SIHH 2014: Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Chocolate Dial. Live Pictures.

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Over the years, the Reverso has appeared in a number of different guises and been enriched with various unusual sizes and new horological complications – all the while remaining loyal to the spirit of the watch with two faces. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of this timepiece that has become a cult object, Jaeger-LeCoultre chose to return to the very origins of a legend by presenting the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931, directly inspired by the aesthetic codes of the historical model. This creation, distinguished by an ultra-thin case, contemporary dimensions and remarkably faithfulness to the original, was enthusiastically received by devotees of the Reverso and by watch connoisseurs who expressed the wish that this vintage edition should not remain a one-off model. In response to their desires, the Manufacture already introduced the Grande Reverso Rouge with a deep red dial in 2012, followed the next year by the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface Blue. For 2014, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils the third member of this splendid trilogy: the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 with a chocolate-toned dial.

For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.


Posted on January 22, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Jaeger-LeCoultre, SIHH and tagged Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Chocolate Dial 2014.

SIHH 2014: Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Openworked. Live Macro Pictures.

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Vacheron Constantin, SIHH and tagged Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Openworked SIHH 2014 2014.

SIHH 2014: Experience the Roger Dubuis Pavillion. Pretend You Came Along.

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under SIHH, Roger Dubuis and tagged Roger Dubuis SIHH 2014.

SIHH 2014: Aquatimer Expedition Charles Darwin ref. 3795. Live Pictures and Pricing.

Perhaps the most expected model within the new Aquatimer collection was the new Aquatimer Chronograph Edition "Expedition Charles Darwin" ref. IW379503 with a bronze case. The fact that the new Aquatimer watch collection is being launched against the stupendous backdrop of the Galapagos Islands is no coincidence. With the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Expedition Charles Darwin” ref. IW379503, IWC Schaffhausen traces the journey of the well-known naturalist to the Galapagos Islands. Here, Darwin collected the evidence that formed the basis of his theory on the origin of species. As a tribute and for the first time ever, IWC Schaffhausen makes use of bronze for a watch case —measuring 44 mm— that after seeing it in person, all we can say is that is just stunning.

Regarding the dial, the execution is well balanced, flawless and with a perfect modern 'patina' look. The watch also saw a big improvement in terms of wrist comfort and now it wears like a glove as the case and strap wrap nicely around the wrist. The new rubber strap is way better than the previous generation and texturized with a pattern that is reminiscent of the vintage tropic straps. Stay tuned for the rest of our live pictures for the whole newly presented Aquatimer collection.

Sticker Price $11,100 USD. For more info on IWC SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under IWC, SIHH and tagged quatimer Chronograph Edition "Expedition Charles Darwin" ref. IW379503 New Aquatimer Bronze SIHH 2014 2014.

SIHH 2014: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver White Ceramic ref. 15707CB. Live Pictures and Pricing.

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Sticker Price $23,900 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Audemars Piguet, SIHH and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 15707CB 2014.

SIHH 2014: Audemars Piguet Redesigned Royal Oak Offshore 42mm Line. Macros and Side-by-Side Shots Next to the First Offshore.

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Audemars Piguet, SIHH and tagged Audemars Piguet SIHH 2014 Redesigned Offshore.

SIHH 2014: A. Lange & Söhne Presents the Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna. Live Pictures and Pricing.

A. Lange & Söhne wowed the industry with the unveiling of the horological masterpiece the Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar "Terraluna". This fascinating perpetual calendar aside of providing you with four precise jumping displays for the date, day, month and leap year, includes a patent pending orbital moon phase display, a constant force escapement that delivers accurate timekeeping with an outstanding power reserve of 14 days. The watch is available in 18K white gold or 18K pink gold is fitted with two sides equally impressive and very unique in terms of complication and functionality.

Fitted with a solid and robust case measuring 45.5 mm in diameter and 16.5 mm thick, the watch stands out with the regulator layout of scientific precision watches. The movement side presents an innovative and useful orbital moon-phase display that depicts the constellation of the earth, moon, and sun. The circles of the time indication and the perpetual calendar apertures characterize the design of this new watch. The large minute circle is at the top of the dial, while the smaller dials for the hours and seconds are beneath it, shifted toward the right and left.

As was already the case with the Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” presented in 2011, this dial design was inspired by a great historic role model: Johann Heinrich Seyffert’s 1807 regulator from the world-famous timepiece collection of the Mathematics and Physics Salon. With his ingenious designs, Seyffert helped transform Dresden into a hub of precision horology in the early 19th century. A great advantage in precision pocket watches, the regulator format was appreciated not only by time-keeping services and observatories, but also by watchmaking manufactures where it was used for synchronizing new timepieces. This is because it provided an accurate display of the minutes and seconds.

