The Tudor Pelagos needs no introduction. This time we present you the new iteration of this fantastic titanium diving watch measuring 42 mm in diameter. The new Tudor Pelagos Blue ref. 25600TB features a beautiful blue dial and bezel to resemble the Tudor Snowflakes worn by the French Navy. Besides the obvious color variation, there are three additional elements that differentiate this new Tudor Pelagos from its black predecessor ref. 25500TN. The new Tudor Pelagos Blue ref. 25600TB is also powered by a newly designed in-house movement just like the new Tudor North Flag but without its power reserve indicator.
Posts filed under Baselworld
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the De Bethune DB25 Quetzalcoatl. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Quetzalcoatl is a composite name in the Nahuatl language derived from 'quetzalli' and used to describe the large, precious green feathers of the sacred quetzal bird; and 'coatl', meaning snake. It is one of the main divinities of the Mesoamerican civilizations and the feathered serpent, its most iconic incarnation, reigned for many long centuries over pre-Columbian America. This powerful symbol of Mesoamerican culture was the core of worship and sacred rituals. The related myths and legends appear in the writings of the colonial period. In conjunction with the evening star, it was considered to govern the cycle of time from dawn to dusk. This deity of the summer winds was naturally closely associated with agriculture and in particular with corn farming, as well as being the sovereign protector of goldsmiths and artisans, and the inventor of the calendar.
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the New Zenith El Primero Sport. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Reporting live from Baselworld 2015, we bring you the exciting news about a new Zenith El Primero Chronograph. We are talking about the new Zenith El Primero Sport, a new chronograph in its iconic collection interpreted through three classically sophisticated variations, this timepiece is a worthy heir to the grand tradition of sports chronographs. Its 45 mm diameter stainless steel case houses the famous El Primero 400 B automatic chronograph calibre beating at a rate of 36,000 vph. The iconic El Primero collection welcomes a new range of sophisticated chronographs embodying the grand tradition of sports chronographs. Presented in three initial versions, the new El Primero Sport model asserts a resolutely masculine personality accentuated by the generous size of its steel case and the eminently sporty nature of its functions. Its distinctive character reflects the very essence of sports watches and naturally makes it part of a proud lineage of timeless models.
Pre-Baselworld 2015: Introducing the Frederique Constant and Alpina Swiss Horological Smartwatches. Finally Someone Had to Do It Right.
Finally, what everyone was expecting in the watch industry. The new Frederique Constant and Alpina Horological Smartwatches are 'wearable' smartwatches that you won't be ashamed of wearing and you will want to wear. There's no need to forfeit Swiss craftsmanship and a good decent looking timepiece, no more. Frederique Constant and Alpina are really setting the tune for what the future of Smartwatches should be like by launching two new timepieces that you really would care about wearing, instead of strapping the ridiculously looking Apple Watch. The two companies lead by Peter Stas are building the bridge between Silicon Valley and the Swiss Watch Industry by launching two Swiss Made timepieces powered by MotionX. These new watches are capable of bi-directional communication with iPhone and Android apps and are referred to as Horological Smartwatches.
Pre-Baselworld 2015: Introducing the New MB&F Horological Machine No. 3 MegaWind 'Final Edition'. Live Pictures and Pricing.
The new MB&F Horological Machine No. 3 HM3 MegaWind 'Final Edition' is the last iteration of the fascinating HM3 Series saga launched by MB&F several years ago. The Horological Machine No. 3 collection is one that makes an MB&F watch immediately recognizable and the HM3 Frog is one of the predecessors in the line that everyone can easily recognize from any angle. Derived from the iconic HM3 series, the new HM3 MegaWind 'Final Edition' combines a giant 22k gold and titanium winding rotor with highly legible time indication cones rising up from the complex asymmetric case, like truncated gold-framed monoliths. Rotating within their twin gold and sapphire crystal frustums, the cones display hours —left side— and minutes —right side, with the time clearly visible from both the large numbers on the sides of the cones as well as duplicate indications on their flat caps.
Pre-Baselworld 2015: Arnold & Son Unveils the Golden Wheel. World's First Wandering Hours and True Beat Seconds Watch.
