2013 – WATCH PREVIEW.

                                       

                           A brief look at Baselworld 2012 ft Amy Willerton

Haute Horlogerie Preview from Digital Luxury Group.
Every year at the occasion of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), Digital Luxury Group unveils the results of the Haute Horlogerie category (18 brands) of the World Watch Report™, the leading market research in the luxury watch industry published in partnership with Europa Star, and the gracious support of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.

The full edition of the report, which this year will cover 60+ brands in 20 markets worldwide, will be available in April at the time of Baselworld.

Amongst the key Haute Horlogerie trends identified:

1. Interest for Haute Horlogerie brands continues to grow (+ 7% year-over-year)

Compared to the previous year, the highest-end category of luxury watches, Haute Horlogerie, experienced a 7% increase in brand interest. “This marks the third year in a row that the online interest of this highest-end segment of luxury watches has increased, showing the continued strength of haute horlogerie within the overall market,” indicates Florent Bondoux, Head of Strategy & Intelligence.

2. BRIC + Asian markets represent nearly 50% of Haute Horlogerie global brand interest

Of the 20 markets analyzed in the study, nearly half (47%) of global interest for Haute Horlogerie stems from in-the-spotlight markets Brazil, Russia, India, China, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Mainland China on its own compromises 27% of the global demand or twice as much as the US market, increasing by 31%

3. Consumer interest for Haute Horlogerie in mature markets, US and Japan, declining

 A downward trend was observed in the weight that mature luxury watch markets the US     

 (down by 10.6%) and Japan (down by 11.7%) represent in the global breakdown.

While relative share of demand has progressively shrank in the past 3 years in most established markets, for the first time since the report’s launch in 2004, an absolute decline in domestic demand in the US and Japan is observed.

“2012 has been a year of stabilization in the U.S. Affluents have been focused on the Presidential campaign and the tax hikes surrounding the fiscal cliff. Tourist shopping, notably from Latin America, should offset domestic demand slowdowns and represent a major growth driver in the region,” explains David Sadigh, Founder & CEO.

                                                           Patek Philipe, pilgrimage.

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4. Patek Philippe leading by far the Haute Horlogerie segment

Patek Philippe remains and by far the leading Haute Horlogerie watch brand with 23.6% of brand interest share. Jaeger-LeCoultre takes the second spot with 12.7%, closely followed by Vacheron Constantin at 12.6%, Audemars Piguet at 9.2%% and Breguet at 7.7%.

Along with Richard Mille (see below), Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe also record the highest growth rates in brand interest year-over-year, with 26% and 10.2% growth, respectively.

5. Richard Mille is the fastest growing Haute Horlogerie brand

Founded in 2001, the brand Richard Mille is the fastest growing haute horlogerie brand (+61% over last year), followed by Vacheron Constantin (+26%), and Patek Philippe (+10.2%). “Assuming Richard Mille manages to keep its momentum and growth rate, the company could easily become one of the top 5 Haute Horlogerie brands by 2020,” predicts Bondoux. “This is a brand with a strong breadth of exclusive products and an equally strong PR-driven marketing approach focused on events and celebrity endorsements. Richard Mille is a brand to watch.”

6. Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak reinforces its leadership as the top watch model among Haute Horlogerie brands globally

The Royal Oak, reinforcing its leading position of last year, continues its reign as the most sought-after Haute Horlogerie watch model, increasing its online interest by 5% over the last year, likely an effect of the increased communications surrounding the icon’s 40th anniversary. Though the Royal Oak leads globally, local preferences arise for other models in markets such as Japan (Girard-Perregaux’s 1945), China (Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas), and Russia (Blancpain’s Leman).
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Haute Horlogerie brands tracked in this preview report: A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Bovet, Breguet, De Bethune, Frank Muller, Girard-Perregaux, Glashütte Original, Greubel Forsey, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Parmigiani, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin. (Other brands exhibiting at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie such as Cartier, IWC, Panerai, and Piaget, have not been analyzed in this year’s preview research after a revised brand segmentation, the results of which will be released in April at the time of Baselworld)

Markets analyzed: Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and The United States.

ref: worldwatchreport.com

Hublot and Depeche Mode partnership, MB&F.

Swiss watch maker Hublot and Depeche Mode announced a special charity partnership in Berlin on March 18th, 2013, to benefit charity: water, a non-profit bringing safe drinking water to the developing world. For this fundraising initiative, Hublot designed an exclusive series of 250 timepieces: the Limited Edition of Big Bang Depeche Mode.

Asked about the partnership, Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore stated, “I have personally been a supporter and advocate of charity: water for a while now, so I’m thrilled that we as a band can expand our support for the organization and help to make significant difference in places around the world struggling without a proper supply of drinking water.”

Jean-Claude Biver added: “No Water, no Life! Water is life and water should be available to everybody. Nobody should suffer from a lack of water. That’s why we try to help to share water. Sharing water means sharing life and sharing love.

Part of the sales proceeds from each watch will go directly to charity: water. Technical details after the break.

