The Exceptional Jewelry News Network Holiday Luxury Watch Guide

Check out the 11 timepieces below for men and women that would make anyone feel special this holiday season.

The 39mm diameter Montblanc Star Classique has eight indices and four numerals plated with gold, as are the leaf-shaped hour-hand and minute-hand. The little second-hand turns its circles on a subdial in the shape of the iconic Montblanc emblem at 6 o'clock. The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the self winding mechanical caliber MB 4810/408 with its ball-borne winding rotor and golden balance. It retails for $10,450 and is available at select Montblanc boutiques and retail locations.

The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-Winding is a classic watch from the oldest manufacturer of fine timepieces. It reveals its timeless character through details such as the slender bezel, the knurled motif on the screw-down case-back, 18k pink gold, applied hour-markers, and elegant dauphine hands. The gold case frames an opaline silver-toned dial punctuated by 18k pink gold hour-markers. The 41mm case houses an ultra-thin Calibre 1120. It retails for is $31,300. It is available at Vacheron Constantin boutiques in New York, Las Vegas, and Costa Mesa, Calif., or by calling 877-862-7555 for the nearest retailer.

The Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye features 150 emerald-cut diamonds on its white gold case, 102 emerald-cut diamonds on its dial and 13 baguette diamonds on its black satin strap with ardillon buckle in white gold. It retails for $405,000 and is available at the Girard-Perregaux Boutique, 701 Madison Avenue, NYC. Phone: 646 495 9915.

Baume & Mercier Capeland 10088 is the brand’s first limited edition men's timepiece for Tourneau in the U.S. The 44mm automatic flyback chronograph has a blue tachymeter and black telemeter. It is distinguished by a copper-colored dial and a sapphire crystal caseback. The case is polished and satin-finished steel with an anti-glare face. It’s limited to 250 pieces, each one is numbered. It retails for $7,900 and is available at select Tourneau stores nationwide.

The Franc Vila FVi17 Chrono Bicompax contains the FVi Nº 7 Tourbillon Intrepido. This watch is designed to be sporty and elegant. There are two chronograph subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock with a date indicator at 6 o’clock. The black case is made of titanium, a material Vila favors for lightweight and durability. The complicated movement is caliber FV17, with the exclusive “Gold Concept Rotor.” It has a power reserve of 42 hours. It retails for $20,700. Visit francvila.com to view dealers of Franc Vila watches.

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Equation of Time has a rose gold case and annual calendar. Then of course, there's the "equation of time" complication, which measure the difference between apparent solar time and mean solar time—perhaps the most esoteric of all measurements of time. It's shown with a gauge that measures the variance from +15m to -15m. It retails for $32,860 and is available at the Girard-Perregaux Boutique, 701 Madison Avenue, NYC. Phone: 646 495 9915.

A convex sapphire crystal and see-through case back give a glimpse of its inner workings of the Frederique Constant Worldtimer Manufacture. The dial comes in silver, with an engraved guilloche design or a detailed world map in the center. All functions are accessed by using the crown; there are no extra push buttons sticking out from the ultra-smooth and polished sides of the case. The Worldtimer function is achieved by selecting the desired city and placing it at the 12 o'clock position on the dial. Internal discs automatically synchronize, and after that, it’s possible to see what time it is in any of the 24 cities on the dial. It is limited edition collection of 1,888 pieces. It retails for $3,450 and is available at Bloomingdales.com.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX7 Chronograph is inspired by the Aston Martin Vanquish, this watch has a titanium case with satin-finished lugs. A pivot mechanism allows the functions of the chronograph to be operated by pressing on the watch crystal. The chronograph function can be started or stopped by pressing the watch glass at 12’clock, while pressing at 6 o'clock resets to zero. The retail price is $26,000. Visit www.jaeger-lecoultre.com for purchasing information.

Frederique Constant Automatic Ladies Watch with Diamond features 56 diamonds. Hearts grace the inside of the dial while diamonds are used as hour indicators. It retails for $4,250 and is available at Bloomingdales.com.

The JeanRichard 1681 Collection is available in two versions: one with three hands and a date display, the other with a date display and small second display and in two colors, steel and pink gold. The time display appears against a classical rail-track minute circle. The three-hand version has applied Arabic numerals in a similar style to the hour-markers; the small second display at 9 o’clock counterbalances the date. The oscillating weight of the calibre JR1000, bearing the new signature of the brand, can be seen through the screw-in case-back. The 1681 pictured retails for $6,400 and is available at Kenjo Watches in New York.

Baume & Mercier Linea 10036 ladies watch comes with a double wrap strap in the light brown calfskin, however, there are several other colored bands (single and double) that may be interchanged. The 27mm round watch has a satin finish and a quartz movement. It retails for $1,950 with the interchangeable bands $200 each. Call 1-800-Mercier for purchasing information.

