Monday, November 16, 2009

Maitres du temps- Chapter One

The ease of both reading and adjusting Chapter One's many indications disguises the fact that this is a world-first combination of complications crafted from 558 components.
No other wristwatch has featured a tourbillon with mono-pusher column wheel chronograph, retrograde date, and retrograde GMT, as well as moon phase and day of the week on their own rolling bars.
Long, flowing compound curves traverse the case while scintillating laser-pierced moon and stars on the outer roller of the moon phase indicator add to its stellar elegance.


Dewitt- Academia Tourbillon Force Constante

DeWitt has inbuilt its legendary constant force tourbillon with a system that relays energy to its associated power reserve indicator. Rotating the crown when winding the barrel-spring drives a miniature chain, which uses an intermediate wheel to activate the power reserve indicator sliding on a worm screw. Three years after developing an ingenious patented regulating system – three extra wheels transmitting impulses of identical force to the tourbillon, whatever the barrel’s degree of tension – DeWitt has now taken innovation to even greater heights.

Movement    Manually-wound, DW8050 calibre, tourbillon with constant-force device, 25 rubies, 21,600 vib/h, 72-hour chain-driven power reserve, flat balance-spring
Functions    Hours, minutes, power reserve indicator
Case    950 platinum, 43 mm
Sapphire crystal front and back
Dial    Black with Côtes de Genève decoration
Opening over constant-force device at 8 o’clock
Opening over tourbillon cage at 5 o’clock
Rail power reserve at 10 o’clock
Leather Strap    Black alligator leather with 750 platinum folding clasp

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Who says women are a spendtrift lot??

Women indulge in jewelries and bags,
while guys fantasies on posh cars and exotic watches,
Now, who says woman's money are easier to earn? =)

Videos on Aston Martin AMVOX2 DBS Transponder Watch


Concord- C1 Tourbillon Gravity


The Concord C1 Tourbillon Gravity astonishes by the whole range of specific features. Just imagine - a tourbillon disconnected from the case, an unconventional seconds indication, a flyback chronograph, a trust index display - all these innovations are accumulated in a single timepiece.

The result is the creation of a provocative watch equipped with a complex mechanism, an amazing expression of an inventive spirit and an absolutely new watchmaking approach. The design of the C1 Tourbillon Gravity was created by Blade Design that managed to present the engineering of the watch in a totally unexpected and daring way.







                                                 The first surprise is the independent tourbillon placed alongside the body of the watch. The tourbillon seems to be released from the mechanism. Fitted external to both the dial and the case, the tourbillon allows more free space inside the watch, so watchmakers are able to create other complications. The tourbillon is linked to the rest of the mechanism by a perpendicular pinion. The tourbillon carriage produces a powerful visual effect, being housed in a crankcase laterally screwed to the case.

The vertical device is instantly visible on the wrist. The upper and lower bridges of the tourbillon carriage are produced from aluminum-lithium, a unique high-tech material widely applied in the aerospace industry. Aluminum-lithium is characterized by remarkable resistance and exceptional longevity. The alloy is anti-corrosive and anti-magnetic. Moreover, it offers the best compromise between sturdiness and lightness.


Small Seconds
The rebellious seconds display is one more amazing feature of the new Concord watch, with its mechanism breaking out of the dial and the display transferring time into completely new dimension.

A slim black aluminum strip with the engraved seconds numerals is fixed to the lower bridge of the tourbillon, having thus acquired full interdependence with the carriage spinning on its axis once a minute. The luminescent seconds are perfectly visible through an open window on the side of the tourbillon carriage. The innovative mechanism is even more surprising than the small seconds display on the C1 Chronograph.

