Next, a hike up Grand rue in Geneva to the premises of WatchesTV, where Luca Soprana is holding session in a very club like environment. Luca showed me his Soprana Time Only and the Derek Pratt.
Handling impressions with the Soprana Time Only and the Derek Pratt | Live from GWD
Hands-on: Soprana Time Only
The Soprana Time Only in platinum has a recommended price of CHF 83,000 before tax.
The watch was a jewel! The model I handled is in platinum. The watch has a very dense feel, despite the 38.8mm diameter. The front crystal curved, almost dome but not quite. It almost seamlessly blend into the very thin curved bezel. Luca makes this only in steel, and precious metal. I asked why not titanium, and he told me that the lugs are soldered on the case, and this is only possible with steel, gold or platinum.
The watch dial is made of maillechort, and has a sector dial design. Hands are long, slender with arrow heads. Finishing is top level. On the flip side, the movement is laid out beautifully, A large bridge, with one side opened to expose the magnificent balance bridge. Finishing is again super top level, with the Côte de Genève made the proper way, looking very beautiful. The anglage is also very well made, and the balance,
On the wrist, the watch feels superb. Partly as the platinum case of this size has a certain focus point to the center of gravity, which makes it sit particularly well on the wrist. Of course the 39mm diameter and curved lugs contributes as well.
Hands-on: Derek Pratt
The Derek Pratt in stainless steel retails at CHF 135,000 before tax.
I also had the opportunity to handle the tribute to Derek Pratt. I have handled the original prototype by Luca and covered the release with commentary here.
This watch is much larger at 41.5mm, shown to me in steel. The watch still wears nicely, but this is not unusual for my 180mm flat wrist.
The dial layout has a very engineering style with textured silvered dial with off-centre small seconds at seven o’clock and a classical Roman-numeral chapter ring — the configuration selected as a finalist for the 2025 GPHG. Slim, heat-blued hands and a discreet Derek Pratt signature complete a dial that feels deliberately understated.
The movement is spectacular. Luca tells me that he takes inspiration from Derek for the remontoire. This device discharges every second, giving the jumping seconds, and visible in the case back. The balance cock is also a Derek design. As well as the graining used for the barrels.
Details are found on the Luca Soprana website.
