TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Caliper Chronograph Has Exotic GT Car Appeal

Sports watch enthusiasts should be pleased with the exciting products that TAG Heuer is showing us this year. The Carrera collection in particular is proving to be a veritable pool of inspiration, with TAG Heuer taking the classic collection to new places where dynamic, ultra-sporty aesthetics interact with sophisticated mechanisms.

I find the new TAG Heuer Grand Carrera 36 RS Caliper Concept Chronograph to be an extremely appealing watch, with a fantastic mix of pure sports-bred details. Greatly influenced by the design of high-performance GT cars, the Caliper Concept Chronograph is technically substantial too, with its high frequency (36,000 vph) self-winding movement which can time intervals to 1/10 of a second, and show the breakdown by means of a unique, precisely graduated rotating scale around the edge of the intricately crafted dial.

The aesthetics of this watch are beyond cool. The chronograph displays are captivating in their intricacy and unique operation–having a rotating disc to indicate elapsed time, rather than the typical hand. The linear second indicator at 9 o’clock is something that is extremely neat as well, and looks like something right off of an automobile’s instrumentation cluster. The automotive elements can be found in many aspects of the case design as well, including the chronograph pushers, whose shape and serrated surface texture calls to mind finely machined pedals.

Henry Dunay Jewelry at BaselWorld 2008 – Diamond Brooch

While the most well known and recognizable Henry Dunay jewelry is his gold Sabi finish jewelry, Dunay is also about so much more. During his 50 years in the jewelry industry, Dunay has grown like an empire, dominating gold jewelry, mastering pave diamond settings and expanding to new ventures including sculptures, collectibles, accessories, luxury watches and his own fragrance “Sabi,” named after his famous jewelry finish.

As a young apprentice to a master goldsmith at the age of 14, Dunay quickly demonstrated his skill and talent with pave diamond settings, seen here in this Henry Dunay diamond brooch, which quickly set him apart from his fellow novices. It was his early experience with and expert-level craftsmanship with the setting which would ignite a lifelong love. He makes use of the setting in many of his pieces.

This Henry Dunay diamond brooch exemplifies his expertise with pave diamond settings. Set in platinum, this brooch features 9.23 carats of white diamonds (212 individually set diamonds) with an 18k gold wavy piece set in platinum.

This piece of Henry Dunay jewelry shows the incredible breadth Dunay has achieved in his career.

Henry Dunay Jewelry at BaselWorld 2008 – Gemstone and Gold Bracelet

Henry Dunay jewelry has returned to BaselWorld 2008, already in full swing, with much to celebrate in the famous Swiss town – 50 years in the jewelry industry for one, and the 2007 release of the designer’s first book titled “Henry Dunay, A Precious Life.”

His book chronicles his early life and his seeming destiny for making the jewelry industry his career and life path from the very beginning. The book is 224 pages within which there is glossy page after glossy page of his breathtaking and awe inspiring jewelry. It was co-authored by two InStyle magazine contributing editors, Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel, and features other writings including an essay by the Curator of Minerals and Gems of the Americn Museum of Natural History George E. Harlow about Dunay’s longtime love affair with rare colored stone as well as interviews with some of Dunay’s clients and family. Offering a personal and dramatic look into the life and career of one of the greatest master jewelers of our time, a man who has been called “a legend,” this book will surely be treasured for generations to come.

This bracelet and ring are just two examples of the incredible creations by Henry Dunay – yet two very classic Henry Dunay pieces that highlight his prowess with gold and pave diamond and his 50 years of experience. An elaborate piece of luxury jewelry, this Henry Dunay bracelet features amazing colored stones of large carat weights combining to create a piece of art fit for a queen, a princess, and you! This Dunay bracelet features pink-red cabochon tanzanite (56.63 carats), a blue cabochon tourmaline (51.69 carats) and a cabochon peridot (55.94 carats) each with a pave diamond trim set in 18k gold. There are 13.06 carats of pave diamonds including the trim and pave diamond oval links. In all, there are 383 individually set diamonds. This couture bracelet also showcases the Dunay Sabi finish – a textured finish of edgy lines and soft curves.

The ring features a cabochon blue tanzanite (35.42 carats) with a pave diamond trim (3.47 carats; 166 individual diamonds) set in 18k gold in the signature and classic Dunay Sabi style.

For the highest quality in gold and diamond settings with rare colored stones, Henry Dunay jewelry is the brand to seek.

BaselWorld 2008

BaselWorld – the international luxury watches and jewelry trade show – got underway today in Basel, Swizterland. The ViaLuxe press corps is in attendance snapping photos, interviewing brand execs like our exclusive interview with Jan Edocs, head of Milus Worldwide, and representatives, and grabbing up press kits.

As we did last year, we will be posting new content every day from the happenings in Basel for both watches and jewelry.

Visit ViaLuxe everyday to read up on the latest news from the famous Swiss town including new watches for 2008, new movements, and all the best in luxury jewelry.