Archive for the ‘SIHH 2011’ Category

2011 SIHH Preview Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Deep Sea

Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the first automatic diving watch the Memovox Deep Sea equipped with an alarm in 1959. Three years earlier, in 1956, Captain Cousteau had unveiled the splendours of undersea life in his famous film “The Silent World”, which caused an unprecedented craze for the new diving techniques that he had developed using air cylinders.

Still riding the wave of success enjoyed by its diving watch range, Jaeger-LeCoultre Swiss Watches sought to pay tribute this year to their original bond with the watery depths, and so the new Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea revisits the Memovox Deep Sea – the first automatic diving watch equipped with an alarm. With identical characteristics to the original model (with the exception of the case diameter, artfully increased from 39 to 40.5 mm), this new timepiece is sure to entice collectors. The Memovox Deep Sea, water-resistant to 10 bar and with its alarm notifying divers of when to begin their re-ascent, was astonishingly popular.

Two limited series of 959 and 359 pieces respectively will be exhibited at the SIHH. The first version sports a black dial, while the second has a two-tone anthracite and black dial, originally developed for the US market and bearing the inscription “LeCoultre” a historic allusion guaranteed to delight aficionados of the history of fine watchmaking.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin “Tribute to 1931″ – Pre-SIHH 2011

The idea to produce a watch with a dial that could protect itself from shocks was born a long time ago, back in 1931, in a dusty vortex and to the accompaniment of horses’ hooves hammering. Eighty years later, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has progressed from watchmaking icon to cult status. In 2011, the Reverso will appear in even more surprising and seductive guises, while remaining loyal to its legend that continues to push the borders of creativity.

By imagining a reversible watch with a case that would revolve in order to protect the dial and expose only the metal back to shocks, the designers of the Reverso knew that they had found an effective technical answer to the challenge that was given them: “to create an elegant watch capable of surviving polo”.

They undoubtedly were not aware that their idea was gearing up to play another very different role than that of protective shield. The steel or gold back that could be made to appear by turning the case was going to write a new page in the history of watchmaking. A clean page that would make the Reverso much more than a watch: a cult object that every Reverso owner could make unique by personalising it.

After 80 years of celebrating classicism, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin turns revolutionary by focusing on extreme simplicity. The extremely diminutive width of Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822 (at just 2.94 mm) has enabled the design engineers to build a Reverso slimmer than ever before. While the case with its generous new proportions asserts an authentic presence on the wrist, its slenderness makes it both light and comfortable to wear thanks to its subtly curved shape.

And because this new Reverso is intended to be a bridge between past and present, Jaeger-LeCoultre Swiss Watches has decided to create the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin ‘Tribute to 1931′ limited series in steel and in a limited edition in pink gold. Featuring only two sword-shaped hour and minute hands, the black dial is adorned with white hour markers.

Among all Reversos, this one features the most balanced and elegant dial layout. The watch is going to be presented in two versions: one in stainless steel (Ref. Q2788570) and the other one in 18-carat rose gold (Ref. Q2782521) case measuring 46 mm in height, 27.5 mm in width and only 7.2 mm in thickness.

This is achieved thanks to the manually-wound JLC Caliber 822 ultra-thin movement. Crafted, assembled and decorated by hand, this rather slow-beating movement is built on 21 jewels and comprises 134 parts. Both versions will be water resistant to 30 meters and have a “1000 Hours Control” indication on their backs.

Montblanc Time Walker TwinFly Automatic Chronograph

Montblanc will release new Time Walker TwinFly aotumatic chronograph watch. This remarkable timepiece will presents SIHH 2011 event.

This new watch model continues the classic round and 43mm-sized case. which is offered in black DLC-treated stainless steel. Extremely scratch-resistant, the case sports a bezel, skillfully produced from the same material. The crown at 3 o’clock is used to set time. And the pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock are used to start/stop and reset the chronograph. The dial is pure black which is protected by sapphire crystal glass. This Montblanc Time Walker TwinFly Automatic Chronograph features oversized light-toned Arabic numerals, which pop out nicely against its dark background. The numbers alternate with doubled stick-shaped hour-markers, clothed in the same color. The passage of hours and minutes is marked by means of central partially transparent hands, made of steel. The display of the new Time Walker TwinFly automatic chronograph watch also comprises overlapping chronograph counters. Moreover, it ensures a date function, animated in the aperture at 9 o’clock. The special attention getter of the watch face is surely a centralized chronograph seconds hands, clothed in red.

Montblanc Time Walker TwinFly Automatic Chronograph is equipped with a self-winding caliber MB LL 100 column wheel chronograph movement with a vertical disk clutch, 33 jewels. It runs at the rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Produced in the ateliers of the Manufacture ValFleurier, the movement incorporates a twin-barrel winding system, which assures a respectable power reserve of 72 hours. The timepiece is built to be water-resistant up to 100 meters. The company’s peerless artisans have also fitted its case with top and bottom high-quality sapphire crystals.

The model is coupled with a black leather strap. Issued in limited series of just 300 pieces, the new Montblanc timepiece is destined to become a cherished possession of the most discerning collectors and watch enthusiasts.

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