New for 2011. Rolex Explorer II 40th Anniversary

The brand new watch from Rolex is larger in size than its predecessor and is out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Rolex Explorer II. The latest and reinvented version of the Explorer II comes with 42mm case, 3187 calibre along with Paraflex shock absorbers and Parachrom hairspring.

Rolex has been known to move at a glacial pace when it comes to upgrading their sports models as the saying goes (if it aint broke don’t fix
it). This is especially true over the past few years as they have gradually introduced new upgraded/improved versions of their ever popular sports models such as the GMT II, Submariner, Sea-dweller and the Explorer I. Each year at the Basel fair, Rolex lovers from all over globe hold their breath in anticipation of the unveiling of a new Sports model from Rolex.

2011, being the 40th anniversary of the launch of the 1655 Rolex Explorer II, has been widely expected to be the year of the Explorer II and
Rolex certainly did not disappoint. Across the world, Rolex fans were pleasantly surprised when the Rolex finally unveiled the new Explorer II (Reference 216570).

The 216570 breaks new ground for Rolex in so many ways. the case which was enlarged from the traditional (for Rolex) 40mm diameter to 42mm
diameter. This makes the new Explorer II the second biggest watch in Rolex’s Sports line, the largest being the DeepSea which measures a whopping 44mm in diameter. As part of the upgrade the 216570 also gets the latest movement, caliber 3187, which comes with the non-magnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and the Paraflex anti-shock mechanism. Another first for Rolex is the introduction of a anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal of the watch. In addition the new Explorer II also received the upgrades such as the maxi-dial, orange 24 hour hand and the longer lasting Chromalight lume.

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Reversible Watch Concept

Design submitted by Akinori from Japan. This watch concept is designed to fit your day-to-day mood. The whole watch is completely reversible – one side showing a full leather watch and solid metal steel for the reversed side. Hours and minutes are shown in liquid crystal displays on the sides of the watch face. Time is displayed into blocks to be able to read time even in reversed mode. On the hour side, hours are displayed 1 hour per block with one block indicating AM or PM. On the minutes side, the screen is divided into lower and upper portions, one line indicating 10 minute group and the other, single minute group. This design is mainly for men but with color variations it can also be an attractive timepiece for women.

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Maxi BanquePopulaire V Sets World Record

Three and a half years after being launched in August 2008, the Maxi Banque Populaire V has entered the record books by taking the Jules Verne Trophy at the end of a navigation of 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds around the globe. Loïck Peyron and his crew completed the unprecedented exploit, covering 29,002 miles at an average speed of 26.51 knots. Sponsored by Corum, the crew of the Maxi BanquePopulaire V mastered weather hazards, technology and tactics in its record-setting victory. “Well done to Loïck and his team for this great record. I would like to thank them for having taken Corum with them aboard the Maxi BanquePopulaire V for this great human and sporting adventure,” said Corum CEO, Antonio Calce. “It is the first time in the history of the Trophée Jules Verne that a watch brand has partnered a world record attempt and given the result, it was quite a success! We can safely wager that the accompanying horological rhythm helped the team through all their trials during the last 45 days and gave time an even sharper edge.” In its role as official timekeeper, Corum offered each team member a dedicated watch in the shape of an Admiral’s Cup Seafender 48 Chrono Centro, personalized with their names. The model bears the inscription “2011 Trophée Jules Verne” on its dial, while the back of the piece is engraved with the outline of the route.

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Unique Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical for Only Watch

Cabestan founder Jean-François Ruchonnet teams up with friend and five-time world champion rally driver Sébastien Loeb to present a unique Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical for Only Watch. The back of the watch features Loeb’s signature with an engraving of the legendary Formula 1 circuit in Monaco. The Cabestan has a vertically oriented tourbillon and fussee with chain movement with 1352 components. The watches are produced at a small manufacture with six highly skilled watchmakers in L’Orient, in the Vallée de Joux. Under the high patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Only Watch 2009 is an exceptional charity auction initiated by Luc Pettavino, President of the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy (AMM). The Only Watch auction will be held on September 24, 2009 in the Principality of Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show. Patrizzi & Co. will auction unique and first in a series timepieces donated by 34 leading watch brands. The entire proceeds will be donated to AMM, where they will be used to advance research into a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a childhood illness. Complete technical specifications for the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical appear below the images, which may be enlarged with a click.

