The limited edition Caprice Tiger glistens with an array of gemstones. The tiger form sparkles with diamonds and looks out through emerald eyes, while rubies mark the hour. The simple automatic winding movement features a diamond-set rotor in 22-karat gold, visible through a clear sapphire-crystal case back. The 18-karat white gold case is topped by a brilliant diamond-set bezel. An assortment of satin and galushat straps, and a white-gold bracelet, are available. The Caprice Tiger is presented as a limited-edition collection of 28 pieces.

Complete technical specifications appear below the images, which may be enlarged with a click.

Technical Data

Caliber UN-13
Type Mechanical self-winding movement
Size 11 ½”
Diameter of movement 25.60 mm
Total height of movement 3.60 mm
Total number of jewels 21 jewels
Oscillations 28,800 V/h (4Hz)
Power reserve approximately 42 hours
Crown water-resistant
Case dimension 34 x 35.4mm
Water-resistance 50m
Crystal anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Case back open case back with crystal sapphire
Display center hour and minute hand.
Bracelets assorted satin and galuchat straps; white-gold bracelet

Tiffany introduced its Swiss-quartz powered Gemea at Basel this year. The watch features a unique barrel-shaped double case. The distinctive design is created with two cases fixed on top of one another in opposite directions. Diamonds set along the edge of the cases ascend and descend in size to form a sense of movement on the wearer’s wrist. Three different versions of the 22-mm model are available featuring either a single or double row of diamonds, or a full pavé version with a total of 610 diamonds (3.12 carats)

This timepiece’s black lacquered dial is shielded in anti-reflective treated sapphire crystal and set off by oversize silver Roman numerals and hour markers that radiate from the Tiffany & Co. logo at the center of the dial. The 22-mm white gold models are mounted on a black satin strap and accentuate a white-gold buckle with diamonds and the Tiffany & Co. logo. All versions are water-resistant to 30 meters and come in a smaller 18 mm size. The 22-mm models will also be available in a stainless-steel version with a choice of dials and straps.

The Milus Merea’s name derives from “Mira”, which means wonderful. A close attention to detail makes this watch unique. Its Swiss quartz movement has a slightly oval stainless-steel case measuring 35.8 mm x 36.8 mm x 8.4 mm.

Details such as the interlaced stamping at the center of the watch’s dial add to the elegance of the timepiece. The silver-colored hour and minute hands are coated in white Super-LumiNova for excellent readability in the dark. A window at the six o’clock indicator displays the date. The timepiece is water-resistant to 30 m.

Other versions include a while dial with Arabic numbers on the dial in anthracite and a diamond version with diamonds on the bezel. The watch is also available with alligator straps in either black or white with a buckle or folding clasp.

The suggested retail price for the Merea as shown below is $2100. You may click the image to view a larger version.

Valentino’s Rosier watch has a unique petal design extending from a yellow-gold case with a brushed finish. The petal design is based on the iconic Valentino logo. A polished top ring surrounds the curved sapphire crystal. The dial features diamond indexes at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. The timepiece has a Swiss made quartz movement with time-setting from the case back. The watch is mounted on a lizard strap with deployant buckle.

Salvatore Ferragamo introduces GANCINO charms to its collection. This timepiece has a distinguishing small pendant in the shape of the brand’s iconic gancino on the side of its case. The gancino symbol also appears in a diamond outline on the watch’s guilloché dial. There are 12 brilliant-cut diamonds set on the rotating bezel at the 3 o’clock marker.

The quartz movement is housed in a 36-mm stainless-steel case with an integrated crown. Other versions of the watch feature colored stones set on the bezel: amethyst, smoky quartz, rhodolite and citrine. Each of these versions comes with a strap to match its stone. The retail price for this watch is $1,700.

Hublot and Czech supermodel Veronica Varekova, an ambassador for the African Wildlife Foundation, are joining together to support a great cause and promote Hublot’s new women’s watch line. Varekova and Hublot held a press conference at Cipriani’s Downtown in New York City this past Thursday to announce their joint effort and to unveil the latest timepieces from the line. Varekova will be Hublot’s first celebrity representative for its women’s collection.

Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver was on hand to talk about the brand’s new campaign. Biver affirmed that more and more women desire to wear a timepiece that resembles a man’s watch. He added that Hublot’s inspiration for the line is to create a watch that is “strong, powerful, natural and big” and that uses “innovative colors and materials” symbolic of the modern woman.

Biver also commented on the importance of helping others. “The sharing process is the foundation of the Hublot family,” he asserted. As part of Hublot’s partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation, the organization’s logo will be incorporated into many of Hublot’s campaigns. Several joint events will also be held in support of the foundation’s cause.

Biver also used the occasion to announce that Hublot is opening a four-year watchmaking school at its Swiss factory. Each year, 25 participants will embark on a program that will teach them watchmaking skills at the highest level.

Next month, Versace will unveil its Destiny Spirit watch at Baselworld 2010. The quartz timepiece is a more elaborate reinterpretation of the model that Versace first introduced in 2008. Its stainless-steel 39-mm case is coated in an IP yellow-gold treatment and features the Versace logo. A Medusa symbol, the brand’s well-known icon, adorns the black enamel dial at 12 o’clock. Mini spheres lit up by the Clous de Paris decorative detailing float between the outer bezel and dial. The floating beads create a theme of motion, changing position as the wearer moves. The watch is water-resistant to 3 ATM and is mounted on a black crocodile strap. The Destiny Spirit retails for $1,000.

For the first time in its history, Blancpain has created a special-shaped watch. The Manufacture in Le Brassus is presenting an authentic jewelery creation set with over 500 diamonds and pink sapphires, and housing the world’s smallest self-winding movement, caliber 615. This extraordinary timepiece is to be issued in a symbolically limited edition of 14 to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2010.

Blancpain is reintroducing the famous “Lady Bird” Calibre 615, regarded as the world’s smallest self-winding movement. It can be admired through a sapphire crystal case-back. This unique shaped watch is delivered with two satin straps – one black and the other white. It comes in an elegant presentation box featuring a design reflecting the pure lines of this dainty Valentine’s Day model.

The new Big Bang Steel Tutti Frutti Rose features a fine mother of pearl dial which adds a touch of elegance. The satin-finished case is surrounded by 48 baguette-cut pink sapphires, with an alligator strap to match. The case measures 41mm in diameter and is water resistant to 100 meters. The movement is a mechanical auto-winding Hublot caliber HUB4300.

The Big Bang Steel Tutti Frutti Rose is priced at $19,900. Technical details appear below the image, which may be enlarged with a click.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Case: “Big Bang”, 41 mm diameter in polished steel, with satin-finished endpieces
Bezel: Steel set with 48 baguette-cut pink sapphires, with 6 H-shaped sunken, polished and blocked titanium screws
Crystal: Sapphire with interior anti-reflective treatment
Bezel Lug: Pink composite resin
Lateral inserts: Pink composite resin
Case-back: Steel with sapphire crystal, interior anti-reflective treatment
Crown: Steel with pink natural rubber insert
Push-pieces: Steel, rectangular with pink natural rubber insert
Screws: Titanium
Water resistance: 100 m or 10 ATM
Dial: White mother of pearl with satin-finished rhodium-plated appliques
Hands: Faceted, diamond-set, luminescent white, seconds hand with H-shaped counterweights
Movement: Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding, Hublot Calibre HUB4300
No. of components: 278
Jewels: 37
Bridges: Satin-finished, bevelled & polished
Screws: Black PVD
Date: Trapezoid window at 4.30
Oscillating Weight: Tungsten carbide with black PVD treated dimpled surface
Main plate: Sandblasted & rhodium-plated
Barrel: With reinforced spring
Escapement: Glucydur hairspring
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Strap: Adjustable, in pink alligator skin with pink natural rubber inner
Clasp: Steel deployant buckle

Piaget introduced its Limelight Twice watch in 2009. Two separate Piaget 56P quartz movements power two sets of hands, allowing two different time zones to be displayed. The design employs new technical features including a new integration mode for the case and bracelet, and a hidden time-setting push-button.

In the Haute Joaillerie version (pictured below), one face reveals a diamond-set sunburst motif with a black subdial at 6 o’clock. The second face features Roman numerals on a silver-colored dial with a diamond bezel. The watch has a black satin reversible strap. There are three models available in the Limelight collection, two versions are on a black satin strap and the third is mounted on a gold and diamond bracelet.