Showing posts with label luxury watches. Show all posts

Gentlemen, Start Your Watches. Hublot's MP-05 "LaFerrari"

With the recent unveiling of the Ferrari’s “LaFerrari” at the Geneva Motor Show, the pressure was on for Hublot to deliver something just as exceptional and the MP-05 LaFerrari watch is the result. In a demonstration and testimony that lives up to the car, it has achieved a historic record with its 50 day power reserve. It is also the watch with the most watchmaking components created to date by Hublot (637).

Looking like a miniature engine strapped to the wrist, the limited edition timepiece is priced at a cool 300,000 Swiss francs, or about $322,000, warranting its own garage.

The MP-05 "LaFerrari" was developed - in technical and design terms - entirely in parallel with the car, alongside the Ferrari teams. They share a number of common points. Able to boast no fewer than 637 components for the movement, which is also equipped with a Tourbillon, as well as a power reserve of approximately 50 days thanks to its 11 barrels, arranged in a line just like a spinal column and interconnected so that they do not each discharge in turn but support each other, this watch is closer to being a concept watch.

The watch is finely wrought in terms of shape, featuring a complex shaped sapphire crystal clearly reminiscent of the car's outline, as well as an open case-back, and is made from black PVD titanium. It is topped by a titanium and carbon insert in its center, revealing the winding crown. The time-setting crown is positioned under the case. Both are completely integrated into the design, and therefore practically invisible.

The movement has an original display, featuring first off on the front vertical face the small seconds indicated by means of an aluminum cylinder fastened onto the suspended Tourbillon cage (significantly bigger than usual with a cage diameter of 14.50 mm, for even better appreciation of the mechanical parts).

The hour and minute are displayed to the right of the barrels, also indicated by means of one anodized black aluminum cylinder each. On their left is the cylinder indicating the power reserve. Reinforcing bars either side, made from anodized red aluminum, bring to mind Ferrari's red signature.

A small detail, but one which makes reading the time easier; on each cylinder the size of the numerals has been maximized with white SuperLuminova™, to enhance the display for ease of reading. This is all rounded off by a rubber strap with a special folding buckle in black PVD titanium.

The desire for a truly exceptional watch has been extended to the design of the presentation case, made from Schedoni leather and carbon fiber, containing the specific tools for winding the watch, and whose design was also inspired by the world of motoring. Limited edition of 50 numbered pieces.

HUBLOT MASTERPIECE MP -05 “LaFerrari”

WATCH TECHNICAL DETAILS
•Reference 905.ND.0001.RX
•Series 50 numbered pieces
•Case Black PVD made of titanium
•Functions Hour and minute indicated by anodised black aluminium cylinders SuperLuminova™ markings
•Power reserve indicated by an anodised black aluminium cylinder SuperLuminova™ markings
•Seconds indicated by an anodised black aluminium cylinder SuperLuminova™ markings
•Suspended vertical Tourbillon
•Ergonomic time-setting system under the case middle (wrist side)
•Invisible manual winding
•11 series-coupled barrels

MOVEMENT TECHNICAL DETAILS
•Movement dimensions: Ø 45.8 x 39.5 mm
•Thickness 15.30 mm
•Tourbillon cage diameter Ø 14.50 mm
•Number of jewels 108
•Number of components 637
•Frequency 21,600 Vib/h (3 Hz)
•Power reserve 50 days

HUBLOT

individual images and information courtesy of Hublot, Hublotnation and Ferrari. Composite images by If It's Hip, It's Here.

Karl Lagerfeld's New Watch Collection (All Of Them) For Men and Women.

Karl Lagerfeld, who has previously designed watches for such brands as Chanel and Fendi, has just launched his own collection of watches for both men and women. Manufactured by Fossil (who has also just completed purchasing Skagen watches), the watch collection consists of seven different styles and finishes ranging from matte black to gun-metal grey and polished stainless steel.

above: Video of the new KARL LAGERFELD watch collection featuring models Saskia De Brauw and Jon Kortajarena, shot by Karl Lagerfeld and Music by Chaim.

The launch collection, which is priced between $150 - $595, features limited edition packaging and specially engraved case backs, exclusive to the initial launch.

