Sumptuous Seconds

Vacheron Constantin presented an impressive collection highlighting its expertise in open-worked watchmaking, Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Ajourées, inspired by the large European railway stations of Victorian times, symbolising the golden age of the Industrial Revolution.

The watches all carry the in-house calibre 4400 SQ, skeletonised and masterfully engraved and offers 65 hours of reserve power. An opaque, Grand Feu enamelled ring - in blue, grey or black - sits on top of the skeleton movement, bordering Roman numerals. The 40mm watches come in 18k white gold, with sapphire-crystal casebacks. The series also includes a high jewellery version with 42 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel and 12 baguette diamonds on the clasp of the strap.

Piaget continues its record-breaking mastery of ultra thin watches with the Altiplano 38mm 900P. The watch de-throne’s Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Ultra-Thin Jubilee as the world’s thinnest mechanical watch, with a thickness of only 3.65mm. Fitted with the 900P handwound movement, the watch features an off-centre and partially skeletonised dial and offers a 48-hour power reserve. And while thin, the timepiece is still quite formidable on the wrist. This engineering marvel is well decorated with satin-brushed, satin-blasted and bevelled parts, and comes in rose gold and diamond-set versions.