Monthly Archives: March 2022

Wonderful Novelties at Watches and Wonders – Day 1

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The excitement was palpable and there was a buzz in the city of Geneva which woke up to the first day of Watches and Wonders. This was the day everyone was looking forward to since 2020. The wonderful novelties that were unveiled at Watches and Wonders on day 1 were long awaited. The watch was on.

All the brands were eager to welcome trade partners and watch enthusiasts and the visitors were equally elated to see the wonderful novelties displayed in all their splendor. The fruit of the hard labor was ripe, and all the innovations were ready to see the lights.

The convention was kickstarted with a beautiful opening ceremony and several brands had keynote addresses. But the moment the novelties were unveiled the magic began.

The first day saw a mix of brands and here’s a rundown on day one at the most happening event.

Armin Strom: Orbit

What is unique about this spectacularly beautiful piece?

It is the world’s first watch with an on-demand date indicated on the bezel. The pusher at 10 when pushed shows the date on the bezel for a few seconds. The date hand when in the stationary mode, remains in its fixed position pointing at 12 o’clock.

Their signature bridges, hold the micro-rotor at the one o’clock position, and the equal force barrel at the 6 o’clock position. The watch comes with transparency that is unique in the watch industry highlighting the inner workings of mechanical watchmaking on the dial-side. It comes with an integrated bracelet and a contrasting ceramic bezel. A sport-chic watch that is flaunt-worthy.

Discover the timepiece here: https://arminstrom.com/en/collection/system-78/orbit-first-edition/?v=ee2d312f5477

Chopard: Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillion

The Alpine Eagle flying tourbillion is a watch made in Lucent Steel making it 50% harder and more luminous. The well-highlighted flying tourbillon placed at 6 o’clock has no upper bridge and you can see right through to the movement.

The brushed dial starts at the tourbillion moving outwards. With an integrated bracelet, the watch is simple and yet a delightful piece.

Discover the timepiece here: https://www.chopard.com/intl/alpine-eagle-flying-tourbillon-298616-3001

Cartier: Tank Chinoise

A comeback after a century, in an art-deco design, rectangular and true to its vertical brancards design the Tank Chionese is as simple and elegant as they come. With two additional brancards across the top and bottom of the square case, it evokes the portico design.

In a beautifully polished gold case, its iconic design and shape with “chemin de fer” and the hidden Cartier signature it is a watch that puts geometry in fashion.

As part of the Cartier Privé collection, there are six models in this collection. Three models, in yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum. Made to a limited 150 pieces per model. There are also additional 3 models with see-through dials and skeletonized movements. The traditional Chinese window designs are eye-catching and made in a limited quantity of 100 pieces each.

IWC Schaffhausen; Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun Edition Woodland

IWC has new models in its Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun Edition. We are going to talk about Woodland here.  Featuring in sombre green ceramic with Ceratanium® at the case back and the pushers this watch looks as cool as the forests the pilots fly over. It is a double pusher chronograph, with the 30-minute and hour counter on the dial.

The indices look green but look nicely lit. Following the monochromatic design, the rubber strap continues to run in green with a fabric inlay. Each of the two models will be made in a quantity of 1,000 pieces.

Discover the timepiece here: https://www.iwc.com/en/watch-collections/pilot-watches/iw389106-pilot_s-watch-chronograph-top-gun-edition-woodland.html

Laurent Ferrier

A grade 5 Titanium, case making this an extremely light watch. The dial is in a blue gradient starting with a lighter centre and growing outwards to a darker blue. The assegai watch hands go so well with white gold indices adding to the elegance of the watch.

At the back is a see-through manual winding movement hand-finished and refined.

Discover the timepiece here: https://laurentferrier.ch/products/classic-origin-blue?variant=41961889759394

Tag Heuer: Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

Tag Heuer forays into its first solar-powered watch with a TH50-00 caliber.

The dial is transparent and allows the sunlight to enter the movement to power it up. Just two minutes in full sunlight can power it up for a day. It also lightens up the Super-Luminova that features on the carbon bezel as well as indices. If the timepiece stops working exposure of 10 seconds to sunlight can restart the watch.

A sporty watch that professional divers can take down to the depth of 200 meters. Comes with a power-saving mode.

Discover the timepiece here: https://www.tagheuer.com/in/en/event/tag-heuer-aquaracer-professional-200-solargraph.html

Test-tube Time – Rebellion

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Rebellion has done it yet again.