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The Andrea Bocelli Foundation Gala

Andrea Bocelli presents Girard-Perregaux World Timer timepiece to Quincy Jones.

Swiss luxury watch brand Girard-Perregaux partnered with international classical singing superstar Andrea Bocelli for the launch of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation with a benefit gala on December 9 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

At the event, Bocelli presented the first foundation award of a Girard-Perregaux World Timer timepiece (pictured left) to iconic music recorder and producer Quincy Jones for his worldwide philanthropic efforts. Andrea Bocelli also wore his own Girard-Perregaux 1966 watch for the evening.

The Gala featured a dinner and performances by Bocelli as well as David Foster, Heather Headley and Anna Maria Martinez and a surprise performance by Michael Bolton.

Bocelli performs while wearing the Girard-Perregaux 1966 watch

 

GP 1996

The Andrea Bocelli Foundation will be a grant making body, aimed at supporting those living in poverty or overcoming barriers caused by illness and disability in order to deliver tangible real life results. Two types of programs will be supported: those that alleviate poverty and those that help people overcome physical limitations caused by illness. The Foundation will actively seek to identify innovative and original projects to support.

PPR Shopping for Luxury Jewelry and Watch Brands

François-Henri Pinault. Photo credit: InDigital Media Group

NEW YORK — French holdings company, PPR, is on the lookout for luxury jewelry and watch brands to strengthen its portfolio and meet demands in the booming Asian region.

François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of the company that owns brands in the luxury, sports and lifestyle markets, said PPR identified a weakness in its portfolio in the growing men’s luxury segment. To rectify this it took control of the Sowind Group, which owns the Swiss luxury watch brands, Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard. Then it acquired the Italian men’s fashion brand, Brioni.

The company already owns the French luxury jewelry brand, Boucheron, which it purchased in 2000. However, Sowind and Boucheron are the only companies it owns in the “hard luxuries” segment of the market. PPR primarily operates internationally in the apparel and accessories sectors in the luxury market and what it identifies as the “Sports & Lifestyle” market. Its luxury brands include Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga.

He said PPR will pursue hard luxury brands. “We are looking to any opportunities in jewelry and watches, particularly in Asia,” he said. “It is very important in Asia.”

Pinault made these comments Wednesday following a breakfast presentation at the Consulate General of France. During the event, he gave his views on a range of topics, including the growth of Asian market, the strategy of his diverse holdings company, and e-commerce and digital media.

Pinault said that for 50 years the growth in population and wealth in the world (800 million consumers) was centered in the U.S. and Japan. However, in 2006 the company identified that economic growth has shifted to emerging markets—particularly China, India, Brazil, and more recently, Indonesia—bringing 3 billion consumers to the worldwide market, and that this trend will continue.

“It means that in the next 50 years the growth is amazing,” Pinault said. “We don’t have any idea what it will be. We are always referring to the past but it’s no use. We cannot compare 3 billion people with more and more purchasing power to 800 million in the past… The question is what should we do to take advantage of those opportunities of growth?”

The company already made a decision to enter the luxury market in 1999. However, in 2006, it began to drastically change its portfolio to enter the sports and lifestyle segments. In 2007, it purchased Puma as the centerpiece of this new strategy.

Then, he said, the company needed to identify two areas of growth in this segment that would not compete with the footwear and sportswear company. It chose action sports, which led to the 2011 acquisition in Volcom, and the outdoors market segment.

PPR then took a giant step toward shoring up its e-commerce and digital media strategy by forming a joint-venture with online retail specialist Yoox to administer the e-commerce operations of most of its luxury brands.

Pinault says PPR’s digital media strategy has two parts. First, it needed what acquire the skill set, which resulted in the partnership with Yoox. Now it will try to create an experience that is similar to what customers get from going to one of its branded stores.

“You cannot offer an experience to your customer in the stores that’s completely different from the experience that you’re offering online,” he said. “You go to a Gucci store for the experience rather than mainstream stores. You have to reproduce that online.”

He continued, “The next step is to transform the e-commerce experience, our luxury experience, like it is in the stores. It will show that we can reproduce this conversation online.”

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Andrea Bocelli Foundation to Host Benefit Gala with Girard-Perregaux

Andrea Bocelli 

Classical singing sensation Andrea Bocelli will launch his new foundation with a benefit gala on Friday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Bocelli, David Foster, Heather Headley and Anna Maria Martinez will perform at the event.

The Andrea Bocelli Foundation seeks to raise funds and awareness for its efforts to fight poverty around the world and to help people overcome barriers caused by illness, discomfort or disability. 

“I feel very strongly about helping people make the most of the world that we live in,” Bocelli said. “I was born with poor eyesight and became completely blind at the age of twelve. Overcoming blindness and dealing with its consequences has taught me about the nature of externally imposed limits, and has encouraged me to think about how to help and support others facing barriers in their lives. Every human being has the right to be happy, fulfilled and to live a flourishing and meaningful life. I want to help those who face barriers in achieving their life’s potential.”

