The Taiwanese-born movie star and celebrity told the press: "I was delighted when Frederique Constant asked me to be their Chinese Ambassador for the Ladies collection. I have always loved watches and I am very excited by the new Ladies Automatic Double Heartbeat Chocolate Pavee". During the day program, Frederique Constant presented itself to a large number of VIP journalists at Sanbao, the flagship store of watch distributor XinYu Hengdeli in Beijing's main shoppingstreet Wangfujing. At night, an exclusive dinner took place at Meilanfan...

Yu Liao, Blancpain Vice-President China, Andre Meier, Blancpain Vice-President Sales, Ji Li, Vice-President of the Palace Museum, Wei Lou, Collections Director of the Palace Museum. The Forbidden City and the Palace Museum Lying at the heart of China's capital city, Beijing, the 720,000 square-metre Forbidden City is considered the largest and most splendid palace in the world. Formerly carefully guarded, this palace has now open to the public and welcomes around 8 million visitors each year. Within its walls, the 160,000 square-metre Pal...

Blancpain, the world

To commemorate this night, Vacheron Constantin honored the achievements of author Salman Rushdie, architect Richard Meier, and news anchor Charlie Rose. Marc Guten, International Director of Vacheron Constantin and Julien Tornare, President of Vacheron Constantin North America, hosted the spectacular event which took place at the Frank Gehry-designed IAC Building in New York City and benefited the Afghanistan World Foundation (AWF). Hollywood's brightest stars came out to support the launch of Quai de l'Ile. Joining the guests were Grammy Awar...

Within the villas, the Vacheron Constantin Mansion, Shanghai, private collection and one of its kind services offers customers an Haute Horlogerie experience; the Alfred Dunhill Shanghai Home offers the modern gentlemen a world of pure indulgence with a dream ambiance; Hong Kong private members' club - KEE, to simply enjoy the finer things in life in a magnificent setting, and Shanghai's top contemporary art gallery - ShanghART, presents collections to please your senses. The four occupants harmoniously bring together the best of the best, offe...

Reflecting the philosophy prevailing in the Manufacture in Le Brassus, a village nestling at the far end of the Lac de Joux, Blancpain Boutiques convey the same spirit that pervades the workshops of its master-watchmakers. Crafted by a skilled cabinetmaker from the Vallee de Joux, the interior design of the boutique is imbued with the regional heritage and the Blancpain horological know-how perpetuated for the past 270 years. Noble woodwork, refined mouldings, pure, streamlined furniture, along with traditional wrought iron catches adorning...

His name has been synonymous with the finest football artistry for almost 20 years, and Luis Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, to give him his full name, already stood out clearly from the crowd as a youth. He was a member of the Portuguese national junior team which won the World Cup title in 1989, and in the same year, even as a 17-year-old, he played in the first team of his home club Sporting Lisbon for the Portuguese Championship. Since then, it has no longer been possible to imagine the large stage of international football without Figo. He has...

By establishing its first own store in Japan, A. Lange & Sohne intends to bring the precision and quality of this traditional German brand nearer to its customers. On the 3rd of October an exclusive "Home of Time" opened in Ginza in the heart of the city: A. Lange & Sohne Tokyo, where time is perfectly at home and visitors can experience the history and philosophy of the art of Lange watchmaking. The 3rd of October marks the day when Germany was reunified in 1990, a historical event that lay the foundations for Walter Lange's return to his home...

A heating system that respects the environment: Audemars Piguet has begun work on

The Portuguese not only discovered Madeira, the Azores and the Cape Verde Islands, but they also established where the best watches could be found: in Switzerland. This is what brought the two Portuguese businessmen Rodrigues and Teixeira to Schaffhausen in 1936 where they asked the International Watch Company to supply a timepiece to be worn on the wrist but with the qualities of a marine chronometer. It had to be a large watch, contrary to the contemporary trend, and it was also required to provide precise timekeeping. Rodrigues and Teixei...

It has self-winding movement, silvered 18-carat gold dial, hand-engraved on a rose-engine, age and phase of the moon indication at 2 o'clock and date indication at 6 o'clock. Features include power-reserve indication at 10:30 with 45 hours power reserve. It has 37 jewels. The watch has sapphire-crystal caseback and its reference number is 7137BA/11/9V6.

