Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Collection

The Ulysse Nardin Ulysse 1 watches, technically and aesthetically beautiful, honor the horological pioneer whose name is by now, a legend. They feature the same amazing power reserve indication as the Macho Palladium: both the hand and the underlying disk move. It comes in pink gold and in a limited edition in platinum.

Ulysse Nardin San Marco

At the time of Ulysse Nardin's revival in 1983, it didn't only set out to perpetuate it's many great mechanical achievements, but also to restore the art of enameling, which involves the meticulous process of filling delicate patterns outlined by gold wire with vitreous enamels which are then repeatedly kiln fired layer by layer to achieve the proper consistency and color. It is this rare art that decorates the Ulysse Nardin San Marco collection with famous naval scenes, ships, or renowned historical architecture. The Ulysse Nardin San Marco lady is available in yellow gold or white gold.

Ulysse Nardin Michelangelo

In 1995 Ulysse Nardin patented the Big Date dual window display, adjustable both forward and backwards, which is now in use in the beautiful tonneau shape of the Ulysse Nardin Michelangelo. There are several other complications available, including a dual time with dual pushers (like the GMT+-), a chronograph, and a uniquely designed perpetual calendar, the Ulysse Nardin Michelangelo Perpetual Ludovico. Ulysse Nardin also offers the Michelangelo in a Lady and Midsize version, utilizing the smooth lines of the tonneau shape to create a very elegant and feminine watch. The Ulysse Nardin Michelangelo lady watch is also available tastefully decorated in pave diamond patterns.

Ulysse Nardin Marine Collection

Ulysse Nardin celebrates their history with the Marine collection by producing a whole line of marine chronometers, which gave fame to the company on their early days and are still very priced by enthusiasts and collectors. There is a varied selection of movements, from a perpetual calendar mechanism, power reserve indicator, the chronograph, or the annual calendar with chronograph, and of materials, like stainless steel, pink gold or white gold, all of them notable for their water resistance, accuracy on timekeeping, and fine hand finished surfaces.
Ulysse Nardin Lady Marine watches are also available in pink gold and stainless steel, with and without diamonds.

Ulysse Nardin Macho Palladium 950

With the Macho Palladium Ulysse Nardin introduces a material previously used only in jewelry to the Haute Orlogerie world. Palladium is a material, discovered in 1803, similar to Platinum but slightly whiter, much lighter and about 12% stronger. The movement on this watch also has a distinguishable feature which was first used on a Ulysse Nardin pocket watch in 1912: both the hand on the power reserve indicator and underlying disk move. When the movement is wound the disk rotates counter-clockwise until the largest segment of the scale reaches the power reserve hand. When the watch is not being worn, the power reserve hand rotates counter-clockwise until it reaches the smallest segment of the scale.

Ulysse Nardin GMT+- Big Date

Ulysse Nardin created with this watch a perfect companion for the traveling bussinesman. The master watchmakers at Ulysse Nardin have incorporated into this watch a unique patented design which allows for the hour hand to be adjusted forwards or backwards with the use of two pushbuttons, independent of the minutes or seconds hand. A window display indicates the home time, for easy reading.
Ulysse Nardin also offers the GMT+- Big Date in a lady size, with mother of pearl dials in several pastel shades, as well as the added elegance of diamonds.

Ulysse Nardin Complications

Ever since it's birth, Ulysse Nardin has been at the forefront of outstanding developments in horological technique and from the hand of Ludwig Oechslin, Ulysse Nardin has created the most complicated watch in history, the Astrolabium, as well as a whole array of models which cover the extent of horological experience, such as minute repeaters with automatons, tourbillons, as well as the first perpetual calendar in history with bi-directional adjustment of all calendar displays.This collection also features the Freak, a dual escapement beauty with no hands.

Piaget & Co Watches History

Piaget & Co. was founded in 1874 by Georges Piaget, a farmer who became a watchmaker in the village of La-Cote-aux-Fees. He decided to assemble watches in order to earn some extra money during the winters.

Not much is said about the company's first years, only that his sons took over the business and run their father company through the First World War, the Second World War and the Great depression.

