Wednesday, January 7, 2015

HYT – SKULL Limited Edition














HYT –  SKULL Limited Edition NEW

SKULL: Let time look you straight in the eyes !
 “Simply taking an existing movement, giving it a vague skull shape and presenting it as an entirely new piece is not really our style.”

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Vincent Perriard, HYT CEO, gets straight to the point – The Skull, HYT’s new extraordinary and unprecedented creation, breaks all the rules. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate the power of its design. Even at first glance the Skull makes a striking impression, simply because it epitomises and at the same time breaks away from everything that HYT represents. It is provocative, unique and has a bold design supported by the fluid mechanics that have become the brand’s signature style. The Skull speaks for itself. Its development, however, was anything but obvious.

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Intelligent watch-making

The use of a capillary, which carries a fluid to act as the hour marker, is a concept that is already mastered by HYT and its partners. However, any significant changes in form require extensive background work. For the Skull, the skull shape of the tube, which measures less than one millimetre in diameter, was a significant challenge in itself. The issue centred on the capillary’s four angles, two of which are almost 90° at the base. These curves meant that bending the glass was a particularly delicate task.

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"Their vertical structure, developed for the
H1 watch, served as our starting point. However, we then had to re-examine how to generate enough power to move through these sharp angles, whilst ensuring that the fluid always indicates the correct time, moving at the right speed and with perfect regularity over twelve hours”.


Recapturing the essence of time

In line with the raw, primitive imagery of the skull, HYT also decided to do away with the minutes. This bold choice has two consequences. Firstly, it shifts the main focus to the capillary, the only sensory indicator of time as it passes, and secondly it centres all the attention on the piece’s architectural design, with its assertive, confident skull, which occupies almost the entire surface of the dial. Similarly, in stark contrast to its other pieces, HYT chose to almost completely hide the movement on the dial side.

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To breathe life into the skull, HYT instead introduced a number of new developments. Firstly, the two vertical bellows function continuously – it is their subtle expansion and contraction which causes the fluid to move.
In addition, the eyes of the Skull have a life of their own. The right eye indicates the power reserve of the watch. Using a series of subtly different translucent coloured inserts, the eye gradually darkens as the piece nears the end of its 65 hours of power.

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The left eye hides a barely visible seconds dial which rotates continuously. You only have to look the Skull in the eyes to observe its spirit and the life, in the most literal sense, flowing at its heart. In both cases, a subtle honeycomb pattern provides the background and adds depth to the eyes. The skull itself is not inert - its movement operates constantly. It is alive, in the truest sense of the word: it has a soul. This is the first watch creation in which, instead of observing the time, time watches you.




“We always want to see how far we can go in terms of design and engineering. Our objective was to create a Skull that completely breaks away from everything you normally see, while still embodying the very DNA of HYT – a bold, conceptual, technical, and original design”, Vincent Perriard explains.

The changes don’t stop at the movement, however. A new 51 mm case has been specially created for the Skull, with the addition of new, crisp angled lugs. The single assembly push-button of the crown, which adjusts the time, is located between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock. The crown protector has been removed. Lateral inserts have also been added to the case, allowing multiple future combinations.

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The Skull is offered in two, very limited versions. One of fifty pieces, produced in DLC titanium with green fluid, and another of twenty-five pieces in 5N rose gold and black DLC titanium, featuring red fluid.

The first pieces will be available from May 2015.

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Technical Specifications

Ref: 151-TD-41-GF-AB SKULL GREEN EYE Titanium black DLC
Ref: 151-DG-41-RF-AB SKULL RED EYE 5N Rose Gold and Black DLC Titanium

Case    
  • Titanium Black DLC with brushed, micro-blasted and polished finishes
  • Titanium Black DLC and 5N Rose Gold with brushed, micro-blasted and satin finishes
- Diameter: 51.0 mm
- Thickness: 17.9 mm
- Rubber coated screw-down crown
- Black DLC titanium dome at 6 o'clock
- Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the dial side
- Metal dome at 06:00
- Cambered sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating on the inside
- Screwed sapphire back
- Water-resistant to 50 meters
Functions    
Retrograde hours,
Seconds.
Movement    
Mechanical hand-wound,  
 - Exclusive HYT calibre 101
- 28,800 vph, 4 Hz, 35 jewels
- Bridges hand-chamfered and adorned with Côtes de Genève, rhodiumed bellows
- 65-hour power reserve.
Dial    
Unstructured, fluid jours
- Black hour dial / 5N hour dial
- Skull shape
- Indexes:
  • Grey Anthracite numerals / Grey indices
  • 5N Rose Gold numerals / Grey Anthracite indices
- Capillary indicator is located along the contour of the skull.
- Seconds dial (left eye)
- Power reserve indicator (right eye)
Strap    
Black leather alligator Strap,
Titanium black DLC pin buckle.

