New York , NY May 16, 2012 – Elie and Pierre Bernheim, entrepreneurs and grandsons of reputable watchmaker Raymond Weil, are embarking on a new venture with their launch of Swiss watch brand, 88 Rue du Rhone. The classic yet aesthetically contemporary designs will be unveiled at this year's Swiss Watch Show at JCK.   THE RAYMOND WEIL FAMILY CREATES NEW independent BRAND, 88 RUE DU RHONE Grandsons of Mr. Raymond Weil to Launch New Line of Timepieces Deeply rooted ...

May 11, 2012, London, UK - As the Official Timekeeper of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Pageant, Jaeger-LeCoultre is honoured to celebrate Her Majesty's sixty years on the throne. Jaeger-LeCoultre Chief Executive Officer Jérôme Lambert presented a 101 jewellery timepiece to Her Majesty Queen, an homage to the piece she wore at the time of Her Coronation 60 years ago.   To mark the Diamond Jubilee Jaeger-LeCoultre gifts iconic 101 timepiece to Queen Elizabeth II ...

15.05.2012 -- For the third consecutive year, Richard Mille was the Principal Partner of the "Grand Prix de Pau Historique", which took place over the weekend of 5th and 6th May.   RICHARD MILLE, PRINCIPAL PARTNER OF THE "GRAND PRIX DE PAU HISTORIQUE" For the event, the famous street circuit was decked out in the colours of the watchmaking brand, which has always been passionately involved in motorsports. Over two days, six competing grids followed each othe...

THE JAQUET DROZ GRANDE SECONDE OFF-CENTERED - 2012 NOVELTY ALREADY IN STORES   The radiance of gold, a noble material that has served our craftsmen well for three centuries. The strength of the flame, the secret to producing ultra-fine powders to make our unique dials of Grand Feu enamel. A wealth of meticulous skills and techniques perpetuated and reinvented by Jaquet Droz, model after model. The hand of the craftsman, the most precious tool available to the Manufacture, familiar with...

May 16, 2012. Geneva, Switzerland —The Breguet Museum and its President, Marc A. Hayek, have acquired two exceptional Breguet watches that made their mark on Fine Watchmaking history, for a record price of nearly 7 million Swiss francs. Bought at a Christie's auction in Geneva on Monday, May 14th, these masterpieces are the most expensive ever purchased in Breguet's history, and the costliest Breguet antique watches ever sold at auction to date.   Breguet Acquires Two Antique Wa...

More than ever an instrument clearly cut out for competition, the new Mille Miglia GMT Chrono 2012 ensures exceptional readability thanks to its oversized counters. Its mechanical self-winding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC also provide an extremely practical dual time-time function. This sporty and sophisticated watch is issued in two limited editions of 2,012 in steel, and 250 in rose gold.Consistently reinvented perfection: that is exactly what Chopard is determined to offer in annual...

Audemars Piguet proudly congratulates its Ambassador LeBron James who was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2011-12 regular NBA season, on Saturday May 12th, 2012.   Audemars Piguet congratulates its Ambassador LeBron James on his Most Valuable Player award It is the third time in four years that LeBron has won basketball's most prestigious individual award, elevating him to one of the greatest players. LeBron won the award with the Cleveland Cavaliers twice before...

In scuba diving, the precise and accurate measurement of time is a vital necessity, and any mistake in counting off the minutes spent under water or any sudden stoppage of the watch mechanism could have dire consequences. Since the appearance of the first diver’s watch bearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature, watchmakers have always sought to achieve absolute security.   Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph a professional instrument of legendary origin The ...

Angular Momentum has released a new "Manu Propria" artisan timepiece with miniature paintings of Marwari Horses The Marwari or Malani is a rare breed of horse from the Marwar (or Jodhpur) region of India. Known for its inward-turning ear tips, it comes in all equine colours, although pinto patterns tend to be the most popular with buyers and breeders. It is known for its hardiness, and is quite similar to the Kathiawari, another Indian breed from the Kathiawar region southwest of Marwar. Many bree...

Franck Muller - the Master of Complications, pays homage to the basics and introduces the Classic Round collection.  The Classics are designed to embody everlasting tradition and Franck Muller’s stellar watch making techniques by combining elegance and technical know-how.Defined by their circular cases, this collection features a sleek dial with the brand’s iconic Arabic numerals and a seconds counter at the 6 o’clock position. Its supreme sophistication is further expressed in monochromes, offering on...

