The Oris Swiss Hunter Team Limited Edition: limited to 1958 pieces.

Two aviation legends; one watch

To commemorate the life of the legendary Hawker Hunter jet, top Swiss pilot’s watchmaker Oris, introduces the latest model in its aviation collection.

The awesome Hunter took the world by storm when it first flew in the UK in 1951. Seven years later it came to Switzerland and became a linchpin of the Swiss Air Force. Although the Hunter has since been retired in Switzerland it continues to fly thanks to the Swiss Hunter Team of the ‘Fliegermuseum Altenrhein’, a unique group of former Swiss Air Force pilots who were inspired to fly by the Hunter. The Oris Swiss Hunter Team Limited Edition reflects both the strength of the jet and the quality of its design.
The 46mm anthracite PVD coated case projects an elegant silhouette with its gentle curves, bevelled top ring and oversized screw down crown. The dial is presented in the unmistakable Oris style of a cockpit flight instrument. The tiny Hunter jet on the pointer calendar hand is another nod to the inspiration for this limited edition pilot’s watch.

Oris movement 644 is the quality engine at the heart of this mighty craft, and it is clearly visible through the glass case back. Marked with the logo of the Swiss Hunter Team the case back also shows Oris’ support for the men who continue to keep the magnificent Hunter flying.

The Oris Swiss Hunter Team Limited Edition is presented in a magnificent box set, which includes an original Hunter ejection seat safety splint key ring. Marked with the same limited edition number as the watch it accompanies from 0001/1958 to 1958/1958 (the year the Hunter first came to Switzerland) it helps to make the set an essential collector’s item for all aviation enthusiasts.

Technical Specifications

Oris Swiss Hunter Team Limited Edition
Ø 46.00 mm
Ref: 644 7635 42 84 LS

• Automatic mechanical movement with pointer calendar function.
• Centralised hour and minute displays. Small second at 9 o’clock.
• Multi-piece stainless steel case anthracite PVD coated. Screwed see through glass case back. Sapphire glass domed on both sides with inner anti-reflective coating.
• Limited edition number engraved on the case side at 9 o’clock.
• Two-piece black dial with printed Superluminova numerals and indices. Nickel hands with luminous inlay.
• Grey PVD coated screw down crown.
• Dark brown shrunk leather strap with grey PVD coated buckle
• Water resistant to 10 bar/100 metres.
• Set includes limited edition Hunter ejection seat key ring

The date on the famous Oris pointer calendar movement is indicated by a tiny Hunter jet.

The back of the Oris Swiss Hunter Team Limited Edition

JEAN DUNAND Tourbillon Orbital Confucius

The world of high complication watchmaking and belle horlogerie have married the technical expertise of a master watchmaker with the artistry of a miniaturist painter to produce a unique, one-off masterpiece. The mechanical prowess and poetry in motion of the gyrating tourbillon is enhanced with a miniature painting of sublime Oriental charm, an exceptional and highly original work of art.

Miniature painting is still practiced by an elite group of artisans, master craftsmen whose vir tuosity is still alive today in a tradition that can be traced to 14th century Persia. With the expansion of the Mongol Empire, the mastery of miniature painting spread to India and the powerful courts of the Mughal emperors. Mughal painting flourished in the mid-16th century with precious works of art whose colours and exquisite detail are still vibrant today.

In Europe miniature painting developed from the art of illuminating manuscripts and was practiced extensively throughout the Middle Ages. By the 1520’s the courts of France and England commissioned miniaturists to create portraits of their loved ones and following the flight of the Huguenots from France in the 17th century, the tradition of miniature painting found a new home in Geneva making its way onto watch dials and cases in the sumptuous tradition of haute horlogerie.

Jean Dunand, the Swiss artist whose work embodied the spirit of the Art Déco period and whose fascination and appreciation of Oriental art was made patent in his repertoire, is the inspiration and guiding light behind the Jean Dunand watch brand.

Jean Dunand’s passion for the Orient is recreated today in this miniature line portrait of Confucius, hand-painted on a very thin black onyx dial that has been inserted on top of a gold disk.

The Chinese philosopher, renowned for his teachings that revolved around the personal virtues of benevolence, charity, jen-humanity, reciprocity and the importance of ancestor worship, was born to a family of the lesser aristocracy in 551 B.C.

