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Big Bang Ayrton Senna: Act Two In Tokyo
Whereas the first Big Bang was launched during the F1 Grand Prix in Sao Paulo in 2007, today Hublot and the Instituto Ayrton Senna unveiled another side of Ayrton's life not previously seen. The doors are open to an exhibition of photographs of Ayrton taken in his private and public life by a close friend, Japanese photographer Norio Koike. Now 50 years old, Koike met Ayrton Senna in 1988 and very quickly won his trust. A relationship of friendship and complicity enabled him to take photos of the champion at different times, often at just the right moment! Sincerity and genuine intimacy radiate from these pictures that, until today, had remained unpublished. After Ayrton Senna’s death, Norio Koike bequeathed these photos to the Instituto Ayrton Senna. Today we have the pleasure of paying tribute to his work and also support the important work of the institute that helps millions of children in Brazil. The Instituto Ayrton Senna, a non-profit organisation, was founded to honour Senna’s ideals: his dream was to bring more dignity and equity to his country. It is dedicated to the education of children, at school as well as in society, to enable them to develop their capacities to the full. Since its foundation 14 years ago by Viviane Senna, 9.4 million children have benefited from its programs in 25 Brazilian states. Over 85 million US dollars have been invested to enable it to pursue its educational objectives. The Big Bang Foudroyante Senna, a 500-piece numbered limited series, sports the colours of Brazil like the first edition: a yellow and green split-seconds hand, yellow minute markers, Brazilian flag on the case-side element, and Ayrton Senna’s signature in green on a matt black dial. Its split-seconds chronograph movement features a new complication, the Foudroyante, that enables the calculation of one-eighth of a second. The serial numbers on the back are engraved in yellow ink on black ceramic, and the logo “Instituto Ayrton Senna” appears as a transfer on the sapphire crystal. (...)
500 Fathoms Beneath the Sea
On the eve of the Baselworld 2009 watch show, Blancpain presents the “big sister” of its now famous Fifty Fathoms watch: the brand-new 500 Fathoms. More high-performance and high-tech than ever, the brand’s latest diver’s watch displays an uncompromisingly sporting design. Water resistant to 1000 metres, it is equipped with a helium decompression valve that is vital when diving in a closed environment. The ultra-virile 500 Fathoms is fitted with a 48 mm-diameter titanium case – an unusual size for Blancpain. Presented as the ultimate sports watch, the 500 Fathoms is making a striking entrance into the collection of Blancpain diver’s watches. Endowed with a new face, a new size and new performances, the 500 Fathoms is water-resistant to 1000 metres. It features a brushed titanium case measuring 48 mm in diameter, equipped with a crown guard. Placed inside the case at 10 o’clock, a self-winding decompression valve guarantees the security and the reliability of the watch, without requiring any handling on the part of the wearer. To enhance readability, Blancpain has designed large phosphorescent Arabic numerals that are hollowed into the sunray-brushed metal appliques. The luminescent coating on the hour-markers, bezel markings and hands, along with the red tip of the sweep seconds hand, ensure optimal readability in all circumstances. The luminescent base of the black dial reveals its fluorescence only in the dark, while the date appears in white against a black background at 4 o’clock. The unidirectional ratcheted bezel facilitates handling and avoids any involuntary extension of the dive time. Crafted in titanium and sapphire crystal, it features a gentle cambered relief that reduces the risk of impacts. The 500 Fathoms is powered by the self-winding Calibre 1315, specifically designed to equip sports watches. It incorporates a glucydur balance with micrometric regulating screws, which helps to prevent any jarring from disturbing the smooth running of the watch. Three series-coupled barrels guarantee constant energy and a five-day power reserve. The calendar system enables fast adjustment of the date at midnight in both directions. Another noteworthy feature of the 500 Fathoms is its sapphire crystal allowing one to admire its self-winding movement, as well as its engraved oscillating weight shaped like a boat propeller, without compromising either water resistance or safety. The new 500 Fathoms is equipped with a sturdy, sporty and watertight strap in rubber-lined black sail canvas. A brand-new triple-blade folding clasp secured with two pushers on either sides sets the finishing touch, while an additional rubber strap and the implement required to fit it complete the set which comes in an ultra-rugged presentation box designed to withstand extreme conditions. The performances and the reliability of the 500 Fathoms represent a major new technical accomplishment bearing the unmistakable signature of Blancpain, which is thereby eloquently reaffirming the expertise of its manufacture in the demanding world of diver’s watches. (...)
RADO Chronograph Platinum Matt
The all-ceramic True collection is an invitation to enter the world of Rado. It features a unique coating technique that reproduces the colour of platinum with an exceptional matt aspect. By absorbing light, its ceramic is enriched with deep grey-brown tones. The dial underlines the monochromatic aspect of the piece, displaying its split-second chronograph counters while two rows of hourmarkers, each with their own direct-drive hands, measure seconds and minutes. The contemporary True Chronograph Platinum Matt is generous in size and unpretentious in appearance. (...)
