— Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Offshore 37 mm collection for ladies retains the bold design features of the original men’s chronograph revisited in a slimmer case.
Originally designed as the ultimate male chronograph for extreme sports, the Royal Oak Offshore, a direct descendant of the iconic Royal Oak, carved a niche for itself with its preeminent sports character and powerful architectural features. The robust case, engineered to protect the movement from magnetic waves, the large hexagonal screws and the prominent pushers and crown have all become distinct design features of the Royal Oak Offshore family.
The alliance of stainless steel, white rubber and the 32 brilliant-cut diamonds that animate the bezel of the new Royal Oak Offshore produces an exceptional tactile and visual experience. The hallmark ‘Mega Tapestry’ pattern with its square block motifs has been encircled by a new chapter ring decorated with curly snailed patterns while the white rubber-clad crown and strap add a dose of contemporary feminine charm.
Greubel Forsey opens new horizons with a revolutionary interpretation of one of the oldest watchmaking complications — the Perpetual Calendar. The inventive watchmakers in La Chaux-de-Fonds have also incorporated the Equation of Time in a demonstration of how to add complexity of function while simplifying with clear legibility and easy operation.
Greubel Forsey has pushed beyond the previous limits of Rolex Replica watchmaking, with no fewer than six major inventions, and a focus on ground-breaking inclined tourbillons. Now it’s time to reinvent the horological complication in the original sense of the term, and to show that in this area as well, Omega Replica watchmaking is in a perpetual state of evolution. The technically and ergonomically innovative Double Balancier 35° and GMT provided the springboard for this new take on the time-honoured perpetual calendar.
The Mechanical Computer
The perpetual calendar remains one of the most representatives of horological complications and also one of the oldest. A direct descendant of the computus (Latin for calculation) that the clergy used to determine the religious and seasonal feasts of the seasons, these ancient mechanical perpetual calendars underpinned rural society from the early Middle Ages. A prime example can be found in the Strasbourg cathedral clock.
Comfort and clarity
This reinvention of the perpetual calendar integrates the Equation of Time into the perpetual calendar, as well as practical new functions and indications that improve clarity. The priority was to simplify the complete displays and make it easier to set the perpetual calendar by using the bi-directional winding crown. Despite the complete indications and functions, Greubel Forsey’s mechanical computer with Equation of Time is as easy to set as a simple date feature.
You do not need obscure instructions or a special tool for multiple pushers. If your timepiece has stopped for several days and you need to take an imminent flight, simply pull out the crown checking the selection indicator near 2 o’clock. Turn the crown back and forth to change the calendar and all the different indications change by themselves. If you go too far, you just go back through the days until you get to the right date. It’s easy, intuitive and pleasant to use.
To meet this technical challenge Greubel Forsey developed a sophisticated coding mechanism: the mechanical computer for which three patents were filed. A stack of cams with movable fingers shift the indications on the front and back dials of the timepiece, the complete mechanism fitting entirely within the movement without increasing its dimensions. The cam for the months changes the month in a window on the front display and also moves the Equation of Time scale on the back. The years’ cam controls the leap year indication on the front and that of the seasons on the back. The development of this coding device not only overturns conventional ways of setting the indications but also by displaying them simultaneously on front and back dials.
Just a glance at the subdial at 3 o’clock clearly reveals the three in-line windows that clearly indicate the day, the date and the month. The large date makes the calendar extremely legible.
Equation of Time
The equation of time merits further explanation. Horology seeks to measure time as regularly as possible; however the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path. As the Earth sweeps close past the Sun, the period between successive solar zeniths, or the solar day’s length, changes. This causes the difference between solar time and mean time to vary from a few seconds to as much as 16 minutes during the year. The Equation of Time is the conversion factor between solar and mean time. To read solar time, look at the back subdial for the displayed date’s Equation of Time.
In the spirit of the GMT, Greubel Forsey continues to put time to better service; where the back of the timepiece is not just there to showcase for fine hand finishing, but also provides a new way to tell the time. The most frequently sought calendar information, namely the day, date and month, is displayed in a line on the front dial. Information that is less often required is on the back of the timepiece. Thus the two sides show indications that you need to know regularly on the front, and indications accessed less frequently on the back.
On the back of the QP à ÉQUATION you find the Equation of Time indication, the seasons and the current year in four figures.
