OMEGA Skeletonized Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition

18 January 2010 – The OMEGA Skeletonized Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition is the ultimate expression of the watchmaker’s art. Each watch is handcrafted in OMEGA’s Cellule Haut de Gamme (Tourbillon Atelier) in Bienne by a select group of horologists.

In a Tourbillon movement, all of the main components responsible for the timepiece’s precision are assembled in a rotating cage. OMEGA is the only watchmaker ever to have created a central Tourbillon. Its titanium cage rotates completely every 60 seconds, offsetting the effect of gravity on the performance of the watch.

Tourbillon technology, dazzling design

The Skeletonized Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition combines the complex Tourbillon technology with dazzling design elements.

The movement has a luxurious sun-brushed pearlescent finish; its bridges and mechanisms are hand polished. The rotor with its sapphire plate has been newly designed and is etched with the words “Limited Edition” and the watch’s individual serial number (out of 18). The Skeletonized Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition is equipped with a Breguet balance spring.

The Central Tourbillon’s hands cannot be mounted on a central shaft in the conventional way. They are etched on to sapphire crystal disks and propelled by gearing at the peripheries of the disks. The result is dramatic – they appear to float freely above the movement.

One watchmaker’s masterpiece

To make a skeletonized version of the Central Tourbillon, the watchmaker begins by sawing away any non-essential material from the plates and bridges, then bevelling their edges. Unlike products from conventional workshops, each Tourbillon is the work of one watchmaker who spends up to 540 hours on the creation of the skeletonized version of the watch. This means that every Skeletonized Central Tourbillon is unique – no two are exactly alike.

Each watchmaker engraves his or her personal initials on the underside of the Tourbillon base to assure that all parts can be returned to their maker after they have been galvanized. When a Central Tourbillon is returned to OMEGA for servicing, it will be placed in the hands of the original watchmaker.

Only 18 pieces of this Skeletonized Tourbillon Coaxial Platinum Limited Edition will be produced.

An OMEGA Co-Axial movement

The outstanding chronometric performance of OMEGA’s exclusive Co-Axial calibre 2636 is enhanced by the state-of-the-industry escapement which has re-defined the way mechanical wristwatches are being made. The complex movement is assembled from 320 individual parts.

The remarkable Central Tourbillon calibre is housed in a platinum case presented with a black alligator bracelet.

While the Skeletonized Central Tourbillon watches are accurate – each one is a COSC-certified chronometer – they are particularly valued for their beauty and the complexity of the Tourbillon mechanism. Every component in the movement and case is produced exclusively for the Central Tourbillons.

The OMEGA Skeletonized Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition is the exquisite creation of a legendary watch brand working at the peak of its powers.

Confrérie Horlogère “Clef du Temps”

An exceptional timepiece that that allows the wearer to “modulate the speed of the time”.
Confrérie Horlogère upmarket watch brand’s “Les Masters” collection is the venue for the presentation of outstanding movements born of pioneering mechanical and engineering research. A prime example is “La Clef du Temps” tourbillon watch featuring a hand-wound mechanical movement providing three days of power reserve.

Truly unusual in design, issued in a very limited series of 24, each of which corresponds to a timezone, “La Clef du Temps” is the brainchild of Mathias Buttet, founder of Confrérie Horlogère.

This extraordinary mechanical timepiece conveys the idea that “true luxury and wealth lie in the possibility to manage one’s time”…

“La Clef du Temps” houses a sophisticated mechanism that allows the wearer to “modulate the speed of the time”. How, exactly? Simply actioning a three-position crown opposite 9 o’clock alters the running speed of the hours and the minutes – the latter displayed at 2 o’clock.

Crown position 1 : the pace of time slows by half (so that the value of one normal hour is displayed as a half-hour on the dial of “La Clef du Temps”).

Crown position 2 : the pace of time remains the same (i.e. one hour remains one hour).

Crown position 3 : the pace of time is doubled (so a standard half-hour becomes a full hour on the dial of “La Clef du Temps”).

