e listed 10 of the most incredible timepieces depicting birds. I chose one brand for each bird; although, I could have written the blog entirely on Jaquet Droz minute or Bird repeaters. Perhaps for some other time.
Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater circa 2015 Cost $520,000
The Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater has to be one of the most publicized watches unveiled at Baselworld 2015 and for $520,000 this watch is designed particularly for the avid bird fan. Who else would spend a bundle to watch a mechanical mother bird feed here chick, another stretch its wings and another hatch from an egg. To fully appreciate this watch one must view the watch in action.
Van Cleef Arpels Lady Arpels Jour Nuit Oiseaux de Paradis SIHH 2015
The 2015 edition to Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Complication flock is this wonderful depiction of a Bird of Paradise. The champlevé and cloisonné enamel creates a dial brilliant in color and form . Blue hues, fiery oranges and deep purple depict the vividness of an untainted forests where Birds of paradise alight among towering trees. The Bird of Paradise upon the dial displays shimmering tail feathers set with three round diamonds. The movement powering this latest 38mm edition to Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Complication collection, is a 24 hour movement which changes the scene from flower by day to a diamond moon at night. This timepiece is limited to 22 pieces.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art L’éloge de la nature collection - Watches & Wonders 2014
Two cranes engraved upon a pink gold plate fly over a choppy sea of guilloché ripples and translucent Grand Feu enamel. Two provide the wearer or watcher with the full effect of birds in flight, Vacheron Constantin utilized a automatic in-house 237 piece Calibre 2460 G4 movement, which displays the trailing hours and minutes as well as a jumping day and date via four apertures. The case is fashioned from 18k 5N pink gold and affixes to the wrist via an alligator leather strap. The case back is fashioned from sapphire crystal where one may view the Hallmark of Geneva.
Angular Momentum - Flying Bird circa 2009
Now this watch is kind of creepy, reminds me of the last creature to
escape from hellish destruction.The creature in fact is a sparrow which
,together with its foreboding backdrop, has been crafted with a Japanese
Lacquering method known as Urushi. Urushi lacquer comes from the sap of
a Urushi tree, which creates a natural plastic like substance. It is
the Urushi Lacquer that creates the intense blackness covering the dial.
Boucheron Hiniscus Tourbillon circa 2012
Boucheron mechanical hand wound Hibiscus Tourbillon is a
delicate representation of a hummingbird in mid-flap alighting upon a
diamond encrusted bezel attracted by a bright pink hibiscus. Between
bird and flower, a flying tourbillon incorporating a Swiss escapement
lever rotates beneath fallen leaves. A flying tourbillon is only
supported on one side creating the illusion that it rotating whilst
suspended in mid air - unsupported by any means. A white - almost hazy
mother-of-pearl dial -like a sky masked with high cirrus clouds, sets a
gentle backdrop for a scene created from white gold, blue and pink
sapphires and diamonds. A dial framed by delicate plant like swirls is
placed at the 1 'o'clock position. A gentle reminder of Boucheron's
flagship boutique at number 26 place Vendôme.
"Polly wants a cracker?" The parrot fluffing its feathers atop a signature Cartier Ballon Bleu dial is so realistic one expects it to emit a shrill squawk and pluck the cracker right out the hands of the giver. Amazingly the soft visage of feathers are crafted from real flower petals. From its face of feathers, a single emerald gleams at its eye against a shimmering backdrop of diamond paving. Limited to 20 pieces.
MB&F / Boucheron HM3 JwlryMachineWatch - circa 2010
Without the additional owlish getup, MB & F's HM3 closely resembles an owl or a frog. However, beneath the bejeweled clothes of Boucheron, the mechanical mastery turns into a spectacular spectacle of owlish delight.Clear sapphire crystal enable the clear display of hour and minute upon the cylinders of each eye. The eyes themselves are top with a purple cabochon and surrounded by a ring of diamonds. The owls claws and feather toughs are crafted from 18k white gold. Price $215,000
Chopard Emerald & Diamond Owl Watch- Currently Available
The eyes of an owl truly lend themselves to the face of a watch, especially when a dual timezone is on display. Chopard ,with its love for the animal kingdom, chose to represent the great horned owl on a silver leather strap around the wrist. Graduated calibré-cut emerald surround two grey guilloché watch dial eyes within a diamond set owl face. Available at Chopard, this limited edition Owl Watch will make your friends hoot with delight.
