JAMES BOND INSPIRED WATCH

An interesting new James Bond-inspired model from Veldini Q is slated for production. Various incarnations of this wristwatch feature everything from screwdrivers to knives to diamond-tipped glass cutters. Other options include bottle openers and magnifying glasses. While the prototype designs are somewhat basic, the spy-gadget-appeal will doubtless call out to the kid in many if us and is sure to add a healthy dose of ‘fun factor’.



Source article: http://gizmodo.com/393169/the-veldini-q-wristwatch-was-inspired-by-james-bond-and-it-has-the-spy-gadgets-to-prove-it

SWISS LUXURY WATCH INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO GROW

The Swiss luxury watch industry continues its explosive growth, defying the slowing global economic climate. April Swiss watch exports grew 22.4% to 1.4 billion francs.

Source article: http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=615218

LESS FUNCTION, MORE FASHION

As the ubiquity of cellphones continues to grow, wristwatches are becoming less about function and more about luxury, style and fashion. The luxury watchmaking industry has embraced this change with open arms, as their paradigm has always been informed by the idea that a watch is not something that you use to check the time--it is a work of art.

However, there are those who see a re-surgence in function on the horizon. Daniel Ashbrook, a computer scientist at Georgia Tech, is convinced of it. His idea, though it is years from implementation, is create a wristwatch peripheral, much like a bluetooth earpiece, that will allow watch, cellphone and computer to all interact seamlessly so that you can check more than the time on your wrist: you could also see the weather, a stock market report or glance at your wrist to check your caller ID.

Source article: http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/2008/05/16/watch_0518.html

ULYSSE NARDIN INNOVATES AT BASELWORLD

Ulysse Nardin has become a proponent of integrating silicium into its exquisite watch manufacture. Silicium is a versatile element that is used in everything from semiconductors and microchips to glasses and ceramics.

The Ulysse Nardin Sonata Silicium uses silicum both for the aesthetic appeal and to help protect precision components in the Sonata's movements.



Source article: http://www.ulysse-nardin.com

VACHERON CONSTANTIN CELEBRATES BARBIER-MUELLER EXHIBITION

In 2007, Vacheron Constantin and the Barbier-Mueller Museum undertook a joint project to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva and the launch of the Métiers d’Art Les Masques collection by Vacheron Constantin. The brand is now again supporting the museum for its one-off Parisian exhibition entitled “Art of Africa and Oceania, highlights of the Babier-Mueller collection”. Hosted by the Jacquemart-André Museum in Paris from March 19th to August 24th 2008, the exhibition was inaugurated on March 18th. To mark the occasion, Vacheron Constantin invited numerous guests who enjoyed the opportunity to discover these works drawn from the worlds’ largest private collection of primitive art and imbued with striking beauty, power and mystery.

Source article: http://www.vacheron-constantin.com

BAUME & MERCIER IN VOGUE

Baume & Mercier appeared in April’s Vogue. Always a stellar brand, Baume & Mercier continues to keep itself in the public eye and drive the luxury timepiece industry forward with its innovative design, exquisite craftsmanship and excellent marketing.





Take a look at some of our Baume & Mercier Super Sale items:

Hampton City Automatic MOAO8342 (70% off MSRP)

Hampton Spirit MOAO8450 (69% off MSRP)

Hampton City Chronograph MOAO8344 (68% off MSRP)

Capeland S MOAO8324 (66% off MSRP)

Source article: http://www.baume-and-mercier.com

WOODEN TREASURES

Rose gold, yellow gold, platinum, stainless steel… wood? Better yet, bone?

Vjatka, Russia: In the early 1900’s, a small family of watchmakers became fascinated with the art of organic watchmaking and produced 500 wood, bone and ivory pocket watches over three generations. Approximately 250 of these horological creations still survive today, and are prized around the world. Most recently, a piece sold at a 2005 auction for $25,000 (a significant increase from its original price of 120 rubles). The original wooden model, first displayed in 1837, is said to have been purchased by Alexander II.





Source article: http://watchismo.blogspot.com

GENEVA AUCTIONS SHOW DEMAND

Demand among watch collectors is as strong as ever, as evinced by last weekend’s auctions in Geneva, home to some of the finest horological dynasties in the world. (Including Baume et Mercier, Chopard, Omega and Raymond Weil, among others).

A 1949 Patek Philippe model became the most expensive steel watch in the history of watch-making when it sold for over four million dollars to a private Swiss museum.

Several watches more than doubled low-end estimates of their worth. Some almost tripled estimations.

Overall the weekend auctions saw just over 500 pieces sold for a total of more than $35 million.

Source article: http://www.reuters.com/article/artsNews/idUSL0989854920080514