Time Capsules: Product — Harry Winston’s Ultimate Adornments

Since its inception, the great house of Harry Winston has been known for diamonds. Winston was one of the premiere procurers of wonderful rare stones. This is a legendary status the brand has maintained, even when it comes to timepieces. This year, Harry Winston unveiled the newest masterpiece in its Ultimate Adornments collection – a convertible high-diamond watch pendant with a detachable brooch made of diamonds and feathers.

In fact, the piece is created with 62 carats of diamonds and 14 feathers. The platinum and 18-karat white gold watch dial is even created of a superb marquetry dial of feathers – an amazing feat. The diamond setting on this piece is masterfully Harry Winston with its signature three-dimensional appeal. Diamonds include brilliants, pear- and marquise-cuts. The watch dial is marquetry peacock feathers, while the pendant sports both peacock and duck feathers. It is a beauty to behold – and better yet to wear.

A Timely Event: Celebrate 40 years of the Royal Oak with Audemars Piguet

Make time to visit Gotham City this week and you won’t be disappointed.  At the Park Avenue Armory in New York, Audemars Piguet has assembled one of the most entrancing displays of timekeeping legend – open to the public for free beginning March 21 and running through March 24th.  We first brought you a sneak peek about the exhibition here, and we will be attending the exhibition on its opening day, March 21, and will bring you exciting coverage.

Meanwhile, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Audemars Piguet, reminds us that the Royal Oak watch, designed originally in 1972 by the brilliant watchmaker, Gerald Genta, was created as the brand responded to customer request for a boldly unprecedented steel luxury chic sport watch.  The Royal Oak made unprecedented waves in the industry and fast became an icon. The rest is history.

Says Jasmine Audemars, “Honoring secular traditions while blasting conventions, the Royal Oak has been progressively and definitively adopted by collectors, connoisseurs and the public at large. In it, they recognize a radical act and an authentic work of art. A living legend that has been perpetually reinvented over the past four decades but yet has always remained true to its makers’ original idea.”

Come see that living legend from 10-4 on March 21, 22, and 23 or from 10-10 on March 24th. From New York City, the exhibit begins a world tour.

WatchStops: BaselWorld 2012 – ArtyA Son of Gun Werewolf Bullet – Silver Will get you Every Time

ArtyA never ceases to amaze us. We’ve written about this brand before and could regularly do so thanks to the innovative use of real materials ArtyA brings forth in it timepieces. Recently, the brand release d the ArtyA Son of a Gun watch. The revolutionary patented ArtyA invented process give the case a unique look. The inner dial is sprinkled with gunpowder  and gold leaves and showcases six real 6mm Flobert bullets suspended in the . The back of the watch features a unique rotor made of three P38 cartridges.

Also, hot on the heels of that watch, the brand now releases the ArtyA Son of a Gun Camouflage Werewolf Bullet watch. The dial is set   with a silver bullet that was forged and cut in half during full moon. Silver, it can kill a werewolf, and inspire your confidence – or in this instance just look great.

Weekend Sojourn: Watch Facts for Vintage and Pre-owned Watch Lovers

You’ve heard of carfax – the place to go to find out all about that previously owned vehicle you are thinking of buying? Well, for watch lovers, now there is WatchFacts.

 WatchFacts has been formed as an information technology company focused on developing and providing information for the luxury watch industry on a digital platform.  WatchFacts.com employs innovative technology via an API interface to provide reports and information to watch retailers and consumers. The system is thus able to provide customers with an algorithm-generated “WatchFacts Score,” a measurement of any watch’s current condition and valuation, further illustrating WatchFacts.com’s trademarked assertion that “No Two Watches are the Same.”™  Experienced and new purchasers of pre-owned timepieces can feel 100% secure in WatchFacts’s guarantee of authenticity and service. 

 WatchFacts.com will exclusively offer users access to historical information (including service journals and ownership records), “Real Time” electronic theft check, nationwide manufacturer authorized repair centers, and innovative proprietary software system, Inveniam. Founded by John Cormier, a Wall Street business mastermind and watch connoisseur, WatchFacts is posed to re-imagine the second-hand luxury space. 

NOTE: It’s new; we haven’t had a chance to utilize the services yet—but it’s definitely an interesting platform.

 

WatchStops: BaselWorld 2012 –Louis Moinet Treasures

We’ve written about Louis Moinet before – about the brand’s storied past and unique abilities.You can read about that here. Now, we bring you one of three new Treasures of the World watches – this one with a stunning Australian Opal dial. Inspired by Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this watch brand began an entire series of special, unique dialed watches that one would most likely only fantasize about. Louis Moinet makes them reality. Working with famed gemstone cutter Daniel Haas to create the dial, Louis Moinet then houses a superb tourbillon movement inside the case. The watch retails for approximately 320,000 Swiss Francs.

WatchStops: BaselWorld 2012 –Chopard L.U.C Lunar Over the Moon

Spotted this one and loved it. Classic, elegant and a superb L.U.C  caliber inside! This Chopard L.U.C Lunar One is crafted in 18-karat rose gold, with superbly applied Roman numerals on the dial. The watch offers day, date, month, leap year indications and a stunning portrayal of the moonphases. This is a must-have for the consummate world-traveling executive.

