The Breitling Watch Blog

Jean-Frédéric Dufour is the new President and CEO for Zenith SA as of June 1, 2009. Philippe Pascal, LVMH President, named Dufour the new Zenith President and CEO and comes to Zenith since being at Chopard since 2001. He replaces Theirry Nataf, who held the position previously.

Zenith has undergone a large number of changes since Nataf took over so it will be interesting to see what kind of direction the company takes under the direction of Dufour.

iPhone apps are the next big thing for Swiss Watch companies attempting to attract a larger audience and give their Brand followers an additional medium to express their loyalty… enter the world of Apple iPhone Apps! Everyone that’s living outside of a cave knows what the iPhone is, and most people are aware that one of the big selling points of the iPhone is that “there’s an app for that!” Well… now there’s an app for high-end watch collectors too! Three watch brands have recently announced iPhone Apps.. Glycine, Bell & Ross, and Victorinox Swiss Army.

Most of the apps are essentially just virtual watches that appear on your iPhone screen, as in the case of the Glycine and Bell & Ross. The Victorinox one goes a bit further to offer some interesting additional features and Store Locator and News.

Glycine

Bell & Ross

Victorinox

All are available at the iPhone App Store

Again, IWC has secured the top ranking of luxury watch brands performed by the LBSI. The index measures the value and equity of luxury brands across North America, using data collected by wealthy American consumers of these products. The information is from actual wealthy consumers, rather than non-consumers of luxury goods that only recognize names like Tag Heuer and Rolex.

The index uses factors such as “quality, social status and self-enhancement” in order to base their results. IWC’s blend of uniqueness and exclusivity, superior quality, self-enhancement and status gives them a unique place among consumer’s hearts.

This is not a huge surprise to me, but I agree that IWC is among my favourite watch brands and I am set on purchasing another IWC watch and adding to my collection soon!

Not the one I’m getting, but a little eye candy: The IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere.

A new brand has just been unveiled to us, all the way from France – Fabrication De Montres Normandes, or FDMN. FDMN is a watch manufacture from Brionne, France. Karsten Frasdorf is the master watchmaker behind the brand, and unfortunately most of the information is in French, so I cannot understand all of it.

They are beautiful watches and are all in-house handwound calibers, beating at 18,000 vph. The watches use a very unique large diameter screw balance that has exceptional accuracy. Not a lot of information is available on the watches as they have not been officially produced for public consumers yet, but soon! Until then, enjoy the photographs:

I’ve tried to compile the list here. Some of them are just solid gold limited editions of existing models which I haven’t bothered to list here. Database entries are incomplete and I will fill them up as the information becomes available.

Breitling Airwolf Raven – This model is the same as previous Airwolf with the addition of a Rubber bezel and rubber inserts on the pushpeices.

Breitling Skyracer Raven – Like the Airwolf Raven, this one is the same as previous Skyracers, with the addition of the Rubber Bezel and pushpeice inserts.

Breitling Colt GMT 2 – Brand new Colt GMT for the season! Integrated Professional 2 bracelet.

Breitling Chronomat B01 – This one needs no introduction… the brand new Chronomat with the B01 caliber in-house movement!

Chrono-matic 1461 – This appears to be a large 49mm Chrono-matic with the 1461 jours movement. This model is in gold.

Chrono-matic QP – This also looks to be a 49mm model as well, in gold with the QP full perpetual movement.

Breitling for Bentley 6.75 Speed – This looks very similar to the previous 6.75 with the addition of Chrome accenting around the subdials.

Breitling for Bentley Motors Speed – Like the 6.75 Speed, this looks very similar to the previous Motors with the addition of Chrome accenting around the subdials. I have seen photos of what appears to be a Motors T Speed as well.