Beneath the characteristic Lange outsize date —the first one in a model of the Richard Lange collection, incidentally— two smaller apertures show the day of the week on the left and the month on the right. Thanks to this arrangement, the calendar displays can be easily read at a glance. The calendar is mechanically programmed to correctly display the different durations of the months in a year as well as those in leap years until 2100. The leap-year indication is located in a small round window on the right-hand side of the 15 of the minute circle. All displays of the calendar switch forward instantaneously to assure unambiguous readings at all times. To keep the power for the switching process as low as possible, the required energy is gradually built up via a cam and then released abruptly at midnight.

An exciting technical innovation can be seen on the movement side: there, the patent-pending orbital moon-phase display shows the location of the moon relative to the earth and the sun – for the first time ever in a wristwatch. The display consists of three discs. On the star-studded celestial disc, the moon –visible through a round aperture– orbits around the earth anti-clockwise once a month. The mechanism reproduces the synodic month of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds so precisely that it takes 1058 years before the display needs to be corrected by one day. Beneath it, the lunar disc rotates, featuring two round new moons. The progression of the moon phases can be observed through the aperture in the celestial disc. In the constellation view, the position of the sun is occupied by the balance. On new-moon days, the dark moon stands between the earth and the sun. It appears as a bright sphere on the opposite side of the earth on full-moon days. Thus, the position and phase of the moon are indicated simultaneously. In the center of the display, the earth rotates about its own axis once a day. It is daytime on the half that faces the sun, or the balance, and night-time on the other. The peripheral 24-hour scale provides a time-of-day reference for the northern hemisphere.

The ambitious precision goals of Lange’s product developers come to the fore not only in the configuration of the moon-phase display mechanism, which consists of three solid white-gold discs, but also in its design. To achieve a vivid and aesthetically sophisticated image of the orbiting moon-phase display, they chose a special coating process. On the celestial disc, for example, interference effects absorb all of the non-blue color spectra of the incident light. The result is a deep-blue surface studded with more than a thousand high-contrast, sharply contoured stars.

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At the 6-o’clock position, a power-reserve indicator in the form of a circumferential ring tells the owner when the time has come to replenish the movement with fresh energy via the winding crown. The Lange manufacture manual wound calibre L096.1  is crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions with a twin mainspring barrel, constant-force escapement with remontoir spring produced in-house, a three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver and a balance cock engraved by hand. This fascinating calibre is composed of 787 parts, 80 jewels —one screwed in a gold chaton— and provides 336 hours of power reserve —14 days— when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph.

The 18K pink gold model ref. 180.032 is fitted with a hand-stitched reddish-brown crocodile strap with Lange deployant buckle, while the 18K white gold model ref. 180.026 comes with a black crocodile strap also with Lange deployant buckle.

Sticker Price 18K white gold 186,000 Euro and 18K pink gold 185,000 Euro.

For more info on A. Lange & Söhne SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under A Lange Sohne, SIHH and tagged A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna A. Lange & Sohne ref. 180.032.

SIHH 2014: Cartier Presents the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire. Live Pictures and Pricing.

The Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire watch transforms the very essence of the perpetual calendar's functioning and appearance. The Maison's idea involves inventing a creative central display that stems from a revolutionary concept. Designed like an amphitheater, with the intention of clarifying the perpetual calendar's indications, the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire's display is an incredible watchmaking feat. It overcomes numerous readability issues that are specific to the traditional approach to this complication, which requires the juxtaposition of twelve months, seven days, the date and the type of year in a diameter of just a few centimeters. Arranged three-dimensionally in concentric levels, the display of the perpetual calendar's functions is spread over the different levels: the day is indicated on the first. It is followed by the month on the second, which is itself surmounted by the date. Thin windows move along these tiers. The perpetual calendar's final function is indicated by a hand located on the back of watch and shows what type of year it is: a leap year or a normal year. Consisting of gear trains, the construction of the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire watch's movement is a watchmaking feat that solves all the functional and ergonomic problems connected with this type of complication. It breaks away from the design of traditional perpetual calendars and introduces an alternative that enables any risk of breakage to be anticipated, adjustment errors to be resolved and chronometry to be improved. Partially patented, the gear train system of the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire's 9459 MC movement replaces the traditional lever and spring mechanisms with a gear train mechanism that substantially limits the risk of breakage when the watch is over-wound at inadvisable times. The traditional design of a perpetual calendar prohibits any manual correction several hours before and after midnight at the risk of breaking the mechanism. The adjustments made using four minuscule push-pieces on the side of the case are impractical and never clearly identified. This operating problem no longer exists with the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire watch's movement thanks to a setting system that uses the crown.
In addition to the traditional setting of the hour and minute, the crown also controls the date and month indicators. This ease of use is further increased by the possibility of correcting the functions both forwards and backwards. Wearers of the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire watch need no longer fear going beyond the current date as this error is easily corrected. Available in platinum in a limited series of a 100 pieces.

