News: Jaquet Droz Grande Heure GMT. Available in Stores Now.

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Press Release

The Grande Heure GMT Jaquet Droz arrives in stores. The timepiece pays tribute to Pierre Jaquet Droz’s travels with clean lines, a classic design and precious material. This latest model, featuring perfect legibility for two time zones, flawlessly meets the demands of the modern and stylish globe trotter. It offers a simple, precise way to read the time in two time zones.

The 24 indexes in Arabic numerals set around a Grand Feu enamel dial make it easy to see all the hours of the day in two cities.

Never before has a watch presented such a clear, effortless indication of two time zones. This technological development is enhanced by the majestic hands in the form of a compass, a detail which hints at the navigational instruments used by sailors of another era. The red hand indicates local time while the blued steel hand shows the time at the destination. When the two hands come together in the same time zone they merge into a single, bi-colored indication of the exact time.

Jaquet Droz has shown its commitment to simplicity and practicality in the Grande Heure GMT by boldly choosing a time-setting system with a single crown. The result is a watch design of distinctive purity, perfectly combining the ivory color of the dial with the rich red gold of the case. 

For more info on Jaquet Droz click here.

News: Tudor Watch Officially Launched in the U.S. Welcome Back to an Amazing Selection of Timepieces.

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Last night, Tudor Watch officially relaunched their watches in the U.S. during New York's Fashion Week at the IAC building —a Frank Gehry designed building completed in 2007. With a wide array of models suiting almost everyone's taste, the Tudor comeback is one that most watchlifestylers have been hoping for for a very long time.

The selection includes the Heritage Advisor, the GranTour —FIA World Endurance Championship Timing Partner—, the Fastrider and Fastrider Black Shield —Ducati's Timing Partner—, the Heritage Black Bay, the Pelagos, the Heritage Chrono and Heritage Chrono Blue, the Glamour and the Clair de Rose. Make sure you stop by your closest authorized dealer and check them out.

Welcome back Tudor Watch. For more info on Tudor Watch click here.  

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News: Jaeger-LeCoultre and Film Society of Lincoln Center Name English Director and Writer Andrea Arnold the '2013 Filmmaker in Residence' at the 51st New York Film Festival.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre and Film Society of Lincoln Center are pleased to name English Director and Writer Andrea Arnold as the 2013 Filmmaker in Residence during the 51st New York Film Festival, as part of their multi-year partnership, which kicked off in April at the 40th Anniversary Chaplin Award Gala in April, honoring Barbra Streisand.
 
The Filmmaker in Residence initiative is to further the goals of filmmakers at an earlier stage in the creative process. Andrea Arnold will have the opportunity to focus on developing or refining new work, and participate in master classes, mentorships or cultural exchange and enrichment film programs with the Film Society of Lincoln members, the film community and the public.
 
“We are thrilled to announce Andrea Arnold as the 2013 Filmmaker in Residence during the 51st New York Film Festival. Our partnership with Jaeger-LeCoultre on this cornerstone program fosters excellence in the filmmaking community, and reflects our shared belief in the universal power of film to inspire and engage the global community.” -- Rose Kuo, Executive Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here and for the Film Society of Lincoln Center here.  

News: Richard Mille Congratulates Rafael Nadal. Second US Open Title.

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Press Release

The Spaniard Rafael Nadal defeated top-ranked Novak Djokovic in four sets. After missing last year's US Open during a seven-month absence due to a knee injury, Nadal is now poised to regain the number one ranking. Nadal has won 13 Grand Slam singles titles, and he plays all of his matches with the Richard Mille RM 27-01 Tourbillon on his right wrist.

For more info on Richard Mille click here.  

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Image: Getty Images. 

News: Parade of Mechanical Masterpieces in St. Moritz at 'Passione Engadina'. Eberhard & Co. the Main Sponsor.

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Press Release

Passione Engadina, vintage cars event was sponsored by Eberhard & Co. for the second consecutive year. The event took place during the Aug. 24-25 weekend with the participation of over 70 Italian vintage cars produced up to 1983. A great success, also thanks to a location —St. Moritz at the end of summer— that attracted participants from all over Europe.
 
The event was a parade of mainly Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo
amazing historical pieces that could be admired along the Swiss Alps route on Saturday and in the center of St. Moritz at the Concours d’Elegance held on the following Sunday.
 
The “Best in show Tribute” was awarded to a Maserati 450 S from 1958 —pictured at the top— belonging to Werner Kummer. The “Elegance” prize was awarded to a Fiat 1500 Ghia Coupé of 1963, owner Helmut Wanke, an evergreen symbol of elegance and sporting spirit.
 
Eberhard & Co. awarded one of its prestigious timepieces to each winner of the three competing categories.  Axel Marx, winner of the pre-war category with his wife as copilot in his fantastic Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport from 1932, received a Tazio Nuvolari chronograph, from the emblematic collection dedicated by Eberhard & Co. to the great driver of the past.
 
Mario Peserico, Managing Director of Eberhard & Co. in team with Carlo Borgonovi on his Maserati Ghibli SS, obtained the third position in his category, an additional reason for the Swiss Maison to rejoice and strengthen its link with the world of timeless cars.

For more info on Passione Engadina click here.  

News: The Hour Glass Singapore Unveils its First Pop-Up Store. The Theme 'Super Machines and Horological Heroes'.

