Supercom at Watches and Wonders 2025, 2nd part.
In this second part of our visit to Watches and Wonders 2025 in Geneva, we continue our deep dive into the fascinating world of fine watchmaking. The event offered a unique opportunity to closely explore the creations of prestigious houses, each showcasing its heritage, innovation, and remarkable craftsmanship.
Throughout the exhibition, each booth stood out with creative displays that immersed visitors in the brand’s DNA: carefully designed spaces, engaging encounters with staff — sometimes even the artisans themselves — and passionate presentations of their collections. The atmosphere, both elegant and vibrant, confirmed one thing: behind every timepiece beats the heart of a true art form.
NORQAIN
From the moment we stepped into the NORQAIN booth, we felt the brand’s energetic, independent spirit. The booth was packed with personality—reflecting NORQAIN’s focus on performance, adventure, and youthful Swiss craftsmanship.
A highlight of our visit was testing the Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm, a standout piece that perfectly captures the brand’s modern, technical approach to watchmaking. The skeletonized dial reveals the inner workings of a high-performance chronograph movement—developed in partnership with Swiss manufacturer AMT—complete with a flyback function and a 62-hour power reserve.
Available in Grade 5 titanium with black DLC and purple accents or 316L stainless steel with gold-plated hands, both versions are rugged yet refined, offering water resistance up to 100 meters and finished with a mix of brushed, polished, and sandblasted textures. It’s a watch that’s equally suited for mountain adventures or urban exploration.
Adding a fun and interactive twist, NORQAIN was running a contest where visitors could win a pair of skis—a nod to the brand’s Alpine roots and connection to active lifestyles. It was a great touch that reinforced NORQAIN’s identity as a brand built for explorers, athletes, and free spirits.
Our experience at NORQAIN was a reminder that independent brands can make a bold statement—with authenticity, innovation, and a strong sense of who they are.
Christiaan van der Klaauw
We were warmly welcomed at Christiaan van der Klaauw, by Pim Koeslag, the owner and CEO of the esteemed Dutch watchmaking brand. The booth offered an intimate setting that perfectly complemented the exclusivity and intricacy of their timepieces.
Pim graciously introduced us to the CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Manufacture CKGP1104, a masterpiece that stands as the world’s only mechanical planetarium watch displaying all eight planets in real-time orbits around the sun. He invited us to try on this extraordinary timepiece – an unforgettable moment.
The watch features a 44mm case crafted from 18k rose gold, housing a dial made of aventurine glass that evokes a star-filled sky. The intricate planetarium mechanism, developed over seven years, comprises 3,338 teeth across its gears, accurately depicting the celestial dance of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The level of detail is astonishing, with hand-painted planets—Earth complete with its poles, and Jupiter featuring its iconic Great Red Spot.
Pim shared that the development of this timepiece was a collaborative effort spanning three generations of the brand. The concept originated with the CVDK Kepler’s Planetarium Clock developed in 1995 by Christiaan van der Klaauw himself. Daniël and Maria Reintjes contributed significantly to the creative vision over 15 years, and Pim brought the final concept to life with his technical mastery.
Engaging with Pim Koeslag gave us a deep appreciation for Christiaan van der Klaauw’s unwavering dedication to blending astronomical complexity with horological artistry—creating timepieces that are not only mechanically brilliant but also poetic tributes to the universe.
Van Cleef & Arpels
When entering the world of Van Cleef & Arpels, time transforms into poetry. The maison’s booth at Watches and Wonders 2025 was an experience of its own—more than just a presentation of fine timepieces, it felt like stepping into a universe of storytelling, art, and emotion. Known for its seamless fusion of watchmaking, jewelry, and whimsical narrative, Van Cleef & Arpels continues to craft moments that are as enchanting as they are technically refined.
We were fortunate to be guided through the booth by a deeply knowledgeable representative from the Patrimoine department, whose expertise illuminated the historical depth and artistic evolution of the maison. Her passion and insight gave us a richer understanding of how Van Cleef & Arpels draws from heritage, poetry, and nature to shape its modern creations.
The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate Watch, an extraordinary piece from the Poetic Complications collection. This watch brings to life a romantic encounter through a mechanical ballet—two lovers gradually approach each other on a miniature bridge, their movement orchestrated by an intricate automaton mechanism hidden beneath a stunning dial. It’s not just a timepiece, but a mechanical love story rendered in gold, enamel, and diamonds.