Watch Stops: BaselWorld 2012 – Boucheron Bedazzles with Cypris Tourbillon

Always on the cutting edge of design, craftsmanship and dream-making, the legendary French jewellery house of Boucheron is renowned the world over for its intriguing haute joaillerie and haute horlogerie creations. This year at BaselWorld, the brand does not disappoint.

 In fact, Boucheron, working with Girard-Perregaux, brings forth one of the most regal interpretations of nature for the wrist.   The Cypris Tourbillon (black) is an entirely gem-set and diamond-adorned wristwatch in the form of the Cypris – complete with curled head and huge swan feathers. Acting as the body of the Cypris is the watch case,  housing the legendary Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon escapement. The GP9700.OA mechanical movement with manual wind and tourbillon powers the watch, which is crafted in 18-karat white gold with a bezel set with 52 diamonds. The base plate of the movement is meticulously  set with 146 black spinels, 20 blue sapphires and 12 purple sapphires forming the back plate for the Three Gold Bridges The bracelet – which consists of the Cypris’ elegant neck, slightly cocked head and feathers galore — is bedecked with 852 gems, including 290 blue round sapphires, 138 purple round sapphires, 313 black round spinels, 190 round diamonds, 2 blue sapphire oval cabochons, 1 coral (for above the beak) and 1 carved onyx piece as the beak.

 Words really cannot describe this masterpiece, but suffice it to say, if I had the money, it would definitely be on my wrist.

 

BaselWorld 2012: Chanel’s Haute Horology Premiere Tourbillon

It’s been more than a decade now that Chanel has been creating tourbillon timepieces. The newest one unveiled this year may take the cake. It is a one-minute flying tourbillon. Naturally, Chanel remains ever faithful to its vigilant female followers, but surprises and delights with this Premiere Flying Tourbillon watch. Crafted in a fully diamond-adorned Premiere case, the watch is created in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first Chanel watch– whose case shape was inspired by the octagonal geometry of the famed Chanel No. 5 perfume bottle stopper, and of the Place Vendome. 

 The exceptional watch is the result of a close collaboration between Chanel and Swiss master watchmakers Renaud & Papi. The tourbillon escapement, visible at 6:00, is decorated with Chanel’s Camellia floral motif. The flying Tourbillon makes one rotation per minute, with the petals indicating the seconds.  The Camellia Flying Tourbillon Caliber is floral shaped and is mounted on a custom-designed rectangular bottom plate. The dial of the watch is black ceramic and the case, bezel and crown are entirely set with baguette-cut or round-cut diamonds or precious gemstones –totaling 7.7 carats. Just 20 pieces will be created. 

WatchStops: BaselWorld 2012 — HYT Liquid-Infused Watch Finally Arrives

We brought it to you here first – the news of the HYT watch that features a liquid module for time indication. Then we showed you another Video a month later here that explained how this proprietary movement  from Hydro Mechanical Horologists works.
Now we bring you the finished product in the H1 case. Super cool. Should sell for about $45,000.

Hermes Unveils In-House Movement, New Collection

Recalling its amazing heritage of saddlery and timing, Hermes comes full circle with its own Manufacture movement and vintage-inspired watch series.

 March 8, 2012 – as seen on World Tempus.com

By Roberta Naas

The excitement of BaselWorld 2012 brings with it a host of announcements and unveilings that leave their mark. Such is the case with the release by Hermes of its first in-house created caliber: the H1837 – named for the year the brand launched. This year, too, Hermes proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary of watchmaking prowess—making the release even more fitting.

To celebrate these anniversaries in style, Hermes not only unveils its new caliber, but also releases it in a new Dressage collection of timepieces that richly blends its past with its visionary watchmaking expertise.

“After 100 years of Hermes watchmaking, we are taking a big step this year with the first Hermes Manufactured in-house caliber,” says Luc Perramond, CEO of Hermes. 

The movement, which was five years in the development process, is created with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier movement maker, of which Hermes is a 25 percent owner and the Sandoz Foundation is the other owner.

 The new automatic 193-part Caliber H1837 offers 50 hours of power reserve and features double barrels, equipping it with the power it needs to add on small complications in the future.  Currently the versions offered include a Small Seconds model (with sub seconds dial at 6:00) and a Simple Calendar version with date at 6:00. The movement is housed in the Hermes Dressage collection, dedicated to Hermes’ rich saddler and leather goods heritage. Dressage was first created by Henri d’Origny, and was modernized in 2003.  The tonneau-shaped case features an inner round dial for vintage appeal, a curved ergonomic case, curved, extended lugs and a dial with original Arabic numerals at 9, 12 and 3, inspired by the early Hermes watchmaking days.

The new series is offered in either stainless steel or in a limited edition in 18-karat rose gold. Currently 10 Dressage models make their debut, with a variety of dial colorations and strap offerings.  The special limited-edition piece in 18-karat rose gold features an alluring matte graphite dial and is built in an edition of 175 pieces (for the 175th anniversary). The line will retail starting from $10,600.

Also to celebrate its 100 years of watchmaking, Hermes has also opened a superb historical museum in its Paris flagship store of saddlery, timepieces, and travel related objects from around the world, as collected by Emile Hermes, grandson of the founder of Hermes.

As seen on WorldTempus.com