The Breitling Watch Blog

Vacheron Constantin has launched a new website to commemorate the opening of their first US boutique located in New York. A very informative website that charts all the major milestones throughout the history of the esteemed brand, and also allows you to add your own bit of history to the timeline. You can actually create a profile and make a post about your Vacheron Constantin story and have it added to the timeline! At the moment, I see only one story… I think they have to be approved by the V-C moderation team, which is obviously more scrutinous than our own moderation team here at the BreitlingSource forums 😉

http://americanheritage.vacheron-constantin.com/

Blancpain introduces a Piece Unique with the Villeret Grand Decoration for the “Only Watch 2011” Charity Auction that is taking place on September 22, 2011. This is an incredible piece of craftsmanship with fully hand-engraved bridges on the Caliber 15B movement.

The watch measure a stout 45mm in diameter and features a Solid 18KT Red Gold case with exhibition back showing off the incredible engraved movement by Marie-Laure Tarbouriech.

My favourite Dress Watch company has just released yet another Grail watch that I wish I could afford! One of these days I will get my hands on a 43mm+ Jaquet Droz, and if I’m lucky, a Ceramic one! While these Ceramic Models are on Rubber straps and are less dressy than their Stainless and Gold brethren, they still fit the bill.

Specs:
Case Material: Black Ceramic
Case Diameter: 44mm
Movement: Jaquet Droz Caliber 2663, 28,000 v.p.h, 30 Jewels
Strap: Rubber

From Jaquet Droz:
“Contemporary in spirit, this timepiece displays an elegance that is intended to last: the 44 mm watchcase is made of resistant ceramic, whose color and radiance will never fade. The Manufacture has now complemented this exceptionally strong material, the hands in black gold with a touch of red on the tip of the seconds hand and the six markers it indicates. This new chromatic signature, which suggests an authentic, highly refined luxury that is entirely contemporary, brings a new dynamism to the two interlinked circles and it strengthens the compelling power of the number 8, the Manufacture’s symbol of good fortune. The same quest for perfection yielded the opaline black dial, and by the contrast between the matt face and the gleaming ring, carefully integrated.”

After only two years, Rolex has replaced former CEO Bruno Meier with Riccardo Marini who was previously the head of Rolex Italia. Reuters Online Reports that this could indicate “possible management problems” at Rolex.

There is some speculation that the reason for the change may be due to internal differences on their level of openness to the outside world. This has not been a secret obviously since in this age of transparency and the Swiss Bank shakedown, clients appreciate knowing where there money is going.

Bruno Meier was finance director prior to his appointment as CEO of Rolex and was the first CEO outside fo the Heiniger family in nearly half a decade. This move by Rolex definately shows what appears to be some instability after such solid management for so long. The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation controls the company, and the driving force behind these changes.

Riccardo Marini, shown above, has much better style and pizzazz. Something that I think Rolex could benefit from! Just look at his Italian flair.

Like many watch companies now, Nomos has also started opening watch boutiques and their new Flagship store is located in Zurich, Switzerland. They’ve also released a limited editon watch to commemorate the event, the Zürich watch. It will be colored RAL 7032, or Pebble Gray, one of the major accent colors used in the boutique.

If you’re interested in visiting:
Spiegelgasse 13 (Niederdorf)
8001 Zürich
Telephone: +011-410-44-400-1417
Email: spiegelgasse@nomos-glashuette.ch
Opening times: Tuesdays to Fridays 12 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday Closed and by appointment.