Hublot boutique New York

Nearly 300 square metres - including a mezzanine for a more confidential salon lounge - completely dedicated to the world of Hublot. Our boutique enjoys an ultra-prestigious address, since the premises on 62^nd are part of a historic Madison house dating from the 19^th Century, and which is situated in a block encompassing the grandest luxury houses.

Developed according to the same concept as the Hublot boutique in Paris' Place Vendôme, which opened a few weeks ago, the famous New Yorker star architect Peter Marino has reinterpreted the concept of fusion dear to the brand, using materials such as bronze, natural buckskin or ebony to convey a warm yet hushed atmosphere. The high ceiling, extending up to 6 metres, incorporates skylights to genuinely illuminate the walls, clad with buckskin and a fabric made-to-measure by the Swiss materials artist John M. Armleder. Art has a strong presence in this new fusion of materials, especially through the furniture, the lights created by artists highly rated by Peter Marino, the Dupré-Lafon period chairs or even the majestic stairwell. The ramp also has a hand-woven decoration, and the whole confers a touch of originality to a completely rethought and redesigned watch space.

The innovative and technological touch dear to Hublot is represented by an unprecedented new large Raptor table made by Xavier Dietlin, the LCG Madison glasses which finely embellish the watch showcases, the spatial motors which enable you to view a watch from all angles, and finally a giant screen guided from Switzerland capable of broadcasting Hublot events live worldwide.


Hublot is already present in the United States, with two exclusive boutiques in Miami - at Bal Harbour and Boca Raton. Opening soon in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas (HH Magazine, 2011)

SIHH: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

You might have heard about it already. Here it is the new magnificent limited Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy edition. Its a limited edition of 1500 pieces. The watch is also available with a black alligator strap. The photo's are taken by PuristSPro

 Case: black ceramic case, 48mm diameter and 14.1mm thick
Bezel: beadblasted ti screws, attachments on left side of case
push piece platforms in rubber and beadblasted Ti

Pushpieces: in 18kt pink gold with gridwork surface finish
Crown: black ceramic with pink gold cap

Strap: Anthracite grey aramid fiber

SIHH 1

The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie has started! Jaeger-LeCoultre is going to bring some new Reverso's and they are also going to expand their line of Ultra-thin watches (Grande Reverso Lady Ultra-thin ) . They even made this new Memovox Tribute to deep sea!

Still riding the wave of success enjoyed by its diving watch range, Jaeger-LeCoultre sought to pay tribute this year to their original bond with the watery depths, and so the new Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea revisits the Memovox Deep Sea—the first automatic diving watch equipped with an alarm. With identical characteristics to the original model (with the exception of the case diameter, artfully increased from 39 to 40.5 mm), this new timepiece is sure to entice collectors. Two limited series of 959 and 359 pieces respectively will be exhibited at the "Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie". The first version sports a black dial, while the second has a two-tone anthracite and black dial, originally developed for the US market and bearing the inscription “LeCoultre”, a historic allusion guaranteed to delight aficionados of the history of fine watchmaking.

Here are some impressions of the SIHH 2011. These foto's are made by professionalwatches.com. 

  More info coming soon!!

First Breitling flagship store, Manhattan New York

Breitling, luxury Swiss watchmaker since 1884 will be opening its first US store in New York at 5 E. 57th Street this fall.

The 8,500-square-foot, three-level store will showcase Breitling's entire collection of fine timepieces, including watches from the Breitling, and Breitling for Bentley lines as well as an assortment of special limited-edition models. The store will also feature a Breitling technical center that provides after-sales service. The store features a daring design blending Breitling's aeronautical heritage with New York pop art tradition.

Marie Bodman, President of Breitling US, comments, “Breitling is delighted to be a part of such a rich retail environment on this venerable street”.

Breitling invited a prestigious array of aviation, show business and sports personalities to this inauguration, including John Travolta, ice hockey legend Wayne Gretsky, Mark Streit, the Swiss star of the New York Islanders, along with a number of basketball and American football celebrities like Boomer Esiason (Breitling, 2011).

