With its new Imperiale line, Chopard achieved the feat of enshrining the quintessence of style and elegance within a watch. This reinterpretation of the brand’s famous 1990s model, now available in 28mm or Two-Tone versions, draws inspiration from refined, dynamic and natural women with strong personalities who appreciate the discreet luxury of extremely beautiful objects.
The latest creation from Cecil Purnell is a daring watch with a strong, unique design. The brand's original character, however, is preserved thanks to the dial's exceptionally pure lines. The tourbillon, the showpiece of the watch, is enthroned in all its splendour at 6 o'clock. Nothing disturbs this perfect balance of detail and transparency, not even the 12 hourmarkers whose tips seem suspended over the open middle.
Patek Philippe has achieved a world first by offering its sophisticated grand complication CHR 27-525 PS calibre, the world’s thinnest split-seconds column-wheel chronograph, in an elegant new pink gold model for women, the Ladies First Split Seconds Chronograph. On the front, the bezel is set with 153 diamonds and frames a very elegant grained opaline dial, while another 76 diamonds decorate the sapphire caseback which reveals the movement.
Breguet watches have always charmed women, from Queen Marie-Antoinette of France through Empress Josephine to the Marquise de Condorcet. The Reine de Naples watch was created as a tribute to the wristwatch that Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples, ordered from Abraham-Louis Breguet, a watchmaker then located on the Quai de l’Horloge in Paris.
First launched in 2009, the L-evolution collection is entering its third year of existence with a model that is exceptional on all levels. This latest addition to the collection is equipped not only with a tourbillon and a large date display, but also with a power-reserve indication appearing on a subdial directly integrated onto the oscillating weight. Yet another world first for Blancpain!
At Baselworld 2011, Carl F. Bucherer presents two new models of the Patravi EvoTec BigDate, based on the visionary EvoTec Manufacture Concept. In doing so, the progressive Lucerne watch Manufacture is responding to the growing number of women who demand a high level of mechanical and technical sophistication without wishing to sacrifice the independent, feminine aesthetic appeal of their watch.
When it was introduced in 2007, the Marine Tourbillon was the first watch to have a calibre with a silicon escapement. The balance-spring, balance-wheel and lever all used this material. The tourbillon carriage was made of titanium. The reason for using these ultra-innovative materials was because they made it possible to obtain a tourbillon that was light, and therefore highly shock resistant; non-magnetic; and easier to regulate since it did not require lubrication.
Each detail of OMEGA’s Hour Vision Co-Axial Skeleton Platinum Limited Edition proclaims that this is a timepiece created by a watchmaker working at horology’s cutting edge. Start with the 41 mm outer case. It is crafted from 950 platinum and it has a 360° transparent sapphire casebody set inside it, allowing unobstructed views of both sides of the exclusive OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8403 which drives this extraordinary watch. Equipped with a silicon balance spring, the watch is delivered with a four-year warranty.
Patek Philippe is expanding its classic chronograph collection with the introduction of its very latest perpetual calendar model, a complication that has always occupied a place of honour in the brand’s collections. This new flagship of haute horlogerie, the Réf. 5270, is fitted with a unique column wheel chronograph movement. The day and month appear in a double window at 12 o’clock, with a hand indicating the date around the moon phase.
Since it was launched more than half a century ago, the OMEGA Speedmaster has defined the classic chronograph. It is rugged and reliable and has a timeless design. And since the day in July 1969 that it was first worn on the lunar surface, it has been known by its nickname, the Moonwatch.
The first Chopard timepiece to host a movement from the workshops of Fleurier Ebauches, the Imperiale Full Set model combines Haute Joaillerie and precision mechanics in an infinitely precious aesthetic. A watch graced with pure lines bearing eloquent testimony to Chopard’s constantly renewed innovation and technical expertise.
Its dynamic watch design boldly rooted in the strong industrial and architectural expressions of the Bauhaus movement, the Movado Master™ Collection premiered at Basel to wide critical acclaim in 2009. An automatic chronograph of heroic proportion joined the collection last year. Now for 2011, Movado expands this pinnacle collection, introducing a commanding new self-winding chronograph model.
“More watchmaking, more mastery, more innovation, more daring, more fusion!”... This was the encouragement that Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot, gave the new Complications department which reinforced the Hublot Manufacture in 2010. To mark the 2011 Basel Fair Hublot is presenting a world first, with a minute repeater watch featuring two “cathedral” type gongs, a tourbillon and column wheel chronograph, with carbon fiber bridges, in a case made from carbon fiber. This is a perfect illustration of “Fusion” between great watchmaking tradition and the technology of the future.
Chopard has for many years been paying tribute to the world of historical cars. The latest release, the Classic Racing Superfast Chrono Split Second, demonstrates extreme attention to detail. Everything about this timepiece is reminiscent of motor sports. Chronometer-certified by the COSC, its split-second chronograph movement enabling measurement of intermediate or “split” times makes it an indispensable dashboard instrument for all aficionados of fine mechanisms.
A Japanese artist proclaimed a “Living National Treasure” by the authorities of his country, Kiichiro Masumura has supervised the creation of unique dials for Chopard based on the time-honoured Urushi techniques. These magnificent works of art are magnificently showcased within the understated lines of the L.U.C XP, an ultra-thin model equipped with the mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96HM movement.