Timepieces Galore...

De Bethune- DB24 Vetrois

2010-04-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

DB24 Vetrois is a novelty by DE BETHUNE manufactory which combines four from the 5 patent products of the company. They are balance made of titanium and platinum, flat balance spring arcuate clip, triple shockproof system with a titanium gripper bridge and a device for the automatic movement intensiveness control. The owner of this watch can choose one from three winding speed modes: sporty, general and slow, depending on strength and intensiveness of hand moves. Special indicator, showing the speed, can be seen through the transparent back case and at the dial (horizontal double edged hand with L-M-N scales).
As the brand’s designers claim, the appearance of the watch has the spirit of New York architecture of 1930s. David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet have managed to take advantage of the use of titanium like William Van Allen did with steel to construct the spire of the Chrysler Building in one piece. 48-mm case is made of titanium. It reveals a dial in blued titanium with a brushed finish. The watch is based on the self-winding calibre DB2424 with a two-barrel system (balance frequency 28,800 vph, 53 jewels) which provides 6-days’ power reserve. Power reserve indicator is located at the 12 o’clock. The watch is water resistant to 500 metres.

Source

Ulysse Nardin- Astrolabium Galileo Galilei

2010-04-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

One of three watches in Ulysse Nardin’s “Trilogy of Time” series, the Astrolabium was introduced to the world at the 1985 Basle Watch Fair.

Ulysse Nardin Astrolabium Galileo Galilei Watch, limited edition of 99 pieces, round platinum case (41mm diameter), black crocodile leather strap with platinum tang buckle, white/grey dial that indicates the position of the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky at any given hour as seen from Earth and sunrise/sunset, day/date/month/year indicator, Caliber #UN-97 self-winding mechanical movement, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, water-resistant to 30 meters.

The Ulysse Nardin Astralabium Galileo Galilei watch. The Astrolabe was developed by ancient astronomers to measure the altitude and direction of celestial bodies over the horizon, calculate the seasons, the movements of the zodiac and to foretell eclipses. This highly complex instrument indicates the position of the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky at any given hour as seen from Earth. It also indicates sunrise and sunset, dawn and dusk, moonphases, moonrise and moonset, eclipses of sun and moon, the month and the day of the week.

Ulysse Nardin- Sonata Cathedral Dual Time

2010-04-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

Few watchmakers require a book of operating instructions to accompany their timepieces. But the Ulysse Nardin dynasty is no ordinary watchmaker. Since 1846, Nardin and his descendents have produced award winning timepieces. These coveted watches are produced in extremely limited quantities. Ulysse Nardin's technical achievements are legendary. Its watches of the last thirty years have been exemplary.

This men's dual time alarm watch from the Ulysse Nardin Sonata watch collection features a solid 18k white gold case combined with a crocodile strap and a blue dial. The sophisticated UN-67 automatic movement has dual time with the Ulysse Nardin quick-set buttons for instant time zone changes, as well as a big date display and an alarm with a countdown display and cathedral gong.

Technical Data:

Case:		18k White gold
Dial Color:		Blue With a Partial Silver Linear
Watch Bracelet / Strap:		Alligator Leather - Blue
Watch Clasp:		Deployant
Movement:		Automatic
Engine:		UN-67 Movement ,
Functions:		Large skeleton Minute and Hour hands, One subdial is for the GMT/24 Hour Time-Zone, one Subdial is for the alarm, and one is for the countdown to alarm.
Crystal:		Anti reflective Sapphire
Case Diameter:		42.0 mm
Case Thickness:		13.0 mm
Caseback:		See-through sapphire case-back fastened with 4 screws
Bezel Material:		18k White Gold
Bezel Function:		Fixed
Water Resistance:		30m / 100ft (suitable for splashing, light rain; unsuitable for swimming or diving)
Calendar:		Magnified Double Date at 4 o'clock
Power Reserve:		40-hour power reserve

Sources

Audemars Piguet- Jules Audemars Grande Sonnerie Dynamograph

2010-04-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Grande Sonnerie Dynamograph watch is an extraordinary achievement of horological mastery as well as superb traditional watchmaking knowledge and craftsmanship. A testament to the expertise of Audemars Piguet in the realm of great watchmaking complications, this extraordinary timepiece takes the celebrated complication of the repeater to its ultimate level. The manually wound movement, constructed by Audemars Piguet and their famed movement specialist Renaud et Papi, contains well over 400 individually hand-finished pieces.

This phenomenal mousetrap of wheels, pinions, racks, snails, and springs offers first of all, a minute repeater, which can be activated on request to chime the hours, quarter hours, and individual minutes; unlike most repeaters however, which indicate quarter hours with a two-gong high/low chime, the Sonnerie movement has a three-gong carillon chime, which offers both additional complexity, as well as a remarkably beautiful and distinctive quarter-hour chime. In addition to the minute repeater, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Grande Sonnerie watch offers both big and little strike ("Grande et Petite Sonnerie") modes. This remarkable complication allows the watch to be set in such a way that hours and quarter hours are struck off automatically throughout each hour, (Grand mode), or to strike only the hours in passing (Petite mode). Since this complication demands so much energy to operate, the movement of this Audemars Piguet Grande Sonnerie watch features mainspring barrels dedicated to both the movement, and the strike works.

Functions of the watch.

Great tone mode, it automatically rings the hours and quarters.
Small Ring mode, it automatically rings the hours
Silence: no ring feature is active. It is essential to set the time on the clock when it is muted.
When the button is pressed the Repeat: the hours, quarters and minutes on demand.

To ensure that this remarkable complication is not damaged should it be operated when too little power is available to the strike work, Audemars Piguet has developed both an indicator which shows the power-reserve remaining in the mainspring for the strike work, as well as a second indicator--called a Dynamograph---which indicates the curve of optimum torque which is ideal for the strike modes to be engaged for optimal performance. A small selector piece at the upper right hand corner also allows the watch to be set to "Silence" should the owner not desire the Sonnerie to sound. The craftsmanship which Audemars Piguet lavishes upon the movement of the Jules Audemars Grande Sonnerie Dynamograph watch is breathtaking, representing the finest in traditional haute de gamme techniques. Steel parts are individually drawn with a file, while bridges feature perlage on their bottom side, Cotes de Geneve on their topside, and anglage polishing on the edges. Screw and jewel settings are all countersunk and polished, while certain parts, such as the hammers of the striking mechanism display the luxurious specular polish. Purely functional components such as wheels and pinions are given no less careful scrutiny, resulting in a watch that is a true work of art in every respect.

Extremely limited in production, with only a few pieces produced each year, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Grande Sonnerie Dynamograph watch presents its noble horlogical quality in an 18K white gold case. This graceful round case, a hallmark of all watches within the Jules Audemars Collection, features a sophisticated brushed finish, with highly polished elements on the bezel, and caselugs. The beautiful dial is a fine compliment to this classic, yet extremely complex timepiece, featuring a central section decorated with a Cotes de Geneve finish. A luxurious, remborded crocodile strap, complete with a white gold AP folding clasp completes this exceptional Audemars Piguet watch.

Daniel Roth- Grande Sonnerie Moon Phase

2010-04-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Since time immemorial, man has sought to symbolize time from sunrise to sunset by sounds, guiding the members of a community in their daily social and private activities.

As technology has evolved, this particular rhythum, harmonized by the sound of time, has taken on a more intimate character and made its entry into the private sphere. At a time when electricity and luminous numerals did not yet exist, sound was the only way to tell time in the dark, on demand or automatically. In fact, few manufacturers are able to produce striking watches and this know-how reflects the perfection of the Master watchmakers art. Daniel Roth is one of these capable to manufacture every single component of the striking movement, and has being doing so for many years.

The Grande Sonnerie Moon phase representing a genuine masterpiece of horological complication housed within a wristwatch that is unique on the market, this Grande Sonnerie in the Daniel Roth collection is powered by a self-winding tourbillon movement with four-hammer Westminster Chime grand strike and moon-phase display. Entirely decorated, crafted and assembled in the Manufacture, this model has benefited from the particular care devoted to the quality of the sound and to its many security systems.

A miniature marvel in terms of its construction, it is equally magnificient in terms of the exceptional finishing lavished on all parts of the movement: polishing, straight-graining of the flanks and bevelling of the parts and the mainplate; bridges decorated with Cotes de Geneve and fully guilloche oscillating weight. This extraordinary watch is to be issued in a limited edition of 10.

Luxus

Roger Dubuis- Excalibur Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar

2010-04-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Excalibur collection from ROGER DUBUIS has replenished with rare enough combination of complications: minute repetir, tourbillon, an eternal calendar and time indicator in the second time zone – such is the short description of model behind modest index EX45 0829 0 N9C.71R (Excalibur – 9, Place Vendome).

Heart of the novelty is automatic movement RD 0829 on 42 ruby stones, with a stock of a course of 50 hours – consisting of 662 parts, the general thickness is almost 9 mm. Under statements of developers the special design of the repetir mechanism excludes extraneous noise and friction doing a signalling device sound especially clean. It is necessary to note a reasonable arrangement of windows of an eternal calendar – abreast habitual to an eye.

In-house mechanical self-winding movement with perpetual calendar-Calibre RD 1429-Case 45mm in white gold-Black dial-Alligator strap with white gold folding clasp-Limited Edition 28.Bearing the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.
Functions :
Instantaneous perpetual calendar with in-line apertures, dual time zone, day of the week indication through a window at 10 o'clock, large date display at 12 o'clock, month indication through a window at 2 o'clock, day/night display at 8 o'clock, leap-year window at 4 o'clock, moon phases at 6 o'clock, pointer-type dual time-zone display at 6 o'clock, hours and minutes.

Vacheron Constantin- Cabinotiers Openworked Minute Repeater

2010-04-15T06:22:00.000-07:00

Harking back directly to the origins which have guided Vacheron Constantin since its foundation in 1755, the Cabinotiers time-pieces embody the watchmaker’s art at its best and raising the creative talents of Vacheron Constantin to new heights.

Les Cabinotiers is the special section inside the manufacture where Vacheron Constantin’s master watchmakers work on the highest complications. This timepiece exemplifies exceptional technical superiority with a hand-wound movement and caliber 1755 SQ. The openworked case is 37 mm and is made of platinum. The grand complication, the minute repeater, is on-demand strike of hours, quarters, and minutes.

Les Cabinotiers Openworked Minute Repeater is the world’s slimmest-ever openworked minute repeater watch.

IWC- Grande Complication

2010-04-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

The IWC Specialities watch collection brings to the world one of the supreme wonders of haute horlogerie---the Grande Complication watch. Housed within the massive 42.2mm 18K gold or platinum case of the IWC Grande Complication watch, an exceptional and complex selfwinding movement with 659 individual parts performs an incredible symphony of functions, including a perpetual calendar which indicates day, date, month, century and moonphase, a chronograph, and a minute repeater. Due to the considerable demands placed upon the skills of the master IWC watchmakers in constructing the Grande Complication watch, only 50 are produced each year,guaranteeing the continued mystique of this most incredible of timepieces.

Audemars Piguet- Jumping Hour Minute Repeater

2010-04-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

The hours sing out once more on the new Jules Audemars watch from Audemars Piguet. They also dance across the dial with its jumping display and elegant blued Arabic numerals. Combining two in-house specialities – the Minute Repeater and Jumping Hours – this marvel of precision and harmony perpetuates Audemars Piguet’s supreme expertise in the field of complicated watches. With its case and dial featuring a new take on classical styling, it gives a fresh boost to the Jules Audemars collection. This delightful new model will be music to the ears of connoisseurs the world over.

The Audemars Piguet Calibre 2907 driving the new Jules Audemars Jumping Hour Minute Repeater is clearly inspired by the movement of the historical 1992 model, whereas the architecture has been entirely redesigned to match the new case dimensions. Audemars Piguet has implemented innovative solutions to accommodate the relatively large movement and the complex striking mechanism within a diameter of just 43 mm. Blending traditional expertise and cutting-edge technologies, the Manufacture has also endowed the audible mechanism with all the fine-tuned technical details that distinguish its latest generation of Minute Repeaters. In particular, the movement has been equipped with a device that does eliminate any audible gap when the watch does not need to strike a quarter (e.g. 9:13); the sequence of 9 hours and 13 minutes is thus struck smoothly and without any interruption. Minute Repeater watches generally preclude any manual time-setting when the striking mechanism is in operation, since this might damage the movement. To remedy this problem, Audemars Piguet has developed a system that disengages the time-setting system while the watch is striking. This set of breakthrough developments thereby enhances the reliability, the security and the user-friendliness of Minute Repeater watches, while remaining true to the aesthetic appearance of the vintage models. The jumping hour mechanism has also been optimised. So as to enlarge the numerals while making sure the disc was not too large for the movement, watchmakers had to rethink the positioning of the disc and shift it towards the centre of the calibre.

20 pieces total will be made.
Case is 43mm and thickness 12mm.
Flame-blued "Poire Paris" minute hand.

Girard Perregaux- Opera Two

2010-04-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

The Girard Perregaux Opera Two is a minute repeater with Westminster Chime, tourbillon, perpetual calendar wristwatch in oversized, massive solid platinum case. The dial features cutaways which highlight the tourbillon and repeating apparatus. The Girard Perregaux "Opera" series watches are the highest of high grade watches, from Switzerland's oldest continuously operating watch manufacturer.
The dial is silver with dauphine hands. This watch is a perpetual calendar, and the uppermost subdial displays month and leap year cycle. Date is displayed in the 3 o'clock subdial. Day is displayed in the 9 o'clock subdial. Tourbillon is visible working in the 6 o'clock dial cut away.

Movement is the extremely elite manual winding Girard Perregaux Caliber GP 9897 with 37 jewels, beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour and with 75 hour power reserve. The real story with this caliber is, of course, the complications: Westminster Chime Minutes Repetition, Tourbillon and Perpetual Calendar.
Technical Data:

Material : Pink gold Dimensions / Diameter : 42.00 mm Height : 14.54 mm Case-back : Sapphire crystal, secured by 6 screws Water resistance : 3 ATM (100 feet) Movement : GPME0980, manual Calibre : 12 1/2 ''' Frequency : 21,600 Vib/h (3 Hz) Jewels : 37 Power reserve : min. 75 hours Functions : Tourbillon, hour, minute, minute repeater on four gongs (hours, quarters and minutes - Westminster chime), perpetual calendar, small second on the Tourbillon

Did You Know...

2010-04-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what is exactly Grand Sonnerie is??

Well, Grande sonnerie (French, meaning 'grand strike') is a complication in a mechanical watch or clock which combines a quarter striking mechanism with a repeater. On the quarter-hour, it strikes the number of hours audibly on a gong, and then the number of quarter-hours since the hour on a second gong. In addition it can strike the hours on demand, at the push of a button. The term is sometimes used erroneously for a mere quarter striking mechanism^.
It is more complex than the petite sonnerie, which merely strikes the hours on the hour and the quarter hours on the quarter, with no repeater function.

What's the big deal? And how does it work?

