Patrizzi & Co. opened the 2010 season on March 9 in New York City. Sales exceeded $2 million and two-thirds of the 161 lots sold. The top price of $250,000 was paid for a 1929 gold and nephrite Cartier Comet table clock featuring grande sonnerie chimes—the most complicated mechanism ever made by the company. A Patek Philippe Celestial ref. 5102 wristwatch brought $180,000, and a platinum Louis Cartier Art Déco Tank watch produced in 1929 set a world record at $135,000 – well above the presale estimate.

In addition to the catalog auction, Patrizzi & Co hosted its second silent sale with three-day viewings in Hong Kong and New York City. Thirty-nine pieces were sold for a total of more than $110,000. Purchasers appreciated the wide range of brands and styles, and took advantage of the “Buy Now” option. “This is a different type of selling during our previews that brings a whole new level of excitement and interest with a large selection of secondhand and collector-level wristwatches, pocket watches and clocks. We will be introducing it to our Geneva auction for the first time in April,” said company founder Osvaldo Patrizzi.

The Cartier Comet table clock

The Patek Philippe Celestial ref. 5102

This platinum Louis Cartier Tank watch set a world record

Additional sale results along with high resolution images are available at the Patrizzi & Co. website.

Azimuth and Mexican explorer Fernando Alberto Lozano Andrade have collaborated to create the new Xtreme-1 series of three watches: the Sea Hum GMT, Sea Hum 3TZ, and the Deep Diver. Fernando has previously climbed two volcanos: 19,400 foot Licancabur in Chile-Bolivia, and 16,500 foot Popocatepetl in Mexico. This year he will climb the 22,608 foot Ojos del Salado volcano on the Argentina-Chile border and dive in its crater lake. If successful, Fernando will set a world record for high altitude diving.

The Xtreme-1 collection has been created for extreme sports enthusiasts. The Sea Hum 3TZ displays up to 3 time zones and is waterproof to 500m, while the Sea Hum GMT allows the quick reading of up to 2 different time zones while enabling the wearer to dive to a depth of 1500m. The Deep Diver comes in a seldom seen square titanium case. Square cases are traditionally difficult to waterproof, however Azimuth tackled this problem by creating a separate capsule to house the ETA 2826 Big Date movement. The capsule is inserted into the square case housing and held securely by 6 screws.

Both the Sea Hum GMT and the Deep Diver are equipped with a Helium Escape Valve (HEV) which allows the wearer to dive to depths of 1500m and 2000m respectively while avoiding the danger of the crystal popping off due to atmospheric pressure building up inside the watch case. The crystals in both watches are double domed to provide added strength. All 3 watches in the Xteme-1 range offer 46 hours of power reserve, big hands with applied Super Luminova as well as Luminova filled hour markers for easy reading.

The USA MSRPs are:

Sea Hum 3TZ – $2,350
Sea Hum GMT – $2,650
Deep Diver – $4,250

Additional information appears below the images.

Azimuth Xtreme-1 GMT

Azimuth Xtreme -1 3TZ

Azimuth Xtreme – 1 Deep Diver

Xtreme-1 Deep Diver

Mvt: Automatic ETA 2826-2 encapsulated in a movement capsule and further protected by an anti magnetic dust cover.
Beat: High beat 28,800 A/h
Function: Big Date. Automatic with 46 hour power reserve.
Case: 56.5mm x 46mm x 20mm (LxBxH). One piece high grade Titanium equipped with Helium Gas Escapement Valve.
Crystal: Double domed Sapphire, double coated.
Sapphire thickness: 4.00mm.
Winding Crown: Screw down waterproof Titanium crown.
Bezel: Single directional ratcheting bezel with Super Luminova depth markings.
Dial/Hand Set: Super Luminova filled markers and Hands.
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap with Deployant buckle.
Waterproof: 2,000m / 6562ft.

