Every January, the Swiss city of Geneva hosts one of the most important events of the watch industry. This year, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie celebrates its twenty-fifth edition. For five days, from January 19 to 23, the specialized press, watchmakers, traders and craftsmen will participate in this long-awaited convention.

BAUME & MERCIER // Clifton.

Year after year, the participating haute horlogerie firms continue to amaze audiences with a display of pieces that demonstrate their technological and aesthetics prowess. During the coverage by azureazure.com in 2014, we marveled at the presentations by Cartier, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin, among other prominent firms.

In 2015, sixteen exclusive watchmakers will take part in the Salon, including names such as Montblanc, IWC, Greubel Forsey and Van Cleef & Arpels, among others. The exhibition space spreads over 40,000 square feet to greet around 12,500 guests. “Over the past 25 years, the brands exhibiting in our Salon have represented the tradition of work, effort and technological development in manufacturing high-end watches,” says Fabienne Lupo, Executive Director of the Geneva exhibition.

CARTIER // Rotonde Astrotourbillon Skeleton.

Among the presentations in 2015, Cartier’s Rotonde Astrotourbillon Skeleton is especially noteworthy. The spectacular timepiece comes in a limited edition of only 100 copies. It has an exposed concentric mechanism; its tourbillon is in the eight o’clock position and large Roman numerals at six and twelve o’clock. With an automated system capable of 21,600 vph oscillation and 48 hours of power reserve, this innovative design boasts 23 rubies, sapphire crystals and an 18K white gold case of 47 mm in diameter and 15.5 mm thick, featuring Cartier´s distinctive crown.

AUDEMARS PIGUET // Royal Oak Concept.

Audemars Piguet will introduce its latest prototype, which is the result of eight years of research. The new Royal Oak Concept Acoustic Research is a unique piece whose development focused on the perfect sound volume for the minute repeater. To this end, the brand partnered with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, in Switzerland to develop a repeater mechanism that would bring acoustic subtleties unique in the market. This prototype model includes a chronograph, a tourbillon and 44 mm titanium case. With a sporty design and automatic system that oscillates with a frequency of 21,600 vph, the watch has a power reserve of 48 hours.

Both the Rotonde Astrotourbillon Skeleton by Cartier and the Royal Oak Concept Acoustic Research by Audemars Piguet, as well as the new Clifton model by Baume & Mercier or Richard Mille’s 33-01 will impress visitors during the 2015 Geneva Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, a hot date for watch lovers worldwide. ■