Limited Edition of 25 pieces Rose Gold
Limited Edition of 50 pieces Titanium black DLC

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Baume & Mercier – CLIFTON Grande Date Power Reserve
















Baume & MercierCLIFTON Grande Date Power Reserve Automatic NEW


In keeping with its motto – “Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality” – Baume & Mercier has chosen to focus on the very essence of watchmaking functions in this latest addition to the Clifton collection

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The new model with its pure, uncluttered dial ensures immediate and pleasant readings, while the big date display in an aperture at 12 o’clock affords a truly elegant touch of originality. This understated watch demonstrating meticulous attention to details also features a power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, enabling its owner to be safe in the knowledge that it is sufficiently wound to maintain flawless operation. To sum up this little marvel, the Clifton Big Date and Power Reserve reflects the expertise and watchmaking know-how of Baume & Mercier and offers, through its accessibility, a remarkable way of acknowledging a key moment in a man’s life.

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A classic and timeless design is complemented by a 43 mm diameter polished & satinfinished stainless steel case, endowing this creation with every requisite element to meet the expectations of a confirmed urbanite in search of a timepiece featuring useful complications. With its elegant, contemporary lines, the Clifton Big Date and Power Reserve bears the DNA of Baume & Mercier, drawing its inspiration from a 1950s model that belongs to the watchmaking Maison’s museum collection.

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 It houses a Swiss mechanical self-winding caliber, beautifully made and flawlessly finished. The oscillating weight is engraved with the Greek letter “Phi” – symbol of the Divine Proportion and the brand’s logo – visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case back. Its self-winding movement, coupled with an additional module, enables a large date display on the dial side via two discs showing the tens and the units respectively, as well as a real-time indication of barrel-spring tension

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Radiating an attractive sense of visual equilibrium and refinement, this Clifton with its 43 mm diameter polished & satin-finished stainless steel case showcases the care taken by Baume & Mercier to offer aficionados of beautiful watchmaking a timepiece that focuses on essentials.

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The watch is inspired by the brand’s rich watchmaking tradition and is powered by a mechanical self-winding caliber, enabling it not only to display the time on its sun satin-finished silvercolored dial, but also a big date in an aperture positioned at 12 o’clock. In addition, it provides a power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock.

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Featuring a surprising combination of aesthetically pleasing balance with the rigorous discipline epitomizing watchmaking, this model water-resistant to 50 meters is attached to the wrist by an entirely square-scale brown alligator strap, fastened with a triple folding buckle for enhanced security.

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 Technical specifications

CLIFTON Grande Date Power Reserve Automatic M0A10205

Collection:   CLIFTON
Movement:   
Automatic  (ETA 2892-A2 base) 11½
Ø 25.6 mm, H 3.6 mm 
Oscillating weight personalized with snailed decor & « Côtes de Genève » decor
Circular-grained bridges
Blued-steel screws    
Jewels: 30
Power reserve: 42 hours
Frequency: 4Hz 
Functions:     
H/M/S,
Big date,
Power reserve indicator
Case:       
Round
Diameter: 43 mm
Thickness: 12.05 mm
Polished & satin-finished stainless steel
Domed, Antiglare scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Sapphire case back secured with screws
Dial:       
Domed sun satin-finished silver-colored
Gilt Arabic numerals and indexes
Gilt and blued steel hands      
Strap:   Square scales brown alligator
Buckle:
  Triple folding buckle with security push-pieces
Water-resistance:
    5 ATM (approx. 50m)

Reference: M0A10205
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Sunday, January 4, 2015

LONGINES – MASTER GMT ‘Singapore 50th Anniversary of Independence’ Edition

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LONGINES MASTER GMT ‘Singapore 50th Anniversary of Independence’ Edition NEW

Longines celebrates Singapore’s 50th Anniversary of Independence with an exclusive limited edition watch

Singapore (Singapore)/Saint-Imier (Switzerland)
1 January 2015

Longines pays tribute to Singapore’s 50th birthday by launching a numbered edition model specially designed for the occasion. The GMT wristwatch from the Longines Master Collection bears the highlighted name of Singapore on its timezone ring and a commemorative print on the back. Those fifty exclusive timepieces will only be available in Longines’ two new corporate stores in Singapore.