Jaeger Le Coultre- AMVOX2 DBS Transponder

Ok ladies and gentlemen, i believe you guys watch quite some action thrills show like james bond, how he control his supercar just by using some special devices.
So similarly, have you ever thought of happening in real life too?
Oh yes! it do have,
So this week i will be featuring AMVOX2 DBS Transponder, It is
the latest creation within the AMVOX collection required a high level of technical collaboration between the Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmakers and the Aston Martin technical team. This revolutionary timepiece concept builds on the successful innovation of the vertical trigger chronograph already present in the AMVOX2 line of timepieces, and creates a groundbreaking step: the first mechanical watch to control the locking mechanism on a luxury car.
Only available to DBS owners, this astonishing watch is able to lock and unlock their precious sports car based on pressure on the sapphire crystal and a miniaturised open/close circuit re-engineered specifically to fit a wristwatch. The owner can start the unique experience of their sports car even before getting into it! The 18-carat pink gold AMVOX DBS Transponder will be available exclusively through Aston Martin dealers.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Ulysse Nardin- Monaco YS Maxi Marine Diver

Ulysse Nardin pays homage to the Principality of Monaco – the city on the Rock facing the Mediterranean Sea by creating the Monaco YS, an addition to the Marine Diver Collection. Ulysse Nardin pays tribute to its company history related to the vast open seas since 1846 and is participating for the first time at the most prestigious Monaco Yacht Show in 2009.
Available only in a black DLC (diamond-like-carbon) treated and hardened stainless steel case, this ingenious technology allows the black case to maintain a scratch-resistant surface. The attractive wave-patterned black dial supports dark grey applied luminous indexes and red hands on the sub-dials.
The squeletted hour and minute hands are equipped with dark grey luminous material which glows in the dark. The distinctive black wave-patterned bezel with its 18 ct rose gold inlay featuring the diving scale adds to the overall design aesthetic. An exclusive black ceramic folding clasp and ceramic elements on the rubber band complement the timepiece. 
An exhibition case-back reveals an excellent view of the black winding rotor and the mechanical movement.

The self-winding movement features a power reserve indicator and an oversized small seconds register. The 42.7 mm case is fitted with a unidirectional rotating bezel with a diving scale. The model is water-resistant to 200 meters. Each case is individually numbered.
The Monaco YS is limited to 100 pieces.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

So happy!

Oh man im so happy! Ulysse Nardin has approved me using pictures from their website to integrate it into my blog, furthermore, they will so kind to send me a watch link, i have checked it out, its so cool!
Now i have more things to share with u guys. =)

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Patek philippe, Legend of birth

For people who was wondering why watches can be so expensive, heres your answer. =)

Post of the day

Watch is more like an artpiece than a time-telling timepiece, dont you think so? =)

Monday, November 2, 2009

Double Axis Tourbillion & Triple Axis Tourbillion


Double Axis Tourbillon

Inspired by these genius clockmakers the young german watchmaker Thomas Prescher developed for the Thomas Prescher Haute Horlogerie in 2003 the first flying Double Axis Tourbillon in a pocketwatch and in 2004 the first flying Double Axis Tourbillon with constant force in the carriage in a wristwatch. Shown at the Baselworld 2003 and 2004 in Basel, Switzerland.

Characteristic for this tourbillon is that it is turning around 2 axis. The first axis and the second axis are both turning once per minute. The whole tourbillon is powered by a special constant force mechanism, called Remontoire[2]. Thomas Prescher invented the constant force mechanism in the carriage for the necessary power in the Double Axis Tourbillon. He has chosen the mechanism to equalize the different forces caused by wound and unwound mainspring, friction, and gravitation effects. So that even force is always supplied to the oscillation regulating system of the Double Axis Tourbillon. In addition he applies a modified system after Henri Jeanneret [3].

Triple Axis Tourbillon

Thomas Prescher developed for the Thomas Prescher Haute Horlogerie in 2004 the first Triple Axis Tourbillion with constant force in the carriage in a wristwatch. Presented at the Baselworld 2004 in Basel, Switzerland in a Set of three watches. A Single Axis Tourbillon, a Double Axis Tourbillon and a Triple Axis Tourbillon.

Characteristic for this technical high-end complication is that the tourbillon is turning around 3 axis. The first axis and the second axis both complete one rotation every minute and the third axis is turning once every hour. The Triple Axis Tourbillon is powered, same as the Double Axis Tourbillion, by a special constant force mechanism, called Remontoire.
More technical details are written at Thomas Prescher Haute Horlogerie.



