TAG Heuer Formula 1 Womens White Ceramic Diamonds

Well the Formula 1 Season is well and truely underway, with only a few races left and everything to play for after Alonso, missing out on another top three finish by being so rudely extracted from the race before the first corner in Japan this weekend, we thought we would keep the F1 theme going by highlighting a ladies timepiece by Tag Heuer the Officila Formula One Timekeeper. So lets get Tom’s views on this timepiece.

Written By: Tom Dunn for The Watch Review Site

The pioneering Swiss manufacturer, TAG Heuer, has long enjoyed a unique relationship with motor sports. One need only look at the history behind the Monaco model, indebted as it is to the success of the 1971 Steve McQueen feature Le Mans, to see the indelible mark race car driving has left on TAG, and vice versa. The Swiss matchmaker was the first company to introduce timing devices for ski and motor racing events, including Formula One, so setting up a long collaboration with the particular sport that has since seen TAG Heuer recognised as the official Formula One Timekeeper.

To commemorate this accolade, TAG has produced a number of F1 series models across the years, including the piece currently worn by the McLaren F1 team drivers; Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. This sleek black timepiece, inspired by the cutting-edge technology and high-speed performance of the sport, now finds its counterpart in the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Women’s Watch. Following the same basic shape and design principles of the men’s model, this sexy sister adds a dash of fashion to precision timekeeping.

As was seen in previous watches in the Formula 1 Women’s line, this latest entry swaps out the charcoal grey and black of its partnering piece in favour of a luscious white. It doesn’t, however, carry across the baby pink highlights seen in prior entries in the series, instead offering a simple, two-tone contrast of white ceramic and grey steel that bleeds elegance.

The watch’s dial is punctuated by a total of forty nine Wesselton diamond studs (0.18ct), functioning as a central circle decoration and as the marks for each hour. As if this wasn’t enough luxury for one watch, the TAG Formula 1 is given further charm through the setting of another forty eight diamonds (0.35ct) around the steel bezel. The result is a glamorous aesthetic that would suit day or evening wear with aplomb.

As is to be expected however, the Formula 1 Women’s watch is as impressive under the hood as it is in the body work. Sitting between its sapphire crystal glass face and caseback, the watch boasts a TAG Calibre 5 Automatic movement, highlighted with gold engraving viewable on through the back of the piece. The Calibre 5’s 28,800 hourly vibrations are triggered between twenty six ruby points, with the movement boasting a 38 hour power reserve when the watch isn’t in use.

Finished with luminescent minute and hour hands, and a date window at the 6 position, this latest result of the special partnership between TAG Heuer and Formula 1 is a delight, fulfilling both the technical and stylistic specifications of the savvy watch fanatic.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Womens White Ceramic Diamonds – Technical details

Model: WAU2213.BA0861

This TAG Heuer Formula 1 ladies watch features a white diamond dot dial with date function and diamond set bezel.

The 37mm stainless steel and white ceramic case is secured with matching bracelet.

The automatic movement is viewable through the transparent case back.

Water Resistant up to 200 metres

Introducing a Ladies Automatic by Christopher Ward

Belisama Automatic and Belisama Diamond Automatic Ladies Watches – A rare breed…

Written by: D Constant

We are back with one of our favourite brands with something different to offer, Christopher Ward introduces the new Belisama Range of Automatic Ladies Watches, Yes a first for the British based watchmaker, as with all their other watches we have a British design (well sort of – more Cartier like really) and Swiss made with Swiss movements.

Why Belisama I hear you all shout? Well the name is derived from the Celtic goddess for light and wisdom, and when we say light we mean sunlight and moonlight, fairly apt for a watch we think. In homage the watches are all adorned with high quality Wesselton Diamonds and the dial has an array of silver rays depicting the rays of light from the moon and sun. As the goddess Belisama was worshiped before, after and during the Roman Empire by the Gauls and Brits alike, the watch depicts bold striking roman numerals on the dial at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, where there is no numeral we have a diamond indicating the 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 indices on the dial. One thing I would point out is that there is no date function on the dial.

