Posts Tagged ‘Limited Edition’
Brand In Focus: Cartier
Cartier watches are synonymous with luxury and timeless elegance. Aided by its illustrious background as a jeweler of incomparable prestige, the House of Cartier has successfully introduced watches which have transcended their time of introduction to become truly legendary.
A Brief History (That’s Not Really Brief At All!)
The jeweler was originally founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. In 1874 his son, Alfred Cartier took over the administration of the company, but it was his sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who were responsible for establishing the famous world-wide brand name of Cartier.
Louis retained responsibility for the Paris branch, moving to the Rue de la Paix, in 1899. He was responsible for some of the company’s most celebrated design innovations, like the legendary mystery clocks, high fashion wristwatches and exotic orientalist Art Deco designs, including the daringly colourful “Tutti Frutti” jewels. Jacques took charge of the London operation and eventually moved to the current location at New Bond Street.
Pierre Cartier established the New York Branch in 1909, moving in 1917 to the current location of 653 Fifth Avenue, the Neo-Renaissance mansion of Morton Freeman Plant, son of railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant. The Cartier flagship mansion was purchased by the company from Morton Plant and his wife, in exchange for a pearl necklace, valued at the time at $1 million.
The Turning Point
After Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch for famed Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1904, Cartier timepieces rapidly became known and celebrated. Throughout the early years of the 20th century, designs such as the Tank, Tortue, and the Pasha were introduced, their appeal enduring to the present day, where they still remain as timeless as ever, and are continually enriched by new and sparkling variations.
The Final Word
Today, the house of Cartier continues to be a leading force in the world of high luxury. Aficionados of prestigious mechanical watchmaking can find much to admire with Cartier, whose elite Privee collection includes timepieces that feature such horological masterpieces as the tourbillon, the minute repeater, and the perpetual calendar. At the same time, Cartier remains dedicated to creating fresh and fashionable new designs which is evidenced in every new timepiece they create.
Truly a brand of distinct and distinguished tastes.
1 Excellent Comment | Filed under Brands In Focus
Ulysse Nardin Diver Perpetual Limited Edition: The Best Of Both Worlds
As regular visitors to the site will know I am currently having an enduring love affair with dive watches. For the most part dive watches are completely impractical for every day use due to their excessively oversized dials designed for legibility under water first and foremost and aesthetics second. However, I think I may have just found an excellent half-way point. Enter the Ulysse Nardin Diver Perpetual Limited Edition.
The Best Of Both Worlds
The new Diver Perpetual Limited Edition combines the strong aesthetic and technical elements from the Marine and Perpetual collections to effectively bring you the best of both worlds. The titanium case is big enough at 45mm to be viewed easily under water but still manageable with a suit and tie, although admittedly it would be a touch on the big side.
The black carbon fibre structured dial is contrasted sensationally with orange luminous indexes and hands which work to complement the turning bezel with its matching orange inlay. Although the orange is quite bright as you would expect from a dive watch, it is suitably muted by the predominant black overtones of the watch. Fitted with an exhibition case back the owner is afforded a prime view of the movement complete with 22ct gold rotor.
Perpetually Revolutionary
When it was first introduced into the market the Ulysse Nardin Perpetual represented a revolutionary accomplishment in the history of watch making – the first Perpetual Calendar adjustable back and forwards from a single crown. This means that all adjustments from the minute hand to the year indicator are synchronized. A few rotations of the crown will result in the calendar displays moving forwards or backwards one or more days, a few months or even several years. At the end of the month the date display automatically displays the first of the next month, while the month disc rotates as well.
The Final Word
With a water resistance of only 300m we can safely assume that this watch is more of a show pony than a serious dive watch. However, with the Diver Perpetual Limited Edition Ulysse Nardin has effectively created an everday sports watch which features unparalleled high complication functionality. Sadly it is limited to only 500 pieces, so don’t expect to see this piece down at your local beach anytime soon.
Bamford & Sons Reimagine Rolex Milgauss For Colette Paris
If you are a luxury watch enthusiast then chances are you are familiar with the name Bamford & Sons. Based in London, this innovative company is renowned for their unique and individualized after market modifications of luxury watches, namely Rolex. In their latest bespoke creation they have re-imagined a special edition of the iconic Rolex Milgauss to be sold at the Colette boutique in Paris.
The Original
Until the re-release of the Rolex Milgauss series at Baselword last year you could be easily forgiven for not being aware of this unique watch or its rather colourful past. The Milgauss was one of the series of watches that Rolex developed in the 1950s for the new breed of professional intent on taking over the world. These ‘tool’ watches, as they were known then, were designed to do it all. That encompassed aviation, for which there was the GMT Master; mountaineering, the Explorer; diving, the Submariner and for the secretive world of science, the Milgauss.
However, sadly unlike its successful counterparts which sold in record numbers (and still do to this day) the Milgauss was destined to become the slowest seller in the Rolex line-up, and was sold for about 20 years before being removed from their catalogue.
Much like artists who only achieve fame after death the Milgauss went on to become a cult watch, then a collector’s item after its untimely demise and now mint examples fetch tens of thousands at auction. It was this rich history that prompted the revival of the model by Rolex, complete with the lightning bolt hand that was a striking (pardon the pun) hallmark feature of the original model.
The Bamford Effect
For their re-imagination of this special model designed exclusively for Collette in Paris the Milgauss has received Bamford’s trademark Black PVD treatment over the steel case. In addition the dial, available in black or white in the original form has been replaced with a rich blue dial, black seconds hand, and all white text on the case. As a result of the modifications and uniqueness of this watch you can expect to pay a price premium of several thousand dollars on top of the original Milgauss price tag.
The Final Word
Personally, I don’t like this watch at all. I think it may be the too blue dial but for whatever reason this design just does not work for me. Having said that, this is not the first bespoke Milgauss that Bamford & Sons have created and their earlier attempt with the Limited Edition Anniversary Model really looks sensational. That watch has received the same PVD treatment but Bamford has kept the dial black and mysterious. The way a watch designed for mad scientists should be.
You can see that model here.
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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!