Before World War II, Piaget watches were sold through other companies which engraved their names on the dials. However, after World War II, Gerald and Valentin Piaget, the founder's grandsons, took over the company and decided to give the company a turnover and place it in the marketplace following a plan. A new collection of wristwatches was released and caused an awesome sensation. The rest 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 line "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.

In order to have a strict control of quality, the company bought up several case and bracelet manufacturers.

A few years late, Piaget's market started to change its focus. The watches featured an appearance of fine jewellery.

Not only could the dials be found in a number of styles, but also the materials used became exotic. There were more jewellers than watchmakers employed by the House.

Nevertheless, though Piaget did not ignore the new quartz technology, it continued manufacturing mechanical wristwatches.

Companies such as Rolex and Omega began to dominate the sports watch field, Piaget took a very sensible decision: he decided to specialise in the dress and jewellery watches.

Piaget was recognized as one of the world's most successful watch companies in the 1970s, thanks to successful model as the polo watches, which has an appealing solid gold bracelet.

Piaget successfully brought the counterfeiters in Hong Kong and Italy to court, putting an end to the problem.

Nowadays, Piaget is extremely well known for its ladies watches and solid gold dress watches.

Though complicated watches continue to be produced in limited quantities, most Piaget watches are jewellery-oriented. To wit, Piaget buys several thousand carats of the best quality gemstones, together with five tons of gold. It should also be mentioned that every component in a Piaget watch, besides the movement, is made of solid gold, even the dials.

Patek Philippe Twenty~4®

Patek Philippe Twenty~4® was created thinking about a refined, active woman of today who looks for a watch that shows her style and is to be wear on all occasions. Each model is characterized by perfection in craftsmanship, and curved silhouette of the case.

Each model is recognized by Top Wesselton diamonds on the bezel, the case, and/or the bracelet. The crown of each Twenty~4® is studded with an onyx or a diamond solitaire. The gold collection consists of precious small-size models and pieces of high jewelry. A line of Twenty~4® rings and earrings accompanied the watch's collection.

Patek Philippe Complicated Watches

A 'complication' in watchmaking refers to mechanical features that a watch can have apart from telling the time and the date. Patek Philippe follows a tradition in complications that are necessary for everyday situations, such as Annual Calendars, dual time zones and World Time displays.

Patek Philippe Nautilus

Nautilus collection shows the flattering redesign Patek Philippe's elegance and sophistication. The universal shape of a porthole found on virtually all maritime vessels. The original model was the Ref. 3700/1 in steel. Nautilus is defined as a classic elegant sports watch and the original reference is one of the most sought-after timepieces at auction.

Patek Philippe Gondolo

The Gondolo collection was introduced in 1993 and in this creation Patek Philippe's shows his inclination for the Art Deco style. The Gondolo shows Patek Philippe's aim to create watches which make history in the company. The name of the collection arose because of the "Chronometro Gondolo" watches produced by Patek Philippe for Gondolo & Labouriau company.

Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse

The Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse introduced in 1968 was inspired in one of the most beautiful chapters of horological history characterized by perfect proportions and a beautiful case. Golden Ellipse has become one of the flagships of the Patek Philippe collection and of course one of its most valued creations due to its incomparable simplicity and formal purity. The elliptical design is based on the golden section, a ratio discovered more than two thousand years ago.

The Golden Ellipse is a model characterized with the balance and visually attractive.

The History of Patek Philippe

Antoni Norbert de Patek was a brave and intelligent soldier who took part of the Polish rebellion against Russian domination in 1830. After that, Patek among other people were forced to leave Poland and it was in 1833 when this man settled down in Switzerland.

By this moment Patek started developing his artistic abilities and he began studying with the well known landscape artist, Alexandre Calame. Together with his passion for the art Patek bought his first watch movements and then sold completed watches to Polish clients. Soon he became a businessman buying and selling watches to an influential Polish clientele. Due to the growth on this business, he thought about performing his own watches company considering the possibility of having a partner and he chooses his friend Franciszek Czapek.

