. . . the VDB I, a massive 46 mm three-handed design with case, crown, and buckle made in-house.  The following text is from VDB (verbatim):Only eight watches will be made 1/8 to 8/8 (including 2 left hand versions)46 mm stainless steel 316L (prototype is aluminum)Domed plexiBig screw down crown: 11 mm (inside original Rolex screw down)Magnetic protection coverGlashütte Spezimatic automatic movement, 25 jewels, shockproofGlashütte diver handsTritium colored lume on indies, handswater resistan...

The power of innovation is as much for Carl F. Bucherer as for the techno pioneers of the Swiss cult duo “Yello” at the same time a characteristic, a benchmark and a constant challenge. This is what enables the Lucerne watch Manufacture and its longstanding brand ambassador Boris Blank with his music partner Dieter Meier to keep on avoiding the well-trodden paths and to go their own way, and by so doing, to always stay one step ahead of their times.     Thomas Morf, CEO Ca...

Striking or chiming watch mechanisms are some of the most refined complications, and also some of the hardest to fully master.Sounds have been associated with horology for a very long time: they were formerly used to mark the passing of time between sunrise and sunset, the days and the seasons, or to signal important community events.From Medieval times onwards, a watchman stationed in a tower was responsible for calling out the hours based on his observation of the position of the stars in the sky; sailors...

Extreme technical sophistication: the Tourbillon Chrono Rattrapante, Calibre DR 8300,is a concentrated blend of fine watchmaking elements combining the most sophisticated short-time measuring device with a Tourbillon regulator.The mechanism, housed in its rose gold double-ellipse case, is equipped with a split-second chronograph function displayed by the two central seconds hands:the classic chronograph hand and the superimposed split-second hand.  When the chronograph push button is activated, the tw...

Bulgari presents a new and distinctive collection that draw inspiration from the power and dynamism of the serpent: the sinuous and flexible form of the creature lends itself to a variety of jewels and magnificent timepieces, destined to become a new icon of Bulgari design. Conceived as single, double or triple coils and crafted with consummate mastery, the new creations are characterized by a design that artfully combines classic Bulgari style with innovative contemporary lines. THE N...

How can one combine Fine Watchmaking, extreme minimalism, maximum transparency and refined elegance?  The Tourbillon Lumière, powered by Calibre DR780 provides a peerless response to this question by associating these apparently incompatible assets. This superlative creation epitomises the ultimate expression of the art of skeleton-working.  The absolute perfection expressed in this diaphanous watch involved taking full account  of the major parameter inherent in this exercise: paring do...

Here are some behind the scenes photos of Longines' new campaign for the PrimaLuna ladies watch with spokesperson Aishwarya Rai, former Miss World. - SJX Longines PrimaLuna: a trip reminiscent of a Thousand and One Nights in the company of the beautiful Aishwarya Rai Bachchan   Saint-Imier, 1st September 2009 – In a maharaja’s Palace in Jaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan (India) an apparition stands before us... Gracefully she moves forward with a swish of silk. Then silence prevails, her...

2010 marks a decisive new step for Bulgari, with the unification of the Manufacture du Sentier Daniel Roth & Gérald Genta under the powerful and prestigious Bulgari image, as announced by the Group CEO, Francesco Trapani, on January 15th 2010. This strategic rapprochement, a first in the history of the Swiss watch industry, is now giving rise to a new resolutely high-end Bulgari collection. It highlights the cutting-edge expertise of the Manufacture du Sentier (in the Joux Valley) through its multi...

Cartier launches a virtual boutique in America   On Monday, March 15th, Cartier, the international luxury goods company, will launch a virtual boutique as sophisticated as a traditional Cartier boutique.   True to its innovative spirit, Cartier is among the first in the jewellery world to branch into online service. The objective is to offer a complementary service to existing clients and to attract new jewellery enthusiasts.       From merchandising and product range to s...

These new models are characterised by a pure, serene design and an innate elegance underscored by the restrained formal architecture of the case.  A year after its 2009 launch marking the 125th anniversary of the House, the new Sotirio Bulgari appears with a slightly larger case measuring 43mm in diameter.  Featuring steel, rose gold and a black surface treatment, this new release is being introduced in a range of five models.  All of them are driven by the new Calibre 168, a mecha...

