Tag: NOVELTIES 2014

Backes & Strauss Piccadilly Princess Royal Colours Natural Coloured Diamonds

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As the name suggests, the Backes & Strauss Piccadilly Princess ‘Royal Colours’ is a lady’s cocktail watch bedecked in a variety of spectacular stones which reflect all the colours of the rainbow – and more.

No two examples of the Piccadilly Princess Royal Colours will be alike, nor can they be – because each watch is created using a unique hand-picked selection of white and fancy-coloured diamonds which are individually set to create an unrepeatable, one-off pattern.

Starting with a simple, 18 carat white gold case, the watch is created by hand-setting ‘royal colours’ diamonds of no fewer than 66 different colour hues and 10 different cuts on the dial, case and bracelet. Combining the various cuts (Baguette, Cushion, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess, Ascher, Emerald, Heart and Round Brilliant Cut) creates an impression of a piece that has been formed by a happy coincidence of nature, almost as if diamonds had been casually scattered across the watch.

But closer inspection reveals that each of the 225 stones – one to mark every year since Backes & Strauss was founded – has been set in a process taking hundreds of hours of our master craftsmen.

Technical details
Size: PC37
Case: 18 carat White Gold case set with Natural Coloured Diamonds
22 diamonds – 9.04 carats
Dial: Set with White and Natural Coloured diamonds
65 diamonds – 3.37 carats
Hands: Sword-shaped hands
Movement: Quartz
Display: Hours and minutes
Bracelet: Jewellery Bracelet in White Gold set with White and Natural Coloured Diamonds
138 diamonds – 26.28 carats
Total carats: 225 diamonds – 38.69 carats

Backes & Strauss – The Royal Jester

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The Backes & Strauss ‘Royal Jester’ is a bespoke watch series.

The Jester (court jester, or fool) was an important appointment in many royal courts during the medieval and Renaissance eras. His role was considered vital to the smooth running of the royal court, his humorous antics were often seen as the fruit of divine inspiration and his position was one of privilege.

The watch is so named because of its circular theme, in the centre of which a sparkling routine is performed by its very own version of the jester in the form of a single, round, Brilliant diamond weighing above 1.01 carats in either the finest colourless or natural coloured diamonds.

But the magnificent ‘jester’ diamond is not the only amusing aspect of this small and very special line of watches, each of which will be a bespoke piece with a different central stone – choose from the afore mentioned diamond, or indulge in courtly colours with a central stone of intense blue, intense pink or fancy vivid yellow. Around the outside of the case, there are a further 80 diamonds weighing 10.50 carats, with the dial being masterfully invisibly set with two rows of baguettes weighing 2.4 carats. Each distinctive timepiece has a single diamond hand set in the crown, the Backes & Strauss signature “Jewel in the Crown”.

A further 40 baguettes (0.85 carat) can be seen between the discreet, crimson hour and minute markers, which are ingeniously mounted on crystal discs to create the impression that they are simply floating, unconnected to any mechanism, in the great tradition of the mystery timekeeper.
These timepieces are driven by a superb mechanical movement with 36 hours of power reserve.

Technical details

Case
18-carat white gold case set with 80 diamonds – 10.50cts
Size: 40 mm
Crown: One ideal-cut diamond “the Jewel in the Crown” – 0.06 carat

Dial
– Centre stone: Ideal-Cut Hearts & Arrows Diamond 1.01 carats
Colour: D
Clarity: Internally Flawless
Grading report: GIA (Gemmological Institute of America)
– Cluster of 40 Baguettes set in 2 rows all individually polished and set invisibly, total 2.41 carats surrounding the centre stone
– Hour marker: Red hour markers covered with crystal glass
– 40 Baguettes diamonds set – 0.85 carat set between the Minute and hour marker
– 40 Baguettes diamonds set – 0.95 carat surrounding the Minute marker

Movement
Mechanical movement with 36 hours of power reserve

Display
Hours and minutes

Bracelet
Alligator leather strap
Buckle: 18-carat white gold deployant buckle or ardillon buckle set with 30 Ideal-cut diamonds
Water resistant to 30 meters

Diamonds
Ideal-Cut Round brilliant diamonds: 2 1.07 carats
Baguette diamonds: 200 14.71carats
Total Carats: 202 diamonds 15.78 carats

Backes & Strauss – The Berkeley John Bull

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Proudly wearing the British colours on its diamond studded dial, the Berkeley John Bull watch marks the passing of over two centuries since Backes & Strauss established its first London office in the heart of the Hatton Garden diamond district. Named after the iconic and exquisitely manicured square whose trees were planted in the founding year of Backes & Strauss, the new John Bull timepiece is inspired by the honoured and most celebrated symbol and personification of unshakeable Britishness: John Bull.