With a rich British watchmaking heritage that dates back to the 18th century, Arnold & Son masterfully reinterprets history with a visionary eye to the future. Underscoring its watchmaking prowess, Arnold & Son regularly unveils complicated watches with a unique twist. The patented Golden Wheel deftly reflects the brand’s ingenuity and commitment to Haute Horlogerie. The Golden Wheel timepiece is a unique three-dimensional interpretation of the ancient wandering hours complication that has roots in table clocks of the mid-17th century. In fact, the first implementation of the wandering hours complication in pocket watches was most likely made in England at the beginning the 18th century. Thus, it is a fitting complication for the Arnold & Son watchmakers —inspired by British watchmaking heritage— to reinvent anew, perpetuating the long tradition of wandering hour watches.
Experience: Eight of the Most Beautiful Movements Presented at SIHH and Baselworld 2014. Haute Horlogerie at its Finest.
So far, it has been a very exciting year with the amazing timepieces that have been unveiled at the SIHH in Geneva and Baselworld 2014. During these first four months of the year 2014, we have seen some exceptional timepieces that took our breath away because of their complexity, unique designs and functions; however, there are eight timepieces that we would like to showcase in this post, as we think that they have some of the most beautiful movements that are perfect examples of haute horlogerie at its finest.
Experience: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale. This Year's Special Car at Baselworld 2014.
Last year we presented you a beautiful Rolls Royce Phantom that was our car highlight during Baselworld 2013. This year at Baselworld 2014, we were greeted by a special Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale that was parked right outside the media center. This particular Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale’s refined design is the ideal synthesis of aerodynamics and style: the marque’s distinctive radiator grille between the two front light units, is topped by a carbon fiber engine hood with its aggressive central air intake and two side air vents, derived from those used on the race-track GranTurismo MC Trofeo. Although conceived as a road car, the GranTurismo MC Stradale is as exciting and powerful as a racing car, all thanks to its powerful flat 4.7 liter V8 engine with 460hp at 7,000 rpm.
While the GranTurismo offers five electronic handling modes, the MC Stradale has three: Auto, Sport and the exclusive “MC Race”. This setup is unique to this model, and is activated by pressing the “Race” button on the dashboard. This is all it takes to make the car even more aggressive and sporty, and the six-speed gearbox allows lightning-fast gear shifts in just 60 milliseconds. The setting of the MC Stradale’s suspensions is 10 mm lower and they have been conceived and developed with the aid of racetrack technology. The springs and dampers have been stiffened to restrict lateral load transfers, while the stabilizer bar diameter has been increased from 24 to 25 mm at the front and from 21 to 23 mm at the rear to reduce the roll angle and gradient and optimize handling. Subjected to the most severe testing on the most famous circuits, the Brembo braking system with carbon-ceramic discs weighs around 60% less than the traditional system with steel discs. The front is equipped with 380 x 34 mm ventilated discs, operated by a powerful six-piston caliper. The rear disks measure 360 x 32 mm, with a four-piston caliper. The stopping distance is just 33 meters at 100 km/h, with an average deceleration of 1.2 g.
The unmistakable roar that emerges from the exhaust tailpipes makes this engine’s thrust and elasticity felt at once, while its throaty baritone is underlined by the permanent opening of the by-pass valves in Race mode. On the rear the tailpipes and the carbon fiber trunk spoiler are the perfect combination for a super car and a racing machine like this.
While retaining all the characteristics of a fast, powerful, lightweight “street legal” racing car in its genes, the new GranTurismo MC Stradale delivers the same levels of comfort and spaciousness as the other models in the GranTurismo range: for the first time, a restyled four-seater interior is combined with the racing-derived exquisite aerodynamic lines and high-tech solutions. The new racing-style seats with integral headrest are designed to offer the best driving position and a high level of lateral restraint, together with unbeatable comfort. Soft Poltrona Frau leather is combined with a central section with a special Alcantara finish, designed to set the pulses racing. Fine stitching around the edges of the backrest highlights the exquisite craftsmanship of the seats. To convey the unmistakable “feel” of a racing-car interior, lavish use of Alcantara is extended to a wide variety of zones, from the central console to the doors and the instrument panel brow, all with exquisite ornamental stitching. The racing connotations are also emphasized by the Nero Soft finish used on the trims, including the special bezel underneath the front seat headrests.