TourBillion


Having post some "Tourbillion" watches, sometimes you guys will starts to wonder,
What is "Tourbillion"?
Well, it beats me too. But after some researches from wikipedia, it says,

In horology, a tourbillon, which have another term called Whirlwind,  is an addition to the mechanics of a watch escapement. Invented in 1795 by Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet,, a tourbillon counters the effects of gravity by mounting the escapement and balance wheel in a rotating cage, ostensibly in order to negate the effect of gravity when the timepiece (and thus the escapement) is rotated. Originally an attempt to improve accuracy, tourbillons are still included in some expensive modern watches as a novelty and demonstration of watchmaking virtuosity. The mechanism is usually exposed on the watch's face to show it off.

How it works?

Gravity was thought to have a very adverse effect on the accuracy of time pieces at the time of the invention of the tourbillon, particularly because pocketwatches were often less accurate than stationary clocks of the same construction. The prevailing theory amongst horologists of the time was that pocket watches suffered from the effects of gravity since they were usually carried in the same pocketed position for most of the day, which was vertical, and then held in a different position while being read. Because the movements of pocket watches and similar pieces were oriented with respect to the cases and the dials, their movements were positioned with the axes of motion perpendicular to their faces. This meant that when the timepiece was placed vertically, the axis of motion of the movements would be parallel to the ground, and thus the force of gravity. In such a position, the force of gravity would affect the motion of parts of the movement differently when the parts were in different positions (i.e., moving with gravity or moving against it), which would cause variations in the rate the movement, which in turn would affect the timepieces' accuracy. If adjusted for one position, the rate would change when the piece was kept in a different position, such as when being held to be read or when placed on a table at night. In a tourbillon, the entire escapement assembly rotates, including the balance wheel, the escape wheel, the hairspring, and the pallet fork, in order to average out the effect of gravity in the different positions. The rate of rotation varies per design but has generally become standardized at one rotation per minute. Most tourbillons use standard swiss lever escapements, but some have a detent escapement, and others contain novel designs, such as the Audemars Piguet Millenary for example.
The tourbillon is considered to be one of the most challenging of watch mechanisms to make [1] (although technically not a complication itself) and is valued for its engineering and design principles. The first production tourbillon mechanism was produced by Breguet for Napoleon in one of his carriage clocks (travel clocks of the time were of considerable weight, typically weighing almost 200 pounds).


Cabestan- Winch Tourbillon Vertical



The capstan is a watch with vertical vorticity, which is wound by a winch housed in the buckle clasp. Extreme mechanical complexity: about 1 100 components, including 600 for the single chain. Originality and aesthetic force. His rocket-driven chain gives it a delicious retro-futuristic. Wrist is the talking piece par excellence, the problem is that too much will your banker talk if it falls on the bill (200 000 to 300 000 depending on local taxes).
“It is one of the the most precise models in the world,” confirms Ruchonnet. “It has a constant force escapement thanks to the chain, and a ‘gear shift’ …well much the same as if it was a gear shift. And the tourbillion is fed by a constant force from the chain.”
Notice the pictures and u will know how complicated this watch are.. Kudoz to the watchmaker who made this!

Model:   Winch, Vertical Tourbillion, Limited Edition to 135 Piece
Case:     Formed by 12 elements manufactured in the mass Overall length: 46mm, width: 36mm,
             Thickness: 15mm
             Water resistant up to 30 meters
Glass:    2 Thermoformed glasses
Display:  By engraved rotary drums
Movement: CL 001 with manual winding by winch
          Transverse mechanical conception with a chain-fusee and a vertical
          tourbillion integrating 4 ball bearings.
          Rhodium, circular graining and polishing of the angles of the main plate and
          the bridges
          Technical set-up in the movement:
          -Lower left side: spring
          -Upper left side: chain-fusee + power reserve, rewinding by winch
          -Upper right side: display of the hours and the minutes, adjustment by winch
          -Lower right side: vertical tourbillion indicating the seconds

Power reserve: 72 hours
Functions:     Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve
Bracelet:      Specific design, made of real alligator
Claps:         Deploying buckle made of gold or platinium matching the case






