Hublot Big Bang Red for Valentine

Feel the love with Hublot Big Bang Red. Hublot unveils a snowy white 38mm ceramic case to this years Valentine Model replacing the rose gold of previous models. The bezel is stainless steel paved with 126 diamonds (0.87 ct.) and punctuated with 6 H-shaped sunken, polished and blocked titanium screws. The hands of the Big Bang red are Rhodium faceted and diamond-set with white luminous markings enabling time display in the dark.
The band is a crimson alligator leather complimenting the dial and top of the crown in the same vibrant red. The bezel lug and lateral inserts are both crafted from red composite resin. The dial is protected by a scratch resistant Sapphire crystal crafted with interior/exterior anti-reflective treatment.
Movement is quartz and watch is water resistant to 100m. This watch, quartz and all, has a definite attraction. The white ceramic contrasting with alluring red creates an elegant look.

The Many Faces of MB&F's HM2

The HM2 or Horological Machine No. 2 is the brain child of MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends). The HM2 is quite a remarkable timepiece. Aesthetically, the design is highly recognizable enabling different artists and watch manufacturers to add their touch to the timepiece without retracting from its original guise.
This micro machine is truly one of a kind; comprising of 450 components (including 44 jewels), the HM2 is the world's only automatic timepiece offering instantaneous Jumping Hour, Concentric Retrograde Minutes, Retrograde Date and Bi-Hemisphere Moon-Phase . The actual movement is a Jean Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor in designed functionality and regulated and powered by a Girard-Perregaux oscillator and gear train. The Double Hakken automatic winding rotor ensures that power to the timepiece is generated by the gentle swinging motion of ones arm.The sub dials are clear and easy to read; the left indicates a retrograde date as well as a Bi-Hemisphere Moon Phase and the right dial displays jumping hours and concentric retrograde minutes. The timepieces are available in a either 18K white gold/titanium; 18K Red Gold Titanium (HM2-18K) or ceramic/red gold (HM2-CR) or Ceramic/titanium (HM2-CTi) all in varying limited editions
June of 2009, the HM2 caught a lovely blued gold butterfly (below) who is trapped in a barbed wire snare which surrounding the entire movement.

Although the butterfly will be trapped for eternity (thanks to the superb craftsmanship of the HM2) it went to a worthy cause. The watch signed by American artist Sage Vaughn was auctioned of at Only Watch to benefit research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The entire upper face of the watch , the rectangular case and the projecting portholes, is crafted in sapphire crystal.

In October, out of a collaboration between Alain Silberstein and MB&F emerged the HM2.2 "Black Box" limited edition of just 8 pieces. Alain Silberstein's signature colors and fun shapes don the subdials and indicators whilst the movement is all MB&F. The watch case is crafted from black PVD coated titanium and silicium.


The HM2-CTi combines Titanium and Ceramic, both materials harboring extreme resilience and versatility.

MB&F's latest micro machine reveals the movement beneath the watch case. The MB&F HM2-SV (Sapphire Vision), provides an in depth look at the movement of the dial aided by a sapphire crystal plate. Two domed sapphire crystals protect the dials. The exquisite blue components lend a futuristic appearance to the HM2-SV.

MB&F's team work in unison to blend artistry, technology, metallurgy and superb watch craftsmanship.

A Dark Timepiece By RSW

The masters have called it by the name of Moonflower, a timepiece that seemed to have floated out of the night sky and gently landed in a field of corn. It is hard to believe such a thing could have been created on our earth, in our time. The builders of the Moonflower looks to the future for inspiration, and have created a true horological vision. RSW is a brand of Rama Watch SA. RSW has cemented a stronghold in the watchmaking world today by creating truly unique and contemporary watch designs.

The Moonflower is crafted from black PVD steel. It is a sensual woman's timepiece powered by an ETA 2824-2 automatic movement. The hours, minutes and seconds are displayed on a series of discs. The watches are available sporting either a black, gray or white dial with pink gold PVD numerals. One can have diamonds if one wishes in settings of 42 or 62 diamonds. And, of course, a watch must be protected thus sapphire crystal prevents any scratches. A rubber strap fastened via deployment buckle ensures a comfortable wear.

Feel the Love with Blancpain Saint Valentin 2010

Although the year has just begun, I am always eager to present the Valentine Watches. For Valentine 2010 Blancpain plans to unveil the Saint Valentin 2010. The watch is shaped in a unique infinite symbol. The shape of the watch is a first for Blancpain, a company who usually opts for the more traditional case shapes. Over 500 diamonds and pink sapphires pave the bezel which frames a delicate mother-of-pearl dial. The 12 'o'clock marker is exquisitely cut heart shaped diamond.