Xtreme-1 Sea-Hum GMT

Mvt: Automatic ETA 2836 protected by an anti magnetic dust cover.
Beat: High beat 28,800 A/h
Function: Automatic with 46 hour power reserve. GMT function set independently via winding crown.
Case Width: 45mm.
Height from case back to tip of crystal: 18.2mm
Material: High grade 316L stainless steel case equipped with Helium Gas Escapement Valve.
Crystal: Double domed Sapphire, double coated.
Sapphire thickness: 4.00mm.
Winding Crown: Screw down waterproof stainless steel crown.
Bezel: Single directional ratcheting bezel with Super Luminova depth markings.
Dial/Hand Set: Super Luminova filled markers and Hands with Red minute hand for better clarity under water.
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet with Deployant buckle.
Waterproof: 1,500m / 4,921ft.

Xtreme-1 Sea-Hum 3TZ

Mvt: Automatic ETA 2836 protected by an anti magnetic dust cover.
Beat: High beat 28,800 A/h
Function: Automatic with 46 hour power reserve. 3 Time Zone function set independently via winding crown.
Case Width: 45mm.
Height from case back to tip of crystal: 12mm
Material: High grade 316L stainless steel case.
Crystal: Flat Sapphire, double coated.
Sapphire thickness: 2.50mm.
Winding Crown: Screw down waterproof stainless steel crown.
Bezel: Bi-directional ratcheting bezel with Super Luminova 24Hr markings.
Dial/Hand Set: Super Luminova filled markers and Hands.
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet with Deployant buckle.
Waterproof: 500m / 1,640ft.

Jaeger-LeCoultre presents its second online auction, taking place from March 18, 2010, to benefit the UNESCO World Heritage Center. This year, the Manufacture is offering an iconic and unique timepiece: one of the two vintage 1958 Geophysic Chronometers Model E168 tested by professional climber Stephane Schaffter and his team during their recent Geophysic Expedition to the Himalayas.

The online auction will start on March 18th, 2010 at 12.00 C.E.T. and ends on March 24th, 2010 at 12.00 C.E.T. Join the bidding for a worthy cause, visit www.auction.jaeger-lecoultre.com from March 10th.

About the Watch

Geophysic Chronometer Model E168 production was limited to just 1290 pieces. Since the 1950s, it has become one of the most iconic pieces in the history of the Grande Maison, and was the inspiration behind the latest breakthrough, the Master Compressor Extreme LAB2 introduced at the SIHH 2010 in Geneva. The watch up for auction is an authentic Model E168, sourced from Jaeger-LeCoultre, casing number 748166, Calibre Jaeger-LeCoultre P478BWSbr, manufactured in 1958. Its genuine Calibre P478BWSbr is part of the Calibre version which was manufactured only to 2500 pieces between 1957 and 1959. It comes with the very Ostrich leather strap used by the climbers, along with a second new black leather strap, dedicated Geophysic packaging and the extract from the Archives Jaeger-LeCoultre.

The 1958 Geophysic Chronometer is one of the most important models in the history of Jaeger-LeCoultre and fine watchmaking. It was created during The International Geophysical Year. The technical characteristics of the watch matched the needs of researchers, whether on polar base stations, in laboratories or during underwater expeditions. The Geophysic Chronometer was equipped with a case resistant to magnetic fields up to 600 gauss – at that time an extraordinary quantity – during an era when magnetic fields represented one of the main areas of scientific study. The precision, the resistance, and the reliability of the watch made it an emblem of excellence – to the extent that when a group of residents of Geneva, decided to honor the feat accomplished by the American atomic submarine Nautilus, which had just reached the North Pole, they chose the Geophysic Chronometer as their symbolic gift.

About the Auction

Proceeds from the auction will go to India’s Sundarbans UNESCO World Heritage site, created in 1987. The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world (approx. 350,000 acres), lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal, adjacent to its border. The site is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes. The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.

The World Heritage Committee identified the site as one of the largest remaining areas of mangroves in the world. In the context of its “Making Time More Beautiful” approach, which endeavors both to preserve the exceptional natural environment of the Vallée de Joux and to support ambitious projects on an international scale, Jaeger-LeCoultre has a long-term partnership with the UNESCO World Heritage Center and the International Herald Tribune to help defend and protect outstanding marine sites that require immediate intervention to be saved. The auction is a chance for watch lovers and collectors to participate in this worthy cause.

