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Hublot and FIFA To Hold Press Conference – Follow Live On-line!
The enterprising genuises over at Hublot are at it again, this time presenting for the first time ever a live event featuring Mr Biver and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter who will hold a press conference from FIFA HQ. You can follow the press conference live on www.Hublot.com, just make sure you’re there at 2pm (Swiss Time) for the kick off!
Don’t despair if you can’t get to a computer, you can also follow the press conference live on on your I-Phone, simply transfer this link (http://gaia.world-television.com/hublot/iphone/) directly to your I-Phone browser and connect to the live stream of the press conference!
Who knows what they will be announcing!?
2 Great Comments. Leave one too. | Filed under New This Week, Press Releases, Watch News
MB&F Releases Sneak Preview Of The Frog
Maximilian Büsser and his veritable litany of “friends” are at it again, announcing the introduction of an exciting new model known simply as The Frog. Precious few details are available other than the above picture and that this piece will be introduced to the market on the 3rd of May 2010.
It’s definitely got us stumped but knowing MB&F it is bound to be something amazing!
The question is; what do you think it will be?
Richard Mille RM 027 Tourbillon – Coming To A Court Near You
In their quest to take watch-making to new levels (courts?) super high-end watch maker Richard Mille, in conjunction with tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, have created the all new RM 027 Tourbillon. A watch that is so light (just 20 grams with the strap on!) that Mr Nadal will actually be wearing it when he plays on court!
Now if you know anything about tennis you’ll instantly realize what a big deal this is as any slight shift in weight on a player can dramatically change their game. Therefore, if this partnership was ever going to succeed it was imperative that the company produce a piece that satisfied Rafa’s strict requirements.
And so they did.
Proving A Point
It’s important to realize that making a watch lighter, especially one as complicated as the RM 027 Tourbillon, is not just a matter of using lighter weight materials. It still needs to be accurate and reliable, as well as be able to withstand the shocks and impacts of everyday use, which in this case are greatly magnified given that the piece is strapped to one of the strongest, most active wrists in the world.
However, Richard Mille was sure it could be done. After all, they had already achieved similar success with the RM 006 (42 g without strap) and the RM 009 (29 g without strap) so this next step was simply the logical progression in the process. That didn’t mean it would be easy though.
Then again, it wasn’t like the brand was new to this area of watchmaking.
Richard Mille has been experimenting with the concept of weight reduction in haute horology since the very conception of the brand, although this adventurous spirit was not always embraced by the wider watch community. Mr. Mille himself acknowledges this,saying;
“When I first produced tourbillons with titanium and ALUSIC cases and carbon baseplates, I was fighting against perceived value. A titanium watch could not be a luxurious timepiece as it did not weigh enough. However mentalities rapidly changed and gradually with time amateurs soon appreciated the extreme lightness of my watches whilst being associated with the best technology.”
As you can see, this way of thinking has not changed much since he first set out to make lighter, better timepieces.
The RM Tourbillion – Spartan Style
It was this enduring fascination with the combination of technology, performance and practical aspects in a wristwatch, that drove him to prove once more that an extreme reduction in weight could be achieved with total efficiency and accuracy.
The movement baseplate of the RM 027 Tourbillon is made from Titanium and LITAL® alloy, a high lithium content alloy containing aluminum, copper, magnesium and zirconium, possessing a density of 2.55. The addition of Lithium, one of the lightest elements, to the alloy mixture, provides great strength without adding unnecessary weight. It is for this same reason that this particular alloy is also used in the aerospace industry in the construction of the Airbus A380, helicopters, rockets and satellites, as well as in F1 racing cars.
The result is one of the world’s lightest mechanical tourbillon wristwatches with a movement weight of just a mere 3.83 grams.
The RM 027 watchcase, composed of a composite containing large amounts of carbon, provides a tough and resilient enclosure for the tourbillon movement at its center. The back bezel and caseband are monobloc to ensure total lightness. The glass; the bezel and the flange in carbon have remarkable properties of stiffness and torsional rigidity.
However, the biggest endorsement of all is that this piece has been tried and tested by a man renowned for refusing to compromise when it comes to his sport and his performance. The fact that Rafael Nadal has agreed to wear this piece in all of his matches says far more than any technical specifications ever could.
