Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire

  Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire is a stunning timepiece

 2014 is set to be a year of launches for Cartier who unveiled four watches that will makes its debut next year – the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire (perpetual calendar tourbillon), Rotonde de Cartier Earth Moon (an unusual moon phase design), the Tank MC Two Tone Skeleton (a new version of the Santos 100 skeleton), and a Cartier Caliber diving watch. First on the list is the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire, a creative implementation of the perpetual calendar via the Caliber 9459 MC, designed in-house by Cartier.

The timepiece features a 45mm x 15.7mm platinum case, with a concentric perpetual calendar, marked by blue brackets, wherein the day/date/month is displayed by means of rotating aperture. The leap year indicator is on the back of the watch on one of the movement bridges. At the center is a flying tourbillon with the Cartier “C”. The calendar functions are set via the crown except for the day which is advanced by a pusher in the case. According to Cartier’s head of fine watchmaking, Carole Forestier-Kasapi, this is because day and date can never be synchronized and need separate mechanisms. In this movement, it is driven by a star wheel and can be manipulated by a secure corrector at two o’clock. By replacing spring-and-lever system with an innovative wheel driven system, the movement yields a whopping 80 per cent gain in chronometric stability.

The Rotonde de Cartier AstroCalendaire bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève and both its movement and case are individually numbered. With a 50-hour power reserve, this timepiece is limited to only 100 pieces and retails for around €150,000 or $200,000 apiece.

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The Vacheron Constantin Malte tourbillon

The Vacheron Constantin Malte tourbillon is a wearable sculpture in diamonds

Vacheron Constantin comes out with yet another vibrant dedication to its Métiers d’Art heritage, the Malte tourbillon high jewelry model. This delightful timepiece combines the magic of watchmaking and the mystery of gem setting with its revered Hallmark of Geneva coupled with handcrafted, invisible settings. Dressed in 418 baguette diamonds (totalling approximately 19.6 carats), it is decadent to say the least. But what’s truly charming is its innate ability to reflect supreme artistry.

Only a few artists today have mastered the technique for producing invisible diamond settings. Supported by a track, they form a field of light without any trace of fastening, as the gold remains hidden. Such precision means that over 100 hours of goldsmith-ing work went into creating this wondrous composition.

 Such wonder in a watch called for an equally exceptional movement. That is where the mechanical hand-wound Calibre 2795 came in. Comprising 169 parts and endowed with an almost two-day power reserve, this new tonneau-shaped movement makes a perfect fit for the magnificent case. Its character is accentuated by its côtes de Genève decoration, meticulous hand chamfering of the bar edges, and engraved individual serial number.

The tourbillon carriage isn’t less than spectacular either. Inspired by the brand’s signature Maltese cross, it includes a number of naturally hand-beveled interior angles. The rounding off of the tourbillon bar is a result over 12 hours of manual work itself. The craftsmen rubbed it down with stones, buffs, wooden pegs and finishing pastes for that perfectly polished effect.
Finished off with a fabulous black, hand-stitched Mississippiensis alligator leather strap accompanied by a diamond-paved 18K white gold folding clasp, the Vacheron Constantin Malte tourbillon high jewelry model is a hallmark of insurmountable quality making its wearer an apostle of unquantifiable elegance.

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Ulysse Nardin Presents | The Redesigned Freak Cruiser Timpiece

Ulysse Nardin is a timepiece brand in a class by itself. Their iconic designs and watch models are exquisite. While their iconic “Freak” timepiece continues to get praise and as it is referred to as one of the best watches from the brand. The follow-up, the Freak Cruiser, was officially unveiled this week.

The Cruiser is a complete redesign. Its case is available in either an 18kt rose or white gold option with double sapphire crystals. This timepiece has no dials or hands and it is designed so that the movement revolves on its own. The lower bridge that indicates the hours is linked to its center while the upper bridge holds the gear train, balance spring, and the exclusive Dual Ulysse silicon escapement that shows the minutes. All this is accented by an alligator strap with a matching gold buckle that gives this timepiece a classy and elegant appearance to its revolutionary design.