More images and full review coming later.

Sticker Price $150,000 Euro. For more info on Cartier's SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under SIHH, Cartier and tagged Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire 2014.

SIHH 2014: Cartier Presents the Calibre de Cartier Diver's Watch. Live Pictures and Pricing.

Presented earlier today, the Calibre de Cartier Diver's watch is a true diving watch that meets the standards from the ISO 6425 for diving watches. We also decided to include a few images of the gold version model. Full review and more images to come.

Sticker Price for Stainless Steel model with rubber strap $5,550 Euro and for gold with rubber $19,000 Euro. For more info on Cartier's SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under SIHH, Cartier and tagged Calibre de Cartier Diver's Watch 2014.

SIHH 2014: Cartier Presents the Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon. Live Pictures and Pricing.

The fascinating Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon watch was presented earlier today and we got a few up close shots for you including a wrist shot. This watch is the fruit of a technical and creative ambition that for Cartier consists of bringing together two complications in a daring display. The watch owes its name to the stylized portrayal of the globe and the moon represented by a tourbillon. Together, they form a creative and animated world with skeletonized Roman numerals surrounding this dynamic feat of watchmaking. The moon-phase mechanism of the Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon watch is founded on a creative and complex design that combines a tourbillon, moon phase on demand and a second time zone. The Tourbillon mechanism is a complex complication that falls within the expertise of a limited number of watchmakers. Its main function is to fight against the effects of gravity when the watch is in a vertical position. Because it appears in its original form and exists only when its user wishes it to, the moon phase on the Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon watch reveals a technical creativity that is doubly innovative. By pressing the push-button situated at four o'clock on the side of the case, a panels descends and partially obscures the Tourbillon carriage. The crescent thus formed reproduces exactly the moon's shape in the sky. Available in a limited edition of 50 pieces.

More pictures and full review coming later.

Sticker Price $200,000 Euro. For more info on Cartier's SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under SIHH, Cartier and tagged Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon 2014.

SIHH 2014: Jaeger-LeCoultre Unveils Their New Timepieces. All of Them are Just Amazing.

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In addition to some of the timepieces that had been unveiled right before the SIHH 2014, Jaeger-LeCoultre surprised everyone with a very large number of new watches including the Hybris Mechanica 11, Master Ultra Thin 1907 and Master Ultra Thin Grand Feu, Master Ultra Thin and Master Ultra Thin Date, the chocolate Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931, the Duomètre Unique Travel Time and Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire and the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel amongst others.

More pictures and full reviews to follow. For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Jaeger-LeCoultre, SIHH and tagged SIHH 2014 Jaeger-LeCoultre Novelties 2014.

SIHH 2014: IWC Presents the New Aquatimer Collection. Stunning and Well Balanced.

Today at the SIHH 2014 in Geneva, we were able to finally see the new IWC Aquatimer collection composed of nine new gorgeous looking watches. More pictures and full reviews to follow. In the meantime enjoy these images.

For more info on IWC's SIHH 2014 Novelties click here.

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under SIHH, IWC and tagged SIHH 2014 New Aquatimer Collection 2014.

SIHH 2014: Audemars Piguet Reinvents the 42mm Royal Oak Offshore as ref. 26470. Live Pictures and Pricing.

A while back we heard from Francois-Henry Bennahmias that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad would not be discontinued but reinvented. Well, today we finally saw the result from such reinvention not only for the now long gone Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad but also for the whole Royal Oak Offshore 42 mm line. The result a new redesigned case with ceramic pushers, ceramic crown, a more robust crown guard, display case back, a revamped dial layout with méga tapisserie, thinner numbers and very nicely done rubber straps with a very similar look to the strap on the Royal Oak Offshore Diver. The new reference number is now 26470 with six new models in total.