Jaeger LeCoultre Master Grand Tourbillon Crane Enamel Watch - circa 2013
Although many watch companies have taken pride in applying miniature enamel paintings to the dial, this timepiece is Jaeger-Lecoultre's first attempt at the enamel art. The result ,of course, is exceptional. Cranes, a symbol of longevity, nestle amongst bamboos beneath a silver foil moon and white gold guilloché decorated dial. A bunch of bamboo stalks are meticulously painted on the sapphire crystal creating a unique depth to the dial. An almost weightless light weight titanium alloy tourbillon cage turning at one revolution per minute. The enamel artistry is framed by a bejeweled bezel and sweeping lugs of 94 baguette cut diamonds weighing in at 8 carats. The power house of the watch is the iconic Calibre 978 visible via a sapphire crystal case back. Limited edition of 8 pieces.
Christian Audigier's Graceful Bird Watch- Currently Available
Since most these watches can run you in the thousands from some of the most prestigious watch brands, I like to post a more affordable bird watch to sway the chances of getting the title of a watch snob - Gasp! Anyway back to business. I have been monitoring Christian Audigier's watch designs for some time. The watches and movements are ok. Nothing to cry home about or set up news crawlers atop Times Square, but they definitely fill a nice affordable watch niche. The watches exude a youthful energy and pizzazz. The Graceful Bird Watch dial boasts tattoo flash inspired artwork and surrounded by Swarovski Crystal. In addition, Swarovski crystal graces each hour indice. The watch is presented on a gray rubber band featuring Christian Audiger's signature trademark. Christian Audigier is a high profile and very prolific French fashion designer residing in the US. Price $225.00
Piaget Limelight Garden Party Watch - SIHH 2011 (Ref. G0A36169)
Piaget's Limelight Garden Party Collection is a whimsical representation of a summer eve surrounded by the chatter of friends, the clink of glasses, the gentle chatter of garden birds and a gentle breeze ruffling leaves. The diamond encrusted birds, diamond encrusted leaves and berries the birds eat, revolve around the dial in effortless motion. The birds an their habitat are a meticulous composition of 99 brilliant cut diamonds set upon an 18 carat white gold case baring 52 brilliant cut diamonds. The entire scene sparkles against a backdrop of pure Piaget black. The watch is powered by a Piaget 56P quartz movement and secured to the wrist by a black satin strap and secured by a diamond encrusted 18 carat white gold ardillon buckle.If one has a great infinity for birds, take note, this watch is part of a large garden party motif collection of brooches necklaces and earrings.
Harry Winston Premier Feather Watch - Circa 2012
"Birds of a feather flock together" and Harry Winston has taken this proverb to an entirely new level by perfectly placing feathers upon a dial to create a kaledescope of design and color. Harry Winston always delivers with a flourish. With the Premier Feather
Watch, unveiled at the opening of the Shanghai Pavilion boutique, Harry
Winston preens perfection like an exotic male bird showing off its fine
plumage to the ladies. Working with feathers requires exceptional
talent and the job goes too ... Nelly Saunier who is one of the few
experts who still practice this rare skill. With an expert touch she
hand picked (not hand plucked) each feather spending 7 hours carefully and exquisitely creating the dial. In days gone by
feathers were used to decorate refineries most notably the headdress of
nobles and aristocrats. The feathers were cut and placed in the perfect position in order to make the best use of the feather's
natural nanostructructually organized tissue to interact with light and
achieve an intriguing iridescence. Each dial is intrinsically unique
and framed by 66 brilliant cut diamonds which flow onto Harry Winston
signature lugs. he Premier Feather Watch is powered by a quartz movement and water resistant to 30m.
The timepiece is bound to the wrist by a satin strap and secured with an
18k white gold or rose gold buckle set with 29 brilliant cut diamonds.
Only 8 pieces of these feathery watches will be produced making them
much coveted collectors items especially by those who have an affinity
to towards fowls.
What is it they say about Peacocks? Well depending which culture you belong to, they can bring good luck or other luck. There raucous caw can get kind of grating, but they are beautiful to see when strutting their stuff. The feathers are glorious and have been used as decoration on furniture, paintings, hair accessories and of course watches. In 1963, the peacock was designated the National Bird of India.
Below I have listed ten watches adorned in peacocks and the different dial decorating techniques used to portray the peacock theme.
Corum Heritage Artisans Feather Watch - Circa 2014
Dial Decorating Technique: Individually sorted, cut and glued peacock feathers.
“Into The Wild” Collection by Le Vian- Circa 2011
Dial Decorating Technique: Paved and Raised Gem-Setting.
Harry Winston Premier Feather Watch - Peacock Feathers - circa 2012
Dial Decorating Technique: Individually sorted, cut and glued peacock feathers.
Corum Peacock Feather Watch - Circa 1970's
Dial Decorating Technique: Cutting and Glueing peacock feather.
