VACHERON CONSTANTIN WATCHES - Patrimony & Pomp

VACHERON

CONSTANTIN

Patrimony & Pomp

Vacheron Constantin is a brand that more than any other is defined by tradition. For those looking for eye-popping display and space-age materials, please skip the rest of this article. But for those who appreciate the fine art of watch making, the 2009 SIHH collection of the two-and-a-half century old brand is full of Patrimony. The Patrimony was introduced in 2007 as a tribute to the watches made in the middle of the 20th century, all based on simple clear designs with a focus on technical excellence.

Vacheron Constantin is presenting a range of new pieces in the Patrimony Traditionnelle line. While all of the pieces exhibit the same characteristics, the fine bezel, the knurled case middle, trapezoid hour markers and dauphine hands and screw-down sapphire back, this year’s collection employs a number of different personalities among its many references.

Perhaps nowhere could the expertise and fine detailing of Vacheron Constantin be better displayed than in a skeleton piece, or more notably, the Skeleton Patrimony Traditionnelle. There is a choice this year between a 30 and a 38mm case and plain or diamond-set version. The 38mm piece uses the automatic 1120 SQ calibre, first created in 1967 and notable for its razor-thin 2.45 mm thickness, while the 30mm used a manual- winding 1003 SQ with an even more amazing thickness of just 1.64mm. Both movements are made using the Geneva Hallmark specifications.

For this year, the brand is introducing a new 4400 calibre, a 12.5 line movement designed in-house with a 65-hour power reserve and small seconds at 6 o’clock. The movement is housed in a new 38mm pink gold case for the Patrimony Traditionnelle. Most impressive in the collection is the perpetual calendar chronograph reference. Housed in a 43mm pink gold case and fitted with an 1141QP movement running at a speed of 18,000 vibrations per hour, the detailing on this piece really stands out. Nowhere is this more evident than in the moon-phase reading at 6 o’clock with its gold, multi-expression moon image which is hand engraved from a gold plate. When looking at the plate, the circular-graining exemplifies the fine finishing that is typical of Vacheron Constantin.

Of course, the collection wasn’t all about traditional watchmaking nor economic austerity. To laugh in the face of economic naysayers, Vacheron Constantin produced one truly audacious piece, the Kallania. Sculpted from an actual block of white gold, the Kallania comes encased with 186 set emerald-cut diamonds with Swiss Gemmological Institute certification weighing a hefty 170 carats. The piece is a take-off on the Kalla, a piece produced in 1979 that was equally gaudy for its time. All things considered, the price tag of €5 million might limit who can own this piece but it unmistakably demonstrates the brand’s complete attention to detail.

Mind you, for those who don’t own an entire country and want something a bit less overbearing, there are two new references in the Patrimony Traditionnelle line for high jewelry. The 38mm version comes equipped with 1.67 carats on the dial and 1.27 carats of purely-cut diamonds to sparkle up the 1400 Calibre in-house winding mechanical movement. There’s also three 30mm references fitted with a quartz movement and dial and case featuring anywhere from a mere 0.4 carats to 1.6 carats.

IWC Waches - Making A Splash

IWC

Making A Splash

As with all IWC watches, this is an Aquatimer watch inside and out, from the black and blue bezel to the engraving of the diver’s helmet on the back of the watch.

On  land, in the air or under the sea, IWC’s collection is probably one of the easiest to navigate among all luxury watch brands. The company’s focus on key pillars has remained a steadfast aspect of each year’s SIHH collections. In previous years, the Da Vinci, Portuguese and Ingenieur have all been relaunched based on this single-minded focus.

This year is the Aquatimer’s turn, in particular, with a focus on an environmental organization, the Charles Darwin Foundation. IWC’s Aquatimer Deep Two is a big aesthetic improvement over many past Aquatimers with one considerable technical difference. As is the rage among technical manufacturers, the new Deep Two has a mechanical depth guage measuring to 50 metres with a flyback hand. As with all IWC watches, this is an Aquatimer watch inside and out, from the black and blue bezel to the engraving of the diver’s helmet on the back of the watch. Available with stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap and water resistant to 120 metres, this pieces adds a further technical wrinkle to an already ideal watch for divers.

