Hublot Big Bang does Valentine in Pink!

Hublot BIG BANG "Saint Valentin"

At first glance this gorgeous burst of color will surely make your loved ones heart melt. The seductive pink is a treat to ones heart and mind. The Hublot Big Bang Ladies Chronograph harmoniously blends the perfect shades of pink, from the 48 pink sapphire baguettes nestled on the bezel to the rose gold case; from the gentlest of pink on the alligator band to the pink rubber inserts on the crown and push pieces.
The size of the 41mm case size is a fashion statement as the larger case sizes in ladies watches is the current trend. The scratch resistant Sapphire crystal is treated onto the interior with anti-reflection. This watch is perfect for a summery day at the pool as the watch has a water resistance of 100m. The white dial compliments the pink accents.
A Mechanical Chronograph Timepiece with an automatic winding and an exceptionally precise Hublot HUB41 Calibre movement. Although this watch looks like a piece of cake, or rather the icing, it is anything but. With 278 components, 37 rubies and 42 hours power reserve, this watch is a perfect example of precision and beauty.

This watch will add another color to the already very colorful Ladies Big Bang Collection of aquamarine, orange an purple.

Can a Luxury Mechanical Watch Remember?

And with this question lingering on the lips of Maurice Lacroix's specialized group of highly skilled watch makers, Atelier, a brand new complication was born: A mechanical watch that can remember. The Memoire 1. The Atelier achieved what had only previously been achieved in a quartz watch.
To glance at the watch one can see the timeless beauty and exceptional lines, but it is also clear that this timepiece has a greater agenda than tracking time. This watch has the world's first mechanical memory function. The watch case with its multi leveled dial portray a sense of exciting and mysterious depth. The white gold is stark against the alternating black on the dial. To add to the depth of this watch is the screw fitted bezel which has a laterally mounted scratch resistant sapphire crystal. The side viewing gives the impression of a show case window whereby every incredible motion of the watch is captured by the wearer. Through the bezel one can view the second hand which is linked to the minutes.
Integrated in the crown at the 3 'o'clock position is ,a one of a kind feature, the mode selection button.
How does the memory function operate? When one presses the mode selection button, the mode switches from "Time" to "Chrono". In an instant the watch's hand and the hour disc change positions. If their previous function was to display the current time, the hands and the hour disc is in place to measure time intervals. Now when one presses the mode selection button again, the hands switch back to displaying the current precise time. It is possible for one to switch the mode back and forth numerous times, and no information within either mode is lost. The timepiece in effect has remembered the information from the previous mode thus the Memoire 1 is able to show the elapsed time while still remembering the current time. The same two hands and hour disc is utilized for both the chrono and the time function. This is a groundbreaking complication.

Other noteworthy unique features of the Memoire 1:

• A skeleton section is located with an aperture at the 6 'o'clock position which shows the movement behind the memory mechanism for the seconds.
• The date is displayed on its individual inclined disc which is noticeable at first glance and does not detract from the other complicated mechanisms of the watch. I have seen so many dates that seem to clutter a dial that the placement of this date aperture is quite brilliant.
• The transparent hour disc is not made from sapphire crystal as you might expect, through many tests and experiments the experts of Atelier decided Sapphire crystal was too weak for this particular function; instead, they used a mineral based material that had already been used in the car and cellphone industry. The material was treated to ensure its hardness and flexibility.
• The second hand is blued and mounted on the outer edge of the minutes ring.
• The minute hand is coated with a white luminous coating which glows blue in the dark.
  
• A skeleton hand at the 3 'o' clock position marks the selected mode whether "Time" or "Chrono"
• The memory function is powered by the ML 128 manufacture movement.
  
• The Memoire 1 is comprised of 537 components.

This watch is an incredible achievement of the Atelier. It is a wonder what Atelier will come up with next.

Edox unveils its new Edox Grand Ocean Collection

Edox is celebrating its 125th birthday this year. It is one of the few existing watch companies that remain independent to this day. In 1961, Edox introduced the world's first wristwatch with a double case back and protective gaskets and seals, raising the global bar for shock protection and water resistance. The watch was aptly named the Delfin as it could weather the seas like a Dolphin. To commemorate the Delfin, Edox has introduced the Edox Grand Ocean Collection. The watches are all mechanical with a distinctly maritime theme.

