SalonQP Photo Diary – Part 5

 
I know we said we said this will be the last one but looking at the memory card it may drag over into two more articles, I’m sure you don’t mind being exposed to more photo’s of some lovely watches a little more.

So what have we install for you today from our adventures at SalonQP, well we have Speake Marin, maybe a little Jaeger-LeCoultre with Aston Martin thrown in for goos measure and some Arnold and Sons too…

So lets start with our very own British Speake Marin, yes we know Peter Speake-Marin is now firmly based in Switzerland but he is a native Englishman who begun his journey through to master watchmaker in London, lets start off with the Speake Marin Resilience and straight off with a wrist shot, shame this was not on my own wrist but that of Speake Marine representative at SalonQP, hey he had a nice cuff whereas I was a bit rough and ready

The Resilience is a really nice classic clean dial timepiece which has the Eros 2 movement all within the Speake Marin Piccadilly Case.

I was pleasantly surprised by the actual fit of the piccadily case on the wrist with the extended lugs it just seems really long, but its not and fits very very well, I also like the crown again didn’t think I would but it is a nice crown. So we had to get a better snap of it below

Now to the caseback and movement of the Speak Marin Resilience, as we said the case is the Piccadilly and that is clearly engraved on the caseback

As we where at the Speake Marin Stand at SalonQP it would be a diservice not to get to grips with the Spirit Mark II and also the Serpent Calender timepieces, firstly the Serpent Calender on the wrist

and now to the Spirit Mark II one of Peter’s most affordable models

Moving on from Speake Marin even if we don’t want to I’m sure we should, let’s go onto  Jaeger-LeCoultre and their Aston Martin Collaboration timepieces and let us begin with the AMVOX 07 which was unveiled at the show on day 1 of SalonQP, literarily as we walked in to the event…

It’s a shame that when we managed to get to JLC stand we did not manage to get the AMVOX07 hands on, not sure if anyone did… so here are the best shots we got of the Aston Martin Related Watches this is the AMVOX 07

And the AMVOX 05

Here are some more shots of the Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX range

As Jaeger-LeCoultre had many stands in and around SalonQP, well we say many they had the Aston Martin AMVOX Launch stand and another large watchmaking masterclass stand too, the AMVOX stand was dedicated to this range and had a variety of Aston Martin parts dotted around as seen below

and now to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Watchmaking masterclass and main stand, this should give you a feel as to how influential JLC was at the event

Well that’s our Jaeger-LeCoultre experience at SalonQP and before we sign off for today we thought we would show you some of the Arnold and Son timepieces on show at SalonQP 2012 too, a brand with some extensive heritage dating back to the 1700’s

We had a lovely chat with Alan from Nuval, who are the distributors for Arnold and Sons in the UK about the brands heritage and it’s links to royalty in the past, and moreso its Swiss base and manufacture and got to see some of the pieces first hand. Like this Arnold and Son TBR in Stainless Steel

and this Arnold and Son DBG

Maybe just one more from Arnold and Son with the DBG Rose Gold

I think we have had our fill for today, but we have just one more for you tomorrow which will have some more Schofield Watch Company, a bit of Corum maybe some more Bremont Watch comanpy Victory Watch and definately some Giuliano Mazzuoli which we like the idea behind the watches very much based on everyday motoring objects and dials.

Hope to see you all tomorrow.

SalonQP – the UK’s Only Fine Watch Exhibition

 
Following on from our initial SalonQP related article in respect of the Bremont Victory and Admiral Lord Nelson’s Pocket Watch we follow on with a look at what we can expect from this years extravaganza, along with a little background on the event too. 

Britain’s leading watch publication, QP Magazine, is pleased to announce that following record numbers of visitors and exhibitors at last year’s event, SalonQP, the UK’s only fine watch exhibition, is returning to the Saatchi Gallery on 8–10 November 2012.

SalonQP, the UK’s only event devoted to fine watchmaking, returns to the Saatchi Gallery this November for its fourth edition. Every year SalonQP showcases the very finest in contemporary horology, and 2012 will be no exception – renowned grandes maisons such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget will appear alongside a wealth of independent watchmakers including MB&F, Urwerk and Speake-Marin. Watch collectors, enthusiasts, commentators and industry insiders alike will gather to handle, consider and discuss nearly 1,000 pieces from the world’s leading brands.

As in previous years, the event promises to introduce the newest watches and brands to the UK as well as feature a programme of demonstrations and discussions from the brightest and best in contemporary watchmaking. Up close and personal – that’s the joy of SalonQP. No sales pressure, just the brands, their watchmakers and their watches. SalonQP is a unique opportunity for watch aficionados to gather and pore over the latest and the greatest in the world of watchmaking, here in the unique settings of the Saatchi Gallery, London – there is nothing quite like it.

