Luxury watches

TAG Heuer Picks Wimbledon Champion Maria Sharapova as Brand Ambassador

2006-02-23T12:33:00.000+02:00

Swiss sports watch maker and the fourth largest luxury brand in the world watch market TAG Heuer has signed a long-term ambassador agreement with, the winner of 2004 Wimbledon and WTA year-end championships, Maria Sharapova for covering product development, advertising, public relations and merchandising.

The 17-years-old Russian tennis star and the third youngest Wimbledon Champion in WTA history, Maria Sharapova said, "I am ecstatic."

"To represent a brand as legendary as TAG Heuer is a great honor. TAG Heuer has been teaming with the greatest champions in the history of sports, renowned athletes like Carl Lewis, Ayrton Senna or nowadays Tiger Woods, and famous teams like Ferrari and McLaren,” she said.

Jean-Christophe Babin, TAG Heuer’s President and Chief Executive Officer said, “In just two seasons Maria Sharapova has made her mark on the WTA pro tennis circuit, quickly advancing to the 4th singles 2004 WTA rankings, and winning two of the most famous tournaments in tennis."

“She's the perfect TAG Heuer Ambassador, an ideal representative of the brand's core values of passion, prestige and performance, which have driven the TAG Heuer brand in its pursuit of perfection for 145 years,” Babin said.

“We are very excited that she is joining the TAG Heuer Team, and she will go a long way toward reinforcing the brand's profile in the professional tennis world, which goes back to our "Inner Strength" campaign in the 1990s, when Boris Becker and Monica Seles were TAG Heuer Ambassadors," Babin concludes.

Watch Terminology

2006-02-11T21:25:00.000+02:00

A

Alarm A watch feature that sounds an alarm at pre-set time or at regular intervals.

Annual calendarA watch displaying the day, date, month, and 24 hours that adjusts automatically for short and long months. An annual calendar requires only a single manual correction per year from the end of February to the 1st of March.

Analog Digital A watch that has both a digital display and hands of a conventional watch. Usually featured on sport watch styles.

Applique Numerals or symbols stuck or riveted to a dial.

Automatic movement A movement that is all mechanical and requires no winding as this is done every time you move your hand.

B

Baguette Ladies style watch with a thin, elongated face; usually rectangular in shape but may be oval.

Balance A wheel-like device which, by rotating back and forth, regulates the gear train movement as uniform as possible.

BarrelThick wheel featuring a toothed disc on one face and containing the mainspring of a watch movement.

Battery Life The minimum period of time that a battery will continue to provide power to run the watch. Life begins at the point of manufacture when the factory initially installs the battery.

The surface ring on the watch that surrounds and holds the crystal in place.A sports or divers watch could have a rotating bezel to be used as a timer.

Bottom plateA metal plate bearing the bridges and various parts of the movement.

Bracelet A metal band consisting of links that can be removed to change the length of the bracelet.Also could be a one-piece expansion style bracelet that contains no buckle but fits over the wrist.

Brass Copper and zinc alloy used to make the main plate and bridge wheels in the movement

Bridge (or bar, or cock) A metal movement part that is attached to a bottom plate and holds at least one bearing of a rotating part.

Buckle Usually matching the case, it attaches the two parts of the leather strap around the wrist.

C

Calendar A watch feature that shows the date and sometimes the day of the week and the month.

Carat (Karat) Unit of gold fineness (and gemstone weight). Pure gold is 24k. 18k gold is 75% pure.

CarillonStriking mechanism, or chime, that involves two or more bells of varying tones.

Case The metal housing of a watch's parts. Stainless steel is the most typical metal used but also titanium, gold, silver, and platinum can be used.

Case Back The cover for the back of the watchcase that can be removed to access the watch movement for service.

Caseband The watchcase edge between the bezel and caseback. Also called the middle

Chamfer (or bevel) To take down a sharp angle into a flat edge which often produces a luminous strip along the contours of the chamfered part or area. Hand chamfering results in particularly clean recessed and protruding angles.

Central piece Central part of the watch-case, which houses the movement.

Chronograph A multifunction sport watch with a stopwatch function. Most have two or three sub dials, or minidials, for measuring minutes and hours.

Clasp The attachment used to connect the two ends of the watch bracelet or strap around the wrist.

Circular Graining A surface decoration of slightly overlapping concentric circles, often found on the bridges and base of watch movements and even occasionally on dials.

Complications Supplementary time mechanisms, with the exception of the display of hours, minutes and seconds, that are added to a basic movement. Complications belong to three main categories: those that provide extra time indications; those that strike or chime the time of day; and those that provide a variety of astronomical indications. "Grand Complication" watches feature mechanisms from all three above categories.

Countdown timer Measures remaining time from preset period of time. (Example: Can be used to countdown time of a basketball game.)

Crown The ridged winding knob on the right side of the case used to adjust the time, day and date.Most diving watches have a screw down crown, which must be unscrewed before you can utilize it.

Crystal The clear cover over the watch face. Several types of crystals are commonly found in watches. It can be made of mineral, synthetic sapphire, plastic, or acrylic material. The sapphire crystal is the most durable.

D

Day/date watch A watch that indicates not only the date but also the day of the week.

Dial The watch face. The numerals, indices, or surface design are usually applied; others have been printed on.

Digital Any watch that shows the time in numbers instead of hands on the dial

Digital Watch A mechanical or solid-state watch in which the time shows through changes of digits, rather than positions of hands on the dial.

Divers Watches -Diver's watches are designed and manufactured especially for divers whose lives depend on the reliability of their watch in the water.
-Seiko and Pulsar diver's watches meet ISO (International Standardization Organization) regulations. Diver's watches must meet various standards regarding water resistancy, pressure resistancy, readability in the water, time presetting function (rotating elapsed time bezel), anti-magnetic ability, anti-shock, rust resistancy in salt water, manageability in water, ability to withstand sudden temperature changes, etc.

E

Etablissage French term for the method of manufacturing watches and/or movements by assembling their various components. It generally includes the following operations: receipt, inspection and stocking of the "ébauche", the regulating elements and the other parts of the movement and of the make-up; assembling; springing and timing; fitting the dial and hands; casing; final inspection before packing and dispatching.

Etablisseur French term for a watch factory which is engaged only in assembling watches, without itself producing the components, which it buys from specialist suppliers.

Equation of time The amount of time used to compensate for difference between true solar time to the mean, or civil, solar time at any given time.

F

Face The visible side of the watch where the dial is contained, most are printed with Arabic or Roman numerals.

Fly-back Hand, (retrograde date hand) Usually, a hand indicating a date or time against a scale and then "flies back" to catch up with to another date or time. For example, a hand that "flies back" to the beginning of the month after reaching the 28th, 29th, 30th, or 31st day of the month.

G

Gaskets A rubber type ring used as a seal against moisture and dust.Normally located in the case back, crown and pushers.

Grand strike ("Grande sonnerie" in french)Mechanism that can automatically sound the hours and quarter hours and which repeat hours, quarters and minutes on demand.

Gold Yellow precious metal, which is stainless and very malleable. Used in alloys to make jewelry, bracelets and watches. The portion of gold in the alloy is indicated in karats (k).

H

Hands The pointing device anchored at the center and circling around the dial indicating hours, minutes, seconds and any other special features of the watch.

Hourly time signal Single beep/chime, which rings on the hour, every hour when it is engaged.

Horns The parts on a wristwatch case, usually joined to the central piece, to which the straps are attached.

K

Kinetic Based on a revolutionary technology, Seiko Kinetic® watches run entirely on sell generated energy from natural movement of your wrist. It never needs a battery.

Keeper A small loop on the strap near the buckle. It holds the strap end in place after the buckle has been fastened.

J

Jewel In watchmaking, a synthetic ruby used for making low friction bearing in which the delicate pivots of the movement wheels run in. In some deluxe watches, sometimes sapphires or garnets are used.Expensive watch movements are jeweled from the barrel to the balance, and all automatic work, date and complication movements are expected to be jeweled.

Jumping hours On a watch dial, the digital numbers representing hours appearing through a small aperture or window.

L

LCDLiquid-crystal display. Digital time display

LED Light emitting diodes.Displays the time in a red light.Found less frequently these days.

Lighted dials Several types of lighted dials are used so that you can tell time in the dark. A side button activates the light. This technology often appears under a name brand such as Timex' Indiglo or Seiko's LumiBrite.

Lugs The metal holding located at the 6 and 12 o'clock position of the case.This is used to attach the band to the case with pushpins.

Lesser strike ("Petite sonnerie" in french)Striking-mechanism setting limited to the automatic strike of hours

Lever Any pivoting element and anchor-shaped part made of steel or brass that is part of the escapement.

M

Manual A hand-wound mechanical watch.Wound by turning the crown back and forth until resistance is met.

Mother-of-Pearl Iridescent, milky interior shell of the fresh water mollusk that is sliced thin and used on watch dials. While most have a milky white luster, mother-of-pearl also comes in other colors such as silvery gray, gray blue, pink, and salmon.

Movement The inner workings or assembly that make up the main timekeeping mechanism. Movements are either quartz or mechanical. This is the engine of the watch.

Mirror polish Extremely meticulous and elaborate polishing operation resulting in a flawlessly bright and smooth surface, absolutely free from scratches and blemishes.

Moon-phase calendar On some watches, the display of the evolution of the lunar cycle: rising, full or waning moon.

P

Pallet Steel or brass part of watch that controls the small rotation of a ratchet wheel.

Perpetual A type of calendar that automatically adjusts for months of different lengths and indicates February 29 in each leap year.

Platinum One of the rarest precious metals, platinum is also one of the strongest and heaviest, making it a popular choice for setting gemstone jewelry and watches. It has a rich, white luster, and an understated look. Platinum is hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant. Platinum used in jewelry and watches is at least 85 to 95 percent pure. Many platinum watches are produced in limited editions due to the expense and rarity of the metal.

Pushers Button located on the case of multifunction watches used to operate the special functions.

Push Pins Spring action pins that attach the band to the case lugs.

R

Racks The striking mechanism incorporates three round-shaped parts called racks: one for the hours, one for the quarters and one for the minutes.

Repeater A watch mechanism that sounds hours, quarters or minutes or repeats them on request. First designed to help the wearer to tell the time in the dark, they were always the most complex of watches and were the most difficult to miniaturize to fit into a wristwatch.

Rotor In automatic winding mechanisms, an unbalanced, semicircular metal turns freely in both directions winding the mainspring.

Q

Quartz movement Watch movement that is powered by a miniature battery, so there is no need to wind the watch.

S

Shock resistance If shock resistance is specified on a watchcase, a watch can withstand normal wear and tear, even during strenuous sport activities.

Skeleton Watch in which the case and various parts of the movement are cut away to reveal the watch's mechanical elements.

Snail Notched cam for the hours, quarters or minutes. Named after its shape, it is used to mechanically set a wide range of indications.

Solar-powered A type of quartz movement where the batteries are recharged via solar panels on the watch face. They have a power reserve so they can run even in the dark.

Stainless steel An extremely durable metal alloy that is virtually immune to rust, discoloration, and corrosion; it can be highly polished, thus resembling a precious metal. Because of its strength, stainless steel is often used even on case backs on watches made of other metals.

Sterling Silver A white and highly reflective precious metal. Sterling refers to silver that is 92.5 percent pure, which should be stamped on the metal, sometimes accompanied by the initials of the designer or country of origin as a hallmark. Although less durable than stainless steel and other precious metals, sterling silver is often employed in watches that coordinate or look like sterling jewelry. A protective coating may be added to prevent tarnish.

Strap A watchband made of leather, plastic or fabric.

T

Titanium The "space age" metal, often with a silvery-gray appearance. Because it is 30 percent stronger and nearly 50 percent lighter than steel it has been increasingly used in watch making, especially sport watch styles. Its resistance to salt water corrosion makes it particularly useful in diver's watches. Since it can be scratched fairly easily, some manufacturers use a patented-coating to resist scratching.

Tourbillon A regulating device that cancels the effects of gravitation on the precision of a watch movement by rotating the balance, lever and escapement around a single axis. The mechanism that even in its most conventional version, is extremely hard to manufacture.

Train A set of wheels and pinions in a watch movement.

V

Vibration Describes the movement of a pendulum or other oscillating element, limited by two consecutive extreme positions. The balance of a mechanical watch making five or six vibrations per second vibrates at 18,000 or 21,600 times per hour.

W

Waterproof An illegal and misused term: No watch is fully 100 percent waterproof

Water resistant A watch bearing the inscription "water-resistant" on its case back can handle light moisture, such as a rainstorm or sink splashes, but should not be worn swimming or diving. If the watch can be submerged in water, it must state at what depth it maintains water-resistance, i.e. 50 meters (165 feet) or more on most sport watches. Below 200 meters, the watch may be used for skin diving and even scuba diving depending upon the indicated depths.

Watches come in different water resistant depths and diver's depths:

-Water resistant resistantWill withstand splashes of water or rain but should not be worn while swimming or diving.

-Water tested to 50 meters (165 feet) Suitable for showering or swimming in shallow water.

-Water tested to 100 meters (330 feet) Suitable for swimming or snorkeling

-Water tested to 150 meters (500 feet) Suitable for snorkeling.

-Water tested to 200 meters (660 feet) Suitable for skin diving.

Diver's to 150 meters Meets ISO Standards and is suitable for scuba diving.

Diver's to 200 meters Meets ISO Standards and is suitable for scuba diving.

White Gold Created from yellow gold by incorporating either nickel or palladium to the alloy to achieve a white color. Most watches made of white gold will be 18k.

Y

Yellow gold The traditionally popular gold used in all gold or gold and stainless steel or other precious metal combinations. Yellow gold watches may be found in 14k or, as found from most European manufacturers, 18k

Nixon

2006-02-11T13:28:00.000+02:00

Nixon began out of frustration at a lack of quality watches that simultaneously do the talking for you and deliver what you need in various high stress work and play environments. Nixon believes you deserve to have something that reflects your entire package. You may not know how to say it, but you've got something to say, you can't slap on an off-the-shelf piece and consider yourself you. Can you? That's why Nixon was born and that's why, 5 years later, they're still here.

A Nixon watch is definitely an excellent choice if you're on the market for an elegant yet functional timepiece. Making a fashion statement is the least of what you're sure to accomplish when sporting an exquisitely crafted Nixon. Not only will you have complemented any ensemble with this necessary accessory, but you will also be carrying a very sophisticated piece of jewelry that epitomizes quality and durability at the same time.

"Team designed, custom built"

An extremely young and relatively new company that has been around for a mere five years, Nixon was born out of a group of highly active skateboarders/surfers who felt that the "generic" watches offered by other companies did not adequately fit their lifestyles. Nixon's watches are unique, stylish, fresh and modern. Although the company was born out of a wish to provide active people with a better timepiece, Nixon places a great deal of emphasis on the fact that their watches are not solely for the active person. Wear them to your day job; wear them to your night job; just wear them.

Some of the models provided include the Odyssey, the Producer, the Rover, the Lowdown, the Player, the Starlet, the Rockette, the Naughty and the Harmony.

Here's a few of the watches you can get from Nixon:

Nixon ' All Black Naughty ' Watch
What happens when good girls go bad? They turn naughty. Nixon offers up black leather and silver studs, and it never felt so good.The Naughty features 3 hand Japanese Quartz movement, a custom 30 meter case with stainless steel caseback, and a wide leather band with metal studs.

Nixon ' All Black Rocker ' Watch
The Rocker features a soft custom black leather band that's thick, wide, and has sufficient attitude to help its owners live out their rock and roll fantasies. The Rocker is water resistant to 30 meters, shock resistant, and features Nixon's signature raised bezel design, hardened mineral crystal, Night Light, and date indicator. The Rocker is available in all shades of black.

Nixon ' Clerk ' Watch - Black
Features:3 Hand Quartz Analog, Date, Night Light30 M, Stainless Caseback, Hardened Crystal, Raised Bezel, Double Gasket Crown.Custom Double tongue Leather.

Nixon ' Don ' Watch - Black
Features:The Dons are classic, high-style, all steel analogs with day/date indicators. The Dons are stainless steel. Solid. Each link is hand fashioned from steel, then joined to the others with a stainless steel pin. The dial is a colored brushed alloy

Nixon ' Doublewrap Vixon ' Watch - Blue
Features:SLIM AND SEXY FOR GIRLS WHO LIKE TO SHOW MORE SKIN.3 HAND JAPANESE QUARTZ30 M, STAINLESS CASEBACK, HARDENED CRYSTAL, RAISED BEZEL, DOUBLE GASKET CROWN..CUSTOM DOUBLE WRAP LEATHER..

Nixon ' GTO ' Watch - White / Black
The Nixon GTO Watch. Shown here in with a white face and black band.The GTO is ready to leave tracks. Like the legendary muscle car of the 60's this watch is destined to become an instant classic. The GTO was introduced in 1963 and hailed as ?the car that

Nixon ' Harmony ' Watch - Blue
Features:The Nixon Harmony Watch is a pure sports watch designed for a smooth blend of comfort, fit, and high-speed information.Custom Nixon module with aura display, 100 lap timer, dual time, countdown timer, chrono, 5 alarms and night light. The Harmony casing is custom 100 meter fiber reinforced polycarbonate with stainless steel helmet. The Nixon Harmony Band is a custom dual injected polyurethane with locking looper.

Nixon ' Insider ' Watch - Black
On the fast track straight to the top. With the inside information this guy has got, you would be headed there too. The Insider has plenty under wraps. With a press of a button you can access hidden digital functions with a display that is smart, easy to read, and gives the look of technical sophistication you want. Push one button to unlock the digital world time with instant access to 30 different cities. Push another button and Bam! you just put the digital functions into sleep mode so no one will know what you are holding unless you want them to. When you travel as much as the team does you can understand why they would want a high end analog with full digital features including time, world time, night light, chrono and an alarm that will wake you up in time for your next flight.

Nixon ' Jane ' Watch - Black
Simple Jane. She's not the prom queen. She's not the most popular girl in school. But somehow she managed to steal your heart. You're not sure how she's done it or what it is about her. We'd like to think it's because she's not demanding or overly dramatic. It's her uncomplicated style that made you take notice and remember the girl that you fell for known simply as Jane.

Nixon ' Juice ' Watch - Black
The Nixon Juice watch shown here in black. Free shipping is available on this item.The newest addition to first string of Nixon Watches is The Juice. Scouts take notice, you want this guy on your team. Does it really matter how he got this strong? Named after all of the performance enhancing supplements out there, The Juice looks like it has to be on at least one of them. But don?t let looks fool you into thinking that this guy is just a dumb jock. Check out the 5 alarms, chronograph, countdown timer, nightlight, dual time, and 100 lap timer.He's got brains to go with that brawn. Beefed up with Nixon's custom digital module, custom 100 M, fiber reinforced polycarbonate case with custom helmet and locking looper, the Juice has all the goods.The Nixon Juice is available in black, blue and gray with free shipping and no sales tax here at usoutdoor.com

Nixon ' Odyssey' Watch - Gunmetal
The Nixon Odyssey Watch. Shown here with a gunmetal face and silver bandFeatures:This is as High Class As It Gets . A Quartz Analog with Dual Time to tell You Where You Are and Where You've Been4 Hand Quartz Analog , Date Display, Dual Time200 Meter Water Resistent , Raised Bezel, Stainless Steel, Hardened Crystal, Screw Down Crown.Solid Stainless Steel with a Stealth Buckle.

Nixon ' Producer ' Watch - White/Silver
OF COURSE THE PRODUCER TAKES ALL THE CREDIT. THIS ONE IS SHOWN HERE WITH A WHITE FACE & SILVER BAND. THE PRODUCER WATCH FEATURES A 6 HAND QUARTZ ANALOG WITH DATE, 1/10TH SECOND 3 SUB DIAL CHRONO..THE CASING IS CUSTOM 100 METER, STAINLESS, HARDENED CRYSTAL, RAISED BEZEL, DOUBLE GASKET CROWN. THE NIXON PRODUCER WATCH HAS A CUSTOM SOLID STAINLESS STEEL. DOUBLE LOCKING CLASP..

Nixon ' Program ' Blue
Features:The Next Generation in Digital: Low Profile, High Funtional, All PowerfulCustom Nixon Module with Aura Display, 100 Lap Timer, Time dual Time, Countdown Timer, Chrono, 5 Alarms, Night Light.Custom 100 Meter Fiber Reinforced Polycarbonite with Stainless Steel Helmet.Custom Dual Injected Polyurethane with Patent Pending Locking Looper.

Nixon ' Rocker ' Watch - Black
Features:Rock and Roll All Night, Party Every Day3 Hand Quartz Analog with Date, Night Light30 M Stainless Hardened Mineral Crystal, Raised Bezel, Double Gasket Crown.Custom Fat Leather with Metal Nixon Rivets and Mesh.

Nixon ' Scout ' Watch Brown
Nixon ' Scout ' Watch BrownFeatures:Ahead of the Pack Checking Out What is Next.3 Hand Japanese Quartz.Custom 100 Meter, Stainless Caseback, Hardened Crystal, Raised Bezel, Double Gasket Crown.Custom Stitched Nylon.

Nixon ' Small Don ' Watch - Blue
The Don comes in two sizes, The Don and The Small DonThe Small Dons are classic, high-style, all steel analogs with day/date indicators. The Small Dons are stainless steel. Solid. Each link is hand fashioned from steel, then joined to the others with a st

Nixon ' Super Rover ' Watch Stainless - Black
Features:The Nixon Super Rover Watch is a high-end sport watch with a three sub-dial chronograph movement that measures hours, minutes, seconds and 1/10ths of a second. Nixon calls it a Rover because it can go anywhere and take anything. The Chrono function makes it Super. Like other Nixon watches, the Super Rover is built on a platform of water and shock resistancy. This Super Watch can take whatever abuse you can muster up!

Nixon 286 Watch - Black Pattern
Features: If Your VCR Blinks 12:00, Then This One is For You.Custom Nixon Digital Module with Time, Dual Time, Chrono, Alarm and Night Light.Custom 30 Meter with Stainless CasebackCustom Double Tongue Fat Leather.

Nixon 286 Watch (silver)
Features: If Your VCR Blinks 12:00, Then This One is For You.Custom Nixon Digital Module with Time, Dual Time, Chrono, Alarm and Night Light.Custom 30 Meter with Stainless CasebackCustom Double Tongue Fat Leather.

Nixon 500 Watch - Black
Features:3 Hand Japanese Quartz, Date.Stainless Steel, Raised Bezel, Hardened Mineral Crystal, Triple Gasket Crown.Custom Dual Injected Polyurethane with Locking Looper.

Nixon Clerk Watch - Black Dial White Band
Features:3 Hand Quartz Analog, Date, Night Light.30 M, Stainless Caseback, Hardened Crystal, Raised Bezel, Double Gasket Crown.Custom Double Tongue Leather.

Kenneth Cole

2006-02-10T10:17:00.000+02:00

The name Kenneth Cole was not heard of until 1982 when the young fashion designer launched himself and his brand on the shoe buying public. The Kenneth Cole story is one of resourcefulness and innovation.

Knowing that he had not enough capital to start his shoe company, or the backing of American banks, he enlisted Italian shoe manufacturers to finance his initial shoe production. He then went about selling the initial run of shoes by parking a forty foot trailer in front of the shoe convention in New York. In order to get permission to park the semi trailer on the streets, Cole created himself into a film production company, and set about making a documentary film, The Birth of a Shoe Company. Under this guise Cole was able to get permits from City Hall to park his trailer. 40,000 pairs of shoes were sold in two and a half days and the brand Kenneth Cole had successfully been launched.

To this day the company is still named Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. and serves as a reminder to the importance of resourcefulness and innovative problem solving.....

The brand Kenneth Cole now encompasses much more than shoes, including handbags, apparel, eyewear and of course watches. Cole has combined his modern day designs with current time technology to produce a highly fashionable collection of watches. The Kenneth Cole story is still very much a work in progress.

Kenneth Cole watches are always at the forefront of fashion design while still maintaining many classic elements. Whether one considers the dials, colors, case designs, bracelets, or straps, the brand’s attitude attracts the open-minded youthful consumer who appreciates European flair and American versatility.

The majority of Kenneth Cole watches are manufactured with Japanese quartz movements. They are constructed from 100% 316L grade solid stainless steel and are nickel free and hypoallergenic.

Invicta

2006-02-10T09:37:00.000+02:00

The Invicta watch company was founded in 1837. Invicta was created with the believe that precision and beautiful Swiss watches need not be over priced. This believe has held true ever since Invicta started making its first watch. This little watch company is now a a worldwide known watch maker. Invicta is Latin for "invincible" .The Invicta watch company was founded by Raphael Picard in La Chaux de-fonds Switzerland. For more then a century this little watch maker produced exceptional mechanical timepieces. Exceptional in design as well as craftsman ship. Like a lot of watch makers Invicta all but disappeared in the late 70's during the revolutionary development of cheap quartz movements. In 1991 the descendants of the original founder re established the company's founding principle to offer quality high grade Swiss watches at affordable prices. They decided to go after the market segment all the high end Swiss watch companies decided to ignore. Since its revival 13 years ago Invicta has become the fastest growing brand in the watch industry.

