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We are here at BaselWorld 2009!! This year we are going to do something different. We will be live tweeting the show. You will get live updates and pictures by following our twitter feed. You may also ask us questions through our twitter account and we will do our best to answer them. If you are not already a follower of our twitter please visit it here:JewelersLounge Twitter. Every night we will write a full and in depth summary of our exciting day here at BaselWorld. It will include include exclusive interviews and the latest news of the luxury watch world.

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BaselWorld 2009

We are excited to announce that the luxury watch show BaselWorld is here!! The show is from March 26th until April 2nd. For the past month we have presented previews of the new luxury watches that will debut at the show. We hope to see you there!

Here are some links you might like:

Official BaselWorld Site

Basel World Watches

JewelersLounge BaselWorld Twitter Feed

Diamond Watches

This post will remain here until the end of the BaselWorld 2009

]]> http://www.jewelerslounge.com/basel-world-2009/feed 0 http://www.jewelerslounge.com/maurice-lacroix-introduces-new-masterpiece http://www.jewelerslounge.com/maurice-lacroix-introduces-new-masterpiece#comments Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:04:15 +0000 Nathan http://www.jewelerslounge.com/?p=762

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece has two collections. These will be shown at Basel World 2009

1. Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Lune Retrograde

The look is contemporary, the demeanor stately. The new Masterpiece Lune Rétrograde introduces a new interface that is unique in its kind and that offers time measurement a generous case with a 46 mm diameter. Driven by the new Manufacture-made ML 152 movement, this timepiece is imbued with a geometric simplicity that galvanizes its mechanical complexity.

Like time itself, it displays a dynamic personality that is constantly on the move together with a high-tech, openwork dial. Beneath the sapphire crystal, which has an anti-reflective coating on both sides, the dial structures and gives proportion to the watch’s time indicators with calculated and mathematical balance.

Perfectly symmetrical, the power reserve and retrograde date displays, positioned at 2 o’clock and at 10 o’clock, are mirror images of each other. The meticulous, hollowed-out windows offer a subtle behind-the-scenes glimpse of time; the arcs have been skeletonized for an “industrial” look, while all unnecessary decor has been avoided. Featuring boldly colored extremities, each hand has been delicately applied to the dial and slides beneath one of the numerous hollowed-out arcs that display the watch’s information.

The moon phase is displayed on a precisely calibrated celestial disc positioned at 6 o’clock. This design fulfills the brand’s desire to give time a more modern image. A small luminescent hand, that closely resembles the hours and minutes hands, indicates the day of the week on the edge of the moon-phase disc.

The technical nature of the Masterpiece Lune Retrograde extends to its simple finishes. Its dynamic, calculated and steadfast design resembles those who have decided to appreciate time with determination and confidence, rather than suffer it. A worthy heir of the brand’s heritage in terms of retrograde and moon-phase mechanisms, this model joins the ranks of the ML 150 and ML 151 movements launched in 2008, which were also designed and developed in-house.

Technical Data:

Movement: Moon Phases Retrograde Calendar Maurice Lacroix Manufacture movement ML152, equipped with its own lever assortment, gear-train and spring balance, developed, manufactured and assembled in-house.

Functions: Hours and minutes indicated by central hands, retrograde calendar indicated by hand, visible through the dial at 10 o’clock, moon phases indicated by a disc at 6 o’clock, day indicated by a hand at 6 o’clock, power reserve indicated by hand, visible through the dial at 2 o’clock, vibration 18,000 vph, 2.5 Hz, power reserve 42 hours, 37 jewels, adjustment: 5 positions when fully wound and after 24 hours.

Decoration: Hand-decorated bridges plated with black-gold and featuring large snail-like pattern and dedicated moon phases disc.

Case: Combination of polished sunray, circular- and vertical-brushed surfaces, steel, 46 mm diameter, screwed steel bezel, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, integrated shaped push-pieces to correct functions, screw-down crown in ¼ turn, screwed case-back featuring a large sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, water resistant to 100meters.