The indications on the back are made up of two superimposed transparent discs in synthetic sapphire crystal. The first disc is driven by the date wheel and has a scale in minutes indicating the difference between solar and mean time.
The second disc, which goes around once a year, has a figure shaped like a manta ray, and divided into four sections in red and blue to show whether the Equation of Time is positive or negative. To find out, look where the red line (positive difference) or the blue line (negative difference) crosses the scale. This Equation of Time display is unprecedented and provides a clearer appreciation of the Earth’s elliptical orbit around the sun as well as the equinoxes and solstices
The QP à ÉQUATION in white gold measures 43.5mm in diameter and is 16mm high. It includes a fourth patentthe 24-second Tourbillon inclined at 25°, . The balance oscillates at 21,600v/h and the power reserve is 72 hours from two fast-rotation superimposed barrels that feature protection against excess tension. This leaves space for a large free-sprung balance. The movement diameter is 37mm(16.41 lignes), height 9.55mm and comprises 570 components and 65 jewels.
Big Bang Unico black Hublot Replica Watches again explained the unique “the invisible visible” concept, the perfect fusion of unique Big Bang design and fully developed the production of UNICO movement. UNICO unique column-wheel chronograph movement and the positioning mechanism with a unique bi-level integration on the dial side of the clutch, mechanical operation is clearly visible, the movement entirely designed by Hublot factories, research and development and production.
Big Bang Unico series has a more impressive 45.5 mm diameter case, highlighting the fashion mechanical appearance; bezel is Hublot ‘s iconic Table H-6 screws, trendy design, clever and more prominent technology (each screw top float convex design, more vivid, you can choose polished or matte modification effect). Also worth mentioning is the new crown design: the new screw-in crown – by the press molding of natural rubber wrapped ends decorated with the classic shape of the screw from the H logo. Since the Big Bang 2005, was born the first time round button. By integrating each one button on the center button to protect protective devices, such as engine piston-like lubricating flexible. Distinct edges and Hublot classic “sandwich structure” in the case design is preserved. Meanwhile strap attachment significant optimization: the famous “one-click” switching function, so that the wearer can quickly switch between various strap in – The detachment Rolex Replica watches are equipped with the Diamondbacks for the new structure of natural rubber strap , and the entire dial seamless, complement each other. UNICO hollow dial allows precise timer column-wheel movement clearly visible scale with Arabic numerals were redesigned, larger display hollow, Which cover all black Breitling Replica watches black SuperLuminova luminous coating. Moreover, the two time-dial surrounded by a polished ring, in which minute timer dial at 3 o’clock, small seconds dial at 9 o’clock, the same calendar pane displays at 3 o’clock position. Pointer has been re-modification process, two-stage facet coating black luminous coating.
UNICO movement as Hublot watch most iconic significance of self chronograph movement, a natural Big Bang Unico series of nuclear “core” lies. UNICO movement entirely by Hublot micro-mechanics, engineers and watchmakers independent design, development, manufacture and assemble. The flyback chronograph movement (can be reset at any time), with a two-button structure and date display. Its uniqueness lies in the dial side of the movement to integrate a unique bi-level positioning mechanism with clutch and the famous “column wheel”, clearly visible. R & D process completely original methods and ways of thinking to break the traditional framework Unico movement distinctive achievements. For example, the integration of the dial side of the bi-level positioning mechanism and clutch column-wheel chronograph central to fit 60 seconds at 3 o’clock and 60-minute chronograph subdial. This simplification, improved timing function start (START), stop (STOP) and reset (RESET) reliability and stability features, while improving the functionality for the wearer visibility. Escapement fork and escapement wheel made of silicon material fixed on a movable platform, and lightweight qualities of silicon to ensure its operation performance. Movement parts reduced to 330, greatly improving the accuracy and robustness, some parts are made using LIGA technology. 4 Hz per hour / vibration frequency of 28,800 times and flawless processing ensures high While chronograph quality . In addition, including cutting, gem bearing installation, lubrication and countless more automated production assembly steps to ensure the stability and quality of the movement strictly controlled quality standards. Its power reserve of up to about 72 hours. All in all, the entire section Fake Watches conceived and designed the DNA Hublot: sports , performance, high-tech expression of the head. All design stylish , practical and rational principle, without any extra accessories for decoration.
Like other black Hublot Replica Watches, including this Big Bang Unico black limited edition collection of only 500.
