luxury watches
Moon phases in watch-making: measuring life with time.
Watchmaking is a beautiful blend of technical mastery and poetry. Watchmakers are often considered as artists and from their ingenuity comes marvelous creations that keep your time. Some of the watches can do much more. What we usually call complications, bring an added value to the measure of time. This month, our watch blog decided to talk about a very interesting and one of the oldest complications in watch-making: the Moon Phases. Moon Phases and the measurement of life The lunar phase or phase of the moon is the shape of the illuminated (sunlit) portion of the Moon as seen by an observer on Earth. The lunar phases change cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative to the Earth. The Moon’s rotation is tidally locked by the Earth’s gravity, therefore the same lunar surface always faces Earth. This face…
Everything You Wanted To Know About Mechanical Watches And Never Dared To Ask
Since Quartz watches and lately Connected watches slammed the market, people got more and more interested in mechanical watches. They represent state of the art watchmaking and like a car, a mechanical watch would be worthless without its engine, called movement. Many people see how it looks like but do not have a clear understanding on how this works. The aim of this article is to provide you with a general understanding of the mechanical watch principles. So probably you will finally have the answers to your questions. Manual vs Automatic, What Does It Means? Very often you see the denomination of Manual or Automatic watch. This refers to how the watch gets its power to work. If it is a manual watch, it means you need to use the crown to wind it up, at least once a day or once every 2 days if you wish to maintain…
Vacheron Constantin Pre-SIHH 2019: Les Cabinotiers
Creativity never sleeps. This fall, Vacheron Constantin is revealing 2 amazing novelties that will be presented during the 2019 SIHH in Geneva. The two following timepieces are a beautiful tribute to Geneva watchmakers who used to work in the roof tops of buildings. Their workshops were called “Cabinets” and the watchmakers working there were named “Cabinotiers”. Here are the full details for these two intriguing watches. Pre-SIHH 2019: Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication Phoenix Vacheron Constantin has a long tradition in perpetuating the “Cabinotiers”. This is how prestigious watchmakers were named when they used to work on the top floors of Geneva’s buildings. These artists used to get inspiration in nature as well as in science and the whole creative universe would bath in the light of the Enlightenment century. They dare to craft exceptional timepieces of rare technical and aesthetic complexity: a beautiful blend of science and art. Vacheron Constantin…
MIDO Commander Big Date: Celebrating 100 Years of Quality, Innovation And Design.
When Georges Schaeren founded MIDO one hundred years ago, he set the principles that would allow the Swiss watchmaker to evolve through the years: impeccable quality, always-on innovation philosophy and perfect design. To start this year of celebrations, MIDO launched a Commander Big Date. It reflects the spirit of the company as an international benchmark in terms of watchmaking. MIDO Commander Big Date, the very best of MIDO. One hundred years is a great anniversary and MIDO decided to make things BIG. With the launch of the Commander Big Date, the Swiss watchmaker capitalized in the great design codes of the Commander and added something new. This new line adopts the codes that have given the Commander its legendary status: a sunray satin-finished dial, protected by an elegant round case in satin-finished stainless steel and enhanced by a polished bezel. The Commander line is a true hymn to iron, to the curves…
SIHH 2018: Cartier Is A Master Of Mystery
With the opening of SIHH this year, Cartier is revealing 2 great timepieces: the Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon and the Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious Day & Night. These two watches represent a deep understanding of watchmaking with a over-the-top sense of aesthetics. For sure these are quite exceptional watches. The Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon This watch is built on the base of the one presented back in 2013. Here we have a very striking watch made in a 45mm platinum watch case and a good 12.4mm thick. We have the traditional blue hands and the blue sapphire in the winding crown. Cartier became a true expert in hiding secrets of manufacturing. Here is the video from the one back in 2013: The principle remains intact. At six o’clock we can see a double axis tourbillon rotating in an aperture without any visible support. All the magic comes…
SIHH 2018: Audemars Piguet Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of The Royal Oak Offshore
This year, Audemars Piguet has a strong inspiration to be revealed during the Geneva SIHH. It is the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore. The Royal Oak became one of the icons of modern watchmaking. Distinctive and highly qualitative, it signs with golden letters the reputation and the style of the brand. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak range, timeless and iconic For over a century, Audemars Piguet has devised endlessly inventive horological masterpieces. Throughout the years, Audemars Piguet watchmakers have surpassed technical and theoretical boundaries to craft ever more demanding mechanisms. Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Since 1875, the company has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie, including a number of world firsts. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura, numerous masterpieces are created in…
10 Exclusive Luxury Watches for Women Worth Buying
Many women have a craze of wearing a classy watch on their left or right hand. An awesome looking watch is a unique way for women to complement their apparel, adding style, class, and grace to their appearance. An attractive watch expresses a woman’s bold personality, at the same time highlighting her inner beauty and femininity. Let’s explore the top luxury watches for women that they can buy online this winter! 1# Ballon Blanc de Cartier: Cartier is the top-most luxurious watch that is designed with Swiss quartz movement of high quality. The Ballon Blanc dial is adorned with deep-lacquered white pearl along with blue sword-shaped hands and Cartier trademark railroad design. Its thin and small case is accessible in 18-karat white gold or rose with colorless [IF, VVS1] solitaire diamonds on the bezel. 2# Blancpain Women Jour Nuit: Blancpain owns a striking design which is a thin yet large…
Single-hand watches, less is more.
