Using the finest rare ingredients, from hand squeezed Bergamot, to jasmine at twice the price of gold, Penhaligon's was founded in London in 1870 by its founder William Penhaligon, an Englishman living in an age of excess and flamboyance, William was witty, wildly creative and always inspired by the unusual. Hammam Bouquet was Penhaligon's first scent, dreamed up by William in 1872 after inhaling the steam and sulphurous aromas of his neighbouring Turkish baths.
Posts tagged #2014
News: MB&F Launches 'The Tribe' Owners Section On Their Website and Gives an Extended 2-Year Warranty on all Watches Ever Created Regardless of Their Purchase Date.
Some great news from MB&F this morning. In order to celebrate the end of this amazing year and their 10th year anniversary, they have a very special gift for all collectors of MB&F Machines.
Insider: MB&F Legacy Machine 101. Dominated by the Monumental Suspended Balance Wheel. Live Pictures and Pricing.
MB&F does it again and this time they're wowing us with the new Legacy Machine 101. For a classically sized 40 mm watch with a immaculate satin-brushed finished case, the Legacy Machine 101 —LM101— covers a lot of ground. Or to be more precise, LM101 covers a lot of time: over 100 years between inspiration and realization. Legacy Machine 101 embodies and accentuates the very essence of what is essential in a wristwatch: the balance wheel, which is responsible for regulating precision; how much power remains in the mainspring, which indicates when it needs to be next wound; and of course, the time.
Insider: MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 HM6 'Space Pirate'. Hands-On Review of a Biomorphic Extraterrestrial Looking Watch.
By now, we are used to seeing some of the most spectacular space inspired creations coming from MB&F. The new MB&F Horological Machine N°6 —HM6— ‘Space Pirate’ has been designed with space in mind and its inspiration came from a Japanese anime TV series from Maximilian Büsser's childhood called "Capitaine Flam" —Captain Future in English. "Capitaine Flam" had a spaceship called the Comet that consisted of two spheres joined by a connecting tube. The curved lines of Horological Machine N°6 make it a softer, more organically shaped Machine than its predecessors. The inspiration for this came from the biomorphism art movement, which takes its cues from design elements based on the shapes of living organisms. In each of the four corners of HM6's biomorphic case there is a 360° sphere, capped top and bottom by transparent sapphire crystal domes.
Insider: MB&F Legacy Machine No. 2. An Exceptional Timepiece with Dual Flying Balances.
Admiring one of these timepieces in person is what we consider a true horological experience. The adrenaline rush we experienced while taking these pictures was just something we only feel when we are in the presence of true horological masterpieces and all we can say is that the new MB&F Legacy Machines are wondrous reinterpretations of significant horological inventions by the greatest watchmakers in history.
This exceptional timepiece is only available in 18K white gold with dark grey dial, 18K rose gold with silver dial or in a limited edition of 18 pieces in 950 platinum with blue dial. Now, remember that this majestic timepiece is best admired from the side thanks to its marvelous and beautiful high domed crystal, so honestly the color of the movement base plate that conforms the dial, is like a cherry on top of a delicious birthday cake.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon Titanium. Up to Par and Almost as Pricey as a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept was first launched in 2002 as ref. 25980AI.OO.0003SU.01 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the launch of the iconic Royal Oak in a limited edition of 150 pieces. That first Royal Oak Concept, was fitted with an ultra rare sculpted-shaped case made of Alacrite 602 with a hardness of 430 vickers and a titanium bezel. The Alacrite 602 is a super-alloy composed of 57% cobalt, 31% chrome, 5% tungsten and the remaining 6% of carbon, silicon and iron.
While the first Royal Oak Concept did feature a tourbillon, it didn't come with a GMT function. Alternatively, it was equipped with a dynamograph, a power reserve indicator showing the number of turns of the barrel and a Kevlar aramid fiber strap.
News: Pre-SIHH 2015 Presenting the Greubel Forsey GMT Black. Even More Stunning than its Predecessor.