Partnering with Bocelli for the event is the Swiss Luxury watch brand Girard-Perregaux.

“We are very proud and excited to join forces with Andrea Bocelli in the launch of his new foundation,” said Michele Sofisti, CEO of Sowind Group, which incorporates the Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard luxury watch brands. “His accomplishments as an artist and philanthropist are an inspiration to all of us and we are happy to support him in this new pursuit.”

The event is produced by Studiomusica and Jo Champa and presented by the Grammy Museum Foundation. Tickets are available by following this link.

Timepiece Tuesday: Time Machine Wins Award, Bottega Veneta's Luxury Watch, Aggasi and Longines Make Education Pitch

Time Machine Wins Concept and Design Award

The Horological Machine No. 4 Thunderbolt has received the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve award for best Concept and Design Watch. It’s maker, MB&F created the aviation-inspired watch case and engine as a single unit. The Thunderbolt's engine is the result of three years of development. Each of the 300-plus components–including the regulator and even the screws–was developed specifically for this particular watch. Every component and form has a technical purpose, the watchmaker said. 

Bottega Veneta Introduces Luxury Watch

Italian luxury goods house Bottega Veneta has teamed up with Swiss luxury watchmaker Girard-Perregaux for its first ever watch, the Bottega Veneta BVX, a unisex watch that features the fashion house’s signature woven leather pattern on its strap. The dial has a black, brushed titanium cover case while the face is brown. The strap is crocodile leather and is cigar colored. It has an 18k rose gold automatic movement made by Girard Perregaux. The case measures 41 mm across and is made of brushed titanium. Titanium has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal and is also corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic. The back of the watch is faced with crystal, leaving the workings completely exposed. The case is finished with a PVd coating in Bottega Veneta’s signature brunito color. Read more about at Lorre White, the Guru of Luxury Web site.

Agassi, Longines, and Fink’s Jewelry Host Education Event

Swiss luxury watch company, Longines hosted “A Day With A Legend Event” at Fink’s Jewelers on November 16 at its Tysons Corner location. Longines brand ambassador and tennis legend Andre Agassi spoke to children from the USTA Mid/Atlantic and fans about his views on education in America, the Longines Elegance Scholarship Fund, his school, The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, and the work of his foundation, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education. The foundation has raised $150 million for education initiatives since it’s founding in 1994. Agassi was accompanied by a graduating senior, Micah Jones, from his Nevada-based preparatory academy. Longines set up a smash court in-store where the tennis legend hit a few balls with the children from the USTA Mid/Atlantic. For a $5 donation to Agassi’s foundation, attendees at were able to test the speed of their serve. The fastest men’s and women’s serve received a Longines timepiece. Fink’s Jewelers said it would donate 10 percent of the sales of Longines timepieces for the month of November and December to Agassi’s Foundation. Later that evening, Longines hosted a dinner at Fink’s Jewelers where education was the topic of discussion.

The Girard-Perregaux Unveils 1966 in 41 Millimeters

The latest edition of the Girard-Perregaux 1966 timepiece comes in a new size of 41 millimeters and in pink gold. Its opaline surface reveals a slightly curved dial with 15-minute markers that take the form of slender batons. The two leaf-shaped hands are joined by a central seconds hand in blue steel, while the date is visible at 3 o’clock.

The enlarged case is adapted to the dimensions of the self-winding mechanical caliber GP4500, designed at the manufacture’s R&D department and produced and assembled in its workshops. Composed of 188 pieces, the caliber has a power reserve of 54 hours. Its pink gold oscillating weight, engraved with the name of the brand, is adorned with Côtes de Genève decoration.

An alligator strap with pink gold pin buckle is the finishing touch on this classic timepiece that retails for $16,500.

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Girard-Perregaux’s U.S. President Goes After the Aspirational Consumer

Michael Margolis

You may remember in February a piece on Michael Margolis being named as U.S. president of Girard-Perregaux. Well I caught up with Margolis in June and we discussed what he's been doing along with his future plans for the luxury watch brand.

It’s been a busy time for Margolis. In that short time span, he was involved in updating the brand’s website, helped build a new advertising campaign, started a lifestyle blog and made a key personnel change at the Girard-Perregaux’s boutique in New York.

One of the major reasons for all of these changes is to attract the younger aspirational customer to the venerable Swiss luxury watch brand.

“I think our average customer today is probably 45 or 50 years old. We love our 45- and 50-year-old customers,” Margolis said. “But we also need the 25- and 30-year-old customer. We need the young guys who have their first big job and they’re going to reward themselves with a watch.… We need that aspirational G-P buyer. I want the 15-year-old kid who looks through a watch magazine and I want him cutting a picture of our watch out and posting it on his refrigerator and telling his parents: ‘Someday I’m going to own that watch.’”