AK Geneve- HMS Automatic Warp


In English, warp means something like time distortion, a concept dear to the heart of lovers of science fiction, who find themselves in this intergalactic spaceship wrist (delivery expected in 2009).
For fans of Star Trek, quite the module that controls the teleport aboard the USS Enterprise.
This is obviously large, but strangely laptop because the housing is arranged on the arm length, and not the width of the wrist. It obviously worked very, with unexpected tilting housing Carbon fiber molded, sculpted volumes, the cuts "industrial" rubber, machined bolts, smart materials (pink gold, titanium) and high-inserts tech: we admire the way the macro-ring, but also streamlined shape with the angle dipping from right to left (which allows the shirt to slide further on the watch). Inside, a display hours and minutes per disk rotating in a subtle grid.

Hi

Hello ladies and gentlemen!
From today on, i will post up to 2 watches per week due to my work schedule and,
i need time to do some researches! =)
So hang on folks!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

PIAGET Polo Tourbillon Relatif



This is a rough idea how a tourbillion watches inside out works.. enjoy!

Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon

The rarest complications united in a wristwatch, Patek Philippe unveiled the Star Calibre 2000, one of the most complicated pocket watches of all times.

Barely six months later, the Geneva workshops introduced another Grand Complication - in a wristwatch format.

The "Sky Moon Tourbillon" Ref. 5002 is the first double-faced wristwatch that features a complete presentation of the nocturnal sky on its reverse side.

The masterpiece displays the apparent movements of the stars, the orbit of the moon, the moon phases, as well as the hours and minutes in sidereal time.

As was already the case with the Star Caliber 2000, Patek Philippe's goal in the development of the "Sky Moon Tourbillon" was not so much the number of complications per se. The real objective was to accommodate the most fascinating complications in the small case of a wristwatch: a perpetual calendar with a retrograde date display, a minute repeater, a tourbillon, the display of sidereal time, and a depiction of the nocturnal sky with the motion of the stars, the orbit of the moon, and the moon phases. This turned out to be a formidable challenge because a chart of the heavenly canopy (as seen in the northern or southern hemisphere) requires a certain minimum space to demonstrate the movements of the stars in a sensible and clearly legible manner. The solution adopted by Patek Philippe was borrowed from the astronomical pocket watches made by the company: a moving sky chart on the reverse side of the timepiece. The mechanical module developed by Patek Philippe for the "Star Calibre 2000" was redesigned especially for the "Sky Moon Tourbillon" and was granted Swiss patent CH 688 171 B5.

One of the top 10 most expensive watch in the world. -1.3million

The Chopard Super Ice Cube

There’s no telling what this watch can do to a woman lucky enough to wear it. Will it lend its sparkles to its owner? Definitely so, what with almost 66 carats of diamonds providing star-like shine and luster to its stylishly done design.

It’s so easy to overlook the excellent craftsmanship present in the Chopard Super Ice Cube. Everyone gets blinded by the diamonds. Who wouldn’t be? Looking closely though, you will notice how each diamond is expertly placed, and then the craftsmanship hits you full in the face. Judging the Super Ice Cube by its diamonds alone is understandable and expected, but quite demeaning for a watch designed with such creativity and precision.
The Chopard Super Ice Cube hints of royalty and grace. It is also a symbol of opulence and extravagance, of success and high standing. Obviously, this watch is only for the super rich. Some jewelry shines but this Chopard shines brighter than most. If the Milky Way is made up of watches, the Chopard Super Ice Cube is the sun, the biggest star of them all.

One of the top 10 most expensive watch in the world. -1.1million

Hublot Black Caviar Bang


As part of Hublot Iconic Big Bang Collection, it’s a very exclusive timepiece as it is the one. You won’t find its clones or sister and brothers. Hublot produced only one single piece of Black Caviar Bang all the time in the world.

The materials was so lavish, luxurious, and extraordinary: 18 k white gold for the case and “Black Caviar”…It’s actually over 500 pieces of extremely rare black diamonds , with total weight of 34.5 carats, adorning all over the watch.
322 diamonds on the case, 179 diamonds on the bezel, 13 diamonds at the crown and 30 diamonds at its white gold clasp. Count it? Total sum is 544 pieces of black diamond.