At IWC, 2014 will revolve around the Aquatimer diving watch. This year, the Aquatimer collection, first launched in 1967, will feature a greater number of Manufacture movements, an unprecedented internal and external rotating bezel and a patented interchangeable braceletsystem.No fewer than nine new models now join the Aquatimer 2014 collection.
Georges Kern, at the helm of theIWC Manufacture for the last twelveyears, sums up the 2014 vintagein the following terms: “IWC has continued to plow its own furrow, with a complete makeover of the timepieces in the Aquatimer collection. This collection, first launched in 1967, has undergone a complete change andsignificantdevelopment, with a series of updated products whose perceived and actual value have clearly increased, thanks in particular to the integration of our Manufacture movements. These movements have become increasingly important for IWC as they equip timepieces that now represent 60% of our turnover.”
Even before detailed inspection, the look of the new models in the IWCAquatimer collection makes the older models lookseriously outdated—even though they only date back to 2009. While this will no doubt have a positive effect on a clientele constantly seekingnew productsin line with the latest trends,it will be less joyful news for retailers who will now certainly find it harder to clear their old stock. That said, the makeover has once again been perfectly executed in line with IWC’s 10-year-old habit of refreshing each of its collections in turn and focusing for an entire twelve months on that year’s star collection.This strategy is unique to the Schaffhouse brand and it seems to be paying off in terms of results,if Georges Kern is to be believed: “The stats tell me that we are in seventh position among watchmaking brands on a global scale, but we can do better still and I’m very confident about the future.”
In the immediate future, IWC will be unveiling its new Aquatimer collection at the SIHH.Key distinguishing features include a more understated overall look (gone are the yellow and orange bezels!), a new external and internal rotating bezel equipped with a patented system, a new system of interchangeable bracelets—also patented—and the inclusion of several Manufacture calibers in the collection. Leading, naturally enough, to a rise in average price.
Sincethe first Aquatimer in 1967, IWC’s diving watches have been distinguished by their internal rotating bezel, which has become a genuine hallmark. However, whilst offering the benefit of greater protection from outside impacts and shocks, the bezel proved less than easy to manipulate, especially when diving. Which is why IWC returned to the more standard external rotating bezels for the collection’s last makeover in 2009. This year, the collection’s new models feature a double external and internal rotating bezel which is designed to combinethe advantages of both systems while eliminating the drawbacks. And indeed, the new SafeDive systemcombines the advantages of the internal rotating bezel—particularly the protection of the mechanism from salt water and dirt and the precise setting in one-minute increments—withthe user-friendliness of an external bezel that can be easily manipulated, even with diving gloves or cold hands.A clutch system links the two bezels, transmitting the rotating movement of the external bezel to its internal counterpart. Another noteworthy technical innovation on the new Aquatimers, which may prove of real interest to divers: the use of luminous colors on the dial: green for diving time indicators and blue for the normal time.
The other feature common to all nine models in the new collection is the patented interchangeable braceletsystem. Besides its practical aspect—replacing the thin steel bracelet with the rubber strap and vice versa is both quick and easy—the new system guarantees optimal safety: simply slip the bracelet upwards between the lugs, and a click tells you that it is firmly in place. To remove the bracelet from the case, just lift the stop lever with your thumb and pull the bracelet upwards. An XXL version of the rubber waves bracelet can be worn over a diving suit.
Of particular note among the new models is the Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date and Month, which not only includes an haute horlogerie caliber in a very sporty model but is also the second largest Breitling Replica watches in the history of IWC(with a 49 mm diameter). The third model of the line after the 1999 and 2009 models, the Aquatimer Deep Threefeatures an improved mechanical depth gauge (like the Deep One and Two): the blue hand indicates the actual depth while the red hand remains fixed on the maximum depth reached. Meanwhilethe Aquatimer Automatic 2000 is water resistant to 200 bar (2,000 meters) and its titanium case serves as a reminder that IWC was the first to use this material in its mass production models in 1982 with the Ocean 2000 designed by Ferdinand A. Porsche. And finally, note the launch of the three chronographs equipped with Manufacture movements (caliber 89365): the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “50 Years Science for Galapagos”, the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands”, both in black rubber-coated steel, and the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Expedition Charles Darwin” with its distinctive bronze case—afirst for IWC.