Confucius set about to bring order and peace to a divided nation of feudal states and following unsuccessful attempts to secure a patron, turned his attention to the teaching of young men. Following a fruitful and selfless life, Confucius died peacefully at the age of 72. Upon his death in 479 B.C., Master Kong, or Confucius, was buried just north of the city of Qufu and his disciples planted trees from all over China in his honour. The Kong Lin forest is the world’s oldest and largest private family cemetery and is the resting place for 76 generations of the Kong family, an amazing example of ancestral perpetuity that has never been matched by any other imperial or royal house.

Jean Dunand’s mechanical wonder celebrates the enduring Confucian legacy and has entrusted the meticulous travail of painting a miniature line portrait on the diminutive onyx surface to the capable hands of one single craftsman; the only artist in Switzerland capable of executing the demanding task. Countless hours of manual labour and fifteen kiln firings have been invested in this miniature.

The first challenge for Jean Dunand’s miniaturist is to reinterpret the original rectangular drawing onto the round surface of the onyx and a grid is used to plot the picture. Using top quality Swiss varnishes, the artisan blends his colour palette before undertaking the artistic odyssey where steady hands, keen eyes and patience are called upon, vital prerequisites that pay homage to the Confucian adage that “Impatience over little things introduces confusion into great schemes”.

Because of the delicacy and precision required, the artist handcrafts his paintbrushes from marten hair, often employing only a wisp of twenty odd hairs. Working from the face outwards with the aid of a binocular microscope, the ar tist applies the colours often repeating a stroke to increase volume that can be appreciated on Confucius’ beard or drawing out the stroke to achieve the nuance and gradation to render the curve of Confucius’ forehead.

Each painting session is followed by a stint in a 90-100° C kiln culminating in a final kiln firing of 6-7 hours.

The final result, a mere 3/100ths of a millimeter thick, is proof positive that complication and ornamentation, exceptional technology and consummate artistry do indeed produce remarkable results.

Khaki BASE Jump Automatic

An adrenalin kick for the wrist

Hamilton literally looked up to the skies for design inspiration for the new Khaki BASE Jump watches. These robust timepieces may not have a ripcord, but their appearance visually recreates the adrenalin-filled spirit of BASE jumping (jumping with an unopened parachute from a Building, Antenna, Span or the Earth). There is an automatic version containing a 2824 ETA-movement, as well as a sophisticated automatic chronograph with a 7750 movement. With their bold 50 mm cases and rugged color scheme, the Khaki BASE Jump timepieces give wearers wings when it comes to style.

High-flying functionality

A unique feature of the Khaki BASE Jump Auto Chrono is the chronograph functionality activated via the turning bezel. The Khaki BASE Jump Automatic version also integrates a turning bezel, in this case for an original bi-directional countdown. Both watches use a typeface of the sort commonly found on ‘classified information’ files, ensuring that the looks signal dynamic operation possibilities. The robust character is highlighted by a protected crown, positioned on the left-hand side of the watch for easy use in extreme situations, and an easy-grip finish on the bezel’s outer edge.

Elevated precision

Just like the sport that inspired the watch’s name, the Khaki BASE Jump timepieces have precision at the top of their checklist. An eye for design detail complements the quality of the Swiss movements. The dimensions of the case commensurate to the parachute are contrasted provocatively and stylishly with a ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern. The chronograph model comes with a choice of a titanium case with a black finish, or a stainless steel case coated in black or brown with matched dials. All versions have rubber straps to match the dial and underline the edgy, sporty statement. The non-chronograph interpretation has identical color combinations and a stainless steel case. In all of its declinations, the Hamilton Khaki BASE Jump promises to become as iconic as Icarus – hopefully bringing their wearer more luck in high-flying activities.

Hamilton was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Hamilton watches combine the American spirit with the unrivalled precision of the latest Swiss movements and technologies. Known for its innovative design, Hamilton has a strong foothold in Hollywood, with products appearing in over 350 films. The brand also boasts a strong aeronautical heritage. Hamilton is a member of the Swatch group, the largest watch manufacturer and distributor in the world with 160 production sites in Switzerland.