If glass tubes excite you here is what is going to blow your mind. The Weap-One biaxial Tourbillon is an ingenious creation that embeds the flying tourbillon in a neat package that turns out to be a wristwatch in a slender 25 mm diameter and 53 mm long sapphire and titanium case.

The tourbillion gyrates as if suspended on two axis while its flying tourbillion function negates the effects of gravity and manages to look splendid at the same time.

Once the mechanism is wound you have 50 hours of power reserve. Without distorting the cylindrical shape two flat titanium crowns are perfectly integrated, the left-hand one is dedicated to setting the time and the right-hand one to winding the calibre.

Two rollers at the two ends display the hours and minutes with the numerals coloured by Super-Luminova®.

The back of the watch is flat for that comfortable fit on the wrist. But overall, this looks like a vial of time on your hands.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Case materials: Black DLC titanium

Glass tube: Scratch resistant sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment

Case dimensions: 26mm x 52.85mm

Colors: Green, white

Water resistance: 10m / 1 ATM

Movement: Manual movement developed by Concepto; Biaxial flying tourbillon

Functions: Hours and minutes

Jewels: 39

Balance frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)

Power reserve: 50 hours

Strap and buckle: Black textile, velcro closure with black DLC titanium buckle

Thin is in

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And when it’s a renowned watch brand like Bvlgari everyone sits up and takes notice.

Bvlgari has consistently been breaking records since 2014 and this year to mark its 10th Anniversary of Octo Finissimo Collection the brand dropped a watch that has created quite a stir not only in the world of watchmaking but NFTs as well.

The feat to master the thinnest ever mechanical watch was no easy task and a very patient and diligent dedication finally bore results that are not only aesthetically astounding but technically tenacious too.

The watch itself was a challenge but the integrated bracelet and the newly designed folding clasp had to match the thinness of the case. It took designer Concepto three years to accomplish something of this magnitude.

The Octo Finissimo Ultra measures 1.8mm with a 40mm diameter case in sandblasted tungsten carbide. The case back of the watch also serves as its main plate and carries the movement of the watch. The PVD-coated black hands stand out as a contrast against the grey background.

The first thing that you notice though is that the ratchet is engraved with a QR code unique to each of the 10 limited timepieces that are going to be made. The code is linked to an exclusive NFT and artwork that the watch owner will receive along with the watch opening endless possibilities to such digital partnerships in future and bridging the gap between real and virtual worlds.

The other thing you wonder is how to wind this thinner than a €0.10 coin masterpiece and then you notice the two rotating knobs for winding and adjusting the time.

While there is going to be a huge scramble to own the limited 10 watches made there will only of course be those lucky few who will proudly flaunt this wonder of a watch.

The rest of us will be left flat out and wanting more.

Availability: Limited edition of 10 pieces

Price: EUR 400,000

Featured Watches in the Article:-

Octo Finissimo Ultra Ref.: 103611

T-500 Ultimate Racing Machine

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With the T-500, performance enters a new dimension. It takes the form of a watch with an audacious design and uncompromising mechanics.

In 2010, with the T-1000 watch, Rebellion Timepieces shook up the codes and conventions of traditional watchmaking and at the same time signs its first achievement. Its sculptural titanium case (46.7×46.9×19.5mm), born under the inspired pencil of Eric Giroud, integrates a revolutionary manual winding movement. The caliber with double inclined balance has a record power reserve of 1,000 hours! Six barrels are powered in parallel via a central transmission shaft driving two chains, and discharge in series to provide linear power to the regulator. The hours and minutes are displayed in a new way using two rollers.

Rebellion Timepieces proves its ability to innovate with the T-500. Its direct affiliation with the T-1000 is unmistakable: a case with an original and stylish architecture is associated with a high-performance caliber with 450 hours of power reserve!

Under the curved sapphire crystal, an impressive mechanical display is revealed. The movement, designed by Concepto as a kinetic sculpture, adopts the same architecture as the T-1000 with its inclined balance. Assembled with 380 parts, this vertical movement, still hand-wound, is composed of six barrels that are recharged with energy using a lever. Each of them is decorated with a tire engraving that evokes the strong link between Rebellion Timepieces and motor racing. The hours and minutes are still displayed on parallel rollers.