In 1839 Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek settled down a company named "Patek and Czapek". At the beginning the company had no employees so they purchased movements from various companies specialized in the manufacturing of raw movements (ebauches), sent them to a case maker to be cased, and then finished them in their shop.

But in 1844 Patek met the young French inventor of the keyless winding mechanism; Adrien Philippe and he decided to start a new partnership leaving aside Franciszek Czapek. That was not an easy issue. Replacing Franciszek Czapek could mean loosing the current clientele and being in risk of bankruptcy. However, he made the decision. In 1845 Philippe became the head watchmaker and together with Vincent Gostkowski, Philippe and Patek signed an agreement. One of the clauses of the agreement stated that Patek was in charge of the general direction of the firm and for its marketing, Gostkowski of the accounting and correspondence, and Philippe responsible for the watchmaking. Patek was the only person entitled to make executive company decisions despite of the fact that Gostkowski and Philippe each received one third of the company's profits. During these years the company bought unfinished movements from several companies, including Louis Audemars, Vacheron & Constantin, Breguet, Doloche, Dupan et Haim, Piguet et Fils, Le Coultre, among others for Patek & Cie, but they did not produce its own movements. Patek, being afraid Czapek would create a rival company, took his cautions in replacing Czapek in the partnership. But it was not enough because Czapek not only established a new company but also he made Patek`s clientele leave him. Soon Czapek`s company became a serious competition as well as Patek`s new partnership with Philippe started to succeed. Philippe introduced in 1850 the first ebauches distinct movements thanks to the machinery Philippe acquired for the company. The first ones were stamped with "PP" on the dial plate. After that, an important event would change Patek`s fortune. Queen Victoria was going to buy to Patek & Co. a small lady's watch, about 30 mm. in diameter, which needed no key for win-ding or setting. This dated from 1857 when Queen Victoria attended the Universal Exhibition in London. And also did Prince Albert. With this immediately, Patek`s company gained prestige. Later, the company`s name changes to Patek Philippe & Cie. One by one, Patek`s financial problems began to disappear and he introduced his products on several markets such as Russia and also he supplied Rodanet of Paris, Peña in Madrid, Elimayer in Leipzig.

After world was divided into 24 time zones in 1870, most watchmakers tried to develop a device which would indicate the time in at least two different cities in the world. Later, Louis Cottier, an independent Genevan watchmaker created an ingenious universal time display mechanism that allowed watches to simultaneously indicate the local time in several cities. Cottier also created several series of universal time watches for Patek Philippe.

Patek Philippe constitutes one of the first watchmaking firms to enjoy business relations with the United States, signing an exclusive agreement with Tiffany & Co. New York. The firm is known in Latin America when business relations began with distributors Gondolo & Labouriau, in Rio de Janeiro.

Wearing a watch around the wrist was catching on, so watchmakers began challenging the integration of various complications into their new timepieces. Patek Philippe`s introduced his first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925. Apart from that, to indicate the day, date and month, considering the number of days of each month (29, 30, 31) and also the 29th of February in leap years, Patek Philippe`s displays the ages and phases of the moon. Patek Philippe`s general production introduced the first bracelet chronographs with or without a split-second mechanism and wristwatches with minute repeating.

The economic crisis of 1929 made the production to slow down throughout the 1930`s.

Although the economic problems, Patek Philippe`s continued developing its creativity and produced remarkable timepieces such as the "Calatrava" with triple date and perpetual calendar (with aperture), age and phases of the moon and minute repeating. This watch, the most complicated of its time, was encased in a new design named "Calatrava".

The name Calatrava has historical origins that are dated from the middle-ages when a Spanish religious order defended the Calatrava citadel against the moors. At the end of the nineteenth century, Patek Philippe adopted the emblem of the brave Spanish knights as its brand symbol, which signs Patek Philippe watches today.

In 1932 the company was bought by two brothers: Charles and Jean Stern and since then the company became a family company; Mr. Philippe Stern, President and Mr. Thierry Stern, his son, Vice-President.

In 1976 Patek Philippe introduced the Nautilus sports watch collection and in 1993 the Gondolo collection.

