5 biggest timepiece moments in June 2023: from Audemars Piguet’s ‘Spider-Man’ watch with Marvel and Rihanna’s Jacob & Co. ‘choker’ at a Louis Vuitton show to new releases from Rolex and Patek Philippe

Jun 30 , 2023

From left to right: Rihanna wearing the Jacob & Co. Flying Tourbillon as a choker; Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man”; Watches and Wonders returns to Shanghai; Patek Philippe’s World Time 5330G-010. Photos: Handout

This June saw plenty of exciting horological news, including Dubai Watch Week and Watches and Wonders fairs in Dubai and Shanghai, respectively, after Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibition in Tokyo

Girard-Perregaux worked with Saint Laurent to update the Casquette; Hublot celebrated Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic with a Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon; and Bremont is anticipating the upcoming F1

High horology kept busy around the world as Dubai Watch Week and Watches and Wonders announced new fairs later in the year in Dubai and Shanghai respectively. Patek Philippe just concluded its exhibition in Tokyo, showcasing its entire collection as well as six stunning new releases, while Rihanna wore a watch choker at Louis Vuitton’s Paris Fashion Week show.

Meanwhile, Bremont, Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux and more brands released new pieces borne out of collaborations, and Phillips just sold one of the most important pocket watches in horology at record price.

These were the biggest timepiece moments in June …

1. Conventions to watch

Dubai Watch Week’s last physical fair was in 2021. Photo: Handout

Celebrations of high horology continue around the world as this month, Dubai Watch Week and Watches and Wonders made announcements for fairs in the foreseeable future.

Founded in 2015, Dubai Watch Week is slated to take place between November 16 and 20 at the Dubai International Financial Centre. The fair recently announced that it expects to feature upwards of 55 brands in this year’s edition, including Audemars Piguet, Biver, F.P. Journe, Greubel Forsey and more.

This year, Watches and Wonders Shanghai will showcase pieces from 14 brands in the redesigned Pavilion of the West Bund Art Center. Photo: Handout

Geneva-based Watches and Wonders had a nice few months to breathe after its annual Geneva edition in early April, but is now keen to keep the ball rolling in Shanghai as it announced this month that the fair will return to the city for the third time between September 13 and 17.

The fair plans to host 14 brands at the Pavilion of the West Bund Art Center. What’s more, the event will be opening to the public for the first time on the last two days of the run, for which tickets will go in August for US$20 (150 RMB) per head via a WeChat mini-programme.

2. Choking on their aspirations

Piaget high jewellery sautoir watch in gold. Photo: Piaget