Online Watch Review

What is the best way for a watch manufacture to cheer the anniversary of its creation? The answer is simple - to introduce a remarkable timekeeping awe. This is exactly what Chopard did to mark the 10th anniversary of the of Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier. The
brand’s watchfabricaters developed the L.U.C Chrono One timepiece. Providing the chronograph function, one of the most intricate watchmaking complications, the L.U.C Chrono One, elaborated in really short time if to take into account its complexity, reflects the refined craftsmanship and the highest standards of Haute Horlogerie.

The first steps in the elaboration of the L.U.C 10 CF movement project to feature integrated chronograph were made in April, 2005. GT3 was its initial name. This choice is explained by the heat Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele feels for fast cars. Mr. Scheufele personal preference is Porsche. No wonder he decided to call the project after a renowned Porsche model. The project required 16 thousand hours of thorough research and development. It was completed by a team of 25 most experienced watchmakers who worked full time in the workshops of two departments based in Fleurier and Geneva.

The watch holds the tradition of the Chopard manufacture of providing its creations with elaborate mechanisms. The list comprises automated conquerding, Fly-Back function, column wheel and a considerable power reserve of about 60 hours. It is notable that the timepiece received three patents, having proved Chopard’s ability to come up with unforeseen watchmaking technical solutions. The L.U.C Chrono One and the brand’s other timepieces of the similar complexity make Chopard manufacture rightfully enter the privileged circle of height watch producers.

All the team’s efforts were rewarded by the showing of an automatic double-pusher column-wheel chronograph. The first pusher placed at 2 o’clock is responsible for starting and stopping the chronograph, while the second pusher placed at 4 o’clock is used for reseting the chronograph as well as fly-back function and small seconds resetting when it is necessary.

The winding-stem is to be used for a few purposes: the watch’s owner will wind the movement by hand when the winding-stem is pushed in, adjust the date after pulling it out to the first notch and set the time after pulling it out to the second notch.

The function of reseting small seconds provided by the L.U.C 10 CF chronograph movement is worth particular attention. This function is united with a movement stop mechanism, thus nature specially useful when it is required to set the time in the most accurate way by resetting the small seconds. Using the pusher at 4 o’clock with the winding-stem inaugurate in the time-setting position, it becomes possible to perfectly synchronize the minute and seconds hands. The house of Chopard received the patent pending for the described operation.

The 30-minute counter as well as the 12-hour counter (as for its function) are semi-instantaneous, on the other hand the latter is dragging for read-absent. The semi-instantaneous date is featured in a dial window placed at 6 o’clock. The date adjustment takes no time - with bisection junction of the winding-stem the user fulfills one day correction.

The counters on the dial offer perfect readability. Being placed at 9 and 3 o’clock, they have been a little moved off towards the upper half of the dial. Such position of the counters allowed watchmakers make their size larger and consequently much more legible.

The timepiece won the chronometer COSC-certificate due to a Variner balance providing a precise rate.

The winding in both directions of the rotating oscillating weight is guaranteed by the self-winding system. The mechanism’s unidirectional gearing device received the patent. The system is really energy-saving and provides supreme winding speed.

The classy round case of the L.U.C Chrono One is performed in white gold. It is 42 mm in diameter. The crown reveals the L.U.C logo. The two original pushers are of rectangular shape. The dial is covered by anti-glare sapphire crystal, while the case-back is transparent and secured with screws. The watch is 30 meters water-resistant.

The L.U.C Chrono One timepiece goes with choice inky alligator leather strap with comfortable folding clasp created in polished white gold.

The Chopard L.U.C Chrono One watch has been created in a limited edition of 100 numbered pieces. The timepiece is sure to win the hearts of watch collectors and timekeeping precision lovers.

dazzling Party

The year 2006 marked the launch of the new Vacheron Constantin watch collection called Collection Excellence Platine in Limited Edition. On November, 15 the exclusive collection was presented at de luxe Gala in Beverly Hills.

Besides enjoying a perfect opportunity to win the hearts of more watch admirers for its oddity collection, Vacheron Constantin followed a charitable purpose - to offer hold to the EBMRF (Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation). The foundation represents a volunteer nonprofit organization involved into contributing into the medical research, medication expansion and cure for the dangerous skin disorder that makes children go through a lot its damaging effects.

The Gala was held due to the efforts of Marc Guten, International Director of VC and Julien Tornare, President of VC, North America. The most prominent Hollywood personalities were invited to join the festivity. The A-list included the conglomeration of stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Holly Robinson-Peete, David Arquette, Gavin Rossdale, Alison Janney, Pete Sampras and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Rebecca Romijn, Lauren Graham, and Brenda Strong.

