Orologi - Page 2

For Rolex and Rocca marine atmosphere in Costa Smeralda

Rolex and Rocca, the Damiani group’s chain of jewelers, have opened a new boutique in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia. The boutique is located in the central square of Porto Cervo, a meeting point for those who frequent the Sardinian town, and fits discreetly into the elegant context of the small village.

Esterno della boutique Rocca a Porto Cervo
Exterior of the Rocca boutique in Porto Cervo

We are honored to be a partner of this brand of excellence in Swiss watchmaking, and to have jointly opened the new Rolex boutique in Porto Cervo. Sardinia is an area of great interest for Rocca, and this new opening is part of our strategic plan to strengthen the area. We are confident that we will offer Rolex customers an extraordinary
shopping experience, which is part of our DNA.
Giorgio Damiani, Vice President of the Damiani Group

Il vice presidente della società di Valenza, Giorgio Damiani, di fronte allo store Rocca a Napoli
Giorgio Damiani

In the Porto Cervo boutique, 50 square meters, there is a first room where the use of beton ciré, a waxed concrete system also used as a decorative element, characterizes all the surfaces: floor, ceiling and walls. In the first room, the classic arrangement of one of the windows gives way to a screen made with wooden slats, so that the light can filter through the only external elevation without a porch. The result is a play of light and shadow as if to recall a pergola overlooking the sea. The second room however, more intimate and hidden by a wooden booth, is located at a slightly higher level than the first room, via two steps. The space is covered with large wooden slats, with curved corners and enriched by a porthole mirror, and recreates the environment of a boat cockpit. Even the sales counters have been designed and built with rounded shapes in harmony and coherence with the suggestion of boat furniture.
Interno della boutique Rocca a Porto Cervo
Interior of the Rocca boutique in Porto Cervo

The time of watches with VO’Clock Privé

Together with Vicenzaoro (September 8-12) the time of watches returns. The idea of combining the large jewelery fair with a space for timepieces was confirmed by Ieg, the company that organizes the event. VO’Clock Privé (September 8-10), dedicated to watchmaking culture, is back. Unlike Vicenzaoro, VO’Clock Privé is open to all the public, experts and collectors. As in previous editions, exhibitors will be in the foyer on the first floor of the fairgrounds. The appointment alternates with the VO Vintage format, declined on the vintage watch. Within Vicenzaoro, Time is also confirmed, an area dedicated to watchmaking, but reserved (like the rest of Vicenzaoro) for operators.

Orologi a VO’Clock Privé
Watches at VO’Clock Privé. Copyright: gioiellis.com

The September edition of VO’Clock Privé offers itself as a platform for sharing and learning in the world of timepieces, through comparison and exchange between amateurs, experts and professionals in the sector. In addition to the exhibitors, there will be speeches by Tudor in conversation with Ander Ugarte, Head of Design of the house, talks by Zenith and Hublot, appointments with opinion leaders, collectors and watchmaking personalities such as Beppe Ambrosini and Bruno Bergamaschi (Giorgione). Also on the agenda is the event Italian watchmaking and its future hosted by Ugo Pancani, trainer of the Genevan FHH, with Sandro Fratini, Auro Montanari, Marco Mantovani. Technical sessions of the Zenith Watch Clinic under the guidance of expert watchmakers will serve to reveal the secrets of haute horlogerie.

Ingresso al foyer. Copyrigt: gioiellis.com
Entrance to the foyer. Copyright: gioiellis.com

The educational program offers tools and preparation for understanding the secrets and facets of watchmaking. Among the most awaited events, the official courses of the authoritative Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva stand out, among these the Watch Essential Course, open to enthusiasts of all levels who want a solid and complete knowledge base, also useful for embarking on a career in the haute horlogerie, and a new in-depth course on one of the most fascinating complications: Tourbillons.

Expertise su un orologio a VO Vintage
Expertise on a watch at VO Vintage

The prestigious Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (Ahci) was present with a selection of eight master watchmakers: Andersen Genève, Ludovic Ballouard, Sinclair Harding, Vincent Calabrese, Stefan Kudoke, Matthias Naeschke, Meccaniche Orologi Milano and the applicant Marc&Darnò. Furthermore, haute horlogerie with the mechanical and artistic marvels of Luca Soprana, Romeo Ferraris and A.Favre & Fils and emerging brands with a high creative content such as Kross Studio.

Orologi a Vo Vintage
Vo Vintage. Copyright: gioiellis.com

The opportunities for enthusiasts to meet and try the most interesting watchmaking proposals multiply with the participation of many other brands, including Norqain, Speake Marin and Frederique Constant. The offer is completed by additional timepiece models presented by the top official dealers of the major brands with the most sought-after specimens by the public and connoisseurs.

Orologi nell'area Time di Vicenzaoro
Watches in the Vicenzaoro Time area

In Italy, the watch market is worth 2 billion euros (2022), up 9% on 2021. According to data from Assorologi and GfK, the watches purchased by the Italian consumer decreased in quantity by 5.6% compared to 2021, while they grew in value by 3.9%. The watchmaking channel, regardless of the nationality of the buyer, recorded a market of 4.3 million pieces (down by 5.8% on 2021) for a value of 1.3 billion euros (+6.5%).

Lavoro su orologi d'epoca a Vo Vintage. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Work on period pieces at Vo Vintage. Copyright: gioiellis.com

Watches and Wonders 2024 date set

The next edition of Watches and Wonders Geneva will be held from 9 to 15 April 2024, again in the Halles del Palexpo which is located near the international airport of the city. New for next year: the general public will be able to attend the event over a long 3-day weekend, from Saturday to Monday inclusive. Visitors from the press and industry will have access to the show throughout the week. Watches and Wonders (formerly Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) is a trade show for the international watch and jewelery industry. It is organized by the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation  and major brands of haute horlogerie participate in it, such as Cartier, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Piaget.