You may click the images to view larger versions.

Author Elizabeth Doerr and photographer Ralf Baumgarten will be signing copies of Doerr’s new book Twelve Faces of Time during Baselworld. Joining them will be 11 of the watchmakers featured in the book: Philippe Dufour, Vianney Halter, Felix Baumgartner, Thomas Prescher, Volker Vyskocil, Paul Gerber, Beat Haldimann, Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, Kari Voutilainen, Roger Smith, and François-Paul Journe. The signing will take place March 20 and 21 at 2 p.m. at the Messeplatz, directly in front of Hall 1.0, in the book hut run by Watchprint.

These are images from the 12 Faces launch party at Baselworld 2009:

(L to R): Leonid Khankin, Elizabeth Doerr and Philippe Dufour enjoy the festivities.

(L to R) Leonid Khankin, Elizabeth Doerr, Kari Voutilainen, Ralf Baumgarten and Roger Smith

H. Moser’s Perpetual 1 collected one of Germany’s most prestigious awards when more than 10,000 enthusiasts voted it the winner of the Goldene Unruh (Golden Balance) in the category for watches priced above 25,000 euros. The award is presented by WatchTime’s sister publication Uhren Magazin in partnership with the popular German magazine Focus. Ten watches in each of 5 price categories are presented and the winners are selected by popular vote by readers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Top Hollywood celebrities wore IWCs as they made their way down the famous red carpet Sunday night. Taylor Lautner wore the Portuguese Chrono Automatic, Quentin Tarantino wore the Big Pilot, and Robin Williams wore the Pilot’s Mark XVI. Parmigiani Fleurier once again co-sponsored Sony Pictures Classics’ pre-Oscar celebration in Beverly Hills on Saturday night. Guests included Best Actress Nominee Carey Mulligan for “An Education” along with Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. Parmigiani is an active partner of Sony Pictures Classics events; this is the third Oscar event Parmigiani has sponsored for the independent film company.

Below, Michelle Veyna, President of Parmigiani Fleurier North America (R) with Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan who starred in “An Education”

Michelle Veyna with Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren

DeWitt has announced that Jon Omer has joined the company and that he will lead all DeWitt activities in North America, including Mexico and the Caribbean. Prior to joining DeWitt, Mr. Omer served as vice president at Harry Winston where he reorganized distribution and grew sales. Mr. Omer also oversaw Bulgari’s growth in North America for more than 10 years. Mr. Omer is Chairman of the American Watch Association and on the Board of Directors of the American Watch Guild.

Each year, Breitling creates a unique piece named Bentley Masterpiece: a mechanical magnum opus combining tradition, performances and the finest craftsmanship. This year at Baselworld, Breitling will unveil its new, one-of-a-kind Grande Complication pocket watch dedicated to the Bentley’s founder. The 2010 Masterpiece combines two sophisticated complications: a perpetual calendar displaying the date, day, month, leap years and moon phases, and a minute repeater.

The movement, based on a late 19th century blank of which Breitling found just a few examples in its workshops, comprises almost 700 parts. The refined finishing – hand polishing, chamfering, and Côtes de Genève – is visible through a transparent caseback. In tribute to Walter Owen Bentley, the cover of the 18-carat yellow gold case is adorned with an engraving depicting him at the wheel of one of his racing models. This portrait is accompanied by the famous “W.O.” initials by which the engineers and craftsmen of the British firm – like all devotees of fine automobiles – still refer to the revered founder of Bentley.

In the past, Breitling’s unique pocket watches have been sold at auction or to private clients at prices in the $250, 000 to $300,000 range.

You may click the images below to enjoy larger versions.

How much do you know about the various quality seals and certificates awarded to watch movements these days? Find out by taking the WatchTime test. As always, the answers appear at the bottom.

1. Which of the following is required for a movement to receive the Geneva Seal?
A. The escape wheel axle must be set in rubies.
B. The bridges must have Geneva stripes.
C. The movement must have a screwed balance.
D. The jewels must be set in gold chatons.

