The heaviest: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak RD#2 
No, we didn’t weigh it. And, because this is a concept model, the brand didn’t want to reveal any figures. But there is no contest. Once it’s on the wrist, it’s impossible not to sense the huge amount of platinum that has gone into making the world’s thinnest perpetual calendar. The weight is particularly noticeable given the watch’s extreme slenderness, which is perfectly appreciable to the eye.

The longest: Cartier Panthère Triple Loop
The Panthère Triple Loop is exceedingly long, coiling three times around the wrist – four on daintier frames. Some of our colleagues even had a go at wearing it around their necks… And although it was quite hard to read in that position, it was an excellent fit.

The highest flier: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Les Aérostiers
These watches commemorate aerial feats from three hundred years ago. The five series of five Métiers d’Art watches illustrate the original aerostats, history’s first and most spectacular hot air balloons. In addition to the elevation associated with their noble theme, the execution is of an extremely lofty standard.

Nowadays, are there a few things to think about when purchasing this Piaget? Certainly. First, 43mm is a large watch, however thick it is. The Altiplano is expertly built to sit on any wrist well, but you can’t away from pure physical presence. 43mm is a big watch, certainly for one considered by many to be a “dress watch”. Second, its $20,000+ price tag puts it directly in exactly the identical range as a 5120 out of Patek Philippe and other comparable Calatrava versions. Going head to head with Patek is a dangerous game as resale on any Patek is guaranteed to be more powerful than literally every other brand on earth. Within this range you’re also looking at the Saxonia collection from A. Lange & S?hne along with a couple of choices from Vacheron Constantin. These three brands are unquestionably more “watch guy” brands than Piaget, by pure general understanding. Though the Altiplano is equal to all of the watches mentioned here regarding finishing and quality, and in some cases vastly superior, there are several men and women who don’t watch Piaget for that they really are – a truly world class manufacture. And should youn’t believe me, do I have to show you this again?The truth that Piaget is not often listed among the Pateks and Langes of this planet can work to your benefit. I have found that many actual watch guys would much rather be wearing a piece that does not bring too much attention, but has a story to tell should someone ask. The Piaget Altiplano 43mm automatic has two official stories to tell, one per record it broke, and then a third when you turn the watch over.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak RD#2 – Cartier Panthère Triple Loop – Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Aérostiers © David Chokron/Worldtempus

The flashiest: Hermès Arceau Casaque
Light, colour, energy and a shot of vitamin C. Hermès, not generally known for its exuberance, has scored a coup with this series of watches in zingy colours. There’s green, red and blue, but it’s the yellow that stands out the most, and probably works the best. In fact, we have rarely seen a dial that is so gaudy and so much fun.

The thinnest: Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept
Two – yes, two! – millimetres. And that’s for the whole watch, not just the movement! In profile, this concept watch by Piaget Watches 18k Yellow Gold Replica is the same width as its strap. Granted, it’s just a prototype. But it works! When the company succeeds in translating the extraordinary achievements of this incredible timepiece into saleable watches, be prepared to see exclamation marks at the end of every sentence.

The most macho: Ulysse Nardin Diver Deep Dive
Sharp corners, chunky proportions, sticky-out bits and a plethora of manly details. At a SIHH dominated by restrained elegance and quiet good taste, the new extreme diver from Ulysse Nardin is something of a weightlifter. And that’s a good thing. Because it would be a dull world if it was all curves and consensus. Sometimes you need a bit of bite – like the tooth of a hammerhead shark, the emblem of this watch, and of several previous collections.

Hermès Arceau Casaque – Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept – Ulysse Nardin Diver Deep Dive © David Chokron/Worldtempus

The most robust: Richard Mille RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough
Pablo Mac Donough explained it well: polo is rougher than American football, and yet it is played without any protection. And while he takes his life in his hands every time he rides onto the field (that’s no exaggeration), his watch is far better equipped than he is to deal with shocks. TPT carbon case, laminated sapphire crystal that would need a hammer to crack it, and an ultra-light tourbillon movement suspended on cables. So, any volunteers to put this €900,000 watch through its paces?

The most poetic: Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Nuit Féerique 
Van Cleef & Arpels strikes again, with the obligatory touch of magical delicacy. With this new work, part of the Cadrans Extraordinaires line, the jewellery-watchmaker casts another spell over the world. A fairy reaches for a comet in the night sky… simply magical.

Most transparent: Girard-Perregaux Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges Skeleton
The three-dimensional volumes already made this watch an aerial wonder. By excavating the mainplate, the watchmaker has made this architectural watch into something of a suspension bridge, which is no bad thing, given that it has three bridges stretched over its vital organs.

Richard Mille RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough – Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Nuit Féerique – Girard-Perregaux Neo-Tourbillon With Three Bridges Skeleton © David Chokron/Worldtempus

The biggest: Montblanc 1858 Pocket Watch
Measuring 60 mm in diameter and 21 mm deep, this pocket watch owes its great depth to the compass hidden in the back, and its diameter to the immense Minerva calibre that drives it. Held in the hand (prior to being slipped into a pocket), the piece is imposing, although thanks to the use of titanium, not excessively heavy.

Most complicated: Panerai L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT
If the most complicated watch at the SIHH is to be found at the Panerai booth, it is because other brands have gone off in a different horological direction, at least for the time being. We’re not complaining. It features more astronomical complications than you can shake a stick at, a vertically rotating tourbillon, a ghost date, and on-demand production to ensure the correct location for calculation of the equation of time.

Most historic: Ferdinand Berthoud Régulateur FB 1R.6-1
For the 6th variant on its exquisitely finished constant force tourbillon movement, La Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud offers a design that is faithful to the drawings and original creations of the man who inspired the brand. It is reminiscent of a dashboard instrument, offering a unique way of telling the time.

Montblanc 1858 Pocket Watch – Panerai L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT – Ferdinand Berthoud Régulateur FB 1R.6-1 © David Chokron/Worldtempus

Most ephemeral: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli Automatic Skeleton Medium White
It will be available for only two months. After no more than 88 have been produced, this skeleton watch will be removed from the shops and replaced with a different colour variation. The next watch will enjoy the same lifecycle, before making way for its successor. And if all 88 have not been sold, that’s just too bad.

The tallest: HYT H20
It’s partly a design choice, but it’s mainly the consequence of how the movement is structured. With its fluid display model, HYT tends not to skimp on the depth. The latest, more minimalist iteration of the H2 measures 19.95 mm under the caliper (with a diameter of 51 mm). Thankfully, the back is highly ergonomic, which makes it, if not exactly comfortable, at least fitted to the wrist.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli Automatic Skeleton Medium White – HYT H20 © David Chokron/Worldtempus