Elite Traveler Fall 2023

INSPIRE TOP WATCHES

CARTIER SANTOS DUMONT SKELETON

Skeleton watches are a signature for the house of Cartier, which has long mastered the art. This year, to highlight its Santos-Dumont watch ( fi rst created in 1904), the brand launched a special 212-part 9629 MC automatic skeleton movement that was two years in the making. Paying tribute to Alberto Santos-Dumont, who was often seen fl yinghis dirigibles around Paris, Cartier creates a miniature micro-rotor in the shape of the Demoiselle plane designed by the pilot in 1907. The micro-rotor, seen in the aperture on the lower left corner of the dial, seems tobe fl ying over a globe. This limited edition of 150 individually numbered pieces in 18-karat yellow gold has navy lacquer on the bezel, case and skeleton bridges. $41,600, cartier.com

ROGER DUBUIS EXCALIBUR BLACKLIGHT SPIN-STONE MONOBALANCIER Famed for its exceptional skeletonized movements and its colorful play on time, Roger Dubuis brings these elements to new heights in this watch. The bezel of the watch and an inner fl ange on the dial are set with beautiful Spin-Stone cut spinel gemstones in hues ranging from red to blue. The spinels are coated with a Super LumiNova substance so that they glow in the dark and shine under UV lighting. Even the highly complex, skeletonized automatic RD720SQ caliber features spinels on it. The watch carries the Hallmark of Geneva Seal. Just 28 will be made. $162,000, rogerdubuis.com

GIRARD-PERREGAUX LAUREATO ABSOLUTE LIGHT & SHADE

Known for its iconic octagonal bezel, the Laureato Absolute collection regularly brings contrasting shapes together for a bold and contemporary look. The case of this version — created in a 44mm metallized sapphire crystal case, with a crystal case middle and caseback that are thermally treated and put through a metallization process to endow a smoky look — took more than 170 hours to make. The complex self-winding mechanical skeletonized movement consists of 172 components. $99,600, girard-perregaux.com