Its dial is set with 202 Ideal Cut diamonds, 198 rubies and 92 sapphires to create the instantly recognisable pattern of the Union Jack flag, behind which lies a self-winding, mechanical movement. The 18 carat white gold case, meanwhile, is set with 124 further diamonds around the bezel, with a single, Ideal Cut diamond nestling in the crown.

The watch is completed with the addition of an alligator leather strap fitted with a white gold diamond set buckle.

Technical details
Model: The Berkeley John Bull
Size: 40mm
Case: 18k white goldcase set with 44 diamonds – 8.50 cts
Dial: Union jack dial set with 92 Sapphires (0.63 cts), 198 Rubies (1.48 cts) and 202 Ideal-cut diamonds (0.69 cts).
Crown: One Ideal Cut diamond “The Jewel in the Crown” – 0.12cts
Hands: Sword-shaped hands
Movement: Automatic movement
Display: Hours, minutes & seconds
Bracelet: Alligator leather strap
Buckle: 30 Ideal cut diamonds form a heart buckle – 0.48 cts.
Total Carats: Ideal Cut diamonds (2.20 carats)

Memorigin Orbit Series Lady and Gent

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Introduced in 2014 and available in both ladies and gent’s versions, the Memorigin Orbit Series watch collection will let you imagine the beauty of the dawn. The stunning “mother of pearl”, shining with unique colours, encircles and decorates the multi-level dial.

With the classic Roman indexes, you will dream the fantasy expressed by the reflection of the shining “mother of pearl” though the light. Especially, the tourbillon, rotating continuously as the heart of the entire watch, injects the life to everything alike. This watch comes in stainless steel case and black alligator strap.

Not only does the dial have the rich detailed design, but the back of the watch also surprises all the watch collectors. Memorigin specially engraved the semicircular rotor of the movement with skeletal pattern, enriching with the artistic elements on the design. Although it is an automatic tourbillon watch, Memorigin still reserves the traditional winding method to all – manual winding.

Technical details

Orbit Series – Gent. / Orbit Series – Lady
Suggested retail price: HKD 32000 (Gent.) / HKD32500 (Lady)

Orbit Series – Gent
Model No.: AT0221
214 pieces of subassembly module and 25 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 Oscillation/Hour
The tourbillon located at 6 o’clock rotate at a speed of 60s for one circle
Flying Tourbillon
40 hours power reserve
Self-winding mechanism (Bi-Directional Winding)
Alligator Strap
Both sides sapphire crystal

Orbit Series – Lady
Model No.: AT0126
191 pieces of subassembly module and 33 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 Oscillation/Hour
The tourbillon located at 6 o’clock rotate at a speed of 60s for one circle
50 hours power reserve
Off-Centered Tourbillon
Self-winding mechanism (Bi-Directional Winding)
The balance wheel and the escapement system encircle the center of balance wheel Alligator Strap
Both sides sapphire crystal

Memorigin – The Time Machine, Designed by Mark Lui

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Designed by Hong Kong based artist Mark Lui, the Time Machine from Memorigin is a modern tourbillon watch, while embracing a classic appearance. Through collaborating with Memorigin, Mark has been inspired by the brand philosophy of the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern cogitation.

With the combination of the above ideas, the concept of “steampunk” came across in his mind, where it was related to the industrial revolution of steamed mechanics dated back to the 19th Century.

Mark Lui had designed his tourbillon with both modern and classic design, combining with a rough feeling to produce a very special tourbillon that’s different from the ones in the market. There are 4 circular windows on the watch surface as one of the major breakthrough. Each of them is of different height giving us different visual delights at different perspectives.

The 4 circular windows symbolize factory smokestacks, where it also looks as if it is a telescope that attracts us to look into mechanical mystery. Looking in the user’s perspective, the crown is also coming with a cushion to avoid any injuries during winding the watch.

There are two shades for “The Time Machine”, giving us very different perceptions. The rose gold surface coupled with a dark brown alligator strap gives a retro feeling while the silver surface is coupled with a navy blue alligator strap giving simplicity and a modern style.