More pictures and details to follow. Sticker Prices:

Stainless steel 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore on Hornback alligator $26,000 USD, Stainless steel 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore Navy on rubber strap $25,600 USD, 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore 18K Rose Gold on strap $40,700 USD and 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore 18K Rose Gold on matching bracelet $69,200 USD.

For more info on Audemars Piguet SIHH 2014 novelties click here.

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under SIHH, Audemars Piguet and tagged SIHH 2014 New AP Diver New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470 2014.

Experience: SIHH 2014. Reporting Live From Geneva, Switzerland.

We will be reporting via this website and our Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr accounts all week straight from Geneva, Switzerland during the week of the SIHH 2014. Flying from London to Geneva via Swiss Air is always a pleasure.

We have settled into our headquarters for the week at the Intercontinental Geneva and we are ready to start our reporting.

Stay tuned for more as we will be posting updates several times a day.

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Posted on January 19, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under News, SIHH and tagged SIHH 2014.

Experience: MARCUS Watches in London. A Watch Shopping Paradise for Audemars Piguet and Haute Horlogerie Lovers.

As we prepare to report directly from Geneva during our week at the SIHH 2014, we decided to spend a few days in London. As many of you know, London is considered a must when it comes to watch shopping. When it comes to Audemars Piguet and highly complicated watches, there is no better place to stop by other than MARCUS watches located on 170 New Bond Street. MARCUS is advertised as containing “The most important collection of watches in the World” and we can say that they deliver on that promises. The range of brands they carry is truly formidable, ranging from long-established, high end brands such as Audemars Piguet, Piaget, Girard-Perregaux and Zenith to more recent haute horlogerie brands like Richard Mille, Urwerk, MCT, Hautlence and Greubel Forsey amongst others.

The store was established in its current form by Marcus Margulies whose family company, Time Products, dates back to the early 1960’s when his Father Alexander moved to England from Poland and established a business distributing inexpensive watches imported from the Soviet Union. This company was named Sekonda and is now the UK’s best-selling watch brand. Time Products has worked closely with the Swiss Luxury Watch Industry and is currently the UK distributor for Hublot and Franck Muller. Other brands that have been distributed by Time Products in the UK include Blancpain, Breguet, Girard-Perregaux, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet which was distributed in the UK, Switzerland and the U.S. for over 15 years.

The store has one of the rarest collections of vintage and antique timepieces in the world. The collection was started in 1989. During the past twenty years it has bought some extremely rare, sometimes unique, pocket and wristwatches, the majority having been produced by the watch companies Time Products represents. The purpose of the collection has always been to support retail customers by promoting the brands when they hold exhibitions. Below you will see a picture of Marcus, the man behind this watch shopping paradise.

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As you head into this fascinating boutique you'll experience a very interesting combination of modern and antique decor. The boutique is nestled inside an old building that according to UK laws, its interior can only be modified to certain extent and features like its crown molding or its staircase had to be kept intact. Therefore, you will find a nice combination of the old meeting the new, the same fascinating combo that we find in the rare and exclusive timepieces than can be found here. MARCUS sells some of the most interesting unique piece limited editions including sets and watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore MARCUS limited edition, the Richard Mille RM028 Divers Set of 3 unique pieces, the Greubel Forsey set of 3 pieces as well as some amazing Urwerks, MCTs, Hublots and Franck Mullers amongst others.

The boutique spreads over four levels of elegant decor, free standing showcases and perfectly designed salons with excellent natural light. The boutique is quite large but very intimate and inviting despite the fact that as soon as you walk in the first timepieces that greet you include a very rare 18K rose gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication with skeletonized dial of which only 3 pieces were ever made and priced well above $700,000 USD. As you head upstairs you know you are in for a big treat as the Audemars Piguet room awaits you. A salon that includes some of the most fascinating Audemars Piguet timepieces we've ever seen and the largest inventory on display. Now, let's move on to the images and let these do the talking. Below you will see several very hard to find pieces including one of the MARCUS limited editions as well as a exclusive Royal Oak with diamond baguettes and emeralds.

Now meet one of the three limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshores exclusively created for MARCUS. This one is the Royal Oak Offshore Black DLC Steel Marcus Limited Edition of 50 pieces in blackened DLC steel case with black "Mega Tapisserie" dial, white Arabic numerals, crown and pushers in white, case back engraved with the Marcus M logo and a white rubber strap. You need to see one in person to really fully appreciate it. Just amazing.

