Archive for October, 2009
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 1921 Wins Montres Passion Watch of the Year
The Swiss watch magazine Montres Passion selected the Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 as Watch of the Year for 2009. Vacheron also won the award in 2007 for its Patrimony Contemporary Retrograde Date and Day. Vacheron Constantin CEO Juan-Carlos Torres accepted the prize on October 28 at the Geneva Intercontinental Hotel before an audience of more than 500 people.
Patrizzi & Co. Geneva Auction Brings Over $6.2 Million
In the month leading up to the Patrizzi & Co. auction on October 25, more than 3,500 people visited the house’s web site each day to research items included in the sale. On sale day in Geneva, about 60 bidders were present in the auction room and another 45 participated online. 70% of the 253 lots were sold in two sessions, achieving CHF6,345,600 or about $6,230,525.
Vincent Perriard Appointed CEO of TechnoMarine
Vincent Perriard has been appointed CEO of TechnoMarine. Perriard has held several leadership positions in marketing, product development and general management at brands such as Audemars Piguet, Hamilton (Swatch Group) and most recently as global president at Concord, where the brand was re-launched in 2007 and the C1 Quantum Gravity won the design award at the 2008 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve.
IWC Opens Flagship Boutique in Hong Kong
Hong Kong and Schaffhausen may seem worlds apart, but they have something in common: a very special place to view IWC timepieces. IWC’s Flagship Boutique is their fourth Hong Kong location, and the most extravagant, and it may provide a model for future boutiques in key markets. The boutique presents a unique backdrop and offers insight into the worlds of IWC.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition
Omega has announced the launch of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal in a limited edition of 1948 pieces, in honor of the year the Seamaster was launched. The watch features a ceramic bezel with the numbers and scale made from Liquidmetal, an alloy created by Swatch Group researchers collaborating with Omega’s product development team.
Patek Philippe’s Thierry Stern: Past, Present, Future
WatchTime’s last feature, titled “Executive Sweep”, looked at the number of top watch company executives being replaced as a result of the economic downturn. This new article focuses on a transfer of executive power of a different type altogether. At family-owned Patek Philippe, top executives do not come and go. This story is about the fourth generation, Thierry Stern, assuming the position of president. On October 15, WatchTime had an opportunity to sit down with Thierry to discuss his past, and his future.
Swiss Watch Exports Decline Again, Reaching 2006 Level
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry has released Swiss watch export figures for September, 2009, and the downward trend continues. The value of Swiss watch exports fell by 26.1% to 1.1 billion francs. Overall exports are down 25.9% for the first 3 quarters of 2009. Swiss watch exports have now retreated to their 2006 level.
Alpina Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit
Alpina presents the new 46mm Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit, available in 2 cases: stainless steel and “Full Black” PVD, both with a black PVD bezel. Two dial options are also available: black with red subdials and full matte black. The indexes, including the hours, are double digit. Alpina’s “Extreme” design elements carry over.
Hublot Big Bang Gold for the Holidays
This holiday season, Hublot suggests the Big Bang Gold. The 5N red gold case measures 44.5mm in diameter and features a bezel wearing a vertical satin finish with 6 titanium H-shaped countersunk, polished screws. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal covers a matte black dial with red gold indexes that match the color of the case. The crown and push-pieces are similarly 5N red gold, with rubber inserts.
UTS 2000M Pacific Horizon Blue Limited Edition
For more than 10 years mechanical engineer Nicolaus Spinner and business partner Stephen Newman have been building quality tool watches for professionals. UTS watches are all exclusive designs, the cases are manufactured in-house, and the watches are hand-assembled near Munich. The 2000M Pacific Horizon Blue will be produced in a limited series of 200 pieces with an MSRP of $3800.
-
-
-
IWC and Parmigiani Go To The Oscars
Breitling's Chronomat B01 With Manufacture Movement
Breitling Basel Preview: Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel Limited Edition
Montblanc TimeWalker Dual Carbon Chronograph
Awards Keep Coming for Lange Zeitwerk
Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Ceramica
Luminox Launches New BlackOut Series for Fall
H. Moser Perpetual 1 Takes Top Award
