Armin Strom for Only Watch
Armin Strom has just release it's unique piece for Only Watch, the Manual Hunt Slonem Edition. The dial side features a screen onto which an expressive painting of American artist Hunt Slonem’s contemporary art has been transferred.
The watch is housed in a 43.4 mm titanium case, featuring the manually wound AMW11 caliber manufactured in-house, with off-center time display and seconds subdial. Its openwork spring barrel benefits from a 5 day power-reserve.
A composition of pastel hues and powerful lines continues the artist’s famous “bunny paintings” series. Together with the watch, the successful future bidder will be acquiring a hand-signed original which takes up the colors and motifs of the timepiece in a 46 cm x 31 cm format. For his work entitled “Rex”, the artist has used metal pigments in oil paint as the base for his characteristic linear styling.
The Only Watch auction brings prestigious names in watchmaking togther and provides the opportunity to put their expertise to a good cause once every two years. Proceeds raised from the auction benefits Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. In 2017 there are some 49 brands participating, although not all of them have donated wristwatches. The auction for the watches will be held on November 11, 2017, and prior to that, Christie's Auction House will take the pieces on a tour.
MONACO, 27-30 September 2017
BANGKOK, 2-3 October 2017
SINGAPORE, 5-6 October 2017
DUBAI, 9-11 October 2017
HONG KONG, 23-24 October 2017
TAIPEI, 26-27 October 2017
NEW YORK, 29-30 October 2017
LOS ANGELES, 1-2 November 2017
GENEVA, 9-11 November
For more details, please visit: http://www.onlywatch.com/
The Nixie Machine II Debuts at M.A.D.Gallery
If you have ever dreamed of time traveling, the Nixie Machine II by Berlin-based artist Frank Buchwald might be just the way to get there! The clock, created in collaboration with passionate engineer Dalibor Farny, certainly gives you a Victorian-era/Steampunk vibe, and Buchwald’s inspiration definitely reflects this element in his work. “Pencil, glue and cardboard...railway stations, steam engines...childhood memories. Creativity and enthusiasm form the golden thread that has weaved through my life. They’re my fuel.” he explains.
At the heart of the clock, and indeed the display of time, are Nixie tubes which were introduced in the 1950s. Nixie tubes – also known as cold cathode displays – became a popular way of presenting numerals using glow discharge. Each glass tube is filled with a low-pressure neon-based gas and includes a wire-mesh anode and layered cathodes shaped like numerals; a separate cathode is needed for every numeral 0 to 9. A distinctive orange glow discharge surrounds each cathode when power is applied. Assembled in multi-digit arrays by connecting electronic circuitry to several tubes, Nixie tubes were often used for computers, clocks, and frequency counters, though these were eventually supplanted by more practicable, less costly – though arguably less charming – displays such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Each and every detail has been manually handcrafted, from the design, construction, and detailed finishes of the clock to the six Nixie tubes produced by Dalibor Farny. Farny put in numerous years of research and experimentation to build a modern Nixie tube and handcrafts them in a studio that looks like a cross between a laboratory and workshop located inside an old castle near Topolna in the Czech Republic.
The heart of the clock in itself is completely innovative and modern, despite its overall vintage feel and keeps time automatically via its powerful, Wi-Fi-enabled electronics dock. therefore, it is completely automatic. All settings and special features – including scroll effects, day/night modes, digit light dimming, time zone settings and more – can be intuitively programmed online. The clock can also operate offline, regulated by a knob on the back.
12 unique pieces are available exclusively from the M.A.D.Galleries in Geneva, Dubai, and Taipei.
Show your love with Christophe Claret's Marguerite
Christophe Claret offers a spectacular gift of love with Marguerite. As part of their first collection of watches especially created for women, Margot, the new Marguerite model is clothed in over 600 diamonds. The red gold case measures a perfect 42.5mm, and the bezel and lugs are set with over 380 diamonds of varying sizes alone.
The daisy at the center of the dial has overlapping petals and is accented by another 220 diamonds. Two fluttering butterflies, highlighted with orange Super-LumiNova appear to float around the daisy indicating the time. The butterflies are slightly different in color, the 'female' version is darker and indicates the hours, while the 'male' version is lighter and points to the minutes. At the heart of the flower is a glistening ruby all hovering over a white mother-of-pearl dial.