Watches and Wonders
Watches and Wonders

This year the event achieved a record of around 43,000 unique visitors who attended the seven-day event, almost double the number in 2022. The 2024 edition intends to build on the success of 2023, further raising the profile of Geneva as an international watchmaking destination. The program will again be developed in two parts, Palexpo and In the City, with an evening event on Thursday 11 April in the heart of the city. The aim is to involve Genevans and local actors even more in the event. The brands taking part in Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024 will be announced at a later date, together with the full programme.

Roger Federer
Roger Federer
Visitors at Watches and Wonders 2023
Visitors at Watches and Wonders 2023
Watches and Wonders
Watches and Wonders

Goodbye battery for Breil’s Manta 1970 Solar chronographs

Watches that are not afraid of the heat. They are the Breil Manta 1970 Solar chronographs. The Manta watch collection now features a solar-powered calibre. The new Manta 1970 Solar chronograph collection focuses on the characteristics that have distinguished the watches in this collection for half a century, associating a distinctive design with a VR42 solar calibre. The light (solar or artificial) recharges the watch which therefore becomes more sustainable, since it avoids the need to change the battery.

Cassa d’acciaio di 44 mm di diametro con lunetta zigrinata, graduata e girevole unidirezionale blu e rosso
Steel case measuring 44 mm in diameter with blue and red fluted, graduated and unidirectional rotating bezel

The chronographs of the Manta 1970 collection have a 44 mm diameter steel case with a fluted, graduated and unidirectional rotating bezel available in black (TW2009), blue and red (TW2010) and blue (TW2008) with silver details, a black (TW2009) or blue (TW2010, TW2008) dial. The model with a blue dial and bezel is on sale exclusively on the Milanese company’s website.

On the dial the hours are marked by silver applied indexes, the luminescent hour and minute hands are accompanied by a red seconds hand. The chrono counters, with CD pattern, are placed at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. The counter at 6 o’clock also houses the power reserve indication (L, M, H) and the word solar. At 12 o’clock the Breil logo. Among the functions, the date with magnifying glass finds space between 4 and 5 o’clock. The watches are equipped with seven-link steel bracelets with a bilux finish and a safety clasp. They have a screw-down case back and crown to guarantee water resistance up to 20 atmospheres.

L'orologio ha un datario con lente, contatori crono e indicatore della riserva di carica
The watch has a loupe date window, chrono counters and power reserve indicator

CHRONOFRAFO MANTA 1970 SOLAR Technical specifications
Case: round 44 mm in steel with screw-down crown
Bezel: Unidirectional rotating black (TW2009), blue and red (TW2010)
and blue (TW2008) with silver scale
Dial: black (TW2009) or blue (TW2010, TW2008) silver indexes,
date window with lens, chrono counters and power reserve indicator
Glass: mineral
Bracelet: 7-link bilux steel with safety clasp
Movement: Solar VR42
Case back: screw
Water resistance: 20ATM
Price: 279 Euros

Hublot in tourbillon version for Only Watch

The floral arrangement is at the heart of the work of the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, who has been Hublot’s Friend of the Brand since 2020. The timepieces resulting from this collaboration have always been produced in limited editions and now there is a new creation, even more exclusive, given that it is a single copy. The watch is also unique in its structure. What distinguishes the MP-15 from any other piece created by the manufacture in its more than forty years of experience is the central tourbillon. The watch is part of the Only Watch 2023 collection. It will go on sale in September. 

L'orologio è in acciaio inox lucido, con 444 pietre colorate
The watch is in polished stainless steel, with 444 colored stones

Only Watch was born in 2005 and our manufacture was founded just four years later, in 2009. We belong to the same generation. We have grown rapidly and set new standards in our respective sectors: Hublot in fine watchmaking and Only Watch in philanthropy. When Luc Pettavino, founder of Only Watch, needs us, we are there. Hublot has never shirked its moral and social obligations, and never will.
Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot

Only Watch is the initiative created in 2005 by Luc Pettavino, under the high patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco. A collection of watches from different brands is being auctioned to raise funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.

Il meccanismo tourbillon dell'orologio
The tourbillon mechanism of the watch

Hublot’s first central tourbillon
The idea of the new watch is to physically bring haute horlogerie back to center stage, but also to show that the tourbillon at the heart of the watch represents both the heart of the person who buys it at the auction in support of Duchenne dystrophy research.

When designing this watch, Takashi Murakami explicitly requested the integration of a central tourbillon. A challenge in itself, because it would have been Hublot’s very first central tourbillon, but also because it becomes very complicated to indicate the hours and minutes that vie for the same central position.
In this design, it was necessary to rotate the pinion and the hour wheel around the tourbillon holder, creating a coaxial structure. This was made possible by the central flying tourbillon which appears to be suspended in mid-air, with two hands passing under the cage to indicate the hours and minutes.

Il motivo fiore di Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami’s flower motif

These hands gravitate towards 12 luminescent indexes that recall the colors of the 2023 edition of the Hublot for Only Watch, maintaining the same proportions required by the design, so loved by Murakami and which the Hublot Research and Development department had to follow to the letter. Thanks to the two barrels, the manual movement offers a power reserve of 150 hours (almost a whole week), a very rare feature for this type of construction. These generously proportioned barrels, mounted in series, but in a single plane: they are visible through the all-sapphire caseback.

Outside, the 12 petals are embellished with 444 colored stones. As in a real flower, the petals are angled towards the center of the movement. The clear and decisive color demarcations are representative of the Only Watch 2023. The idea was not to offer the traditional gradient effect of the rainbow, but rather to play with the luminosity of the tones and the brilliance of the stones,

MP-15 TAKASHI MURAKAMI TOURBILLON ONLY WATCH
EARNINGS
MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch
915.JX.4802.RT.1198.OWM23
Polished sapphire crystal
Polished titanium screws
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 13.4mm
Water resistance: 30m
Polished sapphire crystal
Polished stainless steel, with 444 colored stones
Black plated applique elements with colored SuperLuminova
HUB9015
Manual winding central tourbillon
Frequency (Hz): 3 Hz (21’600 alternations/hour)
Power reserve: Approximately 150 hours
Number of components: 236
Rubies: 25
Transparent decorated rubber
with Takashi Murakami flower motif
Deployant buckle in titanium and sapphire crystal

Il tourbillon centrale è a carica manuale
The central tourbillon is manually wound

Watches and Wonders in Shanghai from 13 to 17 September

Haute horlogerie embarks at Geneva airport. Destination: Shanghai. A few months after the end of April event in Geneva, Watches and Wonders leaves for China. The Salone will take place in Shanghai from 13 to 17 September 2023. It is the third edition and will see the presence of 14 exhibiting Maisons and, for the first time, will open its doors to the public at the weekend. The luxury watch manufacturers present are A. Lange & Söhne, Arnold & Son, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Charriol, Iwc Schaffhausen, Jaeger-Lecoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Speake-Marin, U-Boat, Ulysse Nardin , Vacheron Constantin. In short, they are not all those present at the Geneva edition (missing, for example, Rolex and Patek Philippe).

Watches and Wonders
Watches and Wonders Geneva

Lovers of fine watchmaking will once again gather at the West Bund Art Center in a completely redesigned pavilion. The first three days will be reserved, by invitation only, to retailers, the press and the end customers of the brands, while the general public is expected for the first time on 16 and 17 September 2023 to experience a journey into the heart of time. Tickets will be available from August via Watches and Wonders official WeChat mini-program, priced at 150 Rmb. Among the highlights, the exhibition What time is it? by Karine Bauzin, who will travel from Geneva with a selection of about 40 photos: the Swiss artist and photographer questions our relationship with time through a universal gesture.
Watches and Wonders 2023
Watches and Wonders 2023

Watches and Wonders
Watches and Wonders

New Big Bang for Hublot

Hublot presents the Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold. The watch was presented in 2011 and combines 24-karat gold with high-tech materials. It is patented, unalterable and unscratchable. The watch has a 44 mm case, sandwich construction, large pushers, bezel with six non-aligned visible screws, case and pusher protections, skeletonized dial, rubber strap interchangeable using the exclusive One Click system. The dial summarizes the repertoire of the Big Bang model: Arabic numerals, skeletonized Big Bang hands, which hover over the new in-house chronograph movement, the Unico 2 with automatic winding.

Dettaglio del Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold
Detail of the Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold

Magic Gold is in a limited edition of 200 pieces. Its shades are reproduced on the indexes, counters and hands, in satin-finished and micro-blasted 3N gold. The contrast is even greater with the other components of the case: black titanium and rubber pushers, caps, screws and strap. It’s super tough. Gold on average has a hardness of 400 Vickers, hardened steel 600 Vickers, while Magic Gold reaches 1000 Vickers. The result is obtained by infiltrating liquid gold at very high pressure into cold-pressed boron carbide components: the result is a unique material in the world, made up of gold and ceramic, scratchable only by diamond.
Cinturino in caucciù
Rubber strap

The Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold is powered by the new Unico 2 (HUB 1280) in-house movement. Thinner, more precise and more innovative than the Unico 1, its successor offers 72 hours of power reserve and two years of warranty, or three with registration of a Hublotista account. The Unico 2 is equipped with a gentler and more silent winding system: the chronograph does not click when started, it no longer trembles, thanks to an unprecedented engagement mechanism and it is also more resistant to shocks. It also retains all the aesthetic characteristics of its predecessor, so prized by collectors: openwork design with the Hublot H.

 Il quadrante presenta numeri arabi, lancette Big Bang scheletrate
The dial features Arabic numerals, skeletonized Big Bang hands

Collector’s watches at Cambi’s auction

Charmed watches for collectors: the Milanese Cambi Casa d’Aste is organizing the sale. The sale is scheduled for Thursday 15 June, in the via San Marco headquarters at 3.00 pm. Up for auction is a collection of unique pieces made by international brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, along with a number of independent brands.

Rolex sportivo modello Submariner del 1957
Rolex Submariner 1957

Among the top lots there is a neovintage monopusher chronograph made in platinum around 1991 by Daniel Roth with a limited edition of only 16 pieces: it has a dial with satin and guilloché workmanship, Roman numerals and visible caseback (Estimate: 25,000 – 50,000 euros). Another prominent piece is a rare Rolex sports Submariner model from around 1957, in steel with leather strap, glossy black gilt dial, radium buckshot, patent oversized crown, never polished steel case, a rotating bezel with red triangle to signal the at 12. (Estimate: 50,000 – 80,000 euros).

Audemars Piguet in acciaio inossidabile appartenuto all’ex pilota austriaco di Formula Uno Gerard Bergher
Stainless steel Audemars Piguet that belonged to Austrian former Formula One driver Gerard Bergher

There is also a Royal Oak Jumbo D Series from around 1979, produced by Audemars Piguet in stainless steel, and which belonged to the Austrian former Formula One driver Gerard Bergher, winner of ten Grands Prix. The watch has an octagonal case, a Petit Tapisserie blue dial and is accompanied by the original box and guarantee (Estimate: 35,000 – 50,000 euros). Also noteworthy is a rare chronograph with two counters with push buttons signed Omega, Chrono 33.3 model, which stands out for its three-tone gray Lemrich dial, Roman numeral hour digits, manual winding caliber 33.3 and stainless steel case. steel with waterproof screw-down caseback. (Estimate: 12,000 – 18,000 euros).

Omega Chrono 33.3
Omega Chrono 33.3

Finally, another Rolex, the coveted Cosmograph Daytona made in steel around 1965 with an extraordinary Bakelite bezel and millerighe screw-down pushers, a silver Grené dial and contrasting black counters. (Estimate: 55,000 – 80,000 euros).
Rolex Cosmograph Dayton
Rolex Cosmograph Dayton

Military-style Timex

New watches signed by the American brand Timex. They are those of the North Sierra Eco-Friendly line, which are part of the Expedition collection. Two new timepieces are added to the line that focus on design and functionality. The round case of the two watches is made of low-lead brass in satin silver color, with a diameter of 40 mm. The dials use Indiglo lighting, a proprietary technology of Timex, introduced in 1992, whose name derives from the word Indigo: they emit a blue-green color each time the crown is pressed. The clock is illuminated thanks to the thin phosphor panel placed under the dial.

