Vacheron Constantin wins Watch of the Year Prize for its ‘Historiques American 1921’ wristwatch model

Geneva, Thursday October 29th 2009 – Just two years after being awarded the 2007 Watch of the Year Prize (for the Patrimony Contemporary Retrograde Date and Day model), Vacheron Constantin once again takes the top spot on the winner’s podium with the 2009 Watch of the Year Prize, this time for its ‘Historiques American 1921’ model.

Born of a determination to highlight the wealth of our heritage, its design is inspired by an avant-garde cushion-shaped wristwatch featuring a crown at 1 o’clock, created for the crown in response to the wishes of an American client in during the Roaring Twenties. It blends creativity embodied in the daring style of the 1920s, with rigorous technical sophistication expressed through the new mechanical manual-winding Manufacture 4400 movement bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva to which we are firmly committed.”



‘Historiques American 1921’

Born of a determination to highlight the wealth of the Vacheron Constantin heritage, the ‘Historiques’ line is intended to revive models symbolising the spirit and expertise of the brand through contemporary contemporary reinterpretations.

After presenting the reinterpreted Chronomètre Royal 1907 on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, in 2008 Vacheron Constantin presented the ‘Historiques American 1921’, a piece inspired by an avant-garde cushion-shaped wristwatch featuring a crown placed at 1 o’clock and confidentially produced for an American client during the Roaring Twenties. In keeping with the spirit of that era, Vacheron Constantin has once again returns to creative roots by combining inventive design with rigorous respect for history in this eloquent tribute to the 1920s.

Radiating classic and understated elegance as well as genuine originality, this ultimate ‘dandy-style’ watch faithfully echoes the original with a 40 mm-diameter cushion-shaped case crafted in 18-carat pink gold and distinguished by diagonal time read-off and a crown positioned at 1 o’clock. The sandblasted dial is graced with 12 painted black Arabic numerals arranged around an equally black-painted railway track minute circle. The hands are in black oxidised 18-carat gold. Topped by a slightly convex sapphire crystal, the case is fitted with a transparent back enabling one to admire the exceptional finishing of the mechanical manual-winding Calibre 4400, developed and crafted in-house by Vacheron Constantin and bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it measures 28 mm in diameter, 2.8 mm thick, and is endowed with an approximately 65-hour power reserve. This new model is water-resistant to pressures of 3 bar – equivalent to 30 metres – and is teamed with a hand-sewn saddle-stitched strap in dark brown alligator leather fitted with an 18-carat pink gold pin buckle shaped like a half Maltese Cross.

Produced in limited quantities, the ‘Historiques American 1921’ is bound to delight connoisseurs and devotees of classic and daring fine watchmaking who are looking for distinctive timepieces and whose horological curiosity naturally draws them to its timeless aesthetic and functional qualities.














[Source: Vacheron Constantin International – Press Communication]

Hublot Red Devil Bang For Manchester United

Swiss watch brand Hublot introduced a new Big Bang watch that commemorates its official timekeeper partnership with Manchester United football club. The new timepiece is called "Red Devil" as a tribute to Manchester's nickname.
Crafted from satin-polished black ceramic, the Hublot Red Devil Bang measures 44.5mm in diameter and features a strap in ribbed black rubber. Unique to the Red Devil Bang are bezel lugs in red composite resin; these eye-catching accents echo the dial details, most notably the Manchester United logo at 3 o'clock. It also features a 45-minute chronograph counter, specifically engineered to measure the halves of a football match, and it is fitted with glare-proofed sapphire crystals. It is water resistant to 100 meters.
Hublot will produce just 500 examples of the Red Devil Bang and each timepiece being individually numbered. A portion of the proceeds obtained from each sale will benefit the Manchester United Foundation which reaches out to young people through sports related activities.



