Jaquet Droz - Ateliers d'art New Website

Jaquet Droz, the renowned Swiss watch brand known for its Haute Horolgerie timepieces which are meticulously hand crafted in the Swiss valley of La Chaux-de-Fonds. All their timepieces combine high watchmaking and exemplary hand crafting using traditional techniques perfected over the centuries to produce one of a kind watches.

Now, in order to promote and preserve the heritage of handcrafting and traditional techniques such as The Art of Painting, Engraving, Grand Feu Enameling, and Paillonné enameling; Jaquet Dros has created a website dedicated to the artist and the art of decoration. Its the Jaquet Droz Ateliers d'art .

Do visit this website to gain an invaluable insight into never before seen art of decorations, and to be able to appreciate better the dedication and meticulousness of the artists in creating these works of art.

Jaquet Droz - Ateliers d'Art

Baselworld - Seiko - Seiko Premier Moonphase Kinetic Direct Drive

credit: ablogtowatch

Brand: Seiko

Model:  SRX008P1

Seiko has introduced a new Kinetic Direct Drive model at Baselworld 2015 this year. Its launched under the Premier line. It costs around RM 4000 above but its truly a remarkable watch with complications at this price range. It houses the Caliber 5D88, Kinetic Direct Drive.

The Kinetic Direct Drive movement is at the mid to high end range of the Seiko quartz movement hierarchy, nearer to the Spring Drive counterparts. The Kinetic Direct Drive improves from its Kinetic counterparts in its ability to be handwound to charge the battery. The Seiko Kinetic technology utilizes the automatic winding principle of a mechanical watch and in turn uses it to charge a capacitor. In normal Kinetic models, the only way to charge the capacitor is to wear or shake the watch. In the Kinetic Direct Drive model, in addition to the normal winding via the rotor, the user can wind and charge the capacitor through winding the crown. This model includes a power reserve indicator that shows in real time how much charge is remaining. Maximum power reserve for this model is at 1 month.

The Caliber 5D88 includes a date via a subdial at 3 oclock, day of the week, AM/PM indicator as expressed via a synchronized 24 hour hand in the subdial above 6 o'clock, as well as a moonphase indicator under 12 o'clock.

The dial is classy with Roman Numerals and a good mix of rose gold hands and silver highlights for the subdials, which makes it look formal, classy and at the same time unique, All the complications are adjusted via the crown in various positions. The moonphase is adjusted by a recessed pusher set at the left side of the case.

It has the usual characteristics of the Seiko Premier line with the dauphine hands, case shape and slightly protruding lug screws, paired with leather straps and deployant clasp as default. The case size of this model is at 40mm, with a thickness of approximate 13mm. The size is very suited as a dress and casual watch, although abit on the thick side. It comes with sapphire crystal as well as 100m water resistance.

Overall its a great looking watch, however availability in Malaysia is TBC.

Baselworld 2015 - Bulgari - Concept Watch 'Diagono Magnesium'

Latest updates from BaselWorld 2015, Bulgari has introduced a new concept watch, the Bulgari Diagono Magnesium.

watchpro.com

Its a hybrid between mechanical watch and digital technology, utilizing NFC. I term it, smart-mechanical watch. It features the Wrist Vault technology, where the owners personal data and identification is stored in an encrypted system in the watch. Hence it enables the watch to function as an electronic key, able to be used to unlock cars, make credit card payments wirelessly and transmit owner identification purposes.

It is still in the concept stage, no word has been given on the retail availability at this time.

Check out this Youtube video from the Bulgari Channel.




And also this video where Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin describes the concept and idea behind the Diagono Magnesium.

Hublot Magic Gold

Hublot, a watch manufacture in Switzerland known for its cutting edge design, innovative technology and striking designs has once again topped its achievements with the introduction of the new Big Bang Limited Edition 250 pieces in Magic Gold.

It can be said that the most iconic Hublot watch is the timeless Big Bang, which in its first introduction offered a unique combination of gold and rubber. Since then, it has reappeared in various combinations including titanium, ceramic and now Magic Gold.

Before we move into the new Big Bang Magic Gold, lets find out what IS Magic Gold.

 hublot.com, 2015

Magic Gold is an innovative new type of gold alloy invented  by Hublot scientists alongside the prestigious EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. After 3 years of research, they came up with a Gold Alloy, called Magic Gold which is the only Scratch Resistant gold in the world, at 1000 Vickers hardness.

Although its an alloy of Gold, it has been 'certified as 18 carats by the Central Office for Precious Metals Control'(hublot.com, 2015) Therefore, in all its form, it is considered as Gold.

Hublot is now able to manufacture and finish this material in house with the installation of a high tech foundry in its Nyons facility.

For further information, you can read the full article here:

http://www.hublot.com/en/news/hublot-unveils-the-big-bang-unico-full-magic-gold-the-world-s-only-scratch-resistant-gold-watch