North Sierra Eco-Friendly con quadrante blu
North Sierra Eco-Friendly with a blue dial

For the dials, the new watches adopt a military-inspired design with Arabic numerals with an essential font and two concentric numerals for the dual indication of the Am/Pm time, the outer perimeter with the numerals for hours 1-12 and the inner perimeter with the 13-24, smaller and in contrasting colour. The date window is at 3 o’clock, the Timex logo at 12 o’clock and the collection signature (Expedition) at 6 o’clock. The hour and minute hands are luminescent, the seconds hand has an arrow tip and counterweight.

North Sierra Eco-Friendly con quadrante beige
North Sierra Eco-Friendly with a beige dial

The straps are made of fabric, with pin buckle, with Tide Ocean Material, obtained with 100% recycled plastics. At the bottom of the strap is the leaf symbol as an indication of the recycled material. The new proposals enrich the collection with new colors: blue dial and strap, white indexes and spheres or natural tones with cream dial, black and red indexes and green strap.

Case: metal, 40 mm
Movement: quartz with date
Dial: Blue or Cream with Indiglo Illumination
Strap: Tide Ocean Material fabric with quick release, blue or green
Waterproof: 50m
Price to the public: 109 euros

L'orologio Timex con cinturino Tide Ocean Material
The Timex watch with Tide Ocean Material band

Stroili with Barrow watches

The Italian jewelery brand Stroili, which is part of the French group Thom, expands with watches. Stroili has signed a distribution agreement for the Barrow brand, a streetwear brand born in 2020 from the Daddato Manifatture Group. These are timepieces that focus entirely on aesthetics and, in particular, on color and design, with very lively motifs aimed at a young audience. The watches have a quartz movement and are distinguished by the use of different materials: 20 models with a silicone-coated steel case and a leather or silicone strap, and eight with a nylon case and a metal and nylon bracelet. All watches in the collection have a water resistance of 5 atmospheres and feature the icon of Barrow, the three-eyed smile.

Orologio con cinturino in silicone di colore nero e quadrante nero
Watch with black silicone strap and black dial

We have chosen to continue investing in the watch segment to broaden our customer base by attracting younger consumers with a new and contemporary style, perfectly represented by Barrow, which has proven to be the winning trend.
Marco Licastro, sales director of Stroili

Watch with pink silicone strap and pink dial
Watch with pink silicone strap and pink dial

Stroili has focused on a distribution that has involved both its e-commerce and 22 selected stores of its network, in the main Italian cities (Milan, Bergamo, Genoa, Reggio Emilia, Empoli, Rome, Naples, Salerno, Catania, Palermo, Cagliari and Sassari).

Orologio con metallo e nylon rosa e oro e quadrante rosa con pietre
Watch with pink and gold metal and nylon and pink dial with stones

The Louvre in Vacheron Constantin watches

Are you art lovers? How about wearing a Rubens? It is possible, if you have an adequate bank account. Vacheron Constantin proposes the idea of work-watches It is the development of the A masterpiece on the wrist initiative: a limited edition of a single Les Cabinotiers timepiece, whose dial can be decorated with the enamel reproduction of a work of art of the Louvre Museum chosen by the buyer. A story that the Swiss Maison (Vacheron Constantin was born in 1755) has already started in 2019, with a partnership with the Louvre Museum, which allows it to offer customers an experience that goes far beyond personalizing a timepiece.

Vacheron Constantin, Les Cabinotiers – Omaggio a Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l'étendard de la Bataille d'Anghiari
Vacheron Constantin, Les Cabinotiers – Omaggio a Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghiari

The idea is the result of the example of the limited edition watch Les Cabinotiers, Homage to Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghiari, coming from the Bid for the Louvre auction of 2020. It is haute horlogerie that becomes the motif of a prestigious collection.

Studio preparatorio per l'orologio
Preparatory study for the wristwatch

The processing is particularly complex. After using line drawing to clearly outline the details of the contours, the Maison’s master enameller traced the outline of the dial. During the following stages, he tried to recreate the great delicacy of Rubens’ drawing through very clear and muted shades and halftones. The master enameller used around 20 shades of brown, gray brown, sepia brown and cream brown: a surprising number, which corresponds to as many firings at 900 degrees Celsius. The first layers were fired very lightly, just to start the vitrification, so that subsequent firings would not alter the first shades.

Cerca Trova
Cerca Trova

For the watch, grisaille enamel was used, the result of years of practice in Limoges, to reproduce the sensitivity of the work of art with countless tiny details connected to each other and replicated identically, maintaining the graphics and specificities of the original work. The combination of miniature enamel and grisaille enamel, as original as it is brilliant, has given rise to a timepiece powered by the Manufacture caliber 2460 SC, whose oscillating weight is engraved with the east facade of the Louvre. The motto Cerca Trova, which dates back to the 17th century, is engraved on the hinged case back.

Massa oscillante in oro rosa 22 carati con incisione della facciata est del Louvre
Oscillating weight in 22-carat pink gold engraved with the east facade of the Louvre

Les Cabinotiers – Tribute to Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghiari

Caliber 2460 SC
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Self-winding mechanical
26.2 mm (11 1/4 lines) in diameter, 3.6 mm thick
Oscillating weight in 22-carat pink gold engraved with the east facade of the Louvre
About 40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
182 components
27 rubies
Timepiece certified with the Hallmark of Geneva
Indications Hours, minutes and seconds in the centre
Rose gold case
Caseback with hinge and line engraving
40mm in diameter, 9.42mm thick
Miniature dial on enamel and grisaille enamel
Rose gold hands
Strap Brown Mississippiensis alligator leather
Buckle Rose gold pin buckle
Box set Les Cabinotiers box set
Edition limited to one copy only
Certificate of authenticity for the reproduction of the masterpiece issued by the Louvre.
Warranty certificate issued by Vacheron Constantin.

