Saturday, March 13, 2010

Hublot- Aero Bang Gold Ceramic


The Aero Bang resembles the limited-edition black-on-black Big Bang introduced a couple of years ago. It's made from many of the same high-tech, ultra-industrial materials, including tungsten, satin-finished steel, titanium, ceramic and black PVD, as well as rubber, a list that sounds more like the components of sports cars or race bikes than watches. Or maybe it's the latest in Nascar or Formula 1. In any case, it's part of what Hublot calls its Visionary Art of 21st Century Watchmaking.
The good thing about the Aero Bang is that it's not just a bold, hip fashion statement. You can actually tell time with it more easily because the skeleton design gives the watch more depth and contrast to the eye. It's also a more complex watch than the earlier Big Bangs, with a mechanical chronograph movement with automatic winding and a Hublot HUB44 SQ caliber. The power reserve is 42 hours.
The Aero Bang comes in three versions: All Black ($18,900, 500 pieces), Tungsten ($19,900, 900 pieces) and Gold Ceramic ($25,900, 500 pieces).

Sources

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Glashutte Original- PanoInverse XL

The Glashutte Original PanoInverse XL watch is a tantalizing addition to the Glashutte Original Pano collection.

By inverting numerous elements of the manually wound movement, Glashutte Original has revealed the pulsating heart of the mechanism--the spectacular duplex swan-neck fine adjustment--and presented to connoisseurs of the finest timepieces an object of great mechanical and aesthetic interest.

The Glashutte Original PanoInverse XL watch is defined by its Caliber 66 movement, which is manufactured in Glashutte, Germany. The off-centered time display has been reduced to a system of black rings applied with gold figures; thanks to this design, the full structure of the underlying mechanism is revealed, which shimmers with fine Glashutte ribbing and gold chaton jewel settings secured by blued screws. Visually dominant amidst this opulent display is the hand-engraved duplex swan-neck bridge; the large balance wheel it bears swings to and fro 28,800 times each hour with its 18 weighted gold screws. The blued-steel hand of the power reserve indicator appears above, which moves across a semi-circular scale to show the level of mainspring tension.

Ultimately, the Caliber 66 was a demanding project for the engineers and watchmakers of Glashutte Original, who had to re-orient many of the components of the mechanism to realize these displays.

The Glashutte Original PanoInverse XL watch is presented in polished 18K white gold or 18K rose gold. The convex-shaped crystal is manufactured from sapphire. A fine hand-sewn alligator strap and an 18K gold buckle join the timepiece securely to the wrist.

Sources

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Gerald Genta- Octo Tourbillon Sunray

The Octo Tourbillon Sunray comprises a perfectly integrated retrograde hour display and boasts a substantial 64-hour power reserve. It is also remarkable in terms of its slender construction (5.9 mm thick). Developed and crafted within the Manufacture, the movement is enriched by signature fine watchmaking finishes such as circular graining, bevelling, polishing, circular satin brushing or hand-drawn flanks. In an ultimate touch of class, it is clothed in the classic Gérald Genta “old gold”, the “Potter finish” created by the brand in tribute to the colour of antique movements.

watch connoisseurs will surely admire the majestic dial of the new Gerald Genta Octo watch. The three-dimensional lacquer dial is created from yellow gold. It features contrastingly oriented square layers positioned atop an octagonal minute track. The distinctive octagonal shape has also been acquired by the dial flange, and the aperture showing the beautiful flying tourbillon. The dial shows off retrograde hours and is completed with hand-engraved gold elements.

The Gerald Genta watch accommodates an automatic tourbillon movement - GG 9051, operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The bridges and “G” skeletonized rotor demonstrate a gold “Potter finish” inspired by vintage mechanical calibers. The movement gives an advantage of a 64-hour power reserve.

The Gerald Genta Octo Tourbillon Sunray watch is presented on an elegant black pleated crocodile leather strap. The timepiece is also available in two other versions – one in 18K pink gold, and another one with a tri-composite case with a platinum middle part, a tantalum bezel fitted with gold countersunk nails, and a black and red-lacquered dial created in white gold. The latter version of the timepiece
is coupled with a red pleated crocodile leather strap.


Technical Data:
Case: Yellow Gold Category: Complication/Fine watchmaking
Bracelet strap: Leather Size: Ø 42.5 mm
Buckle: Folding Buckle Thickness: 11.9 mm
Setting: No Waterproofness: 100 m
Movement: Selfwinding mechanical
Power reserve : 64 h , 21600 variations / hours , Manufacture movement , Haute horlogerie finishing
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Tourbillon, Retrograde indication
Reference: OTR.Y.20.945.CN.BD Collection: Octo
Year: 2009