Although Zinedine Zidane ended his career as an active footballer two years ago, he continues to play a leading position in the hearts of his fans and live up to his status as a sporting legend. Zinedine Zidane, a French national born in Marseilles, has been named World Footballer of the Year on three separate occasions, and in 1999 even World Sportsman of the Year. Together with his clubs Juventus Turin and Real Madrid, he collected numerous national and international titles. However, the high point of his career was undoubtedly winning the Wo...

100% Squadra design The aesthetics of the Reverso Squadra Lady dial is imbued with a rich diversity: straight transferred numerals against a silver-coloured base to maintain the sporting spirit of the Reverso Squadra, or numerals with an original geometrical shape against a sunburst guilloche motif underscored by two rows of diamonds. Reverso Squadra Lady Automatic: exquisite refinement and a sophisticated movement In harmony with the spirit of the Reverso Squadra, this distinctive model features a silver-coloured and guilloch -worked dial...

The powerful design of this legendary model, much sought-after by collectors, is the inspiration behind many of today's timepieces, from Master Compressor to AMVOX. In 2008, the Manufacture pays tribute to the legendary Polaris by creating a replica of the two most emblematic Memovox Polaris models. While the design remains faithful to the original, the movement incorporates the latest technical innovations of Jaeger-LeCoultre's automatic movements. Legendary model Originally equipped with the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 825, the Mem...

Gyrotourbillon Universally acclaimed upon its introduction barely four years ago, the spherical tourbillon has found a natural new field of aesthetic expression in the Reverso with its distinctive shape that highlights the absolute beauty of this peerless technical achievement, while incorporating innovations that make it even more spectacular and accurate. Cylindrical balance-spring The Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 is equipped with a cylindrical balance-spring featuring terminal curves, inspired by the mechanism of marine chronometers. Combin...

The Tourbillon A tourbillon geared towards accuracy as well as sturdiness, thanks to a large variable-inertia balance ensuring impeccable shock resistance and a high frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Titanium tourbillon carriage requiring less energy to move, a further guarantee of accuracy. Jumping date hand So as not to hamper the view of the tourbillon carriage, the dates of the 15th and the 16th are placed on either side of its opening and the date hand makes a larger jump. Hand-decorated movement, matching the prestige of th...

Skeletonised movement A decorative work of art for a highly complicated model that takes two full months to craft each movement. Planisphere: decoration and skeletonisation of the movement to illustrate a planisphere represented by the combination of the base-plate, the three-quarter plate, the date bridge, the balance-cock and the power-reserve bridge. Aesthetic challenge Ensuring the readability of the perpetual calendar, moon-phase, day/night and power-reserve indications, while preserving the overall transparency was made possible by t...

A great classic reinterpreted Absolute purity, from the ultra-classical dial to the finely sculpted pink gold case. The applied dagger-shaped hour-markers and numerals are in gold, swept over by dauphine hands. The streamlined profiles of the lugs and the slender bezel are a glowing tribute to the movement, which may be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back. Ultra-thin movement Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 849, 123 parts and 21,600 vibrations per hour; only 1.85 mm thick. To guarantee this slenderness, it is equipped wi...

The patented crystal gongs The watch boasts exceptional acoustic performances thanks to the patented "crystal gongs" system. The gong heel (shown here gilded and engraved with the number "1833"), is welded to the sapphire crystal in order to benefit from the celerity of the sapphire crystal which is far greater than that of the gongs. The quality of the sound is improved by the latest research on the gongs, which are made from a special material and feature a progressive square section and fabrication in one piece, directly incorporating th...

The first ever round ceramic case produced by the brand. A high-tech zirconium ceramic material made using the only cutting-edge process able to meet the stringent quality demands of an Haute Horlogerie watch. This technology, generally used in aviation and the production of medical instruments, consists in heating powders but without taking them to their melting point. The ceramics used in the AMVOX3 Tourbillon GMT thus offer peerless resistance and stability for a material barely heavier than titanium but much lighter than steel and twice as...

