The very consistent Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire
16 August 2010 - Exactitude, precision and chronometry are at the core of research in timekeeping carried out by Jaeger-LeCoultre. These words are not merely a marketing slogan but a veritable watchmaking quest as was recently demonstrated by the results of the Concours Chronométrie 2009, organized by the Watchmaking Museum in Le Locle.
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Vacheron Constantin, something timeless…
29 June 2010 - Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has lived through many events during its age-old history—the French revolution, the Napoleonic era, the industrial revolution, World War I, the crash of 1929, World War II…
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Europa Star returns to the Maillard-Buchser family
Europa Star and its series of publications in the fields of horology, jewellery and precision engineering are returning to the family that founded them more than 83 years ago.
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The Birth of a Classic
17 March 2010 - To all watch aficionados and admirers of Patek Philippe, this is a reference you will want to remember: Chronograph Ref. 5170J. It is the ultimate chronograph from the Geneva manufacture, equipped with the very recent movement, the Calibre CH 29-535 PS, totally developed and produced in-house by Patek Philippe. A manual-winding, column-wheel chronograph, this new reference replaces the very famous chronograph Ref. 5070, based on a Lémania calibre, and well known to all collectors.
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Ralph Lauren: Designing for longevity
27 February 2010 - Ralph Lauren and Johann Rupert, the Executive Chairman of the Richemont Group have both invested much time and money, to create the Ralph Lauren Watch Collection.
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Chanel catches the light
3 January 2010 - Chanel has brought ceramic to the forefront of watch glamour by cutting it into baguettes, combining it with precious gem stones and incorporating it with magnificent mechanical movements. This is the creation of icons by a watchmaker.
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The DualTow by Christophe Claret sums up 20 years of innovation
29 October 2009 - On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the manufacture’s founding in 1989, Christophe Claret decided to celebrate the event by exceptionally launching a watch signed with his own name.
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Under the sign of ‘immoderation’
20 August 2009 - By placing its exceptional trilogy of grand complications under the sign of Hybris, Jaeger-LeCoultre has caught everyone by surprise. As we know, for the ancient Greeks, ‘hubris’ meant immoderation and excess—pushing the limits—contrary to moderation and temperance.
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The grand art of watchmaking
1 July 2009 - ‘Patrimony’ - the name says it all in this new collection by Vacheron Constantin. Along with the Malte and the Quai de l'Ile collections, Patrimony is one of “the pillars of the Geneva manufacture” as they like to say at 10 chemin du Tourbillon, the address of the very modern manufacturing facilities of the oldest continuously operating Swiss watchmaker that was founded in 1755.
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Nautilus for the ladies, the legend continues
24 June 2009 - When, in 1976, Patek Philippe launched the Nautilus - featuring a steel case evoking a porthole flanked by two ‘ears’ and its articulated bracelet with recessed links - it was a huge hit. Sporting a 42-mm octagonal bezel with rounded angles, it seemed nearly ‘monstrous’ for the times.
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Jean Dunand: "to become the quintessence of the niche brand!"
2 March 2009 - In one concise phrase, Thierry Oulevay describes what he wants for Jean Dunand: “to become the quintessence of the niche brand!”This stated goal is not so obvious. It requires, above all, a strong vision, based essentially on the long term.
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Chanel, watchmaking legitimacy
5 January 2009 - “Chanel”. The word alone resonates like a legend. But while Chanel belongs to the history of fashion that was transformed forever by Mademoiselle, it is also a living legend whose history is still being made.
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How Franc Vila built his identity
3 November 2008 - When people tell Franc Vila that he started his brand ‘at the right time’, the 36-year old Spaniard just smiles and nods his head. At BaselWorld 2005, the date he introduced his timepieces to the public, he had already placed the bar very high with his very first watch, the FV01, a perpetual calendar minute repeater—quite extraordinary!
