The New AP Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Collection

On January 18, 2010 at SIHH in Geneva, Audemar Piguet's introduced their new Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix collection. There are three new versions in the collection, with the common theme being the incorporation of forged carbon in each design. A material deliberately chosen for its ultra-light weight and resistance, a material exclusively developed by Audemars Piguet. Each model its own eye-catching masterpiece with its own color scheme, including an 18 carat rose gold case with forged carbon bezel, a platinum case with forged carbon bezel and an all forged carbon model. Each case is 44x 15.65 mm and features the inscription "Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix -Limited Edition" engraved on the solid case-back.

Each of the three variations are powered by the in-house caliber 3126/3840 self-winding movement that measures 29.94 mm (131/4 lignes) The movement includes 59 jewels and a total of 365 parts and boats a power reserve of up to 60-hours. The cadence of the balance beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and it has a variable-inertia balance with eight inertia-blocks and flat balance-spring. All parts meticulously decorated and the movement has been adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. The watches are adjusted with a three-position winding crown.

The Forged carbon model is a limited edition of 1750. It is produced in forged carbon with a black ceramic bezel, blackened titanium crown and black ceramic and titanium push-pieces. The exhibition case-back has been fitted with a sapphire crystal. The dial is black with central red negative-printed exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif in eloxed aluminum. It has anthracite small seconds counter, silvered and yellow 30-minute counter, silvered and black 12-hour counter and a yellow eloxed aluminum flange.

The 18-carat pink gold version is a limited edition of 650. It features an 18-carat pink gold case with a forged carbon and black ceramic bezel, pink gold crown and black ceramic and pink gold push-pieces. It has a pink gold exhibition case-back that has been fitted with a sapphire crystal. The dial for this model is anthracite with central black negative-printed exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif in eloxed aluminum. It has anthracite small seconds counter, silvered and yellow 30-minute counter, silvered and black 12-hour counter and a black eloxed aluminum flange.

The 950 platinum version is a limited edition of just 75 pieces. It has a platinum case with a forged carbon and black ceramic bezel, a white gold crown and black ceramic and white gold push-pieces. This model gas a platinum exhibition case-back fitted with a sapphire crystal. The dial on this model is black with central blue negative-printed exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif in eloxed aluminum. It has an anthracite small seconds counter, black and red 30-minute counter, a silvered and black 12-hour counter and a silvered aluminum flange.

The Reference numbers for the models are 26290IO.OO.A001VE.01, 26290RO.OO.A001VE.01, and 26290PO.OO.A001VE.01 for the carbon, pink gold, and platinum versions respectively. Each watch comes with a black calfskin and alcantara strap that has been hand-sewn with alcantara inserts and edges. The pin buckles are beadblasted titanium, 18-carat pink gold or 950 platinum. Each watch has a water resistance of up to 100 meters.

Panerai Lo Scienziato Radiomir Tourbillon GMT PAM 00348

With the introducton of the Lo Scienziato Radiomir Tourbillon GMT, Panerai has yet another grand complication under its belt, and this time its a skeleton watch. Having just introduced the brands first tourbillon movements only two years ago, the release of this watch is no small feat for the luxury watch brand. Who in comparison to many of its competitors is still a relatively young company. The Lo Scienziato Radiomir Tourbillon GMT is not just a technically impressive watch, from a design standpoint I believe Panerai has crossed yet another bridge in the furthering of the brand by creating quite an elegant piece.

Perhaps they will succeed in gaining a few new followers who might not have considering purchasing a Panerai before. Powered by the hand-wound mechanical movement Panerai P.2005/S calibre, a movement produced entirely by Panerai. The movement is just 10.05 milimeters thick and contains 31 jewels, 277 components in all. The movement allows for a power reserve of up to 6 days. While many skeleton watches display just hours and minute, the Lo Scienziato also displays small seconds, a second time zone, 24th indicator, power reserve indicator and tourbillon. All without seeming to clutter the design of the watch.

The case of the watch is 48 milimeters in diameter and produced in black ceramic with removable wire loop strap attachments in steel. The screw-down winding crown is made from ceramic personalized OP. Each side of the watch is protected by see-through scratch resistant sapphire crystal treated with a double anti-reflective coating. The watch is completed by a PANERAI personalized leather strap with an adjustable steel buckle that has been treated with a special hard black coating. The Panerai Lo Scienziato Radiomir Tourbillon GMT is water resistant up to 100 meters.

Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Militare 8 Giorni

Panerai starts the new year off with a bang with the unveiling of a very vintage looking addition to their collection, the Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Militare 8 Giorni. Created as a tribute to the brand's early days as a provider of timepieces to the italian navy, the Composite Marina Militare has a great look with its composite aluminum and ceramic case, its vintage looking dial, and my favorite - a weathered looking brown strap. Who says brand new needs to look brand new? Some of Panerai's most valeued and collectible watches are from their early days and I believe this watch will certainly grow to match the popularity of its predecessors.

The new Radiomir Composite Marina Militare 8 Giorni has a large 47 mm diameter case produced from a composite aluminum and ceramic creating a durable and beautiful shell to house the P2002/7 8-day calibre movement. This lightweight composite was born due to an electrochemical process of ceramization of the aluminum creating a case that is harder than one produced from ceramics, steel or titanium. The case and the crown of the watch are a matt brown which does an excellent job of complimenting the brown of the dial. And of course my favorite part, the vintage leather brown strap completes the look.

The sandwich-constructed dial is completed with ecru colored indexes and numerals with the small-seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, the words Marina Militare at 12 o'clock and Panerai and the inscription 8 giorni brevettato (inspired by the historic Panerai models) just to the right of 3 o'clock. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal, formed of corundum, which is 1.9 mm thick treated with anti-reflective coating. The Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Militare 8 Giorni will be limited production of just 1000 pieces.

The Cartier ID-One Concept Watch

A concept watch in the true definition of the word. Unlike many other of well known luxury brands concept watches that are released to the public, the Cartier ID One Concept Watch is not meant for production but is simply helping Cartier explore "the solutions of tomorrows high watchmaking." The watch is unique in that it has a 16 1/2 home made mechanical movement which requires no adjustment whatsoever. The watch features a Ballon Bleu shaped case that is 46 milimeters wide, which is constructed out of a sturdy material called Niobium Titanium - a special titanium alloy that is even harder and more durable than titanium.

The Cartier ID-One Concept Watch was created to house an in-house made automatic tourbillon movement that requires no regulation and adjustment during the whole life of the watch. Currently every mechanical watch has several points that need to be adjusted during the assembly process,such as the hairspring, the balance, and the pallet fork. Their new Zerodur (a compound of ceramic and glass) hairspring can retain its original status in a wide range of temperatures and is not affected by magnetic fields at all. Carbor Crystal has been applied to the balance wheel, escape wheel and lever increasing their hardness and making itpossible for the escapement to be completely free from oil. The movement also as an exclusive escapement cage that is effectively shock resistant.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs Incursion Limited Edition

Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced a special limited edition Master Compressor timepiece exclusively for their Beverly Hills boutique. As a tribute to their loyal west coast followers they went so far as to have members of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Beverly Hills Boutique Connoisseurs Club (JLCBHBC) involved in the watch's design. The Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs Incursion sports all the great aspects of the regular model with a water resistance to 300 meters and a case back that optimizes alarm sound. But this model has the addition of the "Incursion" moniker as a tribute to the elite SEAL teams.

Two versions of the Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs Beverly Hills Boutique Incursion Edition will be available, an 18 carat black gold model and a dark grey PVD-coated titanium model. Both cases measure 44 millimeters in diameter with a unidirectional rotating bezel and calibrated scale. The black gold version will have burnt orange dial accents, strap stitching and compression key crowns - while the titanium version will have be yellow. The dial will be protected by a very special sapphire crystal which is adorned by a commemorative etching. The watch will be available with two straps - a leather and a dive strap in Cordura fabric.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs Incursion Limited Edition watch is powered by the in-house JLC Caliber 956 which features a a 45-hour power reserve and a central winding rotor borne on ceramic ball bearings. The movement is made up of 268 parts, and measures 7.45 millimeters high. The gong has an enhanced volume and tonal clarity thanks to the design of the case back. The watches are to be accompanied by special thematic packaging that has yet to be revealed.