The Christopher Ward Belisama Watches are very akin to the Cartier Tank and pay homage to an iconic design and brand, even down to the blue carbouchon stone decorating the crown and Galvanic Guilloche sun ray dial.

This is one of the few Ladies automatic watches available in the market and I’m sure one of the most affordable, starting at £599. The market for ladies mechanical automatic watches is growing, the myth that the fairer sex is only interested in looks and not concerned with what’s under the cover is just that a myth, In my humble opinion I see this as one of the fastest growing markets within the watch industry.

In the Words of Christopher Ward himself “Judging by the volume of requests I have received from women (and men, it should also be said!) for us to introduce a women’s automatic watch there is no doubt whatsoever that women are as fascinated by the workings of a fine mechanical watch in the same way as men. We would have introduced an automatic earlier but I was never happy that we had the right combination of design and movement but when we started working on the Belisama it was clear from the beginning that this was something special and would be the perfect way to launch our women’s automatic offer.”

The movement housed within the 26mm x 25.4mm polished case of the Christopher Ward Belisama Automatics is the ETA 2671-1 automatic which is one of the smallest automatic movements available today and is visible through the crystal exhibition case back.

The Belisama ladies watch is available in  two individual models the W90 and W900, with both being made available in Stainless steel or 18ct Gold Plated cases, the difference between the two models is that the bezel on the W900 or to give it it’s full name W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic is  encrusted with 30 Top Wesselton full cut diamonds.

Both models are available with either a stainless steel bracelet or Louisiana Alligator strap in either black or white. It goes without saying the Gold plated face does not have the option of the stainless steel bracelet as that would just look a little strange, even to me. We have been told the straps have been specifically designed for female wrists and all the strap options have a deployment clasp buckle as standard

In all there are 10 variations of the W90 and W900 Belisama Automatic watches and these are as follows

W90 Belisama Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet – Ref: W90-SSS – Price £599.00

W90 Belisama Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-SSKR – Price £699.00

W90 Belisama Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-SSWR – Price £699.00

W90 Belisama Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-GSKR – Price £799.00

W90 Belisama Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-GSWR – Price £799.00

W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet – Ref: W900-SSS Price £1,050.00

W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-SSKR – Price £1,150.00

W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-SSWR – Price £1,150.00

W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-GSKR – Price £1,250.00

W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-GSWR – Price £1,250.00

You can see the entire range on the Christopher Ward Website here. The Belisama Ladies Automatic watch range is currently available for Pre Order with expected delivery to be Mid October.

We don’t usually do this but, just prior to publishing this article on the Christopher Ward Belisama Range we received a surprise email from Christopher Ward offering our readers a 20% discount across the entire ladies range including the Belisama by using the Code WOMEN20 but only until midnight Sunday 7^th October 2012. Bringing the cost of owning a Belisama Automatic between £479.20 and £1,000.00.

If you are interested in the Christopher Ward Ladies Range you can find the entire collection at www.christopherward.co.uk

Christopher Ward Belisama Automatic – Technical Details

Self-winding automatic movement Calibre: ETA 2671-2 automatic

Power Reserve of 38 hours

Hand-finished 316L polished stainless steel case or 18ct Gold plated case

Belisama Diamond Automatic – Bezel inset with 30 Top Wesselton VVS1 diamonds

Case Size 36.0mm x 25.4mm, Height: 9.9mm

Crown with inset blue cabouchon stone

Anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Dial – Galvanic Silver sun-ray dial inset with 6 Top Wesselton VVS1 diamonds

Transparent exhibition crystal case-back with unique engraved serial number

18mm Premium grade Louisiana alligator strap or Stainless Steel bracelet with deployment clasp

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Jewellery Watch

Press release – Girard-Perregaux

Before we get onto the Press Release just a few of our own words, we cannot fault Girard-Perregaux on its achievements and its commitment to its watchmakers especially with its work to make watchmaking an art that is available and accessible to all through its promotion with its New Young watchmakers activities, which we have closely followed here on The Watch Review Site (if you are interested you will find the articles about these young watchmakers and their exploits here.)