The RM 027 Tourbillon will be produced in a limited edition of 50 pieces with an ultra light strap in polycarbonate and is expected to be priced upwards of $500,000, meaning you will need to be a superstar also if you ever hope to own one.
The Final Word
Whilst this piece may not rank at the top of my list for the super expensive, high-end luxury watches, I can certainly admire and respect the technical achievements that it represents. Sure it probably cost ten times more than Roger Federer’s Rolex (and then some) but at least Rafa can use the hypnotic effect of the rotating tourbillion to calm him down during intense matches with his watch-less archrival.
Basel World 2010: Official Closing Press Release
The 38th Baselworld Show has wound up with smiles all round: firstly from the Swiss exhibitors, with confirmation of the signs of recovery recorded in January and February of this year; then from the visitors in their response to the superb pieces created by Switzerland’s watch and jewellery makers; and, finally, with attendance up on last year, from the organisers.
Recovery confirmed for Swiss watchmakers
2010 started out on a positive note, with Swiss watch exports on the rise for the first time in fifteen months (+ 2.7% in value terms in January and + 14.2% in February), and these signs of recovery were confirmed at Baselworld, the sector’s most important barometer. While performance varied from one brand to another, there was one constant, irrespective of markets or positioning: the large stocks that have weighed on retailers’ budgets since the end of 2008 are being absorbed. There is now an urge to buy, made possible by a renewed availability of liquidity.
Another significant feature of the show was the return of American buyers, who had practically deserted it in 2009. Beyond the obvious business perspectives, their very presence symbolises a general upturn, considering that it was in the United States that the financial crisis began before spreading around the world. Backed by these signs of a lasting recovery, Swiss watchmakers are banking on second-half
growth this year comparable to the figures achieved in 2007 and 2008, depending on the region.
Watchmakers opt for a blend of tradition and innovation
This year’s timepieces display considerable mechanical originality, as though Switzerland’s watchmakers wished to pay tribute to the impressive patrimony they all share. While the crisis put an end to any kind of ostentation, 2010’s creations focus on the métiers d’art. Rarely has finishing achieved such heights of
sophistication in watches of unpretentious refinement. Discretion, moreover, seems to be a must where elegance is concerned, as testified by the ladies’ watches, with brands opting for small, even ultra-small, models to highlight their precious character. The men’s 2010 models, like those for women, display a refined
aesthetics, the guarantee of good taste capable of defying the dictates of fashion.
Switzerland’s jewellers
Results for Switzerland’s jewellers have been more mixed. While brands benefiting from a strong name have skilfully overcome these difficult times, designers with small advertising budgets have had trouble making any impact. Getting people to buy has proved more difficult, especially as stocks remained relatively high, which is not the case in the watch sector. Despite a certain overcautiousness amongst buyers – Europeans mainly – exhibiting at Baselworld has proved to be an imperative for Switzerland’s jewellers. Getting oneself known, communicating and making contacts today appear to be the determining factors for success tomorrow.
True to their values, our jewellers have confidence in the future and are committed to putting quality and reliability above everything else. This year’s Swiss jewellery pieces at Baselworld embody the most striking expression of this philosophy: aesthetic research, new alloys offering original nuances in gold, palladium or platinum and, above all, extraordinarily fine hand-finishing work.
Related branches confident in the recovery
Once again, Europe has confirmed its position as the manufacturing centre for the watch and jewellery sector, while South America continues to grow in importance, confirming the trend started last year. There were, however, fewer visitors from the Gulf and Asia at the related branches’ stands. In general, the crisis has prompted a certain wait-and-see policy, shown by a hesitation to invest in production tools.
Nevertheless, the recovery in the watch sector should have a knock-on effect in the related branches over the next few months. While this is bound to take some time, there have already been encouraging signs among suppliers on the job front.
A “good show”
Baselworld 2010 will go down as a “good show” for the Swiss exhibitors, even though there was no repeat of the records attained in 2007 and 2008. The size, quality and reputation of the show, the attendance figures and holding it during the first three months of the year have all laid the groundwork for a robust and lengthy upturn for the whole watch, jewellery and related branches sector. See you next year at Baselworld 2011, from 24 to 31 March !