As you continue to move upstairs, you are greeted by a beautiful display full of antique watchmaking tools and some fascinating timepieces that left us in awe. Elegance and refinement are the name of the game at this boutique where even a beautiful Asprey leather backgammon set is awaiting there for one to play a quick round with Marcus while watch shopping. On this level you will find a 3-piece set of Greubel Forsey Tourbillons all numbered with the number 7, a Richard Mille RM022 Tourbillon Diamonds Marcus unique piece, a unique Piaget watch with 'cloissoné' enamel case and dial and a unique piece of the fascinating ultra complicated Urwerk UR-1001 Zeit Device pocket watch in blackened platinum instead of the traditional AlTiN treated steel. This Urwerk weighs almost a kilo —2 pounds— of platinum and measures an era in its entirety, from a second to a millennium with a revolving satellite complication with wandering hours, retrograde minutes, revolving satellite calendar with months and dates, day/night indicator, power-reserve indicator, running seconds, “Oil change” indicator for every 5 years, running-time indicator for a century and linear running-time indicator for a millennium.

After you're done some serious shopping upstairs and just in case you have time for some wine and more APs, you might be escorted downstairs to the lower level where an amazing built-in watch display with winders, wine cellar and humidor awaits you. Just in case you didn't find anything you liked upstairs at the Audemars Piguet salon, down here you will find another huge selection of APs including the Royal Oak Offshore Sachin Tendulkar Limited Edition.

As you head back upstairs to the ground level, pay close attention to the antique table where the stairs end, here you will see the amazing Reuge by MB&F Music Machine in its full glory and behind no glass. After an unforgettable experience perusing some of the most exclusive and exceptional timepieces you can find in London and the world, we thank Alex at MARCUS for such a wonderful afternoon and great hospitality. Thanks for making us feel at home.

For more info on MARCUS watches click here.

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Watch Shopping and tagged Marcus Watches Watch Shopping London Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Piaget Unique Piece in Cloissone Case Richard Mille RM022 Tourbillon Marcus Diamonds Urwerk UR-1001 Zeit Device Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Diamonds and Emeralds Asprey Backgammon Set Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon Secret Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Marcus Limited Edition Marcus Margulies Top Watch Shopping.

News: Pre-SIHH 2014 Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents the Hybris Mechanica Eleven Watch. A 75-Piece Limited Edition Ultra Thin Minute Repeater with Flying Tourbillon.

A Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon, a new era in the world of Grand Complications
In 1907, Jaeger-LeCoultre laid the foundations of what was to prove a key element in the identity of its watches. That was the year when the association between Paris-based businessman Edmond Jaeger and Swiss watchmaker Jacques-David LeCoultre gave birth to the world’s thinnest pocket watch featuring a blend of aesthetic refinement and horological sophistication that only a Manufacture uniting the full range of skills under one roof could hope to achieve. Today, Jaeger-LeCoultre confirms its ability to anticipate the future of Fine Watchmaking by unveiling the Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon watch, the eleventh creation in the Hybris Mechanica collection and the first ultra-thin Grand Complication model.
Eleven, the number standing for inventions and exceeding expectations. Hybris Mechanica Eleven watch, a new era – that of ultra-thin Grand Complications.

Think-tanks composed of insatiable visionaries and tireless developers: such is the very nature of the teams at Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. It enables them, just one year after the introduction of the Master Ultra Thin Jubilee, to present an authentic pioneer in the field of Grand Complications. The newcomer bears a name revealing a set of technical feats that are bound to stimulate the imagination of Fine Watchmaking connoisseurs. And rightly so. The Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon stems from research on two iconic horological complications. It is indeed the slimmest minute repeater in its category at just 7.9 mm thin. This watch capitalises on eight separate patents, six of which are entirely new. Its entire development process was governed by two watchwords – ingenuity and performance. Its quintessence lies in a successful bid to achieve extreme slenderness while making no compromises on reliability.
Hybris Mechanica Eleven is equipped with an original tourbillon, a high-performance new balance-spring, a peripheral automatic winding system, a retractable single push button, as well as a new minute repeater equipped with a silent-timelapse reduction system. As the latest addition to an illustrious and fertile saga of Jaeger-LeCoultre striking watches, this model consolidates the brand’s leadership in this field. Hybris Mechanica Eleven watch resolutely confirms that excellence and surpassing existing limits are second nature to Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Contrary to the classic tourbillon with a construction that tends to obstruct the view of certain components, the Manufacture wished to allow complete visibility of the heart of the watch. Avoiding ordinary solutions, Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmakers have developed and patented an all-new tourbillon. Hybris Mechanica Eleven watch is equipped with a world première in the shape of a flying tourbillon fitted with a flying balance-wheel. This technical feat ensures a full view of both balance-wheel and spring that may both be observed in motion from a radically different perspective. The gaze is captivated by the regular swinging of the balance-wheel, with the balance-spring fixed above it in a highly unusual stage-setting. This expressive and appealing construction also contributes to reducing the overall thickness thanks to the prodigious inventiveness of the master-watchmakers in the Manufacture. These substantial developments required rethinking the regulating organ and developing a new balance-spring specifically hand-crafted in the Complications workshop. All the characteristics of this new tourbillon are geared towards achieving extreme precision, watchmaking’s ultimate goal.