2. Which of the following brands only sells watches with movements bearing the Geneva Seal?
A. Vacheron Constantin
B. F.P. Journe
C. Roger Dubuis
D. Richard Mille

3. The Geneva Seal requires that a movement be accurate to what mean deviation per day:
A. -4/+6 seconds
B. -3/+5 seconds
C. -5/+6 seconds
D. None of the above

4. Which of the following is NOT true of the Patek Philippe Seal?
A. Its precision standards are the same as those of COSC (Contrôle officiel suisse des chronomètres).
B. It has different requirements for tourbillon and non-tourbillon watches.
C. All new Patek Philippe watches on the market bear the seal.
D. The tests for the seal are administered by Patek Philippe itself.

5. Which brand in 2009 announced that thereafter none of its watches would be stamped with the Geneva Seal?
A. Bovet
B. Patek Philippe
C. Harry Winston
D. Piaget

6. How many movements were certified by COSC in 2008, the latest year for which the COSC has released figures?
A. 974,284
B. 1,599,588
C. 2,473,207
D. 3,378,359

7. What percentage of COSC certificates were awarded to Rolex in 2008?
A. 28
B. 38
C. 48
D. 58

8. After Rolex, the company that received the highest number of COSC certificates in 2008 was
A. Omega
B. Breitling
C. Panerai
D. TAG Heuer

9. How long does COSC spend testing each movement?
A. 3 days
B. 10 days
C. 15 days
D. 1 month

10. What percentage of COSC certificates went to quartz movements in 2008?
A. 22
B. 15
C. 8
D. 4

11. Which of the following Swiss towns has a quality seal named after it?
A. Fleurier
B. Tavannes
C. Bienne
D. Le Brassus

12. The chronometer testing facility in Glashütte, Germany, differs from COSC in that it
A. Tests cased, rather than uncased, movements
B. Tests watches in 6 positions
C. Tests watches at 4 temperatures
D. B and C

ANSWERS:

1. A. There are 12 requirements that a movement must meet to earn the Geneva Seal. One is that the axels of all the wheels in the gear train, plus the escape wheel, be set in rubies.

2. C.

3. D. The Geneva Seal does not have any requirements regarding the watch’s precision. They pertain only to the finishing of the movement.

4. A. The precision requirements are stricter for the Patek Philippe Seal than for COSC certification: movements with a diameter of 20 mm or more must be accurate to -3/+2 seconds per day, versus the COSC standard of -4/+6 seconds per day. Another difference: Patek Philippe has different requirements for tourbillon watches than for non-tourbillon ones: the former must be accurate to -2/+1 seconds per day.

5. B. When it announced its new Patek Philippe Seal at Baselworld in 2009, the company said it would no longer be using the Geneva Seal, which all its movements had borne until then.

6. B. The figure represented a 8.6 percent increase over the prior year.

7. C. Rolex received 769,850 certificates. It has for many years received more COSC certificates than any other company.

8. A. Omega received 377,514 certificates. It was followed by Breitling (234,021), Panerai (46,446) and TAG Heuer (35,429)

9. C. During the 15 days, the movement’s accuracy is checked in five positions and at three temperatures.

10. D. In 2008, COSC awarded 62,638 certificates to quartz movements. Breitling received the vast majority (56,224) of them.

11. A. The Fleurier Quality Foundation seal was established in 2001. It is awarded to watches on the basis of both technical and aesthetic criteria.

12. A. The four-year-old facility, owned by the German company Wempe but operated by an independent laboratory, uses the same timing tolerances as COSC but, unlike COSC, tests the movements in their cases.

The members at TimeZone.com have voted the Lange Zeitwerk “Watch of the Year”. About 800 watch enthusiasts took part in the poll. This is the Zeitwerk’s ninth award since May, 2009. Last week, Lange’s latest iconic model took second prize in the category “Watches over 25,000 Euro” in Germany’s “Goldene Unruh” (Golden Balance) awards given by WatchTime’s sister publication Uhren Magazin in cooperation with Germany’s Focus magazine. More than 10,000 people cast votes in that competition.

Lange’s prize-winning Zeitwerk