Market News

Federal Councilor Widmer-Schlumpf opens the New World Watch and Jewellery Show, Baselworld 2013

The Swiss Federal Councilor Widmer-Schlumpf officially inaugurated the new World Watch and Jewellery Show, BaselWorld 2013. The world’s most important watch and jewellery show, BASELWORLD, is opening in Basel today, April 25, 2013. The innovations and trends on display there will confirm the pre-eminent position of BASELWORLD as the leading show for the watch and jewellery industry. The completely redesigned BASELWORLD Watch and Jewellery Show is running from April 25 to May 2, 2013 in Basel. Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf ceremonially opened the show. For the first time, BASELWORLD is being staged in the new hall complex designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron. For 1460 exhibiting companies and more than 100,000 professional visitors from all over the globe, BASELWORLD 2013 constitutes the decisive industry event of the year.  In the course of BASELWORLD 2013, 1460 exhibitors from the watch and jewellery industry, from a total of 40 different countries, are presenting their latest models and collections. Over the next eight days, some 100,000 professional visitors and more than 3500 media representatives from 100 countries are expected to attend.

Gap between industry leaders Rolex and Omega narrows further

For the 9^th consecutive year, Digital Luxury Group releases the WorldWatchReport™, the leading market research in the luxury watch industry. According to this report there is a sheer 2 percentage points in global demand separates the two watch industry powerhouses from each other, versus 8.4 % in 2009. Rolex continues to lead the Global ranking thanks to its domination in mature markets such as the US and Europe as well as the Middle East and India. Omega’s continuing leadership in large, fast developing markets such as China, Russia, and Latin America has helped it gain ground on industry leader Rolex. Digital Luxury Group’s CEO, David Sadigh explains, “Omega is on its way to create a shadow over Rolex in the long run. Major sport event sponsorships, ubiquitous celebrity endorsements and a competitive product offering are some of the key ingredients for the Swatch Group brand to grow further. This could ultimately end up in reaching Rolex’s unmatched popularity 3 to 5 years from now.”

Product Launch

Patek Philippe introduces a new Gondolo 8 Days, Day & Date Indication - Ref. 5200

The new Patek Philippe reference is sure to delight devotees of mechanical hand-wound horology. The Gondolo 8 Days, Day & Date Indication is inspired by the legendary 5100 unveiled to mark the turn of the millennium. Its younger sister now appears with a set of fine innovations, including its rectangular calibre and its Silinvar® components, as well as the instant day & date indication – all fitted within the same 5.05 mm thickness. The white gold case adapts to the mechanism inside and now features an almost 47 mm mechanism. Its double flanks strengthen the architecture without overburdening it and celebrate the Art Deco style. Finally, the midnight blue dial – or its silver-toned white counterpart – host twin-facetted white gold baton-type hour-markers creating an imposing yet refined relief effect. As the Beatles put it with their famous “Eight days a week” hit song, Patek Philippe displays the full seductive appeal of an 8 Days approach to keeping time. Movement is Mechanical hand-wound rectangular 28-20 REC 8J PS IRM C J calibre, 235 parts, 28 jewels, 28,800 vib/h, 8-day power reserve.

Chopard revealed L.U.C. Engine One H

Technically complex, distinguished and sporting, the L.U.C Engine One H is a stunning visual hybrid of automotive mechanics and fine watchmaking. The proprietary tourbillon movement, which takes its finish from car engines, maintains a steady 480 revs per minute or 28,800 vibrations per hour. The barrel fills the tank with a full 60 hours of power reserve. The horizontal grooves in the bridges on the dial side take their cue from cylinder heads. Hours and minutes are centrally displayed whereas power reserve is shown on the left, on an indicator that reads like a fuel gauge. On the right, small seconds are mounted on the tourbillon, like a rev counter. The five rows of top-stitching on the alligator strap have the look and feel of 1960s and 70s car upholstery. The L.U.C Engine One H delivers further proof of Chopard's dedication to car racing and its values of enjoyment and performance. Produced as a 100-piece limited series.

