Finest Watches Blog

Patek Philippe Triple Complication Ref. 5208P

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:02:29 +0000

Patek Philippe offers a greater range of minute repeater wristwatches in a broader palette of colors than all other watchmakers combined. It’s no wonder why knowledgeable enthusiasts with an affection for Patek Philippe’s creations keep coming back for more.

This year’s arrival brings together three major complications. Presented simply as a triple complication, the Ref. 5208P, launched at Baselworld 2011. Self-winding Grand Complication wristwatch with minute repeater, monopusher chronograph, instantaneous perpetual calendar with apertures, and moon phase.

The new Patek Philippe Triple Complication Ref. 5208P is yet another accomplishment that underscores the leadership of the Geneva-based workshops in the complicated watch segment. With a minute repeater, monopusher chronograph, and instantaneous perpetual calendar, it presents the most challenging degrees of difficulty with peerless perfection.

It is Patek Philippe's second Triple Complication within a short period of time. In 2008, the first was the Ref. 5207 with a minute repeater, instantaneous perpetual calendar with aperture displays, and tourbillon; in 2011, the second is the Ref. 5208P with a chronograph, minute repeater, and instantaneous calendar with aperture displays. Eagerly awaited by collectors and fans of complicated watches, it is the manufacture’s first Triple Complication with a chronograph.

Moreover, the new Ref. 5208P is one of the very few existing highly complicated watches with a self-winding movement. Finally, it is the first true Grand Complication that integrates silicon-derived Silinvar® components: the revolutionary Pulsomax® escapement and the Spiromax® balance spring. As such, it is an impressive example of how tradition and innovation interact under one roof at Patek Philippe.

In the current collection of Patek Philippe’s Grand Complication wristwatches, the Ref. 5208P ranks second, directly behind the Sky Moon Tourbillon, and before the Ref. 5207 (minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar with aperture displays) and the Ref. 5216 (minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar with retrograde date).

Movement Caliber R CH 27 PS QI
Self-winding mechanical movement, minute repeater and subsidiary seconds. Monopusher chronograph with column wheel, chronograph hand, 60-minute and 12-hour counters. Instantaneous perpetual calendar. Day, date, month, and leap-year cycle in apertures, day/night indicator, moon phases.
Overall diameter: 32 mm (repeater and chronograph 28 mm; instantaneous perpetual calendar 32 mm)
Height: 10.35 mm
Number of parts: 701
Basic movement with minute repeater: 331
Chronograph mechanism: 160
Instantaneous perpetual calendar: 210
Number of jewels: 58
Power reserve: Max. 48 hours
Balance: Gyromax®
Semi-oscillations per hour: 21,600 (3 Hz)
Balance spring: Spiromax®
Escapement: Pulsomax® (lever and escape wheel in Silinvar®)
Balance spring stud: Adjustable
Functions: Two-position crown at 3 o’clock
– Pulled out: To set the time
– Pushed in: To wind the watch
Pusher: Three-phase chronograph monopusher at 2 o’clock: Start, stop, reset
Hallmark: Patek Philippe Seal
Displays: Hours and minutes from the center
Sweep chronograph hand
Subdials at:
– 60-minute counter between 3 and 4 o'clock
– 12-hour counter between 8 and 9 o'clock
– Subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock
Apertures:
Day between 10 and 11 o'clock in a polished white-gold frame
Date at 12 o'clock in a polished white-gold frame
Month between 1 and 2 o'clock in a polished white-gold frame
Moon phase at 6 o’clock
Day/night indication between 7 and 8 o'clock
Leap year cycle between 4 and 5 o'clock
Corrector push pieces: – Day corrector between 11 and 12 o'clock
– Month corrector between 12 and 1 o'clock
– Moon-phase corrector between 5 and 6 o'clock
– Date corrector between 6 and 7 o'clock
Delivered with correction stylus in ebony and 18K white gold
Slide Minute repeater with strike on low-pitched gong for hours, high/low for quarter-hours, and high for minutes.