Chopard's Peacock Watch - Circa 2011
Dial Decorating Technique: Japanese "maki-e technique" lacquering technique. Artist: Kiichiro Masumura. Urushi technique - multiple layers of Urushi tree sap is applied to the dial and then sprayed with gold.
DeLaneau XRD Peacock- Circa 2012
Dial Decorating Technique: Enameling
Boucheron Héra Tourbillon - Circa 2011
Dial Decorating Technique: Girard Perregaux Three Gold Bridges in White Gold surrounded by paraiba tourmalines, sapphire and diamond paving. Peacock is in white gold set with paraiba tourmalines, sapphire and diamond paving.
Dial Decorating Technique: Hand-painted on mother-of-pearl.
Boucheron Watch Crazy Jungle Peacock - Circa 2010
Dial Decorating Technique: White Gold - Champlevé Grand Feu Enamel Dial
Piaget Altiplano Double Jeu - The Mythical Journey Collection - Circa 2014
Dial Decorating Technique: Two Cases - Upper Case Dial - Gold engraved peacock set with diamonds. Lower case dial (not depicted) - Piaget signature dazzling white dial with gold hands.
A week from now Baselworld doors fling open unto an eager crowd of watch and jewelry enthusiasts, buyers, boutique owners, journalists and seekers. From March 27th to April 3rd, show goers will venture from hall to hall and event to event gathering information about new styles, prices and brands. Old friends will meet, new ones made, contacts forged, orders arranged and signed upon the dotted line. Seven informative Baselword Daily News issues ,available online and at the show itself, keeps visitors abreast of "must-see", news and current trends. A Baselword App on your i-phone, i-pad, blackberry and android provides useful interactive information.
I have outlined a brief Pre-Baselworld Virtual Walk to Navigate the halls. Keep in mind, this is just a hint of what awaits you at the show.
Hall 1.0 is a given to go with highly popular prolific top notch brands such as Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Phillipe, Tissot, Hublot, Tag Heuer - you get the gist.
Breitling for Bentley 6.75 Midnight carbon
Hall 1.1 houses a bejeweled assortment of high end brands - famous for gem encrusted watches and jewelry such as House of Graff, Boucheron, Jacob &; Co. and of course de Grisigono. Great Sporty brands such as Edox, U-Boat and Clerc are displayed among high end accessory brands such as Hermès, Dior and Chanel. Seiko holds a prominent place being in a category of its own.
Quite a few lessor known brands are within these walls, but favorites are found all around. Europa Star spans one wall - an excellent watch news source.
Hall 1.3 showcases affordable brands such as Invicta, Follie Follie, Guess and Casio.
Jacob & Co. Epic SF 24
International Brands
Hall 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 is abundant with jewelry - each booth displaying originality in design and expertise.
Eterna, Ball Watch USA holds command of Hall 5.0.
The Palace is by far my favorite Baselworld local, housing unparallelled watch making expertise. HYT renowned for its hydro mechanical timepiece is at P03, while at P06, the edgy and daring Artya brand rubs shoulders with the elusive Haldimann Horology.
HYT H2 Forged from Titanium & White Gold with Blue Fluid
The Palace is abundant with complex complications perfected by MB &F, Konstantin Chaykin (genius in watch design) and Christophe Claret. Badollet - keeper of my favorite design and De Bethune- creator of the finest blue are found at P01 and P02 respectively.
Badollet Ivresse like a Painters Pallet
Hall 3.0 and 3.1 is abundant with jewelry and gem.
Hall 4U holds necessary tools for the trade and Hall 4.0 and 4.1 are National Pavilions.
Unlike the exclusive SIHH , where visitors must receive an invitation to attend, Baselworld is open to the public without prior registration. Simply show up and purchase your ticket "on-the-spot" or online at www.baselworld.com. Prices are quite affordable at CHF 60.-for the day or CHF 150.-for the week.
Coming from far and away without a place to stay? Enjoy some Swiss Hospitality at the Mövenpick Hotel Egerkingen. If you wish to be a bit closer to the action, a room at the Hotel Alexander Basel is a stones throw away. Zürich is a 90 minute train ride away with hotels galore ready to welcome a Baselword traveller. But whether you come by land or air, it is on the water you can stay. Book a floating room on the "Hotel Ship" for the duration of your trip. A free shuttle bus will transport you to the show - just 15 minutes away.
The show does not end at closing time, Baselworld Village is open from 6pm until 2am. Restaurants and Bars provide prime places to seal a deal over some fine wine and delectable dine.
For the best and most productive Baselworld experience planning is crucial, but the most memorable moment may just be chance. Make a memory, a deal, a contract, a sale, a moment. Come to Baselworld.
