Rebellion Predator Watch

The two-year old watch company Rebellion has already gained a strong foothold in the world of horology. Encouraged by car racing, it has surprised the demanding audience by its extraordinary watches: chronographs, regulators and tourbillions.

Created in cooperation with the designer Eric Giroud, the brand's new brainchild, named Predator, has also inherited many features from racing automobiles: the brake discs and the pedals, the five-layer dial featuring a honeycomb base, as well as the bridges shaped as a push rod (the bridges are used to connect the chronograph counters to the dial).

Another eye-catching attribute of the new Rebellion watch is a double sectorial seconds hand, positioned at 9 o'clock. The shorter hand points to the seconds from 0 to 30. The longer one, meanwhile, shows the seconds from 30 to 60.

Blancpain Villeret Moon Phase Watch

On the occasion of its 275th birthday, the watch company Blancpain has launched its novel Villeret collection. It will experience its world premiere at Baselworld 2010. The first watch from this line to be introduced is a new complete calendar moon-phase model, equipped with a secure calendar mechanism and under-lug correctors.

This new assemblage from Blancpain represents a happy marriage of visual appeal and complication, reflecting the very essence of the brand. Noble, refined and elegant as ever, the models from the brand's new series have been reinterpreted in a contemporary composition, using the benefits of the most modern technologies: Blaincpain devoted several years of intensive efforts to movement development.

The Villeret collection has always been distinguished by its complete calendar moon-phase complication. The Villeret Moon Phase watch from the line relies on a unique manufactory-made self-winding calibre, equipped with a balance wheel, beating at the rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It is also endowed with an antimagnetic index assembly, as well as two barrels, which provide a 72-hour power reserve.

Ulysse Nardin: Cellphone Chairman

[ via Uncells Home ]

Celebrated Swiss vanguard watchmaker Ulysse Nardin has partnered with the European firm, SCI Innovations, to create the world's first hybrid smart phone: the Chairman.

Inherently green, this smart phone pairs cutting-edge kinetic technology with the pedigree of the 163-year-old timepiece innovator.

The Chairman will be launched at Baselworld 2009 at Ulysse Nardin’s booth.

While details are limited, it has been confirmed that the Chairman will be able to use any mobile phone service provider in the world and includes several components never seen before in a smart phone.

It will incorporate a Ulysse Nardin designed kinetic rotor system which is blended into the mechanical and aesthetical design of the smart phone. This smart-phone is hand-assembled under the strictest guidelines mandated by Ulysse Nardin.

via JLC: A prototype of the latest Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Tides of Time

The timepiece is a "Tides of Time" edition of the fascinating Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm model. Symbolising the "Tides of Time" partnership between Jaeger-LeCoultre, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Herald Tribune, this timepiece associates two of the Manufacture's emblematic complications: a highly readable Memovox alarm function and the world time system, the simultaneous display of the time in 24 time zones.

TIDES OF TIME

Three of the cities on the outer world time dial ring have been replaced by three natural sites appearing on the World Heritage list benefiting from a dedicated preservation programme supported by Jaeger-LeCoultre (Scandola in France, Galapagos in Ecuador, and Tubbataha in Philippines).

The conception of the extraordinary patent-filed two-part case fulfils the highest performance demands: the case is connected to its support by an original system that absorbs shocks to an unprecedented degree and enables the movement to pursue its task smoothly and accurately, by protecting it from vibrations and impacts during use in extreme conditions.

Thanks to the ingenious patented interchangable wristband system integrated within the case middle, the straps can be removed in no time at all and replaced by another one.

The 36.2 mm diameter automatic movement, Calibre 912, is one of the most imposing of its generation. It is naturally equipped with the latest technical feats stemming from Jaeger-LeCoultre's ongoing research: a variable-inertia balance fitted with adjusting screws on the outer rim; unidirectional winding; as well as an oscillating weight with ball-bearings in ceramics - a high-tech feature offering the invaluable advantage of requiring no maintenance or lubrication. As the ultimate proof of its extraordinary sturdiness, the original alarm mechanism of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 912 is subjected to the implacable trial of the striker test, 45-hour power reserve.

The distinctive conception of the Master Compressor Extreme's shock-absorbing case called for in-depth research on the acoustic qualities of the alarm, leading to the creation of a state-of-the-art gong. Instead of the traditional gong fixed to the back of the case, the gong actually surrounds the movement and is secured to the case middle by two pins. It is struck by the hammer at a precise point near this point of attachment. The geometry has also been specifically revised so as to optimise the qualities of the sound emitted.