Features
Case: 950 platinum with pieced lugs, platinum back, and interchangeable display back with sapphire-crystal window. Diamond of approx. 0.02 ct.
between the lugs at 6 o'clock
Dimensions: Diameter 44 mm
Height: 15.70 mm
Width between lugs: 22 mm
Slide: In 950 platinum on the left side of the case to activate the minute repeater
Dial: 18K gold, sunburst charcoal
11 applied "obus" hour markers in 18K white gold
Dauphine hands in 18K white gold for hours and minutes
Baton-style counterbalanced chronograph hands, 18K white gold, white lacquered
Baton-style hands for subsidiary seconds as well as 12-hour and 60-minute counters, 18K white gold, white lacquered
Railway track scale on dial periphery
18K white-gold frame for date aperture, hammered and diamondpolished 18K white-gold frames for day and month apertures, hammered and polished
Strap: Alligator leather with square scales, hand-stitched, shiny chocolate brown, platinum foldover clasp

Patek Phillipe Men's Aquanaut 5164A-001

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:32:55 +0000

One of my favorite new additions to Patek Philippe for 2011 is an addition to the Aquanaut line, reference 5164A-001. This new model brings a dual time complication to the family of aquanaut watches. Only available in stainless steel, the case measures 40.8 millimeters, a mere 0.8 millimeters larger than the 5167 model. The black embossed dial has gold applied numerals and luminescent hour markers. The dial displays has a dual time zone mechanism which indicating local and home time indicating local and home time as well as local and "home" day/night indication in apertures. The local date and sweep seconds are indicated by hand.

The Aquanaut 5164A is powered by the self-winding mechanical movement Caliber 324 S C FUS which measures 31 millimeters in diameter and 4.82 millimeters high. The movement contains a total of 294 parts and 29 jewels and allows for a maximum 45 hour power reserve. The cases screw down crown and sapphire-crystal case back help achieve the watches water resistance to 120 meters. The watch is completed by a "Tropical" composite strap and an Aquanaut fold-over clasp in steel.

Patek Philippe ref. 5073P Minute Repeater

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:17:09 +0000

The Patek Philippe reference 5073P Minute repeater with perpetual calendar and diamond set case was one of the most exciting releases at the Basel Fair 2011. But with a projected retail of around $830,000.00, this new edition to Patek's Grand Complication collection will make it into a select few private collections. As if the 5073P wouldn't have been impressive enough Patek added 103 stunning baguette diamonds, totaling approx. 4.33 ct.to the bezel and lugs.

The complicated timepiece is powered by Caliber R 27 Q self-winding mechanical movement that includes a minute repeater with cathedral gongs and a perpetual calendar - which displays the day of week, 24-hour display, month, leap-year cycle, and date with hands, moon phases in an aperture. Minute repeater cathedral gongs sound at hours:low, quarter-hours:high-low and minutes:high. The movement measures 28 millimeters and is made up of 467 parts, which includes 39 jewels. The movement is stamped with the famous Patek Philippe Seal.

The minute repeater's case is crafted from 950 platinum with both a solid platinum back and interchangeable display back with sapphire-crystal window. The watches measures 42 millimeters in diameter by 11.11 millimeters high. The black dial, 18K gold, has 13 baguette diamond hour markers that total approximately 0.25 ct. The leaf-shaped hands are crafted in 18 carat white gold for hours and minutes a well as for the date, day, and month. The 24-hour display and leap-year cycle are indicated by White-lacquered baton hands in 18 carat white gold. The 5073P is secured to the wearer's wrist with a hand-stitched shiny black alligator leather strap with square scales. The platinum fold-over clasp is set with 42 baguette diamonds totaling approx. 0.69 ct.

