Loading...Last year I attended SalonQP for the first time. It took place in the famous Saatchi Gallery in London, a venue which made the perfect location for a great first day party among watchenthusiasts from all over the world, and a very noble environment to exhibit some of the finest timepieces made today.
I am going to SalonQP again this year, and I am excited about some first news just coming out about upcoming timepieces which will show for the first time in November at the show.
There are several interesting product launches at SalonQP this year. Take a look at the upcoming Christopher Ward timepiece with 5 day powerreserve.
The C1 Great Malvern Power Reserve by Christopher Ward
SalonQP presents a wealth of horological treasures within the refined surroundings of the Saatchi Gallery each year, bringing watch enthusiasts face-to-face with the most respected watch brands and watchmakers on the planet. SalonQP, which first staged in 2009 has developed into a globally recognized destination event, drawing in an ever-growing number of watch collectors and press from around the globe and has an established reputation as a launch pad for both new watches and even entirely new brands.
Anniversaries
SalonQP will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Chopard’s L.U.C manufacture timepieces, the 110th anniversary of Montblanc and, finally, the 225th anniversary of Girard-Perregaux, who will be showing the amazing Place Girardet collection of 225 unique timepieces and the new edition of the Laureato, also limited to 225 pieces worldwide.
“Girard-Perregaux is pleased to expose 225 years of watchmaking expertise at the SalonQP, firmly established as one of the key events in the luxury watch industry calendar”, stated Antonio Calce CEO of Girard-Perregaux.
Watch brand debuts
Visitors to SalonQP will also witness the public launch of three new watch brands:
Fears is a storied British watch brand first established in 1846 and now being relaunched by a sixth-generation descendent of the original founder.
Atelier de Chronométrie from Barcelona will be showing its first design, created without the support of modern technology in favour of traditional watchmaking techniques. I have previously written about the work of Moebius Rassmann who is the master behind this small brand. His work is all done by hand, and his latest timepiece a true pleasure to view. I took the picture from his facebook page to share with you.
JR Bespoke Timepieces, the Canterbury-based jeweller, has spent two years fusing his signature Octagon geometry with a bespoke watchmaking concept.
New watches
First look at The Portsmouth, by Garrick:
Girard Perregaux will present the Heritage Laureato, a 2016 novelty.
Both Montblanc and Chopard will be launching new watches exclusively on SalonQP’s opening night while creative powerhouses, MB&F and Urwerk, will be presenting UK debuts for their latest watches.
British watchmaker Robert Loomes will be unveiling the Stamford, an entirely British-made watch movement, while Christopher Ward will reveal the C1 Grand Malvern Power Reserve which is shown on top of this article, the latest development on its in-house SH21 movement.
Visitors will also get their first chance to see Garrick’s latest model, the Portsmouth, a watch with a movement manufactured in Switzerland by Andreas Strehler, but designed, assembled and finished in Norfolk.
Swiss brand Manufacture Royale will be exhibiting an entirely new calibre at SalonQP. I am very curious to see it.
Watchmaking VIPs
SalonQP also provides an unrivalled opportunity for visitors to meet some of the most important players in the watch industry. This year the show looks forward to welcoming Jerome Lambert, CEO of Montblanc, Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner (co-founders or Urwerk), Danny Pizzigoni (Founder of The Watch Club), and Kari Voutilainen (founder of Voutilainen), alongside many renowned watchmakers and designers.
I am very excited to be in London.