Hublot Limited Edition Big Bang Depeche Mode for Charity: Water

Technical Details:
Reference 311.CI.1170.VR.DPM13 – Limited series of just 250 numbered watches
Case “Big Bang” – Diameter 44 mm, made from micro-blasted black ceramic
Bezel “Clous Pyramide” decoration, made from black ceramic
6 black PVD titanium screws
Crystal Sapphire with interior anti-reflective treatment
Bezel lug Black composite resin
Lateral inserts Black composite resin
Case-back Open, sapphire crystal and black ceramic “Depeche Mode” and “Charity: Water” logo transfers
Crown Black PVD steel with black rubber insert
Water resistance 10 ATM, or approximately 100 metres
Dial Openworked, micro-blasted black skeleton
Applique indexes in the form of Clous Pyramide decoration, micro-blasted ruthenium
Hands Faceted and polished with black nickel coating, plus black SuperLuminova™
Movement HUB4214 Automatic mechanical Aerobang chronograph
Components 257 (Jewels: 27, Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour)
Date Rectangular window at 4.30
Power reserve Approx. 42 hours
Bracelet Heat moulded calfskin strap with Clous Pyramide shaped polymer resin injection
Sewn onto black rubber with black stitching
Clasp Microblasted black PVD steel deployant buckle.

Maximilian Busser & Friends (MB&F) make some of the most unusual luxury watches in the industry. Inspired by radar-deflecting stealth aircraft technology the Swiss watch manufacturer goes out with a new model simply called the “HM4 Final Edition.”

“The sleek aerodynamic form of HM4 has its roots in Maximilian Büsser’s childhood passion for assembling model plane kits, though none looked remotely as futuristic as these. The striking transparent sapphire section of the case requires over 185 hours of machining and polishing to transform an opaque solid block of crystal into a complex, exquisitely curved panel allowing the light to come in and the beauty of the HM4 engine to stand out. Every component and form has a technical purpose; nothing is superfluous and every line and curve is in poetic harmony. Articulated lugs ensure supreme comfort. Highly legible time is a fringe benefit.”

HM4 Final Edition is an exclusive limited edition of only 8 pieces available from The Hour Glass in Singapore; Westime in Los Angeles; Chronopassion in Paris; Chronometryx in Gstaad; and MB&F’s M.A.D.Gallery in Geneva. Full technical specifications below, to find out more, check out mbandf.com.

Inspired by the moment, the people and the Write, Time.

Stay tuned.

Antiquorum in Switzerland.

A number of rare and beautiful timepieces will be going under the hammer at Antiquorum’s Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces auction, held at Geneva’s luxury Hotel Richemond on Sunday, March 17.

Antiquorum holds approximately 10 watch auctions every year in Geneva, New York and Hong Kong. We have brought you news of some particularly high-grossing auctions on the Watches of Switzerland blog before, so we thought we’d take a look at some of the luxury watches that will be going on sale.

If the lots at Antiquorum’s upcoming auction sell for their top estimate, the sale will bring in millions – although these kinds of sales often make much more than the most generous estimates.

Among the items up for grabs are a number of beautiful ladies’ watches and extremely rare, limited-edition timepieces guaranteed to generate a lot of excitement.

One of the oldest wristwatches in the sale is a stunning ladies’ piece from Cartier, which dates back to 1912. It has a square case made from platinum and is dripping with white and black diamonds, and sapphires. With vintage watches enjoying something of a renaissance, this piece wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of a Hollywood star on the red carpet today – if they could stretch to the £32,000-£46,000 price tag.

And there’s even more for the ladies with a set of four jewel-encrusted watches from Patek Philippe. Known as Gondolo Cabriolet Butterflies, each of the special dial covers is decorated with a unique butterfly design, set with diamonds and coloured sapphires. They are crafted from 18-carat pink and white gold, and the whole set is estimated to sell for around £140,000.

Also up for auction is a coveted 1971 Rolex Paul Newman Topical Outer Track Oyster Cosmograph. This model will always be associated with the actor-cum-racing driver as he was a huge fan – it’s said he wore his watch right up until his death in 2008. Several factors characterise the Paul Newman dial: first, it has to have a contrasting dial and bezel (in this case a black bezel and ivory dial); block markers instead of lines; and the subdials must feature a cross hair. This particular example is expected to reach between £46,000 and £60,000.

But the highlight of the auction is the extremely rare A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Mérite Tourbillon. Made in 1996, this handsome watch features a fashionable blue dial and boasts a visible one-minute Tourbillon regulator and 36-hour power reserve. It’s estimated that it will sell for something in the region of £130,000 to £200,000, but as it’s the first time a white gold model has come up for auction, it could sell for considerably more. The reason for its impressive value? Only 25 examples of this white gold watch were ever produced.