Technical details

“The Time Machine”
Model No.: MO 0147
Price: HKD48,800
ISA and Memorigin Specialty store exclusive

At least 188 pieces of subassembly module and 21 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 Oscillation/Hour
The tourbillon located at 12 o’clock rotate at a speed of 60s for one circle
Flying Tourbillon
60 hours power reserve
24 hours indicator
Twin mainspring barrel
Power reserve indicator
Day / night indicator
Crocodile leather strap (large-grid)
Both sides sapphire crystal

Memorigin KuTour Typhoon and Tweed Tourbillons by Ms. Priscilla Ku

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Hong Kong actress – Ms. Priscilla Ku, who is also a GIA jewelry appraiser and designer, has been enthusiastic on the jewelry design for many years. She aims to merge her fashion sense with the traditional jewelry design. The fashionable appearance and magnificent function are penetrated successfully in her designs. Furthermore, she has designed an extraordinary phase on her artworks that accessory can be divided and assembled to feature with different apparels which enhances the utility and freshness of the jewelry.

In 2014, Ms. Priscilla Ku worked with a Hong Kong tourbillon brand – Memorigin for creating her own brand – KuTour. Two separate tourbillon series, Typhoon and Tweed, were launched under the timeless effort of Memorigin and Ms. Priscilla Ku.

Typhoon is a tourbillon watch based on the satellite image of a typhoon passing through China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. On the dial, the curve lines represent the isobars of the satellite image. With diamonds in different colours encircled, they form the continental and ocean alike. In the middle, it is the location of Hong Kong. The typhoon is transformed into rotating tourbillon. Besides, the harmony among China, Hong Kong and Taiwan is the extraordinary blessing from the watch design. By using different diamonds with different colours, the details and shining gems enriched everyone’s eyesight.

For Tweed, the design inspiration comes from the checked woollen cloth pattern with a simple colour tone. In order to form the interweave effect of the woollen cloth perfectly, different kind of gems were assembled like the black gems, sapphire, diamonds and grey diamonds. Thus, the jewelry workers spent unlimited working hours on the cutting process to imitate the sophisticated pattern of the woollen cloth.

Apart from the special design on the appearance, a deep inspiration about life is implied. She aims to express the true meaning of harmony. Just like the pattern of the fabric, the circular outlook with rectangular inner design implies the concept of Chinese proverbs “following the rule and act wisely”.

Typhoon tourbillon watch

  • Model No. : KU0901
  • Diameter: approx. 40 mm
  • 18K white gold weight: approx. 64.22g
  • (Case, crown and buckle include)
  • Diamond Quantity: approx. 403pcs
  • (Yellow diamond quantity: approx. 265pcs; White diamond: approx. 138pcs)
  • Diamond Weight: approx. 5.28 Carat
  • (Yellow diamond quantity: approx. 3.93Carat; diamond: approx. 1.35Carat)
  • Off-centered tourbillon
  • 158 pieces of subassembly module and 23 jewels
  • Frequency: 28,800 Oscillation/ Hour
  • The Tourbillon located at 5 o’clock rotates at a speed of 60s for one circle
  • Power reserve of 60 hours
  • White devil rays strap
  • Yellow diamond crown (approx. 0.23 Carat)
  • (1 pc yellow diamond, approx. 0.09 Carat; White Diamond 45 pcs, approx. 0.14Carat
  • Both sides sapphire crystal
  • Price:  HKD $428,000

Tweed tourbillon watch

  • Model No. : KU1224
  • Diameter: approx. 40 mm
  • 18K white gold weight: approx. 59.21g
  • (Case, crown and buckle include)
  • Diamond Quantity: approx. 558pcs
  • Diamond Weight: approx. 3.34 Carat
  • Black sapphire quantity: approx. 19pcs
  • Black sapphire weight: approx. 1.12Carat
  • Off-centered tourbillon
  • 158 pieces of subassembly module and 23 jewels
  • Frequency: 28,800 Oscillation/ Hour
  • The Tourbillon located at 6 o’clock rotates at a speed of 60s for one circle
  • Power reserve of 60 hours
  • Alligator strap
  • Diamond crown (approx. 0.23 Carat, 46pcs)
  • Both sides sapphire crystal
  • Price:  HKD $368,000

 

Jean Marcel SOMNIUM Chronograph

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Jean Marcel presents its brand new „SOMNIUM“Collection, including an extremely thin automatic-Chronograph. With a total height of 11.2mm only, the Jean Marcel SOMNIUM Chronograph is one of the thinnest automatic-Chronographs in the world without compromising on quality and longevity.

The JM A10 calibre based on a Swiss Made ETA 2894-2 movement with glucydur balance guarantees precision and reliability. Jean Marcel ensures after regulation a precision of +3 seconds per day. Therefore a special certificate is delivered with every single watch. Dials are protected by a non-reflective sapphire crystal -the company logo becomes visible by breathing on the crystal (Mystery effect).

