If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): horology

Showing posts with label horology. Show all posts

Graff Unveils The Most Valuable, And Quite Possibly The Ugliest, Watch In The World.

At this year's Baselworld, the annual horology show, Graff unseated Hublot as having the world's most expensive watch.

With the recent unveiling of the Ferrari’s “LaFerrari” at the Geneva Motor Show, the pressure was on for Hublot to deliver something just as exceptional and the MP-05 LaFerrari watch is the result. In a demonstration and testimony that lives up to the car, it has achieved a historic record with its 50 day power reserve. It is also the watch with the most watchmaking components created to date by Hublot (637).

Looking like a miniature engine strapped to the wrist, the limited edition timepiece is priced at a cool 300,000 Swiss francs, or about $322,000, warranting its own garage.

The MP-05 "LaFerrari" was developed - in technical and design terms - entirely in parallel with the car, alongside the Ferrari teams. They share a number of common points. Able to boast no fewer than 637 components for the movement, which is also equipped with a Tourbillon, as well as a power reserve of approximately 50 days thanks to its 11 barrels, arranged in a line just like a spinal column and interconnected so that they do not each discharge in turn but support each other, this watch is closer to being a concept watch.

The watch is finely wrought in terms of shape, featuring a complex shaped sapphire crystal clearly reminiscent of the car's outline, as well as an open case-back, and is made from black PVD titanium. It is topped by a titanium and carbon insert in its center, revealing the winding crown. The time-setting crown is positioned under the case. Both are completely integrated into the design, and therefore practically invisible.

The movement has an original display, featuring first off on the front vertical face the small seconds indicated by means of an aluminum cylinder fastened onto the suspended Tourbillon cage (significantly bigger than usual with a cage diameter of 14.50 mm, for even better appreciation of the mechanical parts).

The hour and minute are displayed to the right of the barrels, also indicated by means of one anodized black aluminum cylinder each. On their left is the cylinder indicating the power reserve. Reinforcing bars either side, made from anodized red aluminum, bring to mind Ferrari's red signature.

A small detail, but one which makes reading the time easier; on each cylinder the size of the numerals has been maximized with white SuperLuminova™, to enhance the display for ease of reading. This is all rounded off by a rubber strap with a special folding buckle in black PVD titanium.

The desire for a truly exceptional watch has been extended to the design of the presentation case, made from Schedoni leather and carbon fiber, containing the specific tools for winding the watch, and whose design was also inspired by the world of motoring. Limited edition of 50 numbered pieces.

HUBLOT MASTERPIECE MP -05 “LaFerrari”

WATCH TECHNICAL DETAILS
•Reference 905.ND.0001.RX
•Series 50 numbered pieces
•Case Black PVD made of titanium
•Functions Hour and minute indicated by anodised black aluminium cylinders SuperLuminova™ markings
•Power reserve indicated by an anodised black aluminium cylinder SuperLuminova™ markings
•Seconds indicated by an anodised black aluminium cylinder SuperLuminova™ markings
•Suspended vertical Tourbillon
•Ergonomic time-setting system under the case middle (wrist side)
•Invisible manual winding
•11 series-coupled barrels

MOVEMENT TECHNICAL DETAILS
•Movement dimensions: Ø 45.8 x 39.5 mm
•Thickness 15.30 mm
•Tourbillon cage diameter Ø 14.50 mm
•Number of jewels 108
•Number of components 637
•Frequency 21,600 Vib/h (3 Hz)
•Power reserve 50 days

HUBLOT

individual images and information courtesy of Hublot, Hublotnation and Ferrari. Composite images by If It's Hip, It's Here.

Refined Hardware Watchmakers Combine Metal with Mettle In Three New Limited Edition Watches.

Having had success with their first made to order American industrial watch, The Harbinger, Los Angeles' Refined Hardware has just introduced three new watches; The Gatsby, The McQueen and The Rearden. Each steel encased watch is made to order and created in a limited number.

The Harbinger Edition, their first watch which is shown below, was made in a limited edition of 125 and is now sold out.

The Harbinger (Sold Out):

The Gatsby, $2985:

The McQueen, $2985:

The Rearden, $2985:

Due to their made-to-order basis, the Gatsby, The McQueen and The Rearden build times are approximately 8 weeks and all payments are final.

Order your watches here.

Karl Lagerfeld's New Watch Collection (All Of Them) For Men and Women.

Karl Lagerfeld, who has previously designed watches for such brands as Chanel and Fendi, has just launched his own collection of watches for both men and women. Manufactured by Fossil (who has also just completed purchasing Skagen watches), the watch collection consists of seven different styles and finishes ranging from matte black to gun-metal grey and polished stainless steel.

above: Video of the new KARL LAGERFELD watch collection featuring models Saskia De Brauw and Jon Kortajarena, shot by Karl Lagerfeld and Music by Chaim.

