Archives A Timely Perspective

Watch Stops 2012: Pre-SIHH – Baume & Mercier’s New Hampton Watches

Baume & Mercier is known for its classic timeless elegance. This brand has been making watches with flair to track important moments in time since its inception in the 1800s. Now the brand brings out exciting new timepieces in this collection for both men and women.

Hampton is inspired by its namesake – the Hamptons on Long Island, where life is authentic and seaside casual, reflecting family values and warmth. The architectural lines of the rectangular Hampton strongly recall the rich architectural lines of the Victorian houses that dot the Hampton shore line. The new collection includes beautiful models for men and women that are easily wearable day to night.

Time Capsules: Product – New Fortis Flieger a World First

Fortis Swiss Watches have a long history of technical innovation and exploration in the world’s frontiers. Now –in the Fortis Limited Edition F-43 — the brand brings forward the first mechanical GMT, alarm and Chronometer with two separate power reserves. The dual time alarm is fully COSC-certified and displays a wealth of information in a fairly easy manner. The alarm time is read off of an extra long hand with triangular tipped arrow at the end to eliminate any confusion. The UTC time is visible via a window at 12:00, while the am/pm indicator is via an aperture at 1:00.

The watch is powered by a proprietary 39-jewele Fortis Caliber F 2012 alarm GMT movement with two independent spring barrels to power both the alarm and the time functions. It is also equipped with an Incabloc shock absorber. The alluring 43mm watch is crafted in steel (and water resistant to 165 feet) and features a blue padded croco strap to match the embossed blue numbers on the silver dial. Just 100 pieces are being made of this Flieger Chronograph – – each one retailing for $20,850. This watch offers a really nice look and great mechanics!

Watch Stops 2012: Pre-SIHH – Cartier Unleashes new Panther Watch

Cartier has long been synonymous with stunning panther motifs. Now, the brand unleashes its new Promenade d’une Panthere watch – and deftly does what only Cartier can do — create the panther in an ever more dramatic design.

The haute horlogerie and haute joaillerie timepiece is like a dream to behold. Housing the caliber 9603 MC self-winding movement, the 42mm mechanical beauty boasts a 204-part caliber with 31 jewels and beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Each movement is individually numbered.

Images: Laziz Hamani © Cartier 2011 What makes the watch so incredibly alluring is that the panther motif against the dark purple dial background is actually the oscillating weight – created in white gold and set with diamond brilliants and black lacquer spots. The panther naturally rotates – causing a dazzling, eye-catching wild-animal appeal. If the magical allure of the prancing panther isn’t enough, the 18-karat white gold case is rhodium treated and set with 633 stunning diamonds weighing 6.8 carats.

Watch Stops 2012: Pre-SIHH – Piaget Unveils Altiplano Skeleton Ultra-Thin – and it’s a Beauty

Piaget – famed for its pioneering and leadership position in the work of ultra-thin calibers – has done it again. In just about 10 days at the SIHH in Geneva, the brand will be unveiling to the world the skeletonized Altiplano Ultra Thin, which was several years in the development stages, and requires months to build a single piece.

This watch boasts two world records – it is the thinnest self-winding skeleton model (at 5.34mm) and houses the world’s thinnest self-winding skeleton movement (2.40mm). The Piaget 1200S ultra-thin skeletonized movement is completed developed and made in house by Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget. With a range of 18 ultra-thin movements in its repertoire and five skeleton calibers, Piaget is an expert in this field with untarnished credibility and unparalleled expertise. The newest skeleton, however, required ever more vigilance in its finishing and engraving work, as the caliber components are obviously among the thinnest, as well. The long curves that extend across certain parts, such as the mainplate and bridges, ensure necessary firmness and resistance – all of which was carefully thought out in the visionary design process.

“The skeleton is the most difficult and delicate to create and decorate. It takes three to six months to produce a skeleton watch, with much of that time used to realize the high-decorated plates and components. Only about 10 watches per month can be finished by the one woman who specializes in this Skelton decoration,” explains Philippe-Leopold Metzger, CEO of Piaget.

The stunning, resolutely modern skeletonized caliber is housed in a 38mm white gold case specially designed for it. An exceptional beauty, the watch features a platinum micro-rotor and 26 jewels. The surfaces are alternatively finished in matte sunray brushed or sand blasted for excellent contrast on the polished angles. In all, the new world’s first is a harmonious blend of high-technology and artistic prowess that only Piaget could achieve.