The beautiful Patek Twenty~4® ladies watch was launched in 1999 and it is a modern interpretation of the Gondolo timepiece

Today Patek Philippe continues researching and developing new inventions and techniques for the watchmaking industry.

Patek is considered for many the best watches ever made.

Lancaster Ceramik Watches

In 1992, the first collections of LANCASTER 'SWISS MADE' watches come out.

These collections of mechanical watches, which included several new complications, were created by four Swiss 'Maisons d'Horlogerie' togl'.

In 1995 Lancaster completely modified its manufacture and business tactics.

The brand had only been regarded as a watch that only had some pieces which were produced and sold to the Italian market. Therefore, Alvea comes to the decision of having an industrial distribution.

In just one year and due to a strong advertising campaign, Lancaster mechanical watches, which turn into analogical, are able to reach the Italian market with more than 1.000 retail shops.

The brand decides to work towards new objectives such as establish new shops and search new markets.

In 1997 Basel Fair triumphed and its huge achievements allow Lancaster to sign distribution contracts in Lebanon, Greece, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Spain, France, Columbia, Spain, and Egypt, amongst others, introducing some sport watches collections with an excellent price/quality relation.

In 2000 Lancaster experienced a crucial year due to the change in fashion as regards watchmaking. Anyway, Lancaster decides to beat its competitors producing new 'Fashion' collections which were entirely different from the great mass offers which were available in the market at that time.

The first "Intrigo' aluminum collections which featured colored dials and straps emerged, surpassing any competitors and being the center of attention and an article of imitations.

At the present time, Lancaster watches is an exceptionally popular brand in the field of watch brands, and, due to the success accomplished in 2000, began to boost the activities so as to help the Brand developed quickly.

Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso

A Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso watch is distinguished among thousand of watches. Icon of the high watchmaking, Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso is distinguished by its elegant case that slides along its base to rotate on itself. Its sober and strong lines are based on the Art Déco style: clear and sober aesthetic, passion for the hand made "savoir-faire", for the precious materials and the good life style. The rotation of its case is an invitation to play with the time. Exaltation of the spirit , Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso shows its duality having a second face. Only a rotation is needed for the watch to become into a jewel that can be personalized with an eternal seal. It makes the people sights to follow the tic tac of its trains o shows a second esphera. In more than 70 years, not only has Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso become a legend, but also a jewel into the watchmaking. This big classic of the Art Déco is the inspiration of the best watchmakers and inventors who only wish to imagine new interpretation for this line.

The history of Jaeger Lecoultre

The manufacture Jaeger-Lecoultre has always distinguished himself over the rest of the watchmakers. He has consistently conquered new eras. The business of founder Antonie LeCoultre has surpassed its expectations and reached untoughtful heights due to the rise of generation of inventors led by JaegerLeCoultre.The manufacture has developed steadily over time through the construction of new extentions.The result is an unique watchmaking complex which still keeps its character.However, the alliance with the Parisian company Jaeger spread the fame of the company abroad.Holorogical creations under the name of Jaeger-Lecourt reflect theidea of putting together tradition and innovation together with the symbolic scope of the passing time and its measurement.

Jaeger-LeCoultre stands and supports the idea that more important than any instruments, eye, hand and heart remain as their most important tools. The timekeepers created by the Manufacture keeps the tools.
Therefore, the Manufacture produces an exceptionally range of movements with 38 different calibres.Its horological repertoire goes from the world's smallest mechanical movement Calibre 101 to tourbillons, minute repeater mechanisms, calendars, moon-phase and power-reserve displays, chronographs, alarma and dual time-zone Jaeger Le-Coultre watches.
Not only Jaeger-Lecoultre masters the production of cases and bracelets but also movements consagrating himself as one of the Manufacture who produces the majorities of parts making up a complete Jaeger Le-Coultre watches watch. However, the brand would never be the same without those who work in it, 1000 people worldwide and 900 people in the workshops of the Vellee de Joux. Through the years, they have given birth to a wide range of creations of Jaeger Le-Coultre watches which contribute to the measurement of time.
Among them are hundreds of craftsmen who have been able to able to fit the area of engraving, enamelling, gem-setting as well as chasing skeleton movements of Jaeger Le-Coultre watches.
All follow the philosophy: "Sharing the passion for time with Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Manufacture in the avant-garde of watchmaking mastery."

