Their client was inspired by the Arolla glacier for the customization of his timepiece, a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona model. Artisans de Genève chose to embody the transparency of the glacier along with its unique blue hues through a sapphire dial and invisible gem-set bezel. The fusion of materials was the guideline of the “Arolla” Project and they blended the fragile and delicate sapphire with the rough finishings of the calibre 4130 movement to recall Arolla ice cave.
Introducing: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Great Civilizations. (Live Pictures)
The partnership between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum has given rise to a series of Métiers d’Art watches paying tribute to the great civilisations of Antiquity. Four masterpieces from the museum, representative of four eras, are individually depicted on the dials. These cultural symbols, created in the form of sculpted gold appliques, are placed on a dial whose ornamentation is inspired by the decorative arts of the corresponding period.
Photo Report: Opening of the AP House New York & The Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Capsule Experience
Yesterday May 20, 2022, we were in NYC for the opening of the new AP House in the Meatpacking District. This is not only the first AP House to open in the United States, but it is also part of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Royal Oak. Making the Park Hyatt New York our home away from home was the first stop for an incredible Friday in the company of our friends at Audemars Piguet.
Introducing: Purnell x AS Monaco FC Limited Editions
Purnell unveils the AS Monaco FC Limited Edition with an innovative rotating crystal football, revealing the tourbillon inside with its transparency. It is in this spirit that Purnell created a World Premiere for its AS Monaco collaboration with two limited editions featuring a see-through football tourbillon crafted out of tinted crystal, putting the tourbillon inside on full display.
Insider: Cartier Santos Dumont Limited Edition. Lacquered Case and Bezel to Spice Things Up.
First designed for Brazilian Aeronaut and Inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1904, the Cartier Santos-Dumont is one of the most iconic watches in the world and one that hasn’t evolved much since then with a few minor facelifts here and there. This year at Watches & Wonders 2022, three limited-edition models were presented and all we could say was wow!
Photo Report: Grand Opening of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique on Rodeo Drive
Last week we headed to Beverly Hills, California for the grand opening of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique located on Rodeo Drive —one of the world’s most luxurious destinations for luxury shopping and luxury lifestyle. The new boutique is three times larger than the previous JLC boutique in Beverly Hills and it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful watch boutiques we’ve visited. For this incredible trip, The Maybourne Beverly Hills was our home away from home.
Introducing: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Green Gradient Dial
Inspired by the 1968 Memovox Polaris, the Polaris collection has defined the spirit of sporty elegance at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Utilitarian functions, vintage design codes and modern standards of chronometric performance - these are the three characteristics that distinguish the Polaris, which now comes in a deep green dial, bringing a new touch of color to the everyday adventures of life.
News: Jaeger-LeCoultre Opens New Boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
Jaeger-LeCoultre is pleased to announce the opening of its Rodeo Drive boutique at a new address on Los Angeles’ most prestigious shopping avenue. Set in a prime location in Beverly Hills, the boutique invites visitors to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of watchmaking and the remarkable story of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s heritage, expertise and spirit of innovation and creativity.
Experience: Shanghai Tang Jade Dragon. Awakening Olfactory Travel Memories Alongside a Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time.
Wearing a Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time calls for exploration and world discoveries. We still remember like if it was yesterday the day we walked into the Shanghai Tang boutique in Kowloon during a hot and humid day in Hong Kong. If you’ve ever been to Hong Kong, the name Shanghai Tang is no stranger to you. Inspired by the Chinese cultural icons of the 1930s Bund, a glamorous time when Hong Kong was famous for its architecture, fashion, music and commercial activities, Shanghai Tang first opened in the iconic Pedder Building in Hong Kong as a unique concept store for customers looking for authentic Chinese products and bespoke tailoring.
Introducing: Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon Bubba Watson. A Limited Edition of 50 Pieces.
This is the 3rd tourbillon calibre developed with Bubba Watson by Richard Mille and the fourth Bubba Watson timepiece by the brand. Inspired by the golfer’s lucky charm color, the new Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon Bubba Watson features a white and pink case and is available in a limited edition of 50 pieces. On the wrist of a very great hitter like Bubba Watson, a watch must be able to withstand the stresses of hard stops and drastic accelerations. These were all part of the considerations when designing the RM 38-02.
Breaking News: Gérald Genta's Personal Royal Oak Sells in Excess of $2.1 Million USD at Sotheby's
Today May 10th, 2022 Gérald Genta’s very own Royal Oak broke the record set by the Royal Oak ref. 5402 with case No. 2, that sold for CHF 1,058,500 —approx $1,060,000 USD— at the Phillips Royal Oak 50th Sale this past weekend . Genta’s very own Royal Oak ref. 5402ST, a C-series stainless steel watch with an 18K yellow gold bezel bearing case number 1556 hammered at CHF 2,107,000 Swiss Francs —approx $2,170,000 USD— at the Sotheby’s Important Watches Auction in Geneva.