In addition to its long autonomy, the caliber also gains in precision compared to the T-1000 thanks to the frequency of its balance which increases to 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The eloxed movement covers come in a choice of five colors: blue, red, green, orange and black. Their presence enhances the design of the rectangular case, in titanium or black DLC titanium, topped with a round sapphire crystal. For a comfortable wear, the T-500 comes with a leather or rubber strap closed by a folding clasp.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Case Materials: Glass:
Case back:
Case dimensions: Colors:

Water resistance: Movement: Functions: Jewels:

Balance frequency: Power reserve: Strap and buckle:

Titanium, black DLC titanium
Scratch resistant sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment
Scratch resistant sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment
43mm x 47.5mm x 11mm
Red, blue, green, black
10m / 1 ATM
Manual wind movement developed by Concepto; 6 vertical barrels / inclined balance wheel Hours and minutes
39
4 Hz (28,800 vph)
450 hours
Black textile, velcro closure with black DLC titanium buckle

Limited series

Featured Watches in the Article:-

T-500 ULTIMATE RACING MACHINE TITANIUM / RED
T-500 ULTIMATE RACING MACHINE BLACK DLC TITANIUM / GREEN
T-500 ULTIMATE RACING MACHINE TITANIUM / BLUE

Gotham City by Jacob & Co

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Jacob & Co.’s brand-new partnership with DC Comics brings forth a Bat-watch filled with hints that speak to every Bat-fan out there.

Would Bruce Wayne trade his 18K Rose Gold watch for a Black DLC Matte Titanium?

Would you? Well, it’s a tough choice to make but technically since he is Batman, he would have both, one for the day and one for the night.

But given a choice which one would you choose?

Jacob & Co.’s Founder and Creative Director, Jacob Arabo has managed to embody the essence of Batman through a masterpiece Bruce Wayne himself would not be able to resist.

Think of Bruce Wayne and the persona that comes to mind is of a deeply intellectual, introverted, philanthropist. His desire to bring justice to the criminals of Gotham springs from his dark past.

It is thus befitting his billionaire status to flaunt a watch that speaks eloquently about his impenetrability, his sombre yet charming prowess.

Both the models of the Gotham City watch have been fitted with a hyper complicated movement with twin, flying, sequential, triple-axis tourbillons, the watch is true to the hyperbolic nature of the Dark Knight.

He only ever uses the best gear available and said gear always resembles his costume, his colours, his style. Gotham City also has two faces. It’s both matte and luminous, dark and funny, earnest and playful, highly engineered and in the final analysis, toy-like.

Because the last thing Jacob & Co. wants is someone asking, “Why so serious?” with a disturbing, enlarged smile.

The symbolic aspects of Gotham City are everywhere. The shape of the lugs resembles the Bat-suit’s multi-faceted design. The crown is covered with a rubber band shaped like the Batmobile’s tires. The indices are black, pointy, and sharp as a Batarang. The dial is shaped like the Bat emblem. It’s cut into a slab of solid onyx, outlined by a contour made of Neoralithe, coloured in yellow and it glows blue in the dark, a nod to the Bat-signal. Lastly, the pair of triple-axis tourbillons are shaped like the grappling hooks the Batman uses.

Jacob & Co. fitted Gotham City with an extremely advanced, spectacular, and efficient movement.

It’s comprised of 382 components, the, most striking of which may be a bat-bridge visible through the case back, but the most complex being the two tourbillons. Each one of them rotates along three different axes. Both have no upper bridge and are therefore of the flying kind. Isn’t it only fitting for a superhero who leaps in the air, travels in a winged hovering machine and responds to a signal etched on clouds to have a flying attribute?

But that’s not all, the box in which Gotham City comes is enough to turn anyone into Poison Ivy. So if you can and you do not get yourself one of these spectacular dark new age bat-toys the joke’s on you.

Featured Watches in the Article:-

Sanitary measures at Watches and Wonders 2022

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On 16 February 2022, the Swiss Federal Council announced below measures, which Watches and Wonders aim to apply to the Salon. However, the situation can easily change in the coming days/weeks.

As a result *:

  • A Covid certificate is no longer required to attend Watches and Wonders Geneva
  • It is no longer necessary to wear a mask inside the halls. However, this measure may be reevaluated according to the sanitary situations. Each Maison can also decide what they would like to do on their individual booth. The mask may also be compulsory in some common areas of the Salon
  • No more obligation to consume seated

*please note that these measures may change over time

People with symptoms are asked to voluntarily withdraw their visit, even if they have been vaccinated or cured, or have recently been tested negative. The Federal Office of Public Health recommends that they be tested without delay and follow the isolation instructions in force.