Next up is the Aquatimer Automatic 2000. Available either in the classic black with yellow motif with rubber strap or now a blue and orange dial and bezel combination with either rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet, this automatic Calibre 30110 movement is built to a water resistance level of 200 bars, a very rare achievement in the diving watch world. This is a very classical diving watch using Super-Luminova indices and a rotating bezel for timing your dive. As well, for those who are looking for a more classical watch, IWC is paying tribute to the original Aquatimer from 1967 with a new Automatic in stainless steel or rose gold and without the diver’s bezel or steel caseback. This is more of a throwback version for those who like the feel of the Aquatimer yet is more the Portuguese-kind of personality. 

Finally, there’s the new Aquatimer Chronograph, available in either a standard version with stainless steel case, a new rose gold case fitted with rubber strap and sapphire back for looking at the beautiful Calibre 89360 movement or a limited edition Charles Darwin Foundation edition complete with an engraving of a Gallapagos turtle on the case back, black rubber pushers and black PVD coated case. The Darwin piece in particular is a very attractive piece and takes on special significance with this being the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s “On the Origins of Species”. Mind you, IWC went outside the Aquatimer world with some other stunning pieces too.

Most notable among these is a new Da Vinci Perpetual Calender Digital Date-Month in platinum or rose gold. This is a major departure from other perpetual calendars which generally use indices to indicate the date and month. Rather, IWC has moved to digital format with two windows at 9 and 3 o’clock. The two digital dials are separated by the hour sub-dial of the chronograph. At 6 o’clock, there’s even a reading of what year it is in the current leap year cycle. Pre-programmed until 2099 and using a single crown system to set the calendar, this watch certainly has a lot going for it.

To round out the real complications, IWC is once again paying tribute to a legend of the company, former Technical Director Kurt Klaus in a new Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus. Fitted in a red gold case with the image of Klaus, this limited edition of 1000 pieces has about every complication in the book on its dial including moon phase display, chronograph, four-digit year display and small seconds sub-dial. Truly, this is a fitting piece for the old master himself.

Jaeger leCoultre Watches - Mastering the Elements

Jaeger leCoultre

Mastering

the Elements

For many years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been trailblazing in the timepiece industry, releasing a series of hits covering a wide spectrum of the technical timepiece world. From diving watches to timepieces requiring no lubrication and limited maintenance, Jaeger-LeCoultre has pretty much run the gamut. Following up on last year’s big winner, the Gyrotourbillon II, this year the brand has created another winner in the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon with perpetual calendar, a first for the brand, and a new Master Grande Minute Repeater with an amazing twoweek power reserve. Both pieces feature something radically new, a silicon escapement plated with a diamond coating that provides vastly better protection against fissures in the silicon and ensures reliability of the timekeeping to an even greater degree than ever before. As such, the efficiency of the movement immediately increases by 15% in terms of reducing wear and tear on the movement, thus providing a level of durability that is rarely found.

The Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar is indeed a site to behold. Consisting of a gaudy 401 parts, the Calibre 987 movement supports a two-level display with the top level showing the time and the bottom level containing the tourbillon spinning effortlessly in its cage. Jaeger-LeCoultre has also succeeded in reducing the weight of the tourbillon by housing it in a grade 5 titanium carriage allowing the tourbillon to weigh in at a feather-light 0.28 grams. The movement accounts for leap years in its perpetual calendar making this a timepiece truly worthy for the ages.

The Master Grande Minute Repeater, fitted with the Calibre 947R movement, not only provides a superior power reserve but is also a first in being fitted with a regulatortype display. Just as with the Calibre 947, introduced in 2005, the minute repeater emits a crystal-clear sound that is created by gongs with tapered ends and a square appearance.

The regulator concept has its origins in reference clocks that were once used to check reliability of time in other clocks. The basis of the regulator is that the reading of hours and minutes are done from different axes, thus making for optimal readability. In this piece from Jaeger-LeCoultre, the hour is read from a sub-dial at 12 o’clock while the minutes glide around the larger dial. The power reserve can be found between 7 and 8 o’clock while the two minute repeater gongs are displayed at 4 o’clock. Designed with a 44mm case in yellow gold and limited to 100 pieces, this is a must-have for any technical enthusiast.

The uniqueness of Jaeger-LeCoultre often lies in the fact that their technical expertise stands out even for sport and diving  atches. Since the 1960’s, the brand has excelled in creating robust watches to withstand the greatest depths, even being tested down to 1088 metres in Indonesia in recent years.

The brand has produced a number of new Navy SEAL watches for the true diving enthusiast in the renowned Master Compressor line. Namely, this year comes the introduction of the Master Compressor Diving Chronograph with alarm, Chronograph GMT and Pro Geographic.

