Posts Tagged ‘Swiss Made’
Hublot Big Bang Tutti Frutti – Who Said Classy Can’t Be Colorful?
As you are all no doubt aware Basel World will be upon us in a matter of weeks, with the world’s best watch and jewellery brands coming together in Switzerland to unveil their latest creations. We’ve covered a few of the ones that have really caught our fancy so far and will continue to do so in the lead up to the show. To date though, the focus has predominantly been on men’s watches and so we thought it was high time we brought you a ladies’ watch, and what a striking piece it is! Gentleman, you would be well advised not to let your wives or girlfriends read this.
You have been warned.
Colorful and Bold
Scheduled to be presented at Basel World this year, the new Big Bang Steel Tutti Frutti from Swiss watch maker Hublot is nothing short of stunning. Bold and colorful without being overwhelming, this latest piece exudes an exotic sense of style and power. At the same time the color-scheme is resolutely feminine, lending a touch of softness to this piece not always seen in oversized ladies’ models.
Presented on a pink alligator strap, the case is made of stainless steel with satin-finished endpieces. The beautifully simplistic fine mother of pearl dial is surrounded by 48 baguette-cut pink sapphires, providing the perfect blend of elegance and attitude and ensuring that this is a timepiece that will grab attention.
As we touched on before it is slightly large for a ladies piece at 41mm but there has been a growing trend toward women wearing 40 – 42mm men’s watches over the last year or two and we think given its bold design it is actually perfectly sized.
Powered by a mechanical automatic winding Hublot Calibre HUB4300 movement with chronograph function, this piece is not only attractive but also sophisticated and practical. Highly desirable qualities in any context!
The Final Word
Certainly this new piece from uber popular watch maker Hublot is not for everyone tastes and we daresay that it would take a certain kind of individual to pull it off. However, that’s exactly who its been designed for; strong, confident women who are looking for a distinctive way to express their own sense of style.
Unlike other ladies’ pieces we’ve seen in the past, the Big Bang Tutti Frutti combines a sense of sportiness and attitude with a touch of elegance, whilst all the time remaining absolutely feminine.
We love it! The question is, do you?
1 Excellent Comment | Filed under BaselWorld 2010, New This Week, Watch Reviews
Hublot and Depeche Mode Raise Over $600,000 For Teenage Cancer Trust!
Mr Biver with the members of Depeche Mode – © Hublot
It’s always great to see big companies giving back and no one does it quite like luxury watch manufacturer Hublot. Lead by their charismatic CEO, Jean Claude-Biver, an industry legend in his own right well known for his generosity, the brand teamed up with rock ‘n’ roll superstars Depeche Mode to raise money for teenagers with cancer. And raise money they did, combining their efforts to generate over a staggering US$620,000! What’s even more amazing is that they were able to raise this much money in the space of just a few short months!
Fighting For Good
Back in December 2009 Hublot and Depeche Mode pledged their support to the Teenage Cancer Trust which provides support services to teenagers with cancer in the areas of special care, research, family support and specialized diagnoses. A very worthy cause we are sure you will agree!
In order to maximize the amounts of funds raised, the two partners devised and executed a series of events which would prove to be hugely successful.
First, Hublot announced the creation of twelve exclusive boxes each containing twelve exclusive Big Bangs, designed in conjunction with Depeche Mode, with each one displaying one of the group’s iconic album covers on the dial. As an added touch each box also included vinyl and digital versions of the album, a framed gold CD and signed photos. Amid much fanfare these unique pieces were then sold at a special auction that ran from the 6th to the 24th of February.
The special edition Depeche Mode Big Bangs – © Hublot
It didn’t stop there, however. A charity concert was hosted by the group on the 17th of February at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Fans from all around the globe flocked in to show their support, selling out the concert in just 40 minutes! Following the concert was a VIP reception hosted by Hublot where attendees could purchase raffle tickets for their chance to win a Big Bang Zirconium. Much like the concert tickets, these sold out in minutes.
All in all, this resulted in the two partners raising in excess of $US620,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust!
Hublot CEO, Jean-Claude Biver, was ecstatic with the outcome saying;
“This joint project has proven to be a tremendous success! The result is amazing and we are so proud to have been part of this historical charity event. Depeche Mode have committed themselves with such enthusiasm to this project! It has been a humbling experience to join them on this journey. They are fans of Hublot and I am proud to associate our brand with their music and for a cause as important as the Teenage Cancer Trust…when you are passionate and successful in what you do, you should share and give to those less fortunate! This is exactly what Depeche Mode has done and I am proud that Hublot could help them achieve this. ”
Jean-Claude Biver signing the cheque for over $US620,000 – © Hublot
The Final Word
What more can be said, this is simply an amazing outcome! Two superstars have come together to combine their unique talents and leverage their global popularity to help raise not only funds but also awareness of those less fortunate or who are dealing with extremely difficult conditions. This is an occasion to be applauded resoundingly and at the same time held up as an example to others.