In its absolute quest to optimize components, the Manufacture has conceived and developed an automatic winding system that captivates by its remarkable conception and execution. To provide more space and achieve record-breaking ultra-thin dimensions, the winding is handled by a oscillating peripheral weight with a platinum segment visible through narrow openings on the dial. This platinum segment takes advantage of the wearer’s wrist movements to revolve around the dial and wind the mainspring. It is fitted on a ceramic ball bearing mechanism specially developed for this device. It is also extremely effective and able to move freely in either direction. However only clockwise rotation actually winds the calibre. The sculptural purity of the perfectly integrated high-performance oscillating weight becomes an aesthetic element in its own right, thereby further enhancing the graphic power of the watch.

Hybris Mechanica Eleven watch stems from a new line of approach: a minute repeater movement entirely rethought and rebuilt to be ultra-thin. A minute repeater strikes the hours, quarters and minutes on demand. When there are no quarters to be struck, a lengthy silent timelapse occurs between sounding the hours and the minutes. While there is always such an audible hiatus in the sequence, it is particularly audible when there are no quarters involved. To solve this problem, an innovative system reducing this silent timelapse was developed. It detects the absence of quarters to be struck and thus eliminates the marked pause between striking the hours and minutes. As a result, the appropriate high- and low-pitched notes seamlessly follow their appointed pattern without breaking the tempo. Again as part of an effort to make the watch even slimmer while preserving an extremely pure aesthetic, this minute repeater is activated by a retractable single pushbutton for which the Manufacture has filed a patent. Hybris Mechanica Eleven is equipped with a discreet locking system at 8 o’clock. Actuating it brings out the pushbutton that triggers the minute repeater. Once the minute repeater is activated, the pushbutton returns to its initial recessed position, thus ensuring that nothing disturbs the flowing, elegant appearance of the watch. The discretion, the user-friendliness and the technical feat represented by this retractable push button are not the only advantages of this ingenious innovation. As opposed to the traditional slides used to activate the minute repeater function and for which the length of travel may vary according to the hour to be struck, this construction ensures a constant 2 mm travel distance that is enough to both wind the barrel and trigger the minute repeater.

Issued in a 75-piece limited edition, Hybris Mechanica Eleven is powered by Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 362 and has a 45-hour power reserve. It is crafted in ultra-white 18-carat gold and teamed with a high-end alligator leather strap secured by a white gold pin buckle. The impressive complexity of Hybris Mechanica Eleven foreshadows the future presentation of the Hybris Artistica collection – of which the mission is to combine the most technical and creative skills of the artisans within a Manufacture housing 180 different forms of know-how. Jaeger-LeCoultre is more strongly inspired than ever by the intangible heritage of the Maison: the unquenchable thirst to push existing boundaries and to create timepieces in the vanguard of innovation. Driven by such strong convictions, Hybris Mechanica Eleven places Jaeger-LeCoultre firmly at the very pinnacle of ultra-thin horology and Grand Complications.

For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here.


TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon
Movement: Mechanical automatic movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 362, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand. 45-hour power reserve, 21,600 vibrations per hour, 471 parts, 4.8 mm thick, 33.3 mm in diameter.

Dial: Silver-toned, grained, Traditional baton-type —transferred.

Hands: Dauphine.

Functions:
Hours, minutes
Minute repeater equipped with silent-timelapse reduction function
Flying tourbillon with flying balance-wheel
Automatic winding via a peripheral oscillating weight

Case: 18-carat extra-white gold, 7.9 mm thick and 41 mm in diameter.
Polished lugs, entirely polished caseband and bezel

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black high-end Jaeger-LeCoultre alligator leather, white gold high-end pin buckle

Reference: 1313520, 75-piece limited series.