There are probably few people in the Swiss watch industry who understand this perspective more than Margolis, who is an outsider in a largely inbred industry. His background is in the high-tech industry but has always been a passionate watch collector. Through his passion he became a forum moderator at timezone.com, a popular website for watch enthusiasts.

“I was a watch fanatic,” he said. “So I bring a little different perspective to the table. I bring a consumer’s perspective, a collector’s perspective. I see things a little differently I think because I’ve been to the other side of the counter. Most of the people were born in the industry.”

In 2005, Margolis was approached by Jean-Claude Biver, a very successful figure in the Swiss watch industry, who at the time was working for the Swatch Group. He told Margolis his plan to take over and rebuild a dormant watch brand. Biver wanted Margolis to manage a forum on Timezone about the brand. The brand was Hublot, which under Biver’s leadership, experienced spectacular growth to become one of the world’s best-known watch brands. During this time (2005 – 2012), Margolis’ role grew into communications director and eventually sales director of the brand.

Margolis is using his high-tech background, his communications and sales skills, his understanding of the passionate watch customer, and his newly acquired Swiss watch industry experience, to create ways to appeal to watch lovers in the modern world.

One of the most creative ways Margolis is attracting both the current Girard-Perregaux client and the aspiration person is by the creation of the Mechanics of Style blog. It is basically an online luxury lifestyle publication with articles from professional writers on a variety of topics, including food, travel, wine and spirits, sports, collectibles and just about anything that would be of interest to the timepiece connoisseur.

“We’re talking about all kinds of things that a person who buys a Girard-Perregaux or another watch might be interested in, such as custom shirts, fragrances, espresso machines, wine and cigars,” he said. “I won’t say it’s completely independent of Girard-Perregaux because it’s not. There’s some history and some facts and some fun things about GP as well. We have the World Timer watch that’s been an icon of GP for many years. We have a travel segment where we’re visiting all 24 of the cities that are on the World Timer’s bezel. It will be a 24-month campaign to visit all the cities on the dial.”

The website, which was not discussed during the interview, is a sleek, fast site that doesn’t use flash, which I consider groundbreaking. In the stodgy world of luxury Swiss watches and luxury in general, the industry has seemed incapable of letting go of the slow, cumbersome flash platform. Featured prominently on the new site is the company’s new advertising campaign. It focuses on a group of the band’s young watch makers, discussing their passion for the trade and their interests outside of work. The campaign includes an ongoing world tour where the young watchmakers give one-on-one workshops to watch connoisseurs and guests for insight on watchmaking and how complicated timepieces are built.

On the retail level, Margolis hired a new manager at its Madison Avenue boutique, the only brand-specific, brand-operated Girard-Perregaux boutique in the world: Chip Henderson, a veteran watch retailer.

“He’s not a guy who grew up in the industry,” Margolis said. “He’s a guy who has passion for the product and he’s exactly what we need for our Madison Avenue boutique.”

Margolis has big plans for the boutique.

“I want to turn the boutique into what I’m calling a Girard-Perregaux embassy. Yes of course it’s a retail space where a customer can come in and buy a watch and we don’t apologize for that. But I want it to be much more than that. I want it to be where the customer can come, he can be educated, he can buy just a strap for his watch, he can learn about the brand. We have a full-time watchmaker on staff. When you walk in the door he’s right in front of you. We take in a tremendous amount of repairs. We have repair facilities in the U.S. but it’s rare that brand boutiques on Madison have a watchmaker on staff so we’re very happy about that.”

Margolis said Girard-Perregaux has no plans to build more boutiques. Instead, it will continue to enhance its relationships with its retailers.

“My opinion as a watch guy is that we are manufacturers and distributors and wholesalers. It’s not our place to be retailers,” he said. “We have a number of boutiques in China but they’re all owned by retailers. The only boutique that we have in the world that’s not owned by a retailer is Madison Avenue and if you look at the rent structure for what a square-foot of space on Madison Avenue in the 60s costs, it’s nearly impossible for a retailer to make a business model that works. For us, the boutique becomes an advertising expense.”

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Girard-Perregaux and Carl F. Bucherer Redux

Luxury Swiss watch brands, Girard-Perregaux and Carl F.Bucherer are on the move. Almost immediately after I posted a story that included timepieces released for the U.S. market from the two companies, they showcase new watches.

Carl F. Bucherer, has released the Patravi TravelTec FourX (top picture). 18k rose gold is paired with ceramic to form the bezel. High-quality titanium and resistant rubber also play a role in the overall structure.

