Lifestyle

Rolex, Patek Philippe and Others to Leave Baselworld and Start New Watch Trade Show

Published

4 months ago

April 15, 2020

Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor are among several prominent watch brands that have chosen to cancel their attendance at the rescheduled Baselworld 2021 in favor of creating their own event.

This year the COVID-19 pandemic has already led to many cancellations and postponements of prominent luxury-focused events around the world and organizers have been holding out hope to have things back on track by 2021 by working hard to reschedule events where possible.

Baselworld Watch & Jewelry Show Cancelled in 2020 Due to COVID-19 — Previous years of Baselworld has included brands like Rolex, Hublot and Bvlgari. Credit: Baselworld

One such event that has been dealt an extra blow is the Baseworld Watch Show which has caught organizers MCH Group by surprise after it was announced that Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard, and Tudor would no longer be exhibiting at the newly scheduled Baselworld 2021 in January and would instead be creating their own watch show to be held at the same time as Watches & Wonder in Geneva.

In a statement released the same day as plans for the new show were revealed, Baselworld organizers MCH Group spoke of their surprise and regret at the actions of Rolex and accompanying brands given that they had supported the postponement to January 2021 and had made no prior mention of a desire to move to Geneva, concluding that these plans must have been well underway previously.

There were however financial issues already brewing as confusion surrounding the payments/refunds began to emerge from April 3 as it appeared that MCH Group would be withholding 85% of exhibitors fees for the 2020 Show on the grounds of those fees being applied to the 2021 event (with the remaining 15% being forfeited) or exhibitors given a second option to receive a 30% cash refund, have 40% applied to the 2021 event and forfeit 30% fees as part of the “out of pocket costs” costs associated with the canceled 2020 event.

Forum with prominent watch brands at Baselworld 2019. Credit: Baselworld

In a previous letter addressed to Baselworld organizers MCH Group regarding the postponement of this years show, Rolex executive and Baselworld President of the Exhibitors Committee Hubert du Plessix asks for full refunds to be issued to the brands saying it would be an “elegant solution [that] would be the best way to encourage exhibitors to participate in a future edition of Baselworld…Otherwise, we fear that this will be the end, pure and simple, of Baselworld, especially since the dates chosen in January 2021 are not suitable for the jewelry, gemstones and pearls sector, and that coordination with Watches & Wonders (SIHH) no longer exists.”

With brands like Breitling and Grand Seiko having already left Baselworld and the LVMH family of watch brands holding their own Dubai based trade show, Baselworld is no doubt in an unenviable position and having previously committed to a substantial investment in the development of the event and additional digital platforms, MCH Group have said they will now be looking to make a decision in the coming weeks regarding the continuation of Baselworld and further development investments to ensure their long term future.

The new proposed show that Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard, and Tudor have all agreed to be a part of will be held April 2021 in Geneva at the same time as Watches & Wonder (previously known as SIHH) and created in collaboration with Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), who are also the organizers behind Watches & Wonder watch show.

Watches & Wonder (previously SIHH) held in Geneva — Watches & Wonder (previously SIHH) will be held in April 2021. Credit: Watches & Wonder

To complement the consumer-focused Watches & Wonder watch show, the new trade show will be a professional event primarily focused on retailers, the press and VIP customers.

Speaking on their decision to withdraw from Baselworld, Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Chief Executive Officer, Rolex SA, and Board Member, Montres Tudor SA, said: “We have taken part in Baselworld since 1939. Unfortunately, given the way the event has evolved and the recent decisions made by MCH Group, and in spite of the great attachment we had to this watch show, we have decided to withdraw. Following discussions initiated by Rolex, it seemed only natural to create a new event with partners that share our vision and our endless, unwavering support for the Swiss watchmaking sector. This will allow us to present our new watches in line with our needs and expectations, to join forces and better defend the interests of the industry.”

Rolex to join Watch & Wonder organisers new event in Geneva — Rolex’s exhibit at a previous Baselworld event. Credit: Baselworld

Likewise Thierry Stern, President, Patek Philippe commented, “The decision to leave Baselworld was not an easy one to take for me, being the fourth generation of the Stern family to participate to this traditional yearly event. But life evolves constantly, things change and people change as well, whether it is at the level of those responsible for the watch fair organization, the brands or the clients. We constantly have to adapt ourselves, question what we do, since what was right yesterday may not necessarily be valid today!

