Perrelet 3 Hands-date Titanium: A5007/1

Contemporary and lightweight, the “Titanium” collection by Perrelet comes back to centre stage.

By backing a Titanium collection in 2007, Perrelet broke with its classical tradition and appealed to a high-tech clientele, looking for different materials. The success encountered by this series, originally comprising five different complications, is today responsible for the collection being extended with an extremely sporty “3 hands-date” model.

Heavily inspired by Perrelet’s traditional collections, the case design (43.5 mm) housing the models of this “Titanium” collection, presents an instantly recognizable, hardy character.

However, despite their highly virile profile, the six models also reveal a softer, elegant finish. The collection is equipped with extremely reliable basic calibres, although Perrelet adds its own module in certain specialities, such as the emblematic “Double Rotor”, the “Moon Phase” and the “Retrograde Regulator”. All movements feature the remarkable and unique Perrelet finish and the central rotor set with a crystal.

The same finesse and beauty of the “tapestry” decoration can be observed in the last two models completing the collection, an undeniable “Big Date Chronograph” and finally a “Power Reserve”.

The dials offer an effective contrast between black and anthracite, on some models enhanced with a smoky crystal.

The indexes and hands coated with a luminous material ensure a perfect and optimal legibility night and day. An antiglare sapphire crystal completes the refreshed appearance of these various combinations. The natural rubber strap and titanium folding clasp provide an overall ergonomic robustness and functionality.

Destined for the enthusiasts of contemporary, sporty timekeepers, the various models will all make excellent companions on your intrepid journeys.

BREITLING Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel

BLACK IS THE COLOR OF THE ABYSS

A special version of the Avenger Seawolf Chrono – the only chronograph that is watertight and fully operational at a depth of 1,000 meters (3,330 ft) – the new Blacksteel limited edition is distinguished by its unconventional look matching its exceptional performances.

Black is the keynote here, variously interpreted in the steel case subjected to an ultra-resistant carbon-based treatment; the unidirectional rotating bezel; the large screw-locked crown and non-slip pushpieces; and on the dial base creating a striking backdrop for the white luminescent hands, hour markers and red-rimmed counters.

Its original, technical and powerful appearance makes the Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel limited edition an unmistakable standout model among diver’s watches. But its greatest feat is hidden inside its case, thanks to its magnetic pushpiece system. This exclusive Breitling patented device serves to activate the controls through the metal of the case, without any direct mechanical contact.

This means that whereas most chronographs cannot be used when diving, the Avenger Seawolf Chrono is the only instrument of this type to be watertight and fully operational at a record depth of 1,000 meters (3,330 ft). To accompany professionals to great depths in complete security, this extreme chronograph has been equipped with a decompression valve and a glareproofed sapphire crystal guaranteeing optimal readability in all circumstances.

Its SuperQuartz™ caliber – also exclusive to Breitling – ensures a level of accuracy ten times superior to that of standard quartz movements, enabling it to measure times to within 1/10th of a second complete with split-time indications. The Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel, issued in a 2,000-piece worldwide limited edition, is available on a – naturally black – Diver Pro rubber strap or on a perforated Ocean Racer strap. In a nod to Breitling’s special ties with aviation, its inner bezel ring is adorned with a windrose serving to memorize a course – both underwater or in the air.

Source: www.swisstime.ch

Lucas di Grassi the new TW Steel brand ambassador

Amsterdam, The Netherlands (March 4, 2010) – TW Steel, the international Dutch watch brand renowned for exceptional oversized watches, is delighted to announce a partnership with Brazilian Formula One driver, Lucas di Grassi.

The 25-year-old from Sao Paulo will make his Formula One debut at the ʻGulf Air Bahrain Grand Prixʼ on Sunday, March 14th, the opening round of the 2010 F1 World Championship, and in follows a long line of illustrious Grand Prix drivers hailing from his native Brazil.

TW Steel welcomes Lucas as its first Brazilian Brand Ambassador – ʻThe Watch in Steelʼ continues to grow in popularity in South America, as it has globally since debuting in The Netherlands in 2005.

“Iʼm extremely pleased that weʼve been able to align the TW Steel brand with one of Brazilʼs leading young sports stars,” said TW Steel Chief Commercial Officer, Stewart Bain. “Heʼs already proven his talent and he undoubtedly deserves the opportunity to showcase his abilities in Formula One. Weʼre relishing the chance to promote our association with Lucas, not least in Brazil where heʼs already a big personality, but worldwide.”