BASELWORLD 2010 in figures
> Date 18 to 25 March 2010
> Visitors 100,700 | + 7%
> Media representatives 2,900
> Exhibitors 1’915
> Swiss brands 456
> Exhibition space 160,000 m2
> Dates 2011: 24 to 31 March
> Dates 2012: 8 to 15 March
> Dates 2013: 25 April to 2 May
Basel World 2010: Some Highlights From The First Week
There is always a great deal of excitement in the air during Basel World and with good reason. Some of the world’s most well-respected luxury watch Marques formally unveil their latest creations dazzling show goers with a delicious array of stunning new pieces. In celebration of this we’ve put together our own little list with some of the pieces that have truly taken our breaths away during this first week of Basel World 2010.
Hublot King Power Tourbillon Manufacture (pictured above)
Highly limited to just 30 superb pieces, the new King Power Tourbillon from Swiss watch-maker Hublot is powered by Calibre Hublot HUB6002 tourbillon movement manufactured completely in-house by the recently acquired Confrérie Horlogère Hublot. Presented in a 48mm black ceramic case complete with hand polished black nickel hour and minute hands coated in black SuperLuminova, the movement is hand wound and features off-centre hour and minute indicators at 12 o’clock and seconds via the tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock. Rounding all this is out is a very impressive Power Reserve of 120 hours.
Glashütte Original Senator Diary
For the Classicists among you we have this exceptional new piece from German watch-maker Glashütte Original. Simple and elegant in its design, the new Senator Diary has all the makings of the perfect dress watch. But don’t let its good looks fool you though as this piece is far more than just a pretty face. In a world first this new timepiece features a mechanical alarm function that can be set up to 30 days in advance, staggering when you consider that this is a mechanical movement! Available in your choice of a rose gold case with matching rose gold hands and applied rose gold hour markers on a galvanized silver dial or in a stainless steel with a black dial.
Perrelet Diamond Flower Ceramic
For the ladies we have this highly sophisticated and attractive new piece from luxury watch-maker Perrelet, which features the company’s unique “double rotor” system. In this specific creation the top-side rotor is in the shape of diamond-lined flower petals, as shown in the video below. Finishing off this superb piece is a black mother-of-pearl dial surrounded by diamond-set bezel and housed within a silky smooth black and white ceramic case and bracelet. Gentlemen take note, this is a watch that is sure to please even the fussiest of ladies.
Urwerk Mexican Fireleg (UR-103T)
It wouldn’t be The Watch Lounge if we didn’t include an independent watch-maker in our highlight reel. Although not officially unveiled at Basel World, this visually stunning limited edition of the UR-103T from Urwerk, more commonly known as the Mexican Fireleg, simply is too bold to ignore. Created to mark the end of the UR-103T era later this year, the Mexican Fireleg will be available in a limited edition of just 60 (very aggressive looking) pieces. Presented in either a stainless steel or 18k gold case treated with AlTiN (Aluminium, Titanium, Nitride) the orbital cross, hours and minutes have been re-imagined with a very distinctive orange Super-Luminova, making this one mean looking timepiece.
TAG Heuer Pendulum Watch
Rounding out our list is this highly impressive new concept watch from Tag Heuer, which is seeking to claim the title of being the first ever mechanical movement without a hairspring. And judging by the video it looks like they might have just done it! Essentially the issue at hand is that the hairspring will always be susceptible to the negative influences of temperature and gravity. Whilst some advancement in designs and the use of new materials have had some success in overcoming these limitations, they still exist which according to the guys at Tag simply wasn’t good enough. The solution? Replace the hairspring of course! And that’s exactly what they did, replacing it with a highly original pendulum “spring” that is regulated by magnets and beats at the very high frequency of 43,200/hour (6 Hertz). It doesn’t look half bad either!
Stay tuned for more great coverage of Basel World 2010 on The Watch Lounge this week!
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Latest Comments
- Nick Orloff: Beautiful piece, regrettably a little (?) out of my price range. I’d love to...
- Olivier Muller: Thanks, BMW
Stay tuned ! - Jack: Looks like a really nice watch for the price!