master piece – Swiss Watch Makers

Servicing of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak OffShore Tourbillon Chronograph

Nicolas Scatena — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 16:49:52 +0000

This is a video of Patrick Desbiolles, head at Swiss Watch Makers, showing you guys the usual servicing for an Audemars Piguet. With watches like this AP you have to be careful with every step in servicing this timepiece. Any little mistake can be irreplaceable and very costly. Precision and accuracy is key in servicing such an expensive watch.

https://swisswatchland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ap-vid.mp4

This Audemars Piguet goes for around $230,000 USD and can show that any mistake will be very costly.

Above you can see beauty of this AP and it shows why this timepiece is up for $230,000.

Urban Jürgensen Ref. 1140L RG Brown

Nicolas Scatena — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 21:38:49 +0000

When it comes to attractive watches that are simple yet elegant, Urban Jürgensen produces the best timepieces in that category. Furthermore, the Reference 1140L RG Brown released at Baselworld and is a very limited edition.

The dial features a chocolate brown hue with contrasting blue hands that create a nice tone. The one thing that catches my eye most is the beauty of the Arabic numerals made of solid rose gold and appear as they are floating. The proportions of this watch are so perfect that makes it an epic watch.

This Urban Jürgensen is the latest addition to the Reference 1140 series that has featured dials in a variety of colors over the past few years.

Jumping inside the watch, is the hand decorated in-house P4 caliber with Swiss Lever Escapement, a twin barrel, and a 72-hour power reserve. The timepiece measures at 40 mm and is matched with a brown alligator leather strap and with a solid rose gold folding buckle and clasp. The price for this beauty is marked at 29,900 Swiss francs or around 30,000 USD.

Harry Winston Opus 11

Nicolas Scatena — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 20:48:07 +0000

Today I am writing about the Harry Winston Opus 11! It definitely has one of the most unique watch displays that I’ve seen so far.

The Opus 11 is limited edition with only 111 in the world.

The case, available in white gold, surrounds a sapphire-crystal dome.

The watch reminds me of a phoropter, the instrument used by an eye physician to check your vision.

The main circle (above) is where the hour is displayed with the peculiar, yet amazing arrangement.

The number in the middle of the hour circle gets reassembled every hour, then remains still for the next 60 minutes.

There are 24 placards, that move and rotate to display the number in the center.

The top right circle (above) displays the minutes on a jumping disk for the tens place and a running disk for the individual units. An indicator points at the current time.

The bottom right circle (above) shows the beat of a big titanium balance-wheel.

The Opus 11 includes:

24 conical pinions

155 jewels

566 components

The power reserve lasts for 48 hours until the crown on the top left corner has to be wound again.

The Opus 11 looks wonderful paired with a black leather strap.

Here is a video on YouTube of the Opus 11 that I stumbled upon:

The way the numbers rotate and assemble is completely ingenious!

History in the Making

Nicolas Scatena — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 17:54:27 +0000

Today I’ll be going over the history of Vacheron Constantin.

Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest watch manufacturers being founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron.

Today Vecheron Constanting is part of the Richmont Group.

Vacheron Constantin has a small employee scale compared to that of Rolex, it only employs about 400 people world wide.

Vacheron Constantin made their first complication in 1770, 9 years after the first engine turned dial was invented by this marvelous company.

The name Vacheron Constantin came to be in around 1819 when then owner Jaques-Barthèlemy realized he needed help running the growing company. François Constantin became his assosiate and tats how Vacheron & Constantin came to have its name.

The watchmaking company has a motto and it states “Do better if possible and that is always possible”.

In 2003 Vacheron Constantin introduced a new sports line called Overseas, and a collection called Egérie, the first to include watches for women.

In 2004 Vacheron Constantin opened its new headquarters and manufacture in Plab-les-Ouates, Geneva.

The Richmont Group named Juan Carlos Torres as the CEO of the company in October 2005. Vacheron Constantin is considered to be company that was able to create one of the most complicated wristwatches in the world entitled Tour de I’lle. It was created in 2005 to mark the anniversary of 250 years of Vacheron Constantin. The watch includes 834 parts and 16 horological complications. It was only available through the Vacheron Constantin shop in Geneva, Switzerland and sold for more than $1 million.