The elegance of this watch is in the movement too. Blancpain is reintroducing the worlds smallest self-winding movement, Its "Lady Bird" Calibre 615 with a forty hour power reserve. The movement will be visible via a Sapphire Crystal case back.
The Saint Valentin 2010 timepiece is presented with two satin straps, one in black and the other white.

The inset is a lovely water color depiction of the watch, which will be available in a limited addition of 14.

The Scientific Approach of Greubel Forsey

Greubel Forsey has made great strides in the realms of complicated watches by inventing and reinventing new ways of complicated time display. Last year the Quadruple Tourbillon (image above) was awarded "Best Complicated Watch" at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie Asia. Two other great achievements include the 24 Second Inclined Tourbillon and the Double Tourbillon 30°
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey success is partly due to their methodical scientific approach to the process of watch making. Striving for perfection can potentially lead watch manufacturers on an endless quest, without a specific goal in sight. This prompted Greubel Forsey's introduction of its innovation platform - Experimental Watch Technology or EWT. This empirical approach utilizes experimentation and resulting data to determine the performance of the watch whilst manipulating different variables and verifying the unknown. This approach is time consuming, but extremely effective, and provides Greubel Forsey with a definite edge in watch technology.
EWT has provided Greubel Forsey with the tools to formulate new inventions, two of which are currently in the works: The Binomial, and a cutting edge isochronically stable material used to craft the balance and the spring as well as a spherical Equality Differential harboring its own energy reserve that can offer a constant force to the oscillators.
However, scientific approach cannot vouch for the undeniable aesthetic designs and superb finishing of their timepieces. That aspect is acquired by creative minds and exceptional experience.

I look forward to Greubel Forsey first appearance at this years SIHH commencing on January 17th.

Piaget and Vacheron Constantin Opts for Ultra Slim.

Vacheron Constantin, a prestigious watch company, brings back its thinnest watches, and they are not alone, Piaget will be also be unveiling its ultra thin timepiece at the SIHH 2010.
Does this mean thin is back in?
Thin was all the rage back in the 1950's and 1960's where thin meant exceptionally refined craftsmanship where precise mechanical craftsmanship was able to operate to perfection in an extremely confined space. In 1955 Vacheron Constantin unveiled its ultra thin timepiece - 120 parts within a watch case as thin as a coin making this watch the thinnest watch in the world. The hand wound mechanical watch requiring expertise beyond the norm. In 1968 Vacheron Constantin unveiled another ultra- fine model.
Today Vacheron Constantin has revived its quest for slimness. The result is two remarkable creations inspired by its earlier collections.
The Historique Ultra-fine 1955 timepiece is the worlds thinnest hand wound watch to date. Measuring in at just 4.10mm thick, this watch is powered by a slim 1.64 mm mechanical hand wound 1003 movement. The watch will be unveiled for its 55th anniversary and will be available in 18 carat gold emblazoned with the Hallmark of Geneva.
The Historique Ultra- fine 1968 will return with an ultra-thin mechanical self-winding 1120 with decorated oscillating weight and baring the Hallmark of Geneva.At SIHH Piaget will unveil its ultra-thin Piaget Altiplano celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 1960 Calibre 12P, the thinnest automatic mechanical movement of its time. Piaget will present the self-winding Calibre 1208P, an historic milestone in itself. At a mere 2.35mm, the Calibre 1208P is the thinnest self-winding movement available today.
The Piaget Atiplano will encase the Calibre 1208P in its new 43mm case size, and measuring in at 5.25mm thick, the Atilplano will break a record as being the thinnest watch in its category.

It seems over the last century Vacheron Constantin and Piaget have done a bit of competing in regard to ultra-thin movements. In 1955 Vacheron Constantin boasts the ultra-thin movement only to be broken two years later by Piaget's 2 mm thick hand-wound movement thus keeping up the constant strive for excellence.

Tag Heuer Celebrates 150 Years of Watch Making

Tag Heuer is celebrating its 150th anniversary and what could be more fitting to its celebration than the re release of its 1974 classic Silverstone Chronograph. Tag Heuer is closely linked to the race track even implementing elements of a car engine in its Monaco V4. Thus the Silverstone Chronograph, whose very shape is inspired by the British circuit of the same name, is the perfect Collection to represent Tag Heuer's energy, split second precision and craftsmanship. The 1974 Silverstone was the first automatic chronograph movement immediately recognizable by the rounded corners of the watch case inspired by the Silverstone race track - home of British Motorsport.
The 2010 Silverstone will be available sporting either a blue or brown dial and coordinating perforated alligator watch strap, and a limited edition of 1,500 pieces at $6,500 a piece.

Tag Heuer has also renewed its long time partnership with the McLaren Racing team. At twenty five years this renewal is one of the longest standing partnerships in motor sport's history.