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Press Release

The Hour Glass will unveil another groundbreaking project in the form of a pop-up store situated at the heart of Orchard Road at leading shopping center Paragon from September 18th thru the 30th. Themed “Super Machines and Horological Heroes”, this pop-up will stage some of the most iconic and avant-garde timepieces, paying homage to a collective of individuals who revolutionized watchmaking and watch design at the turn of the millennium.
 
Coinciding with the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix Race weekend, “Super Machines and Horological Heroes” will offer a unique cultural experience to both locals and out-of-town guests during the 13-day showcase at the Main Atrium of Paragon shopping center. Stemming from The Hour Glass’ reputation as a pioneering stalwart in promotion and development of contemporary horological culture around the world, “Super Machines and Horological Heroes” is another manifestation of this mission.

Hailed by pundits as ‘Superheroes’ in the world of horology, these trailblazing brands and individuals harnessed the dexterity and technological advancement in artistic watchmaking; giving rise to these spectacular ‘super machines’.
 
A platform of many-firsts that include: Launch of 21 Novelties of which 7 are exclusives for The Hour Glass, 4 Live Technical Artistry Showcases, a Magnificent Showcase of the GPHG Masterpieces from 2006, a Plenary Session of Legendary Independent Watchmakers.

Featured brands include: Ulysse Nardin, Parmigiani Fleurier, De Bethune, Hublot, MB&F, Urwerk, Romain Jerome and H. Moser & Cie.  

For more info on the Hour Glass click here.  

News: MB&F Presents the Legacy Machine No. 2. The Legacy Continues.

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Press Release

Two years ago, MB&F took us back in time, asking us to imagine what MB&F would have created a century ago… the answer was Legacy Machine No.1. An unexpected new line for MB&F, who had accustomed you to futuristic, totally unconventional Horological Machines. The worldwide response was flabbergasting – climaxing in a double win at last year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, where LM1 took both the jury’s Best Men’s Watch and the Public Prize.

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Legacy Machine No. 1.

Today, MB&F is asking us to push the time-traveling machine a bit further: adjust the knobs and levers to about 250 years ago. With a bit of luck we would've bumped into some of the greatest watchmakers this planet has seen: Ferdinand Berthoud (1727-1807), Antide Janvier (1751-1835) and Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823). These horological legends of the 18th century are united not only by their inventive genius, but also by the fact that they have all constructed clocks and watches with two balances.

Legacy Machine No.2 is once again a tribute to these amazing Horological ancestors. One movement. Two fully independent escapements, with two Legacy-style flying balance wheels floating high above the dial and a planetary differential which transmits the average rates of those balance wheels to a single gear train. Oscillating on high, the exalted double balance wheels of LM2 were inspired by, and pay homage to, one of the rarest mechanisms in the history of watchmaking: the dual regulator. And rarer still, the average rates of Legacy Machine No. 2’s dual regulators are transmitted by a differential to a single gear train, where the majority had two separate movements.

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Legacy Machine No.2 in 18K Red Gold. 

On display under a domed sapphire crystal cupola, the dial of Legacy Machine No. 2, which is actually the top plate of the exquisitely finished movement, is an object lesson in symmetrical simplicity. Top to bottom: the white stretched lacquer sub dial at 12 o’clock, with its blued gold hour and minute hands, is visually balanced by the large, raised differential at 6 o’clock. Left to right: the two flying balances and their escapements are identical mirror images, right down to the position of the stud holders pinning their balance springs. While superficially Legacy Machine No. 2 may look like a traditional round watch, its three-dimensional architecture offers visual treats on multiple levels. What looks at first glance to be the main dial is actually the top plate of the movement, which has been finely engraved, plated —or blued for the platinum model— and then hand-engraved with Legacy Machine below the differential.

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Legacy Machine No. 2 in Platinum. 

Slightly raised above the surface is the hour-minute sub dial, its fine gold circumference highlighting the pure white of the stretched lacquer dial, which is created by applying and heating multiple layers of lacquer, causing them to stretch tightly over the surface of the dial. The white contrasts superbly with the bright blued 18k gold hands. The hands are slightly curved to follow the slightly convex surface of the sub dial. To ensure aesthetic purity of the dial and its traditional Roman numerals, a sophisticated fixation underneath negates the necessity of visually obtrusive screws.

The planetary differential also sits proud of the surface, supported by a stunning double-arc mirror-polished bridge inset with three large jewels. The complex differential is the key element in the double regulator system and raising it just above the movements enables the mechanism to be better appreciated.

Suspended above both the sub dial and the differential are the two oscillating bespoke balance wheels. The dual balances feature Breguet over coils, inset with four fully functional timing screws. The two balances are mirror images of each other so that they react differently to different forces. The distance between the balance wheels has been carefully and deliberately calculated to avoid resonance, as this would negatively interfere with regulation.

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Those elegant majestically curved arms suspending the flying balances are sculptural works of art in themselves. The elongated triangular cut out section could not be created by the usual method of wire electro erosion, but necessitated the creation of an electrode precisely shaped to the form of the cut out section.

While the levitated oscillating balance wheels of the binary regulators catch and hold the viewer ’s gaze, it is the large planetary differential sitting proud of the dial that is the real heart of Legacy Machine No. 2. In an incredible feat of micro-engineering − and the sheer paucity of timepieces with multiple regulators connected via a differential attests to the enormous difficulty in creating such a complex high-precision mechanism − the differential has three roles:

1. Transferring power to each of the regulators; 2. Receiving the individual timing rates from each balance; and 3. Transmitting the average rate of the two regulators to the gear train, where it finally manifests itself as the displayed time.

