Lange's DOUBLE SPLIT, a unique double-rattrapante chronograph, and the two-complication DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL, which unites a flyback chronograph and a perpetual calendar, are now also available with the classic combination of a pink gold case and a lustrous argenté dial.

When it was first presented in 2004, it marked the dawn of a new era in chronographs: the DOUBLE SPLIT by A. Lange & Söhne. Its double-rattrapante mechanism not only drives a rattrapante hand on the 60-seconds scale but also has a jumping minute counter. It was the first mechanical chronograph that allowed comparative measurements of events lasting as long as 30 minutes. And it still is.

The DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL, introduced two years later, is endowed with the same escapement. In this watch, the highly useful convenience of a column-wheel flyback chronograph with a precisely jumping minute counter complements the fascination of a perpetual calendar that can be advanced with a single press of a button when it needs to be corrected in the year 2100.

Both high-performance timekeeping instruments are now also available in eloquent pink-gold versions. The warm glow of the case contrasts with the functional clarity of the argenté dial encircled by applied solid-gold hour markers. The sapphire-crystal backs of these watches reveal the two perfectly engineered and meticulously hand decorated manufacture calibres of immaculate beauty.

Press Release PDF

Retail TBD

Source: Lange

Housing an ultra-exclusive movement - the very first made entirely in the Armin Strom workshop and boasting a 7-day power reserve - the One Week collection embodies the brand's high level of excellence. The movement is partially engraved, chamfered and hand-polished in the purest Armin Strom tradition to highlight the richness of its mechanism. The visible crown wheels and hand-setting mechanism, the main elements of the three-part dial, give this highly recognizable timepiece its technical and innovative style. The series is available in four versions - Earth, Water, Air and Fire - and limited to 100 of each.

Technical Specifications

Movement
Hand-winding, ARM09 calibre, 146 components, 18,000 vib/h, 34 jewels, 7-day power reserve

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds and power reserve indicator

Case
Titanium or stainless steel with or without 18K pink gold or black PVD, 43.4 mm
Sapphire crystal and back with double anti-reflective treatment
Water-resistant to 50 m

Dial
Black
Power reserve indicator and small seconds at 9 o'clock
Off-centre hours and minutes
Visible crown wheels

Bracelet/Strap
Hand-stitched black hornback alligator with buckle

Retail $20,000-50,000

Source: Armin Strom

Maximilian Busser, the founder of MB&F, has just sent me the first photos of the newest MB&F watch engine which will power the Horological Machine No4 (HM4). It will be available for viewing, next week, during Baselworld 2010. The MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt timepiece is scheduled to officially be released July 2010. "As this image of the Engine of Thunderbolt reveals, Horological Machine No4 will feature a calibre that is a complete departure from any watch movement known today." The design of the piece appears to be inspired by a Star Wars or Star Trek ship. Whatever the inspiration, as usual, the design is anything but usual.

Source: MB&F

The 103 collection is celebrating its 7th and final anniversary as Urwerk will be shutting down its production at the end of the year. As Martin Frei says, "Our 103 collection is entering its seventh year. It has reached its maturity and fullness. It was Urwerk's first masterpiece, one of audacity and challenge. In my opinion, it is the one that symbolises to this day the perfect balance between elegance and technicity. A fragile balance, but one which we have succeeded in preserving. This emblematic model deserves an end commensurate with its life." The "Tarantula" is back in a final attack that takes the form of the "Mexican Fireleg". This is a UR-103T that has returned to the animal stage - aggressive and venomous - and that is racy with its orange luminescent markers. It comes in a limited edition of 60 timepieces and, for the Shining T version, inspired by the world of Manga, a limited edition of 33.

