PROFESSIONAL WATCHES™ - The latest luxury watches

In-House: Louis Vuitton Tambour Mysterieuse

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:25:11 -0700

Louis Vuitton, master luggage maker and flagship brand of the LVMH group, unveiled their first in-house watch caliber earlier this year. LVMH press release: "This is a first in the luggage master's history: a timepiece entirely created, developed, and assembled in the Louis Vuitton watch-making workshops in Switzerland."

Clear sapphire discs within the case suspend the watch movement, creating a floating visual effect. Very cool. But very pricey at $250,000.

Pierre DeRoche SplitRock MDA Full-Black

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:21:33 -0700

Pierre DeRoche recently introduced the SplitRock MDA Full-Black Chronograph at Baselworld 2009. Above is a photograph taken from the case at the Pierre DeRoche Basel booth. Below is the manufacture image. Both images are similar, although it appears there are a few subtle differences in the two dials. The version shown at Baselworld may not have had a movement in it at the time. And the manufacture image is probably a rendered version. The final product may vary slightly.

Luxury Watches: Concord C1 Biretrograde

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:37:15 -0700

Concord recently unveiled a double retrograde complication that combines the date and the day of the week. Powered by a Concord C101 automatic movement, the C1 Biretrograde is available in either platinum or rose-gold. The dial is transparent (skeleton) and features a high-tech multi-layered design. A thick 3.3 mm sapphire crystal protects the dial. Below this is a chapter ring, which is slightly off-center to provide room for the retrograde displays.

Breitling 125th Anniversary LE Super Ocean Heritage Chronos

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:27:56 -0700

Breitling just unveiled three limited edition timepieces within their Super Ocean Heritage Chronograph collection. To celebrate the 125th anniversary of Breitling, 1000 pieces will be offered for each version.

Audemars Piguet: Forged Carbon Royal Oak Offshore Video

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:28:09 -0700

Here is a new video Audemars Piguet produced. It offers an animated look at their newest Forged Carbon Royal Oak Offshore luxury watches. If you like this you might also want to check out this slideshow or video, from my tour of the AP Forged Carbon department. You might also like this post on the Royal Oak Offshore Forged Carbon.

Best of the Best: F.P.Journe Répétion Souveraine

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:51:17 -0700

F.P. Journe has won another award for one of his unique horological creations. The F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain took home the grand prize, at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, back in November 2008. Now for 2009, Robb Report has given the F.P. Journe Répétion Souveraine their annual "Best of the Best" award for men's watches.

Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 PVD

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:10:09 -0700

Corum just introduced two new PVD treated steel Admiral's Cup 44 wristwatches. One version has a black PVD case and a black dial. The other has a grey PVD case and a grey dial. Both have 18k red gold bezels and rose gold accented indices, subdials and hands.

Luxury Watches: Jaeger-LeCoultre 3-Piece Collector's Set

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:45:23 -0700

Jaeger-LeCoultre has released more images of their upcoming Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie three-piece collector's set. As I mentioned last week, the set will include the new Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie, the Gyrotourbillon Mechanica and the Reverso Mechanica à Tryptique. Each set will include a beautiful custom made 1800lb Doettling safe, with Jaeger-LeCoultre logos. Jaeger-LeCoultre will begin delivering these exclusive luxury watch sets in September 2010.

TAG Heuer LS Monaco Chronograph Caliber 12

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:51:46 -0700

This is TAG Heuer's new LS Monaco Chronograph Calibre 12. The "LS" refers to linear chronograph seconds, which are displayed at 3 o'clock. A display at 9 o'clock shows the chronograph minutes. And a display at 6 o'clock shows the hours.

Only Watch: Franc Vila All Black Cobra Chronograph

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:06:30 -0700

Franc Vila created their first all black version of the Cobra, for the Only Watch Charity Auction. This unique luxury watch is a one-of-a-kind.

The bezel and case are made of hard black steel and feature Franc Vila's signature "Esprit Unique" shape with elliptic and circular bezel. Both crystals, front and back, feature sapphire glass with double sided anti-glare treatment. Water resistance is down to 300 meters.

Citizen Concept Watches from Baselworld

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:43:21 -0700

(Eco-Drive VITRO)

At Baselworld I had a chance to photograph three of Citizen's Eco-Drive concept watches, all part of the CITIZEN Basel Project 2009. The Eco-Drive RING is designed to receive light from a solar cell situated around the edge of the case. The Eco-Drive DOME features the new Cal.H610 movement, a dome-shaped dial and a unique case. The Eco-Drive VITRO features an invisible solar cell that is spread throughout the glass, and a skeleton-type dial that is integrated with the case.

Breguet's Innovative New Minute-Repeater

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:11:34 -0700

This is the new Classique Grande Complication High Jewellery Minute Repeater from Breguet. A 44.5 mm white gold case houses Breguet's innovative new 7639 minute-repeater. The entirely re-engineered movement incorporates new materials and features new positions for the gongs, gong rests and hammers. The movement features Breguet's typical high-level of decoration, including a hand engraved musical theme.

Co-Axial: Omega Seamaster GMT Chronograph

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:50:07 -0700

Omega recently introduced the Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph. It features a 44mm diameter case, in either stainless steel or 18k red gold. The case is both polished and brushed. It is water-resistant to 150 meters. The sapphire crystal is domed with a double anti-reflective treatment. Inside is a co-axial calibre 3603 COSC-certified column wheel chronograph movement.

2009 "Only Watch" Charity Wristwatch Auction

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:46:27 -0700

Here is a great collage from Kyle at Perpetuelle.com, of all the one-of-a-kind timepieces that will be auctioned for charity at Only Watch 2009. Only Watch is a charity auction of unique luxury watches created by many of the most important luxury watch brands in Switzerland. This exceptional event is held every two years in Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show and is under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert 11. All the proceeds from Only Watch go to support research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The next Only Watch auction will take place on September 24th 2009.

DLC: Cartier Santos 100 Chronograph

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:50:54 -0700

The Cartier Santos 100 chronograph is treated with a special amorphous DLC coating. Cartier says this specific treatment process is used on military equipment and that they have the exclusive rights to use this treatment for watches. What makes it different than other DLC treatments?