In 2007 Vacheron Constantin introduced the Metiers d’Art ‘Les Masques’ collection of timepieces featuring miniature reproductions of primitive art masks. The company selected twelve masks from a private museum collection and reproduced the masks on a small scale. The miniaturized masks are featured in the dial center of every watch from the ‘Les Masques’ collection.

See More of the Metiers d’Art ‘Les Masques More of Metier d’Art collection

Vacheron Consantin sells about 20,000 timepieces a year today.

Now This Is A Complication

Nicolas Scatena — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:40:05 +0000

Frank Muller Aeternitas Mega 4

With 36 complications the Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 is one of the most complex timepieces ever. This stunning timepiece has 25 complications visible. This timepiece has a monstrous 1,483 components with 99 Jewels. Arguably the most complicated wrist watch ever made this timepiece fetches a price of 2.7 million USD

Calibre FM 3480 QPSE

Frank Muller

“Mechanic Tourbillon, Carillon Westminster on 4 hammers and 4 gongs, Chronograph with fly-back mechanism and only one push-piece, Perpetual Calendar Secular, Equation of time, Two additional time zones, Automatic self-winding mechanism for the movement and the Westminster carillon.”

This movement measures 34.4 mm x 41.4 mm x 13.65 mm

Which might seem large but taking count of sheer amount of components and complications is actually small.

This amazing Movement also has a power reserve of 3 days/strike 24 hours.

18,000 VPH

You can see this timepiece in 3 different models below!

Heres a bit more on what Frank Muller has to say about this outstanding timepiece

AETERNITAS MEGA 4

“The Aeternitas Mega – the most complicated wrist-watch – is the pinnacle of success in the art of watch-making in terms of complexity and complications. A grandiose work of art culminating in the design of the most complex wrist-watch ever made in the world thanks to the multifaceted skills of our watch-makers and constructors. Each of the 1,483 components was designed to give the watch an elegant design in the pure traditions of the old “cadraturiers” of the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. This watch inspires countless emotions and make it simply unique in the eyes of lovers in the art of fine mechanics and luxury watch making.

From the very beginning, the Mega was incorporated into the Aeternitas project and is, indeed, the culmination of this project. The Aeternitas Mega 4 is the only “Grand Sonnerie” time-keeper in which the Tourbillon is visible on the dial side, which limits the space available for the “Grand Sonnerie” mechanism and thus makes the design even more complicated.

The glass sapphire case back enables the harmoniously chiselled and decorated pieces that overlap to be admired in a stunning combination as a dazzling ballet. This masterpiece was entirely designed and manufactured by the Franck Muller group and once again demonstrates their vast array of skills and ability in the Art of Haute Horlogerie.”

As you can see they have a lot to say about their timepiece and who wouldn’t this timepiece is truly a milestone in Frank Mullers great history.

This magnificent timepiece is made in 3 different styles

All with a Case Dimensions of 42.00 mm x 61.00 mm x 19.15mm
A Hand Sewn Alligator Strap
3 ATM Water Resistance which is about 30 meters.
Display: Hours, Minutes, 24 hours, Chronograph, Fly-back, Minutes counter,
hour counter retrograde, two time zones, Movement power reserve
Display of the chime: Grande or petite chime
Chime or silence
Chime power reserve
Perpetual calendar display: Date retrograde, Day, Month, Year, Leap year (cycle of 4 years), no
leap year (cycle of 100 years), leap year (cycle of 400 years), Equation
of time

Cintrée Curvex 8888 18 carat white gold

Dial: Sun-stamped lacquered white dial with black Arabic numerals

Cintrée Curvex 8888 18 carat white gold

Full set baguettes red rubies

Dial: Sun-stamped lacquered white dial with black Arabic numerals

Cintrée Curvex 8888 18 carat white gold with black PVD treatment

Dial: Sun-stamped lacquered black dial with red Arabic numerals

The Celestial

Nicolas Scatena — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 15:54:00 +0000

Today will be the first Saturday blog I’ve ever done, to start off I would like to recommend WatchFacts.com

Watch Facts is the carfax of the watch industry they certify that a timepiece you have bought has not been stolen and of course if its all original.

Ok so lets start this off my beloved watch lovers.