Weekend Sojourn: Warm Winter Getaways – St Maarten on my Mind

Pinel IslandWinter is upon us and those who hate the cold are probably thinking of an island destination. St. Maarten is the perfect spot. This portal to the Caribbean is an interesting mix of cultures and beauty. Approximately half of the island is French owned, while the other half is Dutch, a division that dates back to the mid 1600s.

Nicknamed the Friendly Island, the people on both sides are congenial. The Dutch side is known for its nightlife, jewelry, exotic rum-based drinks and casinos. The French side offers great cuisine and excellent clothes shopping. In fact, good shopping is on both sides, but great snorkeling the island attraction is the main street in the Dutch portion in Philipsburg – lined with boutiques galore that attract the cruise lines. Shopping isn’t my thing, though, beaches are – and there are some wonderful beaches there.

On my recent trip with Rado to St. Maarten for the opening of its first boutique in North America, we stayed right on the Dutch side, on the beach in The Divi Little Bay hotel – on the beautiful Little Bay beach. Nice hotel- if you get the right room – if not, change rooms. My view of the ocean every day was spectacular, with bright sunrises. We were fortunate enough to go by boat around the island one day—a true experience. Snorkeling there is a real treat, as the Infinity Pool at Divi Little Baytropical fish are bright and boldly colored. If lucky, you will most likely glimpse a sting ray and may even get to see a sea turtle.

After snorkeling, we cruised to Pinel Island – a MUST SEE on any vacation — docked the boat on a recreational swimming beach, jumped off the side and walked to land, where we indulged in what was easily the best drink I’ve ever had –Frozen Mojitos. This beach is famous for its shallow warm waters, offers two bars/cafés, a little outdoor hut shopping and stunning white sand. It is accessible only by water taxi or boat. We saw an iguana sunning itself, while we sipped our The Rado gang’s all here – working naturally drinks. The main beach on this island stays sun-filled until the end of the day. Of course, there are also plenty of nude beaches in St. Marten if that’s your thing, and the night clubs stay open well in to the wee hours of the morning – if you go to the right district. Because St. Maarten is mountainous, there is some good hiking, as well, and Fort Amsterdam, but being a beach lover- I stuck with the turquoise waters.

Watch Stops: Pre-SIHH 2012 – Parmigiani Unveils Tonda Annual Calendar

Making the 17^th movement unveiled by this still very young (but incredibly experienced) watch brand, Parmigiani’s new Tonda Annual calendar is based on the brand’s PF331 automatic movement, but incorporates an additional module to create the PF 339 Annual Calendar, which automatically accounts for the variation in the number of days in each month. Remember—it does this via a MANUAL movement comprised of hundreds of parts and not driven by a computer or quartz battery. Only one manual correction needs to be made each year – for the month of February in non-leap years. In a leap year — like this year – the date will display the 29thof February and will automatically move to March 1.

The watch features a retrograde date on the outer portion of the dial, and day of week at 9:00. The month is displayed via a number from 1-12 at 3:00. The moonphase indication only requires one correction every 120 years to reduce the discrepancy between a classic lunar cycle of 29 days and 12 hours, and the actual lunar cycle of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.98 seconds. But who really cares about that, as we won’t be around for that adjustment in 120 years and that’s the kids’ kids’ problem. It offers a northern and a southern hemisphere moon indication – so you know what’s going on elsewhere in the world. Created entirely in-house, it’s offered with a black dial or a gold dial (my personal favorite). It makes its debut to the world at the Geneva SIHH in just about two weeks!

Time Capsules: News – IWC Dubs 2012 its Year of the Pilot Watch – Unveils New TOP GUN watches

In November, 2007, I was one of a very elite group of international journalists fortunate enough to travel with IWC to California for the experience of a lifetime. There, we visited the TOP GUN flight school, met with pilots, took some courses, and then had the awesome experience of arrested landing on (and later catapulting off of) the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier out in the Pacific – all in celebration of the brand’s collaboration with this elite flying corps, and for the unveiling of its TOP GUN timepieces.

Not only do I have incomparable experiences on the carrier and with IWC for this momentous occasion, but also I have a Certificate – one of very few issued to civilians – as Honorary Naval Aviation, stating that I successfully carried out an arrested landing and catapult-assisted take-off. In doing so, I experienced deceleration from 105 to 0 in 2 seconds and accelerated from 0 to 128 in 3 seconds. Yes, it was an exciting experience – thank you IWC!

