Gwyneth Paltrow Named Baume & Mercier Newest Ambassador

Baume & Mercier has chosen Academy Award Winning Actress Gwyneth Paltrow to represent the brand. Named, "friend of the brand", Gwyneth Paltrow will be involved in "communicating projects". Next week, Gwyneth will represent Baume & Mercier at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) ,where the company will unveil the latest addition to its most popular collection: The Classima Red Gold Dual Time-Zone and Power Reserve.

The elegant timepiece exudes a subtle grace. Its 18k rose gold 39mm case holds an automatic Soprad 9035 movement. Rose gold hands sweep across a sleek black dial decorated with a straight-line guilloche pattern broken by a power reserve at the 6 'o'clock position and a dual time zone hour indicator at the 12 'o'clock position. A small but distinct date window is set at the 3'o'clcok marker. Beautifully attached to a black alligator strap and secured with a rose gold pin buckle.

Baume & Mercier is revamping their entire collection, by concentrating on its popular Classima collection and re-launching the Linea and Capeland lines. October 2011 will see the premier of Baume & Mercier's Hampton collection.

Baume & Mercier timepieces are available at THE WATCHERY.

What does Romain Jerome & Steampunk have in Common?

A watch of course? A Steampunk watch. "Perfect" I say, "Just perfect" Romain Jerome has surfaced from the deepest darkest ocean where the titanic rests in gloomy solitude; sank back to earth from its space voyages; leaped from lava spewing mountains and come to rest in the crevices of our imagination by adding its latest timepiece to its Titanic DNA collection. Steam Punk ,as you know, is an antique sort of science fiction, where strange gadgets churn in steamy hisses and rusted metals rear ugly heads between flickering gas lamps and swirling fog... and gears, lots and lots of grinding gears. So ,of course, it is not the first time a watchmaker has associated steam punk with watches. The genre almost demands it, being mechanical and all that, but one thing is certain, Romaine Jerome has indeed perfected the look.

The Romain Jerome Steam Punk watch is rugged to the core. Aggressive raw Roman Numerals spread across the dial as shard like hands indicate the time (ooh they have done such a good job with this watch). There is no dial to hide the inner mechanical workings and the four polished screwed down pistons secure the movement in a vice like grip. A whirl of a propeller marks the seconds like a tiny air vent in a steel facade.

The 50mm timepiece is an imposing raw piece of work meant to intimidate the opposition. Limited to just 2012 pieces, collectors will probably rush for this mechanical marvel crafted with incredible horological expertise and a whole lot of creativity.

Borgeaud's Septagraph. A Reflection on a Complication

I had never heard of a Septagraph before, and the mere word sent tingles up and down my tongue like tasting something for the very first time. "A Septagraph is a brand new complication!" I rubbed my hands in anticipation opening my mind to a new concept in watch making and time telling. Little did I know that opening my mind is exactly what I had to do, since a Septagraph is an indicator of daily time allotment for personal inner reflection, contemplation and introspection. The Septagraph stems from the ancient Indian 'Panchang' (calendar) which displays the 'Rahu Kaal' or daily strategic period for personal reflection based on the traditions of ancient India's astrological recordings. Between the 3 and 4 'o'clock position, a curved arrow originates from a "Strategic Period Capsule". The Function of the Septagraph is to indicate the time of daily 90 minute period of complete solitary reflection. When the period of reflection commences, the arrow fills with red and precisely drains over the course of that time. A sub dial indicates the days of the week as well as the time to begin the reflection period comprised of 90-minute divisions between sunrise to sunset. This watch is incredibly useful to busy people who need to plan there day according to this reflection period.

The large 46mm watch case is crafted from a single piece of 18-carat rose or white gold, and is quite light and thin at only 12.4mm thick. The dial is a serene combination of Roman and Arabic Numeral crafted from 18k gold and hand applied to the dial.

Convex sapphire crystal adorn and protect the 6 piece multi-level dial. A wide transparent case back enables a view of the exquisitely self-winding Calibre 11501 beating at a rate of 28,000 vph with a 42 hour power reserve.

Exceptional finishing,circular-graining, chamfered bridges deserve the distinction of the Geneva Seal.
This watch is also available in 18k white gold with blue accents.

The Influence of Harry Winston Project Z1 on the Latest Ocean Chronograph Models.

Harry Winston's latest addition to its vastly popular Ocean Collection, adds an underlying ruggedness to a sleek elegance. One only has to have a quick look from Harry Winston's Ocean Chronograph Watch (left) to Harry Winston's Project Z1 (see below) to see an unmistakable likeness. Unveiled in 2004, the Project Z1 hailed in three groundbreaking firsts:

1)The Watch Material: Zalium, previously used exclusively in aerospace technology, has become a trademark of Harry Winstons for its use in jewelry and luxury watches. Zalium ,an alloy of aluminium and zirconium, is hypo-allergenic, resilient, corrosive resistant and harder than titanium and has a gun metal type finish.

2) Automatic chronograph movement with off-centered triple retrograde display is a prominent feature in the latest addition of the Ocean Chronograph Watch.

3)In Project Z1 model Harry Winston's signature arcs were moved to the 3 'o'clock position serving as a protection to the crown. This new arc position became highly popular and is widely used by Harry Winston.

In both the Project Z1 model and the brand new Ocean Chronograph Watch (available in 18k white gold), there is a tiny "porthole" at the very top of the minute retrograde arc, where one can perceive a seconds hand.

