Breguet Reine de Naples Cammea Watch: A Stunning Revival Of Cameo Work

Gorgeous ladies timepieces are not in short supply these days.  However, there’s nothing quite like the extraordinary Reine de Naples Ref. 8958 “Cammea” watch from Breguet.  Breguet’s artisans went beyond elegant casework (something all Reine de Naples models certainly have) beyond gem-setting excellence (unquestioned), and even beyond a fine mechanical movement (a given-this is Breguet).  They turned to the nearly forgotten cameo, an ancient art involving the intricate carving of stones such as carnelian or agate.  Remarkably, in creating the Cammea watch, Breguet elected to use seashell–an exceptional challenge due to the fingerprint-unique layer structure, shape variances, and transparency of this  material. Continue Reading… »

Patek Philippe Ref. 5131 World Time Watch Showcases Glories Of Cloisonne Enamel

The Patek Philippe Ref. 5131 World Time watch was certainly a pleasing introduction at Baselworld 2008.   A fine continuation of the brand’s rich history with this charming complication, the Ref. 5131 is especially remarkable due to its amazing cloisonne enamel dial.  As is well known to many watch lovers, cloisonne is a remarkable art form, practiced by a tiny handful of extremely skilled artisans.  Created by kiln firing powdered glass within delicately shaped borders of hand-bent gold wire Continue Reading… »

Omega Racend Timer Watch Unites Vintage Aesthetics And Modern Horological Technique

I doubt I’m the only watch enthusiast who was pleased by the Omega Museum Collection No8 Racend Timer, which was unveiled at Baselworld 2008.  A delightful throwback to classical Omega chronographs from the 1940’s and 1950’s, this timepiece has a number of charming details that are straight off the page of important historical predecessors.

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Breguet Ref. 1160 Pocket Watch–The Glorious “Marie Antoinette” Is Born Again

And suddenly, the secret was unveiled. After immense amounts of hush-hush by Nicholas Hayek concerning the creation of an extremely complicated pocket watch duplicating Abraham-Louis Breguet’s legendary “Marie Antoinette”, the fruit of the Breguet artisans was revealed at Baselworld 2008. And was it ever worth the wait!

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Zenith Mega Port Royal Tourbillon: Behind Bars for 2008

At Baselworld 2008, the Swiss luxury watch brand Zenith has unveiled a new Port Royal Tourbillon model which is definitely going to polarize the watch coterie.  Though I ever strive to be as objective as possible, I am going to have a hard time warming to this one. Why go to the trouble of showing a tourbillon through a dial aperture, only to cover the dial with a grill that only reveals enough of the mechanism to get you aggravated?

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Basel 2008: Hublot Big Bang Classic Watch Defined By Clean Simplicity

The Hublot Big Bang Classic watch is sure to gain Hublot even more fans. After a range of complications ranging from the popular chronograph to the ultra-exclusive tourbillon in myriad guises, those who find the greatest pleasure in simplicity finally have a Big Bang watch that is made just for them.

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Basel 2008: Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Watch Enhanced By New ‘Teck Concept’ Dials

Its amazing the difference a dial can make. The new “Teck Concept” dials shown on
the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Gents watches at Baselworld 2008 are a perfect illustration. The addition of a vertical line pattern–a design element inspired by the decks of luxury yachts–adds a new dimension to the classical yet dashing design of the Seamaster Aqua Terra watch. While the old dial offerings are classically pleasant, the line pattern texture adds critical depth, and makes the watch quite dashing.

The aesthetics of this Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra watch is particularly effective in the 18K red gold version, whose rich brown dial looks incredibly handsome against the luxurious tone of the precious metal.

Baselworld 2008: A Super Success For Visitors, Exhibitors, And The Luxury Industry

In the aftermath of ten festive days, the dust has cleared: it seems that Baselworld 2008 was a smash, in more ways than one. A whopping 106,000 visitors from all over the world flooded the 36th World Watch and Jewellery Show, with its many exciting events—a increase of 5% from last year!

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Basel 2008: Hermès Harnais Pocket Watch A Fashionable, Versatile Timekeeping Accessory

Hermès has shown us a novel reinvention of the classic pocket watch at BaselWorld 2008. The Harnais Pocket watch features a 45mm stainless steel case upon a luxurious backing made made from exotic leathers crafted in the legendary Hermès tradition. A matching leather cord allows the watch to be worn as a sautoir-type necklace, or slipped casually into the pocket. It seems the Harnais Pocket watch was quite the accessory at the the Hermès Spring-Summer 2008 fashion show, where at the suggestion of famed fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier, it was provocatively featured tied around bag handles.

Function is equal to fashion. The large diameter and clear dial makes reading the time and date a simple matter; too, the quartz movement assures extremely accurate timekeeping, and optimal convenience for active fashionistas. A range of exquisite leathers, including black or natural barenia calf, white Epsom calf, or alligator in black or agate red colors ensure that the Hermès Harnais timepiece can be the perfect accessory for nearly any wardrobe or luxurious luggage ensemble.

Breguet Introduces Haute Joaillerie

Three words: TO. DIE. FOR. Breguet unveiled its new Regal Haute Joaillerie collection at Baselworld 2008, which includes numerous examples of drop dead gorgeous high jewelry and watches. These pieces are amazingly crafted and designed and even in sketch form, you can imagine how incredibly breathtaking they will be in person. Breguet describes the new collection as “An ode to women and feminine sensitivity,” which “grants itself the privilege of eternity. Precious stones and gold illuminate these jewellery models with a dazzling light over which time has no power.” These beauties have quite a reputation to uphold. I will be the first in line to see this magnificent Les Plumes watch. It is made of 18 carat white gold with baguette-cut rubies and 1,200 TW/IF-VVS diamonds. It is self-winding and also features an 18k silvered gold dial with mother-of-pearl overlay and signature Breguet Arabic numerals, surely pleasing to any distinguishing eye or wrist. I have certainly found my new watch amore in Breguet Haute Joaillerie!