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Before the 'most beautiful 1,000-mile race' in the world kickstarts its first league from Brescia to Ferrara, a few snapshots of the 2012 Mille Miglia commemorative watch.Available in two versions.  As usual, a version limited per the year of race - 2012 pieces of the steel version and another 250-piece rose gold version.This year race-commemorative version, the casing diameter scaled back from 44mm to 42.40mm and rolled back to the classical facia, dropping the multi-layered dials and reverse-... more

Dear All; Breitling was (almost) always a company with a very clear identity: high-performing technical watches with an aviation image (“Instruments for Professionals”). Breitling played that field very well. The watches had a broad clientele, but were not necessarily considered horological highlights. This changed in 2009!With the introduction of the Calibre 01, its first in-house manufacture movement (automatic chronograph with 70h of power reserve), the company propelled itself into the highest ra... more

[The view from Emile Hermès desk with the pocket watch that magnified his fascination with the mechanics of the watch]In a year when Hermès has promised the ‘gift of time’ to all, it is worth reflecting how La Montre Hermès has evolved over the years. While in more recent times there has been a move by luxury houses to produce the haute horlogerie watch line, with Chanel and perhaps Ralph Lauren being the stand out newcomers, Hermès has been around for over 80 years. Hermès has history in the watch busin... more

Executed in enamel grisaille, an enamel technique that originated in Limoges, the tiger is comprised of black and white, and all the greys in between. As with black and white photos, the details of the tiger are fleshed out and made even more vivid by the lack of colour... Continue reading . - SJX ... more

Hanhart is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year so I couldn't miss the presentation of the 2012 novelties at Basel!Hanhart is a swiss/german brand with a very sharp strategy: to produce pilot and instrument watches taking advantage of its long and prestigious history on this field. If I'm not wrong, Hanhart is one of the very few (if not the only one) brands to still produce stopwatches dedicated to the world of vintage cars races. These watches are produced in Hanhart factory based in the germ... more

How about a few live pics of the new SIHH 2012 '3 counter' Deep Sea Chronograph? by 'ED-209' 2012 has been an exciting year for JLC.  From the elegant shape of the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon to the amazing Duometre SpheroTourbillon there were many watches in the new collection that I've been waiting to handle in person.  However the one watch that really drew my attention was the JLC Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph with the 2 counters.  During my recent visit to the JLC Beverly... more

Less than 24 hours, the bi-yearly race, the 8th Monaco Historic Grand Prix will begin. Chopard is the official timekeeper of the race for the six consecutive time since 2002.Before the drivers from 20 different countries start their engine filling the air with excitement, castor oil and methanol, a quick look of the Chopard's 2012 Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Editions. Two models are launched just like previous five races, one in matt Titanium case and another, in 500-piece limited numbered two-to... more

To avoid any confusion, we are now speaking about the Second one, not the " Vintage " with its two counters.If JLC wanted to re visit the Past with the " Vintage, we have a totally different and modern approach with the Deep Sea Chronograph which I named the " 3 counters ".The " Vintage ": The " 3 counters " For the little story, the " 3 counters " was part of our mysterious adventure in Paris, on the 19th of December, but I opted for a dedicated presentation.Here are some pictures of the second star of... more

The 38mm 1999 Chronograph was produced by GP between 1999 and 2002. It was available with both cream and black dials, but the cream dial, combined with the box-shaped sapphire crystal and mushroom pushers conjures up images of vintage chronographs from the 1940’s and 50’s. It is perfectly proportioned, very legible and beautifully elegant on the wrist. Read the full review by clicking here ... ... more

To commemorate  the year of the Dragon ( 龍 / 龙 in the Chinese zodiac or "Shēngxiào") Chopard issued 8 ausipicious pieces of the L.U.C Tourbillon Dragon (Ref : Ref. 161869-5003). The L.U.C Tourbillon Dragon is different from most of the 'Dragon-watches' from various brands which have the dragon-motifs displayed on the dials.  The L.U.C version is understated,  like a hidden dragon, is very much similar to the value of the oriental. The Dragon is hand-engraved ont... more

  I had an opportunity to visit the Museum and as a SEIKO watch fan, had a very good time there.  Here is the highlights of the Exhibit for those who cannot make it here.  Those who visit Tokyo and have time, I highly recommend to visit this place. Click Here to see more of KIH's post ... ... more