Confrérie Horlogère “Clef du Temps”

This way, pleasant moments can be made to last twice as long, while unpleasant ones can be shortened by half while always retaining the option to “return” to real time. The watch’s extremely sophisticated mechanism allows its time indications to remain in positions 1 or 3 as long as its wearer wishes since a simple return of the crown to position 2 resets the hour and the minute hand to the real time of day.

What for Mathias Buttet does his unusual watch stand for? A sort of revenge …. A family weekend with the kids will make anyone realize how quickly happy moments evaporate while moments of crisis or gloom seem never-ending. Mathias Buttet’s “La Clef du Temps” thus provides twenty-four people with a rare opportunity to regain control over their time by… controlling the speed at which is flows.

Other dial information: retrograding running seconds at 4 o’clock and a power-reserve indication (PRI) in a 120° sectoral indicator at 8 o’clock.

Further noteworthy features include the movement, shaped like a stylized human brain, the futuristic case crafted in grade 5 titanium, the strap composed of eight rubber-clad strands and a deployment clasp that features the Confrérie Horlogère logo.

Like all Confrérie Horlogère products, “La Clef du Temps” benefits from a lifetime warranty and the totally Swiss-made provenance of its every part and component.

www.confreriehorlogere.ch

RICHARD MILLE RM 028ing

At the beginning of 2009, Richard Mille entered the world of the ocean depths with his premiere diver’s watch, the RM 025 tourbillion chronograph. This exceptional piece also marked the first entrance of a round case within the collection. Today the brand presents a new automatic diver’s watch, the RM 028, in a slightly smaller diameter of 47 mm.

Following the lines set out by the RM 025, the new RM 028 with its exceptional case and skeletonized movement possesses all the incontestable qualities that typify the watches of Richard Mille.

Following diver’s watch ISO norms 6425 with its water resistance of 300 meters (30 ATM) and a unidirectional bezel, the seemingly simple lines of the round case of the RM 028 conceal a considerable amount of technical know-how. The exceptional water resistance is achieved with a three part case construction and torque screws, with complete integration of the lugs into the case system.

Turning unidirectionally to prevent miscalculations whilst diving, the bezel is composed of three sections assembled with 22 torque screws, making it impossible to accidentally dislodge from the case.

The skeleonized automatic movement of the RM 028 utilizes a rotor with variable geometry, a major innovation of Richard Mile that allows the level of automatic winding to be adjusted to the user’s lifestyle via the setting of two 18ct white gold wings.

Like the RM 025, dedicated to the marine world of diving, the automatic RM 028 is in all ways an integral part of the collection, immediately identifiable as a typical creation of Richard Mille Watches.

AUTOMATIC DIVER’S WATCH RM 028

Skeletonized automatic movement with variable rotor geometry, hours, minutes, central seconds and date.
Dimensions: diameter 47.00 mm x 14.60 mm (thickest point)
Available in titanium with titanium lugs and rubber bracelet.

ARMIN by ARMIN STROM Water

Under its new label, “ARMIN by ARMIN STROM”, ARMIN STROM AG is launching watches for which, for the first time, a complete movement structure has been designed in the company’s own ateliers and which focus on technology and the concept of manufacturing.

ARMIN STROM is well known for hand-skeletonised and unique timekeepers. This handcraft is deeply anchored in the brand and continues to constitute a key area of business for the company. Skeletonised watches have been produced in small series (each limited to 25 watches) for three years now and enjoy an excellent reputation among collectors worldwide. Even today, each watch is produced by hand and checked by the master Armin Strom himself. In addition to the skeletonising, the focus at ARMIN STROM is on the finishing of the watch movements, in particular the engraving of the visible parts. It is obvious from the BLUE CHIP models that the team at ARMIN STROM includes specialists in the art of movement finishing.

With its own designs and technical image, the brand now intends to redefine its future and is launching the ARMIN by ARMIN STROM label.
“Creating the new label was the obvious step to take,” explains Serge Michel, Managing Director of ARMIN STROM AG. “While maintaining a strong awareness of our tradition, we are striving to take innovative new paths.”

