SIHH 2012

Richard Mille shows the future of Carbon Nanotube watches

A few years back, when I was still in the university days, particularly in the engineering field, where a lot of research takes place. There was one concept in material science that has wowed me more than anything else. A concept that could possibly make the plastics, steels, and silicons obsolete. A material that can be the marriage of mechanical, material science and electrical fields with its vast uses. A material called a carbon nanotube. This is not carbon fibre, nor forged carbon nor a nanofibre. The carbon nanotube is what is known as a fullerene structure. The carbon atoms inside the nanotubes are arranged in terms of their bonding at very exact intervals throughout the structure. The carbon nanotubes are said to be the strongest and stiffest material yet discovered in terms of tensile strength and elasticity. Skeptics out there would say this is hogwash but allow me to show you some numbers to blow your mind. A normal carbon steel normally yields a tensile strength of around 800 - 1000 megapascals (mPa), or simply 0.8 to 1 gigapascals (GPa), a multi-walled carbon nanotube was tested to have a tensile strength of up to 63 (GPa), that is an insane 63 times stronger than a standard steel. This translates into the ability to endure tension weight of equivalent to 6,422 kg on a cable with a cross-section of 1 square-millimeter. The atoms themselves are space at precise intervals with a precise hexagonal pattern resulting to a super light yet super strong material. Having said enough about the science stuff that I may have had bored you to death. Richard Mille, one of the leading independent watchmaker that has storm the world with his super light RM027 worn by non-other than Rafael Nadal himself. A pioneer in the development of what we call a modern "mechanical" timepiece in this so called digital era, where LCDs and touch screens reign supreme. Yet, the man still prove to the world, that at the very best of technological innovation. Infusing science with art, with cutting edge material and the heritage of mechanical watch making. The man may be on a roll in creating what our generation could say, the modern haute horlogerie. This year, at the Salon Internation de la Haute Horlogerie, may have did it again. This time with a carbon nanotube case watch. The RM050, tourbillon split seconds chronograph, limited only to 10 piece in carbon nanotubes. Some people would say that the piece Swatch-like and inane, but rest assure this is very real. So real that if we call Swatch as the Second Watch, then perhaps we should start calling RM watches as the Twatch. (via Purists)  

Official Video: IWC Top Gun Pilot Watch

Remember the IWC Top Gun inspired booth from Salon Internation de la Haute Horlogerie? Well, here's the official video ad for the IWC Top Gun inspired watches. I must say, IWC brought the whole package for 2012 and will probably be on the list of best Pilot watches for years to come. Official Video: IWC Top Gun

IWC going TopGun crazy!

Without a doubt, the most mesmerizing booth from Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie SIHH 2012 is non other than IWC's very own Top Gun booth. The makers from Schaffhausen are making it clear that they literally own the Pilot Watch market and it is the life and blood of the watchmakers from the other side of the Swiss country side. The photo of the SIHH 2012 booth above is an actual shot of a flight simulator built onto the IWC booth. A real jet cockpit is hanging over the booth with a plastic canopy that came from a real Super Hornet. The entire booth is an immersion of how it feels to be on the cockpit of a real plane along with an entire air-craft carrier like command center reminiscent of the 1986 movie Top Gun. The total dedication to the Pilot theme is simply mind blowing. It's almost second nature to say that IWC just won the hearts of many watch lovers, along with pilots, aspiring pilots and non-pilots alike. See how the entire concept came about with a video after the jump. And of course, the real star of the show from IWC. the Pilot Chronograph Top Gun Miramar watch (via IWC)  

40th Anniversary Edition of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo

The original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo has always been the watch that has defined the luxury sports watch of today. A watch so iconic that it was the watch that made what Audemars Piguet is today. Without the Royal Oak Jumbo, Audemars Piguet would have cease to exist. Released back in 1972, the Royal Oak receive several criticisms from skeptics and aficionados alike before its released. But with the ingenious design by the late Gerald Genta, the Royal Oak has became one of the most sought after watch in the horological industry today. Audemars Piguet will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2012 in Geneva, by simply going back to its roots. A deserving successor is born, introducing the new Royal Oak ref. 15202ST. The current Royal Oak ref. 15202ST (via Audemars Piguet). Fans of the Jumbo would easily spot that subtle changes can be seen from the front of the watch. A change that has been called upon by enthusiasts everywhere. As you can see, the picture above is the current model of the Royal Oak 15202ST. The new version took the watch way back to the original Royal Oak in 1972.  They were called the A-series, one of the rarest Royal Oaks ever, sporting the company's logo "AP" in the  6 o'clock position. The new Royal Oak did just that, but not only did they moved the logo down to the 6 o'clock, they also painted the date dial black instead of white, and removed the white frame around the date dial altogether. Additionally, a slightly smaller tapisserie can be seen in the dial and a longer hour marker by removing the arabic numerals at  each marker. The size of the piece remains the same, and the movement is still the 2121 Caliber from AP that was derived from Jaeger-LeCoultre legendary ultra thin movement 920 (A movement still used by Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin today). The subtle changes from the exterior is quite a game changer for watch fans. Not only is the new watch slicker by eliminating unnecessary marks on the dial, but it also bring back the piece to its glory days of the original, just like what Jaeger-LeCoultre did with their Reverso last year. A truly impressive watch that would remain a favorite for decades to come, perhaps til the next decade, the 50th year of the Royal Oak.  

Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph

  A week left until the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH 2012), and the famous watch manufacturer - Jaeger-LeCoultre has been going off the charts . It is official! Jaeger-LeCoultre has just unveiled a followup to 2011's most successful Dive Watch, the Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea. Behold the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph, the folks over at Purists got an exclusive preview of this monster of a chronograph dive watch. This 40.5 mm diameter watch runs on Jaeger's own in-house automatic movement Calibre 751G, that houses the chronograph counters for hours and minutes at the 9 and 3 o'clock position along with its central seconds hand. The case is made out of steel with a plexi watch glass, in matte black dial, and tropic superluminova hands that is water resistant up to 10 bars with 65 hour power reserve. Besides the iconic look of the watch, the piece also stayed true to its heritage from Jaeger's Deep Sea line by strapping it with the same embossed calf skin leather strap. The entire piece is a thing of beauty! Rarely would you see a dive watch complicated with one of the most coveted complication in a wrist watch - a chronograph. Whether you're fan of Deep Sea or not, you have to admit that this thing is a clear winner for any dive fans! No price has yet been announced but this piece here will not be a limited edition, whether that is a good thing or not depends entirely on how you view watch collecting. More specification and information from Jaeger-LeCoultre site. (via Purists)