Time Capsules: IWC Watch — Unleashing an Ingenious Ingenieur

This time last summer, the Plastiki catamaran – made of 12,500 plastic bottles — and its 10-person crew was coming to the end of a 4-month-long epic voyage across 8,000 nautical miles of the Pacific Ocean, when it sailed into Sydney Australia’s Maritime Museum amidst a crowd of family and supporters. Making history with the Plastiki was IWC watch — a staunch supporter of the expedition and global consciousness.

The Plastiki boat, made plastic bottles and recyclable thermoplastic polymer, and powered by solar panels, wind and bicycle generators, was the brainchild of David de Rothschild, whose goal was to draw attention to the devastating consequences of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.  He also hoped that people will think with vision, as he has, and consider new ways to use recyclables.  IWC, Schaffhausen – one of the first Swiss watch brands to really go carbon neutral — was the proud supporter of Plastiki and official partner of the expedition and all it accomplished. At the time, the brand created a special watch that was sold with proceeds going to benefit the cause.

Now IWC boldly commemorates the mission with the introduction of the Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth Edition “Plastiki” watch. Created in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces, the riveting chronograph has been put through more than 30 grueling tests to verify it as an adventurer’s watch. The stainless steel case is water resistant to 12 bar. The watch houses the self-winding IWC-manufactured 80110 caliber with soft iron inner case to protect again magnetic fields. It also is equipped with an integrated shock-absorption system. The back engraving commemorates the Plastiki expedition with the sea route from San Francisco to Sydney depicted on the caseback. The watch is finished with a blue rubber strap. The magnificent, robust blue Ingenieur retails for $8,200.

 

Time Capsules: Best Men’s Watches – Pierre Kunz Insanity

Sometimes we all feel we’ve gone a little insane, but this time around Swiss watchmaker Pierre Kunz reaches a new level of Insanity with the watch that bears this distinctive tag.  A maker of some of the most complicated, avant-garde best men’s watches on the market in the past decade or more, Pierre Kunz has regularly turned out masterpieces of complexity. The Insanity is one such piece. An astonishing design and complex watchmaking feat, the 44mm case houses a mechanism that enables the hours and the minutes to rotate, or whirl, around the dial.

This sophisticated caliber features a single hand that indicates the hours and a separate unique hand to indicate the minutes as they spin around the dial at a pace that is mind-boggling.  The rhythm, based on the infinite looping principle, is kept via an Automatic PK 2001-1533 caliber that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The dial is galvanic black on black, or black with red or yellow loops.  Even the Insanity logo completes a full turn in 60 seconds thanks to a satellite pinion that has been added to rotate around a fixed rack.  Maybe the most insane thing about this watch is the extraordinarily reasonable price: $14,300.

Time Capsules: News – Fortis Watches Back in Space

Fortis watches have been part of the Russian space program since 1992 (as the official timepiece of the Russian manned space program), and now the brand has renewed its space program association. Fortis watches are heading into space again.

As the American Space Shuttle Atlantis flight STS-135 voyage comes to a close this week, it also closes a chapter on US space missions, as it is the final NASA-planned manned space mission. From now on, manned space missions to the ISS will be operated by the FSA in Russia, with its new director, Vladimir A. Popovkin. This 28th ISS Crew currently in orbit operates different science experiments and takes care of the maintenance and repair of the ISS. Alexander Samokutyayev, who has been on the ISS since April, oversees the Russian long-time experiment called Uragan, by documenting the different changes on the surface of the Earth with photo- and video equipment especially after natural catastrophes like hurricanes, but also the changes made by mankind.

Fortis has been building Spacematic watches since the beginning of the 1960’s in the space era. Fortis watches are distinctive, highly legible, functional and robust. This B-42 Official Cosmonauts Day/Date Automatic watch houses a Swiss 25-jewel movement and beats at 28,800 semi-vibrations per hour. It is equipped with an Incabloc shock absorber. The two-part 42mm stainless steel case is equipped with a unidirectional turning bezel with 60-minute scale, luminous capsule at 12:00 and a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. It is water resistant to 200 meters and individually numbered. While you may not be travelling into space, it’s nice to know your watch is equipped to do so, and for just $2,250 retail.

