(07/2011) In June, space craft Soyuz TMA-02M started its trip to space from the space port in Baikonkur, Kasachstan with the three astronauts Mike Fossum (USA), Sergei Volkov (RU) und Satosho Furkawa (JP) on board. Since then the 28th ISS Crew operates in different science experiments and takes care of the maintenance and repair of the ISS.
(07/2011) The 14th FINA World Championships are scheduled for July 16–31, 2011 in Shanghai, China at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. The 2011 World Championships will again feature the 5 aquatics disciplines: swimming, water polo, diving, open water swimming, and synchronized swimming. Portions of these championships will most likely serve as part of the qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
(07/2011) Supplier Swatch Group is to reduce its shipments of movements from 1 January 2012, with the blessing of the Competition Commission. Independent brands are furious. "What exactly is the Competition Commission for, apart from favouring monopolies?" Frédérique Constant CEO Peter Stas was openly angry following the decision of the Competition Commission (Comco) to authorise the Swatch Group to lower its shipments of movements (-15%), and assortments(-5%) to third companies.
(07/2011) OMEGA, the Swiss maker of prestige watches, and The PGA of America, today announced a far-reaching strategic marketing and sponsorship agreement that will carry through 2016. The five-year agreement, which provides for multiple “Official Timekeeper” designation, marks a major breakthrough for OMEGA in the sport of golf in the United States.
(06/2011) Longines, a Swiss brand with a long tradition in watchmaking, is the new title sponsor of the Grosser Preis von Baden, Germany’s most prestigious and internationally renowned flat race. As part of the multi-year agreement, Longines will also act as the official timekeeper at the Iffezheim/Baden-Baden racecourse.
(06/2011) A Grand Complication pocket watch in 20-carat gold by Vacheron Constantin having belonged to the collector James Ward Packard fetched the sum of 1,800,000 USD – three times its already high estimate – at the Christie’s auction. The auction held by Christie’s in New York confirmed Vacheron Constantin’s strong appeal to international collectors.
(06/2011) OMEGA opened the newest member of its flagship boutique network at the popular Aventura Mall near Miami. The 888-square-foot OMEGA Boutique offers the brand’s entire product palette. The opening was celebrated with a dinner at the Soho Beach House in the company of OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart who was joined by members of the press and invited guests from the Miami area.
(06/2011) Watch aficionados came together on June 8th for Antiquorum's summer sale of Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, which totaled a remarkable ,500,075. The all-day sale held in Antiquorum's New York City auction room featured an exceptional collection of 351 luxury timepieces, of which 118% were sold by value. Competitive bidding for the auction came from Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Russian Federation, Belgium and Indonesia, as well as the United States.
(06/2011) Jaeger-LeCoultre, the high-end Swiss watch brand with state-of-the-art watchmaking technology and the tradition of 178 years, held the Avenuel Boutique Grand Opening Event and introduced new timepieces for 2011 at Dynasty Hall, Hotel Shilla on June 8, 2011. The event began with a gallery-type exhibition of products, followed by CEO Jérôme Lambert remarks, videos on the brand history and products, a fashion show, dinner and performances.
(06/2011) After the launch of A. Lange & Söhne shops in Dresden, Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul, the exclusive German watch brand now opens its fifth boutique, in Hong Kong. Watch connoisseurs in the metropolitan area as well as China can now experience the works of art bearing the quality seal “Made in Germany” in Asia’s major luxury hub.
(06/2011) TAG Heuer Continental Europe branch and LVMH Watch & Jewelry Central Europe GmbH are getting a new management. Jean-François Hartwig is taking over from Christophe Artaux as Managing Director of TAG Heuer Continental Europe and LVMH Watch & Jewelry Central Europe GmbH.
(05/2011) Antiquorum's May auction of "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces", held on Sunday, May 16 at the Geneva Mandarin Oriental, totaled 7,675,999 CHF, with 80% of the lots sold. This brought the total of Antiquorum's spring sales to 14,133,936 CHF. In addition to strong in-room attendance, there were many telephone and Internet bidders, with international participation coming from Hong Kong, Singapore, The Netherlands, Belarus, China and Japan. The top lot of the auction was the unique and exceptional Vacheron & Constantin "30 days, Constant Force" clock made in 1933 (lot 579). This Art Deco masterwork brought an impressive CHF 242,500.
(05/2011) The Swatch Group Ltd and Saleh Mohammad Alzouman Sons Co. Ltd. (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) announced that The Swatch Group Ltd through its affiliate Technocorp Holding Ltd has taken a 33.3% participation of the total share capital of 60 million Saudi Riyals of the Alzouman General Trading Co. Ltd. in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
(05/2011) Antiquorum, the world's premier watch auctioneer, looks forward to its June 8th sale of "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" at their US headquarters in New York City. Following the sale of a unique Patek Philippe minute-repeater earlier this year, Antiquorum continues to offer exceptional and unique watches from the world's most important manufactures. In the June auction Antiquorum will offer two unique watches, an Audemars Piguet Grande Complication and a Vacheron Constantin platinum minute-repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch. Pre-sale previews will be held in Los Angeles, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and New York.
(05/2011) To celebrate the 165th anniversary of the founding of the fine watchmaking industry in Saxony by Ferdinand A. Lange, the traditional Saxon watch manufactory last year initiated the “F. A. Lange Scholarship & Watchmaking Excellence Award” project. The company was keen in its anniversary year to make a contribution towards the promotion of young talents in the field of watchmaking.