SIHH Zenith Watches – Chronomaster 1969

Lots of amazing watches released at SIHH 2012 this year… with a fabulous lineup from Panerai as well as some very cool new offerings from Audemars Piguet and Cartier as well. One of my personal favourite pieces is the Chronomaster 1969 watches from Zenith. In particular, I really dig the standard Chronomaster 1969 Chronograph. This bad boy has a nice open heart dial and uses with very cool vintagey looking 1969 case.

I like my Chronomaster just fine, but this 1969 version has some understated, classic lines that just really call out to me. I will be buying one of these in the near future – just a matter of time!

Specs:
Movement El Primero 4061
Components: 282
Jewels: 31
Frequency: 36,000 VpH – (5 Hz)
Case: Stainless steel
Diameter: 42 mm
Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment on both sides
Case-back: Transparent sapphire crystal

Read more...

Patek Philippe ref. 5073P Minute Repeater

The Patek Philippe reference 5073P Minute repeater with perpetual calendar and diamond set case was one of the most exciting releases at the Basel Fair 2011. But with a projected retail of around $830,000.00, this new edition to Patek's Grand Complication collection will make it into a select few private collections. As if the 5073P wouldn't have been impressive enough Patek added 103 stunning baguette diamonds, totaling approx. 4.33 ct.to the bezel and lugs.

The complicated timepiece is powered by Caliber R 27 Q self-winding mechanical movement that includes a minute repeater with cathedral gongs and a perpetual calendar - which displays the day of week, 24-hour display, month, leap-year cycle, and date with hands, moon phases in an aperture. Minute repeater cathedral gongs sound at hours:low, quarter-hours:high-low and minutes:high. The movement measures 28 millimeters and is made up of 467 parts, which includes 39 jewels. The movement is stamped with the famous Patek Philippe Seal.

The minute repeater's case is crafted from 950 platinum with both a solid platinum back and interchangeable display back with sapphire-crystal window. The watches measures 42 millimeters in diameter by 11.11 millimeters high. The black dial, 18K gold, has 13 baguette diamond hour markers that total approximately 0.25 ct. The leaf-shaped hands are crafted in 18 carat white gold for hours and minutes a well as for the date, day, and month. The 24-hour display and leap-year cycle are indicated by White-lacquered baton hands in 18 carat white gold. The 5073P is secured to the wearer's wrist with a hand-stitched shiny black alligator leather strap with square scales. The platinum fold-over clasp is set with 42 baguette diamonds totaling approx. 0.69 ct.

Read more...

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.

Read more...

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.

Read more...