TECHNICAL DATA
Case “Big Bang” diameter 44.5 mm in satin-polished black ceramic, with satinfinish
end pieces
Bezel Black, satin-polished ceramic with 6 titanium H-shaped screws –
sunken, polished and blocked
Crystal Sapphire crystal with interior/exterior anti-reflection treatment
Bezel lug Red composite resin
Lateral inserts Black composite resin
Back Titanium with sapphire crystal, interior anti-reflection treatment with
opaque Manchester United logo
Crown Steel with black rubber insert
Push-pieces Steel, rectangular with black rubber insert
Water-resistance 100 m or 10 ATM
Dial Matt black microblasted with red index appliqués markers, yellow
motion-work, 45-minute counter with yellow figures at 9:00, red Red
Devil logo in the counter at 3:00
Hands Brilliant black with yellow luminescent feature, red chronograph hand
Movement 45-minute counter mechanical chronograph with automatic winding,
Hublot HUB45 calibre
No of components 252
Rubies 55
Bridges Polished, satin-finish with chamfered edges
Screws Black PVD
Calendar Rectangular aperture at 6:00 with yellow date
Oscillating weight Tungsten carbide with dimpled surface coated with black PVD
Bottom plate Sand-blasted; rhodium-plated
Barrel With reinforced spring
Escapement Glucydur balance spring
Power reserve 42 hours
Strap Adjustable ribbed black rubber
Clasp Steel and black PVD deployant clasp
Limited Edition 500 numbered pieces 01/500 - 500/500












.

NEW: Bell & Ross introduces the new BR 01-93 24h GMT watch with GMT function

Bell & Ross introduces the new BR 01-93 24h GMT watch designed for long travelers with its GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) function displaying the time at two different points on the globe simultaneously. The white hands on the main dial indicate the time at the wearer’s current location while the orange hand on the 24 hour graduated inner bezel shows the time in his country of origin. The large, white photoluminescent numerals, the inner bezel and the orange-colored GMT hand stand out against the black of the dial for perfect readability. This model comes with a glass bead blasted steel case with carbon powder coating, a black dial with the numbers, indexes and hands coated with photoluminescent finish for night reading, anti-reflection sapphire crystal glass is water-resistant for up to 100 meters and its strap comes in rubber or heavy-duty synthetic fabric.

Technical specifications

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds. Second time zone
(Unidirectional interior bezel graduated to 24h). Date.

Case: Size 46 mm. Glass bead blasted steel with carbon powder coating. Screw-in crown.

Dial: Black. Numbers, indexes and hands are coated with a photoluminescent finish for optimal night reading.

Glass: Anti-reflection sapphire crystal.
Water-resistance: 100 meters.

Strap: Rubber or heavy-duty synthetic fabric.

.

Breitling for Bentley – Bentley Perpetual

As Bentley blends tradition and technology in each of its models, the Bentley Perpeutal Chonograph was manufactured following the same principles. Its mechanism features 500 pieces. This Chronograph with Perpetual Calendar indicates day, date, week, month, season, moon phases and it is also prepared to count the variations according to leap years. This watch, its mechanism, its machine, its engine and the way it works and the accurate is results is certificated by Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).

.

Breitling for Bentley - Bentley GT Racing

Through the Bentley GT Racing, Breitling presented a Chronograph version that approached motor racing in a very unique way. It case still preserves it compact lines on its case featuring a combination of fine-brushed and polished finishes on the case and bracelet. The Bentley GT Racing also features a decoration on the caseback with an outline shape of the Bentley Continental GT. The Bentley GT Racing watch embodies all the refinery of elegance and sportsmanship characteristic of Bentley’s design.







Model: GT Racing
Production Years: 2007-Current
Movement: Breitling 13B
Power Reserve: 42 Hours
Water Resistance: 100m
Bezel: Bidirectional
Crown: Screwdown
Crystal: Sapphire
Diameter: 44.8mm
Thickness: 15.6mm
Weight: N/A
Bracelet: Speed
Lug Width: 22mm
Watchwinder Direction: Both
Reference Numbers: a133363



Complications:
Chronograph












.

Breitling For Bentley - Bentley GT

.