A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Daymatic Watch

An exciting development for A. Lange & Sohne will be displayed for the first time at the upcoming SIHH 2010 industry exhibition, the Lange 1 Daymatic. As the first self-winding movement to appear in the line, it will surely be drawing some attention to itself at the event. The Daymatic has the easily recognizable Lange 1 look with one very big exception - the classic Lange 1 displays have been reversed. The manual Lange 1 watches have the off-centered time display on the left side of the dial and the date on the right hemisphere respectively, the Lange 1 Daymatic switches things in reverse. The delivery of this watch is estimated to be sometime in mid 2010.

The case of the Case A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Daymatic watch measures 39.5 millimeters by 10.4 millimeters and will be available in Yellow gold, Pink gold, Platinum. Each dial will be produced in solid silver with the variations being champagne, argenté and rhodié. The hands will compliment the chosen case and will be constructed of Yellow gold, Pink gold or Rhodiumed gold. The dial and case-back are protected by sapphire crystal with a hardness rating of 9. Each watch will be completed by a hand-stitched crocodile strap and a Lange prong buckle in solid gold or platinum.

The Daymatic is powered the caliber L021 self-winding movement which measures 31.6 millimeters in diameter and 6.1 millimeters high. The movement has been crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards and decorated and assembled by hand. The movement is made up of 426 individual parts which includes 67 jewels and 7 screwed in gold chaton. The movement allows for a power reserve of 50 hours when fully wound. The functions include: hours and minutes, subsidiary seconds with stop seconds, patented outsize date, retrograde day-of-week display. References 320.021 320.032 320.025. This watch is estimated to be in the $50,000 and up range.

Baume & Mercier Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar Watch

Want to know what Baume & Mercier will be presenting at the 2010 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in January? Well you don't have to wonder anymore. The Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar watch will be centered stage at this prestigious event. The classically shaped round case measures 42mm in diameter, plenty of space to include all the great features offered on the watch. Its silvered dial features a stamped "grain d'orge" guilloche pattern at center and a satin silvered surface on the outer section. The sub dials on the watch have a concentric circle pattern at the chronograph counters. The brand has chosen to use leaf-shaped hands in an oxidized black finish as indicators.

The Extra Large Chronograph is animated by the ETA-Valjoux 7751 caliber self-winding mechanical movement, one that was based upon the legendary 7750 caliber movement. In a rather untraditional move for the brand, you can control the start, stop, and return to zero operations of the chronograph via cam switching rather than a column wheel. The movement allows for a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. All the fine details of the movement are visible through the transparent sapphire exhibition window in the case back. The watch has been carefully crafted to offer a water resistance that is rated for 30 meters. The Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar timepiece is completed by an alligator leather strap with a polished stainless steel folding clasp displaying the Baume & Mercier signature.

Corum Admiral's Cup Repeater Tourbillon 45 2010 Model

Here's a sneak peak at what Corum will be presenting at the 2010 Baselworld, the Admiral's Cup Minute Repeater Tourbillon 45 created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Admiral Cup collection. The watch will be extremely rare, with only 10 pieces to be produced. This new Admiral's Cup Model also introduces a new haute horlogerie movement for the brand, the manually-wound CO 010. This impressive new movement includes a one-minute tourbillon regulator and a minute repeater with a sonorous chime sequence and an escapement and pallet lever in silicon. The watch has an alligator leather strap with red gold prong buckle that features the Corum logo.

The Corum Admirals Cup Repeater Tourbillon 45 watch has a beautiful brushed and polished 5N 18-karat red gold case with a twelve-sided bezel. The interior of the bezel displays the signature nautical flags but in all black. The transparent grey sapphire dial have red gold hands. The tourbillon is revealed between the 4 and 5 o'clock positions. Corum has revealed that the CO 010 caliber movement used in this Admiral's Cup watch has been designed to perform with particularly impressive aural capabilities. Power (volume in decibels), precision of pitch, richness of sound, and reverberation have all been optimized through a careful balance between component design and material formulation. For example, the minute rack has been engineered to permit a greatest possible duration between strikes, and specially formulated gongs have been tuned to chime the Major 3rd note combination of A and C# for a cheerful musical sound. The movement has a 72-hour power reserve and has a water resistance of up to 30 meters.