Now this brand – known since 2008 when it unveiled the watch collection to the world – continues with its TOP Gun Collection with five new models, wherein it further establishes itself as a leading authority on pilot watches. Among the new pieces is the TOP GUN Miramar sect, a tribute to the place the story of these elite pilots began. Drawing inspiration from the 1940s deck watches IWC used to make, the new TOP GUN pilot’s watches offer the highest possible precision, as well as extra functions—as in the Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Miramar and the Pilot Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Miramar. Incorporated in to the designs is the use of camouflage colors such as beige or green to underscore the military look, and the incorporation of high-tech materials such as zirconium oxide and titanium. Naturally, the 48mm watches house IWC-manufactured calibers.The Top Gun Miramar Chronograph is powered by the new in-house caliber 89365. It features a flyback function, and an amazing 168-hours of power reserve.

Says Karoline Huber, Director Marketing & Communications at IWC, “With our new TOP GUN Miramar design line, we are addressing watch lovers who consciously embrace IWC’s long-standing tradition of manufacturing Pilot’s Watches but who also wish to benefit from the technological advances of the 21st century and the inimitable quality typical of IWC.”

Off the Cuff: Skywatch Is Cool, Casual, Comfortable and Functional

For the past month, I’ve been wearing a robust watch from a fairly young Swiss brand: Skywatch. The watches from this brand, characterized by sky-blue strap keepers, are all Swiss-made and offer great sport capabilities and functions, including being water resistant to 100 meters. Collections include a dive chronograph series, as well as a Neon collection of bold, colorfully accented black dials with black strap and bezel and case in IP coating. The brand also offers stainless steel, or steel with 18-karat rose-gold coating, and has a series of 3-hand watches – in either 38 mm or 44mm.

The watch I wore is an alluring 18-karat rose gold coated stainless steel diver’s watch with white bezel, white dial and white sailcloth strap with premium Italian nubuck leather lining. The 44mm watch is not at all cumbersome or even over-sized – it fit and looked wonderful on my wrist. The chronograph watch houses a Ronda 5030 D caliber with 13 jewels and a date function at 4:00.

I took it with me while snorkeling and swimming in St. Maarten and its mineral crystal and SuperLuminova hands and markers made it easy to read under water. What makes the watch even more attractive – if the good clean design, the sky blue strap keepers and the Ronda movement aren’t enough — is the price — a grabber: $395 retail!

This watch was definitely fun and easy to wear. People asked me what it was and I had it off my wrist a lot — making it a good conversation piece. It matched with everything and has a great spirit behind it. Maybe my only concern is that after a lot of wear — which it got — the white strap was beginning to show a little dirt- but I know I can clean it up easily. Additionally, it’s nice to know that even young brands have an eye on the social pulse. Skywatch is forging partnerships with nonprofit organizations committed to selfless endeavors, and offers a percent of profits from its limited edition watches to causes such as The Boys & Girls Clubs, Villa Espereanza services, and The Carousel of Hope.

Weekend Sojourn: Happy New Year 2012, and a Retrospective Look at 2011

Happy New Year everyone! 2012 has arrived, and with it, we here at Atimelyperspective wish everyone a wonderful year, filled with success, health, happiness and time – time to do what matters most to you. We do a lot of talking here about time and timepieces, but we don’t often reflect on what we do with the time that constitutes our lives. I hope all of you find the time in your lives to become the person you want to be.

Meanwhile, we would like to thank all of our wonderful readers and supporters of this e-paper. This past year, just about a month ago, Atimelyperpsective celebrated one year of being on line. We started humbly – at the request of several watch brands that were looking for a truly timely, journalistic eye on watches, news and behind-the-scenes interviews and travel logs with the watch companies. We started with one reader – the founder!

In just a short year, we have answered the demands of brands and readers with informative insights in our “A moment in time” interviews, and with great insights into what the brands are doing, with our “Around the World” segments. Naturally, the product – brought to us by so many phenomenal watchmakers – garnered center stage, as we brought more than 600 informative articles, watch reviews and more to the forefront. Today, just one year young, we have thousands of avid followers reading us week after week, with more than a dozen stories read at each visit. We have great guest writers, including readers and collectors, and continue to seek the stories no one else can bring to light – thanks to the founder’s more than a quarter of a century of watch journalism, and the additional insider views brought by our international contributors.

We invite you to continue with us into this new year – and bring along your friends, too. We promise truth, accuracy, timeliness and more than a glimpse into the current and future watchmaking world. We welcome your continued emails and comments and look forward to a year where time makes all the difference. Happy New Year!