Vacheron Constantin, Les Cabinotiers – Omaggio a Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l'étendard de la Bataille d'Anghiari
Vacheron Constantin, Les Cabinotiers – Omaggio a Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghiari

It’s Barcelona time for Stroili

The Italian brand Stroili also enters the light watch market. The first line of timepieces is inspired by the Catalan capital, Barcelona. It is a summer capsule of steel watches that aims at the very liveliness of the Spanish city. Barcellona is a limited edition of six watches with a timekeeping function only, declined in a palette of pastel colors and with a small case. The watches in the Barcelona collection all have quartz movements and are waterproof up to 3 atmospheres. In addition to the lightness of the watch, the price is also light: Barcellona Capsule Collection by Stroili is on sale starting from 79 euros.

Barcellona Capsule Collection by Stroili
Barcellona Capsule Collection by Stroili

A 2.5 million Rolex sets the record at Sotheby’s

An almost $2.5 million Rolex. That’s how much an anonymous collector spent on a Rolex Daytona. The watch was auctioned off by Sotheby’s in Geneva during the Important Watches Sale auction. The record timepiece, lot 119, is a JPS (John Player Special, 1969) model, reference 6241 whose initial estimate was around half of the final price, starting from a base of 400,000 Swiss francs. To win it, the buyer beat out six other bidders in a long battle. The sales figure represents a new world record for any Daytona JPS model, the third most valuable gold Paul Newman Daytona across all references, the fourth most valuable Paul Newman in any reference and metal, and the fifth most valuable manual-winding Daytona never sold at auction.

The caseback of the Rolex Daytona
The caseback of the Rolex Daytona

Of this watch model, Rolex has produced (it is estimated) approximately 3000 reference 6241 and only 300 with 18K yellow gold cases. Of these, only a small fraction were fitted with the rare John Player Special dial. These watches mostly came with black dials with gold branches or gold dials with black branches. The Rolex being sold has no inscription on the case back and is believed to have remained untouched for the past fifty years, it is now being offered for sale for the first time by the original owner’s family.

Rolex Daytona John Player Special venduto per 2,238,000 di franchi svizzeri
Rolex Daytona John Player Special sold for 2,238,000 Swiss francs
Pedro Reiser batte il Rolex Daytona a Ginevra
Pedro Reiser beats the Rolex Daytona at the Geneva auction
Rolex Daytona John Player Special
Rolex Daytona John Player Special

5 rules to match watch and bracelet

How to combine watch and bracelet? Here are five tips for wearing a perfect combination ♦ ︎

A watch is not always a clock. In fact, for women it is above all a jewel that, among other things, also marks the hours. But the first aspect that matters is that it must be beautiful, it matches the dress, is right for the occasion. It does not matter that the watch offers complicated combinations of dates and phases of the moon, that it can plunge into the deepest waters or be able to function as an Olympic time trial. Instead, the timepiece must be of excellent brand, have a pleasant shape and, possibly, arouse the envy of her friends.
Unfortunately, not all women pay attention to another detail: the combination of watch and jewelry, especially bracelets. That’s right: watch and bracelet are not twin brothers, they are children of different mothers. And they do not always match well. Here, then, some tips to correctly match watch and bracelets. With a warning: sometimes the rules can also be successfully transgressed.

L'abbinamento della designer Carolina Bucci, i suoi bracciali assieme a un orologio Audemars Piguet
The combination of designer Carolina Bucci, her bracelets together with an Audemars Piguet watch

1 Leave a wrist free

If you wear a watch on your left wrist, do not wear anything on your right arm. Focus your attention on just one point, instead of dispersing it a little here and there. The only concession: wear a chain on the other wrist, provided it is very, very thin.

Quale dei due polsi sarà più interessante?
Which of the two wrists will be more interesting?

2 Gold or silver?

No problem: the time when you couldn’t match a gold jewel with a silver one is over. It is no coincidence that there are jewels that are made of gold of different colors. So, it’s perfectly fine to wear a gold finished watch with silver bracelets. As long as they are high quality. A precious watch, in short, clashes with any silver bracelet. Instead, choose designer bracelets or, alternatively, thick and elegant chain links.

Orologio Michael Kors con semplici bracciali Alex and Ani
Michael Kors watch with simple Alex and Ani bracelets

3 High and low

It used to be that consistency was in fashion: you couldn’t wear a Cartier watch with a cheap bracelet. Today this is no longer the case: even a Rolex can be combined with colored beaded bracelets. But, mind you, it doesn’t mean wearing bad quality bracelets. Even if made with non-precious materials, the bracelets to match the watch must always have something interesting: the colours, a particular meaning, a memory. The important thing is that the mix is fun and interesting.

Caroline Scheufele, con bracciale e orologio Chopard, di cui è co-presidente, assieme a Kate Moss
Caroline Scheufele, with Chopard bracelet and watch, of which she is co-president, together with Kate Moss

4 Who is worth more?

Is an expensive bracelet and a cheap watch better, or the other way around? The second hypothesis. The king is the watch, the main role on the stage of your wrist should be reserved for it. Anyone wearing a Rolex or Patek Philippe can easily wear a colored cloth bracelet. A Cartier bracelet, on the other hand, doesn’t go easily with a cheap timepiece. A separate discussion must be made for high-end smart watches, which are trendy and can go well together with expensive jewels. Provided that the smart watch is of the premium type.

Semplici bracciali di perline con un Classic Fusion Magic di Hublot, indossato dalla pr Nathalie Rother
Simple beaded bracelets with a Hublot Classic Fusion Magic, worn by pr Nathalie Rother

5 Change the menu

Even your favorite dish, if you eat it every day, ends up no longer pleasing. It’s the same for jewels: if you have guessed a nice combination of watch and bracelets, it’s not a good reason to repeat it every day. Try to vary, even if the result will not always be perfect.

