Maestro Corail by Christophe Claret for Only Watch
ONLY WATCH 2019 –
Christophe Claret reaffirms its support for the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy (AMM)
For the fourth consecutive year, Christophe Claret is proudly taking its place alongside the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy (AMM) and donating a timepiece to Only Watch for its eighth edition: Maestro Corail, a formidable timepiece by nature.
This altruistic momentum has driven Christophe Claret to take an authentic artistic approach in giving life to the Maestro Corail watch. Inspired by the Maestro Mamba watch that is part of the collection, this timepiece is unique, resulting from a blend of fine craftsmanship and aesthetic creativity.
Christophe Claret is a born provocateur, now venturing into the perilous wilds of the tropical forests by placing the voluptuous undulations of a coral snake at the heart of the Maestro watch. This brightly colored, swift and incomparably aggressive snake appears ready to strike anyone who comes within reach of its toxic venom. Wrapped around the movement, its undulating hand-engraved body creates a powerful contrast between the tangy blue and orange brilliancy of its scales and the matt black shade of the movement. Surging from the intricacies of the movement, between the hours and minutes hands, the MEMO function indicator and the sprung balance, the coral snake defies all challengers with its piercing eyes. A threatening and disturbing vision enveloping the horological mechanism with a dangerous aura of mystery.
Technical forest
The Maestro watch was a natural choice to accommodate the rippling coils of the coral snake. This watch appeals through both its shape and its proportions, including the pure and powerful lines of its 42 mm black PVD-treated titanium case topped by an impressive sapphire crystal dome. A boldly contemporary model intended for trendsetters and influencers, this model offers a spectacular view of the movement and the snake’s sinuous body, which may be admired from every angle and along every sleek scale. It is also ideal because of its hand-wound movement, whose skillfully arranged components are displayed in all their glorious technical profusion, vividly reflecting that of a luxuriant forest.
The overall construction is revealed through a multi-dimensional architecture. Like all timepieces by Christophe Claret, the Maestro showcases a wealth of details mingling technical and aesthetic elements in an exceptionally coherent manner. Brand enthusiasts will recognize the watchmaker’s inimitable touch in the famous Charles X stepped and skeletonized bridges – with 26 interior angles – that have become a signature of the Maison. The skeleton-working of the bridge supporting the escapement represents a clever blend of classicism and modernity that affords a chance to appreciate all its subtle features.
The visual adventure through the intricacies of the movement continues with two series-coupled barrels ensuring optimal efficiency and majestically positioned at 12 o’clock. Here too, the bridges are skeletonized to provide an exemplary view of the blade spring of the first barrel and thus enable the wearer of the watch to gauge the state of the seven-day power reserve.
A return to fundamentals
In terms of horological complications, the Maestro Corail once again illustrates the creative audacity cultivated by Christophe Claret. Witness the patented large date display at 5 o’clock, composed of two cones – one for the tens on the upper part and the second for the units – and performing a semi-instantaneous jump between midnight and twenty past midnight. As if to echo the 3D effect of this voluminous date display, the Maestro’s characteristic MEMO function appears between 3 and 4 o’clock. Inspired by the expression “tie a knot in your handkerchief” to help one remember something important, the MEMO is an ingenious mechanical reminder intended for absent-minded individuals as well as fans of technical gadgets. Whatever daily objective the owner of the Maestro has set himself, the MEMO is there to remind him of his commitments. In the initial position, meaning when the owner must do something, an orange sapphire appears at 6 o’clock on the side face of the MEMO. Once the objective has been met, a simple press on the pusher at 2 o’clock pivots the MEMO function, which will display a blue sapphire on its side face at 6 o’clock, like the gem set at its top. The MEMO will return to its initial position each night in a twenty-minute process driven by a semi-instantaneous jump system.
Whether it is a cue to pay a daily compliment to a loved one, to meditate for ten minutes a day, to do a good deed, to avoid a trap or avert a danger: there are any numbers of good reasons to activate the MEMO. But one thing is for sure: with death lurking in the black eyes of this snake that is as aggressive as it is venomous, and when the possibility of its mortal sting thus accompanies every minute, hour and day, the Maestro Corail provides a constant reminder of fate and the fragile nature of time.