The movement of Legacy Machine No. 2 was developed to MB&F’s specifications by award-winning watchmaker Jean-François Mojon —Best Watchmaker at the 2010 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève— and his team at Chronode. Acclaimed independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen ensured that the movement’s aesthetic style was consistent with high-quality traditional timepieces of the 19th century and for specifying the superlative hand-finishing. Immaculate Geneva waves, gold chatons, mirror-polished bevels and bridges designed with deliberate internal bevelled angles —which cannot be finished by machine— showcase the movement’s peerless fine finishing. Consistent with MB&F’s spirit of transparency, the names of the two men responsible for the movement are hand engraved on the back.

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Two and a half centuries after three of the world’s greatest watchmakers put two balance wheels into their movements, MB&F celebrates their pioneering works by creating LM2, a timepiece with two balances hovering outside the movement.

Legacy Machine No. 2 is available in 18K red gold, 18K white gold and a limited edition of 18 pieces in platinum .950 that features a striking sky-blue dial.

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Legacy Machine No. 2 in 18K White Gold. 

Below you will find a video produced by MB&F of the dual balance wheels in action.

For more info on MB&F click here.

News: Audemars Piguet Launches New Female Advertising Campaign. Just Brilliant.

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Press Release

Audemars Piguet is launching its new global advertising campaign dedicated to women. The Audemars Piguet woman and her spirit of independence captured in a
powerful new image and selling line. The campaign features stunning images of supermodel Anouck Lepère and introduces a new brand line “There are exceptions to every rule” reflecting the spirit of independence cherished by the brand and its customers. It is the complementary feminine interpretation of the powerful brand campaign launched last year featuring the tag line: “To break the rules you must first master them” and will run alongside the current product and institutional campaigns starting September 2013.

“Audemars Piguet appeals to strong-minded, independent women, who appreciate
progressive beauty, craftsmanship and heritage. These values keep driving the brand’s vision through time, they are the soul of Audemars Piguet and we feel this new advertising campaign captures the essence of our brand” said Francois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet.

Audemars Piguet has been developing timepieces and movements dedicated to women since 1883, and has consistently treated women to exceptional creations designed to mirror their attitude and femininity. Today, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, is the only woman heading a major watch manufacturer. She incarnates the values of the brand and stands for the bold spirit of independence and female empowerment expressed in the new campaign.

According to Tim Sayler, Audemars Piguet Chief Marketing Officer: “Audemars Piguet’s modernity is again at the center of this new advertising campaign. We wanted to portray the Audemars Piguet woman with her unique sense of beauty and elegance, and especially her strong character and attitude. She appreciates our history and craftsmanship, but is clearly a woman of today and tomorrow who defies convention and likes to follow her own path. Just like our watches, the Audemars Piguet woman is exceptional in every sense. We think this iconic image also represents an exception in the world of female watch advertising.”

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

News: Jaeger-LeCoultre at the 70th Venice International Film Festival. Sublimates the Most Precious Moments.

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Press Release 

Jaeger-LeCoultre sublimates the most precious moments of the 70th Venice International Film Festival with Feminine creations that shined on the Red Carpet of the festival.

The art of making time stand still, of sublimating the moment, of giving life to a work that is unique because it is fashioned by the human hand. The art of revealing an artist’s unique vision of time. Film-maker, watchmaker, actor, gem-setter…each artist is an artisan of emotions. Every year, for nine consecutive years, Jaeger-LeCoultre pays tribute to the talent of these creators of wonderment. From August 28th to September 7th, 2013 on the occasion of the 70th Venice International Film Festival organized by the Biennale di Venezia, Jaeger-LeCoultre will unveil its own dream cast of exceptional watchmaking creations and present its Jubilee collection.

As a loyal sponsor of the Venetian festival, Jaeger-LeCoultre will be actively involved in all the highlights of the event, adorning the stars with its finest creations and presenting a personalized Reverso watch to the winners of the Best Film —Leone d’Oro, the Golden Lion Award—, the Best Actress and Best Actor of the year —Coppa Volpi Awards. The watches will feature a lacquered engraving depicting a lion, the symbol of Venice, handcrafted in accordance with the finest traditions, and bear the inscription “70. Mostra”.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Cordonnet Duetto watch made its debut on the Red Carpet as British actress Sophie Kennedy Clark walked into the festival accompanied of Laurent Vinay wearing a Reverso. Sarah Gadon wore the La Montre Extraordinaire La Rose.

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A Joaillerie Secret watch from 1960 in white gold adorned the wrist of Italian model, actress and television presenter Eva Riccobono as she hosted the Opening Ceremony of the Festival. Orrizonti jury member and actress Golshifteh Farahani chose to wear a Rendez-Vous Celestial during day-time and a vintage golden Duoplan watch from 1933 in the evening. 

For close to a decade, Jaeger-LeCoultre has recognized the creative ingenuity of filmmakers through the Glory to the Filmmaker Award at the Venice International Film Festival, presented to a personality that brought “great innovation to contemporary cinema.” This year the prize will be conferred to Italian director and writer Etore Scola at the awards ceremony organized by the Biennale di Venezia and held on Friday, September 6. Past honorees included Takeshi Kitano in 2007, Agnès Varda and Abbas Kirostami in 2008, Sylvester Stallone in 2009, Indian film director Mani Ratnam in 2010, Al Pacino in 2011 and Spike Lee in 2012.