KARL ENERGY:

KARL POP:

KARL KOURBE:

Born from the mind of Karl Lagerfeld, the watch collection boldly represents the designer’s vision translated to modern time pieces. Iconic and edgy, the seven watch platforms are presented in an assortment of colors and sizes, offering the ultimate in fashion versatility.

KARL KEEPER:

One of the most unique pieces in the collection is the “Karl Zip,” Lagerfeld’s favorite silhouette.

KARL ZIP:

The Zip embodies everything that is Karl Lagerfeld with irreverent design and enduring appeal.

The exposed zipper is fully functional and does more than lure the eye—you can wear this runway-ready style as multiple accessories.

KARL CHAIN:

Stand out features within the collection include; stainless steel bracelets, luxe metallic leathers, pyramid studs and bold chains.

KARL 7:

Another collection highlight is the “Karl 7” named after Lagerfeld’s favorite number and surrounded by a beveled top ring that achieves a sleek and modern look uncharacteristic of traditional watch designs.

Karl Lagerfeld said, “You cannot buy time but you can get a beautiful watch to measure time without spending a fortune.”

Pier Paolo, President of Karl Lagerfeld said, “These timepieces embody the Karl Lagerfeld aesthetic and redefine the role of watches as a true fashion accessory. This collection provides another way to experience the world of Karl”

Steve Woodward, SVP of Licensed Brands for Fossil Group said, “KARL LAGERFELD is such an incredibly powerful brand. We are thrilled and honored to work with the brand to develop a watch collection that is, just like Karl himself, completely unique in the marketplace.”

The exclusively distributed collection launched simultaneously in select stores and online in North America, Europe and Asia. Retail price points range from $150 - $595 USD. You can find the watches at various department stores or you can shop the collection online here at the Watch Station.

http://www.karl.com/watches/

Dr. Romanelli's Custom Rolex For Bamford.

Designer Dr. Romanelli (aka Darren Romanelli and DRx) is known for working with pre-existing brands and cultural icons to create special collaborative editions for such well-known brands as Levis, Disney, Warner Bros and Hello Kitty to name a few.

Most recently, he teamed up with the Bamford Watch Department, who customizes steel sports luxury watches by Rolex, Patek Philippe and Tag Heuer, to create a special "Dr. Romanelli" edition.

The Romanelli Rolex Milgauss features "scissors" as hands, a jagged second hand and his RX logo on the face.

The watch is not yet available for purchase. For more information as to its release, contact Bamford here

All The Opus Watches (1 through 11) From Harry Winston & Various Horologists.

above: the most recent addition to the Opus Watch series was developed with Dennis Giguet

In 2001, Harry Winston launched the Opus series. The Opus concept was based on the idea of creating an exceptional timepiece each year in partnership with a gifted independent horologist. The partners work together as equals and collaborate to produce innovative and groundbreaking luxury watches.

I don't know why but some have spelled out numbers, other use an Arabic numeral and still others use a Roman Numeral to designate the edition, so in my post I will do the same. Most recently the Opus 11 (shown above) was introduced, but I thought you might want to see all of the Opus watches since 2001.

Opus One, developed with F.P. Journe:

Opus Two, developed with Antoine Preziuso:

Opus 3, developed with Vianney Halter:

Opus 4, developed with Christopher Claret:

Opus V, developed with Felix Baumgartner:

Opus 6, developed with Gruebel Forsey:

Opus 7, developed with Andreas Stehler:

Opus 8, developed with Frederic Garinaud & CSH:

Opus 9, developed with Jean Marc Wiederrecht and Eric Giroud:

Opus X, developed with Jean-François Mojon:

Opus Eleven, developed with Dennis Giguet:

To learn more about each of the Opus watches, visit Harry Winston

Jeff Koons Cannonball Edition Watches For Ikepod Now Available

Some people collect watches. Some collect modern art. With the release of these new watches for Ikepod, you get both.

American Artist Jeff Koons has teamed up with designer Marc Newson to create the Horizon "Cannonballs' watch which features Jeff Koons'artwork on the face of two versions of Ikepod watches.

Priced at $52,000.00 for the Platinum one and and $16,000.00 for the Titanium one, they are almost as expensive as owning a piece of Jeff Koons artwork. Well, a print of his work. However, the proceeds from this model will be transferred to the Koons Family Institute, a branch of the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.