Mother's Day is approaching, and I know you want to get mom the best of the best in luxury watches. So if you have a pretty penny or not - dreams fuel productivity.
I have always said - "For Mom you can't go wrong with a Boucheron" (but lets keep my poetic abilities under wraps for now)
Boucheron produces one of the finest collections in haute joaillerie luxury watches for women with exceptional movements. Boucheron is a company with a grand repertoire of breathtaking watches - many of them incorporating animal themes into the watch. Boucheron often partners up with other companies like MB & F and Girard-Perregaux to create timepieces which possess the allure of extraordinary movement in breathtaking settings. Boucheron often uses the vibrant cues from the animal world to create bejeweled scenes in watches and jewelry.
Just in time for Spring, Boucheron introduces the mechanical hand wound Hibiscus Tourbillon - a delicate representation of a hummingbird in mid-flap alighting upon a diamond encrusted bezel attracted by a bright pink hibiscus. Between bird and flower, a flying tourbillon incorporating a Swiss escapement lever rotates beneath fallen leaves. A flying tourbillon is only supported on one side creating the illusion that it rotating whilst suspended in mid air - unsupported by any means. A white - almost hazy mother-of-pearl dial -like a sky masked with high cirrus clouds, sets a gentle backdrop for a scene created from white gold, blue and pink sapphires and diamonds. A dial framed by delicate plant like swirls is placed at the 1 'o'clock position. A gentle reminder of Boucheron's flagship boutique at number 26 place Vendôme.
A matching blue karung strap secures the spring scene to the wrist.
Karung is snake skin from a Karung or "wart" snake, elephant trunk snake or Java File and is widely used for handbags and shoes. It lives in shallow tropical freshwater lagoons and streams in SE Asia. The snake is non-venomous and eats fish and eels. An adult Karung or Java file can reach 7-8
feet in length. It has loose skin and a flattened tail for
swimming.
Boucheron Cypris Tourbillon with three Gold Bridges - Baselworld 2012
Boucheron certainly knows how to create exceptional timepieces and Girard-Perregaux is a master in mechanical movements. This collection is all Boucheron and all Girard-Perregaux. The three gold bridges require no introduction to the world of horology, and is the signature Girard-perregaux movement. Boucheron's obsession with the animal kingdom is quite another story deeming Cartier animal imagery quite tame. Boucheron gathers inspiration from the beauty of nature incorporating animals, from frogs to elephants to hummingbirds, into many of its timepieces. The result is breathtaking and ingenious. Precious gems perfectly matched for color and clarity adorn the creations bringing them to life in stone. Often rare gems, sometimes unique to a single geographic location, are used.
The Boucheron Cypris Tourbillon with three gold bridges is one of Boucheron's latest editions to its glittering flock. The elegant head of the bird, so beautiful in nature now has an equally magnificent image set in diamond, sapphire and spinal. The bright orange beak is cut from onyx and coral. Girard Perregaux's three gold bridges with tourbillon power the watch. Each creation took 10 months to complete with a staggering 1300 hours of work.
Boucheron Hera Tourbillon Watch- 2011
The Boucheron Hera Tourbillon Watch displays plumage of fascinating shades of blue achieved with a blue sapphire hue and the intriguing neon blue copper bearing Paraibas tourmalines. The Paraibas tourmalines is found to date in Brazil, Nigeria and Mozambique. The dial is framed by a bezel of 53 diamonds from where the exquisite plumage of the white gold bracelet extends. 271 diamonds, 868 blue sapphires, 426 purple
sapphires, 310 Paraibas tourmalines and a single blue sapphire cabochon surround the wrist in feathery splendor. The Boucheron Hera Tourbillon watch is powered by an automatic
mechanical Girard-Perregaux GP 9700.0A movement. The bridges beneath which suspends a tourbillon is surrounded by a plate
paved with 160 Paraibas tourmalines and 18 diamonds. The movement beating at rate of 21.600 vph.
Boucheron Ladyhawke Tourbillon-2010
The Boucheron Ladyhawke Tourbillion unveiled in 2010 is my absolute favorite. The falcon has a certain raw ferocity about it, which I find quite appealing. 25 carats of 833 multicolored or "dirty diamonds" on white gold create the plumage. Lifelike talons and a sharped curved beak guard over the GP movement. A lone ruby red eye glares at trespassers daring them to cross the line. This piece ,capable of sending cold shivers down ones spine, displays a powerful representation of high end jewelry and watch craftsmanship.
In the past Boucheron has teamed up with MB & F creating quite an interesting timepiece.