SIHH Watch Fair

As it is January 2011, we will soon have one of the two biggest watch events in the world again. The 21th SIHH, full name Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, will take place in Geneve from 17 till the 21th of January. The SIHH exhibitors are 19 of the world’s most prestigious watch brands. Most of them are brands from the Richemont Group, but there are also some independent brands. The brands who exposing are Cartier, A. Lange & Söhne, Alfred Dunhill, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Girard-Perregaux, Greubel Forsey, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, JeanRichard, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Co, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Last year the visitor numbers of the fair increased with 10 percent and there was a corresponding increase in business volumes (SIHH, 2010). These observations were some signs for financial recovery of the watch industry.

TSWatches can't wait to report you about the novelties of the 21th edition of the SIHH in Geneve. Keep visiting and you will see them soon! Here is a short video of the watchbrand IWC exhibiting at the SIHH in Geneve in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Website extension Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the most extraordinary timepieces in watchmaking history on its website

 

Attracting steadily growing attention among connoisseurs and devotees since its launch, the Hybris Mechanica website by Jaeger-LeCoultre is dedicated to the brand's Grande Complication models as well as its major technical developments. It highlights the excellence of the "Grande Maison", its historical expertise in this field, along with its innovative spirit and its taste for challenges. In addition to the Hybris Mechanica 55, this iconic trilogy containing an astounding total of 55 complications, the newly extended site also features or presents three other iconic models: the Gyrotourbillon and its spherical tourbillon; the Reverso à Triptyque, the only watch with three faces driven by a single movement; the Master Grande Tradition with its flying tourbillon.

 

Immerse yourself in the Grande Complication universe of perfection with beautiful images, animations and films. On particularly discover the fascinating interactive animation of the most advanced musical timepiece, the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie, enabling all those who so wish to listen to the chime of the watch to select the mode Petite Sonnerie, Grande Sonnerie. The minute repeater function can also be activated on request.

 

Visit the Jaeger-LeCoultre site extension here

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, 177 years of expertise

 

A major player in watchmaking history since 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre is the first Manufacture to have been established in the Vallee de Joux. It played a pioneering role by uniting the full range of technical and artistic professions under one roof and made an indelible imprint on the watchmaking development of the entire region. Guided by time-honoured know-how and a constant quest for technical enhancements, the over 1,000 master-watchmakers, engineers and technicians craft each watch in harmony with the same passion. Each masterpiece, heir to 177 years of expertise, calls for the exercise of no less than 40 professions and benefits from cutting-edge technologies while being crafted in harmony with the noblest traditions of the Vallée de Joux. Building on a vast heritage encompassing over 1,000 calibres and over 400 registered patents, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains the reference in high-end watchmaking.

SIHH 2011: AP Millenary minute repeater

This really nice watch is the newest addition to the Audemars Piguet Millenary collection. The oval case is made from titanium and has a diameter of 47mm. The watch has a power reserve of 165 hours! Here is the press release.

Drawing upon the time-honoured know-how cultivated by Audemars Piguet, the new Millenary Minute Repeater is enriching a classic and sculptural collection that already includes such exceptional models as the Tradition d’Excellence N°5, MC12, Deadbeat Seconds and Carbon One watches. Endowed with hours, minutes, seconds and minute repeater functions and equipped with a winding system specially developed for its hand-wound Calibre 2910, the Millenary Minute Repeater – like its illustrious forerunners – is a concentrated blend of expertise, technical sophistication and innovative materials. Its titanium oval case provides an atypical stage-setting for a truly magnificent sight featuring offset gold subdials inviting the observer to plunge into the mechanism’s deepest secrets. The AP escapement, the double balance-spring, as well as the hammers and the striking gongs, all become the key players of a truly three-dimensional creation. The striking mechanism is the oldest of all complications. As early as the 15th century,
certain pocket-watches already sounded the hours in passing, whereas quarter-repeating mechanisms striking the hours and quarters on demand appeared in the late 17th century. These watches endowed with a mechanical memory and which initially served to tell the time in the dark are now one of the greatest demonstrations of horological expertise, and the exclusive preserve of a few rare movement manufacturers.