One Million $ Black Caviar
Hublot presents the quintessence of “invisible visibility” in a uniform range of black tones! The watchmaking brand and the setting workshop Bunter SA have together developed a World Première with a completely invisible setting, using only black diamonds. It’s a world's first and technological and artistic achievement. The dream of combining key Hublot concepts – invisible visibility, “all Black”, watchmaking tradition and state-of-the-art technology – has become a reality thanks to the creativity, the ingenuity, and a touch of the “crazy” that spurred on its designers to create such a masterpiece. The high level of micro-mechanic sophistication, combined with the dexterity of the human hand, has resulted in the One Million $ Black Caviar Bang. Its setting is very complex. The difficulty resides in the unusual lines of the Big Bang case – round but with sharp angles. The white gold, one-piece construction of the case does not reveal one grain of gold, and the diamonds, cut in mysterious ways, seem to hold together as if by magic. The only visible feature is the black and deep tones of the diamonds, shining in their harmonious alignment. This unique piece, which houses a Tourbillon, symbolizes the fusion between watchmaking and jewelery, between tradition and technology, and between glittering and invisibility. The vibration that emanates from it gives rise to an emotion tinged with fascination. As Jean-Claude Biver says: “When each element is crafted individually and in coherence with the one right next to it, this is invisible from the outside but creates a vibration of harmony which is visible and gives rise to emotion in those who perceive it”. Creating this exceptional watch demanded over 2000 hours of meticulous work, from design to final adjustment, without forgetting the research and development, programming of the machines, choice of tools, diamond cutting, optical checking of each part, and setting and casing. 544 VVS TW-IF quality baguette diamonds adorn the watch’s case, dial, crown and deployant clasp. (...)
LOUIS MOINET - “Vertalis” Tourbillon
Louis Moinet is proud to present what many experts already consider to be one of the world’s finest tourbillons. The unique VERTALIS model features an innovative aesthetic concept distinguished by a modern and original blend of technology and design. As its name implies, the difference here is all about verticality: VERTALIS intensifies the magic of the tourbillon by connecting its carriage to the barrel by means of a hand-drawn and bevelled vertical bar. To add to the fascinating vision of the tourbillon carriage in motion, VERTALIS offers an openworked version of the barrel. The latter’s cover performs an average rotation in 6 hours and enables one to keep visual check on the power reserve according to the state of wind of the barrel spring. Louis Moinet displays its determination to combine aesthetic and technical aspects, particularly through the vertical bar that showcases the technology of the watch, while extending over onto the case. This original and modern way of uniting displays, technology and casing is directly inspired by the historical world of Louis Moinet, and especially by some of the drawings published in his famous Traité d’Horlogerie in 1848. LIMITED EDITION OF 12 Crafted in a limited edition of 12, the exclusive VERTALIS tourbillon movement is hand-wound and beats at a cadence of 21,600 vibrations per hour. One particularly striking technical characteristic is the spectacular visibility of the winding mechanism through the case-back. The “octopus” spring plays three roles by acting as pull-out piece spring, lever spring and click spring. VERTALIS is presented in an exceptional new case composed of 50 different parts. It highlights the union of two gold colours: the warm shade of 5N rose gold, and the white gold that accentuates and pursues the geometrical effect of the vertical bar. The dial features “Côtes du Jura”® against a black background enhanced with rose gold hour-markers. The case is also equipped with the Louis Moinet crown guard, incorporating the stem in such a way as to enable easy replacement if required (patent pending). DETAILS Movement Exclusive tourbillon movement Decoration “Côtes du Jura” ® engraving, blued steel screws Functions Hour. Minute Winding Hand-winding Oscillations 21,600 vph Frequency 3 Hz Lines 14 ½ Power reserve 72 hours Tourbillon carriage 1 turn/minute Jewels 19 Escapement Side lever Winding Mechanism visible through the case-back with “octopus” spring Case Original design by Louis Moinet®, made up of 50 parts Material Two 18K gold colours (5N rose gold & white gold) Case diameter 47 mm Water-resistance 30 meters Caseback Secured with 4 screws, engraved with individual number and Louis Moinet markings Crystals Two anti-glare sapphire crystals Dial Black, decorated with “Côtes du Jura” ® Hands Rose gold-plated Bracelet Louisiana alligator leather, hand-sewn, width between lugs : 24 mm Buckle 18K rose gold folding clasp with Louis Moinet symbol Watch box Extra large Louis Moinet Book, hand-written warranty Edition Limited Edition of 12 watches. LM-14.70.50/50 Two 18K gold colours (5N rose gold & white gold) Black dial CHF 215,000.00 Unique Items – 8 unique watches with different dials CHF 220,000.00 (...)
Girard-Perregaux, Rolls Royce, Pininfarina
In collaboration with Pininfarina, Girard-Perregaux has combined the excellence of a timepiece with an extraordinary motor car, personalizing one of its complication watches – the Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with gold bridge - and incorporating it in a unique Rolls Royce Hyperion, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours this week-end. This detachable timepiece not only fit in the vehicle's dashboard, but can also adorn the wrist of its owner. Thanks to a sophisticated system of spring balls, it can be easily extracted from its alligator strap and clipped onto the dashboard. It'ss held in a support shaped like the Tourbillon cage, which is also the signature of the Girard-Perregaux brand. Its white gold case, with its pure lines inspired by a watch from 1945, houses a Tourbillon with gold bridge. It's perfectly tailored to Hyperion, up to the dial colours that match the bodywork. (...)

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