Breguet Type XXII 3880 10 Hz Or Rose

The iconic Breguet Type XXII this year extends to a new iteration in rose gold, with a movement vibrating at an increased frequency of 10 Hz (72,000 vibrations/hour) thanks to a silicon escapement with flat balance spring. This high frequency delivers outstanding precision and regulating performance for a chronograph whose seconds hand sweeps the dial in 30 seconds. The red and white markers on the minute scale, on the inner bezel ring, show whether the hand is on its first or second rotation. In addition, this exceptional timepiece incorporates a flyback function, a second time zone with 24-hour indicator, date, and small seconds making one complete revolution in half a minute. Movement - Mechanical automatic, 589F calibre, 13¾ lines, 27 jewels, 72,000 vib/h, 40-hour power reserve, high-frequency silicon escapement and balance spring.

Girard-Perregaux – DLC Titanium Bi-Axial Tourbillon

At Basel Girard-Perregaux offers an exclusive limited edition of its Bi-Axial Tourbillon. The modern architecture of the iconic movement is enhanced by a black DLC titanium case as well as magnificently contrasting colours and materials. This timepiece is an authentic masterpiece equipped with two concentric cages enabling the regulating organ to perform multidimensional rotations. An inner carriage bearing the balance, the balance-spring and the escapement, spins once around its axis every 45 seconds; while an outer carriage makes a full turn in one minute and fifteen seconds, thus enabling a rotation around a second axis. The second emblematic signature feature is the perfectly aligned architecture of the bridges, reflecting the creations of Constant Girard and his successive research that gave rise to the “Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges”. 8-piece limited edition. Movement - Mechanical hand-wound, GPE0201 calibre, Bi-Axial Tourbillon, 28 jewels, 21,600 vib/h, 72-hour power reserve; two coaxial barrels, barrel bridges and centre bridge in 18K white gold, balance-spring with Phillips, variable-inertia balance with 18K gold adjusting screws.

Harry Winston – Histoire de Tourbillon 4

The latest development in this collection by Harry Winston, Histoire de Tourbillon 4 is a masterwork of precision contained in a dramatic but refined design. Its heart is a tourbillon inside three concentric cages, each rotating at a different speed and at a different angle. Histoire de Tourbillon 4 has two, fast rotating barrels to deliver superior energy with lower friction. The variable inertia balance is controlled by 18k gold timing screws in the rim. Bold, contemporary colours and an "open grid" dial configuration accentuate the movement, as do the domed sapphire crystals which are arranged on multiple levels. 20-piece limited series. Movement – Mechanical hand-wound, HW4501 calibre, tri-axial tourbillon, 345 parts, 59 jewels, 21,600 vib/h, 50-hour power reserve; Phillips terminal curve, Geneva-type balance-spring stud, hand-chamfered, micro-blasted main plate and bridges in titanium with PVD coating (except intermediate carriage bridge in polished gold).

HUBLOT MASTERPIECE MP-05 "LaFerrari"

Hublot has revealed its master piece the 50-day power reserve: A World Record power reserve for a hand-wound Tourbillon wristwatch. Its movement is 100% designed, developed and produced by the Hublot Manufacture engineers and watchmakers. The MP-05 “LaFerrari” represents a very special series, entirely designed and developed by the Hublot Manufacture engineers and watchmakers in tribute to "LaFerrari”. 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). The watch and the car: 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 centre, 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 aluminium 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 anodised black aluminium cylinder each. On their left is the cylinder indicating the power reserve. Reinforcing bars either side, made from anodised red aluminium, bring to mind Ferrari's red signature.

