Jeweler-watchmaker or watchmaker-jeweller, Cartier excels in both. From this rich tradition, and as evidenced again recently with the introduction of the Drive, the Parisian Maison has drawn an unrivalled legacy in creating fascinating shaped watches. Monochromes brings together some of the most iconic Cartier masterpieces born from a unique perception of masculine elegance: sheer dandyism and the mastery of shapes.
Manufacture Royale, the Swiss watch brand whose original incarnation was founded by 18th-century French philosopher Voltaire, has developed six entirely new mechanical movements since its “rebirth” in 2010. At this year’s Baselworld, the company launched its seventh, which debuts in the 1770 Haute Voltige, a luxury travelers’ watch with an easy-to-set, independent, second-time-zone feature.
In its 175th anniversary year of 2014, Patek Philippe introduced its most complicated timepiece ever, the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175, which was limited to just seven pieces in elaborately engraved gold cases. This year, the Swiss brand introduces the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300, a new, non-limited (albeit certainly rare) version, to the regular Patek Philippe Collection.
The case and dial of the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300 has a distinctly different look than the original: made of 18k white gold and measuring 47.4 mm in diameter and 16.1 mm thick, it is decorated on its sides with a manually guillochéd hobnail motif, a pattern used by the brand since the launch of the Ref. 96D in 1934. The double-faced case features a clever mechanism between the lugs that enables the wearer to rotate between two dials — a black opaline “time and sonnerie” dial and a white opaline “calendar” dial, each devoted to displaying different elements of the watch’s astounding 20 complications. (Both dials on Ref. 5175 were white.) The black dial echoes the case’s hobnail pattern in the center and has applied Breguet numerals in white gold, white printed scales, and white gold hands. The white dial has four perpetual calendar subdials with black oxidized steel hands, all floating around a white-gold-framed four-digit year display in the center.
Like its limited-edition predecessor, the new Grandmaster Chime contains Patek Philippe’s Caliber GS AL 36-750 QIS FUS IRM (below), made up of no less than 1,366 parts. The case itself is composed of 214 parts, meaning that the total number of components in each watch is a breathtaking 1,580. In addition to the 20 complications — among them a Grande and Petite Sonnerie, minute repeater, acoustic alarm, moon-phases, and perpetual calendar — the movement boasts six patented technical innovations, including the case reverser system and the alarm mechanism. (For a full list of the complications and patents, and lots more details, read our full report on the original Grandmaster Chime.)
With its debut, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300 — which comes on a large square-scaled black alligator strap with a white-gold foldover clasp — becomes the most complicated wristwatch in the Patek Philippe regular collection, and the only one with a Grand Sonnerie complication. The price is available on request.
Omega is a glorious fashion house that is founded in 1848. This brand is well-known for its top quality watches. Designer watches including coveted Omega watches are very popular with counterfeiters all around the world. However, replicas can be easily differentiated from the authentic things. Below are some tips on spotting replica Omega Seamaster watches.
