A technological harmony, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin.

Master Compressor, Master Hometime, AMVOX5 World Chrono.

With the shared values of technical innovation, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre and car maker Aston Martin entered into a partnership almost a decade ago. For the 180th birthday of the Grande Maison and the Centennial of Aston Martin, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created three new and very exclusive watches.

Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Aston Martin
This alarm watch is equipped with a universal hour display that lets you read the time at a glance in any time zone in the world. Powered by the Calibre 912, an automatic movement developed in the brand's workshops, the Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Aston Martin is a perfect combination of watchmaking expertise and sporty style, highlighted by the compression keys on the patented Jaeger-LeCoultre case. The black dial, with its alternating red and white indicators, is reminiscent of the vents on Aston Martin cars.

Master Hometime Aston Martin
Designed for globetrotters, the Hometime concept is now available in an Aston Martin special edition series. With its sleek, classic design, now reading two time zones is simple, thanks to the skeletonised hand indicating the reference time. Fitted with a 975H movement, the Master Hometime Aston Martin watch epitomizes the values shared by the two brands: innovation, reliability and performance.

AMVOX5 World Chronograph Cermet
The ideal function for any racing driver, the iconic chronograph function joins forces on this watch with the simultaneous display of 24 time zones. The central chronograph hand is accompanied by two counters either side of the vertical axis to record the minutes and hours since the timing started. Extremely lightweight, the reinforced cermet case houses the Calibre 752, a Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic movement. (ref: www.jaeger-lecoultre.com ).

Aston Martin and horological partner, Jaeger-LeCoultre are pleased to announce the launch of the AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder timepiece which affords the owner of a DB9 the luxury of opening their sports car by simply pressing on the sapphire crystal of their watch.

The AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder heralds the third generation of the revolutionary creation that sealed the ties between Aston Martin and the Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Released two years ago, the DBS Transponder watch was the first mechanical watch developed with the ability to control access to a luxury sports car by means of a built-in micro transmitter system serving to lock and unlock the Aston Martin DBS.

As the driver nears the car, all he need do is press the OPEN position on the watch glass (between eight and nine o’clock) in order to unlock the car, whereas doing the same thing on the CLOSE position between three and four o’clock will lock the vehicle.

By pressing simultaneously on the "OPEN" and "CLOSE" rectangles, the watch emits a signal recognised by the car as a "FIND ME" function: the headlamps light up for several seconds, without unlocking the car, so as to enable the owner to find the car at a glance.

By integrating the transponder circuit into the body of the watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created a timepiece that is entirely functional yet discreet, a masterpiece of miniaturisation and engineering that not only functions as a chronograph but as a key, making it the ultimate accessory for the ultimate sports car.

In-cased in grade five titanium, the black dial of the AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder is adorned with a grille-type motif and bears rhodium-plated metallic numerals coated in the centre with a luminescent black substance. The DB9 logo, which is gilded as are the hands and hour-markers, appears to be floating in the center in a window revealing the ruthenium mainplate and bridges of the exquisitely refined movement.

The AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder watch is available to order now from the Aston Martin dealership network priced at: UK: £12,426, EU: €15,833, US: $24,400 exclusive of local taxes and customs & duties charges.

About the DB9
As the most successful Aston Martin of all-time (an honor it shares with the V8 Vantage) the DB9 has established itself as the definitive grand tourer, thanks to an enduring combination of understated elegance, sporting character and genuine luxury. The Aston Martin DB9 is a 2+2 sports GT available as either Coupe or Volante (convertible) with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional ‘Touchtronic 2’ six-speed automatic transmission.

(ref: www.astonmartin.com).

Gentleman's timepiece, German precision - Glashütte.

The Flying Tourbillon was developed in the 1920's by the master craftsman Alfred Helwig, one of Germany's most remarkable watchmakers and instructor who taught at the German school of Watchmaking beginning with the year 1913.

The traditional tourbillon mechanism, designed to counter the effect of gravity on rate precision, is at anchored at both the top and bottom. Alfred Helwig's version implemented a cantilevered mechanism anchored on one side only, which led to it becoming known as ' flying tourbillon'.

The Flying tourbillon remains an extraordinary aesthetic and horological invention, and is presented with a blue steel tipped second hand in the manufactory's PanoLunar Tourbillon.

A strong presence, being elegant without desperately trying to catch attention, in other words Glashütte Original timekeepers. The German watchmakers latest tourbillon is the PanoLunar watch featuring a flying tourbillon including an off-center skeletonized rotor with a 21kt gold rotor.

The characteristic asymmetric design of the Pano timepieces finds the large hour/minute positioned to the left of the centre, in alignment of the flying tourbillon set within it and centered at hour seven.The new Panorama date display to the lower right presents black numerals on an ivory colored
ground, perfectly matched with the warm silver dial.

This elegant time is 40mm 18kt rosé gold case incorporates the all-new German automatic G.O. in-house caliber 93-02, with 48 jewels, 21.600 vph and a power reserve of 48 hours.