In the noted horology book "Britten's Old Clocks and Watches", G.H. Baillie defines a Grand Sonnerie movement as follows:
"A form of quarter-striking in which the hour last struck is also repeated at each hour."
It works like this, striking the quarter-hour on one gong and the hour on a second, slightly lower-toned gong:

At 3:15 the clock strikes once on the higher chime to indicate the quarter hour, followed by three strikes on the lower chime to indicate the hour.
At 3:30 the clock stikes two times on the higher chime (half-hour), followed by three chimes on the lower gong (hour) ...etc.

This way, if you are within hearing distance of the clock, day or night, you can tell exactly what time it is at each quarter hour.

Petite Sonnerie
A "petite sonnerie" movement strikes once on each quarter and then the hour on the hour.

F.P. Journe- Sonnerie Souveraine

2010-04-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

All you really need to know about this watch is that it costs half a million bucks and has a waiting list of two to three years. Requiring ten patents and six years of development (as you can see in the right photo there's some really crazy stuff happening on the inside), the F.P. Journe Sonnerie Souveraine ($560,000) is a grand-strike clockwatch and minute repeater. What does this mean? Basically, it sounds the hours and quarters — like dong, dong, dong... ding-dong, ding-dong for 3:30. This might not sound like a big deal, but it's apparently huge in real watchmaking.

Journe’s Sonnerie Souveraine is much more than ‘simply’ a grand sonnerie; it is a grand et petite sonnerie plus a minute repeater. A sonnerie is a clockwatch; that means that it sounds the time (hours and quarters) in passing - just like an old grandfather clock: although a grandfather clock is likely to strike only the hours or perhaps half hours. A grand sonnerie (full strike) sounds the hours and the quarters at each quarter (every 15 minutes), i.e. at 4.45 we would hear four dongs (hours) and three ding-dongs (quarters). A petite sonnerie (small strike) sounds only the hour at the hour the quarters at the quarters, i.e. at 4.45 we would hear only the three ding-dongs of the quarter hours."

Technical Data:
Calibre 1505: Manually wound. 40 jewels. 400+ pieces in movement
Movement Dimensions: 35mm x 7.8mm
Balance: 4 adjustable weights. 21,600 v/h. Free-sprung.
Power Reserve: 120 hours/5 days without chime. 48 hours with grand strike. 24 hours of autonomy after strike runs down.
Case: Steel. 42mm x 12.25mm

Jaeger Le Coultre- Master Minute Repeater

2010-04-07T04:29:00.000-07:00

Since 1833, when the inventive Charles Antoine LeCoultre established this venerable watchmaker, it has produced some of the most outstanding and innovative timepieces. It wasn't until 1931, however, that the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand rose to international fame. It was then that the Reverso - an ingenious reversible watch - was unveiled to the public.

Two years in development, this is a stunning addition to the Jaeger lineup. It is the first minute-repeater that is water resistant to 50 meters. It displays its functions on the front dial which offer a view into this miniaturized wonder of mechanical engineering. The watch chimes - which are sublime to hear and which were designed in collaboration with the Orchestra Leader Georges Prêtre - produce a very sonorous 55 decibels (at two feet away). An incredible 15-day power reserve. Limited to a very exclusive 200 individually numbered pieces.

Also features: Luminescent hour markers. All parts are hand-chamfered and polished. Nickel silver sunray-patterned bottom plate.

Technical Data:

Case:		Titanium
Dial Color:		Open-worked
Watch Bracelet / Strap:		Leather - Purple Alligator
Watch Clasp:		Titanium Deployant Clasp
Movement:		Mechanical Manual
Engine:		Calibre Jaeger-LeCoultre 947 (21,600vph, 41 rubies)
Functions:		Hours, Minutes, Power Reserve, Minute Repitition, Quarters and Hours Repitition.
Crystal:		Sapphire - Anti Reflective
Case Diameter:		43.0 mm
Caseback:		Sapphire Crystal display back. Gorgeous rear decoration.
Bezel Material:		Titanium
Bezel Function:		Fixed
Water Resistance:		50m / 165ft (suitable for showering; not usually suitable for swimming; unsuitable for diving)
Crown:		Titanium, Fluted
Power Reserve:		15-day power reserve

Gerald Genta- Octo Minute Repeater

2010-04-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

The first in the world to be associated with jumping hour and retrograde minute functions.

It’s been more than 30 years since Gérald Genta revived the popularity of striking watches, the incredibly complex mechanical models that tell the time through music. Formerly intended for nocturnal use in a world without electricity, they testify to a genius that continues to fascinate connoisseurs of contemporary watchmaking art. On request, a minute repeater model strikes the hours, quarters and minutes – each hour on a low-pitched note, each quarter on alternating low and high-pitched notes, and each minute on a high-pitched note. Gérald Genta watches chime the Gs and Cs at an optimally musical cadence. At 11:59, the 31 notes required ring out in about 15 seconds, a period that is neither too lengthy nor too rushed and creates a tune that is both melodiously and clearly audible.

The Octo Minute Repeater features baroque-inspired ornamental dials adorned with multiple geometrical motifs. Red or black lacquered, engraved in white or red gold, they form typically sophisticated Gérald Genta compositions each of which is produced in a limited edition of one. The jumping hour appears through an aperture cut-out in the traditional 9 o’clock position, while the retrograde minutes move across a 180° semi-circle exactly opposite. The brand’s signature read-off style is thus both instinctive and easy.

The Octo cases reserved for this exceptional edition are crafted in red or white gold with polished middles and satin-brushed bezels. On the surfaces, polished studs punctuate the sweeping run of the retrograde minutes. On the other side, a key of G sign discreetly signals the minute repeater pusher that replaces the conventional sliding bolt in order to ensure the case is perfectly water resistant, and also matches the beaded winding crown. Onyx and hawk’s eye cabochons subtly distinguish one from the other.

The self-winding movement constitutes a new feat from the Manufacture Gérald Genta. It is to date the only calibre to combine minute repeater, jumping hour and retrograde minutes, and its construction is remarkably slender. The central minute repeater calibre is the thinnest in the world (3.12 mm thick) and complete with the oscillating weight and the jumping hour-retrograde minute plate measures a mere 7.38 mm in all. Thanks to this major technical accomplishment, the watch itself features an extremely moderate size. Its undeniable elegance is further enhanced by the pleasure of hearing it chime with a delightfully resonant tone stemming from over five years of pioneering acoustic research conducted by the brand.

The innovative Grand Complication is sublimated by a hand-engraved personalised decorative pattern reflecting the style of the dials and extending over the bridges featuring twelve segments evoking the twelve hours. This refined touch complements the traditional fine watchmaking finishes such as bevelling, polishing, circular satin brushing and hand-drawn flanks, as well as the concentric circular graining and the “Potter finish” old gold colour typical of Gérald Genta movements. This work of art may be admired through a sapphire crystal case-back, complete with its solid gold oscillating weight exquisitely openworked around a signature G motif.

Tempus

Vacheron Constantin- King Fouad I pocket-watch

2010-04-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

The King Fouad I pocket-watch sold for a record SFr 3,306,250, making it the most sought-after pocket-watch in this sale and the 5th most sought-after pocket-watch in the world.
This superb piece was presented as a gift in July 1929 by the colony of Swiss people living in Egypt to mark the visit to Switzerland of King Fouad I. This remarkable 18K gold timepiece features a silver dial graced with 12 complications: a split-seconds chronograph with 30-minute register, a perpetual calendar, displays of the date, day, month, leap-year and moon phase, as well as a minute repeater striking three gongs on demand, grande sonnerie striking the hours and quarters on three gongs, and petite sonnerie striking the quarter hours on three gongs. The striking mechanism possesses its own winding train distinct from that of the 46-jewel movement.

Sidetrack history regarding King Fouad I,

Born in 1920, Egypt’s last monarch, King Farouk I was a notorious glutton, kleptomaniac, skirt chaser and, to top it all off, he was extremely whimsical too. He ascended the throne at the age 18 as a wide-eyed idealist all set to always be good only to discard these ideals as time wore on. Psychologically unhinged, he could shed tears seeing a dead bird during a promenade and the very next moment he could grab a cat and smash it smack against the wall. Becoming king, Farouk immediately issued a decree outlawing red cars in his country. Simply because all of his 100-plus cars were of exactly that color… Soon after he had so much antagonized all of his onetime allies and the army that the revolutionaries did not find it at all difficult to overthrow him…

After the 32-year-old Farouk left the country never to get back again, the new regime quickly moved to auction off the king 's vast collection of trinkets and stolen treasures, including a huge collection of pornographic magazines and the world’s largest collection of post stamps. Searching the royal palaces, they found whole rooms laden with things at various times and places pilfered by the kleptomaniac monarch — empty bottles, coins, watches and untouched toothpaste tubes. And pricier things like, for example, a ceremonial sword Farouk had picked up right from the coffin of the Shah of Iran and a priceless pocket watch stolen from Winston Churchill.

At the age of 18 Farouk fell in love with the 17-year-old beauty Safinez Zulfikar and shortly after married her but not before he made her change her name. From then on Safinez was supposed to go under the official name Farida which in Arabic means “the only one”. It wasn’t long before the young king started having flings with other women though. Farouk was spending much time and effort to make his subjects believe he was an insatiable lover and convince them he certainly did! Always a glutton, the king would devour huge amounts of meat, fish, and eggs and was a real sucker for carbonated soft drinks. His gluttony for fine cuisine soon made the six-foot-tall former king dangerously obese, weighing nearly 300 pounds (136 kilos).

A great fan of night clubs and gambling, Farouk would often sit in casinos entertaining himself by spitting on passing waiters and guests and flirting with women. Those of the latter who ignored his attentions could easily wind up in one of his five palaces without their consent. Farouk was particularly partial to married women often blackmailing them to divorce their husbands. And it seems he just couldn’t care less about the feelings of his wife Farida who bore him three children during their 11 years together only to see her husband divorce her in the end. Shortly after the breakup the king, eager to win back his people’s love and respect, tied the knot with Nariman Sadeq, a 16-year-old commoner who looked so much like the woman he once craved for… After the 1952 coup Nariman followed her husband into exile in Italy but two years later she returned home and obtained a Moslem divorce.

Farouk continued to live a lavish life even in exile, and continued his obsessive accumulation of material goods squandering what had remained of his once vast fortune. In Rome he made the acquaintance of the 18-year-old aspiring actress Irma Minutolo. The two met during a beauty pageant Irma was taking part in. She never won any awards but managed to win the heart of the playboy ex-king who bought her a plush apartment and was paying for her music and singing lesions. Until Farouk’s last day Irma Minutolo remained his lover which did not prevent him looking for and finding ever new bedfellows…

Farouk died in Rome, on March 18, 1965. On the night he died, he was again eating in his favorite restaurant in the company of a new and his last girlfriend. He was only 45…

Jaeger Le Coultre- Grand Master Tourbillion

2010-04-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the opening of its Heritage Gallery with the release of the Master Grand Tourbillon, an exclusive series equipped with a fascinating tourbillon mechanism. Made up of 78 parts weighing barely 0.28 grams in all, the grade 5 titanium tourbillon carriage spins elegantly on its axis once a minute. The date indication is adjustable in both directions and makes a bigger jump between 15 and 16 so as not to spoil the view of this magnificent technical accomplishment. In addition to the prestige of the standout complication, the automatic movement also features a dual time-zone display.

For this limited edition, Jaeger-Lecoultre has devised a balance with a 11.5 mg x cm2 inertia capable of supplying the automatic movement with the energy it needs to keep the carriage in motion and to perform the characteristic 28,800 vibrations per hour expected from a high- precision movement. Among the screws arranged around its rim, four of them serve to make adjustments. This technique ensures constant adjustment over time that is unperturbed even by shocks. Any losses in energy due to friction are also reduced by the use of spyr-type gear-wheel teeth with a profile specially designed to ensure regular transmission of force. The lever is also more compact so as to fit into the limited space of the tourbillon carriage. Finally, the automatic movement is wound in one direction only, in harmony with lengthy research that has shown that, once on the wrist, a watch winds twice as fast this way than in the bidirectional mode.

Technical Data:

Movement	:	Mechanical automatic winding Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 978, crafted and decorated by hand 28,800 vibrations per hour 48-hour power reserve 302 parts 33 jewels 7.05 mm high 22-carat single-piece oscillating weight, openworked and decorated with relief engravings
Functions	:	local time enabling fast adjustment on both directions (travel time zone) date hand synchronised with local time, adjustable in both directions 24-hour reference time indication minutes tourbillon regulator with seconds indication
Dial	:	sunburst black base with applied rhodium-plated gold numerals and hour-markers, 11 luminescent dots
Hands	:	hour and minute: Alpha type in rhodium-plated brass, luminescent date: rhodium-plated brass with double red-varnished triangle reference time: rhodium-plated brass
Crowns	:	1 crown to start the watch and to adjust local time, reference time, minute and date
Case	:	ø 43 mm in 950 platinum cambered sapphire crystal, hardness N°9 sapphire crystal case-back revealing the movement water-resistant to 50 metres
Leather strap	:	22/20 in matt alligator leather and 18-carat white gold folding clasp
Reference	:	platinum 950: Q166 64 70

Source

Parmigiani Fleurier- Tourbillon Arlequin Limited Edition Watch

2010-04-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

This collector's timepiece is limited to just 3 pieces and is pretty stunning if you are the sort of person who not only enjoys the looks of Parmigiani Fleurier watches, but also those decorated with precious jewels. The Tourbillon Arlequin watch is placed in the Kalpa XL watch case and fitted with the manually wound Caliber PF 500 movement. The watch complications include the time and power reserve indicator. Most tourbillon watches use the tourbillon cage as a subsidiary seconds indicator, but a centrally positioned seconds hand is also included in this watch. The highlight of the Tourbillon Arlequin is the checkerboard-like arrangement of 92 baguette cut diamonds and 45 baguette cut sapphire stones all over the dial. The stunning watch makes up in bold looks, what is loses in legibility. The 44mm tall by 37.2mm wide case is in platinum. It is an ultra decadent watch with an equally ultra decadent price (by request only). A nice, almost haute jewelry timepiece from Swiss Parmigiani Fleurier.

Luxist

Dior- Christal Tourbillon Diamonds And Rubies Watch

2010-04-02T01:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a stunning piece of Dior men's jewelry and it is a one-of-a-kind watch at that. LVMH-owned Dior takes one of their standard watch designs and forgoes much of that unnecessary stuff, like most of the metal. Instead the watch seems to be held together mostly by diamonds, rubies and red tinted mineral glass. The movement is a manually-would tourbillon that you can see operating almost in silhouette through the tinted red glass.

Case is 42mm wide in White gold, with the thorough assortment of diamonds and rubies being carried over to most of the bracelet. The style of this high cost fashion watch is impressive with a rhyme and reason to the jewel layout. The dial skeletonization is uniquely done, and the views of the movement are quite pretty. I like the use of the large pyramid-cut ruby as the palette over the tourbillon. Price for this piece unique Dior watch was 1.3 million Swiss Francs. This Dior Christal Tourbillon Diamonds and Rubies watch has been nominated to be included in the awards for the 2009 Geneva Grand Prix d'Horlogerie.