Dial: Functions revealed through skeletonized dial, main plate: slate-gray with vertical-brushed finish, skeletonized retrograde calendar and power reserve zones, applied ring: circular-brushed with polished applied slate-gray Arabic numerals, integrated skeletonized indicators for the retrograde calendar and power reserve functions, large opening at 6 o’clock for the moon phase indication, with an integrated metal-coated sapphire crystal, applied “Maurice Lacroix” brushed cartouches.

2.Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Le Chronograph Squelette

An avant-garde design housed within a diameter of 45 mm. A skeleton that shapes time. A Manufacture -made mechanism, the ML 106-7 caliber. This new instrument for the measurement of short time intervals deserves the utmost respect. Its precise mechanics, for which a patent has been filed, and openwork design, which displays and thus authenticates the movement, are the cornerstones of an undeniably contemporary collection.

Offering a new take on the skeleton watch, which had already been fully redesigned in 2007 with the Masterpiece Squelette, this model looks like being a worthy successor. Protected by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides, the manually wound movement is proudly on display. Within this maze, the workings of the skeletal structure enjoy a refined, streamlined effect and have been reduced to the bare essentials.

Hypnotized by the movement’s intricacy, the light brushes past the dusky seconds hand, before bouncing off the sharp, luminous spurs of the hours and minutes hands. Having pierced through the slate-gray metallic sapphire dial, with its applied time indicators, it comes to rest on the chronograph counters, intrigued by the presence of a 60-minute counter. It then follows the movement of the counter’s hands which, shaped like skeletal discs, resemble the gears of the movement.

It then ricochets off the snailed architecture and black screws of the bottom plate, before being drawn into the depths of this compelling time machine. Once inside, it tames the escapement, grazes across the golden gears, acquaints itself with the column wheel and caresses the rubies. Then, in a flash, it slips through the sapphire-crystal case-back, powered by the oscillations of a well-concealed, black balance that blends into its surroundings until almost invisible.

We would like to see some more diamond watches

The structure of the Le Chronographe Squelette transforms inorganic matter into a living and exciting mechanism that displays each of its Manufacture-crafted components with pride. The design of this metallic sculpture is an appropriate icon for a brand that has dared to create an elegant yet edgy collection most definitely anchored in the 21st century.

Technical Data:

Movement: Chronograph equipped with a Maurice Lacroix Manufacture movement and its own lever assortment, gear-train and spring balance. Developed, manufactured and assembled in-house. Precision enhanced by innovation/Patent: 60-minute counter: a rare function that is highly adapted to accurate time-keeping a more precise chronograph function (accurate to 1/5 second) is maintained in direct relation with the seconds hand for optimal precision. Maurice Lacroix patent on the lever (located under the hammer). In the event of impact, this technical innovation optimizes security during the interlocking or releasing phases, thus guaranteeing utmost precision. Chronograph-wheel enables a special toothed shape (300 teeth) to be used, which cannot be crafted using traditional fabrication techniques. It is another guarantee of utmost precision.

Functions: Hours and minutes indicated by central hands, small seconds at 9 o’clock, Chronograph seconds indicated by a central hand, 60-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock. Vibration18,000 vph, 2.5 Hz, Power reserve 42 hours, 22 Jewels, adjustment: 5 positions when fully wound and after 24 hours. Swan neck ensures smooth adjustment, diameter: 16”½ (36.6 mm)

Decoration: Hand-decorated bridges plated with black gold and featuring a large snail-like pattern ML wheel design matches the design of the hands and discs.

Case: Combination of polished sunray, circular- and vertical-brushed surfaces, steel case, 45 mm diameter, screwed steel bezel, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, Integrated shaped push-pieces, screw-down crown in ¼ turn, screwed case-back featuring large sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, water-resistant to 100 meters.

Dial: Sapphire-crystal dial with metal-coated treatment, dial with anti-reflective coating on both sides for a clearer view of the skeleton movement, slate-gray metal-coated treatment to reinforce the effect of the double counters and chronograph-seconds track function, white SLN (SuperLumiNova) spots on counters and second tracks.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Le Chronograph Squelette

This is another fantastic luxury watch that is being unveiled at Basel World 2009. Bremont a company known for it’s pilots watches is know going the other way in creating it’s first ever dive watch.Bremont has announced the launch their first marine watch – the Supermarine 500.

