The last major facelift to the IWC DaVinci took place in 2007 with the introduction of the new in-house calibre 89. Then in 2009, the IWC Da Vinci Digital Perpetual Calendar Date-Month ref. 3761 was presented as a major innovation for the brand; a year later in 2010, the IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic followed. While the new IWC Da Vinci Collection will be officially unveiled at the SIHH 2017 —from where we will be reporting live—, for now we were given access to three new timepieces including a stunning IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 A. Lange & Söhne Unveils the new Lange 1 Moon Phase with New Calibre L121.3.
In 2002, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Moon Phase was first presented by this manufacture from Saxony. The Lange 1 Moon Phase is without a doubt the most successful watch from A. Lange & Söhne with its highly popular astronomical complication. The new Lange 1 Moon Phase has now been endowed with a new manual wound movement that takes on a particularly realistic approach by combining the moon-phase display with a day/night indicator.
Insider: Richard Mille RM 50-27-01 NTPT USA Limited Edition. Hands-on with the 19-gram Timepiece Priced at $800K USD.
Inspired by the $690,000 USD Richard Mille RM 27-01 Nadal we reviewed here, the Richard Mille RM 50-27-01 is an ultra exclusive USA limited edition truly designed after the legendary watch that Rafael Nadal made famous in a 5-piece limited edition. The RIchard Mille RM 50-27-01 NTPT USA Limited Edition is powered by a movement with a total weight of merely 3.8 grams and that is fully suspended and anchored to the NTPT case by shock absorbers and braided steel cables.
Experience: H. Upmann Robusto Edicion Limitada 2012 and Rolex Datejust ref. 116200 with Roulette Date Wheel.
While the actual number of Rolex Datejusts ref. 116200 fitted with a roulette date wheel still remains unconfirmed by Rolex, we all know that there aren't too many out there. Whether your watch came with a roulette wheel or not, it is pure luck just like the gambling game itself. This is a special feature that for sure makes these watches more desirable if that's something you really crave. Having a roulette date wheel is also a very special thing for those that rotate watches frequently without keeping them in a winder.
Insider: Christophe Claret Mecca. Hands-on with the Timepiece with a Mirascope and the Kaaba at the Center of the Dial.
Regardless of the different religions our readers follow or don't follow, the Christophe Claret Mecca is a timepiece that deserves to be featured here at WCL as it is one of the most fascinating timepieces out there. Religious orientation aside and just like they did with the Christophe Claret Aventicum we reviewed here, the Christophe Claret Mecca follows the same design principle and execution, but this time the mirascope highlights the micro-engraving of the Kaaba, the cube-shaped mosque at the center of Islam's most sacred site — Al-Masjid al-Haram— in the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 New Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon. A Minute Repeater Like No Other.
Marking the first time that Cartier associates a Mysterious Complication with a Minute Repeater, this is a double complication like no other. The new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon. Fitted with a measuring 45 mm in diameter and a mere thickness of 11.15 mm, this new watch is powered by the new Cartier in-house calibre 9407MC.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 2526 for Gübelin. The First Automatic Reference from Patek with a Price Tag of $632 USD Back in 1955.
Not often one runs into the legendary Patek Philippe ref. 2526 and even less often, you run into a reference 2526 with a dial signed for Swiss retailer Gübelin —one of the oldest retailers in Switzerland founded in 1854. The Patek Philippe ref. 2526 was the first automatic wristwatch launched by Patek and introduced to the market in 1953. Fitted with the Patek Philippe 30-jewel automatic calibre 12-600 AT —Patek's first automatic movement— it is by many considered to be the most beautiful automatic movement made by any watch company and one that remains hidden under the solid case back of the reference 2526.
Insider: MB&F Balthazar Table Clock in Collaboration with L'Epée 1839. Hands-on with the Third Robot Clock from this Manufacture.
The third and newest robot table clock in the MB&F line-up is the new Balthazar. First came the Melchior we featured here and earlier this year a small robot-like sibling Sherman as we reviewed it here. The newest member of the MB&F clock family is also a collaboration with. the oldest and most renowned clock maker L'Epée 1839. The new MB&F Balthazar is a sophisticated and imposing high-precision robot clock displaying jumping hours, retrograde seconds and a 35-day power reserve.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronometer ref. 26153. Hands-on with the Stunning Timepiece Equipped with the New Audemars Piguet Escapement.
Without a doubt, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronometer ref. 26153 is one of the most impressive timepieces within AP and its Jules Audemars collection. This collection that is barely known by most people out there but truly loved by the real Audemars Piguet fans is comprised by classical looking timepieces like this one and by watches that are the best example of the rich horological history and expertise of the manufacture from Le Brassus —the oldest watch manufacture still in the hands of the descendants of its founders.
Hands-on: Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Fire. The Only True Resonance Watch in the Market.
A few weeks ago, we brought you the exciting news about Armin Strom releasing a Resonance watch —a true horological feat that only a couple watchmakers like F.P. Journe and Breguet had mastered. Well, today, we finally bring you our hands-on review with our usual live pictures of this fascinating timepiece that is nothing but spectacular. Fitted with an 18K rose gold case measuring 43.4 mm in diameter, the Armin Strom Mirrored Resonance Fire is truly the only Resonance watch in the market.
Insider: New Tudor Pelagos LHD ref. 25610TNL. Hands-on with the New Diver's Watch Designed for People that are Left-Handed.
