Monthly Archives: October 2017

iwc aquatimer ceratanium materials

IWC – AQUATIMER PERPETUAL CALENDAR DIGITAL DATE-MONTH

IWC

HIGH-TECH DIVING

For the 50th anniversary of the Aquatimer collection, IWC has unveiled the first diving watch with a case made from Ceratanium in a limited edition.

To celebrate the golden jubilee of Aquatimer, IWC has chosen not to dive back into the history of the collection, but to provide a modern take on its diving watch with a limited edition of 50 pieces. The Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month “50 Years of Aquatimer” Edition stands out through the original design of its impressive 49mm Ceratanium-machined case. Ceratanium is a titanium and ceramic alloy. The result? It has the ideal properties of both elements. It is as robust and resistant to scratching as ceramics and it is as light and unbreakable as titanium. This high-tech material is also designed to provide a high level of rust resistance. Ceratanium is attractive for its aesthetic features, too. After being consolidated in a kiln, it takes on a highly original deep black colour.

iwc aquatimer ceratanium materials

The Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month has not left behind its aquatic origins and really is a tool for divers. The timepiece is watertight down to 100 metres, and its revolving internal bezel gives information about the duration of the dive.

Price: CHF50,000

By Dan Diaconu

chopard luc heritage grand cru with caseback

CHOPARD – L.U.C HÉRITAGE GRAND CRU

Chopard

PRESTIGE AND TRADITION

As is the case for major wines, you can always be sure that the L.U.C Héritage Grand Cru will be a great vintage. The timepiece concentrates all the know-how of the watchmakers, Chopard.

Barrel-shaped watches are becoming rarer. So, they are much sought after by connoisseurs, as “grands crus” are by wine lovers. Both the watches and the wines have a very elegant appearance. But there is no need to lay down the L.U.C Héritage Grand Cru for years to come, since it is definitely ready to be enjoyed right away and without moderation! The aesthetic appearance of this timepiece pays homage to the vintage pocket watches that made the name of Chopard. On a white, wonderfully pure dial, like porcelain, the golden, dauphine-style hour and minute hands make their way around black Roman numerals. A second hand at 6 o’clock and a discreet date help balance the features housed in a rose gold case with graceful curves. This rounded shape makes the watch very comfortable to wear, particularly since it is no more than 7.75mm thick.

chopard luc heritage grand cru with caseback

Following in the footsteps of the L.U.C Tonneau, released in 2001, this new model comes with a self-winding mechanism. The micro-rotor drives two superimposed barrels, which provide 65 hours of power reserve. Certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC), the L.U.C Héritage Grand Cru also has the prestigious Geneva Seal, a guarantee of high quality. The L.U.C 97.01-L calibre has some of the most up-to-date finishes, as can be seen through the crystal glass on the case back.

This highly refined chronometer has all the charms needed to attract the modern gentleman. The model’s refined appearance is delicately enhanced by a hand-sewn brown alligator strap with a rose gold buckle.

Price: CHF22,300 chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

jaquet droz grande seconde moon silver caseback

JAQUET DROZ – GRANDE SECONDE MOON SILVER

Jaquet Droz

READING ASTRAL TIME

Jaquet Droz’s flagship collection now includes a major complication, the moon phase. Three new models harmoniously combine the Grande Seconde with the queen of the night.

Introduced at BaselWorld this year, the Grande Seconde Moon Silver by Jaquet Droz is one of three new models that have joined the Grande Seconde collection. One is made of steel, with an onyx dial, the other is made of rose gold and “Grand Feu” enamel, and this last model, with a steel case and a silvered opal dial, results in a simple and refined timepiece – two adjectives that are well suited to the brand based in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

jaquet droz grande seconde moon silver caseback

The Grande Seconde Moon Silver’s self-winding movement provides a power reserve of 68 hours. Jaquet Droz invites us to contemplate and analyse the passing of time with a timepiece that is very easy to read thanks to a dual-level dial that has been specially designed for these three models.

Price: CHF15,700 jaquet-droz.com

By Isabelle Guignet

longines avigation bigeye closeup

LONGINES – AVIGATION BIGEYE

Longines

PERFECT VISIBILITY

Longines has long-standing links with aviation. The new Avigation BigEye chronograph continues its tradition of pilots’ watches.

Longines regularly delves into its past to re-release historic models from the 20th century, adapting them to modern tastes. The most recent, the Avigation BigEye, has joined the Heritage collection, with a design inspired by a 1930s chronograph. This timepiece respects the stylistic elements featuring in pilots watches of yesteryear, but in a smaller size, adapted to all wrists. The watch case is no more than 41mm wide. A very positive point! To provide maximum readability, the watchmakers from Saint-Imier have played on the contrasts with perfect mastery. On a semi-glossy black dial, impressive Arabic numerals coated with SuperLuminova are accompanied by equally luminous watch hands. This display makes the hours and minutes very easy to read, whatever the amount of light available. The chronograph totalisers, and particularly the over-sized 30 minute counter at 3 o’clock and the small second hand at 9 o’clock, are just as clear and simple to read.

longines avigation bigeye closeup

Impressive mushroom-shaped push buttons are used to trigger the calibre L688 chronograph. Once fully wound, the automatic movement provides 54 hours of power reserve.