With the introduction of the Angel, Pro Diver and Elite lines Invicta successfully gambled with the concept of creating watches that were constructed of high quality materials like sapphire crystals combined with high grade mechanical or automatic movements. Invicta generated tremendous intrigue winning over enthusiast as well as retailers alike. The Pro Diver series achieved cult like status amongst collectors and is still one of Invicta ' s best selling lines.

As Invicta 's watch collection grew so did the company. It has now developed its on caliber which have evolved in to the technical Swiss ebauche. The company has moved its facilities to L'Abbey due to its growing demands.

In early 2000 Invicta 's non conformist attitude worked its way in to the Lupha Swiss Chronograph. The company also created a stunning 37 carat Pave Lupha with 4,600 full cut diamonds set in stainless steel four prong jewelers settings. In 2004 a limited edition Lupha in 18 karat gold. Since its success with making some higher priced watches Invicta has introduced a few more like the Ocean Ghost and NOMA. The NOMA features a genuine meteorite stone dial obtained from pieces of the Gibeon meteorite which was first reported In Africa in 1838

Bulova

2006-02-08T00:44:00.000+02:00

Founded in 1875, The Bulova Corporation is headquartered in New York and is part of the American-owned and operated Loews Corporation.

The realization of a great American dream began in 1875 when Joseph Bulova, a 23-year-old immigrant from Bohemia, opened a small jewelry store on Maiden Lane in New York City. This modest enterprise was to evolve into one of today's preeminent watch and clock companies. In 1911, Bulova began manufacturing boudoir and desk clocks, along with fine pocket watches, which he made and sold in unprecedented numbers. During World War I, wristwatches were issued in the military for their greater convenience. Returning veterans brought home the new fashion--and a new market emerged. Bulova already had sufficient production facilities and a mastery of jewelry design, so his company introduced the first full line of men's jeweled wristwatches in 1919. It was followed by the industry's first full line of ladies' wristwatches and the first line of diamond wristwatches. America ran on Bulova time, beginning with radio's first commercials, broadcast nationally in 1926: "At the tone, it's 8 P.M., B-U-L-O-V-A Bulova watch time." Two years later, Bulova introduced the world's first clock radio.

In 1931, Bulova conducted the watch industry's first million-dollar advertising campaign. And through the Depression years, Bulova supported retailers by offering Bulova watches to buyers on time-payment plans. As the next decade began, Bulova aired the first TV commercial. A simple picture of a clock and a map of the United States, it preceded a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball game on July 1, 1941, and proclaimed, "America runs on Bulova time." By then, Ardé Bulova, Joseph Bulova's son, was also producing timepieces for the military. With the U.S. entry into World War II, the Bulova factories immediately put their perfected mass-production techniques and skilled craftsmen to work on precision military equipment. Bulova provided the U.S. government with military watches, specialized timepieces, aircraft instruments, critical torpedo mechanisms and fuses. At the war's end, the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking opened its doors to help disabled veterans become self-sufficient. At the opening of the school, Ardé Bulova made the following statement:

"For the purpose of aiding war veterans who are physically handicapped, the Bulova School of Watchmaking has been founded to teach the art and trade of watch, clock and instrument making and repairing, including the use of tools, machinery and equipment necessary in carrying on such a trade. Graduates of the school are expected to be placed in positions in jewelry stores throughout the country and thus be assisted in finding a place in life in a useful and happy occupation. This is but a small measure of the gratitude that can be shown to these men for their service to our country in this greatest of all wars."

The school was supported entirely by the Bulova Foundation. No financial aid of any kind was received from any government agency or the students. Equipment at the school included magic-eye doors, wide two-way elevator entrances and exits, special workbenches, non-slip cork floors and other features so that disabled men could move about at no physical disadvantage. Complete medical facilities and a well-equipped recreation room provided treatment and relaxation. Graduates of the school were assured employment since over 1,500 positions were pledged by American Jewelers.

A new era in timekeeping dawned in the 1950s. Through persistent and dedicated research, Bulova developed Accutron, the first electronic watch. Keeping time to within two seconds a day, it was the first breakthrough in timekeeping technology in over 300 years.

During the 1960s, NASA asked the company to channel its Accutron efforts into making computers for the Space Program. As a result, Bulova's Accutron timing mechanism became an integral and vital part of space technology from the 1958 launch of Vanguard I to the first moon walk on July 21, 1969. A Bulova timer was placed on the moon's Sea of Tranquility to control the transmissions of vital data through the years. When Accutron precision became available to customers, Bulova was the first watch brand to offer a written guarantee of accuracy-in-use to within a minute a month. Another significant Bulova breakthrough occurred in the 1960s with the introduction of the Phototimer clock. Today, all Bulova watches contain the finest quartz-crystal movements, accurate to within three minutes a year.

In recent decades, Bulova timepieces have kept official time aboard Air Force One, and Bulova products have repeatedly been awarded to visiting dignitaries as Presidential Gifts of State. Bulova has also served as America's official watch to the U.S. Olympic Team.

In recent years, Bulova has presented a number of design innovations. Whether the customer prefers a high profile diamond watch, an heirloom quality 14-karat gold watch, a sporty elegant Marine Star watch, a day/date calendar watch or a contemporary career-style watch, Bulova offers a style for every taste and occasion. Each one is reminiscent of Joseph Bulova's demand for unique quality and beauty.

Year after year, having satisfied customers for over a century, Bulova continues its tradition of growth and innovation. Today, Bulova remains a totally U.S.-owned company, enjoying the financial resources and management support of Loews Corporation. As a result, Bulova now offers the widest range of styles in its long history. With over a century of technological leadership and service, Bulova is among America's most recognized names.

Bulova timepieces use only the finest materials, precision craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology for enduring quality and performance.

* At the heart of each Bulova watch is precision accuracy. From the finest quartz movements to alternative technologies such as solar or mechanical energy, each Bulova watch is guaranteed to be accurate to within one minutes a year.
* Every Bulova is anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, and features our unique distortion-free and scratch-resistant Dura-Crystal®.
* Bulova uses only the finest materials for its bracelets and straps. Many of Bulova's bracelets are solid stainless steel. Some are plated with Bulova's unique 23-karat hard gold process, which is tempered to give an extra durable finish. Other bracelets are ion plated with a patented gold process for an ultra-resilient finish. The straps are made from the finest leathers to resist wear and maintain their elegant look.

Only Bulova offers the range of styling and the scope of products to meet everyone's needs:

* The Marine Star Collection represents elegance in a sport look. With stainless steel bracelets, screw backs, ratchet bezels and water resistance up to 200 meters (660 feet), Marine Star watches provide enduring performance with superlative style.
* Bulova diamond watches use only genuine faceted diamonds for lasting quality and ultimate brilliance. With both classic and contemporary styles to choose from, it is easy to see why Bulova leads the industry in diamond dial, diamond case and diamond bracelet watches.
* Bulova 14 Karat gold watches are heirloom quality timepieces. All styles have Swiss movements and either European or American bracelets. These sophisticated watches offer breathtaking styling and outstanding value in 14-karat gold as well as 18-karat gold and stainless steel.

From classic and contemporary straps and bracelets, to specialty chronographs and advanced technologies, Bulova offers several hundred styles to choose from.

Caravelle
Caravelle is today's lifestyle brand, offering a wide range of styles to fit all the varied roles of today's busy consumer. Tailored career, classically traditional, stylish fashion and contemporary sport watches fill these needs with dependable quality and truly affordable prices.

* Precision quartz movements that guarantee accuracy.
* Superior plating using a 23-karat hard gold process that tempers the finish for added durability.
* Genuine leather straps, or finely made bracelets, including stainless steel for maximum wear.
* Genuine diamonds or fine Austrian crystal.
* Caravelle offers several hundred timepieces to satisfy the multiple needs of today's consumers.
Career Segment
Sophisticated designs for everyday wear. Perfect for the office, school or wherever tailored styling makes the best statement.

Classic Segment
Timeless, traditional designs that provide enduring style.

Fashion Segment
Contemporary designs for a modern look, in line with today's fashions.

Sport Segment
Performance and elegance. Bracelets and straps, water resistance up to 100 meters (330 feet).

Accutron
Designed in America and handcrafted in Switzerland, each Accutron combines exceptional styling with the most advanced timekeeping technology. In the world of luxury watches, Accutron stands alone by offering:

* The finest Swiss quartz movements available.
* Solid stainless steel construction.
* Solid-link, stainless steel bracelets and top-quality leather straps, many with hidden deployment clasps to provide a seamless look on the wrist.
* 23-karat gold finishes applied with the most advanced plating technology.
* Superior scratch-resistant sapphire crystals.
* Water resistance from 30 meters (100 feet) to 200 meters (660 feet).

For hundreds of years, precision timekeeping was strictly mechanical. Then Bulova transformed the course of time forever with the world's first fully electronic watch . . . Accutron. A vital component of the U.S. space program from the 1958 launch of Vanguard I through the first moonwalk in 1969, Accutron revolutionized the watchmaking industry by bringing its state-of-the-art timing mechanism directly to consumers. Today, building on this extraordinary legacy, Accutron remains at the forefront of watchmaking technology, combining the most advanced Swiss quartz movements with the finest of contemporary styling.

Clocks
Bulova's award-winning collection of classic and contemporary clocks is produced with strict adherence to Bulova's quality standards. Each clock features:

* A one-year warranty.
* A state-of-the-art precision movement. The quartz, battery-operated chime and standard movements are guaranteed to be accurate to within three minutes a year. Bulova keywind mechanical movements are produced in Europe to the exacting standards of master clock makers.
* The finest quality materials including carefully selected woods, solid brass, lead crystal, imported marble, porcelain and leather.
* Attention to design and engineering details. Bulova Clocks are distinguished by their precision movements, painstakingly assembled wood cases, engraved dials, flawless finishes and unique designs.

Bulova clocks span a range of styles and forms with unmatched artistry and technological excellence.

Licensed Products
Combining Bulova's reputation for technological excellence with the proven charm of cherished trademarked designs gives the Licensed Products Collection truly unique market appeal. Instantly recognizable, the Frank Lloyd Wright®, Harley-Davidson®, and Pfaltzgraff® make particularly memorable gifts, while attracting both budding connoisseurs and established collectors.

Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is recognized as one of the greatest architects of the twentieth century. Using innovations in design and engineering made possible by newly developed technology and materials, his work heralded a new thinking in architecture, stressing "organic" structures in harmony with their natural surroundings.

Bulova's award-winning Frank Lloyd Wright® Collection honors this American genius with an exceptional group of clocks including tabletop and wall models, as well as a number of uniquely stylish watches. Each style is part of the Frank Lloyd Wright Decorative Designs Collection®, certified by The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona.

These products are part of the Frank Lloyd Wright Decorative Designs Collection®. A portion of the sales of these products supports the design and education programs of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona. ©1999 - 2003 The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, All Rights Reserved.

Pfaltzgraff
One of the world's leading manufacturers of ceramic dinnerware, Pfaltzgraff was the first company in its industry to recognize the market potential of clocks coordinated to its popular patterns. Within two years, Bulova's Pfaltzgraff® Collection enjoyed the largest percentage of sales increase of all Pfaltzgraff licensees.

Designed to harmonize with a variety of kitchen decors, the group now includes an extensive selection of strikingly patterned wall clocks featuring such Pfaltzgraff favorites as April, Aura, Bonnie Brae, Citiscape, Crystaflora, Grandma's Kitchen, Grapevine, Hopscotch, Juniper, Midnight Sun, Northwind, Solstice, Summer Garden, Tea Rose and Yorktowne.

Timex

2006-02-08T00:24:00.000+02:00

Timex Corporation is the best-known American watch manufacturer, famous for half a century for durable low-cost timepieces. Timex's headquarters are located in Middlebury, Connecticut.

The company began in 1854 as Waterbury Clock in Connecticut's Naugatuck Valley, known during the nineteenth century as the "Switzerland of America." Sister company Waterbury Watch manufactured the first inexpensive mechanical pocket watch in 1880. During World War I, Waterbury began making wristwatches, which had only just become popular, and in 1933 it made history by creating the first Mickey Mouse clock under license from Walt Disney, with Mickey's hands pointing the time.

During World War II Waterbury renamed itself U.S. Time Company. In 1950 the company introduced a wristwatch called the Timex. Over the next three decades, Timex was sold through a series of advertisements which emphasised its durability by putting the watch through "torture tests," such as falling over the Grand Coulee Dam or being strapped to the propeller of an outboard motor, with the slogan "It takes a licking but it keeps on ticking." The company later renamed itself Timex Corporation, and eventually sold more than 500 million watches.

Over the next four decades Timex watches would innovate the watch world. In 1959 timex watches introduced the first women’s brand watch, the timex“Cavatina”. The 1970’s brought mechanical movement to timex watches and by the mid 70’s one out of every two watches bought in the U.S. was a Timex watch. 1986 introduced the companies Triathlon model. Within one year timex watches became America’s largest selling sport watch, which is a distinction Timex Watches still hold today.

In the 1970s, the American watch and clock industry was devastated by the arrival of cheap and reliable mechanical watches from the Far East, as well as the development of digital quartz watches pioneered by Japanese companies. In the 1980s, in a joint venture with British Sinclair Research, the company entered the home computer business, selling such computers as the Timex Sinclair 1000 and succeeding machines, modeled on the ZX81 and ZX Spectrum. After a reasonably good sales performance to begin with, Timex couldn't cope with the low-end market's eventual saturation and so the company withdrew with major losses.

Despite near-bankruptcy, Timex survived its bad times of the 1970s and 1980s. The company remains in business, although it is no longer a dominant player in the timekeeping industry outside the United States. Today, most Timex products are manufactured in the Far East. In North America, Timex sells clock radios and home thermostats, in addition to its watch and clock lines.

As of 2002, it had 5,500 employees on four continents.

Benrus

2006-02-08T00:12:00.000+02:00

Benrus Watch Company was an American (family run) company. It was founded in New York City in 1921 by three brothers - Benjamin, Ralph, and Oscar Lazrus. The ambitious brothers were Romanian immigrants. The name "BENRUS" was a combination of Benjamin Lazrus first and last names. Hence "BEN"jamin laz"RUS".

The early 1920's was a turbulent time for the watch industry as pocketwatch demand was cut in half - this was due to the rising popularity of the wrist watch. The three young brothers saw an opportunity to begin a wristwatch company that produced moderately priced watches for the common-man.

On 14 May 1923, Lazarus acquired the legal protection of the trademark Benrus from the Swiss federal office for intellectual property.

Oscar Lazrus was the eldest brother. He was an attorney, and he was in charge of the advertising and finances for the company. The next oldest was Benjamin Lazrus. Benjamin attended Columbia University. He handled the operations part of the company. He also fought in WWI. Ralph handled the sales aspect of the business. Each brother at one time or another ran the company as President.

The original company headquarters were located in the Hippodrome building on 44th street in Manhattan. While some watch assembly took place there, but the bulk of the manufacture took place in Switzerland. Benrus owned a factory in la Choux de Fond where watches were assembled. This was run by the first woman to run a major Swiss company. At the time all Swiss watches and parts were controlled by the Swiss cartel who provided Benrus with the movements and parts. Benrus also had a factory in Waterbury CT which is where they made the cases for Benrus watches. The company would later own factories in France, St. Thomas, and Virgin Islands in the late 50's early 60's.

Interesting fact: Benrus once purchased watch movements from Seiko long before Seiko watches were allowed to be imported to the USA.

The WWII years were a period of gigantic growth for Benrus. Contrary to popular belief, Benrus, like many other watch manufacturers of the time, manufactured watches for WWII servicemen. Most US companies (including watch companies) were brought into the war effort to produce items for military use. Benrus was no different. They had top secret government assignments to manufacture timing devices for use in bombs and weapons. They also continued to sell watches to civilians as they were still able to ship their Swiss movements by sea via Lisbon. The extremely limited supply of affordable watches meant big profits for the company as consumers snapped up whatever watches Benrus could make.

When the war was over, some other family members would join the company. Jay Kay and Julian Lazrus were Oscar Lazrus' sons. Jay Kay graduated from Exeter and Harvard. He served in the Airforce as a communications specialist during WWII - he was a Lieutenant, and would eventually would become Executive Vice President of Benrus.

Post-War, Benrus designers went to work fashioning beautiful and dazzling watches that expressed post war civilian life. The resulting designs from Benrus were unique and exaggerated. Designs from this period, with fancy bezels and lugs. The company produced memorable watches like the "Embraceable" - a one piece watch that was slipped on like a bracelet, and also the "Citation" which was named after a famous racehorse of the time. It was a very exciting time for the Benrus Watch Company who played a large role in the Retro-Modern period as we know it. Watches from this period are becoming very collectible today.

Production steadily expanded throughout the 1940's and into the 1950's. Supplies of high quality Swiss movements were not only readily available, but were also inexpensive for Benrus to buy. This was due to high volume and a strong relationship with the Swiss cartel. Benrus even had a German company supplying ebauche movements and parts. The company was positioned perfectly... just as with cars and houses, America was ready to buy a new watch. By the beginning of the 1950s, Benrus was the 3rd largest watch producer in the United States, second to Hamilton Watch, and Bulova. They had also earned a strong reputation for making quality timepieces.

A few pieces of interesting history - the company was the first paid sponsor of a TV program - "the Wizard of Oz". They were also one the first companies to develop a completely waterproof watch. They also manufactured the popular Dick Tracy watch and also made some Disney watches.

Other brands that sold under the Benrus name were
SOVREIGN
BELFORTE
These were Benrus' less expensive lines.

In the 1960's through the late 70's, Benrus made military issue watches used by the Army and Navy. These were issued to servicemen fighting in the Vietnam War.

Early in the 1960's Ben and Ralph Lazrus were in their 70's and ready for retirement. Oscar bought out his brothers to become the sole owner of the company. By this time they had operations in the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and also a brand new factory in Ridgefield, CT where the new Main offices would be located. The Waterbury CT plant was closed and operations were moved to Ridgefield.

The company was sold in 1967 to Victor Kiam, of Remington Razors... Victor Kiam was made famous in his advertisement "I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company". Unfortunately, this was the era of the cheap Japanese Quartz movement and inexpensive Timex watches which hurt most US producers of mechanical watches. Under new ownership the company was stripped of it's most valuable assets which were sold off, and used primarily for it's strong brand name recognition.

By the mid to late 70's Benrus Incorporated was a diversified manufacturer of a number of consumer products. Companies included: Benrus Watch Co. Watches, Wells, Inc. Jewelry, and Destino, Ltd. - Christian Dior Products. An attempt to consolidate all the various manufacturing enterprises under one roof proved to be a much more expensive move than anyone calculated, and a final blow to the company which subsequently filed bankrupt in 1977.

The company was then sold, and after passing through several more hands, came under the ownership of the Hampden Company, which also owned "Fantasy Diamonds", with factories in both the Virgin Islands and Chicago. An attempt was made to bring back the Benrus brand under Hampden/Fantasy, which was somewhat successful but short lived. Among others, a reissue of Vietnam service watches proved very popular.

Oscar Lazrus died in the early 1990's (he was in his 90's). His son Julian Lazrus is still alive today.

Post note; currently, some companies are using the names of classic (defunct) watch companies like Elgin, Benrus, Waltham, and Gruen to market new watches. They sometimes purchase the rights to the brand names, and other times they simply use the brand names of companies where the trademark has expired. These watches may hold the name, and are sometimes styled as exact replica's of the original, but should not be confused with an original "vintage" watch. The watches are very different from the originals. Internally they use mostly quartz (battery) movements, instead of a mechanical one, and may not have the same quality or essence as the original. Please understand that I am not recommending against the purchase of these watches, only stating that the buyer should understand the difference.

Fossil

2006-02-07T23:43:00.000+02:00

Fossil Watches was founded in 1984 at a time when watches were created for function rather than fashion. The company sought to fill this void in the market and began designing watches to act as a fashion accessory. Fossil Watches incorporated a fifties Americana design into the brand image in an attempt to target value driven consumers. The concept paid off and Fossil quickly emerged as the leader of a growing industry. Today Fossil Watches produces over three hundred different styles of watches in a line which continually changes.

Fossil's renowned designers constantly study emerging fashion trends to bring consumers the most innovative and unique products on the market to date. After augmenting the watch selection choice for consumers, Fossil Watches expanded its selection to other fashionable accessory items. Fossil introduced small leather goods in 1992 for men and women. Wallets, belts, key chains and backpacks helped Fossil establish its expertise in leather goods. In 1995, Fossil moved into the eyewear market introducing uniquely designed sunglasses creatively capturing the Fossil image. In addition, the company began opening a group of outlet stores nationwide creating its own discontinued distribution channel. In 1996, Fossil.com was launched becoming one of the first on-line retailers and began opening several company-owned accessory stores. During 2000, Fossil introduced its first line of apparel, launching it both on-line as well as through several larger format company-owned stores. This latest move represented just one more step in Fossil's effort to strengthen the accessory market with innovative style and quality aiding the company in its continued growth.

Fossil was founded in 1984 by Tom and Kosta Kartsotis, brothers, currently Chairman of the Board and CEO respectively, focusing on fashion and value at a time when no company was really doing that. The image the company communicated was vintage Americana, which turned out to be a huge homerun. Quartz movements from the Orient helped Fossil design and manufacture price point critical timepieces, fashion statements that could be mixed and matched, and repurchased when fashion changed, and the Fossil company was born. Since 1984, the company has experienced astounding growth. In 1993, with revenues of just over $70 million, the company went to Wall Street and became a NASDAQ listed company trading under the symbol FOSL.
To ensure quality and have control over its production, Fossil started to acquire assembly facilities in the early 1990s. As the company's success continued, Fossil expanded into other areas, including leather goods, sunglasses, licensed products and the company focused on expanding into new geographical markets as well. Today, the company sells various accessory products under multiple owned and licensed brand names across over 90 countries around the world. These products are sold in department, specialty and jewellery stores in addition to the company's own retail stores and e-commerce website with yearly sales now exceeding $850 million.

How Fossil Does It
Fossil is nothing if not a hub of creativity. So many different designs are created within the building in Richardson, Texas, it's a wonder that the people can continue doing it month after month, year after year. In the fashion world, there are four seasonal markets for which Fossil has to have new product. Now, not every watch they introduce is a winner, but the ones that do succeed have a shelf life (often six months to a year) while the marginal watches drop out of the line, never to be seen again.
The overwhelming philosophy behind the products coming from Fossil is fun, fashion and quality -- which encourages impulse and repeat buying. After all, when a watch costs about $75, how long do you really have to think about the purchaseı
The various brands that Fossil owns or licenses have different product philosophies, but the overriding mission is to provide unique product at a reasonable price.
And Fossil does this incredibly well indeed.

Design
Fossil, as a company, encompassing all its brands, developed more than 12,000 new designs last year, bringing between 2,000 and 3,000 to market.
"What makes Fossil unique is the way we approach the business," says Shannon Washburn, Vice President, Watch Product Development, Fossil. "We are a creative marketing company with a very commercial base. Fossil designs product that is directional in the market and offers a great fashion look and value to our customer. Being first to market and setting a fashion direction is what sets us apart."
Fossil has its own stores where the company tests innovative designs and styles. If a style sells well, the company can react quickly to capitalize on that success.
The design areas of Fossil are filled with energy, the walls plastered with sketches, pictures to encourage brainstorming, pieces of art, toys and fun things, all to keep the designers fresh and on the edge. The atmosphere throughout Fossil is one of creativity and casual fun - I didn't see anyone in a suit and tie, and every office was filled with interesting objects, pictures and paraphernalia.
"Here, they hire good people and leave them alone to do their job," says Gary Bollinger, Senior VP and Brand Manager for DKNY and Frank Gehry with Fossil. "These are 'Fossil people.' You gotta have toys, it's a creative atmosphere."
Each of the design areas for the different brands are carefully cloistered, so the designs developed for Fossil, for example, don't drift over to another brand. It's important to Fossil that the design process be unique for each of its brands (house and licensed).
"We work in cells and I supervise 65 people here," says Tim Hale, Senior VP, Image Director. "We have year to year increases in the number of people by about five percent, while growth of the company is historically approximately 20% annually."
Though Fossil watches are all over the board in terms of design and function, there is a Fossil sensitivity to everything that the company creates. "I think it has to do with the quality we put in," says Richard Gundy, President, Fashion Watch Brands. "When you look at the Fossil brand, we've been solid stainless steel cases and bracelets for a long time. The leather products are very high quality. The watch has a feel and a look that sets it apart. I think that customers can identify with Fossil product."
Fossil's warranty on watches is 11 years.

