With a bit of thinking time available whilst travelling, I am virtually "choosing" between two watches from SIHH 2014.
Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P and Calibre de Cartier Diver represent opposite ends of the spectrum for watches.
The former is the thinnest mechanical watch in the world and the latter is a sporty chunky diver-style timepiece.
At first glance, there is no apparent connection to consider them in the same shortlist.
They are linked by their importance to each brand for the future.
The Calibre de Cartier Diver is the first wave (sic) of what my Austrian colleagues call "sportive" watches to serve a large segment of customers who still want the heritage, quality and aesthetic of a Cartier embodied in a sporty watch. Like the Tank MC, this may be the next big thing for Cartier especially with the entry steel model.
The Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P is the NextGen of ultra-thin mechanical watches; a segment that Piaget dominated for decades. This is Piaget's answer to criticisms of being staid, old-fashioned, stuck-in-the-mud with a great history but reiterations of old models. This shows the old Piaget motto of "Technique in the Service of Aesthetic" can be realised for the 21st century. If every gentleman needs at least one dress watch for high days and black tie functions, this is the ONE.
I am drawn to the technological advance and kudos of a world record holder in the Piaget but I already have dress watches...some from Piaget, even.
I have no diving watches because I don't ....er.....dive ! Still, that is not the point. I don't pilot racing cars, jet planes and space craft either but those specialised watches appeal to me too. In the case of the Cartier Diver, its appeal lies in the congruency with the rest of our (the current Mrs MTF and me) Cartier collection.....it fits the spot marked "sportive Cartier timepiece".
I could get both but that is cheating against the rules of engagement of this survey.
Dear forumners: As I go absent without Internet (AWOI), please write your vote and reasons for ONE choice to spend my meagre budget allocated to watches for 2014. Which watch and why?
It would be interesting to see the different views from both fora.
I will read the replies when I get to my destination
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
MTF