Luxist

Perrelet- Five Minute Repeater

2010-04-02T00:57:00.000-07:00

Perrelet is bringing you a five minute repeater that is unique in configuration. It features the renown P-201 repeater caliber, which allows you to activate the ringer on demand by simply pressing the button which is located at the 8 position.

A low-pitched tone strikes once for the hour, followed by two tones in succession, one low-pitched and one high-pitched, which sounds the five minutes. Two strikes in succession for every five minutes that we have passed since the last hour.

The legacy of the expertise of the watchmakers of the 19th century, this timepiece meets Perrelet's high quality criteria in water resistance which is guaranteed to five atmospheres (50m).

The volume of sound is guaranteed by means of an ingenious "empty case" system, which offers a greater resonance compared to a standard case. Due to the high degree of complexity involved in the manufacture of the mechanism, only a very small quantity (120 a year). Aficionados and connoisseurs alike understand this limitation perfectly, as it is so difficult to offer a sound, a melody that keeps pace with the passing of time.

Ref. A 3010/1
Automatic five minute repeater, two tones
Central hour, minutes and second indication
Exclusive Perrelet rotor with glass
18-carat rose gold case
Alligator strap, deployment clasp
Limited Edition of 120 per year

Perrelet- Turbine

2010-04-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

Since its unveiling at Baselworld 2009, the Perrelet Turbine has been one of the most discussed, blogged-about and desired watches on the planet.

What has caused such a stir about the Perrelet Turbine is the 12 titanium blades that spin behind the masculine watch’s face. Yes, the face actually spins. Inspired by a fighter plane’s Turbine engine, Perrelet’s new watch features a creative double-rotor movement that allows the wearer to actually see the movement in motion right on his wrist. On top of one of the coolest, most eye-catching watch designs in recent memory, the Turbine is coming from a brand that is really poised to be a major player in the coming years.

Hidden inside a rather large 44mm case, the movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and features a standard power reserve of 42 hours.
At this time, the Perrelet Turbine collection is available in titanium (Ref: A5006/1 and A1047/1), DLC-coated titanium (Ref: A1047/2) and much more expensive 18kt rose gold version.

Technical Data:
Movement: Perrelet P-181, automatic
Complications: Double Rotor
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Titanium, DLC-treated titanium, or rose gold
Case dimensions: 44 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black, black and red, titanium
Water resistance: 50m
Strap: Black rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated

Zenith- Defy Extreme Sea

2010-03-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Founded in 1865 by its fastidious owner, Zenith, as its name connotes, represented the pinnacle of watchmaking perfection. Georges Favre-Jacot and his company was one of only a few watchmakers that manufactured complete watches. Morever, he produced these watches using up-to-date machinery and tools that he built himself.

The black dial is made of multi-layered carbon fiber and aluminium, and comes with a window allowing you to view the balance wheel. The watch has a self-winding automatic chronometer movement, with power reserve indicator.
This timepiece is water resistant by up to 3,300 feet making it a real diving watch you can carry with you even at the zenith of your underwater mission.

Technical Data:

Case:		Titanium - Black
Dial Color:		Black / Carbon Fiber Skeletonized
Watch Bracelet / Strap:		Black and Blue Titanium with blue lateral inserts
Watch Clasp:		Deployant Triple folding
Movement:		Automatic Chronograph movement with harmonic plate
Engine:		Zenith El Primero 4035 SX (15 1/2''', 332 parts, 36,000vph, 35 jewels)
Functions:		Hours, Minutes, Seconds, 60-seconds Tourbillon at 11, Chronograph, Helium Escape Valve
Watch Chronograph:		Center Sweep Seconds hand measures 1/10 second. 30-minute totalizer at 3 o'clock. Chronograph push buttons in Black Titanium with carbon fiber guilloche inserts. 12-hour counter at 6.
Crystal:		Sapphire - Anti-reflective both sides (3.8mm thick)
Case Diameter:		46.5 mm
Case Thickness:		17.0 mm
Caseback:		Black Titanium Screw-in back with Blue engraving
Bezel Material:		Black Titanium and Carbon Fiber, with stainless steel decorative screw heads & cone-shaped indexes
Bezel Function:		Unidirectional Rotating
Mass:		190.0 g
Water Resistance:		1000m / 3330ft (suitable for swimming, snorkeling, skin diving, diving)
Crown:		Black Titanium screw-in crown with shock protecting device
Calendar:		Rotational date aperture
Power Reserve:		55-hour power reserve.

Harry Winston- Midnight Minute Repeater

2010-03-30T00:05:00.000-07:00

The renowned watchmaking house Harry Winston is delighted to unveil its limited series, reference 450/MMMR42RL.W, Midnight Minute Repeater watch. This new model incorporates a unique horological complication, standing out due to its unprecedented subtlety and complexity.

Soft and exquisite in its exterior, the round case of the Harry Winston watch, 42 mm in diameter, accommodates a self-winding mechanical movement, with a balance frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The movement offers a 38-hour power reserve.

An open display enables the watch wearer to admire the minute repeater mechanism. It can be switched on by pressing the button, nestled at 8 o’clock. The aperture, placed in the upper left part and enfolded in a ring of gold, is protected by a sapphire crystal. It reveals a true technical accomplishment: two hammers, skillfully etched with Harry Winston initials, are featured on the outside of the movement.

The Harry Winston iconic design is distinguished by off-center time indication, conventional arches and a glaring diamond, which embellishes the aperture, just as well located off-center. Thus, the name of this prominent brand is directly linked to the idea of conventional, yet audacious designs.

The Midnight Minute Repeater watch is engineered to strike the hours when necessary. For this purpose minute repeating uses distinct tones, treble for hours, treble and bass alternating for hours, as well as highs for minutes. To achieve the best possible results, this mechanism requires both matchless technical and musical exactitude.

The watch boasts 30-meter water-resistance. It comes with a black alligator leather strap, finished with folding clasp, which is done in rose gold.

Technical Data:
Movement
Automatic Winding, with frequency of 21,600 vph, 38 hour power reserve

Functions
Off-center hours and minutes, minute repeater

Case
Diameter of 42 mm, rose gold or white, water resistant to 30 meters

Display
Silver or black, with aperture for display of minute repeater hammers, protected by sapphire crystal

Bracelet
Black alligator leather with folding clasp in rose gold

Zenith- Zero Gravity Tourbillion

2010-03-27T22:42:00.000-07:00

The Defy Xtreme Tourbillon ZERO-G El Primero is a mean looking master piece that actually defies gravity. ZENITH has devised a Zero-G (zero gravity) system. The gyroscope cage Tourbillon comprises an escapement mounted on cardan joints rather like marine chronometers. The instrument, which is sensitive to changes of position, is kept in a constant horizontal position, thereby ensuring optimal amplitude for the spiral balance-wheel.
Coordination is provided by an invention patented by ZENITH: a second gear train is the reference point for the swinging of the escapement axles and a differential gear with inverter compensates all the relative movements of the framework.

The Zero-G Tourbillon, whose cage alone comprises 166 of the 294 parts that make up the device, 10 conical geared wheels with spiral teeth and 6 ball-bearings, was developed from the El Primero automatic caliber that beats at the record speed of 36,000 vibrations per hour.

Bringing the Tourbillon Zero G and the Defy Xtreme range together produces an unforeseen design, a perfect alchemy of engine and bodywork. A figure 8 on its side, symbolizing infinity or a lucky number, is drawn around the hours and minutes display at 11 o’clock and around the opening of the phenomenal Tourbillon at 5 o’clock. A multi-layered dial of Hesalite glass, carbon fiber and aluminum beneath two sapphire glasses, a blackened titanium case that is waterproof at 1000 meters, a black shot-peened titanium case, a protected crown, helium valve and titanium bracelet with Kevlar inserts and high-temperature resistance are the features that make this an extreme sports timepiece.

Sources

Zenith- Defy Extreme Grande Date Limited Edition

2010-03-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

Considered the highest point of watch-making perfection the Swiss brand Zenith was founded in 1865, Le Locle by a young watchmaker Georges Favre-Jacot, and through the years gathered prestige by creating high-performance luxurious timepieces which have obtained over 1500 international awards and by creating over 50 different mechanical movements, and among them we include the emblematic El Primero, widely accepted as being among the best chronograph calibers ever built. Today this brand belongs to LVMH group, and continues to design timepieces extremely appreciated by the watch collectors worldwide.
        Zenith gained its international prestige for creating a diversified area of highly exclusivist watches, and Zenith Defy Extreme Grande Date Stealth limited edition is among the most attractive models they have designed during the last year, a timepiece which successfully combines sporty and vanguard style touches becoming a coveted collector’s item.
        The watch is available in two coloristic options, featuring either grey or black titanium case that emanates sportiness and masculinity. Zenith designers have added to the dark accents of the case extreme contrasting matte red in the watch’s hands and balance-wheal Bridge.

        The model accommodates not only a ravishing avant-garde design but also the latest technology in its anti-shock system, the Zenith patented Open Grande Date 4039 SX movement and an El Primero Chronograph with a 3-disk Grande Date, one-of-a-kind technology. The Defy Stealth design finds its inspiration in the Stealth Bombers aircrafts.
        The case dimensions, 46.5 mm in diameter emanate strength and masculinity and its construction is rendered complete by the titanium case back which provides a mind numbing water resistance of 1000 meters; the timepiece is also equipped with graduated unidirectional rotating bezel, and helium valve positioned at 10 o’clock.
        Due to its multi-layered transparent structure, the model is a continuous challenge for the imagination, the dial is revealed through a sapphire crystal that has received anti-reflective treatment on both sides and the indexes are manufactured from titanium as well as the watch’s brushed bracelet.

Zenith Defy Extreme Grande Date Stealth, limited edition is a fascinating, eye-catching timepiece which was manufactured in only 250 pieces per variation, world wide and is available for an exclusivist price of $31,000.00.

Sources

Zenith- Open Minute Repeater

2010-03-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

A technical highlight of the prestigious Zenith Academy watch collection is undoubtedly the remarkable "El Primero" Open Minute Repeater. Within a collection famed for its mechanical virtuosity and exclusivity, this model achieves a pinnacle of excellence all its own.

Within the classical confines of the 45mm 18-karat gold case nestles the Zenith 4043 caliber, an exclusive creation of the historic Swiss manufacture. Among the most complicated mechanical movements in the world, this mechanism comprises 461 individual components, 45 jewels, which unite to drive two complications. In addition to the high-beat chronograph mechanism, which can mark independent time intervals with a precision to within 1/10th second, the Caliber 4043 presents a minute repeater--long esteemed as one the two most difficult and sought after high complications in the horological repertoire. By activating the slide piece on the left side of the case, the user can activate the minute repeater, which will chime the hour, quarter hour, and individual minute on a combination of low, high-low, and individual high tones. To unite the chronograph and the minute repeater, Zenith created a clever patented system whereby the chiming mechanism encircles the axes of the chronograph.

Zenith is offering the Academy Open Minute Repeater watch in a "Classical" variant which features a solid gold guilloched silver dial, and a highly contemporary "Open" version, whose transparent sapphire dial exposes tantalizing glimpses into the daunting complexities of the mechanism. Both models are extremely limited in production, and each watch is engraved with its individual number. A hand-sewn alligator strap and a deployant buckle in 18K gold keeps the Academy Open Minute Repeater securely on its owners wrist.

Sources

Century - Couture

2010-03-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

Pure, perfectly elegant, essentially precious: with Couture, Century has created a new way of experiencing time. A celebration in translucent monochrome with clean lines, dedicated to the magic of light and the pleasure of every moment.

Part of the Contemporary Timdepiece collection of Century’s most modern designs, Couture is an elegantly feminine watch, whose shape is inspired by a real legend in jewellery: the solitaire. Innovatively combining the spirit of the most precious of stones with contemporary watchmaking and Century’s technical expertise, Couture is embodied in a Century sapphire, hand-cut and polished by our master craftsmen.

A jewellery watch with a new look, Couture’s 32 facets form a perfect harmonious composition, in a spiritual reference to the brilliant cut. This subtle structure is designed for all occasions: Couture is available in two sizes.

For the daytime, Century has designed a large model with a 37mm diameter, featuring a date aperture at 6 o’clock. The perfect finishing touch for an urban outfit or to spice up a casual look. In its 24.6mm version, Couture becomes the ultimate glamorous accessory for cocktail dresses and evening wear.

And whether for a smart evening event or a beautiful day out, Couture sits perfectly on a choice of satin or alligator strap.

Tempus

Villemont- Aston T Night Hawk

2010-03-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

In 2007 by Starhill Gallery (Starhill Gallery) organized by the Asia's largest retail trade fairs to the list of "time trip" on, Villemont have luster appearance. In 2007 by the World Wide Fund for Nature, held in London, the annual dinner, Villemont also donated a series of Arctic explorers Lewis Pew Limited Edition (Limited Edition Lewis Pugh) as the auction purposes in order to support the World Wide Fund for Nature against the affect the global warming activities. Villemont launched in mid-2007 focused on three aspects of exploration series, respectively, to explore the ocean 7 Seas Amundsen, geographic exploration Solar Navigator and technology to explore Aston T Night Hawk, are to highlight the brand's outstanding excellence, providing a wide range of choice watch collectors .

Technical Data:

Case:	Titanium	Category:	Elegance/chic
Bracelet strap:	Rubber	Size:	Ø 53.0 mm
Buckle:	-	Thickness:	-
Setting:	Yes	Waterproofness:	30 m

Movement:	Complication
Functions:	Date, Chronograph, Power-reserve indication

Reference:	4030,003	Collection:	CONTEMPORARY
Year:	2008

Van Cleef & Arpels- Midnight in Paris

2010-03-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

On the screen of Midnight in Paris Timepiece, is represented the map of stars under the Parisian sky, a complicated creation which has the movement unique and its extreme complexity linking the concept of time to that of the Cosmos as a dazzling homage to that other mysterious and fascinating world.

The mechanisms which are complicated, developed for Fine Watch making traditionally tend towards the infinitely precise. In this way, the new complication searches new dimensions: that of the infinitely great, of an unsearched world , of dreams, of a voyage into immensity universe. The movement can be seen through a sapphire glass case back, the safety of which is given by a pink gold movable flap. On the back of the watch, real meteorite stone has been set into the disk surrounding the calendar.

The astonished meteorite used for the Van Cleef and Arpels Midnight in Paris watch is 4.5 billion years old, the period when „primary solid matter” was created. The manufacturer used the stone for the timepiece as meteorites represent the only known physical material which shows information shedding light on the creation of the solar system elements.

The Midnight in Paris Timepiece watch animates the celestial dome`s ma with help of a rotating adventurine glass disk. The case of the watch has 42 mm in diameter and is crafted in rose gold and shows with scratch- proof sapphire crystal. It is 20 meter water resistant. The sophisticated and elegant tose gold hands on the dial are perfectly polished and brushed. The timepiece is guaranteed to the wrist with a black alligator leather belt with rose gold folding clasp located on integrated security system mechanism.