The alarm function comprises a double pushpiece enabling the owner to decide whether to start or stop the alarm function.

Reflecting these inner technical innovations, the Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm watch is distinguished by an original display of the alarm time by means of two juxtaposed discs that appear through a perfectly readable window at 9 o'clock. The positioning of the hour disc is followed by the minute one, thus enabling the user to select any time in five-minute intervals. The watch dial also carries a date window at 3 o'clock with fast adjustment.

MOVEMENT

• Automatic
  
• Pieces number: 315
  
• Vibrations per hour: 28800
  
• Power-reserve: 45 Hours
  
• Jewels: 23
  
• Barrel: 2
  
• Height: 7.78 mm
  

FUNCTIONS

• Hour - Minute
  
• Seconds
  
• Date
  
• World time indication simultaneously indicating the time in all 24 time zones.
  
• Alarm with double hour and minute display.
  
• Alarm function on/off selector.
  

CASE

• Stainless steel (support) / Titanium (case)
  
• Case-back engraved PROTO 
  

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Chronograph GMT Navy SEALs

[ via JLC ]

This is an authentically technical, demanding and rare diving instrument. Rare because very few watches combine chronograph functions and a dual time-zone display with day/night indication – especially within the context of a diver’s watch that strictly complies with the stringent NIHS (norms relating to its anti-magnetic, photoluminescent, water- and shock-resistance properties). Indeed, these standards are even surpassed by the Master Compressor Diving Chronograph GMT Navy SEALs, which is watertight to a depth of 100 metres, whereas the NIHS calls for “just” 100 metres. 

This 1000-metre performance is achieved by the limited series of 1500 in grade 5 titanium of the Master Compressor Diving Chronograph GMT Navy SEALs, while the 18-carat pink gold version in a limited edition amounts to 300 metres – an impressive record for this precious metal. 

A new mechanical automatic movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 757, powers this demanding 46.3 mm-diameter instrument complete with a steel-frame ceramic diving bezel, compression key crown and pushpieces equipped with compression wing-nuts and mastermoulded in black rubber; as well as a cambered sapphire crystal (hardness no. 9) and screw-down case-back engraved with the Navy SEALs emblem. 

The functions are arranged in a powerful, ultra-legible manner on its black dial stamped with luminescent numerals and hour-markers. Two trapeze-shaped skeletonized and luminescent hands point to the hours and minutes. The chrono-graph functions are indicated by two central hour and seconds hands along with a 30-minute counter, while the dial also shows the date, a movement operating indicator on a luminescent black and white disc, as well as a 12-hour dual timezone display with complementary day/night indication. 

Movement: 

mechanical automatic JLC Calibre 757, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand 

28,800 vibrations per hour 

65-hour power reserve 

285 parts 

41 jewels 

5.65 mm thick 

Functions: 

hours, minutes, date 

chronograph, 30-minute counter, central seconds hand 

movement operating indicator 

second time zone with day/night indication 

Dial: 

black, with stamped, luminescent hour-markers and numerals 

date: white, transferred against a black background 

movement operating indicator: black and white luminescent disc 

Hands: 

hours and minutes: trapeze-shaped, openworked, luminescent 

others: steel or brass, rhodium-plated or white 

Crown: 

1 black rubber-moulded crown at 3 o’clock equipped with a compression key, for starting the watch, adjusting the hours, minutes and date, as well as adjusting the second time zone 

2 black rubber-moulded pushpieces at 2 and 4 o’clock equipped with compress wing-nuts, for the chronograph functions 

Case: 

Ø 46.3 mm in grade 5 titanium, or in 18-carat pink gold, with ceramic diving bezel (steel frame) 

Navy SEALs engraving on the case-back 

cambered sapphire crystal, hardness n° 9 

screw-down case-back 

water-resistant to 100 atm for the grade 5 titanium version and to 30 atm for the 18-carat pink gold version. 

Wristbands : 

Vintage leather, overmoulded rubber or articulated rubber. The watch also comes with an alternative wristband, a diving strap in black Cordura® with a rip-and-grip strip. 