With more than 40 million euros raised in seven editions, Only Watch – under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert of Monaco and at the initiative of Luc Pettavino, President of the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy – is organizing its eighth edition. The auction will be held for the third year running in Geneva, on Saturday November 9th 2019. Prior to that, from September 25th to 28th 2019, the Monaco Yacht Show will host the first stage of a promotional world tour of the collection. The funds collected will be entirely donated to scientific and medical research on neuromuscular diseases in general and on Duchenne muscular dystrophy in particular.
The Corum Admiral 42 Gets a Dark Twist
Corum unveils a mysterious, edgy and first-ever addition to their highly sought-after Admiral 42 collection, limited to 100 pieces.
It is no surprise that the popularity of black-on-black watches has been steadily rising over the past years. Being incredibly chic and versatile, entirely black timepieces pair well with both formal and casual dressing, at the same time allowing the wearer to indulge the best of both classical and contemporary design can offer. “Corum has always been concerned to develop and evolve its different collections together. In the past, we have already made a black titanium Golden Bridge and this year we will present a ruthenium coin watch. That's why we wanted to bring modernity to the Admiral collection with this full black edition,” explains the brand’s design team.
Born in the 1960s, the very first Admiral’s Cup model was an unusual yachting watch with a water-resistant square case. However, the Admiral collection that we are now familiar with, is actually an evolution of the Admiral’s Cup model redesigned in 1983, with its instantly recognizable 12-sided case and nautical pennants on the dial. Over the years, this collection dedicated to the world famous regatta has not only become an integral pillar of Corum, but also one of the most iconic nautical-inspired timepieces on the market.
In the year 2010, the Admiral collection celebrated its 50th anniversary, and at the same time, welcomed the launch of the Admiral Legend collection. Keeping in mind the iconic design codes of the original Admiral’s Cup model released in 1980s, the Admiral Legend collection proposed a family of elegant timepieces with a more modern and refined silhouette. The resulting Admiral Legend 42, with a slimmer case diameter, has gone on to become one of Corum’s bestselling models over the recent years.
One of the most identifiable characteristics of an Admiral timepiece is the use of 12 nautical pennants as hour markers. These flags in fact conform to the International Code of Signals for indicating numbers using colored flags, so each hour is represented by its corresponding pennant.
The latest Admiral 42 Full Black the complete opposite of its colorful predecessors, and a first-ever within the Admiral family of watches. It features the iconic dodecagonal case in black PVD-treated stainless steel, paired with a blackened brass dial. The nautical pennants, minute markers now presented in greyscale tones to balance the austerity of the all-black design, while markers for the minute and small seconds are made visible using a tone-on-tone effect.
According to Corum’s product development department, “The main objective is to go against the classic codes of watchmaking by proposing a trendy watch instead of a traditional case in steel or gold. In addition, Corum wanted to break the codes of its Admiral collection representing classic navigation. The nautical flags are not in color and we did not use the traditional blue and teak wood. This version is inspired by modern boats with their carbon hull.”
The Dauphine-style hour and minute hands are also skeletonized, given black PVD treatment, then filled with white superluminova to ensure excellent legibility. Vulcanized black rubber straps with a black PVD-treated buckle complete the edgy look. Devoid of colors, this dark knight of a watch is mysterious, sporty yet intriguingly handsome at the same time.
The Admiral 42 Full Black is powered by the automatic CO 395 movement, which provides 42 hours power reserve. It offers a water resistance of 50 meters. Produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
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/
Announcing the MB&F Legacy Machine N°1 (LM1) Final Edition
After six years of the Legacy Machine N°1, MB&F have launched the last in the series. To honor this legacy (pun intended), this is the first time the watch has been available in a stainless steel case, a very rare occurrence from MB&F. The dial of the 18 piece limited edition is in a rich dark chocolate brown, and includes the new balance bridge that was featured in the LM101 and LM Perpetual.
The 44mm case comes with the usual high domed sapphire crystal which floats over the movement and bridges. The three-dimensional horological movement was developed exclusively for MB&F by Chronode, with bridge design and finishing specified by Kari Voutilainen. Power reserve is 45 hours.