One of the top 10 most expensive watch in the world. -1million

Louis Moinet Magistralis


Louis Moinet is the world’s first and only brand to create a watch featuring an authentic piece of the moon. This 2000 year-old lunar meteorite is used for the moon-phase display of the hundred-year old and extremely sophisticated complication movement (including minute repeater, perpetual calendar and single-pusher chronograph functions) powering the MAGISTRALIS. The incredibly complex 18-carat white gold case is composed of more than 100 different parts, while the presentation box is highly creative in its own right: Louis Moinet introduces the first musical instrument for watches thanks to the watch stand which serves to amplify the sound of the repeater mechanism. Finally, an original copy of Louis Moinet’s famous Traité d’Horlogerie sets the final dream touch to the fascinating history of this watch.
Magistralis is an extraordinary watch representing the expert craftsmanship of the time-honoured art of Haute Horlogerie. It is one of a kind, unlike any other, and will never be repeated.

One of the top 10 most expensive watch in the world. -$860,000

Blancpain 1735, Grande Complication



This Blancpain 1735 Grande Complication Le Brassus watch in platinum features a 42mm case, white dial, and crocodile strap. The Blancpain 1735 Grande Complication Le Brassus also features and automatic windning movement with hour and minute display, tourbillon escapement, minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phase indicator, and 80 hour power reserve.

One of the top 10 most expensive watch in the world. -$800,000

Breguet pocket watch 1907BA/12


The Breguet Grande Complication Pocket Watch, Ref. 1907BA/12, features a 56.50mm diameter case in 18-karat yellow gold with a hinged coverlid, an engine-turned guilloche dial in silvered gold with blued hands, and an off-centered display for hours. A sapphire crystal exhibition back and cutouts in the gold dial reveals the masterful decorations and complex structure of a handwound movement which features a one-minute tourbillon regulator and a grande sonnerie chiming function. The Breguet Grande Complication pocket watch is protected against humidity only.

One of the top 10 most expensive watch in the world. -$734,000

Chopard’s $25 million watch


Yes, you read that right: twenty-five million dollars. This gaudy timepiece by Chopard is adorned with three heart-shaped diamonds—a 15-carat pink diamond, a 12-carat blue diamond and an 11-carat white diamond. For good measure, they threw in 163 carats of white and yellow diamonds to bring the total to 201 carats of diamonds. The result is something that looks rather like a geode that’s been turned inside out and dipped in lemon Kool-Aid. Add to that the fact that the size of the watch’s face must make telling time into a fun game of Where’s Waldo and you’ll see that Chopard has truly created a recipe for success.

Currently the most expensive watch in the world. -25millions

Patek Philippe’s Platinum World Time



The Platinum World Time created by Patek Philippe was sold at auction for over $4 million USD in 2002. It is believed that only one was created and, at the time, it was the most expensive wristwatch in the world.
In fact, Patek Philippe had produced all of the ten most expensive watches in the world. The company, headquartered in Geneva, made their first wristwatch in 1868. They had already made a name for themselves prior to that, however, by providing watches to Queen Victoria herself in 1851. Other notable customers include Pope Pius IX, a king and queen of Denmark, an Italian king and Saddam Hussein’s son-in-law.

One of the top 10 most expensive watches in the world. -4millions

Vacherin Constantin’s Tour de l’Ile

Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin marked its 250th anniversary in 2005 with the world’s most complicated wrist watch—the Tour de l’Ile. The watch is so complicated that it required over 10,000 hours of research to create. Its name refers to one of the historical sites of the venerable company, located next to the current Maison Vacheron Constantin on the Quai de l’Ile.

Only produced in a limited edition of seven pieces, this expensive watch is also the most complicated double-face watch. Tour de l’Ile is made with a totally original combination of horological complications (that is, features beyond the simple telling of the time of day) and astronomical indications composing a list of sixteen different points including a minute repeater, sunset time, perpetual calendar, second time zone, a tourbillion device, the equation of time and a representation of the night sky.

One of the top 10 most expensive watches in the world. -1.5millions
Limited Edition of only 7 pieces worldwide.



