In a deliberate departure from the traditional principles of horological design, the L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon houses an exceptional movement designed and made from A to Z at the Chopard Manufacture, machined like an engine block and mounted on silent blocks. To celebrate the brand's 150th anniversary, this mechanical titanium thoroughbred has been produced in a limited series of 150.
At Baselworld 2010, which starts March 18th, Breguet will introduce a new Bregeut Tradition Fusee Tourbillon with a Breguet overcoil in silicon. Very few watchmakers currently have a Fusee Chain transmission in their répertoire. In fact, the only other company I can think of, is A. Lange & Sohne, with their Pour le Mérite. But for Breguet, the inventor of the tourbillon, an ultra complicated Fusee-and-chain transmission was not enough. So, the watchmakers at Breguet added a tourbillon and Breguet's new silicon balance spring.
Unveiled yesterday, at SIHH 2010, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph boasts a huge 10-day power reserve. Two barrels are employed to store enough power reserve to run for up to 237 hours. The 18-carat gold case is a traditionally shaped Royal Oak Offshore, with 44 x 16.60mm dimensions. The bezel is forged carbon and the crown and pushers are both made of black ceramic. Inside, is an exclusive in-house movement, the Calibre 2912, a hand-wound tourbillon movement (that runs at 21,600 vph/ 3Hz). Water-resistance in 20 meters. The strap is a hand-sewn black alligator leather with large square scales, and an 18-carat pink gold AP folding clasp.
With the success of the Vulcania model, HD3 Complciation is once again bringing out its bi-axial tourbillon with the launch of the new and exclusive Black Pearl model. For this new adventure Fabrice Gonet was inspired by the wonderful era of pirates and buccaneers, to which he added the retro-futuristic steampunk style so uniquely characteristic of Vulcania.
This is a sneak peek of the 50th Anniversary Minute Repeater Tourbillon that Corum plans to unveil at Baselworld 2010. Hit "more" to see the artist sketches and to read the full press release.
In April, I had a chance to visit Audemars Piguet's headquarters and manufacturing facility, in Le Brassus. While there I toured many of their important watchmaking departments, including the high-tech "Forged Carbon" department. It was a very cool department to tour, especially considering they pioneered this technology completely in-house.
This is the new Twin Rotating Tourbillons timepiece that Breguet introduced during Baselworld 2009, the world's largest jewelry and watch show. The video was shot handheld, so it is a little shaky, but you can at least get an idea of how it looks.
Jean Dunand just unveiled a new one-off timepiece, the Orbital Confucius. "The mechanical prowess and poetry in motion of the gyrating tourbillon is enhanced with a miniature painting of sublime Oriental charm, an exceptional and highly original work of art." This ultra-luxury watch features a hand-painted portrait of Confucius, on a very thin black onyx dial that has been inserted on top of a gold disk. Many hours have been spent in creating this timepiece, including fifteen kiln firings.
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