A journey through the years

1833:

Antoine LeCoultre founds a superb watchmaking workshop in Le Sentier. Crafting, finishing and assembly of watch parís are handmade in specialised workshops.

1844:

Antoine LeCoultre invents his Millionometer. It is the first instrument which is capable of measuring a micron, a millionth of a metro, and establishes the metric system as the standarized watch measurement.

1847:

LeCoultre & Co produces the first movement with a crown winding system that set the time, which meant that keys are not necessary for winding watches.

1925:

The twin-level rectangular Duoplan movement is created. It is endowed with extraordinary precision and features an interchangeable movement concept.

1928:

The engineer Jean-Léon Reutter invents the uique creation: the Atmos. It needs no battery, no electric current and no winding.

1929:

Calibre 101 is the world's smallest mechanical movement (14 x 4.8 x 3.4 mm) with 98 parts weighing around one gram.

1931:

The Jaeger Le-Coultre reverso is invented. It has an unique case which swivels to tum its back on shocks and protect its glass. Jaeger Le-Coultre reverso has showed its ability to perpetuate the moderm charm of the Art Deco style.

1953:

The Futurematic is the first automatic watch with no winding-crown.

1956:

The Jaeer Le-coultre Memovox is the first automatic alarm wristwatch.The Jaeer Le-coultre Memovox shows the exhilaration of the 50s.

1989:

The Grand Réveil is not only equipped with a calendar and moon phases but also with an alarm-bell struck by a small hommer

1991:

As a celebration of the 60th aniversary of the swivel watch, Jaeger Le-Coultre fits the Jaeger Le-coultre Reve rso with a complication movement. Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso is first watch to write the first chapter in the dynasty of six Limited series in pink gold.

1992:

The Master Control 1000 Hours introduces new standards of reliability for automatic wristwatches. It underwent 1000 hours of stringent tests before being certified by a numbered gold seal on the case-back.

1997:

The Jaeger Le-coultre watch Reverso Duetto reflects elegance of time in any circumstance, showing the day on one side and the night on the other.

1998:

The Manufact ure goes beyond. He creates the Jaeger Le-coultre watch Reverso Gran'Sport. It combines the art of living the present with watchmaking technology

1999:

Jaeger-LeCoultre creates an original version of the Jaeger Le-coultre watch Atmos.The Atmos du Millénaire shows the years, the months, and moon phases over a 1000-year period.

2000:

The Master Grande Jaeger Le-coultre Memovox adds a calendar and alarm to the Master Control rango.

2001:

The Jaeger Le-coultre watch Reverso Platinumis is the first Reverso with an openworked movement which heralds the new dynasty of Limited series of 500.

IWC Ingenieur

The central piece of every GST watch is the mechanism that could not be more perfect, robust or reliable. Connoisseurs will also find, depending on each IWC model, other technical refinements such as patented mechanical chronograph movement system, three chronograph buttons, date and day-of-the-week indicator and a self-winding crown. The expression of a life feeling that seeks to show itself throughout sports and adventure.

IWC Portofino

The austere yet beautiful Portofino watch seduces for its timeless elegance. The robust mechanism with self-winding has a 42-hour reserve running and the case is impermeable to 30 meters. For this, the IWC Portofino is and will be a stylized, discreet and reliable companion. The new Portofino Chronograph with stop function also fits perfectly in this philosophy.

IWC Aquatimer

This name does not only gather the word "water" and "time", two of the essential concepts in diving, but also conveys the best of the diving watches IWC has created. In this way the invaluable experiences of the IWC engineers converge in their manufacture. The famous internal ring is a common feature in the entire family of IWC sport watches. Also, several new developments have been integrated according to each model. For instance, the patented "memory" function of the minutes especially designed for diving or the new revolutionary self-winding system. IWC has paid special attention to functionality and clear vision under water. That is why the dial, the hands and the crowns are absolutely easy to consult, as all of them are covered with an orange, yellow or white luminescent substance. Certainly a watch ready for immersion.