Archives A Timely Perspective

Off the Cuff: Breguet’s Tradition Fusee’ Tourbillon on the Wrist

A true stunner! This incredible platinum Breguet Tradition Fusee’ Tourbillon is like having one of the finest pieces of machinery and precision on the wrist. The multi-dimensions of the movement parts beneath the bold sapphire crystal offer depth and elegance that is difficult to rival. Retailing for about $189,700, this watch houses a hand-wound movement with tourbillon escapement (to compensate for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity) and a fuse-chain transmission. The fusee and chain transmission is connected to the barrel to maintain a constant force while the watch is running – offering superb precision, and sublime beauty to witness the chain in motion. This timepiece, which ATimelyperspective had the pleasure of wearing, working with and enjoying for a short time, has several patent applications: one for the large tourbillon resonator at 1:00; one for the titanium balance; three related to the silicon balance springs (that feature the Breguet overcoil curve in the silicon spring); one for the power reserve indicator that is fitted directly onto the barrel (at 9:00). The magnificent small off-centered dial is created in silvered 18-karat gold that has been hand-engraved on a rose engine. This is one watch to aspire to own – or to run right out and get now if you’ve got the cashola.

Off the Cuff: Bulgari Maserati – A Technological Delight

In July, Atimelyperspective.com was the only US based publication to join Bulgari at the unveiling of the new Octo watch, which we covered here briefly. Now, we are one of the first to be able to wear, work with and enjoy the new Bulgari Maserati watch. Bulgari recently signed a contract with Maserati and now unveils the 45mm steel OCTO Maserati. ($32,100).

It houses a manufacture automatic winding movement GG7800 with jumping hours, retrograde minute and date indicators, and chronograph with retrograde hours and minute counters. The watch offers 38 hours of power reserve and is water resistant to 100 meters – in case one plans to swim with it on. The dial is a magnificent blue lacquer with champlevé’ technique and an azure date and counters. The caseback is fitted with a semi-transparent blue sapphire crystal that proudly displays the Maserati logo and special edition mention. With tachymeter bezel, and a cushioned blue calf leather strap, this watch is sublimely beautiful, weighty and wonderful to wear and fabulously functional – a technical delight that you will want to try on – and purchase at just $32,100.

Time Capsules: Product—Richard Mille Releases RM 032 Dark Diver Watch

By Samantha Walsh

This summer witnesses the debut of the new limited edition of Richard Mille’s RM 032 Chronograph Dive Watch. Water resistant to 300 meters, the watch features a locking crown to ensure optimal water resistance. Created in a limited edition of just 30 pieces, this Dark Diver watch features a dark 50mm tripartite titanium case and buckle, black bezel indicators, pushers, and a rubber strap. You may wonder how a watch so dark would be of any help in the depths of the sea. But have no fear as the Dark Diver features SuperLuminova elements on the hands, hour markers, and indicator disc for maximum visibility.

Weekend Sojourn: Max Rich Designs today’s Denim

Innovative denim designer Max Rich is known for fit and fashion, boldly creating jeans and denim for today’s lifestyles– always with an eye toward cutting-edge and super cool. A bi-coastal commuter (and international traveler), the 26-year-old Rich has houses in Miami and LA, where the glitz, glamour and fast pace of both cities invigorate his senses and style.

If you are in Santa Monica, California, this week, you can visit Max at the launch party at Fred Segal and customize your own your own jeans at the Max Rich Denim Bar. Enjoy a fun time on August 9 from 7-10 pm.

At this event, he rolls out his third denim line — Month Max Rich – that channels elements of New York sophistication, with Californian poolside glamour via innovative techniques in design and with fabrics that have a stretch that contours to the body, moving with comfort and ease.

Originally from New York, Rich started his career in the fashion industry following his parents’ footsteps. “I grew up in fashion, my parents had a business, and I was the little kid playing in the roles of fabric stacked so high it was like a mountain,” says Max of his childhood. “The business was in my blood.”

In pursuit of his own dreams to start a denim line, Rich worked in a clothing factory in Southern China — focusing on garment construction, pattern making, quality control. He returned home and launched his first denim line in 2006 at the age of 20. That line, Angry Genes, was sold in high-end boutiques across the country and in Urban Outfitters. His second denim line is called Max Rich denim and uses unusual washing and distressing techniques. (Rich is also an avid watch collector.) If you are a jeans lover- you want to check these out!