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Ulysse Nardin Royal Ruby

It’s truly an explosion of ruby red, when you look at the Ulysse Nardin Royal Ruby Tourbillon. The force of the Ruby has been used by the watchmaker to create a dramatic new statement with the Royal Ruby timepiece, as part of its Tourbillon collection. Constructed along the principles of famous Swiss watchmaker James Pellaton, its bridges and main plates are crafted in ruby and sapphire, making the flying tourbillon appears to defy gravity. Its movement parts are skeletonized and in perfect symmetry, while the manual winding system is unseen. These fine nuances enhance the beauty of the flying tourbillon.

 The timepiece which is a handcrafted masterpiece is lightweight in appearance. The Royal Ruby is set with 12 rubies distinguishing the hours, accompanied by 48 diamonds. Each gemstone is cut to perfection to fit the 41 mm platinum case made for this collection. To further enhance its appearance, it is attached to an alligator leather strap with a platinum folding buckle.

Its sibling timepiece, the Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon is a mechanical masterpiece embellished with sapphire. Its bridges and main plates are crafted in blue sapphire, allowing the flying Tourbillon to appear as if it is floating in an empty space.
 Unlike its sibling, the Royal Ruby Tourbillon is a smaller, more feminine piece of wrist decadence and is limited to 99 pieces.

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Corum Unveils the Black Ceramic Golden Bridge

Swiss watchmaker Corum has reimagined its classic 1980 Golden Bridge design, adding a fine all-black ceramic case to the timepiece.

The complex baguette movement at the center of the Golden Bridge is now framed (in a painstaking process) by one of the hardest materials to work with on such a delicate watch. The result, however, is spectacular, with a smooth external architecture to match the swiss engineering, sapphire crystals, and 18-karat rose gold interior bridge design.

The mechanism consists of a hand-wound CO 113 movement and a variable inertia-balance caliber, ensuring long-term precision. There is a 40-hour power reserve.

Corum spares no detail, with all kinds of hand-engraving to be discovered on the red gold bridge, from the company’s signature to symbolic La Chaux-de-Fonds ferns.

However, the extras (like a watch dial) have simply been ignored, leaving the elegant wearer of this timepiece with just 360-degree, ceramic-framed views, fastened by a black alligator strap.

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Chopard Launches $1.5 Million Happy Sport Diamantissimo Anniversary Edition

This year, Chopard is celabrating the 20th anniversary of its Happy Sport series. For this occasion, Iconic Swiss jewelry house has created a unique creation that blends the brand’s expertise in high jewelry and fine watchmaking.
The Happy Sport Diamantissimo is the most refined incarnation of the Happy Sports model that features an 18-karat white gold case paved with 958 baguette-cut diamonds and 1,978 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 65 carats in all. The retail price of this exceptional creation is 1.5 million Swiss francs (approximately $1.58 million).
The Anniversary Happy Sport Diamantissimo with the referent number 274496-1001 is powered with the in-house manufactured L.U.C 96.17-L mechanical movement that is capable to store enough energy to keep the watch ticking for at least 65 hours. The self-winding movement features two barrels and bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève with diamond-set platinum micro-rotor. The impeccable mechanism is built on 29 jewels and beats at the frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). It measures 27.4mm in diameter and it is only 3.3mm thick.

The case itself sizes 43mm in diameter and 14.2mm in thickness. It is crafted from 18-karat white gold and shielded with facetted glare-proofed sapphire crystals. The sapphire crystal above the dial guards the diamond-studded surface that looks like there is no gold that holds them together. The lugs are set with 4 cabochon-cut amethysts, while the 18-karat white gold crown is encrusted with brilliant-cut diamonds.
It took more than 4,500 hours of work to create this jewelry watch of which 1,700 hours were used for gem setting. The dial, bezel, case and bracelet links are covered using the “invisible” setting technique that involves each stone being perfectly cut and set to create a seamless diamond-studded surface showing no spaces and no setting prongs. This technique which is very hard to master gives the impression that the diamonds are simply set side by side without any gold to hold them together.

The diamond-set white dial comprises rhodium-plated 18-karat white gold hour-markers and Roman numerals 3 and 12. Hour and minute hands are also rhodium-plated. The Happy Sport Diamantissimo has an exhibition case back with a transferred anniversary inscription.
The very first Happy Sport watch was created in 1993 by Caroline Scheufele who is now the Artistic Director and Co-President of Chopard. For the past 20 years, the Happy Sport timepieces have been released under many different themes including the HappyBeach, La Vie en Rose, Mystery Pink, Happy Spirit…

Earlier this year, Chopard came out with a special offer that gives you a chance to personalize your own Happy Sport wristwatch on their official website.

