With over a hundred new launches and world premieres, the Geneva Motor Show promises plenty of surprises for petrol heads. WorldTempus is partial to a finely tuned machine, whether horological or automotive, so we decided to have some fun choosing the perfect car/watch pairings. The aim was not to find the most sensible match, or to reflect sponsorship agreements between watch brands and car builders, just to provide a different view.
Aston Martin Vanquish S & Richard Mille RM 07-01
Both British car maker Aston Martin and watchmaker Richard Mille pair the iconic designs of their luxury products with cutting-edge technologies and futuristic materials. After making this a signature feature of his men’s ranges, the extreme watchmaker recently unveiled two new women’s models, the RM 07-01 and the RM 037, in diamond-set NTPT carbon, a material originally developed for racing yachts because of its superior strength and lightness. It was very quickly adopted by Formula 1 builders for their cars’ chassis, and is now being used in aviation. The external design of the second-generation Aston Martin Vanquish S follows the company’s celebrated aesthetic codes, with plenty of sleek curves that give it its unmistakeable elegance. But it also has a new carbon fibre front splitter, revised inlet manifolds and rear diffuser with quad-exhaust tailpipes to go with its 600 bhp V12 engine! Both machines have a unique aesthetic, and plenty of power under the bonnet.
Ford Fiesta et Tiffany & Co. East West® Mini
The Ford Fiesta, a classic city car, is back this year with a new look, in not just one but several new models. WorldTempus particularly likes the top-of-the-range Vignale, whose chrome trim and v-patterned radiator grille give it a discreet touch of refinement. And we’re going to pair it with Tiffany & Co’s bold East West® Mini. With its elongated rectangular case and a dial rotated 90° to the right (which is ideal for checking the time when your hands are on the wheel), this striking design is perfect for the modern, contemporary woman who is comfortable enough in her own skin to wear a quirky watch, while still making elegance a priority. Like the new Ford Fiesta, the Tiffany & Co. East West® Mini comes in several flavours (a range of materials, colours, dials and straps) to suit a variety of tastes.
The Corum Bubble view was first released at Baselworld, way back at the year 2000. Although only fifteen years has passed since then, the landscape of the luxury watch industry has changed beyond recognition. The original Bubble was 44mm broad, which made it an outlier in these days. Along with this, the layout was fairly unusual. Watch collectors weren’t quite so used to risks as they are today, but nevertheless, the Corum Bubble found favour amongst a dedicated demographic. It’ll be intriguing to see how the re-release of this Corum Bubble is greeted by a consumer base that’s far savvier than it had been in the turn of this century. With nothing in the manner of a drawback to pique interest, the Corum Bubble watches lean heavily on design.Exploding from the mind of the late Severin Wunderman, the Corum Bubble watches defied expectations upon release. The profile of the watch remains unusually towering, with one of the highest-domed crystals I’ve ever seen. The impact this has on the dial is not possible to dismiss. The glass distorts the dial giving it an unnatural sense of thickness. That is appropriate concerning design fidelity, as it totally adheres to the usage of spheres throughout the view — most obviously about the rubber-ringed crown at 3 o’clock. Furthermore, it manages to remain true to Wunderman’s original vision, which has been motivated by a 1960s dive watch that comprised a huge crystal to withstand the pressure of deep-sea exploration. However, is this watch only an homage, or possess Corum upgraded it considerably to appeal to a contemporary audience?
Smart Electric Drive & de Grisogono Tondo by Night
Since its launch in 1998, the Smart has become something of a cult object. The little German car is a modern urban classic and, love it or hate it, it’s certainly unique. Like the Smart, de Grisogono watches also have their own inimitable aesthetic. The original and contemporary Tondo by Night is a collection designed exclusively for women, featuring brightly coloured watches in white, yellow, pink, green, purple and orange, with a diamond-set rotor visible on the dial side. Eye-catching by day, these jewellery watches also sparkle at night, thanks to their “pearly photoluminescent composite fibreglass” (PLF) enhanced with tiny pieces of glittering mother-of-pearl.
Mini Countryman & Panerai Luminor Due
The Countryman is a versatile workhorse, and it’s also the biggest Mini to leave the production line since the model was first introduced 57 years ago. The new generation continues the trend, growing by an additional 20 cm to reach a total of 4.3 metres. The Countryman nevertheless retains the stylistic features that have made it so successful: the big oval “eyes”, elongated radiator grille, two-tone livery and rounded nose. The immediately identifiable Panerai Luminor Due shares the Countryman’s bold styling. With a reduced depth of 10.5 mm, the new Luminor Due watches are the thinnest Luminors ever made. But the diameter and design of the Panerai case needed no revision – they are what define the house style. Two versions are available: a 42 mm model with the hand-wound P.1000 movement, and a 45 mm automatic driven by the P.4000 calibre with micro-rotor.
Toyota Yaris & Bubble de Corum
This year the Toyota Yaris is back with a new, updated look. This urban warrior has freshly rounded curves and revised cabin styling. Reflecting a relatively modern trend, two-tone livery is now possible by pairing a black roof with a grey, white, red or blue body. The iconic Bubble by Corum Watches In Singapore Replica is a logical companion for the Yaris. Like the car, it’s all about curves. The feature that differentiates this piece from other watches – and from the brand’s other collections – is its boldly domed sapphire crystal.
