Posts filed under News

News: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, New IWC Ambassadors.

 This past weekend at the Formula One Grand Prix of Monaco, IWC announced the appointment of two new prominent brand ambassadors: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The Swiss watch manufacturer became the Official Engineering Partner to the Mercedes AMG Petronas team earlier this year.

IWC and Mercedes-Benz AMG entered into a special agreement almost ten years ago, in 2004. It was a venture between two companies with a long and successful history in precision engineering, founded on a shared commitment to pushing back the boundaries of mechanics and high technology. IWC’s appointment as Official Engineering Partner to the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team this year, was confirmation of the close ties between the two companies.

Now, in a move that will further cement the partnership between the luxury watch manufacturer and the racing team, the two drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have become 'Friends of the Brand'. Both of them watch enthusiasts, were presented with IWC Big Pilots watches by Goris Verburg, Director Marketing & Communications at IWC.

Nico Rosberg —winner of the last edition of the Grand Prix of Monaco— said of his new role: “Becoming a Friend of the Brand is like being reunited with an old acquaintance. My first watch was an IWC, a gift from my father.” 

For more info click here. 

News: Richard Mille Opens Own Manufacture in Le Breuleux, Switzerland

Proart, an ultra-contemporary 32,000 sq. ft.—3000 sq. meters— building designed by Chavanne architects’ is now open in Les Breuleux —Canton of Jura, Switzerland.

This factory represents a new milestone in the development of the Richard Mille brand, which has already won over connoisseurs and enthusiasts of very fine watchmaking. Richard Mille watch cases, as well as certain movement components —including base plates and bridges— will be manufactured at this site. The opening of this new facility enables the company to further consolidate its position in a market segment for which it is perfectly suited in terms of both staff and logistics.

The technical quality of Richard Mille watches manufactured in limited numbers has progressed in recent years, as demonstrated by the RM 039 Aviation E6-B Flyback Chronograph —an extremely technically complex and high-performance timepiece of which just 30 pieces will be produced. The development of these kinds of products in such small volumes and to such high standards, is only possible through in-house production.
 
It has taken more than two years to complete this factory, which is at the cutting edge of environmental considerations, thanks, in large part, to the materials used in its construction.

The machinery is already running and around 30 CNC programmers, inspectors and polishers are already working on-site. The factory is managed by Alain Varrin.

For more info click here.  

News: Lotus F1 Team Keeping Time with Richard Mille. Partnership Announced.

Richard Mille is delighted to be the Official Timing Partner of Lotus F1 team.
 
The two-year deal will see branding appear on the team’s 2013 Formula 1 challenger— the E21—in addition to driver overalls.

Furthermore, a limited edition watch will be produced using the very latest lightweight materials; pairing the philosophies of both the team and Richard Mille in representing the pinnacle of cutting edge technology.
 
Richard Mille: “Many people know the high degree of technical expertise, innovation and sophistication that one can find in Richard Mille watches, and no outfit could be better suited to our brand values than Lotus F1 team. This mutual love for exemplary technique and refinement represents an asset for a strong and constructive partnership,” says Richard Mille, founder and CEO of Richard Mille.
 
“The 2013 season has seen Lotus F1 Team get off to a strong start on track, and it is highly satisfying to see that success recognized in our off-track endeavors with the announcement of Richard Mille as the latest name to join our strong portfolio of partners. As a team we are extremely proud of our brand identity, and the innovative approach adopted by Richard Mille in the design and manufacture of their wristwatches is certainly in keeping with our core value of standing out from the crowd,” adds Eric Boullier, Team Principal, Lotus F1 Team.

For more info on Richard Mille click here. For more info on F1 Team Lotus click here.

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News: New Audemars Piguet Boutique Opening. Miami Bal Harbour on May 15, 2013.

Audemars Piguet is pleased to announce its new boutique at the Bal Harbour Shops in South Florida. Scheduled to open on May 15th, the 990 sq. ft. boutique—which is located on the first floor near the Chanel boutique— is a revolutionary design that captures the 138-year old watchmaker's core values: its origins, artistry and extraordinary relationships.