For the third consecutive year Jaeger-LeCoultre renews its commitment to the charity initiative in support of the Emergency association and will hold an exclusive dinner with special guests paying tribute to the project “Jaeger-LeCoultre for Emergency, It's time to help Sierra Leone” on August 29th. 

For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here for more info on the 70th Venice International Film Festival here.

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News: Eberhard & Co. and The Gran Premio Nuvolari. The Story of a Lasting Passion.

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Press Release 

The countdown has started for one of the most hotly-anticipated classic car events: on the 20th of September, Piazza Sordello in Mantua will be the location of the starting line for the 23rd edition of the Gran Premio Nuvolari, the world’s leading regularity race in terms of technical difficulty and second-ranked in number of crews and kilometers raced.

As ever the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Eberhard & Co. will bring its unmistakable style and elegance as official timekeeper, marking every precious moment experienced by competitors in this spectacular event. There is a strong and lasting bond between the brand, which specializes in the production of highly technical timepieces, and the fascinating world of speed and classic motor racing. The connection dates back to 1991 when the watchmaker dedicated a special collection of chronographs to the greatest driver of all time, Tazio Nuvolari, and became the Sponsor of the Gran Premio Nuvolari. Since then, it has been the event’s official timekeeper and sponsor.

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This bond with classic cars has strengthened over time and in 2010 the company made an exceptional partnership with the Mantuan scuderia Classic team, led by Corrado Corneliani. Classic team Eberhard debuted at the Gran Premio Nuvolari that same year and since then it has been supported by the company in all of the most important competitions. “As part of our sponsorship activities we participate in many of
the most important vintage car events,” said Mario Peserico, Managing Director of Eberhard. “We select those that best reflect our brand’s style, elegance, sophistication and attention to detail. For us, Nuvolari is still the event we feel closest to, given the importance of the competition - this year the great Italian and foreign drivers will be separated by just 100ths of seconds. But above all because of the beauty and charm
of a competition in which every curve and straight harks back to the myth of one of the greatest drivers of all time. We all get behind our team, which put in an outstanding performance at last year’s Nuvolari and which continues to thrill us, from the Italian Championship to the team’s victory at Mendola-Mendel History, and as the first-placed team in the Summer Marathon, to name just our most recent successes.”

The winners of the GP Nuvolari will be awarded an Eberhard & Co. timepiece, and all competitors will enjoy the immeasurable pride of having participated in such a unique event. The Gran Premio Nuvolari will also see the official presentation in Italy of the new model from the Tazio Nuvolari collection: Tazio Nuvolari Vanderbilt Cup Naked. 

For more info on the Gran Premio Tazio Nuvolari click here and for Eberhard & Co. here.  

News: URWERK Presents the EMC. The First High-End Mechanical Watch with 'Artificial Intelligence'.

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Press Release

Today, August 28th, 2013 in Singapore, URWERK presented the EMC, the first high-end mechanical watch with 'artificial intelligence'. A precision timepiece should have at its base a movement that is accurate, reliable and long lasting. Such movement should meet specific criteria including accuracy in 5 positions between -4 seconds and +6 seconds over 24 hours. 

However, while it is one thing to regulate an accurate watch in the controlled world of a workshop, performance in the sometimes-extreme real world, i.e. on the wrist, can be very different. Changes in position and temperature, and shocks, can all adversely affect isochronism —timing regularity— of a wristwatch. The challenge with the EMC was in developing a mechanical watch that can be regulated by its owner to obtain the finest chronometric performance.

EMC is the first precision mechanical watch that enables timing to be both easily monitored and easily adjusted by its owner.

With EMC, not only can the wearer obtain the precise timing rate on demand, they can then use that information to accurately adjust the timing of their watch to suit their own personal rhythm.  Electro Mechanical Control —EMC— is the world's first precision mechanical watch in which the timing can be monitored and adjusted by the user to suit their lifestyle – EMC is fully interactive. Here's a diagram showing how it works:

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Please note that EMC is a fully 100% mechanical watch. The electronics have absolutely no effect on the movement; they only enable monitoring of the movement's precision in a similar way that the electronic speedometer or rev counter of a car has no effect on the mechanical engine and gearbox.

EMC features a deconstructed dial with four separate indications: A clockwise tour of the displays, from top left, presents the: on demand, precision indicator —instantaneous rate delta δ— ranging from -20 to + 20 seconds per day; seconds dial with counter-balanced seconds hand; hours and minutes; and 80-hour power reserve indicator. Turning EMC over reveals the fully in-house movement with the integrated circuit board —the EMC 'brain'—, the top of one of the two mainspring barrels near the crown and the top of the balance wheel and optical sensor on the winding handle side.

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“Our idea for  EMC goes back almost six years and is a natural continuation of my work as a watchmaker," says Felix Baumgartner, co-founder of URWERK. “Like all watchmakers, I have on my bench a Witschi – an instrument to test the precision of my work. This impartial and uncompromising judge ‘listens’ to the rhythm of the balance and makes a verdict on the performance of the movement by measuring the timing rate, the number of seconds the movement gains or loses in 24 hours. This device is what I always refer back to; you might say it’s my only boss in the atelier!”