Technology
Though Fossil is known primarily as a fashion brand, there are technologies that the company develops that are pretty cutting edge. The colour changing technology, used first in the Fossil Kaleido watches, was a big step forward for the company and a phenomenal success (it is still in the line and still being expanded), while the work on the SPOT watches with Microsoft (Fossil calls it Wrist Net) is an area the company hopes really takes off. Wrist Net allows the wearer to customize his/her watch, via the Microsoft MSN network, to display up-to-date content (news, weather, sports, oh...and the time).

Licensees
Fossil has been very successful with its own brands and this success has led to companies coming to Fossil to create licensed watch lines. The licensed watch lines that Fossil designs, manufactures and distributes include Burberry, DKNY, Armani, Columbia and Diesel.
"Fossil has done an incredible job over the last 20 years building a powerful business in the US and globally," says Steve Bock, President, Luxury Division, Fossil, Inc. "Given that success, one of the results has been the ability and opportunity to build businesses with brands like Emporio Armani and Burberry."
When working on a licensed brand, Fossil has to make sure that the brand fits with Fossil's approach, and then the creative teams are set to work understanding the brand. Each brand has its own style language which Fossil has to integrate into the licensed watches.
"Generally, when approaching a project involving the launch of a new brand, we'll get together with representatives of the brand concerned and our group teams (industrial designers, graphic designers, project managers, etc.) and brainstorm," explains Diarmuid Bland, Senior Vice President, Watch Product Development, Fossil. "We'll come up with a foundation for product development, always consulting with the commercial side, and the teams flesh out into specific sketches, line art, computer design and more. We have rapid prototyping facilities here in the offices and in our product development groups around the world, where we can build size and shape representative prototypes in resin or brass. Then we work with the factories, then prototyping on a mass scale. From there, we come out with a result we are all pleased with."
Fossil is open to new licensee relationships, but it has to be a good fit or it won't happen. "The licensing goes both ways - we sometimes seek out companies that would be a good fit and we get contacted on a weekly basis," says Kurt Hagen, Vice President, Relic/Michael Kors, Columbia/Private Label, New Licensing. "One thing we are looking for is brands that we can fit into our international network. We look for brands that complement our existing distribution or allow us to tackle new distribution."

House Brands
Recently, Fossil has gone out and acquired two new house brands: Zodiac and Michele Watches. Zodiac was a calculated acquisition to have a Swiss presence and the recent high profile purchase of Michele Watches (for $50 million) brings Fossil into another realm of distribution.
"Michele Watches has a very clean and very high level of distribution and that will continue," Bock says. "Fossil has a great ability to provide the behind the scenes support systems that a group like Michele will benefit from. In terms of representation and distribution to retailers, that's all done by the Michele people.
Zodiac, meanwhile, is a completely in-house brand. "Zodiac is its own brand within Fossil," says Bock. "We think it's very exciting. The evolution of the brand is now taking place and it was available on a global basis in June of this year. The Zodiac factory is in Switzerland and owned by Fossil, while the management of the brand is in Dallas and in Bienne.
"The excitement that we as a company can bring to the brand is what will make this a success," Bock continues. "Zodiac stands on its own two feet. It is a brand unto itself as are all the other brands we represent. It's important that it has its own DNA, its own marketing approach, its own positioning. It's purely a Zodiac position, the thought process that best represents the brand. It was established in 1882 and the heritage is very important to the brand. We want to understand and use the heritage and move the brand forward."
Despite being such a large company, Fossil is really a collection of smaller companies working independently under the Fossil umbrella. "Each of our brands is encouraged to have the flavour of their parent company and have unique styling that is appropriate for that brand," Gundy says. "It's done with the design for each of those brands, taking their cues and making it a saleable product. Every brand has its own silo - a group of people who are the artists, the product development people, the brand managers and that group deals with the brand independently. They look, feel and breathe that brand."

The Future
Fossil has been phenomenally successful since its inception and all signs point to the growth and success continuing.
"We continue to have incredible growth and increased opportunities, with all of our brands worldwide," Gundy says. "We foresee huge growth. We forecast 10-15% every quarter. It's the process we have. It is the speed of execution, from idea to product in the store, and it is the execution in the store. It's a constant attention to detail.
"Fossil is the dominant story in our company, because it is so large in watches and other categories," Gundy adds. "We bring professionalism; we bring excitement at the store level so the ultimate consumer gets a feel for the brand in packaging, execution, and styling. I think we are much quicker to market products than any other company. We have a great commitment to have the right products in the stores at the right time."

Seiko

2006-02-07T23:23:00.000+02:00

Although the Seiko name was adopted in 1924 with the introduction of its first wrist watch, the company was actually founded 43 years earlier by a clockmaker in Tokyo's Ginza District. Applauded for its accuracy and craftsmanship, the Seiko watch became a resounding success and by 1938, demand for the timepieces pushed yearly production to well over one million watches.
Dedicated to technology advancement and precise manufacture, the Seiko Company has repeatedly staked its reputation on performance, acting as the Official Timer of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Sapporo, Barcelona, Lillihammer and Nagano.
Seiko's many design innovations include the world's first quartz watch, the world's first LCD quartz watch with six digit display, and the world's first intelligent analog quartz watch with alarm and timer function.
In 1992, with the introduction of the Kinetic design, once again Seiko rewrote the state of the art. The Seiko Kinetic collection is a line of quartz watches that are electrically charged by movement. The Kinetic Auto Relay goes into suspended animation when unworn for three days, thus conserving energy. With a few shakes of the wearer's wrist, it wakes up and resets itself to the exact time.
Other trend-setting, multi-functional watches by Seiko include the Perpetual Calendar series which automatically reset their date settings for the next 100 years; the Chronograph collection with dual stopwatch features; the Le Grande Sport series, a classic combination of contemporary European design and functionality; and the Ladies Jewelry collection, an elegant marriage of versatility and style.

Seiko watches are classic. They are an essential part of every wardrobe, but they must also possess style and functionality to the wearer. For years, watches have been extremely popular gift ideas while remaining a constant self-indulging accessory.

In 1881, Kintaro Hattori opened a clock shop in Tokyo, which established a foundation for modern clock and watch making in Japan. This new brand was titled Seikosha. The store was the direct ancestor of the current Seiko Corporation, Tokyo, which is the parent company of Seiko Corporation of America. Eleven years later, Hattori opened a clock factory with ten employees. Two months after it is inception, the first dozen clocks were produced. In 1895, the production of pocketwatches began. Following that trend, the company began to produce alarm clocks in 1899, which was followed by the introduction of table and musical clocks in 1902. In 1912, Hattori began considering ideas regarding the production of a Japanese wristwatch. The following year, his company began working on the first Seikosha wristwatch to ever be made in Japan. In 1924, the Seiko brand was officially created. After 43 years of the company's existence, the first Seiko wristwatch was made.

Since that time, there have been many modern advancements to the world of watches. But, throughout the changing times, Seiko has remained a powerhouse in the timepiece industry. In 1956, they produced the first self-winding wristwatch made in Japan. In 1964, Seiko released the world´s first quartz chronometers and became the official timer of the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo. In 1968, they introduced the world´s first quartz wall clock. The following year, in 1969, Seiko released the first quartz watch. Also that year, Tiffany & Co. began selling the Seiko Astron 35SQ, which was encased in solid 18kt yellow gold. During the next several years, Seiko introduced many firsts to the world of watches, including the first multi-function digital watch and the first LCD quartz watch with six-digit digital display.

Seiko has served as the official timer for various athletic competitions and events. Among the collections offered by Seiko include the Tressia, La Grand Sport and Elite Collections, which includes the Sportura, Arctura and Coutura. Their line of technology timepieces include the Kinetic Perpetual, Kinetic Chronograph, Kinetic Auto Relay, Kinetic, Analog Digital, Chronograph, Flight Computer and Perpetual Calendar. The majority of Seiko timepieces are designed to be water resistant. The U.S. warranty for Seiko watches, which are sold by Seiko Corporation of America, is three years. The warranty for clocks is one year. Certain restrictions and exclusions may apply, so be sure to read your warranty information closely when purchasing any new timepiece and always retain a copy of all such warranties.

As with any timepiece, caring for your watch will promote a longer life for the product. If the battery is in need of changing, be sure to have this done immediately. Seiko advices that customers contact an authorized Seiko dealer for battery and other minor repairs. If the timepiece needs further repair or replacement parts not serviced by an authorized dealer, customers may return the watch to the address on their warranty card for proper handling. If the watch is under warranty, the repairs should be done at no cost. If the warranty has expired, however, the customer will be responsible for the cost of repairs and replacements.

Citizen

2006-02-07T23:14:00.000+02:00

Established in 1930, Citizen Watches is the world's largest manufacturer of watches and other timepieces. The company's mastery of precision mechanics and microelectronics has allowed Citizen Watches to offer a wide range of products and services worldwide, developing a global presence operating in more than 13 countries with over 3,000 employees.

Citizen Watches leadership role is due to its unrelenting, uncompromising passion for technological innovation. This mission has resulted in a multitude of milestones, such as the following: The first shockproof Citizen Watches made in Japan; the first waterproof and first electronic Citizen Watches; the world's first water-resistant Citizen Watches, the world's first analog quartz Citizen Watches accurate to within three seconds per year; the first analog solar battery Citizen Watches and the world's thinnest movement at 0.98mm.

Over the years, Citizen Watches has successfully leveraged its expertise in microelectronics to become a major player in the field of office and information equipment. Products include printers, floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, and liquid crystal displays. Because microelectronics are at the core of these Citizen Watches products, they afford users something else very valuable – the ultimate in space efficiency.

From its work with quartz watches, Citizen Watches parlayed its experience with liquid crystal and microelectronic technologies to begin developing liquid crystal televisions, liquid crystal color video projectors, and electronic health care equipment. Most notably, Citizen Watches is the world-leader in the field of quartz oscillators, the heart of all electronic products.

The use of Citizen Watches ultra-precision machine tools are responsible for the development of many innovative high-tech products, and are found in a variety of industries worldwide. Citizen Watches fulfilled the present requirement for sub-micron precision in the field of factory automation, for example, the CINCOM series of compact CNC automatic lathes, the BOARD-PACKER electronic parts inserters, the CYNECTRON automatic assembly machines, and assembly robots – all leaders in their sectors.

In the production of jewelry and eyeglasses, Citizen Watches is able to exploit not only its materials and manufacturing technologies developed in the production of Citizen Watches, but also its sense of aesthetic appeal refined in the same area. In addition to its original design jewelry and eyeglasses, Citizen Watches is continuously called on to manufacturer famous designer brand products under license contracts.

More than 60 years later the Citizen Watches name has become synonymous with miniaturization. But the last six decades mark not only the history and evolution of Citizen Watches the company, but the process and progress of the art of watchmaking and other products utilizing precision mechanics and microelectronics.

Citizen Watches offers a highly attractive and extremely varied lineup of watches and clocks that fulfill the diverse needs of users worldwide. In 1986, Citizen Watches became the world's largest watch manufacturer.

Citizen Watches cover the entire function-fashion spectrum. As examples, there is the high grade Noblia Citizen Watches series, the multi-function Citizen Pro Master Citizen Watches series for sports enthusiasts, the analog multi-hand Citizen of the World Citizen Watches series for business executives, the high fashion Clariti Citizen Watches series for ladies, and the super-lightweight Titanium Collection Citizen Watches series.

Citizen Watches "Watches and Lifestyles" message is brilliantly promoted at the Basel Fair, the world's largest watch exhibition, and the JA show in the U.S., through the launch of new Citizen Watches of outstanding contemporary design and function.

Zenith

2006-02-03T11:40:00.000+02:00

In the world of fine watchmaking, Zenith is among the most aristocratic names in Europe. This Swiss company, founded in 1865, is not only one of the oldest horological companies, but one of a handful that still produces its own mechanical movements.

Zenith was founded by Georges Favre-Jacot, who, at the age of 22, was one of the first watchmakers to understand the importance of the principle of interchangeable parts.

By the time Jacot retired in 1929, Zenith had made watch history, winning grand prix medals for timekeeping precision at international expositions in Geneva, Paris, Barcelona, and Neuchatel. In 1969, the company won renown for introducing the world’s first automatic chronograph movement, the El Primero.

Oscillating at 36,000 alternations/hour, the El Primero was able to measure short time intervals to a tenth of a second, an unsurpassed world record. In 1995, Zenith launched a new generation of ultra-thin chronographs, the Elite, recently voted best mechanical movement by the professional press. Since its beginning, Zenith has been recognized with more than 1,565 first observatory prizes in chronometry, making it the Swiss brand most rewarded for precision.

Vulcain

2006-02-01T14:47:00.000+02:00

Founded in 1858 and internationally renowned, particularly thanks to the 1947 presentation of the world’s first mechanical alarm wristwatch, the famous Cricket, the company is once again producing Vulcain alarm wristwatches. The company presented its new collections, all equipped with the Cricket movement that made a major contribution to establishing the company’s international reputation. The Cricket watch was also nicknamed “The Presidents’ Watch”, since Eisenhower, Nixon and Johnson were all loyal customers and eminent ambassadors for the Cricket. This model, which has made its mark on watchmaking history, owes its name to its distinctive sound resembling the strident cry of the chirpy insect. Bernard R. Fleury and Alain Claude, respectively President and CEO and Technical Director of the new entity have launched the production of 5,000 Vulcain watches this year and plan to increase production progressively to reach 10,000 a year in the medium term. The United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Switzerland are the first markets targeted by the new management team. The company has chosen not to exhibit at the spring trade fairs this year, preferring to focus its efforts on product developments and host its clients at the company head office in Le Locle.

1947 will remain a significant milestone in watchmaking history. 55 years ago, the first genuinely functional mechanical alarm wristwatch was presented by Vulcain. For the very first time, watchmakers and scientists had succeeded in achieving what many researchers had attempted before them: a mechanical alarm wristwatch powerful enough to actually wake up its owner.

For Vulcain, a company founded in 1858, the year 1947 was to mark the start of a new era. As soon the first alarm wristwatch models were presented, the whole world appeared to be clamouring for what would become “The Presidents’ Watch”. More than 50 years later, the watch Manufacture intends to rebuild on the foundations of this exceptional legacy to write a major new chapter in the history of the Vulcain brand.

It is in Le Locle, strategically located in the Neuchatel Jura region with its deep historical watchmaking roots that the company has decided to establish itself in order to revive the Vulcain brand and relaunch production of the Cricket movements in their original functions.

The new Vulcain philosophy is not to move mountains, nor to cultivate unbridled ambitions for the company. On the contrary, since the brand has not been particularly active during the past decade, it must first be revived before relaunching. It is through a policy based on a long-term vision that the new firm intends to regain a niche position in the watchmaking world of tomorrow.

The new company - In September 2001, Production & Marketing Horloger SA (PMH SA), based in Le Locle, acquired the Vulcain and Cricket brands as well as exclusive operating rights and production tools to the famous Cricket mechanical alarm movement.

President and CEO Bernard R. Fleury and Technical Director Alain Claude are the two main figures at the head of PMH SA. In light of the fine quality of the product and the exceptional horological heritage it represents, both men wished to revive the Cricket calibre and to give the Vulcain brand a new lease on life. PMH SA was set up on the basis of this determination.

Despite the brand’s rich past, the new company does not intend to implement a backward-looking policy, either in marketing or sales terms. Bernard R. Fleury and Alain Claude are not devoting their energies to replicating what was done fifty years ago. Quite clearly, it is on the strength of the mechanical alarm calibre that the new company must be built, but they intend to use it as a springboard towards new horizons. Nonetheless, the rebirth announced in the spring of 2002 naturally needed to clearly express the strong ties between the brand’s heyday in the past century and the new entity.

Ventura

2006-02-01T14:45:00.000+02:00

The watch designers of Ventura are famous for their attractive and distinctive designs. Embracing the special conditions of watch design, they dedicated their efforts to clarity of design and respect for function and courageously accepted the restrictions of designing an instrument to be worn on the human wrist. Alfred Brodman, Flemming Bo Hansen and Günter Wermekes influenced contemporary notions about watch design. Indeed, Bo Hansen’s “Watch” is in the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Today, the Ventura collection is shaped by Zürich-based designer Hannes Wettstein who has once again changed the company’s design paradigm by dismissing it as a primary form of expression. Instead the on-the-edge designer emphasizes content and objective, giving watches an appearance that is appropriate to its functionality. Using expensive movements paired and working in nitrogen-hardened titanium, Wettstein’s Ventura collection includes timepieces that look deceptively simple, although their design, engineering and performance are quite sophisticated.

Aside from the Futura model that features a quartz movement with rotor-driven generator, an 8-year power reserve and black with light-colored LCD display, most v-tronic and v-matic models look somewhat conventional. But look a little closer and you’ll notice particular attention to detail, form, function and style that make each model quite pleasing and give each undeniable integrity. For example, the v-matic Chronograph features a mechanical movement with automatic winding that is shock-proof and antimagnetic in accordance with DIN; ETA/Valjoux 7750; multi-functionality including hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, date and chronograph; nitrogen-hardened titanium case that is water-resistant to 20 atm, with an easy-to-read black dial with tritium-coated dot and bar markers and hands.

Vacheron Constantin

2006-02-01T14:42:00.000+02:00

The oldest watch company in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin, also has the singular honor of having produced the single most expensive watch of all time — the “Kallista” (Greek for “the most wonderful”) — which is set with over 130 carats of emerald cut diamonds, each with its own GIA certificate. The Kallista’s original selling price was over $5 million, and today, its value is estimated at over twice that figure should the watch ever be offered at auction. Needless to say, there are many passionate fans of Vacheron Constantin.

Genevois watchmaker Jean-Mark Vacheron founded the company in 1755 at just 24 years of age. Vacheron was known for expensive and finely finished timepieces. His personal ambition was to create timepieces that would stand out for their elegance and quality. In 1785, Vacheron’s son Abraham took over the company, which survived the French Revolution, among other economic crises.

By 1814, third-generation watchmaker Jacques Barthelemy Vacheron was leading the company, but Vacheron realized that he needed a partner if the company was to survive. He could not oversee the company’s day-to-day operations and travel overseas to market the watches. So it was that in 1819, Francois Constantin — son of a wealthy grain merchant — became a partner in the firm. From that point forward, the firm went under the name “Vacheron & Constantin”, a name that is to this day synonymous with the finest quality timepieces.

By all accounts, Francois Constantin led an opulent lifestyle and was quite a flamboyant character. He relished his role as Vacheron & Constantin’s representative and journeyed around the world selling watches. Whenever Constantin traveled, the firm protected itself by constructing huge shipping cases with all sorts of hidden compartments. Francois Constantin also led the charge in opening new markets overseas, especially in North America, where the Vacheron & Constantin agency was eventually established in 1864. Francois Constantin’s unique motto remains the company’s motto to this day: “Do better when possible, and it is always possible!”

Another key protagonist in the Vacheron Constantin story is Georges-Auguste Leschot. A mechanical genius, Leschot had experimented with machines that could be used for series production of watch components. This was a revolutionary concept to be sure, but the watchmaking establishment ridiculed Leschot.

In 1839, Leschot was hired as Technical Director for the House, which wanted to improve their production methods. Thanks to Leschot’s cost-saving inventions, including a turning and drilling machine that could drill holes in the exact same position every time, Vacheron & Constantin was able to sell their watches for far less than what other comparable watches were selling for. In spite of the cost savings, Leschot insisted that every part still be worked on by hand. As a result, the watchmakers were able to focus more of their attention on finishing, rather than fabrication of component parts.

A series of Vacheron and Constantin heirs took over the company in the wake of Francois Constantin’s death in 1854, followed by Jacques Barthelemy Vacheron’s death in 1863. Interestingly enough, the company was even led by two women at one point when Charles Vacheron, an heir apparent, died at the age of 25. Laure Vacheron-Pernessin, the widow of Charles Vacheron, and Catherine-Etienne Vacheron, the 88-year-old widow of Jacques Barthelemy Vacheron, made an unlikely team, but they successfully guided the company into the 20th Century.

In 1877, the name of the firm was officially registered as “Vacheron & Constantin, Fabricants, Geneve”, while salesman Jean-Francois Constantin was promoted to partner. Moreover, the company started using the Maltese cross as its trademark, which is still in use today. After Laure Vacheron-Pernessin and Catherine-Etienne Vacheron passed away, the firm was re-organized as a stock company in 1887. Several years of declining sales ensued, but the firm bounced back in the early part of the 20th Century, when they successfully capitalized on the newfound demand for wristwatches. A number of spectacular pocket watches were also sold, including an ultra-complicated pocket watch that was presented to the Egyptian King Fouad I in 1931.

Although Vacheron & Constantin suffered through lean times during the Great Depression, the one bright spot was that Charles Constantin became president of the company in 1936, the first time that a Constantin had led the company since the mid-1850s. Unfortunately, with the advent of World War II, sales once again plummeted. Georges Ketterer acquired a majority ownership position and under Ketterer’s watch, Vacheron & Constantin bounced back. It was during Ketterer’s reign that they produced some of their most famous watches, such as the “Chronometre Royale” wristwatch.

Georges Ketterer died in 1987, and the company changed hands, yet sales have improved and Vacheron is now producing nearly 20,000 watches a year.

Vacheron Constantin (the ampersand was dropped sometime in the late 1970s) recently introduced a number of popular models such as the sporty “Overseas”, as well as the “Les Historiques” series of mechanical wristwatches whose designs are clearly modeled after classic designs from the 1940s and 1950s.

Vacheron Constantin also continues to manufacture a limited number of ultra-complicated watches, such as the Tourbillon watches, the unique “Grand Mercator” and a magnificent minute repeater/perpetual calendar. The prices for these watches are obviously quite high, but for many watch enthusiasts, a Vacheron Constantin represents the ultimate expression of the watchmaker’s art — an heirloom to be passed down through the generations and treasured by those lucky enough to own one.

Ulysse Nardin

2006-01-29T15:06:00.000+02:00

Ulysse Nardin was born in Le Locle, Switzerland in 1823. Following in his father’s footsteps, he trained as a “remonteur” and eventually set up his own workshop. In 1846, the Ulysse Nardin company was founded. Little more than a counter, its watches displayed high-quality craftsmanship and were signed by their maker. It was the beginning of an enterprise that has lasted more than 150 years. Nardin’s first watches were sold in Central and South America through a Paris go-between, Lucien Dubois, who was Nardin’s only customer for two years.

In 1860, Nardin moved into a larger factory and the firm became known as “Ulysse Nardin, fabricant d’horlogerie sur les Recues 33″. He also acquired a high-precision astronomical regulator to rate his pocket chronometers. This is the well-known regulator constructed by Jacques-Frederic Houriet in 1768. It is now in a museum in Le Locle. Minute repeaters, highly complicated watches and pocket chronometers carry the reputation of the House far and wide, so much so that the United States became a viable market for the young firm’s products in the early 1860s.

In 1862, Nardin received the “Prize Medal” — the highest possible honor — at the London International Exhibition, in the category of “complicated watches, pocket chronometers”. This award put the watchmaker in the lead internationally among pocket chronometer makers. Three years later, the company moved again, this time to its present location at 3 rue du Jardin. Thanks to its reputation as the leading maker of chronometers, the business expanded. Unfortunately, Nardin was felled by a heart attack in 1876, prompting his 21-year-old son, Paul-David Nardin, to take control of the company.

Paul-David Nardin proved himself an able leader, as the firm won a Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1878, was awarded two Swiss patents in 1890, won First Prize at the Chicago Universal Exhibition in 1893 with a magnificent chronometer made of silver and gold, constructed nine pocket chronometers with tourbillon escapements — the list goes on and on. By 1915, the standards of the firm were so high that at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Ulysse Nardin took first place among 60 marine chronometers entered. In the same trial, the company took three of the first five places among 217 deck watches entered.

Needless to say, Ulysse Nardin won many more awards, further adding to its stellar reputation as a maker of highly precise and finely made timepieces. To put the accomplishments of this firm into proper perspective, the Neuchatel Observatory published its last official publication concerning the performance of chronometers in 1975. (The performance of mechanical timepieces was no longer relevant when quartz watches became commercially available.)

Like many great Swiss brands, the 1970s were not kind to Ulysse Nardin and the firm fell on hard times. But in 1983, an investment group headed by Rolf Schnyder purchased Ulysse Nardin and launched the famous Astrolabium Galileo Galilei series. Named after the great physicist, astronomer and humanist, the watch was a remarkable improvement on the perpetual calendar and allowed the firm to recapture its past glory. The watch even made it into the Guiness Book of World Records in February, 1989.

