Salon Belles Montres Paris - a dream show in Paris!
By: Dje (registered) Thursday, January 31st, 2008 - Photo Nav: View All 1 photo(s)
Baselworld and the SIHH are approaching. We will see many wonders over there again this year.
However these shows are business shows and even if their visit is always a great pleasure for watchnuts like us, some could find that only looking at watches in windows is somewhat frustrating!
If you can't get appointments in Basel or Geneva, you can now try later in Paris without notice. You won't see them all, but you'll have access to many and you'll be able to discuss with watchmakers and company representatives that are here to meet passionate people.
The first "Belles Montres" show took place in Paris last December. You've certainly read several very interesting reports here on PuristSPro by our fellow Purist Foversta.
I hope that we'll see this new show take place again in 2008. Before that happens I want to share with you some thoughts I've had following this show.
Let me say first that inside the show and next to the exhibitions by several brands one of the most interesting parts of the show was IMVHO the exhibition "The Chronograph An Expression Of A Modern Era" by the FHH – Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.
The exhibition was organized by Mr Dominique Fléchon and his team and partners.
This exhibition is an evolution of another exhibition presented at the SIHH 2005. No doubt that all chronograph fans, and I know there are a few here, should take any opportunity to see this exhibition that should perhaps travel. It's also an opportunity for me to advise those that will visit the SIHH in the future not to forget the historical exhibitions!
One of the most extraordinary pieces of the historical exhibition was a pedometer watch signed Ralph Gout, London.This very luxurious timepiece may have been the property of a high ranking soldier.
If the exhibition was showing very early timepieces, the vast majority of the watches were wristwatches from the last century.
Some of the most recent chronographs were on exhibition and if Jaeger-LeCoultre was not exhibiting at the show, the much awaited Duometre a Chronographe was presented in this exhibition.
I love those old Minerva chronographs
This kind of show is a rare opportunity to see rare watches that we generally only see in books. I'm a great fan of early Cartier watches, a brand nearly always under estimated for its past and current position in the horological world.
One of the watches that I generally always try to see when I'm in Paris is the current Cartier Tortue Monopusher. The historical example that was exhibited is an ideal one IMO as it has a round seconds scale on its dial and I consider that all chronographs should always have such round scale, even when they have form cases! This round scale was available on the current Tortue Chronograph (hopefully it is still), and was also available in some Girard-Perregaux Richeville chronographs. This kind of detail is what makes a chronograph usable IMO unlike some very appealing chronographs like the RM chronographs for instance.
I discovered a watch I didn't know anything about. I had never heard of this Daniel Roth split seconds chronograph. That's a real collector's item!
This exhibition seemed to enjoy a great success as Parisians have little opportunity to see such watches.
Probably the most impressive timepiece of the show, it was finally not a vintage watch and was not exhibited by the FHH.
You'll see no wrist shot of course, but just a table shot ! 
This Planetarium is quite impressive although I must confess I see it much more as a museum piece than a real object of desire!
You easily understand that wrist watch construction has very tight tolerances in the adjustment of pieces. But this kind of construction quite probably has even tighter tolerances.
We keep asking for larger calibres! Is it enough this time?
We had IMO not seen such a piece since the "Esprit des Cabinotiers" clock launched for the 250th anniversary of Vacheron Constantin.
Tempted by some more classical independants watches ?
I've had the pleasure to meet Nicolas Delaloye and see his crafts. Although the style of his watches is not always at my taste, I have a great respect for his project, for his work, for his passion. His watches are impressive and worthy of great interest.
I've been able to see and show on my pics 4 different watches. Two of them are time only men's models equipped with Nicolas Delaloye's own calibre. The other two are vintage chronograph calibres refinished by Nicolas.
These chronograph calibres are very nicely finished and mounted in unique pieces. The dials show a huge work that you have to see to really appreciate.
If you've liked the first piece you may appreciate the second chronograph version. This second watch, also unique, is fitted with no less than a split seconds chronograph calibre from Venus. I must also confess that its dial is also much more to my taste.
You may also consider this offering as a proof that Nicolas Delaloye can very probably become the extraordinary arm of your unique watch to be.
We'll see the chronograph calibres below but before that let's have a look at Nicolas Delaloye's more personal watches. To read the rest of Jerome's report, please CLICK HERE