The Midnight in Paris Timepiece watch has the Swiss mechanical movement furnished with 24 jewels which beats at 28, 800 alt per hour. It offers 40 hour power- reserve. The accurate mechanism was exclusively developed for Van Cleef & Arpels on a Jaeger-LeCoultre Basis.

The Midnight in Paris Timepiece watch is exclusively made for men who are able to appreciate the genius of the extremely complex Cosmos- dedicated movement. The watch is destined to introduce its wearer into an unknown world of magic and mysery, with the stars shining into infinity.

The price might be expensive but if you are looking at these wonderful and unique functions you will say that the price is very cheap, only 48, 000 euro.

Source

Ulysse Nardin- Sonata Silicium Limited Edition

2010-03-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

The Sonata Silicium Limited Edition watch is a limited edition of 300 pieces. Nardin is now using silicium in all its new models. The movement is the automatic UN caliber 67 with a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The functions include hours, minutes, seconds, large date, dual time system with instant time zone adjuster, countdown, cathedral gong alarm. The case is 42mm and it has front and back sapphire crystals with an alligator strap.

The case, in 18kt white or rose gold, measures 42mm. The crystal is AR-coated sapphire front and back. It is water resistant to 30 meters.

FPJourne - Octa Perpetual shows anniversary

2010-03-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

In 2001, P. F. Journe OCTA this collection - consisting of mechanical wristwatches with a winding power reserve exceptional over 5 days (120 hours) with all models have the same thickness, regardless of the complication. A technical challenge to insert all the complications of OCTA collection in the same space.

The Perpetual Octa, 8th creation of the collection bears his name perfectly well and enriched the collection of self-winding caliber signed P. F. Journe -Invenit and Fecit. New challenge that succeeded to insert this time a perpetual calendar in the same space.

Each anniversary, the new Octa Perpetual Titanium celebrates the establishment of network Shops P. F. Journe around the world, with the 5th anniversary of the first Boutique P. F. Journe in Tokyo.

Produced in limited edition of 99 pieces, made his case exceptional titanium for this anniversary is wearing a dial on Ruthenium Or
The winding movement is manufactured in 18K rose gold, like all creations P. F. Journe -Invenit and Fecit. It is built on the caliber exclusive 1300.3, with retrograde date, a one-stop for days, and a second window for months with indication of leap year recorded in the month of February. The transition months of 28, 29, 30 and 31 days is automatically recognize the leap year (indicated).

The Octa Perpetual rotor also features exclusive P. F. Journe decentered dating movement in one direction by a system of self-locking ball bearing. The ceramic ball allow it to move in one direction and blocks it in another. Each small movement is thus maximized for an optimized winding the watch.

The push to secure 8:00 ET for the transition manual for months during the initial adjustment. This push excludes any possibility of accidental actuation, allowing use without special tools.

The Octa Perpetual was premiered May 29, 2009 at the Boutique P. F. Journe Tokyo

Tempus

Rebellion- Column- Wheel Chronograph

2010-03-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

Rebellion Timepieces, a new Swiss watch brand launched at Baselworld 2008, has stepped boldly into the world of luxury mechanical watchmaking with their RE-2 Column-Wheel Chronograph. The timepiece features a massive 18K gold, or titanium case made up of 46 pieces, which showcases a futuristic tonneau shape and a modular sandwich construction. Enhancing the bold appearance of the RE-2 watch, are "Earthcrust" or "Mooncrust" dials which showcase multiple levels, a striking texture, and apertures which reveal the fascinating circular chronograph and date functions.

The Rebellion Timepieces Column-Wheel Chronograph is animated by a self-winding movement, which may be seen through the sapphire crystal caseback. Key technical elements include a balance wheel frequency of 28,800 vph, a column-wheel controlled chronograph mechanism, and a rapidly adjustable date display. Baseplate and bridges are coated with black ruthenium, and the central winding mass is crafted from solid gold.

Each Column-Wheel Chronograph is fitted with a branded rubber strap, and a deployant buckle manufactured from 18K gold or titanium. Water resistance of the watch is 100 meters.

Sources

MB&F- HM3 Horological Machine N°3 Starwinder

2010-03-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

The horological Machine No3 (HM3) is so far outside existing timekeeping references that it may cause sensory overload. The mind first attempts to take in the kinetically active movement, paradoxically seen in all its glory on the top of the watch and partially circumscribed by a ring of large numerals. However before that information can be processed it is assailed yet again, this time by twin cones rising majestically from the sculptured three-dimensional case. No wonder many struggle to reconcile the reality that this dynamic sculpture is actually a highly technical wristwatch that tells the time and date.

Individualists demand choice, so HM3 is available in two versions: ‘Sidewinder’, with cones lined perpendicular to the arm and ‘Starcruiser’, with cones in line with the arm. Each version has its own very distinct visual characteristics and each offers its own angle on telling the time.

The twin cones respectively indicate hours and minutes, with the hour cone capped by a day/night indicator. An over-sized date wheel allows for large, legible numbers with the date indicated by a neatly engraved triangle on its perimeter.
However, it is the spectacular open-air theatre presented by the finely finished movement, with its swinging battle-axe shaped automatic rotor and fast oscillating balance wheel, which mesmerises the eye and astounds the senses.
Turning the watch over reveals the technical secret behind HM3’s inverted movement: two large high-tech ceramic bearings efficiently transmitting power up to the cones and date wheel.

Source

MB&F- HM1-TI

2010-03-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

As much, if not more, art and sculpture as micro-engineering. HM1-Ti is an avant-garde three-dimensional timekeeping machine broken free from constraints imposed by traditional horology.

The relatively light weight belies the architectural volume of HM1-Ti's grade 5 titanium case, a case whose complex modular construction enables every part to be independently refurbished.

The radical three-dimensionality of the case construction may turn heads; however, the totally original and highly intricate movement inside, with its 376 parts and 81 functional jewels, ensures that HM1-Ti will turn minds as well.

HM1-Ti features hours and minutes on separate dials, a raised central one-minute tourbillon, a seven-day power reserve, four mainspring barrels and both automatic and manual winding.

Augmenting the more technical style of HM1-Ti is an open dial providing a visual feast of the superbly finished movement and allowing maximum visual access to the large diameter hour/minute synchronizing wheel and the mesmerizing raised tourbillon carriage.

The hours and minutes are indicated on their respective etched-sapphire bridges augmented by precision laser-cut applied numerals, while the seven-day power reserve on the right-hand dial is displayed by a rotating disk.

The challenge of applying a variety of multi-faceted fine finishes to the difficult-to-work titanium has been rewarded by the vibrant juxtaposition of light reflecting off the contrasting highly polished and matte-satin surfaces.

An extra-wide custom tapered strap, complemented by a bespoke white gold and titanium folding buckle, completes the timepiece and reinforces the highly technical nature of the case.

Exclusive is hardly the right word for an extremely limited edition of just 10 pieces.

Source

Thomas Prescher- Qatar

2010-03-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

The TEMPUS VIVENDI QATAR WATCH by Thomas Prescher features oversized 18-ct-gold case sizing 39 mm in diameter (including module) which is ornamented all over; its height is 13 mm, including module. Its caseback is visible through the crystal convex sapphire crystal showing the engraved automatic 180 carat gold rotor. The dial is made of laquer material while the figure, index plates and name plates are from 18-karat gold. The case is set with hand-cut and sewn alligator leather strap; and 18 karat buckle/clasp.
Water resistant is 1 ATM (10 meters).

The Qatar Timepiece is animated by automatic winding with 25 bearing jewels, frequency of 28,800 vph, Swiss lever escapement, flat balance hairspring, Incabloc shock protection as well as completely hand-engraved and gold plated decoration.

Sources

Maurice Lacroix- Memoire 1

2010-03-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Memoire 1 recently given birth in the 'Atelier de Maurice Lacroix' has incorporated a remarkable number of world firsts. Above all, the Maurice Lacroix creation is destined to become the first timepiece providing a mechanical memory function.

Drop a glance at the Memoire 1 and you will be caught by a whirlwind of emotions - the exceptional Grandes Complications watch demonstrates the powerful and unique visual appearance. It is characterized by the harmony of the pure and elegant design blending mirror-polished components with fine-brushed surfaces to smartly unite the different levels of the case and dial.

The creators of the Memoire 1 endowed it with elegant design and exceptional functions. The timepiece united eye-catching styling with supreme readability and ease of use. The innovative mechanism allows the watch's wearer to benefit from its technical peculiarities.

The circular case of the Maurice Lacroix Memoire 1, crafted in white gold, reveals a unique and entirely new look. Its construction features several different levels. The screw-fitted bezel with a laterally mounted sapphire crystal provided with anti-reflective coating allows true watch aficionados to admire the movement of the seconds hand linked to the minutes. The timepiece has incorporated an innovative mode selection button that is integrated in the crown at 3 o'clock.

The dial of the Memoire 1 also spotlights a number of innovative features. Its multi-level construction creates perfect readability of its individual displays. The dial also features the skeleton section with an aperture at 6 o'clock that displays the movement behind and the memory mechanism for the seconds. The date display is worth special attention - it is based on the uniquely inclined disc, requiring a considerable amount of space, but makes the date to be seen at first glance.

The hours disc is one more noteworthy world first of the Maurice Lacroix Memoire 1. The designers of this transparent disc conducted detailed tests and decided not to make it from sapphire as it does not provide the necessary density and is too weak for this particular application. The brand's specialists had to find a different solution. Finally, they selected a mineral-based material that has already been successfully applied in pioneering industries, including the automobile branch and mobile phones' production. The material was given a special treatment to guarantee its great hardness and sufficient flexibility.

The hands of the Memoire 1 hold another surprise. The seconds hand is blued and mounted at the outer edge on the minutes ring, while the minutes hand is covered a white luminous coating demonstrating a blue radiance in the darkness. A skeleton hand at 3 o'clock marks the selected mode.

How does the mechanical memory function of the Memoire 1 work? When you press the button integrated into the crown, the mode switches from "Time" to "Chrono". The watch's hands and the hours disc instantly change their positions. If their previous function was showing the current time, they are now responsible for measuring time intervals.

When you press the button once again, the hands and the disk are back at their positions ready for time-telling. Even when the chronograph is switched on, it is still possible to shift back and forth between the modes, maintaining the information provided by one or the other function.

Simply speaking, the Memoire 1 is able to show elapsed time while 'remembering' the current time. One touch of a button makes the watch use the same two hands and the disc for showing the current time while 'memorizing' the elapsed time recorded by its chronograph. The memory function is a groundbreaking development as this new mechanical complication has never been developed before.

The memory function of the Memoire 1 is provided by the ML 128 manufacture movement that made possible the described-above one-of-a-kind connection between the time chronograph indications. The highly complex caliber is composed of 537 components for which Maurice Lacroix has submitted patent applications.

The Memoire 1 is coupled with the superb strap, fully integral with the watch case with help of a hinge system. It is produced from matte-finished alligator leather and fitted with a white gold buckle.

Sources

Maurice Lacroix- Starside Sparkling Date

2010-03-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

The award-winning Maurice Lacroix Starside timepieces present exceptional Swiss luxury watchmaking in tandem with whimsical and expressive feminine design. Alluring horological delights such as the moon phase indicator and full calendar with day and month weave their technical magic on dreamy dials showcasing striking contrasting metal finishes and scintillating diamond accents. Watches such as the Maurice Lacroix Starside Sparkling Date Limited Edition present creative new ways to display watchmaking complications, in which precious gemstones become the splendid ambassador of time's continual passage.

Movement is the automatic caliber ML127 with 30 jewels (with special complications module designed in-house by ML), blued steel screws, and personalized rotor.

Functions are: Off-centre indication of hours and minutes, retrograde date indication with diamond in a shaped window at 6 o’clock (patent pending), moon phase indication with eccentric disc revealed by a cabochon of moonstone at 3 o’clock (patent pending).

The case is done in 18kt white gold, measuring 38mm, bezel and lugs set with 82 Top Wesselton diamonds, crown set with 9 diamonds (2.15 carats); domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on inside; screwed caseback with sapphire crystal.

It is water resistant to 50 meters. The dial is lacquered in purple and black; hand-applied index marks and stars; stamped hours and minutes hands.
Limited Edition of 250 Pieces.

Hublot- Aero Bang Gold Ceramic

2010-03-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

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

Glashutte Original- PanoInverse XL

2010-03-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

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

Gerald Genta- Octo Tourbillon Sunray

2010-03-09T02:22:00.000-08:00

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

Gerald Genta- Octo Ultimate Fantasy Tourbillon

2010-03-08T03:56:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-08T03:46:00.000-08:00

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

Daniel Roth- Pappilion Chronograph

2010-03-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

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? =)

Corum- Golden Tourbillon Panoramique

2010-03-06T03:33:00.000-08:00

Surely the most impressive Corum timepiece of the next several years will be this new Golden Tourbillon Panoramique Grey Sapphire watch. As a limited edition of just five pieces, the watch will embody a very high degree of complication from a manufacturing standpoint. It is also imbued with a significant level of luxury.

What is interesting here is the application of gray PVD on the sapphire giving it that special look. The movement is a manually wound tourbillon based movement with a long 90 hours of power reserve. As you can see, the movement mainplate and bridges are all in sapphire! Something truly remarkable from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. The rest of the watch case is in 18k white gold with 309 diamonds decorating most every surface. Plus, the watch case has four sapphire crystals to help appreciate the movement from any angle. It is really a nice combination of luxury indulgence and mechanical intrigue. Expect prices to make your skin as light as the gray sapphire of the watch.

Technical Data:

Case:	White Gold	Category:	Complication/Fine watchmaking
Bracelet strap:	Leather	Size:	-
Buckle:	Folding Buckle	Thickness:	-
Setting:	Yes , body , strap	Waterproofness:	30 m

Movement:	Manual-winding mechanical Power reserve : 90 h
Functions:	Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Tourbillon

Reference:	382.879.69/0F01 0000	Collection:	Golden Bridge
Year:	2009	Limited Edition to 5 Pieces

Corum- Golden Bridge

2010-03-06T03:18:00.000-08:00

Independent watchmaker Vincent Calabrese may be working over at Blancpain now but the spirit of his early innovation at Corum lives on, thanks to the legendary Golden Bridge watch. Back in 1980, this watch was possibly the first non-skeleton wristwatch to put the movement front and center.

This unique timepiece features a manufacture movement CO-113, a mechanical baguette movement, hand-wound by a stem at 6 o'clock. It features a slipping spring mechanism and a variable adjustable inertia balance, adjustable by screws. The movement runs at a frequency: of 4Hz or 28'800 vph. The beautiful 18k red gold hand-engraved plates and bridge are visible through any of the four sapphire crystals. One on the front, one on the back and one on each side of the case. The case is tonneau-shaped and is made of titanium, with a nice mixture of polished and satin finished surfaces. It measures 34 mm x 51 mm and features a titanium crown, decorated with a CORUM key. The Golden Bridge displays hours and minutes with black skeleton hands and a very cool no-dial design.

Concord- C1 Pure

2010-03-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

The Concord C1 Chronograph, destined for men who highly appreciate advanced technologies and innovations, has been enjoying tremendous success. Now, the brand has created a new variation of the timepiece - Concord C1 Pure in monochrome white. The watch with a new, powerful temperament is designed for active, decisive men and women who know how to control things and manage time and move one step ahead of it.

