Cartier replica Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna

Replica Cartier Must 21 continues to blow minds and break hearts with each passing year, and their big reveal for SIHH 2014 was no exception – the Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna, their latest highly complicated timepiece, which may very well have been the most talked about watch of the show.

Housed in a relatively austere 45.5mm case, and available in white or pink gold, the Terraluna features a http://www.buyijoy.com/replica-cartier-pasha.html perpetual calendar complication with day, date, and month displays, regulator-style time display with three separate hands registering hours, minutes, and seconds, leap year display, power reserve readout, and to top it all off? An orbital moonphase display is part of the movement, and is visible through the case back. The movement itself features a constant force escapement, and has a 14-day power reserve. In short, another masterpiece from Lange… let's hope they never stop coming.

Something new from Parmigiani for 2014 was their "Metro" collection of timepieces. Parmigiani's language about the collection may be a bit lofty, but under the branding is what we feel is the most desirable basic Parmigiani chronograph we've seen to-date. What you need to know about Parmigiani is that they make so much of their Replica Cartier Montre in-house - including the cases, dials, and of course, the movement. The Metrographe is a perfect example of how one can combine all the strengths of the brand in a reasonably priced package.

What is more important, is that this is the first men's watch (not intensely priced) from the brand that we've been really excited about. Let's face it, Parmigiani makes a lovely looking timepiece but they often have a bit of a feminine twist. More recently, we've seen new models that still faithfully incorporate brand DNA in a package that we want to wear more casually. The Tonda Metrographe comes in a 40mm wide steel case that wears large due to the lugs, and has a few available dial colors. In black, the chronograph sub dials are framed entirely in SuperLumiNova (because they really want you to time things in the dark).

Inside the watch, is an in-house made caliber PF315 automatic chronograph movement - and we like how the pushers integrate with the large lug structures. A combination of legibility, utility, and sheer refinement from a prestigious brand makes the Metrographe collection rather desirable this year.

When we wrote our hands-on post about the Cartier Calibre Diver, we mentioned the clear irony of a Cartier watch meant for diving. When we think about Cartier we tend to think about timeless watches on stately ladies, classic men's dress watches, and certainly not tools for underwater sport. Nevertheless, Cartier took their newer Calibre collection timepiece and turned it into a legit ISO certified 300 meter diving watch. While it sounds odd on paper, we love the resulting product.

At 42mm wide the Calibre Diver is available in a steel, two-tone, or full 18k rose gold case. Thankfully, no diamond-decorated models are available (yet). The case has a rotating diver's bezel that uses a durable DLC black coating which gives it just a little bit of "Cartier shine." Cartier didn't do much to the dial of the Diver over the normal Calibre - but the lines are a bit bolder.

Is there room in your collection for a refined dive watch that whispers in your ear with a Cousteau-like French accent? Maybe. If you find yourself split between wanting to show a little status but also wanting to stay causal with a sport watch, the Calibre Diver is a particularly satisfying addition to a range of high-end dive watches with in-house made movements such as the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain 50 Fathoms.

Montblanc had an impressive showing at SIHH this year, with a new line of vintage-inspired models that could very well breathe new life into the brand and attract a whole new segment of buyers and collectors. They call this line the "Meisterstück Heritage" collection, and it features new pieces that range from a slim two-hand automatic to a stunning and affordable Perpetual Calendar. All in all, it is a very handsome collection overall. But my choice for "best in show" goes to the absolutely drop-dead Meisterstück Pulsograph. It also happens to be the first time Montblanc has incorporated a Villeret movement in a non Villeret timepiece.

Finished in an attractive shade of red gold, the Pulsograph is sized at 41mm – not terribly large, but substantial enough to make a statement. The dial features twin subsidiary registers set against a multi-toned dial with silver sunburst center. Running around the outer track is a graduated Pulsations scale, originally devised for medical use. The chronograph, which features a central seconds hand and a 30 minute counter at 3:00, is operated via a mono-pusher, adding to the vintage charm this piece espouses.