Special Edition Panerai Radiomir Titanium 47mm Watch

Check out this new edition from Panerai's Special Editions Collection. The newest edition of the Radiomir family is a titanium 47 mm watch. Inspired by the brands first watches produced back in the 1930s which were used by the Italian Navy. The new Radiomir is not produced in the traditional stainless steel of the original models but in highly durable grade 2 titanium. This new titanium model has the easily recognizable cushion-shaped case that has become one of the trademarks of the brand. The watch features a screwdown case-back reveals a sapphire crystal window.

Available with a brown or black dial, the dial is protected by a 1.9mm-thick sapphire crystal that's been treated with anti-reflective treatment. The dial has been created with a sandwich construction which incorporates two superimposed plates provided with the luminous substance. The dial features large Arabic numeral markers and baton-shaped hour markers. The screw-down crown displays the Panerai logo has the shape of a truncated cone similar, again, to the original Radiomir models.

The Panerai Radiomir Titanium 47 mm watch is powered by the calibre OP XXVII movement, a manual wind movement that measures 16 lignes in diameter. Based on a Minerva movement the movement has 18 jewels movement, with a balance frequency of 18,000 alternations per hour. The movement has a 55-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 100 meters. The watch is completed by an alligator leather strap and an oversized brushed titanium buckle. The versions are limited to 50 and 100 pieces.

The Hublot Limited Edition Bode Bang Watch

On December 7th, at a celebrity tennis match at Sutton East Tennis Club in New York City, Hublot unveiled its new Bode Bang watch. The celebrity tennis match was to support Bode’s relationship with the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program was called Hublot's “Tennis Fusion” Celebrity Challenge. Bode Miller along with 2-time tennis Grand Slam winner Justin Gimelstob, actor Sebastian Stan of TV’s Gossip Girl and Olympian Tim Morehouse played a doubles tennis match, with Hublot Managing Director Ricardo Guadalupe as umpire.

This new timepiece is a collaborative effort between the brand and Bode Miller an American skier. The world champion skier was delighted at the opportunity to have a Big Bang watch that bears his name and to divert some of the watch's royalties to the Turtle Ridge Foundation, which was founded by Bode Miller and his family in 2005. The watch is to be a limited and numbered edition of 250 pieces.

The Bode Bang is powered by the brands HUB4100 Mechanical chronograph movement with automatic winding which allows for a 42 hour power reserve. The watch is completed with an adjustable black rubber strap with a clasp constructed from steel black PVD. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters.

TAG Heuer Marks 150th Anniversary with New Silverstone Chronograph

TAG Heuer is marking its 150th anniversary in 2010 with its re-edition the famous Silverstone Chronograph. One of the most coveted collector's TAG Heuer watches, the original Silverstone chronograph was introduced way back in 1974. Known for its cushion cut-shaped case, a shape chosen to resemble the Silverstone Circuit, a famous English racing track. The Silvertone Chronograph is similar in design to its predecessor, the Monaco who's square shaped case helped inspire the brands patented water-proofing system. Both the original Monaco and Silverstone featured the Chronomatic Calibre 11, a revolutionary movement that was the first movement that was a self-winding automatic chronograph with micro rotor.

The re-introduced version of the TAG Heuer Silverstone watch features an updated version of the Calibre 11, incorporating Dubois-Depraz module. The watch has a throwback to the brand's original Heuer logo displayed on the dial. The dial itself is available in blue or brown and has two silver counters at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. The date can be viewed with the hand-applied date window at 6 o'clock. The watch has two stainless steel pushbuttons at the 2 and 4 o'clock positions. The watch is completed by a perforated alligator leather strap in brown or blue. TAG Heuer Silverstone is a limited and numbered edition of 1,500 pieces or each color.

The New Tag Heuer Caliber 1887 Movement

To commemorate 150th anniversary of the brand, TAG Heuer has unveiled the in-house chronograph Caliber 1887 movement. This new movement, which took almost four years and 20 million Swiss Francs to complete is comprised of a multitude of individual parts and incorporates a conventional column wheel system. The number of the calibre was chosen to signify the year when the watchmaker invented an oscillating pinion, a groundbreaking development for chronograph mechanisms. The caliber 1887 is an automatic chronograph movement which is equipped with a mainspring barrel, which is recharged through a skeletonized centrally positioned rotor. When it has been fully-wound the mechanism has a power reserve of about 40-50 hours. The glucydur balance wheel beats at the rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The total dimensions for the Tag Heuer Caliber 1887 movement are 7.1mm high by 29.3mm in diameter.