The case of the timepiece contains part of the time-zone selection mechanism, which is controlled in two directions by means of a single monopusher. The process can be observed through a window that has been let into the side. The design is aimed at ease of operation. For example, the direction of travel (east or west) can be pre-selected on the multifunctional monopusher at 10 o’clock and each push causes a jump to the next time zone, the flange with its imprinted 24-hour scale turning in either direction to guarantee that the red hours hand always shows the correct local time. It is suitable both for frequent flyers and for those who communicate with people all over the world.

A skeletonized dial permits a free view of the gearing. The elegant date indication can be seen under an effective loupe: the figures are milled out of the date ring and remain invisible until they appear over a red background in the date window. 

 

Meanwhile, Girard-Perregau’s newest version of its 152-year-old Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges timepiece has a round 41 mm case is carved out of pink gold. Inside it contains the Girard-Perregaux GP9600-0018 automatic mechanical movement. It’s attached to an alligator strap with a gold folding clasp.

It is available with or without diamonds. The diamond model is $406,500 (pictured) and the price without diamonds is $211,500. It is being sold as a limited edition of 50 pieces.

Timepieces From Swiss Watch at JCK

The Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night

At the recently held Swiss Watch at JCK tradeshow in Las Vegas, luxury watch brands and North American buyers were out in force. It is one of several jewelry industry tradeshows being held at the time so I only caught a glimpse of what was happening but it was quite an impressive look. What follows is a short list of luxury timepieces that got my attention at the show.

The ww.tc Dark Night, a new “dark” version of the Girard-Perregaux world-timer, released at JCK (top picture), features a 43 mm black ceramic case with a tinted sapphire case back that discloses the movement. The strength and lightweight of the ceramic structure is enhanced by an internal titanium container. Rubber coated crowns, push buttons and a black rubber strap supplement its sporty characteristics. The timepiece uses a Girard-Perregaux GP03387 self-winding movement, designed specifically for this model. It displays the time in 24 time zones with day and night indicator, date and fly-back chronograph. Exclusive to the U.S. market, this watch is limited to 25 units.

One of the pieces being showcased in North America by Carl F. Bucherer was the Manero ChronoPerpetual (above), which features a perpetual calendar with correction-free indication of the date, day of the week, month and moon phase. The mechanism recognizes the different lengths of the months and knows when the next leap year is imminent, and is thus able to counter the arbitrary features of the Gregorian calendar. The watch has a limited run of 100 units.

Frederique Constant introduced the new Classics Manufacture (above), based on the second generation of the Maxime movement, caliber FC-710, and features an added center seconds hand. The silver dial has a central “guilloché” decoration. The brand, which prides itself on its “accessible luxury” philosophy, is offering this product with a starting price of 1,750 euros (USD $2,144) in stainless steel. The watch is also available with a rose gold plated case for 1,950 (USD $2,390).

For the ladies, Girard-Perregaux introduced the latest model from its Cat’s Eye collection (above). This jewelry watch is draped in 150 emerald-cut precious stones The dial, adorned with a delicate “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif, includes 102 emerald-cut diamonds. The “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif consists of holding several stones with a single “clou” or pin, meaning that the diamond cutter must cut and calibrate the stones one by one. A taupe-colored satin strap enhances the sparkle of the stones. An ardillon buckle set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds encircles the wrist. The hand-engraved case back opens onto the caliber GP033R0 self-winding movement.

Girard-Perregaux Gives Desmond Tutu 1966 Collection Watch

Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu was in Los Angeles Thursday for a public conversation with author Robert V. Taylor titled, “How to be Happy, Change the World and Embrace a New Way to be Human.”

More than 500 guests attended the event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Bing Auditorium, which was followed by a private reception.

Also in attendance as an event sponsor and supporter of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation was Girard-Perregaux. The luxury Swiss watch brand presented Archbishop Tutu with an engraved 1966 collection watch in honor of his philanthropic accomplishments around the world.

The Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation helps people and societies create cultures of peace by developing programs that focus on young people through the use of new media and traditional methods.

New Watch Releases from Girard-Perregaux, Hublot, Tag Heuer, Seiko at Baselworld 2013

Girard-Perregaux Constant (Force) Escapement

These watchmakers have unveiled what they claim are new innovations in the Swiss watch industry. I can’t tell you how many times a watch brand has made a claim of creating something completely new or whether that function or design detail has any real value.

However, this elite group of brands can certainly back their claims and I believe they have succeed in doing that with products that are listed below.

Girard-Perregaux Constant (Force) Escapement (top photo)
It’s not often that one experiences a horological breakthrough but this may have been in the case at the Girard-Perregaux booth during Baselworld 2013. It is about as a complicated as a complication can be but in short the Swiss luxury watch brand has created a way to provide constant energy to the balance (regulator) wheel. The brand describes the solution to this problem as the “holy grail” of watchmaking.