 

                                                                                    The movement

Conceived, developed and produced by Audemars Piguet, the new hand-wound Calibre 2910 driving the Millenary Minute Repeater is also distinguished by the atypical construction of the regulating organ. The latter is composed, not of one balancespring, but of two balance-springs placed top to tail. This flat opposite-facing
double balance-spring system boasts numerous advantages: it ensures automatic compensation for potential poising flaws; eliminates the need for the “overcoil” terminal curves of so-called “Breguet-type” balance-springs, which are always very tricky to make; and also does away with the imprecision resulting from the vertical position of the watch without needing to resort to such a sophisticated device as the tourbillon. All these special features serve to ensure finer adjustment of the balanceand- spring assembly oscillating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The two movement barrels guarantee an exceptional seven-day power reserve. A third barrel dedicated to the striking mechanism is two and a half times larger than normal, and enhances the regularity of the note. Finally, in terms of security, the Millenary Minute Repeater is equipped with a balance-stop system designed to ensuring timesetting that is accurate to the nearest second. The new winding system also features a security device that prevents time-setting while the striking mechanism is in operation, thus avoiding any risk of inappropriate handling.

Architecture
Such refined mechanical features naturally deserved to be matched by equally exceptional finishing. The oval-shaped Millenary case in brushed titanium – a material featuring exceptional resonance qualities – is framed by a polished titanium bezel. The various organs within are barely concealed by the anthracite grey hours and minutes subdial offset at 3 o’clock, and by the small seconds at 7 o’clock. Particular care has been lavished on the hand-polished bevelling, on the interior angles and on the concentric circular-grained motif. The movement is also adorned by a horizontal “Côtes
de Genève” pattern. This wealth of details is visible both from the top and through the transparent caseback, which together serve to highlight a particularly dynamic threedimensional architecture. Through its impressive combination of performances and technological accomplishments, the Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater makes a decisive new contribution to the history of this collection (Audemars Piguet, 2010).

Technical specifications

Movement
··Manufacture Audemars Piguet Calibre 2910
··Offset hours/minutes at 3 o’clock, offset
minutes at 7 o’clock
··Three-position winding crown
··Repeater slide serving to activate the minute
repeater at 7 o’clock
··Movement dimensions (width and thickness):
37.90 x 32.90 mm
··Casing diameter (width and thickness):
37 x 32 mm
··Total movement thickness: 10.05 mm
··Direct-impulse AP escapement
··Variable-inertia balance fitted with
inertia-blocks
··Diameter of the balance: 11.90 mm
··Flat double balance-spring
··Power reserve: 165 hours
··Frequency: 21.600 vph (3Hz)
··Number of parts: 443
··Number of jewels: 40
··Finishing: all parts finished by hand, with
hand-polished bevelling, interior angles,
snailing, hand-draw file strokes, horizontal
“Côtes de Genève” motif and circular-graining
on the mainplate

Case
··Titanium oval case
··Width: 47 mm
··Thickness: 42 mm
··Sapphire crystal caseback
··Non water-resistant

Dial
··Anthracite grey dial,
applied pink gold Roman numerals,
silvered small seconds subdial

Strap
··Hand-sewn black crocodile leather
“with large square scales”, fastened by
a titanium AP folding clasp

Functions
··Hours
··Minutes
··Small seconds
··Minute repeater

Frederique Constant Cohiba limited edition launch party in New York City

SIHH 2011: JLC Reverso tribute

“A legend in movement”
By Jérome Lambert, CEO Jaeger-LeCoultre

Certain legends draw their strength from their age. Frozen in the past, immobilised forever, they speak only of the past. But sometimes, the magic is so great that a strange phenomenon takes place: the legend lives, breathes, mutates, becomes more beautiful, all the while retaining its aura.