Technical Specifications

Khaki BASE Jump Auto chrono
Size 50 mm
Material Titanium / PVD black or bronze
Dial Color Black / bronze
Attachments Black rubber / brown leather
Movement Automatic 7750
Crystal Sapphire
Water resistance 100 m
Price Ca 1495 Euro, 1945 US$, 2250 CHF
Launch September 2009

Khaki BASE Jump Automatic
Size 50 mm
Material Stainless steel / PVD black / PVD bronze
Dial Color Black / bronze
Attachments Black rubber / brown leather
Movement Automatic 2824
Crystal Sapphire
Water resistance 100 m
Price Ca 895 € , 1195 US$ , 1345 CHF
Launch September 2009

BASE jumping is an activity using a parachute to jump from fixed objects, with the parachute remaining unopened at the start of the jump. BASE stands for the four recognized categories of fixed objects from which BASE jumpers can jump – Building, Antenna, Span (a section between two intermediate support and earthen objects such as a bridge) and the Earth.

Providing a further link with Hamilton, the acronym “BASE” was coined by film-maker Carl Boenish. He was the real catalyst behind modern BASE jumping and in 1978 filmed the first BASE jumps (from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park).

Hamilton Jazzmaster Slim Automatic - pink gold plated

Hamilton  presents a refreshing new dimension in precision timekeeping

With their slender cases, the Jazzmaster Slim Automatic watches bring new dimensions of elegance and comfort to classical design. A fine Swiss automatic movement takes its place underneath a black or silver dial, enclosed by a choice of 40 mm or 43 mm housing in polished stainless steel. The large 40 and 43 mm diameter contrasts the slenderness of the polished stainless steel case. The variation with a ‘Milanese’ metal bracelet underlines the Hamilton commitment to uniting modernity with craftsmanship.

About Hamilton

Hamilton was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Hamilton watches combine the American spirit with the unrivalled precision of the latest Swiss movements and technologies. Known for its innovative design, Hamilton has a strong foothold in Hollywood, with products appearing in over 300 films. The brand also boasts a strong aeronautical heritage. Hamilton is a member of the Swatch group, the largest watch manufacturer and distributor in the world with 160 production sites in Switzerland.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Slim Automatic

www.hamiltonwatch.com

Price:
43mm – Ca 625 €, 795 USD, 950 CHF
40mm – Ca 525 €, 695 USD, 795 CHF

OMEGA the official timepiece of Tavistock Cup 2009 - Ernie Els teeing off on the third hole ("The OMEGA Hole") at the Tavistock Cup in Orlando, Florida.

Wednesday 18 March 2009 – Each year, the Tavistock Cup pits teams from two Orlando, Florida-based golf clubs – Isleworth and Lake Nona – against each other in head-to-head competition. Both clubs have membership which includes some of the world’s leading golfers. This year, Graeme McDowell led his Lake Nona team to victory over their Isleworth competitors, who count among their members Tiger Woods, the world’s top-ranked player.

OMEGA was “The Official Timepiece of the Tavistock Cup.”

This years winner, Team Lake Nona, included, along with captain Ernie Els, Ben Curtis, Chris DiMarco, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, Graeme McDowell, Mark McNulty, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.

The runner-up, Team Isleworth, was captained by Mark O’Meara and who led a team featuring Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Daniel Chopra, Darren Clarke, John Cooke, J. B. Holmes, Charles Howell III, Nick O’Hern and Tiger Woods.

The strength of the field at the Tavistock Cup is underscored by the fact that the competing professionals from the Isleworth and Lake Nona Golf Clubs have won a staggering total of 53 major championships and more than 710 career worldwide victories among them.

Source: www.omega.ch

KING POWER FOUDROYANTE ALL BLACK - © Hublot Geneve

Hublot Geneve Press Release January 2009 – A Big Bang with an even stronger, more powerful and further evolved design: this is the King Power – a timepiece with a complex dial made of several layers in a sober and powerful aesthetic concept, housing a split-seconds foudroyante chronograph movement.

King Power, a watch with an extreme and robust design. Its strength lies both in its tradition and faithfulness to the design of the Big Bang, as well as in its avant-garde
modernism. All its components have been redesigned: the case has been shaped with sharp angles and straight sides, and features raised end pieces and screws. On the case edge, the push pieces stand out more, with the decorative tubes inserted in the black composite resin. The bezel has acquired a new look thanks to the rubber
moulding around the ceramic. The dial is made of several layers and ten extra elements in addition to the powerful black index markers. The Chronograph and Foudroyante hands are completely new and made on two levels, with two different types of finish. The helicoid shape of the Foudroyante imparts it with a particularly dynamic – signature of the King Power collection. Its rubber strap features an embossed cut-out, giving it a very robust look, and for the first time the clasp is made of ceramic. The new King Power is designed to house the chronograph movement, entirely manufactured by Hublot, which is soon to be unveiled.