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under News, SIHH, Jaeger-LeCoultre and tagged Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica Jaeger-LeCoultre ref. 1313520 Jaeger-LeCoultre Ultra Thin Minute Repeater and Flying Tourbillon Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 362 2014.

News: JEANRICHARD Launches the Aeroscope 208 Seconds. Honoring Captain Chesley "Sully' Sullenberger and the Miracle on the Hudson.

Last night January 14th, 2014, JEANRICHARD honored its brand ambassador, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River with the launch of the special edition “208 Seconds” Aeroscope watch. The event that took place at a well-known watch store on Madison Avenue in New York City, celebrated how the American hero saved 155 people in only 208 seconds on January 15, 2009.

 “We are privileged to have worked with Captain Sullenberger on our new “208 Seconds” Aeroscope”, said Bruno Grande, COO of JEANRICHARD. “The watch showcases the importance of time, Sully’s inspirational achievement in seconds of great urgency, and his efforts since then to continue to help change and improve people’s lives and support organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Rory Staunton Foundation. This is very much in line with JEANRICHARD’s values and philosophy of life. In situations such as those on January 15, 2009, one can only rely upon your training, preparedness and the knowledge that you are serving a cause greater than yourself”, said Captain Sullenberger. “The “208 Seconds” Aeroscope I was able to design with JEANRICHARD also symbolizes the values of personal responsibility and I am grateful for their support of my philanthropic work.”

208 seconds made Captain Sullenberger a hero and the watch's automatic chronograph movement perfectly embodies the spirit and respect that the Captain and JEANRICHARD have for time. The 208 seconds are represented by a subtle marked white and red timeline on the timepiece’s black dial. Available on a black Barenia calfskin strap, the JEANRICHARD “208 Seconds” Aeroscope is a re-interpretation of the old aviators’ watches, and with its titanium cushion-shaped case shares a man’s most enduring dream with style. Part of the proceeds of the watch will go to The American Red Cross and The Rory Staunton Foundation, two of Captain Sullenberger's philanthropic endeavors. 

Throughout the event guests also participated in a social media challenge, where they were tasked to take a wrist shot of the new “208 Seconds” Aeroscope and post it to their Instagram account. The “Best Shot” will be re-grammed today, January 15th, through the brand’s Instagram account @JRwatches. The winner will receive a “208 Seconds” Aeroscope watch.

Sticker Price $5,400 USD. For more info on JEANRICHARD click here

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Events, News, JEANRICHARD and tagged JEANRICHARD Aeroscope 208 Seconds Bruno Grande COO JEANRICHARD Chesley Sully Sullenberger.

News: Pre-Baselworld 2014 Omega Unveils the New Speedmaster Mark II. A Classic Chronograph Gets Updated with Two Fascinating Dial Variants.

1969 was a memorable year for humankind. For the first time, we broke our terrestrial bonds and set foot on another world – and the astronauts who took those first steps on the lunar surface were equipped with Omega Speedmaster Professional chronographs. The same year, Omega introduced the new-look Speedmaster Mark II, a timepiece with a streamlined case that was powered by the same space-tested, hand-wound calibre 861 found inside the Moonwatch. In 2014 Omega has reintroduced this classic Speedmaster Mark II and updated it to include an automatic movement and tachymetric scale that is visible in the most limited light – a first in the iconic Speedmaster family.

The polished and brushed stainless steel case is barrel-shaped and has a polished crown and pushers. A date corrector is located at 10 o’clock on the case. The dial is complete with the three recognisable sub-dials: a 30-minute recorder at 3 o’clock, 12-hour recorder at 6 o’clock and small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. A flat scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects the matt black or grey dial. The transparent tachymetric scale on the sapphire crystal is illuminated from beneath by an aluminium ring filled with Super-Luminova. The varnished white and black hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova as is the central chronograph hand. For Omega fans and Speedmaster fanatics who are looking for an iconic design with a bit of colour, the Speedmaster Mark II with the grey dial features a fluorescent orange central chronograph seconds hand and a matching minute track.

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The case is fitted with a brushed stainless steel bracelet, complete with Omega’s patented extendable fold over rack-and-pusher clasp. The watch is presented with a tool that makes adjusting the date quick and easy. Distinguishing the new Speedmaster Mark II from the 1969 watch that inspired it is the Co-Axial calibre 3330, a self-winding movement equipped with an Si14 silicon balance spring and a column-wheel chronograph mechanism. The new Omega Speedmaster Mark II is water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet and is delivered with a full four-year warranty.

More details coming when we are reporting from Baselworld 2014 at the end of March. For more info on Omega click here.


