RICHARD MILLE RM11 L.E. FORMULA 1 FELIPE MASSA

It’s been a long-time coming – 5 years in fact – but Formula 1 is finally set to make its triumphant return to the United States later this year. To celebrate this special occasion Richard Mille, in collaboration with F1 driver Felipe Massa, has created a new, limited edition RM 011 Felipe Massa Flyback Chronograph that will be available exclusively from the Richard Mille Boutique in Beverly Hills, California.

The first thing you notice about the new RM 011 is the use of color. It’s very bright but in a good, sporty way and is reticent of the brightly colored helmet that Massa himself wears when racing. The use of color also contrasts nicely against the muted tones of the black carbon tripartite case and the matching yellow on the dial helps to break things up a little, although whether it improves legibility in any way at all is debatable.

As with most Richard Mille timepieces, the RM 011 is packed with features including a flyback chronograph, 60-minute countdown timer, 12-hour totalizer, annual calendar and oversize date and month. The automatic winding movement has been skeletonized and includes adjustable rotor geometry however, as often is the case with RM timepieces, I find the skeletonizing of the movements makes the dial more difficult to read.

The carbon case is quite large at 50mm x 40mm however that, combined with the bright colors, should make the RM 011 easier to spot on Massa’s wrist when he wears it at the US F1 Grand Prix scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas in November this year.

OUR EXPERT OPINION 

Although I must admit I found the dial a bit beguiling at first glance, once my eyes adjusted to the bright colors and the ‘noise’ I realized that the RM 011 is easier to read than other Richard Mille timepieces. I like the use of contrasting color and the yellow helmet at 7 o’clock is a nice final touch to let you know that this is a timepiece associated with F1 without having to broadcast it all over the dial.

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HUBLOT & USAIN BOLT

1. Yes, you guessed it, it’s collaboration time. Again. Teaming up with yet another of their numerous ambassadors – in this case athletic superstar and current world’s fastest man Usain ‘Lighting’ Bolt – Hublot presents the creatively titled King Power Usain Bolt.
   The Lighting Bolt
   Subtle jibes about the name aside, this latest ‘dedication’ from Hublot is actually pretty cool, if a bit egomaniacal. Presented in an over-sized 48mm King Power case, the color scheme is predominantly black with gold highlights across the dial, colors strongly associated with Mr. Bolt.
   As you would expect the King Power Usain Bolt is powered by a chronograph movement – the Calibre HUB4100 to be precise. Functions include a central 60-second hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, as well as a 12-hour chronograph counter at 6 o’clock decorated with a touch of green in a nod to the colors of the Jamaican flag. At 9 o’clock there is a permanent small seconds counter with an anthracite grey transfer of Bolt’s silhouette, assuming the iconic pose he is world renowned for, contrasting against the black background. A date window at 4.30 completes the design.
   
   For the final touch the strap is made from exactly the same gold-colored synthetic leather as the shoes Bolt wore when he broke the world records in Beijing in 2008. This is stitched onto black rubber – a Hublot signature – to guarantee comfort, strength and flexibility and really provides a striking contrast against the black case and dial.
   The King Power Usain Bolt will be produced in an individually numbered, limited edition series of 250 pieces.
   
   
   
   It’s no secret that Hublot is the king of limited edition timepieces. It almost feels like the brand comes out with a new “collaboration” every month sometimes but hate them or love them, I must say they occasionally make some pretty cool timepieces and they seem to have a good time doing it. And of course it’s always amusing to hear the spin that Hublot visionary and chairman Jean-Claude Biver puts on the brand’s latest variant, the King Power Usain Bolt being no exception;
   “It’s perfectly natural to be associated with the fastest man, not just on the planet, but the fastest since the Big Bang”
   Genius!
   For more information please visit the official Hublot website: www.hublot.com

Speake-Marin Piccadilly Serpent Calendar

The Piccadilly range has been a mainstream stay of the Speake-Marin brand since the company was founded in 2000. The original Piccadilly used a heavily modified ETA movement, replacing a range of parts to improve performance, longevity and look. This combined with the rear mounted rotor meant that they were quite thick, but managed to retain a balanced aesthetic.