During Baselworld in 2008, the brand presented for the first time the prototype of the ELEMENTS series. For the first time ever, an entire movement structure for a regulator with retrograde date display was designed in-house. After delivery of the completed parts, these are finished using different technologies and then assembled. In view of the extremely positive customer feedback on the four watches, the team at Armin Strom, under the leadership of designer Claude Greisler, decided to develop these elements to perfection. Water, Air, Earth, Fire….are creative forces, the four fundamental elements that create matter. Each element is assigned a colour and symbol that can be found in the respective model.

ARMIN by ARMIN STROM Earth

The hour, minute and second hands are positioned off centre. The retrograde date display forms a principal element of the watch. However, with the opening beside the small second hand the concept of skeletonising is retained and through the sapphire crystal back, the movement with hand winding remains visible.

The new watch from ARMIN STROM is intended to be modern, innovative and bold, hence the name “ARMIN by ARMIN STROM”.

EDOX Classe-Royale Limited Edition Jackpot

The latest addition to the Classe-Royale family is distinctive and modern, yet clearly demonstrates Edox’s watchmaking expertise. Housed in the rectangular case that established its reputation, this timepiece is extravagant and athletic with a look decidedly mysterious and captivating.

The steel case comes in two color combinations: black PVD decorated with pink or silver details. The limited edition number is engraved on a plate affixed to the side of the case.

The finely crafted dial with its impressively skeletonised sub-counters offers an amazing view into the very heart of the watch with its powerful automatic mechanism. The oscillating weight is decorated with Côtes de Genève and can be fully admired through the transparent backcase.

Production of the Classe-Royale Limited Edition “Jackpot” is limited to 100 pieces worldwide for each version.

Technical specifications

REF.
95001 3RN NIR

Movement:
Edox calibre 95, based on ETA 2894-S2

Crystal:
doomed glare proofed scratch resistant sapphire crystal

EDOX Classe-Royale Limited Edition Jackpot

Case:
stainless steel case 316L with PVD coating, see-through backcase

Case-height:
13.8 mm

Water-resistance:
50 meters / 150 feet

Dial / Hands:
pink or silver dial, with black skeleton details

Strap:
black rubber or leather changeable straps with stainless steel folding buckle with Edox logo

Functions:
chronograph, hour, minutes, seconds

Guy Ellia "Jumbo, Heure Universelle" : 18 carat gold case with red micro-bubbles, alligator strap with gold butterfly clasp.

In his quest for mechanical, everyday timepieces, Guy Ellia has added a new string to his bow with a new complication: universal time.

Housed in a round 50mm diameter case in 18 carat gold with black, grey or red micro-bubbles, the automatic movement has a reserve of 72 hours and meets the challenge of displaying simultaneously local time and a second time zone for 24 cities with a day / night indicator as well as a large date.

Guy Ellia’s “Jumbo Heure Universelle” 2009 makes its mark as a complicated timepiece, an ambassador for high watch making as well as being useful on an everyday basis, particularly for globe-trotters who love clever watch movements.

This is great watch-making art staged in the heart of a dial whose open centre gives a view onto part of the skeleton movement. At 5 and 6 o’clock there are also two discs displaying the big date for reading in a line.

The two central hands for hours and minutes turn on the same axis as the hand intended for the second time zone, the blue colour of which matches the turning cities disc.

The disc, activated by the button located at 2 o’clock turns under a blue sapphire glass and displays the city corresponding to the second time zone, chosen in a window located at 12h.

Water-resistant to 3 bars, the Jumbo Heure Universelle has an alligator strap with an 18 carat gold butterfly clasp.

Despite the complexity of its dial, this is a watch that is simple both to use and to read.