What this means that there is no revving up or slowly down the rate of speed of a watch, which is typical in the operation of a mechanical watch. For example, when first winding a watch the movement sometimes works at a faster than normal rate of speed. As the watch loses power its speed diminishes until it slowly stops or is manually wound again. The solution created by Girard-Perregaux keeps the watch at constant and consistent regulated speed throughout this cycle.

This breakthrough (if indeed it is a breakthrough and time will tell) uses a 14 micron silicon buckled-blade, six times thinner than a human hair, which acts as a way to provide a repeated pulse to two escape wheels at a rate that is constant and consistent. This in turn provides the same consistent force of energy to the balance wheel. It beats at the frequency of 3 Hz or 21,600 vibrations per hour.

It is a bit more complicated than my explanation. There are detailed stories of how this process works at Hodinkee and Revolution that include Girard-Perregaux videos.

The operation of the escapement and its butterfly-shaped wing frame is clearly visible on the lower half of the dial. The hours and minutes occupy a sub-dial off-centered at 12 o’clock. This is flanked by two energy reservoirs in the shape of double barrels. The power reserve indicator is placed at 9 o’clock.

Tag Heuer Carrera MikroPendulumS
The Swiss luxury watch brand explains this as the first ever magnetic double tourbillion. Two magnetic pendulums replace hairsprings: one is for telling time and the other for timekeeping. The watch chain turns at 12Hz and its chronograph chain turns at 50Hz (60-minute power reserve). The chronograph tourbillon, the world’s fastest, says the watch brand, controls the 1/100th of a second, beats 360,000 an hour and rotates 12 times a minute.

The case is forged from a chrome and cobalt alloy used in aviation and surgery. It is biocompatible, harder than titanium, easier to shape and as luminous as white gold. The case design, with its stopwatch-like placement of the crown at 12 o’clock, is based on the 2012 Aiguille d’Or winner, the TAG Heuer Carrera Mikrogirder, and the Carrera 50 Year Anniversary Jack Heuer edition. The two tourbillon pendulums and their solid rose gold bridges (18K 5N) are visible through the fine-brushed anthracite dial. The hand applied “100” at 12 o’clock is in solid rose gold. The chronograph minutes counter is at 12 o’clock, chronograph seconds at 3, and the chronograph power reserve at 9. The 1/100th of a second scale appears on the silver flange.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Chrono
This is the first in a new line of products designed to house all future incarnations of the Unico movement. The iconic design of the Big Bang has evolved to contain the Unico, an in-house made column wheel chronograph movement with a dual horizontal coupling visible on the dial side. This marks the start of a new line of Hublot products designed to complete the Big Bang, Classic Fusion, King Power and Masterpieces ranges, the company said.

For the very first time since the creation of the Big Bang in 2005, the push-buttons are round. Each one is protected by a push-button guard integrated in the middle and finished like an engine piston. A skeleton dial reveals the movement. A minute counter is positioned at 3 o'clock and a small seconds counter at 9 o'clock. The date view is at 3 o'clock.

The HUB 1242 Unico manufacture movement is a flyback chronograph that can be reset at any time with two push-buttons. The hour counter is driven directly by the barrel, and there is no jumper in the chronograph mechanism. This simplification boosts reliability and robustness. Its silicon pallet fork and escapement wheel are fixed to a removable platform and are made from silicon. The movement has been trimmed to 330 components. It has a frequency of 4hz/28,800 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of about 72 hours.

Seiko Kinetic Direct Drive
Seiko made the world’s first kinetic watch 25 years ago that used the motion of the wearer to create the electrical energy to power a quartz movement. Using the mechanical energy of a traditional oscillating weight, the Kinetic rotor spins at up to 100,000 rpm, creating the electrical energy that drives the quartz movement without having to change the battery.

For the Kinetic Direct Drive caliber, not only does the rotor power the watch as one moves, but the wearer can also power it by turning the crown, just like a mechanical watch. In addition, when winding the crown, the power reserve changes function to become a real-time indicator of the energy that is imparted to the watch through the winding. 

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Girard-Perregaux Presents a Youthful Look in New Campaign

For all of its success, the Swiss luxury watch industry has a bit of an image problem. The tradition of watchmaking that the industry uses so well to sell its high-end timepieces also lends itself to the criticism that it is a business that lacks the energy of youth. Girard-Perregaux is trying to dispel this image by telling the stories of its younger watchmakers and the diversity they offer the industry.

The La Chaux-de-Fonds-based brand recently launched the print and online journal, The New Face of Tradition, Eight Young Watchmakers and the Art of Making Time. The campaign shows a dynamic image of the young watchmakers behind the brand, featuring their interests outside of their jobs, such as music, sports and hobbies. 

On May 1, Those in New York will have a chance to meet four of the young watchmakers during an event at Cipriani Dolci. In addition to revealing their journals, the watchmakers will be giving one-on-one workshops to watch connoisseurs and guests for insight on watchmaking and what goes into creating these complicated timepieces.