Subsequent new models utilising Peter’s own in-house calibres are marvels of the watchmaker’s art in which every part has both function and form this has the effect of  reducing the case profile and overall weight whilst still retaining the distinctive Speake-Marin style.

The Spirit Pioneer launched last year at Salon QP was an unqualified success selling out the whole edition of 68 pieces in just a few days. It has always been Peter’s desire to make watches which have all the core values of his more exclusive models available to a wider audience.

The Serpent Calendar
For 2012 there will be a new Piccadilly model, although really it takes its design cues from an old favorite, the iconic Serpent Calendar. The main internal change is a move away from the increasingly difficult to source ETA movement to one created by TechnoTime using Peter’s design specifications called the “Eros 1″. An unusual name for a movement perhaps, but Speake-Marin explains: “I am English, the case name is Piccadilly after my formative years working in Piccadilly, London, and Eros is the famous landmark statue in Piccadilly Circus.”

The visual appeal of the movement has been greatly increased; the signature winding rotor is larger, blued, and displayed through a much larger sapphire crystal window, with an accent cut away in the top right to show the balance wheel. The case is much slimmer now too at just 12mm and the watch’s lugs really make it fit very snugly to the wrist. Also available for the first time with a Speake-Marin is a branded deployment clasp, and very comfortable it is too, as witnessed by this wrist shot.

Classic Style, Modern Convenience
For those familiar with previous Speake-Marin models you will already be well aware of the “Serpent Calendar” style, but for this version several changes have been made. Previously the calendar, indicated by a snaking hand, was set on the outer edge of the dial, now however it is situated on an inner ring following the line of a pressed area in the centre of the dial. This really improves readability of the date; something I always thought was a slight issue in the original. The exaggerated curves of the date hand also ensure that it is never completely covered by either the hour or minute hands.

The change in movement also means that all adjustments can be made via the crown rather than needing a separate button on the case edge, making the process a lot more straight forward.

As with previous Piccadilly models the new Serpent Calendar will be available in both 38mm and 42mm versions. There will be no platinum or titanium versions at first but rather sensible steel and red gold, though of course if you would like a custom version you only need to ask.

Reasonably Priced
Available immediately pricing is very reasonable at 12,800CHF (US$14,000) for the 38mm in steel and 13,350CHF (US$14,700) for 42mm in steel. Prices rise to 19,800CHF (US$21,800) for 38mm in red gold and 23,900CHF (US$26,324.49) for the 42mm in red gold which represents excellent value for money as, after all, it is a Speake-Marin.

If you would like to get your hands on one of the classic Piccadilly models it is still possible via special order. These come with the beautiful enamel dial, but due to the expense of manufacture this will add on about 1,000CHF to the price and it is only available as “time only”.

Speake-Marin goes from strength to strength with the release of the new Serpent Calendar, providing high quality timepieces at sensible prices, making it is possible for anyone to save up and own something that will give you a lifetime of faithful service and do so with a touch of real style.

For more information please visit the official Speake-Marin website: www.speake-marin.com

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THE MOONMACHINE BY MB&F, 

A SUPERB MASTERPIECE

A short while ago MB&F unveiled their fifth ever Performance Art piece – the MOONMACHINE – a mini-event that has completely obliterated any previously held perceptions I had of what the concept of ‘cool’ actually encapsulates. A HM3 Frog complete with Stepan Sarpanevamoon-face moon-phase complication? Now that is cool!

Performance Art

In the past MB&F has worked with jewelers (how could you forget the stunning JWLRYMACHINE created in conjunction with Boucheron?), watch designers (the HM2.2 by Alain Silberstein) and others to create their unique Performance Art pieces but never with another watchmaker. That is until now.