But to say the least we are not impressed by this Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Ladies Watch, its just too glitzy and diamondy for us here at the Watch Review Site… But in the nature of the beast we are sure it will be of interest to a lot of you out there so here it is in it’s full technicolour glory. Oh and not taking away the fact that it has been a mainstay in the GP collection since 2004 and the technical and artistic achievements in producing the piece, its just not for us.

A union between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie

A myriad of diamonds clothes the Cat’s Eye in light, accentuating the curves of its silhouette. Behind the scenes are the mechanics of perfection. Time beats to the rhythm of a self-winding movement manufactured by Girard-Perregaux. The Cat’s Eye Haute Joaillerie showcases highly skilled crafts where beauty and technology complement one another in perfect harmony.

Draped in 150 emerald-cut precious stones, the case illuminates its feminine curves. The flower-shaped crown unfurls its petals to reveal its heart: a rose-cut diamond. The hours display blossoms on a bed of gemstones that emphasize the emblematic case shape.

Starting with the small seconds, the iridescent oval progressively broadens with uniform brilliance. The dial, adorned with a delicate “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif, includes 102 emerald-cut diamonds, selected and positioned in order to deliver maximum brilliance.

A traditional technique requiring a particularly delicate touch, the “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif consists of holding several stones with a single “clou” or pin, meaning that the diamond cutter must cut and calibrate the stones meticulously, one by one. The sapphire crystal, rounded in both directions, tops the dial and its leaf shaped hands.

A taupe-coloured satin strap enhances the sparkle of the stones. The contrast is subtle, the union a success. Extended by an ardillon buckle set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds, it encircles the wrist with unforgettable moments in time.

Finally, the hand-engraved case back opens onto the calibre GP03300 self-winding movement whose oscillating weight adopts Girard-Perregaux’s tapestry decoration. The date has been set.

Created in 2004, the Cat’s Eye collection dedicates beautiful watchmaking pieces to women. The refinement of the pieces rivals their attention to detail. Its emblematic design, which has won numerous distinctions, is highlighted by precious materials and manufacture movements, both simple and with complications. The collection proves that fine watchmaking is far from being the prerogative solely of men.

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference: 91702B53P7B1-KK6A

Case in white gold with a rounded, anti-reflective sapphire crystal set with 150 emerald-cut diamonds for ~14.52 carats

Case back: with anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Dimensions: 38.63 mm x 33.63 mm

Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)

Crown: white gold, set with one rose-cut diamond ~ 0.14 carat

Dial: set with 102 emerald-cut diamonds for ~6.6 carats

Hands: leaf-shaped

Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0072 Movement

Self-winding mechanical movement

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds

Jewels: 27 rubies

Power reserve: minimum 46 hours

Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h (4 Hz)

Satin strap with Ardillon buckle in white gold, set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds for ~0.67 carats

For Other Girard-Perregaux Watches which we really do like why not read this on the 1966 Chronograph or even this on the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night. Now these are proper Girard-Perregaux timepieces. Sorry GP about the Cat’s eye…

Breitling Colt 33 – Closer look at Ladies Divers Watch.

Written by D Constant for The Watch Review Site

We have another Ladies Diver Watch, we are looking at to review, this time it’s the turn of the Breitling Colt 33, This watch was first introduced by Breitling about a year ago and this Colt 33 with its in house movement gets a Breitling update which introduces a wider range of strap options and adjustments to various other elements of the watch such as the matching hour markers and other elements on the Breitling Colt 33’s Dial.

The Breitling Colt 33 watch, now comes in a range of colours as can be seem by the Press Release Shot.

This 33mm (as depicted by the nameColt 33) Ladies Divers watch is a usable timepiece it actually is made to do what it says on the box, with the exception of the Breitling Colt 33 with the diamond set bezel. All the other pieces a suitable to be used as an actual Dive Watch, yes they are not just astetically pleasing and designed so a woman feels she has a pretty watch on her wrist these Colt 33′s are practical. Breitling has made the Colt 33 water resistant to a deepth of upto 500m, again a very good depth for a Ladies Divers Watch, to be honest theres not many around that can go that far down in the deep blue only one comes to mind and thats not exactly a well known brand. This is something Breitling pride themselves on and too right they should.