The audacious idea to incorporate a Witschi-like measuring instrument in a mechanical watch became a veritable quest for URWERK. “EMC allows you to obtain a reliable and accurate piece of data on your timepiece at the touch of a button – information that until now has been the preserve of professional watchmakers,” says Baumgartner. “Using this information, you can fine-tune one of the most exciting, most jubilant mechanisms invented – the mechanical watch – all by yourself.”  

At its heart, EMC has a triple objective: to show how external parameters —positional changes, temperature and pressure— influence the timing of the movement; to enable the wearer to adjust the timing; and to facilitate interactivity between the timepiece and its owner. EMC is inherently a precision mechanical watch with an in-house movement conceived, developed and crafted in the URWERK ateliers in Zurich and calibrated by URWERK in Geneva. The movement meets the most stringent quality control, with its chronometric performance tested in five positions during a 30-day cycle to ensure that it meets the highest standards for a precision watch.

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The EMC movement is equipped with the following features: 

1. A bespoke balance wheel made of ARCAP, an alloy long admired by URWERK for its non-magnetic and anti-corrosion properties. From the very first glance, the originality of this specially-developed balance is striking. Its perfectly linear morphology is the result of careful calculations to optimize data from the optical sensor, maximize aerodynamic efficiency and minimize loss of amplitude.

2.  Power is provided by two large mainspring barrels in series, mounted vertically on a single shaft. These provide a long 80-hour power reserve, which is conducive to stable linear timing performance.

3. The timing adjustment screw is accessible on the back of the watch and allows the owner to make very fine adjustments to the balance rate regulator by changing the active length of the balance spring by turning a simple screw. 

4. An optical sensor on the balance wheel capturing the precise rate of oscillation of the 4 hertz / 28,800 vph regulator, over a period of 3 seconds. This sensor consists of a transmitter and a receiver positioned either side of the balance, and is triggered manually by pressing a button on the left side of the case.

5. A 16,000,000-hertz electronic oscillator. This provides EMC’s reference timing rate. The performance of the balance of EMC —4hz— is compared against this lightning-fast oscillator to obtain the most accurate measurement possible.

6. Artificial intelligence —the computer. This computer determines the difference between the timing rate of the movement and that of the reference oscillator. Each microsecond difference between the two values is expressed as a gain or loss of a second per day of the timing rate. A variation of just 0.0000014 of a second per half-vibration translates as a variation of a second per day.

7. Manual-winding generator —the generator. EMC’s monitoring unit —the optical sensor and the computer— is powered by a micro-generator made by the Swiss company Maxon, which is well known for developing motors for NASA’s Mars rovers.

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To monitor and evaluate the mechanical movement, an 'electronic brain' was then needed. Olivier Evalet, a software developer who is passionate about software and computer engineering, has been instrumental in helping this bold project succeed: "The idea was to use precision optics, i.e. light, to measure the precision of a mechanical movement. The accuracy we managed to achieve is better than 10 microseconds. And we have created a reliable system that is designed to work over the long term. The power for EMC's electronic "brain" derives not from a simple battery but a super capacitor that even after 100,000 to 200,000 charge/discharge cycles loses very little performance. We also chose a high-frequency oscillator with an extremely long life – its instability is only 3 parts per million over a full year."

The innovative EMC timing rate monitoring unit has been developed to include the following components:

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Martin Frei —designer and co-founder of URWERK— had the considerable task of bringing all of EMC’s technical elements together in a visually-appealing and comfortably-wearing wristwatch. "At URWERK, the starting point of our creations is usually a sketch of the completed watch that embodies mine and Felix’s ideas before the micro-mechanics are fully developed. But with EMC, the technical features of the timepiece were already established and this made my task that little bit trickier. We miniaturized the EMC components to the extreme and this allowed me some leeway in terms of design. My approach was one of pragmatism – from incorporating the folding crank into the case band, to making the electrical energy storing capacitor part of the case. In terms of design, you can spot the influence of objects that are dear to me: the crank echoes that of old SLR cameras; and the design of the balance wheel is reminiscent of a vintage 1/4 inch tape reel".

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EMC marks the dawn of a new era, that of an interactive smart mechanical watch allowing the owner to gauge the precision of their timepiece’s chronometric performance and fine-tune it to better suit their daily rhythm and pace of life.

Technical Specifications

Case
Material: Titanium and steel
Dimensions: 43mm wide, 51mm long, 15.8mm thick
Crystal: Sapphire crystal
Water resistance: Pressure tested to 30m / 3ATM
Finishing: satin finish; shot-blasting

Movement
Manual-wound Calibre UR-EMC conceived, developed and manufactured by URWERK
Frequency: 28,800 vph – 4Hz
Balance spring: Flat
Energy source: Vertically mounted double mainspring barrels, connected in series
Power reserve: 80 hours

Artificial intelligence
Generator: Maxon® generator with manual winding charging super capacitor
EMC system: Optical sensor controlled by an integrated circuit board: 16'000'000hz reference oscillator.

For more info on URWERK click here. 

News: Glashütte Original Doubles the Number of Watchmaking Apprentices.

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Press Release

On Monday August 19, 2013, German watchmaker Glashütte Original welcomed twenty-eight new apprentices to start off their three-year training at the Alfred Helwig School of Watchmaking. Of 28 apprentices, 24 will learn the profession of watchmaking and 4 will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become toolmakers. This nearly 100% increase in the number of training positions represents one aspect of the Saxon manufacture's response to growing worldwide demand for its exclusive timepieces.

