OPEN SEASON
WOW Singapore|Issue 73
The world's biggest and most important watch fair gets a little bigger and a little better. As for the watches, they got more than a little precious...
ASHOK SOMAN
OPEN SEASON

In advance of the first day of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024, we very reasonably wondered about the watches of Rolex. For example, will Rolex win the day just by virtue of having new models? To begin with, dear reader, you might be offended by this - outraged even. Watches and Wonders Geneva (WWG) is about much more than any one brand so kicking off a tale about the most important novelty showcase of the year as if just one brand mattered is a bit much. That is a fair point, and this story actually encompasses the wider happenings at what is known as Geneva Watch Week, not just WWG, so we appear to be going down an even deeper hole than you might have initially thought. We have an explanation.

This specific story does revolve primarily around WWG; there are multiple parts to the novelty coverage this issue, including The Conversation with WOW Thailand and Malaysia editors. To the Rolex point, your editorial team here has always gone all-in on observing reality; as far as watches go, the reality is that Rolex dominates the mind space of watch enthusiasts and casual observers alike. You need only show up early on day one of WWG, before Rolex raises the curtains on their displays to see how true this is. The crowd is 100 percent industry professionals, journalists or otherwise. This was true in the last years of BaselWorld too and might tie into the rise of social media, but that is a story for another time.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

This story is from the Issue 73 edition of WOW Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Issue 73 edition of WOW Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOW SINGAPOREView All
BUOYANT HEAVYWEIGHTS
WOW Singapore

BUOYANT HEAVYWEIGHTS

The ubiquitous use of titanium and carbon fibre does not satisfy a growing number of watch lovers; the indisputable rise of quiet design vexes them. The recent release of hefty and heavy timepieces, especially in the dive watch segment, proves that some just like it big

time-read
7 mins  |
Legacy 2024
YEN FOR PRECISION
WOW Singapore

YEN FOR PRECISION

While we typically think of watchmaking as a Swiss matter, this ignores the powerful contributions of Japanese industry and know-how. We begin this deep dive with a look at the biggest names in the game

time-read
10+ mins  |
Legacy 2024
LEGENDARY DEPTHS
WOW Singapore

LEGENDARY DEPTHS

From pioneering chronographs to revolutionizing dive watches, Longines has always been at the forefront of horological advancements. Explore how the Swiss brand's journey through water-resistance shaped the future of dive watches-and made a splash in the process

time-read
10+ mins  |
Legacy 2024
LEAPING AHEAD
WOW Singapore

LEAPING AHEAD

IWC updates the perpetual calendars in its Portugieser range with four new models

time-read
5 mins  |
Legacy 2024
HOLDING THE HIGH GROUND
WOW Singapore

HOLDING THE HIGH GROUND

Chanel's 2024 collection represents a rare moment where haute couture and haute horlogerie coexist perfectly

time-read
8 mins  |
Legacy 2024
SARTORIAL TIMING
WOW Singapore

SARTORIAL TIMING

Parmigiani Fleurier encourages us to take a second, and perhaps third, look at the new Toric collection of watches

time-read
3 mins  |
Legacy 2024
LEFT HAND DRIVE
WOW Singapore

LEFT HAND DRIVE

The DOXA SUB 300T Aristera is a tribute to the brand's heritage in dive watches, combining the original design with a left-handed twist for 2024, offering the standout features that made DOXA renowned while breaking new ground in functionality

time-read
2 mins  |
Legacy 2024
LIVING HISTORY
WOW Singapore

LIVING HISTORY

A. Lange & Söhne has spent the better part of this year celebrating the 25th anniversary of the seminal Datograph. With the Datograph Handwerkskunst, the watch is elevated to the highest level

time-read
3 mins  |
Legacy 2024
THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION
WOW Singapore

THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION

Since its inception, Rolex has never wavered in its pledge to create the world's finest watches for anyone, anywhere

time-read
4 mins  |
Legacy 2024
SWEET SPOT
WOW Singapore

SWEET SPOT

The Longines Legend Diver is just the right amount of watch for a contemporary sports model that could also pull dress watch duties

time-read
2 mins  |
Legacy 2024