Elite Traveler Fall 2023

INSPIRE TOP WATCHES

IWC INGENIEUR

AUTOMATIC 40 This year, IWC Scha ff hausen turned to its archives to reintroduce its Ingenieur collection. But the brand went back to a very speci fi c time frame: 1974, when now-famed watch designer Gérald Genta designed the Ingenieur SL ‘Jumbo’ that launched in 1976. Working with original sketches by Genta, IWC created the new series in updated form with a new case, a fl atter bezel and a structured dial that, while modern, recalls the artist’s intentions. It even boasts the screws on the bezel that Genta loved, but now they are functional. Measuring 40mm in diameter, this stainless steel version boasts a meticulous grid-pattern dial in aqua/green. It is powered by a mechanical automatic movement and has a soft-iron inner case to protect against magnetism. $11,700, iwc.com

DIOR GRAND SOIR AUTOMATE ÉTOILE DE MONSIEUR DIOR Celebrating Christian Dior, Dior releases its fi rst automaton watch with charming moving elements on the dial. Designed to enchant the wearer, and developed entirely in-house, this new Grand Soir brings together symbols of his life, including the star that guided him; the address of his fashion house (30 Avenue Montaigne); and his zodiac sign, Aquarius. With the touch of a button in the crown, the elements move for about 30 seconds, yielding a shooting star across the horizon. The clouds are engraved mother-of-pearl, the stars are gold and silver, and the Aquarius constellation boasts a brilliant-cut diamond. Just 28 pieces of this ultra complicated 38mm white gold watch will be made, each set with 402 diamonds weighing approximately 3.11 carats. Available by special order, price on request, dior.com