Watchstars Award Winners 2016/17
Watchstars Awards is one of the few awards out there where jury members can select – any – watch that has been introduced in the last year (with the exception of the Stars for a Lifetime and Design Stars categories). Brands have no influence on the selection and cannot submit watches, unlike many other awards out there.
Watchstars Award
Over 80 Watchstars Award jury members, consisting of watch experts around the world (you can see them all here), submitted watches for 5 different categories. A shortlist is being produced based on the votes and today, December 15th, the Watchstars Award winners in each category have been announced. Last year, we saw one brand (Omega) winning in two categories, this year, that achievement is for Audemars Piguet.
Classic Stars
Three-handed watches with no functions other than a date and/or power reserve indicator are included in this category. All watches in the Classic Stars category must have mechanical movements. Only watches that were launched in 2016 are eligible.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King (we discussed it here) reference 116900 has been selected as the winner in the ‘Classic Stars’ category.
With the new Air-King, Rolex shows how to transform a grey mouse with few, but accurate alterations into a modern and up-to-date wristwatch with all the quality-characteristics of a Rolex. Its design can be described as classic, modern and elegant at the same time. Finally it is Rolex tradition at its best – both technically and aesthetically. With a touch of boldness on the dial: small, but big enough to stand out from the crowd.
Oyster Perpetual Air-King
Technical Stars
Watches with additional function(s) other than a date and/or power reserve indicator are included in this category. All watches in the Technical Stars category must have mechanical movements. Only watches that were launched in 2016 are eligible.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie reference 26577TI won the Technical Stars category.
This Royal Oak Concept watch has a loud and clean volume, truly outstanding.
Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie
Design Stars
Watches in this category have interesting design features such as unusual case shapes or materials, specially crafted hands or dials, and the like. The watches in the Design Stars category can have either mechanical or quartz movements. All watches are eligible regardless of when they were introduced.
The Hermès Slim d’Hermès Émail Grand Feu reference CA2.970.130/MHA won the Design Stars category.
A beautiful flat timepiece with an enamel dial that consists of three separate enamel pieces.
Slim d’Hermès Émail Grand Feu
Stars For A Lifetime
These watches are timeless classics whose design and/or technical features give them an appeal that will last for decades. They can have quartz or mechanical movements. All watches are eligible regardless of when they were introduced.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-thin (we talked about it in-dept here) reference 15202ST.OO.1240ST.01 is the winner of the Stars for a Lifetime category.
A watch designed by Gérald Genta and introduced in 1972. A true iconic luxury sports watch with the same key elements as the very first Royal Oak 5402ST.
Royal Oak Extra-thin
New Stars
These watches are newcomer watches, that have seen successful launches in a very competitive market with many established watch brands. The watches in the category New Stars category can have either mechanical or quartz movements. All watches are eligible regardless of when they were introduced.
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater reference BGO40BTLMRXT is the winner of the New Stars category.
Bvlgari enjoys a comeback with beautiful thin watches and movements. This year, we were treated on a minute repeater.
Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater
Watchstars Award Ceremony
However, it is not over yet. The Watchstars Award 2016/17 will be celebrated accordingly at the award ceremony at Baselworld 2017 on March 23rd. Fratello Watches will be there and we will keep you updated!
