The new Blancpain Chronographe Pulsomètre from the Villeret collection is welcoming a brand new automatic in-house movement this year, beating at a rate of 36,000 vph —5 Hz— and equipped with a flyback chronograph function. Moreover, for the very first time, it also displays a pulsometer function serving to check a heart rate quickly and easily, a convenient tool for doctors. This Villeret Chronographe Pulsomètre houses a new 13-ligne in-house calibre perfectly suited to the size of the case. This new movement with its heart beating at 36,000 vph, a first at Blancpain, comprises 322 parts including a silicon balance spring. It is equipped with a vertical clutch as well as a chronograph mechanism controlled by a column wheel. It also features a flyback function enabling instant chronograph resetting and restarting simply by pressing a pusher at 4 o’clock —a device that proves extremely useful when measuring successive time periods.
News: The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève Unveils the Pre-Selection for 2014. Time To Vote Online.
The Foundation of the GPHG —Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève has revealed the list of the 72 pre-selected watches in the running to win the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix or one of the 16 prizes that will salute 2014's finest watch creations. This edition of the GPHG 2014 has attracted record participation, with all the major watch groups represented, along with a number of independent companies. Small and large brands alike are confronting their creations in a competitive and unifying spirit, thereby contributing to promoting the renown of an art that consistently targets excellence and displays exceptional vitality. For your convenience, we have included all the 72 pre-selected watches on this post, as well as the links to the reviews we have published here for a vast majority of them.
Insider: JEANRICHARD Terrascope Aluminum. A Fun Timepiece in the Three Primary Colors.
The JEANRICHARD Terrascope ref. 60500-10-702-FK4A released earlier this year during Baselworld 2014, is as colorful as any luxurious timepiece gets. This is not a bumble bee, nor a volcano —perhaps some of the most colorful timepieces out there—, this is a beautifully finished timepiece that might be perceived as too loud and bright by a few, but for others quite fun and unique looking. The new JEANRICHARD Terrascope Aluminum features an ultra colorful aluminum case —not as light as many would imagine weighing 108 grams— in blue, red and green measuring 44 mm in diameter with the unmistakeable vertical satin brushed finish of the JEANRICHARD collections. Literally, a perfect interpretation of the three primary colors, all rounded up by a beautiful white dial with blued applied markers with orange luminescent material and a blue rubber strap.
Insider: Girard-Perregaux Traveller WW.TC Titanium DLC Black. Hands-on Review of a True Road Warrior Companion.
Released a little bit over a month ago, today we bring you our hands-on review of the latest iteration of the iconic Girard-Perregaux Traveller WW.TC, we are talking about the new Girard-Perregaux Traveller WW.TC Titanium DLC with its intense black look. This new watch offers a combination of high performance and understated wrist presence that meet in a very sporty, yet elegant timepiece. Fitted with a feather light —weighing only 104 grams— DLC treated titanium case measuring 44 mm in diameter this new reference is pure masculinity. Featuring two of the most useful horological complications —a chronograph and a world timer— the new Girard-Perregaux Traveller WW.TC Titanium DLC ref. 49700-21-631-BB6C is not only very practical but a perfect companion for those road warriors changing time zones frequently.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James Limited Edition. A Collection of Live Close-ups and Wrist Shots.
Last year we reported live from Miami during the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James launch party and we presented you images of the new watch inside the showcase.
This time, we are bringing you some very personal and closeup images of the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James limited edition ref. 26210OI.OO.A109CR.01 that we took last year while attending the SIAR in Mexico City.
As it is customary with our insider reviews, we have now included the mandatory wrist shot for your viewing pleasure. Now, please enjoy the eye candy!
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar ref. 5396G 'A Shared Vision'. Especially Created for the Anniversary of the Patek Philippe Boutique at Tiffany's.
Especially developed by Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. and released at the end of 2012 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Patek Philippe Boutique located inside the Tiffany & Co. flagship New York store, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar ref. 5396G-012 is one of the most exclusive and rare timepieces from Patek Philippe in the modern era. Fitted with a 38 mm 18K white gold case, this annual calendar featuring day, date, month, moon phase and 24-hour indication comes with a glossy black dial and a matte black alligator strap. A perfect symphony to commemorate such an important partnership. To make things even more special, its black dial is double-signed by Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. featuring applied white gold classic Breguet numerals and a pearled recessed minute track, making this watch a true classic in all the sense of the word.
Experience: 1952 Hudson Hornet. Black and Cream Just like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Safari.
The Hudson Hornet is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit for three years between 1951 and 1954 and then produced between 1955 and 1957 by the now long gone American Motors Corporation —AMC. In case you don't know who AMC was, they were the company behind two of the ugliest cars ever built in the seventies, the Pacer and the Gremlin.
Last Saturday, we stumbled upon this beautiful 1952 Hudson Hornet during a rainy afternoon in Dallas, Texas. As we were driving by the affluent Preston Hollow area, this gorgeous automobile caught our eye and brought us back in time to 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. During the late 50s and early 60s many police departments throughout the U.S. —including the Dallas Police Department— stocked Hudson Hornets as their police cars.