Orologio con semplici bracciali Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor simple bracelet watch
Bracciali e orologio impilati
Bracelets and watch stacked

Jaguar Connected watches in ladies version

Jaguar Connected watches now also have a women’s version. The collection of Jaguar-branded (and Festina-manufactured) hybrid watches extends to Jaguar Ladies Connected, which combines the design of an analog watch with digital functions. The timepiece can filter messages, calls and notifications from social networks and sort them according to priority: a slight pressure of one of the buttons on the crown is enough to receive various information from the dial, such as the date, a second time zone. Or, you can check the music you listen to on your phone, take photos, save parking locations, find your smartphone and share your location with a friend to feel safer on your way home.

Jaguar Connected J980
Jaguar Connected J980

There is also the possibility of launching an IFTTT action (If This Then That, if this happens then do that) to automatically process actions that would otherwise have to be performed manually such as activating appliances, turning on the lights or heating, opening the gate. With the smart watch, you can change the settings in the application to perfectly fit your lifestyle to focus only on what matters.

The watches have a 35.5 mm stainless steel case which combines, in the different models, the steel bracelet in silver and silver/rose gold tones, as well as unusual combinations of the dial in mother-of-pearl, silver, blue, green, black, burgundy and the bezel available with white or multicolor crystals combined with the indexes that alternate Roman numerals with white crystals.

Jaguar Ladies Connected  J981
Jaguar Ladies Connected J981

Jaguar Ladies Connected includes eight models in natural shades of steel with a two-tone yellow gold bracelet or a full gold case and bracelet. All mount a very resistant scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The large dials are shown in different nuances such as natural mother-of-pearl, silver, blue, black and green surrounded by bezels, some with colorful crystals inspired by the rainbow, others with total white crystals that reflect the flashes of cubic zirconia instead of the indexes . The hour and minute hands of the entire Jaguar Ladies Connected collection are treated with Super-LumiNova, a brand of non-radioactive and non-toxic photoluminescent or postluminescent pigments, to ensure excellent visibility of the hours even in low light conditions.
Jaguar Ladies Connected  J983
Jaguar Ladies Connected J983

Jaguar Ladies Connected J980/1/2/3/4/5/6
– Connected watch for women
– 316L stainless steel case
– 316L stainless steel bracelet with safety clasp
– Case diameter: 36.50 mm
– Sapphire glass
– Customizable functions
– Indexes with crystals
– Bezel set with crystals
– 5 ATM waterproof
– Battery life up to 2 years
– Price to the public: € 550.00

– Connected watch for women
– 316L stainless steel case
– Two-tone 316L stainless steel bracelet with rose gold IP treatment and safety clasp
– Case diameter: 36.50 mm
– Sapphire glass
– Customizable functions
– Indexes with crystals
– Bezel set with crystals
– 5 ATM waterproof
– Battery life up to 2 years
– Price to the public: € 575.00

Jaguar Ladies Connected J982/1/3/4/5

– Connected watch for women
– 316L stainless steel case
– Two-tone 316L stainless steel bracelet with safety clasp
– Case diameter: 36.50 mm
– Sapphire glass
– Customizable functions
– Indexes with crystals
– Bezel set with crystals
– 5 ATM waterproof
– Battery life up to 2 years
– Price to the public: € 575.00

Jaguar Ladies Connected J983/1/3/4/5

– Connected watch for women
– 316L stainless steel case with gold IP treatment
– 316L stainless steel bracelet with gold IP treatment and safety clasp
– Case diameter: 36.50 mm
– Sapphire glass
– Customizable functions
– Indexes with crystals
– Bezel set with crystals
– 5 ATM waterproof
– Battery life up to 2 years
– Price to the public: € 590.00

Festina Italia celebrates the 2022 accounts

2022 was a positive year for the Italian branch of the Festina Group, which recorded a 7.63% growth in net revenues compared to 2021. The Italian headquarters of the Spanish multinational company for the Festina brand alone recorded a 13% increase. growth that involves all sales channels, with +4.5% of normal trade and, the company points out, records considerable numbers for all brands, with a total turnover of 15.6 million euros.

The growth of the Italian branch of Festina, in terms of market shares and volumes, is the result of fruitful teamwork and the unceasing commitment of passionate people, who work with great dedication every day to implement shared projects and achieve the ambitious corporate goals. Being able to present such positive results is a pride for us and an encouraging stimulus to face the future challenges that await us, knowing that we can always count on strong values and with the certainty that product quality and price competitiveness always represent solid foundations on which we continue to build on our successes.
Paolo Galimberti, general manager of Festina Italy

Paolo Galimberti, Festina Italia
Paolo Galimberti, Festina Italia

The Lotus brand was one of the architects of such a positive 2022 balance: it contributed +8% to the general growth. But the company’s goal is to exceed 16 million in global turnover.
Orologio per donna della linea Lotus Excellent
Orologio per donna della linea Lotus Excellent

Also clocks and automatons at GemGeneve

Geneva, the capital of watchmaking and one of the major centers of fine jewelry. Two aspects that the next edition of GemGèneve (Palaexpo, 11-14 May 2023) has decided to enhance. The event dedicated to vintage jewellery, design and gems returns to combine an exhibition inside the exhibition pavilion. For the new edition, GemGenève and the Geneva Art and History Museum (Mah), one of the largest in Switzerland, are organizing an exhibition centered on the mechanisms of automatons, art objects and music, with pieces from its collections. The Mah has been active since the 18th century. And, for the occasion, it brings 25 small and medium-sized works, as well as works created at the end of the 19th century, supplied by the International Watchmaking Museum of La Chaux-de-Fonds, by François Junod, Swiss sculptor and automaton maker, and by the exhibitors of GemGenève.

