OMEGA is proud to be serving as Official Timekeeper at the 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona. Omega said they are pleased to be able to bring the expertise they have developed at the world’s premiere sporting spectacles, including 24 Olympic Games, to one of the most exciting athletics meetings on earth. Their timekeepers and data handlers are on hand with tons of equipment and miles of optical fibre and cable. The team is being ably supported by more than specially selected and trained volunteers.

Parmigiani Kalpa XL MJF 2010 Limited Edition

To reinforce its close association with the world of fine arts, music and culture, Swiss luxury watch maker Parmigiani Fleurier continues its partnership with the 44th Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF), which recently concluded in the Swiss resort town.

The tradition established by Claude Nobs of presenting a Parmigiani watch to artists of his choice is a mark of trust which the organiser will once again demonstrate on stage at the Stravinski Auditorium.

For the Haute Horlogerie brand, the presentation of tailor-made Parmigiani models from the Montreux Jazz Festival 2010 limited edition – a special moment shared by Claude Nobs and the artists – represents one of the high points of the brand’s presence at the festival and is evidence of a shared commitment to celebrating high-quality expertise.

Parmigiani Kalpa Grande MJF 2010 Limited Edition

Parmigiani Kalpa Grande and XL MJF 2010 models have been specially designed for the festival, and are inspired by the official 2010 poster created by renowned contemporary artist Romero Britto. The ten watch models reserved exclusively for the artists each year represents a Limited Edition which is highly sought-after by collectors. Two dial colours have been specially produced for the 2010 watch. A highly feminine champagne tone for the Grande version, and abyss blue for Parmigiani Kalpa XL to be presented to male artists. Romero Britto’s work shines on the dial.

The Parmigiani Kalpa Grande and XL MJF 2010 Special Edition models are produced exclusively in the workshops of the Parmigiani Manufacture, and incorporate the in-house PF 332 automatic movement. Their steel cases are fitted with a white or black alligator strap.

Maria Sharapova, the tennis champion, wearing her white TAG Heuer Formula 1 Stainless Steel and Ceramic watch and the TAG Heuer sunglasses she designed, drove the TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster around the streets of Manhattan Beach, catching the eyes of beach-goers and fellow drivers alike.

Maria Sharapova, the TAG Heuer Tesla roadster and the F1 Steel & Ceramic in Los Angels

The TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster will remain in Los Angeles until July 29, when it will arrive in Malibu, Calif. for the first American “Odyssey of Pioneers” event and watch exhibit.

Now entering the Admiral’s Cup Collection that is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010, Corum Admiral’s Cup Black Chronograph 40 Limited Edition already has the makings of greatness. Loyal to the aesthetic design that has forged the collection’s admirable reputation, it proudly bears the identity codes of its siblings: a 12-sided case and nautical pennant hour-markers. Featured a 40mm diameter well suited to ladies’ wrists, the newcomer clearly tops the bill right from its first appearance. It is equipped with a chronograph that asserts its sporting nature, while clothed in intense black and diamonds that proclaim its feminine spirit.

Having earned international recognition as Corum’s sports watch collection, the Admiral’s Cup has been paying tribute to the world of sailing for half a century. The bold aesthetics of its 12-sided case have made it an iconic model that is one of the four brand pillars alongside the Corum Bridges, Romvlvs and Artisans lines.

127 grams of black steel and 66 white diamonds

While clearly a legitimate heiress to the Admiral’s Cup Collection, this model nonetheless stands out from its masculine counterparts by a 40mm diameter perfectly suited to ladies’ wrists. Its other signature features include the 66 diamonds sublimating the bezel and lending a decidedly glamorous touch. The brilliance of the stones is highlighted by the fascinating contrast they make with the intense shade of the black PVD-treated steel case (1300 Vickers). The polished and satin-brushed finishes of the surfaces add hypnotic depth to this black color. Surrounded by a black vulcanized rubber crown guard, the crown is also black PVD-treated and engraved with the emblematic CORUM key.

The dial is available in deep black or immaculate white versions, enhanced by three nautical pennants painted in black and white on the inner bezel ring. The chronograph direct-drive seconds hand is adorned with a counterweight shaped like a CORUM key. The hands and the hour-market chevrons are coated with Superluminova to ensure night visibility.

Corum Admiral’s Cup Black Chronograph 40 Limited Edition houses a mechanical self-winding 12 1/2 ’’’ movement. Endowed with a 42-hour power reserve, the latter drives the hours, minutes, small seconds, date display at 4.30 o’clock, as well as the chronograph complication controlled by pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock. Guaranteeing perfect precision that is duly chronometer-certified by the COSC, this caliber is visible through the transparent case-back that enables one to admire the dedicated CORUM finishes as well as a black PVD-treated oscillating weight engraved with the brand name.