Email : hroche@guyellia.com
Website : www.guyellia.com

Wyler Geneve WT3 Tourbillon

Geneva, 2nd June 2009 – The manufacture movement used in the new Wyler Genève WT3 tourbillon has a breathtaking design, a unique type of decoration and is the first to be produced in accordance with strict quality criteria that have been registered as the Poinçon du Jura®.

The criteria to be met under the Poinçon du Jura® label are very strict: All movements produced under this label must be 100% Swiss made, of which a minimum of 90% must be made in the famous arc jurassien – the heart of Switzerland’s watchmaking industry. Furthermore, such movements must be produced by a company that is totally independent from any watchmaking group.

For Wyler’s WT3 tourbillon movement, the plates and bridges are produced individually from a block of raw material, with no mass production stamping involved. This complicated, meticulous procedure allows numerous variations on the same calibre as well as a level of quality that is considerably higher than that of other calibres stamped in large series. The resulting movement is a refreshing take on the 200 year-old tourbillon design. Its skeleton structure shows off the different levels of its construction, while scratch-resistant sapphire crystals on both sides of the titanium container allow light to pass through the movement and reflect off the individual components

The WT3’s flying tourbillon completes one rotation every 60 seconds from a balance operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour and its manually-wound movement offers a 72-hour power reserve. The timekeeping indicators are discreet, with just the hour and minute hands to distract the wearer’s attention from the mechanical dance beneath.

Wyler Geneve WT3 Tourbillon

The new WT3 models are available with the patented shock-absorbing Code-R case in matt black ceramic or 18-carat white gold. Inside this sandwich case, the movement is housed in a titanium container suspended on springs inside a carbon fibre frame to which the outer plates are fixed by polished titanium screws on the white-gold model and black DLC-coated screws on the ceramic model. The result is the world’s only sprung-mounted, shock-absorbing tourbillon.

A proprietary material exclusive to Wyler Genève is used to decorate the WT3 tourbillon. It is the result of two years of development backed by decades of experience in laser technology. Although the production method for this fragile material is a closely guarded secret, Wyler Genève can reveal that no less than 11 consecutive operations and treatments are required to transform a solid and irregular sheet of silicium, by layer depositions, coloration by precious material etc., into very precise components within tolerances of one hundredth of a millimetre. The resulting composite lends itself to the decoration of flat surfaces, making it ideal for the decoration of the movement bridges, where it catches the light to draw the eye to the complex mechanism beneath. Last but not least, each crystallisation is different, making the decoration and, therefore, each WT3 tourbillon unique.

The new WT3 models are fitted with Wyler Genève’s signature rubber strap with an elegant foldover clasp. This comes with an engraved buckle in titanium and stainless steel on the gold model and black PVD steel for the black ceramic model. These luxury timepieces are water resistant to 100 metres and, like all Wyler Genève watches, come with a 2-year international warranty and a high-quality watch box inspired by vintage car toolkits.

Technical specifications

Functions:
Hours, minutes, 60-second tourbillon

Movement:
Mechanical manual winding skeleton movement, 72-hour power reserve, 21,600 vibrations/hour, flying tourbillon.
Movement bridges decorated with proprietary deposition for which each crystallization is unique

Case:
Available in black ceramic or 18-carat white gold
4 titanium screws

Case middle:
Carbon fibre, 2 sapphire crystals

Inner movement case:
Titanium, suspended on 4 independent shock absorbers,

Water resistant to 100m

Crown:
titanium or 18-carat white gold coated with natural rubber, stylised design motif

Crown protector:
DLC-coated steel or 18-carat white gold with engraved Wyler logo

Crystal:
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Back:
Screw-on case-back in ceramic or 18-carat white gold with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal aperture

Dimensions:
Width: 42 mm
Length: 52 mm
Height: 12.5 mm

Strap:
Black rubber with foldover clasp

References
R05.T3X.00.00.BA001.RBA07.99 – Ceramic case with black rubber strap and PVD steel foldover clasp

R06.T3X.00.00.BA001.RBA07.41 – 18-carat white-gold case with black rubber strap and steel/titanium foldover clasp

Chronoswiss’ “Edition Zeitzeichen” 2009 - Zeitzeichen V

Model:
Edition Zeitzeichen [“Signs of the Times Edition”]
Limited edition (very small series of only 33 pieces)
Large wristwatch (hand-wound), with guilloche, engravings and skeletonizing performed by hand

Reference no.:
Zeitzeichen V (floral, fully skeletonized)
– CH 6721 ZR V red gold (18 ct.)
– CH 6721 ZW V white gold (18 ct.)