The first ceramic Reverso A model as exceptional as the Reverso Squadra World Chronograph Polo Fields could certainly justify the first ever use of ceramics in the Reverso range. Highly technical, incredibly resistant and ultra-sporty, only such a model could display this extreme design consisting of a pivoting black ceramic case resting on a pink-gold or titanium carrier. An automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre movement Specially designed for the Reverso Squadra World Chronograph Polo Fields, the twin-barrel automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 753 a...

This chronograph is housed in a 38-millimeter case and is a functional daily companion, combining modern technical perfection with a touch of luxury. The model is available in two different case materials: rose gold and stainless steel. Both variations are outfitted with a shimmering pastel-colored dial created from paper-thin mother-of-pearl. Roman numerals mark the 12 and 6 o'clock positions on the dial, while applied rose gold markers illustrate divisions of other hours. The designers have placed special value on the balanced position...

A sea of blossoms, almost surreally beautiful, represents the spring. The fragrant flood of flowers prevalent in this season, shimmering like silk and mother-of-pearl in the spring sunshine, served as the source of inspiration for Glashutte Original's designers. They created SpringBlossom as a magnificent piece to seduce the senses - something with which the feminine woman loves to clothe herself: The case of the new timepiece is crafted in polished white gold; while a bezel set with 64 clear white diamonds frames the dial. The dial itself,...

Pure white gold is used for the case of this extravagant luxury creation. The dial crafted in solid gold is framed by a bezel set with 44 baguette-cut diamonds. A comet-like star made of diamonds trailing a tail of rays - looking like something that has come out of a fairy tale - is the eye-catcher against the black background dial. One hundred twenty two white diamonds are set by a master's hand so that the shiny gems shine like stars in the night sky. The panorama date with its white numerals against the black background is consciously...

One look at the sporty timekeeper is enough to see that it is all about the unstoppable aspect of time. The striking Sport Evolution Perpetual Calendar announces its ambitions in a monumental case characterized by dynamic robustness 42.5 mm in diameter and 14.6 mm in height. The appearance of the black galvanized dial is striking in its clean structure. Thus, the day of the week and the month are displayed in two small windows located at 10 and 2 o'clock respectively. The leap year is modestly displayed in a round window underneath the compa...

Both timepieces present themselves in a tonneau-shaped rose gold case full of character, whose contours are charmingly structured in a visual sense thanks to the interplay of satin-finished and polished surfaces. An absolute highlight is the cleanly designed silver-plated dial. The center of time is flanked by a circle of DIN numerals on both these Senator Karree models, whose numbers are consciously interrupted by the minute scale. In order to visually set off the 12 o'clock position, a polished rose gold double hour marker was applied to t...

In creating this functional timepiece, Glashutte Original's movement designers once again clearly focused on quality and exceptional precision in the details. Based on classic models, the dial is presented in traditional matt black with large Arabic numerals and line markers for the minute and second displays. The additional numbered markings within the second display on the outside of the dial ensures optimal orientation. A successful adaptation of historical dial design is successfully mirrored in the Senator Navigator Chronograph. Thus, a...

Turning back time is not necessary in the case of the Senator Sixties Chronograph since this timepiece symbolizes the joie de vivre of the '60s very clearly for its wearer. The convex shape of the sapphire crystal on the front and likewise domed dial cleverly attract the observer's eye. Domed, skeletonized hands glide harmoniously across the satin-finished dial, while the diamond-cut hour markers featuring characteristic dots of SuperLumiNova and the extravagant font of the numerals illustrate design typical of these years. Glashutte Ori...

Contrary to its predecessor, which was crafted in platinum, this version is currently being introduced in a more classic rose gold case. The domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal reveals a look at the cleanly designed and structured dial of the Senator Rattrapante, with all relevant details able to be gleaned at a glance. The sweep hour and minute hands as well as the off-center stop second hand glide in shiny blue across the light dial. Should the wearer activate the rattrapante function, the red split-seconds hand begins to chase aft...

Dynamic design, provocative size, and a progressive charm in combination with precious materials were the prerequisites for these models, and all three of them feature deep black dials interpreted in different ways, the visual accentuation of which guarantees exciting timepieces. The striking off-center hour and minute display and the subsidiary seconds meld into a perfect unit with the deep black dial of the PanoMaticLunar XL. This version of the model is consciously devoid of the usual polished zones in order to lend the entire appeara...