The magic doesn't stop there. Hidden beneath the numbers on the dial is a message that reveals itself when the pusher at 2 o'clock is pressed. The numbers disappear to reveal the phrase: “Il m’aime passionnément” (He loves me passionately). For even more personalization, the message can be customized to be whatever is desired, within the given number of characters allowed.
The caseback isn't left out either and provides an opportunity to admire the movement’s oscillating weight sculpted like a daisy and set with eight rubies. The daisy shape also allows the owner to indulge in a game of 'He loves me, he loves me not', by holding the watch in a horizontal position, and with one or two shakes, the weight will move for a few seconds and then stop to reveal whether the answer is yes or no!
Available in red, blue and green, in a white or red gold case, each color is a limited edition of 30 pieces.
Arnold & Son Opens its First Flagship Boutique
Luxury watchmaker Arnold & Son has opened it's first flagship boutique, as part of the Citizen Flagship Store, in the newly launched GINZA SIX, Tokyo’s premier luxury shopping destination.
The boutique will feature a large collection of timepieces, including some that are quite limited and hard to find. Also included in the Citizen Watch Group are Frédérique Constant and Bulova, who will also have displays within the stores wide open luxury spaces. The layout of the store was designed purposefully to allow guests to view, touch and experience a full range of timepieces firsthand. The staff are multilingual and extremely knowledgeable, and will be able to assist customers from all over the world.
The new store is located at: GINZA SIX 1F, 6-10-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061.
Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor – Baselworld 2017
With Baselworld launching tomorrow, more new watches are being released, and now we have the Insight Micro-Roto from Romain Gauthier. For this timepiece, the hour, minute and small second indications are powered by a beautifully hand-finished, in-house calibre built from the ground up and boasting bidirectional micro-rotor made from 22k solid white gold, which is visible not only from the back of the dial, but also from the front.
The name Insight refers to the highly visible movement within the case, allowing the wearer to gain an insight to the beautiful movement, finishing, and the rotor.
Two versions of the case watch have been released, one in red gold and one in platinum. Each are available with a choice of three with oven-fired dials, white enamel, black enamel and blue enamel.
Each dial/case version is issued in a limited edition of 10 pieces.
Pre-Basel Angelus Releases the U22
The Angelus U22, much like the U21, is based on last years release of the U20 Ultra Skeleton Tourbillon. This version has carbon fiber and titanium case, giving it a very contemporary and sporty look, and the materials also contribute to reducing the weight even further, to a mere 54 g.
Since the movement for the U20/U21/U22 was designed from the beginning to be minimalist and skeletonized, it is devoid of any superfluous materials. The openness of the dial, with no bezel, allows the wearing to enjoy the three dimensional movement from every angle.
A flying tourbillon sits at 6 o'clock, and takes advantage of all the codes of haute horlogerie.
Available in a limited edition of 18 pieces.
Pre-Basel - Angelus Releases the U21
In 2016 Angelus released three highly technical watches that joined the U10 Tourbillon Lumiere in the relaunch of the brand. The U20 was released featuring a stunning truly minimalist movement that seemed to float between the crystals. Very much a cutting edge work of art.
For 2017, two new versions of the U20 have been released. The U21 features a carbon fiber main plate, and is set into a 42mm carbon fiber and red gold case. There is no bezel on this watch, in order to allow the wearer to gaze at the movement from the side of the case, as well as above. This is by no means an easy feat to accomplish.
On the dial, the skeletonized bridges are solid gold and the flying tourbillon sits proudly at 6 o'clock.
Finished to the highest standard of haute horlogerie, the Angelus U22 is available in a limited edition of 18 pieces.
Pre-Basel - Arnold & Son HM Falcon
Arnold & Son has just released a the HM Falcon Unique Piece as part of their Métiers d’Art collection. The hand painted falcon is set on a mother-of-pearl dial and the artist uses delicate nuances of colors and tones, using tiny brushstrokes and texturing gradually to build-up the entire image, which results in a stunning finished design, full of depth.
Human love of falcons goes back many centuries. In ancient Egypt, the falcon was deified as Horus, the god of the sky and kingship. In other civilizations and cultures, the falcon symbolizes vision, agility and victory. Falconry can also be traced back to early China, where records indicate they were being used by humans to hunt. They were also used as royal gifts in the Heian dynasty in China, dating back to 2205 BC.
The unique piece comes with an ultra-thin A&S1001 manufacture movement with over 90 hours of power reserve; and is housed in an 18-karat rose gold case, with a brown alligator strap. The case can also be adorned with a diamond set bezel if desired.