Sticker Price $153,000 USD. For more info on Maserati click here.
Baselworld 2014: Arnold & Son CTB. A True Beat Seconds Chronograph. Live Pictures and Pricing.
The new Arnold & Son CTB —Chronograph True Beat— ref. 1CHAS.S02A.C121SCTB features an in-house mechanical movement with a true beat seconds chronograph. Fitted with a highly polished generous case measuring 44 mm in diameter in stainless steel or 18K rose gold, the magnificent Arnold & Son CTB represents the brand's second chronograph where a central true beat seconds hand and a central chronograph seconds hand had been incorporated on the same axis but with different jumping intervals —a huge technical challenge to have both functions operating from the central pinion.
This new watch featuring a subsidiary hour/minutes dial at 12 and a subsidiary running seconds register at 6 o'clock is fitted with a true beat seconds 60-minute chronograph a.k.a dead beat seconds which is a precision function wherein the seconds beat incrementally as opposed to sweeping along the dial, thus allowing for more accurate reading. To accomplish this function Arnold & Son has taken the idea to new heights by incorporating the true beat seconds on the same axis as the chronograph seconds hand. The result, when the continually running chronograph hand is started, is visually amazing. It gives the impression that it can catch up to the true beat seconds hand, but this never happens since the true beat seconds hand jumps away each second in a delightful and entrancing game of cat and mouse. The stainless steel timepiece is offered with a light-grey and silvery opaline dial while the 18K rose gold model features a more off-white dial. The dial has a complex multi-level structure with at least three different finishes that offer breathtaking depth and dimension.
The A&S7103 automatic calibre is a proprietary movement with column-wheel operated chronograph and is fully visible via the display case back. The 31-jewel movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers more than 50 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Each movement is NAC grey treated and meticulously completed in Haute Horlogerie finishing with hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève rayonnantes, brushed and skeletonized rotor, and screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads.
The movement is configured to give optimum balance and beauty to the dial, with off-centered hour and minutes at 12 o'clock, big central true beat seconds and central chronographs seconds and 60-minutes chronograph indicator at 6 o'clock. While the winding crown and pushers have been meticulously finished and designed to resemble antique marine chronometers in a very elegant way.
This line is inspired by the timepieces produced during the second part of John Arnold's life when he and his son, John Roger, dedicated themselves to the quest for absolute precision establishing themselves as official suppliers to the Royal Navy.
On the wrist, just as expected, the watch wears true to its size and very elegantly. If you like to play with your chrono while listening to a boring conference call with your partners down in Tokyo, this is a perfect timepiece to help you kill time and keep time with precision during your Six Sigma training.
Sticker Price $26,500 USD Stainless Steel, $42,500 USD 18K Rose Gold. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.
Baselworld 2014: JEANRICHARD Terrascope with Bronze Dial. A Watch Perfectly Suited for an African Safari. Live Pictures and Pricing.
JEANRICHARD—sister company to Girard-Perregaux— takes its name from a legendary name in watchmaking, Daniel Jeanrichard. This genius pioneered the development of the watchmaking industry in the Neuchâtel mountains in the late 17th century. Daniel Jeanrichard was born in the hamlet of Les Bressels, midway between La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle. In 1681, he created his first watch, then set up his watchmaking workshop. Daniel Jeanrichard was also a major driving force behind the watchmaking industry. He was ahead of his time, demonstrating a talent for innovation. In addition to the production of watches, the region’s watchmakers are indebted to him for the invention of machines and tools, and for establishing the basis for learning the art of watchmaking itself. At Baselworld 2014, JEANRICHARD presented several new watches including this new Terrascope with satin-brushed bronze dial and a gorgeous ostrich strap. This watch just like the rest of the watches in JEANRICHARD's Terrascope collection is fitted with a stainless steel vertical satin-brushed finished case measuring 44 mm in diameter.
This Terrascope is powered by the JEANRICHARD automatic calibre JR60 with 26 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 38 hours when fully wound. The watch features a solid case back and is waterproof to a depth of 100 meters, regardless of the lack of a screw-down crown.