The SOMNIUM is limited to 300 pieces worldwide. The steel case is water-resistant to 10 ATM.

Technical details
Model: Somnium Chronograph
Reference No: 295.60.42.03

Case
Stainless steel, Sapphire crystal, Sapphire case back
Diameter: 43 mm
Height: 11,2 mm
Waterproof: 10 ATM
Anti reflective sapphire crystal
Sapphire case back

Movement
JM A10, Automatic
Basic Caliber: ETA 2894-2 Glucydur

Specialities
Chronograph, Date, Tachymeter scale
One of the thinnest automatic-chronographs in the world: Height 11,2 mm
Certificate of accuracy

Limitation
300 pieces worldwide

Retail price
2.295,00 €

Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370 – Bugatti 10eme Anniversaire Rose Gold Ruthenium Mythe, Reference PFH340-1012700-HC3042

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Introduced in 2014, this timepiece celebrates the 10th anniversary of Bugatti Type 370, the first timepiece born from the partnership between Parmigiani Fleurier and Bugatti.

The partnership between the two prestigious companies was formalised in 2004. Since then, the Fleurier based manufacture has striven to create timepieces for the Bugatti collection which are far more than a watch stamped with a car marque logo; they are cars reborn in watch form. The Bugatti 370, the first timepiece which celebrated the creation of the partnership in 2004.

Launched in 2004, the Bugatti 370 features a movement built according to a horizontal axis. It’s a world first. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the partnership, in 2014, Parmigiani Fleurier announced the unveiling of three limited editions of the Bugatti timepiece.

Bugatti Mythe

The brand has decided to take the iconic Bugatti 370 model, and its transverse tubular movement, as its basis. This piece, which marked the creation of the partnership in 2004, demonstrates the brand’s cutting-edge creative spirit and the quest for technical excellence which made it possible.

The Bugatti Mythe, the Bugatti Victoire and the Bugatti Révélation are the new versions of this Anniversary Limited Edition. These three pieces share an aesthetic which harks back to the artisan’s traditional techniques. In this respect, the collection moves away from the hi-tech, futuristic spirit which prevailed in some of the Bugatti creations of this first decade: the titanium of the Bugatti Vitesse case middle, for example, or the black carbon of the Bugatti Super Sport dial.

The first of the Anniversary Edition timepieces, the aesthetic of the Bugatti Mythe is based on an emblematic Bugatti component: the legendary Type 57 grille. This grille, which graced the very first Bugatti cars, has a striking structure, formed of lines rather than mesh. These lines are echoed in the watch dial and they extend downward beyond its perimeter, affirming the Art Deco style which made the historic grille such a success.

In addition to this homage to Bugatti’s history, the Bugatti Mythe timepiece also pays tribute to the ongoing collaboration between industrial and artisan traditions in both the automotive and watchmaking worlds. Inextricably linked at Bugatti, industry and craftsmanship see their potential combined in every creation, and this is what the brand’s reputation is based on.

The Bugatti Mythe evokes this marriage through the dual-colour effect of the surfaces of its case middle. A mottled anthracite grey surface, which reinforces its «industrial» appearance, represents this side of the spectrum; the burnished, gold surfaces reflect the refined, artisan side. The Bugatti Mythe is possessed of a powerful symbolism, which encapsulates the history of two brands and the success of a collaboration.

Technical details
Model: Bugatti type 370 Mythe

Movement
Calibre: PF370
Winding: Manual using a dynamometric starter
Power reserve indicated on the side of a rotating drum
Power-reserve: 10 days

Frequency: 3 Hz – 21.600 A/h
Dimensions: 21.00 x 16.00 x 27.40 mm
Components: 314
Jewels: 37
Barrel(s): 2 series-coupled barrels
Decoration: Circular-grained hand-belleved main plates, Bugatti design

Functions
Hours and minutes
Power reserve indication engraved on drum

Case
Shape: Special
Dimensions: 32.40 x 52.50 mm
Thickness: 18.6 mm
Material: 18 ct rose gold
Finishing: Satin, polished hammered
Water-resistance: 10 m
Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire
Back: Sapphire
Back engraving: Individual number, « 2004-2014 » Modèle Unique »

Dial
Material: 18 ct rose gold
Colour: Rose gold and ruthenium
Index: Transfered
Finishing: « Grille » dial
Hands: Delta-shaped with luminescent coating

Bracelet
Material: Calf
Colour: Ebony
Brand: Hermès

Buckle
Type: Folding
Material: Rose gold

NOMOS Glashütte New Midnight Blue Dial Collection – Neomatik nachtblau, Metro neomatik nachtblau, Tangente neomatik nachtblau, and Minimatik nachtblau

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German watch manufacture NOMOS Glashütte presents a new series of timepieces: Metro neomatik, Tangente neomatik, and Minimatik—all available in exquisite midnight blue.