De Bethune revealed its DB25 Imperial Fountain masterpiece

A new special edition of sets of 12 timepieces, the De Bethune DB25 watch was inspired by the bronze Zodiac Animal Heads which adorned an ornate fountain in the famous Yuanming Yuan (Old Summer Palace) outside of Beijing, China, these beautiful watches feature elaborately engraved animal heads for the 12 Chinese zodiac symbols. Each of the 12 animals heads, engraved by master artist Michèle Rothen using the bas relief technique, is in the middle of the dial of its watch, backed by a Grand Feu enamel relief of the corresponding Zodiac symbol. These engraving masterworks take up the space where a watch's movement normally goes. A completely new movement, Calibre DB 2145, was created to free the center of the dial. The resulting movements uses peripheral hour and minute hands, circling the engraved zodiac head as if by magic. New techniques, such as the use of micro ball bearings and a new transmission system capable of driving the revolving disks, was developed specifically for this movement. This new movement uses the De Bethune trademark Silicon/white gold balance wheel and balance-spring with flat terminal curve, as well as the company's patented triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system. The movement has 287 parts and a power reserve of six days.

Breitling – Transocean Chronograph 38

First-class femininity: a motto that applies perfectly to the new Breitling Transocean Chronograph 38. Along with the satisfaction of having achieved perfect mastery of short times, the brand can now also claim to have a way with women. The case with its pure lines comes in red gold or steel versions. The finely crafted dials are available in black, silver-toned or midnight blue versions, while the back bears the two stylised planes that were a longtime Breitling symbol. A mechanical model powered by an automatic movement officially chronometer-certified by the COSC and representing the epitome of elegance fitted with a leather or crocodile strap in a broad choice of refined colours, the Transocean Chronograph 38 is entirely in line with the brand’s range of elegant, high-performing instruments. Movement - Mechanical automatic, Breitling 41 calibre, COSC-certified, 38 jewels, 28,800 vib/h.

Corum – Ti-Bridge Automatic Dual Winder

The new version of Corum’s unique baguette movement combines a revolutionary patented winding system, an original Manufacture movement, a new titanium case and an architecture loyal to the linearity that has forged the strength of this collection. The Ti-Bridge Automatic Dual Winder is indeed an exceptional timepiece. To endow the Ti-Bridge with its first automatic calibre, Corum has developed  an inline winding system that heralds a new chapter in watchmaking history. The Dual Winder system draws its energy from two inline-mounted circular oscillating weights, interconnected via a transmission arbor that makes them move in parallel – a world-first for this avant-garde timepiece. The CO207 movement is held in the centre of the case by four titanium cross-bars. The impression of a suspended mechanism is further accentuated by the line’s intrinsic transparency, framed by an anthracite grey dial. Movement  -Automatic linear-winding baguette movement, CO 207 calibre, 30 jewels, 28,800 vib/h, 72-hour power reserve; titanium bridges and plate, winding system with two tungsten oscillating weights.

The Japanese Toshiba Group and Aerowatch SA revealed an intelligent watch

The new joint venture watch project combines the Swiss watchmaking traditions with the apex of technological innovation. The Japanese Toshiba Group is innovation-driven and determined to play a significant role in the middle-range segment of the market for intelligent timepieces. It targets consumers who are fascinated by the latest technologies but also place emphasis on horological artistry and refined design. Now manifested in a revolutionary watch, this seemingly contradictory combination is the outcome of a 10-month period of collaboration between Toshiba, the world's largest electronics and IT corporation, and Aerowatch SA, a watchmaking company with a heritage of over 100 years. One of the special features of the new aesthetically appealing, avant-garde timepiece is that if offers virtually infinite variations in the design of dials and hands. The buyers of this high-tech watch can reconfigure and personalize its appearance to suit their preferences. Endowed with classic smartphone applications and software developed by Toshiba's most talented engineers, the watch incorporates all the functionality of conventional timepieces.