Hopefully the incredible success Hublot and Depeche Mode have achieved will inspire other luxury manufacturers around the world to take up the fight also, and pool their considerable resources towards making a positive difference in the world.
Ulysse Nardin El Toro. Technically Advanced? Yes. Attractive? Not Even Close!
Ulysse Nardin’s high-tech perpetual calendar complication is legendary in watch making circles around the world and has featured in many of their timepieces. This latest model, to be formally announced at Basel World this year, comes equipped with a dual time function and in-house developed and manufactured self-winding movement. Yes, the El Toro seems to have it all when it comes to technical competence, however, sadly it leaves a lot to be desired in the aesthetics department.
Poor Design but…
Described by Ulysse Nardin as “a powerful timepiece for everyday use”, it is certainly undeniable that the El Toro is fully of useful functions. These include; a perpetual calendar which is adjustable via just the one crown; 2nd time zone indication on the main dial with a patented quick setting mechanism; permanent home time indicated by 3rd hand and of course the big date in a double window at 3 o’clock.
Whilst on the one hand this information may be considered useful for day to day wear, it also has the unfortunate side effect of making the dial appear very cluttered. There are hands, and numbers and windows everywhere! Add to that a poor choice of color schemes and you have yourself what is really quite an unattractive piece.
Certainly this is not the worst looking piece we’ve seen but it is surprising to see something like this coming from Ulysse Nardin, a brand that typically produces more refined pieces which still incorporate strong technical credentials.
Perhaps the brand is trying a little too hard to stand out?
…Strong Technical Qualifications
Aesthetics aside, however, it is difficult to fault this piece’s mechanical aptitude. The COSC certified movement incorporates the only perpetual calendar that is capable of adjusting forwards and backward in seconds using the quick corrector position of the single crown. As an added feature the date, the day, the month and the year change instantly forward or backward when the hour hand is moved to a new local time which crosses the dateline.
What’s even more cool is that the hour hand can be adjusted instantly to the new local time by using the pushers located at 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock respectively. This means you don’t even need to take the watch of your wrist when you enter a new time zone!
The 43mm case is available in a choice of either 18 ct red gold or platinum, with a ceramic bezel and is presented on your choice of a rubber strap with titanium/ceramic deployant clasp or a leather strap with folding buckle.
The Final Word
Technically this piece is exceptional. It incorporates a number of useful indications, including Ulysse Nardin’s highly regarded perpetual calendar complication not to the mention the ability to change the 2nd timezone with ease. Unfortunately, however, it has not come together very well in the design department and to be honest really leaves a lot to be desired from a watch that has been created to wear everyday.
Yes, the indications are useful, but they would be even more useful if you could bear looking at the dial long enough to decipher them.
Weird Watch Wednesday: The Rebellion Predator
It’s unique and aggressive styling make the newest timepiece from novice watchmaker Rebellion our feature piece for this week. Aptly named the Predator, this latest creation represents Rebellion’s first attempt at a timepiece in a round case whilst still staying true to their automobile racing roots. Conceived in collaboration with the highly regarded, international watch designer Eric Giroud, this latest offering presents a truly memorable looking timepiece.
Racing Heritage
Like all of Rebellion’s previous timepieces, the Predator takes many of its technical and design cues from the automobile racing industry. Many examples of this can be readily found in both the case and dial composition; the brake discs, the pedals, the push rod shaped bridges connecting the chronograph counters to the dial all combine to give the watch an authentic racing feel. Even the sub-dials themselves are reminiscent of gauges in a high-performance race car.
The case itself constructed using a sandwich of superimposed layers which are available in various materials, including combinations of red gold, steel and ceramic, giving the wearer a number of options when it comes to choosing a more personalized timepiece. The base of the case is a honeycomb design which provides a rigid but at the same time lightweight construction.
To really distinguish the piece from competitors (as if it wasn’t enough already!) the bezel is attached by eight distinctive screws custom made by Rebellion and prominently featuring the brand’s logo on their heads.
Technically Adept
Like all good race cars, however, the Predator is more than just a pretty face. Animated by an automatic RE-1 calibre with a 50-hour power reserve this new piece makes the formidable technical mastery of the double sectorial seconds hand at 9 o’clock seem easy. If you take a closer look at the dial you will see that the shorter hand indicates 0 to 30 seconds, with the longer one taking over for 30 to 60 seconds.