All the guests were actually charmed by the private performance of John Legend, three-time Grammy Award winner. The organizers of the experience set up a custom-made stage over the swimming pool. The musician proudly wore the exclusive Skeleton Minute Repeater in Platinum on his wrist. In the breaks during the John Legend’s performance famous DJ, DJ AM, entertained the celebrity guests.

During the event guests had a wonderful opportunity to rest their eyes upon Vacheron Constantin watches from the Collection Excellence Platine and timepieces entering the Heritage collection. Glamorous models wearing designer platinum dresses took portion in the event - they demonstrated the brand’s watches. Besides simply viewing the masterpieces, the guests could touch and feel the elegant hand craftsmanship of every timekeeping creation.

Vacheron Constantin and Platinum Timepieces

The Vacheron Constantin Company initiated the idea to operate platinum in watch manufacturing back in 1820. Platinum was highly appreciated by the brand’s watchmakers due to the metal’s characteristics corresponding to the highest standards of the sophisticated watch designs. Platinum’s density and weight provide the metal’s durability, so platinum items are created for a lifetime. A timepiece from platinum is not subject to scratches. Nowadays, the development of fine platinum timepieces has become a Vacheron Constantin well-maintained tradition. The brand has developed its platinum watches in limited editions to gain success among passionate collectors and watch aficionados.

Initially the Collection Excellence Platine was presented to the horology field at SIHH, 2006. The collection comprised the following models: the Perpetual Malte Calendar Grand Complication, the Maitre Cabinotiers Minute Repeater, the Malte Chronograph and the Patrimony Platinum Purist. The watches feature platinum dial with PT950 (the hallmark for platinum), case and strap buckle. They are presented in a gray box outside of maple wood.

The gorgeous watches from Collection Excellence Platine authenticate the fact that platinum items are created not just for kings and queens but for any personality with sophisticated taste. An owner of a timekeeper entering Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine becomes the member of the prestigious ‘club’ of true watch connoisseurs and collectors.

Panerai has become an exclusive supporter of the North Pole Winter Expedition.

The company has developed the Panerai Luminor GMT North Pole, a agepiece featuring the most advanced watchmaking technologies. The performance of the watch was tested in extreme conditions during the trek.

Panerai North Pole Winter Expedition watch is housed in a steel case with 44 mm in diameter. The case is covered by the 3 mm thick sapphire crystal provided with anti-reflective treatment. The winding crown is protected by the distinctive bridge, a construction patented by Panerai. The watch is also equipped with an additional internal case produced from soft iron. It is necessary for protecting the mechanism from the magnetic meadow of the earth. Such protection is of special importance if taken into consideration that the influence of the magnetic field increases on the North Pole.

The blue dial with luminous numerals and markers provides perfect readability of the timepiece. It offers both the time and the date indications. The date aperture at 3 o’clock position is supplied with the magnifying lens. The split second time zone is pointed by the additional hand. The timepiece comes with a water-resistant Velcro strap.

The rotating bezel of the Panerai North Pole Winter Expedition is a detail of special interest. It features the four applied letters of the cardinal points. The bezel has been developed to give the watch’s wearer an opportunity to entrench one’s position by observation of the stars. This easy-peasy device is possible to be used in the conditions of complete darkness - a common situation for explorers traveling to reach the North Pole. It provided the 2006 explorers of the North Pole, Mike Horn and Borge Ousland, with a basic system of orientation - the travelers were surrounded by the severely cold environment which made impossible the control of the compass and GPS.

The Panerai watch is powered by a chronometer-certificated automatic mechanical movement - Panerai caliber OP VIII. The Panerai watchmakers lubricated the movement with special oils to provide its reliability even when the watch’s wearer finds oneself secure to the North Pole. The screw case back features a diagram which depicts the polar ice beat and the track of the North Pole expedition. There are also the signatures of Mike Horn and Borge Ousland, who took part in the expedition. The timepiece is water-resistant down to 300 meters. It offers power reserve of 42 hours.

Heroes of the Expedition

Mike Horn is well-known to the fans of Panerai due to his participation in the Arktos expedition, when he alone circumnavigated the Arctic Circle during the two years period. In 2006 Mike Horn involved himself in another courageous adventure - during the North Pole Winter Expedition he traveled across more than thousand kilometers of ice.

The expedition was organized in winter, with no sunlight and very low-lying temperatures falling down to -40 degrees Celsius. In the expedition Mike Horn was accompanied by Borge Ousland, an experienced explorer from Norway. The expedition set a essential challenge in front of the two explorers and its success was provided by the most reliable equipment based upon thorough technological research. In the extreme conditions of the North Pole the equipment passed through the most rigorous testing that proved its endurance and reliability.