Ferdinand Berthoud is the latest resurrection of a very well-known name in the horological world but forgotten by many. The responsible for the resurrection of the Ferdinand Berthoud name is Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, the co-president of Chopard and founder of Chopard's in-house manufacture L.U.C division. Fueled by the rich history of the horologist after which their manufacture has been named, last night September 22, 2015 at the Hotel de Vendôme in Paris, the brand was officially launched and its first creation the Chronometer FB1 presented. Ferdinand Berthoud was a master watchmaker and chronometer-maker that left an indelible imprint on history with his fabulous creations, including the 18th century Marine Clocks that guided the vessels of the King of France towards new horizons.
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News: Presenting the Vacheron Constantin ref. 57260. The Most Complicated Watch Ever Made in the History of Horology.
oday, September 17th, 2015 will be forever remembered in the history of horology as the most complicated watch ever created gets unveiled. In François Constantin's words: “ Do better if possible, and that is always possible”. The very essence of this motto drives Vacheron Constantin to cultivate special ties with the great patrons and exceptional men whose dreams have fired them to contributing to the advancement of art and of haute horlogerie over the past two centuries. To celebrate the 260th anniversary of Vacheron Constantin, the manufacture has created the most complicated timepiece ever made featuring 57 complications —three of them never seen in a watch before. The pocket watch ref. 57206 was developed and finished over the course of eight years by the hands of three master watchmakers. Below are some of the complications never before seen in a watch and that are included in the new Vacheron Constantin ref. 57260. Up to date the most complicated watches ever made were the Patek Philippe Calibre 89 with 33 complications, the Patek Philippe Star Calibre 2000 with 21 complications, the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Jr. Supercomplication and the Vacheron Constantin Tour de l'Ile with 16 complications.
News: Introducing the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574. Now with a 41 mm Case and the New Automatic Calibre 5134.
After the release of the amazing Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Acoustic Research Episode 1 we brought you here and the Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher we presented you here, our friends from Le Brassus are hitting another home run with the launch of the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574. This Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetuel returns to the center stage with four different versions —two in stainless steel and two in 18K pink gold with either silver toned/white dial or blue dial. The reference numbers are as follows: 26574OR.00.1220OR.01 18K rose gold with silver toned dial, 26574OR.00.1220OR.02 18K rose gold with blue dial, 26574ST.00.1220ST.01 in stainless steel with silver toned dial and 26574ST.00.1220ST.02 in stainless steel with blue dial. Continuing with the shift in watch case size that began in 2012, the new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar is now 41 mm —instead of the classic 39 mm like the one we featured here—, yet still extremely thin.
News: Introducing the Richard Mille RM 011 Flyback Chronograph 'Midnight Fire'. 88-Piece Limited Edition for the Americas.
Introducing the new Richard Mille RM 011 Flyback Chronograph 'Midnight Fire'. This new watch is available in a 88-piece limited edition exclusively available in the Americas. Fire glows brightest in the darkest of night. Richard Mille’s new limited edition version of the RM 011 Automatic Flyback Chronograph, “Midnight Fire,” employs high-tech materials to capture the deepest black of the night’s darkest hour, and ignites it with fiery red details. Black TZP ceramic is extremely resistant to scratches while not being brittle. For the RM 011 Midnight Fire, the material is blasted to provide a matte finish, then formed into the front and back bezels of the timepiece’s tripartite case. The center caseband of the Midnight Fire is crafted from NTPT —North Thin Ply Technology — carbon. Already used in the fields of aerospace technology, the manufacture of racing sales, and Formula 1 racecar design, NTPT carbon is incredibly strong and light, and composed of multiple layers of parallel filaments obtained by dividing carbon fibers.
News: Introducing the HYT H2 Aviator. A Limited Edition of 40 Pieces for Aviation Lovers.
With an already imposing name, the H2 Aviator is the first time HYT creates a timepiece destined for aviation lovers which each step of its concept designed to satisfy aeronautical codes. The H2 Aviator isn’t simply an evolution, it is a true transformation of HYT’s iconic H2 launched in 2013, a piece easily distinguishable by its ‘V’ shaped positioned bellows. "The H2 Aviator is a well thought out design conceived to go the distance over years, to evolve, follow and even anticipate horological trends and to think that our creations are all of this quality, gives me enormous satisfaction." says HYT CEO Vincent Perriard. "The H2 transcends different orbs and is now propelled 10,000 feet upward as if it had always been meant for this." The H2’s new aviatic garb underlines the piece’s legibility, a defining element for all flight instruments. The path and the color of the minute hand has been redrawn with its quarter hour indexes enlarged and in red.
News: The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève Announces the Finalists for the 2015 GPHG Prize. Some of Our Favorites are There.
The list of watches pre-selected by the 2015 jury is now available on the official website of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, gphg.org. These 72 timepieces will be competing to win the prestigious “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix or one of the 16 prizes awarded for contemporary creative talent and watchmaking expertise. By consulting this list, watchmaking enthusiasts from all over the world are invited to vote for their favorite watch. They will thus take part in electing a model to be awarded the Public Prize and automatically participate in the draw to win a timepiece. The 2015 awards will be revealed on October 29th at the Grand Théâtre de Genève. Presented jointly by Frédéric Beigbeder and Gaspard Proust, the prize-giving ceremony will be attended by Alain Berset, Federal Councillor, and will see representatives from the international watchmaking community congregate in Geneva to recognize the dynamic buoyancy of their sector. The event will be broadcasted live on gphg.org.
