WATCHES AND WONDERS 2024: THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST

The world's largest watch fair just keeps getting bigger and better. Taking place in Geneva in April, Watches and Wonders saw the world's top brands showcasing their upcoming novelties. From designs as whimsical as they are complex, to refined creations pared down to perfection, and contemporary takes on high complications, there are plenty of options for watch lovers of every persuasion. Here are our highlights.

- LYNETTE KOH

ROLEX

PERPETUAL 1908 Last year, Rolex unveiled the Perpetual 1908, a dress watch family replacing the similarly positioned Cellini collection.

Released in 18 ct yellow or white gold cases, and with white or black satin-finish dials, the first Perpetual 1908 pieces were quietly elegant. This year, the brand introduces a stunning new addition to the range, which is, like last year's models, powered by Rolex's self-winding Calibre 7140. Like its recent predecessors, the new Perpetual 1908 is chic, but it also stands out with flourishes that certainly won't go unnoticed.

One of our favourite new launches at the Watches and Wonders fair in Geneva, the slim, 39mm timepiece is housed in a polished 950 platinum case. Framed by a platinum-fluted bezel, the ice-blue dial is an if-you-know-you-know nod to its case material: At Rolex, this cool hue is reserved only for platinum timepieces.

It doesn't end there: The dial also has a guilloché finish, created by an artisan using a turning tool to engrave a geometric pattern. The rice-grain guilloché motif gives the timepiece a sense of refined flamboyance and reflects light to subtly scintillating effect. Perfect for adding pizzazz.

OYSTER PERPETUAL

GMT-MASTER II

A more subdued take on the high-contrast, bi-coloured bezels we have come to expect in the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, a grey and black Cerachrom bezel insert tops the latest edition of Rolex's travel watch.

First introduced last year on the GMTMaster II in 18 ct yellow gold and yellow Rolesor (where Rolex uses its Oystersteel alongside gold), the muted combination is designed to subtly channel the alternation of day and night.