Lucas di Grassi commented; “This is a really exciting time in my career and Iʼm naturally happy to be supported in my move up to Formula One by TW Steel. I was a fan of their oversized collection before so to be able to partner with them means a lot to me. Theyʼve proved themselves as an ambitious brand in a very competitive market. Iʼve gone through similar experiences to make it into Formula One so we have many shared synergies.”

Lucas di Grassiʼs racing career started in karts in 2000, and soon after the determined Brazilian quickly graduated to cars. A pair of runner-up finishes in Brazilʼs Formula Renault Championship and F3 Sudamericana Series propelled him into European competition in 2004.

Victories in the British F3 and the F3 Euro Series championships cemented his potential and saw him step-up to Formula Oneʼs official feeder category – the GP2 Series. He finished runner-up in 2007, backing that up with additional wins and top-three finished in 2008 and 2009 respectively. At the same time Formula One tests beckoned, the popular racer eventually landed a full-time ride in Formula One with fellow newcomers, Virgin Racing, for the 2010 season.

TW Steel, celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2010, continues to develop and lead the oversized watch market. A family-owned company, headed by 27-year old Chief Executive Officer, Jordy Cobelens, ʻThe Watch in Steelʼ has emerged as an innovative, bold lifestyle brand – now available in over 50 countries worldwide.

Montres DeWitt is eager to reinforce its positioning and its visibility in America and has therefore chosen a man whose philosophy and values match perfectly with the image of the company. Indeed, Mr Omer not only brings an incredible experience in the luxury business, but also a profound understanding and a true passion for Haute Horlogerie.

Nathalie Veysset:

“Having Jon Omer in our team is a very important step forward for our company. Jon is a great professional with an impressive track record. His profound understanding of the North American market will most definitely help us serve our clients even better. Jon’s perception and love of fine watchmaking matches perfectly with the DeWitt philosophy and our extremely high quality standards. He will play a crucial role in the development and strengthening of the brand. Welcome Jon!”

Jon Omer:

“It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the invitation to join the DeWitt watch family. In these exciting times in world of luxury goods, the buyers today are looking for uniqueness, brand integrity, and lasting value in the products they buy and the DeWitt brand is all about these qualities. Its commitment to uniqueness and quality provides the values that resonate with the watch connoisseur who is looking for the very best. I look forward to working with the DeWitt team to build an even greater awareness of their marvellous watches in the exciting North American market”.

With this recruitment, DeWitt therefore intends to firmly establish the notoriety of its Brand throughout North America, Mexico and the Caribbean region.

An impressive track record:

Mr Jon Omer is a strong manager and a creative strategist. He has demonstrated success in the set up of profitable distribution operations and in the streamlining of production and inventory systems. He knows how to strengthen brand appeal as well as to foster an atmosphere of customer-focused service.

Vice President of “Harry Winston “for the past 8 years, Mr Omer operated major changes to the distribution network and grew sales revenues impressively. Previously, Mr Omer also led the development and growth of Bulgari’s activities in North America for more than 10 years.

Last but not least, Mr Omer is Chairman of the American Watch Association and on the Board of Directors of the American Watch Guild. He has received various distinctions for his service to the nation during the Vietnam War.

F.P.Journe Vagabondage II limited edition of 69 pieces in platinum

The Long-Awaited Limited Series for Collectors

F.P.Journe presents the second chapter of the Vagabondage Limited Series, “Vagabondage II”, which will be produced in a limited series of 69 pieces in platinum and 68 pieces in 18K red gold, available from all authorized F.P.Journe points of sale around the world in December 2009.

It is essential to retrace the history of this creation, which has made its mark in the watchmaking history and represents the quintessence of anti-marketing. In 2004, for the 30th Anniversary of Antiquorum, François-Paul Journe created a unique piece to be sold at a Geneva charity auction in favour of the ICM, research institute for Brain and Spinal Cord diseases in Paris, www.icm-institute.org. This was an F.P.Journe Invenit et Fecit creation indeed, but with an unusual shape. For the first time, the Geneva Manufacture created a watch that was not round, with a flat Tortue-shaped case and a dial without the F.P.Journe signature.

Following that charity auction, for which 3 pieces were produced – one in rose gold, one in white gold and one in yellow gold, which sold for three times their value – a limited series of 69 pieces in platinum was launched with an 18K rose gold movement. This series was sold without promotion or publicity of any kind, and without any picture. Collectors went wild for it. A legend was born.

It goes without saying the Vagabondage II series has been long awaited by collectors. This second edition present a manually-wound movement and an original digital time display, with small second at 6, power reserve at 12. The 18K rose gold movement is visible through the dial in smoked sapphire crystal, also without the F.P.Journe signature.

