Monthly Archives: November 2015

RICHARD MILLE – RM 67-01 Automatique Extraplate

What gives a timepiece personality is when you can easily recognise its design, even from afar. A Richard Mille watch is instantly recognisable and the RM 67-01 is no different. The unisex watch is all in proportion with a super-slim barrel-shape case in three parts and a self-winding core: that’s a brief look at its lovely features. The extra-thin skeleton CRMA6 calibre brings the time to life on the openwork dial surrounded by a screwdown bezel: hours and minutes in the centre, semi-instant date display in a vertical luminescent display at 5 o’ clock and a function indicator at 2 o’ clock. The latter acts like a gearstick and enables you to wind the watch (W), set the date (D) or time (H). The metal time indices are coated in Super LumiNova® and set on two titanium rails fitted straight onto the movement which elevates the 3D effect of the model’s dial. Price on request. Sharmila Bertin
richardmille.com

TUDOR – Fastrider Black Shield XDaviel

You can still be a sophisticated, manly, cool gentleman like Steve McQueen nowadays. Not sure? Introducing the XDaviel by Ducati. This motorbike blends super-charged motorcycle racing with cruiser style and stands out for its muscly machinery and streamlined contemporary design. Just like the Fastrider Black Shield, the new watch from the partnership between the Italian manufacturer and Tudor. These two beautiful machines share the same values and all-black option. White hands glide over snowy indices on the matt black dial. The strong contrast makes it easier to tell the time and short time measured using tri-compax and date displays at 4.30. Its matt black monobloc ceramic case (42mm) is fuelled by a self-winding chronograph movement. With a 46-hour power reserve on a leather or rubber strap, it will be with you wherever the road takes you. Price: 4’700 CHF. Dan Diaconu

Montblanc – 1858 Small Second

The recipe seems simple. Take large Arabic numerals. Mix with wide “cathedral” hands. Coat everything in beige Super-LumiNova® and dress on a black dial. No extra garnish required. Put the assembled components in a large case and serve the archetype for an aviator watch. Easy? It may be but, like any recipe, it all depends on the chef, his knowledge and personal touch. In this case, Montblanc has a feast for the eyes. The Montblanc 1858 Small Second blends all the ingredients to ensure readability at any time, be it day or night, and the added luxury of an elegant small seconds function at 6 o’ clock. The slim bezel frees up the dial so the information has lots of space. The 44mm steel case has a surprise core: the manual wind BM 23.03 movement. The watch comes with a choice of a calfskin or steel strap. Price: 2,990 CHF leather strap, 3,290 CHF Milanese mesh strap. Dan Diaconu
montblanc.com

VACHERON CONSTANTIN – Heure Discrète

This year the Genevan brand is celebrating its 260th anniversary and has delved into its wealth of archives to create a new collection. This spectacular glittering fan is part of the incredibly sophisticated and feminine Heures Créatives collection. Its softly edgy geometric shapes and pure Art Deco style are inspired by a pendant watch designed by the brand in 1919. Its white gold silhouette glitters with round diamonds and three diamond rows unfurl over the watch to delicately wrap around the wrist. Its shy body, concealed by a fan, hides a secret. Glide your fingertips over the diamond-covered folds and Heure Discrète reveals a white mother-of-pearl dial whose décor echoes the fan. Two silver “poire” hands skim over the shimmering triangle to display the hours and minutes brought to life by the manual wind 1055 calibre inside the white gold case. Price upon request. Sharmila Bertin

JAQUET DROZ – THE EXPANSION OF JAQUET DROZ IN CHINA HIGHLIGHTS A PRIVILEGED RELATIONSHIP

The inauguration in 2015 of four new single-brand boutiques in China bears testimony to the Swiss watchmaker’s desire to celebrate its long-standing ties with the Middle Kingdom.

The nine Jaquet Droz boutiques in China today are all imbued with the same spirit as their driving force: to perpetuate a shared history that spans several centuries. The dialog between the watchmaking firm and the illustrious country-continent began in the 18th century, under the initiative of Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz, one of the firm’s founders, who had the idea of establishing a workshop that would produce predominantly for the Chinese market. These frequent exchanges created close and lasting bonds between China and the brand known by its twin stars. In 1783, Jaquet Droz became the first watchmaking brand to be admitted into the grounds of the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor Qianlong and his courtiers showed fascination at the originality of his creations. Certain historic pieces are still conserved today in the Museum of the Forbidden City.

True to its heritage, the brand has successfully preserved and cultivated this exceptional relationship. With desire to strengthen and promote these privileged ties, Jaquet Droz has inaugurated four new boutiques in 2015, covering three of the country’s major cities. The opening of a retail store in Beijing in May and a second location in July, along with the launch of a new location in the heart of Studio City in Macau, have sealed the beginning of a new era in the relationship between Jaquet Droz and China.

As the most recent manifestation of the lasting bonds of this shared history, on November 12th of this year, a new showcase boutique opened its doors on West Nanjing Road, a prestigious and unmissable address in the heart of Shanghai. The event was marked by festivities celebrating the themes of discovery and initiation, giving Jaquet Droz the opportunity to reiterate an ambition that has remained unchanged from its beginnings: to surprise, to fascinate, and also to tell its story.