This year SalonQP will host a number of intimate roundtable talks, with Maria Doulton, of The Jewellery Editor, running two discussions highlighting women’s watches. What’s more, there will be a preview screening of The Watchmaker’s Apprentice, a film about the late Dr George Daniels CBE MBE – one of the greatest watchmakers of the past 200 years – and his only apprentice, Roger W Smith. The film includes the last ever interview with Daniels himself. Special tickets have just been released to view the film on the afternoon of Friday 9 November, featuring an exclusive introduction by Roger Smith.

As for the watches themselves, SalonQP is a unique event providing a relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s best timepieces with no sales pressure. To give you a taste of what to expect at the event, we have listed below a small sample of this year’s highlights:

• Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Sphérotourbillon. Widely considered best in show at SIHH, this watch is sure to draw crowds at SalonQP. Part of the brand’s Duomètre line, it employs a ‘dual-wing’ design using two separate power sources – one for timekeeping and one for regulation/complications.

• TAG Heuer’s MikrotourbillonS. A UK launch exclusive, TAG Heuer will present the MikrotourbillonS at SalonQP. CEO Jean-Christophe Babin justly boasts, “We set a new record for a mechanical chronograph with the Mikrograph. For the first time ever we’ve combined the ultimate precision of 1/100th of a second with the ultimate accuracy that only a tourbillon can guarantee.” Get your cameras at the ready!

• Urwerk’s UR-210. In another exclusive, SalonQP will be the first opportunity for fans of the eternally future-looking Urwerk house to experience their jaw-dropping new UR-210 ‘in the metal’. With previous design inspiration ranging from the Apollo Space Programme to Duchamp, this latest model is sure to challenge and engage. Details are still strictly embargoed for this remarkable piece but suffice to say, it will knock your cogs off.

• Harry Winston’s Opus 12. Continuing the Opus tradition of working with only the most extraordinary craftsmen, this piece was designed in collaboration with Emmanuel Bouchet. Daring to be different, this masterpiece features no hour or minute hand.

Opening its doors on Thursday 8 November with a VIP reception, the exhibition continues throughout Friday 9 and Saturday 10, including the Legend of Kremlin Vodka Cocktail Reception on the Friday evening.

You can follow further SalonQP announcements as the roster of stunning watches continues to evolve, on Twitter at @salonqp.

All images and photographs courtesy of SalonQP

Cars and Horology : The beautiful meeting

Written by Jonathan Kopp for The Watch Review Site

We thought we would bring you another take on Watches by an Author who has spent his time researching and documenting the relationship between Cars and Luxury Watches. We all know and have seen Breitling for Bentley and Aston Martin & Jaeger-LeCoultre to name a couple of the more famous ones. Prestigious Watches & Cars – the exceptional partnerships bring the two worlds closer together and highlights some of the more unknown or lesser remembered partnerships.

An Overview of  Prestigious Watches & Cars – the exceptional partnerships

The art of mechanics is a mutual meeting point for vehicle manufacturers and watchmakers alike, often associated in a commercial approach, resulting in collections of timepieces, generally designed in limited edition series, and forms inspired by the finest motor cars on the planet.

The mixture of fine watch making with automobiles is not a new concept. We have long seen watchmakers and timepieces making reference to the finest automobiles. Today, we see that with this co-branding, car manufacturers are looking more and more for quality … finished quartz commercials watches for them.  The search for excellence is spreading, and to do so, the great watchmakers built exceptional mechanics.

The meeting between fine watchmaking and automotive … Two fascinating universes, both addressing an audience of connoisseurs and enthusiasts have many common values. These values include blending luxurious finishes, the constant search for performance, while respecting the values and skills of the past and all that in a nice overall package with sleek lines, and not to mention striving to incorporate the up most mechanical state of the art technology .

Focusing on partnerships celebrating exceptional cars, or associations with famous motor racing teams or drivers, sponsoring of teams and drivers in the most prestigious championships… Is what the watch industry have been doing for years. When the watch making world mixes with the car industry in a meticulous and precise way, we get a great product that benefits all.

These points and others have been explored by Remy Solnon, and the relationship between the two and the various sponsorships are examined and explained in this book.

The link between these two worlds that share the same values!

A journey into the heart of both worlds, with vast information, explanations and photos. Prestigious Watches and Cars is a book that will be appreciated by all collectors of both beautiful machines!

Prestigious Watches and Cars is a 224 page full colour publication featuring over 430 photographs and drawings.

Prestigious Watches and Cars – PRODUCT DETAILS

Title : Prestigious Watches & Cars – the exceptional partnerships
Dimensions : 21 x 29.7 cm (8.3×11.7 in)
ISBN 978-2-35073- 381- 4
Author : Rémy Solnon
Hardcover : 224 pages
Illustration : colour (435 pictures)
Publisher : Les Presses Littéraires

Article supplied by Jonathan Kopp you can follow Jonathan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.kopp.98

The Sound of Time

By JESSICA MICHAULT

Published: March 8, 2012   

PARIS — For most of the past decade the watch industry has been entranced by the tourbillon’s hypnotic revolutions, with brands spinning out the cagey little complication in ever greater numbers and more ingenious ways.       

