You all know that here at Watch Collecting Lifestyle we are big fans of independent watchmakers and that Armin Strom is one of those brands we really like. A relatively young company led by an easygoing and approachable team that puts their hearts and souls into their watches, Armin Strom still preserves the DNA left by his founder Armin Strom himself as untouched as possible, while always moving as fast as the watch industry calls for. To present their Resonance collection and the Dual Time Resonance Sapphire watch for the very first time in the U.S., Claude Greisler —Co-Founder and Technical Director Armin Strom— and Jean-Marc Bories —Head of North America Armin Strom— came down to Dallas by way of L.A. after attending the Watch Time event in Cali.
Breaking News: Larry Pettinelli Departs Patek Philippe USA. Lisa Jones Promoted to President.
Something we didn’t think would ever happen was for Larry Petinelli to ever leave Patek Philippe USA after serving as President of Patek Philippe USA —The Henri Stern Watch Agency, Inc.— for more than a decade. Today, Patek Philippe USA announced the promotion of Lisa Jones to President of The Henri Stern Watch Agency, Inc—the exclusive American importer and distributor for Patek Philippe in the USA. Prior to joining Patek Philippe 15 years ago, Ms. Jones served as the Vice President and Marketing Director for Antiquorum during almost six years.
Insider: Armin Strom Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance Titanium and Sapphire. Two Masterpieces Like No Other.
The first Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance by Armin Strom was released last year as the first watch in a new collection. A chef-d'œuvre combining the practicality of two completely independent time indications with the increased precision of two independent movements in resonance. The Dual Time Resonance launched the new flagship Masterpiece collection highlighting Armin Storm’s extraordinary technical and artistic abilities with an 8-piece limited edition in titanium. Putting the spotlight on the horological principle of Resonance with a distinctive oval case measuring 59 mm x 43.4 mm, two independent movements sit side-by-side with their regulators wedded by Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch Spring.
Eye Candy: Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 4978/400G Diamond Ribbon Joaillerie. Set with 770 Diamonds.
The Patek Philippe ref. 4978 Diamond Ribbon Joaillerie is now available in a new 18K white gold design with a slightly larger diameter, increased from 33.3 mm to 36.5 mm. As a result, the distinctive diamond embellishments orbiting the case like gymnasts’ twirling ribbons and the spiraling circles of graduated diamonds adorning the dial make an even greater impression. Beneath this radiant exterior beats the automatic calibre 240 enabling the watch to maintain its slim, elegant profile.
News: Presenting New Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition
Like on the original timepiece from Minerva from which it takes its inspiration, the new Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph features a telemeter scale that runs around the dial, which was a typical feature on the legendary Minerva chronographs. A telemeter makes it possible to measure the distance of a phenomenon which is both visible and audible, like the lightning and thunder in a storm. The chronograph hand starts at the instant the phenomenon is seen —for instance lightning— and then it is stopped when the sound is heard —thunder. The position on the scale shows at first glance the distance in kilometers separating the phenomenon from the user from the storm, in this particular example.
Insider: MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement Titanium Green. A Watch with an Incredibly Iridescent Dial.
First released in 2017, the MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement is now also available in grade 5 titanium, sporting a sun-ray CVD green dial and in a highly exclusive 33-piece limited edition. With an incredibly iridescent green dial that depending on lighting conditions appears blueish or even pinkish like a mother-of-pearl dial, the new MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement Titanium Green features a 14 mm wide balance that seems to oscillate on its own without any visible escapement wheel and anchor. Turning the watch over reveals the escapement and its components concealed almost 12 mm below, hence, the name ‘Split Escapement’.
Insider: Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Military Beige Chronograph. A Watch that Could've Been Worn During Operation Desert Storm.
Inspired by the color of sand and with the look of a watch that could’ve been worn by spec ops military personnel during operation ‘Desert Storm’ comes the new Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Military Beige Chronograph. This new watch that features the same 41 mm stainless steel case construction as the BR V2-94 Garde-Côtes is available with a stainless steel bracelet or with a black canvas strap. The watch is very military looking and the black anodized aluminum bezel insert contrasts very nicely against the beige dial.
Insider: Zenith Defy Inventor. Equipped with a Revolutionary Disruptive Oscillator.