To the upper right, the moon phase display shows a golden moon and shimmering stars against a dark blue night sky.The placement of the dials has been determined in accordance with the divine proportion, otherwise known as the golden ratio, the legendary law of aesthetic harmony that has fascinated musicians, artists and architects throughout the history.

As a tribute to this fine Luxury brand, it is a pleasure to present a holographic display presentation of Glashütte at the 2013, Basel world. There is no doubt the impact and genuine creativity that exceeds it fine reputation. The essence of precision and the art of watchmaking takes another leap of distinction with tradition. 

With amazing discovery of technology and sophistication of creativity, the milestones keep writing away the pages of history- as the enthusiasts and aficionados satisfy their lust of time and passion.

ref: http://www.glashuette-original.com/start/

Top Swiss Luxury watch 2013, listed by Forbes - Parmigiani.

Tonda Woodstock, US.

Only Parmigiani, observed to be the new modern Patek is capable of such masterpieces with delicate work of art. In order to project a colorful and musical dynamism, the Swiss watch brand turned to the art of marquetry. This classic process consists of cutting and assembling wooden veneers-- in this case--on a flat surface in order to create a decoration of a classic modern piece. The Tonda Woodstock's special dial is designed with a Gibson guitar motif and an American flag in wood marquetry.

This daring piece dreamt by the Parmigiani designers is not only daring but a very creative flow of art. The guitar is an instrument with natural links to the wooden marquetry, using the Union Jack, the stars and the stripes to pay respect to the most influential country of rock and roll.
The Tonda tourbillion is the signature of the sound box, music and the art of watchmaking in a marriage of an instrument that comes to a life of through the oscillations of the complication.

There are two versions; British Tonda woodrock & American Tonda woodstock where sound and image are interchangeable, celebrating the culture of music through a master timepiece.

There is no doubt it targets the US market, but how will it perform is yet to be seen following the eccentric collectors or other enthusiasts.

Tonda woodrock, UK.

Movement PF510 Functions: hours, minutes, central second, one week power reserve indication, Tourbillon.
3 part round case- 42mm
thickness 11.5mm
Material 950 platinum, polished finish
Water resistance 30m
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Bezel engraved " Gibson motif "
Crown 7mm
Sapphire crystal case back
Individual number " MODEL UNIQUE and MJF engraved on the case back
Dial special Gibson motif in wood marquetry
Leather Hermes alligator strap with folding buckle, polished finish.

The decadence of Time !

SIHH 2013: Cartier

Complications revolve around Cartier’s style in this Astrotourbillon featuring delicate diamond and silicon components that never need adjustment

The Astrotourbillon Carbon Crystal is a limited-edition production model featuring several carbon crystal components, made of diamond-coated silicon and were originally developed for Cartier’s ID One and ID Two concept watches. The Astro-tourbillon’s carbon crystal tourbillon bridges, escape wheel and anchor require no lubrication or adjustment. The escapement of the Astrotourbillon rotates as an attention-commanding second hand around the watch mechanism, the centre island of which is skeletonised yet sleek and minimalistic. The timepiece’s 47-millimetre case is made of niobium-titanium, an alloy widely used for semi-conductor coils but well adapted to contain Cartier’s calibre 9460 MC movement. It is anticipated that only 50 of this watch will be produced.

SIHH 2013: Officine Panerai

Officine Panerai serves up a timepiece capable of resisting great watery depths and the even greater pull of magnetism

Named for its antimagnetic properties, the Luminor Amagnetic resists fields up to 40,000 amps per square metre – more than eight times the international standard established by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Inside the 47-millimetre titanium watch case, Panerai’s P.9000 calibre movement is isolated in a soft iron Faraday cage to protect it from magnetic fields. The watch case is classic Luminor, with its trademarked crown-protecting lever, ensuring water resistance to 300 metres. The anti-clockwise rotating bezel now features ceramic indications inlays, enhancing Luminor’s style and durability. The dial displays small seconds at the nine o’clock position, while the date window is positioned at three o’clock. The in-house movement’s notable attributes are its jumping hour and date function for quick time adjustment, plus a three-day power reserve.

Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 2.
Greubel Forsey produces some of the world’s most complicated timepieces.

The Swiss watchmaker’s Invention Piece 2 epitomises the brand with a watch that has a staggering four tourbillons. The mechanisms run in tandem, balancing each other to produce a more accurate timepiece encased in a platinum or 18-carat red gold case that is 43.5 millimetres wide. Visually there is no separation between the watch dial and movement. The casual observer might see only two tourbillons in the watch, but a closer look reveals that each contains another tourbillon in this truly unmatched piece.

Greubel Forsey’s Invention Piece 2 was awarded the “Best Complicated Watch” prize during the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève on Thursday 15th November. The prize is awarded to the best watch in the Complicated category. Stephen Forsey, who received the award on behalf of Greubel Forsey, said: “We are very honoured to be awarded this prize for Invention Piece 2. This timepiece pays homage to our second Fundamental Invention, the Quadruple Tourbillon. Its open heart architecture reveals the intricate beauty of its complex mechanism and refined hand-finishing. This prize is independent recognition of Greubel Forsey’s constant quest to improve timekeeping performance and pursuit of excellence in horological art.”