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Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 Watch by Corum

 Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 is the name of a new dazzling timepiece from Corum.

Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 is the name of a new dazzling timepiece from Corum. Dedicated to stylish ladies only, the watch mesmerizes with its intricate dial made up entirely of precious stones. A whopping 138 baguette-cut diamonds (3.11 carats), 198 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.25 carats), 108 baguette-cut pink sapphires (1.67 carats), and 24 baguette-cut purple sapphires (2.04 carats), all arranged in a lovely floral pattern make up the elegant dial.

The gems were secured onto the dial with a silver-based liquid alloy that reached every last gap between the stones and linked them together in a stunningly beautiful and durable design. In order to complement the lavishness of the dial, the 18k white gold case and lugs are also adorned with 3.79 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds (804 gems).

Underneath all this glamour, Caliber CO 082 is an exquisitely manufactured mechanical automatic movement with 28,800vph and up to 42 hours of power reserve.

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The World of Versace Watches 2013 Collection

The world famous and renowned Italian company Versace launched a brand-new collection of watches for both women and men. Their captivating design speaks of a language with exquisite style only known to those with lavish taste and sense for the opulent accessory requisite. Nothing says elegance more then a high quality expensive, contemporary watch that merge classic prettiness with the most desirable unique style, that has become a status symbol.

The New World of Versace Watches provide us expensive and the most luxurious watches that captures everyone's attention. This new collection provides simple yet exquisite and different features followed by unusual architecture and an unusual decorative element which makes these watches eye-catching. The color palette ranges from classic black and ivory to shades of sorbet, electric blue, sky blue and water green.

The most amazing part about Versace watches is their capability to be your perfect accessory for the most glamorous event. This chic and sophisticated watch delicacy brings sense of femininity while indulging the wearer with the seductive and elegantly unique style note. If you like design that exudes style, high quality, distinctive and sophisticated note then look no further because influential Italian watchmaker Versace upholds all the named attributes.

Photo courtesy of Verasace Facebook

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Bulgari Commedia dell’Arte

 Inspired by the Italian theatrical arts of the 16^th century, this new collection of watches by Bulgari is indeed a collection of masterpieces. Called Bulgari Commedia dell’Arte, it boasts a rare level of complexity, both in design and in mechanical features. The first thing that strikes the eye is the beautiful dial, which shows three famous figures in the history of performing arts – Pulcinella, Brighella and Harlequin – on a marvelous hand-painted backdrop of stunning detail.

Each character is raised above the backdrop and they have 5 to 7 (depending on model) moving components that help bring the entire scene to life. This happens every time the Minute Repeater chime is heard. For the chiming complication Bulgari used unusually long steel wires for the gongs, thus obtaining better resonance and deeper sound.

Available in three versions, the dials are crafted of 18k white gold and then decorated using special artisanal techniques, such as engraving, miniature painting and chasing. The entire scene is brought to life by a hand finished Calibre BVL 618 movement with 18,000 vph, 48 hours of power reserve and 91 jewels. The 54 mm case is made of 18k white gold and provides water resistance to 30 meters.

The minutes are displayed on the right side of the dial, the rest being occupied by the fascinating automata. A large opening at six o’clock shows the jumping hour. This luxurious timepiece also flaunts a sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal back, and a classy alligator strap with 18k white gold triple-blade folding clasp.

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Limited Edition LUC Engine One H Watch by Chopard

 Need a new conversation piece to wear on your wrist? Well, Chopard might just have the thing for you. This year the luxury manufacturer is launching a new model in the LUC “Engine One” collection. Very similar to the 2010 LUC Engine One tourbillon watch, this one has a very distinctive feature that differentiates it from the first model: the horizontal position of the dial, as opposed to the original vertical one.

Called LUC Engine One H, the timepiece is inspired by automotive engines, just as the name clearly indicates. You cannot overlook how the power reserve indicator that spells full/empty, like fuel gauges do in cars. The titanium case measures 44.5 mm by 35 mm, and the beautiful dial shows a tourbillon withvariable inertia balance wheel, situated at 3 o’clock. 
Only 100 pieces will be manufactured, and the official launch will take place soon at Baselworld.

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