These three new models form, together with Tetra neomatik nachtblau, a cohesive group within the neomatik family.

Measuring a diameter of 35.0 mm and height 6.9 mm, the stainless steel, two parts case of Tangente neomatik nachtblau model comes fitted with sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back.

It boasts a lacquered midnight blue dial featuring green and silver-colored print, rhodium-plated central hour & minute hands and neon orange lacquered small seconds hand.

The Minimatik nachtblau model comes in a stainless steel case fitted with domed sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back. The three parts case measures 35.5mm diameter and 8.86 mm thickness.

The lacquered, midnight blue dial features pearled indexes in rose gold and green print. Hour and minute hands are rhodium plated and small seconds hand is neon orange lacquered.

Metro neomatik nachtblau features a stainless steel, bipartite case measuring diameter 35.0 mm and height 8.06 mm. It is fitted with domed sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back.

The lacquered, midnight blue dial features green print, rhodium-plated hour and minute hands and neon orange lacquered small seconds hand.

Tetra neomatik nachtblau has a square shaped stainless steel case measuring 33 mm diameter and 7.2mm thickness. Its two part case is fitted with sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back.

Its lacquered, midnight blue dial with green print houses rhodium-plated hour and minute hands and a small seconds hand with neon orange lacquered finish.

All these timepieces are equipped with the DUW 3001 in house self winding caliber manufactured by the Glashütte watch making company. This ultra-thin proprietary movement went into series production this spring. Only 3.2 millimeters in height, DUW 3001 gives the new neomatik models their slender and elegant form—while also delivering the highest performance and accuracy. It is the tenth movement developed and produced in-house by NOMOS Glashütte.

These timepieces are equipped with a beautiful and incredibly long-lasting strap crafted from Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan; remborde and fitted with NOMOS’ own winged clasp, a piece of jewelry in itself.

All timepieces are tested for water resistance up to 30 meters. These new models will be available starting October 1.

Tangente neomatik nachtblau

Reference number: 177
Case: stainless steel, bipartite; sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back; diameter 35.0 mm, height 6.9 mm
Dial: lacquered, midnight blue; green and silver-colored print
Hands: rhodium-plated; neon orange lacquered seconds hand
Water-resistant: to 3 atm
Strap: black Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan, remborde and hand-stitched, lug width 18 mm; NOMOS buckle clasp

Minimatik nachtblau

Reference number: 1205
Case: stainless steel, tripartite; domed sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back; diameter 35.5 mm, height 8.86 mm
Dial: lacquered, midnight blue; pearled indexes, rose gold; green print
Hands: rhodium-plated; neon orange lacquered seconds hand
Water-resistant: to 3 atm
Strap: black Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan, remborde and hand-stitched, lug width 17 mm; NOMOS buckle clasp

Metro neomatik nachtblau

Reference number: 1110
Case: stainless steel, bipartite; domed sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back; diameter 35.0 mm, height 8.06 mm
Dial: lacquered, midnight blue; green print
Hands: rhodium-plated; neon orange lacquered seconds hand
Water-resistant: to 3 atm
Strap: black Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan, remborde and hand-stitched, lug width 17 mm; NOMOS buckle clasp

Tetra neomatik nachtblau

Reference number: 422
Case: stainless steel, bipartite; sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal glass back; size 33 mm by 33 mm; height 7.2 mm
Dial: lacquered, midnight blue, green print
Hands: rhodium-plated, seconds hand neon orange lacquered
Water-resistant: to 3 atm
Strap: Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan black, remborde, hand-stitched, lug width
20 mm; NOMOS winged clasp

The Movement
DUW 3001—in-house built NOMOS caliber with automatic winding; NOMOS swing system with tempered blue balance spring. (DUW stands for: NOMOS Glashütte Deutsche Uhrenwerke.)
Diameter: 12 ¾ lines (28.8 mm)
Movement height: 3.2 mm
Power reserve: approx. 42 hours
Characteristics: decentralized seconds, stop-seconds mechanism, Glashütte three-quarter plate, NOMOS balance bridge, 27 jewels, bidirectional winding rotor, Incabloc shock protection, DUW regulation system, adjusted in six positions, tempered blue screws, rhodium plated surfaces with Glashütte ribbing and NOMOS perlage.