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AMVOX3 Tourbillon GMT
27 August 2008 - The fruitful cooperation between Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin has successively given rise to the AMVOX1 Alarm, an extremely beautiful alarm watch, and to the AMVOX2, an exceptional chronograph, unique in its kind and vertically activated by simply pressing the watch glass. Now comes the AMVOX3 Tourbillon GMT, which showcases a watchmaking complication, the tourbillon, within a technical, sporting, and prestigious stage setting. Above and beyond this spectacular new mechanism, the AMVOX3 is also a watershed model representing Jaeger-LeCoultre’s first incursion into the world of high-tech ceramics.
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With its Quai de l'Ile, Vacheron Constantin portends the watchmaking of tomorrow
24 June 2008 - In the chorus of the great brands active in the haute horlogerie sector, Vacheron Constantin has long been the guardian of the temple of tradition. Its image has certainly been irreproachable, even if the brand was considered somewhat old-fashioned, viewed perhaps like a very respectable grand dame (the company was founded in 1755) who was a little out of touch.
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The ‘art watches’ by Patek Philippe
3 April 2008 - Collectors are already gleefully rubbing their hands together. Patek Philippe is introducing this year a new ‘World Time’ watch with an enamel dial, which makes its return appearance to the Geneva company’s current collection. If enamel is the order of the day, with a series of limited thematic timepieces and a magnificent DÔme table clock, the art of transparency is also being promoted with the brand’s new and brilliantly crafted Skeleton Watch.
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Jean Dunand, unique timepieces
29 February 2008 - With the presentation of its first timekeepers in 2005, Jean Dunand set itself a course of action, a strategy that is as rigid and strict as it is ambitious. It is a sort of ‘charter’ that the brand intends to follow completely, which says that each piece coming out of its ateliers must be ‘superlatively’ unique.
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Combining innovation and inspiration
7 January 2008 - TAG Heuer has a history of being in the forefront of technology and timing precision, and the steward of the brand, Jean-Christophe Babin, is determined to make sure that TAG Heuer keeps technology and innovation in its DNA.
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Panerai unveils new in-house movements
30 October 2007 - To cement its position as a watchmaker, Panerai has introduced a family of in-house movements, including a stunning new tourbillon.
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The watchmaking Holy Grail
12 September 2007 - In 1825, the famous Roret Manuel de l’horloger had this to say about oil: “Among the substances used by the watchmaker, oil is the one that occupies the primary place of importance.
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Human and watchmaking patrimony
5 July 2007 - Vacheron Constantin plays with a double patrimony, that of humanity, with its ‘Les Masques’, collection and that of its very own heritage, with its Patrimony collection.
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The return of a legend, the Chronometro Gondolo
10 April 2007 - Eighty years ago, in 1927, Patek Philippe delivered its last Chronometro Gondolo to Brazil. The name, destined to become a legend, designated the watches made by Patek Philippe especially for the Gondolo & Labouriau watch resellers and jewellers, located in Rio de Janeiro. The name, destined to become a legend …
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de Grisogono: Seven sensational years
1 March 2007 - A look at the achievements of a highly imaginative jewellery designer who ventured into the specialized and competitive world of haute horlogerie.
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TAG Heuer: Technical Strength and Avant-Garde Beauty
5 January 2007 - TAG Heuer is the fourth luxury brand in the world watch market. From its initial role in the 1860s as a specialist manufacturer of time measuring instruments through to today’s position as the unquestionable leader in the sports watch domain, the brand continues to play a dominant role in the history of wristwatches.
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PANERAI LUMINOR 1950 8 DAYS GMT
1 November 2006 - After the Radiomir 8 Days GMT of 2005, a limited edition of which marked the premiere of the Calibre P.2002, created in the Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel, the Luminor 1950 8 Days GMT with the same movement is inaugurating the Manufacture collection.