Orologio da tasca a ripetizione dei quarti, musica e automa Capt & Janin Ginevra, Mende, ca. 1810 Oro lucidato e inciso, smaltato Il braccio destro dell’automa sfiora la lira per tutta la durata della melodia (meccanismo a lame dritte). Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia
Orologio da tasca a ripetizione dei quarti, musica e automa Capt & Janin. Ginevra, Mende, ca. 1810. Oro lucidato e inciso, smaltato. Il braccio destro dell’automa sfiora la lira per tutta la durata della melodia (meccanismo a lame dritte). Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia

Watchmaking has been practiced in Geneva since the 16th century, associated with the development of vast commercial networks and linking converging technological innovations. The variety of objects kept in this section highlights the mechanisms of watches and the inventions derived from art mechanics with gears, music boxes and automatons: the latter are particularly complex, as they combine technical and historical aspects, up to philosophy and even to magic. Sounds produced by technique and simulated gestures performed mechanically have been surprising marriages between craftsmanship and technique of the past.
Scatolina con scomparti, con automa e orologio. Ginevra, ca. 1800. Oro rosa, oro colorato, smaltatura champlevé e miniature smaltate. Automa arrotino in oro colorato e smalto 7,7 cm di lunghezza, 3,18 cm di larghezza, 1 cm di spessore. Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia
Scatolina con scomparti, con automa e orologio. Ginevra, ca. 1800. Oro rosa, oro colorato, smaltatura champlevé e miniature smaltate. Automa arrotino in oro colorato e smalto 7,7 cm di lunghezza, 3,18 cm di larghezza, 1 cm di spessore. Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia

These clocks, most of which include a musical mechanism, reached their peak of popularity around 1840. The same passion can be found in the mantel clocks, which transform into real shows, with music boxes and singing birds: the creations are inspired by everyday life, rural scenes or the circus world. Music often accompanies the shows: simple music boxes, which can play one or more melodies, are commissioned from specialized craftsmen and integrated into watch cases.
The principle of the carillon was invented in 1796 by the Genevan watchmaker Antoine Favre. He had the idea of replacing the complex mechanism of bell stamps and hammers, used for clocks and snuffboxes, with steel blades that vibrate when struck by pins arranged on a cylinder.
Benoît; Japy Frères Ginevra, Beaucourt (Francia), ca. 1852. Bronzo dorato, automi in legno dipinto, quadrante smaltato, base in legno dipinto, cupola in vetro. Suoneria che scandisce il tempo ogni ora e ogni mezz’ora; meccanismo musicale che suona due melodie, ricaricabile tirando un cordino 83 cm di altezza (vetro compreso), 49 cm di larghezza, 28 cm di profondità. Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia
Benoît; Japy Frères Ginevra, Beaucourt (Francia), ca. 1852. Bronzo dorato, automi in legno dipinto, quadrante smaltato, base in legno dipinto, cupola in vetro. Suoneria che scandisce il tempo ogni ora e ogni mezz’ora; meccanismo musicale che suona due melodie, ricaricabile tirando un cordino 83 cm di altezza (vetro compreso), 49 cm di larghezza, 28 cm di profondità. Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia

Pendola con automi e musica (di una coppia). Guangzhou (Cina), Londra, ca.1800. Ormolu, smalto, argento, avorio, pittura su vetro, vetreria policroma, metallo dipinto. Suoneria allo scatto dell’ora, automi e carillon (nella base) attivabili quando si desidera, 90 cm di altezza, 38 cm di larghezza, 33 cm di profondità. Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia
Pendola con automi e musica (di una coppia). Guangzhou (Cina), Londra, ca.1800. Ormolu, smalto, argento, avorio, pittura su vetro, vetreria policroma, metallo dipinto. Suoneria allo scatto dell’ora, automi e carillon (nella base) attivabili quando si desidera, 90 cm di altezza, 38 cm di larghezza, 33 cm di profondità. Ginevra, Museo d’arte e storia

Colorful hours with Rare Ops!

Vibrant color watches and ultra low price. They are those of the new Rare collection by Opsobjects. The timepieces have a rectangular case and faceted glass that plays with colour. The line consists of a single model declined in ten colors, from shades of blue and pink, to yellow, up to gray and black and white. The case of the Rare collection measures 22×27 millimeters and is in transparent plastic with a steel case back. Two particularities that give the timepieces a precious aspect, the faceted glass inspired by the emerald cut. Cubic zirconia are set on the dial to indicate the hours.

Orologio Ops! Rare blu
Orologio Ops! Rare blu

The dial always takes up the color of the case and strap. The hands are in natural steel or gold color for hours, minutes and seconds. The brand logo is at 6 o’clock and the writing OPS! at 12 o’clock. The straps of the Rare, Ops! they are in colored silicone with a pin buckle. Water resistant to 50 meters, the watches in the Opsobjects Rare Collection line are powered by a Japanese quartz movement.
Orologio Ops! Rare fucsia
Orologio Ops! Rare fucsia

OPS!WATCHES RARE COLLECTION
Movement: quartz
Case: in transparent plastic, 22 x 27 mm and faceted glass back in steel, 22 x 27 mm and faceted glass.
Dial: colored with indexes with stones, logo icon at 6 o’clock and OPS writing at 12 o’clock
Colored silicone strap with pin closure. Water resistance: 5 atm
Price: 44 euros
Orologio Ops! Rare azzurro
Orologio Ops! Rare azzurro

Orologio Ops! Rare giallo
Orologio Ops! Rare giallo
Orologio Ops! Rare viola
Orologio Ops! Rare viola

Vacheron Constantin, new Overseas with retrodate date

Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watch manufacturer in the world: it was founded in 1755, obviously in Switzerland. But that doesn’t mean he gives up on opening up new challenges. At Watch and Wonders 2023 in Geneva, the Maison presented its first sports watch with a retrograde date display. In other words, instead of traveling a 360-degree circle, a hand moves in a narrower arc, numbering from 1 to 31. Another distinctive point is the technical complexity in a sporty-chic style.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas fasi lunari data retrograda
Vacheron Constantin Overseas fasi lunari data retrograda

