15 years of great content TAG Heuer

— A look back at what TAG Heuer was up to in 2003 reveals numerous differences with the brand today, but also some parallels.  

On 9^th September 2003 WorldTempus published in its entirety a special issue of the Tribune des Arts magazine dedicated to TAG Heuer. Reading this article shows just how much the brand has changed over the past decade, but also highlights one surprising similarity. The article carried an interview with the brand’s CEO Jean-Christophe Babin, who has since moved on to take over as CEO of Bulgari and been replaced by Jean-Claude Biver. Back then, the tag line of the brand’s advertising was the direct and somewhat provocative question “What are you made of?”, whereas today it is a more motivational and social media-inspired “#dontcrackunderpressure”.
One of the biggest differences between then and now is the product range, at least as far as the replica Omega watches highlighted in the Tribune des Arts article are concerned. The Link Calibre 36, the “New” Carrera and the Ladies 2000 in gold are a far cry from this year’s “new” Carrera with in-house calibre (and even with a new tourbillon calibre), the Monza, a competition to choose the design for a re-issue of the legendary Autavia chronograph next year and, of course, the Carrera Connected smart watch. The latter could not even have been a glint in the eye in 2003, since we would have to wait another four years before the very first iPhone in 2007.

 

Carrera Connected smart watch in rose gold. © TAG Heuer Replica Watches

The article in our archives was published within a year of TAG Heuer entering the mainland China market. By October 2002 the brand had already opened its first store in Beijing and was poised to capitalize on a growing interest in sport in the run-up to the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in Shanghai (2004) and the Olympic Games in Beijing (2008). The cliché would normally tell us that the rest is history, but in this case history is now coming full circle. After years of explosive growth, China’s economy has started to lose steam and watch exports to the country have plummeted as a result. In the eyes of the current TAG Heuer CEO, Jean-Claude Biver, this is the perfect time to invest in China.

Montblanc Interview with Davide Cerrato

— At the presentation of the TimeWalker Pythagore Ultralight concept Replica Watches in Switzerland, World took the opportunity to ask Davide Cerrato, director of Montblanc’s watch division, a few questions.   

The TimeWalker Pythagore Ultralight concept watch is being presented for the first time outside China. What can you tell us about it?
The complexity and virtuosity of the TimeWalker Pythagore Ultralight are all in its “dematerialisation”. We made the case out of a combination of innovative materials: black DLC-treated titanium for the lugs, and ITR2 Kevlar/Carbon for the caseband, caseback, bezel and crown. ITR2 is an extremely lightweight composite resin, eight times lighter than steel and four times lighter than titanium, but it’s very difficult to work with. For the first time, we have enriched this material with Kevlar, making it even lighter. Without a strap (which we’re currently working on), the watch weighs 14.88 grams. The movement itself weighs just over 4 grams. It’s absolutely mind-boggling! 14.88 grams is approximately the same as three sheets of A4 paper. We keep looking for objects that we can compare with the watch, to help people understand and visualise what the weight actually represents. For the movement design we drew inspiration from the historical Minerva Pythagore movement from the 1930s, with its rectilinear architectural shapes reminiscent of bridge design, and references to Pythagoras’s golden section. The movement of the TimeWalker Pythagore Ultralight is pretty simple, but it is made according to high-performance criteria and with an almost vintage diameter of 40 mm. It’s a very interesting mix of elements.
Do you have any plans to make the TimeWalker Pythagore Ultralight available commercially?
Not for the time being. It’s a concept watch, a research and development exercise using innovative and revolutionary materials.