Four years after launching the Big Bang, the King Power pushes to the limit the qualities of its original design, and succeeds in combining both the expression of power and the feeling of luxury.

Thierry Nataf, President of Zenith International S.A. - © Zenith

The Swiss Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie ZENITH INTERNATIONAL SA belongs to the Watch & Jewelry division of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group, which it joined in November 1999. Since his arrival at the head of the company almost four years ago, Thierry Nataf has undertaken to, as he phrases it, “take ZENITH back to its zenith”. He has thus devoted himself to rethinking the entire set of collections and the brand universe, ensuring a subtle blend of tradition and modernity, techniques and emotions. This has been done by maintaining rigorous respect for the founding values, while adopting a consistently daring approach. In his own words, “ZENITH has now become a luxury Watch House which, by rediscovering its past, is regaining all its pride and, by dreaming its future, is creating its present.”

Appointed CEO of ZENITH INTERNATIONAL on June 11th 2001, Thierry Nataf became its President on January 1st 2002. He then launched the renewal of virtually all product ranges, while relying firmly on the historical movements developed by the Manufacture, El Primero and Elite. “At the heart of my concerns lies the Watch: sound, beautiful, balanced.”

Thierry Nataf studied at various French and American universities from which he graduated with several MA degrees in Corporate Management. He has served on the management team of companies specializing in electronics, travel goods and the luxury product industry, in the United States, Europe and other countries. Before transferring to the Manufacture ZENITH, he was international vice-president for VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN (LVMH group).

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch - © Omega

APOLLO 11 “40TH ANNIVERSARY” LIMITED EDITION The first manned lunar landing on the 20th of July, 1969 was the greatest, most dramatic scientific achievement in human history. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56 GMT on the 21st of July, Aldrin was wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster and a legend was born. An interesting footnote: the electronic timing system on the Lunar Module was not functioning correctly so Armstrong had left his watch aboard as a reliable backup.

Now OMEGA joins the world in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing with the release of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition.

It is fitting that the distinctive timepiece is powered by OMEGA’s famous calibre 1861, the same movement used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch. The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA’s patented screw and pin system.

The black dial also recalls that of the Moon Watch with some key differences. The small seconds counter (sub-dial) has been created in the form of a small medallion which features an adaptation of Apollo 11’s famous mission patch: an eagle descends to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. In the distance, far above the horizon, the earth is visible. The patch, interestingly, was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armstrong and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.

The watch’s hour, minute and the red-tipped chronograph seconds hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. The minute and hour chronograph counter hands are white and the brushed, rhodium-plated small seconds hand offers an attractive contrast to the medallion on the counter.

Below the words “OMEGA Speedmaster PROFESSIONAL” on the dial, the legend 02:56 GMT – the exact time that Neil Armstrong made his “one small step” onto the moon – is displayed in red.

The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition’s dial is protected by Hesalite, the same robust, shatter-proof acrylic crystal found on the original Moon Watch. Hesalite was ideally suited for use in space – there was no chance that it could break apart and send potentially dangerous fragments into the low-gravity environment. A small, distinctive OMEGA logo has been etched evocatively inside the Hesalite crystal.

The Apollo 11 “Eagle” mission patch is stamped on the caseback along with the words, “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”, the limited edition number (0000/7969), and “July 21, 1969”, the date Armstrong and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56, the time which is printed on the dial.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition is delivered in a black presentation box which also includes a 42 mm silver medal (the same diameter as the watch) featuring an engraving of the mission patch on one side with the words “APOLLO 11, 40th ANNIVERARY”. On the reverse side, the medal is engraved, “THE EAGLE HAS LANDED”; “LAUNCHED JULY 16 1969”; “LANDED JULY 20, 1969”; and “RETURNED, JULY 24, 1969” along with OMEGA’s name and logo. Also in the presentation box is a certificate of authenticity and an envelope containing a black polishing cloth with information commemorating the historic space flight.

Centuries from now, historians will continue to look back in wonder at the Apollo 11 mission. For the first time ever, human beings had left Earth, walked on another celestial body, and returned safely home. OMEGA will always be proud of the role it played in the greatest scientific adventure of all time.