The alarm version is an impressive piece modeled technically after the Memovox Deep Sea. This piece uses a Calibre 956 in-house movement housed in a 44mm grade 5 titanium case. To set the alarm, simply rotate the revolving and luminescent triangle on the ceramic finished bezel to the desired position. It is also water-tight to 300 metres. While it looks simple, it’s for that reason that this is such an indispensable piece for the sports enthusiast.

The chronograph GMT version takes that simplicity a step further in either a pink gold case (watertight to 300 metres) or a titanium version (watertight to 1000 metres). Using the concept of hometime/traveltime employed by other Jaeger-LeCoultre GMT watches, the second time zone can be read through a skeletonized hand and a day/ night aperture at 12 o’clock for easy use. The Calibre 757 self-winding movement contains a 65-hour power reserve, more than enough for anything you might underground water, on land or crossing time zones. And at 46.3mm and with its renowned compressor fins on the push pieces, this is a timepiece that makes a real splash.

Finally, there is the Pro Geographic version which employs the mechanical depth gauge similar to the Master Compressor Diving Pro timepiece that was released in 2007. Built in a limited edition of 300 pieces in pink gold with a ceramic bezel, the mechanical gauge uses the amount of pressure exerted on its PVD-plated head to provide a diver with a precise depth reading down to 40 metres. But more than previous pieces, this particular watch allows you to read the time anywhere in the world by positioning the city representing the time zone in the dial at 6 o’clock, triggering a 24-hour dial at 9 o’clock to display the time in the second city. In a way, this particular timepiece represents the very best of the Geographic and the diving watch ranges of Jaeger-LeCoultre.

TAG Heuer watches - Glamour For A Cause

The three-year deal will be unique as DiCaprio,renowned for

his extensive philanthropic work, will donate all royalties to

charity.

TAG Heuer announced that Hollywood mega-star Leonardo Di-Caprio will be its newest in a long line of star-studded brand ambassadors.The three-year deal will be unique as DiCaprio, renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, will donate all royalties to charity. The first advertisement featuring DiCaprio will be launched later this year.

Most of the donations from the deal will be earmarked for environmental causes. “TAG Heuer and I will be making donations to some of the most influential and effective environmental organizations around,” said DiCaprio during the signing ceremony. “Each and every day, these organizations are doing important work to ensure our planet’s resources future generations. Hopefully, our donations will help expand their reach and raise their profile.”

DiCaprio’s has a longstanding involvement in environmental philanthropy. He speaks regularly on ecological issues and is a prominent board member of the Natural Resources Defense Council. In 2007, DiCaprio co-wrote, co-produced and narrated “The 11th Hour”, a documentary on the state of the environment.

PIAGET Watches - The Emperador Coussin Simple Complications

PIAGET

Simple Complications

In most years, Piaget is renowned for being one of the busiest manufactures in churning out a large quantity of new and exceptional references. With only nine months between SIHH 2008 and 2009, the company’s designers were certainly put to the test. But while the collection might not be quite as wide as in some years, there’s no question of the quality of a number of new pieces that have emerged from the manufacture.

As in recent years, mechanical complications are the highlight Piaget’s string of new products this year with four main product developments unveiled for 2009. The first two of these developments are new movements, the Calibre 835P and the Calibre 860P. These two entirely Piaget developed movements house respectively a regulator and large moon phase and each have their own reference within the Emperador Coussin family.

The Emperador Coussin Regulator has an additional appeal with the addition of a retrograde seconds complication. Most impressive about this complication is the precision as the movement jumps back to the ‘0’ position 2,880 times a day or every 30 seconds. In addition, the ultra-thin mechanical handwound movement that powers this watch measures a mere 3.92mm, fitting

with Piaget’s history as a maker of thin watches, and is equipped with a large balance with screws and a large barrel providing a power reserve of 65 hours.

As in recent years, mechanical complications are the highlight Piaget’s string of products with four main product developments unveiled for 2009.

True to Piaget’s strength in meticulous detailed finishing, the main plate is circular grained and the bridges are beveled. Available in both 18-carat pink and white gold versions, the 42.5mm diameter timepiece is fitted with a sapphire crystal case-back, with either a satinbrushed midnight blue or charcoal grey finely finished guilloche dial.

The Emperador Coussin Moon Phase with the Calibre 860P is housed in a 46.5 mm case showcasing a mobile mask that uncovers the white gold moon disc gradually before covering it up again, reproducing the natural interplay of the sun and earth. The movement features the signature Piaget finishing of the circular Côtes de Genève motifs with a 72- hour power reserve, cased in either white or pink 18-carat gold.

