The best ladies watch of 2009

German watch magazine Armbanduhren voted The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Squadra Lady Duetto watch as the best ladies watch of 2009. Truly it is one of the most beautiful watches I have ever seen. The blend of rose gold and white creates a serene timepiece. The watch ,true to its Reverso title, has a watch case that flips to either side displaying two distinct faces both tell the time but are decorated differently. The one side displays the date within the six and the other side has a day/night complication indicator. The watch case is available in stainless steel or highly coveted 18k rose gold. The rose gold is set with 75 diamonds and 36 diamonds decorate the steel version. As with every watch crafted by Jaeger-LeCoultre, elegance is supreme and the movement is superb. Different straps are available for the timepiece. An articulated rubber strap is depicted in the image above blending exquisitely with the rose gold. More traditional alligator strap and metal strap are the other choices.

The originality that crafted the Jeager-LeCoultre Reverso was out of practical necessity.
In 1931, British Officers who were stationed in Colonial India would play polo in their spare time. However more often then not the crystal of the wrist watches would get damaged during the game.
Cesar de Trey, an influential businessman, who was a close associate of Jacques-David LeCoultre visited friends in India.
A polo player approached him, "Sir, I challenge you to create a timepiece that can survive a game of polo with its crystal intact."

This challenge founded the legend of the Reverso. A Patent for Reverso was filed on March 4, 1931: A watch capable of sliding in its base and of turning completely on its axis to turn the crystal inward.

The Zenith El Primero Moonphase

When one thinks of Zenith, one thinks of the adrenaline rushing, heart pumping Zenith Defy Xtreme.
With this newer model unveiled in Baselworld 2009, an available this Spring, Zenith has toned down its look and become quite conservative. The Zenith Class El Primero Moonphase watch is by no means a step down from the Zenith Defy, it is a classy elegant watch with a unique combination of complications. The Zenith El Primero Moonphase has a full annual calender with moonphase and a chronograph. Within its 40mm and 44mm steel case ,as depicted in the image, a unique movement is at work, the El Primero automatic calibre 4100 which is the only movement baring an annual calender and column wheel based chronograph movement.
The dial is well proportioned and highly legible. The complication sub dials are in an inverted pyramid shape clustered around the center of the face. The Zenith logo, day of the week and month of the year balance the look at the top. The day of the month is placed in the perfect position, between the four and five 'o'clock. This placement makes for quick discrete reference when a date is needed. As with all Zenith timepieces the decorations are exquisite. With the Zenith Class El Primero Moonphase watch, Zenith is targeting a more conservative consumer who appreciates good taste and exceptional timeless quality.

Below is a video of an in depth look at a Zenith El Primero Chronometer and its exceptional craftmanship.

A cut above the rest. Vacheron Constatin Flame Diamond-Cut Watches

Vacheron Constantin Metiers d' Art Lady Kalla Flamme


Imagine a watch where every gem seems to shimmer and dance like hundreds of licking flames. No more do we need to rely on our imagination, Vacheron Constantin ,for the first time in horological history has utilized, the newest officially recognized diamond shape, the "flame" diamond cut, on a timepiece. This "flame" cut is the first new diamond cut to be recognized by the Gemological Institute of America in 20 years. Each gem is shaped like the flame, perfect in symmetry and proportion. The gem dances with its own inner spark as the light from outside refracts within its 57 facets. It is the shape of the gems that takes our breath away, the striking femininity and beauty, resulting in a timepiece that is the height of elegance.

The watch dial is also fashioned in the form of a flame like the 200 "flame cut" diamonds hugging the 18k white gold watch; 20 on the case, 60 in the dial and 120 on the bracelet totalling 36.5 karats. A 3.6 mm thick manually wound 1005 movement beats within the case.

The flaming watches are in celebration of Vacheron Constantin's thirtieth anniversary of Kallista Collection.

In 1979 by private commissions, Vacheron Constantin earned the distinction of most expensive jewellery wristwatch of their time. Vacheron Constantin unveiled the Kallista watch, designed by Raymond MORETTI. It was embellished with 118 emerald-cut diamonds adding up 130 carats which were mounted in yellow gold. This timepiece ushered in the Lady Kalla line

Some watches covered with diamonds are too much, but the "flame cut" diamonds turn the watch into an exciting and vibrant timepiece.

The Metiers d'art Haute Couture a Secret is another "flame cut" timepiece; however, at first glance one only sees a beautiful bracelet , after closer inspection one spies a tiny dial hidden between the flames.

Gerald Genta Octo Tourbillon Sunray.

When I was a child, I visited a gold mine in South Africa. We were shown how gold was melted in a furnace and then poured into a bar. I remember the hot flaming liquid like molten lava, and I could feel the heat press against my face. At the end of the show we were allowed to place our hand around the bar of gold, and even try lift it. The gold was very yellow and smooth. Gerald Genta's Octo Tourbillon Sunray watch brought this memory back from decades of sleep. The muted yellow antique gold of the watch reminds me of the gold bar beneath my hand. So pure and vibrant is the gold, it could have been discovered in a cave among pirates booty. The geometric shapes balance the watch in perfect symmetry. The Tourbillon is framed by a brilliant gold octagon, and set deep into the slim 5.9 mm thick case, suspended on a sapphire bridge, so that when one looks down at the whirlwind of movement created by the tourbillon, one senses a fleeting sensation of timelessness.