Today Patek Philippe is not in line with Baselworld’s vision anymore, there have been too many discussions and unsolved problems, trust is no longer present. We need to answer the legitimate needs of our retailers, the clients and the press from around the world. They have to be able to discover the new models from Swiss watchmakers each year, at one time, in one place, and this in the most professional manner possible. That is why, following several discussions with Rolex and in agreement with other participating brands, we have decided to create, all together, a unique event in Geneva, representative of our savoir-faire.“

Co-President of Chopard, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele also gave support to the new event saying, “Chopard first exhibited at the Basel fair in 1964 with a stand of some 25 square metres. After careful consideration, our family decided to support the Rolex initiative and retire from Baselworld – a painful decision. The creation of this new watch show in Geneva, in parallel to Watches & Wonders, will allow us to better serve our watchmaking partners and our customers. Through the alliance, these grandes maisons will also be able to collaborate in promoting the values and best interests of Swiss watchmaking.”

With several brands having delayed all new 2020 releases until next year, horological aficionado’s will be sure to eagerly descend on Geneva next April to view the latest pieces on offer from all the brands exhibiting at Watches & Wonder and the new show.

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Lifestyle

Audemars Piguet’s Frosted Gold Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Revealed

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2020

Sommer Melse

Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has revealed the newest Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon featuring a frosted white and rose gold finish.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted White Gold Flying Tourbillon Duo — The Audemars Piguet Frosted Gold Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon. Credit: AP

Audemars Piguet’s newest Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillion has been revealed and features a clean circular design that draws the eye inward to the diamond-encrusted flying tourbillon cage.

The latest in the “Royal Oak Concept” range, this is a smaller design compared to the majority of the oversized Royal Oak Concept men’s watches and is the first time it has been offered with a frosted case.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted Rose Gold Flying Tourbillon Watch Face — Frosted and satin-brushed case with alligator strap. Credit: AP

While the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept has been around since 2002, it wasn’t until 2018 that a flying tourbillon was introduced to the range. Suspended from underneath, the flying tourbillon doesn’t require an overhead bridge and facilitates a slimmer design.

Available in either 18ct pink gold or white gold, the latest edition revisits the frosted look first introduced in 2016 through the collaboration with Italian jewelry designer Carolina Bucci.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted Rose Gold Flying Tourbillon Watch Dial — Radial brushed circles in sunburst blue and 18ct pink gold edging. Credit: AP

Using a decorative Florentine technique of “frosting,” a diamond-tipped tool is used to hammer thousands of tiny indentations into the metal that creates a sparkling effect as though it were precious stones or “diamond dust.”

To maintain a clean and unfettered view of the mesmerizing dial, no hour markers have been included. Still, the two small semi-skeletonized luminescent hands allow the wearer to quickly tell the time at a glance.

Audemars Piguet Frosted Gold Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon in white gold. Credit: AP

Taking a look closer inside the 38.5mm frosted and satin-brushed case, the watch face consists of a sunburst blue multi-layered dial with four concentric ovals stepping down towards the diamond encrusted flying tourbillon cage positioned at 6 o’clock.

Compared to previous frosted Royal Oak editions powered by the automatic caliber 3120 and caliber 2713 quartz movements, the new Frosted Royal Oak Concept has a 72-hour power reserve and is powered by Audemars Piguet’s caliber 2964 with a hand-wound flying tourbillon, a design only a few expert watchmakers have the necessary skill to create.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted White Gold Flying Tourbillon Watch Dial — Diamond encrusted Flying Tourbillon with matching concentric circles. Credit: AP

Both editions are available on either a blue “large square-scale” alligator strap or a blue textured rubber strap with a constellation motif.

Royal Oak Concept caseback. Credit: AP

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted Gold Flying Tourbillon 38.5 mm

Ref: 26630OR.GG.D326CR.01 (pink gold)
Ref: 26630BC.GG.D326CR.01 (white gold)

Diameter: 38.5 mm
Material: 18 pink or white gold with hammered finish
Crystal: Sapphire
Water-resistance: 20 m

Movement: Cal. 2964
Functions: Hours, minutes, and tourbillon regulator
Winding: Hand-wind
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Blue alligator with pink gold folding clasp

Availability: Only at boutiques
Price: CHF 145,000 (USD$159,000)

For more information, visit Audemarspiguet.com

Lifestyle

Jacob & Co Reveals One-Off Billionaire ASHOKA Diamond Watch

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2020

Sommer Melse

Jacob & Co’s Billionaire ASHOKA Watch features over 189 carats of ASHOKA cut diamonds and will be the only one ever made.

Jacob & Co Billionaire Ashoka Diamond Watch — The Jacob & Co Billionaire ASHOKA diamond watch. Credit: Jacob & Co

New York based jeweler and watchmaker Jacob & Co are renowned for show-stopping timepieces and none more so than the new Billionaire ASHOKA.

Created as an updated version of Jacob & Co’s first Billionaire watch first introduced in 2015 at Baselworld and created in collaboration with Flavio Briatore of Billionaire Lifestyle SARL, the Billionaire ASHOKA instead features unique proprietary cut ASHOKA diamonds from William Goldberg.