The MOONMACHINE

This latest addition – and one that is quickly becoming my favorite of the collection – is the result a highly successful collaboration with Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva, and is the first ever to endow a Horological Machine with a new complication. Based on Sarpaneva’s own face the distinctive moon-face moon-phase complication has achieved almost a cult following amongst dedicated fans of the brand and can be found in one variation or another on many of his watches.

The quality of finishing is superb but what I really love about the design however is its unique ability to imbue the timepiece it adorns with a real sense of character. Even though in my mind the HM3 is already such a distinctive timepiece the effect of adding the moon-face almost makes me like I am discovering a new piece for the first time. I know that may sound strange or hard to believe for some of you, especially as we have already seen several iterations of the HM3 before, but I encourage you to watch the video below before you make your mind up for sure.

The slow orbit of the two moon-faces is mesmerizing and the size and openness of the rotor window lends itself marvelously well to the display of this complication. Adding an extra element to the astrological theme the winding rotor, made from a steel and 22k gold disc, has been decorated with laser-pierced stars, forming the stars and constellations visible in the northern sky. As you can see in the video above the subtle effect of its movement only serves to further enhance that sense of animation and life that the Sarpaneva moon-face brings.

The new MOONMACHINE is available in three limited editions of 18 pieces each: titanium case with white gold moon faces in a light blue sky, black titanium case with white gold moon faces in a dark blue sky and red gold case with red gold moon faces in an anthracite sky.

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BREGUET ACQUIRES AN EXCEPTIONAL TURKISH WATCH AT AUCTION IN BEIJING

The Breguet Museum has acquired an extremely prestigious watch, made in 1808 for a dignitary of the Ottoman Empire, for the sum of CHF 650,000. This represents a record bid for a Turkish-style Breguet watch, and also a record for a pocket-watch auctioned on the youthful inland China market.
This historical piece was ordered in 1807 by His Excellency Esseid Ali Effendi, former Turkish ambassador to Paris of the nation nicknamed “The Sublime Portal”, and a personal friend of Abraham-Louis Breguet. He contributed to the latter’s early awareness of the Turkish market’s significance, especially since Turkey was the only major power still allied with Napoleonic France… One may recall at this juncture that Napoleon’s gift to mark the instatement of Sultan Mahmud II in 1813 was a Breguet sympathique clock covered in precious stones – the most expensive object ever made by A.-L. Breguet, and which is still kept in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.

The Breguet N° 1090 Grande Complication watch is a quarter-repeating model with independent grande and petite sonnerie featuring a case and double-case enamelled in the classic Turkish style, along with a dial graced with ancient Arabic numerals – all in an exceptionally good state of conservation. This piece was the highlight of the sale held by Poly Auction in Beijing and generated intense bidding. It will thus now be joining the other Breguet Museum treasures and will be exhibited in a few weeks’ time in Paris in the Breguet Museum located above the iconic boutique on the Place Vendôme.

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Merry xtmas!!!

CHOCRÓN PRESENTA EL NUEVO CATÁLOGO BENÉFICO Ch-2012 “Diez personas 10” Autorretratos.

Chocrón Joyeros reunió a más de 300 ilustres invitados en el emblemático Palacio de la Bolsa de Madrid para celebrar la gala de presentación de su catálogo benéfico 2012, titulado “Diez personas 10”. Autorretratos.
Un año más, diez personalidades de enorme prestigio social y profesional accedieron de manera absolutamente desinteresada a colaborar con Chocrón Joyeros en su esfuerzo por apoyar a los más necesitados, posando ante el objetivo del fotógrafo norteamericano Brian Hallett a cambio de una aportación económica destinada a una Fundación, Asociación benéfica u ONG de su elección.
El actor Imanol Arias, el campeón del mundo Alvaro Arbeloa, la reciente ganadora de un Grammy Latino Niña Pastori, el tenista Feliciano López, la bailarina y Premio Príncipe de Asturias de las Artes Tamara Rojo, el diseñador Adolfo Domínguez, la reconocida soprano Ainhoa Arteta, el Chef varias estrellas Michelin Paco Roncero, la prestigiosa presentadora Anne Igartiburu y el conocido periodista deportivo Paco García Caridad aceptaron el reto de hacer su “Autorretrato”, explorando su faceta más personal e intimista que queda plasmada en unas instantáneas absolutamente inéditas.
Las fotos solidarias ocuparán las primeras páginas del Catálogo de imagen de Chocrón Joyeros 2012, que incorporará un vídeo con los momentos más significativos del making of.