Legacy Machine No.1 is available in 18k red gold, 18k white gold, a limited edition of 33 pieces in platinum, a limited edition of 13 pieces for the M.A.D.Gallery Dubai in titanium and the final edition in stainless steel. The LM1 was also the base for two Performance Art editions with artists Xia Hang and Alain Silberstein.
After a total of approx. 435 Legacy Machine N°1's it's bittersweet, but these will be the last new pieces in the series.
I'm holding my breath for what comes next!
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.
New from Arnold & Son - the DBG Skeleton
Arnold & Son takes great pride in making sure that their movements are as exceptional as their exterior suggests, even if you cannot see them. In this piece, the DBG, which is an acronym for Double Balance GMT, the movement is now unveiled, so the wearer cannot enjoy its beauty, depth and fine finishing.
The GMT function is perfect for travelers, and for those who just love to know the time in another zone of the world.
Based on the original DBG that launched in 2012, the movement of the DBG Skeleton needed to be somewhat redesigned to allow for the dial to be removed and maintain its complete symmetry.
At this time, the watch is only available in a red gold case.
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.
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Papillon Automate
Out of the house of Van Cleef & Arpels is another stunning work of art that one can forget also tells the time. The dial is full of soft shades of blues, greens and mauves, and is reminiscent of a scene from Monet's garden. Resting on top of the dial set with round and pear-cut diamonds, blue and mauve sapphires, champlevé and paillonné enamel, and a mother-of-pearl, plique-à-jour, is a blue enameled butterfly. Not a static butterfly by any means, this butterfly beats it wings during each hour, more frequently so when worn. Since Van Cleef & Arpels know how the owner of the watch will love the movement of the butterfly, the wings can also be activated on command by pushing the button on the side of the case, and they will then beat five times consecutively.
The diamond set white gold case measures 38 mm and the crown is set with an additional diamond. The watch has a blue alligator strap and a diamond set white gold pin buckle.
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.
Green with Envy - The Kerbedanz Tree of Life
Not many people are familiar with a small but exceptionally talented watch brand called Kerbedanz. They create small batch high end watches, which are filled with references to cultural and ethnic values that are represented in the finishing on the components of the mechanical movements, as well as on the surfaces and reliefs of the dials.
The Tree of Life - a worldwide symbol of immortality - is no exception and depicts an ancient, flowering tree planted in a mossy undergrowth.The 18K yellow gold case and lugs are literally covered with emeralds, 540 in total. The stunning dial features enamel in the background which reflects a myriad of green, and a yellow gold tree with diamond accents which was designed, manufactured and hand decorated by Kerbedanz.
Only 41 pieces will be made, and each one is set on a green alligator strap.
Let's see what they have in store for us at Baselworld 2017.
Pre Basel 2017 - Harry Winston Avenue Classic Cherry Blossom
You just can't help getting excited about what's new from Harry Winston, and I already see that a little something has caught my eye. With spring looming in just a few weeks, Harry Winston has released the Avenue Classic Cherry Blossom.
Set in an 18K white gold case, the soft blue-green dial is crafted from mother-of-pearl with a delicate cherry blossom design set with 29 brilliant-cut pink sapphires and 39 brilliant-cut diamonds on white gold branches. An additional 39 brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the case. The movement is quartz, which does nothing to detract from the beauty of the design, and the whole effect is completed with a green-blue alligator leather strap.
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.
WT'MB&'F?
Holy Horological Machines Batman!! I was expecting something amazing when MB&F teased us with the movement for their HM7, but this one just blew me away.
Looking like a cross between a spaceship and a submersible, the design was actually inspired by jellyfish. Eric Giroud is the designer of the striking piece, and along with a team of 49 people, the first water resistant Horological Machine was conceived.
Not to be content with just the shape of the watch, with a unidirectional rotating bezel that seems to orbit around the edge of a see through spaceship, the watch also contains a central flying tourbillon and a vertical movement between its domed sapphire top and bottom. Super lume comes courtesy of Black Badger creator James Thompson.
The MB&F HM7 Aquapod comes in two variations, 33 pieces in titanium, and 66 in red gold, both are delivered on rubber straps.
Another one for the shopping list!
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.