The GT initials pay tribute to Gran Turismo automobiles, those which most emblematic models still belong to Bentley’s engineers. So as the most powerful ones, like the Continental GT model, with its 560 horses. The GT Bentley Chronograph was created in the same technique and exclusiveness spirit as all of Bentleys Chronographs were created. For its decoration, Breitling chose metallic colours, but in Bentleys tonalities. The Bentley Gt is equipped with a very exclusive and powerful engine: The Breitling 13B Calibre, with Chronometer, day and date calendar certificate. Its tachymeter is a variable one. This is another exclusive feature by Breitling as its triggered through an external rotation of its bezel guarantying a precise lecture of the average speeds.

Model: GT

Production Years: 2004-Current

Movement: Breitling 13B

Power Reserve: 42 Hours

Water Resistance: 100m

Bezel: Bidirectional

Crown: Screw-Locked

Crystal: Sapphire

Diameter: 44.8mm

Thickness: 15.6mm

Weight: N/A

Bracelet: Speed

Lug Width: 22mm

Watchwinder Direction: Clockwise

Reference Numbers: a13362

Complications:
Chronograph

.

Breitling for Bentley - Bentley 6.75

.



(Breitling for Bentley - Bentley 6.75)

While Bentley continued working on its most powerful engine , the 6.75 litres one with which Arnage limousines are equipped. As a way of paying tribute to its unique knowledge, Breitling designed the Bentley 6.75 Chronograph, a watch that blends tradition and high precise technology. Its particularity lies on the date different indicators: one for the tens and another one for the units. This sophisticated timepiece was certificated by COSC as it certified its chronometer.


Model: 6.75
Production Years: 2005-Current
Movement: Breitling 44B
Power Reserve: 42 Hours
Water Resistance: 100m
Bezel: Bidirectional
Crown: Screw-Locked
Crystal: Sapphire
Diameter: 48.7mm
Thickness: 15.6mm
Weight: N/A
Bracelet: Speed
Lug Width: 24mm
Watchwinder Direction: Both
Reference Numbers: a44362, k44362, j44362

Complications:
Chronograph, Big Date












.

Korea officially launched Vacheron Constantine's Q uai de I’lle Collection

On May 20, 2009, the Korean market officially launched Quai de l’ile collection in Cine de Chef. The collection was launched through a selective press conference and launcheon in which guests were specially attended during a gala dinner where the Quai de l’ile was introduced as a symbol of the ultimate luxury.

Hosts were welcomed in the main hall where they could encounter Quai de I’ile watches for the first time. They were next guided to the theatre right next door moved by the mystic dial and dynamic design of the Quai de I’ile collection. Mr, Yann Bouilonnec, Asia Pacific managing director made a speech to announce the launching of this new collection in Korea market and then all the guests could go through the revolutionary technology. The stunning animation, the understanding of the respected values, the personalization and security made, from the Quai de l’ile collection laucheon, a very fine one in which guests were specially attended.

During dinner glamorous and dazzling models showed the watches walking around tables and letting the guests appreciate the close look of the timepieces being able to try them on as well as configuring their own personalized watches by the simulating programs in the tablet PC.

[Source: Vacheron Constantine Press Release]

Breitling news: NEW Raven Edition

Breitling has launched a very special collection: the redesign of the Airwold and the Skyracer Chronographs, two instruments easy to identify as they feature a rubber-molded push pieces and bezel.


The “Raven” timepieces, its coded name, feature a resolutely high-tech black and steel look. Both models, the electronic and the mechanical one, boast peerless functionality. The Airwolf features an exclusive SuperQuartz™ movement giving to this ultra-accurate instrument the full range of functions required by professional pilots: 1/100th of a second chronograph, alarm, countdown, 2nd timezone, UTC. It also has an NVG-compatible display backlighting system that enables night-time read-off, while a turbine-shaped construction on the caseback serves as a resonance chamber for the alarm and other audible indications.


On the other hand, the Skyracer was designed to be the most efficient self-winding chronograph in its category. Breitling has equipped the Skyracer with a Caliber 27, an exclusive mechanism that enables dual visualization of measured times. The 60-minute counter, with a central hand, guarantees peerless readability of any measurement under one hour. For longer durations, a single two-hand counter shows both, the hours and also the minutes. The rack-and-pinion mounted slide rule underscores the aviation-oriented vocation of both the Airwolf Raven and Skyracer Raven models.