“We are proud of the young artists we share our passion for watchmaking with and are excited to show to the world who they are,” said Michele Sofisti, CEO of Sowind Group (the parent company of Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard). “The New Face of Tradition seeks to break away from the current image many people have of the craft. It is not an antique and certainly not a dead art; it is young, revitalized and constantly evolving, much like the people behind it."

New York City is the first stop of The Girard-Perregaux Young Watchmakers Tour. Later this year the tour will move on to Beijing, Paris and other international cities.

PPR To Become Kering

François-Henri Pinault, PPR chairman and CEO, poses with the company's new name and logo, which is expected to become official on June 18.

French holding group, PPR, said Friday that it will change its name and brand messaging to reflect its new identity as an international luxury, sports and lifestyle organization.

On June 18, subject to board approval, the new name for the company will be Kering (pronounced Caring). The Paris-based company said the new name reflects its culture of “taking care of our brands, people, stakeholders and the environment.” The suffix “ing” expresses the idea of movement, reflecting the diverse history of the 50-year-old company, which began as a trader of timber and construction materials. The stem “ker,” meaning home in Breton, refers to its origins in the Brittany region of France.

Since 2005, PPR has been undergoing a transformation from a conglomerate focused on primarily European distribution activities, to an international group focused on the apparel and accessories business across two fast growing segments that it defines as “Luxury” and “Sport & Lifestyle.” In a few months, the new group expects to leave the distribution sector completely, after disposing of Fnac and the remainder of online fashion retailer Redcats.

The company’s collection of brands include Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, Stella McCartney, Boucheron, Girard-Perregaux, Qeelin, Puma, Volcom, Cobra, Electric and Tretorn.

Laurent Claquin, head of PPR Americas, said the change in the company’s identity is a natural step in the group’s transformation.

“We are marking a transition from a conglomerate to an integrated group,” he said. “We are in the business of fashion. We are also part of the same group (as) a way to signify how we do our business with our brands and customers.”

Claquin refused to comment on published reports that the company is in the final stages of acquiring luxury Italian jewelry brand, Pomellato. “It is not the subject of the day,” he said.

Accompanying the new name are new symbols for the company and an international branding strategy over multiple platforms that it emphasis the creativity of its brands. A new video, website and advertising campaign and supporting items are among the ways the company intends to promote its new image. Digital media will be a centerpiece of the campaign. Follow this link to view the company's new video.

As part of the strategy, the company adopted a new symbol, the “untamed” owl, and even a company signature that reads: “empowering imagination.”

The owl is drawn from a single line, like a quick sketch, a doodle even, with outstretched wings and its face framed in a heart. This simple drawing expresses far reaching values, according to the company, from foresight, wisdom and intelligence to caring and respect.

Claquin emphasized that the new campaign is geared toward the B-2-B community and not the general public. “We don’t communicate through a general public,” he said. “We don’t want to be stronger than our brands but we do communicate to our target populations.”

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Over 800 Diamonds on this Girard-Perregaux Ladies Watch

Luxury Swiss watch brand Girard-Perregaux unveiled a sparkling 38 mm ladies jewelry timepiece that combines robust mechanics, manufactured in-house, with a sparkling exterior paved with 807 diamonds. It is the latest offering from the La Chaux-de-Fonds-based company's 1966 collection.

The timepiece is available in white or pink gold. The gem-set bezel and slightly curved dial are entirely covered with “brilliant”-cut precious stones. The diamonds are arranged in concentric fashion. The “leaf”-type hour and minute hands and four applied hour markers lend elegance to the sparkle of the diamond-pavé dial.

The alligator-skin strap closes with a gem-set ardillon buckle. The Girard-Perregaux 3300-0066 mechanical movement with automatic winding is equipped with a power reserve of more than 46 hours. Visible through the sapphire-crystal case back, its gold oscillating weight is engraved with circular Côtes de Genève decoration.

The 1966 collection (introduced in 2006) pays homage to a prolific era in terms of creativity, technical expertise and performance of Girard-Perregaux—a period when the watch brand received several awards. The 1966 line specializes in manufactured movements with automatic winding in ultra-thin cases produced entirely in Girard-Perregaux workshops.

Rare Patek Watch Sells for $710,500 at Antiquorum Auction in New York

Patek Philippe Ref.2419 retailed by Cartier sold for $710,500 at Antiquorum auction.

The only known Patek Philippe minute repeating wristwatch ref. 2419 sold for $710,500 (including buyer's premium) to a person from China in competitive bidding during Antiquorum’s Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces Thursday in New York. Made in 1946 and sold on April 21, 1950, by Cartier, the 18k gold, minute-repeating wristwatch is accompanied by an extract from the archives and a certificate of authenticity from Cartier.

