Best in 2019: Complication Watches

3 0 Tuesday, 31 December 2019 Edit this post

Our last article for the “Best in 2019” series is dedicated to some of the best watches launched in 2019 that feature horological complications.

To read our other selections in the Chronographs, Sport Watches, Dress Watches and Ladies Watches categories, just follow the related links.

Selected watches are listed alphabetically, not in order of preference.

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date
In 2019, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Zeitwerk model, A. Lange & Söhne launched the Zeitwerk Date and its newly designed movement incorporating an additional function: a ring-shaped date display circling the dial. The new model comes in a 44.2 mm white-gold case with a grey dial and a circumferential date ring consisting of glass with printed numerals from 1 to 31. The current date is displayed in red. Beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour and offering 72 hours of power reserve, the hand wound calibre L043.8 features the patented constant-force escapement. Read the full article.

Armin Strom Masterpiece 2 Minute Repeater Resonance
Armin Strom Masterpiece 2 Minute Repeater Resonance is the world’s first and only resonance chiming wristwatch. Created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the transformation of Armin Strom in pure manufacture, this model was created as an exclusive 10-piece limited edition. As typical of the resonance timepieces by the Swiss brand, all the key elements of the mechanism, including the minute repeater hammers, are visible on the dial side for the joy of the wearer. The 47.7 mm case was crafted from Grade 5 titanium as it offers the best possible chiming characteristics. Read the full article.

Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon
Featuring a vertical tourbillon, the new Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon by Cyrus showcases the fascinating mechanisms that drive the timepiece. Completing one full rotation in one minute, the tourbillon cage is set on a vertical axis at a 90° angle, a solution that optimizes the performance in terms of precision. Hours and minutes are displayed by means of retrograde indications. Three 5-piece limited editions are available: in grade 5 titanium with black DLC treatment, in a two-tone version in rose gold with black DLC titanium bezel and in rose gold. Read the full article.

F.P.Journe Astronomic Souveraine
The result of nearly 14 years of development, the F.P.Journe Astronomic Souveraine combines a tourbillon and a minute repeater offering a total of 18 functions, including 2nd time zone, sidereal time, sunrise and sunset, moon phases, annual calendar and equation of time. Housed in a stainless steel case 44 mm in diameter and 13.80 mm thick, the Calibre 1619 movement is entirely crafted from rose gold. Read the full article.

Greubel Forsey GMT Sport
Characterized by a lightweight and ultra-strong, profiled titanium case with ovoid bezel and integrated lugs, the new Greubel Forsey GMT Sport is driven by a completely new movement. The hours and minutes are displayed by concentric openworked hands whose curved profile follows the curvature of the case and movement. The terrestrial rotating globe at 7 o'clock - seen from above the North Pole - shows the local time by performing a complete anticlockwise turn on its axis in 24 hours. Read the full article.

Hermès Arceau L’heure de la lune
The Arceau L’heure de la lune watch offers an original interpretation of the moon phase complication while showcasing the Hermès watchmaking expertise. Framed by a 43 mm white gold case with typical asymmetrical lugs, the lacquered satellite dials float above hemispherical moons and meteorite or aventurine backgrounds. The 4Hz manufacture Hermès H1837 movement is integrated by a complication module exclusively developed for Hermès by Chronode and for which a patent has been filed. Read the full article.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel
The latest evolution in the art of multi-axis tourbillons is the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel that Jaeger-Le Coultre unveiled last January. This 18-piece limited edition also features a minute repeater and a perpetual calendar. The openworked dial, available either in a deep-blue grand feu enamel or in a more classic silver-grained version, showcases exceptional finishes with techniques like hand guillochage, fine hammering and grand feu enamel. Read the full article.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5212A-001 Calatrava Weekly Calendar
Patek Philippe expanded its collection of timepieces featuring calendar complications with the addition of a weekly calendar that also displays the current week number. The new Ref. 5212A-001 Calatrava Weekly Calendar comes in a stainless steel 40 mm which frames a silvery opaline dial displaying an unusual layout with five hands from the centre. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the self-winding calibre 324 offers a power reserve of 35 to 45 hours.Read the full article.

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar
The new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar introduced a patent-pending system for lossless timekeeping transition between high-frequency Active mode (5Hz) and low-frequency Standby mode (1.2Hz). When worn, the watch beats at a high frequency in the usual way, displaying the hours, minutes, date, month, leap year cycle and power reserve on its dial. When the watch is not being worn, its in-house developed calibre 3610 QP can be slowed down in order to extend its power reserve dramatically. Read the full article.

Zenith Defy Double Tourbillon
A brand with an impressive number of records in its history, Zenith established another record in 2019 with the Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon, an unprecedented combination of horological feats: two tourbillons and a 1/100th of a second chronograph! The new model is available in two limited editions: a 50-unit edition entirely made of carbon and a 10-piece platinum version, both characterized by an attractive openworked dial. Read the full article.