Zeitzeichen VI (floral, partial dial)
– CH 6721 ZR VI red gold (18 ct.)
– CH 6721 ZW VI white gold (18 ct.)

Zeitzeichen VII (dragon)
– CH 6721 ZR VII red gold (18 ct.)
– CH 6721 ZW VII white gold (18 ct.)

Displays:
Hours , minutes, seconds

Chronoswiss’ “Edition Zeitzeichen” 2009 - Zeitzeichen VI

Case:
Massive 21-part case made of 18 ct. red gold, brushed and polished, diameter 44 mm, height 10.80 mm; flat one-sided antireflective sapphire crystal; massive, onion-shaped crown made of same material as the case; fully threaded screw-in back with one-sided antireflective sapphire crystal; screwed-on strap bars with patented Autobloc system, water-resistant up to 3 atmospheres

Movement:
ETA 6498-1 in an individual modification (very small series), hand-wound, diameter 36.6 mm (16 ½’’’), height 4.50 mm), 17 jewels, Incabloc shock absorption, appx. 40-hour power reserve, 2.5 hertz, 18,000 vph; hand-engraved Glycydur screw balance, Nivarox-1 flat balance-spring; pallet, escape wheel and screws are highgloss polished; base plate, gear-train bridges and balance cock elaborately and manually skeletonized and engraved; hand-polished steel screws (some of them blued) and blued pawl, transmission wheel and ratchet wheel; certain other parts of the movement are coated with blue platinum

Chronoswiss’ “Edition Zeitzeichen” 2009 - Zeitzeichen VII

Dial:
Solid sterling silver dial (925) guilloché, engraved and skeletonized by hand

Hands:
Blued steel hands

A unique Vacheron Constantin marking the 10th anniversary of Action Innocence

VACHERON CONSTANTIN is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Action Innocence with a unique watch that has the flattest mechanical movement. A skeleton watch, hand decorated that is incarnating the highest standards of decorative arts craft, so dear to the Genevan watchmaker.

Vacheron Constantin continues to support the association by donating an exceptional and unique watch to the auction to held during the Gala Dinner on Thursday 18 June in Geneva.

The skeleton movement of this unique timepiece, that was design specially for this occasion, has a so called “Ottoman” decoration. On the side at nine a clock it has engraved “Action Innocence”.

This watch – with a diameter of 30mm and a thickness of 5.48mm – in polished 18K white gold, on top has a convex sapphire crystal along with a transparent background that you can admire the famous mechanical caliber 1003 manual winding SQ stamped the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, of a thickness of only 1.64 mm, which is the size the flattest in the world. The hands indicating the hours and the minutes are painted in black.

The gift of a timepiece that is celebrating the craft of watchmaking and the excellent finish characteristic to Vacheron Constantin – marks the importance given by the watch manufacturer to the daily work of the association, chaired by Valerie Wertheimer, with the objective of helping to preserve the dignity and integrity of children on the Internet.

Geneva, 18th of Mai 2009
PR Vacheron Constantin – Genève – T+ 41 22 930 20 05

Translated from French by the Editor

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Le Chronographe Squelette

A mechanical skeleton under the spotlight

This year, two new timepieces have joined the world of mechanical jewelry. Driven by movements designed and developed in-house, the Masterpiece Chronographe Squelette and the Masterpiece Lune Retrograde capture time within a prominent high-tech case. Water-resistant to 100 meters, they boast shaped push-pieces and a ¼-turn screw-down crown. The decoration features alternating polished and circular/vertical satin-brushed surfaces, which result in a perfectly finished and balanced design. Refined. Striking.