[Source: Breitling press release]

2009 The Piaget Polo Watch: 30th Anniversary.

For the last 30 years, Piaget has been associated with the polo universe. Thirty years ago, the watchmaker brand produced the first polo watch.

The Piaget Polo watch, with its unique style and design, was launched in 1979 and soon became one of the brand’s iconic models. Inspired by the characteristic elegance of the polo clubs and their associates, the Piaget Polo Watch was adopted not only by the polo circle but also by stars as a luxurious object. It was a symbol of its time as it became a new way of wearing entirely gold timepieces.

It was then during the 80s that Piaget, under the lead of Yves G. Piaget, associated the watch brand to polo sport as it was an activity that clearly reflected the brand’s values: boldness, rigour and precision.

In order to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of this emblematic collection, Piaget gave birth to five new versions in 2009 with a remaining faith to the 1979s design, the historical dials reveal their precious character without ostentation. Piaget’s anniversary models pay tribute to the characteristic design of the collection. But the landmark above all is represented by the new sporting chic model that opens up a whole new phase for the watchmaker company.

1979-2009: the Piaget Polo collection has made its mark on 30 years of watchmaking history. A brand icon, Piaget Polo is more timeless than ever.

Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo - 1st leg at Adria: A flying start and a podium for the President of Blancpain!

.

The first race in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo got off to a flying start in Italy on Saturday May 16th, organised within the FIA GT championship on the famous Adria racing track. As title sponsor of a championship that is truly unique in the world, Blancpain is proud to be participating in this international sports event. Its President and CEO Marc A. Hayek took the wheel of a gleaming Gallardo LP560-4 decked out in the livery of the Manufacture Blancpain.

Competing alongside famous driver Peter Kox from the Netherlands, Marc A. Hayek placed third after the second round. This first leg of an exceptional automobile championship symbolises a fascinating alliance between two legends: Blancpain, the world’s oldest watch brand, and Lamborghini, one of the most iconic car manufacturers.

Featuring six events in the 2009 racing calendar, the Super Trofeo provides an opportunity to see the brand-new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 cars (delivering 570 horsepower and 540 N/m – 398 lb/ft torque enabling them to reach top speeds of over 300 km/h) in exciting action on racing tracks around Europe. Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain, is driving the speed machine bearing the brand colours. This powerful pairing embodies the dream of many devotees of exceptional mechanisms, and celebrates the pioneering spirit and the mechanical expertise of the Manufacture Blancpain.

Setting the crowning touch to this partnership, Blancpain has created a new horological gem: the Super Trofeo Chronograph. Like the ultra-powerful Gallardo, this timepiece equipped with a flyback function displays sophisticated character and cutting-edge technological features. Sporty by nature right through to the last component, the Super Trofeo Chronograph is issued in a limited edition of 300*. The next five European legs of the season are scheduled to take place between June and October of this year, as follows:

• Norisring (Germany), June 26-28

• Spa Francorchamps (Belgium), July 23-25

• Silverstone (UK), August 15-16

• Catalunya (Spain), September 18-20

• Paul Ricard (France), October 2-4

* For further details of this exceptional model are provided at Blancpain's web site.

Source: Blancpain web site.

Graham launches the NEW Chronofighter Trigger Tourbillograph

.



(Graham Chronofighter Trigger Tourbillograp)

Extremely well known as "the father of the chronograph", George Graham (1673-1751) has also been the man who had great ideas and invented the first wall chronograph or mercury pendulum.
Commissioned by the Greenwich Royal Observatory to create the master watch used by the astronomers, Graham became the first and great watchmaker of eighteenth century named by the Royal society. To continue with this spirit of extraordinary innovations and technical ability, Graham is nowadays a contemporary firm of watches dedicated to those who are enthusiastic about mechanic arts.