As we touched upon earlier as with all current breitlings the Colt 33 has an inhouse movement being the Caliber B77 which is a thermocompensated SuperQuartz movement which breitling claim is 10 times more accurate than a normal quartz movement.

The dial also houses large numerals at 12, 6 and 9 which gives the visual impact of the Breitling Colt a kick along with the polished steel case and  satin brushed unidirectional bezel with its stamped numerals.

All in All Breitling have updated the Colt 33 to be more appealing to it’s user base with limited loss of functionality and usability. A divers watch with a hint of feminism and good looks.

The Breitling Colt 33 Ladies Diver Watch retails in the UK with prices starting at £2680 and ranging to in excess of £6500 for the diamond studed version.

Breitling Colt 33 – Ladies Dive Watch – Technical Details

Movement: Breitling Caliber 77, thermocompensated. SuperQuartzTM.

Battery end-of-life indicator.

Calendar.

Case: steel.

Water-resistant to 500 m (1,660 ft/ 50 bars).

Screw-locked crown.

Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel.

Sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.

Diameter: 33 mm.

Dials: silver with red, blue, pink, orange or white hour markers.

Strap/Bracelet: Sahara leather/Colt.

GIRARD-PERREGAUX VINTAGE 1945 TOURBILLON WITH THREE GOLD BRIDGES

Before we get to the press release, I just wanted to express my humble view on this exquisite Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon, This is a Ladies Watch with Three Gold Bridges and was the favourite of a couple of the Girard Perregaux Young watchmakers in our recent GP New Face of Tradition series where we saw Girard-Perregaux introduce eight of their latest young watchmakers giving us an insight into their background and lives. You can see our articles in respect of the same here, New Faces overview, No.1, No.2, No.3&4, No.5&6 and No.7&8.

Its an interesting addition to the already extensive Vintage 1945 range of timepieces and a very welcome one by Girard-Perregaux enthusiasts, So lets see what the fuss is all about shall we…

Press Release by Girard-Perregaux

Haute horlogerie, elegance and technology

The heritage of Girard-Perregaux’s acclaimed Tourbillon with three gold Bridges places itself squarely in the twenty-first century. Combining noble materials and a high-tech finish, its elegance and majestic architecture underscore its singular character. A rarity limited to 50 pieces.

Fashioned in pink gold, the case and the bridges form a striking contrast with the color of the main plate. Its matte anthracite coating is the result of a particular combination of precious materials similar to platinum and draws on cutting-edge technologies. Other elements, such as the barrel, the lower gearwheel bridges and the bridge supports, adopt this finish, resulting in a stunning visual effect.

In a bold leap across time, this limited edition of the Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with three gold Bridges offers a new take on a movement whose origins date back to the end of the 19th century. Drawing on the latest technological progress, it concentrates rare technical and Manufacture expertise within its delicately curved Art Deco-inspired case.

The satin-finished skeletonized bridges, with their pure, contemporary geometry, are the fruit of extremely delicate design: first finely openworked, they are then carefully hand-polished. Seven days are necessary to obtain a perfect finish, since the numerous closed angles form a considerable challenge. The tourbillon system also requires special attention, as its 72 components must be meticulously assembled inside a diameter of just 12 millimeters. To cap these feats, a precious matte anthracite coating gives this timepiece its distinctive personality.

The self-winding caliber GP9600 movement has an integrated micro-rotor housed under the barrel, patented by Girard-Perregaux. The mechanism’s architecture, also visible through the sapphire back is further enhanced by the matte anthracite-coated components. The Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with three gold Bridges is a formidable demonstration of the Manufacture’s expertise. In other words, how aesthetics and technique manage to reinvent and renew the rules of the watchmaking art.

