveiling three new Master Control timepieces, which best represent the core values of the collection. These watches reflect a vintage inspiration, with two-tone, silvered dials, black, transferred numerals, and blue leather straps. This stunning anniversary edition comes in three versions – the Master Control Date, Chronograph, and Geographic – with date indication, a chronograph feature, and a multiple time zone indicator respectively.

10. Longines Celebrates 185 Years With Their Record Watches

Another anniversary of significance, this one is a milestone for Longines, celebrating 185 years. To commemorate this anniversary, Longines launched their special Record watches for men and women. The classical timepieces are primarily stainless steel watches, housing COSC-certified, self-winding mechanical movements. The men’s watch comes with black Roman numerals on a white dial in a 38.5mm case, while the women’s watch features diamond hour markers on a mother-of-pearl dial in a 30mm case with diamonds on the bezel.

11. Montblanc Joins The League Of Smartwatches

In 2017, Montblanc added itself to the list of luxury watch manufacturers who have decided to cater to those who would like a luxury watch, but also one that can fulfil their digital requirements as well. The Montblanc Summit Smartwatch was introduced. The classic design of the case sharply contrasts the digital touchscreen display in a first-of-its-kind domed sapphire crystal. Powered by the Android Wear 2.0 operating system, the watch runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor. The watch also offers customisation of its dial faces, and the option of 300 strap combinations.

Explore here the Montblanc Summit Smartwatch models available at Ethos Watch Boutiques

12. Omega Celebrates 60 Years Of The Speedmaster in 2017

The year 2017 was also the year when Omega celebrated 60 years of their brilliant chronograph collection, the Speedmaster watches. Launched in 1957, originally meant for motorists and racing enthusiasts, the Speedmaster collection would eventually produce models that became the only timepieces that are ‘flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions’. Speedmaster watches have been worn by Buzz Aldrin and many other astronauts, to the moon and on several other outer-space missions.

Browse through the Omega Speedmaster watches available at Ethos

13. Oris Celebrates 100 Years Of Their Aviation Watches With The Big Crown 1917

“The Oris Big Crown 1917 is a re-edition of our first aviation watch from 1917,” says Rolf Studer, CEO, Oris. “Actually, the funny thing is that we always thought that the first aviation watch we made was in the 1930s, until our chairman, Ulrich Herzog, went into our archives, and found that the original of this Big Crown that was made in 1917. Beautifully adapted from the old pocket watch, this new Big Crown 1917 is limited to 1917 pieces, in order to celebrate our first aviation watch from 100 years ago.”

14. Panerai Introduces A New Green Dial

For manufacturers like Officine Panerai, whose timepieces follow the strictest design principles for each of their collections, even a change in colour is a big change. This year, the Italian brand of Swiss-made watches issued a special edition of three of their timepieces featuring gorgeous green dials. The Panerai Radiomir 8 Days Titanio, Radiomir 1940 3 Day Acciaio, and the Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante GMT Titanio. Along with the distinctive green dials, these watches come in steel or titanium, with natural brown leather straps – an ‘original combination of colours’, making for a rich, earthy appearance.

17. TAG Heuer Appoints Bella Hadid As Their Newest Brand Ambassador

In February 2017, TAG Heuer announced that up and coming supermodel Bella Hadid was their newest brand ambassador. The fashion model saw an immense growth in popularity on social media in 2016, and TAG Heuer kept with times and seized the opportunity to collaborate with this emerging star. Later, in December, Hadid was present at the opening of TAG Heuer’s flagship store on Oxford Street, London. At the event, she wore the new Link Lady Limited Edition timepiece that was designed by the brand especially for her. TAG Heuer calls this watch – in matte black ceramic with diamonds and a mother-of-pearl dial – their ‘most feminine model’ yet.

Here’s to an even more exciting 2018…as we at the The Watch Guide wish all you readers a very happy New Year!

Which of these was the biggest development in the world of watches, in your opinion? Do scroll down to comment.