BLUE DANUBE by GRIEB & BENZINGER

 

“This amazing new GRIEB & BENZINGER is based on a gorgeous base movement originally made by Patek Philippe for Tiffany in about 1890. With a diameter of only 36.5 mm, this tremendous assembly of complications including a minute repeater and a split-seconds chronograph is rare in such a small movement. Keeping in mind that this movement is already about 120 years old, it is doubtlessly a sensation and tribute to historic watchmaking.

This extraordinary, complicated watch well displays the intense workmanship associated with the hand-engraving and guilloché as well as the hand-skeletonization modifications of plates and bridges which are also finished with rose gold or rhodium coating. Every single component must be treated and restored, some had to be entirely replaced and, of course, they all had to be reassembled to form one functional unit after treatment. The detailed restoration of the more than 400 components of this movement required intense attention and took more than 6 months. Taken comparison to the production of new movements, the treatment in the GRIEB & BENZINGER workshops is so intensive that it comes even close to a brand new production than just a restoration. And in fact it is not just restoration – it`s art at its finest.

A signature element of every single GRIEB & BENZINGER PLATINUM is the blue platinum coated base plate. This is to honor famous Abraham-Louis Breguet student Charles Oudin who has already built movements with blue base plates about 1820. The GRIEB & BENZINGER workshop is proud to own one of these rare original blue Oudin movements.

Since there were a striking amount of timepieces with blue base plates supplied by Swiss watch manufacturers (through Bovet and Charles Oudin among others) to imperial China of the Qing Dynasty under Emperors Jia Qing and Dao Guang, the BLUE DANUBE also symbolizes these historical roots.

The dial is another highlight and signature element of the BLUE DANUBE. Skeletonized by hand and with a rare Breguet frosted finish it unequivocally shows the connoisseur the technical prowess needed to turn such an historic movement into a new masterpiece.

The BLUE DANUBE is once again a breathtaking collector’s item: a minute repeater split-seconds chronograph in typical GRIEB & BENZINGER finish – a real one-of-a-kind watch. In a solid 43 mm diameter case, this unique timepiece is not only a design statement on the wrist but again the heaviest platinum watch of its kind worldwide and of course a piece of art for only one lucky collector worldwide for 350.000 € / US$ 450,000 

More info 

Avenue Classic Watches by Harry Winston

A new exquisite collection of timepieces from Harry Winston is here to leave you breathless. The Avenue Classic Collection can only be truly appreciated by the connoisseurs, while others will only see them as . Yes, they are much more than that.

The entire design was well thought in order to subtly evoke the old time New York. As a tribute to this restless large city, the Avenue Classic watches come in white gold rectangular cases (21 mm/36 mm) decorated with 4.7 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds. Harry Winston’s loyal customers will definitely notice  the stylized arches that resemble those decorating the boutique on the Fifth Avenue in New York.

The oval dial is set on either a black or a white mother-of-pearl background and 124 diamonds embellish it indescribably. The delicate hands of the watch are made of white gold in order to perfectly match the rest of the timepiece.

Customers may choose one of the three strap models available. They can opt for a black or a white satin strap or they can go with the bolder blue alligator leather version. Either way, the effect will be dramatic.

Click here

HUBLOT F1 ™ KING POWER INTERLAGOS

As the Official Watchmaker of Formula 1™, Hublot is proud to present the new F1™ King Power Interlagos in tribute to the land of samba and the famous São Paulo circuit (famous because, unlike other courses, it runs anticlockwise), available in a limited edition of 250 numbered pieces.

Sporting the same cobalt blue (pantone 280) that is found in the centre of the Brazilian national flag, the F1™ King Power Interlagos is rendered unique by several features executed in a range of high-tech materials directly inspired by Formula 1™ (some of which have never before been used in watchmaking), such as the ceramic bezel with a circular-grained satin finish, adorned with multiple holes evoking the high performance of a brake disc, a strap made from rubber and Nomex™, a synthetic fibre developed by Dupont De Nemours which – thanks to its low combustibility and thermal stability – is used in the outfits worn by F1™ drivers, and the push-buttons for starting and resetting, the split-seconds function and a 30-minute to 3-hour counter.

Bernie Ecclestone - Formula 1 CEO (left)

The Formula 1 King Power Interlagos Watch was created by Hublot, to honor the Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship, hosted this year by Interlagos, the famous Brazilian circuit.

Also inspired by the Brazilian flag, the designer chose a beautiful cobalt blue for the band and dial-face. At a closer look one can see that the ceramic bezel has small holes in it, resembling a car’s brake disc, and the 2 reset buttons reflect the F1 root.

Only 250 pieces of this magnificent timepiece are to be sold by the Hublot dealers. This is your unique change to own a watch that also commemorates the end of the 2011 Championship.

Click here

Patek Philippe - New website

Patek Philippe has redesigned its website just in time for Baselworld 2012!

More info

Masse Secrete Panthere Ladies Watch by Cartier

Masse Secrete Panthere watch is a dazzling Cartier creations for ladies only. The signature trait of the series is the white gold panther on the dial. The case too is crafted of white gold, and it is plated with rhodium for enhanced durability. For a touch of opulence, Cartier chose to decorate the timepiece (including the panther) with numerous white diamonds. The spots on the feline are represented by purple pearls.

The Glamorous Big Bang Boa Bang Watch from Hublot

Snakeskin is all over the catwalk this year. Whether it’s skirts, leggings, tops, shoes, lingerie, handbags or all sorts of accessories, snakeskin (or snakeskin prints) are a must-have item for all fashion connoisseurs. Consequently, luxury lovers will surely find this glamorous new Hublot creation irresistible! It is the Hublot Big Bang Boa Bang ladies’ watch, 

oozing style and a strong personality.