GIRARD-PERREGAUX VINTAGE 1945 TOURBILLON WITH THREE GOLD BRIDGES - Technical Details

Reference - 99880-52-001-BA6A

Pink-gold case with domed anti-glare sapphire glass

Back: with anti-glare sapphire

Dimensions: 36.10 mm x 35.25 mm

Water resistance: 30 meters

Crown: pink gold, engraved with GP logo

Dial: matte anthracite surface treatment (NAC) on the mainplate

Hands: gold regatta, diamond polished

Movement Girard-Perregaux 9600-0019, Mechanical self-winding

Functions: Tourbillon, hours, minutes

Dimensions: 28.60 mm x 30.30 mm

Total thickness: 3.20 mm

Jewels: 31 jewels

Power reserve: minimum 48 hours

Winding: automatic, hand-brushed platinum rotor

Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

Components: Number: 257

Balance wheel: variable inertia with gold regulating screws (diameter 8.35 mm)

Balance-spring: Breguet, Philips terminal curve

Mainplate: anthracite (NAC) surface treatment, vertical guilloché on top, pearling and guilloché below, hand-polished angles

Lower gear train bridge: vertical guilloché, hand-polished angles

Barrel: engraved cover with hand-applied circular guilloché and brushing

Rhodium-plated barrel, central and tourbillon bridges: in gold, hand-polished angles brushed top and edges

Tourbillon: 72 components weighing a total of 0.3 grams, one rotation per minute, upper and lower carriages beveled and polished by hand, escapement and pallet bridges beveled and polished by hand

Alligator strap - Folding clasp in pink gold

Limited edition of 50

JeanRichard’s Aquascope Lady “Night” Gives a Feminine Twist to the Dive Watch

I know we have covered the JeanRichard Aquascope before here at The Watch Review Site, but we stumbled across this piece written by the lovely and very knowledgeable Meehna Goldsmith of www.watchmatchmaker.com (one of our contributors) and had to share it with you all, we know Meehna wrote this a while ago but thought it would add a touch of class to our JeanRichard Watch Reviews and News.

Thank you Meehna for the great stuff your producing…

Written by Meehna Goldsmith

Aquascope Lady Night

With few exceptions, dive watches are designed to appeal to the male sensibility with their robust and rugged looks. It’s not like guys are the only ones who like to explore the depths below. We ladies need a cool watch that not only makes sure we surface before our rosy complexion turns blue but also that complements our wetsuit. No matter the environment we care about our outfits and there’s no denyingaccessories make the woman, by land or sea.

In the 1960’s JeanRichard entered into the dive watch arena. Named the Aquascope, the watch established the defining characteristics of the model with its round rotating bezel superimposed upon a tonneau case. The current model takes its design cues from the original but softens the lines and adds a crown at 9 o’clock to set the bidirectional bezel. The Aquascope watch has all the credentials of a diver in a resilient and rust resistant stainless case and a depth rating to 300 meters. The icing on the cake is that both the JR 1000 movement and the case are crafted in house at the JeanRichard factory.

Aquascope_60′

No doubt you’ll say that the Aquascope Lady “Night” is a man’s watch dressed up in drag and it’s true that the dimensions of the case stay the same for both the male and female models. But take a second look. The details are distinctly feminine. The black dial gives off a discreet glimmer with 8 diamond indexes, contrasting nicely to the black aluminum bezel with alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces.

Since a woman appreciates the value of matching details, the red color on both the seconds hand and date provide nice accents, the combination of white, black and red a fashion classic.

For a sporting look with the proper dash of womanly style, the Aquascope Lady Night offers function as well as an attractive wrist ornament. The watch comes on a black fabric strap with a satin-like appearance. There is also the option of a mother of pearl dial and a white fabric strap.

Retail Price: $7,500

(JR released another winner this year at SIHH with the Bressel 1665, which you can read about here.)

JeanRichard Aquascope Lady Night automatic diving watch specifications

Movement: Automatic, caliber JR1000, in-house, 27 jewels, 28,800 vph, 25.94 mm in diameter, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 48 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Aluminum
Case shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 44.50 mm x 40.00 mm
Lug width: N/A
Case height: 11.85 mm
Dial: Black, satin-finished sunburst effect
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Rhodium-plated steel
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Black fabric strap with stainless steel folding buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective
Case back: Solid

Original Article can be found at http://www.watchmatchmaker.com/2_womens_watches/jean-richard%E2%80%99s-aquascope-lady-%E2%80%9Cnight%E2%80%9D-feminine-twist-dive-watch.html

You may also want to check out the JeanRichard Big Life Charity Watch or just some of our other Ladies Watch Reviews.