The new boutique is outfitted with elegant showcases that present the various Jaquet Droz models as veritable works of art under carefully designed lighting.  Customers are immersed in a refined space with clean lines that play on the various tones of slate, in harmony with the minimalist scenography, true to the spirit of the brand. Several illustrations on the walls highlight the different arts and crafts that represent the pure expertise of the watchmaking firm.

For the inauguration ceremony, Jaquet Droz had an artist from its Ateliers d’Art come especially to give attendees an exclusive demonstration of the infinite refinement of miniature painting on the dial.

The event was also marked by the presentation of the Grande Seconde Deadbeat, a masterpiece of watchmaking complications that has been subtly redesigned, with its seconds hand centered on the dial. Also featured at the opening was the Charming Bird, a feat of technical and artistic prowess distinguished by its automaton in the form of a singing bird, which won an award in the “Mechanical Exception” category of the 2015 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. True to the Jaquet Droz aesthetic, these timepieces resonate with the culture of amazement and a love of tradition, two emblematic traits that unite the Swiss watchmaker and the Middle Kingdom.
jaquet-droz.com

ULYSSE NARDIN – Dual Time Manufacture Lady

There a few timepieces with a second time zones designed especially for women. Anyone would think that only men could travel and play at being globetrotters…Well that’s not the case! Women travel too be it for business or pleasure and switch between different time zones. Ulysse Nardin has designed a range of the self-winding Dual Time Manufacture Lady with these jetsetters in mind. The bezel on the 37.5mm rose gold or steel case comes with or without diamonds. The white mother-of-pearl or black lacquer dial glitters with diamonds in place of standard indices, on the large XII at 12 o’ clock and the small seconds counter at 6. Local time appears in the centre tracked by two spear-shape hands whilst home time lies in a black-on-white display at 9 o’ clock. The date appears in a double display at 2. Price upon request. Sharmila Bertin

PANERAI – Luminor 1950 3 Days Titanio DLC – 47 mm (PAM000629)

The Mamas and The Papas’ legendary hit California Dreamin’ could be the official anthem for the paneristi, Panerai watch collectors, given the love for the famed dial nicknamed “California.” What’s so special about it? Inspired by the first Radiomir from 1936, its clever layout features luminescent indices, Roman and Arabic numerals. Between 2006 and today, the transalpine brand has drop-fed limited series with this design making each new release is an event, the chance for a dream to come true. The new Luminor 1950 3 Days Titanio DLC is sure to be snapped up and there are only 300 available. What’s more, this timepiece oozes Officine style. The classic cushion-shape case and crown protector, in titanium with a DLC coating, houses the manual wind in-house P.3000 calibre (72-hour power reserve). This special edition comes with a dark brown leather strap. Price: 10,900 CHF. Dan Diaconu

PARMIGIANI – Tonda 1950 Édition Spéciale colette

Colette on Rue Saint-Honoré has become a destination in Paris since opening in 1997. The concept store bursts with different worlds and hosted one of the first exhibitions by graffiti artist André Saraiva, a.k.a. Monsieur A, in 2002. When Le Baron nightspot opened in 2005, the artist reinvented himself as a Paris club owner. Parmigiani has drunk in his aura and used his talent to adorn 11 white gold Tonda 1950 watches. What do they have in common? Aside from their self-winding movement, Paris, Love and New York are decorated with the artist’s signature font in blue and red on the dials. This limited edition, exclusively available from colette, plays on colour combinations and materials. The straps (shagreen or boa), made by L’Atelier du Bracelet Parisien, a nod to the City of Light, echo the nuances of graffiti and the black, blue or white lacquer dials. Price: 23,300 € (diamond “Paris” watch) – 19,900 €. Dan Diaconu

ORIS – Divers Sixty-Five Blue

This is undoubtedly one of 2015’s most desirable watches. And not without reason! As a modern take on Oris’ first ever diving watch from 50 years ago, the Divers Sixty-Five has all the qualities of a best-seller watch: a trendy neo-retro look dial, wide indices for easy timekeeping, a reasonably sized steel case (40mm), water-resistant to 100m, domed sapphire crystal, a self-winding movement (38-hour power reserve), a graduated rotating bezel and, the cherry on the cake, a great price. To end the year on a high, the Swiss brand has unveiled an equally attractive version. The black dial has made way for a subtle grey and blue pairing called “Deauville”, a tribute to the famous French sea resort reminiscent of the ocean’s colours. Choose from a black fabric strap with deployment clasp or a black rubber strap with a pin buckle. Price: 1,750 CHF. Dan Diaconu

JAEGER-LECOULTRE – Geophysic® True Second

Have you heard of jumping seconds? Maybe not from a technical point of view but you’ve surely seen them in action. A central seconds hand jumps forward every second instead of gliding around the dial. This unique feature, typical of quartz watches, is a feat of mechanical watchmaking and has been around since the 18th century when watchmakers were looking for a way to measure short time. The chronograph was in its infancy. It was called “beating the second”. Breguet called it “jump seconds”. Jaeger-LeCoultre had the bright idea to bring the function back into fashion with a new name: the true second. Unveiled last year as a limited edition update of a 1958 model, the Geophysic® has now spawned its own collection. The True Second model houses the function fuelled by its self-winding movement in an elegant steel or rose gold case (39.6 mm). Price: 8,650 CHF (steel) – 17,300 CHF (rose gold). Dan Diaconu