A long time ago, back in 1931, in a dusty vortex and to the accompaniment of horses’ hooves hammering, an idea was born: a watch with a dial that could protect itself from shocks, all the while offering a personalised engraved case-back. Eighty years later, the Reverso has progressed from watchmaking icon to cult status.

The Reverso is so unique that with the passing of time, it has been made in many other guises without losing its essence. Today, wearing a Reverso from the current collections on your wrist is an entry to an exclusive world – not only in terms of watchmaking history, but above all to a universe of technical perfection and aesthetic refinement.

By inventing the Reverso, a small group of men with great imagination and innovative spirit did far more than create a simple reversible case. They gave birth to an emotion which has lasted more than 80 years, and designed a watch whose endless possibilities are still being discovered. The Reverso’s strength lies both in its past, but just as much in its future.

1931, 2011 : the success of a timelessly classic style
The account of the conception of the Reverso, born in India in response to English polo players’ desire for an unbreakable watch, is even more amazing than it first seems. In 2011, the Reverso will appear in even more surprising and seductive guises, while remaining loyal to its legend that continues to push the borders of creativity.

By imagining a reversible watch with a case that would revolve in order to protect the dial and expose only the metal back to shocks, the designers of the Reverso knew that they had found an effective technical answer to the challenge that was given them: “to create an elegant watch capable of surviving polo”!

They undoubtedly were not aware that their idea was gearing up to play another very different role than that of protective shield. The steel or gold back that could be made to appear by turning the case was going to write a new page in the history of watchmaking. A clean page that would make the Reverso much more than a watch: a cult object that every Reverso owner could make unique by personalising it. Who was the first person to have the idea of engraving his initials? Or his regiment’s crest? His club’s emblem? Who, for the first time, wanted to make an enamel portrait of his beloved wife? To inscribe his lucky number?

Thanks to this surface that measures just a few square centimetres offering everyone the chance to realise their wishes in terms of personalisation, the Reverso became a watch-work of art and an object of emotion, to be transferred or shared. Born from the practice of an intensive sport, the Reverso soon became a symbol of elegance identifiable at a single glance.

Over the decades, as its dimensions evolved, becoming smaller for the feminine version and larger for the masculine versions from the 1990s onwards, its inimitable style remained unchanged, even when its rectangular case became square.

The case was crafted in steel and in every shade of gold, models were set with precious stones, the dials appeared with various motifs and colours and a variety of straps and bracelets were developed: the unique and yet multi-faceted Reverso proved to be an ideal field of expression for creativity and refinement.

New release for 2011 : Grande Reverso Ultra Thin
After 80 years of celebrating classicism, the new Grande Reverso Ultra Thin turns revolutionary by focusing on extreme simplicity. The extremely diminutive width of Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822 (at just 2.94 mm) has enabled the design engineers to build a Reverso slimmer than ever before. While the case with its generous new proportions asserts an authentic presence on the wrist, its slenderness makes it both light and comfortable to wear thanks to its subtly curved shape.
The pure dial with its vertical guilloché pattern, the restrained design of the Arabic numerals, the slim blued hands: all the aesthetic codes of the Reverso are sublimated within this ultra-thin interpretation. This new watch expresses the very essence of the Reverso personality: a blend of tradition and nobility embodying an alliance of style and elegance.

Two “Tribute to 1931” models
Because this new Reverso is intended to be a bridge between past and present, Jaeger-LeCoultre has decided to create two Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 models in steel and in pink gold, featuring a black or white dial with dagger-shaped hands and baton-type hour-markers directly inspired by the original Reverso. The spirit of 1931 in contemporary dimensions, and all the Art Deco charm of the first Reversos interpreted in today’s language.