To reinforce the aesthetic appeal of the Avigation BigEye, Longines had the very good idea of combining it with a brown leather strap with a pin buckle. The retro quality of the watch is also highlighted by the convex sapphire crystal.

Price: €2,350

By Dan Diaconu

blancpain gt series race start

Blancpain GT Series: Record participation for the European final in Barcelona!

BlancPain

The final of the Blancpain GT Series Europe and the Blancpain GT Sports Club was held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on October 1st. This last European venue of the year hosted other renowned competitions and the number of cars competing had never been so high, with a record-breaking 168 vehicles.

Blancpain GT Series

After a solid performance and despite their third position after three hours of racing in Barcelona, Mirko Bortolotti and Christian Engelhart from the Grasser Racing Team #63 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 were crowned the new 2017 Blancpain GT Series 2017 champions. Together with Andrea Caldarelli, they also took the driver’s Endurance Cup.

The winners of the last round of the 2017 Blancpain GT Series season in Barcelona were Felix Serralles, Tristan Vautier and Dani Juncadella of the AKKA ASP #88 Mercedes-AMG GT3 team, which narrowly beat the Team WRT #17 Audi R8 LMS.

Grasser Racing Team took the Blancpain GT Series team title in their Lamborghini Huracán GT3, while Bentley Team M-Sport claimed the Endurance Cup team’s title, a consolation for the trio Andy Soucek, Maxime Soulet and Vincent Abril. The latter had managed to gain a dozen positions in the opening stint, but halfway through the race and after a three-way fight with a BMW and a Jaguar, the Bentley gearbox was damaged and the driver had to park the car, thus putting an end to any hopes of winning the championship.

blancpain gt series race start

Blancpain and the world of Motorsport

Over the past nine years, Blancpain has emerged as a pre-eminent force in the field of motorsport and established a leading profile among automobile manufacturers, drivers and spectators. The watch Manufacture has become an international benchmark in GT racing through its partnerships such as the Blancpain GT Series Europe (comprising the Blancpain Endurance Series and the Blancpain Sprint Series), the Blancpain GT Series Asia, the Blancpain Sports Club, and the British GT Championship. Watchmaking and automotive mechanics thus meet and mingle, as Blancpain also serves as official race timekeeper.

The last round of the Blancpain GT Series Asia will take place from October 13th to 15th on the Zheijang circuit in China, which marks the closing of the 2017 Blancpain Motorsport season.

All the winners of the 2017 Blancpain GT Series Championships will travel to Paris on Friday November 24th for the official prize-giving ceremony. They will also be officially presented with an L-evolution Flyback Chronograph watch specially engraved for this occasion.

blancpain.com

breitling bentley gt dark sapphire closeup

BREITLING – BENTLEY GT DARK SAPPHIRE EDITION

Breitling

A GT ON YOUR WRIST

The new limited edition watch from the Breitling for Bentley collection is an invitation on a journey in time combining luxury, peace and delight.

To celebrate the release of the new Bentley Continental GT, a car standing out because of the passenger compartment decorated with noble and precious materials and a very powerful engine, the most British of Swiss watch brands has produced a limited series of 500 pieces, the Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition. Like the luxurious GT coupé, the watch made by Breitling combines performance and prestige. The impressive 48mm case is made of Breitlight®. This ultra-light, ultra-sturdy, high-tech material is not only scratch-resistant and rust-resistant, but also provides excellent thermal stability and anti-magnetic qualities. The black, lightly marbled colour has a blued sheen recalling the colour of the Bentley “Dark Sapphire” bodywork.

breitling bentley gt dark sapphire closeup

Like all the timepieces made by the firm based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition is driven by a movement with official COSC chronometer certification. In the present case, this is an automatic calibre, the B06, giving the watch a power reserve of over 70 hours. It also stands out through its “30-second chronograph” system. In concrete terms, the central second hand turns around the dial in half a minute. This technical feature guarantees a precise reading on short time periods down to 1/8th of a second.

On the dial, a diamond pattern recalls details from the inside of the Bentley Continental GT. The same pattern adorns the comfortable rubber strap, specially created for this limited edition.

Price: €9,180

By Dan Diaconu

breguet classic tour closeup

BREGUET LAUNCHES THE “CLASSIC TOUR” IN LONDON

Breguet

“A dandy on the boulevards (…), strolling at leisure until his Breguet, ever vigilant, reminds him it is midday.”