On the wrist, the watch has great wrist presence and craftsmanship for the price. This is actually one of our favorite new JEANRICHARD timepieces unveiled at Baselworld this year. The uniqueness of its dial along with the ostrich strap, make this watch a perfect companion for that next safari to the Serengeti.
Sticker Price 2,600 CHF ex VAT. For more info on JEANRICHARD click here.
Baselworld 2014: Badollet Stellaire Pièce Exceptionnelle. A Tourbillon with 1,600 Diamonds and a Very Exclusive Presentation Box. Live Pictures and Pricing.
You guys know that we are not big on diamonds and we typically stay away from flashy bling watches; however, because Badollet is the name behind this timepiece, we felt it was worth talking about it here. Not only the diamond encrusting work is just out of this world, but the mechanical movement inside this timepiece is a perfect example of 'haute horlogerie'. The new Badollet Stellaire Pièce Exceptionnelle Tourbillon is fitted with a 44 mm 18K white gold palladium coated case encrusted with 1,600 VVS1 diamonds, weighing close to 13 carats, blued hands and a very elegant black alligator strap with deployant buckle. As you will be able to see in these pictures, the diamond setting on the case, dial, case lugs, crown and even on the tourbillon itself, is literally pure perfection.
The beating heart inside this timepiece is the Badollet manual-wound calibre BAD1630 with tourbillon, baseplate out of meteorite and aluminum and lithium bridges representing galactic circles. The movement includes 27 jewels, a power reserve indicator visible only on the back and the tourbillon visible on the dial side at 6 o'clock. The movement —fully visible via the display case back— is entirely hand-engraved and it provides a power-reserve of five days when fully wound.
While we typically won't feature the presentation boxes of the watches, unless we are doing a feature all the way from the unboxing, the presentation box accompanying this watch is definitely worth talking. When you pay close to half a million dollars for a timepiece, you want to make sure that the box is up to par with the timepiece. In this case, we can attest that it is. The watch is presented in a wooden and glass exhibition display box fitted with a natural grain leather cover —by the way, very Hermès looking. The wooden and glass display is approximately 25 inches tall and is fitted with three drawers. Two drawers that serve as valets for cufflinks, rings, money clips, or extra straps and the third one to hold the elegant leather travel case that comes with it. A set of keys is also provided to keep the timepiece safe while left unattended. Frankly, we have never seen any other presentation case like this before.
If you like bling watches a.k.a iced out timepieces, this is the way to go. While we are not into iced out watches ourselves, we can appreciate the work and passion behind creating a timepiece like this. Now remember, this is not your average run-of-the-mill diamond encrusted watch that recording artists are wearing left and right. If you want diamonds and can afford a tourbillon with 1,600 of them, then this timepiece is made just for you.
Sticker Price 420,000 CHF ex VAT —approximately $462,000 USD. For more info on Badollet click here.
Baselworld 2014: De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon. A Mono-Pusher 24-Hour Chronograph with Central Hands. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Last week we presented to you the new DB28 Digitale by De Bethune here. Today, we bring you another one of their exceptional novelties presented at Baselworld 2014. This time we are talking about the amazing De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon featuring a mono-pusher 24-hour chronograph with five hands on the central pinion and a 30-second indication tourbillon via the half hunter display case back. This new watch is fitted with a 5N rose gold case measuring 46 mm in diameter and 11.70 mm in thickness. The highly polished round case features cone-shaped lugs and a hinged half hunter case back that allows for full visibility of the movement and the tourbillon when opened via a very small push piece located below the winding crown. To round out the elegant look of this watch, De Bethune chose to fit it with an extra supple brown alligator strap with pin buckle.
This exceptional timepiece features an amazing horological complication where all chrono functions are operated via a mono-pusher on the winding crown and where all chrono hands are located in the central pinion along with the hour and minute hands. The De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon is fitted with a very elegant and well balanced silver-toned dial that features four different levels to provide exceptional depth and a domed shape towards its perimeter to maximize readability. From the center to the periphery one can find the 24-hour central chrono register, a chapter ring with Arabic numerals to read the time and lastly a chapter ring with minute indicators for the chronograph minutes and seconds. The five central hands —four blued steel and one rose gold for the chrono minutes register— are perfectly curved on their tips and perfectly contrasting. While the hour and minute hands are Breguet style-shaped hands, the rest of the hands are needle type with the 24-hour chrono hand being the smallest of them all.