Hublot Oceanographic 4000 - Titanium and All-Black Versions

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:25:18 +0000

After 18 months of research and testing Hublot has unveiled the first diver’s watch built to withstand the pressure at a depth of 4,000 meters. The watch was designed and constructed in association with the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, a first for the museum. On June 6 the Hublot Oceanographic 4000 was unveiled in the main aquarium in Monaco, with both HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot in attendance. The partnership will kick off at the “DEEP SEA Conference” on October 13 of this year at the Oceanographic Institute of Paris, where Hublot will be the main partner.

The large “King Power” case measures 48 millimeters in diameter and is available in both a micorblasted satin-finished titanium and matte carbon fiber. The titanium version is limited to 1000 pieces, while the carbon fiber is limited to just 500 pieces. The dial is protected with a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, while the case-back is made from microblasted satin-finished titanium or microblasted satin-finished titanium with black PVD. The watch has been certified to 400 ATM or 4,000 meters an tested to 5,000 meters according to the NIHS standards.

The reference numbers 731.NX.1190.RX and 731.QX.1140.RX are powerd by the HUB1401 mechanical movement with automatic winding. Made up of 180 parts and 23 jewels the movement allows for a 42 hour power reserve. The watch is completed with a either a black rubber or rubber and nylon strap with tongue and buckle closing system in titanium or black DVD titanium. The titanium version has a retail price of $19,900 and the carbon fiber version is $25,900.

IWC Big Pilot Orange Perpetual Calendar Boutique Edition

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Tue, 17 May 2011 12:01:00 +0000

A new limited edition boutique timepiece is on the horizon for IWC, the Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar in Orange. One year since the brand introduced their first IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar watch, created for the Swiss-based Bucherer network of luxury boutiques, they are doing it again - but this time with a bit of orange thrown in the mix. The previous limited edition had only 100 pieces created, 70 in stainless steel and 30 in gold. The new "orange" edition will be produced in a slightly larger run of 250 and (its believed) only in stainless steel.

The Big Pilot Orange Perpetual Calendar has a 46 millimeter round stainless steel case and a stainless steel bezel. The timepiece is powered by movement Caliber 51613 with an automatic Pellaton winding system, 62 jewels, and beats at 21,600 vph. The movement allows for a power reserve of 168 hours or 7 days, shown by an indicator at the 3 o'clock position. Along with hours, minutes and seconds the watch displays day, date, day of week, month, four digit year and moon phase. The black dial is accented by large orange and small white markers. The case is secured to the wearers wrist by a black alligator strap with complimentary orange stitching.

Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 5720G

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:00:32 +0000

Patek Philippe has unveiled its next perpetual calendar model for the 2011 Grand Complications Collection at this years Baselworld. The Patek Ref. 5270 is a perpetual calendar chronograph with an entirely in-house manufactured chronograph movement. The release of this model is speculated to be the first step in Patek's intention to phase out the highly popular 5970 timepiece. This new model is sure to be just as highly sought-after and carries a high price as well, estimated to retail for just under $160,000. Release will most likely officially be towards the end of this year but we might not see it on the market until early 2012.

The Patek model 5270G-001 has a 41 milimeter case diameter which is crafted from 18 carat white gold and comes with an interchangeable full case-back and sapphire-crystal case-back. The silvery-opaline dial displays date by hand, moon phases and seconds in a sub-dial at 9 o'clock. The dial also has stunning black oxidized gold applied numeral markers. The perpetual calendar features day, month, leap year and day/night indication in apertures. The watch is completed by a hand-stitched alligator strap with square scales in matt black with a fold-over clasp.

The watch is powered by the in-house developed Caliber CH 29-535 PS Q mechanical manually wound movement. The chronograph movement has a center chronograph hand and instantaneous 30-minute counter. The movement measures 32 millimeters in diameter by 7 millimeters high and contains 33 jewels and a Gyromax balance. The total part count for the movement is 456. The movement allows for a 65 hour maximum power reserve.

Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:16:19 +0000

The Jules Audemars collection pays tribute to one of the founders of Audemars Piguet, Jules Audemars. The collections simplicity and elegance are well represented in the newest 2011 edition to the line, the Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar watch reference # 26385OR.OO.A088CR.01. This new timepiece has an elegant 39 millimeter x 8.8 millimeter thick round case crafted from 18 carat pink gold with a smooth polished bezel. The silver-toned dial is decorated with applied pink gold hour-markers and pink gold hour and minute hands. Pink gold hands also indicate the day sub-dial located at the 3 o'clock position and the day of-the-week sub-dial at 9 o'clock. The beautiful moon-phase window is located above the 6 o'clock.

The Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar timepiece is powered by the self-winding caliber 2324/2825 movement. The movement measures 26.60 millimeters (11_ lignes) in diameter, with a casing diameter of 26 millimeter by 4.60 millimeter thick. The movement contains 45 jewels and 215 parts and boasts a power reserve of up to 40 hours. All parts are finished and decorated by hand, the main-plate is beveled and circular-grained and the bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève motif.

The watch is secured to the wearers wrist by a hand-sewn brown crocodile leather with large square scales and a pin buckle crafted in 18 carat pink gold.

The Cartier Tourbillon and Crocodile Watch, Calibre 9458 MC

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:11:53 +0000

Cartier has introduced a new flying tourbillon watch, the Cartier Tourbillon and Crocodile Watch. The timepiece is a truly unique design that features a stunning crocodile sculpted from 18 carat white gold and decorated with diamonds, the crocodile also has emerald eyes. The decorated reptile wraps its self around the top half of the dial and guards the movement. The bottom half of the dial is decorated with two water lilies in translucent red and white enamel. The watch features a round 44.5 millimeter case crafted from rhodium-plated 18 carat white gold. The crown is also crafted from circular-grained pattern rhodium-plated 18 carat white gold and is set with a diamond.

The Crocodile Watch is powered by the unique in-house flying tourbillon movement caliber 9458 MC which is imprinted with the Geneva Seal. The mechanical manual-winding movement features 167 parts which including 19 jewels. The movement beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour, and has a power reserve of up to 50-hours. The C-shaped carriage of the flying tourbillon is also used for indicating the seconds. The intricate movement took the master watchmakers more than 50 hours to complete.

The superb case construction allows for a 30 meter water-resistance. The timepiece is completed with a black brushed canvas strap with an ardillon buckle in the white gold and is also decorated with diamonds. The Cartier Tourbillon and Crocodile Geneva Seal watch, caliber 9458 MC is a limited edition watch of 50 just pieces.

Holiday Gift Ideas - For Her

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Rolex Datejust Ladies 179160

Rolex Lady Datejust. 26mm stainless steel case with a domed bezel. Silver dial with index hour markers and a stainless steel Oyster bracelet.

Chanel J12 Ceramic & Diamonds

White ceramic case with a double row of pave diamonds, 33 mm. White ceramic bracelet.

Cartier Diamants Legers De Cartier earrings

18 carat white gold earrings set with two diamonds each.

Cartier Scarab Motif Pendant, Medium Model

18 carat white gold scarab motif pendant set with 2 diamonds, size adjustable from 38 to 41 cm.

Cartier Himalia Pearls Earrings

18k white gold earrings with paved diamonds, white pearls, pierced ears.

Omega Relaunches the Ladymatic

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 20:41:57 +0000

Luxury timepiece maker Omega has recently re-introduced its Ladymatic collection of watches. The line was originally launched back in 1955 as part of the brands De Ville collection. The Ladymatic was one of Omega's first self-winding watches that was designed especially for women, and it featured the smallest automatic movement the brand had ever made. The launch celebration was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Beijing and was attending by the Oscar-winning actress and brand ambassador, Nicole Kidman.