The two interpretations of the Admiral’s Cup Black Chronograph 40 are water-resistant to 100 meters and fitted with a black vulcanized rubber strap. Issued in limited numbers of 355 for the black dial version and 155 of the model with white dial, the Admiral’s Cup Black Chronograph 40 asserts a timeless design based on striking contrasts.

Specifications

Reference

984.970.97/F371 AA32 (white dial) Limited Edition 155

984.970.97/F371 AN32 (black dial) Limited Edition 355

Movement

CO984 Self-winding chronograph, COSC certified

Frequency

4 Hz, 28,800 vibrations/hour

37 jewels

Special CORUM finish, including the oscillating weight with black PVD treatment and engraved with the brand name

Power reserve of 42 hours

Functions

Hours, minutes, small seconds, date

Chronograph with counters; small seconds at 3 o’clock, 12 hours at 6 o’clock, 30 minutes at 9 o’clock

Case

Steel with black PVD treatment

40mm diameter

Bezel set with 66 diamonds, total: 0.924ct

Steel crown with black PVD treatment, engraved with CORUM key

Vulcanized rubber crown protector and bezel protector

Screwed open back in steel with black PVD treatment

Dial

Black or white

3 counters in applique

12 monochromatic nautical pennant hour-markers painted on the flange

Rhodium coated or black PVD chevrons and minute numerals

Faceted hour, minute and counter hands with Superluminova

Seconds hand counterweight shaped like the CORUM key

Date indication in a window at 4.30 o’clock

Glass

Cambered twelve-sided sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Strap

Black vulcanized rubber strap, width 21/18 mm

Buckle

Triple folding clasp with CORUM logo

Water Resistance

10 atmospheres (330 feet / 100 meters)

Comparing with traditional wristwatches, newly-launched MB&F Horological Machine No4 Thunderbolt is so special.

A traditional wristwatch has a relatively straightforward role: to tell the time. All that is needed is a hand for the hours, another for the minutes and perhaps a power reserve indicator to keep track of running time. Horological Machine No4 Thunderbolt has a hand for the hours, another for the minutes and a power reserve indicator. HM4 Thunderbolt tells the time.

But, the aviation-inspired case and engine of the Thunderbolt are one. Neither would, nor could, exist without the other, yet each is so transcendental as to be able to stand alone as a work of art in its own right.

MB&F Horological Machine No4 Thunderbolt’s engine is the culmination of three long years of development. Each of the 300-plus components – including the regulator and even the screws – was developed specifically for this anarchistic calibre.

HM4’s engine was entirely designed and developed by MB&F over three years of intensive work with Laurent Besse and Beranger Reynard of Les Artisans Horlogers. Each of the 311 components were developed specifically for the Thunderbolt, no off-the-shelf mechanisems or parts were used at all due to the extreme nature of its architecture.

The sleek aerodynamic form of the Thunderbolt’s titanium and sapphire envelope has its roots in Maximilian Büsser’s childhood passion for assembling model plane kits.

Every component and form has a technical purpose; nothing is superfluous and every line and curve is in poetic harmony.

Articulated lugs ensure supreme comfort. Highly legible time is a fringe benefit.

Technical Specifications

Case

Grade 5 titanium and sapphire

Dimensions: 54mm wide x 52mm long x 24mm high

Number of components: 65

Articulation of lugs: 3°

Engine (Movement)

Three-dimensional horological engine developed 100% by MB&F

Manual winding with two mainspring barrels in parallel

Power reserve: 72 hours

Balance frequency: 21,600bph/3Hz

Number of components: 311

Number of jewels: 50

Functions

Hours, minutes and power reserve indicator

Hours and minutes on right dial, power reserve indicator on left dial

Separate crowns for time setting and winding

Sapphire crystals

Five sapphire crystals: 2 x dials, 1 x central case section, 2 x display panels (top and bottom)

Strap & Buckle

Black hand-stitched calfskin strap with titanium/white gold custom designed deployment buckle attached to articulated lugs

A-10 Thunderbolt Airplane

Cam, transporters, telescopic hands; the UR-203 reveals it micro-mechanics for all to see. Within this special Limited Edition which limited to 20 pieces the cams, the rubies and the transporters that ensure the ultra-precise alignment of the telescopic hands indicating the minutes, are all revealed. Time is translated into a metallic choreography of sublime fluidity.

“Urwerk UR-203 Black Platinum Limited Edition is a wild idea of Martin Frei (URWERK co-founder and designer)”, explains Felix Baumgartner, URWERK co-founder and master watchmaker. “Martin imagined a stripped down model distilled to its pure essence. We had to start again at the beginning to develop this model, we sat down at the drawing board and completely reconsidered the satellite module. The horological challenge with this complication was to develop a complex mechanism with the minimum of components to ensure its reliability and longevity.”