News: Richard Mille Donates the Rafael Nadal RM 27-01 Tourbillon Prototype to ONLY Watch Auction.
For the 6th edition of the ONLY Watch auction, Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal are partnering up once again to donate the RM 27-02 tourbillon prototype for the auction taking place in Geneva on November 7th, 2015. This unique piece has accompanied “Rafa” to all the biggest Grand Slam tournaments, from the French and U.S. Opens all the way to Wimbledon. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. With the Rafael Nadal RM 27-02 tourbillon prototype, the Swiss brand unveiled the very first skeletonized baseplate to be known as “unibody”. Inspired by the bodywork of racecars and machined from NTPT carbon, this construction increases rigidity and shock-resistance, and seamlessly fuses the case middle and the baseplate, eliminating the need to join the two components together.
News: Introducing the Richard Mille RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon. The Classiest and Most Tasteful Erotic Timepiece Out There.
Today, we present you the new Richard Mille RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon. Its name is a clear affirmation of the creative longing to reveal our most secret intentions in all their glory. Playfully and tastefully interpreted, this fine watchmaking creation will delight and amuse its owners, teasingly displaying phrases that evoke desired pleasure without being as graphic as other erotic timepieces out there like the Ulysse Nardin Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière we featured here. Erotic timepieces are an important part of watchmaking history since Jaquet Droz was around. Because they broke with conservative moral, religious and political customs, these objects were often banned and confiscated. But like all forbidden love, their pleasure was enjoyed away from prying eyes. Thus by concealing the complications at the heart of watches in question, certain models have survived to this day.
News: Introducing the Ulysse Nardin Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière. Equipped with a Little Something for Voyeurists.
Ulysse Nardin reveals its sensual side with the new Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière. Ulysse Nardin is known for its daring watchmaking ingenuity, with the new Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière, the manufacture pushes the boundaries, once again, revealing a side never seen before —sensuality. Adding a little risqué to its repertoire of wristwatches is the new Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière. Erotic scenes are a long-standing tradition in the watch industry. Ulysse Nardin takes the subject matter to new heights through its implementation of the Hourstriker movement and Jaquemarts. A delicate, handcrafted miniature brings the romance of Venice to life. The delicately finished black onyx dial portrays the scene exposing lovers, viewable from the interior balcony, enjoying each other. Set admist traditional Venetian décor, the nude man and woman make love on a chaise; these figures are handmade 18K gold Jaquemarts that move in rhythm with the Hourstriker.
News: Introducing the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 'Cornes de vache' 1955. Pre-Watches & Wonders A Legendary Chronograph Makes its Appearance.
Celebrating a heritage forged by 260 years of uninterrupted expertise and innovation, Vacheron Constantin is enriching its Historiques collection with a classic chronograph fitted with iconic ‘cow-horn’ lugs. This contemporary interpretation of a legendary model created by Vacheron Constantin in 1955 embodies a remarkable blend of rigorous technicality and bold creativity. Featuring a central complication in line with the heritage of the Geneva-based Manufacture, the Historiques Cornes de vache 1955 ref. 5000H/000P-B058 is powered by the hand-wound Caliber 1142, housed in a 38.5 mm-diameter platinum case. This timepiece bearing the Hallmark of Geneva and issued in an exclusive production run is joining an exceptional collection dedicated to connoisseurs and which revives legendary Vacheron Constantin creations in a spirit of timeless excellence.
News: Officine Panerai Opens Flagship at Miami Design District. Largest Panerai Point of Sale in the U.S. To Date.
Adding up to the large number of watch boutiques now opening in Miami's Design District, Officine Panerai presents its first ever flagship store in the Americas, created by the architect and designer Patricia Urquiola. The new flagship is situated in the heart of the Miami Design District, an area of the city which has recently been transformed into an exclusive luxury shopping destination. The boutique extends over an area of 2,200 square feet on two floors with two different entrances making this the largest Panerai point of sale in the United States to date. The flagship store is in the south-west corner of the Design District’s Palm Court and it has seven windows, five on the ground floor and two on the upper floor. The boutique windows face onto the piazza of the Palm Court, which is easily recognized by the large glass sculpture shaped like a geodesic dome in the center of the courtyard.
News: Presenting the Linde Werdelin Oktopus Frogman. Expressely Made and Exclusively Available for the Frømandskorpset Danish Frogman Corps.
Shrouded in secrecy, Frømandskorpset —Frogman Corps— is the Naval Special Operations Force in the Danish Military. This collaboration is a rare opportunity to lift the veil and explore the uncharted waters of the Frogman Corps. Typical missions will see the fraternal unit drop into the most hostile environments to rescue hostages from pirates off the coast of Somalia, often under the cover of darkness. They have been deployed directly into the heart of the most heated conflicts. In a rare instance of surfacing publicly, the Frogmen, through Conventus Ranae, have joined forces with Linde Werdelin to create a wholly unique timepiece commemorative of their brotherhood. Conventus Ranae is the formal association of past and present members of the Frogman Corps. A fraternal bond is naturally formed between active Frogmen, and Conventus Ranae exists to strengthen that bond between active and retired Frogmen.
Breaking News: Audemars Piguet Appoints Claude Emmenegger as New Creative Director After Octavio Garcia's Departure.
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.
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.