In Watchmaking, time is a serious matter. Hours, minutes and seconds are the pulse of a watch heartbeat. And time never stop. Despite the fact this might sound incredibly strict, some watchmakers brought a different way to measure time thanks to single-handed watches. Single… What? A watch hands are the reason why we look to our watch In watchmaking one key component are the hands of a watch. Without them you cannot see time. They have the function of transmitting the time indication from the movement to the dial in which you have the time marks. Or then it means you have a digital display. And do you know why they turn right around the dial (and not left)? This is because of the first solar clocks. The shadow projected on the clock dial would follow the sun position and so would turn around to the right side. Probably by…
Top 5 Dive watches you need for this summer
There are situations like when you dive in the ocean where you need a reliable watch. Your life might depend on it. Discover our selection of best Dive watches. You might need one of these soon. A Dive watch is a perfect companion for adventure When you own a watch, it becomes your best companion at all moments. Sometimes the watch is there during a hard day work in which every second counts. Or during an adventure while diving in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. And if you chose well, it can be the same watch. The first timepieces used underwater were counted in the 17th century already. Divers would find a way to protect their pocket watches in ways that imagination would be challenged. In the 19th century, several “Explorer watches” were made. All represented full customized watches for the specific needs of their owner. Early in the…
Exclusive Interview with Jean-Marie Schaller – CEO of Louis Moinet
The spirit of a luxury house is often represented by the personality and the charisma of its leader. Louis Moinet’s CEO Jean-Marie Schaller translates this idea. LuxuryActivist had the opportunity and privilege to meet Mr Schaller in the heart of Baselworld effervescence. We wanted to know more about him and this magnificent watch brand. Louis Moinet was one of the greatest watchmakers ever – his inventiveness, passion and willingness to pass on his wisdom mean his contribution to horology is immeasurable. His spirit lives on thanks to Jean-Marie Schaller who, as founder and creative director of the Louis Moinet brand, revived the prestigious name of the inspirational master watchmaker. Louis Moinet pursuits its path of greatness and loyal to the spirit of Mr Moinet, the Swiss brand perpetuates the legacy of exceptional timepieces. LuxuryActivist wanted to meet Mr Schaller for an exclusive interview that you can read here: LuxuryActivist (LA): How did you get…
SIHH 2017: Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronometre – “Simplexity” at its best.
With the 27th Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie – 2017 SIHH, opening we can see amazing new creations that will rhythm the year of all watch passionate people. One timepiece to highlight is the new Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronometre. Simple and complex, a true beauty for the eyes. For other 2017 launches you can read our previous article here. Parmigiani Fleurier – It is all about the love of watchmaking Parmigiani is a contemporary story of watchmaking. One that deserves to be told as only a few watchmakers dared to launch a new brand, in the middle of the Quartz crisis. In 1974, Michel Parmigiani had only recently graduated when the watchmaking industry was confronted with an unprecedented crisis caused by the massive influx of quartz movements from Asia. Within a decade, what would later be referred to as “the Quartz Crisis” saw the loss of 90,000 jobs and affected whole…
Luxury Watch Brands and Investing in Time
By looking at a gentleman’s watch, you can tell a lot about him before he opens his mouth. Not only are luxury watches expensive, they require care and attention throughout their years. There are a number of reasons why you should invest in a high class watch. Status is one of the most obvious. Many believe that business men and woman can be judged on wealth and status based on their choice of watch. Not only are watches easily seen, but they are a display of a person’s style and economic status. Depending on the height of your success, it is often expected that a trustworthy businessman/woman invests in a unique timepiece that explicitly displays their wealth and value within their business. Wearing your Wealth In most cases, it is only you and your banker that will see the money that you have in your account. Depending on your geographical location, if…
Manufacture Royale: A Ray of Light in Swiss Watchmaking.
Sometimes we feel that we have seen it all, especially in Watchmaking. Well you are wrong. In Switzerland you can discover true marvels, small treasures in the serious business of Watchmaking. When it comes to Luxury watches, Manufacture Royale is like a ray of light providing bright, luxurious watches aligned with a strong heritage. Thank you very much Mr Voltaire! It was all about Voltaire and his free spirit François-Marie Arouet, also known as Voltaire (his writer name), was a French writer, historian and famous philosopher of the 18th century. He believed in freedom of religion, freedom of speech and separation of church and state. Definitely not an easy position to maintain, especially in France. Voltaire was a versatile writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets. He was…
Sapphire glass, not jewelry but high-tech.
It is not the first time we hear that a timepiece has a sapphire glass. Some people think it is made of real sapphire, others do not really know. Here is finally the explanation you were waiting for. There is Sapphire and Sapphire glass Sapphire is commonly the name given to the precious gemstone variety from the mineral called Corundum (an aluminium oxide). Most of the time it is blue because of the presence of iron and titanium but color car be variable depending on other complementary mineral. Because of its hardness, natural Sapphires can be used in many other domains than jewelry. We can find Sapphires in optical components as well in certain wristwatches movement bearings. In luxury watch-making, the watch glass is always what we call a “Sapphire glass”. Does it means that we tool a real big natural Sapphire and cut a little thin piece on it?…
C.O.S.C. – The ultimate precision in watch-making
COSC is Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, which is the institute responsible for certifying the accuracy and precision of wristwatches in Switzerland. The COSC was founded by five watchmaking cantons of Switzerland: Bern, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Solothurn and Vaud, together with the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS). It encompasses the laboratories/observatories that had been created independently of each other from the late 19th century. It is a non-profit organization and tends to certify Swiss-made movements. There are today 3 main laboratories in Switzerland: Biel, Le Locle and Saint-Imier. The first one is almost dedicated to Rolex watches based on the amount of annual certification requests. Despite the fact that not all Rolex movements are chronometers, every single movement get a COSC certification. Some brands also tend to certify all movements. Breitling declared that all movements are COSC certified and Omega also test ruffly…