 

Timewalker Pythagore Ultralight. © Ariane Sikiaridis

You are entering the very rarefied circle of brands that make ultra-light watches. Are you hoping to beat some records?
No, that’s not our primary intention, even if the result is that we’ve produced one of the lightest watches ever made. Let’s be clear, as things stand we cannot claim it is the lightest watch on the market. It is very light in terms of the case and movement, but we’re still working on the strap, to see if it’s possible to come up with something that weighs less than 4 grams.
High-tech sports watches are not your usual field. Are you looking to conquer new watchmaking territory?
I will say that we want to reinvest in the field of sports watches. We have the sublime chronograph heritage of the Minerva, and we haven’t yet made the most of this. And our company is called Montblanc. The name represents the highest peak in the Alps; it’s a symbol of human achievement. In a way, everything about our company has a connection with sport, performance and extreme human challenges. That is where our legitimacy lies, and we have a great deal of material available to work with. There are two pieces that give a foretaste of where we are going in terms of professional watches: the monopusher chronograph from the 1858 collection, and the TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph. We are going to expand our watch range with a selection of professional watches, which is essential in our price bracket. It took Jérôme Lambert just three years to reboot our classical, elegant collections. Now it’s time to do the same with the other side of our output: sports watches.

 

TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph. © Replica Watches

Do you plan to announce any new partnerships in parallel with your sports watches?
You’ll have to look out for us at the next SIHH. We’re working on something very big and very interesting!
Montblanc offers top-end watches at accessible prices. What is your secret?
We put great effort into selecting our partners and suppliers, to ensure a certain price point while providing watches that will sell. We have a business model that allows our brand to build and develop over the long term. We are also working on the marketing structure of the development process itself, to ensure that we can use the same movements, the same modules, not just in a single model but in several, offering different versions which will allow us to recover our development costs by spreading them across the entire collection.

Panerai Video. Radiomir 1940: Italian Design, Swiss Technology

— The Radiomir 1940 collection takes its inspiration from the design of replica Panerai's prototypes from the 1940's.

The Radiomir 1940 collection, launched in 2013, takes its inspiration from the design of fake Panerai's prototypes from the 1940's. 

Vacheron Constantin A day with the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time

— It’s hard to overstate the importance of the new Overseas collection for Vacheron Constantin this year. I had a chance to try the World Time model in the perfect circumstances.

 

Vacheron Constantin chose as the theme for the launch of its new Overseas collection the subject that has inspired the Overseas line since its beginnings, that of travel. Specifically, the 260 year-old brand dispatched renowned photographer Steve McCurry around the world to capture some of the world’s greatest man-made structures through his lens. The results came in the form of 12 photo essays related to 12 different locations around the world. The first six were announced to coincide with the launch and have been covered extensively on WorldTempus. The remaining six were revealed at the launch event in Japan.

To share some of this spirit of travel, Vacheron Constantin invited WorldTempus, along with some 30 journalists to Japan, staying in Kyoto and Tokyo. But to replicate Steve McCurry’s journeys as closely as possible, we were also challenged to capture our brief two hours of free time in Kyoto with a single photo that we had to submit for Steve McCurry’s critique at a short workshop in Tokyo.
Before experiencing life in one of the numerous Buddhist temples for which Kyoto is famous and heading off into the city in search of the most perfect and representative photo of our visit, we were all given a watch from the new Overseas collection to wear for the day. Since it was a surprise, there were no advance requests and no special treatment – you simply wore what you got. Luckily for me, it was a World Time model in the new brown dial version – the perfect companion when you are adjusting to a time zone that is seven hours ahead of your home time. Although that was the first challenge of the day, since daylight savings time meant that there was a one-hour difference between the time shown on the dial for Geneva and the actual time in Geneva. But once you took this into account, checking the time became child’s play. Your dual time zone is set at 6 o’clock and you can simply check the time in any time zone around the world around the circumference of the dial. In the case of Geneva, you quickly get used to it being at around 10 o’clock if your local time is set to Tokyo. The graduated smoked effect on the transparent disc also clearly shows whether it is night or day back home, with a black and white background to the second time zone scale as a second confirmation.

Tough choices: These are some of the dial configurations that were rejected during the design process, much to the disappointment of several journalists who saw them. © Swiss Replica Watches / Paul O'Neil

The eight-hour hands-on experience was also a chance to try out the interchangeable bracelets that Vacheron Constantin has developed for the new Overseas collection. Each model is supplied with a metal bracelet, a leather strap and a rubber strap (the two latter straps matching the dial colour) with a distinctive folding clasp bearing the Maltese cross emblem of the brand. Switching straps and bracelets is as simple as unhooking them by lifting them at an angle of 45° and fitting the new strap in the same way. So switching from metal bracelet to strap can be done in less than a minute. Each individual reference is therefore three watches in one. With a chronograph, perpetual calendar, self-winding model with date, ultra-thin and smaller diameter models available for ladies, that all adds up to a well-considered collection from the venerable Geneva brand.

 

Tough choices: the design process examined the finest detail of every component for the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas. Here is a selection of the rubber strap finishes that were considered. © World Replica Watches / Paul O'Neil

Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition

— “Official Timing Partner” of Porsche Motorsport since the beginning of the 2014 season, Chopard presents the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition timepiece..

 Last weekend took place the most eagerly anticipated event of the World Endurance Championship season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2016. “Official Timing Partner” of Porsche Motorsport since the beginning of the 2014 season, Chopard was supporting the German team for this this key competition.

For this 84^th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Chopard presents the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition, a 100-piece limited series. The powerful and sophisticated chronograph is inspired by the new Porsche 919 Hybrid – an evolved version of the speed machine that powered Porsche Motorsport to the very top of the 2015 podium.

Porsche 919 Hybrid. © Chopard

Building on its close ties with Porsche Motorsport, Chopard presents the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition chronograph, produced in a 100-piece limited series and inspired by the new Porsche 919 Hybrid 2016. Exclusively available in Chopard boutiques, the limited Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition flies high the banner of the new Porsche prototype by picking up its aesthetic codes. Witness the imposing 45 mm-diameter case made in titanium – an ultra-light material much favoured in the world of endurance racing – that is bead-blasted, blackened by a DLC treatment ensuring an extremely scratch-resistant coating, and water-resistant to 100 metres. Topping it is a bezel bearing a lacquered titanium tachymetric scale and secured by eight PVD-coated blackened screws. The matt black rubber-moulded screw-lock crown bears a steering wheel emblem, while the two pushers are respectively coated in red rubber at 2 o’clock and black rubber at 4 o’clock. The grooves on the case middle evoke the cooling fins of race-car engines, an exclusive finish reflected in the straight lines of the dial reminiscent of the Porsche 919 Hybrid’s rear diffuser. The red 919 logo appearing on the hours counter is identical to the numbers of the Porsche Hybrid competition cars.

Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition (Ref. 168535-3005). © Chopard

Clothed in deep black, lit up by glowing white as well as vivid red accents, the new Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition plays on the contrasts between the three colours of the new futuristic Porsche prototype. Its matt black dial features red counter hands, minutes markers and central sweep-seconds hand, while Superluminova-painted Arabic numerals, hours and minutes hands as well as metallic hour-markers stand out distinctly against the dial.
The Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition is powered by the Chopard Calibre 03.05M. Entirely produced and assembled in Chopard’s Fleurier Ebauches workshops, this mechanical self-winding chronograph movement achieves remarkable precision certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The movement delivers a substantial 60-hour power reserve and features a flyback function. The sapphire crystal case-back, engraved with the inscription “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport” as well as the team logo, provides a chance to admire this cutting-edge mechanism featuring slit bridges reminiscent of racing engines.
This timepiece is delivered with a black rubber strap inspired by slick competition racing tyres and secured by a folding clasp in DLC-coated titanium.

© Cheap Replica Watches

Jaeger-LeCoultre Watches Atelier Reverso on test

— Customising your watch is one thing, but getting a completely bespoke piece is quite another. This is what Jaeger-LeCoultre is proposing, with its custom workshop devoted entirely to the Reverso: the Atelier Reverso. WorldTempus was given an exclusive foretaste.   

 

Eventually there will be Ateliers Reverso in every one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s boutiques worldwide, but for the time being there are just two: in London and Paris. It was in the Place Vendôme that WorldTempus had an exclusive opportunity to try out one of the maison’s first Ateliers first-hand.

