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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Cartier Crash Summer Limited Edition

At the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie this past January, Cartier presented for 2013 the re-release of their classic 1967 limited edition Crash timepiece.

This is the third time since its original London launch in ’67 that Cartier has remade the model, which was inspired rather gruesomely by a car crash in which only a Cartier watch on the wrist of a Cartier Vice President was harmed. The watch melted. Cartier was inspired.

The unique ¨melted¨ design, comparable to Salvador Dali’s melting timepieces, was an instant success. In 1991, 300 limited edition pieces were released, in 1993 a platinum version was created and now in 2013 there are four new ladies watches with a fine jewelry setting.

In this limited edition, the pieces are made of either white or pink gold and include, on the more austere version 150 brilliant-cut diamonds, and on the more ornate version 471 brilliant-cut diamonds. Of the latter, only 67 numbered pieces will be released, while of the former 267 exemplars are available.

Cartier

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Chopard Classic Racing Jacky Ickx

When Jacques ¨Jacky¨ Ickx (Belgian) entered 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in 1969, his Ford GT40 seemed laughable next to the competitors: the Porsche 917, Porsche 908, not to mention the new 3-litres by Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.

But he won that year, by a hair, just 110 metres ahead of the 908.

Six Le Mans wins later, and with multiple other Formula 1 victories under his belt, Jacky is a legend in the racing world and now also in the world of fine horlogerie.

With signature racing elements, the Jack Ickx timepieces by Swiss watchmaker Chopard are instant winners. Highlights of the chronograph include the self-winding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC, tachometer scale, new flyback function and first-ever 24-hour counter.

The latest limited edition of this timepiece is engraved with the numbers 6/24 as well as Jacky Ickx’ signature. It is available in 18k rose gold or stainless steel, with a 42.4 mm diameter case and an alligator leather or Dunlop rubber tyre strap.  There are only 2000 steel models available and just 500 rose gold ones.

Chopard

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Ulysse Nardin Launches: Black Toro

 Ulysse Nardin Launches the Industry’s Best Perpetual Calendar Timepiece to Date: Black Toro

 

 

For centuries, perpetual calendar timepieces have existed. Yet it was in 1996 that Ulysse Nardin brought to market the world’s most functional perpetual calendar. Created by the master of watch innovation, Ludwig Oechslin, the timepiece, named the Perpetual Ludwig, marked a major milestone in watchmaking history. It allowed the forward and backward adjustment of all calendar displays over a single crown, eliminating the need to return the watch to the manufacturer in case of setting mistakes. Unlike the standard lever system, the timepiece revealed the very first perpetual calendar mechanism driven by wheels and gears.

An icon of sheer watchmaking perfection, the movement has appeared in Ulysse Nardin’s most significant timepieces, including the GMT+/- Perpetual with dual-time function, the mighty El Toro, and now, the Black Toro. Industry-wide, the 2013 launch of the Black Toro represents the best perpetual calendar timepiece developed to date. Stunning in 18-karat rose gold with its black dial and ceramic bezel, it offers the simplest setting capability of the calendar functions.

The Black Toro is a stellar representation of Ulysse Nardin’s unrivaled ability to create technically innovative timepieces of great design, and superior function, precision and ease of use, while continuing the legacy of its most important inventions.

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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.

More info

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Hublot Pays Tribute to Ayrton Senna with its Latest Tourbillon Timepiece

 Photos Courtesy of Hublot

Even nineteen years after his death, Ayrton Senna casts quite a shadow. Widely regarded as the best racing driver in history, Senna won three Formula One World Championships with McLaren before his life and career were cut tragically short at the ripe young age of 34.

Among the many parties keeping Senna's legend alive is Swiss watchmaker Hublot, which has produced a series of timepieces in tribute of the late, great racing driver. The latest is the MP-06, which stands as the most complicated yet.

Crafted with the blessing of Ayrton's sister Viviane, and unveiled recently by her son (his nephew) Bruno, this fourth timepiece in Hublot's Senna collection follows on the success of the Big Bang Senna (released in 2007), the Big Bang Foudroyante Senna (2009) and the King Power Ayrton Senna (unveiled on what would have been Ayrton's 50th birthday at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix).

 The new MP-06 Senna is built around a tourbillon movement with 155 components and a 5-day power reserve, housed in a tonneau case with the Senna logo at 9 o'clock on the sapphire dial. It's available in King Gold, titanium, or black PVD titanium, with only 41 examples of each to be made, and comes with a miniature reproduction of Ayrton's racing helmet.

 "We are so proud of having Hublot as one of our long lasting partners and extremely honoured that they chose the SENNA collection to present their new special watch design and technology," said Bruno Senna at the watch's unveiling at Hublot's headquarters in Switzerland. "Celebrating Ayrton’s victories and titles with such a beautiful and special collection is outstanding."

 Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe added, "It's an honour and a privilege to welcome Bruno to our manufacturer in Switzerland. He is a fine spokesman for the magnificent work being done in Brazil by his mother Viviane and the entire Senna family. We are delighted that our support, as well as that of many friends and partners, is helping to sustain their commitment to give millions of children the education they need to build a future and a better life."

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Sky Moon Tourbillon from Patek Phillipe

 Patek Philippe’s most complicated watch, the ref. 5002 Sky Moon Tourbillon, has recently gotten a follow up. The new version is reference 6002G, and it is designed to mirror the intricate mechanism inside by means of incredibly detailed ornaments and engravings. Now the watch has not only an overwhelming number of complications (13!), but also an absolutely mesmerizing exterior.

 The 43.5 mm case is made of 18k white gold, and even though it measures 18 mm in thickness (the complicated movement is quite large), it keeps a very elegant allure. The artistic engraving o the case extends to the crowns and minute repeater lever, and it takes over 100 hours to complete. The result is a beautiful baroque-style contraption.

 Powering this functional work of art is the same movement that was used for the ref 5002, which is calibre R TO 27 QR SID LU CL. It boasts 686 parts and 13 complications that can be seen on both sides of the watch. The gold dials are decorated with two different enameling styles for a stunning effect. The rear dial shows the northern sky in a remarkably detailed enamelwork.

 The new Sky Moon Tourbillon will be produced in a very limited number (only two examples of the ref 5002 was available per year in the past), and it will very likely cost about 1.145.700 Euro 

($1.5 million.)

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Cristiano Ronaldo Stars In New Jacob and Co.’s Campaign

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo is the new face of the eminent watch and jewelry label Jacob & Co. Real Madrid star has been a long time client of the New York jewelry maker and therefor we had a chance to see him wearing his favorite "Ghost" watch, and the reason why he was chosen for this campaign were natural.

 “I’ve been a customer and fan of the brand for a long time so it is a natural fit. I always used Jacob watches, even before I knew Jacob,” said Ronaldo, referring to Jacob Arabo, the founder of Jacob & Co. “The brand absolutely stands for leadership in creativity. As a collector of the world’s finest watches, it’s obvious [to me] how much passion Jacob & Co. has for quality. On the set, I fell in love with the new Ghost watch. It’s a perfect fit for my lifestyle as I’m constantly traveling internationally”.

 Photos were taken in Madrid studio by photographer José Manuel Ferrate. Campaign features Ronaldo with Jacob & Co. new Ghost and SF 24 models, both of the models offer multi-time-zone and with the great design they provide impressive effect. 

These watches will have their debut in the Baselworld 2013 trade show at the end of the April.

 

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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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