Les Journées de la Passion: Wristshot Selection

foversta · 2019-11-17T09:47:39Z

Foversta's wristshot selection from Les Journées de la Passion in Luxembourg. Discover new releases from AP, Glashütte Original, Blancpain, VC, GP, and Ressence.

foversta

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

23 replies5705 views32 photos

Foversta shares his experience at "Les Journées de la Passion" in Luxembourg, an event showcasing the latest offerings from numerous watch brands. His comprehensive wristshot gallery provides a valuable overview of new releases and notable pieces, reflecting on the industry's current trends and the enduring appeal of horological gatherings. This post serves as an excellent year-end wrap-up for enthusiasts interested in contemporary watchmaking.

I have just come back from Luxemburg after having attended the "Les Journées de la Passion" event which aim is to present the latest offer from a lot of brands to end customers. This event takes alternatively place in Luxemburg and Brussels and is always successful because the organizer manages to involve the local retailers. I always like this type of event during the last quarter because they allow me to do a kind a wrap-up of the year, to discover some of the latest novelties from the brands and of course to meet friends!

The perfect organization of "Les Journées de la Passion" makes me regret the end of the Salon Belles Montres in Paris several years ago and it is a true pity that Paris doesn't have a similar event anymore. Anyway, I propose you to browse the gallery of wristshots I took during the day spent in Luxemburg:

I was wearing my AP RO Chronograph Limited Edition Italy:

The Limited Edition of the Senator Chronomètre is very baroque! But at least it shows the capabilities and skills of the manufacture:

The Panoinverse Limited Edition shares the same concept and decoration style:

The SeaQ 1969 is a very nice watch, very well made and I much prefer the 39mm version:

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Complete Calendar is a spectacular and intriguing piece. I'm not very convinced to find this type of complication in a diving watch but it is very well made:

One of the most famous watches of the year, I think I don't need to introduce it. And I still love it after having seen it for the first time several months ago. Well, the Air Command is fully approved by myself!

Vacheron Constantin was one of the Richemont exhibitors and I could try the Overseas Chronograph:

And the Fifty-Six Complete Calendar. It takes fully advantage of the blue dial:

Girard-Perregaux brings a wide range of pieces. So I could try the spectacular Quasar!

From the prototype seen during the SIHH to the final version, here comes the Laureato Absolute Rock:

The Laureato Absolute Chronograph:

Ressence is a Belgian brand so it was a bit the local brand of the event! It is always a pleasure to meet the team.

I couldn't miss the opportunity to see the watches from Hamilton because there are always some gems offered at a fair price.

I like a lot the Pilot Pioneer Mechanical:

I was very surprised to discover this one because I have never heard about it! The Chrono-matric 50 is inspired by a watch from 1972.

The Hamilton x Schott NY is not my cup of tea!

The Frederique Constant Worldtimer is now available with a beautiful grey dial:

The Breitling Premier Chronograph x Norton is a well made watch I must confess:

One of the stars of the event was the stunning Logical One from Romain Gauthier:

Zenith was of course one of the main exhibitors. Here comes the original Defy Zero-G:

And the Pilot Bronze Chronograph:

Another surprise is this Submersible BMG-Tech:

It is too small on my wrist but the Luminor Due Titanium with blue dial is a good way for Panerai to expand its customer base:

Ulysse Nardin displayed a wide range of spectacular pieces...

Like the Free Wheel:

I love this version of the Freak X because I find it luminous:

And I don't speak about this Executive Skleton XL!

Thanks to the retailer from Brussels De Greef, Lange could exhibit some watches of its collection:

I was happy to see again the Royal Saphir from Pequignet. It is a great contemporary piece.

Chopard had one of the largest booths.

I could try again the Alpine Eagle Blue Dial:

And this eye-catching LUC Spirit of Nature:

Here come some additional pictures to illustrate the atmosphere of the Salon:

I would like to thank a lot the staff of the exhibitors for the time spent with me. I enjoyed each minute spent in the Cercle Cité bulding and I can't wait for the next edition... in Brussels!

Fr.Xavier

About the Panerai Panerai Luminor Submersible BMG-TECH™ 47mm PAM00692 Ref. PAM692

The PAM692 represents Panerai's application of BMG-TECH material technology within the Luminor Submersible collection, distinguished by its 47mm case construction and blue dial configuration. This reference combines the brand's diving watch platform with specialized case materials in a large-format presentation.

The 47mm case utilizes titanium construction paired with sapphire crystal protection. The blue dial is housed within a case featuring a unidirectional rotating diving bezel, with water resistance rated to 300 meters. An automatic movement powers the timekeeping functions.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking Panerai's contemporary material applications in a substantial case size. The titanium construction and diving-oriented features position the PAM692 within the technical segment of the Luminor Submersible range, offering blue dial aesthetics for those preferring alternatives to traditional black configurations in large-format diving watches.

Specifications

Caliber: Cal. P9010

Case: titanium

Diameter: 47mm

Dial: blue

Water Resist.: 300m

Crystal: Sapphire crystal

Key Points from the Discussion

Glashütte Original watches are increasingly impressive, though some models are noted to be slightly large for certain wrists.
The utility of complex complications like annual calendars on diving watches is debated, with some questioning their practical value for underwater activities.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas with a blue dial is highly praised, while the white dial version of the Overseas Chronograph is less favored.
Specific watches like the Pequignet, Chopard Spirit of Nature, Ulysse Nardin Free Wheel, Romain Gauthier, Glashütte Original Chronometer Tourbillon, and Girard-Perregaux Quasar are highlighted as favorites.
Questions arise about the current status of brands like Pequignet, specifically whether they are still in business and producing in-house movements.
The inclusion of complicated features in diving watches often stems from direct client requests, rather than purely functional necessity.

The Discussion

brauner

Nov 17, 2019

I like the GP Laureato Absolute Rock very much.

Jad

Nov 17, 2019

Thanks for this great repot, it was very interesting and a lot of really nice pictures as always, I love the logical one. Your photo makes it look so real.

Jurry

Nov 17, 2019

That must have been one heck of a nice event to attend. I’ve been drooling vier some of the pictures res your u shared with us. Glashutte more and more is starting to impress me although many are slightly too big for me. I agree on your observation on the Blancpain Bathyscape with annual calendar. I too fail to see the added value of such a complication on a divers watch. A diver is interested in time spent and time to go underwater, the date and month is less relevant when you’re 15 meters deep

VMM

Nov 17, 2019

Thanks a lot for sharing, FX. Vte

FlyingSnoopy

Nov 17, 2019

The GO SeaQ is really growing on me! (I agree with you, I also prefer the 39,5 edition) Cheers

Watchonthewrist

Nov 17, 2019

I wasn’t able to attend the event this weekend . That RG is such a great looking watch 👌🏻.

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Horological Meandering forum with 23 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

Les Journées de la Passion: Wristshot Selection

About the Panerai Panerai Luminor Submersible BMG-TECH™ 47mm PAM00692 Ref. PAM692

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum