We start the day with good news from Panerai, who has released new 38mm models into its Luminor Due and Luminor collections. This automatic with 3-days power reserve is the smallest case size so far in the beloved collection. On the technical front, the Italian brand has also released the L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Face Equation of Time GMT, whose name says it all.

Always one to impress with the breadth of designs shown at SIHH, Cartier returns this year with a presentation that spans high Jewellery to high complications to beloved icons. The recently revamped Panthère returns to the spotlight with new double- and triple-tour bracelets, while the Santos has been refreshed with a tweaked design that includes ingenious interchangeable link bracelets that allow you to adjust its length in the comforts of your own home.

Released along with four bejewelled oval-shaped watches into the Cartier Libre collection, the Crash Radieuse seems out of place in the Baignoire-inspired collection until you remember its history: Its shape is inspired by a Baignoire that had been mangled in a car crash. Here, it’s accidental shape is accentuated with a tiered case and contoured dial.

For fans of high technical watches, Cartier has this 45mm beau to offer. Combining the art of skeletonisation with a mysterious double tourbillon, this watch is a tour de force to knock technical geeks off their feet.

There’s a new Piaget in town and it’s even more Piaget than ever before. “Sunny side of life” (also the name of its 2016 high jewellery collection) is the brand’s new motto and it has a trove of vivacious designs to drive the point home. Like these bejewelled numbers with hard stone dials and gold bracelets that have been hand-etched to recall the texture of wood, frost and fur.

Then, there’s the brand’s newest additions to its Possession range. Also found with hard stone dial options (a leitmotif that runs through several collections), these new 29mm and 34mm designs come with interchangeable straps to ensure you have as much fun with your watch as you do your wardrobe.

That’s not to say the brand famed for ultra-thin watches is leaving its complications behind. This year sees Piaget breaking yet another record with its Altiplano Ultimate Automatic watch which is currently the world’s thinnest automatic watch at just 4.3mm thick. Having unveiled a new astounding concept watch that stands at just 2mm in totality including case, it seems this is a world record that Piaget intends to keep for a long time running.

Piaget brand ambassador Ryan Reynolds makes a return to SIHH with a quick visit to the booth.

It has been a year since brand founder Walter Lange passed on and to honour his memory, A. Lange & Söhne has unveiled the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange”. Equipped with a stoppable jumping sweep seconds hand, the watch is inspired by an archival jumping seconds movement that was created and patented by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, Walter Lange’s great grandfather. This limited edition is available in white gold, pink gold, yellow gold and steel – the latter being a unique piece that will be auctioned for charity.

For women, the brand has unveiled a trio of Little Lange 1 in surprising hues (surprising at least for Lange). Expect gold dials coloured in slate grey, honey golden brown and a reddish purple (a boutique exclusive) – all the more to show off its exquisite guilloche.

With its permanent perch at the centre of the booth, being greeted by A. Lange & Söhne’s gargantuan watch is one of the things we look forward to at the fair each year. This year, however, saw a slight change: It was the watch’s caseback and movement that welcomed guests as they walked in.