Monthly Archives: February 2015

Duomètre Sphérotourbillon Moon

Jaeger Lecoultre

Once you’ve understood the components mentioned in this watch’s name, you’ll know what it’s all about. Duomètre: Jaeger-LeCoultre developed a concept called Dual-Wing. It involves separating the two mechanisms (one operating the time functions and the other the complications) to provide optimum precision. Each system is powered by a different cylinder. The concept allows you to reset the small seconds at 6 o’ clock after setting the watch’s time. Sphérotourbillon: made up of 105 components, the oscillating weight spins on two axes, one in its titanium cage and the other at a 20° angle. Moon: the moon phase at 3 o’ clock is designed to be accurate for 3,887 years whilst a traditional model would lose a day every 2 and a half years. The exceptional movement is housed in a 42mm platinum case with an opening on the side so you see the Sphérotourbillon in action. Price: 236’000 € HT

Datograph Perpetual

A.Lange&Sohne

You’d be wrong to think that grey is sad and gloomy, even in this bleak midwinter. All too often associated with melancholy, dust and discoloration, grey actually glows with elegance and lifts brighter colours beautifully. A perfect example is the solid silver case on the Datograph Perpétuel (which brings a flyback chronograph together with a perpetual calendar) whose warm deep grey showcases the silver-tone on the two rhodium-plated counters and the bright blue on some features. The L953.1 calibre in the heart of the 41mm white gold case brings the various functions to life: hours and minutes (centre), small seconds (8 o’ clock), chronograph minute counter (4 o’ clock), calendars (large date at 12, day of the week at 8 and month at 4), moon phase and day/night indicator (6 o’ clock). The manual wind movement provides a 36-hour power reserve. Price: 130,500 CHF

JAQUET DROZ – Grande Seconde Deadbeat

Jaquet Droz

The deadbeat second developed in the 18th century has gradually become obsolete. This accurate complication is still around but the general public know little about it which makes it even more exceptional. Jaquet Droz has paid tribute to the deadbeat second on one of its masterpieces: the Grande Seconde. The long gold seconds hand in the centre of the velvety and bright ivory Grand Feu enamel ticks down the seconds. The Roman hour numerals and pearlescent minute track have been moved up the dial to free the lower half of the dial for the retrograde date display with a hand. The time functions are brought to life by the new 2695SMR calibre specially developed by Jaquet Droz for this limited edition of 88 pieces. The self-winding movement also provides a 40-hour power reserve from inside the 43mm rose gold case. Price upon request

PIAGET ANNOUNCE JESSICA CHASTAIN AS INTERNATIONAL BRAND AMBASSADOR

Piaget

The most renowned watchmaker-jewelers, whose finely crafted precious collections are adored by connoisseurs around the world, has chosen American international actress Jessica Chastain to embody the Piaget woman.

‘We are thrilled to introduce Jessica Chastain as our new international brand ambassador’, explains Philippe Léopold-Metzger, Piaget CEO. ‘She embodies Piaget’s unique values – from her audacious acting career choices to her unrelenting passion for perfection. She is beautiful, elegant, charismatic, and full of joy.’

‘It is an incredible honor to be in partnership with Piaget. They believe in innovation and boldness in their approach with pieces that are modern but respect the company’s rich heritage. Their attention to detail is unparalleled and their beautiful collection reflects the company’s motto to “Always do better than necessary. Said Chastain

About Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain has established herself as one of the finest film actresses of her generation, earning numerous award nominations and critical acclaim. In 2012, Time magazine featured her as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World”.

Trained at the Julliard School in New York City, the American actress made her feature film debut in Dan Ireland’s Jolene in 2008. Since then, she has earned critical acclaim for her leading roles in many major movies including Terrence Malik’s The Tree of Life, Tate Taylor’s The Help, earning her first Academy Award nomination, John Madden’s The Debt, Take Shelter and Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark 30, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama and received her 2nd Academy Award nomination.

Her most recent box office successes came from her roles in JC Chandor’s A Most Violent Year, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination and won the National Board Of Review award for Best Supporting Actress, as well Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Interstellar. For these films in addition to Ned Benson’s The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby and Liv Ullman’s Miss Julie, she was honored with the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association’s first ever Critic’s Choice MVP award. She will next be seen in Guillermo Del Toro’ latest movie Crimson Peak and Ridley Scott’s The Martian, both set for release Fall 2015.

About Piaget

It was in La Côte-aux-Fées that Georges-Edouard Piaget set up his first workshop in the family farmhouse and devoted himself to producing high-precision movements. This was back in 1874 and marked the start of an ever-growing reputation. In 1943, the company took a decision that would prove crucial to its future by registering its brand name.

Faithful to its pioneering spirit, Piaget in the late 1950s set about designing and manufacturing the ultra-thin movements that would become one of the Maison’s signatures and leave a lasting impression on watchmaking.

But Piaget was also a style: a marriage of gold and an explosion of color, new shapes, precious gems, and dials made of hard stones. Carried along on the wave of extraordinary creativity driven by Yves G. Piaget, the brand’s jewelry collection grew in an original direction with a resolute emphasis on color.

Rich of 140 years of history, the ever-bold brand, innovated by offering jewels in motion, extravagant Haute Joaillerie collections, and incredible watches to become today one of the world’s most prestigious watchmaker-jewelers.

As international Piaget brand ambassador, Jessica Chastain will make appearances at events around the world, adding pieces from Piaget’s jewelry and watch collections to her distinctive looks. By appointing an international brand ambassadress Piaget shows its commitment to jewelry and high jewelry.

Piaget has had a longstanding commitment to supporting cinema and the arts. On Saturday, February 21st, Piaget will continue to be the Premier sponsor of the Film Independent Spirit Awards for the eighth consecutive year.

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – Aventicum

Christophe Claret

The solid gold bust of Marcus Aurelius was unearthed from the entrails of Aventicum in 1939, the former Roman Swiss capital which is now called Avenches, south of Lake Murten. The Roman emperor’s effigy has been reproduced, miniaturised (3mm tall) and magically captured in the heart of the dial of Christophe Claret’s brand new watch. A carefully installed mirascope on the watch beams the gilded statuette onto the dial which meant the watchmaker had to completely redesign the time display. The hours and minutes are underlined by two markers rather than tracked by hands traditionally placed in the centre. The time functions are brought to life by the self-winding AVE15 calibre housed in a rose gold, white gold or titanium 44mm case coated in anthracite grey PVD. You can gaze at the movement through the caseback as it provides the 72-hour power reserve. Price: 49,000 CHF exc. VAT (rose gold) – 53,000 CHF exc. VAT (white gold)