Alexandre Pushkin, Eugene Onegin (1825-1833)

On Wednesday October 4th 2017, Breguet staged the exclusive London launch of the “Classic Tour”, an event honouring the art of living of a true gentleman. On this occasion, the House has decided to assemble a handpicked selection of craft skills, paired with an elegant timepiece from the iconic Classique collection. After this first British stage, the “Classic Tour” will travel to several cities around the world, in each instance presenting local customs perpetuated by gentlemen in the given location.

breguet classic tour closeup

audemars piguet royal oak tourbillon chrono squelette closeup

AUDEMARS PIGUET – ROYAL OAK TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH SKELETON

Audemars Piguet

GARMENTS OF LIGHT FOR A TOURBILLON

Audemars Piguet provides a luxury setting to its most spectacular watch complication, with an exclusive version (in more than one sense) of the Royal Oak.

In the early 1970s, Audemars Piguet set Gerald Genta the task of creating a new timepiece. Crowned with his previous successes, the brilliant watchmaker handed in his work in 1971. Its main aesthetic feature? An octagonal bezel screwed to a case made from a single piece, case middle and back. The Royal Oak was born! For the 40th anniversary of this model – today an icon – the company from Le Brassus introduced a prestigious version of the model, the Extra Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon. Released in January 2016, the platinum Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton (reference 26347) is a worthy descendent of the original model, just like the titanium version.

audemars piguet royal oak tourbillon chrono squelette closeup

Although it has a generous diameter of 44 mm, the case has kept the collection’s unique style. But unlike other models equipped with a dial with the famous tapestry pattern, this one is open-worked, revealing the workings of the self-winding mechanism. Once wound, the calibre 2936 provides 72 hours of power reserve. The subsidiary second counter is at 9 o’clock, and is used to check that the watch is working normally. The hour and minute hands with their Royal Oak shapes point to the applied indices. The large central hand and the minute totaliser at 3 o’clock provide readings of subsidiary times with the help of the chronograph complication. A tourbillon at 6 o’clock contributes to this exclusive timepiece’s cachet.

The Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton is worn with a perfectly matching alligator leather or titanium strap, depending on the version.

Price: €288,750 (platinum) – €250,000 (titanium)

By Dan Diaconu

a lange sohne 1815 rattrapante qp handwerkskunst closeup caseback

A. LANGE SÖHNE – 1815 RATTRAPANTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR HANDWERKSUNST

A.Lange&Sohne

WATCH OUT: A MASTERPIECE!

The watchmaking art has many faces. The new watch designed by A. Lange & Söhne is one of the year’s finest creations. We take a closer look.

A. Lange & Söhne is widely recognised for its exclusive, high-quality watches. Each one is a jewel of technical skill, rigour and formal aesthetic beauty without concessions. For all these reasons, the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst probably represents the epitome in contemporary luxury watchmaking. This year, the German watchmakers have made a new limited edition of 20 pieces of this watch, first released in 2013. The model is adorned by a gold dial on which the deep blue enamel and highly elegant engraving provide an unmatched visual spectacle.

a lange sohne 1815 rattrapante qp handwerkskunst closeup caseback

By Dan Diaconu

frederique constant slimline moonphase stars manufacture closeup

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – SLIMLINE MOONPHASE STARS MANUFACTURE

Frederique Constantin

HEAD IN THE STARS

A wealth of celestial stardust has enriched the Slimline collection by Frédérique Constant, which has just unveiled its new Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture. Quite simply brilliant!

Long before we had watches on our wrists or iPhones in our hands, mankind used the stars to guide them, as well as the sun to know the time of day. The sky was a precious guide, and Frédérique Constant decided to pay homage to this impressive galaxy by including it in one of their timepieces for women. So the Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture arrived on earth, entirely designed in the company’s workshops in Geneva.

frederique constant slimline moonphase stars manufacture closeup

Eight diamonds encircle the dial, together with four indices, with finely honed hands moving through a shower of stars with silver or rose gold tones, and which make it easy to read the hours and minutes. The finest complication that needs to be highlighted for this timepiece is at 12 o’clock: the moonphase. The Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture contains the new in-house automatic movement FC-701, which is adorned with a pearl finish and a Côtes de Genève (“Geneva stripes”) pattern. Running at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations an hour, it has a power reserve of 42 hours. Thanks to the transparent case back, the movement can be seen at work.

The Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture comes in steel or gold-plated steel versions and has a 38.8-mm case – neither too big, not too small for a feminine wrist. Decorated with 60 diamonds on the bezel, with a total of 0.5 carats, the watch is available with a deep black dial and stars printed in rose gold or – for lovers of the night – a midnight blue dial with stars printed in silver. Frédérique Constant has brought a galactic journey within easy reach.

Price: from CHF4,595 frederiqueconstant.com

By Isabelle Guignet