iW Magazine Winter 2020 | Page 6

FROM THE EDITORS Letters + Events The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Satin-Polished Steel is one highlight from Bulgari’s early 2020 debuts. Michael Thompson Editor-in-Chief | [email protected] CHANGING TIMELINES F or many years we have reserved this space – and multiple pages inside this issue – to unveil a handful of the watches previewed by exhibitors at the SIHH in Geneva. But not this year – or ever again. As you’ve likely heard, watch debut shows are changing as they seek optimal timing, commercial relevance and new consumers. The SIHH, renamed Watches & Wonders Geneva, commences this year on April 25, followed immediately by a Baselworld show currently in flux (as it deals with the exit of several major exhibitors, including Breitling, Seiko and Casio). Thus, instead of showing you an array of new watches inside this first issue of 2020, we’ll show you those debuts just ahead of the late April shows within our next print issue, as well as online. Until then, I suggest you check out our recent online coverage of the first LVMH Watch Week, held in Dubai in mid-January, where Hublot, Zenith and Bulgari unveiled a broad range of 2020 watches. From that new debut event Zenith underscored a wide range of its bedrock designs with new pilot models, a feminine touch within its Defy collection and new Elite collection watches. At the same time, Zenith expanded its Defy 21 high-speed model offerings with two special editions reflecting new and existing partnerships. Also from Dubai, I can report that Bulgari has added several effervescent new models to its snakehead-shaped Serpenti collection while also adding 6 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2020 new gold, steel (and ceramic) finishes to its record-holding ultra-thin Octo Finissimo collections. In addition, Hublot debuted the entirely new Big Bang Integral, the first Big Bang with an integrated metal bracelet. The 42mm collection debuts with three case metals (titanium, King Gold and black ceramic) and offers a new three-link bracelet that sits nicely on the wrist. The Big Bang Integral collection, fitted with Hublot’s Unico chronograph movement, is also notable for utilizing the rectangular pushers originally found on the Big Bang in 2005, but replaced in recent years by round pushers. As noted, information about all these debuts can be found now on the iW Magazine website as the timing of the Dubai event didn’t allow for extensive coverage inside this issue. Check out this space in our next print issue for all the details on the bulk of the remaining 2020 watch debuts as we head to Geneva and Basel. Regards,