Since then, Ulysse Nardin has produced the San Marco, a limited edition minute repeater wristwatch available in gold or platinum, as well as the Tellurium Johannes Kepler and the patented GMT watch, which is intended for frequent travelers. In 1996, the company’s 150th anniversary was celebrated with the introduction of the marine Chronometer 1846 as a wristwatch and the revolutionary Perpetual Ludwig was named after its creator, the brilliant and talented watchmaker/scientist, Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, the man behind the Astolabium series.

The single-button chronograph “Pulsometer” to commemorate Ulysse Nardin’s birth in 1823 was introduced in 1998, yet this was eclipsed the following year when the firm debuted the GMT Perpetual, two unique and exclusive Ulysse Nardin creations integrated into one watch.

No doubt the year 2000 and beyond will bring more delightful innovations from this highly prestigious watch manufactory, but what is certain to remain consistent is the company’s dedication to producing only the finest quality timepieces. Indeed, their commitment to this ideal is evidenced in a recent statement by company president Rolf Schnyder, who remarked of his employees: “Their faith, loyalty, talent and commitment are essential to us in our quest to redefine the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking and to keep Ulysse Nardin in its pre-eminent position for the next 150 years.”

Tudor

2006-01-29T15:02:00.000+02:00

For year this brand has stood in the shadow of “big brother” Rolex, but it has nonetheless managed to secure a loyal and attentive following. It’s the hidden qualities of the watches that are so convincing, the special Rolex features that are practically free at Tudor. Okay, so they don’t come with the little Rolex crown, but they do come without a surcharge.

Looking behind the scenes of the carefully constructed Rolex brand image, it’s easy to see that it would make little sense to purposely lower standards for the second brand after spending decades to buid those of the first, It’s a fact thst all Tudor watches profit from the technical achievements of the leader brand - and it doesn’t always have to be the most recent developments. Even the last and next-to-last model generations of Rolex watches were way ahead of thier time.

The watch world was divided in opinion regarding the stylistic refinements of the Tudor brand. It almost seemed as if the antiquated style was cultivated on purpose, a type of impediment to keep the brand’s sucess smaller then of the powerful “older brother.” This is no longer valid for the newest generation of Prince Hydronaut models now redesinged appearance and carefully worked-out details to complete in the tough sport and diver watch market segment, The chances for the brand sporting Rolex quality aren’t bad here where the only true deficiency, the waiving of real Rolex movement. isn’t quite as important. The reliable ETA automatic movement used are eminently trustworthy.

The stipulated reliability of Tudor watches isn’t taken away from because the movements are purchased,and it’s also possible that some of the small shortcomings “inherited” from Rolex (such as the shaky metal bracelet) will turn out to be cult features.

Titoni

2006-01-26T11:30:00.000+02:00

In the year 1851, the watch-making industry was introduced to the small city of Grenchen Switzerland. Many famous watch companies were founded here and have helped make Grenchen an important part of today’s Swiss watch business.

Titoni was founded by Fritz Schluep in 1919 in Grenchen and the company is still in the hands of the Schluep family. Titoni is one of the few remaining independent watch enterprises and has made a significant contribution to the history of watchmaking.

Today, the Titoni Company is in it’s third generation of family ownership. New to the US market, Titoni has successfully concentrated on the far east and near east markets for over 50 years. Titoni has been able to gain the trust of customers in Asia where the products have always enjoyed a high reputation for excellent quality.
While many watch brands have focused over the last twenty-five years on quartz watches, Titoni has continued in the niche it has always occupied: watches equipped with self-winding mechanical movements. All Titoni watch components have to fulfill rigorous quality standards. The components for automatic movements, such as jeweled lever escapements, main springs, jewel shock absorbers, etc., are individually selected. This assures the best possible quality in contrast to other watch companies who buy complete movements. The assembly and integration of movements, as well as finishing and final control of the complete watches are exclusively handled at the Titoni factory in Switzerland.

Standard Titoni quality features include sapphire crystals, water resistance from 30 meters up to 200 meter, solid bracelets, buckles with two push-pieces and the stones on the dials are individually set, not glued. The modern Titoni factory makes effective use of best-in-class manufacturing technology including extensive automation. Still, it is the high proportion of skilled handwork in every mechanical watch that makes it an exceptional timepiece of lasting value.

Tissot

2006-01-26T11:25:00.000+02:00

Since 1853 TISSOT has earned a renowned reputation in watch making. The numerous prizes and decorations received for its innovations in the watch industry are undisputable evidence of TISSOT’s worldwide recognition.

TISSOT played and continues to play an important part in the watch making history.
TISSOT is the only watch brand in the world to combine Swiss-precision craftsmanship and innovation with outstanding quality at a reasonable price.
People who live by authenticity and true values recognize these qualities in TISSOT watches.TISSOT is the Swiss leading brand of the mid-price segment.
High-quality watches at attractive prices make every TISSOT watch more than an excellent purchase, a good investment, a real pleasure…

Tissot has been involved with high profile sports events since 1974 when they sponsored a racing car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, France. Since then Tissot has been involved in several sporting activities such as Formula One motor racing, cycling, ice hockey, cricket and fencing.

Tissot take their sports sponsorship programs into the new millennium continuing to be official timekeepers and partners to such great cycling classic Tour de Suisse as well as their commitment as the Official Timekeepers of the road, track, cyclo-cross and mountain bike cycling World Championships until 2003. Tissot returned in 2000 to being the Official Timekeeper and become the title sponsor to the Mountain Bike World Cup. Other World Championship sponsorship continues with ice hockey. New for 2001 Tissot is an Official Timekeeper for the FIM Motorcycling World Championships and is continuing to develop their testimonial programs with such sports stars as footballer Michael Owen.

Technomarine

2006-01-24T09:38:00.000+02:00

Designed to embody the best that the life, sea and land have to offer, TechnoMarine is an expression of Franck’s experiences both luxurious and adventurous. Launched in St. Tropez, France at the tail end of 1997, the TechnoMarine watch line began with one elegantly designed watch - a stainless steel chronograph with a translucent plastic band called the Raft. Innovative in design and superior in craftsmanship, the TechnoMarine Raft sold over 50,000 units during its first year in production.

As a result of the Raft’s success, in 1999 TechnoMarine set up its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California. From humble beginnings, with one computer in the Dubarry’s California home, the company soon spawned a full collection of diving watches. The initial collection consisted of a combination of PU and stainless steel chronographs - combining luxurious French design with unrivaled Swiss technology. Produced in a variety of bright colors with interchangeable colored bands, the TechnoMarine watches allowed consumers to combine fun, vivid creativity with quality craftsmanship.

In 1999, TechnoMarine developed and launched a breakthrough design, the TechnoDiamond. Cheered by the industry at that year’s Basel watch show and recognized around the world by sportsmen and luxury seekers alike, the TechnoDiamond was a truly unique innovation in the timepiece category. As the first original diamond chronograph, this fully functional diving watch and luxury accessory is complete with the signature TechnoMarine interchangeable gel bands and a carat of handpicked diamonds set in a stainless steel revolving bezel.

International recognition immediately followed and the TechnoDiamond became a celebrity favorite. Such diverse personalities as Madonna, Barbara Streisand, Lenny Kravitz, Sharon Stone, Ringo Starr and Arnold Schwartzenegger purchased the styles in droves. The celebrity interest, and subsequent exposure, sent the consumer demand for the TechnoMarine beyond the existing retail supply. Production was sent into overdrive and sales for TechnoMarine skyrocketed into the tens of millions almost overnight.

Since its inception in 1999, the TechnoMarine product line has grown to include more than 110 distinct styles while distribution has expanded to include retail outlets in six continents.

In 2001, TechnoMarine will evolve even further as the company splits to include two lifestyle-focused divisions, TechnoMarine and TechnoMarine Sport. Recognizing the different needs of consumers, the TechnoMarine and TechnoMarine Sport collections will more closely target consumer identities.

TAG Heuer

2006-01-19T22:19:00.000+02:00

TAG Heuer’s prestigious roots were started in 1860 by Edouard Heuer. Since then the name has become known for its technological innovation in precision timepieces, including stopwatches and water-resistant watches. The company has built a reputation for understanding design and innovation.

Company founder Edouard Heuer’s efforts toward sports watches and chronographs date back to 1860. TAG Heuer has provided official timing services for a host of sporting events including the Olympic Games since the 1920s, FIA Formula 1 World Championship auto racing since 1969 and the FIS Ski World Cup since 1992.

TAG Heuer has developed partnerships with top-rated ski resorts in the French, Italian, Austrian and Swiss Alps, as well as Vail, Colorado.

TAG Heuer built the first automobile dashboard clock in 1911 and since then has cemented its relationship with auto racing. In U.S. Formula One, the name has been associated with many of the sport’s luminaries: Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jacky Ickx, Michael Schumacher and, of course, perhaps the greatest talent of all - Ayrton Senna. And since 1986, TAG Heuer has been closely involved with the McLaren Formula 1 racing team.

TAG Heuer’s prestigious roots were started in 1860 by Edouard Heuer. Since then the name has become known for its technological innovation in precision timepieces, including stopwatches and water-resistant watches. The company has built a reputation for understanding design and innovation.

Company founder Edouard Heuer’s efforts toward sports watches and chronographs date back to 1860. TAG Heuer has provided official timing services for a host of sporting events including the Olympic Games since the 1920s, FIA Formula 1 World Championship auto racing since 1969 and the FIS Ski World Cup since 1992.

TAG Heuer has developed partnerships with top-rated ski resorts in the French, Italian, Austrian and Swiss Alps, as well as Vail, Colorado.

TAG Heuer built the first automobile dashboard clock in 1911 and since then has cemented its relationship with auto racing. In U.S. Formula One, the name has been associated with many of the sport’s luminaries: Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jacky Ickx, Michael Schumacher and, of course, perhaps the greatest talent of all - Ayrton Senna. And since 1986, TAG Heuer has been closely involved with the McLaren Formula 1 racing team.

Suunto

2006-01-19T21:53:00.000+02:00

Tuomas Vohlonen was an outdoors man and a keen orienteering enthusiast, and had long been bothered by a problem: the inaccuracy of traditional dry compasses and their lack of steady needle operation.

An inaccurate reading meant that he could often miss a control point on an orienteering route. This bothered Vohlonen big time. Being an engineer with an inventive turn of mind, he decided to make the problem go away.

His solution? To fill a field compass with liquid. The result? A much steadier needle, better readings, and a new level of accuracy.

Vohlonen’s invention also gave birth to Suunto Oy. The year? 1936.

The company could equally have been called Suunta Oy or Direction Ltd. Because that was what the company was, and is, about. Pointing the way forward, putting you on the right track, whatever direction you’re going in.

Suunto’s early years were modest. But the company had a good product. Accurate and rugged. So good, in fact, that it was not long before Vohlonen was selling manufacturing licences for his design in a number of countries. The licenses brought the company some welcome money. Later, however, they would also bring the company a major competitor when Suunto expanded internationally.

A liquid-filled field compass was far from being Vohlonen’s only invention. If he had lived longer, he would no doubt have build a complete family of products around his original idea. As Suunto has since done.

Tuomas Vohlonen died in 1939, the same year that saw the start of Finland’s Winter War. The Winter War was soon followed by the Continuation War. Armies were on the move around the world, and soldiers always need to know where they are going, and need compasses.

Suunto stepped into the breach. By 1944, when the Continuation War with the Soviet Union came to an end, Suunto had supplied the Finnish Army with some 100,000 compasses. Suunto’s partnership with the army, and other armies, did not end there, however.

With the coming of peace, the Finnish Army’s need for compasses was dramatically reduced. It was time for Suunto to look at the international market in earnest, and by 1950 the company was exporting compasses to over 50 countries around the world, including Canada and the United States. Quite an achievement for a small company from Finland back then.

Tuomas Vohlonen’s widow, Elli decided to sell the company in 1952, to a professor and two chemical engineers: Paavo Kajanne, Aarne Mahnala, and Veli-Jussi Hölsö.

1952 was something of a milestone for Finland as a whole, not just Suunto. Helsinki finally got to hold the Olympic Games, which had originally been planned for 1940. The torches carried to light the Olympic flame were Suunto products. Sport was already a familiar area to the new three-man team of owners, as they already owned Redox, a producer of ski wax. The team quickly puts its mind to developing Suunto. Sailing has always been popular in Finland, with its thousands of lakes inland and its coastal archipelagos. Knowing where you are on the water has always been a basic aspect of seafaring. Improving the directional stability and accuracy of marine compasses was a logical next step for Suunto.

And if you need a compass on the water, you also need one under water as well. The result? Suunto’s first diver’s compass.

Next step was to develope bearing compass and clinometer. The lucky owner of Suunto’s first clinometer? King Gustav Adolf VI of Sweden.

Exports continued to grow in the 1970s, and in 1972 Suunto was awarded the President of Finland’s Award for Export Achievement.

In 1979, Suunto changed hands again, and was acquired by Hämeen Peruna Oy and the Niemistö family. The 1980s were a time of extensive expansion, through acquisitions in Suunto’s original core business and related areas. By mid-decade, half of Suunto’s personnel were based outside Finland.

This growth did not come without its own measure of pain, however. Diversification was the popular strategy of the time, but managing widely diversified companies is not easy. Suunto needed a new structure, and a new umbrella marketing identity. The Suunto Group was born.

The Amer Group also grew rapidly at the same time, also mainly through acquisitions. In 1989, Amer took a major step forward when it acquired Wilson Sporting Goods of the US, and Wilson’s distinctive red W logo known around the world.

Suunto focused on combining its strength in precision mechanics with new skills in electronics. Accuracy, reliability, and ruggedness have long been Suunto’s key values. And when Suunto has not been able to achieve the accuracy it wants with off-the-shelf equipment, it makes its manufacturing equipment itself.

1987 saw the appearance of what was later to prove the seed of much of the company’s later growth, with the start of mass production of the SME dive computer. That was 13 years ago, and today Suunto is the international market leader in dive computers and related instruments. Last year, the company’s sales rose by 80% on a world market that grew by only some 5%.

Suunto’s first diver’s compasses were a success, and a whole family of diving-related products have been developed around them, including pressure gauges, depth gauges, and docking units that can be equipped with a variety of different gauges and instruments as needed.

In 1994, the Amer Group took another major step with its acquisition of Austrian-based Atomic.

A few years earlier, in 1990, Suunto again got a new owner, in the shape of Sponsor. The management philosophy of the time also changed. The focus was now put on core competencies. Non-core businesses were divested, and Suunto was split into two divisions: Suunto and Electronics.

1995 saw another major milestone in the country’s development. What had started off as a garage start-up became a listed company on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. With three main business areas: outdoors, diving and water sports, and electronics.

In 1997, Suunto launched the world’s first wristop dive computer, the Spyder. This was followed in 1998 by the Vector. These two were the first wristop computers to be based on sensor technology. The Vector was soon followed by a new product family.

What started off as a company in the business of measuring direction, and changes in direction, moved into one measuring gradients, heights, and depth as well, on land and underwater. As component technology advanced, it has proved possible to pack more and more features into smaller and smaller products. The traditional measurements have been joined by air pressure, time, and heart rate. The Observer, launched in spring 2001, is 40% smaller than any previous Suunto wristop computer.

In October 1999, the Amer Group made a bid for Suunto, which was accepted, and in March 2000 the company was delisted.

What attracted Amer most was Suunto’s electronics expertise. Amer’s vision is to bring the latest electronics and IT technology to the world of sport in a big way - and to offer people, whether they are golfers or tennis players, or skiers or snowboarders, the best products in the field through its Wilson, Atomic and Precor brands.

This strategy of offering people the best is what Suunto has been about ever since Tuomas Vohlonen produced his first compass. Both companies have also been committed to becoming world market leaders and the number-one brands in their businesses.

Amer’s sports goods are strong in their sector, while Suunto’s strengths lie in its instrumentation and electronics expertise. Amer has given Suunto a broader financial and R&D base, and new sales muscle through Amer Sports European’s distribution and marketing channels. Sales of Suunto’s products through Amer’s distribution organisation have started worldwide.

Cooperation between the two companies is growing all the time. Amer has a uniquely powerful sports and recreation product portfolio in Wilson, Atomic, Precor and Suunto. Together, the four brands make a truly winning team.

With the growth in Suunto’s size in recent years, the company’s old site in Espoo proved too small, and personnel moved to new premises near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at the beginning of 2001.

Today, Suunto has one business area instead of the previous three: Sports Instruments. One company with one goal, to be the world’s most attractive sports instrumentation brand.

The company has strengthened its R&D capability significantly, and enhanced and improved the way that it works. The result is a team stretching all the way from research to production, marketing, and the customer. And based on a process that starts where it should, from what the customer needs - and what he, or she, dreams of.

Raymond Weil

2006-01-18T23:47:00.000+02:00

For more than 25 years, RAYMOND WEIL has created masterpieces of time, art and elegance which express the creative desires of our times. RAYMOND WEIL gathers inspiration from works of art and music, cleverly embodying these premises with a passion enviable amongst some of the best-known Swiss watchmakers.
Since its founding by Raymond Weil in 1976, this Geneva-based watch company has been an enigmatic leader due to the creation, design and color-intensive elements in its designs. Using all that modern technology has to offer, RAYMOND WEIL has never settled for anything less than impeccable product quality.

Most of the RAYMOND WEIL collections draw their inspiration from major musical works such as Parsifal—the brand’s signature collection—Don Giovanni and Othello. Each of these collections reflects RAYMOND WEIL’s love for classical music, the opera and the arts.

In 1982, the talented and passionate Raymond Weil welcomed Olivier Bernheim into the family business. Instrumental in opening new markets and making structural and transitional changes within the company, Bernheim is now president and CEO of the company.
Since its inception, RAYMOND WEIL has produced elegant and cutting-edge timepieces. In 1983, RAYMOND WEIL launched the incredibly successful, classically elegant Amadeus collection, dedicated to Mozart. Several years later, the bold Othello was introduced and in 1988, the stunning color-stained-crystal Traviata watch made its debut. Indeed, the Traviata timepieces were so sophisticated and striking in their use of color and style that RAYMOND WEIL was soon recognized as a leader in technical and aesthetic design.

RAYMOND WEIL unveiled the Parsifal collection of steel and 18-karat gold watches in 1991. This most celebrated collection continues to make its mark as a true virtuoso. Valiant, powerful and refined, the Parsifal is a timepiece of symmetry and harmony.

Throughout the late 1980s and into the 1990s, RAYMOND WEIL grew to be one of Switzerland’s most important watch influences. Indeed, the vision of RAYMOND WEIL can be summed up in just a few words: creation, innovation and evolution—each of which is a permanent element in the brand’s professional code of ethics.

Adhering to a constant quest for perfection, RAYMOND WEIL continually unveils impeccable works of craftsmanship and beauty. Insistent that technical prowess remains supreme, RAYMOND WEIL has harmoniously blended tradition and modernity, technology and art into each timepiece.

One such exceptional collection is the Don Giovanni series. Recently, RAYMOND WEIL launched an unusual version of the Don Giovanni chronograph watch and the new creation dominates the collection with its extraordinary dimension and splendid execution.
The daring Don Giovanni Cosi Grande watch is the result of combined research into new ideas and solutions in watchmaking. A phenomenal creation of complexity in design and technical aesthetics, the Don Giovanni Cosi Grande is a mechanical chronograph with automatic winding. Hand-assembled by RAYMOND WEIL’s finest watchmakers, the chronograph includes the traditional functions of start, stop, restart, and return to zero, and offers a 30-minutes counter and a 12-hours counters.

The Don Giovanni Cosi Grande watch is crafted in steel and features a curved rectangular case of extreme dimensions. It is 50mm long by 37.6mm across and is fitted with a domed sapphire crystal with antireflection treatment. Water resistant to 30 meters, the watch features a transparent caseback to view the mechanism.

In 2001, RAYMOND WEIL gave the Othello collection—first unveiled to the world in 1986—a stunning relaunch. The rebirth of Othello captures the very essence of the innovative spirit of the brand. With a calm and discreet design that emphasizes strength of character and uncompromising beauty, Othello is equally daring and mysterious.

The round, thin case features a slightly curved sapphire crystal that charms and fascinates. The depth of the dark blue dial bordered by a midnight-blue bezel is tirelessly captivating, and the two thin steel bars that stretch from top to bottom across the sapphire crystal add unparalleled depth and dimension.

Sophisticated and intriguing, the new Othello collection is a profound expression of individuality. In addition to the enticing midnight-blue Othello, RAYMOND WEIL has also unveiled two splendid new versions of the Othello in 18-karat gold. Called the Othello OR collection, the sleek watches are crafted in either yellow or rose gold and in typical Othello style feature two vertical bars of gold sliced across the curved crystal of the watch—a strikingly bold and innovative design.

The Othello OR Jaune line is crafted in 18-karat yellow gold with a cognac dial. The bars are set with 46 diamonds for scintillating effect. The Othello OR Rose collection is crafted in 18-karat rose gold with a dial influenced by burgundy reflections. These elegant watches embody the pioneering and inventive design spirit of the brand.

Omega

2006-01-18T23:00:00.000+02:00

Piaget & Co. was founded in 1874 by Georges Piaget, a farmer turned watchmaker in the village of La-Cote-aux-Fees, who began assembling watches to earn extra money during the meager winters. Not much is known about the company’s early years, except the fact that his sons eventually took over the business and guided their father’s company through two world wars and the Great Depression.

Prior to World War II, Piaget watches were marketed through other companies, who engraved their own names on the dials. Following World War II, however, the founder’s grandsons Gerald and Valentin Piaget took over and embarked on an ambitious plan to give their grandfather’s company a stronger identity in the marketplace. A new collection of wristwatches was premiered and caused quite a sensation. The rest, as they say, is history.

Foreign markets such as the United States opened up during the 1950s and this led to the establishment of branch offices in New York, Geneva and Germany. It helped that the company introduced a number of innovative movements during this period, such as the ultra-thin nine ligne “9P” movement. This allowed Piaget to create a popular series of elegant, ultra-thin wristwatches for both men and women. Another commercially successful movement was the “12P”, which was the world’s thinnest automatic watch movement until 1967.

During the 1960s, the company bought up several case and bracelet manufacturers. This allowed for strict quality control. Over the next few years, Piaget’s market focus changed. The watches themselves took on the appearance of fine jewelry. Dials were available in a number of styles and the materials used became increasingly exotic. Most tellingly of all, there were more jewelers than watchmakers employed by the House.

Nevertheless, though Piaget did not shy away from embracing the new quartz technology, it continued manufacturing mechanical wristwatches. As other companies, such as Rolex and Omega, began to dominate the “sports watch” area, Piaget made a sensible marketing decision and decided to specialize in the dress and jewelry watches.

Thanks to such successful models as the popular Polo watch, which features an extremely appealing solid gold bracelet, Piaget emerged from the 1970s as one of the world’s most successful watch companies. In fact, the Polo watch was such a desirable status symbol that it spawned a number of counterfeit watches. Piaget successfully brought the counterfeiters in Hong Kong and Italy to court, putting an end to the problem.

Today, Piaget is known for its bejeweled ladies watches and solid gold dress watches. Although complicated watches continue to be assembled in limited quantities, most Piaget watches are more or less jewelry-oriented. To wit, it should come as no surprise that in a single year, Piaget purchases several thousand carats of the highest quality gemstones, as well as five tons of gold. It should also be mentioned that every component in a Piaget watch, aside from the movement, is made of solid gold — even the dials!

In closing, despite the obvious intrinsic value of Piaget watches, they are also amazingly beautiful timepieces — refined, rare, meticulously hand-finished using the finest materials and unique in design. Perhaps the president of Piaget put it best when he remarked: “You don’t read the time from a Piaget, you admire it.”

Officine Panerai

2006-01-17T20:54:00.000+02:00

A deft blend of Italian styling and Swiss technology,

Panerai has been a consistent leader in the world of professional timing instruments for more than 140 years.

Indeed, when Guido Panerai founded his company in Florence in 1860, it was with the commitment to build professional timekeepers more so than pocket watches.

His early work led to many patents in the timekeeping and optics fields. In the early 1930s, Panerai established a close relationship with the Royal Italian Navy and began supplying the soldiers with precision pocket watches and aiming sights for torpedoes.

During World War II, Panerai supplied Radiomir watches to the Royal Italian Navy—firmly establishing itself as a leader in precision timing.
In 1993, after 50 years of creating watches exclusively for the commandos of the Royal Italian Navy, Panerai offered its timepieces to the world at large with limited editions of the Luminor.

The precision watches were recognized for their performances under extreme situations and were eagerly sought by collectors. In 1997, the Richemont Group purchased Panerai and evolved the brand, adding new products upholding Panerai’s tradition and increasing its worldwide presence.

Panerai’s successful oversized timepieces are based on the Luminor and Radiomir, and each exists in the three key Panerai collections: Historical, Contemporary and Special Editions.

In the Historical Collection, Panerai has unveiled the Luminor 44mm watch with its own new hand-wound mechanical movement. Guaranteed water resistant to 300 meters but tested to 400 meters, this exceptional watch is cased in either steel or titanium and has a transparent caseback to allow viewing of the engraved movement.