In Conversation with Jerome Lambert, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre

16th March 2012

Written by Meehna Goldsmith

In New York last week, Meehna had the pleasure of sitting down with Jerome Lambert, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The brand continues to celebrate the iconic Reverso, which had a big birthday last year. You also know about the  Tribute to 1931 and a few months ago saw the release of the Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin Mad Men.

The Reversos got collector’s buzzing but at Jaeger-LeCoultre they weren’t content to rest on their laurels. They had something very special in store at SIHH, a real crowd pleaser.

Many brands claim innovation, JLC proves it over and over again, this time with the Duometre Spherotourbillon. The Duometre concept, which separates out power supply to the timekeeping mechanism and the complication, adds a double tourbillon to the mix.  In titanium and inclined at a 20 degree angle, the inner carriage completes a revolution in 15 seconds while the outer carriage spins around in 20 seconds, the two doing more complex dance moves than I’m capable of.  Another innovative feature is the flyback seconds hand hat doesn’t stop the balance wheel and enables setting the watch down to the second.

In this video interview, Mr. Lambert not only discusses what the Duometre Spherotourbillon means to Jaeger-LeCoultre, he also weighs in on subjects including the Internet’s influence on Jaeger-LeCoultre and what repercussions there are when the brand is criticized.  Oh, and you’ll also find out his favorite watch.

Article and material provided by Meehna Goldsmith original article can be viewed at http://www.watchmatchmaker.com/2_womens_watches/in-conversation-with-jerome-lambert-ceo-of-jaeger-lecoultre.html

Digital Luxury Group unveils haute horlogerie World

Watch Report results

23 January 2012 | By Laura McCreddie

A crown for the wrist

By Michael Karam on March 05, 2012

The perception and prestige of Explorers, Submariners and Air Kings

Ask anyone on the street what he or she thinks the world’s most luxurious watch brand is, and they will probably say Rolex. They’d be wrong. But perception is everything, and the timepiece that is regarded as the sign that you have made it — a person to be reckoned with, a person imbued with a hint of rugged glamour — is indeed a Rolex. There are more accurate watches, more expensive brands and more prestigious brands, but Rolex has captured our imagination like no other.

Don’t get me wrong. There is no sleight of hand here. They are not, in luxury watch terms at least, overpriced (unlike some brands I could name). They are supremely well made and they will last forever. I should know; I have a steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust made in 1963. It still keeps immaculate time and has been serviced a maximum of four times in its life. It also looks almost identical to the current model — the only difference is an extra 2mm in the diameter, a sapphire glass and a quick date changer. So in a global luxury watch market that has gone bonkers in the last 20 years, Rolex has both pedigree and consistency.

The company was founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis and moved to Switzerland in 1919 after the First World War. By 2003, Rolex was earning revenues of $3 billion annually, according to Stern Business, with BusinessWeek ranking it the 71st most valuable brand in the world in 2007. Like Patek Philippe, arguably the most prestigious watch brand in the world — and unlike other luxury brands such as Vacheron Constantine and Jaeger Le Coultre, both of whom are owned by the Richemont Group — Rolex is still a private company, a factor that arguably adds to its aura of distinction.

So what is it about Rolex’s enduring appeal? Luxury aside (Rolex caters to all tastes, even producing some eccentric designs for those who like a bit of diamond-encrusted bling), I would wager it is the fact that no other watch has as much history, glamour, sex appeal and adventure, allied to reliability and looks, wrapped up in one brand.

Take the Rolex Submariner, the iconic diving watch that was worn by Sean Connery’s Bond on a fabric NATO strap — to lady-killing effect — or the Explorer, the equally famous black-faced chronometer. You aren’t just buying a watch, you are buying into the very fabric of 20th century achievement. Omega is the only watch brand that comes close to matching this heritage (its Speedmaster was famously worn on the moon) but Rolex, with its functional designs and almost onomatopoeic name, has captured more of the public’s imagination, allying itself with sports stars, musicians and scientific pioneers the world over. Not surprisingly, Rolexes are among the few brands with a strong resale value, especially for the iconic Daytona Cosmograph with its famous Zenith “El Primero” movement, and the other professional models.

But at the end of the day, it’s all about owning the item that you love. And as my wife found out, Rolex watches are very desirable. She does not share my obsession with watches, but over the years has faithfully tramped round showrooms or stood patiently as I peered in shop windows like an excited schoolboy. For her a watch is a watch. It tells the time. Who cares if it’s manual, automatic or quartz, or if it’s a 36mm or a 45mm? But on New Year’s Eve, while I tried on a new Explorer II (now 42mm and with an orange 24 hour hand, if you must know) in the Rolex showroom in Beirut, she pointed to an Air King in brushed steel with subtle blue numeral batons on an off-white face. “I like that a LOT,” she said. It was the first time she had ever really expressed a genuine interest in a watch. What could I do?

Source: http://www.executive-magazine.com/getarticle.php?article=15215