Audemars Piguet is proud to announce Claude Emmenegger as new Creative Director after the sudden departure of Octavio Garcia after the SIHH 2015. Octavio had been the Chief Artistic Officer —Creative Director— at the manufacture from Le Brassus for more than a decade. Claude Emmenegger started his career with an interesting start at Longines followed by Gucci —where he created 23 collections including the G Watch—, to later join Audemars Piguet in 1999 and then leave in 2003 to launch his own horological consulting firm and work with more than 40 brands during 12 years. Passionate about complicated movements, horology and in constant pursuit of innovation and creativity, his main creations include the Tradition of Excellence models 2, 3 and 4. Not only do they combine design and technique, they also represent a new milestone for Claude in terms of approach, as case and movement are addressed simultaneously for a perfect fit.
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News: Presenting the MusicMachine 3 Reuge by MB&F. Inspired by the TIE fighters from Star Wars.
Nearly 150 years on, and still in Sainte-Croix, Reuge is the only remaining manufacturer of high-end music boxes in the world. Reuge's collection has grown to offer both quintessentially classical pieces and contemporary designs —including a service for specially commissioned bespoke pieces. With the MB&F MusicMachines, Reuge has pushed the frontiers of music box design: MusicMachines belong more to the 25th century than the 21st. Designed by MB&F and made by Reuge, the first MusicMachine was launched at Baselworld 2013. Building on the success of this initial collaboration, Reuge and MB&F joined forces in 2014 for MusicMachine 2 and again in 2015 for MusicMachine 3, which completes the trilogy.
The TIE fighter-inspired MB&F MusicMachine 3 Reuge is positive proof that both the child and the Force are still going strong within MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser —who was 10 years old when he first saw Star Wars in 1977.
News: Presenting the Breguet Type XXI Flyback Chronograph in Platinum ref. 3813PT. Unique Piece for ONLY Watch 2015.
Breguet and its President & CEO Marc A. Hayek are renewing their support to ONLY Watch by participating in the 6th edition of the biennial charity auction co-organized by the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy and the Monaco Yacht Show. Within this context, the Maison has developed a one-of-a-kind creation for this sale, from which the proceeds will benefit research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The watch, a special Type XXI chronograph, made for the first time in platinum. This model will be on show in Monaco at the end of September before moving on to Hong Kong, Beijing, New York and London. It will end its tour in Geneva, where it will be sold to the highest bidder on November 7th 2015. Stemming from the wrist chronographs produced by Breguet in 1935, the first Type XX watches were developed to order for the French military and delivered to its air force and navy from 1954 onwards through to the 1970s. Supplied to pilots as standard issue, the Type XX soon became a cult object much sought-after by aviators. This enthusiasm incited Breguet to produce a contemporary civilian version some years later.
News: A. Lange & Söhne Adds Two New Colors to Two Iconic Watches. 18K Pink Gold Datograph Up/Down with Black Dial and 18K White Gold Datograph Perpetual with Grey Dial.
Our friends from Saxony, A. Lange & Söhne have decided to expand its range of dial and metals for its Datograph chronograph collection. Two new highly attractive models, one a Datograph Up/Down in 18K pink gold with black dial and the other, an 18K white gold Datograph Perpetual with grey dial are now available. Industry experts regard the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph as one of the most popular chronographs. Presented in 1999 as the world's first column-wheel chronograph with a flyback function, precise jumping minute counter and outsize-date display, the Datograph caused quite a sensation in the watchmaking circles. It has long since, achieved cult status. It is not only the technical finesse that is unique, but also the harmonious integration of function and aesthetics. The Datograph Up/Down introduced in 2012, offers a longer power reserve of 60 hours as well as a power-reserve indicator with an Up/Down scale that gave this watch its name.
News: Richard Mille Presents Two New Felipe Massa Limited Editions for the 10th Anniversary of Their Partnership. The RM056 Sapphire Tourbillon Chronograph and the RM011 10th Anniversary.
Felipe Massa has now achieved 40 podiums in his career by finishing third at the Austrian GP this weekend. "It’s an incredible moment for me, but the whole team is feeling this too. The team has a great history and we continue to build on that. It’s a special day" said Felipe Massa. After 8 Grand Prix this year, Felipe is now sixth in the World Driver’s Championship with a total of 62 points. Brazilian Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa is the first sporting figure to have joined the Richard Mille family. A long-time test driver for Richard Mille watches, it was he who enabled the brand to initiate and accomplish astonishing feats in watchmaking development. Such triumphs included the manufacture of a carbon nanofiber baseplate, first tested with the RM 006 FM then used in a number of other models, as well as the processing of new materials such the Alusic cases on the RM 009 FM.
News: Presenting the HYT Air Limited Edition Collection. H1 Air RC44, H1 Air Classic and H1 Air Black Pixel.
This is the first time HYT unveils a complete collection of limited pieces in one shot. Secondly, the pieces explore unchartered territory such as the maritime world or camouflage. But the third and most surprising aspect to the air collection is that HYT presents its first classical piece. The H1 Air RC44 stands out from the collections like no other as it is the first piece HYT ever creates as part of a partnership. As February 2015, HYT is the official timekeeper for the RC44 regatta created by Russell Coutts, 5 times winner of the America’s Cup, one of the most difficult circuits in the world. He adds, ‘for this occasion, we needed a piece that of course leveraged on our fluid technology but also ensured the performance and the lightness of a monocoque.
News: Presenting the Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 London Flagship Special Edition. British Racing Green Dial and 'Big Ben' on its Back.
To celebrate the opening of its new London flagship boutique, Jaeger-LeCoultre has released a new Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Special Edition watch with a strikingly beautiful British Racing Green dial and a very special engraving on its case back side. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Special London Flagship edition features a stainless steel case in the same dimensions as the other Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 timepieces from the manufacture and is available in a very small number of pieces. This new timepiece is the most limited in the tribute series of the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 collection. With only 26 pieces to be made, following on from the acclaimed “Rouge” model and the delicious “Chocolat” model in this tribute collection, the special London Flagship edition dial is a beautiful deep green lacquered dial, reminiscent of the rolling British countryside and of course with a nod to the legendary sporting color.
News: Presenting the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Pride of Indonesia'. A 100-Piece Limited Edition with 18K Rose Gold Case Back.
The new 'Pride of Indonesia' is an interesting addition to the other Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Prides'. The manufacture from Le Brassus just released last week, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Pride of Indonesia' ref. 26179IR.OO.A005CR.01. This new watch fitted with a 42 mm titanium case with the same construction as the original Royal Oak Offshore —not with the revamped case design unveiled during the SIHH 2014 with beefier crown guards and ceramic pushers and crown— with rubber clad pushers/crown and an 18K rose gold case back engraved with the legend "Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Indonesia" and Indonesia's national symbol the Javanese eagle Garuda —a large bird-like humanoid creature that appears in both Hinduism and Buddhi.
News: Introducing the MB&F Horological Machine 'X' HMX. Celebrating the Brand's 10th Anniversary with an Entry Level Priced Limited Edition.
MB&F celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2015, and there is one basic fact about birthdays that is fairly safe to assume: The one celebrating usually gets the presents. However, for the most significant anniversary of its decadelong existence, MB&F turns that one basic assumption on its head. Rather than expecting to receive, the creative lab has conceived HMX —“X” as in the Roman numeral for ten— as a thank you to the friends who have supported the brand over the last 10 years. Instead of developing an ultra-complicated, ultra-expensive anniversary piece —the standard practice in the luxury watchmaking world—, MB&F has cut sales margins without sacrificing quality, offering a true Horological Machine at an unprecedented price. Paradoxically, creating such a Machine also made HMX one of the most difficult to develop as MB&F considered, tested and rejected a plethora of combinations of forms, finishes and details before being satisfied that everything was “just right”.
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the Patek Philippe ref. 5270R in 18K Rose Gold. Live Pictures and Pricing of the Quintessential Perpetual Calendar Chronograph.
The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 5270 was originally launched at Baselworld 2011 as a new complicated wristwatch with a rich 70-year heritage of tradition and innovation. This year at Baselworld 2015, Patek presented a new iteration of the ref. 5270 in 18K rose gold. Unfortunately, this exceptional timepiece didn't get as much attention as the new Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524G-001 featured here. Nevertheless, the new Patek Philippe ref. 5270R-001 is without a doubt the quintessential Perpetual Calendar Chronograph —in a perfectly sized case measuring 41 mm in diameter— and one of the most coveted references among Patekaholics. The Patek Philippe ref. 5270 available up until now only in 18K white gold —or platinum with diamonds under reference 5271—, combines the functionality of a perpetual calendar with the new classic chronograph caliber that is crafted entirely in-house.
News: Introducing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher. The World's First Mechanical Chronograph with Independent Memory and Three Column Wheels.
Today in Givrins, Switzerland at the Corinna Schumacher CS Ranch, Audemars Piguet unveiled the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher ref. 26221FT.OO.D002CA.01. The watch, was a true collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Michael Schumacher, taking five years to come to fruition after Schumacher challenged Audemars Piguet to create a watch with the ability to measure and record an extended series of consecutive lap times. In late 2010, F1 legend and Audemars Piguet ambassador Michael Schumacher posed an apparently simple question to the engineers at Audemars Piguet: would it be possible to create a mechanical wristwatch designed specifically for use in motorsport which would make it possible to measure and record an extended series of consecutive lap times?
News: Patek Phillipe Monopusher Chronograph ref. 130 in Stainless Steel from 1927 Sells for $4.6 Million Swiss Francs. How is this possible?
Last night May 10th, 2015 at the long awaited inaugural Phillips Watches Auction One held in Geneva, a new historical record was set by a stainless steel Patek Philippe Monopusher Chronograph ref. 130 Doctor's Watch selling for $4,645,00 Millions Swiss Francs —buyer's premium included. Yes ladies and gentleman, this is not a typo, this watch from 1927 sold short of $5 Million USD at today's exchange rate of $1.07 USD per CHF 1. Last night, this watch set many records including the most expensive chronograph ever sold at auction and a new high for any stainless steel wristwatch sold at auction. While many watch collectors feel that the sky is the limit when it comes to owning a piece of history or a rare vintage watch like this, we think that it's finally time for watch collectors to spend some time analyzing why this is happening.
News: The Inaugural Phillips Watches Auctions Sell $31.8 Million USD. Setting World Records with Four Watches Over One Million USD Each.
The inaugural watch auctions held by Phillips, in association with Aurel Bacs and Livia Russo, on May 9th and 10th, 2015 realized a combined total of $29,649,363 Swiss Francs —$31,834,734 USD— selling 97% by lot. The auctions sold four watches for over $1 million and established multiple records including for any stainless steel wristwatch, for any Rolex sold at auction and for any Rolex Day-Date. The top lot was an extremely rare Patek Philippe single button doctor’s chronograph in stainless steel with a superbly aged off-white silvered dial, highlighted by a pulsations scale and a sector design. At the auction on Sunday May 10th, after 21 minutes of bidding between clients from 4 continents, it eventually sold to an anonymous bidder on the telephone for $4,645,000 Swiss Francs —$4,987,383 USD— more than doubling its low estimate of $1-2 million Swiss Francs and setting a new record price for any stainless steel wristwatch sold at auction.
News: Presenting the Richard Mille RM 030 Automatic 'White Rush'. A 50-Piece Limited Edition for the Americas.
Richard Mille unveils the RM30 Automatic 'Whtie Rush' a 50-Piece limited edition watch available exclusively in the Americas. The new Richard Mille RM30 'White Rush' features a new white ceramic and black NTPT carbon case and an automatic with declutchable rotor movement. This new timepiece embodies Richard Mille’s most famous attributes with its tonneau-shaped tripartite case; boundary-pushing new materials; and a hand-finished innovative movement that achieves a new level of performance for haute horlogerie. The white ATZ sand-blasted ceramic forms the front and back bezels of the RM 030 White Rush limited edition. Along with its white rubber strap, the front and back bezels perfectly contrast against the black NTPT carbon caseband and crown, as well as a sapphire dial that features scarlet hands and winding indicator at 9 o'clock. Inside the case of the RM 030 beats an automatic caliber featuring a rotor that declutches automatically.
News: Presenting the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chonograph Limited Edition Tribute to Italy ref. 26326ST. 500 Pieces Right On Time for the Expo 2015 in Milan.
2015 will be a rich year for Italy and it will be even more so for Milan, the host city for the World's Exhibition Expo 2015 taking place from May 1st thru October 31st. As a Tribute to Italy, Audemars Piguet presents the Royal Oak Chronograph Limited Edition ref. 26326ST.OO.D027CA.01 in a 500-piece limited edition. An occasion not to be missed, has been seized by the manufacture from Le Brassus, creating this special limited edition of the Royal Oak Chronograph in stainless steel. The Italian touch is found in the details, such as the indices on the 30-minute counter; which borrow the iconic green, red and white of the Italian flag. Other special features not to be missed include the case back that bears the engraving “Swiss Made Limited Edition” and a rubber strap that is truly unique. In fact, in the past, a Royal Oak Chronograph —the City of Sails limited edition created in 2002— was the only watch to feature this material on its strap.
Insider: Introducing the HYT H4 Gotham. A Perfect Hybrid Between the H1 Dracula DLC and the Skull.
The new HYT H4 Gotham is a genuine composition of color on a theme of contrast, dazzling, profiled and suited to the twists of the H4 Gotham components, to bring out the finest details. The new HYT H4 Gotham ref. 151-CB-03-RF-RN is also equipped with a new sapphire case back. With a chromium-plated metalized finish, that has a double role: in contact with the skin, the metalized finish reproduces a smoky glass effect. On the movement side, inside the case, the chromium-plated finish gives the illusion of a mirror. So the H4 is adorned with a complex play of lights and mirrors, which provides, depending on the angle, a view of the light penetrating the movement, its areas of shadow or even your own reflection. On the dial side, red has been chosen to inhabit the capillary of the H4 Gotham. It marks the progress of the hours, with the retrograde display, signature of the brand. This 'bloody' tone is also adopted by the seconds wheel at 9 o'clock, as well as the power reserve at 3 o'clock and the strap's top stitching.
News: Presenting Three New Officine Panerai Radiomir Watches. Radiomir Black Seal 8 Days PAM 609, Radiomir 8 Days PAM 610 and Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Titanium PAM 619.
Officine Panerai is pleased to introduce three new timepieces within the Radiomir family. As you all know, the Radiomir line features a 45 mm case across the board with the exception of the Radiomir 1940 3 Days which is fitted with a 47 mm case construction —powered by the in-house calibre P.3000 which also powers the 47 mm Radiomir 1940 Marina Militare 3 Days PAM 587 presented here and the Luminor 1950 3 Days PAM 372 reviewed here. The three new models are the Radiomir Black Seal 8 Days in stainless steel —PAM 609—, the Radiomir 8 Days in stainless steel —PAM 610— and the Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic in titanium —PAM 619. In the 1930s, the men in the Italian Royal Navy's Gamma Group, carried out their maneuvers astride human torpedoes a.k.a. "pigs" or indeed "black seals".
Insider: Introducing the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision. Equipped with a Ceramicised Aluminum Case.
The new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision is one of those watches that not only brings out the best in the DNA of a legendary brand, but it also features exceptional material advancements when it comes to its case construction. This new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision ref. 24.2160.4068/21.R573 from our friends from Le Locle, is fitted with a beautiful 45 mm ceramicised aluminum case, that evokes the virtues of the ancient alchemists by constructing this watch's case from the transformation of aluminum into ceramic. Powered by the legendary automatic El Primero calibre 4068, the dial side reveals the silicon escape wheel as well as the balance wheel. Fitted with a black dial with gray border with black nickel plated faceted markers with black superluminova, the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision is simply beautiful and extremely sporty. Is the type of watch that you would want to see on the wrists of a special ops commando.
Insider: Introducing the Bremont ALT1-ZT Zulu Time. One of the Most Iconic Timepieces from Bremont Gets a Facelift.
This year at Baselworld 2015, we had the opportunity to review the new Bremont ALT1-ZT Zulu Time. The ALT1-Z Zulu has been been part of the launch collection since 2007 and since then it has been an iconic Bremont timepiece over the years. Well this time, this iconic Bremont watch gets a facelift. The ALT1-Z Zulu is a model which was designed with aviators and world travelers in mind and features direct aviation inspired design cues such as the artificial horizon indicator. ‘Z’ stands for Zulu Time and allows the wearer to display local time together with the official world time standard. Championed by one of TV’s most adventurous travelers, Charley Boorman, who certainly tested his ALT1-Z beyond endurance for the TV documentary series Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor, Bremont was thrilled to hear him remark, “That first watch I had was a grey ALT1-Z and it did its job perfectly”.
Insider: Introducing the New MB&F Legacy Machine 101 'Frost' LM101. Live Pictures and Pricing.
First presented in 2014, Legacy Machine 101 embodies and accentuates 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. Inspired by the frosted finish on timepieces created in the old days, MB&F presents the new Legacy Machine 101 'Frost' LM101. While the word 'frost' refers to those uneven ice crystals that cover your lawn during the beginning of the cold season, when it comes to horology it conveys something different. Abraham-Louis Breguet is credited with inventing the 'frosted' finish —'finition grenée' in French— in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At the time, the operation of frosting protected dials and movements from oxidation —more common in Breguet’s day— and added subdued vivacity to movement plates.