In its Contemporary Collection, Panerai has added some complexities. The Panerai Radiomir watch, pure and elegant in its simplicity, is now available in two sizes: 40mm and 42mm.

Fitted with an automatic mechanical GMT/Alarm movement, the watch is now available in polished stainless steel.

Also new to the Contemporary Collection is the Luminor Power Reserve watch. Available in two sizes in titanium or steel, this watch offers a power reserve of 42 hours. It houses the exclusive OP1X caliber movement from Panerai with 21 jewels, and is COSC certified.

Another new model is the Luminor Marina Gold watch—created in 18-karat gold with a slight pink tinge—the first Panerai Luminor to have a gold case. Formed from a single block of precious metal, the case is 44mm in diameter, is COSC certified and is produced in a limited edition of just 150 pieces.

In its Special Editions Collection, Panerai has added the Luminor Marina 1950 watch-a magnificent 47mm timepiece that pays tribute to the first of its type unveiled in 1950.

Perfectly legible under water, the watch conforms to its earlier counterpart with a dial consisting of two superimposed layers and a bridge device that is protected by trademarks.

The COSC-certified chronometer watch offers a power reserve of 56 hours and is crafted in steel. It will be produced in a symbolic 1,950 pieces over a two-year period.

Also in the Special Editions Collection is the exceptional Luminor Blackseal watch that links past, present and future.

The watch features a brushed steel cover that is engraved with two Italian frogmen in action on their human torpedo—an image that also appears on the dial of the watch. The engraving is executed entirely by hand by Panerai’s skilled craftsmen.

Oris

2006-01-17T20:45:00.000+02:00

In the minds of watch fans today, the name of Oris is synonymous with the mechanical watch. This didn’t just happen by accident, of course.

At the end of the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s, when the “normal” watch consumer was becoming more educated in the ways of mechanical watches, the small watch company Oris, hailing from Holstein in the hinterlands of Basel (one od the few factories in German-speaking part of thr Switzerland), registered the growing demand and reacted immediately. The Oris heads were able to call upon a rich fund of historical models reaching back to 1904 that all seemed to have something speacial about them, One need only think about the hand-winding alarm watch outfitted with the AS Caliber 1730 and its carefully modernized 1950s design that was obviously so much to the taste of an antire generation of mechanical-watch consumers with its moderate price that, for a while. the demand for it seemed almost hysterical. That sparked, in a manner of speaking, the beginning of Oris’s career. Strongly fueled by the catchy slogan, “It’s high mech by Oris”, and with just the right mixture of nostalgically designed watches, slightly modified movements, and incredibly low prices, Oris’s position on the market was continually pushed upward. At first the cases were designed with the 1940s in mind and seemed a bit old-fashioned, but today they are stylred more contemporarily, and the watches themselves have also been outfitted with some remarkable technical innovations.

Secure in its good nose for the likes and dislikes of its clientele, Oris presented models like the Pointer, with an unusual sweep calender hand, the Complication, and Rectangular. The Worldtimer models, sporting a dial train exclusively developed for Oris, proves that the company also has the technical competence to modify ETA base movements immensely. And let’s not forget the overly large crown on some models, a characteristic that has practically become Oris’s trademark over the last decade. In keeping with this, the company named an entire line Big Crown, now known in its abbreviatedfrom BC. Certainly a large part of the appreciation that Oris presently enjoys has to do with the serious interest of the clientele in their “high mech ” watches.

Omega

2006-01-17T11:19:00.000+02:00

This Swiss watch company has been making instruments of precision and beauty since its inception 155 years ago. Indeed, Omega was one of the first brands to create chronographs and chronometers and was a leader in timing Olympic Games early in the 20th century.Omega landed on the moon in the 1960s, and continues to be involved not only in the U.S. space program, but also in sports timing, auto and yacht racing and in expeditions and explorations—and its timepieces keep pace to the tiniest fraction of a second. In its world-renowned Speedmaster series, Omega recently unveiled the Speedmaster Broad Arrow limited-edition watch. Based on the first model in the Speedmaster series, this newest addition uses an exclusive, completely new Omega chronograph movement.

Developed by Omega and produced for the company by Frédéric Piguet, the new caliber is a self-winding COSC-certified chronometer with column-wheel chronograph mechanism. The special limited-edition Broad Arrow models feature the hand of the original Speedmaster watch, and house a platinum rotor with an 18-karat gold Speedmaster medallion. The watch features an enamel dial and is limited to just 99 pieces in each color of gold. There is also a skeletonized version crafted in a platinum case and produced in a series of 21 pieces. Omega has unveiled a new version of the Speedmaster Professional Chronograph—still the only watch ever worn on the moon. The movement of the new model is the Caliber 861, originally implemented in the Speedmasters. However, it employs the latest technical standards. Additionally the design of the moon watch retains the same classic look it had in the 1960s, with black dial and luminous markers and hands.

Today’s Speedmaster Professional line is enhanced by a version with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and transparent sapphire caseback—revealing the movement that bears the inscription, “The first and only watch worn on the moon.” In its more elegant Constellation collection, Omega offers a host of versatile new models. The Constellation 50th Anniversary watch was unveiled in 2002 and the series includes three ladies’ models and three men’s models in steel or gold, each engraved with the words “Constellation—50 Years” on the caseback. Dial colors include black, cream and silver and are embossed with the Omega logo. Also new is the striking Omega Quadra watch line. With its square design and sporty accents, the chronograph watch comes in a variety of models and colors.

New versions of the My Choice Constellation Mini also have been unveiled, with elegant mother-of-pearl dials complemented by color-coordinated straps or elegant bracelets. New chronometer models, including a Co-Axial Chronograph crafted in either steel or 18-karat rose gold, have also joined the De Ville Co-Axial series. This marks the first time a chronograph watch has been fitted with a Co-Axial escapement.

Movado

2006-01-17T11:14:00.000+02:00

Movado, a company whose name means “always in motion” in Esperanto, began its life in 1881 in a small workshop in La Chaux-de-faunds, Switzerland. Founded by talented watchmaker Achille Ditisheim and his team of six employees, all watches were manufactured and assembled by hand.

By 1899, their hard work and determination had paid off. They were awarded six first-class Official Rating Certificates in their class, and in the following year, they were awarded the Silver Medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris.

By 1905, the company had settled on its now famous name, Movado, and began in earnest its now famous pursuit of excellence in design and function. They won the 1910 Grand Prix Exhibitions in Paris, Rome, Brussels and Rio de Janeiro for their introduction of 8 ligne wristwatch movements. The introduction of the Polyplan watch in 1912 took the watch community by storm, and these watches are highly sought after at auction today.

In 1947, American designer Nathan George Horwitt created the first Museum Watch. It featured an uncluttered dial, with a simple gold dot marker at the 12:00 position. He likened the design to that of a sun-dial, like recognizing the sun at its zenith at high noon. Movado later teamed up with designers and artists such as Andy Warhol to create one-of-a-kind limited edition watches, which reside in museums, galleries, and collections today.

Movado is returning to its roots today. It has re-introduced the KingMatic series, which was originally introduced in the 1950’s, and featured the first automatic movement and sweeping second hand, both driven from a central rotor. Today, the KingMatic features an all stainless steel case, stainless steel or leather bracelet, sapphire crystal, automatic movement, and is water resistant to 50 meters.

Montblanc

2006-01-17T01:42:00.000+02:00

The modern day Montblanc brand sprung from the Simplo Filler Pen Company founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1906. From the start, the company was an interesting marriage of the various skills and expertise of a stationer, Claus Johannes Voss; a banker, Christian Lausen; and an engineer, Wilhelm Dziambor. By 1909, it became clear that the ambitions of these 3 men for their brand spread far beyond their base in Hamburg, Germany. In this short time they already established boutiques for their products in Paris, London and Barcelona.
One year later marked the first of many bold marketing initiatives for the brand. Simplo Filler officially became “Montblanc”, named aptly for the tallest mountain in Europe to symbolize the high aspirations that the founders had for the brand and the high level of quality that they built into it.

Only 3 years later, by 1913, in what can, from the perspective of history, be seen as the most brilliant of all marketing steps, the white cap symbol of Montblanc was introduced to the public for the first time. It was, again, an insightful revelation of the founders that the snow-covered peak of Montblanc could so effectively serve as the brand’s most recognizable symbol. The Montblanc star was born.

It took nearly a decade more for Montblanc to evolve to resemble the company that we know today. In 1924, the Meisterstück, (”masterpiece”) collection was unveiled. This is the collection that we know today in the forms of Montblanc Classique, Le Grand, Doue, Solitaire and Mozart. In a matter of just 2 years following, the brand had established its presence in more than 60 countries, always supported by innovative advertising and marketing campaigns. The year 1924 is especially significant in that it clearly marks the start of the modern day Montblanc styling and brand identity.

By 1930 another small, but important piece, of the Montblanc story was added in the form of the “4810″ that is engraved on Montblanc fountain pen nibs. The significance of this designation is to mark the height of Montblanc (the mountain peak) in meters and to celebrate its standing as the highest peak in Europe.

Although there is no specific year to attach to the market dominance that Montblanc achieved as “the” luxury writing instruments brand, it was during the decade of the 1980’s that Montblanc made major strides to effectively capture the luxury segment of the market as its sole province. It was also during this decade, in 1986, that Montblanc added its now familiar tag line “The Art of Writing.”

In the 1990’s, Montblanc took its powerful marketing strategy to an entirely new level with the opening of its first present day boutique in Hong Kong. By 1995, Montblanc established several similar boutique shops in major markets in the United States. The end result is that, as of the present day, Montblanc has celebrated the opening of its 200th boutique worldwide on the internationally famous Champs Elysee in Paris.

With the introductions of leather accessories and Limited Edition/Writer’s Edition pens in 1992 to the 1997 debut of its Meisterstück watch line, Montblanc completed the full evolution to become the extensive luxury brand that we know today. It is the World of Montblanc and it celebrates more than “75 Years of Passion and Soul.”

Maurice Lacroix

2006-01-15T11:45:00.000+02:00

The name Maurice Lacroix stands for decades of experience in the production of high-quality watches. In 1961, Zurich-based Desco von Schulthess AG acquired an assembly facility in Saignelégier, a town in the Canton of Jura, where it produced private label watches for the national and international market. In 1975, the company laid initial foundations for its successful corporate history by introducing its first watch under the name of Maurice Lacroix in Austria. The brand was launched on the Spanish market a year later and, after another four years, the company founded its own sales organization in Germany. Then, two decades after launching its first watch, the company successfully entered the US market in 1995. In the fall of 2001, Maurice Lacroix S.A., previously a division of Desco von Schulthess AG, became an independent legal entity, thus generating ideal conditions in which to achieve its ambitious international growth targets.

Today, Maurice Lacroix, which has a total of 250 employees worldwide, is one of the most successful Swiss watch brands, both nationally and internationally, and is represented in more than 4,000 specialist shops in 45 countries all over the world. The company, one of the few independent Swiss watch manufacturers, has already established itself as a market leader in Germany in the upper middle-price segment, while in the USA the brand is one of the most dynamic in the industry.

Over the years, Maurice Lacroix has made significant investments to expand Queloz SA, a case manufacturer that it acquired in 1989, and its assembly facility in Saignelégier, and has made every effort to continuously keep the technology up-to-date. Investments were not restricted to infrastructure but were also made to optimise all internal processes. The assembly facility - together with the training and information centre opened in 2001 and the extension completed in January 2002 - is currently one of the most modern in the industry. The company thus put itself in an ideal position to use these state-of-the-art ateliers to design and put together its watches with a great deal of passion and precision. Around 150,000 top-quality timepieces now leave the Saignelégier facility each year and are distributed to customers all over the world.

In spite of the rapid change and growth, one thing has always remained the same - the company’s love of design, perfection, and fine materials. Maurice Lacroix is particularly proud of the crown jewels of its collections - the classic, mechanical “Masterpiece” watches. The experience Maurice Lacroix has gained from this precise art of watch-making is also incorporated into the “Milestone”, “Intuition”, and “Sphere” collections. At the same time, the company is continuing to promote its proven classics, “Miros” and “Pontos”. At the beginning of the new millennium, Maurice Lacroix has established a milestone with its diverse product portfolio and its new, independent communications campaign. The watches from Maurice Lacroix, which are set to be the classics of tomorrow, epitomize progressive, innovative technology, high-quality materials, and a design characterized by pure simplicity.

Longines

2006-01-15T11:41:00.000+02:00

A striking new perspective from Longines… an updated ladies’ Longines Dolce Vita timepiece in highly polished steel. Sleek contoured steel tank case is gently arched for added comfort. Case is presented on the attractive brick link bracelet.

Highly polished steel bezel frames the silvery white square dial with silver colored hands and hour markers. Check out the wide variety of fashionable mens’ and womens’ watches available from Longines including the Longines Oposition and the Longines Conquest.

Today the name is widely recognized as a world leader in Swiss sport watches and chronographs. Longines has played the active part of timekeeper throughout its long history. In 1899, it went to the North Pole with Arctic Explorer Louis Amédée de Savoie.

It introduced automatic timekeeping at the Federal Gymnastics at Basel in 1912. And since 1952, it has marked time at the Summer and Winter Olympics, the World Grand Prix Motorcycle championships and the World Alpine Ski Championship.

Time is an elemental and eternal component of the universe. Why not honor yourself and your loved ones with an enduring gift reflecting this grand and mysterious design? Longines has a long standing tradition of excellence in the highest tradition of the watch maker’s craft. Its products are instantly recognizable as symbols of style, elegance and quality.

Locman

2006-01-15T11:16:00.000+02:00

LOCMAN Spa is an industrial company specialised in the design and production of top-class watches. It heads a group of participating companies and is based in Marina di Campo, Isola d’Elba, with separate offices in Milan, New York, Paris, and Düsseldorf. With over a thousand points of sale in the most exclusive jewelers and partnerships with the most prestigious luxury-goods sellers in the world, LOCMAN has convinced many VIPs to wear its watches: unique, fun with a peculiar character, innovative, trendy, and yet not too loud.

LOCMAN set a new fashion by marketing its highly sophisticated accessories all over the world, from Marina di Campo on to New York City: an all-Italian adventure, conceived in the very heart of Tuscany - on the Isola d’Elba, one of the most beautiful islands in the world - and enthusiastically developed by a close team that turned the way of life of a small Mediterranean island into a lifestyle.

The business idea was originally conceived in 1986, although the big leap that decreed the company’s success was in 1997, when LOCMAN decided to quit watchmaking on behalf of other brands and went on to launch its own original models. The aim was clear: to conquer a market niche by marketing new, trendy watches without competing directly against established leading brands. LOCMAN decided to cater for upmarket consumers looking for new, exclusive products, a fashion-conscious market niche sensitive to the charm of avant-garde designer accessories which stand well away from tradition yet bear top quality hand-made finishings.

The LOCMAN best-selling oversized watches are the aluminum models, either set with diamonds or in the more casual Sport version. The latest and even more surprising LOCMAN watches from the NUOVO collection feature a soft design playing upon its seductive oval shapes. The highlight of this collection is NUOVO CARBONIO, the new LOCMAN model for 2002/2003, the first watch in the world with a carbon fiber case.

The LOCMAN production indeed stands out for its attention to any opportunity offered by state-of-the-art technology. The breaking news of the first few days of 2003 is that LOCMAN founded a new company, MATERIE FUTURE, with the aim of studying and producing hi-tech materials such as titanium and carbon fiber.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

2006-01-13T23:01:00.000+02:00

Today, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is one of the most famous watches ever produced, but were you aware that the company got its start producing ebauches for other companies? A little known fact about Jaeger-LeCoultre is that in addition to producing movements for its own watches, the company has also produced movements for famous watch houses such as Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, and IWC. As a matter of fact, in the early part of the 20th Century, Jaeger-LeCoultre even supplied ebauches to the great firm of Patek Philippe. Then as now, Jaeger-LeCoultre was considered one of the finest watchmakers in Switzerland.
The year was 1833 when thirty-year-old Antoine LeCoultre, son of Vallee de Joux watchmaker Jacques LeCoultre, opened a small factory in the town of Le Sentier. Amazingly enough, the current Jaeger-LeCoultre factory is only a few feet away from the site of the original factory. In any event, LeCoultre soon proved himself to be a gifted watchmaker, but an even more brilliant inventor. In 1844, LeCoultre revolutionized the watch industry with the invention of the millionometer, an instrument with which measurements of up to one thousandths of a millimeter could be made accurately. As a result, precisely finished components could be manufactured, resulting in greatly improved accuracy in timekeeping. Likewise, the metric system became the universal measuring standard in watchmaking, while other systems were rendered obsolete.

LeCoultre’s motto — “we must base our experience on science” - was particularly true when it came to manufacturing precision movements and tools. The artistry came later at the hands of a master watchmaker, who assembled, decorated and regulated the movements. In short order, LeCoultre became the leading supplier of movements, parts and tools to the watchmaking industry in Switzerland.

LeCoultre movements were so highly regarded, in fact, that until 1910, the company provided Patek Philippe with most of its raw movements. It was only in later years that Patek Philippe built its own movements from scratch. In the meantime, other companies had come to rely exclusively on LeCoultre’s products, from which they would create finished watches. LeCoultre’s success was so great that between 1900 and 1919, 40,000 raw movements were produced. Movements sold for between 100 and 400 francs each, not an inconsiderable sum of money back then.

In 1925, the grandson of the firm’s founder, David LeCoultre, merged his company with that of Edmond Jaeger, the exclusive supplier of watch movements to Cartier. This is when the modern company known as Jaeger-LeCoultre first came into existence. Incredibly enough, up to this point, Jaeger-LeCoultre had not sold any watches under its own name. The merger, however, prompted further technical innovations, not the least of which was a case made from stainless steel, as well as the creation of the smallest mechanical movement in the world, which weighed less than one gram.

The year 1931 saw the introduction of the Reverso, a wristwatch that could be turned 180 degrees within the case, thereby protecting the crystal and dial. It was a fantastic creation and one that was enthusiastically received by the public. Unfortunately, the worldwide economic crisis and World War II conspired to prevent the Reverso from achieving its full potential. Changing fashions coupled with the advent of waterproof watches might have forever doomed the watch to obscurity, had it not been for an Italian dealer who visited the factory in the 1960’s and noticed a number of unused Reverso cases sitting in a watchmakers’ drawer. The Italian dealer bought the cases and fitted them with movements. The finished watches were an instant sell-out and the rest is history. Today, the Reverso is by far Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most popular model.

Another interesting story concerns David LeCoultre’s bid for Patek Philippe. In 1932, Patek Philippe was in major financial straits and looking for a white knight. LeCoultre, whose company manufactured movements for Patek, wanted to acquire a majority interest. He came close to finalizing a deal, but the Stern brothers, whose company supplied the dials used in Patek Philippe watches, ultimately acquired the company. Although Patek Philippe has certainly prospered under the Stern family’s management, it is nonetheless interesting to contemplate what effect a Patek Philippe/Jaeger-LeCoultre merger may have had on the Swiss watch industry.

Needless to say, the company has continued to thrive, introducing such innovations as the Memovox, Futurematic, Atmos Clock (which in and of itself could be the subject of an article) and strikingly original movements such as the world’s thinnest automatic with a thickness of just 2.35 mm, just to name a few. The thin automatic movement in particular was an incredible success, as both Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet featured it in wristwatches advertised as being the world’s slimmest self-winding timepieces. During the 1970’s and early 1980’s, Jaeger-LeCoultre produced a 36 jewel, self-winding calibre for Patek Philippe. Once again, both companies had come full circle.

On a final note, it is worth noting that Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the few companies in Switzerland that still produces its own movements, cases, dials, hands, and bracelets. Virtually every single component in a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch is hand-finished, produced in-house, and this in turn results in strict quality control. As a result, Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are recognized as being among the very finest hand-crafted watches available and evidence of this can be seen in the fact that Jaeger-LeCoultre regularly produces such masterpieces as the Reverso Tourbillon and Reverso Minute Repeater. There is also the Master Control series of watches, which boast 1,000 hours of testing and assembly at the patient hands of a master watchmaker.

In any event, if you are contemplating the purchase of a Jaeger-LeCoultre wristwatch, you’ve made an excellent choice. It’s a highly prestigious and respected brand with a long and wonderful history, as well as a proven track record.

International Watch Company (IWC)

2006-01-12T17:06:00.000+02:00

An interesting fact you may or may not know: International Watch Company (IWC) is possibly the only major Swiss watch company whose founder was an American!

During the 1860’s, three manufacturers dominated the American watch industry: Elgin, Howard and Waltham. Combined, these firms produced upwards of 100,000 pocket watches. Times were changing in the industry as pocket watches went from being a status symbol that only the wealthiest individuals could afford, to an everyday item available to the middle class. As a result, production methods had to be improved; for example, most parts for watches were still being made by hand. Costs were also high because the pool of available, qualified watchmakers was relatively small.

In Boston, Massachusetts, Florentine Ariosto Jones, who had worked in the American watch industry for a number of years, keenly observed the failure of Aaron Lufkin Dennison, a leader in the watch business, whose efforts to move production to Switzerland to benefit from lower wages and Swiss watchmaking know-how, failed miserably. Undaunted, Jones took over the failed enterprise and soon set up his own company in Switzerland. His plan was to assemble watches in Switzerland and import them into the United States, hence the name International Watch Company.

Fortuitously, Jones made the acquaintance of one Johann Heinrich Moser, a watchmaker whose hometown of Schaffhausen was conveniently located near the Rhine. Following Moser’s advice, a dam was built in order to harness the mighty river and generate hydro-power to drive the machines used in manufacturing facilities throughout Schaffhausen.

A watch factory was built in Schaffhausen to take advantage of the cheap hydro-power and production commenced in 1868. Despite the company’s unique business plan, the enterprise was doomed from the start. For one thing, Jones had trouble selling the watches in America, due to a high tariff on imported finished watches. An even worse problem: Jones was undercapitalized and encountered technical problems with the machines. By 1875, he was scrambling to find new investors, amid allegations by disgruntled stockholders that the company was on the verge of collapse. Inevitably, the company filed for bankruptcy and Jones was forced to relinquish control of his company.

A Swiss consortium acquired IWC’s shares and put another American, Frederick Seeland, at its helm. Although the company’s fortunes improved somewhat, the improvement was not deemed sufficient enough. As a result, the company was put up for sale again. This time, one of IWC’s stockholders, Johannes Raschenbach-Vogel, bought the company at auction for 280,000 francs. Technical achievements and increased sales soon followed with the production of the first pocket watches with digital time indication, as well as development of the famous Calibre 52 movement, which at the time was quite revolutionary in its concept and construction.

Although the company experienced significant growth, following World War I, the company’s fortunes again hit rock bottom under the proprietorship of Ernst Homberger-Rauschenbach. Fortunately, a major modernization effort paid off when the advent of World War II resulted in increased military demand. It was thus during World War II that IWC created the first oversize anti-magnetic pilot’s watch, followed by the famous Mark X, featuring its new in-house movement, Calibre 83. In 1944, IWC had a close call when the Allies mistakenly bombed Schaffhausen. As luck would have it, the factory narrowly escaped destruction.

In the aftermath of the war, International Watch Company lived up to its name and became a company of international scope. Exports to the United States increased and the brand became best known for its specialty watches, such as the Mark XI and Ingenieur - the first automatic IWC with a soft-iron inner case that protected the movement against magnetic fields - as well as for its elegant dress watches. Needless to say, vintage IWC’s from the 1940’s and 50’s are highly collectible today and in great demand, as they are somewhat under-priced compared to other high-end watch brands of that era.

Although IWC entered the quartz era with its first quartz watch in 1969, using the Beta 21 movement, the company was ultimately unable to remain under family ownership. In 1978, a majority interest in the company was sold to VDO Adolf Schindling AG.

Subsequent developments include the debut of the Porsche series of sports watches, which remain in production to this day, as well as the creation of the “DaVinci” - a perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch that is mechanically programmed for the next 500 years. This watch caused quite a stir when first introduced and set new standards with its “user friendly” perpetual calendar. In 1993, the company again stunned the watch world when it unveiled the remarkable Il Destriero, which at the time was the most complicated wristwatch in the world.

The year 2000 is no less exciting for the company, as it introduces a new advertising campaign, as well as the 5000 calibre, a new mechanical movement with a power reserve of seven days and an automatic movement. The automatic, an IWC exclusive, is a further development of the patented Pellaton system. The pocket watch-size movement is featured in the latest addition to the Portuguese line: an automatic with a power reserve display. It should also be noted that 1999 was the most successful year in IWC’s history, with 39,000 watches sold, 115 million Swiss francs in revenue, and over 350 employees.