Once you focus your attention to the half hunter solid case back on the watch and after pressing the small push-piece located right below the crown, a wonderful surprise and a real treat for the eyes awaits. As you open the half hunter case back, you can contemplate the fascinating manual-wound De Bethune calibre DB2039 with 30-seconds indication tourbillon. This in-house movement which is composed of 410 parts, 49 jewels and three column wheels is fully crafted and decorated by hand. The beating heart provides an outstanding power reserve of five full days.
On the wrist, this watch is an absolute treat wearing slightly smaller than its actual size —due to the shape of its lugs— and very comfortably. One of the nicest touches on this watch is the lack of branding on the dial that makes it even more unique and exclusive. Only those watchlifestylers in the know, will be able to call you out on what brand you are wearing. This timepiece will be produced in a very small batch of 20 timepieces per year without being a limited edition watch 'per se'.
Sticker Price 270,000 CHF ex VAT. For more info on De Bethune click here.
Baselworld 2014: Patek Philippe Retrograde Perpetual Calendar ref. 5496 Honey Brown Dial. Live Pictures.
This time we present you another one of Patek Philippe's novelties from Baselworld 2014 and one of our absolute favorites. The Patek Philippe Retrograde Perpetual Calendar ref. 5496 is now presented with a beautiful honey brown dial. This amazing grand complication fitted with a platinum case measuring 39.5 mm in diameter features a retrograde perpetual calendar with day, month and leap year indicator in apertures at 9, 3 and 12 o'clock respectively, a retrograde date ring with hand indicator and moon phases at 6 o'clock. Rounding out the elegant look of this timepiece the watch comes with a hand-stitched shiny brown alligator strap with fold-over clasp. Perhaps the biggest difference between this dial and the silvery dial on its predecessor —besides the obvious color difference—, is the engraving below the moon phase aperture that completes a full circle.
This Patek Philippe ref. 5496 is fitted with the automatic Patek calibre 324 S QR composed of 361 parts, 30 jewels, 9 bridges and which provides a power reserve of 45 hours when fully wound. The calibre is fully visible via the display case back but the watch is provided with an interchangeable back to go from full back to display case back.
This new Patek Philippe ref. 5496 with honey brown dial is one that for sure will become a popular watch amongst Patek collectors. The beauty of its new dial and the magnificent complication housed inside this watch create a perfect 'haute horlogerie' symphony for perpetual calendar lovers.
Sticker Price TBC. For more info on Patek Philippe click here.
Baselworld 2014: Vulcain 50s Presidents' Cricket Cloissoné Pegasus. Live Pictures and Pricing.
The Vulcain Manufacture was founded in 1858 and is very well known for revolutionizing the watch industry by inventing the first mechanical alarm complication with the introduction of their Cricket calibre. This innovation made the Vulcain watches popular with American presidents starting with Harry S. Truman, earning the brand its reputation as “The Watch for Presidents”. Last year, Vulcain made a strong comeback into the watch world and this year at Baselworld 2014, the manufacture continues to position itself as a great option for inexpensive watches with a lot of character, good craftsmanship and traditional looking designs. To mark the grand opening of the first Vulcain Monoboutique in Beijing and to salute the Chinese 2014 Year of Horse, Vulcain announced its new 50s Presidents’ Cricket Cloissoné Pegasus model to be unveiled at Baselworld 2014. This outstanding new timepiece available in two different dials —Pegasus In the Sky or Pegasus on the Mountain— features a universal symbol of wisdom and knowledge to celebrate Vulcain’s watchmaking expertise. Pegasus is one of the best known mythological creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion usually depicted as pure white in color. Greco-Roman poets wrote about his ascent to heaven after his birth and his obedience to Zeus, king of the gods. He was captured by the Greek hero Bellerophon near the Perene fountain with the help of Athena and Poseidon. Pegasus allowed the hero to ride him to defeat a monster, the Chimera, before accomplishing many other exploits. Because of his faithful service to Zeus, he was rewarded by being transformed into the constellation Pegasus and placed up in the sky.