In addition to the Emperador pieces, Piager has also created a new Altiplano Small Seconds, providing an elegant 18-carat gold ouch to the collection. This Altiplano case is curved and set with 48 round diamonds, and houses the ultra-thin Calibre 450P, a calibre that lends a genuine touch of elegance and mechanical passion to the world of feminine watchmaking.

In celebration of the collection’s 30th anniversary this year, the manufacture has reinterpreted the collection in an assertively modern style, unveiling four new watches that are the epitome of sporty yet contemporary timepieces, featuring the 800P and 880P movements. A first for the brand, these models are featured in grade 5 titanium cases, watertight to 100 meters, extended by a strap made of injection moulded rubber. The sturdy, yet light cases are 45mm in tune with the modern times as well as reminiscent of the average length of a polo match.

True to Piaget’s strength in meticulous detailed finishing, the main plate is circular-grained and the bridges are beveled.

The chronograph version uses the 880P movement that aside from its typical chronograph and flyback functions, also displays the hour and minutes functions, along with small seconds at 6 o’clock, the date at 12 o’clock and a second 24-hour time zone at 9 o’clock and offers a 50 hour power reserve. Each pushpiece and crown is made of titanium, decorated with rubber cabochons. The 800P, also self-winding, displays hours, minutes and seconds in the centre and the date at 6 o’clock. Its two barrels ensure a 72 hour power reserve.

Last but not least is the gem-set XXL Protocole, geared to the feminine customer who appreciates a fine mechanical movement. This new reference is adorned with a total of 3.9 carats of diamonds that light up the Roman numerals on the white mother-of-pearl dial in the 42 x 46mm case. The 18-carat gold case presents both elegance and slenderness in its curves, shaping itself perfectly to the feminine wrist.

FERRARI Watches - Showing Its True Colours

FERRARI

Showing Its True Colours

For the Ferrari brand, Officine Panerai has developed a range of new pieces for both the Granturismo and Scuderia collections. The theme for this year is definitely more to the bigger case with a specific focus on PVD coated cases. One good example of this is with the Scuderia Chronograph DLC 45mm FER00038. Made in a special collection of 300 pieces, this reference uses a diamond-like hard coating on the case to give the piece an extra-sleek appearance. To add to the automobile theme of the watch, for the first time in the brand’s history, a silhouette of a Ferrari single-seater graces the dial at 6 o’clock. Add the red counters and indices to contrast the yellow Scuderia dial and you have a piece that is ultra-attractive.

Also special from Ferrari for this year is the California Chronograph Flyback, dedicated to the recently premiered Ferrari California automobile. The new California is a throw-back to a similar vehicle produced by Ferrari in the 1960’s that was the first Ferrari ever with a front-mounted V8 engine. To celebrate this achievement, the new timepiece, produced with a 45mm polished steel case and chronometer-certified OP XIX calibre movement embraces history with the name “California” stencilled at 6 o’clock on the dial. Unlike other Ferrari timepieces, the prancing horse is nowhere to be found on the front of the dial but is instead brightly lit in yellow on the back of the case surrounded by a carbon insert and steel.

To celebrate this achievement, the new timepiece, produced with a

45mm polished steel case and chronometer-certified OP XIX calibre movement embraces history with the name “California” stencilled at 6

o’clock on the dial

Baume & Mercier Watches - The Iconic Watch Collection

Baume & Mercier

Simple Yet Meaningful

Baume & Mercier could never be confused as a brand that favours quantity over quality. While many brands go all out in each watch fair to come out with the most collections, this 180-year old brand is content with maintaining a focused and directed

collection, usually geared at one major innovation.

The theme of this year’s collection is undoubtedly the Hampton. First created in 1994, and inspired by the legendary weekend getaway destination for New York’s elite, the Hampton represents relaxation and leisure and a sense of release for people in an otherwise stressful life. In that way, the Hampton collections have traditionally emphasized simplicity and a more casual design, in line with their namesake.

With 2009 representing the collection’s 15th anniversary, Baume & Mercier is re-introducing the iconic watch collection, all of which combine the classicism of authentic watch making tradition with a highly contemporary design.

When Baume & Mercier first introduced the Hampton line, it broke the existing watch making codes with its rectangular steel case and it became a bestseller overnight. The Hampton Classic is the most basic part of the collection and in 2009, the Classic is back in five new references, featuring two XL urban-elegant watches for gents, and three elegantly feminine models.