Named after one of India’s greatest third-century emporer’s, King Ashoka Maurya, an ASHOKA cut diamond is a rectangular shape with rounded corners and 62 precisely-cut facets that make the diamond appear 30% larger than an emerald cut diamond of the same weight.

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Covered in Diamonds. Jacob & Co. is featuring ASHOKA® diamonds to adorn the spectacular new Billionaire ASHOKA® timepiece. The Billionaire ASHOKA® from Jacob & Co. is a pièce unique, and only one will ever be made. The entirety of the watch, outside of the movement, is covered in ASHOKA® diamonds, including the case, bracelet and clasp, with the exception of the rose-cut white diamond on the crown. The total carat weight of this stunningly unique piece is over 189 carats. .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #jacobandco #jacobandcowatches #hautehorlogerie #hautehorology #ashokadiamond #williamgoldberg #diamond #billions #billionaire

A post shared by Jacob & Co. (@jacobandco) on Jul 28, 2020 at 2:17pm PDT

Enclosing the 18-carat white gold case and skeletonized caliber entirely in the ASHOKA diamonds, the Billionaire ASHOKA watch has a total carat weight of 189 pieces. It is powered by the JCAM09 caliber tourbillon movement created by Jacon & Co’s Swiss-based watchmakers, giving it 72 hours of power reserve.

Due to the precise cut of the ASHOKA diamond, less than 1% off all rough diamonds are even eligible to be considered, making the Billionaire ASHOKA extremely unique. Jacob & Co have explicitly stated they will only be producing one limited edition of this watch.

While no prices have been released yet as a ballpark figure, Floyd Mayweather reportedly purchased the original Billionaire watch for $18 million in 2018.

Lifestyle

The New $520,000 Franck Muller Vanguard Revolution 3 Skeleton

Published

3 weeks ago

July 25, 2020

Billionaire Toys HQ

The new Franck Muller Vanguard Revolution 3 Skeleton features a triple-axis tourbillon movement for the first time in the brand’s popular Vanguard case.

The new Franck Muller Vanguard Revolution 3 Skeleton Watch. Credit: Franck Muller

For fans of Franck Muller’s triple-axis tourbillon movement and the Vanguard watch shape – this is for you. For the first time, the Swiss watchmaker has revealed the Revolution 3 triple-axis tourbillon movement in its popular Vanguard case.

Founded in 1991 by master watchmaker Franck Muller and a watchmaking specialist and entrepreneur Vartan Simarkes, the House of Franck Muller is known for its highly technical complications and innovations, produced in-house at Genthod, Geneva.

One particular innovation is the “Triple Axis Tourbillon” first created in 2004 which was the world’s first tri-axial tourbillon, designed to correct the forces of gravity in all positions (contrary to a classic one which only compensates when the wristwatch is in a vertical position ie, Franck Muller Revolution 1, or the double-axis tourbillon in Revolution 2).

Previously Franck Muller has debuted the triple-axis tourbillon in the iconic Cintrée Curvex case, easily identifiable by its perfectly curved tonneau body and known as the Cintrée Curvex Revolution 3 model.

For the first time, the triple-axis tourbillon “Revolution 3” has now been released in Franck Muller’s more sporty looking Vanguard case, designed to cleverly integrate the strap inside the case to retain the smooth curves of the watch.

Franck Muller Vanguard Revolution 3 Skeleton Watch Front View — Featuring a titanium case with Alcantara® strap. Credit: Franck Muller

Featuring an eye-catching skeleton movement, the Vanguard Revolution 3’s large sapphire dome case allows viewers to see the inner-workings and watch as the triple-axis tourbillon works effortlessly to correct the force of gravity in all positions.

Dominating the lower half of the movement, the triple-axis tourbillon slowly turns through the one-hour, eight-minute, and 60-second cycles of its respective three carriages.

Power flows from the gear train through all three carriages to activate the balance wheel five times each second. As the Revolution 3 has three carriages, the gear train has significant resistance to overcome. To provide an abundance of energy to drive this triple-axis tourbillon, the movement has a massive ten days of power reserve.

There are also two retrograde indications at 4 and 8 o’clock for the progression of the eight-minute carriage and the 60-second carriage.

The Vanguard case itself is made of grade-2 titanium and has been treated with black PVD coating. In contrast, the bright red strap features Alcantara® (a material popular with supercar interiors like those of Lamborghini), which effortlessly takes the shape of the wrist and complements the red detailing on the movement and the Vanguard case.

Price for the Franck Muller Vanguard Revolution 3 Skeleton Watch is CHF 480,000 excluding taxes (approx US$520,000) with first deliveries scheduled from September 2020.