F.P.Journe Vagabondage II limited edition of 68 pieces in 18K red gold, back

The 69 pieces in platinum feature white gold windows with blue hands, while the 68 pieces in 18K red gold have gold windows and hands.
Owners of a Vagabondage I will be given priority for the purchase of an identical limited number from the Vagabondage II series.

A third Vagabondage edition will very likely be created as new technical advances dictate. Each watch of the “Vagabondage” series will have an original digital display system.

F.P.Journe continually re-invents traditional watchmaking techniques and constantly works to produce novel time measurement instruments.

His peers the world over recognize his integrity in the realization of innovative pieces, his ingenuity, and his unique technical sense. A recipient of all the most prestigious horological prizes, F.P.Journe has been granted numerous awards at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie of Geneva, among them three influential “Golden Hand” awards.

François-Paul Journe is one of the last remaining Master watchmakers committed to defending the fundamental values of Haute Horology, as he pursues his quest to restore authenticity to the history and practice of time measurement.

Technical Specifications

Movement
Calibre 1509
Manual winding
Movement in 18K rose gold
30 jewels

Dimensions of the Movement
Overall diameter: 29.3 x 28.2 mm
Casing-up diameter: 29.3 x 28.4 mm
Overall height: 5.28 mm
Height of winding system: 3.13 mm
Diameter of stem thread: S0.90 mm

Balance
Four inertia weights
Flat Anachron microflamed spring
Mobile stud holders
Free sprung
Nivatronic laser-welded to collet
Pinned GE stud
Frequency: 21,600 v / h, (3Hz)
Inertia: 10.10 mg /cm2
Angle of lift: 52°
Amplitude: 0h dial up: > 260°
24h dial up: > 260°

Principal characteristics
1 minute constant force device, patented No EP 1528443
Digital indication of hours and minutes
Time adjustment via crown in position 2
Pallets escapement with 15 tooth escape wheel
Two position crown
Sub-second at 6h00
Power reserve at 12h00

Power reserve
40 hours

Decoration
High quality

Partly circular grained base plate and Geneva waves
Polished screw heads, chamfered slots
Pegs with polished rounded ends

Case
Flat Tortue shape 45 x 37.5 mm
Height 8.00 mm
Dial Smoked Sapphire

Limited Series
Platinum PT 950 69 pieces
White gold windows and blue hands
Rose gold 18K 68 pieces
Rose gold windows and hands

Number of parts
Movement without dial: 223
Cased-up on leather strap: 256

Source: www.fpjourne.com

Hublot BODE BANG

The partnership between the watchmaker and Miller began in November 2008 and in December 2009 Hublot debuted the “Bode Bang” limited edition watch designed by Bode together with the Hublot design team.

Miller visited the manufacturer’s facility and was fascinated by the know-how and meticulousness of the watchmakers and he set out to craft his own watch. His meeting with Jean-Claude Biver, the CEO of Hublot, led to an immediate mutual understanding. Both passionate, direct men with an expressive and unconventional manner of speech, they quickly found a host of shared values.

The talented, feisty and determined skier, and the inventive, exceptionally energetic boss both demonstrate great generosity through their involvement in supporting humanitarian causes. The creation of the Bode Bang is the fruit of this bond. Together, they decided to divert some of the watch’s royalties to the Turtle Ridge Foundation, founded by Bode Miller and his family in 2005 (www.turtleridgefoundation.org) to support those less fortunate in life, an ambition equally dear to Jean-Claude Biver.

“BODE BANG” Technical Specifications

Case
“Big Bang” diameter 44.5 mm in sandblasted black ceramic

Bezel 
Sandblasted black ceramic with 6 H-shaped steel black PVD screws, sunken, polished and blocked

Crystal
Sapphire with anti-reflection treatment and Bode Miller’s signature at 9 o’clock

Bezel lug
Black composite resin

Lateral inserts
Black composite resin

Back 
Sandblasted black ceramic with sapphire crystal

Crown
Steel black PVD, with natural black rubber insert

Push-pieces
Steel black PVD, rectangular, with natural black rubber insert

Water-resistance
100 m or 10 ATM

Dial
White with black nickel applique indices and numerals

Hands 
Faceted matt black

Movement
HUB4100 Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding

Calendar 
Trapezoid aperture at 4.30, white background, shiny black numeral

Power Reserve
42 hours

Strap
Adjustable black rubber with clasp in steel black PVD

Clasp
Steel black PVD

Limited Edition
250 numbered pieces 01/250 – 250/250

Source: www.hublot.com

Hublot Big Bang Maradona

The watchmaking brand has just signed a partnership with Argentine footballer Diego Maradona. Argentina’s current national team coach is also known as the “player of the 20th century” in honour of his exceptional career which has left its mark on the history of world football. This genius on the pitch, who has always demonstrated his taste for fine watches, is now part of the Hublot family. And from today, it will be a Big Bang Maradona that can be seen on the wrist of the “Hand of God”!

