Archive for January, 2008

New Watch Creations BaselWorld 2008

January 31, 2008

Several Swiss Exhibitors taking part in the BASELWORLD 2008 fair unveil, as a preview, some of their new creations:

PERRELET
The Double Rotor, a veritable Perrelet icon, has been spectacularly re-interpreted with a futuristic design, high-tech materials and innovative technology. Even though the titanium case gives this timepiece a resolutely contemporary character, it has remained faithful to the watch brand’s aesthetic identity, proving that it is possible to combine tradition with the future, and luxury with state-of-the-art technology.

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BREITLING
Having mastered the air, Breitling set out in the late 1950’s to conquer the seas with its Superocean diver’s watch. A tribute to time, the Superocean Heritage has taken on both the spirit and design of the original in this new chronograph version. The original B in gold above the Breitling signature is an invitation to travel as are the highly characteristic luminescent triangular hour hand andthe original sumptuous bracelet in plaited steel. A timepiece to win over both those who are nostalgic and those who are fascinated by the ocean’s depths.

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CONCORD
Rigorous and bold, the chronograph C1 declares its ambitions by taking robustness to the very limits of possibility, while dressing its imposing case in gold. Combining different materials with uncommon skill, Concord reveals its technological expertise in both research and innovation: from the strap fitted directly onto the case without any horns – a world first ! – to the spectacular sapphire crystal which literally emerges from the case, Concord has produced a truly =
rare and powerful creation.

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A.B.ART
The discreet design of this timepiece reinforces its calm strength. Both classic and modern, it will appeal to the sophisticated woman as much as to the easygoing man.

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ARMAND NICOLET
Armand Nicolet has embellished the plate and bridges of its first Venus 188 chronograph with a novel brand motif inspired by decorations from its haute horlogerie watches from the 1930’s. The watchmaker has revisited its past, placing its original expertise back at centre stage. Available in a stunning combination of colours, this limited series of 140 will appeal to collectors concerned about lastingexcellence.

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LUMINOX
Luminox watches are made for life’s rugged adventures, and so is this new SR-71 Blackbird series with its Valjoux movement, limited to 500 units. All Luminox watches are Swiss Made and feature the self-powered Luminox illumination system, making it possible to read the time at any light level. Glowing continuously for 25 years without any other light source or electricity, it is brighter than ordinary luminous watches.

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ROMAIN JEROME
A specialist in transmitting the legend of the world’s most famous passenger liner, Romain me has produced a genuine masterstroke with this exceptional limited series of 9 watches. These rare pieces, equipped with a tourbillon and skilfully combining watch complications, innovative materials and bold design, are guaranteed to travel down through the ages and perpetuate the legend.

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ORIS
All 2008’s F1 circuits brought together in one high-mech timepiece: in other words, a must for motor racing aficionados! Evoking both the dynamic profile and high-tech style of today’s racing cars, its sleek design will really switch on racing enthusiasts. From Sao Paolo to Magny-Cours to Monte-Carlo, this limited-edition Grand Prix watch will charm fans of those gleaming high-powered machines.

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CAMEL ACTIVE
A masculine statement on the wrist: 44 millimetres of stainless steel and Swiss technology. Camel Active’s distinctive massive unidirectional bezel is combined with a go-through strap, luminescent hands and hour-markers and characteristic brown dial with horizontal rays. This reliable companion stands for performance, quality and style.

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A.B.ART
Refined beauty and sober materials rather than complications and glitter: the formula for this elegant watch is simple, like the other versions available in a range of muted colours.

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PORSCHE DESIGN
The purity of lines, the character of the materials and the absolute perfection of every detail: the highly distinctive spirit of the first chronographs designed by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche in 1972 has been well and truly respected. The cosmopolitan traveller will appreciate the original function of the second time zone indicating local time in 24 cities around the world. An innovative module makes this timepiece even more user-friendly and legible. The Worldtimer P’6750 is subtly underscored by its matt or black titanium case.

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MONDAINE
Ingenuity and simplicity are the elements which often distinguish an attractive piece of design from a truly iconic design classic. Since Mondaine launched the first collection in 1986, the simple design, unmistakable easy-to-read face, distinctive hands and famous red seconds-hand have made the Mondaine Official Swiss Railways Watch collection= successful the world over.

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IWC Factory Visit

January 22, 2008
After years of waiting, yesterday we visited the legendary factory of IWC in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. On this occasion, Team Ace and 10 customers, huge IWC fans, had they honor to go see the factory. We departed Amsterdam around 7 am and arrived in Zürich around 8.30 am. From there, we traveled by car to the IWC Factory Schaffhausen.After a warm welcome by the host and our guide for the day, we had a grand tour through the factory and unfortunately we were not permitted to take pictures inside. At noon we had lunch at an amazing restaurant located literally in the water of the Rhine river, with a spectacular view of the biggest waterfall of Europe Schlossi Wurth.

After lunch we were transported by boat to the heart of the waterfall, and we were able to climb the rock in the middle of the thundering waterfall. IWC was founded by an American in 1868 in Schaffhausen, because this waterfall supplied the energy for the factory!

Rhein Falls

When we all dried up and recovered from the spectacle, we visited the test laboratory of IWC. One of the visitors wanted to test the resistance of his Big Pilot watch in a super strong magnetic field and realized only an IWC Ingenieur watch can withstand such strong fields. Since his movement got magnetized, the chief of the laboratory was so friendly to demagnetize the watch for him.

The new IWC museum opened up in June of last year and looks amazing. Not only is a huge selection of milestone pocket and wrist watches on display, it also has beautiful movies and a rotating wall with the history of the company and its collections. Our group voted the following watches as the most beautiful:

Portuguese The Original

After seeing the history we had the opportunity to view the new collections, who were presented by nobody else than the legendary Kurt Klaus. After welcoming him a couple of times in Amsterdam, it was a honor to meet him in his hometown and work space where he created the infamous Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar movement.

Kurt Klaus

After asking several times, they were able to locate the new Limited Edition Portuguese Regulateur Tourbillon watch. This was a prototype and was amazing to see the completely see-through tourbillon on full effect. We were able to take a picture of the white gold version:

Portuguese Regulateur Tourbilion

After seeing and trying on all the marvelous timepieces, we had a light dinner and rushed back to Zürich airport to catch our flight back to Amsterdam.

Welcome to the blog of WatchFreaks

January 13, 2008

We will update you here about all the news about wrist watches. If you want to contribute or become an editor, please contact us. This blog is for WatchFreaks by WatchFreaks.Hereby a nice movie as introduction in to the world of mechanical watches: