To mark its 150th anniversary, Zenith presents another amazing horological creation, we are talking about the Academy Georges Favre-Jacot which offers a magnificent compendium of the multiple watchmaking skills exercised within the Manufacture. More than a mere tribute, this Haute Horlogerie model testifies to a profound respect for the spirit of the founder without whom nothing would have ever have taken shape. On the technical side, the Academy Georges Favre-Jacot houses a high-frequency manual El Primero 4810 movement. Occupying the entire lower right-hand side of the dial, the power reserve display between 4 and 5 o’clock topped by the inscriptions 'Force constante' and 'High frequency', gives an immediate indication of the movement’s high quality. To its left, the small seconds subdial between 7 and 8 o’clock bears the logo of the Manufacture with the guiding star.
Experience: The Patek Philippe Museum. The Most Amazing Horological Museum in the World.
The Patek Philippe Museum is a must see for any watchlifestyler. Located in the heart of Geneva on Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, this museum holds the largest collection of horological pieces and the most fascinating horological exhibit in the world. The Patek Philippe Museum holds more than 2,200 timepieces within their collection divided in two segments, the antique collection dating from 1500-1850 and the Patek Philippe collection that includes not only almost every single reference ever released by Patek Philippe —including commemorative pieces from their various anniversaries as well as unique pieces— but also some of the impressive Henry Graves Jr.'s timepieces, the Supercomplication 'Duke of Regla', the Calibre 89 and a special exhibit with all the pieces commemorating the 175th anniversary amongst others. Once you make yourself into the museum an air of grandeur fills every corner.
Experience: Fourteen Vintage Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Advertisements. From 1972 to 1998.
Presented in 1972 as the first sports watch in stainless steel priced higher than most gold timepieces, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak made a statement immediately. A watch made for those that want the best and won't settle for less. A watch than can only be spotted by those that are in the know and a timepiece that after 40 years has remained true to its essence and core values.
These vintage advertisements are living testament of the launch and evolution of an iconic timepiece. Well thought out taglines and powerful images characterize these ads. Here, you will find fourteen of the most iconic and our favorite Royal Oaks advertisements of all-time —all the way from 1972 thru 1998.
Because "Some Things In Life Speak for Themselves" and the Royal Oak is "Known Only By Those Who Know", everyone knows now that "It Takes More than Money to Wear the Royal Oak".
Now, let's start enjoying the eye candy and the time machine.
Experience: Lino Ieluzzi's Al Bazar Milano. A True Haberdasher and a Watchlifestyler at Heart.
If you recognize these hands or you are a regular attendee of Pitti Uomo, you obviously know who we are talking about. A morning spent with legendary fashionisto and haberdasher Lino Ieluzzi, is a morning very well spent and quite an experience. Lino is not only a man that has been setting fashion trends around the streets of Milano for decades, but his unique style and personality has also captivated many followers around the globe and especially in places like Japan. Considered by many publications as one of the fifty most elegant men in the planet, Lino is easily recognizable by his double-breasted suits, the light blue color palette he usually chooses and his iconic lucky 7 embroidered ties. To us, Lino is the epitome of a true watchlifestyler with an unlimited love for watches as you can see by the picture opening this post.
News: Legendary Angelus S.A. Manufacture is Back. Dormant for 30 Years and Rising High Like a Phoenix.
After lying dormant for more than 30 years, Angelus has now been revived by Manufacture La Joux-Perret, which has spent four years developing the next generation of visionary timepieces. The Angelus’ manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds is just a stone’s throw from where the Stolz brothers established their original manufacture. Dating back nearly 125 years, Angelus has been one of the most influential horological manufactures of the last century. Connoisseurs of high-end watchmaking have universally hailed Angelus' pioneering, in-house developed movements and timepieces, which continue to be coveted by collectors all over the world. Angelus was founded in 1891 by the brothers Albert and Gustav Stolz with the establishment of the Angelus watchmaking manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland. Over the past century, Angelus forged a fine reputation for creating exceptional chronograph and multi-complication wristwatches, multi-display travel clocks with long power reserves, and alarm watches.
Experience: Grand Opening of the Jaeger-LeCoultre New York City Flagship. A Celestial Night Full of Stars and The Good Life.
