2021 Watch Novelties: Beautiful and unique horological creations

Notable brands gathered online on one seamless platform for the Geneva edition of Watches & Wonders, where they unveiled their timepiece novelties of the year. Photo: Montblanc

The Watches & Wonders trade show went virtual in 2020 because of Covid-19. This year, it continued the same way, spotlighting some of the biggest names in the industry.

Notable brands gathered online on one seamless platform for the Geneva edition (April 7 to 13), where they unveiled their timepiece novelties of the year. This offered an in-depth glimpse into the latest trends that will define the watchmaking world.

Here, we round up some of 2021’s most beautiful and unique timepieces.

Best of two worlds

The Cloche De Cartier was added to the Prive collection, which celebrates and explores the maison’s mythical models through numbered, limited edition watches. Hailing from 1920s, the “cloche” (French for bell) watch is a unique design with a dial rotated 90º from its usual position. New models come in yellow or pink gold, or platinum, with the hand-wound 1917 MC movement, as well as three versions with a skeletonised movement. Setting one down on a nightstand or desk transforms it into a desk clock of sorts.

Spirit of exploration

After ascending the mountains, discovering the forests and exploring the glaciers, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition now finds inspiration in the colours of the desert environment. This latest limited edition features a sandy-beige dial with light and dark brown accents that’s directly inspired by legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner’s unimaginably impressive 2004 solo trek across the Gobi desert, during which he hiked more than 2,000 kilometres in a five-week period.

Not your average timepiece

Who says a watch can have just a single face? The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 proudly displays not one, not two – but four faces. To celebrate the 90th anniversary of this iconic model, the watchmaker has up the ante of craftsmanship by introducing a world’s first, with a flippable double-faced case. It is described as the most complicated Reverso ever manufactured, comprising 11 complications, including a perpetual calendar, minute repeater and three displays of lunar information.

A sleek update

Tag Heuer’s go-anywhere luxury tool watch has emerged with a with a bright new look. This design, well loved by active, style-conscious watch lovers who push their limits, retains the previous generation’s signature 12-faceted bezel – but with new octagonal hour markers and a 12-sided crown. The case, bezel and metal bracelet have all been slimmed down, without compromising the watch’s core performance. The watch pays tribute to the past, while still being a contemporary design ready for the future.