The Omega De Ville Ladymatic timepiece has a round 34 millimeter wave pattern case crafted in 18 carat red gold, yellow gold or stainless steel with a polished or a snow-set diamond-studded bezel. The polished screw-in crown is encrusted with an Omega Cut diamond or a polished Omega logo on the non-diamond version. The case-back is polished and fitted with a see-through case-back crafted from sapphire crystal, displaying the stunning movement. The dial is available in extra-white mother-of-pearl or lacquered black, each with a Supernova pattern. The dial features either 11 diamond indexes facetted in 18 carat gold mounts or a version with no hour-markers.

The timepiece is powered by the brands calibre 8520/8521 movement which incorporates a Co-Axial escapement. This caliber features the company’s exclusive Si 14 silicon balance spring which increases the level of its resistance to external shocks and environmental disturbances. The movement powers 4 functions, hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The hours, minutes and seconds are indicated by polished alpha-shaped hands treated with Super-LumiNova for heightened readability. The date indication is located in an exhibition window at 3 o’clock. An impressive 27 variations will be available.

Franc Vila FVa8Ch Bicentenario Sergio Perez Watch

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 03:04:00 +0000

Franc Vila has announced their official sponsorship of young Mexican F1 diver, Sergio Perez, and has released the Franc Vila FVa8Ch Bicentenario Sergio Perez watch to mark the new partnership. This new watch will be giving the official timepiece maker of the compatition, Hublot, some steep compition at the next F1 event. The watch is also a celebration of the 200 year anniversary of Mexican independence, this can be seen in the watches design which incorporates the colors from the Mexican flag into the design. The watch is a limited edition of just 28 pieces.

The new Franc Vila watch is powered by the automatic manually-finished movement, Caliber FV8Ch. The complicated movement functions include hours, minutes and seconds as well chronograph functions and a "big date" calendar presented in a double window below 12 o'clock. The chronograph minutes can be found at 6 o’clock, chronograph hours at 9 o’clock, and small seconds at 3 o’clock. The FVa8Ch Bicentenario Sergio Perez allows for a power-reserve of up to 42 hours.

The case is crafted from stainless steel and features the “Esprit Unique” shape with an elliptic bezel. The dial and case-back are protected with a sapphire crystal treated with a double anti-glare treatment. The dial is made from white kevlar and hs a guilloche pattern. The Franc Vila FVa8Ch Bicentenario Sergio Perez watch is completed with a black or white crocodile leather strap with red and green stitching and a steel deployant buckle. The watch has a 100-meter water-resistance.

Harry Winston Opus 10

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:35:21 +0000

Harry Winston launched The Opus Series in 2001 each year since they have partnered with the industry’s best watch makers to create a new Opus that is both groundbreaking and beautiful. This year Harry Winston has partnered with watch engineer Jean-François Mojon and the collaboration brought about the OPUS 10. A timepiece inspired by planetary movements and the space-time continuum the watch uses shapes and the dimensionality of time through the synchronous rotation of circular motions.

The Opus 10 strays from tradition with its innovative system of rotating indicators mounted on a revolving frame. The revolving frame rotates in one direction while the dials of each indicator turn in the opposite direction, this ensures that the orientation remains constant in any position. The hand-wound mechanical movement includes indicators for hours, minutes, seconds, and secondary time-zone, all set on the individual satellite wheels which orbit around the central, solar wheel. The movement allows for a 72-hour power reserve.

The watch features a 46 millimeter case constructed from white gold and is designed without a bezel. The rounded sapphire crystal is attached directly to case. The case-back is marked with both Harry Winston's and watch engineer Jean-François Mojon's names. The reference 500/MMJFMWL.K is completed with a black alligator strap and an 18 carat white gold buckle. The Harry Winston Opus 10 is a limited edition of jut 100 pieces.

Concord C1 Vintage Chronograph Blue PVD Watch

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:10:00 +0000

It may seem a bit abnormal to give such an expensive watch a faded and aged appearance, but I think it works quite well for the watch. With its stunning blue pvd case and its cutting-edge technology the Concord C1 Vintage Chronograph watch is a very beautiful and interesting looking watch. The vintage look of the C1 chronograph is both sporty and classic using a unique “worn” blue PVD case and distressed leather strap. The watch retails for $13,900.