The XL Chronograph offers a chic weekend look. The all-black look is supported with ergonomic chronograph push-pieces and a date  aperture at 6 o’clock

The XL Open Balance is the “Business Class’’ watch for weekday wear, generously sized at 30x45.5mm and featuring an opening on the dial that allows the wearer to admire the heart of the movement, an advancement on earlier models that de-emphasized machines in place of simplicity. In the meantime, the XL Chronograph offers a chic weekend look. The all-black look is supported with ergonomic chronograph push-pieces and a date aperture at 6 o’clock.

For women, there are three new classic pieces. The Classic S showcases the brand’s timeless simplicity, featuring a harmoniously curved small case and a subtle signature diamond on the crown and topped off with a chestnut brown calfskin leather

strap with saddle stitching. By adding thirty-two diamonds on the case, the Classic is transformed into a casually elegant watch with a more refined appearance.

A new addition to the Hampton line is the Manchette. This new reference is a two-tone version that is perfect for any relaxing weekend or formal occasion alike. Adorned with twenty-eight diamonds on the case, the steel and gold watch is a radiant ideal companion for a weekend of relaxation and leisure.

The Magnum is a relatively new and masculine addition to the Hampton collection. Two new and exciting Magnum models are presented this year, both exuding a sporty and racy design. This naturally dovetails to the Magnum’s powerful per sonality. For the rugged yet classy gentleman, Baume & Mercier is introducing a chronograph in black PVD steel and red gold in an oversized

XXL case and a secure strap in “soft touch” alligator leather.

Equally stunning is the XL all-white look for the ladies. The elegant yet sporty timepiece features a mechanical automatic movement and big date. To add glam and glitter to the piece, the case is encrusted with 52 diamonds and a vulcanized

rubber strap. It’s not the largest of the collections. But this year’s Hampton pieces are definitely a step in trying to round

out a luxury category that is simple, understated and truly understood by very few other manufactures.

Audemars Piguet Watches - The Millenary Year

Audemars

Piguet

Look Back in A Millenary Year

For  what seemed like decades, the Royal Oak collection was the showpiece of the Audemars Piguet brand. But not so anymore. In 2009, the new Audemars Piguet collection features the Millenary collection in a way not seen up to now. The Millenary Chronograph has to stand out as one of the most impressive looking watches that the brand has come out with in years. The combination of sky-blue indices with a chestnut brown background on the tachometre is unique and really brings the piece to life. Add to this a pink gold case with pink gold applied numerals and you have a real conversation starter unlike anything in the market. Technically speaking, this is also the first time that the Millenary has been offered with a chronograph, yet to add some extra pop to the watch, designers have also developed a dual time zone reading.

For those looking for something unique in a tourbillon, look no further than the Mil- lenary Chalcedony Tourbillon. This piece has been in the works for some time with earlier editions released in 2001 and 2005. What makes this most interesting is the use of diamond settings on the rings of the subdials, on the bezel, the lugs and the exterior of the case. This is all set on a combination of pink gold and Chalcedony, a bluecoloured mineral. All told, 395 diamonds or 3.45 carats mixed with pink gold and a  keletonised Calibre 2841 movement gives a lot to look at. This is certainly a more lively version of a complication which over the years has often been left in a more plainvanilla fashion on many ‘metoo’ competitors’ creations.

The combination of sky-blue indices with a chestnut brown background on the Tachometre is unique and really brings the piece to life.

Starting in 2006, Audemars Piguet with its new escapement, and Jaeger-LeCoultre with the AM VOX, ushered in a new era of lubricant-free movements. A mere 2 ½ years later, Audemars Piguet has built on that feat with its new Jules Audemars Watch with Audemars Piguet Escapement. This watch uses absolutely no oils whatsoever and is designed to withstand twenty years of use without any need for service.

Beyond that, the movement beats at a light-speed of 43,200 vibrations per hour, more quickly than almost any movement on the market for increased accuracy and reliability and is completely hand-finished. The movement, the product of close to a decade of work by master craftsmen at the company’s factory, has a diameter of 39mm and contains close to 270 working parts.

But beyond the impressive nature of the movement, the exterior of the watch is equally stunning. The 46mm platinum case holds an impressive three-dimensional display including mounted sub-dials for the time using classical Roman indices, seconds using a more conventional Arabic system and a measurement for the 56-hour power reserve. The blue crocodile leather strap matches nicely with the ocean blue hands on each of the sub-dials. So while not a skeleton movement, this particular piece is equally stunning in its aesthetic appeal.