[Complete Graham’s history]

Graham debuts the Chronofighter Trigger Tourbillograph

Four years ago, Graham decided to make a timepiece in order to pay tribute to the genius of its namesake, famous British watchmaker George Graham. To achieve this goal, the brand joined with well-known movement manufacturer La Joux-Perret (with whom it partnered on the development of Graham's chronograph foudroyante).
The result of years of making their best innovations, we are able to enjoy the result: the Automatic Chronofighter Trigger Tourbil-lograph, a combination of tourbillon and chronograph with a unique ‘British eccentric’ off-centre tourbillon.




The movement powering this timepiece is the Graham Caliber G1780, a tourbillon with column-wheel chronograph, known as ‘roue À colonne’ in French. Available in a 46mm 18 carat 5N red gold case, the new Tourbillograph features a domed sapphire crystal on the front and a flat see-through back. The frequency of its movement is 28,800, while the spiral, balance, escapement wheels and anchor are reinforced with an Incabloc anti-shock system. The Tourbillograph's tourbillon cage weighs just 0.485 grams and is made of 48 pieces.
The Automatic Chronofighter Trigger Tourbil-lograph comes in five variations - Ruthenium, Havana, Raven Black, Carbon Black and All Black.














[Source: Europa Star Magazine Issue]

The Omega Co-Axial Ploprof 1200M. Omega's 2009 launching timepieces.

.

(Omega Co-Axial Ploprof 1200M)

In 1970 Omega launched a watch created and specially designed for withstanding the crushing pressures endured by divers working deep below the ocean’s surface. The Seamaster 600, also-called ‘Ploprof’ (the acronym formed from the first letters of plongeurs professionnels) was one of the roughest, robust and seaworthy divers’ wristwatches ever manufactured.
In 2009, Omega is introducing an updated version of the classic and instantly recognizable Omega Seamaster 600 wristwatch. Equipped with a Co-Axial calibre 8500, the new Ploprof 1200M is, as the name suggests, is surprisingly water-resistant to 1200 metres (4000 feet). It also deviously combines its ancestor’s famous features with the brand’s state-of-the-industry Co-Axial technology for its movement.

Source: Europa Star Magazine Issue

Omega's 2009 launching timepieces: Co-Axial Ploprof 1200M. The Moonwatch's 40th anniversary.

.


(Omega Speedmaster)

Omega Speedmaster was the watch that, on Buzz Aldrin’s wrist, reached the moon accompanied by Neil Armstrong, who was also equipped with the same watch. The electronic timing system was playing up that much on board, that Armstrong left his watch aboard the Lunar Module.
Since that specific moment in which they stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56 GMT on the July 21, 1969, Omega’s Speedmaster professional chronograph became known as the ‘Moonwatch’ around the globe.
This year, as is it Apollo 11’s 40th Anniversary, Omega has launched a Limited Edition of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. This unique timepiece features the same movement used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch, its famous calibre 1861. With black dial as the original Moonwatch, but with the small seconds sub dial at 9 o’clock featuring Apollo 11’s famous mission patch: an eagle descending to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace. Also, its hour, minute and the red-tipped chronograph seconds hands are coated with SuperLumiNova. The minute and hour chronograph counter hands are white and the brushed, rhodium-plated small seconds hand is in relief to the medallion on the counter.
On its dial, the classic ‘Omega Speedmaster Professional”, but with the 02.56 GMT legend is displayed in red.
The Apollo 11 ‘Eagle’ mission patch is stamped on the caseback with the words, Limited Edition number and ‘July 21, 1969’, the date in which the astronauts first stepped onto the moon’s surface.

(Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 ‘40th Anniversary’)

Source: Europa Star Magazine Issue.

Impotant Collectors’ Wristwatches, Pocket Watches & Clocks Auction. Geneva – Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th.

On May 9th and 10th Antiquorum will auction over 300 fine timepieces at the Grand Hotel Kempinski, in Geneva. Previews were held in Shanghai April 26 and 27, Hong Kong April 29 and 30, and Geneva May 7 - 10.

The highlight of the sale is the Patek Philippe Ref. 1436 featuring stainless steel split-seconds chronograph. More than unique, only four examples of this model were produced and only three survived. It is said to be one of the first two watch generation to ever exist. This wristwatch was produced in 1945 and then sold on May 11, 1949. It is the first time ever that this watch will be offered at auction. The pre-sale estimated goes from $ 600,000 to $ 800,000.