Following on from the success that the Company has had with its aviation watches Nick and Giles English wanted to build a “amphibious watch” that was both classical in its design and aviation roots but very effective as a diving watch.

Bremont Marine watch

The design of the Supermarine has been built using Bremont’s unique Trip-Tick three piece case construction which gives it a water resistance depth of 500 meters, but keeps the classic curved profile of the 42mm case design which is so distinctive to Bremont., An elegant crown protector has been built onto the side of the inner barrel, and following on from other Bremont models, the watch case has been specially treated for hardness using Bremont’s B-EBE2000 technology. As with all Bremont watches the Supermarine is Swiss Made at the Bremont atelier in Biel-Bienne and houses a modified BE-36A automatic chronometer movement.

Extensive testing in the UK by Bremont on this and other new models at its test facility has led to the design and construction of an ‘Anti-Shock’ movement mount to help protect the movement against large shocks. The movement is also housed inside an Anti-Magnetic Faraday cage to protect the balance, balance spring and escapement from any effects of magnetisation.

For clarity the bezel is being made of sapphire which covers the Superluminova C5 numbers, and the sapphire crystal covering the dial will be coated on both sides with Bremont’s usual 9 layers of anti reflective coating.

The watch has been named as a tribute to the brothers love of the iconic British aircraft manufacture responsible for the Supermarine S6B Schneider Trophy Seaplane and of course the incredible Supermarine Spitfire.

The Bremont Watch Company is a British company that was started by brothers Nick and Giles English 6 years ago. They offer a range of highly developed aviation inspired timepieces of exceptional quality and high aesthetic value. All watches are built at their atelier in Switzerland.

This watch is best using a wet suit. Not a Bespoke Suit

Bremont had the honor of being awarded the Walpole Award for Best Emerging British Luxury Brand at the 2008 Walpole award for British excellence which took place in November 2008.

Vacheron Constantin presents an extraordinary duo dedicated to horological virtuosity and the tradition of jewellery making. First, the brand pays tribute to 30 years of the Kallista with the Kallania, a world first in terms of execution and the number of carats. Then, a first in horology, it uses the flame diamond-cut to stunning effect in two captivating horological gems. Works of art in their own right, these exceptional pieces sublimate the craft of the gem-setter for whom each precious stone is a challenge demanding infinite precision and patience.

Métiers d’Art: carefully fostered by Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin has always combined, at the very highest level, aesthetic expression with the finest mechanical engineering through its use of the Métiers d’Art, traditional craftsmanship and the pursuit of excellence. Throughout its long history, the brand with the Maltese cross has employed the leading craftsmen of the time to produce the very best in both finishing and decoration. This traditional and exclusive expertise has made its reputation and been passed down from generation to generation for over 250 years.

The visionary spirit that guides the craftsmen of the Manufacture links past, present and future in a single overriding commitment to enlightenment, wonder and discovery. Behind this savoir-faire, the human challenges, the true sources of creativity, lie hidden at the heart of its timepieces. This dynamic is present at every stage of the manufacturing process, from design to finishing, with the result that each creation becomes an integral part of the heritage of watchmaking.

Besides the emulation it inspires, this quest for perfection comprises a shared expertise which unites the master craftsmen of Vacheron Constantin. Among these perennial arts, those of jewellery and gem-setting have produced some of the Manufacture’s most resplendent pieces since the beginning of the 19th century.

Since 1755, Vacheron Constantin has focussed on creating what has never been created, on mastering the boldest techniques, and on fusing art and craftsmanship: in other words, on doing better if possible, which is always possible.

The precision and meticulousness behind each creation are an art in themselves, an art that highlights the Métiers d’Art, the enormous human contribution and the Manufacture’s heritage. But are they jewellery watches or watch jewels? Vacheron Constantin brings together the art of watchmaking and the art of jewellery-making in creations that are less about telling the time than savouring an emotion, an emotion intensified by the radiance of diamonds.