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The Master Tourbillon by Jaeger-LeCoultre, a ‘regulator’ that sets the record straight
21 August 2006 - The news was announced during the last SIHH and had the effect of a cold shower for some watchmakers: Jaeger-LeCoultre was getting ready to present a tourbillon in steel, at a price that defied all competition, selling for around 35,000 euros including taxes! “They want to kill the tourbillon,” declared some, undoubtedly fearing for the ‘goose that lays the golden egg’, which is basically what the tourbillon had become over the last few years, with prototypes and tourbillonesque ‘follies’ increasing at an exponential rate, both in terms of complexity and price.
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TAG Heuer transforms concept watches into commercial reality
26 June 2006 - Ideas come quickly at TAG Heuer. The transformation of these ideas into prototype concept watches and then a viable and commercially successful watch however, takes time. In short, in accordance with the age-old adage, ‘the impossible we do immediately, miracles take a little longer.’
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The long awaited chronograph
30 March 2006 - “Finally,” we are tempted to say. “Finally, the long awaited movement is here, the first automatic chronograph entirely designed, developed, and realized by Patek Philippe!” We say this because, among the 15 basic in-house calibres used by the Geneva brand for its wristwatches, one thing was missing — an automatic chronograph movement, completely made by Patek Philippe. Well, now it is here. And how amazing it is!
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de Grisogono’s Power Breaker Chronograph is a Winner
10 March 2006 - Inspired by the world of F1 racing, Fawaz Gruosi has designed a highly original and exceptional chronograph.
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Innovation in Luxury & Timekeeping
6 January 2006 - TAG Heuer has progressed along an upward curve over the last five years that has taken it into the exalted sphere of a recognized leader in innovative, luxury watchmaking. Last year, the Global Management Consulting Firm A.T. Kearney awarded the brand the ‘Best Swiss Innovator’, Time magazine named the Monaco V4 Concept Watch as ‘best luxury product award’ and this year TAG Heuer received the ‘reddot design award’ and the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève for ‘Diamond Fiction’ a ladies’ watch. We take a look behind the scenes.
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PANERAI RADIOMIR 8 DAYS GMT
3 November 2005 - The ‘first’ technical masterpiece to be created in Panerai’s manufacture in Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Jaeger-LeCoultre reinvents the Minute Repeater
1 September 2005 - Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful watches given to us to see – and to hear, in this case – during the recent watch fairs is the new Master Minute Repeater Antoine LeCoultre.
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360 degrees of total innovation by TAG Heuer
4 July 2005 - Founded in 1860, TAG Heuer has remained ever since at the forefront of precision timing. In the last four years however, the brand has broadened its horological profile both technically, stylistically and promotionally with its recent Sport & Glamour concept.
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Patek Philippe, tradition points to the future
11 April 2005 - At the end of January, Patek Philippe called a press conference for a major ‘technical announcement’: the realization of the first wheel made in silicon for an anchor escapement. A totally revolutionary method of fabrication, this ‘Patek Philippe Advanced Research’ places key emphasis on the watchmaking ‘holy grail’ - the elimination of the need for lubrication. At the same time, Patek Philippe presented a new, yet very traditional, version of one of its most coveted ‘useful complications,’ the Annual Calendar, which will now be available also in a lovely feminine model.
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A date to remember …
6 March 2005 - de Grisogono introduces its Instrumento Grande – a rectangular Big Date that is not only easy to read but also a beautiful and innovative timepiece. In addition there is the promise of even more excitement to come at the forthcoming BaselWorld
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What’s in a name ?
3 January 2005 - In 1916, Charles-Auguste Heuer produced the Microsplit, a stopwatch showing 1/100th of a second, because of his love of greyhound racing. Nearly half a century later, because of his love of automobile racing, the grandson, Jack Heuer introduced the world to the new legendary Carrera Chronograph.
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"Idéale" – a new chapter in the story of Jaeger-LeCoultre
8 November 2004 - Jaeger-LeCoultre is launching a new line! This is quite an event for a brand and a manufacture which for many years has rested on two pillars: the Reverso line and the Master line (without counting the famous Atmos clocks). The name of this new line: Idéale!