The hugely popular Antiquorum auctions just go to show that the appetite for luxury watches is showing no signs of slowing down. Of course, if you’d like to add to your own collection, look no further than our Watch Selector, where you can browse our collection of 1,900 watches.

ref: watchesofswitzerland.co.uk

Hermes, Maurice & coming soon - LETEL

An old photograph taken in 1912 shows the four daughters of Émile Hermès and Julie Dutch genetic Maurice, from left to right: Yvonne, Jacqueline, Simone and Aline. Jacqueline, only nine years old, seems to wear a flashy watch. Actually, it is a figment of his father: a leather case with a belt pork gird allowing a small pocket watch to the wrist of Jacqueline, a girl too moved to carry your timepiece attached to clothing or put in a pocket.
Maurice Émile called "porteoignon" portacebolla, and is, in fact, the first contact of Hermès Frères, and then a prestigious saddlery and leather goods, with the world of watches.

One hundred years later, the brand has revived this piece through the singular foundational In The Pocket-not part of his collection regularly, a pocket watch that can become a model wrist thanks to a piece of skin. With it, the Parisian firm wanted to pay tribute to his long and rich tradition in the production of leather goods, and this foundational piece that foreshadowed a close relationship with Swiss watchmaking Hermès.

Issued and sewn entirely by hand in the workshops of La Montre Hermès in Bienne, the watch band is a technical feat that summarizes all the savoir faire of the firm in the skin treatment.
The two independent pieces that interlock to elegantly wrap and secure the watch to the wrist are composed of three layers-the top, made exclusively Barenia calfskin, an inner reinforcement resistant cowhide and calfskin lining-Zermatt, and require a long process from cutting and molding to finishing. Time makes the rest of the work, giving the leather a beautiful patina that sets the clock rollover.

The strap is tightened at the wrist with a palladium buckle 950. To keep the model as a pocket watch or pendant, offered a string of calf Barenia ebony palladium also lockable.

The big difference between this watch and it looked small Jacqueline is undoubtedly the part that beats beneath the skin. Today, Hermès is not only one of the biggest names in luxury leather goods, through its division-La Montre Hermès watch, with 34 years experience in the manufacture of timepieces, has also made a name in the field of Swiss Haute Horlogerie.

Inspired by the old pocket watches of the century, In the Pocket features a box contained 40 mm in diameter (which become 49 mm when worn on the wrist), made in palladium 950 and water resistant to 30 meters .
Under the anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a sober and elegant dial clock reaffirms classicism with its twelve stylized Arabic numerals. Two central stick needles provide indications of hours and minutes, while a discreet small seconds is located at three.

The movement that gives life to watch is the automatic caliber H1837, created especially for the manufacturing Hermès Vaucher (also equips the Dressage model). Beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and guarantees a power reserve of 50 hours. Vaucher has taken care of every detail aesthetic, from the pearl finish of the stage through the oscillating weight stamped with the iconic "H" through glazing bridges.
Marketed in an exclusive limited edition of 24 copies, In The Pocket establishes a link between the past and present of the manufacture and highlights all its savoir faire in the art of saddlery.

After cutting and splitting the skin, soak and is shaped in a mold. The drying process lasts for ten days, after which it proceeds to the knife cutting, sanding and gluing. At first, each part of the strap is sewn partially.
The short end is drilled to open the holes that will see the field, passing the crown and fit the long side. Then he proceeds to bring the two strips of the belt. Mark the seam line in time, open the holes and stitched with saddle stitching technique.
At this point, i am just finishing: flatten the seam, fillet, inking and polishing with beeswax.

(ref: http://www.maquinasdeltiempo.com).

'Working with Hermes over a decade was not only an experience but a delicate and intricate exposure to pure luxury heritage'. - said ' Moeth Ahmed, Director & Sales of Marketing at Letel.

Masterpiece Seconde Mystérieuse

'Another brand I loved working with when it came to complications was Maurice Lacroix, which exceeded the expectations by leaps and bounds'. - Moeth Ahmed, at Letel.                                  In 2010 Maurice Lacroix made a statement about his vision of time by launching the famous Roue Carrée model, which, following widespread public acclaim, has expanded into several different versions. Offering much more than just its aesthetic appeal, this watch has marked out an innovative way of measuring the passage of time. This year, continuing in the same rich vein of avant-garde creative freedom, the Swiss based brand, is pleased to present its Masterpiece Seconde Mystérieuse watch. This marks a new first in the history of watchmaking.

Awe-inspiring Captivating Unexpected This timepiece is aptly named: Mystérieuse (Mysterious) inspires and intrigues. Its certainly hard to take your eyes away from the gray disk dominating the skeletonized inner workings of the movement. Numerous elements testify to Maurice Lacroix's supreme know-how, whether it be the impressive seconds indication and the skeletonization, or the off-centered hours that are one of the brand's trademark features. Yet the perplexing seconds indicator remains the most captivating of mysteries. Driven by the ML215 caliber – a new Maurice Lacroix Manufacture movement and the

twelfth to be entirely developed in-house – the mysterious hand marks out a linear reading of the seconds, in alternating horizontal and vertical 15-second cycles. The blued hand turning on its axis, as though in full levitation, produces the captivating optical illusion. The mechanical mystery behind this impressive feat remains unsolved. (ref: tempusfugitwatch).

coming soon ..... http://www.letelwatches.com/