The distinctive shape, bold dimensions, and unmatched performance of the Concord C1 Pure reflect the energy of the modern lifestyle. The timepiece featuring a contemporary unisex silhouette is meant to become a trendsetter in the highly competitive field of new-century watch-designing.

The Concord C1 Pure, a COSC-certified chronometer, showcases a majestic case, 44 mm in diameter and 16.7 mm thick. Despite its considerable size, the watch is constructed to embrace the slimmest of wrists, as it has incorporated the unique attachment system that lacks case horns, ensuring that the timepiece fits perfectly the wrist shape. The white exterior enhances the model's drive and energy, accentuating new aspects of its construction. The diamonds sparkling on the bezel and case middle add a touch of elegance and luxury.

The 20-atmosphere water-resistant steel case of the C1 Pure is provided by a protective metal ring that is covered with white rubber, fitted on the middle of the case. The protective ring is attached by self-blocking side screws. It displays eight tabs extending over the bezel. The system is also responsible for protecting an impressive, 3.3-mm-thick anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The winding-crown, produced from steel, composite materials and rubber, comprises seven interlocking parts for extra strength.

The dial of the Concord C1 Pure fascinates the glance due to its daring workmanship and monochrome design. The timepiece is created to reflect the superior quality requirements and continuous quest for utmost performance. The structure of the watch's white garb reminds fiberglass. The layered construction plays smartly with light and relief, emphasizing its perspective and readability. The dial reveals the following details:

The luminescent hour and minute hands with taut, spirited lines display asymmetrical cutouts.
The running seconds sub-dial positioned at 9 o'clock, a constantly rotating disk, is based on the complex development research.
At 3 o'clock, the date gives an impression it is fading in and out of the semi-transparent dial aperture.
The 30-minute and 12-hour counters are found at 12 and 6 o'clock.
The sweep seconds hand in Concord blue nicely matches the points of the running seconds sub-dial.

The transparent case-back allows true watch connoisseurs to admire a 25-jewel self-winding movement oscillating at 28, 8000 vibrations per hour. The movement guarantees a 48-hour power reserve. The rotor finished with rhodium displays the C1 logo and the ribbed Cotes de Geneve pattern.

The Concord C1 Pure goes on the finely matching white vulcanized rubber strap provided with a velvety matte finish and equipped with a double folding clasp.

Sources

Bulgari- Diagono Tourbillon

2010-03-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

Bulgari has enriched its sporty Diagono watch collection with one of the most prestigious complications in haute horlogerie. The Bulgari Diagono Tourbillon features a 42mm case crafted from platinum, a black sunburst guilloche dial with a contrasting metallic minute sector, and a strap in black alligator with a platinum folding clasp. Like other models from the Diagono collection, this watch showcases the characteristic "Bulgari-Bulgari" engraved bezel and protective shoulders for the winding crown.

Visible beneath a sapphire crystal window in the caseback is a manually wound movement designated as the BVL 200. Comprised of 200 individual components and 20 jewels, the BVL 200 caliber features a tourbillon that revolves on its axis once per minute, bearing a balance wheel with a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour. Power reserve of the spring barrel is approximately 64 hours. A rich array of decorative refinements adorn the bridges and other components, including Cotes de Geneve, guilloche, and satine soleil. On the dial side, the steel bridge bearing the tourbillon scintillates with finely chamfered edges, and meticulously polished screws.

The Bulgari Diagono Tourbillon is water resistant to 50 meters.

Sources

Audemars Piguet- Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar

2010-03-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar has such high precision in its that it is adjusted for months with 30 or 31 days. It is also controlled for leap-years for month of February every 4 years. There is totally no required correction for the dates until March 1st 2100.
It uses an ultra-thin self-winding caliber 2120/2802 that is 28mm in casing diameter and 4mm thick. It has 38 jewels with 355 parts in the movement. Its power reserve is up to 40 hours. The balance vibrates at 19,800 times per hour. All the movement parts are bevelled and engraved with the "cotes de Geneve" motif and circular grains.
The case is made of 950 platinum with a diameter of 41mm and a thickness of 9.15mm. It uses sapphire crystal for the front and caseback. Its water resistance is up to 20m. It has a Tuscany blue dial with white gold applied hour-markers. It has 4 calendar subdials that are polished decorated fillet. At 12, the subdial is the month with indication of 4 years of leap-year in the center. Positioned at 3 is the date subdial. At 6, is the moonphase and power reserve indicator. The day of the week is indicated within the subdial at 9.
It uses large square-scale hand-sewn alligator leather with platinum AP folding clasp

Sources

Audemars Piguet- Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar

2010-03-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar watch is an exquisite high luxury timepiece which is intimately tied to the long and illustrious history of Audemars Piguet as a manufacturer of exceptional and highly complicated haute horlogerie. This shining example of watchmaking art combines a celebrated, iconic watch design with one of the most cherished implementations in the repertoire of elite watchmaking--the perpetual calendar. This tricky complication provides indications for day of the week, date, month, leap year, and phases of the moon. The perpetual calendar's complex mechanism of cams and levers is mechanically programmed to make automatic adjustments in accord with the various lengths of the months, including February, which is affected by the cycle of leap years.

Case Material     Platinum & Steel
Bracelet/Strap     Platinum & Steel Brushed & Polished
Clasp Type     Push Button Foldover Clasp
Movement     Automatic
Screw Down Crown     No
Bezel     Fixed
Crystal     Scratch Resistant Sapphire
Case Back     Transparent
Water Resistant     20m/60ft
Perpetual Calendar complication featuring:
          o Date sub-dial at the 3 o'clock position.
          o Day of the week sub-dial at the 9 o'clock position.
          o Month sub-dial at the 12 o'clock position with the center doubling & Leap Year indicator.
          o Moonphase sub-dial at the 6 o'clock position.
AP caliber 2120/2802 beats at 19,800 vph & contains 38 jewels with an approximate Power Reserve of 40 hours.

Arnold & Son- True Moon

2010-03-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

Coming from the house of Arnold & Son is this new True Moon timepiece. It’s ideal for people who love gazing at the moon at nights. It is a substantial 46mm across the dial, and features the watchmaker’s A-1788 caliber with an added complication that displays the phases of the moon. The dial is protected with a sapphire crystal and the watch is water resistant up to 30 meters. You can opt from the two versions of Arnold & Son’s True Moon watch in either stainless steel or in rose gold.

This stunning new True Moon Timekeeper is powered by a world-first mechanism capable of keeping precise track of the true waxing and waning faces of the Moon. To achieve this unprecedented feat, it is calculated on the Moon’s exact synodic month of 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes.

Moonphase display (set through a pusher integrated in the case at 10 o’clock):
Evolves according to the true synodic period of the Moon (time between successive recurrences of the same phase period). This period of 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes, also called a synodic month, is depicted by 18 revolving discs.
Reveals the true waning and waxing faces of the moon as visible in the sky seen from the Northern Hemisphere. Date and centre sweep second hand.

Sources

Arnold & Son- Grand Tourbillion Perpetual

2010-03-02T04:28:00.000-08:00

When Arnold & Son decided to launch a new tourbillon model, connoisseurs and admirers can be sure this sophisticated complication will appear in good company. The Grand Tourbillon Perpetual is a striking embodiment of the wealth of horological expertise cultivated by a brand that remains true to the pioneering spirit of one of the great British Masters.

Originally designed over two centuries ago to compensate for the detrimental effects of gravity on watch movements, the tourbillon remains one of the most challenging horological accomplishments. Beautifully highlighted in this model through a generous opening in the lower part of the dial, the tourbillon carriage with its three-arm propeller-shaped hand is complemented by an impressive array of additional functions. Above it, on either side of the grid-patterned dial section underscoring the highly technical nature of this watch , the day of the week and month are displayed in neat apertures; while a dedicated arrow-type pointer sweeps over the elegant retrograde date display appearing on the top of the dial. The same hand-wound movement also drives moon-phase and leap-year indications visible through the open back. All the perpetual calendar displays can be independently set by means of two pushpieces at 2 and 10 o'clock and two recessed correctors at 4 and 8 o'clock, or else adjusted simultaneously by the corrector at 9 o'clock.

Further reinforcing this exceptional model's ties with the rhythms of the universe, the dial also features a perpetual equation of time window, protected by a sapphire crystal and permanently displaying the difference between the time in space (sidereal time) and the time on earth (civil time). And for those who prefer to keep track of the stars in a more symbolic way, a zodiac calendar may appear in the same position.

Representing a spectacular horological vision and a fascinating transposition of celestial reality with its immutable cycles, this distinguished model clearly destined for collectors is issued in three strictly limited series of 10 in white gold and 10 in red gold.

Sources

Armand Nicolet- L07 Limited Edition Chronograph

2010-03-02T04:16:00.000-08:00

The new Armand Nicolet L07 watch belongs to the exclusive world of chronographs. The L07 has been created in a limited edition of 140 pieces. The timepieces have incorporated elegant dials and straps featuring an array of different color combinations.

Twenty pieces of the L07 are equipped with the prominent VENUS 175 movement with column wheel, while the rest 120 pieces are powered with the VENUS 188 fitted with 'navettes' system.

The Armand Nicolet watch is housed in a special wooden case accompanied by the Certificate of Authenticity. The L07 series is aimed to greatly appeal to watch connoisseurs who value not only perfect mechanical execution, but also the investment ahead in time.

Movement	Manual-winding mechanical, polished and engraved plate and bridges, 32-hour power reserve, engraved and numbered
Functions	Hours, minutes, chronograph
Case	Two-tone 316L steel and 18K pink gold bezel in a limited edition of 30, 43 mm Anti-reflective sapphire crystal, screw-down transparent back
Dial	Grey, engine-turned, applied hour markers Openwork hour counter at 9 o’clock with view of the movement, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and direct-drive centre seconds-hand
Bracelet/Strap	Grey alligator leather, buckle
Other versions	Steel case, silvered or black dial, limited edition of 70 18K pink gold case, silvered or black dial, limited edition of 20 18K white gold case, blue or grey dial limited edition of 20

Sources

28th Feb 2010

2010-02-27T23:49:00.000-08:00

hmm..its been days since i last blogged on my personal post.. mainly because maybe im a boring guy, not much activities going out there :D But recently one of my sec sch classmate birthday and i went, it was soo... reminising... hope can go out more with my sec sch and pri sch friends often.. but somehow dont think its possible sigh..

Anyway.. heres some photos i bring and share with you all haha!

My sec sch buddies and the birthday gals! =D

Notice the guy beside me with the sexy pose? :O

Cause i tried pulling his shirt xD

Birthday girls !

Our group photo! love this the most

the pretty girls =O

Yup we went to pasir ris ehub to celebrate, although not that happening, but i always treasure outings with bunch of old friends as im a guy that value old ties the most =)

Cartier- Tortue GMT with day & night

2010-02-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

18K pink gold case, day/night and second time zone
complications, 18K pink gold octagonal crown set with a faceted
sapphire, sapphire crystal, guilloché and silvered dial, central
rose motif, Cartier Paris signature, roman and arabic numerals,
apple-shaped blue steel hands, hand-stitched full grain alligator
strap, 18K pink gold adjustable deployant buckle,
workshop-crafted mechanical movement with manual winding
calibre 9904-MC, diameter: 11'' 1/2 i.e. 25.6mm, tickness: 4.97
mm, 20 jewels, 217 pieces, balance: 28,800 alternations/hour,
bridges decorated with the Cartier interlocking double-C motif,
transparent back with sapphire crystal, case and movement with
matching numbers, water resistant to 30 metres / 100 feet.

Sources from: http://www.cartier.us/#/show-me/timepieces/w1553551-tortue-2-time-zone-day-night-complications-watch?tab=2

LADY blu – ATOLL & Moonlight

2010-02-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

blu – MOONLIGHT
Stainless steel case (39 mm) with logo engraved into the side, equipped with a Swiss automatic movement with an additional device created by blu – source du temps to revolve around the entire dial. Pastel black mother-of-pearl dial that turns on an axis every twelve hours. An off-centre disc set with 78 Top Wesselton diamonds indicates the minutes by the position of a line of six blue sapphires. Côtes de Genève decoration and rotating blu logo visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, padded leather strap, with diamond-set buckle. Water-resistant to 30 metres.

LADY blu – ATOLL
Stainless steel case (35 mm) with logo engraved into the side, equipped with a Swiss automatic ETA 2892 movement with an additional device created by blu – source du temps to revolve around the entire dial. Pastel blue mother-of-pearl dial that turns on an axis every twelve hours. The outer edge of the subsidiary minute dial is set with 36 Top Wesselton diamonds and a sapphire marks the hour. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal, padded leather strap, with diamond-set buckle. Water-resistant to 30 metres

Sources from: http://www.europastar.com/europastar/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000633386

Piaget- Emperador Tourbillion Watch

2010-02-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

The Piaget Emperador Tourbillon watch is an exquisite creation of high horology that shows off the world's thinnest shaped flying tourbillon movement. Piaget’s devotion to the slimness of their movements is another reason why watchnuts dismiss them; after all real men wear “butch” watches with “butch” movements; right? However as any watchmaker will tell you, making a thick movement is easy; making a thin one is a much more difficult task. Deciding that making some of the thinnest movements was not enough; Piaget decided to make the world’s thinnest tourbillon.

Called the 600P, this new movement is tonneau shaped, has 24 jewels and has a 40-hour power reserve. In order to keep the movement just 3.5mm thick, Piaget chose to use a “flying” tourbillon. In this style of tourbillon the cage is suspended only on one side, the 3 bridge tourbillon carriage is made from titanium and the total weight is just 0.2grams. The balance itself is 7.75mm in diameter, which is quite large for a tourbillon. The tourbillon has two other unusual features; it has a blued steel P mounted in the centre of the carriage and it has incabloc shock resitance. The movement is designed and manufactured completely in house. And they are limited to 10 each of 18K white gold and 18K pink gold.

Technical Specs:
Movement: tonneau shaped, 600P
Case: 18 carat Pink gold, White gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Straps: Alligator StrapWater Resistance: 30m
Power Reserve: 40 hours
Jewels: 24
Limited Edition: 20 pieces, 10 in pink gold, 10 in white gold

Jacob & Co- The Quenttin

2010-02-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

The Quenttin is quite a dramatic timepiece. It is designed in 2 cylinders and is limited to only 99 pieces in white gold, 18 pieces in rose gold and 18 pieces in platinium.

The movement consists of a vertical mechanical movement with manual winding escapement, incorporating swiss anchor mounted in a tourbillion cage. The watch winds with an integrated key, external hand key or with a motorized system in the box.

Due to the energy supplied by the 7 gold barrels that is displayed through vertical rolls, it has an astonishing long power reserve of 31 days, which is one month.

What effect will the Quenttin on in the watch world? Being first to released on market ( as it is already being sold ) before the cabestan, the Quenttin will probably sell out before the cabestan is even ready for the market. Both Jacob & Co and Vianney Halter cover a very small niche market of esoteric collectors before these pieces are wonderful piece of engineering - despite of their huge price tag.