In closing, the company’s philosophy is best summed up by IWC’s current CEO, Michael Sarp, who recently stated: “We shall produce watches of the highest quality with unique technical and design characteristics and thus continue to experience the pleasures of innovation.” If you should have an opportunity to examine an IWC, you will quickly realize that Mr. Sarp speaks the truth.

Hugo Boss

2006-01-12T16:58:00.000+02:00

Hugo Boss offers elegantly designed timepieces residing at the very pinnacle of quality. Time is an elemental and eternal component of the universe. Why not honor yourself and your loved ones with an enduring gift reflecting this grand and mysterious design?
What’s in a name? Well, if it’s Hugo Boss, it’s synonymous with successful, international and dynamic. It brings to mind the energetic rhythms of global business, travel, elite sports and exotic destinations. It says cosmopolitan, urbane, suave and above all, distinctive menswear and fragrances for the well-defined man-about-town, and now the perfectly right timepiece, too. Since its establishment in 1923, Hugo Boss has maintained a successful distribution of clothing, fragrances and accessories, and will project that same expertise in the US launch of its watch line. What do you get with your BOSS? Along with its established brand name, you get nothing but the best quality. Hugo Boss recognizes the importance of quality workmanship. All the watches are developed in close cooperation with Hugo Boss and renowned Swiss watch designers. Only the best materials are used; the components are carefully selected and strictly tested. All watches are equipped with automatic or quartz Swiss movements, guaranteeing high precision and reliability. To ensure perfection, special attention is given to every minute detail. The Hugo Boss collection of fine wristwatches includes four elegant lines - Initial, Ranger, Pilot and Metropolis. Available in white, silver, black and black rectangular dials, the Initial series is classical in its inspiration, timeless in its appeal. Initial represents an achievement in the balance of masculine proportion and finely-tuned aesthetics. More appropriate for the younger man, the sculpted steel case of the Ranger is daring, casual and born for action. Pilot is an elegant salute in matte black steel to the aviator’s sport world - but makes a stylish statement in any environment. For the man who uses his time wisely while living life to the fullest, the Metropolis is a balance of dynamism, function and contemporary good looks.

Hublot

2006-01-09T00:22:00.000+02:00

Hublot was born out of a desire to transcend contemporary watch design and produce a unique watch line. Creator Carlo Crocco acquired strong notions of beauty growing up in a family of watchmakers, and by 1977 had designed his first watch. In 1980 he established his own company, MDM Genève, hoping to create a watch whose elegant and sporty design would be appreciated the world over.

Crocco was determined to develop a watch that not only had pure lines and a respect for the materials used, but one that transcended changing fashions and could be worn in both elegant and informal situations. His first rule was simplicity: no superfluous design elements. The look was modeled after a porthole (Hublot, in fact, is French for porthole), and the watch made from materials ranging from finely brushed steel to gold. Twelve titanium screws anchored the bezel to the case, marking the hours in a confluence of form and function. As for the case itself, it required no less than 160 manual operations to obtain the desired degree of perfection. For the strap, Carlo Crocco decided leather was too fragile. While looking at a working drawing of the watch, on which the strap was represented in basic black, he was struck by how matte black could perfectly complement both steel and gold. But what material could deliver such a deep, rich satin black? It suddenly came to him: rubber.

After three years of research, the revolutionary rubber strap was ready for production. Supple, light, and highly durable, the strap also had a delicate vanilla scent. The corrosion-resistant strap was also reinforced with invisible steel inserts and sported a double-hinged clasp, ensuring a solid attachment to both the wearer’s wrist and the watch itself. The Hublot watch was thus born, its natural rubber strap ensuring its status as a one-of-a-kind timepiece.

Colleagues and competitors were dubious when Carlo Crocco presented the Hublot watch at Basel Fair in 1980, but were soon won over as it went on to become the “Sensation” of the year. The Hublot became instantly recognizable, its swift acceptance surpassing all expectations. Members of several royal families spontaneously showed their enthusiasm for the Hublot, and it soon became the choice of the world’s leading personalities. Carlo Crocco had taken a bold risk, and in a few short years Hublot watches were elevated into the exclusive circle of prestige Swiss watchmaking houses.

In the mid-1990’s, natural rubber came to the attention of renowned watchmakers as evidenced by their recent models. This fact proves the validity of the choices that led to the creation of the Hublot watch and reinforce its status as a “Classic”. For Hublot, the rubber is not a fashion trend but it represents its philosophy, a way of life and the trade-mark of the brand.

Hublot is a family firm by essence. While the watch industry is going through a period of realignment and Watch Manufactures are being acquired by luxury conglomerates, Hublot is proud to maintain its independence and its exclusive personality.

Hermes

2006-01-09T00:07:00.000+02:00

Time is limitless for Hermès. Indeed, the company is steeped in a rich history and tradition, in innovation and accomplishment. For more than a century, Hermès has brought to the world luxury items of distinction. From saddlebags to handbags, from watchstraps to watches, Hermès embodies the spirit of a world where expression is paramount.

Established in 1837 as a maker of fine saddles and harnesses, Hermès immediately gained a reputation for its luxurious leathers and quality craftsmanship. By the early 1900s, the brand had acquired a very prestigious international following. As times changed, Hermès kept pace. Moving from the equestrian field to the world of automobiles, Hermès began designing luggage, trunks, gloves and car accessories.

Through the years, the company branched out into other areas. As wristwatches took the world by storm in the 1920s, Hermès carved out its own niche creating elegant watchstraps for the finest companies. In the 1930s, the brand launched its handbags and in 1937, unveiled its own custom silk scarves. In the ensuing decades, Hermès reveled in its position as a leader of the world’s finest French products. In 1975, Hermès launched its Kelly watch—fashioned after its most famous Kelly handbag. Just three years later, Jean-Louis Dumas-
Hermès reorganized the company and established La Montre Hermès SA in Bienne.

This watchmaking factory gave rise to an entire collection of Hermès watches that embody the spirit and style of the brand. Over the decades, Hermès has unveiled a variety of important watch collections, including the Clipper Cape Cod, Espace and H-Our signature watch line.

In 1999, the brand inaugurated its new state-of-the-art workshops in Bienne. Two years later, the Nomade collection of autoquartz watches made its debut in 2001.

Located in the heart of the traditional Swiss- watchmaking region, Hermès retains the advantage of its innovative Parisian spirit when it comes to watch styling. Regularly, this fine company adds novelties and new versions to its successful collections.

A watch that’s built to withstand the elements, the Nomade is powered by an autoquartz movement, which requires no battery. By combining high-precision quartz with rotor technology, the autoquarz movement has 45 to 100 days of power reserve built into it.

Now, Hermès has expanded the Nomade collection by adding a striking ladies’ version, a chronograph, a men’s bracelet model, and the precision-oriented compass watch. The Nomade Compass watch links time and space in avant-garde fashion. The anti-magnetic stainless steel case features a sapphire crystal and a hinged back cover that opens to reveal the compass beneath an optical mineral glass. The elongated rectangular Cape Cod collection also inherits a sporty new member. The Cape Cod Deux Zones displays two time zones—each on a separate subdial on the gracefully curved watch face. Water resistant to 50 meters, the watch is incredibly versatile with its various colored offerings. Constantly revisiting and reinterpreting its long-time bestsellers, Hermès can’t resist adding new touches.

The Paprika model from the 1970s has been reintroduced with a moveable H-shaped case-to-bracelet attachment that also offers a very modern appeal. Dedicated exclusively to women, this watch is named after the signature Hermès color. Similarly, the Clipper—first designed in 1981—has become one of
Hermès’s leading models. Recognized by its distinctive round bezel decorated with six “bolts” designed to resemble the portholes of old sail boats, the round watch now has an oval sibling. The new oval Clipper features 12 bolts on its bezel, one for each hour. The clean dial is beautifully guillochéd and simply elegant in black, silver or white.

Harry Winston

2006-01-07T17:17:00.000+02:00

Harry Winston, the mere name conjures up glamorous images of diamonds and gemstones, of beautiful women and wonderful times. Indeed, the House of Harry Winston has been scintillating hearts and minds around the world for decades with its majestic jewelry. It’s no wonder that this legendary brand can easily work the same magic with watches of ultimate distinction.

Since his very early teens, Harry Winston was consumed by a passion for diamonds and gems. He embarked on his career as a jeweler when he was just 15 and by 1920—at age 24—he had started his first diamond company.

A man with a vision and extraordinary talent, Harry Winston built a reputation for purveying some of the most celebrated gems in the world. In 1925 he caused a stir when he acquired the famous jewelry collection of Rebecca Darlington Stoddard. By the time he founded Harry Winston, Inc. in 1932, he had already made several million-dollar transactions and was viewed as a shining star.

In 1946, Winston met the Duke and Duchess of Windsor who became avid admirers of Winston’s jewelry. In 1947 Winston was among the first to lend jewelry to the attendees of the Hollywood Oscars. Winston traveled the world to acquire famed stones, including the Hope Diamond and the sapphire of Catherine the Great. He began opening a series of salons around the world in 1955—with the first neatly situated in Geneva.

Through the ensuing decades, Winston bought, sold and donated famous stones and continued to create the most magnificent masterpieces of diamonds and gems in the world.

The house of Harry Winston survived the founder’s death in 1978. Winston’s son Ronald, at the helm today, masterfully continued in his father’s tradition. In 1989 Ronald Winston established the brand’s first collection of fine watches—called The Ultimate Timepiece series. Now focusing on haute horology as well as haute joaillerie, Winston has regularly unveiled spectacular timepieces.

The Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater made its debut in 1995 and the Ocean chronograph—the world’s first platinum diving watch—came to fruition in 1998. In 1999, Winston unveiled the world-premiere Biretrograde complication and in the few years since, the brand has consistently offered remarkable timepieces of technical and aesthetic excellence to the world.

It is Harry Winston’s Premier collection of watches that takes center stage when it comes to technical excellence. The newest addition to this series is the Excenter, which takes its name from the off-centered position of its two counters. The result of much technological research, the exclusive HW2811 module was specially designed for Excenter.

A world’s first, the wristwatch boasts a bi-directional seconds display with a mechanical self-winding movement. The left counter tracks the seconds with a hand that moves down the semicircular indicator from 0 to 30 seconds and then back up again to 60 seconds.

The larger counter on the right displays the hours and minutes.
Water resistant to 30 meters, the Excenter sports a bold round case of 18-karat white gold with double anti-reflection treatment on both the front and back sapphire crystal.

In typical Harry Winston style, a jeweled version of the Excenter has also been created for women. It features a bezel and case-to-bracelet attachment that is set with Top Wesselton diamonds weighing more than three carats. The borders of the two counters on the natural mother-of-pearl dial are also framed with diamonds for added elegance.

New to the Harry Winston Avenue collection of Ultimate Timepieces is the exquisite Golden Lady Avenue. This striking 18-karat yellow-gold watch is bedecked with stunning cognac colored diamonds that glow with lustrous sophistication.

Decadent and daring, Harry Winston has created two versions of the Golden Lady Avenue.

One is set with 28 golden diamonds and 25 white diamonds (weighing just under two carats), while the other is set with 36 golden diamonds and 26 white diamonds (weighing a total of 3.4 carats). A striking hand-stitched cognac satin strap further enhances the amber hue of this diamond beauty.

Hamilton

2006-01-07T17:13:00.000+02:00

Founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Hamilton watches have come to represent a variety of uniquely American values - rugged individualism, functional style, initiative, boldness, steadfastness.

Initially manufactured to provide the country’s railroads with reliable timing devices, the Hamilton railroad pocket watch was adopted as the official watch of the American Expeditionary Forces worldwide. A wrist watch version of the railroad watch was issued to General Pershing and his doughboys in WWI, accompanied Admiral Byrd on his expeditions to the North and South Poles, served the Picards well on their first balloon ascent into the stratosphere, and was on the wrist of the first American to scale Mount Everest.

In the period between the wars, Hamilton stylishly re-designed the conventional watch case going beyond traditional round shapes and introducing dramatic lines featuring asymmetrical, square, and triangular cases. Aside from the classic designs of the era such as the Ardmore, Benton, Boutlon, Cabot, Contour and Wilshire models, now faithfully re-created in Hamilton s American Classics collection, the company also became known for producing fashionable, decorative timepieces for women.

Other notable Hamilton innovations which forever altered watch technology included: the development of a revolutionary temperature-compensating hairspring alloy which resulted in much improved timekeeping accuracy; the introduction of the world’s first electric wrist watch powered by a small battery; and the introduction of Pulsar, the world s first electronic watch.

Today, Hamilton s primary collections include the American Classics collection (mentioned above) and the Khaki collection, updated versions of the legendary military timepieces of yesteryear. These durable sport watches for both men and women include models designed to withstand the pressures of deep-sea dives, the hazards of mountain climbing, and provide reliable, precise performance under extreme conditions.

Guess

2006-01-06T00:39:00.000+02:00

The Marciano brothers were raised in the south of France, a region that cultivated a passionate understanding of French design and the essence of style. Combining a love of the American West with a European sensibility they created GUESS watches, Inc.

During the 1970s, clothing design had little or no direction. People felt denim was dated and jeans were hardly considered a fashion statement. The Marciano brothers would change that forever. Their designs were timeless, sensuous, strong and chic. The GUESS approach was fresh and set the standard for the future of denim.

Initially, retailers greeted GUESS wristwatches with skepticism. Buyers weren’t interested in denim; but the brothers infallible instincts and persistence prevailed. Their 3-zip Marilyn jean was sexy, with a unique style and attitude. Bloomingdale’s finally agreed to sell two dozen pairs of the 3-zip Marilyn jean as a favor to the Marciano brothers. Within hours, the entire stock was sold out.

Today, GUESS is one of the most widely recognized brands in the world. Known for quality, trendsetting style, and marketing creativity, the Company designs and markets a leading lifestyle collection of casual apparel and accessories for women, men, children, and babies.

GUESS continues to be guided by the Marciano brothers - Maurice, Paul, and Armand. Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Maurice Marciano, has overseen the Company’s design direction and led its spirited and significant expansion since 1982. Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Paul Marciano, is credited with the vision behind the GUESS image and is responsible for creating some of the most innovative and ground-breaking images in the history of advertising. Senior Executive Vice President, Armand Marciano, oversees retail, processing, shipping and customer relations for GUESS and its product licensees throughout the world.

As it progresses into the 21st century, GUESS continues to challenge its already high standards to remain a driving artistic force in the world of fashion.

Gucci

2006-01-06T00:00:00.000+02:00

In 1994, Gucci Group NV was incorporated. The same year, Tom Ford, previously Chief Women’s Ready-to-Wear Designer, was appointed as Creative Director of Gucci’s entire product range. His seminal fall/winter 1995-1996 collection transformed Gucci’s style with a remix of classic and modern, tradition and innovation. It was an immediate hit with the critics and the public and marked the relaunch of the Gucci brand.

In 1995, Domenico De Sole was appointed as President and CEO of Gucci Group NV after holding the position of President of Gucci America Inc. (1984-1994) and Chief Operating Officer of the Gucci Group (1994-1995). The De Sole-Ford team would reinvent Gucci over the following years.

In October of 1995, Investcorp floated 48.2% of Gucci Group NV on the New York and Amsterdam Stock Exchanges. The Initial Public Offering was positively received by the market, leading Investcorp to offer the remaining 51.8% of the company five months later. Gucci’s shares were in international demand.

Gucci Timepieces was created in November 1997 when Gucci Group NV acquired the operating assets of the Severin Montres Group, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of watches. Severin Montres, a Gucci licensee for 23 years, had developed an extensive directly operated distribution network in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, the UK and Germany, as well as third party arrangements elsewhere.

In 1999 Gucci Group NV acquired Yves Saint Laurent Couture and Sanofi Beauté‚ a prestigious perfume and cosmetics company that boasts YSL fragrances such as Opium and Paris, as well as a wealth of other perfume licenses including Roger & Gallet, Krizia, Fendi and Oscar de la Renta. In 1999, Gucci Group NV also acquired a 70% controlling interest in Sergio Rossi, a leading Italian luxury shoe company.

The growth of Gucci Group NV continued in 2000 with the acquisition of Boucheron International S.A. Founded in France in 1858, Boucheron has a long established heritage as one of the world’s most exclusive jewelry, watch and perfume brands. Also in 2000, Gucci secured further control over its brands by obtaining license rights held by Cartier International for Yves Saint Laurent Couture watches and jewelry. Both moves reflect Gucci’s confidence in the global potential of the jewelry and watches segments of the luxury goods market.

Glycine

2006-01-05T23:45:00.000+02:00

Glycine has been producing watches in their factory in Bienne, Switzerland, continously since their founding by Eugène Meylan in 1914. Their first customers were prosperous gentlemen who valued Glycine watches as miniature works of art and treasured their gold and platinium cases.

Although the Depression of the 1930s and the beginning of World War II put a heavy toll on the company, Glycine was able to continue production, and in 1938 the company was one of only 29 exhibitors at the Basel Fair, the world’s most important watch exhibition. Glycine has not missed a Basel Fair since then.

Glycine introduced their first range of chronometers in 1934. These watches passed the difficult tests of the Official Swiss Quality Control to obtain a certificate for excellent timing results.

After the war, Glycine was among the first to produce automatic watches and in 1948 introduced a complete assortment of automatics, making use of the most advanced technologies. In 1952 Glycine presented their famous Vacuum chronometers to the world markets. These watches were known for incredible resistance to water and shocks and were designed for long-term use under hostile conditions, performing well beyond expectations.

In 1953, their Airman line was presented. These watches featured a 24-hour movement designed for pilots and the growing class of jet setters. Now, world time was available on your wrist. In the early 70s, the Swiss Watch industry was hurt by the quartz movement invasion. Switzerland was very late to introduce good quartz movements, costing the industry billions of francs and roughly 60,000 jobs. Glycine was not spared the effects of these economics but managed to survive.

In 1979 a new quartz collection was created and an international network of agencies sprang to life again. New specialized families of watches were created, such as the Tjalk models for heavy-duty jobs in Holland and Belgium, special waterproof models with scratch-proof sapphire crystals for markets in Northern Europe, and the Amaranth line of super-flat, elegant watches for jewelers in Italy and the United States. The first quartz Airman was introduced in 1989.

When the mechanical watches made their comeback in the 1980s and ’90s Glycine was ready, never having abandoned their line of mechanical watches. Coupled with the development of the high grade 40-microns plated Goldshield line, the Glycine mechanical models produced a breakthrough in many markets where consumers were looking for watches with a clear profile and real value.

In 1996 Glycine’s first big-size, automatic watch was on the drawing board with a 40 mm. case in sandblasted steel presented with grey, blue or black dials with luminescent figures for amateurs of the mechanical product.

Both the 40 mm. automatic and the 44 mm. manual winding Incursore were presented to buyers in 1997. Reaction was beyond expectation, oversize watches being in great demand in trend-setting markets such as Italy and the United States.

The long awaited rebirth of Glycine’s leading model of the 1950s and ’60s, the Airman, brought the mechanical Airman 2000, based upon an automatic ETA 2893-2 movement offering three time zones, unique in the field of 24-hour watches. Glycine’s top selling models today are the Airman, the Incursore and the KMU 48. First introduced in 1953, the Airman was Glycine’s first pilot’s watch. Through the years its popularity has remained high due to its proven quality and its classic and elegant styling.

The Incursore, in English Intruder, features a 44-mm stainless steel case and a Unitas 6497 manual-wind movement. The KMU 48 is a remake of a famous range of military watches, that has been adapted to modern technology and taste. This striking model is equipped with the Unitas 6497 three-hands movement and see-through back. A special black dial KMU 48 with Côtes de Genève decorated movement is being offered to the market. The KMU 48 is available with a leather strap or solid steel bracelet.

During the second half of 1999, Glycine launched the first mechanical chronograph named Stratoforte, featuring a Valjoux 7750 automatic movement in a rugged-looking 46 mm 10 ATM steel case. The end of the year 2000 saw the coming on the market of two rather extraordinary Chronograph watches. One a barrel shaped under the name of ALTUS and a second, a real oversize square Chronograph, under the name of LE GRAND CARRE. The two watches feature a steel 3ATM waterproof case and a domed sapphire crystal.

Summer 2001 saw the birth of model F 104: one of the biggest wrist watches ever produced with a diameter of 52 mm. This watch is designed like a board instrument, with mobile steel lugs for the bracelet and equipped with the very popular sturdy Unitas 6498-1 movement. The F 104 has been an instant success in the market.
In 2001 too, the legendary line of AIRMAN watches has been enlargended by a big size 46 mm model, featuring a special blocking system of the revolving bezel.

At Basel 2002 the model Airman 7 is presented. This watch – a genuine world novelty in the trade - features 3 self-winding movements simultaneously showing time in 4 different time zones on 3 independent dials. The case measures a stunning 53mm in diameter; the sapphire glass back allows a special view on the three finely decorated movements.

Today Glycine’s network of agencies throughout the world is steadily growing, allowing the company to increase production, while remaining within the limits of a quality product. Strong and reliable after sale service remains an important factor in the company’s growth.

Offering excellent value at a reasonable price is an important part of Glycine’s philosophy. The company’s strong foundation coupled with their emphasis on rugged and reliable products with classic and elegant styling have made Glycine a respected name in Swiss watchmaking today.

Girard-Perregaux

2006-01-04T02:08:00.000+02:00

Engineering and architecture define the style of Girard-Perregaux, a highly respected yet relatively low-profile manufacturer in the upper echelons of watchmaking known as Haute Horlogerie This venerable company, with associations dating to the famous Geneva horologist Jean François Bautte in the late 18th century, has had its ups and downs since watchmaker Constant Girard married watchmaking heiress Marie Perregaux and established a factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1856.

The company’s most remarkable product was first launched in 1867 and remains an integral player in Girard-Perregaux’s creations. The Tourbillon with three gold Bridges is a stunning rendition of supreme watchmaking technique that exemplifies horology’s highest ideals. Girard-Perregaux survived the quartz shock, largely because it had a reputation for realizing far-sighted ideas, like producing 2,000 wristwatches for the Kaiser’s navy in 1880, and creating the first balance to chop the second into tenths. In 1969 it out-paced Switzerland’s Beta project in the race to develop the first popular quartz movement by establishing the now standard frequency for quartz oscillators—32.768Hz. Despite the esteem with which it had been regarded, Girard-Perregaux was at low ebb when it was acquired in 1992 by a minority shareholder, Italian architect Dr. Luigi “Gino” Macaluso. Almost immediately, Macaluso embarked upon a huge and costly luxury—the design, construction, production engineering, and series manufacture of the brand’s own automatic watch movements. To the rest of the watch industry, it made about as much economic sense as an airline building its own planes. But to Macaluso, Girard-Perregaux could only be credible as a complete manufacturer. His gamble has paid off. Girard-Perregaux was a $12-million company when Macaluso acquired the brand; today annual sales exceed $100 million on a production of some 20,000 watches. The majority of the brand’s production line is equipped with the company’s own movements.

Girard-Perregaux’s 3000 series automatic caliber is in its second generation (serving a range of models from simple watches to split-seconds chronographs) and now the brand is producing the 1900 series—a new, bigger caliber. Only a handful of watch brands can claim the status of “Manufacture” and Girard-Perregaux is the smallest and most recherché of this horological elite. Macaluso’s office is a shrine to the obsessions that have driven the company for the past decade—Ferrari engines and the architecture of Le Corbusier (1887-1965), La Chaux-de-Fonds’s most celebrated son. Perfect half-scale models of Ferrari’s celebrated V-12s, including the legendary 250 3-liter, line the walls. His office is in the eaves of the company’s 1948 factory building, sharing the privileged domain of the “gods.” This is where Girard-Perregaux’s elite watchmakers are housed, each of whom will spend the best part of a year building and adjusting a single three-bridge tourbillon comprising horology’s most fascinating complications. Despite its small size, Girard-Perregaux strives to make the widest variety of models available to enthusiasts. A watch is a very personal object and the brand does not wish to impose a single design identity, even with the company’s best selling model. The Vintage 1945 rectangular watch, based on a 1940s style, meets the current vogue for a period look. Likewise inspired by a former model—a 1970s dress watch—the Classique Elégance collection meets the needs of business travel with time-zone indicators, alarms and chronographs.

Among the most spectacular Girard-Perregaux watches are the models dedicated to the Scuderia Ferrari, especially the three-button split-seconds chronograph foudroyante. A red hand (driven by an additional escapement) flies around a one-second dial and stops on the nearest eighth of a second. In styling his watches, Macaluso seeks to achieve the restrained and studied elegance of Le Corbusier’s machine aesthetic. “You don’t wear a Girard-Perregaux to show off,” he says. “It’s more a state of mind than a status symbol.” Macaluso has restored one of La Chaux-de-Fonds’s finest buildings—the 1918 Villa Marguerite—into a Girard-Perregaux museum to showcase two centuries of original watchmaking.