Powerful designs and precise operation firmly entrench these watches in an urban and hedonistic 21st century, which enjoys combining time with sophistication.

An avant-garde design housed within a diameter of 45 mm. A skeleton that shapes time. A Manufacture –made mechanism, the ML 106-7 caliber. This new instrument for the measurement of short time intervals deserves the utmost respect. Its precise mechanics, for which a patent has been filed, and openwork design, which displays and thus authenticates the movement, are the cornerstones of an undeniably contemporary collection.

Offering a new take on the skeleton watch, which had already been fully redesigned in 2007 with the Masterpiece Squelette, this model looks like being a worthy successor. Protected by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides, the manually wound movement is proudly on display. Within this maze, the workings of the skeletal structure enjoy a refined, streamlined effect and have been reduced to the bare essentials.

Hypnotized by the movement’s intricacy, the light brushes past the dusky seconds hand, before bouncing off the sharp, luminous spurs of the hours and minutes hands. Having pierced through the slate-gray metallic sapphire dial, with its applied time indicators, it comes to rest on the chronograph counters, intrigued by the presence of a 60-minute counter. It then follows the movement of the counter’s hands which, shaped like skeletal discs, resemble the gears of the movement.

It then ricochets off the snailed architecture and black screws of the bottom plate, before being drawn into the depths of this compelling time machine. Once inside, it tames the escapement, grazes across the golden gears, acquaints itself with the column wheel and caresses the rubies. Then, in a flash, it slips through the sapphire-crystal case-back, powered by the oscillations of a well-concealed, black balance that blends into its surroundings until almost invisible.

The structure of the Le Chronographe Squelette transforms inorganic matter into a living and exciting mechanism that displays each of its Manufacture-crafted components with pride. The design of this metallic sculpture is an appropriate icon for a brand that has dared to create an elegant yet edgy collection most definitely anchored in the 21st century.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Le Chronographe Squelette

Technical Specifications

Movement: Chronograph equipped with a Maurice Lacroix Manufacture movement and its own lever assortment, gear-train and spring balance. Developed, manufactured and assembled in-house. Precision enhanced by innovation/Patent: 60-minute counter: a rare function that is highly adapted to accurate time-keeping a more precise chronograph function (accurate to 1/5 second) is maintained in direct relation with the seconds hand for optimal precision. Maurice Lacroix patent on the lever (located under the hammer). In the event of impact, this technical innovation optimizes security during the interlocking or releasing phases, thus guaranteeing utmost precision. Chronograph-wheel enables a special toothed shape (300 teeth) to be used, which cannot be crafted using traditional fabrication techniques. It is another guarantee of utmost precision.

Functions: Hours and minutes indicated by central hands, small seconds at 9 o’clock, Chronograph seconds indicated by a central hand, 60-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock. Vibration18,000 vph, 2.5 Hz, Power reserve 42 hours, 22 Jewels, adjustment: 5 positions when fully wound and after 24 hours. Swan neck ensures smooth adjustment, diameter: 16’’½ (36.6 mm)

Decoration: Hand-decorated bridges plated with black gold and featuring a large snail-like pattern ML wheel design matches the design of the hands and discs.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Le Chronographe Squelette

Case: Combination of polished sunray, circular- and vertical-brushed surfaces, steel case, 45 mm diameter, screwed steel bezel, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, integrated shaped push-pieces, screw-down crown in ¼ turn, screwed case-back featuring large sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, water-resistant to 100 m / 10 atm.

Dial: Sapphire-crystal dial with metal-coated treatment, dial with anti-reflective coating on both sides for a clearer view of the skeleton movement, slate-gray metal-coated treatment to reinforce the effect of the double counters and chronograph-seconds track function, white SLN (SuperLumiNova) spots on counters and second tracks.

Strap: Black hand-stitched porous crocodile-skin strap with large scales, black calfskin lining and matching stitching.