The in-house caliber 2460 R31L/2 has precision moon phases, which only require a one-day correction every 122 years, presumably when the watch will be from another owner. The retrograde indication is a function that is part of Vacheron Constantin’s heritage, but is used for the first time in the Overseas line. However, the new model retains the characteristics that characterize the collection: hexagonal bezel evoking the Maltese cross, fluted crown, polished and satin finishes, translucent lacquered dial, luminescent hour markers and hands, to which it associates the retrograde date and precision moonphase .
Quadrante traslucido laccato blu, finitura satinata soleil e rehaut con finitura effetto vellutato Indici delle ore e lancette delle ore, dei minuti e della data in oro bianco evidenziati da Super-LumiNova blu
Quadrante traslucido laccato blu, finitura satinata soleil e rehaut con finitura effetto vellutato
Indici delle ore e lancette delle ore, dei minuti e della data in oro bianco evidenziati da Super-LumiNova blu

The Overseas collection continues the design history, with new calibres, of the original model born in 1996. The idea is to combine Haute Horlogerie and casual elegance. Over the years, the different versions of the Overseas have kept hexagonal bezels, in-house self-winding movements and interchangeable bracelet-straps. All features present in the new Overseas model with retrograde date and moon phases. At the heart of the 41 mm diameter steel case is the Manufacture caliber 2460 R31L/2, which for the first time in this collection combines a retrograde date and a highly precise moonphase. The blue lacquered dial creates a play of light thanks to the rehaut, the outer part on which numbers and additional scales such as the tachymeter scales are engraved, with a velvety finish and sunray satin center. The complications are legible with great clarity.
Cinturino aggiuntivo in caucciù blu
Cinturino aggiuntivo in caucciù blu

It took several months of aesthetic research to combine a precision moon phase and a retrograde date in a sporty yet elegant case, while ensuring high legibility and balance. The first step was to integrate the retrograde date, the Maison’s signature, into a sports-inspired watch.
L'orologio mostra ore, minuti, data retrograda, fasi lunari di precisione, età della luna
L’orologio mostra ore, minuti, data retrograda, fasi lunari di precisione, età della luna

The self-winding Manufacture caliber 2460 R31L/2 has a 40-hour power reserve. The movement, which has 275 components, can be viewed through the sapphire crystal case back. In particular, the pearly surface of the plate and the 22-karat gold oscillating weight adorned with a stylized wind rose recalling the themes of travel and exploration. The phases of the moon are visible through an aperture at 6 o’clock, with a graduated scale from 0 to 29½, which serves to count the days since the last new moon. This complication, known as the age of the moon, corresponds to the rotation of our satellite around the Earth, which takes 29 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes.
Il calibro è meccanico a carica automatica. Massa oscillante Overseas in oro 22 carati 27,2 mm (11 linee e 1/2) di diametro, 5,4 mm di spessore. Circa 40 ore di riserva di carica
Il calibro è meccanico a carica automatica. Massa oscillante Overseas in oro 22 carati 27,2 mm (11 linee e 1/2) di diametro, 5,4 mm di spessore. Circa 40 ore di riserva di carica

A retrograde date indication with a central hand occupies the top of the dial. To ensure optimal use, all functions are set via the crown: winding, date correction, moon phase and time adjustment. The timepiece is delivered on a steel bracelet accompanied by two calfskin and blue rubber straps.

Acciaio (maglie lucide e satinate a mezza Croce di Malta) dotato di una chiusura déployante a tripla lama in acciaio inossidabile con pulsanti e sistema di regolazione
Acciaio (maglie lucide e satinate a mezza Croce di Malta) dotato di una chiusura déployante a tripla lama in acciaio
inossidabile con pulsanti e sistema di regolazione

Traveling to Cape Verde with Alviero Martini 1A Classe

Like other fashion brands, Alviero Martini 1A Classe also produces jewelery and watches under license. The new timepiece collection is called Capoverde, like the islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and includes six models, faithful to the brand’s inspiration, travel.
The watches have a 36 mm round steel case, with a rounded bezel framing a silver dial engraved with the Geo Map, the geographic area which is the hallmark of Alviero Martini 1A Classe.

Versione bicolore in acciaio con maglie centrali, trattamento IP oro giallo
Versione bicolore in acciaio con maglie centrali, trattamento IP oro giallo

The hands are in the shape of a leaf, the indexes are located at 3, 6 and 9, with the 1C monogram at 12. Three models in the Capoverde collection offer a leather strap with the Geo Map print and a customized pin buckle with logo 1st Class in the same color as the case. The model with the steel case and buckle has a bright brown leather strap (price: 139 euros). The version with steel case and buckle with yellow gold IP treatment (price: 149 euros) also has a leather strap with brown Geo Map print, while the version with steel case and rose gold IP treatment chooses a delicate beige nuance for the leather strap (149 euros).
Orologio con cinturino in pelle Geo Map
Orologio con cinturino in pelle Geo Map

There are three models with rice grain bracelets, all with folding clasp. This includes a total silver model with steel case and strap (159 euros), a two-tone version where the rigor of steel is combined with the elegant central links, bezel, crown, indexes and hands in steel with IP treatment yellow gold (169 euros) and a refined version where the steel becomes delicate thanks to the pink gold IP treatment for the central links, the bezel, the crown, the indexes and the hands (169 euros). All the watches in the Capoverde collection have a quartz movement and are waterproof to 30 metres.
Modello con cinturino in pelle marrone Geo Map
Modello con cinturino in pelle marrone Geo Map

Technical information
Case: steel, 36 mm with transparent outer rim
Movement: 2 spheres quartz
Dial: silver with logo engraving
Bracelet: in leather with print and buckle with personalized pin; in rice grain steel: steel color, steel with yellow gold IP finish and steel with rose gold IP, folding clasp
Water resistance: 3 atm / 30 meters
Price: 139 euro steel case leather strap; 149 euro steel case leather strap with IP finish; 159 euros steel case and steel strap, 169 euros steel case and strap with IP finishes.
Orologio con cassa e maglia in acciaio
Orologio con cassa e maglia in acciaio