Anne Igartiburu fue la encargada de presentar la gala en la que los protagonistas del Catálogo benéfico 2012 hicieron personalmente entrega de sus donaciones a los representantes de las Organizaciones escogidas.
Entre los amigos de Chocrón que no quisieron faltar al evento, se encontraban rostros conocidos como Genoveva Casanova, embajadora de la firma, Imanol Arias acompañado por Irene Meritxell, Xabi Alonso, Álvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Niña Pastori con Chaboli, Ainhoa Arteta, Anne Igartiburu, Aitor Karanka, Paco García Caridad, Remedios Cervantes, Lluvia Rojo, Sergi Arola, Paco Roncero, Darío Barrio, Víctor Ochoa y Angel Martín, entre otros.

THE AUDEMARS PIGUET FOUNDATION LAUNCHES A SCHOOL BOAT ON THE AMAZON

A new boat is crisscrossing the Amazon region of Peru. Funded by the Audemars Piguet Foundation, the Selma Viva (a name that means ‘living forest’) is dedicated to serving the Indian populations living along the river and who are the best guardians of the Amazonian forest.This summer, a group composed of representatives of the French non-governmental organization ARUTAM which will operate the Selva Viva, and of the Audemars Piguet Foundation which is backing the project, tested the boat before it performed its first missions. Eight days of navigation along the Amazon and two of its tributaries, the Marañon and the Samiria, enlivened by encounters with the Cocama Indias living along its banks, served to highlight both the qualities of the boat and the villagers’ expectations regarding its future missions.

A traditional boat equipped with state-of-the-art technologiesThe story of the Selva Viva began in Belem, a poor district of Iquitos, the capital of the Peruvian Amazon region. Amid the floating houses, jobless workers built a large wooden boat of the kind that existed when the city was the hub of the rubber trade.Inside it throbs a sturdy second-hand engine, while the upper deck is equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as GPS, sonar, satellite phone and laboratory instruments, all indispensable means that will enable it to safely accomplish its future missions.

Living along the riverAs the natural guardians of the forest, Indians will find it easier to resist the lure of the city shanty towns if they are better trained in their home villages and can gain additional income from the sale of medicinal plants for which there is strong demand in the city.In this part of the Amazon region where there are no roads, villagers travel to the city once a year to sell their harvest, drifting with the current on hand-made rafts in a journey that can take several weeks, before returning by an expensive taxi-boat service.

TrainingThe main mission of the boat will be educational. With its three decks, four two-bed cabins, a kitchen, a dining room, toilets, laboratory and a study, the Selva Viva will enable specially trained shamans to help the villagers perfect their knowledge and practice of traditional medicine and to safeguard the biodiversity of the Amazonian medicinal plants.

ResearchResearchers will regularly use the boat for missions serving to make an inventory of the Amazonian flora, in order to help in its conservation. They will also facilitate exchanges of knowledge between villages and will enable villagers, who have few opportunities to meet each other due to the extremely long journeys by dugout canoe from one village to another, to exchange their experiences and their needs.

Sustainable eco-tourismThe boat is also available to small groups wishing to experience an adventure far removed from traditional tourist circuits. This aspect of the activity of the Selva Vita will serve to fund the boat’s scientific missions while also facilitating respectful encounters between Indians and tourists.



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