This new Vulcain 50s Presidents' Cricket Cloissoné Pegasus ref. 200 550.318L is fitted with the Cricket Calibre V-13 —alarm mechanical movement with 42-hour power reserve—, a highly polished 18K rose gold case measuring 42 mm in diameter, a black alligator strap and a delicately finished 'Grand Feu' cloissoné dial. The cloissoné is an ancient technique for decorating metal objects with vitreous enamel. The decoration is formed by creating compartments on the dial that are soldered in the shape of the final motif and then filling these out with enamel in different colors, leaving the top part of the gold wires exposed.
The Vulcain Pegasus is available in a limited edition of 18 pieces for each different dial —Pegasus on the Mountain featured here— and a watch that won't disappoint you, especially once you activate its unique cricket sounding alarm/reminder that will last for up to 20 seconds.
Sticker Price $55,560 USD. For more info on Vulcain click here.
Baselworld 2014: HYT H2 Titanium and White Gold Blue. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Earning its place in the sphere of high-end watchmaking by turning utopia into reality, HYT is continuing its quest for hybridization with the new H2 models. The perfect alliance between high-end watchmaking and fluid mechanics, the H2 was born as the result of a vision shared by the hydro mechanical horologists and the APRP team —Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi— overseen by Giulio Papi. Bolstered by the enthusiastic reception to its launch in 2012, HYT is continuing its immersion in the world of Haute Horlogerie and pushing the limits of hydro mechanics yet further with the new Baselworld 2014 H2.
The new HYT H2 Titanium and White Gold Blue ref. 248-TW-OO-BF-RA is fitted with a titanium case and white gold bezel with polished, micro blasted and satin finishes measuring 48.8 mm in diameter and 17.9 mm in thickness, a screw-down dynamometric crown sheathed in rubber, a titanium black DLC dome at 6 o'clock, a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating and a black rubber gummy alligator strap with silver titanium folding clasp and blue contrast stitching.
This time, HYT is pushing hybridization to its peak by firstly repositioning the bellows at 6 o'clock in "V" and rising, which clearly evokes the most outstanding achievements of automotive and aeronautical engineering. This optimizes the integration of the interface that connects the watch mechanisms with the fluidic system. Mirroring the pair of bellows, the balance spring presides at midday on its black bridge, the dome marking the rhythm of life in this unique world. At 3 o'clock is a "H-N-R" crown position indicator, which brings to mind the gearstick of a racing car, is counterbalanced by the presence of another hand, which is also original and exclusive to HYT, a temperature indicator. Once the watch is being worn, this function enables the user to accurately find out when the fluid has reached the optimum temperature range. In the center, a minute hand, designed in stages to perfectly fit the structure of the blue fluidic system jumps after 30 minutes to avoid the bellows. The polyepoxyde hour dial with blue printed indexes and numerals, along with the sapphire minute dial and the blue-stained stainless steel minute hand will blow your mind away.
To make this watch even more amazing, the display case back reveals the beautifully finished manual wound calibre HYT with 28 jewels, titanium bridges with decorated micro-blasted black PVD and titanium colored satin-finished accents and which provides an outstanding 8-day power reserve when fully wound. For those of you appreciative of 'haute horlogerie' and everything that comes out of APRP, this calibre will for sure tick all the boxes and provide you with a real treat for the eyes.
On the wrist, what can we tell you. This piece of 'haute horlogerie' feels and wears just spectacularly. The watch wears true to its size but not in a bulky way, with regards to the wrist presence, it is out of this world. If you are ready to tell time with a fluid based mechanical watch and wow everyone during that board meeting, this is the watch for you. Now remember, this watch is only available in a limited edition of 20 pieces so once it hits the stores later this year you need to act fast.
Sticker Price $160,000 USD. For more info on HYT click here.
Baselworld 2014: Breguet Classique Extra-Thin Tourbillon Automatique ref. 5377. Live Pictures and Pricing.