Technical Data:
Case: 18K White Gold, 18K Rose Gold, Magnesium
Size: 56 x 47 x 21.5 mm
Bezel & Case: White, Rose Gold or Magnesium with carbon fiber applications on the side of the watch
Movement: Vertical mechanical movement with manual winding escapement, incorporates Swiss anchor mounted in a Tourbillion cage. This cage is suspended without roller bearings and positioned vertically. Winds with integrated key, external hand key or motorized in the box.
Caliber: 5
Power Reserve: 31 day power reserve (744 hours), supplied by the energy of 7 barrels and displayed through vertical rolls
Jewels: 40
Functions: Indications of hours, minutes, power reserve is made by vertical disks assembled coaxially
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 100ft / 30m
Special Features: On-off key for time set up or winding; external access to the Tourbillion for fine-tuning; Tourbillion cage visible on the edge of the clock
Strap: Rubber
Limited Edition Series: 99 pieces in White Gold, 18 pieces in Rose Gold, 18 pieces in Magnesium

Hysek- Earth Colosso

2010-02-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

How do you define a watch? Just purely a time telling accessory? Yes it is, at least to the people in the past, that is why wristwatch in the past never fails to look classic and oldies. Today, fashion, looks, and style are very important. In essence, most of the emphasis is placed on offering watches to the super rich that look good. That is not always the case of course, and we still see interesting beasts like the Hysek Colosso.

So introducing Hysek Earth Colosso, it offers you a clear view of the earth revolving (literally) there on your wrist. Hysek focused upon capturing the globe onto your wrist in the form of a time-revealing mechanism, where the crystal pustule crammed with a dimensional earth rotates at local or GMT time. The watch features 12mm three dimensional globe royally placed at 12 o�clock angle.

The progress is reflected via cathedral timbre studded with 62 jewels along with a 48 hour power reserve. Right on the location of the globe, it points towards cities of the 24 time zones associated to the GMT. The retrospective time zones with a linear double exhibit is positioned at the subordinate end and exhibited in curvex spot with signal arrows that point out towards (24 to 12 hours cycle and vice versa). Well, being aware that a spill over of $550,000 cannot fetch us a moon rudiment then why not ink a neat deal with this Colosso�s model and feel fortunate to carry the world on our wrist.

Girard Perregaux- 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon

2010-02-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought of a watch being infused with a miniature casino slot machine in?
Well, i bet you don't, not even to any of the watch manufacturer company can think of.
Introducing Girard Perregaux, a company with over 2 centuries ago created 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon.

An eye-catching timepiece, the model blends the traditional refinement and elegance of sophisticated horological complications with a revolutionary approach to timekeeping, and with vanguard fashionable, design.

The Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon is the first timepiece that combines the tourbillon complication with a slot machine, perfectly contained by the classy rose gold rectangular case, measuring 43 x 43.95 mm.

The model features a sober black dial, fitted with only two Arabic numerals hour markers, the 3 and the 9, and, moreover, a connoisseur’s eye can enjoy the delicate dance of the tourbillon mechanism, majestically displayed through a dial aperture positioned at 6 o’clock, but the most fascinating feature of this timepiece is the genuine game of chance incorporated into the design of the watch’s dial at 12 o’clock position. Through a large window, there are displayed three symbols, and by pulling a special handle, located on the case’s right side, the magic game starts, rotating the three reels that randomly stop on 1 out of 5 different symbols (spades, hearts, diamonds and horseshoes, along with the emblematic “Liberty Bell”), meanwhile a gong inside the timepiece makes a plainest chime that reminds of those made in casinos by gaming machines.

Beautifully completed by a black alligator leather strap, the new Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon recreates the sheer pleasure of gambling and the magnetic attraction of casinos, as it can display 125 distinct combinations, and only one of them – the 3 bells, stands as the jackpot.

Technical Data:
CASE
Material: pink gold
Dimensions: 43.00 x 43.95 mm
Height: 17.30 mm
Crystal: antireflective sapphire
Case-back: sapphire crystal, secured by four screws
Water-resistance: 30 meters

MOVEMENT
Movement: GPFAY08, manual
Dimensions: 38.60 x 32.60 mm
Height: 8.92 mm
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h (3 Hz)
Jewels: 38
Power reserve: min. 96 hours
Functions: Tourbillon, hour, minute, slot machine with chime mechanism, small second on the Tourbillon

Dewitt- W-X1

2010-02-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

If you are confusing this design with an ordinary watch then you are absolutely wrong because this watch costs more than your house. Yes, you heard it right. WX-1 concept watches are designed at price 400,000 Euros.

The new DeWitt WX-1 embodies innovation and manages to bring on the market an air of boldness that just breaks all barriers regarding the way in which a watch should look. The new exquisite and really futuristic design of the DeWitt WX-1 transforms it into an amazing piece of technological innovation.

Because of the parallel going train with five barrels, the power reserve was remarkably raised up to 21 days.( Hey mind you, its 21 days ) All the parts forming this incredible piece of art are arranged in vertical order.
Besides the astonishing aspect, the watchmakers working for the House of DeWitt have thought of another important detail: weight. In order to solve this problem and to avoid transforming it into an unbearable accessory, it was used in creating the supporting structure, the movement and the bridges, an aluminium- lithium alloy that gives it not only the quality of being light but also a higher degree of resistance.
The DeWitt WX-1 has 307 parts and a weight of 191 grams instead of 600 grams, that is the approximate weight of such a structure.

The battery has two available ways of being recharged, the first one is by using a wall charger and the second one is by using the USB socket positioned on the back of the tool.

Jaeger LeCoultre- Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire

2010-02-22T07:59:00.000-08:00

For this new year 2010, Jaeger-LeCoultre has a brand new foudroyante style watch with the Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire. The watch adds a moonphase indicator (done visually as well as via a hand on a dial for better precision in reading it), and some partial skeletonization of the dial. Aside from the date, moon phase indication, and time, the foudroyante complication is a strange beast. The watch is dedicated to the ability to precisely set the time (simply speaking it resets to zero when you pull out the crown as well as lets you see when to start it again properly). The lower subsidiary dial is a crazy contraption as it has a hand that moves around the dial in 1/6 of a second increments. Thus, the little hand moves around the dial once each second! Meaning that it is always moving really fast. The large hand in the center of the watch is the second hand for the time moving around the dial each minute. You then have the time itself show smaller on the right of the dial.

Because of the enormous amount of power required by the constant movement of the foudroyante complication, the Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire Watch has two power reserve indicators for different mainspring barrels. One is for the foudroyante, and the other is for the rest of the watch. The power reserve indicators are viewable through the skeletonized part of the dial. Proud of this in-house movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre places the movement name of "Cal. (caliber) 381" on a little plate right on the dial. This place is used to indicate the limited edition number in those pieces) The case is 42mm wide in either a limited edition of 300 pieces yellow gold model, or a standard pink gold model. The Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire Watch is indicative of a purist Jaeger-LeCoultre watch model in form and complication.

Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Vision

2010-02-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

When Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey first decided to develop a high performance tourbillon regulator, they set out to both pay homage to its famous inventor, Abraham Louis Breguet, and to make a decisive technical advancement.
In order to respond to the specific requirements of the tourbillon in a wristwatch, Greubel Forsey developed an innovative double tourbillon. One carriage, rotating in 60 seconds and inclined at 30°, rotates inside another, which is itself rotating every four minutes. Rotating a tourbillon inside another tourbillon in this manner averages out errors induced by the force of gravity on the balance. The construction allows for superior chronometric performance; a minimum volume/maximum balance diameter ratio; and enables the superbly finished mechanism to be appreciated visually.
The Double Tourbillon 30° is now available in two renditions: 'Vision' and 'Secret'. Vision features an open dial displaying the complication for all to view, while 'Secret' conceals its artistry behind the dial while allowing viewing discreetly through the display back.

Technical Data:

Case:	Other	Category:	Complication/Fine watchmaking
Bracelet strap:	Leather	Size:	Ø 44.0 mm
Buckle:	Folding Buckle	Thickness:	16.0 mm
Setting:	No	Waterproofness:	30 m

Movement:	Not available Manufacture movement
Functions:	Tourbillon, Power-reserve indication

Reference:	n/a	Collection:	Inventions
Year:	2008

Sources info: World Tempus

Did You Know...

2010-02-19T02:25:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered, what is the 21 jewels in my automatic watch means?
Well, heres your answer..

The jewel movement involves the use of jewels within the mens watches to act as bearings at the wheel train as well as around the escapement lever. These are areas within a watch component where wear and tear is the most prominent.
Tiny synthetic gem crystals are set between many of the gears, in order to reduce friction. These gems resist temperature better than metal, and hold lubricant much longer.

Firstly they are extremely hard (it can be as hard as diamonds) to withstand high frequency of abrasion and wearing. Secondly, its smooth surface is perfect for the various steel components in the watch to operate on with much reduced friction.

With the high load and high speed motions within watches, the two advantages of ruby clearly outweigh any possibility of using steel bushings.

There are many categories of jewel movement, for example, 17 jewels, 21 jewels, or 25 jewels. The actual meaning of these numbers is just a representation on the number of rubies used within the mens watches.

Qns: Does it mean that having a 21 jewel movement would equate to better quality than a 17 jewel movement?
Ans: Well, not really. The higher numbers reflects more jewels used for the parts to prevent more specific wearing. Or watches with more moving mechanical components would require additional rubies to be fitted in to reduce friction in these areas.In short, a cheap or poorly constructed 25 jewel movement can be less accurate and shorter-lived than a well crafted 21 jewel movement.

More jewels indicate a more complicated movement, which is why many watch enthusiasts are wiling to pay over the odds for them. Also, the more jewels used, the less wear there is on the watch parts.

But it does not necessarily mean better quality watch is being produced. Some watch enthusiasts would not be able to appreciate ridiculously high number jewels if the mechanisms of these mens watches do not require it.

In fact, these rubies are worth about $0.02 each. There is hardly any nominal value attached. Importantly, it is how the rubies are used based on the watch design and components to bring out its best in performance and reliability.

Bell & Ross- BR Minuteur Tourbillon

2010-02-19T02:11:00.000-08:00

One of the most striking aspects of the Bell & Ross Minuteur Tourbillon is that it is immediately recognizable as a BR "Instrument," but it is like no other watch in the collection. The case is rectangular rather then square and measures 50mm in diameter and 44mm in height. The size of the case, the strong, bold shape of the bezel and the weight of solid 18 karat rose gold make for a seriously impressive instrument. The case is equipped with a screw-locking crown and is awarded a water resistance rating of 100 meters. This structural strength also represents Bell & Ross' dedication to making professional-quality watches.

The complications of the Minuteur Tourbillon come together on the watch's dial. The first thing that the dial does is to meld the beauty and sophistication of rose gold with the functional and modern nature of the timepiece. This is achieved using carbon fiber. The sporty material is framed by rose gold and gold hour markers and hands are applied. The beauty of the flying tourbillon is accentuated by the used of rose gold for the its carousel. The dial also gives the watch its name as the chronograph minute counter is specially configured to read the time as a decimal value. For professionals that can afford the pink gold Minuteur tourbillon, every tenth of an hour counts.

From what i researched on the net, this timepiece was believed cost up to 150,000.

Omega- Mission hills world cup

2010-02-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

OMEGA celebrates its status as the title sponsor of one of the oldest and most prestigious global golf team events with the launch of the Double Eagle Co-Axial Chronograph “OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup”.

Powered by OMEGA’s exclusive Calibre 3313 complete with a Co-Axial escapement, these self-winding Double Eagle Co-Axial Chronographs provide unparalleled performance for sportsmen who understand the value of precision matched with power. The highly tactile aesthetics of these 41mm watches are achieved by contrasting surface finishes, a stunning carbon patterned dial and black rubber coated features making them a perfect ally for outdoor sports.

Available in either 18-carat brushed red gold or titanium with a brushed finish, the case of the Double Eagle Co-Axial Chronograph is a bold combination of classic Constellation features and contemporary design strategies including the incorporation of black rubber.

On the 18-carat red gold version, the bezel is lacquer-coated, while the crown and pushers are in brushed red gold. Red gold Roman numerals are surrounded by the glossy lacquer of the bezel making a daring design statement and the red gold crown displays the OMEGA logo.
On the titanium model, in keeping with the watch’s sporty appeal and in dramatic contrast to the sleek brushed finish of the case, the bezel, crown and pushers have been coated with black rubber. The bezel features steel Roman numerals and in the same way, the rubber coated crown displays the OMEGA logo, a technical achievement and a world premier.

Franck Muller- Aeternitas Mega 4

2010-02-18T06:03:00.000-08:00

A tycoon named Mr. Michael J. Gould on the left presented the first Aeternitas Mega 4 personally by Mr. Franck Muller and Mr. Vartan Sirmakes, the co-founders of the Franck Muller.

On Saturday, 7th November, the first Aeternitas Mega 4 Grande Sonnerie Westminster Carillon watch from Franck Muller was officially delivered to its owner in the prestigious interior of the salon Empire, in the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

The event mentioned was a crowning point of the extremely demanding project, initiated in 2004. The Aeternitas Mega 4 watch happens to be the most complicated timepiece ever produced in the world, with 1483 individual elements. The movement of the watch incorporates 36 complications: 25 of them can be admired via the dial and through the case-back window.

This complicated timepiece has now replaced the Patek Philippe Calibre 89 timepiece which held the title of the world’s most complicated watch. With a price tag of $2.27 million this watch is also the most expensive timepiece to be sold outside of an auction.

The lucky owner of this prestigious timepiece was watch collector Mr. Michael J. Gould who arrived in his private jet from his home in Colorado USA, together with his family and friends to collect this complicated watch. He was presented the first Aeternitas Mega 4 personally by Mr. Franck Muller and Mr. Vartan Sirmakes, the co-founders of the Franck Muller Manufacture in front of an audience of 400 guests from all over the world, including dignitaries representing the Monegasque government.

An extraordinary creation, the Aeternitas Mega 4, is touted to be the world’s most complicated wrist-watch, with 36 complications, of which 25 are visible on the dial and on the back, composed of 1483 individual components.

Bovet- 7-day Tourbillon with Jumping Hours

2010-02-18T01:33:00.000-08:00

This lyrical timepiece is a result of passion: a combination of high watchmaking know-how and a sense of detail and decoration. The two main BOVET’s complications, the Tourbillon and the Jumping Hours, are being together expressed in all their nuance and lustre.
The dial, openwork on engraved bridges in Fleurisanne style, reveals the complications, the Tourbillon cage at 3 o’clock with its “Lotus Flower” motif, the 7 days (168 hours) power reserve counter at 9 o’clock and the Jumping Hours rotating disk in the centre of the dial. The minutes are indicated by the rotating triangle while the seconds are running with the serpentine hand on the cage of the tourbillon.