The newest addition adds a darkened streak across the watch like a band of freshly plowed snow (yes, I admit, the image of plowed snow is on my mind, as I do live on the East Coast), and exudes a sense of adventure. For a quieter elegance, the Ocean Chronograph crafted in 18k rose gold is an exquisite alternative. Poignant blue sub dial outlines add unmistakable distinction to a watch well worthy of recognition.

Geneva Time Exhibition 2011

Starting a day earlier then the SIHH is the Geneva Time Exhibition catering to mostly smaller innovative watch companies.

60 watch brands will be displaying their newest designs including technological advancements, unique creations and exceptional craftsmanship. Watch lovers, private collectors, and watch dealers will head to the Geneva Time Exhibition.

In addition, there will be quite a competition in place, the GTE SUPERWATCH 2011 Award. The award will be bestowed on an independent watch which displays a extreme technical innovation and craftsmanship, a time telling application quite unique to the watch making world, and supreme creativity. I am sure a intriguing take on a complication may be a plus. Six independent judges will award a single watch, and the prize... a free spot at GTE 2012 plus media coverage in Plaza Watch Magazines. A number of my favorite brands are exhibitors:

Alain Silberstein, the creator of fun colorful watches with iconic bold colored hands , will be displaying his latest works of art.

Some of the other participating brands include, Artya, Clerc, Delance, HD3, RGM Watch Company, Catena, Drakkar, Catorex, Bulova, B.R.M and Quinting - the makers of the first and unique transparent watch in the world (its components crafted from finely cut sapphire crystal).

The exhibition will last only a couple of days, but the lingering effects on all participating watch brands will last much much longer.

Gearing up For SIHH 2011

The beginning of the New Year hails in one of the most exclusive watch shows, the 21st SIHH. Commencing on January 17th and running until January 21st, the SIHH will be exhibiting 19 brands participating in 30,000 sq miles of tastefully decorated exhibition space. Attendance is by invitation only granted to 12,500 guests such as international retailers, journalists and brand representatives.

SIHH promotes luxury timepieces with exceptional craftsmanship,cutting edge technologically, aesthetic brilliance and the quest for perfection while nurturing the deep tradition of watch making.

Last year, the show was slightly muted due to the global recession; however, this year the atmosphere will be far more positive as spending in the watch industry is picking up.

This year participating brands are Baume & Mercier, Greubel Forsey, Piaget, JeanRichard, Panerai, Van Cleef &Arpels, Audemars Piguet, Roger Dubuis, Jaeger-Lecoultre, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai, A. Lange & Söhne, Dunhill, Montblanc, Ralph Lauren & Richard Mille.

Piaget has allowed the watch world a glimpse of one of its stars of the show. The Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Automatic Ultra Thin (46.5mm to be exact), which is equipped with a micro rotor and an incredibly streamlined new manufacture Caliber 1270p. Available in white or pink gold.

Another masterpiece is the Girard Perregaux 1966 small seconds watch. Featuring a new GP03300-50 automatic movement powered by a gold rotor and housed in either a 18k rose gold or white gold case. The Distinctive features are the blued steel hands and sub dial with a red 60 on a pure white enamel dial face. The look is sealed with an alligator strap and matching buckle.

These luxury watches are just a taste of what will be on display at the Salon Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie 2011 in Geneva Switzerland.

Concord C1 Watches

Give your 2011 a powerful start by purchasing a Concord C1 timepiece. The Concord C1 exhibits a strength of character which cannot be missed.

At 44mm in diameter and 16.7 mm from front to back, this watch can hold its ground. Wear this beauty on your arm and add a whole lot of determination to your image. The combination of black rubber on bezel and silver tone stainless steel case and bracelet works perfectly to create the ultimate time telling machine. A scratch resistant Sapphire crystal protects the dial. A multi-leveled dial creates the impression of depth, and results is an easy to read display. The clear date cut-out at the 3-o-clock position frames the day of the month for quick reference.
A unique aspect of this watch, culminating from years of intense cutting-edge research, is the running seconds sub-dial at the 9 o'clock position, whereby the hand is stationary and the disc rotates.

In addition, this watch is specially designed with exceptional resilience to withstand sudden jarring movements. Certified as a chronometer by the COSC, the movement of this watch had to undergo rigorous testing to prove its worthiness.
In addition, the C1 has a transparent case back completely viewable via a sapphire crystal, thereby enabling one the opportunity to see the inner mechanical self-winding movement, pulsating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and providing 48-hour power reserve. The oscillating weight of the mechanism is finished in black rhodium for creating a dramatic contrast. It features a cut-out of the C1 logo silhouetted through a fine ribbed decorative pattern.

The Concord C1 depicted in this blog is a chronograph, which makes this watch ideal for sports.

A "Chronograph" is a timepiece fitted with an additional mechanism that may be set in motion by knobs to enable the measurement of the duration of an event. For track and field or car racing, this watch is a perfect companion, for after all, all races are a race against time in one way or another. Also water resistant to 200 meters, this watch makes the perfect sporting companion, and a fine everyday addition to ones wardrobe.

With the introduction of the C1 Watch Collection, Concord phased out its old timers like the popular Delirium and La Scala. I viewed this move with much trepidation, as I had grown accustomed to the well known Concord collections. However, since the introduction of the bold Concord C1 collections, I have seen the power of Concord's vision. A power that infiltrates into the very movement of each and every Concord C1 timepiece.

Concord C1 are available in many colors and material compositions.