Today, Girard-Perregaux is secure in its position as a cultural symbol of a town that produces the world’s most precise electronic and micro-mechanical components for watches, aerospace and medical instruments.

Fortis

2006-01-04T01:54:00.000+02:00

When Walter Vogt founded Fortis in 1912, his most brilliant move would come 12 years later when he set up production with John Harwood, the inventor of the automatic wristwatch. Two years later in 1926, Fortis released the first self-winding wristwatch, the patented Harwood Automatic. From its beginnings in invention, the rest of the company’s history is steeped in more invention. In 1937 Fortis commemorated their 25th anniversary by manufacturing their first chronographs and in 1954 they took over the world-wide distribution of alarm watches.

The company has won awards for water resistance features and for their fashion-savvy inter-changeable bracelets. In 1992 they released a world novelty: the first watch with indication of the 52 calendar weeks. Their watches have joined space flights and air flights alike and the Fortis Official Cosmonauts Chronograph was chosen as the official watch of the Russian-German space mission MIR 97. More recently they premiered the world’s first automatic chronograph with mechanical alarm, FORTIS calibre F2001.

Fortis has a history of being ahead of the times and that’s why their watches will keep you ahead on all of your travels whether they be on the road, in the sky, or galactic.

Fendi

2006-01-04T01:47:00.000+02:00

Fendi was established in 1925 by Eduardo Fendi. Today it is one of Italy’s paramount fashion dynasties. It is most identified for its furs, clothing line, accessories, and fragrances. Fendi launched its distinctive watches in the late 1980s. Fendi watches are appealing to both men and women due to their attractive and sleek designs.

Fendi is known for its trademark double “F” logo on both the bracelet and chronograph. The striking Zucca collection, with its trademark double F logo on both bracelet and chronograph, was the first to bring notice to the Fendi lines of elegant and sportivo timepieces. New and exciting collections, including Allegra, Epoca, Moda, Rivoli and Stella, continue to pique the interest of Fendi fans the world over. And the venerated Classico collection pays homage to the grand style of the wristwatches from Eduardo s era.

All Fendi watches feature ETA Swiss movements and are water resistant to 100 feet. Each gold-tone case has minimum 10 micron 18-karat-gold plating with individual serial numbers engraved on the case back.

Everlast

2006-01-04T01:31:00.000+02:00

Everlast Worldwide Inc. manufactures, markets and licenses sports equipment and apparel products under the Everlast brand name. Since 1910, Everlast has been the preeminent brand in the world of boxing and is among the most dominant brands in the overall sporting goods and apparel industries. Over the past 90 years, Everlast products have become the ôChoice of ChampionsRö, having been used for training and professional fights by many of the biggest names in the sport. Everlast products have been used by such boxing greats as Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, ôSugarö Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Pernell Whitaker, and ôSugarö Shane Mosley to name a few.

Through its Apparel division, Everlast menÆs and womenÆs active wear products are sold to over 20,000 retail locations throughout the United States and Canada alone, including a variety of department stores, specialty stores, catalog operations and better mass merchandisers. With more channels opening all the time, the future of EverlastÆs success is assured.

Everlast Timing is one of the newest categories to be added to the Everlast licensing program. It was created with the same core values of Everlast: Quality, Endurance, Strength, Tradition, and Authenticity. The watches are available for both men and women, who like the brand, are fashion trendsetters and champions.

Each Everlast watch has been carefully crafted to reflect every aspect of the Everlast brand. Strong shapes, bold colors, and quality workmanship signify the strength and confidence of the Everlast customer and the brand itself. The Everlast watch is the perfect balance of form and function.

Everlast is not just a brand; it is a lifestyle and an American icon. It has a traditional past and a knockout future that will deliver some of the most exciting watches in 2005.

Eberhard

2006-01-03T01:34:00.000+02:00

For more than a century, Eberhard & Co. has been creating professional instruments of the highest quality.
By paying strict attention to performance, the brand has built an international reputation for its chronographs and chronometers.

Young watchmaker Georges-Emile Eberhard opened his watchmaking shops in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1887.

The technical quality and elegant beauty of his pocket watches garnered him popularity amongst the most discerning clientele of the time. Eberhard & Co. became a family business when Georges-Emile’s sons followed in their father’s footsteps.

In 1919, Eberhard unveiled its first chronograph wristwatch. Five years later, the firm launched its chronograph with two pushbuttons and in 1939 it unveiled the distinctive chronograph rattrapante.

Decade after decade since, Eberhard has continued to demonstrate its technical prowess and design innovation.

Eberhard’s collection of timepieces is rich with diversity. Among its watch lines are the patent-pending Chrono 4 series; Extra Forte; Replica; and Tazio Nuvolari—each with sporty appeal.

The sophisticated 8 Days collection of technically refined watches with a patented power-reserve device offers chic elegance, as does the Traversetolo collection of oversized timepieces with transparent caseback exposing the movement with pearl-finished embellishments.

Ebel

2006-01-03T01:12:00.000+02:00

It was against a backdrop of social and cultural revolution at the turn of the twentieth century that Eugène Blum and his wife Alice Levy, founded Ebel in 1911. The name is an acronym of the first letters of their names - Eugene Blum et Levy. Three years after the company formed it was awarded a gold medal at the Swiss National Exhibition. This drew the attention of the more established brands in Switzerland, and as a result, Ebel’s private label business was to become their bread and butter for the next 70 years. They continued to produce Ebel signed pieces on a small scale basis. Alice Levy Blum ran the daily operations of the company, only occasionally involved with the creative aspects of designing the models and collections offered. Her husband handled the selling of the products, becoming a world traveller and company salesman in the tradition of Francois Constantin and Antoine Norbert de Patek. With the award of a Certificate of Excellence in 1929, Ebel’s reputation was further enhanced. That year Charles-Eugene Blum joined the family business, and along with watchmaker Marcel Reuche, established a tight system of production control that won over ever increasing orders from the top names in the industry, including Vacheron Constantin.

Very well known within the industry, the Ebel brand was not so highly recognized outside of it. Ebel’s signed pieces from the 20’s, 30’s, and on through the 60’s show solid, if unexceptional, design and production quality. And thus it continued, until the arrival of Pierre-Alain Blum, son of Charles-Eugene and grandson of company founders Eugene and Alice. By all accounts, Pierre-Alain was a reluctant heir with a rebellious and independent streak. He announced at 15, that he wanted to study mechanics, then electricity at technical school. A few years later he decided a technical future was not for him, and departed for America. After years of steady work, he was offered a partnership at Lucian Picard in New York. By 1969 he was offered a partnership in the company. When Pierre-Alain excitedly wrote to his father about the offer, Charles-Eugene asked that he go home, to help with the family business. After initially refusing, he finally relented, and returned. He encountered many difficulties in this initial period. His opportunity was to come. An unfortunate accident forced the senior Blum to withdraw from active running of the family enterprise, and Pierre-Alain was thrust into the senior management role. He brought ever increasing revenue and profits to the company - 30% growth in the first year; another 30% the year after that, and 60% the year after that. By 1975, he’d bought the whole company from his father. What followed was one of the major success stories of the Swiss Watch industry, a story that paralleled the roller coaster ride of that industry as it was devastated by the challenge of quartz.

Dior

2006-01-03T00:49:00.000+02:00

Today, watches are crucial accessories at the heart of the Dior brand. They combine creativity and quality representative of the Couture house, and all of the expertise of fine Swiss watchmaking. Enhanced more than ever by the brand dynamic in terms of image, distribution and communication, Christian Dior watches have an additional advantage to ensure their success thanks to the integration into LVMH Watches and Jewelry division.

The objective of Dior Watches is to be Number One in the market of luxury fashion watches, with their work focused on exclusivity and quality. John Galliano and the brand’s studio supervise the creation of all the watches, which are totally also integrated with the substance of the brand.

Dior watches are the perfect combinations of beautiful watchmaking, precious settings and fashionable allure. With the Sparkling watch collection, jewelry enters the fashion world for a true world premiere.

The Riva Chrono Sparkling houses an ETA Swiss movement and features a scratch-proof sapphire crystal on a watch that is water resistant to 30 meters—three utterly demanding criteria worthy of a luxury watchmaking brand.

Outside: a totally new design with a unique three-strand setting. The stones are set diagonally across the case, creating an original and poetic shower of diamonds.

Ultra-trendy through the marriage of sport and jewelry: the XL (extra large) square steel case has a bold allure that is utterly feminine with 43 scintillating diamonds.

Captivating, the Sparkling collection represents wholly impertinent watches for today’s young, urban fashion lovers.

Riva Chrono Sparkling Dior Admit it: daring in black and white. Indeed, for spring 2003, it adopts the Dior Admit it high- fashion look, provocative and ultra-sexy with its strap crafted in laced leather.

Daniel JeanRichard

2005-12-30T00:24:00.000+02:00

In the late 17th century, young goldsmith apprentice Daniel JeanRichard (born in 1665) became enthralled with the world of watchmaking. A meticulous perfectionist, JeanRichard was among the first to create machinery to make watch parts, and was instrumental in bringing watch production to the region of Neuchâtel,
Switzerland—now famous for this craft. Committed to creating superior timepieces, JeanRichard began training others as watchmakers and, for decades, produced fine pocket instruments.

Even after his death in 1741, his name and contributions to the field held steadfast and are well-documented in Swiss watchmaking journals.
In the early 1980s, Macaluso purchased the Daniel JeanRichard name and determined to set up production according to a strict code of excellence worthy of the legacy. He brought the brand under the Sowind Group umbrella (which also owns Girard-Perregaux) and set up shop in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The first Daniel JeanRichard watches made their debut in the early 1990s and, by 1996, the brand was sold in some of the world’s key markets.
In 1998, Daniel JeanRichard introduced its striking TV Screen watch to the world. Inspired by the 1940s’ television sets, the cushioned-square design was an immediate hit. In 1999, Daniel JeanRichard unveiled a series of special limited-edition TV Screen Chronographs and Chronoscopes and established itself as a producer of top-quality sporty-chic timepieces. With retro-inspired cases and fine movements, the brand had carved out a niche for itself and a strong signature look. In 2000, Daniel JeanRichard added the flyback chronograph and a GMT to its line and presented its first collection for women, the TV Screen Lady, in 2001.

Designed for those with discerning taste, the Daniel JeanRichard collection is comprised of four main collections including the TV Screen, the Chronoscope, Diverscope and Bressel. Each of these houses an automatic movement and offers complex functions.
Of all the collections, it is the TV Screen watch that has made the most prolific impact on this brand. Its large size and impressive styling have kept it in high demand and Daniel JeanRichard continually adds new complications and accents to the collection.

Among the newest models are the Grand TV Screen Tourbillon, the TV Screen Retrograde Seconds watch and the Grand TV Screen Calendar. There is also a new striking jeweled TV Screen Lady series that will surely scintillate the senses.
The TV Screen Tourbillon watch is crafted in 18-karat rose gold and houses the tourbillon movement. An aperture on the delicately engine-turned dial reveals the refined mechanism.
Highly distinctive, the TV Screen Retrograde Seconds watch features a striking fan-shaped retrograde seconds indicator at the 6:00 position. The seconds hand sweeps smoothly back and forth across a 30-second guilloché zone. Available in a variety of sizes, the automatic mechanical watch is crafted in steel or in 18-karat pink gold, with an anthracite or white dial.
The Grand TV Screen Calendar watch is crafted in steel and features a black or beige matte dial with red accents. The automatic mechanical movement features a small seconds subdial at 6:00 and a double window at 12:00 to depict the day and month. The date is read via a pointer hand that revolves around an inner ring on the dial.

The TV Screen Lady is sophisticated in its gemstone versions. Available in steel, or in 18-karat yellow or pink gold, the watch comes with a choice of distinct sunburst guilloché dials or pastel mother-of-pearl dials, each featuring brightly colored applied numerals. The bezel of each watch is set with a single row of brilliant diamonds or sapphires.

Cronoswiss

2005-12-30T00:12:00.000+02:00

Even as a child, German-born Lang had a passion for mechanical things. He pursued a career in watchmaking and was obsessed with tracking time precisely. In 1983, this watchmaker extraordinaire founded Chronoswiss in Munich, Germany, and embarked on a quest to make the most extraordinary mechanic timepieces. He purchased limited-edition- and out-of-use movements that he could embellish and improve. His watches were immediately recognized for their classical elegance and technical prowess.

In 1988, Chronoswiss surprised the world when it unveiled its stunning regulator wristwatch—which carried the oversized regulator dial that heretofore had only graced the faces of pocket watches and clocks. In 1990, the brand began to manufacture its own models and in 1992, it again caused an international stir when it presented its patented two-handed Rattrapante.

Indeed, Chronoswiss has regularly unveiled mechanical masterpieces that have garnered the brand international acclaim. Among them are the patented, reversible Cabrio watch, which was launched in 1993, followed a year later by the patented Grand Regulateur. In 1995, the Opus automatic skeletonized chronograph made its debut and in 1996, the Delphis watch with a unique system of analog, digital and retrograde time-displays made a profound impression on the world of mechanical watchmaking.

The first skeletonized self-winding fly-back chronograph, called the Pathos, made its debut in 1998 and in 2001, the Tourbillon Regulator stole the limelight with its beauty and technically advanced movement. Each of these creations has won at least one international award, with many winning multiple honors.

Lang relentlessly pursues the fine art of mechanical watchmaking and has thereby propelled his brand into the 21st century with a gusto that is, perhaps, unmatched. Chronoswiss believes in exclusivity and produces only about 7,000 watches per year for global distribution.

Every component of Chronoswiss watches is produced in Switzerland and watches are hand finished to Lang’s exacting specifications.

Obsessed with the measurements of time intervals, Lang has affectionately been called “Mr. Chronograph” by friends and colleagues.

For decades he has restored many exotic chronograph movements, and he has regularly imbued these treasures of timing with additional functions and complexities.

In his most recent unveiling—the Chronoscope—Lang pays homage to the pioneering achievements of 19th-century watchmakers who dedicated themselves to developing split-second timing. For this first chronograph with regulator dial, Chronoswiss has reworked the plate of the movement in order to mount the switching mechanism at the front. The three chronograph functions (start, stop and
return to zero) are triggered via a pushpiece that is integrated into the winding crown rather than by separate pushers.

To create this system, 38 components were specially made. The self-winding movement enables the Chronoscope to measure intervals of time to a sixth-of-a-second accuracy.

The lacquered dial of the Chronoscope is a work of beauty and harmony. The scale for the chronograph hand is subdivided into exactly 360 strokes. There is a separate subdial at 12:00 for the hours readout and another subdial at 6:00 for the minutes. The hands of the watch have been specially developed to be extremely slender and elegant, and they are crafted in a reddish-blue hue to emulate the dials of 19th-century chronographs.

The 38mm case of the Chronoscope is assembled from 23 individual parts and is water resistant to 30 meters. The sapphire crystal is antireflective on both sides to enhance readability. Chronoswiss has developed 17 different renditions of the Chronoscope—with cases created of gold or steel and dials of various colors. Every Chronoscope is hand signed by Lang.

Dunhill

2005-12-27T23:55:00.000+02:00

In the year 1906 Dunhill Motorities was in full swing. Alfred Dunhill had father's saddlery, and the modern man of the world could find everything here to warm the heart of any automobile enthusiast, making transportation on four wheels an absolute joy: from newly developed signak horns and googles to clothing providing protection againts the elements, all bearing the brand name of Dunhill, naturally. After all, the street mongrels of the time didn't show any respect for the strange new vehicles, the streets themselves were unsurfaced and accordingly dusty, and new means of transportation did not for the most part features a sensible chassis.

In this year, Alfred Dunhill offered his customer a watch for the first time - as the dernier sri, so to speak - which was, of course, tailored to the needs of the motor car enthusiast. It contained a stopwatch with whose help it was possible to time laps during increasingly popular automobile races.

Dunhill, who had in the meantime established himself as a tabacco specialist in the fashionable St. James quarter, subsequently built his watches into artistically decorated cigarette lighters, ashtrays, pipe accessories, and even into belt buckles and brooches. In line with the current trend, his first wristwatches were introduced at the end of the 1930s, among which was the Faceted Watch.

The classic Dunhill watch models are also at the forefront of 2002's line, and for the first time Dunhill has ventured out with above-averange creations sporting interesting mechanical movements. The Facet Darkar, for example, is outfitted with a speacially prepared hand-wound movement by Jquet with the subsidiary second dial at an unusual position (8 o'clock)

The brand, at home within the Richemont group, is trodding a more individual path in terms of distribution as well. The Dunhill Flagsship Store was recently opened in London's noble Old Bond Street; and as during Motorities times, offers its discriminating clientele everything their hearts could desire - provided it bears the name of Dunhill.

Dubey Schaldenbrand

2005-12-27T23:37:00.000+02:00

Georges Dubey, teacher at the La Chaux-de-Fonds Watchmaking School, developed a simple and ingenious device called the Index Mobile in the early 1940s. It performed the functions of the split-seconds chronograph by linking the twin chronograph hands with a coiled spring.

In 1946, Georges Dubey and fellow watchmaker René Schaldenbrand officially founded the company to exploit the Index Mobile and to expand the line of watches.

The Index Mobile was patented worldwide in 1947-48 and was well-received, but its commercial success was limited. In the ensuing two decades, from 1950-1970, watch production reached a peak of around 2,000 pieces a year—mainly automatics and chronographs for men and women.

In 1960, Cinette Robert, aged 16, joined a local watch-supplies company as a business apprentice. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the series production of watches ceased as Dubey & Schaldenbrand declined to convert to quartz. Instead, the company concentrated on specialized watchmaking—restoring antique watches and building sophisticated pieces such as minute repeaters and tourbillons. In 1985 Robert began collecting old watch movements and became an independent dealer.

Georges Dubey finished his 17th tourbillon pocket watch in 1990 and upon his retirement in 1995, Robert acquired Dubey &
Schaldenbrand with the aim of selling high-quality watches worldwide. Today, more than 5,000 watches are exported to 30 countries.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand, headquartered in the village of Les Ponts-de-Martel in the Jura foothills, maintains its workshops in nearby Les Brenets. The brand specializes in dressy watches—with retro-inspired cases that are fashionable today.

Typical of this styling is the Vintage Caprice model with an Art Nouveau dial, up/down power-reserve indicator and large date.

Almost all of the watches are automatic and many have practical complications—calendars, large dates, power-reserve indicators, time zones. Most of the movements are ETA or Valjoux calibers, but the company also issues limited editions housing classic movements that are no longer in production.

Some movements are transformed with gilt and engraved openwork, blued screws and burnished steel; others are COSC-certified chronometers.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand watches have all the attributes of value—fine workmanship, distinctive styling and rarity.

The basic version of the Aerodyn model is enhanced with diamond and gemstone accents, and the Gran’Chrono Astro chronograph features a full calendar with moonphase indicator.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand watches are popular in Asia and Europe, which together account for 80 percent of production. The other 20 percent of the watches are sold primarily in the United States. Hong Kong and New York are Dubey & Schaldenbrand’s biggest city markets.

Corum

2005-12-26T02:30:00.000+02:00

Corum, a Swiss watch manufacturer which ranks amongst the most prestigious in the world. Founded in 1956 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the Corum brand acheived prominence because of its simple philosophy–”superb craftsmanship combines with the endless search for beauty and innovation.” This initial commitment to excellence still prevails today.

Now, more than 45 years after the founder’s dream gave rise to the venerable Corum name, another watch industry visionary, Severin Wunderman, has taken the helm as the new owner of the company.

Creating a new phase in Corum’s history, his designs have already been hailed by the press as “youthful, dynamic and daring.” Under Sevein Wunderman’s vigilant guidance these unparalleled designs continue to flow from the company’s headquarters.

Preserving the company’s tradition of precision craftsmanship, as well as keeping a keen eye on the future, Severin Wunderman intends that Corum remains on the cutting edge of luxury Swiss watchmaking.

The teaching of this master profoundly influenced the young man and proved to be of great help to him in later years, particularly during the difficult time of the Great Depression. Once his training was completed, he worked as master horologist in seve-ral local factories. The economic crisis forced com-panies to drastically reduce production, certain of them closing down entirely. It is at this time that Louis Cottier decided to go into business on his own, working for 13 years in the back room of a book and stationery shop which his wife operated at rue Vautier 45 in Carouge. In this modest atelier he began his activity as a maker of desk clocks, pocket Corum watches, wristwatches and hand-made pro-totypes. In the beginning, he made wristwatches without hands, and watches with jumping digital hours, as well as watches with automata and jacque-marts. It was in this workshop that his first World Time pocket watch was made in 1931 for Beszan-ger, a well-known local jewelry and watch shop.

Concord

2005-12-26T02:27:00.000+02:00

Truly one of the most innovative watch companies, Concord has been creating timepieces of distinction for nearly a century. From the beginning, Concord focused on technical prowess and aesthetic advancements, quickly propelling itself to a premier position within the world of fine watchmaking

Since its founding in Bienne, Switzerland, in 1908, Concord has regularly turned out masterpieces.

Within the first decade of its existence, the brand carved out a niche for itself as a producer of luxury timepieces, crafting in platinum and accenting its watches with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

In the 1920s, Concord moved into the realm of clock design and unveiled the now-famed Concord Ring Clock—the first portable eight-day winding travel alarm clock. Nearly two decades later this clock was still so impressive that president Harry Truman presented it to several heads of state in 1945, including Winston Churchill.

In 1969, visionary businessman Gedalio Grinberg purchased Concord Watch Company and incorporated it into North American Watch Corporation in New York—which is known today as Movado Group Inc. Under Grinberg’s vigilant eye, the Concord brand flourished. Groundbreaking research resulted in the launch of the quartz-powered Delirium in 1979. The world’s thinnest watch, the Delirium measured 1.98mm. Within a year, the brand broke its own record with the Delirium IV—measuring just under 1mm.

A year later, in 1980, Concord introduced its Mariner sports watch, and in 1986 unveiled the Saratoga—an icon for the brand even today. A trendsetter in the sophisticated art of watch design, Concord went on to launch the Saratoga Exor in 1995.

Created in three versions, including a perpetual calendar, minute repeater and tourbillon, each of the Exor watches was so elaborately decorated with gemstones that they ranked among the world’s most expensive jeweled creations.

Today, Concord’s impressive roster includes not only the Saratoga, but the sophisticated Veneto watch (launched in 1996), the daring 18-karat gold geometric La Scala (launched in 1997), and the bold La Scala Stainless Steel Chronograph (launched in 2001).

In typical Concord style, the brand regularly adds new models to these collections—offering fresh intrigue and excitement.

Determined to adhere to the highest standards in watchmaking, Concord creates all of its timepieces with scrupulous attention to detail, performance and originality. Such is the case with the superb Saratoga line. First launched 17 years ago, the Saratoga was a sophisticated, elite timepiece that earned international praise. It has remained an important signature collection for the brand and was recently reinterpreted to reflect today’s lifestyles and designs.

The new Saratoga is the culmination of nearly a century of Concord watchmaking excellence. Its casually elegant beauty is emphasized by the eight-sided bezel—a hallmark of the watch—and by the striking modernistic scallop-engraved dials. The faces are graced with alpha hands, applied markers and numerals, with a date at 3:00.

A precision sports watch, the Saratoga is sleek and bold—a true expression of individuality. The newly designed Saratoga watches are crafted in solid stainless steel, 18-karat white or rose gold, and stainless steel with 18-karat yellow-gold or rose-gold accents.

They feature a distinctive woven-link bracelet with deployment clasp and elegantly engineered, patented crown protector that securely latches shut to ensure water resistance to 50 meters. The newest models feature embossed casebacks with an equestrian design, recalling the original sport for which the watch was created. New variations include diamond-adorned bezels and dials.

Paying homage to its heritage, Concord has unveiled a one-of-a-kind Saratoga Tourbillon that is crafted harmoniously in 18-karat white gold. This spectacular piece is a work of art and old-world craftsmanship.

It features a tourbillon escapement, minute repeater, chronograph, and power reserve. The watch features a sapphire caseback to view the magnificent movement.

Concord’s smoothly sculpted, incredibly elegant La Scala collection dons newness with color and gemstones. First introduced at the 1997 World Watch and Jewelry Fair in Basel, the La Scala stole hearts with its sleek design and bold beauty.

Already rich with variation, the La Scala collection of round and square timepieces boasts chronograph models bedecked in diamonds (colorless and black) or in gemstones (sapphires of all hues).

The straps of these watches are interchangeable and are made of alligator or rubber in many colors and shades.

Bracelets of these architecturally inspired timepieces feature deployment clasps and are crafted either in steel or in 18-karat gold.

New square models include a stainless steel chronograph with two rows of diamonds on the top and bottom case-to-bracelet attachments, with a lustrous mother-of-pearl dial in pastel hues of either lilac, mango or yellow with color-coordinated straps. There also is a full diamond-set model.

