PROFESSIONAL WATCHES™ | Men's Watches

Hublot's New Manufacture and First In-House Calibre

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:08:46 -0700

In the precense of Bernaud Arnault (LVMH Group Chairman and CEO) and Philipppe Pascal (President of the LVMH Timepieces and Jewelry division), Jean Claude Biver (CEO of Hublot) lead the official inauguration of the new Hublot manufacture in Nyon, Switzerland. Concurrently, Hublot's first in-house calibre, the HUB1240, was revealed. The new movement features a column-wheel chronograph integrated on the dial side, bi-compax, 2 push-pieces, flyback, double horizontal clutch, no jumper in the chronograph mechanism, semi-instant calendar, removable platform escapement, second stop device, 330 pieces and a 72-hour power reserve.

AP Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:50:00 -0700

In April, I had a chance to visit Audemars Piguet's headquarters and manufacturing facility, in Le Brassus. While there I toured many of their important watchmaking departments, including the high-tech "Forged Carbon" department. It was a very cool department to tour, especially considering they pioneered this technology completely in-house. They showed me the process of forging carbon from start to finish, and at the end they showed me numerous finished forged carbon cases and components. Most of the cases were for Royal Oak Offshores, as this is their best selling collection, but there was one case that they told me I could not photograph. They said that particular case would house a yet to be announced timepiece. It was clear that the case belonged to the Millenary collection, but what movement would go inside? What would the new timepiece look like?

Jaeger-LeCoultre Beverly Hills Flagship Boutique Visit

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:05:19 -0700

(Store manager, Stephanie M. and co-worker Jason G.)

In the summer of 2009 I visited the Jaeger-LeCoultre flagship boutique in Beverly Hills. The store is modest in size, like many boutiques, but the assortment is not. This store has the most complete Jaeger-LeCoultre collection in country (the only JLC run boutique in North America). Including some exclusive "boutique only" timepieces. This boutique is right off of Rodeo Drive, sitting in between Richemont owned Panerai and IWC, in one of the most exclusive zip codes in the country, 90210. Within the immediate proximity there are also Breguet, Omega, Chopard, Chanel, Gucci, Cartier and LVMH boutiques.

Audemars Piguet Bal Harbour Boutique

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:55:56 -0700

Audemars Piguet has decorated the storefront windows, at their boutique in Bal Harbour, Florida with antique tables, vintage watchmaking tools and hand-drawn designs by Octavia Garcia (AP Design Director). Also on display, are some very complicated AP timepieces. The Jules Audemars Minute Repeater with Jumping Hours, Jules Audemars Equation of Time, Jules Audemars Minute Repeater, Toubillon and Chronoghraph, and an Edward Piguet Large Date to name but a few.

Click below for (13 more photos).

Victorinox Dive Master 500 Mecha

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:39:03 -0700

Victorinox recently introduced a new mechanical collection in the sub-$1000 price segment. The Victorinox Dive Master 500 Mecha, powered by a reliable base ETA 2892-A2 self-winding mechanical movement. There are now more "quality" offerings in this category than ever before, and this trend does not appear to be changing anytime soon. I cannot wait to see what Baselworld will bring.

2009 Audemars Piguet Factory Visit

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:11:23 -0700

(Photo Credit: Audemars Piguet)

This is a combination of posts that were originally published in April 2009, following my visit to the Audemars Piguet manufacture in Le Brassus. Click "more" to view the entire tour (37 photos, 4 slideshows, 1 video).

Certina DS Action Chrono "Robert Kubica Limited Edition"

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:32 -0700

CERTINA and Robert Kubica, high demand and talent in perfect measure. Since 2006, the Swiss brand has been faithful partner to the exceptional BMW Sauber F1 Team driver. To highlight their collaboration, CERTINA has chosen to honour their F1 racetrack ambassador by creating the new DS Action - Robert Kubica Limited Edition, an exclusive chronograph aimed at F1 fans and speed buffs. With its audacious nature, latest design and outstanding resistance, the new DS Action is a tribute to fast and extreme lifestyles. Produced in an exclusive series of only 4,000 individually-numbered units, and engraved with Robert Kubica's own signature, it is destined for the wrist of connoisseurs, and fans of competition, technology and innovation.

Perrelet Semi-Skeletonized Split-Seconds Chronographs

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:30:01 -0700

At the Baselworld show this past March, I visited the Perrelet booth, where I got to preview all of their new watches, including the much hyped Perrelet Turbine. The Turbine watches look really good in-person, but the Perrelet collection that impressed me the most, was the black Semi-Skeletonized Split-Seconds Chronograph collection. This collection, officially unveiled by Perrelet today, consists of three variations, all black DLC/stainless (shown above), black ceramic/rose gold (shown below) and black ceramic/stainless (shown below).

MB&F HM2.2 Black Box by Alain Silberstein

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:57:08 -0700

What happens when that master of glorious colour, French high-end watch designer Alain Silberstein, is let loose with MB&F's Horological Machine No2? The surprising answer is a new, all-black case that epitomises Bauhaus purity and restraint. The new model, called Horological Machine No2.2, is known affectionately in-house as "the black box". It will be issued in a limited edition of eight watches.

TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Photos

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:21:02 -0700

Here are a few shots of the new TAG Heuer Monaco V4 watch, production is limited to 150 pieces worldwide. One hundred will be delivered in 2009, with the rest being delivered in 2010.

Breitling Introduces New Online Configurator

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:30:23 -0700

Breitling's 2010 website has been launched and features the complete profile including technical data for all the models introduced this year.

In addition, Breitling is unveiling an exciting new Configurator application, which will allow you to select from a menu of all available case, dial and attachment options unique to that model and configure a version according to your preferences. You can then either print out your selection and bring it to your Authorized Breitling Retailer or email it directly to your sales associate for more information and availability.

Seiko Velatura Kinetic Direct Drive Rose Gold

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:54:17 -0700

The Seiko Velatura Kinetic Direct Drive was recently introduced in rose gold. It features one of Seiko's proprietary hybrid quartz/mechanical movements. A kinetic movement consists of an automatic mechanical rotor that powers a traditional electronic quartz movement. This configuration allows quartz accuracy and cost, without the need for a battery.

Gérald Genta Arena Metasonic

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:38:42 -0700

The latest evolution of the Arena Grande Sonnerie, the Arena Metasonic raises the exclusive work of Gérald Genta to the realm of perfection. Launched as a wristwatch in 1994 and regularly improved ever since, the noble proprietary complication that was already considered beyond compare further enhances its pedigree by appearing in a revolutionary new case. An original material and unprecedented construction combine to ensure an enchanting chime, embodying progress stemming from in-depth acoustic and vibratory research that simultaneously overturns certain preconceived ideas.

Corum Golden Bridge Black Titanium

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:04:11 -0700

Corum has recently introduced a new version of their Golden Bridge watch. This version features the same in-house CO113 hand wound movement but, the case is now available in black PVD treated titanium. It comes with both black and brown crocodile straps. Production is limited to 138 pieces worldwide.

TX 830 Linear Duo Chronograph

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:45:08 -0700

TX is about to start shipping the TX 830 Linear Duo Chronograph, which was announced earlier this year. The new chronograph comes in stainless steel, in three variations. The version shown features a (polished/brushed) black PVD case, with 18K rose gold crown, pushers and dial accents, and a black leather strap. The Linear Duo will also be available in (brushed) grey and (polished/brushed) silver cases, both come with black perforated rubber straps.