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Glashütte Original Managing Director Günter Wiegand formally presented the new apprentices to Gunnar Müller, director of the school, and his team of teachers. The new class is the 13th to begin its training since the company-owned school was opened in Glashütte in 2001.

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In the initial years of its operation, the school accepted 12 watchmaker apprentices each year; this year Glashütte Original doubled this number of watchmaker apprenticeship openings to 24. The number of beginning toolmaker apprentices grew from 3 to 4. The strong growth in the number of training positions has been accompanied by an expansion of the school's reach in recruitment; apprentices now come from all over Germany. Among the future watchmakers and toolmakers in this year's class are young people from Hamburg, the Rhineland and Baden-Württemberg. The Alfred Helwig school makes use of state-of-the-art equipment to provide students with the exceptionally high level of craft skills necessary to become professional watchmakers or toolmakers. Required courses in theory are accompanied by those offering experience and insight into in the practical aspects of the profession. 

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In the course of the three or three and a half year training period, a number of different practical training courses bring students into selected areas of assembly and service at the Glashütte Original manufacture. The goal of the course is to teach students the traditional craft of watchmaking as well as introduce modern techniques and technologies and equip students to make effective use of them.

Considerable value is also placed on the maintenance of international standards of training, emphasized through the cooperation, unique in Germany, of the Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig School of Watchmaking with Switzerland's WOSTEP —Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program. This partnership allows apprentice watchmakers who pass their final examination at the Alfred Helwig School to obtain, along with the German Skilled Worker's Certificate, the WOSTEP diploma.

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With the start of their training Managing Director Günter Wiegand made a promise to the new apprentices: if they complete their course with an overall grade higher than 2.0 —equivalent to mark B in the USA and in the UK—, they will obtain what has become a rarity in Germany today: a guaranteed job in the Glashütte Original manufacture or another Swatch Group company. 

For more information on Glashütte Original click here.  

Breaking News: The Zenith Boutique in Geneva was Burglarized.

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The Zenith boutique on the Rue du Rhône was broken into last night between 5 and 6 am. Initial observations indicate that the burglars smashed through the front door using a ram-raid vehicle, before making off with the contents of the Boutique’s inside displays. The information gathered on site by police does not as yet enable them to provide any further details on the event as such, nor on the estimated value of the goods stolen. An investigation is in progress and every effort is being made to render the Zenith Boutique operational again as soon as possible.  The Boutique will therefore as planned be hosting its guests on August 29th for the traditional Geneva grape harvest celebrations.

For more info on Zenith click here.  

News: Zenith Presents the El Primero Stratos Flyback Tribute to Aviation. 50-Piece Limited Edition for Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.

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Zenith presents the El Primero Stratos Flyback Tribute to Aviation a limited edition of 50-pieces exclusively available in Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. The Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Tribute to Aviation is fitted with the in-house automatic chronograph calibre El Primero 405B —like all El Primero movements, it beats at 36,000 vph allowing it to measure tenths of a second.

The new El Primero Stratos Flyback Tribute to Aviation is equipped with a flyback chrono mechanism that allows the user to restart the chronograph on the fly without the need to first stop it using the start/stop pusher.

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This new model comes in Ti-Alum, a high-tech alloy specially developed for aeronautics and car racing and which is now being used into the horological world. Its magnetic permeability is 50 times lower than that of various grades of steel and its corrosion-resistance properties are unparalleled. The movement on this new chronograph provides a power-reserve of a minimum of 50 hours when fully wound and is composed of 331 parts 31 jewels.

Sticker Price $11,500 USD. For more information on Zenith click here. 

News: Linde Werdelin SpidoLite II Tech Green and Tech Gold. Now Available at Authorized Retailers.

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The SpidoLite II Tech with a case weighing only 33 grams comes in two limited edition series of 75 pieces each and is ready to be delivered to its first customers as it is now available via Linde Werdelin authorized retailers around the world. A combination of non-traditional materials employed on a watch for the first time with Linde Werdelin ALW-Alloy in the inner that case has been combined with forged carbon on the outer case to guarantee our lightest yet strongest case to date.

The SpidoLite II Tech Green has been crafted with the most high-tech materials in an advanced development to achieve the strongest and lightest case to date. The ultra light case weighing just 33 grams —measuring 44mm wide x 46mm long x 15mm thick— combines Linde Werdelin's ALW-Alloy —a metal composite developed for the aerospace industry and for the first time in a watch case— with carbon, ceramic, and the new ceramic coating for titanium in a fully skeletonized structure. Fitted with a bespoke black calfskin strap with matching green stitching is available in a limited series of 75 pieces worldwide. Sticker Price CHF 13,000 excluding VAT.

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The SpidoLite II Tech Gold features the same case construction, size and materials as the SpidoLite II Tech Green but is fitted with an 18K rose gold bezel and crown. The watch  comes with a dial configuration in red and matching red stitching on the SpidoLite black textured calfskin strap with ardillon buckle —interchangeable within Linde Werdelin's proprietary strap system. Sticker Price CHF 17,500 excluding VAT.

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Linde Werdelin's signature case structure also features a display case back that allows for full view of the beautifully finished custom-made automatic movement that is also revealed through the skeletonized dial. 

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 For more info on Linde Werdelin click here.   

News: Richard Mille RM030 Americas Limited Edition. Only 30 Pieces Available at Richard Mille Boutiques in North and South America.