The C1 case is constructed from stainless steel and then treated with a blue PVD coating. The case measures 44 millimeters in diameter by 16.70 millimeters thick and features a bezel with 8 black rubber protectors. The dial is a complex design with multiple layers and contains both black carbon fiber and galvanic blue elements. The indexes and hour-minutes hands have been treated with superluminova coating for better visibility in low light situations. The chronograph counters are located at 6 and 12 o’clock with the date opening at 3 o’clock and small second on rotating disk. The dial is protected by a 3.3 millimeters thick sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment applied on both sides.

The C1 Vintage Chronograph is powered by the Cosc certified mechanical automatic movement, Valgranges, which beats at 28′800 vibrations per hour and contains 25 jewels. The movement includes for hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph functions and a 48-hour power reserve. The open case-back is secured with 8 screws, the superior case construction assures a water resistance of up to 200 meters. The watch is secured to the wearers wrist with a vintage blue leather strap and black PVD-treated stainless steel Concord deployment buckle.

Corum Admiral's Cup Chronograph 44 Centro Mono-Pusher

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:44:00 +0000

In addition to the Admiral's Cup Chronograph 48 Grand Prix Watch released in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Corum’s Admiral’s Cup collection is the Admiral’s Cup Chronograph 44 Centro Mono-pusher. The mono-pusher chronograph complication is the star of the watch, and much less common than the conventional twin-pusher chronograph. The single pusher is used to stop, start and reset the chronograph. The reference 961.101.94/0371 is limited to just 555 numbered pieces.

The watch features a 44 millimeter case with the standard Admiral Cup shape with twelve sides sculptured from grade 5 titanium treated with a resistant matt black PVD coating. The case material is known for being extremely light yet durable with an outstanding hardness of 1300 Vickers. The bezel is also treated with black PVD coating. The dark grey and black dial has a central area decorated with a Cotes de Geneve pattern. The hour markers are around the inner bezel ring feature the traditional lacquered nautical pennants. The dial also has several small red accents on the triangle indicating the date, the minute-circle index and the chronograph minute hand. The dial is protected by a cambered twelve-sided sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.

The Corum Admiral's Cup Chronograph 44 Centro Mono-Pusher timepiece is powered by the brand’s exclusive mechanical self-winding CO961 Caliber movement. The movement includes 27 jewels, oscillating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, with its black PVD-coated oscillating weight, may be admired via the sapphire crystal case-back. The precision and reliability of the movement is guaranteed by the COSC chronometer-certification. The movement offers a 48-hour power-reserve and is waterproof to 100 meters.

Franc Vila FVa35 SuperSonico 5-Minute Repeater SuperLigero Watch

nospam@example.com (Finest Watches) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:12:00 +0000

FRANC VILA has unveiled a new timepiece into the brand’s SuperLigero Concept collection. The FVa35 SuperSonico 5 Minutes Repeater timepiece features a 5 minute repetition complication and a case made from DLC Blackened titanium and Lightnium, an aluminium-lithium based alloy used in state of the art aeronautical engineering. The case shape echoes the brands standard a Special “Esprit Unique ”shape with elliptic and circular bezel. The dial and case-back are protected by a sapphire crystal with double sided antiglare treatment.

The Supersonico is powered by the high grade mechanical self-Winding hand finished complicated movement Caliber FV35 and features the FRANC VILA exclusive “Gold Concept Rotor”. The movement allows for hours, minutes and seconds with a 5-minutes repeater and 42 hour power reserve. The superior case construction allows for a water resistance of up to 100 meters. The watch is secured to the wearer's wrist with a rubber sport strap with DLC Black DieHard Extreme Steel deployment buckle. A double sided crocodile leather strap with red stitching is also included. The DLC version is limited edition 88 pieces and has an expected retail of $44,000.