Unique Piece from Angelus Watches
In 2015 Angelus was revived and released it's first watch. Not wanting to copy anything that was produced in the early days of the brand, they took inspiration from their multi dial alarm clocks and made a watch that just couldn't have been made when the brand originally existed - the Angelus U10 Tourbillon Lumiere. The spectacular piece had two massive openings one for the retro 70's-square-tv-style dial, and the other to highlight the massive floating tourbillon.
Now in 2017, a special unique piece has been released with an unexpected addition, paying tribute to the old tradition of Mexican Calaveras, used mainly to celebrate . The colorful skull has been added to the dial side, while Día de los Muertos.
Priced at $118,500, this is the first unique piece from the Angelus U10 art collection.
Show A Little Timely Love for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day will soon be here and the gift dilemma is in full swing. Here are a few beautiful options for the gift of time for her.
Harry Winston Premier Precious Love - Limited Edition of 14 Pieces
If you want to show how much you love your partner everyday, this is a stunning piece to make that happen. The dial is exquisite with ten heart-shaped rubies and 47 brilliant-cut diamonds set over a white mother of pearl latticework frame, over a pink mother of pearl background. The minute and hour hands are set into the center of a flower made of overlapping hearts, and below is another heart, outlined with six of the ten heart-shaped rubies.
The white gold case measures 36mm and is also set with 57 brilliant-cut diamonds, and is topped off with an pink satin or an alligator leather strap with white gold buckle, and adorned with 17 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Astorite - Limited Edition of 28 Pieces
If your valentine prefers a more minimalist dial, then this may be the one. The 35mm 18kt red gold case is set with 232 diamonds, and the dial is taken from a pale pink rare gem called Astorite. The minute and hour hands are set into a white mother of pearl sub dial at 12 o'clock.
The watch is available on a hand-made grey satin strap with an 18kt red gold buckle.
de Grisogono New Retro
If rubies are the winner, then this is the watch for you. Simply stunning in color from top to bottom, the pink gold case is set with 70 baguette cut rubies, and the dial has an additional 60. Continuing the glorious color combination, the ruby galuchat strap also has a pink gold folding clasp set with another 112 rubies. The crown set at 12 o'clock adds to the symmetry of the design.
Audemars Piguet Diamond Outrage
This white gold watch comes with outrageous spikes covered in either white diamonds or blue sapphires, equaling about 65 carats worth of stones. To tell the time you open one of the spikes to reveal the dial. It might contain a quartz movement, but at this point, who cares! It's edgier than most watches out there, but all I can say is, it works for me!
Urwerk's UR-106 Flower Power Limited Edition of 11 Pieces
Continuing the theme of something a little different, lets take a look at the Urwerk UR-106 Flower Power. There is no doubting that this is an Urwerk, however the recognizable shape has been transformed into a dazzling diamond encrusted watch instead of the snake skin pattern we usually see. The single block steel case is set with 239 Top Wesselton quality diamonds, plus the dial's central flower in white gold set with 30 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.184 ct), and a further 3 small flowers in white gold set with 6 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.522 ct).
New in Vintage from Graham Watches
Graham Watches celebrated the 15th Anniversary of their Chronofighter with their Vintage line in 2016, and has now added the Chronofighter Vintage GMT to the successful collection. The first piece to be released has a gorgeous sunbrushed green dial with a matching green calf leather strap.
The Vintage collection was released with a smaller case size, 44mm, than the original Chronofighter, and has an elegant stop/start steel trigger on the left side of the case. This is so you can use your thumb to activate the chronograph, eliminating the need to take your eyes off the action while timing an important event.
The GMT function is perfect for anyone who finds themselves in more than one time zone.
Further colors will be relesed in the upcoming months.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos 568 at SIHH 2017
I've been looking for a table clock for quite some time and haven't been able to find anything that quite suits my style...until now. Jaeger LeCoultre has again partnered with Australian designer, Marc Newson, to create the Atmos 568. It is a beautiful, minimalist clock that reminds me of the skeleton clocks that my parents had, but reinterpreted for the modern world.
The clock stands at just under 10" high, and is housed in a Baccarat crystal case, so you can gaze at the movement that appears to float inside the case.
I love the new feet that give the clock better stability. The previous version sat on a pedestal that gave me the sense that it looked more like an award than a clock.
Blue details highlight the dial, and you will also notive that the clock features the month and a moonphase. The Atmos 568 has been added to the regular collection.