Zenith released its ‘Zenith Oscillator’ system in 2017 and the new Zenith Defy Inventor is their latest watch equipped with this technology. Beating at the extremely high frequency of 18 Hz or 129,600 vph —compared to the usual 4 Hz or 28,800 vph— and endowed with a comfortable two-day autonomy, the Defy Inventor owes its exceptional properties to its disruptive technology. The ‘Zenith Oscillator’ is a single-piece oscillator developed and patented by Zenith that maximizes chronometric precision, reliability and stability. This type of oscillator was conceived to replace the traditional spring balance used for more than three centuries.
News: Presenting the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar '25th Anniversary' ref. 720.066
The third limited edition from A. Lange & Söhne’s 25th Anniversary Collection is the new Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. In an elegant and subtle manner, this new watch integrates a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon in the inimitable design of the Lange 1. As a tribute to its anniversary, A. Lange & Söhne introduces the most complicated model of this watch family in a 25-piece 18K white-gold edition with blued-steel hands. First launched in 2012, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar incorporates a rotating peripheral ring that indicates the month to integrate all calendar indications in the dial architecture of the Lange 1 model.
Eye Candy: A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds. A Very Elegant Timepiece with a Sporty Air.
First released in 2016 in a limited edition of 100 pieces and with a silvered dial, the A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds returns in 2019 with a black dial with striking red accents under ref. 252.029 This watch features a balance that is steadily driven by its one-second constant-force escapement and an integrated jumping mechanism that makes it possible to display the time in strict one-second intervals. Already available in platinum and also in 18K rose gold, the new A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is now available in 18K white gold —39.9 mm case diameter— with a perfectly contrasting black regulator triangular dial.
Breaking News: Patrick Ottomani Appointed CEO of Audemars Piguet North America
In an unexpected move, Mr. Patrick Ottomani has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet North America, effective April 8, 2019. Based in the company’s New York City office, Mr. Ottomani oversees all responsibilities previously held by Antonio Seward and reports directly to Mr. Yves Meylan, Chief Commercial Officer, in Le Brassus, Switzerland. Mr. Ottomani rose through the ranks of the luxury industry with tenures in the hospitality business in London, Paris and Dublin. He joined Berluti as Chief Executive Officer in 1993, when the brand was acquired by LVMH.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Camouflage ref. 26401RO and ref. 26400SO. Three Colorful 44 mm Offshores for Spring.
Initially perceived as a controversial watch by many and nicknamed by us as the 'Combat' because of its color scheme and unique camouflage pattern rubber strap, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26400SO.OO.A054CA.01. was the fist 44 mm Royal Oak Offshore to dive into the waters of the ‘camouflage’ look in 2018. This year, three new camouflage iterations were released by Audemars Piguet while the Royal Oak Offshore ‘Combat’ is now officially discontinued. Adhering to the case construction of the Royal Oak Offshore 44 with ceramic bezel and ceramic pushers and crown, the new iterations are all offered with an additional solid color strap —blue, green and brown— for those not crazy about the camo pattern strap.
Eye Candy: Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold. The Pot of Gold Under the Rainbow for the Leprechaun Inside You.
Rainbow-set watches have turned into a thing for a couple of years now. The new Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold is Hublot’s approach for what has turned into a very desirable type of wristwatch lately. First it was Rolex, then Audemars Piguet and now Hublot. The Big Bang Rainbow unlike the other brand’s predecessors, has gone above and beyond into integrating the rainbow setting even into different parts of the dial. Embellishing a timepiece by adding gems has always been around but never to this extent. Set with no less than 436 colored stones, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold includes rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, blue topazes, tsavorites, yellow sapphires and even orange sapphires.
Insider: Urwerk UR-111C Black Cobra. A Stealthy and Unconventional Time Telling Wristwatch.
The Urwerk UR-111C Black Cobra is the first watch without wandering-hours that has been released by Urwerk. First released in two variants, including polished steel and gunmetal grey steel, the new Urwerk UR-111C Black Cobra is cloaked in a completely black case —in 316SL steel and grade 5 titanium, PVD coated in black— that makes the watch look as stealth and striking as it gets. Equipped with a roller and a case construction out of a Sci-fi movie, the UR-111C Black Cobra features a non-conventional way of setting the time and winding the watch. Prominent red, yellow and green indications present time through the use of an anodized aluminum cylinder and LIGA-processed nickel second wheels in a what is a jumping hours, linear retrograde minutes and digital seconds timepiece.