Technical Data:

Case:	Pink Gold	Category:	Complication/Fine watchmaking
Bracelet strap:	Leather	Size:	Ø 47.0 mm
Buckle:	Folding Buckle	Thickness:	16.0 mm
Setting:	No	Waterproofness:	30 m

Movement:	Selfwinding mechanical Haute horlogerie finishing
Functions:	Tourbillon, Power-reserve indication, Jumping hours

Reference:	n/a	Collection:	Fleurier Complications
Year:	2009	Limited Edition: 50 Pieces

Sources info: World Tempus

Bovet- The Amadeo

2010-02-17T03:27:00.000-08:00

“Back to classic” seems to be the motto of the season, and Bovet remains true to its own brand essence with a “classic” example of technical ingenuity.

The Amadeo line—named for the son of Bovet’s owner since 2001, Pascal Raffy—allows the brand’s Fleurier collection to be worn in four ways: as a wristwatch (with either front or back showing), a pocket watch, a pendant, or a desk clock.

A convertible Fleurier tourbillon with power reserve and personalized miniature painting on the back with second time zone.

The very remarkable thing about this timepiece collection’s versatility is that the ergonomic metamorphosis can be achieved without the use of tools. Bovet had been experimenting with the convertible idea for seven years. While the concept is not new to watchmaking, its implementation has certainly rarely been this easy for the wearer. Bovet evolved the concept—which began life as a complete set of parts and tools costing 60,000 Swiss francs above the retail cost of the watch itself—so that it can now be achieved with a few simple clicks and far less cost in manufacturing and to the consumer. In fact, the convertible version of any Fleurier timepiece is now only 1,000 Swiss francs above the watch’s retail, and this cost is chiefly due to the luxurious pocket watch chain.

The Amadeo as a convertible tourbillon with jump hours indication

Roy Davidoff of Bovet explains that the Amadeo begins an “era of flexibility” for the company headquartered in Geneva and with movement manufacturing facilities in Tramelan. Not only can the timepiece be securely transformed in a matter of mere seconds without the use of tools, but Bovet also now offers dial personalization on a smaller scale than the previously available full-scale miniature paintings for a surcharge of only 2,000 Swiss francs. Part of Bovet’s attraction in the modern age has been to offer high-quality personalization for any of its models through custom miniature dial paintings.

Sources info: World Tempus

Breitling- Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel

2010-02-16T06:18:00.000-08:00

Black is the keynote here, variously interpreted in the steel case subjected to an ultra-resistant carbon-based treatment; the unidirectional rotating bezel; the large screw-locked crown and non-slip pushpieces; and on the dial base creating a striking backdrop for the white luminescent hands, hour markers and red-rimmed counters. Its original, technical and powerful appearance makes the Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel limited edition an unmistakable standout model among diver's watches.

But its greatest feat is hidden inside its case, thanks to its magnetic pushpiece system. This exclusive Breitling-patented device serves to activate the controls through the metal of the case, without any direct mechanical contact. This means that whereas most chronographs cannot be used when diving, the Avenger Seawolf Chrono is the only instrument of this type to be watertight and fully operational at a record depth of 1,000 meters (3,300 ft). To accompany professionals to great depths in complete security, this extreme chronograph has been equipped with a decompression valve and a glareproofed sapphire crystal guaranteeing optimal readability in all circumstances.

Its SuperQuartz™ caliber – also exclusive to Breitling – ensures a level of accuracy ten times superior to that of standard quartz movements, enabling it to measure times to within 1/10th of a second complete with split-time indications.

The Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel, issued in a 2,000-piece worldwide limited edition, is available on a – naturally black – Diver Pro rubber strap or on a perforated Ocean Racer strap. In a nod to Breitling's special ties with aviation, its inner bezel ring is adorned with a windrose serving to memorize a course – both underwater or in the air.

Movement:
Breitling Caliber 73, thermocompensated SuperQuartzTM movement, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC.
1/10th of a second chronograph, 60-minute and 12-hour totalizers with split times (split-second hand).
Calendar.

Case:
Black steel, limited series of 2,000.
Water-resistant to 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) with functional pushpieces.
Screw-locked crown.
Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel.
Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.
Diameter 45.40 mm.

Dial: Volcano black.

Straps: Diver Pro or Ocean Racer.

Source info: World Tempus

Breguet - Tourbillon Fusée with silicon balance-spring

2010-02-16T06:08:00.000-08:00

In 1795, Breguet conceived the “Breget overcoil” spring, today still the reference in terms of balance springs. In 2006, Breguet introduced its first wristwatches with silicon balance spring and escapement. Today, the new Breguet silicon balance spring is featured in the Breguet Tradition 7047 model with tourbillon and fusee-and-chain transmission. Inspired by the design of the first tourbillon-equipped pocket watches devised by Breguet, a platinum version is now available fitted with a movement fashioned in an anthracite-toned metal alloy.

The fusee-and-chain transmission connected to the barrel ensures constant force for as long as the watch is running. A number of patents applications involve the large tourbillon resonator at one o’clock on the watch face, one for a titanium balance and three relating to Breguet silicon balance springs. A further patent was awarded for a power-reserve indicator positioned directly on the barrel.

Technical Data:
Movement: hand-wound mechanical movement clad in an anthracite gray alloy of platinum-group metals, with tourbillon regulator. Numbered and signed Breguet. Cal. 569.
Jewels: 43, 16 lignes, 2.5-Hz frequency.
Power Reserve: 50 Hours
Case: round in 950 Platinum with finely fluted caseband. Sapphire caseback. Dial in silvered 18K gold, hand-engraved on a rose engine off-centered at 7 o’clock. Individually numbered and signed Breguet. Chapter ring with Roman numerals. 60-second tourbillon positioned at 1 o’clock. Open-tipped Breguet hands in polished steel.
Water Resistance: 30m
Diameter: 41 mm. Rounded horns welded to the case, with screw pins securing the strap.
Additional Info: Torque regularity throughout the operation of the watch provided by fusee-and-chain transmission. Upper bridge of the tourbillon carriage in titanium. Breguet-shaped thin bar (barrette) in nonmagnetic stainless steel. Straight-line lever escapement. Breguet balance in titanium with four adjustment screws in gold. BREGUET balance spring in silicon. Adjusted in 6 positions.

ERNST BENZ- ChronoScope PEK Limited Edition

2010-02-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year!
Introducing this ChronoScope PEK Limited Edition series. Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, they are available exclusively in Ernst Benz’s signature 47mm size with two different dial executions, Noir (Black) and Vermilion (China Red) with both versions limited to only 88 pieces hand-finished in brushed stainless steel; additionally an even more limited version of only 8 pieces per dial which be available in Black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coated brushed steel.
Both have unique dials featuring Traditional Chinese pattern for fire as well as incorporate Traditional Chinese characters for the numerals; with the 8th hour marker written as 08 signifying the importance of this momentous year.
Reference numbers for these special models include the contraction “PEK” for Peking, the historical name for Beijing and the airport code for Beijing Capital International Airport, which was the first official airport of the People’s Republic of China drawing the natural connection to Ernst Benz and aviation.

Doomsday Clock

2010-02-12T22:02:00.000-08:00

The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock face, maintained since 1947 by the board of directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago. The closer the clock is to midnight, the closer the world is estimated to be to global disaster. As of January 14, 2010, the Doomsday Clock now stands at six minutes to midnight. Since its creation, the time on the clock has changed 19 times.
Originally, the analogy represented the threat of global nuclear war, but since 2007 it has also reflected climate-changing technologies and "new developments in the life sciences and nanotechnology that could inflict irrevocable harm.

Time changes

In 1947, during the Cold War, the clock was started at seven minutes to midnight and was subsequently advanced or rewound per the state of the world and nuclear war prospects. Setting the clock is relatively arbitrary, and decided by the directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists reflecting global affairs. The clock has not always been set and reset as quickly as events occur; the closest nuclear war threat, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, reached crisis, climax, and resolution before it could be set to reflect that possible doomsday.
The most recent officially-announced setting — six minutes to midnight — was on 14 January 2010. Reflecting international events dangerous to humankind, the clock hands have been set nineteen times, since its initial start at seven minutes to midnight in 1947.

Doomsday Clock graph. The lower the graph becomes, the higher the probability of catastrophe is deemed to be.

Year	Mins Left	Time	Change	Reason
1947	7	11:53pm	—	The initial setting of the Doomsday Clock.
1949	3	11:57pm	−4	The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb.
1953	2	11:58pm	−1	The United States and the Soviet Union test thermonuclear devices within nine months of one another. (This is the clock's closest approach to midnight since its inception.)
1960	7	11:53pm	+5	In response to a perception of increased scientific cooperation and public understanding of the dangers of nuclear weapons.
1963	12	11:48pm	+5	The United States and Soviet Union sign the Partial Test Ban Treaty, limiting atmospheric nuclear testing.
1968	7	11:53pm	−5	France and China acquire and test nuclear weapons (1960 (Gerboise Bleue nuclear test) and 1964 (596 nuclear test) respectively).
1969	10	11:50pm	+3	The U.S. Senate ratifies the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
1972	12	11:48pm	+2	The United States and the Soviet Union sign the SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
1974	9	11:51pm	−3	India tests a nuclear device (Smiling Buddha), SALT II talks stall.
1980	7	11:53pm	−2	Further deadlock in US-USSR talks, increase in nationalist wars and terrorist actions.
1981	4	11:56pm	−3	Arms race escalates, conflicts in Afghanistan, South Africa, and Poland add to world tension.
1984	3	11:57pm	−1	Further escalation of the arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
1988	6	11:54pm	+3	The U.S. and the Soviet Union sign treaty to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear forces, relations improve.
1990	10	11:50pm	+4	Fall of the Berlin Wall, dissolution of Iron Curtain sealing off Eastern Europe, Cold War nearing an end.
1991	17	11:43pm	+7	United States and Soviet Union sign the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. (This is the clock's earliest setting since its inception.)
1995	14	11:46pm	−3	Global military spending continues at Cold War levels; concerns about post-Soviet nuclear proliferation of weapons and brainpower.
1998	9	11:51pm	−5	Both India (Pokhran-II) and Pakistan (Chagai-I) test nuclear weapons in a tit-for-tat show of aggression; the United States and Russia run into difficulties in further reducing stockpiles.
2002	7	11:53pm	−2	Little progress on global nuclear disarmament; United States rejects a series of arms control treaties and announces its intentions to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty; concerns about the possibility of a nuclear terrorist attack due to the amount of weapon-grade nuclear materials that are unsecured and unaccounted for worldwide.
2007	5	11:55pm	−2	North Korea's test of a nuclear weapon, Iran's nuclear ambitions, a renewed U.S. emphasis on the military utility of nuclear weapons, the failure to adequately secure nuclear materials, and the continued presence of some 26,000 nuclear weapons in the United States and Russia. Some scientists, assessing the dangers posed to civilization, have added climate change to the prospect of nuclear annihilation as the greatest threats to humankind.
2010	6	11:54pm	+1	Worldwide cooperation to reduce nuclear arsenals and limit effect of climate change.

All this sources and image credits solely goes to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_clock

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art – La Symbolique des Laques

2010-02-12T21:28:00.000-08:00

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e watch theme: Longevity
The pine, bamboo and plum are the “three friends of winter”. The theme of the first set Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e watch is their symbolic meaning. These three kinds of trees were introduced to Japan from China at an early age and received greatly in Japan like in China. As these three kinds of plants can all withstand cold weather, “three friends of winter” stands for longevity, which symbolizes a fair-weather friendship.

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e Watch: Pine and Crane
Pine is very popular in Japan because of its curved shape and texture. But in art and literature, pine is indeed the traditional plant from China. Pine is evergreen tree, which symbolizes longevity and immortality.

As pine, the crane is symbol of longevity and elegance. It is the most mysterious bird as the Phoenix in east legend. It is said that cranes can live thousands of years. But when it is 600 years old it will only drink cold water for a living. In Taoist mythology, the crane is angel. In addition to its mythical image, Japanese are attracted by its elegant and beautiful feather. In winter, all Japanese are looking forward to the advent of cranes. They even regard crane as a harbinger of wealth.

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e Watch: Bamboo and Sparrow
In Taoism, as well as the Buddhist legend, the tubular structure of bamboo symbolizes “empty”, which stands for tolerance and enlightened ideas. Bamboo has flexible and firm features. It is the symbol of upright and outspoken personality.
Although the life of bamboo is shorter than pine, it also represents longevity. Single shoots can not survive for a long time, but the whole bamboo grove is formed by shoots.

Bamboo grove has great attraction to sparrows. In Japan, sparrow is the symbol of loyalty and responsibility. Bamboo and Sparrow often appear in the drawing of Buddhism, bamboo stands for spiritual awareness and relief of secular, sparrow represents spontaneity and joy of life.

Métiers d’Art La symbolique des laques Maki-e Watch: Plum and Nightingale
Plum is famous for its fine and blossoms in winter. The faint scent distributes in cold winter, reminding the arrival of spring. Although the plum trees and flowers are not spectacular, its refined and elegant characteristics bring a little embellishment of lonely winter. It’s the symbol of inner beauty and humility.
The collocation of Plum Blossom and Nightingale derived from Japanese culture. They are both messengers of spring: the first singing of Nightingale is called hatsune. Plum and Nightingale usually appeared in the art and poetry.

Vacheron Constantin Calibre 1003 Movement
Movement: 1003 SQ, hollow 14K gold, plated ruthenium treatment; self-developed by Vacheron Constantin; cast the “Geneva Seal”
Power: Manual winding mechanical movement
Movement thickness: 1.64 millimeters
Movement diameter: 20.80 millimeters
Gem: 18
Vibration frequency: 18,000 times per hour
Display Function: hours, minutes,
Power reserve: approximately 30 hours

Sarcar- The Twist

2010-02-11T22:18:00.000-08:00

Fusing their expertise with the latest in the study of micro technology, orbital dynamics and levitation, it took more than three years of research and development for Sarcar's craftsmen and their team of scientists and engineers to achieve yet another great milestone in the field of horological sciences. Thus their latest creation the Twist is indeed a technical marvel that will wow all aficionados in the region. The innovative brilliance of this model lies in the technical magic of making a brilliant-cut diamond dance freely in such a way as to reveal its multiple sparkling facets.

Incorporating a one-carat floating solitaire on a brilliant-set pavé-dial encased by an intricately diamond-studded gold case, this ingeniously-designed luxury timepiece has indeed propelled Sarcar's brand image to its highest level in this world of Space Age Horology. The floating one-carat solitaire above 12 o'clock index turns around in all directions at the slightest twist of the wrist to exude multi streams of colours of scintillating brilliance that are bound to mesmerise and fascinates.

Take a good look. There is a floating one-carat solitaire above 12 o’clock index. It can turn around in all directions at the slightest twist, showing the extreme brilliance that are bound to mesmerise and fascinates. That’s why the ‘Twist’ name comes, I think. Of course, it is the technical magic that can make the brilliant-cut diamond dance freely. Besides, the model is enhanced by an 18-carat white gold bezel entirely set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
It is no doubt that the watch is the perfect combination of aesthetic beauty and technical sophistication. Sarcar has once again demonstrated its ability to give up the big suprise.

Did You Know...

2010-02-11T21:52:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of "Atomic Clock" ? Well, heres your description..