For a more fashionable appeal in the world of luxury, Concord has unveiled the striking 18-karat white-gold La Scala Fashion manchette model that wears like a cuff bracelet.

Featuring a panoply of diamonds in varying settings, the watch is reminiscent of a fine piece of sculpted jewelry.

It is available with either 122 diamonds weighing just over 1 carat, or with 328 diamonds with a total weight of just over 3 carats.

Chopard

2005-12-25T01:58:00.000+02:00

Intent on producing pocket watches and chronometers of stature, Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded his company in 1860, and the brand has continually turned out masterpieces. Just about a century into its legacy, Chopard was purchased by jewelry entrepreneur Karl Scheufele in 1963.

It was his vision to unite his jewelry company with watchmaking under one brand and to propel both areas to greater levels of accomplishment in design and technology.

In 1975, Scheufele built a production facility in Meyrin-Geneva, marking a new era for the brand. In 1976, Chopard unveiled the now-famed Happy Diamonds collection to the world, and in the 1980s the brand launched the Gstaad collection of timepieces. In 1988, Chopard teamed with the Mille Miglia as an official partner and began creating the annual special-edition Mille Miglia watch—an icon of vintage automobile racing.

In the early 1990s, Karl and Karin Scheufele’s children became integral players in the family business. Caroline took over the jewelry design and Karl-Friedrich headed up the watch division. In 1996, the brand established itself as a complete Manufacture with the opening of a movement factory in Fleurier. The L.U.C movement made its debut that year and was the impetus for other movements to come.

In 1999, Chopard unveiled the L.U.C Sport 2000 collection, and a year later presented the L.U.C Quattro watch—equipped with a new caliber with four barrels and nine days of power reserve—in 2000. Chopard presented the L.U.C Tonneau in 2001. Chopard is also a major supporter of charitable causes and is a devoted patron of the arts. In 2001, Chopard began supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation, creating limited-edition Elton John timepieces whose sales would benefit the foundation. Chopard is also intimately involved with such high-profile events as the Cannes International Film Festival.

Chopard’s collections of ladies’ jewelry and watches are amazing and inviting. From Happy Diamonds to Happy Sport with free-flowing diamonds, from the 1950s-inspired chic La Strada to the innovative Pushkin and Ice Cube collections, rich colors, seductive shapes and innovation are prominent driving forces.

With creativity at an all-time high, Chopard has grown at a faster rate than the market as a whole while preserving its independence—a rarity amongst watch and jewelry companies today. Caroline’s
exquisite designs continually impress and excite the senses.

All of Chopard’s magnificent jewelry is created with the utmost attention to details. Each stone is hand picked and every design is completed by painstaking hand-craftsmanship. From gem selection to setting and polishing, master jewelers work long hours to ensure smooth, sensual finished pieces.

For the past decade, Chopard jewels have glistened on the necks and wrists of celebrities from all corners of the earth.

Partnering with the Cannes International Film Festival, Chopard is jeweler to the stars for 12 days each year at this exciting gala of heady days and wild nights. In addition to adorning the stars as they parade down the red carpet, Chopard produces all of the Palme d’Or trophies in its own workshops.

CASIO

2005-12-23T00:57:00.000+02:00

CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD was got it start by developing all-electric compact calculator. Company founder Tadao Kashio, originally an engineer specializing in fabrication technology, founded Kashio Seisakusho in April, 1946 after work experience that included plants manufacturing products for the military.
Kashio Seisakujo manufactured aircraft parts and other products. Toshio, the founder’s brother suggested that the company work on developing a calculator. Tadao worked together with his three younger brothers and launched the efforts aimed at producing a calculator.

Most calculators at that time were electrical devices, in which electrical power was used to drive internal gears. The four Kashio brothers, however, adapted the relay elements used for telephone switching equipment to develop the compact, all-electric calculator. The new calculator did not rely on mechanical movements such as gears. The launch of the initial Model 14-A was in June 1957, which also marked the establishment of CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.

Since those beginnings, CASIO has continued to be a leader in pioneering new calculator products for the office, as well as for scientific and technical applications. The September 1965 release of the transistor-based Model 001 marked the beginning of a new era when calculators became small enough to fit on the desk top. It was also the time when the term “electronic calculator” became part of the standard vocabulary. As products became even smaller, they became a familiar sight in offices throughout the world.

However, calculators were still priced outside the reach of the individual consumer at this time, so Kazuo Kashio, who was in charge of marketing, made it a goal of the company to produce a calculator that could be afforded by the individual consumer. The result came in August 1972 with the release of the palm-size CASIO Mini, which was promoted by a television commercial that helped to catch the attention of the public. The CASIO Mini soon took the market by storm, and made the calculator part of our everyday lives.

The digital technology that was made available through the development of CASIO calculators was applied to miniaturization, fueling the company’s move into a new sector. In November 1975, CASIO released the Casiotron, a digital watch capable of displaying the year, month, date, hour, minute, and second. The Casiotron was even able to automatically make adjustments for months of different length. The development of the Casiotron was based on the unique CASIO concept of, “time is a continuous process of addition”.

January 1980 saw the release of the Casiotone 201, an electronic musical instrument that produced sound generated by digital calculation. Since then, CASIO has applied digital technology to pioneer new concepts in producing LCD TVs, japanese word processors, and other innovative new products that have literally change the way that people live.

More recent CASIO products include the world’s first mass market digital camera in 1995, and the Cassiopeia hand held-PC with Windows CE built-in.
“If it’s not totally original, it’s not a CASIO.” This is the spirit that has consistently driven the CASIO development policy. CASIO remains firmly committed to applying fresh ideas and innovative technology to the creation of products that enrich our daily lives.

Cartier

2005-12-23T00:07:00.000+02:00

The House of Cartier, a true dynasty of style, elegance and fine craftsmanship, was founded in 1847 by Louis-Franois Cartier, master jeweler to Europe’s crowned heads. By the early 20th century, his three grandsons, Louis, Jacques and Pierre, were successfully managing Cartier boutiques in Paris, London and New York.

The first true Cartier wristwatch, the Santos, designed by Louis and named for Alberto Santos-Dumont, a dashing Brazilian aviator, was introduced in 1904. Jeweled wristwatches followed soon after in 1906. In 1910, Louis created and patented the deployant folding clasp. 1917 saw the introduction of the famous Cartier Tank watch. Long regarded as the single most important and influential watch design of the 20th century, the distinctive timepiece was designed in tribute to the Allied Tank commanders who helped defend France during World War I.

In 1933, Cartier was commissioned by the Pasha of Marrakech to create a watch he could wear while swimming. As one of the earliest truly water-resistant designs, the watch featured an attractive round case of solid gold.

Today, the company’s watch designers draw on the astounding design archives left by Louis Cartier, the design genius responsible for many of the house’s signature innovations, patents and collections. Most of the contemporary Cartier collections are based upon Louis distinctive design classics such as the Santos, the Panther, the Bagnoire, the Pasha, the Tonneau, the Diabolo, and the Tank. Introduced in 1996, the Tank Francaise is widely regarded as a contemporary model of horology and design mastery. Available in three sizes and offered with a variety of movements from quartz to automatic, the Tank Franaise chronograph features a perpetual calendar and automatic time zone changing capability.

Bvlgari

2005-12-22T00:30:00.000+02:00

Bvlgari appears in the new advertising campaign of SAP, the inter-enterprise software company and software supplier. A Tubogas watch is featured on a beautiful and elegant woman’s wrist. The campaign will run for one year starting January 2003 and the posters will be located in major airports all over the world.

The Bulgaris descend from an ancient family of Greek silversmiths whose activity began in the small village of Epirus, where Sotirio, the founder of the family, made precious objects in silver.
In the mid-19th century Sotirio emigrated to Italy where in 1884 he opened his first shop in via Sistina in Rome.

With the help of his sons Costantino and Giorgio, in 1905 he inaugurated the shop in via Condotti, which still today is Bvlgari’s flagship store. Pay a virtual visit inside the Bvlgari flagship store in Rome, Via Condotti.
During the first decades of the 20th century, the two brothers developed a passionate interest in precious stones and jewels, gradually taking over their father’s role.

During the 50’s Bvlgari moves away from the strict disciplines of the dominant French school to create its own unique style.

The 1970’s mark the beginning of Bvlgari’s international expansion with the opening of their first overseas store in New York, and in Paris, Geneva, and Monte Carlo.

Today Bvlgari has 155 stores throughout the world. In the early 1990’s, Bvlgari Parfums is established in Switzerland marking the Group’s entry in the high-class perfume market.

On July 17th ,1995 the Bvlgari Holding Company S.p.A. is quoted on the Italian Stock Exchange Telematic system and the International SEAQ in London.
In 1997 Bvlgari introduces its first collection of silk scarves, characterized by an original design and top quality manufacturing. The first collection of Leather bags and Eyewear are launched in 1998, while table and giftware complete Bvlgari’s diversification program in 1999.

Today, Paolo Bulgari and Nicola Bulgari, respectively Chairman and Vice-Chairman, together with their nephew Francesco Trapani, Chief Executive Officer, manage the company’s development with the intent of better serving an international market, while remaining fine and prestigious jewelers.

Breitling

2005-12-22T00:27:00.000+02:00

The Breitling family tradition of achievement in quality and accuracy in timekeeping has continued for nearly a full century. Early on, L. Breitling and his son and successor, Gaston Breitling, developed and built the very first wrist chronograph. Willy Breitling, the founder’s grandson, later modified and improved the modern chronograph.

The early Breitling chronographs featured both center chronograph seconds as well as a 30 minute totalizer. Breitling was awarded a patent in 1923 for inventing the independent pushpiece, and another in 1926 for the 1/10 second totalizer.
1884 - In St. Imier, in the Jura mountains of Switzerland, Leon Breitling opens a workshop specialising in making chronographs and precision counters for scientific and industrial purposes. In 1914 Leon Breitling dies and the company is passed over to his son Gaston, a year later Gaston creates the first wristwatch chronograph and subsequently provides pilots with the first wrist instruments. By 1923 Breitling had developed the first ever independent chronograph pushpiece.

In 1934 Willy Breitling launched the modern chronograph with his invention of the second, return-to-zero pushpiece. The chronograph as we know it was complete. To this day, this style of chronograph remains one of Breitling’s best selling timepieces.

Gastons son, Willy Breitling takes over control of the company in 1932 and in 1936 Breitling becomes the official supplier to the Royal Air Force. The Chronomat is introduced in 1942 - the first chronograph to be fitted with a circular slide rule. The company also widens its professional clientele to include the American armed forces. 1954 saw the creation of the Navitimer, a wrist instrument equipped with the famous navigation computer. This super chronograph becomes a firm favoutite among the pilots across the globe. By this stage, Breitling is already supplying the major international airlines with cockpit clocks. In 1962, Astronaut Scott Carpenter wears the Cosmonaught chronograph during his orbital fligh aboard the Aurora 7 space capsule.

1969 saw Breitling introduce the first ever self winding chronograph. This technical feat represents a major breakthrough for the entire swiss watch industry. 1979 saw the takeover of Breitling from the founders grandson Willy. Ernest Schneider takes the helm. in 1984 The Chronomat is launched and marks the return of the chronograph. It becomes the best selling line in the Breitling collection, a position it has held ever since. Soon afterwards in 1985, the Breitling Aerospace is launched.

Today, Breitling is still established in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the town where Leon Breitling opened his first chronograph factory 110 years earlier.

Breitling persists in maintaining its mission to improve and redefine itself. Breitling watches are available in steel, precious metals, or titanium, with a myriad of dial treatments, straps and bracelets: Not to mention the many different and highly specialized features from alarms to emergency transmitters. Breitling remains poised for the 21st century and beyond as a force in precision timekeeping.

BLANCPAIN

2005-12-21T01:39:00.000+02:00

In 1988, Blancpain—a brand with historical connections dating back more than two and a half centuries—unveiled a complete watch collection dedicated to complicated mechanical watchmaking.
Born on the premise that it would never make a quartz watch, Blancpain has regularly mastered the most complex horological feats of excellence. Indeed, the first Blancpain collection included the six most difficult timekeeping legacies: the ultra-slim watch, the moonphase, split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, tourbillon and minute repeater. Every timepiece the brand creates is dedicated to the master watchmaker that bears its name, and pays homage to the traditional art of watchmaking begun by him.
Blancpain’s expansive history is inextricably tied to the rural village of Villeret, nestled in the Jura Mountains, where Jehan-Jacques Blancpain set up shop in 1735 in a farmhouse—and gradually built a full-fledged watchmaking atelier. Blancpain’s work was steeped in invention and innovation. These are the benchmarks of the brand even today.
Blancpain garnered international acclaim in 1991, when it unveiled the now-famed “1735” model—one of the most complex timepieces in the world. Six years in the making, the 1735 housed a movement comprised of 740 parts and offering a wealth of different functions. Other critical accomplishments of the 1990s included creating the smallest self-winding chronograph, and creating the ultra-complicated Self-Winding Tourbillon Split-Seconds Flyback Chronograph watch.
In the year 2000, The Swatch Group acquired Blancpain and CEO Nicholas Hayek vowed to continue in the brand’s rich tradition. Following this creed in 2001, Blancpain unveiled the Quattro platinum watch—an elegant self-winding timepiece housing a tourbillon regulator, perpetual calendar, flyback chronograph, and split-seconds chronograph. The 39-jeweled movement features a platinum rotor and consists of 432 parts—each hand finished to exacting detail.
In 2002, Blancpain unveiled a very classic new watch collection—appropriately named Villeret. Bold in size and endowed with signature Blancpain aesthetic references (including long hands, a slender bezel and a stepped case), the Villeret series of timepieces combines the beauty of a clean, uncluttered face with the technical sophistication of complex automatic movements.
The most recently unveiled Villeret watch, referred to as the 4040, is a 40mm-wide case of 18-karat white or red gold that houses an extra-slim self-winding movement with hour and minute displays and a power-reserve indicator. Water resistant to 30 meters, the watch features a silvered opaline dial with Roman numerals and long, leaf-shaped hands.

Bell & Ross

2005-12-20T00:31:00.000+02:00

Each Bell & Ross chronograph is designed by men with a passion for perfection in the manufacture of fine quality watches and chronographs able to withstand the rigors of extreme careers. Bell & Ross watches are intended for astronauts, pilots, divers, bomb-squad experts, explorers and others who require that their timepiece stand up to high altitudes, arctic temperatures and high acceleration. Airplane instrument panel design principles have been employed in the design of the face, Swiss chronograph movements are at the cutting edge of mechanical precision and every Bell & Ross chronograph is optimally water-resistant. Each Bell & Ross watch requires the painstaking assembly of up to 350 individual parts to produce such accurate and mechanically perfect instruments.

The Vintage Collection evokes the origins of the mechanical watch for professionals and is inspired by military watches. The Classic Collection was directly inspired by pilots’ watches and features water resistance to 200 meters (650 feet). The Diver 300 model is actually water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters (975 feet) and features an innovative TE or water-resistance indicator which turns blue when the watch’s water resistance should be checked.

The High Tech collection was designed to address the particular needs of men who put their lives on the line every day they go to work. Designed initially for space flight, the Space 1 was worn by German astronaut Reinhart Frrer on the Spacelab mission. The Pilot line features simplicity and is designed to be accurately read in a fraction of a second. The GMT line features multiple time zones. The Military M1 and M2 models were designed specifically for military and helicopter pilots, respectively. The two most narrowly targeted models of the High Tech collection are the Type Deminer for bomb-squad experts and the Hydro-Challenger for deep-sea exploration (hyperbaric pressure resistant to 1,100 Atm, the equivalent of a depth of 11,100 meters.

Baume et Mercier

2005-12-20T00:17:00.000+02:00

Baume et Mercier watches have a rich and storied tradition in Swiss watchmaking and are designed and crafted according to the strictest criteria and Swiss traditions.
Baume et Mercier watches are at the forefront of luxury watch design. It all began in 1830 in the Swiss Jura, the heart of Swiss Watchmaking History. The contrast of the rigorous and precise Baume with the artistic and free thinking Mercier fused form and function for all time with the distinct Baume & Mercier watches timepiece. A one of a kind for all time.

The art of contemporary watchmaking, chronology with perfect aesthetic and technical features, casual elegance and innovative design in all of its collections, ranging from sports to luxury, as well as high-quality materials; these are the distinguishing features of the timepieces from Baume & Mercier watches. This company, which was founded in 1830 near La Chaux-de-Fonds, has succeeded in marrying the perfection of 'made in Switzerland' with contemporary design.

Baume & Mercier watches, a company whose history began in the mountains of the Jura, at the heart of the Swiss watchmaking tradition, has developed into an international brand name that is renowned on all continents of the world. The Baume & Mercier watches pallet extends from the classic watch through the pocket watch and the multifunctional chronographs to the most noble of jewellery watches. Apart from their exceptional quality, the watches of Baume & Mercier watches are recognised for the elegance and individualistic character that makes each of these creations a unique masterpiece.

Combining the love of the craftsman with the demands of the master watchmaker, a Baume & Mercier watch expresses both extraordinary attention to detail and elegance in design. The sophisticated luxury of a Baume & Mercier watch represents the appreciation of fundamental values, superior quality in materials and the highest standards of workmanship.

The innovative technology and beautiful craftsmanship goes into each watch of the Baume & Mercier Capeland collection. A timepiece of superlative perception created expressly for today's man in titanium and premium grade steel. A vigorous destiny, unequaled in precision and design... While its Capeland series reaches sportier wrists, the firm's Hampton model is a classic and among its many top-selling fashionable watches. Most recently, Baume & Mercier's Hampton City and Hampton Spirit have pioneered the demand for screen-shaped cases. Now Hampton is one of the most popular lines from B&M. A classic design yet very modern. The success of Hampton Collection is built on just such a balance between retro charm and contemporary elegance.

Audemars Piguet

2005-12-19T23:19:00.000+02:00

A trio of warships christened Royal Oak, named after the legendary “royal oak” (a hollowed out tree which offered King Charles II a safe hiding place from his pursuers) lent their distinctive name in 1972 to an equally distinctive luxury sports watch — the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet watches. Since then, the Royal Oak has become the leading model of the world-famous firm in Le Brassus and helped the stainless steel wristwatch attain respectability among watch lovers around the world.

The Audemars Piguet watches story begins in 1875 when twenty-three-year-old watchmaker Jules Audemars and future partner Edward-August Piguet, just twenty-one years of age, met in the Vallee de Joux. Both had learned the watchmaker’s trade after finishing public school in their hometown of Le Brassus by training at the bench. They had returned to the Vallee de Joux to find jobs in the local watchmaking industry.

Jules Audemars was soon producing raw components for watch movements, while Edward-August Piguet sought employment as a “repasseur” (a master watchmaker who performs the final regulation on a watch). Shortly after their meeting in 1875, the two talented watchmakers decided to join forces and founded the firm that would someday come to be known as Audemars Piguet watches.

Almost from the beginning, Audemars was in charge of production and the technical side, while his partner Piguet focused on sales. Their partnership was not an immediate success, however. In fact, the Audemars Piguet watches trademark was not even registered until 1882 and the firm’s “official founding” did not take place until 1889. Already, however, Audemars Piguet watches had become the third largest employer for watch manufacturing in the Canton of Vaud. More importantly perhaps, both men had deliberately shifted their focus towards the production of high-quality, complex ultra-precise watches.

Shortly after the official founding in 1889, a branch office was built in Geneva and the partners decided to produce all of their components and assemble the finished watches in-house. This allowed the firm to maintain strict quality control over their products and as a result, only products of the highest quality left the workshop.

In short order, the greatest, most renowned retail jewelers were ordering watches from Le Brassus. Today, one can find many Audemars Piguet watches identifiable as an Audemars Piguet watches only by their serial number — the result of prestigious jewelers, such as Gubelin and Tiffany & Co., wanting only their own name engraved on the movement and case, and not that of Audemars Piguet watches.

It is interesting to note that between 1894 and 1899, a mere 1,208 watches were produced. Among these were some of the most sophisticated timepieces ever made, including the legendary “Grande Complication” series, which is still being produced today. Aside from normal time indication, a Grande Complication timepiece offers minute repetition, perpetual calendar and chronograph.

Around this same time, the retail operations in Geneva and London were transformed into full-service branches where watches were not only serviced but also assembled. By 1914, Audemars Piguet launched a project to develop a watch so complicated that it would take six years of continuous production before the watch could be delivered to Guignard & Golay in London.

The watch in question was a pocket watch with two dials and a one-minute tourbillon mechanism. As well as a tourbillon, this double dial Lepine gold watch included a minute repeater, a chronograph with 60-minute and 12-hour counters, perpetual calendar with displays which “jump” at midnight, display of the leap year cycle, the “age” and phases of the moon, and power reserve display.

The second face showed an additional 24 hours based on the sidereal hour, moving a pair of independent hands. A special system connected to this gear-train makes it possible to see the changes in the London sky at any time of the day or night, through an oval-shaped opening in the rear dial. The sky is represented by 315 stars engraved on a plate of gold, enameled in blue. The stars, with their respective names, are all clearly visible.

Unfortunately, it was the last triumph for the founding partners. Audemars died in 1918. The following year, so did Edward Piguet.

After the founders’ death, Audemars Piguet watches continued to prosper, establishing several technical milestones with the creation of the world’s smallest minute repeater watch, having a diameter of just 15.8 millimeters; the debut of a Hunter Model (hinged-lid pocket watch) with a jumping second hand, also featuring a barometer, quarter repeater, independent second hand, the date and day of the week; and in 1925, another first: the world’s thinnest pocket watch, measuring just 1.32 millimeters. The year 1928 also saw the development of the world’s first skeletonized pocketwatch.

Needless to say, then as now, Audemars Piguet watches was considered one of the finest watch manufacturers in the world. Business boomed, as did the world economy. Customers of Audemars Piguet watches included such prestigious jewelers as Gubelin, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Bvlgari.

Unfortunately, the company’s success ground to a shocking halt in 1929 when only 737 watches were sold. By contrast, nearly 2,000 watches had been sold in 1920. With the stock market crash in 1929 and the subsequent Depression, there were suddenly very few customers for expensive watches. Like other Swiss watch companies, Audemars Piguet watches was forced to lay off most of its workforce, before hitting rock bottom in 1932, when just two watches were produced.

Despite the hard times, the company bounced back following World War II, thanks to the success of its chronographs and ultra-thin (the famous nine-ligne calibre 2003) dress watches.

The 1950s and 1960s saw a major rebound in the firm’s sales. In 1967, in cooperation with Jaeger LeCoultre, a new record for the thinnest (2.45 mm) automatic movement, with a centrally placed rotor of 21 carat gold, was established. Just three years later, in 1970, the watchmakers of Audemars Piguet watches premiered the world’s thinnest movement (3.05 mm) to include date display and a central rotor made of gold. The year 1972, of course, marked the debut of what has become the signature model for Audemars Piguet watches, the “Royal Oak”.

Designed by the legendary watchmaker Gerald Genta, its octagonal shape, steel edges and the use of prominent hexagonal screws as a design feature strike a perfect balance between power and elegance. Worthy of its name, the Royal Oak has since become a legend. Its octagonal design, originally produced only in high-grade steel, took the breath away even of many professionals. However, when the Royal Oak was unveiled at the 1972 European watchmaking fair in Basel with a price tag of just 3,300 SFr. — unheard of for a watch bearing the Audemars Piguet watches name — its success was beyond even its creators’ expectations!

In 1993, the company museum, housed in the original workshop of Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet, was established. This museum, a tribute to the company’s visionary founders, allows watch enthusiasts to discover Audemars Piguet watches technology “from A to Z.”

Its exhibits retrace the key stages in the company’s history, and show many of the creations that made Audemars Piguet watches famous, including the Grande Complication. As well as its unique collection of antique watches, and in particular of watch complications, this very unusual museum enables visitors to see the intricacy and precision required in horology by observing two master watchmakers at work in the modern Audemars Piguet watches atelier, which is a permanent feature of the museum.

That same year, a new model in the Royal Oak collection premiered: the Royal Oak Offshore, which is water resistant to a depth of 10 atmospheres. The Offshore model offers the following functions: chronograph to 1/5 second, tachymeter, 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter, date display, seconds display, and automatic movement with central rotor in 21-carat gold.

Three years later, in 1996, a wristwatch version of the famous “Grand Complication” premiered at Basel. More than 600 components are contained in an integrated movement that does not exceed 8.5 mm in height. It is a technical marvel that marries old-fashioned craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, such as computer-aided design (CAD). It was also in 1996 that Audemars Piguet watches embarked on a new era, becoming one of the first major watch companies to represent itself on the Internet with its official Web site.

Today, Audemars Piguet watches remains one of the most prestigious watchmakers in the world — and one of the few that is still family owned. Yet despite the company’s enormous success, every watch is still made by hand the old-fashioned way — one at a time. Today, along with Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet watches is considered to be one of the “big three” as one of the finest watches in the world.