Watches and Wonders also recommends that visitors

  • To use the hydroalcoholic gel provided at the entrance
  • To maintain the social distance of 1.5 m. between each person

To guarantee optimal security, Watches and Wonders is carrying out:

  • Frequent cleaning and disinfection of places and areas with high level of contact
  • Increased ventilation of the premises

Conditions of entry into Switzerland

  • As of Thursday 17th February 2022, all sanitary restrictions related to the entrance in Switzerland are cancelled. However, entry measures could be reinforced in accordance to the sanitary evolution of the country of origin.

Wearing of masks remains in force in public transport.

20 Days to Watches and Wonders 2022

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The moment journalists, retailers and clients of the 38 exhibiting Maisons have been waiting for… Watches and Wonders Geneva will finally open its doors on 30 March 2022, for a week filled with exciting discoveries. A vast digital system has been set up to allow invited guests and the general public to follow online either live or via replay all the action of the Salon, which is already shaping up to be THE watch industry event of the year.

While the press, retailers and guests invited to the Salon can already plan their personalized program on the watchesandwonders.com platform, in Geneva the excitement is reaching a fever pitch. The set-up of the different exhibition areas is already underway to ensure that visitors can be welcomed while respecting health measures. In the surrounding manufactures and ateliers, the watchmakers are putting the final details to the new watches and jewelry collections that will be unveiled by the Maisons on March 30.

For its first physical event under the name Watches and Wonders Geneva – since last year’s event was entirely digital – the Salon will focus on major launches, previews, exceptional pieces and numerous new wonders. Aside from being featured in the Touch & Feel sessions, products will also be at the heart of discussions over many organized events, such as the Morning Show, the panel discussions and the innovative projects unveiled in the LAB.

Broadcast live from the Salon every morning at 8 am CET on the watchesandwonders.com platform and on its YouTube channel, The Morning Show will be presented this year by Olivia Chang, a renowned business journalist. She will host this first morning program with cross conversations between brand leaders and industry experts to follow the news of the Salon and decipher new trends. She will be back again at 7 pm CET on the Late Show, a new rendez-vous that will review the day’s highlights. Also broadcast live and in replay, the program will feature a different guest each day, who will be invited to share his or her favorites from the Salon. The Late Show will also offer a summary of the keynotes from the Maisons held in the Auditorium, along with highlights of the exceptional pieces being unveiled by the 38 exhibiting brands.

A daily 45-minute panel discussion, hosted by watchmaking experts and other influential personalities, will explore the issue of sustainable development in greater depth. This theme, a particularly hot topic at the moment, will be addressed from different angles, such as transparency, responsible sourcing, innovation and the circular economy. Broadcast live from the Salon at 1 pm CET on the watchesandwonders.com platform and on its YouTube channel, the program will also be available in replay.

Located in the center of the Salon, facing the Carré des Horlogers, the LAB has been designed as an ideas laboratory. This space, showcasing nearly 15 projects, will present the technological and digital innovations of the exhibiting Maisons. Highlighting eco- responsible sourcing practices, upcycling, the use of new materials, new energy sources and strategic partnerships with sustainable associations and organizations, the various initiatives will enable visitors to discover all these innovations and gain a better understanding of NFTs (Non-Fungible Token) and the world of metaverse.

Watches and Culture will also curate the ‘Time Design’ exhibition dedicated to the evolution of wristwatch design through the ages. Imagined as a journey through watchmaking creativity and illustrated by more than 100 timepieces presented in showcases designed by students of ECAL (École d’art de Lausanne), the event will also pay tribute to the work of Mr. Gérald Genta. Five pieces produced by students of the HEAD art & design school in Geneva will invite visitors to question the display of time, while an augmented reality experience will immerse the viewer in the history of a few watchmaking icons.

A broadcasting area consisting of two fully equipped studios will be available for the Maisons who wish to stay in touch with those journalists who are unable to travel to Geneva. In addition, booths equipped with a VISIODOME, a system that proved its worth last year as an optimized way of presenting products remotely, will allow the Maisons to share their latest creations with a larger audience.

Everyone is working hard to make this long-awaited edition the greatest watchmaking summit ever held in Geneva! Just 30 days to go before discovering new watches and jewelry releases, previews, major announcements, exceptional pieces and other innovations.