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Press Release

Following the success of the RM011, RM016 and RM028 limited editions created exclusively for sale in the Americas, Richard Mille unveils the RM030 Americas limited edition.
 
The RM 030 Americas stands apart from all other models thanks to its bright orange upper flange, crown protector, and hands, complemented by white numerals and date aperture. The timepiece is encased in black carbon nanotube and presented on a black rubber strap.
 
Inside the case of the RM030 beats the novel calibre RMAR1, which features a rotor that declutches automatically. With this system, the winding barrel is automatically disconnected from the rotor’s winding mechanism at the moment when the spring is fully wound. Additionally, this new mechanism is linked to the power reserve indicator to provide optimal control. This allows both the movement and the oscillator to work with the best ratio of constant torque/power to provide the best chronometric performance.
 
The RM030 Americas is a limited edition of 30 pieces, available exclusively at Richard Mille boutiques and authorized Richard Mille retailers throughout North and South America.
 
Technical Specifications of the RM030 Americas Limited Edition Automatic with Declutchable Rotor:
 
Dimensions: 50 mm x 42.70 mm x 13.95 mm
Power-reserve circa 55 hours
Declutchable and adjustable rotor geometry
Winding indicator
Date display
Free sprung balance with variable inertia
Double barrel
Baseplate, bridges and balance cock made of titanium
Torque limiting crown in titanium
Balance: Glucydur, 4 arms
Inertia moment 4.8 mg.cm², angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Baseplate and bridges in grade 5 titanium, wet sandblasted, Titalyt® treated
Barrel bridges PVD coated
Sapphire blasted and hand-drawn surfaces

Sticker Price $135,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.  

Upcoming: 5th Edition 'Only Watch' Charity Auction. September 28, 2013 in Monaco.

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The Principality of Monaco will be hosting the fifth edition of the exceptional 'Only Watch' charity watch auction benefiting research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Recognized as the world’s first charity watch auction, Only Watch will take place on September 28th in Monaco and will be conducted by the watch auctioneers, Antiquorum. 33 of the world’s leading watch manufactures will each donate a unique timepiece specially created for the occasion.

The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy – promoter of Only Watch with Antiquorum Auctioneers and the Monaco Yacht Show, in order to help finance research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative neuromuscular disease affecting 1 in 3,500 boys, therefore 250,000 children, adolescents, and young adults around the world.

From September 6th, an international exhibit of the Only Watch collection of timepieces for men and women will travel the world: Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, New York, Geneva and will be concluded by a presentation during the Monaco Yacht Show —September 25th to 28th. The auction will take place on September 28th at 11 am —GMT+1— in the 'Salle Belle Epoque' of the Hôtel Hermitage.

Participating brands include: Backes & Strauss, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Breguet, Chanel, Chopard, Chronoswiss, Corum, De Bethune, Dewitt, Girard-Perregaux, Harry Winston, Hublot, Ikepod, Jaquet Droz, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin and Zenith amongst others.

For more info click here.

News: Linde Werdelin SpidoLite II Titanium and Gold. North America Special Edition of 15 Out Now.

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Press Release

Linde Werdelin has released a very unique series of the SpidoLite family available exclusively in Linde Werdelin’s North America authorized retailers. SpidoLite II Titanium Gold is a limited edition of 15 pieces available exclusively in North America territory. While the skeletonised case is entirely crafted in titanium it features a rose gold crown and rose gold detailing on the dial.

Like the original SpidoLite family, the case and dial construction of SpidoLite II Titanium Gold are inspired by racing cars' weight reduction technology, making this piece the ultimate tool for high altitude sports experience. The entire case bears hand satin finished facets and details in microbillé. The crown is crafted in 18 karat rose gold with microbillé followed by a hand satin finishing. The dial consists of two skeletonized layers. The 'Côtes de Genève' lower dial carries the Linde Werdelin logo. The upper dial is in a rose gold colour with luminant indexes as well as the three hands. The numerals of the skeletonised black calendar wheel have been amplified, enhancing date readability.

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The LW 04, caliber 2251, powers the SpidoLite II Gold, custom-made by Concepto; independent movement manufacture based in La Chaux de Fonds. The movement is visible through the dial as well as through the sapphire crystal case-back. The front and back of the movement are finished with a circular perlage and engraved with the Spido icon. The black rotor bears a rose gold Linde Werdelin logo type. All the screws in the movement are blued steel and have been implemented because of their high anti-corrosion properties and to enhance the beauty of the movement. The result is achieved with a slow and cautious heating process.

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SpidoLite II Titanium Gold is available in a limited series of 15 pieces, with a Sticker Price $ 12,900 USD from July 2013 exclusively from Linde Werdelin’s North America authorized retailers.

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Linde Werdelin creates highly crafted mechanical timepieces with attachable digital sports instruments for diving and skiing. Founded in 2002 by Morten Linde and Jorn Werdelin and launched in 2006, Linde Werdelin brings Swiss craftsmanship and Danish design ingenuity together with avant-garde instrument technology. Linde Werdelin has redefined what a sports timepiece can be. In combining mechanical and digital technologies while retaining the integrity of each, Linde Werdelin represents the ultimate sports timepiece for use with intelligent precision instruments to amplify the sporting experience whether high in the mountains or deep in the sea.

All Linde Werdelin timepieces are made in Geneva, Switzerland together with the best possible watch and case makers the industry offers. The Linde Werdelin instruments are in-house developed and hand-made on the premises, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Linde Werdelin produces all its timepieces in small limited series.