Today I will be speaking about another timepiece I dream to have.

It is a Patek Philippe Grand complication

Quick fact Patek Philippe made the first wrist watch in 1868

The grand complication was the celestial particularly ref 6102

A dream upon the stars, yes indeed this timepiece is.

This timepiece is a start gazer to say it can be looked at just like the beautiful night sky.

Patek Philippe uses their 240 mechanical movement on this timepiece.

Illustrating the hours and minutes of solar time

a beautiful sky chart with the phases as well as the orbit of the moon.

It gives you the time of the meridian passage of Sirius and moon.

And a hand for your date.

Composed of 315 components 45 jewels

with a diameter of 44 mm

It has power reserve of 38-48 hours and produces 21,600 vph

Of course the name Patek Philippe is respecting in the watch industry but they always seem to take simplicity and complication one step closer.

This timepiece is truly something that shines but without all the aesthetics other watchmakers use

Patek Philippe instead uses a beautiful dial with outstanding functions to capture the attention of anyone just how the full moon catches your eye in the night sky.

Truly exceptional.

I truly admire Patek Philippes work and especially this timepiece.

I truly do believe they try to simplify the complicated and make it into something magnificent.

They use a shiny navy alligator strap with square scales that goes perfectly with the color scheme of the timepiece.

I’m short on time today since it is my birthday so I’ll had to make this one short.

Remember I will gladly accept any of my dream watches as a gift.

The Four Corners of The World!

Nicolas Scatena — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 15:52:43 +0000

This is a video Vacheron Constantin Released in 2011 and I found it very interesting so I thought I’d share it with you guys.

Part of their Métiers d’Art collection Vacheron brings are and history into this collections and integrates them into their timepieces making marvelous creations. These are just four that have been released throughout the years.

Vacheron Constantin

“These are truly works of art that demonstrate the talent and outstanding expertise of the company’s master craftsmen over the years.”

I am very fond of this collection because it takes many things into count.

History, culture, living , and many other things.

Not to mention the way they integrate it into their timepiece to make something completely new.

The Equation of Time

Nicolas Scatena — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:55:31 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen I present one of my dream watches.

Ok so I need to gain some self control, I musn’t sell all my belongings to acquire this beauty. But it truly is hard to resist with this timepiece. This time piece is named Jules Audemars Equation of Time. It’s prices arounf a $100,000 (anyone know where I can finance this watch for maybe 10-20 years with 0% interest? no? ok I will continue to with my crazy fantasies.)

The exquisite Jules Audemars Equation of Time has a case with of 43 mm with a thickness of 11.7 mm.
Water Resistance: 20m (Go swimming in this beauty? oh no no)
The dial has gold applied Roman Numerals in Pink,Yellow and White as well as the hands.
There is also a skeleton version that of course has no numerals but has platinum hands.

With a caliber 2120/2808
Glare Proofed Sapphire crystal on both the back and front.
The case comes in a variety of options, Platinum, Pink Gold, Yellow Gold, or White Gold.
It comes with a matching buckle as well and a Hand-stitched «large square scale» crocodile strap.
This Watch was made in such perfection that it is truly hard to decide between which style looks better.

The beautiful movement consist of 423 components many of which are made of 21 karat gold as well as 41 jewels. Giving this timepiece a power reserve of 40 hours

This timepiece is very accurate thanks to the 41 jewels.

This Watch does it all as well sunrise and sunset times, equation of time, perpetual calendar, astronomical moon, hours, minutes Now my beloved watch that isn’t on my wrist as of today (Probably won’t be anytime soon) is so special it has its own movie. Yup a watch with its own movie and no I don’t mean the 3 minute videos other watches.

This timepiece got a full 15 minutes. They effensiced the equation of time feature very well. For those of you who don’t know what that is its the difference between “true” solar time (that of Nature) and “mean” solar time (that of Man).

The video and the entire collection of watches will be below.

If anyone has one and doesn’t want it I will take it out of your hands no hassles.

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Anyone want to make a young mans dream come true and give this watch to him as a gift, in fact it is my birthday tomorrow and this would be the perfect gift.