Off the Cuff: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Tourbillon with Three Sapphire Bridges

Ok – so those who know Girard-Perregaux know that this brand is famous for its Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges — a concept that won awards back in the 1800s when it was first presented as a pocket watch. Then, just about a couple of decades ago, this brand started miniaturizing this amazing concept of three bridges in gold into wrist watches — and it has since become an icon. Now, as the world’s finest watchmakers move forward into the realm of high-tech materials- Girard-Perregaux soars to new heights by unvelling the Laureato Tourbillon with Three Sapphire Bridges.

This watch is amazing to look at and even better to wear. Of course, it retails for about $211,500 — so not everyone can run out and buy it, but it is a superb work of technology and beauty. The watch istelf is crafted with a titanium case and bracelet –making it ultra light and comfortable to wear. More importantly, though, is the fact that the three sapphire bridges offer an unobstructed view of the Manufacture mechanical movement. The movement consists fo 241 compoenents, and the tourbillon escapement is built with just 72 parts weighing a mere 0.3 grams. If I sold my house I might be able to buy it …. but where would I live?? Go check this watch out– if not in stores than at TimeCrafters in New York City in September.

Time Capsules: News — Bond is Back, and so is Omega – in Skyfall

By Sam Walsh

The famed Secret Agent teams with Omega yet again. This fall will witness the release of the highly anticipated James Bond film, ‘Skyfall.’ In this feature, Daniel Craig once again assumes the role of agent 007, and with him brings two new guests – actress Bérénice Marlohe the hottest new Bond girl, as well as a Limited Edition OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean. The release of this new timepiece known as the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M SKYFALL marks the seventh time an OMEGA watch has performed in a Bond film. In addition, actress Bérénice Marlohe has been added to OMEGA’s roster of brand ambassadors.

The SKYFALL, like all Planet Ocean watches, features a black unidirectional rotating diving bezel with a chromium nitride diving scale and a helium escape valve. It is water resistant to 600 meters making it more then equipped for underwater excursions – though with Bond, one never knows. The timepiece features a 42mm stainless steel case and bracelet adorned with a clasp engraved with 007. Another creative bond touch is the 007 at the 7:00 spot on the dial. Even the Co-Axial caliber 8507 features an Si14 silicon balance spring, and has SKYFALL 007 engraved on its rotor – visible though the sapphire crystal case back. The SKYFALL Planet Ocean is set to release in November in time with the release of the James Bond feature film.

Time Capsules commentary: Maurice Lacroix Joins Forces with Henrik Fisker

The newest brand ambassador for Swiss watch brand Maurice Lacroix is Henrik Fisker, founder of Fisker Automotive and designer of some of the world’s iconic sports cars for brands such as BMW and Aston Martin. A believer in automobiles being able to be environmentally friendly, Fisker created the electric vehicle extended range (Ever) luxury car, the Karma. His innovative spirit made Maurice Lacroix take note, and want to bring him on board as an ambassador.

This Swiss watch brand offers timepieces with an avant-garde appeal and some unusual complexities – all at nicely affordable prices. It offers retrogrades and skeleton watches that will have you looking twice, for sure. This is a brand you may want to take a closer look at and even try on—after all it isn’t everyday that a watch brand aligns itself with a maker of electric cars.

News: London Olympics Starts Today – with Omega Timing

Today, the Olympic Torch arrives in London, at the new London Olympic Stadium and Park — built expressly for the Summer Olympic Games that officially begin today. With the focus squarely on the athletes and their intense precision – every fraction of a second will count in determining the winners, or even early starters, of most of the events.

Read the complete details on my Perfect Timing blog at Forbes.com — and, please, follow me there, too.

Time Capsules: Product – Cutting-Edge Timing with TAG Heuer’s Mikrotourbillon S

Yep – from concept to cutting-edge reality – TAG Heuer says it is definitely going to be producing the newest Mikrotourbillon S watch for series (albeit most likely a very limited series) production. The watch, equipped with two tourbillon escapements, was first shown to the world a few months ago as a concept piece. The double tourbillons are designed so that one operates at 4 HZ to keep the precision timing in check, while the other runs at 50HZ for the chronograph functions. Additionally, the chronograph measures events to 1/100^th of a second. This is an intriguing watch to look at in pictures, but – even better – it will be on display at for the first time ever in the USA for consumers to see during the upcoming TimeCrafters show in September at the Park Avenue Armory.