A new creative model
Behind the generic name “Atelier” there’s a very unusual eco-horological model, which gives customers the possibility to have their very own Reverso made directly by the manufacture. While not all references are available for customisation, there are currently three: the Reverso One, Classic and Tribute. All three were presented at SIHH 2016.
The Ateliers will be located in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s standalone shops, where they have their own dedicated space called simply the “Atelier Reverso”, seamlessly integrated into the store’s interior design. The creative centre of this area is a digital table driven by a piece of software designed exclusively for Jaeger-LeCoultre.

 

© Jaeger-LeCoultre

Tactile workshop
It is logical, intuitive, bug-free (quite an achievement for such a recent and exclusive development), and supremely easy to navigate. Rather than offering your typical linear progression of options (choice of model with successive personalisation options, confirmation, checkout), the software can cope with a change of model at any time, allowing you to try out an infinite combination of straps and engravings, change your mind constantly, skip a couple of steps... have fun, in other words.
Because, at the heart of the Atelier Reverso, is the concept of playing around and having fun while building one’s own personal creation. It is about methodically building one’s own cheap replica watches, but it’s equally about exploring a limitless creative universe. Seven Reverso references, 49 dials and colour options, 800 straps and bracelets combine to make a total of 5277 combinations, so the playing field is vast. As a side note, the software is already available in more than ten languages – an undeniable advantage that speaks volumes about its potential internationally.

 

© Jaeger-LeCoultre

Creation in the Reverso spirit
Of course, there’s one obvious question. “Is anything possible?” And the answer is clearly: “No.” Jaeger-LeCoultre has limited the number of customisable models to three, and gives options in terms of engraving, straps, gem-setting and a range of dial choices. The Atelier offers more than 150 dial variations for the back of the new Reverso Duetto and Duo watches, a hundred or so choices of strap (different colours, different leathers and satin) for the entire Reverso collection, and a range of possible engravings for the one-sided Reversos. The digital table provides a real-time preview of the result and, when you’re finished, you can email them to yourself with their corresponding prices.
The company does impose a few limits, however. With an icon like the Reverso you can’t expect to have carte blanche, and that’s got to be a good thing. So you can’t touch the hands, for example. More regrettably, perhaps, no double-wrapped straps are allowed, despite being very popular at the moment. It’s nevertheless perhaps not an option that would occur to 80-year-old dowagers.

 

© Olivier Müller

A 30% deposit is payable on receipt of the order, after which it takes an average of eight weeks before you can have the object of your desire on your wrist. All these creations must be collected in person from a Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique, which means a choice of 89 points of sale worldwide.

IWC Tribute to Rudolf Caracciola

— To mark the start of the Rallye Passione Caracciola, IWC Schaffhausen presents two special editions from the Ingenieur collection.   

The Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” is dedicated to the talented racing driver of the 1930s, while the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” recalls the legendary Silver Arrow from Mercedes-Benz. Both models are limited to 750 examples worldwide and powered by the new IWC-manufactured 69370 calibre.
One of the more conspicuous features of these models is the simplicity and elegance of the case which differs from the technically inspired design by Gérald Genta previously used for this Swiss replica watches family. Both timepieces house the IWC-manufactured 69370 chronograph calibre.
The Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” (Ref. IW380702) honours the memory of legendary racing driver Rudolf Caracciola. Back in the 1930s, the Mercedes star driver won three European Championship titles and took the chequered flag in 144 of the 204 races he finished. In an allusion to his driving skills on wet tracks, the champion was often called the “King of the Rain”. The chronograph is housed in a stainless steel case. The slate-coloured dial and embossed tachymeter scale, together with the rhodium-plated hands and appliqués, give the watch a technical, but distinctly elegant appeal. The brown calfskin strap features an embossing that recalls the seats in classic racing cars.

 

Ingenieur Chronograph Edition «Rudolf Caracciola» (ref. IW380702). © IWC

The Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” (Ref. IW380701) is a tribute to the Silver Arrow W 125 from Mercedes-Benz. Seventy-eight years ago, at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz W 125 with a V12 engine, Rudolf Caracciola recorded 432.7 kilometres per hour on the Frankfurt–Darmstadt autobahn – to this day the highest speed ever driven on a public road. The chronograph is housed in a rugged titanium case. The silver-plated dial contrasts starkly with the black hands and appliqués. The two totalizers, the small seconds and the tachymeter scale imitate the instrument look found in the cockpit of a W 125. The watch is worn on a luxurious strap made of black calfskin.

 

L’Ingenieur Chronographe Edition «W 125» (réf. IW380701). © Replica IWC Watches

Gala dinner
IWC celebrated the start of the Rallye Passione Caracciola with an exclusive Welcome Dinner at Zurich’s Dolder Grand hotel, together with all the drivers and many guests. The Rallye Passione Caracciola is designed as a regularity rally and is taking place for the second time this year. Classic cars of all brands built up to 1980 are eligible for entry. In all, the route takes drivers through four stages, from Regensdorf via Berne, Interlaken, Andermatt and Ambrì to Lugano.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Charity gala for Crescendo con la Musica

— Jaeger-LeCoultre supported the charity gala for Crescendo con la Musica, organized by the friend of the brand, Jorge Viladoms. 

Few weeks ago, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture hosted the Mexican pianist, professor, philanthropist and friend of the brand, Jorge Viladoms.

Jorge discovered his passion for the piano at the age of 15. Spurred on by his belief that music can change lives, he decided to create the Crescendo con la Musica Foundation, whose goal is to make music accessible to underprivileged children in Mexico.
Jaeger-LeCoultre supported the charity gala for Crescendo con la Musica, which took place on 13 June 2016 at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, with artists such as opera singer Natalie Dessay, pianist Philippe Cassard, and two principal dancers from the Opéra de Paris, Aurélie Dupont and Hervé Moreau. They performed together in a journey through dance and Replica Watches music to compositions by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Duparc, Fauré, Bizet, and Liszt.

TAG Heuer Video. Aquaracer & Nuit de la Glisse

— Sponsored by TAG Heuer Replica Watches, Thierry Donard’ new film offers us extreme images and poignant accounts.

Thierry Donard has completed another round-the-world journey with his camera, bringing us right into awe-inspiring natural settings where men and women carry out incredible feats. From the most beautiful snowy alpine faces to the peaks towering above the Norwegian fjords, from the waves of Fakarava to proximity-fly above the glaciers to the heart of Swiss Alps...

Skiers, snowboarders, wingsuit pilots, surfers all have one thing in common: the desire to reach the goals they set for themselves, sometimes at the price of waiting months for various weather conditions to converge, and all this in a time when nature is becoming more and more chaotic.

A. Lange & Söhne CEO Wilhelm Schmid meets philosopher Wilhelm Schmid

— At a panel discussion, Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid and philosopher and bestselling author Wilhelm Schmid spoke about the careful use of the valuable resource of time. 

The coincidentally matching names and shared interest in the topic of time brought together the Berlin “art of life” philosopher and the host Managing Director of A. Lange & Söhne. Wilhelm Schmid and Wilhelm Schmid met at Schloss Proschwitz near Meissen, Germany, on 11 May to discuss the topic of time. The philosophical debate was moderated by Princess Alexandra of Lippe in a dual role: the publicist and journalist is also the lady of the palace.

Philosopher Wilhelm Schmid regards time as having a grid that holds and supports people. He believes that we have to structure time in order to be productive and live a fulfilled life. And that the art of dealing with time is in creating ritual, cyclical time windows. For Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid, it is the non-structured periods, which can be freely used, that are among the most valuable times. In his system of the “colours of time”, the philosopher describes these phases as “blue hours” dedicated to rest and regeneration. It is during these phases that visions, dreams and ideas are created. He calls the particularly productive phases “golden hours” and assigns the colour pink to the phases of love. He also claims that we have to accept the unavoidable “grey phases”. And that only by recognising that life largely depends on chance can people enjoy true peace.