News: Presenting the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph. A Masterpiece of Horology.
It was in 1993 that Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak Offshore. A natural evolution of the Royal Oak launched in 1972, the supersized 'Offshore' was large, bold, rugged and highly functional. Genta’s original Royal Oak was the definitive source of reference and inspiration for the Royal Oak Offshore designed by a talented, young, second generation designer working for Audemars Piguet named Emmanuel Gueit. The new design diverged from the original in several significant ways that came to be the defining characteristics of the Royal Oak Offshore. The most pronounced shift was the dramatic case size of 42 mm. While this is standard fare in 2014, it was a shock when introduced in 1993 at Baselworld. By this time, the watch had already been nicknamed, ‘The Beast’ due to its staggering proportions.
Experience: The Audemars Piguet Museum. An Unforgettable Afternoon in Le Brassus.
A while back, while we were in Switzerland, we had the opportunity to visit the Audemars Piguet Museum in Le Brassus, a lifetime experience for any Audemars Piguet watchlifestyler.
Our appointment at the museum was scheduled for 1:30pm on a gloomy Friday. Considering that we were staying in Zürich and the drive to Le Brassus is almost three hours long, we knew we had to be on the road by 10 o'clock in order to be there on time. Here's a picture while we were getting ready to go pick up our car, right before breakfast time. This classic Hermès belt has been worn along with several Audemars Piguet Jumbos in the collection since the 90s.
Insider: Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial Titanium. Hands-On Review of an Icon.
The first Omega Seamaster 300 was originally launched in 1957 and introduced specifically for divers and professionals who worked underwater. This new model of the Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial is fitted with a case measuring 41 mm in diameter and is available in stainless steel, a platinum limited edition of 357 pieces, in grade 5 titanium like the one under review here, in grade 5 titanium with 18K Sedna gold, in stainless steel with 18K Sedna gold or in 18K Sedna gold.
The new Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial features a sandblasted ceramic dial —that appears matte to the naked eye— with a 'faux patina' vintage look, Arabic transferred numerals, carved out Super-LumiNova markers —not a sandwich dial as many of you thought— and a smooth stainless steel bezel with a beautiful blue Liquidmetal insert.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX5 World Chronograph Racing. Only 100 Pieces of this Stunning Limited Edition.
Inspired by the Aston Martin, the design of the Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX5 World Chronograph Racing ref. 193J420 is the ultimate in refinement and a timepiece that is quite exclusive as only 100 pieces were ever made.
The partnership between Jaeger-LeCoultre is not the result of chance but the meeting of the minds. The AMVOX series was born from a rich shared history whose beginnings lie in Jaeger car dials and a reciprocal passion for high watchmaking and beautiful mechanics. The partnership between Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin has thus developed around a respect for shared values and a constant quest for technical and aesthetic perfection. The AMVOX5 World Chronograph Racing ref. 193J420 is a perfect example of what bright minds can achieve when joining forces and working together.
Insider: Richard Mille RM028 Americas Limited Edition Diver. Outstanding Wrist Presence and Only 30 Pieces Made.
Just like any other Richard Mille watch, the RM028 Americas Limited Edition Diver has superior craftsmanship. Richard Mille timepieces are very well known for their groundbreaking design and for the use of very unique metal alloys. The Richard Mille RM028 Americas Diver is a limited edition watch of only 30 pieces that is exclusively available in North and South America. It follows the design lines of the RM025 —Richard Mille's first diver's watch.
This watch is composed of a three-piece DLC titanium case, measuring 47 mm in width and 14.6 mm in thickness. The rotating bezel is formed by three layers that are connected with 22 eight-point-star-shaped screws which means that the bezel cannot be dislocated by impact. It is sturdy and very functional with white and red Arabic numerals that contrast very nicely with the dark finish of the case and the open-worked dial.
Insider: Blancpain Villeret Chronographe Monopoussoir. A Complete Calendar with Moon Phase and Mono-Pusher Chronograph.
Villeret, Blancpain’s native village, is the inspiration for this manufacture's most classic collection. This time, we are presenting you our review of the Blancpain Villeret Chronographe Monopoussoir ref. 6685-1127-55B, a mono-pusher chronograph featuring a complete calendar and moon phase complication. This is perhaps one of the best priced complications out there with a ton of pedigree behind it.
This amazing watch is fitted with a double-stepped stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter and 12.98mm in thickness. The watch is fitted with a white 'grand feu' enamel dial with Roman numerals, chapter ring for the dates, chrono-hour register at 9, chrono-minute register at 3, moon phase aperture at 6 and two small rectangular apertures at 12 o'clock for the day of the week and the month.
Insider: Officine Panerai Radiomir S.L.C. 'Siluro a Lento Corsa' 3 Days PAM 425. Iconic Like its Predecessor from 1936.