Pre-SIHH 2015, Greubel Forsey is pleased to announce the launch of the GMT Black exploring a new design with a titanium case and treated with vacuum deposited ADLC. This is a unique edition of 22 pieces worldwide. The timepiece features a case measuring 43.5 mm in diameter housing a GF05 in-house movement with 24 second tourbillon inclined at a 25 degree angle, GMT function, three-dimensional globe for day/night indication, rotating disc with 24 different time zones, daylight savings indication, and 72 hour power reserve. This watch is the exact same watch as its predecessors in platinum, rose gold or white gold GMTs reviewed here but with a DLC Titanium case. The 25° inclined Tourbillon '24 Secondes' cage at 5 o'clock is one of Greubel Forsey’s major patented inventions. The single inclined tourbillon cage undergoes rapidly changing positions with a high angular velocity, thus minimizing the effects of gravity on the regulating organ and maximizing timekeeping accuracy.
Experience: Patek Philippe ref. 5975 Multi-scale Chronograph. Taking Delivery of one of Patek's 175th Anniversary Limited Edition Pieces.
Two months ago on October 12th, 2014, Patek Philippe presented 25 timepieces to celebrate its 175th anniversary as reported here. One of these 25 commemorative timepieces is the Patek Philippe ref. 5975, a Multi-Scale Chronograph available in three precious metal variations and with a dial fitted with a tachymeter, telemeter and a pulsometer. With these chronographs Patek Philippe has returned to the source of the chronograph by creating a multiple-scale instrument whose face combines technical panache with finesse. Patek Philippe has always accorded a prominent role to the chronograph. Between 2005 and 2012, reaffirmed its know-how and supremacy by developing a range of eight chronograph movements built entirely in its own workshops. They extend from the classic manually wound chronograph with column wheel and horizontal clutch to the self-winding chronograph with vertical disc clutch and to the highly complex split-seconds chronograph, with or without perpetual calendar.
Experience: Omega Soirée in Miami's Design District. In Preparation for the Upcoming Boutique Opening.
This past Wednesday December 10th, 2014 we had the pleasure to join our friends at Omega for a very special celebration in lieu of the upcoming opening of its Miami Design District boutique. The Miami Design District and its Aranda/Lasch-Designed space is soon to be the mecca of watch boutiques in the Miami area. This wonderful evening with a red carpet soirée that drew stars and socialites including actress Camilla Belle, along with nearly 400 of Miami's influentials was hosted by Omega's Vice President and Head of International Sales, Raynald Aeschlimann. This tasteful and elegant celebration had its main focus on paying homage to Omega's Master Co-Axial technology —the world’s first industrialized anti-magnetic movements with all non-ferrous components that are more prevalent across a wide variety of Omega timepieces. For sure, an evening filled with delicious hors d'oeuvre, Omega signature cocktails, celebrities, beautiful women and stunning timepieces. As usual, our drink of choice for the evening was our usual Negroni.
Insider: Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar in Platinum. A Timeless Timepiece in a 100-Piece Limited Edition.
Constant Girard (1825-1903) and Marie Perregaux (1831-1912), whose surnames united in 1854 still form the Girard-Perregaux corporate name to this day, passed the baton to their son Constant Girard-Gallet (1856-1945), who in 1906 would buy up the Old Bautte Firm. The three brothers of Marie Perregaux, Henri (1828-1893), François (1834-1877) and Jules (1838-1903) also joined the business, Henri and Jules by representing it in the Americas, and François in Asia. Constant Othenin-Girard (or Girard) began his watchmaking career initially in partnerships, under a variety of collective names. In 1854 he married Marie Perregaux (1831-1912), the product of a watchmaking family from Le Locle, and together they founded the Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds which to this day bears their combined surnames (1856).
Insider: Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater in Pink Gold. A Noble Horological Complication.
The Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater ref. 26371OR.OO.D803CR.01 in pink gold —presented at the Watches and Wonders Salon in Hong Kong last year— is fitted with an 18K pink gold oval shaped case —measuring 47mm in diameter and 15.79mm in thickness— with enamel off-centered hour/minute dial at 3, an off-centered seconds sub-dial at 7 and minute repeater lever at 9 o'clock. This Millenary Minute Repeater features the Audemars Piguet Direct-Impulse Escapement and a flat double balance-spring.