By: 219
[RM Moderator]

By: SJX
[PPro Moderator]

By: DRMW
[TO Moderator]

By: SJX
[PPro Moderator]

By: dxboon
[Moderator]

By: AnthonyTsai
[PuristSPro Moderator]

By: pingtsai
[Bulgari Moderator]

By: SJX
[PPro Moderator]

By: SJX
[PPro Moderator]

By: Marcus Hanke
[UN Moderator]

By: SJX
[PPro Moderator]

By: 219
[RM Moderator]

Basel - 20 March 2010 We've read the history of Chopard in a posting on this forum; so now let's go (live) to the celebratory party in Basel with performances by the Spanish opera maestro Jose Carreras, and the best lady flamenco dancer of this generation - Ms Sara Baras. The Scheufele family held a charity concert at the Basel Musical Theatre, to both celebrate the 150th Anniversary and 'give back' as a responsible corporation. The beneficiary is the Leukaemia Foundation set up by Mr Carreras, hims... more

How can one combine Fine Watchmaking, extreme minimalism, maximum transparency and refined elegance?  The Tourbillon Lumière, powered by Calibre DR780 provides a peerless response to this question by associating these apparently incompatible assets. This superlative creation epitomises the ultimate expression of the art of skeleton-working.  The absolute perfection expressed in this diaphanous watch involved taking full account  of the major parameter inherent in this exercise: pa... more

Ok dear GO friends! Here is some pic from the Basel meeting today. Some live pictures from Baselworld 2010. Thanks to GO for the nice presentation! A wirtshot on Stromers new love,the sweet GO Lady taste ===For the rest of Axelzon's photo report in GO forum, please CLICK HERE ... more

1) Blancpain Carrousel Répétition Minute-Le Brassus. A huge year for Blancpain at Basel—4 new movements debut (and this is on top of the 7 new movements that were introduced in the two and a half previous years).  At the top of the pyramid for 2010 is no less than a Grand Complication—a combination of a cathedral gong minute repeater and carrousel.The details of this watch are outstanding.  The cathedral gong minute repeater is a brand new design, done entirely in house by B... more

Though Cartier is not the first luxury goods company to retail online - Bell&Ross announced its European online store some months back and Tiffany has done it for a long time - though it is quite a leap for Cartier which has always been fairly conservative. This comes in the wake of Cartier closing about 40% of its points of sale in the US.     Store front of e-boutique   Cartier is now one of the few high-end brands (Tiffany is in a different price range) to offer a full range of ... more

If it could be summed up in just one phrase, the Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic could be defined as a sports model born for intensive living!  Witness the combination of materials chosen for its case: a steel middle, a satin-brushed “studded” ceramic bezel, and a crown set with an onyx cabochon. Secured to the wrist by a natural rubber strap, this is a watch clearly built to face the trials of daily life.  Paradoxically, this decidedly sporty model houses a sophisticated movement power... more

These new models are characterised by a pure, serene design and an innate elegance underscored by the restrained formal architecture of the case.  A year after its 2009 launch marking the 125th anniversary of the House, the new Sotirio Bulgari appears with a slightly larger case measuring 43mm in diameter.  Featuring steel, rose gold and a black surface treatment, this new release is being introduced in a range of five models.  All of them are driven by the new Calibre 168, a mechanical... more

Don't try to make a search about it, you will find nothing about it.This is a document JLC sent to their ADs in ...1958, to promote the " Jubilée " Collection, and, concretely, the 125th " Grande Maison " Birthday.Besides the text, which was typical of some advertisements of this era, JLC didn't introduce 3 watches for the occasion, but 5, plus an Alarm Clock, and a combination of Alarm, Thermometer and Barometer. You will also notice the international campaign which was launched for the occasion.Th... more

Louis-Ulysse Chopard would doubtless be delighted to see how his company has developed. Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2010, the firm is still pervaded by the spirit instilled in it by its founder and nurtured by a blend of fine hand craftsmanship and daring technical developments. From the founding family to that of Karl Scheufele which took it over in 1963, Chopard continues to be governed by its enduring principles, including a taste for excellence, the pursuit of quality, creativity, innovation, ... more

BASELWORLD 2010,  CALIBRE 168, A MECHANICAL SELF-WINDING MOVEMENT, IS THE CULMINATION OF A LENGTHY VERTICALISATION PROCESS.  IT IS BEING LAUNCHED AT BASELWORLD 2010 AND NOW POWERS WATCHES IN THE SORTIRIO BVLGARI COLLECTION. BVLGARI LAUNCHES ITS OWN IN-HOUSE CONCEIVED MOVEMENT REPRESENTING A MAJOR MILESTONE IN WATCHMAKING STRATEGY   Achieving complete mastery of its own mechanical movement is one of the priority of objectives of any prestige watch brand with long-term am... more