This year at Baselworld 2014, Breguet introduced eight new timepieces including the new ref. 5377 Extra-Thin Tourbillon Automatique available in either 18K rose gold under ref. 5377BR/12/9WU or in platinum under ref. 5377PT/12/9WU. This extra thin tourbillon is now regarded as the world's thinnest automatic tourbillon movement. The ref. 5377 is fitted with a delicate case measuring 42 mm in diameter and only 7 mm in thickness. This new watch features all the traditional Breguet signature elements including the hand guilloché dial, the fluting on the case band, the secret signature and the iconic blued open-tipped Breguet hands. The Breguet Extra-Thin Tourbillon ref. 5377 features an 18K gold silvered dial with four different engine-turned —guilloché— patterns, hours chapter ring with Roman numerals, power reserve indicator at 9 and tourbillon carriage with seconds register between 5 and 6 o'clock.
The Breguet extra-thin automatic movement with tourbillon calibre 581DR is fully visible via the display case back and is a real treat for the eyes. This calibre with 42 jewels, silicon escapement and anti-magnetic properties provides an outstanding power reserve of 90 hours when fully wound. The round out the elegant design of this timepiece, the watch is fitted with a brown alligator strap with triple-blade folding clasp.
Sticker Price 146,000 CHF ex VAT. For more info on Breguet click here.
Baselworld 2014: Blancpain 12-Day Flying Tourbillon. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Developed in the watchmaking workshops of the Manufacture, as indeed are all Blancpain movements, the new Calibre 242 takes things to a new level by further improving on the record breaking autonomy of Calibre 25 unveiled in 1998: the world’s first self-winding tourbillon with an 8-day power reserve. The new self-winding tourbillon movement has an exceptional 12-day power reserve guaranteed by a single barrel.
On the dial side, the off-set tourbillon carriage at 12 o’clock has been enlarged to offer a perfect view of the new design of the balance and the escape-wheel. This being a flying tourbillon, the carriage has no upper bridge and thus provides an unobstructed view of this complex mechanism. It rotates once a minute in order to compensate for the effects of gravity. Reflecting the Villeret collection identity, the dial and the painted Roman numerals are in grand feu enamel, gracefully swept over by hollowed sage leaf-shaped hands.
For this new model, Blancpain has applied its technical expertise to serving aesthetic elegance. Each detail of the movement has been designed to highlight the decoration visible through the sapphire crystal. The automatic winding mechanism and the power reserve have been integrated so as to create a thin movement. The movement comprising 243 parts united within just a space just 6.10 mm thick and 30.60 mm in diameter, it is is equipped with a silicon balance spring and pallet-fork horns in order to alleviate the effects of magnetic fields. The oscillating weight has also been entirely openworked and the “kerbs” have been eliminated so as to provide a broader space for decoration. The bridges and power-reserve disc are entirely decorated with a hand guilloché motif —an ancestral skill calling for meticulous and accurate execution; while the ratchet-wheel features a bevelled wheel-rim design.
This timepiece with its double stepped 42 mm case is available in a limited numbered platinum edition. It also comes in 18K red gold teamed with a chocolate brown alligator strap lined with alzavel calfskin and secured by a triple-blade folding clasp.
Sticker Price $148,800 USD Platinum, $127,400 18K Rose Gold. For more info on Blancpain click here.
Baselworld 2014: Girard-Perregaux Traveller WW.TC Pink Gold. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Ever since the company was founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux watch collections have contributed to the art of stylish traveling. The new Traveller WW.TC watch in pink gold continues this long tradition; the perfect accompaniment for those accustomed to long journeys, this model is now available in a seductive pink gold version. The new Traveller WW.TC Pink Gold watch ref. 49700-52-134-BB6B is a tribute to this inspiring past. This new watch is fitted with the ultra user-friendly worldtimer movement from Girard-Perregaux and a 12-hour chronograph which provide a perfect combination of understated elegance and sportiness. The watch measuring 44 mm in diameter is powered by the Girard-Perregaux automatic calibre GP03300-0084 with 63 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 46 hours when fully wound.