The launch collection, which is priced between $150 - $595, features limited edition packaging and specially engraved case backs, exclusive to the initial launch.

KARL ENERGY:

KARL POP:

KARL KOURBE:

Born from the mind of Karl Lagerfeld, the watch collection boldly represents the designer’s vision translated to modern time pieces. Iconic and edgy, the seven watch platforms are presented in an assortment of colors and sizes, offering the ultimate in fashion versatility.

KARL KEEPER:

One of the most unique pieces in the collection is the “Karl Zip,” Lagerfeld’s favorite silhouette.

KARL ZIP:

The Zip embodies everything that is Karl Lagerfeld with irreverent design and enduring appeal.

The exposed zipper is fully functional and does more than lure the eye—you can wear this runway-ready style as multiple accessories.

KARL CHAIN:

Stand out features within the collection include; stainless steel bracelets, luxe metallic leathers, pyramid studs and bold chains.

KARL 7:

Another collection highlight is the “Karl 7” named after Lagerfeld’s favorite number and surrounded by a beveled top ring that achieves a sleek and modern look uncharacteristic of traditional watch designs.

Karl Lagerfeld said, “You cannot buy time but you can get a beautiful watch to measure time without spending a fortune.”

Pier Paolo, President of Karl Lagerfeld said, “These timepieces embody the Karl Lagerfeld aesthetic and redefine the role of watches as a true fashion accessory. This collection provides another way to experience the world of Karl”

Steve Woodward, SVP of Licensed Brands for Fossil Group said, “KARL LAGERFELD is such an incredibly powerful brand. We are thrilled and honored to work with the brand to develop a watch collection that is, just like Karl himself, completely unique in the marketplace.”

The exclusively distributed collection launched simultaneously in select stores and online in North America, Europe and Asia. Retail price points range from $150 - $595 USD. You can find the watches at various department stores or you can shop the collection online here at the Watch Station.

http://www.karl.com/watches/

More Space Invaders Watches With A Price Tag That Is Outta This World from Romain Jerome.

The watchmaker Romain Jerome is best known for his luxury watches that incorporate the DNA of legendary things and landmarks. Inspired and paying tribute to historical events of the last century, each watch integrates the DNA of a legend such as the Titanic (made with rusted steel from the wreckage), The Moon (made with actual moondust), The Statue of Liberty (a bronze bezel which recalls the Statue of Liberty's crown) and EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL (made with Volcanic ash and black lava rock). Each timepiece comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by a third party. As one would expect, these are very highly priced.

Now, he has collaborated with legendary video game maker, TAITO, to release his second round of limited edition SPACE INVADERS watches. Last year he introduced a white and multi-colored version (shown below).

above: Romain Jerome's first Space Invaders watches were available in multi-colored and an all white version coated with Superluminova so it glows in the dark

Now, the new SPACE INVADERS WATCHES come in four colors with a special blue one for Paris store Colette. The price is over $15,000 for the watch. Why? Read on.

Having inherited the highly distinctive case of the Moon Invader collection (a round shape inside a cambered 46 mm square), the SPACE INVADERS watches have kept the same steel coalesced with fragments of Apollo 11. The four functional ball-and-socket joints on the corners of the case are shaped like the legs of the lunar landing modules of the American lunar missions. These extremely sophisticated components mounted on axles anchored in the case hold the lugs of the rubber straps and enable the watch to adjust to all kinds of wrist sizes.

Embodying another tangible token of the space age symbolised by the SPACE INVADERS collection, a dedicated plate made of Moon Silver RJ – a silver alloy with an extremely low oxidation rate incorporating moon rocks – appears on the stellar-patterned back of the watch and reproduces the lunar surface.

The dial is very complex and consists of three layers: the first two are beadblasted and the "straight graining" gives a pixelated aspect to the third layer. Measuring around 3.5 mm each, the SPACE INVADERS are meticulously machined one by one, applied by hand and lacquered in various colours. These pixel invaders are a playful nod that transforms watches into inspired "talking pieces" capable of creating a distinct sense of affinity with those who wear them, and who revel in the chance to thumb their noses at classic watchmaking conventions.

The first release of the new collection is especially made for Colette, the über hip store and gallery in Paris.

The pixelated figures (aliens) are the emblematic blue color of the store for a limited edition of eight pieces, only available in the trendy boutique. Buy it here

The SPACE INVADERS are available in four other colours (red, green, purple and yellow) and have started their incursion in all RJ-Romain Jerome points of sale worldwide. Limited editions of eight pieces per color, five new colorful legends have made their entrance at RJ-Romain Jerome.