Dear friends of IWS, welcome back to our magazine!
Just over a month away from the most anticipated event of the year for the watchmaking world, Watches and Wonders, we are here today to attempt to give some predictions on what will be, or rather, what we would like to be the novelties of 2024.
So, following our recent article on the 2024 trends, let’s now discover which models we, the IWS team, would like to see presented this year.
Watches and Wonders 2024
From April 9 to 15, 2024, the Watches and Wonders fair will kick off, which is the most anticipated event of the year by the entire watchmaking world. During this event, which will be held in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, the most prestigious maisons from all over the watch industry will participate, and they will go on to present a good portion of the year’s much-awaited new products.
In addition to the 50 brands that participated in the previous edition, including Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, to name a few of the most renowned, this year, for the first time, we will see the participation of names like Gerald Charles, Nomos Glashütte, Norqain, and others. Like the previous edition, this year too, the event will be open to the public for 3 days, from Saturday, April 13, to Monday, April 15, upon purchase of a dedicated ticket.
What Do We Expect?
At this point in the year, nearing the highly anticipated Geneva fair, we at the IWS team like to make predictions and forecasts about the new models from the major houses. Whether it’s a small update, a complete revamp of an icon, or even better, the introduction of something new, we, like any true enthusiast, will be eagerly awaiting the start of the event.
But concretely, what would we like to see this year, and more importantly, what could actually be presented?
Starting with the most discussed house of all time, especially when it comes to novelties, we cannot fail to mention Rolex. So, what do we expect from Rolex?
The most discussed rumor to date is the one that involves the Rolex GMT Master II, which could see the addition of a much-awaited version with a black and red bezel, nicknamed “Coke” by the collecting world.
This is indeed the only version that, since we moved from 5-digit references to 6, has yet to see the light of day. It is also worth remembering that just in recent weeks, a clue has emerged that made us think, precisely regarding the watch’s bezel. To learn more, we invite you to read our article: Rolex Registers A New Patent: Will “Coke” Make a Comeback?
As for the other models, we believe it would be very interesting to see a new version of the iconic Milguass. Indeed, it is a watch that has recently gone out of production and is highly appreciated by collectors who have been hoping for a new version for some time, perhaps closer to the origins and to the historic reference 6541.
Considering the remaining collections of Rolex, we believe there may not be significant changes, especially considering that we are coming from a year rich in novelties. Just think of the introduction of the new Rolex Yacht-Master in titanium, the new Rolex 1908, and again, the update of the iconic Daytona.
Still within the realm of the crowned house, we cannot fail to mention Tudor. Thanks to its savoir-faire and the know-how accumulated over almost 100 years of history, the company has managed to establish itself in the market with increasingly interesting models loved by enthusiasts.
After introducing, last year, the highly sought-after Black Bay with a red bezel and the Black Bay 54, this year we could expect, in our opinion, some updates regarding the chronographs of the house. What we expect, and above all, hope for, would indeed be the adoption of a slimmer case in line with the strategy adopted for the Black Bay with the red bezel, which was equipped with a much slimmer case.
Considering Patek Philippe now, we can’t wait to discover what could be the novelties of one of the Maison of the Holy Trinity. After seeing the introduction of the new Nautilus only time (but only in white gold), we could almost certainly expect the introduction of complications above such a new reference of the model. So, we think it will essentially be updates to the current complicated references of the Nautilus collection.
Other novelties from Patek Philippe could certainly be models that will enrich the complications and grand complications families, the fertile ground par excellence for the savoir-faire of the Geneva-based manufacture.
Speaking of Vacheron Constantin, regarding what I personally would like to see as novelties, I take a considerable gamble. After the success of the 222 revival in gold, it would certainly be incredible to see the unexpected presentation of a steel version of the Vacheron Constantin 222, although the variant in white gold could be more plausible. After all, dreaming costs nothing!
Interesting novelties will certainly be presented by one of the most fascinating houses on the current scene, characterized by a unique and iconic design, Cartier. The model I would hope for and that could definitely turn heads is a worthy re-edition of the much sought-after Cartier Crash.
Continuing in our fantasies, it would be incredible if Bulgari presented a re-edition of a revised Octo Finissimo, in a smaller diameter than the current 40 mm. In reality, achieving such an attempt, given the incredible current thickness, would be a feat as great as what Bulgari has already accomplished.
A slightly smaller size would allow the watch, already adorned with so much success, to achieve even more and completely blow away even the hesitant, like me, who currently see this design masterpiece as a bit too large for their wrist.
General Predictions
With over 50 houses participating in the event, the models on which we could make predictions would be practically endless. We would therefore like to conclude this article by considering what could be a general trend, namely the return to smaller diameters and, above all, to very thin cases.
A trend that, certainly, combined with the simplicity of the watch, devoid of stratospheric complications, seems to be gaining more and more ground. At this point, all that remains is to invite you to Watches and Wonders 2024, a fair where you can experience many novelties firsthand and represent the ideal moment to meet many enthusiasts and talk about this common love that binds us to the world of watchmaking.
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