Watchtribune.com News

Breitling Cosmonaute Limited Edition

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:54:00 +0800

Few watch brands have as much claim to legitimacy in the air as Swiss watchmaker Breitling. In fact, they also have claims to fame on land and sea. What's gone relatively unnoticed is Breitling's contributions outside the atmosphere.

While everyone knows that rival Omega makes and markets the moon watch, Breitling also played its part in the space race of the 1960s with the Navitimer chronograph. With the hours indicated in 24 hour increments, this model was called the Cosmonaute and was actually the first chornograph to make it into space.

Lt Commander Scott Carpenter of NASA wore this very watch on a mission to space on 24 May 1962. In honor of Breitling's 125th anniversary, the brand is revisiting this episode of its recent past by issuing a limited edition version of the Cosmonaute.

The Breitling Cosmonaute Limited Edition is issued in a series of 1,000 pieces, all with a new version of the 24-hour dial and fitted with the perforated Air Racer bracelet. The automatic watch is of course a chronograph, with COSC-certified movement, featuring the rotating Breitling bezel with slide rule and the flyback function.

It is water resistant to 300 meters and measures 41.5mm in diameter.

Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:21:00 +0800

Swiss watchmaker to James Bond, Omega recently announced the development of a new alloy in watchmaking with the arrival of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® Limited Edition.

According to the brand’s prepared statement, this is the world’s first watch to bond ceramics and Liquidmetal®, an amorphous metallic alloy (zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium) with a disordered non-crystalline atomic structure.

While Liquidmetal® is three times as hard as conventional stainless steel, it also boasts a fusion temperature less than half that of titanium. Its unique properties allow it to bond seamlessly with zirconium oxide (ceramics).

The limited edition 42mm timepiece features a diving bezel executed in ceramic, where the numbers and scaling are in Liquidmetal®. The case and bracelet are in stainless steel while the dial is ceramic. The watch is limited to 1,948 pieces.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Cartier Wins Best Jewelry Watch Award

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:23:00 +0800

At the Grand Prix d’Horlegerie de Asia 2009, Cartier earned top honors in the jewelry watch category. The Panthère secrète de Cartier timepiece swept up the Best Jewelry Watch award at the Raffles Town Club, Singapore before an audience of collectors and connoisseurs.

In a prepared statement, Cartier called this watch the epitome of their tradition of toying with what’s hidden and what’s revealed. Cartier calls this a feminine game of appearances mastered to perfection. It is referred to as the art of mystery because the panther’s head can cover or present the dial, as the wearer chooses.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Breguet Classique 5967

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:23:00 +0800

Ahead of Basel World 2010, Swiss watchmaker Breguet reveals this time-only watch in 18k yellow gold. Although there is no special complication in this 41mm watch, there are two notable points. First of all, the engine-turned sharp-angled cubes design on the dial.

This is an original design created by the craftspeople of Breguet, who have a proud tradition of engraving dials since the foundation of the brand some 231 years ago. The other interesting thing here is the size of the manual movement, 15 3/4 lignes, which matches the case diameter of 41mm very well indeed.

Each watch is numbered and signed. Aside from yellow gold, the watch is also available in 18k white gold.

via Luxury-Insider.com

IWC Portuguese Laureus

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:39:00 +0800

IWC Schaffhausen continues its support of the worthy causes through sport with the Portuguese Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. As with the past three editions from IWC, the principal beneficiaries will be underprivileged children.

Last year, the watch carrying the standard for this initiative was the Da Vinci Chronograph and this year, the honor goes to the noble Portuguese, which like all Edition Laureus models has its dial in blue, with strap in blue alligator leather.

This model features a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock, power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock and date window at 6 o’clock. Powered by IWC Calibre 51011, the watch has a superb power reserve of 7 days. The 42mm stainless steel watch is limited to 1,000 pieces.

Those who purchase the watch will get a copy of the book, Let The Children Play from the Laureus Foundation.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Mystery Putin Giveaway Watch Identified

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:18:00 +0800

Last week, newspapers and blogs were flush with the news that Russian Premier Vladimir Putin gave away his Blancpain watch to a factory worker (Viktor Zagaevsky, seen here brandishing said watch).