Vacheron Constantin pursues its deep commitment to the decorative and technical Métiers d’Art with a masterful demonstration of the savoir-faire nourished for over 250 years by the world’s oldest manufacture.
Over 250 years of scintillating success

The first ladies’ pocketwatches made by Vacheron Constantin were jewellery pieces, the accepted wisdom of the time being that women did not need to keep track of the time and even less to know what it was when they were in society. The Geneva-based manufacture, therefore, designed them as fashion accessories rather than timekeepers. Worn on a chain, suspended from a chatelaine or concealed inside a broach, they ticked away the hours behind the eternal purity of diamonds and the splendour of turquoises, pearls and garnets.

When the brand launched its first wristwatches at the end of the 19th century, it teamed up with the talented Ferdinand Verger, a watchcase manufacturer established in the Place des Victoires in Paris. Their creations, a marriage of watch movements and gemstones, were part of the revival of the jewellery watch.

This was followed in the 20th century by a miracle in miniaturisation: the slimmest baguette-shaped wristwatch in the world housing a movement designed by Vacheron Constantin. The winding-crown positioned on the back of its case opened up aesthetic opportunities in the world of jewellery watches, but still met the Manufacture’s standards of precision.
1979: Kallista, “the most beautiful”, a world record with 130 carats

In 1979, the Manufacture’s expertise produced another legend, the sculptural Kallista, a watch carved from a gold ingot and the fruit of more than 6,000 hours of work. Kallista means “the most beautiful” in Greek and, according to Greek mythology, diamonds were the tears of the gods. 118 stones weighing a record 130 carats cover the slender profile of the Kallista, whose Vacheron Constantin hand-winding movement is the thinnest in the world in its category.

The owner of this divine timepiece was quite right to demand absolute exclusiveness: in the true spirit of the 18th century cabinotiers, only one Kallista was ever made.

This unique masterpiece inspired the great Kalla line, which includes the famous Lady Kalla that won the title of “Montre Joaillerie du Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève” in 2001.
The Flame cut

A first for watchmaking, a new diamond shape lights up the world of time

Marrying different art forms, combining talents, and innovating while respecting one’s heritage: Vacheron Constantin meets these demands by honouring time with what is beautiful, precious, precise and delightful, and by remaining ever attentive to its own creative intuitions. Today, a new diamond shape has been introduced to the world of watches, the flame cut.

As its name suggests, its sparkling surface skilfully catches the light to reflect it more dramatically through its multiple facets.

The flame cut is not only an aesthetic innovation but, with the complicated process needed to make it, a technical one as well. And it is the first cut in twenty years to be officially recognised by the GIA (Gemmological Institute of America).

The flame cut diamond is distinguished by its perfectly proportioned and resolutely feminine contours. With its symbolic shape, the stone seems to blaze and to dance with a light that is reflected and refracted endlessly through its 57 facets.

The intersections of these facets have been designed with mathematical precision to obtain a perfect combination of lustre, radiance and diffusion of light. The unique sparkle is enhanced by the stones’ slender, asymmetrical contours that pave the way for unique creations that are more about sensation than exactitude.

What also makes the flame cut original is that it is the only one with both a right and a left cut, for which a specific setting has to be developed.

Vacheron Constantin has focussed on the sparkling quality of the flame cut diamond this year and presents two spectacular and novel interpretations of Haute Horlogerie jewellery that are as delicate as they are passionate. And to put the finishing touch to the art of jewellery and jewellery-setting, the Manufacture has housed a prestige mechanical movement at its heart.

Kallania

A new world record:
186 emerald-cut diamonds for a total of approximately 170 carats
The embodiment of a living art, the Kallania is a worthy heir of the renowned Kallista, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

A dazzling expression of the passion that inspires the Manufacture’s master craftsmen, it establishes a new world record in terms of execution and the number of carats.

No fewer than 186 emerald-cut diamonds weighing approximately 170 carats illuminate this miracle of patience and perfection.

Before it was individually certified by the independent laboratory of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), each diamond went through a long and thorough selection process from among a large number of stones extracted from several million tonnes of diamantiferous ore. The exceptional level of purity, colour, cut, finishing and homogeneity is a rare achievement indeed.

