Geneva Watch Days, an update

How Czapek’s new Antarctique was the star and Breitling’s tribute to American sports cars from the ‘60s was a bold move indeed

The contrast between Geneva Watch Days, not controlled by a consortium, and the big watch fairs couldn’t be more striking. While the first, which came to a close on Friday, is informal, open to the public, and spread across hotel suites and retail showrooms across the city, the fairs are by invitation. As was Watches and Wonders earlier this year, a star-studded affair including virtual fireside chats with watch CEOs and a social media blitz. The Geneva Watch Days Instagram account, meanwhile, has just one post since the show began. That’s it. But the independents are truly celebrated here, with the announcement about the pre-owned platform WatchBox investing in the Swiss watchmaker, De Bethune, creating a stir on forums and Clubhouse rooms. Meanwhile, here are some brands that made an impact: The brand has gone from Bentley to muscle cars, screamed headlines, about Breitling’s Top Time capsule collection. Inspired by classic American sports cars from the 1960s — the Chevrolet Corvette, Shelby Cobra and Ford Mustang — the three new chronographs have a distinctive colour and car logo. In a 44 mm case (the Shelby is 40 mm with calibre 41) they are in limited volume, a good way to keep the interest high. Approx ₹4.1 lakh.