This past Tuesday March 3, 2015, we were part of the exclusive celebration that took place in New York City for the official grand opening of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre New York City Flagship Boutique on 701 Madison Avenue. The new boutique is nested right next to Panerai and just a few steps from the Hermès flagship between 62nd and 63rd street. This new Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique clearly conveys what the brand stands for with a very intimate and welcoming layout that is accentuated by its circular showcase underneath a majestic chandelier right next to its main entrance. The grand opening was attended by VIP collectors, friends of the brand, a few select press representatives and also executives of Jaeger-LeCoultre from throughout the world. Friends of the brand Canadian actress Sarah Gadon and British actor Clive Owen also joined the event to celebrate this new home for Jaeger-LeCoultre, officially inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Jaeger-LeCoultre's CEO Daniel Riedo and North America President Philippe Bonay.
Pre-Baselworld 2015: Introducing the Frederique Constant and Alpina Swiss Horological Smartwatches. Finally Someone Had to Do It Right.
Finally, what everyone was expecting in the watch industry. The new Frederique Constant and Alpina Horological Smartwatches are 'wearable' smartwatches that you won't be ashamed of wearing and you will want to wear. There's no need to forfeit Swiss craftsmanship and a good decent looking timepiece, no more. Frederique Constant and Alpina are really setting the tune for what the future of Smartwatches should be like by launching two new timepieces that you really would care about wearing, instead of strapping the ridiculously looking Apple Watch. The two companies lead by Peter Stas are building the bridge between Silicon Valley and the Swiss Watch Industry by launching two Swiss Made timepieces powered by MotionX. These new watches are capable of bi-directional communication with iPhone and Android apps and are referred to as Horological Smartwatches.
Experience: Ramón Allones Short Perfectos Exclusivo Italia. A Perfect Cigar for a Sunny Day in Milan.
As the 17th edition of the Festival del Habano in Cuba just wrapped up yesterday, we bring you the review of another amazing Habano paired with a perfect watch for the occasion. Ramón Allones is perhaps one of the most understated and underrated Cuban cigars, just like the wrist presence of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad in 18K rose gold. Just like with the 18K rose gold Rubber Clad, this amazing line of cigars doesn't scream 'look at me' like a Cohiba or a Montecristo; however, this brand is one of the biggest names in the history of Habanos, S.A. and one of the oldest in production since 1837.
After a long dreary overcast week in Milan —or Milano as we Italian speakers like to call it—, finally the clouds broke and the sun shone over the busy streets of the city and through the glass rooftop of the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. As we prepared to light up this fantastic cigar, we decided to go on a nice stroll down the Via Alessandro Manzoni all the way to the Via della Spiga.
Experience: Audemars Piguet Boutique Milano. An Intimate Small Boutique but with Very Impressive Inventory.
A quick stop at this amazing boutique is all it takes to be in the presence of some of the most amazing timepieces recently unveiled at the SIHH 2015 by Audemars Piguet. The Audemars Piguet Boutique Milano is nested in one of the most upscale retail areas of the city right on Via Montenapoleone 6, next to Santoni and Camper —two of our favorite shoe brands.
Walking down from Via Manzoni where the Montenapoleone metro station is located —right next to the Armani Hotel—, makes for a nice walk surrounded by the splendor of high end clothing and watch boutiques. As soon as you arrive at the boutique, there are two AP brass plaques flanking the entrance. Even though the boutique is very small, there's no way you can miss the black awning with gold 'Audemars Piguet' on it. If you are coming from Giacomo Mattiotti you are just a block away. With a very inviting decor and a window display full of novelties from the SIHH 2015, including a white gold limited edition Royal Oak Offshore nicknamed 'Goliath', the boutique is awaiting you.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down. Setting the Bar Quite High for Chronographs.
For over ten years, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down has been the benchmark in chronographs since its launch. Its assets include the oversized date, the high-speed flyback switching mechanism for the chronograph and a patented, precisely-jumping minute counter. The Datograph Up/Down also features a power reserve indicator. Only available in 18K rose gold or platinum both with a black dial, the new Datograph —as it replaced the 39 mm model— is one of the most iconic Lange timepieces out there. Its elegant look but somewhat sporty at the same time is mesmerizing and captivating. Fitted with one of the most amazing chronograph calibres, the A. Lange & Söhne rises in full glory whenever it gets spotted in the wild. If you want one of the most amazing chronographs out there, look no further.