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This year Singapore is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence. Those years have seen the country become an international business and financial center which can boast a world-class infrastructure. To celebrate this major milestone in the nation’s history, Longines presents an exclusive edition which will only be available in a limited series of fifty numbered pieces.

This numbered GMT wristwatch from The Longines Master Collection houses a self-winding mechanical movement in its round 18 carat rose gold case. Displaying hours, minutes, seconds and date on a silvered stamped barleycorn dial, the38.5 mm diameter watch also allows the time to be read in any of the globe’s 23 other time zones thanks to its 24-hour inner disc and time zone ring.

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This model is fitted on a brown alligator strap with a deployment buckle.

As a tribute to Singapore, the name of the city appears in red on the collar of this sophisticated timepiece. The transparent case back through which the scintillating movement can be observed also bears a commemorative print which endows each watch with an exclusive identity.

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The Longines Master Collection builds on a rich watchmaking tradition that goes back to the brand’s earliest years and reflects the values of elegance, performance and tradition that can also be traced back in Singapore’s flourishing history. This limited edition will only be available in Longines’two new corporate stores in Marina Square & Marina Bay Sands.
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Technical specifications

Model: Longines Master Collection GMT ‘Singapore - 50th Anniversary of Independence’ Edition

Reference number: L2.631.8.75.3   Limited series of 50 numbered pieces

Movement
Self-winding mechanical movement
Caliber L635.6 (ETA 2824/2)
14¼ lines, 33 jewels,
28 800 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions   

Hours, minutes, seconds, date and GMT with internal disc and
indicator for 24 time zones, each with a reference location   
Case       
Round, 18k rose gold, Ø 38.50 mm
Transparent case back with commemorative print
Scratch-resistant sapphire glass
Water-resistant: To 3 bar (30 meters)
Dial   
Silvered stamped “barleycorn”, 11 Arabic numerals
Date aperture at 3 o’clock
Collar displaying 23 city names in anthracite and Singapore in red
Hands: Blued steel hands   
Strap   
Brown alligator strap with deployment buckle
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 For further information please contact:
Longines International Public Relations
2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
publicrelations@longines.com
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Saturday, January 3, 2015

IWC – Portugieser Annual Calendar













IWC Schaffhausen PORTUGIESER Annual Calendar NEW

PREMIERE OF THE IWC 
ANNUAL CALENDAR

PORTUGIESER ANNUAL CALENDAR

The new Portugieser Annual Calendar brings together two firsts for IWC and three masterstrokes of haute horlogerie in a single case: the newly developed annual calendar closes the gap between the perpetual calendar and the simple date display. The new IWC-manufactured 52850 calibre has two barrels that keep the new function supplied with ample energy and still has enough left for a 7-day power reserve.

IWC continues to enhance its Portugieser watch family with new, eye-catching complications. After the minute repeater (1995), the 7-day power reserve (2000), the perpetual calendar (2003), the Tourbillon Mystère (2004) and the constant-force tourbillon (2011) – to name but a few – the recent 8-day hand-wound movement (2013) consolidated the Portugieser watches’ reputation as one of the leading lights of haute horlogerie.

In 2015, the Year of the Portugieser, IWC’s newly developed annual calendar is another interesting additional feature to complement the perpetual calendar. The complication is powered by the new IWC-manufactured 52850 calibre. Both are found for the first time in the Portugieser Annual Calendar (Ref. 5035). The watch thus symbolizes the launch of an IWC initiative to produce further series of in-house calibre families in the years ahead.
Located at “12 o’clock” on the dial, IWC’s annual calendar shows the month, date and day in three separate, semi-circular windows. The switching mechanism automatically takes into account the differing lengths of individual months. Unlike a perpetual calendar, however, the annual calendar is unable to factor in the differing length of the month of February or the leap years.

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Once a year, then, at the end of February, it requires manual correction. For the development of the annual calendar module, IWC’s watch designers ensured that the correction could be carried out easily and conveniently using the crown. Thanks to this elegant solution, the engineers were able to dispense with a corrector, which would have compromised the Portugieser Annual Calendar’s purist design.