Its look is characterized by a deep blue dial with an attractive carbon fiber pattern. The raised scale ring of the chronograph second hand, inlaid with luminous substance, dominates the entire design of the top half of the dial. The scale is flanked by the classic chronograph displays for subsidiary seconds and the 30-minute counter, which can be found on the lower level of the dial underneath the raised ring. For optimal legibility of all parameters, the zero point of both of these additional functions has been turned 60 degrees toward the...

This design is not only a true highlight in terms of its technical design. This perfectly finished functional element is also a true eye-catcher in a visual sense - which was reason enough for the designers and movement designers at Glashutte Original to help this lavish invention get the attention it deserves on the dial of a watch, out in the open and visible. Thus, the new PanoInverse XL is especially transparent. At numerous places within the movement, components and subgroups had to be re-worked or even freshly developed in order to mak...

Just one look at the dial is enough to recognize the fusion, and memories of graceful pocket watches of the past come to life. The silver-plated dial is home to sweep hour and minute displays whose blued and polished sword-shaped hands contrast with the background. Loyal to details, the hand arbor is lovingly polished by hand. Glashutte Original's designers placed the subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock, while the minute scale and filigreed markers are placed in perfect harmony around the center of the 1878 - Special Edition Moritz Grossmann's t...

With its refined design and its pure lines, this new space reflects the spirit of the Manufacture and the exclusiveness in the collections. Girard-Perregaux chooses with the greatest care its distribution network. With four boutiques in the world dedicated exclusively to the Brand, two are in China: this testifies the commitment of Girard-Perregaux to this country. The positive feedback from the customers a few days after the opening seems to indicate that this interest is shared.

Its principle is an escapement spring with a frame integrating a silicon blade thinner than a human hair. Cutting-edge materials and advanced technologies were used to produce it. This system provides constant amplitude and constant rate. The "Constant escapement" gives rise to a staggering number of possibilities for Haute Horlogerie mechanical movements, mainly in terms of improved precision. A hundred and fifty years after the legendary Tourbillon with three Bridges was invented by Constant Girard, Girard-Perregaux has created an innovation...

A brown dial is unusual. And this is exactly why it suits the Patravi watches so well, as they are just as unusual from the point of view of their mechanics, functionality and the expression of their masculine profile. The brown dial provides the stage, on which it is demonstrated in a most eye-catching way that time is not merely a question of counting the hours. Functions such as chronograph, large date, power reserve, yes, and also retrograde hour display receive the optical significance that they deserve, in line with their complexity. T...

Marc A. Hayek, Blancpain's president and Nadia Constantin, Boutique's manager are pleased and honoured to have received the Trophee d'Excellence for the Geneva boutique. In fact, continual efforts are made to perfect the quality of service offered in the boutiques, and the saleswomen are regularly trained at headquarters in order to perfect their technical knowledge through contact with the watchmakers and to absorb the brand's philosophy. At the Blancpain Boutique on the Rue du Rhone, Geneva's most prestigious shopping mile where the survey...

The quest for excellence, savoir faire, fine precision and a passion for details are values which Blancpain shares with the world of gastronomy. Blancpain was honoured as well to be selected as the time keeper in this most famous contest in Swiss gastronomy. Each of the six finalist chefs prepared a fish course and meat course for 12 people. The competition was set around 8 pounds of a Norwegian farmed salmon for the fish course as well as a leg and a saddle of lamb of 4 pounds each for the meat course. As official timekeeper, Blancpain reco...

In tribute to this acclaimed timepiece, the limited edition designed by the Manufacture for the Tour Auto 2008 is full of references to automobile racing. The black dial decorated with white counters evokes the chequered flag and the bright-red hands bring to mind the instruments of racing cars. The perforated leather strap is reminiscent of typical 70s motoring upholstery. Even the presentation case, in the form of a competition-standard air filter, captures the motor-racing feel. The Tour Auto Lissac is not simply one of the most illustrio...

The much-awaited new Audemars Piguet boutique opened its doors on 6 March, greeting its first visitors with a spacious, airy, well thought out-interior. The space is divided into a number of different areas, including a central section for the brand�s latest creations, top-sellers and products based on the chosen annual theme; a versatile sales space; a private library for reading and relaxation, with wine and cigars also available; and an after-sales area, where customers can admire watchmakers' handiwork. Georges-Henri Meylan, Brand CEO: "We...