The action will also offer a Patek Philippe Tiffany split-seconds wristwatch produced in 1928 and sold on September 23, 1938. This 18K yellow gold wristwatch features a single-button split-seconds chronograph, vertical 30-minute register, constant seconds, and mobile lugs. The pre-sale estimated goes from $ 800,000 to $ 1,200,000.




Between many other significant timepieces, another watch included in the auction is another Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 P that features a unique dial. This watch was originally sold on November 13, 2001. This piece in platinum includes a minute-repeater, one-minute tourbillon regulator, retrograde perpetual calendar and moon phases. This piece is estimated goes from $ 600,000 to 800,000.













.

BREITLING NEWS - BREITLING THE BOOK

The comprehensive new reference work on Breitling

A specialist in chronographs and technical watches, Breitling has also shared the finest hours in the conquest of the skies. For the very first time, a magnificent new publication tells the detailed story of this grand adventure so inseparably entwined with that of modern times. Based on new historical research and enlivened by more than 450 images, including numerous original documents, Breitling The Book is destined to become a must-have reference work for brand lovers, as well as for devotees of watchmaking, chronographs and aviation.



Breitling The Book describes 125 years of passion for chronographs, reminding readers of the crucial role Breitling has played in the technical development of this type of watches – from the first pocket watches created by Léon Breitling from 1884 right the way through to today’s “instruments for professionals”, and along the way the invention of the first independent pushpiece in 1915, the separation of the “stop/start” and “reset” functions in 1923, the invention of the second independent pushpiece in 1934 and the first selfwinding chronograph in 1969.



The account also highlights the close links between the brand and the aeronautical world ever since the era of the great aviation pioneers. A combination of words and pictures provide a chance to discover the famous onboard chronographs that gained Breitling a special place in airplane cockpits from the 1930s onwards and enabled it to accompany the boom in airline transport by becoming “official supplier to world aviation”. Not to mention the numerous wrist instruments intended for aviators, including the famous 1952 Navitimer that quickly became a cult model for pilots the world over.



Published at a time when Breitling has taken a decisive new step by launching its own mechanical chronograph movement, this book also outlines the chief characteristics of the new Caliber B01 which represents the culmination of a longstanding quest for excellence, performance and independence.



Past, present and future thus unite in a shared momentum fueled by “the chronograph spirit, the Breitling spirit”.



Written in a lively tone, extremely well documented and presented in an original and pared-down graphic design style, Breitling The Book is available in five languages: French, English, German, Spanish or Italian. It can be ordered via the [http://www.breitling-the-book.com/] www.breitling-the-book.com website, as well as from authorized Breitling retailers.





Breitling The Book by Hervé Genoud

336 pages, bound, 24 x 30 cm

450 black/white and color illustrations



Available in French, English, German, Spanish and Italian.




[http://www.breitling-the-book.com/] Order online










.

Zenith: 40th Anniversary of the El Primero Movement

El primero, 40th Anniversary.

Developed in 1969, El Primero is a masterpiece of innovation. Its perfect integration enables a movement that occupies very little space to be reliable and accurate: the position of each plate, each gear and each component is optimized.

(Chronomaster Open Anniversary)

El Primero is the only chronograph movement capable of measuring short periods of time with 1/10th of a second accuracy by using a balance that oscillates at 36,000 vibrations per hour. This absolute accuracy means that the movement passes the tests of the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).

(Class Open Anniversary)

El Primero features a pearly, angular and planished decoration. As a symbol of its excellence, its calibre requires a total of nine months of work. It also needs 5 to 50 separate operations per piece, demands 50 separate grinding operations for the bridge dimensions. Then, more or less twenty watchmakers are actively involved in making one movement and no fewer than 18 different metals are used.

Two special series: The Originals and New Vintage 69

In 2009, Zenith celebrates the 40th anniversary of the El Primero, created in 1969. And so, in order to celebrate this occasion, Zenith launches two special series: The Originals and New Vintage 69.