Trend Report: Dragon Fire

Chinese astrology has always been incredibly important in watchmaking, especially when it comes to the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac. Of them, one is legendary—the dragon, associated with honesty and bravery. The year 2012 will be the year of the dragon and many brands already are gearing up, creating distinctive timepieces to honor the fire-breathing beast. From independents such as Peter Speake-Marin and Jean-Dunand to brands such as Bovet and Jaquet Droz, watches are emerging with enamel painted dragons, sculpted dragons and other renditionos of the mythical monster. The dial of the Bovet dragon Tourbillon is superbly hand painted and enameled with seven layers of engraved mother of pearl and painting that create the Recital Dragon watch ($290,000). The Jean Dunand Tourbillon Orbital is a stunning, unique  work of enamel art wherein the dragon painted on the onyx dial seemingly protects the masterful tourbillon (about $500,000). In the Jaquet Droz watch ($32,500), the hand-painted dragon occupies the entire lower portion of the dial, making a superb statement of enchanting art in time.

Weekend Sojourn: The Jersey Shore

With all the hype since 2009 about MTV’s reality show, “The Jersey Shore,” shot in Seaside Heights, NJ, a visit to the Jersey Shore, as we New Jerseyans call the beach, somehow seems contrived. In fact, I’ve been vacationing at the Jersey Shore – in and around Seaside Heights — for – well – let’s just say more than four decades! I’ve seen the changes there; I’ve stayed in the myriad of motels and hotels dotting the Seaside boardwalk and even done my share of summer share houses in my youth.  While these 8 stars in the show – have breathed new life into the Seaside Heights area –the Jersey Shore really needed no questionable shot in the arm.

 In fact, they may portray the wrong picture of a very picturesque and alluring place. When I think Seaside Heights, it isn’t clubs, drinking, and partying as portrayed in “Jersey Shore,” its fun, fireworks, family, beach – smells, tastes, feelings, sounds and sights. Seaside Heights is about the boardwalk, the rides, the old carousel, the go-karts and water park, the arcades and games, the famous Kohr’s ice cream and cheese steaks.

Once again, this summer I spent this week at the Jersey shore, at a wonderful, quiet, private beach located about 10 minutes driving time north of Seaside Heights. (Yes, we did visit the famed town as we always do for the boardwalk, rides and arcades, and yes, my daughter did see the stars of “Jersey Shore” walking the boardwalk, but walked on because, really, it didn’t matter.)

As always, I got to delight in what the jersey shore really has to offer.  Crabbing at the bay.  Breakfasting at the small outdoor cafés. Breathing in the beauty of New Jersey’s oceans and beaches: Pristine white sand, where one can walk every day for miles and enjoy the oceans, seagulls, children playing, people swimming, surfers, and the constant crashing of waves that remind you that nature is in control always. Kite flying, antiquing, visits to the farmer’s markets, evening walks on the beach in the moonlight. Dinners at eclectic restaurants like the Labrador Lounge or at great seafood markets like Pisces.  The Jersey Shore is a place to replenish the soul and the mind a few times each summer. It even offers solitude and beauty in the winter – but that’s another story.

Time Capsules: Product – Summer Fun is Easy with Ebel’s Classic Sport Chrono

It’s summer time and a great time to put a little color and bold panache into your life. The newest Ebel Classic Sport collection chronographs come in navy blue and coral colored rubber straps and house quartz Ebel 503 calibers. The 41mm steel watch with silver toned dial features alternating brushed and polished finish and is water resistant to 5 atm. With sapphire crystal with antiglare treatment, it retails for $2,100. With sleek, definitive Ebel styling, it’s a refreshing change for summer and then into fall and winter sports.

 

Time Capsules: Product – Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Dons new Pushers

Linde Werdelin, launched in 2006 to create top-notch Swiss-made, Danish-designed luxury sport watches, treads boldly in the world of avant-garde technology. Specializing in producing limited-edition watch series of between 22 and 222 for each model, all Linde Werdelin watches house an automatic mechanical movement and have a 42-hours of power reserve.  What’s more, this brand produces clip-on accessories that add even more ana-digi sports technology to certain timepieces, including dive technology capabilities and more.

 In its SpidoLite series, inspired by the racing car industry, the SpidoSpeed chronograph features a skeletonized dial with a complex multi-layered effect and a complex case offering 3-D appeal. The subdials on the chronograph are created in metal with small holes that are reminiscent of the dashboards of 1940’s racing cars. Depth is achieved via several layers. Perfecting the construction of the case was a two-year long procedure, with the skeletonized part of the case being the most complicated and time-consuming to produce.  It must be drilled using two different sophisticated 5-axis machines, and setting up the 5-axis machines alone is almost a day’s work. The height of the case has been raised to 3mm more than the SpidoLite one, allowing space for the chronograph pushers to be incorporated into the case sides and protected from accidental hits during sports activities. The hidden pushers also allows for attaching of the brand’s famous instruments – either dive (Reef) or ski (Rock).