The beautiful white enamel dial features Roman numerals with blued hands and the finely tuned blued steel gong is fully visible around the circumference of the face of the watch. A perfectly balanced dial with very intricate and nicely finished touches.
Insider: Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Large Date Moon Phases Squelette. Stunning Art Deco Timeless Design.
Today, we bring you our hands-on review of the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Large Date Moon Phases Squelette ref. 25882-11-222-BB6B. This new timepiece from the legendary manufacture from La Chaux-de-Fonds features a first time ever sapphire dial that reveals the beating heart of the Vintage 1945 XXL watch. The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Large Date Moon Phases Squelette is a perfect example of the Art Deco inspired timepieces released during the mid-century era in the 1900s. The new Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Large Date Moon Phases watch fully reveals the complexity of its movement for the first time, thanks to a transparent dial carved in sapphire. This new timepiece available in stainless steel or 18K rose gold features a rectangular —almost square— 'tonneau' shaped case measuring 36.10mm in length and 35.25mm in width.
Insider: Omega De Ville Diamond Encrusted Central Tourbillon. Nicknamed 'Bellagio' and Priced at $700K USD.
A few months ago, we were invited by our friends at Omega to a very exclusive retreat along with some other VIP Omega collectors. During that retreat, Omega hosted an informal presentation of this amazing diamond encrusted central tourbillon timepiece nicknamed at the time 'Bellagio'. This fascinating timepiece featuring a central tourbillon with encrusted diamonds is a unique piece recently completed by the master watchmakers at the manufacture and worth $700,000 USD.
What makes this timepiece so special is the fact that not only its tourbillon cage is encrusted with diamonds but also the bridges on the movement as well as around its bezel and case. If you like bling, it really doesn't get any better. Fitted with a traditional Omega De Ville case in platinum measuring 38.7 mm in diameter this exceptional timepiece is a true work of art. The Omega De Ville Central Tourbillon is not only the first and only central tourbillon watch ever made, but it's also a watch that is crafted by a very select group of horologists from Omega.
News: Presenting the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Large Date and Moon Phases Squelette. A First Time Ever.
For the first time ever, the mechanical heart of the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 watch is revealed under a transparent sapphire dial. In a deft combination of technology and style, this model is enhanced by its Art Deco-inspired aesthetic code and its uncompromisingly contemporary mechanical structure. The new Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Large Date, Moon Phases watch fully reveals the complexity of its movement for the first time, thanks to a transparent dial carved in sapphire. This offers the wearer a fascinating mechanical spectacle of gears, display disks, screws, levers and wheels, all arranged in a perfectly orchestrated system. Here, the movement goes beyond its merely functional role to become a full-time spectacle. Testifying to the Manufacture’s long history and expertise, it unveils all the secrets that give it its beauty and originality. Its shape, adapted to that of the case, represents a distinctive, emblematic mark of identity.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26300. Celebrating 16 Years of a True Royal Oak Essential.
After 16 years, the Royal Oak Chronograph remains a classic in the Royal Oak line-up and a watch that demands admiration. Therefore, we have decided to work on a special review of this amazing reference.
The first Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 25860 was launched in 1998 equipped with calibre 2385, an automatic chronograph movement based off of the legendary Frederic Piguet calibre 1185 also used on the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph —as caliber 1137— and the Breguet Marine Chronograph —as calibre 576— amongst other timepieces. This movement still remains the thinnest automatic chronograph calibre ever made, measuring only 5.5mm in thickness. The movement is composed of 304 parts, beats at 21,600 vph, is fitted with 37 jewels and provides a power reserve of 40 hours when fully wound. The same calibre is fitted in the Royal Oak City of Sails for Alinghi, the Leo Messi limited edition and is also used as a module on the Royal Oak Grande Complication.
News: The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Jr. Supercomplication Sells for 20.6 Million Swiss Francs at Sotheby's in Geneva. Making History Once Again.
The most complicated and expensive watch in the world, the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Jr. Supercomplication started in 1925 and completed in 1932 has fetched the amount of 20.6 Million Swiss Francs at Sotheby's in Geneva just minutes ago.