For more info on Linde Werdelin click here.  

News: Richard Mille Partners with Golfer Diana Luna and Lacoste Ladies Open Tournament.

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Press Release

Richard Mille is moving into the world of women’s golf with the Italian champion Diana Luna and by becoming the Major Partner in the Lacoste Ladies Open tournament.

Richard Mille wished to support a technical feminine sport. He was impressed by the personality of Diana Luna, the RM family’s first women’s sporting partner, and by her promising career.

Number 1 in her country, proette since 2002 to the Ladies European Tour which she marked with 5 victories, the trans-alpine golfer has gone from strength to strength since her career took off. Her story begins in 2000, when she won four Italian championships and one European championship as part of a junior team. In 2004, she won her first title at the Tenerife Ladies Open, before going on to win two major tournaments in 2009 – the AIB Ladies Irish Open and the SAS Ladies Masters in Norway. That same year, she scored again, becoming the first Italian in the history of golf to qualify for the Solheim Cup European team. Victory came once more in 2011 at the Ladies German Open. During the competition, Diana Luna achieved a first in the history of women’s golf, playing 72 holes over four days with no bogeys. Again in 2011, she won the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open, before coming second the following year at the French Open —Lacoste Ladies Open. In her young career, 31 top 10 finishes, 5 victories on the European circuit, 5 victories in the PGA of Italy.

And on the green, an RM 007 Titanium graces the wrist of Diana Luna notably in the Lacoste Ladies Open held 26th to 29th of September. The Richard Mille brand will be for the first time the Major Partner of the French Ladies Open.

Golf is a sport of precision, technique, endurance and concentration. It is thus quite naturally that Richard Mille drew again the parallel with the calibers of extreme performance and wished to join the French Open that is held every year at the Golf of Chantaco in Saint Jean de Luz —France. Richard Mille will also be lending his name to the pre-tournament Pro-Am on the 25th of September. For the 3 days of the event, the 78 best European female players will be competing, with the winner taking home a ladies’ RM 007 Titanium watch, a one-off piece crafted with a white crown and white rubber strap, engraved with the ‘Lacoste Ladies Open 2013’ name tournament on the middle case.

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Richard Mille has been eagerly ushered into the world of women’s sport, accompanied by one of Europe’s top female golfers. As with other sporting partnerships, this alliance will allow the watch company to test and develop a product that has been designed with adaptability under extreme conditions in mind. Diana Luna will work with Richard Mille engineers to develop a watch caliber with ergonomics, elegance and performance as key elements.

For more info click here.  

News: Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Seasons. Now Available in Stores.

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In an expert blend of mastered skill by the Jaquet Droz craftsmen, the Petite Heure Minute Relief Seasons offers a new aesthetically-pleasing performance while reinventing tradition.
 
The magnificence of birds, and especially the blue songbirds of his native Swiss Jura, has always captivated Pierre Jaquet-Droz. From the beginning, the watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds has paid tribute to the fascinating and graceful crystalline song of these creatures using the most advanced techniques of the age to render the beauty of the plumage, the density of the colors, and the mysterious depth of their gaze.
 
For over 3 centuries, artistic crafts have been central to Jaquet Droz’s creative magic. Far from being merely ornamental, they personify the very spirit of the brand.  More faithful than ever to this artistic world, the craftsmen of the Jaquet Droz Ateliers d’Art have once more surpassed themselves to create the Petite Heure Minute Relief Seasons, a timepiece that celebrates the enchantment of birds.

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Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Seasons ref. J005023270

Delicately positioned on either side of the dial, two blue songbirds spread their wings. Are they about to land? Or take to the air? All the mystery of this scene resides in meticulously ordered craftsmanship: a dial is fashioned in hand-engraved mother-of-pearl, the birds are sculpted and engraved in gold before being applied to the dial and finally, the birds and the dial are painted– a miniature 'trompe-l’œil' which comes to life in the hands of the brand’s craftsmen.

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From the curve of the wings to the size of the bodies, from the swell of the throat to the subtle association of the yellow and blue feathers, nothing has been omitted to make this truly three-dimensional masterpiece, saluting the beauty of nature and the freedom of these fascinating birds. The domed sapphire glass reinforces the optical illusion of the scene. When worn, it’s as if the whole of Nature is about to come to life, a reminder that the finest expression of life can be read in the passing of time.

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Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Seasons ref. J005024575

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A fusion of the most talented craftsmanship on a background of mother-of-pearl and gold, the model comes in two versions: one version for fall in red gold enhanced by warm colors and a winter version in diamond-set white gold dominated by colder tones, each available in a limited edition of 88. And for the brand’s admirers, spring and summer will not be far behind to wrap up this magnificent opus.

Both watches are fitted with  the automatic calibre Jaquet   Droz 2653 with 28 jewels that provides a power-reserve of 68 hours when fully wound.

The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Seasons Ref. J005023270 comes with a 41mm case in 18K red gold and its calibre is fitted with an 18K red gold   oscillating weight with white mother-of-pearl and hand engraved and patinated   22K red gold bird applique. The watch comes on a handmade brown alligator strap. 

The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Seasons ref. J005024575 comes with a 41 mm case in 18K white gold set with 272 diamonds —totaling 1.04 carats— and its calibre is fitted with an 18K white   gold oscillating weight with white mother-of-pearl and hand engraved and   rhodium-plated 22K red gold bird applique.

For more info click here.