Surprised to see a watch missing the crown on the usual right caseband by the date window? Well, yesterday, Tudor released a new iteration of their Pelagos watch, especially designed with people that are left-handed in mind. Named LHD for 'Left Hand Drive', the new Tudor Pelagos LHD ref. 25610TNL for left-handed divers features a winding stem positioned to the left of the case, so that the watch can be worn on the right wrist. In a nod to its past, the new Tudor Pelagos LHD evokes the brand’s history of dive watches designed specifically for left-handed professional divers.
Insider: Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Tribute to Cohiba. Hands-on with an Exceptional Timepiece with a Gold Dial That Looks Like a Tobacco Leaf.
Resembling a tobacco leaf on its dial, the new Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Tribute to Cohiba is an exceptional timepiece that celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic and exclusive Cuban cigar brands in a very classy an elegant way. Cohiba was created in 1966 for Fidel Castro as a handmade cigar at the world famous 'El Laguito' factory, these cigars were originally only seen outside of the island when presented as gifts to heads of state or dignitaries throughout the world.
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico Martin Fuentes Special Edition. Hands-on with Martin's Very Own Watch of this 30-piece Limited Edition.
Last month, while in Mexico City we had the chance to hang out with Martin Fuentes, who currently races with the number 07 for the Ferrari Corsa Racing team in the Pirelli World Challenge —a car racing series in North America that is managed by WC Vision and sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America. Martin Fuentes is not only a really cool guy and a good friend, but he happens to be a perfect ambassador for Hublot in Mexico —not to mention that he is married to Hublot ambassador Jacky Bracamontes.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 New Panerai Radiomir 3 Days PAM 685 & PAM 687. The Panerais with the Bezel That Looks Like Their Case Back.
n the late 1930s, Panerai made a number of Radiomir watches with a special 12-sided bezel, engraved with the words “OFFICINE PANERAI – BREVETTATO”. This inscription referred to the patented luminous substance Radiomir used on the dial, and it suggests that the watches were used not for military operations but for presenting to the authorities of the Royal Italian Navy, which was evaluating new instruments for underwater missions.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Two-Tone Sells for $41,000 USD at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FOUR to Set a Record for Two-Tone Royal Oaks.
Setting a new high for any Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Two-Tone sold at auction, yesterday Sunday November 13, 2016, a highly attractive Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Two-Tone —18K yellow gold and stainless steel— reference 25402SA sold for $41,000 USD —including buyer's premium— at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FOUR.
News: Presenting the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold for Ladies. Unveiled at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
As the women’s Royal Oak celebrates its 40th anniversary, Audemars Piguet unveiled the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold ref. 15454OR.GG.1259OR.01 in 18K rose gold and the ref. 15454BC.GG.1259BC.01 in 18K white gold at a very exclusive event at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence on November 9th, 2016. A shining reinvention of an iconic design, this contemporary timepiece has been created in collaboration with Florentine jewellery designer, Carolina Bucci.
Audemars Piguet celebrated the unveiling with a gala dinner at Palazzo Vecchio in the presence of actress and brand ambassador Freida Pinto, jewellery designer Carolina Bucci and watch designer Jacqueline Dimier, who created the first Royal Oak for women in 1976.
Breaking News: Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel Sells for $11 Million USD at the Phillips Watches Auction FOUR in Geneva
Breaking all records ever set at auction for a wristwatch, the ultra rare and legendary Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in stainless steel just sold today November 12th, 2016 for CHF9.6 Million Swiss Francs plus 12% buyer's premium —totaling CHF10,752,000 Swiss Francs, roughly $11 Million USD— at the Phillips Auction FOUR at the Hôtel La Réserve in Genève. What makes the Patek Philippe ref. 1518 so special, is the fact that it is the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph produced in series and only 281 examples of it were ever produced.
Breaking News: Rolex Daytona 'Paul Newman Panda' ref. 6263 with Tiffany Dial Sells for 804,000 Swiss Francs at the Phillips Watches Auction FOUR in Geneva
Today, November 12th, 2016 in Genève, Switzerland at the Hôtel La Réserve, a Rolex Daytona 'Paul Newman Panda' ref. 6263 —Lot 30— sold for CHF670,000 Swiss Francs plus 20% buyer's premium —totaling 804,000 Swiss Francs— at the Geneva Watch Auction FOUR by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo.
Insider: Ten Lots to Follow Very Closely at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FOUR this Weekend. Here are Our Live Pictures for Your Viewing Pleasure.
This weekend November 12th and 13th, 2016, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will be hosting their Geneva Watch Auction FOUR at the Hôtel La Réserve in Genève. With a total of 196 lots offered for sale, the auction will be divided in two sessions commencing tomorrow Saturday November 12th at 6pm —Genève time GMT +1. Session One will feature the first 100 lots, while Session Two on November 13th at 6pm —Genève time GMT +1— will feature lots 101 through 196.
News: 2016 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève GPHG 2016 Winners. Congratulations to All and Especially to Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud on Winning the 'Aiguille d'Or' Grand Prix.
Excellence, innovation and watchmaking expertise were duly rewarded today November 10th, 2016 at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, on the occasion of the 16th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève —GPHG— prize-giving ceremony. The international jury of this edition 2016 of the GPHG handed out 16 prizes, including the supreme “Aiguille d’Or” prize awarded to the one-year old manufacture Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud for their amazing Chronomètre FB1, an in-House Fusée-Chain Chronometer with Tourbillon.