IN THE STYLE OF A DESIGN ICON

In order to free up as much space as possible for the date display, the designers replaced the indices from “11 o’clock” to “1 o’clock” with the three display discs. The “American” order in which the date is shown was not only necessary from a technical and design point of view, but is also a homage to F. A. Jones, IWC’s American founder. With its voluminous 44.2-millimetre case, grooved bezel, classic railway-track-style chapter ring, slim feuille hands and almost unchanged Arabic numerals, the Portugieser Annual Calendar very closely resembles the original Portugieser of 1939, a veritable design icon. The small seconds subdial, however, is not positioned at “6 o’clock” as in the original, but at “9 o’clock”. The subdial on the opposite side contains the power reserve display. The in-house movement with 7-day power reserve is yet another quantum leap in the history of the Portugieser family. The rare combination of an annual calendar and 168-hour calibre should
make this latest complication from the House of IWC even more attractive for watch connoisseurs.

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FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO THE NEW IWC-MANUFACTURED MOVEMENT

The Portugieser Annual Calendar is available in 18-carat red gold (Ref. IW503504) with a silver-plated dial or in stainless steel with a silver-plated (Ref. IW503501) or midnight blue (Ref. IW503502) dial. The fine sun-pattern finish on the blue dial reflects incident light dynamically in a myriad directions. All versions of the watch are fitted with black Santoni alligator leather straps. The arched-edge sapphire glass makes the case look slimmer and underscores the watch’s classic elegance. The curved strap horns ensure greater comfort even on slimmer wrists. The see-through sapphire-glass back provides an unimpeded view of the exquisite new IWC-manufactured 52850 calibre. Across the entire 52000-calibre family, the rotors have been made slimmer, while the bridges are more open and inset with a solid gold “Probus Scafusia” medallion. This way, even more details of the movement with its two barrels can be seen. The improved Pellaton winding system with the practically wear-free components made of black and white ceramic is also clearly visible.

5 YEARS IN DEVELOPMENT

Overall, it took IWC’s watch designers almost 5 years to develop the annual calendar. Whereas they had been able to draw on in-house experience when developing the perpetual calendar, this was not the case during the development of the annual calendar. The new in-house 52850 calibre is the perfect choice for the annual calendar because it has two barrels to provide the higher torque required to drive the three display discs. In addition, when fully wound, the twin barrels supply enough energy for a full week’s runtime.

For technology buffs, a brief explanation of the way the annual calendar functions: the hour wheel sets in motion the date advance wheel, which is equipped with two different advance fingers. One of the fingers is responsible for the date and month displays, the other for the weekday display. Every day, towards midnight, the date is moved forward with the help of the upper advance finger.

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The month display and the programme wheel, which defines the lengths of the various months, are controlled by two pins on the date disc. The first of these pins advances the programme wheel by one division. A feeler on the advance lever recognizes months with 30 days by a deeper notch on the program wheel and provides more space for it to switch. The following day, the advance lever ensures that the date moves forward by 2 days. The second pin in the date disc sets the new month.

The 5 years’ development time for the annual calendar was worth the effort. With the Portugieser Annual Calendar, IWC Schaffhausen has given yet another demonstration of its ability to innovate, to expand its in-house watchmaking expertise, and in the process, to extend the repertoire of IWC complications by another attractive and practical additional function.

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Technical Specifications

 Model: PORTUGIESER Annual Calendar 

Reference:
IW50350

FEATURES
IWC-manufactured Mechanical movement 
Pellaton automatic winding system
  • Power reserve display
  • Annual calendar with displays for the date, day and month
  • Small hacking seconds at 9 o’clock
  • Glucydur®* beryllium alloy indexless balance with high-precision adjustment screws on balance rim
  • Breguet spring
  • See-through sapphire-glass back
  • Rotor with 18-carat gold medallion
MOVEMENT
    Pellaton automatic winding system 
Calibre: 52850  (52000-calibre family)
    Frequency: 28,800 A/h / 4 Hz
    Jewels: 36
    Power reserve: 7 days (168 h)
    Winding: automatic
WATCH
Materials:
  • Ref. IW503501: case in stainless steel, silver-plated dial, black alligator leather strap, folding clasp in stainless steel
  • Ref. IW503502: case in stainless steel, midnight blue dial, black alligator leather strap, folding clasp in stainless steel
  • Ref. IW503504: case in 18-carat red gold, silver-plated dial, black alligator leather strap, folding clasp in 18-carat red gold
Glass: Sapphire, arched edge, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 44,2 mm
Case height: 15,3 mm
Strap and clasp
Black alligator leather strap, folding clasp.

* IWC Schaffhausen i s n ot the owner of the G lucydur® trademarks.
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Friday, January 2, 2015