A mere 2 ½ years later, Audemars Piguet has built on that feat with its new Jules Audemars Watch with Audemars Piguet Escapement

Of course, the Royal Oak and Offshore collections have not been left out of the fray. This year, a new version of the Royal Oak Offshore has been created for both men and ladies. The men’s version is geared more to new dial designs with a new AP Calibre 3126/3840 self-winding movement fit inside of a titanium or steel case. The piece is both water resistant to 100 metres and anti-magnetic and uses the Mega-Tapestry motif on the dial.

For the ladies version, carbon fibre, ceramic and rubber are mixed to make a piece that is feminine and luxurious yet very sporty. In this version, the case is made of lighter carbon fibre, perfect for a woman’s wrist. Scratch-resistant ceramic is the material of choice for the push buttons and crown. And to add to the luxury of the watch, the bezel is totally diamond set.

As always, Audemars Piguet came out with a lot to look at. But beyond that, this year’s collection represents one of the most rounded that has emerged from the brand in quite some time.

Piaget Watches - The Grandiose Timepiece

Piaget does paris

and new york

Collection Pays Homage

to Fashion’s Capital Cities

The grandiose timepiece is set with 620 brilliant-cut diamonds and 8 pearcut diamonds. The 18-carat white gold dial is set with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds

As a brand well known in all parts of the fashion world, Piaget often takes its inspiration for collections from star-studded destinations. Recently, a new collection took its character from Paris and New York.

The brilliant structure of the Eiffel Tower is reflected in one of Piaget’s magnificent collection of diamond watch and jewelry creations. The playful and enchanting Grande Roue or Ferris wheel became the inspiration for some variations of secret watches and jewelry that show tiny diamond baskets suspended from a rotating deck, resembling the Ferris wheel’s gondolas.

Being one of the fashion capitals of the world, it is to be expected that the collection would show extreme couture quality.

The Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif reveals an 18-carat white gold case while the dial employs grand feu enameling based on

the champleve technique. It also shows its Paris inspiration by incorporating an aerial view of the 12 avenues that radiate from

the Arc de Triomphe.

Inspired by a sensual couture style of Paris, Piaget has created a one-of-a-kind cuff watch, an iconic item in the history of the brand. The diamond-paved Piaget Paris Architecture theme watch spotlights an 18-carat white gold case, bracelet and integrated

clasp. The grandiose timepiece is set with 620 brilliant-cut diamonds and 8 pearcut diamonds. The 18-carat white gold dial

is set with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Also intensely inspired by New York, Piaget designers have used images of the iconic Chrysler Building and the Statue of Liberty in New York to create an imposing jewelry set of a necklace and earrings. As a motif for a pendant, earrings or a

watch dial, the graphic design of the seven rays of the Statue of Liberty’s diadem symbolizes the seven oceans. The 18-carat

white gold case of the Piaget New York Architecture theme is completely paved with 273 brilliant-cut diamonds. The

black dial of the timepiece is set with 99 brilliant-cut diamonds.

The New York-inspired creations present the black and white colors of a classic New York evening with the sight of city lights

and its people. Black satin and a diamond bow help reveal the couture side and hide a Secret watch with a diamond-pave cover

that opens discreetly to show the time.

Chopard Watches - Watchmaking and High Couture

Watchmaking

and High Couture 

Come Together

That is exactly what the WatchCouture is all about, precious, unmistakable, custommade and glamourous

Chopard, in cooperation with Alberta Ferretti, recently joined forces again during the 65th Venice Film Festival to present the new WatchCouture together with a new Alberta Ferretti chiffon gown for auction. The proceeds of the event will help to support research against AIDS. For more than three decades, the name Alberta Ferretti has been synonymous with ethereal gowns for women who want beautiful dresses without any tricks. That is exactly what the Watch Couture is all about, precious, nmistakable, custom-made and glamourous.

The watch sits on the wrist like a very precious jewel with satin knot that keeps the femininity alive. “The idea Caroline and I had was about combining design, technology, precision, elegance and the value of Chopard watches with the glamour of couture, which reflects these same  concepts while making the product unique. Creating a precious watch tied to the wrist by a bow, a symbol of couture was the most pertinent way of realizing this idea.” Alberta Ferretti said. The timepiece is made of 18-carat entirely paved white gold with brilliant-cut diamonds and bezel set with brilliantcut diamonds. 

The briolette-cut diamonds on the outside of the case are set according to their size, from the smallest to the largest, as are the briolette-cut diamonds forming a fully articulated cluster. A bow closes the satin bracelet, making it truly couture.