World Tempus

Monday, March 8, 2010

Gerald Genta- Octo Ultimate Fantasy Tourbillon


The Gerald Genta Octo Ultimate Fantasy Tourbillon watch unites the charm of the Gerald Genta "Fantasy" conception, with the horological prestige of Abraham-Louis Breguet's famous invention. The complexity and fine craftsmanship of the distinctive Octo watch case, highlights the intricate three-dimensional dial which places a relaxing Mickey Mouse at its center, "seated" upon the octagonal tourbillon aperture. The tourbillon completes a single revolution every minute, upon a concealed bridge of transparent sapphire, highlighting the mystery of the legendary complication. Another captivating technical treat is the hour display, whose retrograde operation has become a technical specialty of the house of Gerald Genta.
The sapphire crystal caseback of this rare Gerald Genta watch presents viewers with a breathtaking reverse view of the slim self-winding movement, whose fine decorative flourishes are crowned by a magnificently detailed rotor in solid gold which recreates Mickey Mouse's famous, grinning face. Power reserve of the barrel is 64 hours.
Presented in an edition of 25 pieces, each Gerald Genta Octo Ultimate Fantasy watch is fitted with a crocodile strap, and a luxurious deployant clasp decorated with a skeletonized Gerald Genta "G" logo.

Technical Data:

Case: Platinum Category: Complication/Fine watchmaking
Bracelet strap: Leather Size: Ø 42.5 mm
Buckle: Folding Buckle Thickness: 11.4 mm
Setting: No Waterproofness: 100 m
Movement: Complication
Power reserve : 64 h , 21600 variations / hours
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Tourbillon, Retrograde indication
Reference: OTF.Y.76.340.CR.BD Collection: Octo
Year: 2008 Limited Edition: 25 Pieces


FVa Nº Cuatro Tourbillon Dial-Side Column Wheel Monopusher Chronograph

Limited to 8 pieces, this ultra-exclusive timekeeper is the masterpiece of the genevan brand. Its exclusive hand-made and hand-decorated FRANC VILA manufactured movement is the first ever to have a column wheel monopusher chronograph mechanism built in the dial side directly coupled to the tourbillon cage. With 5 days of power reserve, the FV No. Cuatro movement is built with 262 components and 33 rubies, and incorporates the "Inertial Moment Control" technology,  and the "Wheels Differential System".

The movement of the watch incorporates bridges, the design of which has been inspired by the molecular structure of grapheme. This material has been recently discovered. It is characterized by an extremely low density, and with a thickness equal to an atom, its resistance is 10 to 100 times higher than the resistance of steel.

Moreover, it is considerably harder than diamond. As a result, Franc Vila has managed to create a remarkably light, ultra-resistant movement.

Technical Data on official website:
Case: Red Gold, White Gold. Die Hard Extreme Steel, Titanium and Gold or Titanium and Die Hard Extreme Steel. Sapphire Crystal and Caseback with double sided anti-glare treatment. Chronograph monopusher at 2. Movement: Fva No 4 Calibre, 262 components, 33 rubies.  Chronograph monopushing function with dial side column wheel, directly coupled to tourbillon. Flying tourbillon with inertial moment control mechanism and wheel differential system. Mechanism manufactured in the brand’s characteristic “Esprit Unique” shape, hand made and hand decorated.

Functions:
hour, minute, chronograph monopusher and power reserve indication.
Dial: multilayer smoked sapphire crystal, half skeleton, 60 seconds (at 2) and 30 minutes (at 10) chronograph counters.
Power reserve: 5 Days



Sunday, March 7, 2010

Daniel Roth- Pappilion Chronograph

2008 was definitely a great year for Daniel Roth as the worldwide known brand takes pride in announcing the launching of the first chronograph model. Even though Daniel Roth has gained popularity for the exquisite timepieces created over the years, by adding the new Papillon Chronograph to the already existing models in the family, the company has managed to bring novelty and maintain alive the interest of those customers that have remained devoted to the brand over the years.

Issued in a limited edition of 250 watches, all of which were sold, the Papillon was subsequently revisited by Daniel Roth in 2005. Powered like its predecessor by an ultra-thin self-winding Girard-Perregaux movement and capable of accommodating the additional modules for the complications developed and manufactured by the Daniel Roth engineers, technicians and watchmakers, it is naturally finished entirely at the Manufacture Daniel Roth in Le Sentier. This excellent calibre is housed in the new version of the brand’s signature ellipsocurvex case ensuring an optimal fit on the wrist. A polished “cover” encloses the upper part of the watch, the smooth surface of which is broken only by the jump hour window and a smaller central seconds window. Meanwhile, a “smile-shaped” display extending over the entire lower part of the dial enables one to follow the intricate workings of the fascinating minute-hand mechanism in operation.

Far more sophisticated than one might initially imagine, what at first glance seems to be a traditional retrograde minute display is in fact composed of lozenge-shaped pivoting-head minute hands that have become the trademark of the Papillon line. Positioned at a 180° angle, they turn in the same direction on a single axis, driven by a disc rotating on the central axis. Upon reaching the 60 position, one pivots 90° on its own axis to retract, and the other instantly extends to appear at 0 minutes. Compared with a traditional retrograde minutes system, this mechanism uses less energy and requires less parts. It is thus both stronger and more reliable, while drawing less upon the movement’s power reserve.


  The new Daniel Roth Papillon Chronograph is nothing but gentle to your wrist and eye-catching when it comes to the visual effect.


Indeed, there is a smiley face like indicator stretched from 3 o clock to 9 o clock, perhaps the designer of this watch is trying to conveying people who are wearing this watch to always stay happy and smile? =)