With Baselworld 2013 less than a month away, many of the world’s leading watchmakers are only too eager to give us a sneak peak of what we can expect to find at this years show. This means that there is no shortage of sumptuous timepieces for us to drool over report on. So let’s pull on our Tony Lama boots, don our stetsons and round up this week’s big news stories from the whole wide world of watches.
The New Traveller Collection from Girard-Perregaux
The last couple of weeks saw some pretty big news coming from Girard-Perregaux. First there was the announcement of its new pioneering constant force escapement, which we featured in last week’s news round up; second, is the introduction its brand new Traveller Collection, an updated version of its iconic WW.TC collection
The collection includes two new models, one a chronograph with a timezone indicator, the other complete with moon phases and a large date display.
Housed in a 44mm case, the Traveller Moon Phases and Large Date is something of a more modern look for Girard-Perregaux and features a slightly curved dial and plunging bevelled minute scale. The dial also includes a large date window at 12 o’clock, just below a polished GP appliqué. At the position of 7.30 is where you’ll find the moon phase and small second indicator, with the power reserve found at 4.30.
Pictured above, the Traveller WW.TC is a worthy follow up to its predecessor. Driven by a self winding movement, comprising of 476 parts, the movement, which as well as hour and minute hands also drives a small seconds, date, world time, day and night indicator and a chronograph.
Taking a closer look at the dial, there is a plethora of information to take in, which we’ll look at in more detail when we review the new Girard-Perregaux Traveller Collection next week on Click Tempus.
IWC – Portuguese Chronograph Classic
No doubt watch fans around the world will be excited to hear that those good folks at IWC Schaffhausen have released two additions to the wonderful Portuguese Collection. The collection, which is more than 70 years old, is widely regarded as one IWC’s finest and is very much a modern classic in the truest sense of the term.
The first of IWC’s new timepieces is an updated version of the Portuguese Chronograph, known simply as the Chronograph Classic. Pictured above, the new model is a little larger than the normal Portuguese timepieces, measuring 42mm. The dial features and elapsed time display at 12 o’clock, with a running seconds and date display at 6 and 3 o’clock respectively.
For more information on the latest additions to the Portuguese Collection click here.
Yeslam Aviator III
Swiss luxury watch brand, Yeslam introduces the Aviator III, a pilots watch specially designed by…well…pilots! The Yeslam watch brand, with its Middle Eastern roots is actually owned by Osama Bin Laden’s estranged brother, Yeslam Bin Laden.
The Aviator III is set to be officially unveiled at Baselworld next month and is capable of calculating the speed of an object in relation to the speed of sound (Mach), which is probably more than useful should you by flying a plane. The watch also features a dual timezone and rotating bezel and is crafted from titanium and cobalt.
Look out for more detailed coverage of the Yeslam Aviator III on Click Tempus following its launch at Baselworld 2013.
Spero Lucem – La Clemence
Independent Geneve based watch maker Spero Lucem is part of Yvan Arpa’s creative watch making umbrella. Specialising in producing high end, limited edition timepieces, which are far from ordinary (you wouldn’t expect anything else from Arpa) a Spreo Lucem timepiece incorporates avant garde detailing and fine mechanical complications.
As a sneak preview of what to expect at Baselworld 2013, Spero Lucem have this week released details of its new La Clemence Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon. The watch, named in tribute to Yvan Arpa’s hometown, is available in either 18k gold or titanium and features and in house manual winding tourbillon movement with 59 jewels. The watch also houses a third and somewhat unique complication in the shape of hands that ‘go crazy’ when the striking mechanism is activated – it’s quite a sight.
We’ll be covering the Spero Lucem La Clemence watch in greater detail in the coming weeks, so make sure you check out Click Tempus for more information.
Ernest Borel – Retro Collection I
Ernest Borel has been creating elegant and beautifully crafted timepieces for the best part of 150 years. Drawing inspiration from the 1930’s, the Jura based watch maker has just released the classically designed Retro Collection I.
The collection includes both men’s and ladies timepieces that are distinguishable by the use of Roman numeral as hour markers. The ladies watch is driven by a Swiss ETA 2671 movements, with either an ETA 2824 or Sellita SW200 calibre for the men. The watches measure 41mm (men’s) and 35mm (ladies) in diameter.
Look out for more from Ernest Borel in the run up to Baselworld.
Harry Winston – Histoire de Tourbillon 4
Harry Winston has launched the latest timepiece in its Histoire De Tourbillon series, the Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 4. Whilst the name might not be all that imaginative, the watch represents arguably the epitome of fine watch making. The mechanism featured in the Tourbillon 4 is one of the most complicated you’re likely to find, with its three concentric cages, which all rotate at different speeds and angles.
The stunning movement contains an impressive 345 parts yet only weighs 1.57 grams! The three dimensional dial consists of four separate sub dials which display hours, minutes, seconds and a power reserve indicator.
Limited to just 20 pieces, there will be an in depth look at the Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 4 on Click Tempus in the coming weeks.
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