Source: Jaeger-LeCoultre, 2010

SIHH 2011: Preview RM017 Ultra-flat Tourbillon

Just got the press release of the new Richard Mille ultra-flat tourbillon! I am very excited, because this tourbillon has a case of a mere 8.7mm total thickness. This RM017 associates the best of Swiss watch making tradition with innovative and novel solutions, both in the choice of materials and the overall design of the watch. The watch has a power reserve of 70 hours and the movement is made out of grade 2 titanium with a black PVD coating. The tourbillion cage has a ceramic endstone to improve wear and tear and it also features the function selector, which is based on a car’s gear box and displays the selected mode - winding, neutral or handsetting - by a needle situated at 4 o’clock. This stunning tourbillon watch is a numbered limited edition of 50 pieces and will be officially launched at the SIHH 2011 in January. The price is unknown. Here is a picture of the watch and some more specifications.

CALIBER RM 017: manual winding extra flat tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, power reserve indicator and function indicator.
Dimensions: length 49.80 mm x 38.00 mm x 8.70 mm.

FUNCTION INDICATOR
In a manner similar to a car's gearbox, the function indicator allows one to see the winding, neutral and hand setting positions as the crown is pulled out. Each position is indicated via a hand at 4 o’clock displaying the following functions: W (Winding) – N (Neutral) – H (Hands).


DIAL
In sapphire (thickness: 0.30 mm) with anti-glare treatment (both sides), protected by 8 silicon braces inserted in the upper and lower grooves.

CRYSTAL
Bezel side: In sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.15 mm
Case back: In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: at the center 1.05 mm and outer edges 1.39 mm

OTHER FEATURES
- Movement dimensions: 31.20 x 29.45 mm
- Thickness: 4.65 mm
- Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm
- Balance wheel diameter: 10 mm
- Number of jewels: 23
- Balance: GLUCYDUR, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, inertia moment 10 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53º
- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
- Balance spring: ELINVAR by NIVAROX
- Torque indicator with reference measurement in dNmm
- Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28
- Stone setting in 2N gold
- Barrel shaft in nickel-free chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S) with the following characteristics: stainless- antimagnetic- suitable for tempering

Written by: Tobias. S
Source: Richard Mille, 2010

Jaeger-LeCoultre latest timepieces in Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam

Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Museum of Bags and Purses present a unique exhibition on the theme: “Invention through movement”. This exhibition takes place from November 16th-27th, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The 2010 models are displayed together with a special “bags and purses” selection of the museum which makes this exhibition unique.

Brand lovers and connoisseurs will also have the chance to discover the Atmos Clock, a dream of perpetual motion. With no batteries, no electric current and no winding, the clock has steadily forged its path through the months, years and decades, with rich and innovative designs.

During this week, a MasterClass will be held. Guests and LeClub members will be offered a variety of watch making lessons by a watchmaker (the basic operation of the Calibre Jaeger-LeCoultre 875 and the dismantling and reassembly of a Reverso Grande Date). To have a chance to attend a workshop of the MasterClass log on or register to our LeClub now to find out the address of our team in our news section and contact them (Jaeger-LeCoultre, 2010).

To visit this exhibition Rendez-vous to the :

Herengracht 573 Amsterdam
10h00 – 17h00
Entrance is free.
Open every day.

Westime and Zenith Celebrate

Limited Edition Timepiece Debuts Exclusively at Westime Boutiques
Rodeo Drive was transformed into an Arctic wonderland for the international debut of Zenith’s limited edition Manufacture watch, El Primero Striking "Jean-Louis Etienne."

Zenith joined forces with Arctic explorer Jean-Louis Etienne to develop a watch suitable for extreme situations and taxing weather conditions. Clear skies prevailed in Southern California on the evening of October 7th, but giant outdoor glacier walls, snow-white decorations and a carved ice bar turned the Westime Beverly Hills boutique into a glacial setting ideal for the timepiece’s debut.

Westime President Greg Simonian welcomed guests, and Zenith CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour described his collaboration with Jean-Louis Etienne before introducing the explorer himself. The first man to reach the North Pole on foot alone, Jean-Louis Etienne recalled his most recent expedition for which the new watch was created — his solo flight over the North Pole in a hot air balloon. Founder of Westime John Simonian and President of Zenith USA Alain Huy were also in attendance to celebrate the occasion.