 “By bringing the ‘manufacture to the boutique’, Audemars Piguet tells the story of its history, craftsmanship and exclusive relationships in the new Bal Harbour boutique,” says Xavier Nolot, CEO of Audemars Piguet North America.  “We’ve created a warm and inviting environment to satisfy our discerning clients’ every need.”

The boutique, crafted with wood and metallic landscapes evokes the Vallée de Joux region in Switzerland, where Audemars Piguet was born. The revolutionary design by the Creative Circle International Corporation of Switzerland in collaboration with Audemars Piguet's Creative Director Octavio Garcia is divided into two spaces: 'The Manufacture' and 'The House'.  

'The Manufacture' includes detailed product displays; a watchmaker corner; a virtual Manufacture depicting the manufacture’s activities; and educational content about how the singular watches and museum quality pieces are created.
 
'The House' incorporates a full service bar and lounge with a state-of-the-art sound system that invites clients to relax with an espresso or a cocktail.  One wall in 'The House' displays photographs and reminiscences of the many friends of the brand as well as Audemars Piguet’s commitment to environmental initiatives and corporate philanthropy.
 
The Audemars Piguet Bal Harbour Shops boutique will display over 100 timepieces from its vast collection reinforcing the watchmaker’s superb artistry and design by a number of contemporary craftsmen.
 
The Audemars Piguet Miami Bal Harbour Boutique is located at the Bal Harbour Shops on 9700 Collins Avenue, Space #159, Bal Harbour, FL 33154.
Phone number:  (305)864-6776
Toll Free:  (866)595-9700
 
Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday 10AM – 8:45PM
Sunday -   12noon – 5:45PM

For more info click here.

Antiquorum NY Auction: April 10, 2013

Antiquorum, the world renowned auction house for timepieces will be holding their NYC auction tomorrow April 10, 2013 at:

Antiquorum USA, Inc., 595 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10022      

The auction includes Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces.

For more info on Antiquorum please click here. For tomorrow's auction catalog please click here.


Posted on April 9, 2013 and filed under News.

Authenticate: TAG Heuer and Richard Mille Using Trusted.com

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How does Trusted.com work?

Trusted.com establishes partnerships with brands who wish to protect their brand image by providing an additional layer of reassurance and quality service to their customers. The authenticity of a product is established at the time of production. The ownership life cycle of a product is then tracked from production, to its distribution through the brand's supply chain, the initial purchase from an authorized retailer, and any subsequent ownership transfers.

For more info click here.  

Posted on April 8, 2013 and filed under News.

News: Tudor to Relaunch in the U.S. Summer 2013.

Kudos to Rolex for this announcement.

Rolex has confirmed that Tudor will be relaunching in the United States at the end of the Summer of this year 2013.  A new company named Tudor Watch USA LLC, has been set up in New York City.

An executive at Rolex USA mentioned that the authorized dealers that will be carrying the watches have already been chosen, however, they are not providing any details as to who this will be. There will be a major national and regional advertising campaign, and the Tudor launch will be announced at a press conference at the Baselworld fair this coming April. Watch Collecting Lifestyle will be reporting live from Baselworld.

Finally, consumers won't need to continue to buy Tudor watches from Mexico, Canada or overseas authorized dealers.  

Posted on March 6, 2013 and filed under News, Tudor.

Audemars Piguet: New Ceramic Offshore Diver ref. 15707CE

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 15707CE.00.A002CA.01

Back in January, Audemars Piguet presented their new pieces for 2013 at the SIHH. This time the new pieces included the new Royal Oak Offshore Diver in ceramic.  This time the iconic and 'hot watch' Offshore Diver makes its appearance in a black ceramic case, titanium glareproofed sapphire crystal caseback—allowing view of the caliber 3120— black ceramic bezel and crowns and titanium links.

The dial in the traditional black “Méga Tapisserie” pattern with white gold applied hour-markers and hands with luminescent coating, black rotating inner bezel ring with diving scale and zone from 12 to 3 o’clock in orange.

The watch comes fitted with the same black rubber strap that comes on the stainless steel and forged carbon models but with a titanium pin buckle.

Once again, Audemars Piguet continues to be at the forefront of watch design and use of avant-garde materials in the industry.