This new timepiece is fitted with a beautiful texturized silvery off-white dial —also available with black dial— with a 24-hour rotating ring with night/day indicators in grey and black and a rotating disc with 24 citites. The dial features a 12-hour chrono-register at 6, 30-minute chrono-register at 9, running seconds register at 3 and a date aperture between 1 and 2 o'clock.
Fitted with a brown alligator strap with deployant buckle the watch wears true to its size and very comfortably. If you are a world traveler and someone that likes to time the wheels up, wheels down times when flying, this is the perfect companion for your trips.
Sticker Price 32,900 CHF ex VAT. For more info on Girard-Perregaux click here.
Baselworld 2014: Arnold & Son Time Pyramid in Stainless Steel. Live Macro Pictures and Pricing.
Back in January of this year, we brought you the news about the release of the new Arnold & Son Time Pyramid in stainless steel. Last week during our time attending Baselworld 2014, we were able to capture these macro images for your viewing pleasure. The Arnold & Son Time Pyramid features the hand finished A&S1615 calibre treated in NAC grey but housed in a stainless steel case this time. The A&S1615 movement with unique skeletonized pyramid-shaped architecture, was conceived, designed and developed in-house. The movement A&S1615 seemingly floats between two sapphire crystals, the Time Pyramid is a masterful rendition of technical prowess and unparalleled elegance. This superbly engineered wristwatch is part of the brand’s Instrument Collection that combines instrument precision with classical styling. Each Time Pyramid wristwatch measures 44.6 mm in diameter in its classically elegant stainless steel case.
Inspired by the regulators created by John and Roger Arnold over two hundred years ago, and by antique British skeleton clocks, the new Arnold & Son Time Pyramid offers a highly cohesive and seductive blend of watchmaking feats that includes regulator, skeleton, vertical linear movement, pyramid-placement of components and multi-dimensional depth. Viewed from the side, the housing is stepped and tapers from top to bottom, the widest section accommodating the extra-large glass with the lower part narrowing to fit snugly on the wrist. Each is finished with an exquisite hand-stitched alligator strap.
Sticker Price $29,900 USD. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.
Baselworld 2014: Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed RoseGold Black. Up Close and Very Personal Live Pictures and Pricing.
Here we present you another one of the novelties unveiled by Linde Werdelin at Baselworld 2014, the SpidoSpeed RoseGold Black. The SpidoSpeed Rosegold Black showcases skeletonization not only throughout the outer case as with previous iterations in the Spido family, but also into the dial and movement. Its stylish 18k rose gold outer case measuring 44 mm x 46 mm x 15mm is complimented by other smaller details making this timepiece truly unique, such as the LW-shaped stylised rotor, new engravings on the inner Titanium with DLC coating case right next to the pushers—start/stop and reset—and also the new signature Linde Werdelin pattern visible on the movement plate as well as the new rotor design.
In this new watch, the star of the night is the skeletonized dial with multilayer components that is a real treat for the eyes. Morten Linde and Jorn Werdelin spent numerous hours designing the new look of the dials and all we can say is that they nailed it. One thing that we do need to say —as we did during our meeting in Baselworld 2014— is that its time for them to add some anti-reflective treatment to their sapphire crystals and bring their timepieces up another notch.
The beauty and complex look of their dials tends to get lost due to the glare on the crystal. Even photographing their timepieces —to depict them properly— becomes a huge challenge as you literally have to be on top of the watch blocking any light hitting the crystals. We worked hard on this shoot, but the end result was amazing as you can appreciate on these images.
The display case back allows for full view of the new skeletonized rotor with the LW signature, winding direction engraving and the new texturized finish on the movement bridges.
On the wrist, the watch wears true to its size and with exceptional wrist presence. f you want a very exclusive timepiece, look no further, the SpidoSpeed RoseGold Black is as good as it gets and its only available in a limited edition of 99 pieces worldwide. The only downside on this watch is the operation of the crown due to its extremely sharp crown guards. While the screw-down crown is very sturdy and nicely finished, it is very hard to unscrew it and pull it out, especially if you have big finger tips. Ladies with nicely done manicured nails, please do not attempt.
Sticker Price 32,000 CHF ex VAT. For more info on Linde Werdelin click here.
