Omega Delivers Dazzle

When one thinks of Omega, one thinks of incredible timekeeping geared for sports. One thinks of Space Exploration, Olympics, James Bond, Speedmaster, Seamaster and Omega's co-axial escapements. One thinks of glittering glamor associated with watch companies such as Piaget, Harry Winston and Van Cleef and Arpels. Now its Omega's turn to dazzle with the introduction of the shimmering Omega Constellation Baguette Watch.
Okay you can close your mouth now. It is a beauty isn't it. Omega seems to have reached out into celestial space and brought a star down to earth. This watch is one of a kind with no word whether Omega will produce another. Each and every diamond covering the watch is carefully selected and hand cut specifically for this watch. No less than 459 large Wesselton diamonds pave the dial, case and bracelet. The demands on the dial minimize the closer they get towards a shining star resting on a sky blue, violet and turquoise mother of pearl disc hovering above the 6 'o'clock position. This arrangement creates an intriguing perception of depth. Hidden behind the "invisible mount" of baguette and trapeze cut diamonds is an 18k white gold case and bracelet. Hidden beneath the case is an Omega Caliber 8421 automatic Co-Axial escapement mechanical movement.

SIHH 2010 Gets Underway In Geneva

Its showtime as SIHH 2010 opens the curtains on a truly spectacular watch show. However, this year the SIHH feels like a stroll through shop lined piazzas baring exquisite facades and elegant display windows. The feel is a far cry from the usual large exhibition hall dotted with booths. Geneva is the perfect place to relay the atmosphere of elegant shopping, something hard to accomplish in Basel. SIHH is invitation only where high end collectors, buyers, media personnel and select others view the newest collections from 19 different companies.

SIHH is still very much a Richemont affair with 12 of the 19 brands taking part in the show is owned by Richement. These are A. Lange & Sohne, Alfred Dunhill, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Montblanc,Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubois, Vacheron Constantin & Van Cleef & Arpels as well as the joint venture between Richemont and Ralph Lauren.

The other 5 luxury brands are Audemars Piguet, JeanRichard, Girard Perregaux, Parmigiani, Greubel Forsey and Richard Mille.

SIHH is critical for the watch industry especially for Richemont. Top retailers place orders and Richemont ,as well as other companies, can get a feel in regard to the watch climate of the coming year. It stands to reason given the global recession, watch retailers will be a bit more conservative in their spending this year. In addition, there will be no huge birthday bash for the 20th anniversary of SIHH. Still the "show must go on" and what a show it is.

Watch companies have produced some remarkable pieces, many taking advantage of the advancement in metallurgy and interesting combination of materials such as Audemars Piguet Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph crafted from forged carbon (case), ceramic (bezel, crown, pushers) and blackened steel. This year thin is in with Piaget, Vacheron Constantin and Ralph Lauren all opting for the ultra slim.
Many brands are reviving old models spruced up for today's competitive market - Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox first unveiled in the 1950's is now equipped with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 956, large variable inertia balance and a rotor mounted on ceramic ball bearings reducing the need for lubrication and maintenance.

The SIHH sets the standard for the World of Horology in 2010 and after seeing these exquisite collections, I must say, the standard is high. Very high.

Hublot Big Bang Red for Valentine

Feel the love with Hublot Big Bang Red. Hublot unveils a snowy white 38mm ceramic case to this years Valentine Model replacing the rose gold of previous models. The bezel is stainless steel paved with 126 diamonds (0.87 ct.) and punctuated with 6 H-shaped sunken, polished and blocked titanium screws. The hands of the Big Bang red are Rhodium faceted and diamond-set with white luminous markings enabling time display in the dark.
The band is a crimson alligator leather complimenting the dial and top of the crown in the same vibrant red. The bezel lug and lateral inserts are both crafted from red composite resin. The dial is protected by a scratch resistant Sapphire crystal crafted with interior/exterior anti-reflective treatment.
Movement is quartz and watch is water resistant to 100m. This watch, quartz and all, has a definite attraction. The white ceramic contrasting with alluring red creates an elegant look.

The Many Faces of MB&F's HM2

The HM2 or Horological Machine No. 2 is the brain child of MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends). The HM2 is quite a remarkable timepiece. Aesthetically, the design is highly recognizable enabling different artists and watch manufacturers to add their touch to the timepiece without retracting from its original guise.
This micro machine is truly one of a kind; comprising of 450 components (including 44 jewels), the HM2 is the world's only automatic timepiece offering instantaneous Jumping Hour, Concentric Retrograde Minutes, Retrograde Date and Bi-Hemisphere Moon-Phase . The actual movement is a Jean Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor in designed functionality and regulated and powered by a Girard-Perregaux oscillator and gear train. The Double Hakken automatic winding rotor ensures that power to the timepiece is generated by the gentle swinging motion of ones arm.The sub dials are clear and easy to read; the left indicates a retrograde date as well as a Bi-Hemisphere Moon Phase and the right dial displays jumping hours and concentric retrograde minutes. The timepieces are available in a either 18K white gold/titanium; 18K Red Gold Titanium (HM2-18K) or ceramic/red gold (HM2-CR) or Ceramic/titanium (HM2-CTi) all in varying limited editions
June of 2009, the HM2 caught a lovely blued gold butterfly (below) who is trapped in a barbed wire snare which surrounding the entire movement.