We can report now that the watch in question was a Blancpain Aqua Lung Ref. 2850B-1130-64B. Neither the Russian government nor Putin’s representatives have confirmed this information of course and news reports only indicate the price of the watch (GBP5,500). Given the brouhaha surrounding the price of the watch and Putin’s official salary, the Kremlin is unlikely to talk.

Aside from reporting on his well-established machismo, the press also likes to remind the world that Putin rubber-stamps his manly man reputation with excellent luxury watches so it is no surprise that a limited edition such as this Aqua Lung would adorn his wrist.

Putin is also known to own a yellow gold Patek Philippe (model undisclosed) and also other Blancpain wristwatches. Can you figure out what watch is peeking out from under his cuff in this picture?

Piaget Links Up with Fashion Designer Michael Bastion

admin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:15:00 +0800

Fashion designer Michael Bastion teamed up with Swiss watchmaker and jeweler Piaget for his Spring 2010 collection. "Michael is taking an exciting new direction for this season's show and he felt Piaget's timepieces would be the perfect accessory," says Larry Boland, President of Piaget North America.

"He's one of the most important voices in men's fashion today and we are proud to be partnering with him." As you can see here, the models took to the catwalk wearing various Piaget watches, including the Piaget Polo FortyFive and the Altiplano. This will certainly not be the last collaboration between the two, with plans in place for another showing for the Fall collection.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Jaquet Droz Les Douze Villes

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:23:00 +0800

Swiss watch brand Jaquet Droz remains true to its classical leanings with Les Douze Ville, even though the concept is very playful indeed. As you can see, there are two windows on the dial, one at 6 o'clock showing a chosen city (out of 12, hence the name) and one at 12 o'clock showing the hour.

Of course, the large hand indicates the minutes no matter what city you choose. Here's where the playful side of the timepiece makes itself known: it doesn't have a home time indicator, meaning this is not a dual time or GMT wristwatch.

Instead, the 43mm red gold limited edition (a numbered series of 88 pieces) watch offers a 12-city display as a bit of a lark, keeping time constantly at your command while using its large minutes hand to indicate the universality of time (unless you're in Nepal of course but that's a different story).

When one advances the hour or the city, the corresponding indication also changes accordingly. For example, a world traveler moving from Shanghai to Geneva only needs to shift one indicator to advance the time in the appropriate increment and match it to the appropriate place.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Sotirio Bulgari Watch Exhibition in Singapore

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:58:00 +0800

Italian luxury goods stalwart Bulgari continues its celebration of 125th anniversary, this time with the launch of the new Sotirio Bulgari collection in Singapore. Planned as an exhibition, it will take place on the second floor of the brand’s store at Takashimaya from 21-28 September 2009.

The entire second level will be transformed to reflect the anniversary and to showcase new watch novelties of the Sotirio Bulgari collection.

As you might expect, the 2009 novelties are statements of Bulgari’s commitment to the haute horlogerie segment and the virtues of fine Swiss craftsmanship. Among the highlights to look out for is the limited edition Sotirio Bulgari Tourbillion wristwatch.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Blancpain 500 Fathoms Cannes

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:03:00 +0800

At the 32nd International Boat Show in Cannes, Swiss luxury watchmaker Blancpain officially launched the 500 Fathoms series and a special limited edition offshoot called the 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009.

We have previously covered the 500 Fathoms watch in some detail after BaselWorld here but we thought these images, especially of the caseback below, should be brought to your attention. The manufacture deserves to be commended for introducing a sapphire caseback in this watch without compromising its extreme water resistance.

Of course, the propeller-shaped rotor is fascinating and the decorations to Calibre 1315 are done by hand so to not use a see-through caseback would have been almost criminal.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Vacheron Constantin Rolls Out New Hong Kong Store

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:17:00 +0800

Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin recently expanded its Hong Kong presence with a flagship store at 1881 Heritage.

Blessed with an unbroken tradition of watchmaking since 1755, demand for Vacheron Constantin watches in East Asia has been growing at a steady pace and this new boutique – its third in Hong Kong – shows the Richemont-owned brand’s commitment here.

As an example of this commitment, Vacheron Constantin is bringing in a limited series of three haute horlogerie watches (pictured here) that will only be available from the boutique. These ‘dragon guilloche’ watches feature an exceptional execution of the fine art of guilloche.

The opening of the flagship boutique was officiated by Vacheron Constantin’s CEO Juan-Carlos Torres, International Director Marc Gutten, Managing Director Asia Pacific Yann Bouillonnec and Managing Director Hong Kong and China Charlie Lai.

