Gentlemen, Start Your Watches. Hublot's MP-05 "LaFerrari"

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.

Ninth Mayan Underworld Luxury Watch with Solid Gold Glyph-Engraved Face by De Bethune.

The ninth Mayan underworld - The symbolic advent of a new world by De Bethune

The ninth step of the Bolon Yokte Ku, the cosmic pyramid of the Mayan civilisation, symbolises the advent of a new world, the ninth underworld, according to which the evolution of consciousness is believed to reach its highest level.



On the occasion of humankind’s symbolic passage into this new underworld predicted by the Mayan calendar, De Bethune presents an exceptional 12-piece edition in tribute to the scholarly traditions of this people.



The Ninth Mayayn Underworld watch has a dial in solid gold with hand-engraved by Michèle Rothen and is composed of three parts:
• The outer ring with numerical glyphs in flame-blued steel,
• The inner ring composed of 20 different glyphs symbolizing divinities, animals or sacred objects,
• And the central part representing a period glyph – the baktun comprising 144,000 days.



Renowned for its technical and artistic innovations, the Manufacture De Bethune is building 21st century horology while remaining true to the history of science and art.

The desire to portray the epic adventure of humankind through all its many cultures represented a fascinating challenge for the De Bethune team, which has sought to recreate the deep atmosphere of the ceramics and stones sculpted by the Mayan scribes.



The solid gold dial of these timepieces has been hand-engraved by Michèle Rothen, and enhanced by 31 flame-blued steel inserts. The hour circle displays the numerals of Mayan numbering system, while the inner ring presents the 20 glyphs of divinities, animals and sacred objects representing the various days of the calendar.



The dial centre features the baktun, a period glyph used in particular for calculating the “Long Count” and comprising 144,000 days.

In order to highlight the subtle visual equilibrium of the dial, the hands are made in sapphire rimmed with blued steel according to an exclusive De Bethune procedure.



The Mayan scholarly tradition, partially re-transcribed in the manifestos or codices dealing mostly with astral sciences, testify to a strong interest and a genuine fascination for long periods, dates, and remote events both past and future. The Mayan scholars devised a sophisticated arithmetical system mainly composed of period glyphs and numerical glyphs, associated with signs and hierarchized for the “Long Count” of lengthy periods of time.

With its feet firmly planted in history and its head turned to the future in building tomorrow’s watchmaking, De Bethune offers its own distinctive celebration of the mystical and scientific Mayan genius, and the symbolic advent of a new world.

The ninth Mayan underworld Technical description
Functions: hours - minutes
Movement: Calibre DB 2005 – mechanical hand-wound
Mainplate hand-decorated and snailed, hand-chamfered and polished steel parts, De Bethune stripes
Self-regulating twin barrel*
Silicon/platinum balance wheel*
Triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system*
Jewelling: 29 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: 6-day power reserve

Case Drum measuring 44 mm in diameter in white gold with hollowed lugs
Thickness: 12.50 mm
Glass: sapphire crystal, 1800 Vickers with double anti-reflective treatment
Crown at 3 o’clock – adjustment in 2 positions

Exhibition back: sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
Dial in solid gold hand-engraved by Michèle Rothen and composed of three parts:
outer ring with numerical glyphs in flame-blued steel, inner ring composed of 20 different glyphs symbolising divinities, animals or sacred objects
central part representing a period glyph, the baktun comprising 144,000 days
Hands in sapphire rimmed with flame-blued steel
Strap: extra-supple alligator leather with pin buckle
* Patents registered by the Manufacture De Bethune



Bethune Geneva Office
8, Rue de la Confédération 1204
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 310 22 71
Fax: +41 22 310 33 40

images and press release courtesy of De Bethune and additional images courtesy of Watchonista

Parmigaini Fleurier Redesigns Their Limited Edition Bugatti Watch.

Parmigiani Fleurier, the official partner of Bugatti since 2001, unveiled the second generation of its Bugatti models. The follow-up to the Bugatti Type 370 is a special first edition of 30 pieces, The Bugatti 372 made to accompany the release of the Bugatti Super Sport.

The Bugatti 372, Parmigiani's Super Sport Watch:



In 2004, Parmigiani revolutionized the world of watchmaking by placing the entire movement of its Bugatti Type 370 watch on a transverse axis, just like a car engine block. A pillar assembly connected the calibre's five plates and the train wheels cut in the shape of a car wheel.

The Bugatti 370:


In 2010, Parmigiani flips all the mechanical components of the new calibre Bugatti PF 372 onto a vertical axis, retaining the lateral time display so appreciated car drivers. *




In a world premiere, Parmigiani has successfully developed a 90° time setting system – the dial is positioned perpendicular to the display axis (hours/minutes) – by integrating a system of double pinions with bevel gearing. Like the complete movement, this unique and complex mechanical system, which allows the time to be displayed on the side, has been entirely designed and created in the workshops of the Fleurier manufacture (VMF).




Another key feature of the new Bugatti: its dynamometric crown. Perfectly integrated just above the profile, this is one of the essential technical components in terms of the harmony of the model's aerodynamic lines. To retract the winding stem from its housing and make it accessible for setting, a slight pressure is sufficient.