Powered by a Concepto movement (2251 caliber) that is partially visible through the sapphire crystal case-back, the SpidoSpeed has a specially designed rotor that is also graphically aligned with the SpidoSpeed case. The watch is offered in steel ($15,200), steel black DLC and titanium ($15,900) or titanium DLC and rose gold ($21,400). Only 100 pieces of each will be built. This is a cool instrument watch that boldly goes into the sporting world with attitude and excellence.

Watch Stops 2011: Only Watch – MB&F HM4 Panda

We began writing about the Only Watch auction and its charity fund, the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, a few weeks ago. Since then, we have brought you, and will continue to bring you, a look at the 40 watches that will go up for auction in September in Monaco for this most important cause.

This year, MB&F transforms its HM4 Thunderbolt timepiece into a very unusual statement that would enchant the child’s heart in all of us. Collaborating with young Chinese artist Huang Hankang, the new Panda HM4 watch is designed to remind people that the only way children can escape this disease in their dreams. Utilizing the universal symbol of peace, the panda, and  the child’ s ever-present dream of flying, Hankang and MB&F  combined the HM4 Thunderbolt with  a hand-carved gold panda, seated squarely in the middle of the watch, taking gold filament reigns  and flying the dream machine. The haute horological piece is a work of art and technology, that will go on tour shortly to the 10 cities in the Only Watch tour, and then on to auction in September. In typical MB&F style, the watch captures the watch lovers’ senses on multiple levels  — imagination, allure, technical marvel and the magical whimsy of making the seemingly impossible possible.

Time Capsules: News — Movado Launches Special Edition Bold Derek Jeter 3000 Watch

Hitting 3000 in Major League baseball is pretty major and when Derek Jeter achieved this  a couple of days ago on July 9, Movado Group Inc, for whom Jeter is a brand ambassador, launched a special edition Bold watch in celebration of the super star and this achievement. Jeter is the first Yankee to achieve this remarkable feat.

This special edition watch is the innovative new Movado BOLD bracelet model featuring an indigo blue metallic dial customized with Jeter’s number ‘2’ at 2:00. The case-back is engraved to commemorate his 3000th hit. Only 300 pieces have been issued. Packaged in a special sleeve accompanied by a thank you note from Derek, each watch retails for $550. Movado will be donating $100 for each piece sold to Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation, which Jeter established in 1996, his rookie year, to develop youth programs.

“I sincerely thank Movado for their generous support of the Turn 2 Foundation,” said Derek Jeter.  “I started the foundation in 1996 to encourage kids looking for direction to pursue healthy lifestyles and academic excellence. Made possible by our supporters, our programs help these children develop the skills and character they’ll need to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

NOTE: As of July 13, this watch is close to being sold out!! Interested buyers should call 1-888-4-MOVADO just in case.

Trend Report: Witness the Power of the Ultra-Slim Watch

During the past few years a quiet revolution has been taking place in the luxury watch world – a return to the past. Not only are watch brands reaching into archives for case designs inspired by models ranging from the 1920’s to the 1970’s: the ultra-slim caliber.

Any good watchmaker can build a great watch, but making an ultra-flat movement is no easy feat. Therefore, it ranks as one of the watchmaker’s top six complications. Creating hundreds of mechanical parts and getting them to work masterfully inside spaces that are so thin that the profile of the watch is less than 6mm in height is a true work of art. 

Piaget has been a master at the ultra-slim caliber for more than half a century, since breaking records in the 1950’s with its ultra-thin pioneering. Today, the brand’s Altiplano watch collection includes the recently released 1200 and 1208P caliber – the thinnest watch and automatic movement in the world. The 1208P caliber measures an amazing 2.35mm in height. Piaget also has developed the world’s thinnest Automatic Tourbillon (which we brought to readers here at Atimelyperspective back in January). The movement of that watch, complete with its complicated movement, measures 5.35mm thick.

Other brands such as Audemars Piguet, IWC and A. Lange & Sohne have also actively been creating their own ultra-flat movements. The Jules Audemars Extra Thin is a 214-part moonphase, calendar, dual time zone self-winding watch measuring 2.45mm thick. Its slender 18-karat white gold case gives it wonderfully classic look. A. Lange & Sohne’s Saxonia Thin houses a  167-part manually wound movement that measures 2.9mm in height. Even Panerai, known for its big, bold watches, has released the caliber 999, its version of “thin” at 3.1 mm in height.