Friday, October 30, 2009

Titanic-DNA Tourbillon Steampunk a la Grande




The Tourbillon Steampunk echoes the A la Grande design of the Titanic-DNA collection and features a generously sized 50 mm-diameter case that reaches a full 53 mm including the screw-locked crown or the paws. The latter come in steel, ceramic or 5N pink gold depending on the model, and are applied to the entirely riveted oxidised bezel. Fashioned using 80 rivets hand-applied by the watchmaking craftsmen of the Maison Romain Jerome, the latter is inspired by the hull and the boiler room of the famous ocean liner.

The dial-free Tourbillon Steampunk proudly displays its personalised RJ 2 movement exclusively developed by Concepto and decorated in harmony with the collection signature features. The transversal cross is symbolised on this model by four bolts (including two mounted on springs), vividly evoking watertight hatches used in the marine world. The 12 o’clock Roman numeral in satin-brushed and bevelled steel makes a striking contrast with the mirror-polished finish of the mainplate and the tourbillon carriage bridge. The rear of the movement features an off-centred bidirectional oscillating weight shaped like a ship’s anchor.

Omega Speedmaster- The Moon Watch







The Moon Watch

Many watchmaking companies have had many "firsts" over the years. It's difficult to think of one more impressive than that achieved by Omega at 02:56 GMT on July 20th 1969: the Omega Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the moon.

History
The Speedmaster was not designed and built especially for NASA. It had been generally on sale since 1957. In the early 1960s NASA purchased samples of a number of watches available at the time for testing - one of these was the Speedmaster (later known as the Speedmaster Professional). The watches that NASA considered needed to provide both standard timekeeping functions and the ability to time intervals.
The selected watch would, of course, need to operate accurately and reliably in the cold vacuum of space. The different makes of watch were therefore subjected to a series of tests including vacuum, gravity and temperature. Only the Omega Speedmaster Professional passed.
The Speedmaster thus became the official wristwatch of the space program - despite political pressure to use an American made brand. It was first worn by the gemini astronauts and then later on the Apollo program.
After becoming the first watch to be worn on the moon in 1970 the Speedmaster was known informally as the Moon Watch.


Apollo 13

Although the Speedmaster is most famous for being the first watch worn on the moon, the most important contribution it made to the space program was probably during the ill fated 1970 Apollo 13 mission.
When the power failed on the mission, the on-board computers and timing devices were useless. The only way the crew could make vital timings - such as engine bursts - was via their wristwatches. Had the Speedmaster failed or been inaccurate then the outcome of that mission might have been very different.
As a recognition of the contribution of the Speedmaster to the safety of the mission and the astronauts, it received the NASA "Snoopy Award". ("Snoopy" was the nickname given to the Apollo 10 Lunar Module, officially "LM-4".)

"Speedmaster" is a trademark of Omega This blog is not associated with or endorsed by Omega




Patek Philippe- The "Graves Complication" Watch



Complication" Watch
The famous Graves Complication - one of the most complicated watches ever made - was completed in 1933. In 1999 it was sold at auction for $11 million, making it the world's most expensive watch at the time.

History
The Graves Complication arose out of an informal competition between Henry Graves Jr and James Ward Packard of Ohio. These two - very rich - men each commissioned a series of ever more impressive watches from the Patek Philippe watch company during the 1920s.

The Graves Complication was the end result of this horological "arms race". It was commissioned in 1930 and completed in 1933. It was a grand complication pocket watch - one which featured more than one complication. In horological terms a "complication" is any extra feature beyond basic timekeeping functions.

This watch was at the time one of the most complicated ever built (it has since been outdone by the Calibre 89 "ultimate" watch). It included numerous complications including split-second chronograph, moon phases and even a chart of the night sky over Graves' home in New York!

Where Is It Now?
When Henry Graves died the Graves Complication went to the Time Museum in Illinois. When the museum closed in 1999 the watch was sold at auction and fetched just over $11 million. It was purchased by an anonymous bidder and has since disappeared from view, probably into a private vault somewhere.

Which is a loss to the world of horology. Hopefully it'll re-emerge one day and return to public display.

One of the top 10 most expensive watches in the world. -11millions