Pre-Baselworld 2015: Introducing the New MB&F Horological Machine No. 3 MegaWind 'Final Edition'. Live Pictures and Pricing.
The new MB&F Horological Machine No. 3 HM3 MegaWind 'Final Edition' is the last iteration of the fascinating HM3 Series saga launched by MB&F several years ago. The Horological Machine No. 3 collection is one that makes an MB&F watch immediately recognizable and the HM3 Frog is one of the predecessors in the line that everyone can easily recognize from any angle. Derived from the iconic HM3 series, the new HM3 MegaWind 'Final Edition' combines a giant 22k gold and titanium winding rotor with highly legible time indication cones rising up from the complex asymmetric case, like truncated gold-framed monoliths. Rotating within their twin gold and sapphire crystal frustums, the cones display hours —left side— and minutes —right side, with the time clearly visible from both the large numbers on the sides of the cones as well as duplicate indications on their flat caps.
Insider: Breva Genève Génie 03 Speedmeter. A Timepiece with an Anemometer and a Micro-Rotor.
Breva Genève is now very well known for creating timepieces that include some sort of mechanical function that revolves around the earth's elements. While their first watch included an actual mechanical barometer with a weather forecasting station on the wrist, their second timepiece included a mechanical altimeter. This time, Breva Genève presents a watch that includes an anemometer that pops up right on top of the watch dial. Named the Génie 03 Speedmeter —Speedometer as it is also referred to on their website—, this new mechanical timepiece is far from conventional, but not necessarily the most functional or even applicable to every day life events. While prior to the appearance of this timepiece, watches could only calculate speed by using a tachymetric scale, Breva Gèneve tries to make a statement with a timepiece that claims to provide an accurate speed reading in what they refer to as 'real-time'. Now, not sure how real time works when driving or flying in an enclosed vehicle or when the measurement is influenced by wind speed around you but we'll talk about that as we continue with our hands-on review.
Insider: HYT Skull Green Eye and Red Eye. Two Watches That Need to Be Seen in Person to Appreciate Them.
A few weeks ago, while we were in Geneva for the SIHH 2015, we had the chance to meet with our friends from HYT and work on this hands-on review for the just launched Skull timepiece in two different variations, the Green Eye and the Red Eye. HYT’s new extraordinary and unprecedented creation, breaks all the rules. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate the power of its design. Even at first glance the Skull makes a striking impression, simply because it epitomizes and at the same time breaks away from everything that HYT represents. It is provocative, unique and has a bold design supported by the fluid mechanics that have become the brand’s signature style. The Skull speaks for itself. Its development, however, was anything but obvious. The new HYT Skull Red Eye is definitely more appealing for to those seeking that extra pop on the timepiece, while the Green Eye is a perfect companion for party animals and lovers of neon lights and the nightlife.
Insider: Linde Werdelin Oktopus Double Date Carbon Green. One of the Most Unique Carbon Cases.
Today, we bring you these live pictures under natural light of the Linde Werdelin Oktopus Double Date Carbon Green, a sporty and refreshing take on the Oktopus dive watch. Featuring champagne gold detailing, it revitalizes the Linde Werdelin collection of revolutionary diving timepieces for an active lifestyle. A numbered limited series of just 88 pieces has been individually crafted using 3DTP —Three-Dimensional Thin Ply—, the first ever carbon technology conceived for Swiss watchmaking, engineered to sculpt the iconic and angular Oktopus case by layering thin layers of carbon into a mold to give the finished product it's ultra-unique appearance with those horizontal lines, just like the rings inside a tree trunk. While the finish is somewhat similar to that of the new Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 CarboTech reviewed here, the layering on this particular case is just very unique and quite different.
SIHH 2015: Experience Jaeger-LeCoultre at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. A Photo Essay.
Today, we bring you these images we took at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie SIHH 2015 of the beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre pavilion. Following an astronomical theme for both their novelties and the decor and layout of their pavilion, the Jaeger-LeCoultre set up appeared more welcoming and harmonious. With a large circular pendant lamp at the center of the pavilion and with all their novelties set up around the comfortable sitting area, the design of the Jaeger-LeCoultre pavilion capitalized on Mies Van der Rohe's ''less is more" approach. Tastefully done with a telescope at the end of the room and a celestial screen, this is for sure one of our favorite spots at the SIHH 2015.