The manually wound Calibre Parmigiani 372 (power reserve of 10 days) was designed in two planes in order to match the contours of the new Bugatti watch. On the wrist, the watch movement is displayed at an angle of 30°. On the upside, the balance and escape wheel bridges form an arc reminiscent of the Bugatti oval. The screw balance, produced at atokalpa – the Parmigiani manufacture's bar turning facility – is perfectly visible, just like the central circular power reserve bridge with a 10-day graduated scale.





Striking aesthetic characteristics, the train wheels are once again cut in the form of car wheels, the plate and its 10 bridges, designed and decorated in line with Parmigiani's exclusive criteria, adopt the pillar system already used on the Calibre 370. A total of six sapphire crystals reveal the 337 impressive components of the new Bugatti Super Sport, which is water resistant to 10 metres. The carbon fibre hour wheel can be seen through the dial's openworked centre, and is an homage to the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. The hands, applique indexes and counter are picked out in the same shade of orange used on the limited edition "world record" Veyron.



above: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. © Bugatti

The profile, signature of the Parmigiani style
The highly tapered profile of the Bugatti Super Sport recalls the body of a wing, however the inspiration for the design lies in the iconic shape of the case lugs on a Parmigiani watch. Boasting the brand's characteristic curves the new Bugatti represents the decisive signature of the Parmigiani style.



Highly ergonomic on the wrist, the Bugatti Super Sport offers even greater comfort thanks to the two removable lugs incorporated at the front of the watch. Of a complexity rare in watchmaking, the design of the new Bugatti's 18 ct white gold case – created by Les Artisans Boîtiers, the Parmigiani manufacture's case production facility – reproduces the taut lines of the Bugatti Veyron's wings. Brushed or polished, inclined planes and bevels are brought to life by contrasting light effects to reveal its generous volumes. The watch's aerodynamic curves, which are reminiscent of those on the 1200 bhp Bugatti Veyron, are matched with an integral Hermès strap specially created for the occasion.

Parmigiani CEO Jean-Marc Jacot expressed delight that his company was able to produce this watch, and produce it quickly. He explained that in the fall of 2009 Bugatti approached him with the news the car company would have something very special to unveil at the Concours d’Elegance in 2010. The idea was for Parmigiani to also have something to show there in tandem. At the time, the watch was nothing more than a concept; to meet the challenge, he put more than forty of the manufacturer’s designers and engineers on the project full-time. “We have a lot to prove with Parmigiani because we are so young,” said Jacot. “And with this watch, we have proven how creative we can be.”

The Type 372, was officially released at the SIHH in January. Only thirty watches will be produced, each costing a retail price of $259,000. The first finished timepiece has already been reserved for the British executive who will be receiving the first Bugatti Super Sport car off the assembly line. When Jacot was asked if he thought the 1.6 million euros the man is paying for the Bugatti was enough to warrant receiving a free Parmigiani watch, he responded, “I wish I could, but this watch is too special to give away, even for 1.6 million euros.”

*based on an original idea by Bastien Leuba, a talented student at the Ecole d’Horlogerie in Le Locle.


Specs:
Model: Bugatti Super Sport, 30-piece special edition.

Movement
PF 372
Manual winding.
Power reserve 10 days.
Two-plane movement. "Gold black"-coloured plates and bridges.
Height 15.96 mm, width 25.00 mm, length 37.01 mm.
Vibration 3 Hz - 21,600 vib./h.
40 jewels.
Côtes de Genève, perlage, polished and bevelled angles.
2 series-coupled barrels.

Functions
Hour
Minute
Power reserve indicator

Exterior
Shaped case: 36.0 x 50.7 mm, height 22.7 mm.
Material: 18 ct white gold. Polished and satin finish.
Water resistance: 10 m.
Six anti-reflective sapphire crystals. Metallised front and top crystal on the outer edge.
Single dynamometric crown for time setting and winding.
Individual number engraved on the case-back.

Dial
Black Carbon face, fine polished and satin-finished EB applique marker, shaped and polished applique indexes at 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock, Bugatti "nail" motifs, delta-shaped hands with luminous coating.

Leathers
Hermès alligator, deployant buckle in 18 ct white gold, polished finish.

press release and images courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier additional images courtesy of Worldtempus

Bugatti
Parmigiani Fleurier

Kudoke : Hand Made German Skeletonized Luxury Watches

There's a new luxury watch player in town. Introduced at Basel Miami were one-of-a-kind hand made mechanical watches from German watch manufacturer KUDOKE. They specialize in skeletonizing and hand engraving and create only a limited number of each watch, making them very valuable and desirable. They have watches for women, men, and unisex styles.

The KUDOKE Mysticum:

Case:
Stainless steel, yellow or white gold
Diameter 42 mm
Strap elements screwed
Screwed base
Sapphire crystal on top
Case back: hardened mineral crystal (electively sapphire crystal)

Dial:
Hand engraved and skeletonized

Movement
Diameter 36,6 mm
Height 4,5 mm

Hands
Handmade Kudoke steel, tempered blue

Strap & Buckle
Louisiana crocodile or genuine leather strap (electively available in
other kinds of leather & colours)
Sewed by hand
Buckle made of stainless steel

Images are some of their other models, see the site for details.

Their unisex model:


Men's Gold:


Men's Silver:




To see their complete line and learn about the craftsmanship, models, history and more, visit
their site.