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Panerai and the historic Radiomir
25 August 2004 - Already renowned for its production of advanced technical high-precision instruments for the Royal Italian Navy, Guido Panerai & Figlio, which subsequently became ‘Officine Panerai’, created the first prototype of a new design of watch in 1936. Using a Rolex movement, it was designed for a special military group that was being formed in Italy.
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The Monaco V4 Concept Watch by TAG Heuer shakes the foundations of mechanical watchmaking
9 July 2004 - “If, at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.” This paradoxical and utopian phrase by Albert Einstein must have crossed the mind of the independent master watchmaker Philippe Dufour when designer Jean-François Ruchonnet approached him with an idea and an absurd idea at that. To create a watch inspired by a car’s motor meant revisiting the mechanical watch movement from top to bottom. In a sense, it was reinventing the wheel.
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Patek Philippe,…the ‘devil is in the details’
14 April 2004 - How do we recognize one of the world’s watchmaking ‘greats’ı By its ultra-complicated piecesı By its degree of integrationı By the number of crafts and skills that it has masteredı By the potential for perfection and optimization on a microscopic levelı Yes to all, of course… Reshaping a tiny tooth on a gear wheel is perhaps not the most ‘glamorous’ of operations, but it is this type of detail that sets apart those belonging to the category of ‘haute horlogerie’ from the others.
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de Grisogono the first ten years of passion
1 March 2004 - Until three years ago, the de Grisogono name was one of the elite in the world of jewellery. Creative, audacious, flamboyant yet perfectly aesthetic and wearable, his creations caught the imagination of both aficionados and women looking for something unique. Then came the watches and in keeping with the company’s established forte of innovation, the de Grisogono watch collection made headlines.
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Roamer reconnects with the best of its competence
1 January 2004 - Since its relaunch in 1996, Roamer has done well in establishing itself at the centre of the global watch scene. With a production of 150,000 pieces per year, the company is succeeding in the very difficult segment of the mid-range. Now, the triumvirate at the head of the company is planning a new strategy that should permit Roamer to gradually move up in terms of image and offer.
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Raymond Weil affirms its status
1 October 2003 - When Olivier Bernheim, son-in-law of the brand's founder Raymond Weil, took over the reins of the family enterprise, the dominant 'culture', which had ensured the remarkable success of the company, was essentially based on distribution. Thanks to his exceptional charisma, Raymond Weil had developed his company's surprising and spiralling growth by creating an international and extensive network of high-powered distributors.
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Girard-Perregaux inaugurates its new 'manufacture'
1 August 2003 - This man of action, as much as reflection, had not worked so hard to re-gild the venerable brand in La Chaux-de-Fonds simply to abandon it to one group or another. By refusing to become ordinary, by choosing the delicate path of autonomy, by preserving the brand's special spirit, Gino Maccaluso has rendered a proud service to the diversity of Swiss watchmaking, so threatened by standardization.
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TAG Heuer The living legend
1 June 2003 - With a cupboard full of patents, a more than honourable collection of firsts and an innate desire to be ahead of the game, TAG Heuer watches are now the established benchmark in the sports domain. From its roots as a family business with a passion for technical innovations and precision, the company has become a prolific player in its chosen field and, in addition, is now fourth in the overall ranking in the luxury watch market.
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Patek Philippe's '10 Day Tourbillon'
1 April 2003 - It takes much more than just a cursory glance at Patek Philippe's debut showpiece for Basel 2003 to realize that this is a highly complicated wristwatch. A closer look reveals a few cues that point to the remarkable personality of this watch: the dial has a 10-day power-reserve scale, displays the discreet inscription 'Tourbillon', and bears the individual serial number of the movement.
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GUCCI Timepieces
1 February 2003 - In the fashion and design sector, one name stands head and shoulders above the rest: Gucci. From almost its very beginnings in the 1920s, Gucci attracted an international clientele, but it wasn't until 1947, with the introduction of its striking bamboo handle handbag, that the company created its first truly iconic product.
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