Montblanc had a very busy SIHH this year with interesting novelties in each pillar of its catalogue from the entry-level Star collection to the exclusive Villeret watches. This offer highlights the Montblanc strategy which goal is to be present in each segment of the market hoping that the high-end image of the Villeret collection would have a positive impact on the others. But I noticed that the will to improve the horological contents was not focussed only on the Rieussec and Villeret collections b... more

MOONMACHINE embargo  is over now so I can propose you my 2012 Baselworld MB&F report. Obviously, the MOONMACHINE concentrated the main part of the interest but we don't have to forget that another watch was unveiled during the Fair: the HM4 Thunderbolt RT.A) HM4 Thunderbolt RTMax Büsser proposed surprising (and logical!) evolutions of the HM4 at the end of 2011 with the Razzle Dazzle and the Double Trouble. Max is back with a more classic evolution (if I can use such word with the HM4) ... more

Jaeger-LeCoultre Beverly Hills: Special Delivery Event! by 'ED-209' Jaeger-LeCoultre Beverly Hills BoutiqueBeverly Hills, CaliforniaA little while back, Jaeger-LeCoultre announced a collaboration with renowned artist Mr. Guillermo Ceniceros.  Known respectfully as 'The Maestro', Mr. Ceniceros hails from Mexico City and has created some of the most spectacular work of fine arts in various mediums.  Recipient of the SEP Painting Prize, Mr. Ceniceros was the only Mexican national nominated f... more

Read nitedivers 3 part in depth introduction to the Ochs & Junior's watches and their new store in Lucernochs und junior (PART 1) a non-watchmakers approach to watchmakingochs und junior (PART 2) a non-watchmakers approach to watchmaking ochs und junior (PART 3) a non-watchmakers approach to watchmaking ... more

Press Release:Harry Winston Limited Edition Shanghai Timepieces Harry Winston introduces a collection of Limited Edition timepieces to commemorate the opening of the new Shanghai pavilion. The collection, consisting of five limited editions – two for men, three for women – pays tribute to the city epitomizing Chinese culture.Harry Winston Midnight Limited Edition Shanghai: Architectural Echoes­Like a bridge stretching from East to West, the iconic Harry Winston arches inspired by ... more

  After years of being involved with the Le Mans Classic (and Richard still is for that matter), Richard will now sponsor a team in the Le Mans 24 Heures endurance race in June. This year, Richard has joined forces with Nissan and Greaves Racing (check the name) to sponsor Martin Brundle, Alex Brundle (Martin’s son), and Lucas Ordonez. This is a new team and a return to LeMans for Brundle senior. I was invited along to Silverstone for the day to both drive one of the new Nissan GT-R cars for ... more

Minute Repeaters and Girard Perregaux are not a recent story...Some you may not have in mind, were made as early as 1850, like this " Tact " pocket watch, which strikes the quarters, by Jean François Bautte & Co: Or this hunter case with quarter hour repeater, made by Girard Perregaux, in 1900: What to say about this Grande Complication, made in 1906, featuring a perpetual calendar, a chronograph and a ... Minute Repeater? In a more recent era, you may well remember two or three great minute rep... more

I was fortunate to interview Shinji Hattori, the President of Seiko Watch Corp and Seiko Holdings, late last year. Mr Hattori’s great- great grandfather founded Seiko 130 years ago.         Mr Hattori is not a colou...... more

Previously on PuristSPro, we had articles about Danish Design click the link: home.watchprosite.com and Conversations with Morten Linde – part 1 click the link: home.watchprosite.com Conversations with Morten Linde &#...... more

Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 976 Ceniceros Edition by Edmund Woophotos: Dr. Ming Woo  The Duality of Art and the JLC Reverso: These two concepts started as an idea that turned into a unique match to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the ic...... more

Lionel Favre, a young and very energetic man responsible for the product design at MRD.   Having joined the firm about 3 years ago, Lionel came from Chopard where he was responsible for design of pieces such as Mille Miglia, Happy Diamond as wel...... more

Conversations with Morten Linde – part 1     ML=Morten LindePP=PuristSPro (Dr M. Teillol-Foo) PP: When I first heard about you and Linde Werdelin, I was already a fan of the Bang & Olufsen hi-fi that you helped design; I have both ...... more

In this tenth anniversary year of PuristS, and just a few days away from the start of the IGOTT, it is fitting that we interview Thomas Mao, the founder and Chief Purist. While Thomas understandably wanted the focus to be on the ThePuristS and PuristSP...... more