Westime is one of the famous jewelers in The United States. They have a great and wide collection of unique timepieces and jewellery. For example Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, A. Lange & Söhne, Vacheron Constantin, Zenith and IWC. When you are near one of their boutiques I would definetly pay a visit! For more information, visit Westime.

(Westime, 2010)

Magnificent pictures

Dear visitors, I had to share these magnificent pictures made by enthusiastic watch fanatics with their own professional camera. These pictures are made by two users of the populair watch website timezone.com. The left one is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Panda Dial and the right one is the Panerai Luminor Base (PAM00112) with a custom strap. These are two of my favorites in the industry!

Roger Dubuis Double Tourbillon

Roger Dubuis keeps making versions of their crazy looking skeletonized double tourbillon watches. This newest one is going to be even more expensive - being a quasi jewelry piece with large baguette-cut diamonds on the inner bezel ring. In a 45mm wide 18k white gold case with an open dial, this is one of the boldest looking luxury watches around today. The skeletonized movement shows off the two tourbillon carriages, gear train and skeletonized mainspring barrel of the movement. The glass is sapphire and glareproofed on both sides. And the movement is very difficult to put together, and I imagine rather delicate. So do not drop this watch!

Like I said, what makes this "Jewellery" version of the Excalibur Double Tourbillon watch different is the 48 diamonds on the bezel. The watch by itself is shiny enough, and the diamonds will push it to a new level of bling - high horology bling that is. This Roger Dubuis watch will be limited to just 28 pieces and is matched to an alligator strap (Luxist, 2010).

Audemars Piguet Celebrates its 135th anniversary with a new watch

Tokyo, October 5th 2010: Audemars Piguet Japan held the Audemars Piguet 135th anniversary and new product launch party in the “Choice!” restaurant on the third floor of the eity’s prestigious Ark Mori building. The event was attended by a total of 500 guests including VIP, celebrities and media.

Mr. Go Mugino, Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet Japan, welcomed guests with a speech in which he stated that: “Audemars Piguet has consistently forged its history through an innovative and challenging spirit. Today’s announcement of a special new product will be a fresh chapter in the company’s ongoing story.”

After the speech, Mr. Mugino introduced the evening’s first “special guests”: the two brand founders Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet appeared in a hologram to greet attendees at the Audemars Piguet 135th anniversary event. Through the wonders of technology, they talked about the history of AP and the watch industry in general, and how things have changed since the time they first started. Various historical watches representing 135 years of history, specially flown in from the Audemars Piguet Museum in Le Brassus, were displayed in the same area.

After the surprise appearance of the company founders in the first zone, the party moved on to the next zone of the venue, representing the very latest from Audemars Piguet, where guests were entertained with Formula 1 simulators, nail arts, mixing by Japan’s hottest DJ “ DJ Hico”, and live music from the Piano Jack Instrumental Jazz Band.

The last and most special guest, representing the brand’s newly released watch model, was introduced by Mr. Wolfgang Sickenberg, Chief Sales Officer of Audemars Piguet. Formula 1 racing ace Jarno Trulli has been serving as Audemars Piguet ambassador since 2008, is to compete in the Japanese Grand Prix on October 8th, wearing a helmet sporting a picture of the “Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli” Chronograph.

This new model, issued in a worldwide limited edition of 500, available as of October 6th from the Audemars Piguet Boutique located in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping precinct, will be initially be launched exclusively in Japan prior to its international release by the end of the year (Audemars Piguet, 2010).