Insider: Aventi A13-02 Ghost Tyamine. A Watch that Can Only be Purchased via Allocation.
Aventi watches were introduced several years ago and they’ve always strived to release eye-catching designs and tourbillons at a more affordable price point. Aventi follows an interesting business model with no offices, boutiques, or distributors. Every watch is sold by allocation only and directly by them. The Aventi A13-02 Ghost Tyamine was recently released and is one of the most complex watches released by Aventi.
From the Editor: Phillips Royal Oak 50th Sale Results. Here are the Top Lots and My Opinion.
Not sure what to think anymore about the watch market and the results of the watch auctions. I’ve been trying to understand what’s going on for several years now and the results from auctions are always very surprising but not necessary the best indicator of what’s going on. While I see trends after reviewing the results of the auctions, I also see some inconsistencies where is hard for me to understand why certain time/date watches would fetch more than Grand Complications.
From the Editor: The Phillips Royal Oak 50th Auction Taking Place Tomorrow. My Thoughts.
I was lucky to be the first journalist to peruse in person and photograph the majority of the lots part of the Phillips Watches Royal Oak 50th auction at the end of March. You can see all my pictures here. Tomorrow May 6th, the Royal Oak 50th auctionwill take place at the Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva, Switzerland. I think that not only this auction will continue to bring attention to the Royal Oak for years to come, but it will also establish some interesting world records for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Introducing: Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5. One in Platinum and the Other in 18K Red Gold.
Two new iterations of the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon in a 41.5 mm case with a white mother-of-pearl moon under a midnight-blue sky. Presented in 18K red gold —unlimited production— and in platinum —limited edition of 28 pieces, their dial features a unique motif with stellar rays. For this new iterations, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 mm cases have been redesigned. The lugs have been simplified so that instead of their original cross shape, they now present a tauter form of plunging bars with beveled ends.
Introducing: Kross Studio Boba Fett Collector Set. May the Fourth Be With You.
One of the most enigmatic characters in the Star Wars galaxy has inspired Kross Studio’s latest creation, in collaboration with Lucasfilm. The Swiss design studio is proud to reveal a new and limited edition of ten Boba Fett-inspired collector sets, each complete with a numbered, manual wound Boba Fett-inspired central Tourbillon timepiece and a watch display by EFX, inspired by Boba Fett’s famed starship. The central tourbillon is now indelibly associated with Kross Studio.
Introducing: MB&F REUGE MusicMachine 1 Reloaded. Three Limited Editions of 33 Pieces Each.
Back in 2013, MB&F presented their first-ever ‘co-creation’ with REUGE with the MusicMachine 1. Almost a decade later, Maximilian Büsser and his Friends decided it was time to redesign this music box and issue a new edition called the MusicMachine 1 Reloaded. Like the previous MusicMachines, this co-creation is the fruit of a collaboration between MB&F and REUGE, the premier manufacturer of music automatons with more than 155 years of expertise. REUGE was founded in 1865 in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland and after 155 years they’re still the best of the best.
Experience: The House of Creed Viking. As Bold and Manly as an AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver on the Wrist.
One of our favorite fragrances from The House of Creed since the launch of Aventus in 2010 is the Viking. For those of you not familiar with Creed, The House of Creed is the oldest perfumer in the world, established in London in 1760 by James Henry Creed. A supplier to the English Court with custom tailored clothing, scented leather gloves and commissioned fragrances, The House of Creed was a favorite to the Royal Court of England.
From the Editor: What's There Not to Love About Furlan Marri Watches
I discovered Furlan Marri last year and my first encounter in person with their watches was when I was casting my votes as one of the jurors at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2021. The Furlan Marri MR. Grey received the Horological Revelation Prize at the GPHG 2021 and that’s what really put the brand on the map. After six different watches they have released and as an owner of not one but two of their watches —Havana Salmon ref. 1031-A and the Mare Blu ref. 1051-A—, I can confidently say that there are many things to love about this young inexpensive brand.
Insider: Coussin de Cartier. The Watch with a Flexible Case and 1,011 Brilliant-Cut Diamonds.
The new Coussin de Cartier is one of the most unique watches we’ve ever perused. A delicate watch made up of gold links that intertwine to weave a grid pattern within which Cartier has integrated an innovative element that allows the case to deform and retract to its original shape. The flexible case in 18K white gold measuring 39.3 mm x 31.9 mm x 13.60 mm is exquisitely set with diamonds and made for going out in the evening.