References: 

Pink gold, limited series of 500 

on leather strap: Q1782470 

on articulated rubber wristband: Q178277 

on rubber-moulded wristband: Q1782670 

Grade 5 titanium, limited series of 1500 

on leather strap: Q178T470 

on articulated rubber wristband: Q178T677 

on rubber-moulded wristband: Q178T670 

on titanium bracelet: Q178T170 

Edox Grand Ocean Decentrique Date Automatic

Here is another new Edox watch for 2009, the Grand Ocean Decentrique Date Automatic. If you aren't sure about the "decentrique" part of the name, just see how the face itself is "decentered." Yes, putting the suffix "ique" on just about anything gives you the ability to charge a 10-20% premium when selling it. Its a marketing fact (no its not actually).  Sarcasm aside, the watch is pretty nice, and gives me the hopes of owning a styling asymmetrical faced watch that I might actually be able to afford someday (you hear that Audemars Piguet Millenary collection?). Actually, the Audemars Piguet watch is not decentered but rather has two elliptical dials that create the appearance of being asymmetric while the watch face is still centered.

The Grand Ocean Decentrique has beautifully constructed case in 45mm comprised of a mix of rubber, PVD coated and un coated rose gold plated steel. It is certainly the type of watch that makes a statement. There is also the inherent sportiness to the watch. Having the rubber strap, combined with the 100 meters of water resistance surely gives you confidence when throwing it around, right?

The dial has the watch face set low and to the right, with a crescent mood of Roman numerals enveloping the face from the left. The watch dial is encompassed by a brushed rose gold colored ring that has two screws holding it in place, further enhancing the sporty look. I am not in love with the hands (save for the seconds hand with its prominent red tip), but they do the job, and are up for interpretation. That appear to be too classically derived for such a modern and sport watch. Powering the watch is a smaller sizer ETA 2004.1 automatic movement.

This is most stupid and useless date indicator.

Now I don't need pocket calculator to make sure

8-1 = 9 

Price is a pretty reasonable $2,800 (minus your messed up date discount)

Piaget Polo FortyFive Chronograph

[ via SIHH ]

The Piaget Polo FortyFive Chronograph is made of titanium, a first for the brand. It reinterprets the original aesthetic in a case that is watertight to 100 metres, extended by a strap made of injection moulded rubber, and expanded to a diameter of 45 mm – a size both in tune with our times and reminiscent of the average length of a polo match. The case has been given a new curve that ensures a good fit to the wrist. The sapphire case-back reveals the 880P movement, designed and developed entirely in-house. In addition to its chronograph and flyback functions, this calibre displays the hour and minutes functions, along with small seconds at 6 o’clock, the date at 12 o’clock and a second 24 hour time zone at 9 o’clock. This 5.6 mm thick self-winding mechanical movement has two barrels and a large screw balance, and offers a 50 hour power reserve when the chronograph mode is engaged.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon

[via SIHH]

A major player in watchmaking history, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2008.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has an impressive range of world firsts, superlatives and legendary models to its credit, including the Reverso, the Atmos, the Master Control, the Memovox Polaris, the Gyrotourbillon, the Extreme LAB or the Duomètre movement, and each year presents new creations illustrating the expertise and the spirit of innovation characteristic of the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux. Over 1000 people mastering over 40 watchmaking professions and over 20 cutting-edge technologies continue to pay tribute to the pioneering spirit of the House founders by creating new masterpieces in harmony with the grand watchmaking tradition.

In 2009, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces the Master Grande Tradition by presenting two unique creations, two new movements celebrating the birth of this new line: The First Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon and the first minute repeater featuring a regulator display.

Ebel Unveils 1911 Tekton AFC Ajax Automatic Chronograph

The case of the Ebel 1911 Tekton AFC Ajax Automatic Chronograph watch measures 48.50mm in diameter and is crafted from brushed stainless steel. The hexagonal bezel of watch is crafted from black rubber and accentuates the intricate nature of the multi-level silver dial. 

The dial features red flange and distinctive chronograph functions. The combination of red and white has been inspired by the design of the Ajax jersey. The case construction incorporates a screw-down crown and rubberized chronograph push-pieces. The timepiece is 200-meter water-resistant.

The sapphire crystal transparent case back allows true watch lovers admire the beauty of themanufacture Ebel 245 caliber that demonstrates a football-shaped winding mass. The exclusive automatic chronograph caliber provides precision timekeeping guaranteed by prestigious COSC chronometer certification. 

The movement incorporates a one-of-a-kind mechanism devised for measuring the 45-minute intervals of match half-times, and extra times. The rotating disc visible at 6 o'clock on the dial is responsible for measuring elapsed hours, in accord with the 45-minute periods. The Ebel 245 caliber also provides a date display, which may be adjusted rapidly when it is necessary. 

The 1911 Tekton AFC Ajax Automatic Chronograph watch will be available in a limited edition of 150 numbered pieces. The first 15 pre-released pieces are available exclusively at Dutch retailer Gassan Diamonds. 

[via Watches infoniac]