As elegant as this timepiece is outwardly, it is the mechanical complexity of the in-house Montblanc Villeret (formerly Minerva) movement ticking on the inside that pushes it over the edge from being simply beautiful to downright desirable. The Minerva movement is a masterpiece of form and function, and the Pulsograph is the only timepiece in the collection to feature it (thus far). Limited to only 90 pieces worldwide, these likely won't last because this is one of the most affordable MB Villeret watches today, so if you dig it as much as I do, you'd best get on it.

Speaking of ultra-high end unattainable timepiece, there is always Greubel Forsey to tease and tempt us. For 2014, Greubel Forsey has created one of a very small number of perpetual calendar complications that can be adjusted both forward and backwards in time. For as complicated as we know Greubel Forsey timepieces to be, the Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar QP a Equation is wonderfully simple in its operation.

It works using a simple principle: when in "QP" mode you turn the crown forward in one direction to set the date forward, and the other direction to set it backwards. There are no individual pushers for each of the indications, and when you set the calendar the month, day, and date all move in tandem. Hands-on it is the most viscerally pleasing QP watch to operate and from a legibility perspective it is hard to beat.

Then again, it does cost rather north of half-a-million dollars for the privilege. The distinctive Greubel Forsey design houses an included tourbillon, as well as what many people argue is the most impressive movement finishing on the planet.

Technical marvels in the watch world are sadly becoming rarer and rarer from the major brands as they focus on timepieces with the most marketability. Nevertheless, we know that Jaeger-LeCoultre is a reliable source for beautiful and innovative high-end creations that have lasting appeal. Announced prior to SIHH, the Hybris Mechanica 11, otherwise know as the Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon, is a tour-de-force of design restraint as only the Swiss can do it.

In a slim case the Hybris Mechanica 11 houses an automatic movement with a peripheral rotor seen through the dial, a flying tourbillon, and Jaeger-LeCoultre just happens to throw in a minute repeater as well. All in a package that looks like a dress watch with a few additional visual features. This is the making of a true grail watch from a brand known for pushing the envelope technically while still retaining a sense of good taste.

For a brand that focuses on its heritage, Panerai also knows how to adapt to the times. Having said that, "new" is a relative term for lovers of the brand. 2014 sees a lefty version of a modern chronograph that looks a lot like it came out of the past. The neat vintage looks of the PAM579 add a warm sense of character to a modern in-house made Panerai movement. The caliber P.2004/9 has a monopusher column-wheel based chronograph and eight days of power reserve. More so, the movement operates at a modern 28,800 bph frequency and despite being manually wound has a power reserve indicator on the back of the movement.

While the iconic 1950-style case is large at 47mm wide, it is light, being produced in titanium. With the lefty-style orientation of the crown, one no longer needs to worry about it sticking into your wrist (on your right hand). Either by accident or intent, Panerai created a beautiful, technically desirable, and comfortable watch in one fell-swoop with the Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante Left-Handed 8 Days Titanio PAM579 watch - just don't try saying the name too often on a single breath.

The race to make the thinnest mechanical timepiece isn't something that ever really interested me. Sure, there is a general attraction and appreciation for mechanical miniaturization – after all, we are all wristwatch enthusiasts – but the compulsion to make them thinner, and thinner, and thinner is something I never quite "got." Until I put on the Piaget 900P Altiplano.

In the world of fine timepieces, there are plenty of things that simply don't come across in photos; how a watch catches the light, how a dial's texturing can completely alter your perception, or how it feels on your wrist. Many times I have had my mind changed simply by strapping something on my wrist…for better or worse.

In the case of the 900P, it is most certainly for the better. At 3.65mm in thickness, the manually winding piece is the thinnest mechanical watch in the world by a fair margin. But it is in no way flimsy or fragile. In fact, it is downright substantial in its own way. The 18k white gold case is 38mm in diameter, making it perfect for daily wear as either a dress piece or for casual use. The dial, which is in truth part of the movement itself, is exceedingly beautiful to look at, and has a very high tech look to it, giving it some real balls. This is an ultra-thin that checks all the boxes for a big sports watch lover like me.