Blancpain –Women Collection, Chronographe Grande Date

Established in 1735, Blancpain is the oldest watch manufacture in the world, renowned as much for its superlative watches, all created in-house, as for its calibres – 26 innovations over the past seven years. The new Chronographe Grande Date is no exception to this tradition. From the very first glance, the shimmering mother-of-pearl dial reveals two waves of 17 variously-sized diamonds rippling out from the centre. At 12 o'clock, the offset hour and minute display with Roman numerals on a mother-of-pearl dial creates a dynamic counterpoint to the Arabic numerals on the chronograph counters. Twin apertures at 6 o'clock frame the double-disc large date display. The red gold case with diamond-set bezel contains the Blancpain 26F8G calibre with its petal-shaped oscillating weight, visible through the sapphire crystal back. Movement -echanical automatic, 26F8G calibre, 495 parts, 44 jewels, 40-hour power reserve, petal-shaped oscillating weight.

Arnold & Son releases world’s thinnest tourbillon watch- the new UTTE

In a move that boldly underscores its watchmaking prowess and defines its inventive British heritage, Arnold & Son unveiled a record-breaking watch: the world’s thinnest tourbillon watch on the market today – with the final cased watch measuring a mere 8.34 mm thick. The new UTTE (referencing the Ultra-Thin Tourbillon Escapement) is equipped with the A&S8200 movement that measures just 2.97 mm thick. This new calibre A&S8200 was developed, designed and manufactured entirely in house at the brand’s La Chaux-de-Fonds workshops. This excellent engineered wristwatch is part of the brand’s Instrument Collection that combines instrument precision with classical styling.

Frederique Constant – Ladies Automatic World Heart Federation

Frederique Constant and Inès Sastre join forces to support the World Heart Federation with four unique timepieces dedicated to the Hearts of Children campaign. They feature a vanilla-coloured dial and a spectacular Double Heart Beat aperture at 12 o'clock. References to the partnership abound; the rotor is engraved with a special Hearts of Children decoration while the centre of the dial has been guilloched with the World Heart Federation logo. All of these new creations are presented in a heart-shaped box which has been specially designed for the occasion. Each woman can show her support through the model of her choice: a bezel with or without diamonds, a satin strap in dark grey or vanilla, or a white alligator strap. Movement - Mechanical automatic, FC-310 calibre, 26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, rose gold-plated rotor engraved with the WHF and Hearts of Children logos, sunray bridges.

Tudor presents Heritage Chrono Blue

Tudor continues to offer reinterpretations of the models that have made their mark on history. This year, the brand revives a famous chronograph nicknamed “Montecarlo” by collectors and aficionados. Launched in 1973, it has now been renamed Heritage Chrono Blue. The watch is inspired by the original spirit of the model and innovates on both aesthetic and technical levels so as to provide a resolutely contemporary interpretation. The royal blue of the historical version combines with a slightly lighter grey than the original to give life to a watch that is both earthly and aquatic, expressing a typically Mediterranean warmth and atmosphere. The dial features three-dimensional bevelled hour-markers filled with a luminescent substance. Heritage Chrono Blue is also distinguished by its two counters appearing inside blue trapeze-shaped surrounds: one for the small seconds at 3 o’clock and the other for the 45-minute counter at 9 o’clock. The movement is mechanical automatic, Tudor 2892 calibre, approx. 42-hour power reserve.

Gucci – Interlocking

The Interlocking collection comes in various versions all featuring one of the most recurrent Gucci icons: the two interwoven G letters symbolising the initials of the House founder, Guccio Gucci. With its vast range of materials – ranging from a metal bracelet to black or brown calfskin straps, as well as black, brown or white crocodile leather variations – this collection is intended for both men and women. The cases, adorned with the GG motif, are made in stainless steel or in black or brown PVD-coated steel, framing sunburst brushed dials. On the precious versions, the GG motif is partially or entirely set with diamonds, or crafted in 18k pink gold. With the Interlocking collection, Gucci Watches remains true to its tradition of creating elegant and contemporary watch lines. Movement - Quartz Ronda.

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