Technical Specifications

Movement
Hand-winding, 3.04 calibre, 21,600 vib/h, 3 Hz, black ARCAP P40 triple plate, 36-hour power reserve

Functions
Front: hours and minutes
Back: control panel with power reserve indicator, 15-minute and seconds setting dial, hour adjustment screw

Case
Steel treated with AITiN (Aluminium, Titanium, Nitride) or AITiN-treated 18K gold
50mm x 36mm x 13.5mm
Control panel in grade 5 titanium
Crown at 12 o'clock

Dial
Hour displays on satellites governed by Geneva crosses
Hour and minute markers with orange Superluminova

Bracelet/Strap
Black alligator

Brachypelma (aka Mexican Red Knee Taratula) Wikipedia

Retail $50,000+

Source: Urwerk

Altanus will be releasing this quartz chronograph with slide rule bezel at Baseworld next week. I was really surprised when I saw the price on this one. It looks like a great entry-level watch.

A sporty model guaranteed to make an impact has now been added to Altanus' emblematic Elite collection. The generously-sized case features a very contemporary bezel and pushpieces, offering a perfect setting for the animated dial. An extremely dynamic ensemble that is given impressive depth by the slide rule on the flange.

Movement
ISA quartz, 8171/202 calibre

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph and slide rule (km and miles)

Case
Satin-finished steel, 46 mm
Toothed steel pushpieces, bezel and crown or with rings matching the dial
Sapphire crystal
Screw-down back
Water-resistant to 100 m

Dial
White, black or blue
Luminescent hands and hourmarkers
Counters matching the slide rule on the flange

Bracelet/Strap
Satin-finished steel with polished interior links and double safety buckle

Retail $500

Source: Altanus

Xetum is a hybrid Swiss watch brand, designed and incorporated in California, with all timepieces being produced in Switzerland. Like so many recently launched small watch brands, they sell to their clientele exclusively via the web. This network-based organizational structure is a great way to offer customers quality products, at more reasonable prices than many of the bigger brands.

The watch I had for review, the Tyndall, is one of the two models currently in the Xetum lineup. It is powered by an elaborated ETA 2895 movement with 27 jewels and blued screws, which is thankfully visible through the clear caseback. The mostly brushed (40 mm x 11 mm) stainless steel watch case is fairly small by today's standards, however, watch size is really a matter or personal preference. And it really has a lot to do with the proportions of your wrist (my wrists are not thin). Still, this is the type of watch I would personally prefer to wear with long sleeves on, for example, with a suit.

One notable design feature on the Tyndall, is the 24 hour markers on the inner chapter ring of the dial. The inner scale lines up with the outer ring, which has the traditional scale, so you can read 12 or 24 hour time simultaneously. The outer ring has Superluminova treatments on the 12, 3, 6 and 9 markers, as do the hour and minutes hands. Small seconds are displayed in the subdial at 6 o'clock. The date window sits a 3 o'clock.

The strap is a made of naturally tanned leather, with an Italian cork backing. The strap features a pushbutton release butterfly clasp with engraved Xetum logo.

The dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with an interior anti-reflective treatment. The back features a hardened K1 mineral crystal. Water-resistance is 100 meters.

Power-reserve is 42 hours. Balance cadence is 28,800 vph (vibrations per hour).

The watch is available in a black dial version (shown) and an off-white dial here.

The rubberwood box, with Xetum carved into the top is a nice touch. As is the matching plaid patterned watch cloth that comes with it.

Overall, the watch build quality, movement and fit and finish all appear to be excellent. The styling is unique and definitely compelling. The only caveat, is that I would personally prefer a thicker strap, a more standard size like: 20mm, 22mm or 24mm wide, would work better for my wrist.

Retail $1,395

Source: Xetum

I have not confirmed the details on this new Chanel timepiece, the J12 Retrograde Mysterieuse. But apparently Giulio Papi (of AP Reaud & Papi) headed the team that created this unique watch to celebrate the anniversary of Chanel's iconic J12 collection. The resulting limited edition timepiece is surely the most desirable J12 watch ever. And most complicated. The case is made of ceramic (a signature of the J12 collection), but the open-worked dial, tourbillon and retractable vertical crown are the standout features of this watch.