EXHIBITING MAISONS:

| A. LANGE & SÖHNE | BAUME & MERCIER | CARTIER | CHANEL | CHOPARD | GRAND SEIKO | HERMÈS | HUBLOT | IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN | JAEGER-LECOULTRE | MONTBLANC | ORIS | PANERAI | PARMIGIANI FLEURIER | PATEK PHILIPPE | PIAGET | ROGER DUBUIS | ROLEX | TAG HEUER | TUDOR | ULYSSE NARDIN | VACHERON CONSTANTIN | VAN CLEEF & ARPELS | ZENITH

CARRÉ DES HORLOGERS:

| ANGELUS | ARMIN STROM | ARNOLD & SON | CYRUS GENÈVE | CZAPEK & CIE | FERDINAND BERTHOUD | H. MOSER & CIE. | LAURENT FERRIER | LOUIS MOINET | REBELLION TIMEPIECES | RESSENCE | RUDIS SYLVA | SPEAKE-MARIN | TRILOBE

The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Jungle Green: Exotic color meets avant-garde watchmaking

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Armin Strom has unveiled a new limited edition of its game-changing Gravity Equal Force timepiece with a striking off-center Jungle green dial featuring a hand-guilloche pattern. The independent Swiss luxury brand will produce only 15 pieces of the eye-catching watch.

Created to stand out, the newest interpretation of the epic Gravity Equal Force timepiece features an off-center Jungle green dial. Its dial’s guilloche pattern was created by Kari Voutilainen, the Finnish watchmaker who is also a close friend of the brand. The pattern’s horizontal lines appear in harmony with the three characteristic horizontal bridges of the Gravity Equal Force timepiece, which are visible on the movement side.

A matt black PVD-coated movement plate offers a stark contrast to the Jungle green dial, highlighting its luminosity. It also complements the other visible movement parts – the barrel and the micro-rotor and the polished screws and jewels. The ASB19 movement and the steel hands are developed and manufactured by Armin Strom and are meticulously hand-finished in-house.

Presented in a 41 mm stainless-steel case, the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Jungle Green comes with a black alligator strap with black stitching, which underscores the stark contrast between the watch’s Jungle green dial and its black plate.

Groundbreaking technology, riveting design and craftsmanship that characterize every Armin Strom watch distinguish this timepiece. First launched in 2019, it is the world’s first automatic watch with constant force transmission, which results in consistent power delivery to the balance. In short, it means that the watch always delivers flawlessly constant precision. Its ASB19 caliber offers a power reserve of 72 hours. The Gravity Equal Force’s ASB19 movement includes a “stop work” mechanism that prevents the mainspring from fully unwinding, thus leveraging only the part of the mainspring’s unwinding process that can deliver power most consistently.

This remarkable new Gravity Equal Force timepiece was designed and produced in-house at the brand’s manufacture in Biel. Like every Armin Strom watch, its ASB19 automatic winding calibre has been assembled twice. After its first assembly, the movement is painstakingly disassembled and each individual part is cleaned, dried, reassembled and lubricated before being meticulously regulated, tested, and returned to the case.

The Gravity Equal Force Jungle Green has been released in an edition limited to 15 pieces and will be available from March 2022.

Technical specifications: Gravity Equal Force Jungle Green Dial Ref. AS/ID
ST19-GEF.30

Indications: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator

Movement: Armin Strom manufacture Caliber ASB19
Automatic winding with micro rotor, Geneva-drive equal force barrel, offset display with subdial seconds
Regulating system: Balance wheel with 4 regulating screws
Power reserve: Geneva stop-work limited to 72 hours
Dimensions: 35.52 mm x 11.67 mm
Frequency: 3,5 Hz (25,200 vph)
Finishing: Hand-finishing to the highest quality level
Jewels: 28
Number of components: 202

Case: Stainless steel
Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 12,65 mm
Water resistance: 3ATM

Dial: Jungle green colored hand guilloche by Kari Voutilainen, off-center dial with subdial Hands: Manufactured by Armin Strom, steel with hand finishing

Strap: Delivered with a black alligator leather strap with black stitching and stainless-steel double folding clasp

Price: CHF 22,900 / EUR 24,300 / GBP 20,600 / USD 22,900

Limited Edition: 15 pieces

Featured Watches in the Article:-

Gravity Equal Force Jungle Green Ref.ST19-GEF.30