Jacob & Co. Tourbillon and 5 Timezones Watches

BASEL, Switzerland – U.S.-based Jewelry and timepiece company, Jacob & Co., presented several watches that challenged conventional watchmaking methods in terms of design and technical advancements. Three of the watches that represent a sampling of what was shown to me at the Baselworld trade fair follow.

Cyclone Tourbillon

This unusual watch (pictured above) is receiving a great deal of play in the international press for its transparent appearance and technical qualities. The company says it is the first tourbillon in which the tourbillon system and the automatic winding system are completely visible and integrated with each other. The tourbillon carriage is mounted on the oscillating mass of the automatic winding system, moved from its normal position on the back of the watch to the dial side of the movement, offering a full view of its motion. The entire arrangement is contained in a calbre LFT 108 movement, 11.91mm in height, with a diameter of 34.60mm. The automatic winding system is bidirectional, with a power reserve of 45 hours. There is no dial in the conventional sense. Instead, the hour and minute display, small seconds display, and power reserve are incorporated directly into the upper plate of the movement, allowing free movement, as well as an unobstructed view.

Ghost 5 Collection

Part of its new G5 series of the company’s well-known Five Timezones watches, the timepieces show the day and date in five different time zones “on demand.” With the press of a button, the digital displays are illuminated. The pentagonal shape of the case is in the style of the company’s. Five Timezones watch. The watch provides a variety of choices. For example, pressing each of the crowns individually illuminates a single time display, while a longer press of the crown located at the upper right corner of the pentagon will illuminate all displays, which are able to display 32 colors including. The date alone can be displayed for each timezone and the Jacob & Co. logo in the center of the watch glows whenever the time display is activated. Each Ghost timepiece features an interchangeable bezel, available in black PVD, carbon fiber, stainless steel, or 18k rose gold, with white or black diamond set bezels also available.

Grand 5 Collection

This watch collection is similar to Jacob & Co.’s original Five Timezones watch in displaying the local time, as well as the time in four referenced world class cities around the globe. However, the pentagon-shaped watch shows the local time on a dial of the same dimensions as the other timezones. Its central focus is a “turbine” accent that anchors the design and is reminiscent of the air intake of the jet engines. The company says it evokes the adventurous spirit of the 1960s when air travel when the term “jet setter” was coined. Aerodynamically styled bezel elements further accentuate that link. Finishes include 18k rose gold, stainless steel, and stainless steel finished in black PVD (one model receives the full black PVD treatment.) All Grand timepieces are powered by Swiss precision quartz movements, and come with black rubber straps with folding clasps.

Tomorrow, Jacob & Co.'s new jewelry collections from Baselworld.

Damoiselle D Jewelry Watches

Rosa in white gold and diamond pavé

It’s been ten years since I visited the Doubs region in eastern France, the country’s watchmaking center. the region shares a border with Switzerland and French watchmakers said at the time that they use the same people, technologies and techniques as their more famous watchmaking neighbor. But to the average consumer in the U.S., and in many other places in the world, French watches are largely unknown. Ten years later this perception hasn’t changed.

However, one company from the region is making a foray into the U.S. market, Damoiselle D, with two lines of women fashion watches that get their inspiration from flowers. The company—based in Besançon, the largest and most important city in Doubs—is led by the husband and wife team of Véronique and Jean Muller. They call their creations jewelry watches. Their watches feature elaborate, circular shapes that start at the dial and work their way outward and a liberal use of precious materials, particularly diamonds. Both lines are adorned with eight petals that are meant to symbolize happiness, luck and prosperity

Camille Wiart, fashion director of the French Embassy Trade Office, introduced the company to attendees of the Centurion 2011 luxury jewelry trade show.

The Damoiselle Rosa (rose), is a white gold watch decorated with linked open petals (four large and four small) that can either be paved in diamonds, or fitted with agate, coral, onyx and turquoise, creating a range of colors that include white, blue, red and black.

Meanwhile, the Damoiselle Capucine (Nasturtium) is a white gold watch in which its eight pedals are solid, defined and paved with diamonds.

Capucine in white gold and diamond pavé

All of the watches are attached with a bracelet that is black on the outside and red inside. While designed in France by the Mullers, the watches are assembled and tested in Switzerland for precision and water resistance.

“These jewelry watches are intended for passionate, seductive, contemporary, independent, daring, demanding and loving women with a zest for living and a definite sense of the precious nature of time,” the company said. Now what woman couldn’t identify with this statement?

Timepiece Tuesday: TAG Heuer, Milus, Swatch

Tag Heuer 18k gold Carrera automatic chronograph up for auction at Bonhams

* TAG Heuer continues to celebrate its 150th anniversary with an auction and student design competition

* Milus Throws a Party

* Swatch Looks Back with its New Collection
* Magazine article questions the future of the wristwatch 

Bonhams to Auction Rare Heuer Watches
The sale of the “Haslinger Collection” of fine and rare Heuer watches will take place December 15 at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. The auction house is working in partnership with TAG Heuer for this sale to celebrate the watch brand’s 150th anniversary.

This museum-quality single owner collection comprises more than 100 lots, including iconic models such as the Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Daytona and Monaco. Many are new-old-stock. The watches range in value from £1,500 to £15,000 ($2,355 to $23,556).

TAG Heuer also created a watch for this auction, based on the newly launched Silverstone model and the dial. It incorporates Jack Heuer's signature. All proceeds will be donated to the Green Cross International charity. Arno Haslinger will also donate his original Silverstone to this cause and Bonhams will add a further 20 percent to the hammer price.

View more photographs and information.

TAG Heuer, Parsons Student Watch Competition
Swiss luxury watch brand TAG Heuer and Parsons design school in New York are hosting a competition called the “Art of Watchmaking,” where product design students will reinterpret the iconic Monaco Automatic Chronograph, while learning the intricacies of haute horology.

The eight-week competition combines student collaboration in the design studio with mentorship from TAG Heuer master watchmakers, culminating in the selection of three winning timepiece designs and the potential for TAG Heuer to produce the top design as a limited-edition piece. Many aspects of the timepiece are open to interpretation. However, students cannot alter the distinctive shape of the Monaco’s case.

The general public will be able to vote for its favorite creation on TAG Heuer’s Facebook page. Awards will be given in mid-November to the first, second and third-place winning teams.


Milus Celebrates its Arrival in Spain
Swiss luxury watch brand Milus hosted an event at the Palacio de Fernan Nuñez in Madrid to celebrate its arrival in Spain. The September 30 event was attended by 230 retailers, journalists, timepiece aficionados and collectors.

Milus unveiled its timepiece and accessory collection, including the Tirion Répétition Minutes, the Tirion and Merea TriRetrograde lines and the cufflinks with the 360°displayed in showcases placed in midst of the guests throughout the halls of the ancient palace for an up-close and highly personal view.

Notable guests included Remedios Cervantes, actress and former Miss Spain (pictured wearing a Milus Merea TriRetrograde), David Meca, swimmer and TV presenter, and Lorena Van Heerde, model and former Miss Spain.



A Large Colorful Collection from Swatch
The Swiss watch giant has gone retro by introducing a new men’s watch collection based on its legendary Swatch Gents Original. 

More information.

Who Wears Watches Anymore?
This is the question posed by The Atlantic magazine as it questions the future of wristwatches in an increasingly digital world.