The panel discussion at Schloss Proschwitz. © A. Lange & Söhne Replica Watches

The second part of the discussion focussed on the relationship with the past. Following the philosophical finding that life becomes more intense if we consider the wealth of our experiences, Wilhelm Schmid from Glashütte reminded us of the parallel historical development of mobility and timekeeping. This has led to the precise time now being so omnipresent that mechanical watches are no longer really needed, yet, as a result of this, are more appreciated than ever. Wilhelm Schmid from Berlin explained this apparent paradox by creating an analogy between precision watchmaking and art. Like works of art, the handmade mechanical timekeepers are unique and coveted for their rarity.

Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 “Tribute Edition”

— This new timepiece has been specially created for the 15 future owners of the Cobra “Tribute Edition” cars.  

To celebrate the legendary Cobra CSX2128 roadster that performed the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1963, the American firm Carroll Shelby International announces the reproduction of 15 cars built exactly like the original car, The “Tribute Edition” Cobra. The lightweight roadsters will come complete with a genuine 289 c.i.d. aluminum engine and Ford transmission. Available in aluminum or fiberglass, the 15 total track cars will have a Shelby M.S.O. and be sold worldwide.

The “Tribute Edition” cars are based on the Shelby American CSX7000 continuation Shelby Cobra. They will retain the authentic style suspension and masculine body lines, but are upgraded to contemporary standards.

 

"Baume & Mercier wanted to embody Carroll Shelby’s most successful car, the Cobra CSX2128 through exclusive timepieces to celebrate the spirit of competition." Alain Zimmermann, CEO of Baume & Mercier. © Swiss Replica Watches

Sporting a 44 mm-diameter case in polished/satin-finished steel and a black alligator strap with a yellow rubberized calfskin lining, the Capeland Shelby ® Cobra 1963 “Tribute Edition” is powered by the mechanical self-winding movement Valjoux 7753, offering a 48-hour power reserve. Topped by an anti-glare sapphire crystal, the black dial features a yellow tachymeter scale as well as a green graduated scale on the chronograph minutes counter reminding dashboard of the car. Symbolizing the Capeland Shelby® Cobra collection, the stylized yellow cobra-shaped hand is a tribute to the design of the car.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Team

— TAG Heuer presents its new Red Bull Racing Replica Watches.

 December 2015 saw TAG Heuer Fake Watches become the Official Timekeeper & Official Watch of the Formula 1 Red Bull Racing team. The two brands announced the new name of the 2016 car, "Red Bull Racing - TAG Heuer RB12", with TAG Heuer being included in the team's official name. It is the first time a watchmaker has ever been named directly in the official title of an F1 team. 

Last weekend, at the most glamorous of all Formula 1 Grand Prix events – Monaco – and to celebrate its first year of partnership with the most unconventional team in Formula 1, TAG Heuer introduced two special series TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Team watches.
The steel chronograph bears the team's colours, midnight blue and red, an alliance which naturally alludes to the racing mindset. Adorned with a bezel sporting a tachymeter scale in matte blue aluminium, this piece reflects the DNA of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection perfectly.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Team watches. © Cheap Replica TAG Heuer

The watch is available in two versions, one of which has a steel bracelet in keeping with the watch brand's flagship models. This model is also now available with a strap made from technical textile for a sportier look, with red stitching inspired by the seat belts of racing cars. The quartz chronograph movement is accurate to a tenth of a second – an indispensable feature in a motor racing watch – and is displayed on the small counter at 6 o'clock, with the minute counter at 9 o'clock and the current seconds counter at 3 o'clock. The hands are red, matching the team colours and complement the white counters and deep blue case back perfectly. The back of the case is of course engraved with the legendary black and white chequered flag, symbol of Formula 1, as well as the exclusive Red Bull Racing Team logo.

 

© TAG Heuer Replica Watches