(Defy Classic Open Anniversary)

The El Primero calibre for these Anniversary series has been named the 469 in acknowledgment of the year in which it was created. This automatic Date Chronograph movement features 278 components and 31 rubies.

« The Originals » is faithful to the vintage design, but with a subtle twist for the counters which meet and almost touch at the centre of the dial.

(New Vintage 1969 - Pink Gold)

« New Vintage 1969 » comprises models also inspired by the original model. The El Primero Anniversary logo on the dial at 7 o’clock is engraved on the transparent sapphire back of the case. The dials are unusually crossed by a band of light.

(Port Royal Anniversary)

The pieces of the New Vintage 69 collection will all be available, during 2009 only, in a limited and numbered series.

.

Joseph Bonanno's Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève Watch

Joseph Bonanno, Sr. (1905-2002) Joseph Bonanno was born in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, Italy, to Salvatore Bonanno and Catarina Bonventre. In 1906, the 26-year-old Salvatore took his young wife and one-year-old son to the United States. At age 26, he became one of the youngest bosses of a crime family, as well as an influential member of the "Commission", a nation-wide organisation formed in 1931

Bonanno is said to have been one of the models for the character "Vito Corleone" in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather. Both Bonanno and Corleone wanted their sons to succeed them, and both allegedly wanted their crime families to stay out of the narcotics rackets (although many of the soldiers and associates of the Bonanno crime family were dealing in drugs, most known was later Boss of family Carmine Galante).

Joseph Bonanno’s Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève was given to Joseph Bonanno Sr. by Charlie “Lucky” Luciano in Palermo, Sicily, in 1957. It’s No. 966280, case No. 302352, Ref. 1516. It was produced in the late 40s. 18K yellow gold wristwatch with a 14K yellow gold brick link bracelet. The watch has been authenticated by Joseph Bonanno's daughter Catherine Bonanno Genovese, in a document included in the lot.

Joseph Bonanno, Sr. died in Tucson, Arizona on May 12, 2002 at the age of 97, of natural causes.
This watch was sold for $36,000 in the last Antiquorum’s auction in March, 4^th and 5^th in New York.

.

BREITLING NEWS - CHRONOMAT B01

The ultimate chronograph












A powerful, unique and quintessential design, masterfully reinterpreted. A selfwinding chronograph movement entirely developed and crafted in the brand workshops. A stunning presence on the wrist distinguished by a blend of strength and elegance. Breitling has created a highly exclusive version of its leading Chronomat model, which is asserting itself more forcefully than ever as the benchmark in the field of mechanical chronographs. Equipped with the very first 100% in-house chronograph movement, the Chronomat B01 majestically heralds Breitling’s grand entrance into the selective circle of genuine watch movement manufacturers. Designed to guarantee maximum precision, reliability and functionality, it represents the culmination of the long-running quest for performance characteristic of Breitling "instruments for professionals". Crafted with extreme concern for details, this flagship luxury model is bound to delight devotees of fine timepieces born to accomplish great feats. Chronomat B01: the mechanical chronograph has a new name.

What is an anti-shock device and how does it work?

The anti-shock device is a flexible comportment intended to soften shocks so that the pivots inside of the case do not brake by receiving violent movements.

In 1933 Hans Marti, an engineer, patented a system called “Incabloc ®”. This system was based in a conical setting placed in a solid truncated cone located in the watch’s frame. The whole unit was supported by a cautiously calibrated mechanism.

In presence of a shock episode, the setting would slide into the cone allowing the pivots to transfer the shock to the frame. Then, wheels would be pulled back till being placed in the center again by the spring. This would allow the setting apart into its constituent pieces without having to remove the balance.

Some of the most prestigious watchmaking companies that have incorporated this mechanism are:

Between many others watchmaking companies like Rolex, in which in its Sea Dweller DEEPSEA watch features a Parachrom hairspring with high resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, most of the wristwatches' comapanies have incorporated such mechanism.

Similar systems are ETA's Etachoc, Rolex's Kif', Seiko's Diashock, and Citizen's Parashock.