Beyond its beauty, the piece embodies the maison’s ethos: to infuse watchmaking with emotion and enchantment. Every element—from the miniature painting to the complication itself—showcases the unmatched craftsmanship and artistic sensitivity for which Van Cleef & Arpels is renowned.
Our time at Van Cleef & Arpels was serene and deeply inspiring. It reminded us that horology, when guided by imagination and heart, becomes more than precision—it becomes poetry.
Ulysse Nardin
Visiting Ulysse Nardin was like stepping into the next chapter of modern marine watchmaking. Known for its pioneering spirit and deep connection to the sea, the brand has long pushed boundaries with cutting-edge materials, innovative complications, and a bold design language that breaks away from tradition while staying grounded in technical excellence.
The booth captured that duality beautifully—sleek, forward-looking, and rooted in maritime heritage. It was a space that celebrated the ocean not just as inspiration, but as a commitment. The brand’s strong focus on sustainability and innovation was apparent throughout the experience.
The highlight of the presentation was the DIVER [AIR], Ulysse Nardin’s latest evolution of its iconic dive watch. Lightweight yet durable, the DIVER [AIR] represents a new era of eco-conscious high-performance timepieces. Built using upcycled materials, including recycled stainless steel and elements sourced from reclaimed fishing nets, the watch reflects the brand’s proactive stance on ocean conservation.
Despite its sustainable core, the DIVER [AIR] makes no compromises in design or functionality. It maintains the rugged professionalism expected of a serious dive watch—featuring 300 meters of water resistance, a robust unidirectional bezel, and a legible, no-nonsense dial. Yet it wears light on the wrist and stands out for its sleek, modern aesthetic.
Ulysse Nardin’s dedication to blending environmental responsibility with haute horlogerie is not only admirable—it’s increasingly essential. The DIVER [AIR] is more than a technical achievement; it’s a statement about the future of watchmaking.
Our visit to Ulysse Nardin left us with the impression of a brand that’s not just navigating the waters of tradition—but actively shaping where the tide is headed.
MeisterSinger
At MeisterSinger, time slows down—and that’s entirely by design. The German brand has built its identity around the philosophy of single-hand watchmaking, offering a refreshing alternative to the often fast-paced world of horology. Their booth at Watches and Wonders 2025 was calm, welcoming, and thoughtfully arranged, mirroring the minimalist, mindful ethos of the brand itself.
A standout highlight of the visit was the introduction of the Kaenos, a striking new model that further explores MeisterSinger’s signature approach. Its dial displays only one hand, elegantly sweeping across a finely graduated scale—offering not just the time, but a different way of experiencing it. The Kaenos is designed for those who value the bigger picture, encouraging a more relaxed, intuitive relationship with time.
Marking a new chapter for the brand, the Kaenos is powered by reliable Swiss-made automatic movements—either the SW400 for the Kaenos or the SW200 for the Kaenos Open Date—offering trusted performance in keeping with MeisterSinger’s signature aesthetic: elegant, deliberate, and precise.
The booth experience underscored this philosophy, with display pieces that highlighted both the artistry and engineering of single-hand timekeeping. MeisterSinger’s watches aren’t just instruments—they’re statements. In a world dominated by precision to the second, the brand invites wearers to zoom out, breathe, and focus on the moment.
Our visit reminded us that sometimes, less really is more—and MeisterSinger continues to prove that simplicity can be its own form of sophistication.
Gerald Charles
At Gerald Charles, we encountered a brand where artistic vision and modern technical mastery come together in truly distinctive form. Founded by the legendary designer Gérald Genta—the mind behind some of the most iconic watches in history—Gerald Charles continues to honor its namesake’s legacy through timepieces that combine architectural elegance with bold, contemporary flair.
The booth reflected the maison’s refined identity: elegant, confident, and design-driven. It was a focused and intimate space where the watches spoke for themselves.
The highlight of our visit was the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition, a tribute to 25 years of the Maestro collection and a celebration of Gérald Genta’s original sketch that inspired the line. The GC39 retains the signature asymmetrical case shape—a daring and instantly recognizable silhouette that fuses classical proportions with playful, modern lines.
This anniversary model elevates the Maestro design with subtle refinements and a beautifully reworked dial. Clean, geometric details are paired with a refined case profile, powered by an ultra-thin automatic movement developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. The result is a watch that is both striking and elegant—full of character, but never overdone.
Gerald Charles is a brand for connoisseurs who appreciate thoughtful design and refined distinction. Our visit was a celebration of legacy, creativity, and the kind of watchmaking that dares to be different—while staying effortlessly elegant.