Specifications:

Reference - 26202AU.OO.D002CA.01

Movement - Calibre: 3126/3840, selfwinding - Total diameter: 29.94 mm (13¼ lignes) -Casing diameter: 26 mm - Thickness: 7.16 mm - 59 jewels - 365 parts - Up to 60-hour power reserve - Cadence of the balance: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) - Variable-inertia balance with eight inertia blocks and fl at balance-spring - Geneva-type mobile balance-spring stud-holder - Three-position winding stem - Finishing: all parts meticulously decorated: mainplate circular-grained; bridges rhodium-plated, chamfered, snailed and adorned with Côtes de Genève motif. Diamond-polished jewel sinks, diamond-polished sinks and chamfered spokes on the wheels; chamfered screw rims and slots. 22kt gold oscillating weight with anthracite grey galvanic coating.

Case - Forged carbon case middle, Cermet bezel, crown and pushers in sand-blasted titanium, sapphire crystal back in sand-blasted titanium - Diameter: 42mm - Thickness: 15.65mm - Back engraved with the inscription Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition - Jarno Trulli - Water resistance: 100 meters.

Dial - Anthracite grey with exclusive “Méga Tapis serie” motif, silvered counters, applied hour-markers and hands in white gold with red luminescent coating, silvered inner bezel ring.
Strap - Black rubber, sand-blasted titanium folding clasp.

At the moment I am busy with an editorial about the unique appeal of Apple in relation to high-end watch brands. Please keep visit frequently, it will be online soon!

Hublot Official Timekeeper Copa del Rey

I am studing sales, marketing & communication and I found this interesting article about the marketing choices of Hublot. They were the official timekeeper of the 29th Copa del Rey sail competition. 

Early August saw the Hublot brand navigating through the royal waters of Palma de Mallorca. The scene was set for a memorable 29th Copa del Rey (King's Cup) competition: 90 yachts from all categories took to the starting line throughout the week. The sporting calibre of the teams was unprecedented and the weather conditions brought a touch of unpredictability to the event, with constant, sudden changes in the wind. It was a true test for the sailors from all over the globe, for whom this represents the most prestigious and competitive event in the Mediterranean. With the participation of yachts such as the TP52s Matador, Cristabella and Bribon, as well as Mini-Maxis Alegre, Container and Ran, along with Prince Felipe of Spain's own IRC 52 CAM, the Copa del Rey attracts many spectators each year to the event held on the stunning Balearic island. Guests were invited to stylish evening events on the terraces of the Real Club Nautico, to mingle, take in the enchanting summer ambiance and enjoy the musical accompaniment.

The winners in each category - the owners of the Matador, Ran, Rats on Fire, Tanit IV and Lelagain yachts - were presented with a magnificent Hublot chronograph by King Juan Carlos of Spain during a prizegiving ceremony held in front of the breathtaking cathedral of Palma de Mallorca (watchquote, 2010).

New Rolex Watchwinders

Last Christmas Rolex released a new watchwinder. Not many people know about it, because there wasn't an official press release. The winder is made by Swiss Kubik. There are two versions of the watchwinder. One is in Rolex green leather and the other one is in Rolex green but in Jubilee style ROLEXROLEXROLEX, which is also used in Rolex latest advertising campaign.

The winders are not programmable and pre-set for optimum Rolex watch winding. However there are some discussions on forums about the optimum watch winding. Some people are saying the winder rotates in a single direction only. This is not what Rolex require for their watches. They require 650 turns per day in both Clockwise & Counter Clockwise directions. A Rolex trained watchmaker said that the fact of the winder rotating in a single direction only is a serious flaw in the winders design. The winding in one direction will cause undue wear on the watch’s winding mechanism. He was shocked to discover this. Maby there are different versions? I would say: A big company like Rolex has not made this winder in collaboration with SwissKubik without doing research, so I have my doubts about these discussions!

I like the winder with the jubilee style more, because you don't see this kind of design very often. I already liked the watchwinder brands Scatola del Tempo and Swiss Kubik. I would choose between these two brands when im planning to buy one. I would say: this watchwinder a must have for the Rolex collector!

Written by: Tobias. S

Inauguration of the A. Lange & Söhne Park in Glashütte

I was surfing on the internet and found this interesting press article about the inauguration of the A. Lange & Söhne park in Glashütte. Enjoy it!