An atomic clock is a type of clock that uses an atomic resonance frequency standard as its timekeeping element. They are the most accurate time and frequency standard known, and are used as primary standards for international time distribution services, to control the frequency of television broadcasts, and in global navigation satellite systems such as GPS.
Atomic clocks do not use radioactivity, but rather the precise microwave signal that electrons in atoms emit when they change energy levels. Early atomic clocks were based on masers. Currently, the most accurate atomic clocks are based on absorbtion spectroscopy of cold atoms in atomic fountains such as the NIST-F1.
National standards agencies maintain an accuracy of 10⁻⁹ seconds per day (approximately 1 part in 10¹⁴), and a precision set by the radio transmitter pumping the masers. The clocks maintain a continuous and stable time scale, International Atomic Time (TAI). For civil time, another time scale is disseminated, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). UTC is derived from TAI, but synchronized, by using leap years, to UT1, which is based on actual rotations of the earth with respect to the solar time.
And the latest Atomic Clock using cesium standard deviates only one second per 100,000 years!

Sources info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_clock

12th Feb 2010

2010-02-11T09:52:00.000-08:00

wa hoho.. today is quite a day for me...
had a small bday celebration at class and it was quite a madness! playing around with cakes...
So thats tell us the moral of the story is.. never ever tell anyone your bday or keep a low profile! absolutely! hahaha... took quite a few shots thou.. pardon me for the blurness in the photo as my phone is lousy =/

Happy birthday to Rayden, our class monitor and Nurul ! =)

I dont know what kiki is doing..maybe trying to light candles.. as for hong ding, which is the guy behind her, ehh i also dont know what he doing -.-"

Took a photo of them while the rest is cutting cake...

Kiki is distributing the cakes now.. while some people are planning for some actions.. heh ;)

Bam! One of our victim! aw poor ting lol !

After the celebration, we all went home, then at night, i met up with my fellow armies friends,
were chatting all along, so long never seen them, the feeling is.. just nostalgic...
chat and eat at chong pang nasi lemak till 1.30am.. hope can come out often.. =D
Alright shall end here and sleep le.. :)

Vacheron Constantin- Kallista

2010-02-10T03:19:00.000-08:00

Vacheron Constantin’s classic Kallista is the world’s most expensive watch, which was produced in 1886, originally Kingalid ordered it. However, the king passed away before the watch was finished, and it was bought by an unknown buyer from the US at the price of $3.5milion. Kallista is entirely diamond-studded, both on the watch body and the strap, enjoying 118 carefully selected top grade blue and white diamonds weighting 130 karats. Every stone of Kallista has its own GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certificate.The case itself was sculpted from a gold block. The latter weighted over one kilo. Today it is valued at 11 million.
And in order to produce this watch, Vacheron Constantin recruited the best engineers and took 20 months (over 6,000hours) of work. And Kallista means perfect in Greek. This is just what Vacheron Constantin wants to show to the world.
The designer of this wonder was Raymond Moretti.

Did You Know...

2010-02-10T02:56:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wonder which watch manufacturer is the oldest, and how old?
Well heres your answer...

Vacheron Constantin was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron. This makes it the oldest watch manufacturer in the world with an uninterrupted history. Besides being a young businessman, Vacheron was also a talented craftsman. In 1770 his company created the first complication, and nine years later he designed the first engine-turned dials.

Vacheron Constantin is also the company that some watch enthusiasts consider to be the creator of one of the most expensive wristwatches, which was entitled Kallista. It was made in 1979 and its initial price was $5 million. Today, however, the watch is valued at about $11 million. Kallista had 118 emerald-cut diamonds. It took about 6,000 hours for the watch masters to make this watch and about 20 months for the best jewelers in the world to enrich the watch.
So up-to-date, the company has already weather 255 Years of watch making.

Patek Philippe- Calibre 89

2010-02-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

The creation of Patek Philippe Caliber 89 is a historical moment not only for the company but for the world of watches as a whole. This timepiece is the most complicated watch in the world. The watch was designed in 1989 to celebrate the 150 years anniversary of Patek Philippe. Calibre 89 is a 3-pound, 2-sided pocket watch made of gold. Inside a rather small case are fitted 1,728 interacting parts.
Caliber 89 includes 33 complications which represent features that certainly surpassed their time, making the watch more than a simple time displayer. The watch can keep the time of two different time zones as well as display the day of the week, month, year and leap-year, moon phase and even the movement of stars. There are also other interesting features like: time of sunrise and date of Easter. These are just some of the complications.
There were manufactured only 4 models of Caliber 89 and today these models are worth about 6 million dollars each. Truly a remarkable timepiece is Patek Philippe Calibre 89. Although this watch represents much more than a simple Swiss timepiece, the latter is still very difficult to create.
With its 1,728 parts the timepiece weights 1.1 kg and exhibits 24 hands. It took about five years to develop this amazing creation and about four years to manufacture it. Thus today the 18 carat gold most complicated watch in the world displays:
1. Day of the month
2. 12-hour recorder
3. Day of the week
4. Hour of second time-zone
5. Moonphases
6. Winding crown position indicator
7. Century decade and year displays
8. Leap Year Indicator
9. Power Reserve
10. Month
11. Thermometer
12. Date of Easter
13. Time of sunrise
14. Equation of time
15. Star chart
16. Sun hand
17. Time of sunset

1.	Day of the month	7.	Chronograph second hand	13.	Minutes Hands
2.	Hour Hands	8.	Seconds hand	14.	Chronograph counter
3.	12-hour recorder	9.	Moonphases	15.	Power Reserve
4.	Up-down chime	10.	Winding crown position indicator	16.	Month
5.	Day of the week	11.	Century decade and year displays	17.	Split second hand
6.	Hour of second time-zone	12.	Leap Year Indicator	18.	Thermometer

19.	sidereal time hour hand	22.	Time of sunrise	25.	Star chart
20.	Date of Easter	23.	Equation of time	26.	Sun hand
21.	sidereal time minute hand	24.	sidereal time second hand	27.	Time of sunset

Patek Philippe Royalty and Anniversary

2010-02-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

Did you know,
Patek Philippe watches have enjoyed great demand among discerning collectors and watch connoisseurs of a high social status and wealth. Since Queen Victoria’s reign, monarchs, popes, political leaders, and rulers have purchased timepieces manufactured by the brand either for their personal use or as a precious gift to be presented to an important guest, or in recognition of someone's remarkable bravery and loyalty.

In 1851, Patek Philippe started supplying its watches to Queen Victoria and her consort. Timepieces of the Genevan manufacturer immediately attracted attention of all the royal courts of Europe. Queen Victoria acquired a key-wound Patek Philippe watch created in a pendant style in November 1851 during the Great Exhibition of London. Queen Victoria owned one more exclusive Patek Philippe timepiece to be worn pinned to clothing. This watch was suspended from a diamond and enamel brooch.
The list of Patek Philippe notable past clientele also highlights Pope Pius IX, Christian IX and Louise (the king and queen of Denmark), Victor-Emanuel III (king of Italy and Duke of Savoy), and Hussein Kamal (prince of Egypt in the period of 1914-1917).

In 1989, Patek created one of the most complicated mechanical watches ever made, the Calibre 89, created

for the 150th anniversary of the company. It holds 33 complications, including the date of Easter, a thermometer, time of sunrise, equation of time, sidereal time, and many other indicators. 1,728 unique parts allow sidereal time a 2,800 star chart, and more.^[4] The Calibre 89 is also able to add a day to February for leap years while leaving out the extra day for every 100 year interval.
This has outdone their previous record for making ultra-complicated (with 24 functions) pocket-watch for Henry Graves, Jr, which was the most complicated pocket watch ever made at that time.
For more information for this pocket watch, finds it in my blog.

Chopard L.U.C Lunar One

2010-02-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

Orbitting around the earth, the moon has a powerful allure and is full of beauty, legend, myth and romance. On the L.U.C Lunar One, the phases of the moon are precisely reproduced. Its perpetual calendar with orbital moon phases clearly indicates the date, day, months and leap years and has an additional 24-hour scale. The "night stars" orbits around the small second axis on a subdial conveying all the poetry of the starry canopy of space. It houses a L.U.C calibre 96 QP, chronometer-certified by the COSC and bearing the "Poincon de Geneve" quality hallmark.

Function(s): perpetual calendar, 24-hour scale, stop seconds
Indication(s): hours, minutes, small seconds, date, days, months, leap years, moon phases, day/night display
Movement: L.U.C 96QP self-winding
Diameter (movement): 33.00 mm
Thickness (movement): 6.00 mm
Power Reserve: approximately 65 hours, L.U.C Twin Technology (two stacked barrels)
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour)
Oscillating weight: 22-carat gold
Balance-spring: with Phillips terminal curve
Jewels: 32
Material: 18-carat rose gold
Water-resistant up to: 30 metres
Sapphire crystal: scratch-proofed, cambered and glare proofed
Case back: sapphire crystal
Straps: hand-stitched alligator
Buckle: 18-carat gold folding clasp
Certification(s): COSC, Poinçon de Genève
Dial description: 18-carat gold dial
Limited edition: 250
Year: 2008

Sources from Chopard official website

10th Feb 2010

2010-02-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

Sigh.. sometime things can be irony.. in the past didnt cherish studies and keep on playing games,
but i told myself that i quit gaming, but today, i got unknowningly pulled for the gaming competition for my school. But more surprising matter is i heard from my lecturer that im one of the 5 students selected in class for the NYAA, national youth achievement award, also for the school.. supposingly good things keep coming and i ought to be happy, but why am i feeling nothing at all.. alot of things keeps boiling in my heart..
But im doing my best in everything i could possibly be,
But the question is, will time wait for me? even for a min? =)

P/S
yaya i sound so emo, dont know lah.. theses are my thoughts i been thinking since morning lol !

Sign Off-
Joseph
12.10am

Rudis Sylva- The Harmonious Oscillator

2010-02-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Harmonious Oscillator, from Rudis Sylva, features a system with two mechanically interlinked balances driven by a single escapement. This technical innovation goes against watchmaking theories, which have always ruled out stress on the balances.

With its innovative technicality, this design can boast a more accurate setting capacity than a conventional tourbillon, thanks in particular to the asymmetric deployment of the balance springs in all positions, hence the name "Harmonious Oscillator". This world first with two toothed balances exhibits a resonance effect from the first oscillations.

Mika Rissanen, a watchmaker specialising in grand complications working for the Rudis Sylva brand, is the brains behind this patented invention. The technical specifications are as follows:

•    Two complete toothed balances are interlinked. This combination ensures the same amplitude. The symmetry and energy of the balance springs are constantly opposed, enabling instantaneous average correction in the vertical position, which eliminates the effect of gravity.
•    Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
•    The cage turns 360 degrees in 60 seconds
•    Cage diameter: 17.40 mm
•    2 flat balance springs, asymmetric deployment
•    2 specifically shaped toothed balances made from special material
•    1 escapement with 1 lever positioned at 90 degrees
•    Manual winding mechanism
•    Power reserve: around 50 hours

SPECIFICATIONS:

Case:	White Gold	Category:	Complication/Fine watchmaking
Bracelet strap:	Leather	Size:	43.0 x 43.0 mm
Buckle:	-	Thickness:	17.0 mm
Setting:	No	Waterproofness:	30 m

Movement:	Complication Power reserve : 45 h , 21600 variations / hours , Manufacture movement , Haute horlogerie finishing
Functions:	Hours, Minutes, Date, Regulator

Reference:	RG05-01	Collection:	-
Year:	2009

Price :

240'000 $

Sources from World Tempus

Facts of the day- Stainless Steel

2010-02-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

Apart from the veteran watch collectors, did you ever wondered what type of stainless steel your watch is made of???
In the world of timepieces, majority or almost all uses 316L stainless steel for their watch straps and casing except for Rolex.
They uses 904L stainless steel for their straps and casing. And from what i read on, the price difference for 316L and 904L is big.

Just a little more details about stainless steel,

You all do know chromium + steel = stainless steel

904L has more chromium (26% vs 18%) and less nickel (5% vs 10%) than does 316L.And i believe why other watchmakers still preferred to use 316L is because 904 grade steel is more commonly used in industrial components which under constant exposure to highly corrosive substances (acids and the like) - conditions which a watch bracelet simply will not be exposed to. Therefore, there is no reason why they need to implement 904L instead of 316L when 904L costs alot more than 316L.

Correct me if im wrong.
For more details about types of stainless steel, you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel.

PERRELET - Diamond Flower Prestige Edition

2010-02-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

The Diamond Flower collection, thanks to its different versions, was awarded prizes on several occasions and voted Watch of the Year by the Swiss public in 2008. This feminine watch combines finesse and harmony, and for the first time, jewellery and watchmaking technology harmonise to give a rare and vibrant expression of time.

Based on its Double Rotor, a patented complication, the heirs of Perrelet dared to create an audacious setting. Diamonds, rubies, sapphires or emeralds go beyond the simple transformation of a watch with feminine jewels. The visible rotor on the dial, sculpted for the occasion with lotus flowers, is linked and perfectly synchronised with the oscillating weight and supplies additional energy to the winding mechanism. Every woman thus animates her watch by her own movements.

Among the different versions proposed, there are several exclusive treasures that only certain initiates will be familiar with. A Prestige Edition with 7 interpretations, which are completely exceptional.

The jeweller’s craft is an art, and as with a jewellery arrangement, the setting of the dial, the bezel and the lugs endows each of its works with its own character. Rubies reflect passion, emeralds denote hope, sapphires represent the infinite skies and ocean and diamonds and baguette diamonds stand for eternity. This panoply of contrasts accompanies passionate women with a rare elegance. Visual appeal and its emotional impact will bring the subtle touch of refinement, which will seduce the women who are searching for exclusivity.

Movement
Automatic P-181 Double Rotor, Perrelet exclusivity
especially decorated “Perrelet” tapestry’

Power Reserve
40 hours

Vibrations per hour
28’800 (4Hz)

Rubies
21

Case
Ø 38 mm
Case material Rose gold (4N) 18 carats, bezel, lugs and sides with diamonds
Anti-glare sapphire (front & back)

Water resistance
5 ATM
Setting 593 diamonds VS1, TW (3.41 cts)

Dial
Chocolate mother-of-pearl with diamonds

Bracelet
Chocolate croco
Stainless steel deployment buckle with rose fold (4N) cap

Source from World Tempus

6th Feb 2010 2am

2010-02-05T10:43:00.000-08:00

Wao.. just reached from after having supper with friends at jalan kayu.. talked alot and laughed alot haha.. damn i would say they are a real public nuisance, irritants and joker -_- but thats the part i like to gout with them haha..
i remembered we talk about Xueli, how this and that she were hahaha.. funny la dont know say till her.. say the pose in the facebook damn damn funny, all laugh like crazy...

Yep.. this is her.. let me introduce my friend, she is xueli, hahaha funny right =x

But dont be mistaken me! i not meant to make fun of her, just wanna share 1 joker friend of me =D
then just back home not long, going 3am le.. tml still working zzz and so...
Shall end here le, goodnight guys! =)