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.

Introducing Clomm Watches Terra Firma Collection - Modern Unisex Timepieces With Seven Unique Faces.

Clomm is a relatively new boutique watch brand established last year by founder and creative director Gary Fidele. Their first collection, TERRA FIRMA (which translates to "on solid ground"), consists of seven modern and minimalist unisex watches whose faces feature materials such as cork, rosewood, oak, and black or white ceramic. The newest and most expensive addition to the collection is a Malachite face watch priced at $630 USD. Other watches in the Terra Firma Collection range from $450-$490.



The line of watches has Swiss Made Ronda movements, sapphire crystals, Aerospace grade stainless steel bezels and cases and real Italian leather bands. All the models have sweep second hands and luminous dials. No numbers and spec lines only on the ceramic faced watches add to the clean and modern design. Each watch weighs 110kg and measures a generous 60.0 x 52.0 x 15.0 mm and is 47mm in diameter.



Each Clomm watch comes in a nice wooden box:


The Watches
Rosewood, $490:

White Ceramic, $450:

Black Ceramic, $450:

Cork, $490:

Oak, $490:

Rosegold, $490:

Malachite, $630:



About Clomm
Specialized in creating minimalist and distinctive design with timeless appeal, the brand takes inspiration from the 12th century Anglo-Saxon word “Clomm” meaning "to grasp", reflecting the founders' English roots. Clomm products are made from materials of premium quality, embracing design, engineering and craftsmanship. The philosophy of the brand has been very clear from the beginning- To combine minimalist design with uncompromised quality.

The Designer

As a product designer from the UK, Gary has worked across a wide range of disciplines, designing everything from furniture and household items, to surfboards and wetsuits for clients around the globe. In 2011, with his broad experience and the desire to develop unique products, he created his first timepiece collection "Terra Firma", which is now available on the Clomm website and at our selected retailers.


Clomm watches

Marvelous Modern Wooden Pocket Watches. Introducing Memento Timepieces.

The concept of the pocket watch goes waaaay back. But bringing it a modern look and feel (and an affordable price) is Memento Watches of Hong Kong. Memento is a delicate timepiece housed into an elegant wooden shell of sandal wood or maple wood, giving each single watch a distinctive texture and pattern. Don't think you'd actually put a pocket watch in your pocket? Consider clipping it to your briefcase, handbag, backpack or keychain.








Product specifications:
• Crown and case: hairline finish 204 stainless steel and alloy
• Movement: Miyota co. Citizen quartz two hands movement (Japan)
• Wooden case: sandal wood (South Africa) / maple wood (China)
• Dimensions: 500 x 580mm
• Warranty: 1 year
• Designed in Hong Kong s.a.r
$125 USD


Buy them here

Racing-Inspired Watches. Autodromo Motoring Timepieces Are Just Your Speed.

Inspired by automotive instruments such as speedometers and tachometers, Autodromo Motoring Watches are a new collection of Swiss made wristwatches whose faces are minimal in design and reminiscent of vintage Italian racing-inspired style.

Just launched, the collection consists of three models, two available in two different finishes; the Brescia, the Vallelunga, with a white or black dial, and the Veloce in a black or stainless finish.

Brescia:



Vallelunga (white face):



Vallelunga (black face):



Veloce (stainless case):



Veloce (black case):



With quartz movements, sapphire coated crystals and leather straps, the watch cases measure 42mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness and are designed for both men and women.




And the come beautifully packed in individual cases:


The Autodromo Story (courtesy of Autodromo)

INSTRUMENTS FOR MOTORING

Officine Autodromo was founded to recapture a romantic era of motoring. It was a time of Gran Turismo when driving from city to city wasn't just a matter of hopping onto an expressway. It meant slipping on your driving gloves for a high speed jaunt through the great roads of Europe with a powerful, sweet-sounding engine propelling you into new adventure, and maybe even a little danger. You can’t be out every day, blasting through alpine passes and winding country roads, but with an Autodromo timepiece on your wrist, your mind can be motoring, even when you are in the dullest of Monday meetings.


VINTAGE-INSPIRED MINIMALIST DESIGN

Autodromo watches and accessories draw aesthetic inspiration from the world of mid-century auto racing. Our products have a vintage feel, alloyed with a clean, uncluttered modernist design philosophy. Each new product is conceived as an artifact that might have existed in the past, but is equally at home in the world of today.

SWISS MADE MOVEMENTS – BATCH MADE QUALITY

Only the finest quality materials and the best Swiss Made movements are deemed suitable to go into an Autodromo motoring watch. And because we keep our batches small, we can ensure that each piece that goes out the door meets our exacting standards of excellence. Our goal is to offer beautiful design, attention to detail, and exquisite craftsmanship at prices that represent a smart allocation of resources. With Autodromo, you can live well and drive well.

PROUDLY INDEPENDENT – OBSESSIVELY DRIVEN

Everything we do, from our motoring watches to the custom wrapping paper we ship each purchase in are designed in-house by our small, passionate team. We build products we are passionate about, and approach each and every new project with the goal of crafting a special and memorable experience for the discerning customer. That’s our obsession.- Autodromo

Each stylish watch retails for $425 and can be purchased at their website.

A special shout-out to Brian Jones for bringing these to my attention.