Locating at Ningbo's business centre Tianyi Square, and covering an area of 130 square meters, the new pavilion gives Audemars Piguet the perfect place to showcase its creations. The lightning board composed of initials AP helps convey Audemars Piguet's visual identity at night in this bustling and flourishing city. The design of the new store is tying everything together in keeping with the watchmaker's values of tradition, excellence and innovation. The first jewellery exhibition area in China is also established in this pavilion, which provi...

On 8 April 2008, Jasmine Audemars, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Georges-Henri Meylan, CEO of the Audemars Piguet Manufacture, hosted the guests at the Halle des Sablières for a grand gala dinner. Each guest's picture was taken and displayed on a large wall of photos which ultimately formed an immense fresco that captured the moment in time. Another interpretation of suspended time was presented by the dance company Motus Modules. These artists of the extreme perform a magical aerial ballet combining dance, choreography on the ground...

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Versailles offered the tree to Montres Breguet, who committed to the restoration of Le Petit Trianon in memory of this particularly loyal patron. As the watch neared completion late 2007, the spoils of the 1983 robbery suddenly reappeared in Jerusalem and the original Marie-Antoinette was part of the recovered lot. The saga continues. Montres Breguet has yet not had the opportunity to inspect the watch to this date. Presented today in Basel, the Queen of all watches reveals a host of complications. Research in the archives and study of origi...

The new tonneau watch bears a name that resonates in the heart of every connoisseur. Particularly in Brazil, the name Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo inspires awe among collectors and aficionados. A hundred years ago, Patek Philippe was a synonym for watch in this country on the equator. "My Patek says it's half past two," people would state, even if they were not wearing a timepiece from the eminent manufacture in Geneva. Chronometro Gondolo was the name of an entire suite of watch models created by Patek Philippe explicitly for the Gondolo...

A little revolution took place in Geneva in 1976: the launch of a luxury watch in a steel case. The world of horology was perplexed and skeptical because time still advanced at the comfortable pace of the 20th century: Luxury timepieces are made of gold or better yet with precious-metal bracelets' and, sometimes taking things a step further, with diamond hour markers and diamond-set bezels. At the same time, manufactures were competing against each other to develop thinner and thinner wristwatches. And suddenly, this oversized watch in stainles...

The new Ref. 5960P is a complicated wristwatch with functions that are truly useful in everyday life. It features a totally new self-winding chronograph movement developed and manufactured by Patek Philippe and endowed with a further complication: the patented Annual Calendar mechanism. The new caliber: Tradition and innovation in perfect harmony The new CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H chronograph caliber is a self-winding mechanical movement with a flyback column-wheel chronograph, power-reserve indicator, Annual Calendar, and day/night display. It...

A woman's time Women choose watches because of their elegance, their beauty, their uniqueness. But more and more often, they feel attracted to the allure of a mechanical movement, especially if it is an exceptionally thin masterpiece signed by Patek Philippe. To satisfy this secret passion for luxury and excellence, the Geneva workshops introduce the first ultra-thin mechanical timepiece for ladies. The Ref. 4896 belongs to the Calatrava collection, acclaimed for the timeless elegance of its round cases that have expressed the inimitable Pate...

Second to none The first version of the Calatrava was launched in 1932, inspired by the Bauhaus principle. Recognized as the quintessential watch design today, it personifies a distilled elegance, equilibrium and functionality. Its round case has been reinterpreted in numerous versions without ever sacrificing its legendary purity. No other model is more popular than the Ref. 3919 Calatrava with the guilloche "Clous de Paris" bezel introduced in 1985. This inimitable classic is in the annals of watchmaking and remains one of the best known Pa...

A most convenient complication Introduced in 1996, the Annual Calendar is one of Patek Philippe's greatest success stories. It is the first mechanical wristwatch that automatically displays the month, day of week, and correct date for months with 30 and 31 days and only needs to be corrected once a year, at the end of February. During the past 10 years, the Annual Calendar has been enriched with other useful functions such as power-reserve and 24-hour indications as well as the moon-phase display, a poetic yet ultra-precise complication. This...