February 2014 – WORLD OF LUXURY

Monthly Archives: February 2014

Christophe Claret

Christophe Claret Poker Watch for Luxury Wrist Gaming

Posted on

If you are looking for a brilliant timepiece that also serves as a luxury toy, fun, and exquisite, then look no further than the Christophe Claret Poker Watch. On the wrist gaming allowing a full game of Texas Hold’em, and the ability to still keep time, a mechanical complication that brings Swiss craftsmanship to the third piece within the collection. Intended to be the original in the series, the timepiece was much more of a technical challenge than thought and therefore the Blackjack 21 took the first release.

Now in 2014 comes the much awaited timepiece that will definitely make folks ante up. The 45mm horological dream is featured in PVD black coated titanium with blue accents. The hands are magnificently edged with blue spinel, and set in a modern design case, far from the classic designs that the brand creator tends to normally craft.

Continue reading →
Cartier

Stunning Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire

Posted on

As 2013 came to an end, the brand introduced four timepieces that will take 2014 by storm. One of those spectacular timepieces is the Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire, a perpetual calendar tourbillon, and a stunning piece. The other pieces are the Earth Moon (a unique moon phase design), the Tank Two Tone Skeleton (an updated version of the current Santos 100), and a Caliber diving watch.

The perpetual calendar timepiece is a creative endeavor for the brand, utilizing the Caliber 9459 MC, designed in house. This exciting new piece features a 45 mm x 15.7 mm platinum case, the concentric perpetual calendar that is exquisitely marked with blue brackets. The rotating aperture displays the day/date/month and the leap year indicator is located on the back of the watch, on one of the movement bridges.

Continue reading →
Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piquet Royal Oak Offshore 42mm Watches New for 2014

Posted on

Since the brand started in 1883 they have been developing timepieces that exemplify exquisite beauty, profound craftsmanship, and a feminine spirit that captures the essence of independence and elegance. The Audemars Piquet Royal Oak Offshore has introduced the latest in the collection the new 42mm watches for 2014. First released in 1993, this collection has always been a favorite, while the brand has been willing to take a risk, introducing the Jumbo in 1972, a luxurious sports watch, and then this collection, which lead the way for oversized sports watches that are also designed for luxury wear.

The latest release in the collection is not really considered oversized any longer, but the variety the brand offers has grown larger and the styles are simply amazing. Because the offering is so wide you can own more than one version and compliment any collection. Bold and prestigious, the timepieces offer aesthetically pleasing elements that provide distinct design features, and engineered components that protect from magnetic waves in addition to superb quality.

Continue reading →
Hublot

Hublot LaFerrari

Posted on

Luxury watch creating company Hublot was founded by Carlo Crocco in 1980, when he combined gold and rubber for the first time in watchmaking history, to create the Hublot timepiece. This timepiece featured the black rubber strap and minimalist black dial that were to become the symbol of this brand of watches – this symbol became known as the “Fusion” concept; and the rubber strap, unheard of before this time, soon became standard on many sports pieces. The company’s first chronograph was launched in 1986, and for their 20th anniversary they released The Art Collection. Jean-Claude Biver took over as CEO in May of 2004, leaving Crocco time to devote to his creative work and multiple charitable activities for underprivileged children. Biver returned the brand to it’s founding principles and it’s “The Art of Fusion” concept, with the “Big Bang” timepiece winning Best Design at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve, the very next year. Though a young brand, this company quickly became known as the the choice of European royalty; and continues to expand, with plans to continue to do so, in coming years.

The brand’s Masterpiece collection traveled through Kuala Lumpur in 2011, as part of the Journey of Time exhibition. The collection was included in the exhibition due to the fact that it includes several innovative pieces, including the “Key of Time”, which allows the wearer to speed up and slow down time; as well as the Alternative Pocketwatch, which is shaped like a bullet!

Continue reading →
F.P. Journe

F.P. Journe Sonnerie Souveraine Watch

Posted on

Francois-Paul Journe attended the Marseilles watchmaking school when he was just 14 years old, and then went to work for his uncle, a restorer, in Paris. During this time, he developed a passion for watches and their history, and decided that he wanted to make timepieces from start to finish. He gradually developed a reputation with collectors who commissioned his work; then with established watch companies who commissioned him to make new movements. This prompted him to move to Switzerland where, in 1999, he created and presented his first FP Journe branded collection in Basel. His word of mouth reputation spread, due to not only the striking look of his pieces, but also the technical novelties that he manages to merge with such a rich sense of history.

His timepieces have the look of classic pieces, but are put together in a completely modern way, with modern parts and mechanisms. Most of them are extremely complicated models, which require several weeks to make – which is why the company only puts out 850 – 900 per year (starting at around $19,800). The brand’s motto is “Invenit et Fecit”, which means “He invented it and made it” – referring to the fact that the company makes the watches from start to finish. Journe, himself, often designs new movements – going as far as to invent completely new systems; and plans to expand, even more, in coming years.

Continue reading →
Blancpain

Blancpain Saint Valentin 2014 Timepiece Pays Homage to Love

Posted on

In 1735 school teacher turned watchmaker, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, began the Blancpain watchmaking company in the Jura village of Villeret, Switzerland. He set up a workshop in the second story of this home, beginning what is now the world’s oldest brand in the business of timepiece creation. The company was successful from early on, and continued throughout the years by his heirs. In 1815, his great-grandson – Frederic-Louis, head of the family business, at the time – updated & modernized their workshop. He also introduced an innovation into their world, by replacing the crown-wheel mechanism with a cylinder escapement. They do not create quartz timepieces, nor those with digital displays. They produce fewer timepieces than other companies – less than 30 per day, with each being made by a single watchmaker.

Blancpain’s Saint Valentin collection is an annual production for women – always an interesting interpretation of love, paying homage to love and to lovers – which they began creating yearly, on Valentine’s day, in 2001. The movement for these pieces is a Swiss Made Self-Winding Mechanical Calibre 1150, which has a power reserve of 100 hours.

Continue reading →
Piaget

Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P

Posted on

Georges Edouard Piaget started his first workshop on his family’s farm in the Swiss village of La Cote-aux-Fees, in 1874. It was in this workshop that he began creating high-precision movements for prestigious watch companies, and it was in this way that his business developed, quite quickly. His son, Timothee, took over the business in 1911; and it was at that time that the company began producing wrist watches – branching out from the movements that it had been producing, since its’ inception. Gerald and Valentin (Georges’ grandsons) registered (and trademarked) the brand in 1943, when they started producing their own creations – as they’ve done ever since. It was as a result of this change that they opened a new factory in 1945, in the firm’s home village of La Cote-aux-Fees. Another member of the founding family, Yves, has been the president of the company since 1980. The brand’s headquarters is now in Geneva, Switzerland; with its’ parent company being luxury goods specialists, the Swiss Richemont group (since they purchased the company, in 1988).

Continue reading →
Inquire






    Price on Demand
    [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]