New Carbon Fiber Limited Edition Watches From Bell & Ross

Carbon fiber has become an inspirational material for many luxury watch manufacturers. Where once limited edition pieces were limited to platinum and other fine metals, now more and more limited edition pieces are being crafted from this sturdy and beautiful material. Bell & Ross has taking it and created its two new limited edition sports models for its BR 01 collection. The first of these timepieces, the BR 01-94, features a three-counter automatic chronograph with date, while the BR 01-92 model is a simpler example with time display and sweep center seconds. Both of these Carbon Fiber watches are to be limited to 500 pieces.

Construction of these timepieces was accomplished by barrowing techniques used in the aeronautical industry. Each case measures an impressive 46 mm and produced entirely from carbon fiber. The bezel and dials are both carbon fiber as well, creating an interesting look of one continuous piece. Each strap has been crafted from woven carbon and treated with a semi-gloss finish and completed with a blackened tang buckle.

The BR 01-94 version is animated by the ETA 2894 chronograph movement which allows for an easily adjustable date function, small seconds and of course the chronograph with 12-hour and 30-minute totalizers. The BR 01-92 is powered by the ETA 2892 automatic movement which features an interesting seconds function that allows for precise synchronization to a time signal, or perhaps another watch. Both of these movements have balance frequencies of 28,800 vibrations per hour, a power reserve of up to 42 hours, and are water resistant to 100 meters.

The New Ulysse Nardin Classico Collection

Ulysse Nardin has introduced an elegant new collection into the brands collective. The Classico watch collection, for the time being, is only being produced in 18 carat gold. Reminiscent of other Ulysee Nardin creations, including the discontinued Ulysse I model, the Classico has a "classic" look with beautiful scarab-style lugs. The mens' version of the Classico watch measures 40 mm in diameter while the ladies measures a nice 35 mm in diameter, not a bad size and certainly not a delicate watch by most standards.

The mens version will be available in both 18 carat rose and white gold, each with a highly polished finish. The dials will come in either black or a silvered dial and the white gold version will have a Ulysse Nardin specialty, a beautiful blue enamel dial, created using the "grand feu" technique. The ladies version is available in 18 carat white gold with the bezel and lugs both set with round brilliant diamonds. Each piece has a White gold winding crown which is accented by a row of blue sapphire cabochons. The kiln-fired enamel dial is set with diamonds as well. Each dial will be a unique creations produced by master artisan, each depicting images of delicate birds. Each watch is nicely complimented by a hand-sewn alligator leather strap.

Each of the Classico watches feature a self-winding mechanical movements. The ladies' version displays hours and minutes, while the mens' version has a sweep seconds function and a rapidly correctable date display. Each timepiece is protected by a fitted curved sapphire crystals and the fine decorative finishing and 22 carat gold centrally-mounted winding rotors are visible through the sapphire crystal casebacks. The watches are completed with leather straps with 8-karat gold folding clasps.

New Limited Edition Breitling Chrono-Matic Watches

Breitling has unveiled two limited editions of its Chrono-Matic watch to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the companies first automatic chronograph movement, the Chrono-Matic QP & 1461. In 1969 Breitling introduced its first automatic chronograph movement which lead to the creation of the brands Chrono-Matic chronographs. Now the new 49mm diameter Chrono-Matic watches are a tribute to the first of these ultra-large watches.

The Chrono-Matic 1461 chronograph watch is a limited series of 2,000 pieces and gets its name from its calendar mechanism which requires an adjustment only once every leap-year, or 1,461 days. The 49mm case is crafted from stainless steel and can come with an optional woven stainelss steel Aero Classic bracelet. The dial displays hours, minutes and seconds as well as the chronograph feature. The date, day and month are shown on the sub-dials indicted by the straight hands.

The second of the new limited edition Breitling watches is the Chrono-Matic QP. This beautiful watch has a 49mm 18 carat red gold case and is a limited edition of only 125 pieces. The QP is made up of 500 parts which come together to display the date, day, week, month, season, and moon phase. the watch has an impressive chronograph function, and an advanced perpetual calendar system.