Glashütte Original Baselworld 2010 novelties.  A whole new selections watches preview at BaselWorld 2010. . . . three of which - the Taschenuhr Nr 1 pocket watch, the Senator Sixties Panoramadate, and the steel Panomatic Lunar XL - have already been covered in previous threads. Let's get cracking on the rest . . . ===For the rest of Art's post in GO forum, please CLICK HERE ... more

The Haute Horlogerie movements developed in the Manufacture du Sentier have long since been housed within a distinctive ellipse-shaped case fashioned from precious metals. The 2010 vintage of the Bulgari, Daniel Roth Collection features an evolved version carve in steel, Endurer Chronosprint.   BASELWORLD 2010BVLGARI Collection Daniel Roth Endurer Chronosprint   This watch immediately exudes a strong personality dominated by the contours of its generously sized case in Staybrite© st... more

Kelvin Tan posted some great photos of a selection of watches from the 2009 and 2010 high watchmaking collections on the Cartier forum. click here to see his photos and drop a word of thanks for his effort. - SJX ... more

I know you've all long waited to see these pictures. The Patek Philippe 5070 has been a probable favourite for many years. Here comes the time of the new Patek Philippe 5170. The real news is that this new very classical two counter chronograph doesn't come alone. You'll see a bit later several other choices that will tempt you. The true news is that you'll keep coming back on the 5170!   Patek Philippe 5170J The new Patek Philippe 5170J is a 39mm Calatrava style cased with a moderate ... more

Last year I received a sample case from Montblanc to test its proprietary Dual Carbon Diamond Like Coating process :  click here I completed several tests, but here is the results of the final examination.  (I'll be releasing the results of the interval testing soon) For Montblanc's final examination I  recalled a post in the Chopard forum about a Purist who had lost his watch, only to find it 5 months later in a flower bed. "I lost the watch in August, turned the house, go... more

I happened upon the amazing creation of Laurent Ferrier who after 37 years at Patek decided to start a new adventure under his own name. To do so he teamed up with La Fabrique du Temps (Michel Navas and Enrico Babasini the NB of BNB fame who had launched their own movement development ateliers about 2-3 years ago focusing on a more traditional approach to watch making and calibers than what was done at BNB). Laurent Ferrier's son Christian also works for Fabrique du Temps and was responsible ... more

The PuristSPro team attended a special event in Beverly Hills hosted by Vacheron Constantin which showcased the brand's current Historiques collection along with the vintage watches that inspired and informed their design. The event, titled "Les Historiques - A Journey Through Time," was held at a posh mansion with expansive view overlooking the city. click here ... more

Unveiled in 2004 but delivered only late last year, the TAG Heuer V4 has been the subject of fluctuating levels of interest and speculation. Many wondered if it would be made at all. Originally devised by Jean-François Ruchonnet, one of the people behind the Cabestan, with input by Philippe Dufour, the V4 is a reinvention of the driving train of a watch.     This watch is about rethinking the driving train and energy generation of a mechanical watch. The escapement remains the conve... more

  Unveiled in 2004 but delivered only late last year, the TAG Heuer V4 has been the subject of fluctuating levels of interest and speculation. Many wondered if it would be made at all. Originally devised by Jean-François Ruchonnet, one of the pe...... more

PuristSPro Interviews Jerome Lambert, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre  By PuristSProTranscribed by Ping Tsai & VL Kong © January 2010   (Interview took place in April 2009 at the JLC Beverly Hills Boutique.  Link to Dr. Ming Woo'...... more

Goris Verburg took the helm at IWC in South-East Asia at the beginning of August, after a stint as Regional Manager for Asia, Middle East and Africa at Schaffhausen.     Goris Verburg with Ronan Keating     Goris possesse...... more

  Interview with Demetrio Cabiddu, Master Watchmaker Montblanc Villeret   By Dr. Michael Ting © October 2009   This is the fourth time that Montblanc has given PuristSPro inside access to its staff.  Durin...... more

The following is the edited transcript of a brief chat with an eminent collector of timepieces from independent watchmakers. His collection is notable not only for its diversity but also for its high quality, including pieces like Kari Voutilainen, P...... more

  PuristSPro Interviews Alexander Schmiedt By Dr. Michael "mkt33" Ting © June 2009   For the third chapter in this series of interviews, I thought it would be nice to get to know the business manager and director behin...... more