Whilst certainly not a high-end complication by any means, it is still a very cool novelty and only serves to add to the authentic racing feel of the piece.
Also offered in a time-only version with three hands and date, as well as a mono-pusher chronograph, the new Predator is presented on a black rubber strap with a red gold, ceramic or steel patented folding clasp, depending on your choice of case materials.
The Predator will be limited in its production and once it is formally announced at Basel World is expected to sell at somewhere between CHF20,000 (US$18,500) – CHF50,000 (US$46,500).
The Final Word
This newest piece from Rebellion certainly won’t suit all tastes. However, for those interested in something with a very distinctive look and the technical credentials to match the Predator definitely warrants a second look. Giroud has designed a piece that stays true to the brand’s race car inspired ethos, incorporating functionality and form within a solidly constructed case.
You may never get behind the wheel of a race car but you will certainly look the part.
New Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon – Tool Watches As They Should Be
If you’re looking for a timepiece that is tough and hard-wearing yet at the same time still refined enough for the boardroom and reasonably priced, perhaps its time you consider the Engineer Hydrocarbon collection from American-owned Swiss watchmaker Ball Watch Co. Given a complete makeover ahead of its up-and-coming debut at Basel World this year, the new look collection promises a subtle blend of functionality and form, with neither suffering for the benefit of the other.
The Company
Over the last century, Ball has carved out a well-respected reputation for making robust and reliable tool watches. These timepieces have been designed to be worn in any and all conditions, whilst still maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and legibility possible. According to the brand the Engineer Hydrocarbon collection is the ultimate personification of this identity, representing the application of all their technological expertise, knowledge of materials and the readability standards inherited from the brand’s founder, Webster C. Ball who established the company back in 1891.
The Engineer Hydrocarbon Collection
Several components in the new collection have been modified and improved, including the rotating bezel. As one would expect it retains its unidirectional function with its notch calibrated at 30 seconds, however, it has been made slightly wider and flatter making it much easier to manipulate even when wearing gloves. Ensuring easy reading, even at night, the Hydrocarbon bezel is equipped with a H3 marker inserted into a protective container at 12 o’clock. Further, the graduation from 0 to 14, along with the digits 15, 30 and 45 all have very powerful luminescent paint emitting a blue glow.
The dial is simple and uncluttered, ensuring the wearer only has access to the information that is actually required in a format that is very easy to read. Just from looking at the clean lines and intelligent use of contrasting colors it is obvious that the high legibility is almost guaranteed in any situation. Be it under water or even in outer-space! Brand ambassador Brian Binnie, a former US Navy pilot and astronaut, certainly seems to think so. It was this watch that he chose to strap to his wrist on a recent ‘space-walk’.
However, legibility is nothing without accuracy. So to make sure that the time you are reading with ease is always correct, these timepieces are powered by a chronometer-certified ETA 2836 movement, with day and date calendar, delivering extreme precision.
Keeping It In Place
Sometimes the importance of a top-quality bracelet and clasp can be overlooked in favor of case design and functionality. However, for a watch that has been created to go anywhere you go, keeping it attached firmly to your wrist is of the utmost importance.
In recognition of this, the innovative folks over at Ball have developed their very own, patented triple folding clasp and extension. To improve the strength and durability of this clasp, it is machined from a single block of 316L stainless steel. Ensuring optimum comfort and fit, the clasp’s balance is perfect and the unfolding components are spread evenly under their cover; and a 22-millimeter extension system has been added on both sides of the bracelet so that the watch can be worn over sports gear. Opening and closing operations can be performed single handed. The clasp operates with a robust locking mechanism enabling it to withstand extreme traction forces when in the closed position.
No word on pricing yet but expect it to be well under US$10,000.
The Final Word
Yet another well-designed, highly functional timepiece from American owned Ball Watches. The company’s rich history in the rail industry has certainly placed them well in terms of making pieces that are reliable, accurate and above all highly legible. This is a watch that will provide a lifetime of loyal service without breaking the bank, whilst still being versatile enough to be worn for pretty much all occasions.
Ball make tool watches as they should be, and we think that’s a good thing.
Technical Specifications
Model Number: DM2036-SCAJ-BK
Movement: Automatic ETA 2836-2, COSC certified chronometer
Functions: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, day and date
29 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands
and dial for night reading capability
Case: Stainless steel case with luminous unidirectional rotating bezel
Diameter 41.5 mm, Height 16.1 mm
4mm anti-refl ective sapphire crystal
Patented crown protection system
Water-resistant to 333 m
Antimagnetic to 12,000 A/m
Shock-resistant – withstands 7,500 Gs shock test
Band: Tapered stainless steel bracelet, with patented deployant buckle
& extension system
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