“Clients’ expectations for watches have risen considerably in terms of both service and product quality,” said Torres. “Ours, in the world of Haute Horlogerie, display a very sophisticated level of taste as well as a strong attachment to the importance of history and the mastery of high quality craftsmanship. Their interest in our timepieces consequently is very important.”

History and craftsmanship very much evident, especially in the museum pieces Vacheron Constantin brought out for the grand opening.

These included the very first watch created by the house, signed by founder Jean-Marc Vacheron himself, and historical precursors of current staples such as the Patrimony, Malte and Overseas.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Piaget Launches Polo Exhibition in Singapore

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:19:00 +0800

Swiss watchmaker and jeweler Piaget launched the 30th anniversary of the Polo watch exhibition at Paragon in Singapore with retail partner Cortina Watch. You will notice from the last picture here, that the exhibition space resembles the Polo FortyFive watch.

Local personalities Sarah Tan and Andrea Savage watched as General Manager, Piaget Southeast Asia Thomas Bouillonnec and Cortina Watch Regional General Manager Jeremy Lim made brief remarks before officially launching the exhibition.

“The Piaget name represents the art of capturing time and has no equal in the world of luxury, and we are certainly pleased to be able to share our journey in the art of horology. This exhibition, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Polo and Piaget’s enduring commitment to fine craftsmanship, would certainly not have been possible without the support of Cortina and our loyal customers,” said Bouillonnec.

On this night, the watches on display were complemented by models wearing elegant outfits courtesy of Pois and Alfred Dunhill. Of course, they were also wearing Piaget’s fine jewelry and watches.

They mingled amongst guests who sipped Veuve Cliquot champagne while enjoying the music of DJ Shigeki.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Richard Mille Opens Largest Store in Beijing

admin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:11:00 +0800

Revolutionary watchmaking brand Richard Mille opened its largest store in the world in Beijing recently. The new 260 sqm flagship store calls the platinum five-star Legendale Hotel on Jin Bao Street home.

The brand’s local exclusive dealer in the People’s Republic of China invested HKD45 million to develop the store. Interestingly, they shipped in virtually every element for the store from Paris.

As you can see, the interior of the store is a highly stylized take on modernity, with black being the dominant ‘color.’ As you might surmise, the design was inspired by Richard Mille watches.

This contrasts with the hotel, which is all Old World charm. Together, this setup makes for a highly original concept, right in the heart of China.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Piaget's New Ad Campaign

admin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:21:00 +0800

Piaget, Swiss manufacture of high watchmaking and high jewelry, will be unveiling a brand new communications campaign in September 2009. On the haute horlogerie side, the campaign shines the spotlight on Piaget’s fundamental skills and expertise as a true Swiss manufacture.

As you can see, the advertising visuals are pared down and focus squarely on the watches themselves. Models to look out for include the legendary Piaget Altiplano, the Emperador and the Polo FortyFive.

On the haute joiallerie side, the campaign references the work of artists Pierre and Gilles, who created the previous campaign. The emphasis here is on the audacity of the products and the inspiration that elevates each piece to the level of pure fantasy.

Aside from the jewelry, watches from the Limelight, Possession and Polo collections feature in this part of the campaign.

via Luxury-Insider.com

Blancpain 500 Fathoms for Only Watch

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:34:00 +0800

The famous Only Watch auction will be taking place alongside the Monaco Yacht Show for the third time in 2009 and Blancpain will once more be lending its support. The proceeds from the auction go towards supporting the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder that affects one in 3,500 young boys.

Blancpain enters the picture with the 500 Fathoms Only Watch N°1/1, which was specially developed for this very occasion. As the name implies, the watch is water resistant to an incredible 1,000 meters or 500 fathoms but that’s not all that makes it noteworthy. At 48mm in diameter, the imposing nature of the watch is obvious, distinguishing it immediately from the 50 Fathoms watch from which it descends.

Additionally, the anthracite grey dial sports a carbon fiber center, an aesthetic touch unique to the 500 Fathoms Only Watch N°1/1. The date disc, which is visible beneath a tinted blue sapphire ring, is also unique to this model. The watch is powered by caliber 1315 and has 120 hours of power reserve.

via Luxury-Insider.com