Co-Axial escapement - © Omega

DRIVING THE REVOLUTION IN MECHANICAL WATCHES When OMEGA launched its Co-Axial calibre 2500 in 1999, the entire mechanical watch industry was put on notice. The Co-Axial Escapement in the calibre was the first practical new mechanical watch escapement to be launched in 250 years.

The operative word here is “practical”: in the decade following the launch of the first Co-Axial calibre, OMEGA introduced the state-of-the-industry escapements into every one of its watch lines. Before long, each new mechanical watch produced by OMEGA will be equipped with the technology which watch industry observers once predicted would be, at best, a niche product only suitable for expensive, limited run timepieces.

Master watchmaker George Daniels, who invented the Co-Axial Escapement, said of his masterpiece, “It is intended to sustain the public affection for the mechanical watch during the 21st century.” It is well on its way to doing so.

In simple terms, the escapement is the heart of the mechanical watch, as it maintains the oscillations of the balance, the watch’s regulating mechanism. George Daniels’ vision – the OMEGA Co-Axial Escapement – reduces the friction among the parts that transmit energy to the other components. The result is a reduced need for servicing for the movement and, above all, greater stability of the watch’s precision over time.

With the calibre 2500, refined by the introduction of OMEGA’s free sprung balance for maximum precision, the venerable watch company had signalled the greatest revolution in recent watchmaking history, reaching chronometric performance standards previously unimagined for series-production mechanical watches.

That was only the beginning.

Following the launch of the Co-Axial calibre in 1999, OMEGA continued to refine and improve the technology.

In 2005, the 3313 family of Co-Axial chronograph calibres was introduced but the most dramatic headlines would be created two years later.

In 2007, OMEGA launched the Co-Axial calibre 8500. This marked a dramatic step in the evolution of OMEGA’s Co-Axial philosophy. For the first time, the company built the entire movement around the Co-Axial Escapement and every one of its 202 parts was developed and produced in-house specifically for the new calibre. At the same time, the movement’s manufacturing processes was optimized for series-production readiness.

For OMEGA it was a return to its roots: the company had, in fact, been named for a serially-produced movement developed in-house in 1890 and the introduction of the Co-Axial calibre 8500 demonstrated boldly that OMEGA was back among the ranks of Swiss watch manufactures, companies which have designed and produced their own movements in-house.

The drama continued in 2008 with the launch of the Co-Axial calibre 8520/8521 designed especially for smaller watches. It was introduced in the new Aqua Terra Ladies’ Collection showing that the technology could function perfectly in watches with 30 mm cases.

The same year also saw the release of the Co-Axial calibre 8601/8611, a Co-Axial movement with an added instantaneous jump calendar complication which only needed to be set once a year, on the 1st of March.

The revolution which began at OMEGA ten years ago is continuing with the development of new Co-Axial calibres with added complications. In time, the company plans to equip every one of its new mechanical watches with OMEGA Co-Axial calibres.

The Swiss lever escapement, the mainstay of the mechanical watchmaking industry for nearly 250 years, will still have its devotees, particularly among OMEGA’s competitors. This is understandable as it is arguably the second-best watch escapement in the world.

The world premiere of the new model, available in a limited edition and sold exclusively in Avakian stores, was held Dec. 4 during a gala at the Avakian store in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The California store opened last year as part of the company’s international expansion plans, joining Avakian stores in Geneva, London and Moscow.

Wishing to perpetuate the family tradition and preserve the authentic Avakian style, Edmond Avakian enlisted independent Swiss craftsmen to design and produce his new watch. With an avant-garde design, the new timepiece has a second time zone, large date display and instantaneous date change with quick correction, and is offered with manual or automatic winding. The model will be available in six formats in the following materials: rose gold, white gold, black PVD and black gold. An interchangeable gold bezel fits onto the case, and is available either plain or diamond-studded.

The manufacture of the gold middle sections and the leather work required were entrusted to a number of small workshops in Geneva, ensuring that the entire design and assembly process is purely Swiss, the company said in a press release.

In 1976, when Edmond Avakian joined his family’s firm, the company specialized in jewelry sales. Committed to develop and expand the business, he turned his attention to jewelry design and became the exclusive distributor of a number of prestigious Swiss watchmaking brands. After arriving in Geneva in 1985, Avakian became a distributor for the most prestigious brands in the Swiss watchmaking industry.

To pay homage to the watchmaking tradition of the Avakian brand and offer his clientele an increasingly extensive range of products, Edmond Avakian decided to create a watch model all his own, designed to match the company’s image.