This exceptional timepiece is a gold, double dial and double open-faced, minute repeating clockwatch with Westminster chimes, grande and petite sonnerie, split seconds chronograph, registers for 60-minutes and 12-hours, perpetual calendar accurate to the year 2100, moon-phases, equation of time, dual power reserve for striking and going trains, mean and sidereal time, central alarm, indications for times of sunrise/sunset and a celestial chart for the night time sky of New York City at 40 degrees 41.0 minutes North latitude.
News: Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Non-Oyster Sotto Sells at Christie's for $479,705. Possibly the Only One in the World.
It happens at times, in the field of watch collecting, that a timepiece previously unknown to the market is discovered and upsets what is until then considered an unmovable tenet by market and scholars alike. It is of course an extremely rare occurrence, but when such a hidden treasure appears on the market it never fails to stir the hearts of collectors and to amaze scholars. For example the history of Patek Philippe minute repeaters was rewritten in 2011 when a previously unknown reference, 2419, was discovered. With this lot, Christie's is proud to rewrite the textbooks about Rolex Daytona as it introduces to the public the only example of reference 6263 with black non-oyster sotto Paul Newman dial.
Until yesterday, it was believed that black Paul Newman dials mounted on reference 6263 were all and necessarily distinguished by the different disposition of the designations: instead of reading, as in all other dials, Rolex/Oyster/Cosmograph, a correct black 6263 Paul Newman should read Rolex/Cosmograph/Oyster.
News: Christie's Patek Philippe 175th Anniversary Sale in Geneva Fetches Over $21 Million USD. Lot 59 a Pink Gold Patek Philippe ref. 2499 First Series Sells for $2.7 Million USD.
Christie’s historic Patek Philippe 175th Anniversary Sale was the most highly anticipated sale in the watch auction calendar for 2014. Today November 9, 2014, this unique Evening Sale provided collectors with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire rare and important timepieces from Patek Philippe. This thematic sale further solidified Patek Philippe’s historic breadth of production as true works of art. Each piece had been scrupulously vetted for this sale, and included only the rarest, most sought-after, beautiful timepieces representing Patek Philippe’s expert craftsmanship. The sale included only vintage watches spanning from the early years of the esteemed manufacturer’s production in the 19th century through to the 1980s. To memorialize this unique sale, a commemorative silver Patek Philippe coin was included with each of the 100 lots, engraved with the individual lot number.
Experience: Celebrating Patek Philippe's 175th Anniversary at the Rainbow Room in NYC. A Once in a Lifetime Invitation.2014
If you are a true watchlifestyler and a Patekaholic, it is very likely that you already know who's wearing the ultra rare Patek Philippe ref. 5208 in this picture. If you are still in the process of becoming one, this epic wrist shot was taken by us with monsieur Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe during the unforgettable 175th anniversary celebration —the brand hosted at the Rainbow Room in New York City— that we were honored to attend. Very often, journalists in the watch industry become jaded by the amount of watch parties and watch related events they attend and take for granted invitations like this one. Luckily for us, we are collectors first and then journalists. Therefore, we like to share with our readers these type of events and do a full article about the experience. Now, this once in a lifetime invitation, is one that we will never forget and one that we will always cherish. Before we go into the details of the celebration and the amazing watches we enjoyed two nights ago, we would like to thank Patek Philippe for thinking of us.
News: Presenting the new MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 HM6 'Space Pirate'. Straight Out of a Sci-Fi Film Pushing the Boundaries of Horology.
Space is an extremely hostile environment. To survive you need protection against powerful accelerations, dangerous thermonuclear radiation, extreme temperature fluctuations and constant risk of unexpected collisions. The new MB&F Horological Machine N°6 —HM6— ‘Space Pirate’ has been designed to operate in the hostile environment of space: the space on your wrist. The initial inspiration for this new MB&F HM6 Space Pirate came from a Japanese anime TV series from Maximilian Büsser's childhood called "Capitaine Flam" —Captain Future in English. "Capitaine Flam" had a spaceship called the Comet that consisted of two spheres joined by a connecting tube.
The curved lines of Horological Machine N°6 make it a softer, more organically shaped Machine than its predecessors. The inspiration for this came from the biomorphism art movement, which takes its cues from design elements based on the shapes of living organisms.