The unveiling of a monument to Ferdinand A. Lange by 15 apprentices of the company’s own watchmaker school was the highlight of a ceremony at which Lange Uhren GmbH inaugurated the A. Lange & Söhne Park in Glashütte on 15 July. With this, the company pays tribute to the founder of Germany’s fine watchmaking industry, who opened the first watchmaker workshop in the region in 1845 with 15 apprentices.

Also among the more than one hundred guests was his great grandson Walter Lange, who has carried on the family tradition since reunification, as well as the Vice President of the Saxon State Parliament, Andrea Dombois. In her word of welcome she honoured the social involvement of the company which is expressed in so many ways, even beyond the creation of highly qualified jobs. A current example is the tourist guide system for Glashütte, recently initiated by Lange, which guides visitors to the sights of the city.

The more than 3,000 square metre park was designed by the landscape architects Michael Wolf and Dirk Radzanowski from Penig in Saxony, and built by the company Grünkonzept from Bannewitz near Dresden. The bronze bust of Ferdinand A. Lange is the work of the Swiss sculptor, Beat Künzler. A musical setting at the ceremony was provided by the American mezzo-soprano Emily Righter and the Italian baritone Andrè Schuen. Both are stipendiaries of the “Young Singers Project” of the Salzburg Festival, with which the company maintains a close partnership.

This coming Sunday, visitors who come to the city of Glashütte can be the first to discover a new park abound with roses, hedges, ornamentals, and grasses. On the occasion of the summer festival organised by the Sächsische Zeitung, A. Lange & Söhne is opening the doors to its manufactory and inviting the public to get acquainted with precision watchmaking in many different ways. The planned ascents in a tethered balloon are likely to be very popular: they offer a totally new outlook on Glashütte as a hub of horology (A. Lange & Söhne, 2010).

Zenith launches limited edition in HK

The new CEO of Zenith, Jean-Frederic Dufour, hosted a launch event in Hong Kong. Zenith presented a new limited editon watch to the press. The new limited edition is called the Christopher Columb. Its named after the famous world explorer Christopher Columbus. It is a beautiful watch, the dial is classic and reminds people to the roots of Zenith and the front and backside of the case are sapphire glass. The design is spectacular because of the curve in the glass at the front side and the backside. The diameter of the watch is 45mm and it is available in 18crt white or rose gold. The movement is the manual wind Zenith Academy 8804 with a unique gyroscopic system that ensures perfect horizontal positioning of the regulating organ housed in a gyroscopic cage made of 166 components.

Personally I think Zenith will win their lost collectors over the years again because this watch is part of the back to the roots strategy. People who loved Zenith, because of their lovely El Primero watches and their classic looks. I would say, Zenith is back in business again!! Here are some beautiful pictures and the technical specifications.

TECHNICAL DATA
References
18.2210.8804/01.C631 (Rose gold)
65.2210.8804/01.C630 (White gold)

Movement
-Academy 8804, Manual
-Unique Gyroscopic system that ensures perfect horizontal positioning of the regulating organ
-Gyroscopic cage made of 166 components, 10 conical-geared wheels (with 6 spherical wheels) & 6 ball bearings
Jewels: 45
Frequency: 36’000 V/h – (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 50 hours

Functions
-Hours and minutes excentered at 12 o’clock
-Self-regulating gyroscopic module at 6 o’clock
-Small second display at 9 o’clock
-Power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock

Case, dial & Hands
Material: 18-carat Rose or White Gold
Diameter: 45 mm
Crystal and Case-back: Box-form sapphire glass with anti-reflection treatment on both sides with excrescent domes that cover gyroscopic module
Water-resistance: 30 ATM
Dial: Silver rounded “Grain d’Orges” Guilloché with straighted “Clou de Paris" on the small second counter
Indexes & Numerals: Black laquered
Hands: blued stainless steel

Strap & Buckle
Strap: Black crocodile leather strap
Buckle: 18-carat gold triple folding buckle

Written by: Tobias. S