There is no end to the names used to honour Diego Maradona: the “Golden Boy”, who received the Ballon d’Or in 1995 for services to football, has had an extraordinary career due to his unique footballing talent. A watch enthusiast, he is often seen with a Hublot on each wrist.

The meeting between this truly remarkable footballer and the Swiss brand’s management team naturally arose from the mutual desire to create a watch honouring Maradona and bearing his name. Today, Hublot and Maradona, each recognized as an icon in their field, will link their careers, both marked by passion, excellence and success. This alliance is illustrated by a stylized image of Diego Maradona, arms raised in victory, engraved on the back of the Big Bang Maradona’s case.

Hublot Big Bang Maradona

HUBLOT Gold King Power Tourbillon GMT

Born in Switzerland, de Quervain Blanchard studied economics at the University of Zurich and attended Sup de Luxe in Paris to gain additional luxury goods experience. In 1993 she started her career in the Swiss watch industry by working with Jean Claude Biver at the iconic brand Omega, where she worked her way through the various stages of Product and Marketing to oversee the U.S. Marketing Division. In 1999 she joined Chopard as its first Marketing Director and was instrumental in gaining brand awareness in the brand’s watch and jewelry divisions. In 2001 she created her own distribution company before joining Harry Winston in 2004. At Harry Winston she was brought on board to oversee its luxury timepiece sales division on the East Coast and in select Caribbean markets, and in 2007 was promoted to global marketing director to head its communications initiatives.

At Hublot, Beatrice de Quervain Blanchard will focus on gaining market share through a diverse marketing program that will include the opening of new boutique stores, a strong wholesale network and newsworthy communications initiatives. “I am very excited to join such a formidable brand as Hublot,” says de Quervain. “I have worked with Mr. Biver and Mr. Guadalupe before, and I am greatly looking forward to fusing our minds together to increase the brand’s presence in the U.S. market.”

About Hublot

In just five years, Hublot has become one of the most sought-after high-end watch brands with some of its timepieces making watch history, such as the One Million Dollar Big Bang, All Black Big Bang and Mag Bang watches. Jean-Claude Biver and his team is undoubtedly leading the company’s guiding principle of “Fusion,” which combines unusual materials such as gold with ceramic, tantalum, magnesium and titanium with a modern version of Hublot’s rubber strap.

Source: www.hublot.ch

IWC Da Vinci Chronograph

What belongs together comes together. IWC Schaffhausen is treating its chronograph movement to a ceramic case made of zirconium oxide. Entirely in the spirit of its namesake Leonardo da Vinci, the Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic embodies innovation and first-class engineering in perfected form.

The world owes a great deal to Leonardo da Vinci. The universal genius from Tuscany created incomparably beautiful works of art, investigated and documented natural laws, and designed buildings and machines which were often far ahead of their time. Innumerable sketches also provide evidence of his enthusiasm for watchmaking.

Many of his pioneering discoveries in the area of helical and bevel gears and complicated screw transmissions are to this day component parts of many machines – including watches.

Fascinated and inspired by the spirit of Leonardo, the watchmakers of IWC Schaffhausen have given the name Da Vinci to particularly innovative models at regular intervals in the past. The Da Vinci model from1985, for example, made watchmaking history.

IWC Da Vinci Chronograph

At a stage when quartz already appeared to have superseded mechanics in the measurement of time, the Schaffhausen company focused its attention on the beauty and strength of mechanics and built a mechanical chronograph with a perpetual calendar, which played a part in the renaissance of the mechanical watch. The design of the complicated mechanism and its user-friendly operation can be summarized as being ingenious in their simplicity.

Only one year later, in 1986, IWC Schaffhausen provided further proof of its love of innovation by building the first watch with a case made from the extremely hard, scratch-resistant and impact-resistant ceramic, zirconium oxide. This milestone of case engineering also bore the name Da Vinci.

In the year 2007, when IWC Schaffhausen presented its newly developed flyback chronograph movement, this appropriately made its debut in the completely redesigned Da Vinci family.

The IWC-manufactured movement is conspicuous with a number of design features that are unique. Particularly noteworthy is the display of the recorded time, which has bid farewell to all its classic predecessors in the interests of improved user-friendliness. The recorded hours and minutes can now be read on a counter in the 12 o’clock position like a second time display.

