7 watches that are beyond three hands and a dial – from Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin to Longines and Parmigiani Fleurier – plus a 1970s’ throwback … it’s digital

Jan 5, 2024

From left to right: H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Chinese Calendar; Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel; Saint Laurent Rive Droite x Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0

Look, no hands! Saint Laurent’s collab with Girard-Perregaux brings back the spirit of the 70s with the Rive Droite Casquette 2.0 digital watch – press a button to get the time in a red LED display

Jumping hours, TV-shaped cases and retrograde minute arches have been hallmarks of Hautlence – its Sphere Series 1 adds a ball jutting out from the display

As watch buyers become more sophisticated, so has visibility and demand for pieces that give you the time in new and unexpected ways. After all, why settle for three hands rotating around a circular dial? Here are some of our favourite pieces with complications like the retrograde where hands snap back to reality, or where time literally jumps back and forth with wandering or jumping hours. Some have alternative calendars, and there is – yes – a high horology, high fashion digital watch.

7 watches that are beyond three hands and a dial – from Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin to Longines and Parmigiani Fleurier – plus a 1970s’ throwback … it’s digital

1. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon Retrograde Date Openface