The auction of 275 rare and collectible timepieces took in $4.46 million before a standing-room-only crowd, augmented by 301 registered Internet and phone bidders from around the world, including China, The Russian Federation, Qatar and Canada. A total of 81 percent of products were sold by lot and 125 percent sold by value.

“The spectacular results for the exceptional minute-repeating Patek Philippe ref. 2419 wristwatch retailed by Cartier confirms that collectors today are willing to pay a premium for watches that are unique and new to the market," said Evan Zimmermann, Antiquorum president and CEO of the auction house that specializes in timepieces. “Furthermore, several other Patek Philippe timepieces achieved exceptional results, confirming that complicated Patek Philippe watches continue to dominate the top lots at auction.”

Other noted sales Thursday include the following (all sales include buyer’s premium):

Jaeger-LeCoultre, "Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2," No. 52/75. Made in a limited edition of 75 pieces circa 2009. Very fine and rare, large, rectangular, reversible platinum wristwatch with visible Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 174 with inclined two-cage multi-axis spherical tourbillon, 50 hour power reserve and 24-hour indication and “1000 Hours Control,” sold for $266,500.

Patek Philippe, "The Celestial Wristwatch," ref. 5102G. Made in 2002 and sold Dec. 25, 2002. The self-winding, 18k white gold wristwatch has a mean time indication, nocturnal sky chart of the Northern Hemisphere, moon phases and moon orbit, time of the meridian passage of Sirius and moon. It is accompanied by a fitted box, certificate of origin and a leather folder with technical and instructions. Sold for $218,500.

Patek Philippe Pink Gold “TV Watch,”ref. 5020R, circa 1994. Tonneau-shaped, water-resistant, 18k pink gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, leap year and 24-hour indication, moon phases. Sold for $164,500.

Yellow gold Patek Philippe, Genève, ref. 3448. Made in 1977, sold July 22, 1977. The self-winding, 18k yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases is accompanied by the extract from the archives, the original fitted box, invoice and spare strap. Sold for $158,500.

Patek Philippe Ref. 3450/1 - Roman leap-year display, third series sold on June 4, 1984. Self-winding, 18k yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, Roman numerals for the leap year indication and an integrated 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet "à mailles." Sold for $158,500. 

 
A Calendar Girard-Perregaux, opera two, tourbillon, Westminster minute repeater, perpetual calendar," No. 7, Ref. 99740. Made in 2003, the 18k white gold wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator under three bridges, perpetual calendar with leap year indication. Accompanied by the original fitted wooden winding box, certificate of authenticity, instruction booklet and setting pin. Sold for $158,500.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5125P, retailed by Wempe, No. 017/100. Made in a limited edition of 100 pieces in 2003 to commemorate Wempe's 125th anniversary, the center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant platinum wristwatch with semi-instantaneous digital triple date annual calendar, moon phases and 24 hour indication is accompanied by a fitted box, certificate, caseback, setting pin, booklet, and certificate from Wempe. Sold for $92,500.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, "Master Minute Repeater, Antoine LeCoultre", No. 092/200, ref. 151.6.67.S, made in a limited edition of 200 pieces in 2007. The oversized, minute-repeating, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with 15-day power reserve and spring torque indication is accompanied by the original wooden box, loupe, guarantee and instruction booklet. Sold for $88,900.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, "Master Minute Repeater, Antoine LeCoultre," No. 05/15, Ref. 151.2.67.S. Made in a limited edition of 15 pieces in 2008. The oversized, minute-repeating, water-resistant, 18k pink gold wristwatch with 15-day power reserve and spring torque indication is accompanied by the original wooden box, loupe and instruction booklet. Sold for $86,500.

Girard-Perregaux Presents Watch to Basketball Giant Yao Ming

Yao Ming with limited edition Chrono Hawk watch.

Luxury watch brand, Girard-Perregaux, presented NBA star Yao Ming with a Chrono Hawk timepiece during a gala honoring the seven-foot, six-inch basketball player for his achievements on and off the court.

Yao was honored by the Asia Society Southern California with its “Visionary of the Year” award at the organization’s annual gala, held Tuesday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

The “Yao Ming” Chrono Hawk watch features a manufacture chronograph automatic movement housed in a 44mm stainless steel case. The rubber strap and sapphire caseback are embossed with Yao’s special symbol in vivid red. Girard-Perregaux only created two watches of this design. The second was auctioned at the event for $16,000.

The Yao Ming Chrono Hawk timepiece.

Yao is an eight-time All-Star center with the Houston Rockets and played on three Olympic basketball teams for China He is a veritable ambassador of the sport on behalf of China. In 2011, he became the founder and proprietor of Yao Family Wines, cabernets from Napa Valley. He is also a giant in the philanthropic world through his foundation and through partnerships with the Special Olympics and WildAid in its quest to prevent the eradication of sharks and African elephants.  

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