The 89360 calibre also stands out with a new double-pawl winding system and a flyback function: actuation of the lower button during a timing function causes the recorded time to return to zero and restart immediately, but without stopping the stopwatch mechanism.

Such an extraordinary movement also merits anextraordinary case, in addition to a see-through sapphire-glass back; after all, the Da Vinci family is still inspired to this day by the special ability of Leonardo to think and act innovatively and imaginatively both technically and creatively.

The tonneau-shaped design, which draws its strength from the interaction between edges and curves, between convex and concave forms, has now been translated into an exceptional material combination of ceramic and titanium in the new Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic.

The central section of the ceramic case of the new Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic consists of zirconium oxide, which was first used in a watch case in 1986 – in a Da Vinci. This model was produced in only very small numbers because of the enormous difficulty in machining the hard material. Over the years, however, the technicians and engineers have acquired a lot of experience in the manufacture and machining of this extremely scratch-resistant, non-magnetic and acid-proof ceramic.

The case blanks can now be formed more efficiently and with greater accuracy than before from the mixture of zirconium oxide powder and a binder. They are sintered at temperatures between 1500 and 2000 degrees Celsius followed by cooling in a complicated process to enable the material to attain all of its outstanding properties. Diamond tools are required for the intricate finishing of the blanks. At this point, the specialists at IWC possess such thorough mastery of this technology that the new Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic will be available in unlimited numbers as a model in the collection.

What is more, the case stands out with a technical highlight that is admired by experts. It is manufactured with such precision that the movement can be fitted directly into the ceramic case – without a movement security ring.

The bezel, back, buttons and crown provide a colour contrast in the form of ultra-hard titanium grade 5, which, unlike the titanium alloys formerly used by IWC, can be polished and satin-finished. These two materials, titanium and ceramic, are not only extraordinarily robust and scratch-resistant, but they also have an extremely pleasant, silk-like feel.

The special three-dimensional design of the dial with a réhaut volant – a tonneau-shaped minute display, which appears to float above the dial – adds to the attractiveness of the latest Da Vinci model. This flying chapter ring, a first for IWC, arcs in parallel with the sapphire glass and in so doing visually reduces the height of the inside of the bezel.

The overall appearance is rounded off by a high-quality calfskin strap, to which a special finishing technique imparts a surface structure resembling that of a high-tech woven fabric. With the new Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic, IWC Schaffhausen has achieved an impressive combination of high-tech and elegance.

Oris Oscar Peterson Limited Edition

Jazz giant honoured by Oris

Oris’ track record in producing limited edition watches is almost as distinguished as the track record of the man to whom Oris dedicates its latest jazz watch: Oscar Peterson.

Regarded by many as the greatest jazz pianist of all time, his career and chosen instrument inspired the special design features of this elegant watch.

The delicately applied indices take the form of piano keys and sit atop a central dial ring with concentric grooves. This dial ring is reminiscent of an LP and refers to the hundreds of recordings Oscar Peterson made during his career.

Oscar Peterson loved watches with Roman numerals and this limited edition honours that – even displaying the VIII in gold plate – a reference to the eight Grammys he won during his lifetime.

The case back carries the Oscar Peterson lion logo and the limited edition number from 0001/1925 to 1925/1925, chosen because it was the year the great man was born.

Oscar Peterson’s talent knew no bounds: the Oris Oscar Peterson Limited Edition is a fitting tribute to a jazz giant.

Oris Oscar Peterson Limited Edition - Back

Product Features

Oris Oscar Peterson Limited Edition
Ø 42.00mm Ref: 733 7642 4084

- Automatic mechanical movement. Centralised second, minute and hour displays. Date display at 6 o’clock.
- Multi-piece stainless steel case with stainless steel crown. Water resistant to 10 bar/100m.
- Sapphire glass domed on both sides with inner anti-reflective coating.
- Black dial with applied ‘piano key’ indices.
- Black dial with applied Roman numerals. VIII plated in rose gold plated.
- Nickel hands with Superluminova inlay. Second hand with ‘O’ counterbalance.
- Black calf skin leather strap with croco imprint and stainless steel folding clasp.
- Varnished wooden box, certificate and DVD.

Canadian Jazz Maharaja, Oscar Peterson

About Oscar Peterson

Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the “Maharaja of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington, “O.P.” by his friends, and was a member of jazz royalty. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career. He is considered to have been one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, who played thousands of live concerts to audiences worldwide in a career lasting more than 65 years.

Source: www.oris.ch
www.wikipedia.org