The tourbillon is situated between two identical 6's which are part of the retrograde hour display. Gerald Genta is one of the Masters of complications being the first company to produce a self-winding tourbillon mechanism in the 1990's.
The craftsmanship is impeccable, a mark of craftsmanship at its best with finishes such as circular graining, bevelling, polishing. An anti ultraviolet-ray treatment slows the drying of oils and increases the life of the watch. The timepiece has a 64 hour power reserve.

Tag Heuer Monaco Twenty Four Chronograph honors Le Mans

Tag Heuer has just unveiled the revved up Tag Heuer Monaco Twenty Four Chronograph to honor the 24 hours of Le Mans. To place the watch in perspective one must know the race. Le Mans is the worlds oldest sports car race in endurance racing. The race has been held annually since 1923, close to the town of Le Mans, Sarthe, France hence the name. The race is known as the Gran Prix of Endurance and is organized by the Automobile Club de l'Quest (ACO). The race is run on a circuit of closed public roads. It is a race to test the agility of the drive, the resilience of the car and the endurance of the highest degree for 24 hours.
Tag Heuer is celebrating the Monaco watches 40th birthday with the release of this watch.

Two stripes, one blue and the other orange mark the watch with the color of Gulf Oil. The watch is based on the first square shaped Monaco ,Steve McQueen wore in the 1970 classic hit movie Le Mans. The square chronograph was unveiled the year earlier in 1969. Tag Heuer has released four new Monaco watches. One of the four is the concept watch: Monaco 24.
Inspired by the thrilling adrenaline pumping heart stopping Le Mans race, the Monaco 24 has a few cool features to pride itself. The entire watch is encased in super resilient PVD and is suspended in in an "energy manifold" steel tube housing, similar to the protective cockpit cage of a race car driver. In addition the movement of the watch is insulated with shock absorbing "composite filter" material used in aerospace and racing engineering. The shock absorption ability id incredible, The Advanced Absorption System (ADAS) can protect the watch in case of an impact of 24,000 G equivalent to a 20 meter fall.
The movement is Tag Heuer company Calibre 36 Moving (36,000 beats per hour). The movement is visible via a see-through Sapphire crystal case back. The Monaco 24 is also the first timepiece to utilize a centrifugal system. Three arrows on the annular oscillating weight display its working rotation visible via the case back.
The other three Monaco timepieces unveiled by Tag Heuer in 2009 include the Tag Heuer Monaco Calibre 12, Tag Heuer Gulf and the Tag Heuer 1969 Original Re-Edition.

On the throne at BaselWorld 2009 Hublot Gold King Power

Hublot's latest innovation the Hublot Gold King Power. The watch is named after a new alloy ,"King Gold", developed especially for Hublot and used for the first time in the " Hublot King Gold" Collection. This gold alloy is redder and more resilient with a brilliant intensity. The Case is 48 mm in diameter and is crafted from the new alloy. The Bezel is a striking mix of "King Gold" and black rubber moulding accentuated with 6 black PVD coated titanium raised H shaped screws. The Bezel Lug and lateral inserts are comprised of black composite resin whereas the crown and push-pieces are crafted in "King Gold" and rubber inserts.
The dial is an intricate model of matt black and gold plated microblasted counters and flange; applique gold plated markers and black SuperLuminova transfers. The hour and minute hands are gold-plated. The split second hand is gold plated and black nickel with black SuperLuminova.
The automatic Hublot King Power HUB 4144 calibre is a split second foudroyante which is a chronograph that has a hand that makes one rotation every second, pausing four, five, even eight times to indicate quarters, fifths or eighths of a second. This exceptional movement was developed with La Joux-Perret.
Other features within the movement:
Bridges: Polished, satin-finish with chamfered edges
Screws: Black PVD
Oscillating weight: Tungsten carbide with dimpled surface coated with black PVD
Bottom plate: Sand-blasted; rhodium-plated
Barrel: With reinforced spring
Escapement: Glucydur balance spring
Power reserve: 42 hours

The strap is adjustable jointed black rubber with a "King Gold" and steel gold PVD deployment clasp.
The Hublot King Power is cutting edge and powerful limited to just 500 pieces numbered from 1/500 to 500/500.

Piaget Newest Treasure

The Piaget Emperador Coussin Regulator watch absolutely reeks of sophistication and royalty. Its destiny is most certainly to be worn on the hands of kings and emporers. If you are just starting your voyage into the wonderful world of watches, you may notice this exquisite timepiece is quite different. The large dial has only one hand and displays the minutes, and the sub dial ,situated in the lower portion of the watch, displays the hours. A pie shaped retrograde dial displays the seconds. The difference lies in the fact that this watch is a regulator. In the past a Regulator was a very accurate long case clock, also known as a parent clock, used by watchmakers and observatories to set their watch to time. The regulator was traditionally void of any other complications thereby increasing precision and eliminating confounding factors. The separate hour and minute hands are non-coaxial.
The retrograde seconds counter will count 30 seconds and then swing back and start over. This characteristic adds movement to the watch.
The Paiget Emperador Coussin Regulator encloses its in-house made Calibre 835P hand-wound mechanical movement within a 42.5mm wide 18K rose or white gold case. The movement is a slender 3.92mm and has a power reserve of 65 hours. The dial looks like a velvet cushion on a Victorian chair, available in either royal blue or charcoal gray. The cushion shaped Emperador case is an excellent choice for the housing of the Regulator watch. There is no limit on the production of the Regulators; however, each watch is engraved with the serial number and year of manufacture.