The Edox Chronograph Grand Ocean Automatic is powered by the automatic rewind calibre Edox No. 012 movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. On the watches back ,like a sea vessels porthole, is a small round opening exactly above the balance wheel.
The name Edox, chosen by the talented watchmaker and founder of Edox, Christian Ruefli-Flury in 1884, signifying "the hour" in ancient Greece., is emblazoned at the 12 'o clock position. Above Edox is Edox's symbol, "the hourglass", which was chosen in 1900.
Another watch in Edox's Grand Collection is the the Grand Ocean Decentrique Date Automatic.If you wondering about the term "Decentrique" check out the off centered dial. This watch is a grand 45mm in diameter with a popular fusion of rubber, PVD, and rose gold coating. This watch as with all in the Grand Ocean Collection is water resistant up to 100mm. The waxing and waning of the Roman Numerals portray a marvelous sweeping look, giving the timepiece a sense of space greater than its 45mm. I have a couple of misgivings about the date indicator as I feel the +1 and -2 are unnecessary, unless of course they portray a maritime meaning completely above my head. A handsome sporty watch for a reasonable $2,800.
This Grand Ocean is the most balanced of the collection, although I am not to thrilled by the three day window. Most people have learned the days of the week by the time they have reached the Edox wearing stage; however, it does add to the charm. Enclosed within its 45mm rose gold coated case is the small highly reliable ETA calibre 2836. Now we know ETA ,owned by Swatch Group, stands for Elegance, Technology and Accuracy which sums up the movement of this Edox Grand Ocean.

A fine collection.

An SIHH 2009 Beauty! Cartier Rotonde Central Chronograph

The Cartier Rotonde Central Chronograph Watch is so Cartier and yet there is something quite different like a new flavor to an old recipe. The sword shaped hour and minute hands are partially hidden beneath a centrally placed chronograph sub dial which measures 30 minutes, with the use of a revolving disc that literally covers most of the hour and minute hand on the watch face. The chronograph is a breeze to read as all the 30 minutes are displayed on the disc. The watch hands are quite similar in size and thus when the hands are not displayed at the usual 10:10, confusion may result. Cartier has incorporated an intricate bi-level dial.

The 18K gold round case measures 42mm in diameter.The beaded crown adorned with the blue sapphire cabochon is placed in between sleek rectangular chronograph pushers. The movement is a new in house manually wound manufacturer calibre 9907MC which breathes life into the dial. The movement is made up of 272 pieces, each piece carefully crafted to ensure precision time keeping as well as incredible resilience and durability. The 9907MC also encompasses a unique vertical clutch mechanism which allows the chronograph to perform continuously without excessive strain to the mechanism. The balance frequency is 28,800 vibrations per hour, and a power reserve of 50 hours.

A gorgeous watch which blends horological innovation, creativity and functionality.

A New Concept in Time Display.

Do you like the 10:10 time display, liked it so much that you cringe every time the hand ticks to the next hour, well you might me in luck. Check out this new time display concept from Stas Aki. The hands stay and the numbers move. Why not? It could take some time getting used to. I love this concept, and I wonder how a watch like this could be pulled off in a mechanical version.


Watch from Stas Aki on Vimeo.

Wow! Look what Cartier has done to the Tank.

Once in a while a watch stops me in my tracks as a result of its breathtaking beauty. This is one of them without a doubt. The Cartier Tank Americaine Tourbillon Volant Watch. It is a Tank, a Cartier Icon. Click here to read more on the Tank.

With mounting financial "butterflies in the stomach" uncertainty in the Luxury Watch Business, Cartier has improved on a much loved classic. The outcome a gem of a watch with its "Tourbillon Volant" or "Flying Tourbillon". A tourbillon is a complication originally created in 1795 by French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguetto to counter the effects of gravity on the movement of the watch. Cartier has placed everything that works in a Watch, so that the watches success is its birthright. The dazzling sapphire crystal cabochon accentuates the crown, and the 18k rose gold softens the look. The watch has a mechanically wound 9452MC movement with a flying Tourbillon complication and the Geneva Seal. The Power reserve is 50 hours.