Insider: Breitling Navitimer 1 Capsule Airline Editions. Honoring Swissair, Pan Am and TWA.
The Breitling Navitimer 1 Airline Editions celebrate the brand’s very important role in the golden era of aviation and some of the most emblematic airlines of that time. Honoring Swissair, Pan Am and TWA, the Breitling Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph brings the golden era of aviation to the wrist with three colorful and very good looking executions. All three watches are available in either vintage-inspired nubuck leather straps —brown or black—, stainless steel mesh bracelet or on stainless steel the Breitling Air Racer bracelet with big perforations throughout —not our cup of tea. All three watches feature display sapphire crystal case backs as well as convex sapphire crystals with double anti-reflective coating on both sides.
News: Breitling Pulls Out of Baseworld. Tudor to Have its Own Stand-Alone Booth as Rolex Grows within the Fair.
After two years of uncertainty whether Breitling would continue at Baselworld or not, the Swiss luxury watch brand has finally opted to leave Baselworld as of next year. Breitling now in the reigns of Georges Kern —former CEO for Richemont’s IWC—, has decided that is better to showcase in its own format for 2020. In the words of Michel Loris-Melikoff —Managing Director of Baselworld—: “We very much regret that Breitling will not be exhibiting at Baselworld 2020. However, there have been very constructive and cooperative discussions with the watch manufacturer in recent weeks.” In 2020, Breitling will be relying on its previously launched Summit platform to which dealers, the media and collectors will be invited.
Eye Candy: HYT H0 Diamonds Red and Black. The Watch with 1,206 Diamonds Totaling 7.43 Carats on its Dial.
An unprecedented watch by HYT but one that happens to work very well with its dial full of diamonds. As they say, diamonds are allegedly forever, but how long is forever? And as Marylin Monroe would say: “ Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but in this case and due to the nature of the HYT watches they are also a man’s best friend as these pair of HYT H0 Diamonds are entirely unisex. On the new H0 Diamonds, a total of 1,206 diamonds totaling 7.43 carats flow through the design of the dial and every corner of it to interplay with light and sparkle through every millimeter of the watch.
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II. A Horological Multifaceted Wrist Sculpture.
Going beyond other brands, Hublot presents what we like to call a horological multifaceted wrist sculpture. The new Big Bang Sang Bleu II has gone above and beyond when it comes to the design of its case. A complex combination of satin-brushed finishes and highly polished chamfers throughout the case, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II is not necessarily the best watch to tell time but a fantastic object of desire to adorn your wrist. Designed in collaboration with tattoo studio Sang Bleu London —now also present in Zurich, Switzerland— and their creative director Maxime Plescia-Buchi, the second collaboration of this partnership is pure fire. Located in the heart of London’s East End, the Sang Bleu Tattoo Studio is the home to a wide array of tattoo artists as well as world renowned guest artists.
Experience: Rolex Baselworld Chocolates. A Highly Coveted Triplock Crown Sweet Treat.
It’s been a while since we last posted those special watch goodies that as watch collectors we all love. A now long tradition at Rolex during Baselworld is to give out to their VIPs and special friends from the press, a box of their highly coveted signature Rolex crown chocolates. A special sweet treat in the form of a Rolex triplock crown filled with four different flavors. These sixteen chocolates are looking to please the most demanding palates combining milk and dark chocolate as well as coffee and hazelnut flavors.
Insider: Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon Aventurine. The Nicest Moon Phase Watch Gets Even Better.
The Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon is for sure the nicest moon phase indicator watch in the market. Well, just as if it wasn't stunning enough, the brand released this new iteration during Baselworld 2019. The new HM Perpetual Moon Aventurine is now sporting a beautiful sparkly Aventurine dial. Fitted with the biggest moon phase indication in the market, the Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon displays the moon as seen from the northern hemisphere on a wide spread aperture that spans from 10 to 2 o’clock on the dial.