SIHH 2015: Experience Audemars Piguet at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. A Photo Essay.
Following last year's theme, Audemars Piguet presented a slightly redesigned pavilion with a very sleek, modern, and minimalist design that revolves around the natural beauty of the Vallée de Joux. The pavilion included their now traditional sleek light wood displays, polygonal blocks, ultra modern furniture, rocks, inspiring images of the Vallée de Joux and several very senior watchmakers on duty including our good friend Francisco Pasandin —Conservateur Adjoint Expert en Horlogerie Ancienne.
At the pavilion, we were able to experience this year's novelties that included the amazing Royal Oak Concept Acoustic Research Episode 1, the Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph, the Diamond Punk, the new ladies Millenary line, the Royal Oak Offshore Self-Winding Tourbillon Chronograph, the new Royal Oak Offshore Diver with Silver/White dial and the Royal Oak 'Two-Tone' amongst others.
SIHH 2015: Experience A. Lange & Söhne at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. A Photo Essay.
Today, we bring you these images we took at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie SIHH 2015 of the beautiful A. Lange & Söhne pavilion. With an over-sized representation of the new Zeitwerk Minute Repeater in platinum, the German manufacture from Saxony welcomed all the visitors to their pavilion. Meticulously executed and in full functioning order, the gigantic Zeitwerk was a display that you just couldn't miss. Inside the pavilion, a celestial vaulted ceiling adorned the room where amazing timepieces were on display celebrating the 200 years of F. A. Lange. Champagne, Radeberger German beer and the traditional pretzels where served all day long. Now enjoy the pictures and pretend you came along. For more info on A. Lange & Söhne click here.
SIHH 2015: Introducing the New A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1. Live Pictures and Pricing.
This year at the SIHH 2015, A. Lange & Söhne presented a new iteration of the Lange 1. This new Lange 1 includes a slimmer bezel, a bigger balance wheel and some minor typography changes that are really hard to even notice. Here's our review of the A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 to see if you can spot the differences. Some of the main differences have to do with the thickness of the ALS font, the size of the letter 'I' after Glashütte and even the font on the 'Doppelfederhaus' writing at 6 o'clock. Ever since the first collection of the new era was presented in 1994, the Lange 1 has been the face of A. Lange & Söhne. Largely unchanged as regards its design, the second generation is endowed with a new manually wound calibre and a precisely jumping outsize date. It advances by one day exactly at midnight and therefore always delivers a doubt-free reading. Fitted with a very traditional case size measuring 38.5 mm in diameter and 9.8 mm in thickness, the Lange 1 is a watch that reflects Lange's DNA flawlessly.
SIHH 2015: Introducing the New A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down 18K Pink Gold Black Dial. Live Pictures and Pricing.
For over ten years, the Datograph Up/Down has been the benchmark in chronographs. Its assets include the oversized double-digit date, the high-speed flyback switching mechanism for the chronograph and a patented, precisely-jumping minute counter. The Datograph Up/Down also indicates the power reserve of the mainspring. Two weeks ago at the SIHH 2015, A. Lange & Söhne unveiled the new Datograph Up/Down in 18K pink gold with black dial ref. 405.031. The new Datograph Up/Down in 18K rose gold was a watch that all hardcore Lange collectors were waiting to see one day. Fitted with a 41 mm diameter case, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down is one of the most iconic chronographs of all time and one of Lange's staple timepieces. Previously only available in platinum with black dial, this new timepiece is one that we are happy to see being added to their line-up.
SIHH 2015: Introducing the New Rotonde de Cartier Chronograph. Live Pictures and Pricing.
The Rotonde de Cartier Chronograph was introduced at the SIHH 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie two weeks ago and is definitely one of those watches that offers wonderful value for your money. Fitted with a perfectly sized case in stainless steel measuring 40 mm in diameter —also available in 18K white gold with blue dial, blue alligator strap and in a limited edition of 500 pieces— and with a classic looking silvered guilloché dial with Roman numerals and minute chapter ring, the new Rotonde de Cartier Chronograph is a true 12-hour chrono in all the sense of the word. Powered by the same in-house chronograph calibre 1904-CH that powers the Calibre de Cartier Chronograph, this watch offers excellent value for the money.