This watch is quite large for a tank: 52mm tall and 36mm wide, but in this case the bigger the better. The heat-blued hands and the Roman Numeral Hour indicators are wonderfully Cartier.

Vulcain to present President Obama with Anniversary Heart Watch

Vulcain, a La Chaux-de-Fonds watch company since 1858, will continue its long standing tradition and award America's 44th , President Barack Obama, with its Anniversary Heart Watch. This Watch will be a custom made Anniversary Heart Model created to mark President's Obama inauguration, and the 150th Anniversary of Vulcain. To look at this watch is to see a watch fit for the President of the United States.

Within the timepiece's stately case is a 157 part Vulcain Cricket V-18, with a 15-20 second alarm complication. The alarm function is activated utilizing the top crown, and the distinctive alarm hand is located on the partially skeletonized dial, revealing portions of the moving gear trains that power the hands. With many skeletonized watches the readability of the hands is compromised by the constant movement; however, on this watch the beveled hour index markers are raised and the minute markers are located on the edge of the dial. The 42 mm wide case is attached to a Louisiana crocodile leather strap affixed with a buckle and deployment clasp.
The watch presented to President Obama will have a specially engraved case back. The watch will be available in steel or 18k rose gold, so it remains to be seen which one will be selected for presentation to President Obama. This watch will join Obama's Tag Heuer Series 1500 Divers Watch and the Chronograph watch -the Secret Service presented to him on August 4th, 2007 for his 46th birthday. To read more about President Obama's Watch click here

Vulcain's tradition began in 1953 when the White House Press Photographers' Association presented Harry S. Trumen (President from December 4th 1945 to January 1st, 1953) with a Vulcain Cricket. The Vulcain Cricket gained the reputation as the "President's Watch." Trumen loved the watch and donned it on many occasions. He particularly like the alarm-complication which reminded him of important engagements he had to attend.

U.S. President Eisenhower (January 20th , 1953 to January 20th, 1961) wore a Cricket before being elected president. President Lyndon Johnson presented the Cricket to more than 200 people. At a Geneva meeting for the United Nations President Johnson gave an order to buy up all the available Cricket's. The Cricket was more than a mere convenient accessory; it was a reliable companion. Bill Clinton received a Vulcain Cricket during his presidency.

What is it about the Vulcain Cricket?

As it is human nature to forget, this alarm function or reminder function was an important tool for man. It is interesting to note, the alarm function is older than the minute hand. Men's wristwatches became quite popular, thanks to Santos-Dumont, as peoples lives became more hectic in the fast paced modern world, they needed to be reminded of appointments. An alarm function was the perfect reminder; however, the wristwatch was quite small in comparable to a larger pocket watch and thus quite difficult to make an audible gong. An alarm function had three problems within a wristwatch case:

1) Audibility

2) Effecting Dust protection

3) Effecting Water resistance

... then in 1947, Vulcain presented the Vulcain Cricket. The Cricket was so loud it was impossible to miss the reminder. Robert Ditisheim turned to mother nature to resolve the alarm audibility dillema. Ever tried to fall asleep while a cricket is chirping its nightly song? Ever put the pillow over your ear to drown out the noise, but still heard its persistant resonance. AHH! Now that is the answer. If a tiny cricket could cause such a noise, than surely a wristwatch could do the same. Robert Ditsheim Incorporated a resonance-chamber like that of a cricket by fitting a two-part back to the watch case. The inner encloses the watch case and serves to generate the sound. A hammer strikes the watch-case which oscillates and produces the sound-waves. The outer case has a twofold function: First it permits the sound-generating inner-back to oscillate freely as it has no direct contact with the wearer's wrist. Second it forms a small space between the inner case back which serves as a resonance chamber. Although many Watch Companies have crafted mechanical minute repeaters, none is quite as loud as the Vulcain Cricket.