Although the butterfly will be trapped for eternity (thanks to the superb craftsmanship of the HM2) it went to a worthy cause. The watch signed by American artist Sage Vaughn was auctioned of at Only Watch to benefit research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The entire upper face of the watch , the rectangular case and the projecting portholes, is crafted in sapphire crystal.

In October, out of a collaboration between Alain Silberstein and MB&F emerged the HM2.2 "Black Box" limited edition of just 8 pieces. Alain Silberstein's signature colors and fun shapes don the subdials and indicators whilst the movement is all MB&F. The watch case is crafted from black PVD coated titanium and silicium.


The HM2-CTi combines Titanium and Ceramic, both materials harboring extreme resilience and versatility.

MB&F's latest micro machine reveals the movement beneath the watch case. The MB&F HM2-SV (Sapphire Vision), provides an in depth look at the movement of the dial aided by a sapphire crystal plate. Two domed sapphire crystals protect the dials. The exquisite blue components lend a futuristic appearance to the HM2-SV.

MB&F's team work in unison to blend artistry, technology, metallurgy and superb watch craftsmanship.

A Dark Timepiece By RSW

The masters have called it by the name of Moonflower, a timepiece that seemed to have floated out of the night sky and gently landed in a field of corn. It is hard to believe such a thing could have been created on our earth, in our time. The builders of the Moonflower looks to the future for inspiration, and have created a true horological vision. RSW is a brand of Rama Watch SA. RSW has cemented a stronghold in the watchmaking world today by creating truly unique and contemporary watch designs.

The Moonflower is crafted from black PVD steel. It is a sensual woman's timepiece powered by an ETA 2824-2 automatic movement. The hours, minutes and seconds are displayed on a series of discs. The watches are available sporting either a black, gray or white dial with pink gold PVD numerals. One can have diamonds if one wishes in settings of 42 or 62 diamonds. And, of course, a watch must be protected thus sapphire crystal prevents any scratches. A rubber strap fastened via deployment buckle ensures a comfortable wear.

Feel the Love with Blancpain Saint Valentin 2010

Although the year has just begun, I am always eager to present the Valentine Watches. For Valentine 2010 Blancpain plans to unveil the Saint Valentin 2010. The watch is shaped in a unique infinite symbol. The shape of the watch is a first for Blancpain, a company who usually opts for the more traditional case shapes. Over 500 diamonds and pink sapphires pave the bezel which frames a delicate mother-of-pearl dial. The 12 'o'clock marker is exquisitely cut heart shaped diamond.

The elegance of this watch is in the movement too. Blancpain is reintroducing the worlds smallest self-winding movement, Its "Lady Bird" Calibre 615 with a forty hour power reserve. The movement will be visible via a Sapphire Crystal case back.
The Saint Valentin 2010 timepiece is presented with two satin straps, one in black and the other white.

The inset is a lovely water color depiction of the watch, which will be available in a limited addition of 14.

The Scientific Approach of Greubel Forsey

Greubel Forsey has made great strides in the realms of complicated watches by inventing and reinventing new ways of complicated time display. Last year the Quadruple Tourbillon (image above) was awarded "Best Complicated Watch" at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie Asia. Two other great achievements include the 24 Second Inclined Tourbillon and the Double Tourbillon 30°
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey success is partly due to their methodical scientific approach to the process of watch making. Striving for perfection can potentially lead watch manufacturers on an endless quest, without a specific goal in sight. This prompted Greubel Forsey's introduction of its innovation platform - Experimental Watch Technology or EWT. This empirical approach utilizes experimentation and resulting data to determine the performance of the watch whilst manipulating different variables and verifying the unknown. This approach is time consuming, but extremely effective, and provides Greubel Forsey with a definite edge in watch technology.
EWT has provided Greubel Forsey with the tools to formulate new inventions, two of which are currently in the works: The Binomial, and a cutting edge isochronically stable material used to craft the balance and the spring as well as a spherical Equality Differential harboring its own energy reserve that can offer a constant force to the oscillators.
However, scientific approach cannot vouch for the undeniable aesthetic designs and superb finishing of their timepieces. That aspect is acquired by creative minds and exceptional experience.

I look forward to Greubel Forsey first appearance at this years SIHH commencing on January 17th.