More than any other factor, it is the proportions and precise positioning of the thousands of facets that make precious stones so beautiful. Perfectly aligned, the facets have been meticulously polished by experts to achieve a maximum clarity of reflected light.

Thanks to their light and delicate finishing, the diamonds reveal all their splendour once they have been inserted using the bead-setting technique; each bead is shaped like an inverted pyramid to lighten the appearance of the piece and highlight its lustre and radiance.

The mounting, which is carved from white gold, gives shape to the cascade of diamonds which cover it. The perfectly integrated case and bracelet give this distinctive cuff-watch a contemporary air.

By combining traditional savoir-faire with contemporary design, Vacheron Constantin has once again affirmed its values in the 21st century. To show its true worth, this collectors’ piece houses the thinnest mechanical movement in the world, the 1003 calibre. Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin, it is stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva.

We love these diamond watches
Lady Kalla Flame and Kalla Haute Couture à Secret

A world first in horology for these two models with their flame cut diamond

Like Haute Horlogerie, Haute Joaillerie stems from the imagination of a master, from his vision of perfection, which is given life by his art and hands.

This inspiration, which brings together passion and craftsmanship, is an integral part of Vacheron Constantin’s intrinsic values. From this springs the creative spark, a spark which has set 2009 ablaze with the Manufacture’s decision to inaugurate a totally new cut and dedicate two exclusive timepieces to it:
Lady Kalla Flame

Kalla Haute Couture à Secret
Created by craftsmen for whom timekeeping is not a priority, these jewellery watches are dressed in flame cut diamonds that give time a new personality.

Each set of precious stones is selected with meticulous care to ensure that it complies with the strictest criteria regarding purity, colour and cut to guarantee perfect uniformity.

Entirely hand-made and exceptionally supple, a technique known as emmaillement reduces the material to a minimum so that the flame cut diamonds cover the whole piece, including the clasp.

The two timepieces are equipped with the celebrated manual-winding 1005 calibre with the crown positioned on the back of the movement.

The Lady Kalla Flame evokes the iconic Lady Kalla launched in 1982. This fabulous timepiece is brought to life by the brilliance of its 200 diamonds. The case dressed in white gold and embracing a diamond-set dial, echoes the flame shape of the gems. The bracelet is a natural extension of the case with its dancing cortège of precious stones that seem to twirl and pirouette at will. The natural, almost sensual, design takes your mind off the time, indicated here by delicately shaped hour and minute hands.

With the Kalla Haute Couture à Secret, time has found its niche. Under the scintillating curtains of 28 flame cut diamonds (totalling 20 carats), a diamond-paved dial lies concealed. Unpretentious in design, and secretive, the timepiece’s slender silhouette extends in two fine lines of 120 diamonds and, like a precious ribbon, encircles the wrist in dazzling undulation. Like a very elegant piece of Haute Couture, this jewellery piece is destined to master the vagaries of time.

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We are seeing a nice new trend of  SAINT-HONORÉ Haussmann Lady luxury watches.
SAINT-HONORÉ complements its Haussman and Orsay collections with the following new additions:

Haussmann Lady
Stainless steel case 38 mm bi-color or pink 18k gold plated. Stainless steel or 18k pink gold plated, set or unset with 42 diamonds (0.24 ct). Deep black dial or mother of pearl dial, set or unset with 12 diamonds (0.31 ct). Anti-reflection sapphire crystal. Quartz movement. Water-resistant to 3 ATM. Date at 6h. Leather or silk strap on deploying buckle.

We have just come back from SIHH (and taken a small blogging break). Now we are swinging into actions with an exciting Golf tournament. Luxury watch brands always outdo themselves in sponsorships.

Ernst Benz sponsored the 20th Anniversary Merrill Lynch Shootout, benefiting CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, which teed off at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida.

World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman welcomed a field of 24 elite golfers from around the world in this unique, team-format PGA Tour Event. Greg Norman presented tournament winners, Scott Hoch and Kenny Perry, with an Ernst Benz ChronoScope 47mm chronograph.