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Silvered dial with yellow gold numerals hands and case with a brown strap

Silvered Dial with White gold numerals hands and case with a black strap

Silvered Dial with rose gold numeral hands and case with a brown strap

Vacheron Constantin Shows Us The Beauty Of Skeleton Movements

Nicolas Scatena — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:06:08 +0000

Another SIHH watch this one is from Vacheron Constantin

Before I go on I must admit I am very fond of skeleton movements.

But this one is truly eye catching.

Vacheron Constantin MÉTIERS D’ART

This skeleton movement features Roman Numerals in a very extravagant fashion.

It comes with an external ring which can be either Black,Grey, or Blue; Which are made of Grand Feu opaque enameled

The Movement has been detailed by hand it is a caliber 4400 SQ and is only 2.8 mm thick and

consist of 127 parts with 21 jewels.

It produces 28,800 Vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of about 65 hours.

The casing is only 7.5 mm thick and has a diameter of 40 mm and is made of 18k white gold

It comes with an alligator Mississippiensis strap with an 18k white gold buckle.

The watch is water resistant up to about 30 meters.

If viewing the front of the movement wasn’t enough for you no worries, it has a see-through sapphire crystal.

The detail that went to this timepiece is exceptional.

It was hand engraved with such detail its hard to imagine how much time and how delicate it must have been.

All 3 colors of this model are spectacular and very flashy.

This timepiece tells hours and minutes and you can see every part in the movement bring those actions to live.

Vacheron Constantin truly did great work with this skeleton movement and have made into a piece of art that you can wear and admire on your wrist.

JLC Counters Gravity Affects, SIHH Jaeger-LeCoultre

Nicolas Scatena — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 17:59:58 +0000

SIHH is one of my favorite watch events. My last few post have been about watches released at the SIHH This next post will be about.. yes.. another.. watch released at the SIHH. Don’t worry guys I’ll review watches that come in to us later. But come on SIHH releases some of the most magnificent watches one can lay their eyes on.

But today I’ll be covering 2 Jaeger-LeCoultre. We’ll start with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Sphérotourbillon

The Spherotourbillon is part of the Duometre line, a line in which all watches use the Dual Wing concept this concept to put simply uses two power sources one for your time keeping and the other for your regulation and complication needs. This watch will be sold in very limited quantities, 75 in platinum and an unknown amount of rose gold but it’ll be limited as well as stated by Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO.

Ok so lets explain why there is a Dual Wing concept.

In a watch when you use its features a certain amount of power is used to support them, this can affect your normal features.

Let me show another world example imagine you’re on your computer it has say 8 GB and you have your platform and start up programs that use up say 3 GB (That’s a lot for just a platform and startup programs I know) then you open a video editing program that uses 4.5 GB you’ll notice that your operation on your basic platform might slow down, this is essentially the same for watches.

To resolve this they gave the complication and regulation its own power source so it won’t affect the normal time keeping of the timepiece.

Seeing the image above of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Sphérotourbillon. You can see there are two mainspring sections one labeled Hours/Minutes the other labeled Regulator. Separating the power source assures high accuracy . But just to take it a step further in accuracy they used a dual-axis, dual cage tourbillon on a 20° incline. The fact that it uses two axis means the tourbillon can counteract gravity in a large magnitude of positions. To make this watch even more exact they’ve added a flyback seconds button at 2 o’clock which resets your seconds without stopping the watch.

The Watch has a 382 movement which consist of 460 parts with a 50 hour power reserve.

Jaeger-LeCoultre says the following about their timepiece

“An authentic revolution in the field of Grande Complication models, the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon, stemming from almost 180 years of history and invention unique to Jaeger-LeCoultre, is equipped withan unprecedented multi-axis tourbillon. In addition to the axis of its carriage, the Sphérotourbillon has a second axis inclined at 20° and thereby freeing it from the effects of gravity in all positions. The revolutionary `Dual-Wing` concept featured in Calibre 382 once again paves the way for an original function and makes this exceptional model the first tourbillon watch that is precisely adjustable thanks to the small seconds flyback system.”

The watch is beautiful and unique.
On the dial you will find two power reserve indicators.
A Date feature around the hour and minute indicator
A second indicator as well as a dual time feature.
Of course your able to see the beautiful tourbillon on the face of the watch.
Look below to see the The Rose Gold Model and White Gold Model as well as a special model that seems to have a night sky dial which I loved.