The Officine Panerai Radiomir S.L.C. —Siluro a Lento Corsa— 3 Days, represents a tribute to the history of Officine Panerai and to a watch that has constituted a fundamental milestone in the history of professional diver’s watchmaking. Many of the characteristics of this watch come straight from the prototype created by Panerai in 1936 to equip the commandos of the Royal Italian Navy. Fitted with a cushion case in stainless steel with measuring 47 mm in diameter, the Radiomir S.L.C. 3 Days features the iconic slender wire strap attachments of the Radiomir line as well as the conical —onion shaped— crown and a very simple dial with a special feature on bas-relief.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26288. One of Our Favorite Tourbillons in The Market.
This time we are talking about one of our favorite tourbillons in the market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26288OF.OO.D002CR.01. This is a grail for many watchlifestylers and one hell of a watch. This Offshore is not only one amazing horological complication, but perhaps one of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs with the most mesmerizing wrist presence.
This robust timepiece featuring a tourbillon, also features an integrated column wheel 30-minute chronograph —quite a complication. This watch is fitted with an 18K pink gold case measuring 44 mm in diameter and 16.60 mm in thickness, an anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal, an anti-reflective coated display case back, a forged carbon bezel, a black ceramic screw-down crown and black ceramic chrono pushers.
Experience: Iberico 'Pata Negra' Ham 5J Cinco Jotas along with a Rolex Submariner ref. 16800. When Two Classics Meet.
It's been a while since we brought you content around food, one of the key components of the good life. The Iberico acorn-fed ham from Spain is as classic and refined as an unpolished Rolex Submariner 16800 with tons of real patina. Faithful to its origins, Cinco Jotas makes one of the finest acorn-fed hams in Spain and the company has maintained the purity of the 'Pata Negra' —black hoof— Iberian pigs they use as well as the proper preservation of their natural ecosystem —in which the pigs develop— flawlessly, just like Rolex has kept its DNA intact over the last 60 years. The 'Pata Negra' acorn-fed ham Cinco Jotas, just like real patina on a Rolex Submariner is easily identified by its color, texture, overall appearance and cannot be faked as those that are true connoisseurs will be able to spot it.
Insider: Hublot King Power 'Red Devil' Manchester United Limited Edition. 250 Pieces for True Reds.
For the third time Hublot and UK Football team Manchester United come together for a special limited edition watch. This special partnership started in 2009 when Hublot installed an H-shaped structure comprised of a 10 meter tower in the shape of an H —just like the one on the Hublot logo— that holds four clock faces with a diameter of two meters each, strategically located by the parking lot in front of the East Stand. Additionally, two other limited edition Hublot Manchester United watches were released before this one.
Considering the long standing partnership between the two companies, this watch is a particular treat for Manchester United fans that are true reds and which comes in a very limited edition of 250 pieces in 18K red gold with a titanium middle case measuring 48 mm in diameter.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400. The Largest Royal Oak Ever Made.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400 is the largest Royal Oak ever made with an over-sized case with a diameter of 41 mm. This fantastic reference —also available in rose gold— is a clear result of the continuous evolution of the Royal Oak and the manufacture's constant forward thinking.
Since its launch in 1972, the Royal Oak has gone through several design modifications including at least 12 references in 39mm, 12 in 36mm, 15 in 33 mm and even a rectangular Royal Oak ref. 6005. Today, the Royal Oak continues to embrace its core values just like it did 40 years ago regardless of its size. For some Royal Oak purists, bigger means betraying the original Jumbo. We have to admit that it took us a good year and months to come around; however, we can say with confidence that ref. 15400 is just as good.
News: Presenting the New Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller D-Blue Dial Edition. A Very Interesting Release.
Rolex celebrates its partnership with James Cameron’s historic dive by launching a new version of the Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller. On the occasion of the release of National Geographic’s "DeepSea Challenge 3D" film about the expedition to the deepest reaches of the ocean by explorer and film-maker James Cameron —producer of Titanic and Avatar—, Rolex has introduced a new version of its Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller. This ultimate divers’ watch, resistant to extreme pressure, is equipped with a new “D-blue” dial representing the colors of the deep. The deep blue to pitch-black gradient dial is reminiscent of the ocean’s twilight zone where the last trickle of light from the surface disappears into the abyss, echoing James Cameron’s DeepSea Challenge expedition. As a tribute to the partnership between Rolex and Cameron, the “DEEPSEA” marking on the new dial adopts the color of the explorer’s green submersible as it is perceived underwater.
Insider: Bremont Wright Flyer Limited Edition. While Not Fitted with an In-House Movement it is Still Quite Impressive.
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of meeting with Nick English and Michael Pearson from Bremont here in Chicago. After a strong wave of negative reactions from watch collectors regarding the Bremont calibre BWC/01 —the calibre that powers the just launched Bremont Wright Flyer Limited Edition and that was called an in-house movement on the press release we all watch publications received—, Nick English —co-founder of Bremont— spent some time explaining that while this movement is not an in-house movement it really feels in-house to them. Terminology and semantics aside, the newly launched Bremont Wright Flyer Limited Edition is a very nice watch.