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SIHH: Lange’s New Saxonia Thin

For 2011 Lange is redsigning the Saxonia family, and the new Saxonia Thin offers discrete luxury and classic elegance in a case that measures only 5.9mm thick. And at 40mm in diameter, the Saxonia Thin makes a stylish statement on the wrist. This is the thinnest timepiece crafted to date by the venerable Saxon manufactory. The strength of this piece is its focus on the essence of a watch: the time in hours and minutes, and nothing more. Yet despite this focus, the Saxonia Thin remains unmistakably A. Lange & Söhne. A few key details embody hallmarks of the brand: a well-balanced presentation, a succinct minute scale, svelte baton hour markers, and lancet hands blend harmoniously to inform all who see it of the deep roots behind this piece. To fit the thin case, A. Lange & Söhne developed an equally slim manually wound movement that can be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The new caliber L093.1 has a diameter of 28 millimeters and is a mere 2.9 millimeters thick. The movement also exhibits the finissage for which Lange is known. Nothing has been sacrificed to achieve the demure dimensions. The movement uses the German-silver three-quarter plate with Glashütte ribbing as well as chamfered and polished edges. Gold chatons are secured with thermally blued screws, and sunray finish is applied to the wheels that are visibly integrated in the plate. The movement features an indexless oscillation system that beats with a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour and can rely on an ample power reserve of 72 hours. The escapement bears the typical A. Lange & Söhne signature: the free-hand engraving on the balance cock. The retail price will be 16,300 euros in pink gold with silver dial. Technical specifications appear below the images, which may be enlarged with a click.

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Applications Open for 2012 Rolex Awards

Rolex has announced the opening of applications to the 2012 Rolex Awards for Enterprise. The awards were established in 1976 to provide funding and recognition to individuals whose projects bring significant benefits to their communities and to the wider world. Five Laureates will be selected by an independent Jury of experts who will meet early in 2012. Each Laureate receives $100,000 to advance their project, plus appreciation and publicity for their work through international advertising campaigns. Each Laureate also receives a Rolex timepiece. “As ever, we are seeking forward-looking men and women who are tackling the challenges of our age and who have innovative projects,” said Rebecca Irvin, head of philanthropy at Rolex. “We look forward to receiving many wonderful proposals from around the world.” The Rolex Awards are open to anyone of any age or nationality whose groundbreaking projects are helping to expand the knowledge of our world and improve the quality of life on the planet and the outlook for humankind. These projects are grouped broadly in the areas of science and health; applied technology; exploration and discovery; the environment; and cultural heritage. In addition to demonstrating an exceptional spirit of enterprise, candidates must put forward projects that have a clear purpose, are original and have a significant impact. Application Procedure For the first time, candidates for the Rolex Awards will be able to submit their project ideas in a short online pre-application. The deadline for pre-applications is 31 May 2011. Only pre-applicants whose projects best meet the selection criteria will be chosen by Rolex for further consideration and will be invited to submit a full application. Prospective entrants can apply to the 2012 Rolex Awards at www.rolexawards.com, where they will find all relevant documents. As in previous series, the 2012 Jury may decide to grant other prizes to applicants worthy of support. The amount of these prizes will be determined at the discretion of the Jury. The Awards for Enterprise and the Young Laureates Program. Since the founding in 1976, Rolex has presented 115 monetary Awards to individuals from 42 countries, implementing projects in more than 60 countries. Typically, more than 1,500 people apply to each series. 25,800 applications have been received since 1976, and 110 Laureates have been selected. The youngest person to win a Rolex Award was 28, and the oldest was 74. In 2008, the average age of the applicants was 47, and women made up 23% of the applicants. In 2009, Rolex launched the Young Laureates Program, a new initiative of the Rolex Awards that funds young pioneers (ages 18-30) and their innovative projects. The program rewards bright new ideas and encourages the next generation to meet the challenges of the future. The original Rolex Awards and the Young Laureates Program alternate every two years.

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1930's Patek Calatrava in Steel

Here is a beautiful antique Patek Philippe watch from the 1930's. This watch is stainless steel and all original, that includes the case, face, crown, and movement. Here is what the dealer has to say: The original dial is very interesting and compelling. The printed arabic numerals are set off by the outlined numbers '12', '3' and '9'. The minutes chapter is railroad style. The subsidiary seconds dial features a sunken center with concentric guilloche. The original sword style hands are perfectly blued, as is the seconds hand. With so many interest characteristics already, it would seem impossible for the dial to be any cooler... but it gets better -- the dial finish is very glossy, almost to the point of having a mirror effect. This watch is very small, at 28mm, which is appropriate for watches of this time period. It also comes with a new old stock vintage Patek buckle to round out this great package. It is selling for $13,000, which we think is fair considering age, condition, and of course that Patek name.

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