Posted on January 14, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Omega, News, Baselworld and tagged Omega Speedmaster Mark II 2014.

News: Pre-Baselworld 2014 Breva Genève Unveils the Génie 02 Terre. Full Presentation of the Watch in Geneva Next Week.

Following the success and ground breaking technology behind the Génie 01 with barometer, next week in Geneva —taking advantage of the fact that the international press will gather at the SIHH 2014—, Breva Genève will be presenting the new addition to their collection, the Breva Génie 02 Terre.

This new watch combines the stunning sophistication of a beautifully crafted mechanical timepiece with the practicality of a fully functional, high-performance mechanical altimeter. The Génie 02 Terre is a limited edition of 55 pieces in titanium G5 and is available with either meter or feet calibrations on the altimeter.

The superbly finished proprietary movement, much of which can be fully appreciated through the open dial and display case back, was developed exclusively for Breva by award-winning movement constructor Jean-François Mojon from Chronode. Génie 02 Terre is 100% Swiss-made, from inception to realization.

The dial side is dominated by a sub-dial at 8 o'clock displaying hours and minutes, and the precision altimeter sub-dial at 2 o'clock displaying meters or feet. Arching around the top of the dial is the large-scale altitude indicator, which displays up to 5,000 meters —16,400 feet—, with small seconds below. At 4 o'clock, an indicator shows when the air valve is open or closed —it must be open to indicate the altitude—, below which is the 65-hour power reserve indicator. In pride of place at the bottom of the dial, the top of one of the two aneroid capsules measuring air pressure —from which the altitude is derived— is visible, with a high-precision arm multiplying by 200 times the expansion and contraction of the capsules and relaying the air pressure to the two altitude indications.

Three chevron-engraved crowns wind, set, adjust and operate the functions of Génie 02:

a. 9 o'clock: Two-position crown both winds the movement and sets the time.

b. 2 o'clock: A screw down crown rotates both the altitude's precision-scale and large-scale to adjust for variations in air pressure, which affect altitude readings.

c. 4 o'clock: Screw down crown either seals air out of the movement or allows it in —for altitude function. Longevity and reliability of the timepiece are maximized by means of an osmotic Teflon membrane that filters any moisture and humidity from any air before it enters the movement. Just above the crown, a white indicator marked 'SEALED' warns when valve is locked.

Turning the Génie 02 Terre over, the complexity of the beautifully finished 415-component movement can be more fully appreciated. The movement is framed by the names of prestigious ski resorts − Aspen, Vail, Las Lenas, Gstaad, St Moritz, Zermatt, Courchevel, Cortina, Kitzbuhel, and Lech − along with their altitudes, engraved around the perimeter of the case back. When winding the movement you can see the rotation of the cap of the mainspring barrel.

We will be reporting from Geneva all next week to bring you all the news from the SIHH 2014 and live images of this amazing timepiece.

For more info on Breva Genève click here.

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under News, Baselworld, Breva and tagged Breva Geneve Genie 02 Terre Chronode Jean-Francois Mojon SIHH 2014.

Macros: Breguet Hora Mundi ref. 5717. One of Our Favorite Worldtimers.

The Breguet Classique Hora Mundi ref. 5717 in 18K rose gold or platinum is our second favorite worldtimer right after the Patek Philippe ref. 5130 in terms of functionality and our favorite one in terms of design. This watch is fitted with a robust 43mm case and with the Breguet automatic calibre 77F0. For this particular watch, there are three versions of the dial available each representing one part of the world: the Americas, the European and African continents, or Asia and Oceania with a total of six different references. The dial features chapter ring with Arabic numerals, light blue inlay depicting the ocean, highly polished 'bass relief' continent and the Breguet secret signature between 12 and 1 o'clock.

Besides its elegant and unique design, the greatest feature about this watch, is its iconic complication with an instant-jump 24 timezone display system with synchronized date that with the push of the button located at 7 o'clock you can jump from your pre-selected home time to the pre-selected second time zone back and forth as many times as necessary with a synchronized date indicator. The home time and second time zone are displayed in a small aperture at 6 o'clock, the date is displayed at 12 o'clock and a delicate and intricately finished moon phase aperture is located at 3 o 'clock.

Sticker Price $78,900 USD —18K rose gold— $94,200 USD —platinum. For more info on Breguet click here.

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Breguet and tagged Breguet Hora Mundi ref. 5717br/us/9zu Breguet Hora Mundi ref. 5717pt/us/9zu 2014.