Dial Side

Revolving Satellite Complication Urwerk UR-203 Black Platinum Limited Edition features brand’s patented Revolving Satellite Complication with telescopic minutes hands. The Revolving SatelliteComplication displays time using telescopic minutes hands operating through the middle of three orbiting and revolving hours satellites. The telescopic minutes hands precisely adjust their length to follow the three sectors marking the minutes: 0-14, 15-44, 45-60. Extended, they enable the UR-203 to display the time across a large, easy-to-read dial. Retracted, they allow for a very wearable and comfortably sized case.

Back side

The UR-203 is the world’s first watch with the winding rate regulated by fluid dynamics. As long ago as the 18th century, clockmakers were using air friction to regulate the speed of chiming clocks, and their techniques evolved to become the preferred method of regulating the rate of chimes on minute-repeaters. With the UR-203, URWERK have taken the traditional idea of using air friction and refined it to control the rate of automatic winding. The traditional rotating vanes of the past have been replaced by cutting-edge miniature twin turbines – miniature air compressors – which can be seen spinning on the back of the watch. The UR-203’s twin turbines are coupled with the winding rotor. According to the position of the selector lever, the turbines act as shock absorbers. In normal activity they cushion sharp movements of the rotor. This reduces wear and increases the lifespan of the movement.

Technical Specifications

Model: Urwerk UR-203 Black Platinum Limited Edition (20 pieces available)

Case: available in black PE-CVD coated platinum; case micro-sanded; titanium back plate

Movement: calibre UR 7.03; automatic winding with world’s first twin turbine regulation

Functions: patented revolving satellite complication with integral telescopic minutes hands;

Dimensions: 45.7mm x 43.5mm x 15mm; micro-sandblasted; satin finish; back in titanium.

Dial: ARCAP P40. Carousel mirror polished by diamond cutter. SuperLumiNova treatment on hours and minutes markers.

Indications: hours by satellites, minutes by telescopic hands, Dial featuring: Oil Change and 150 year Horological Odometer

When astronaut Lieutenant Basic Thomas P. Stafford (USA) and cosmonaut Lieutenant Normal Alexei A. Leonov (USSR) shook hands in the docking hatch which linked their respective spacecraft, the place pioneers, together with their crews, had been wearing OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Chronograph watches on their wrists.

The 35th anniversary of their historic handshake is commemorated with the release of the OMEGA Speedmaster Expert Apollo-Soyuz 35th Anniversary Chronograph Limited Edition, which, got 1975 pieces available.

The dial have been created from a meteorite which survived its entry into our planet’s atmosphere along with the high-speed impact using the terrestrial surface area. The meteorite’s unusual structure could be the end result its really large temperature when it enters the Earth’s atmosphere, followed by a period of cooling. The dial is really a single piece cut through the meteorite; accordingly, since no two pieces with the meteorite are precisely alike, each view in this confined release is certainly exclusive. The black colour from the meteorite dial is the effect of the surface oxidation procedure. The silvery seconds hand and chronograph counters appear within the meteorite’s organic colour.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Specialist Apollo-Soyuz “35th Anniversary” chronograph can be a fitting tribute to some pivotal moment in area exploration. A handshake in orbit between these two former space race adversaries demonstrated to everyone back on earth that it was probable to move forward in a new spirit of cooperation.

Technical Data

Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides

Case: Steel

Dial: Blackened meteorite

Water resistance: 50 m (167 feet)

Size: Gents

Diameter: 42 mm

Movement: Caliber Omega 1861, Famous manual-winding chronograph movement that was worn on the Moon. Rhodium-plated finish

Power reserve: 48 hours

Inspired by the epic adventures of Guillaume Nery, Ball Watch Company has created a watch in the Ambassador’s image, Ball Engineer Master II Diver Worldtime Automatic 45mm, launched to great fanfare. Ball Explorer Guillaume Nery on the watch for the first time at the fair and could not resist!

Guillaume is known as a talented freediver, a consummate sportsman, and man of many facets. But there is another side to Guillaume Nery:

When he is not focused on setting new records, this deeply committed man travels the world to defend the cause that he holds dearest and believes most essential: protection of the world’s oceans.

It is no mere coincidence that Guillaume has joined forces with film producer and director Luc Besson to support the Antinea Foundation to improve public awareness of the importance of protecting the marine environment. More than just a belief, it is a daily battle. Whether he is diving alongside Japan’s famous Ama freedivers with their age-old pearl-diving traditions, or engaged in beach or seabed clean-up operations in Europe, his life is one of constant movement turned to the beat of the environment.

Technical Specifications

Ball Engineer Master II Diver Worldtime Automatic 45mm

Reference number:

DG2022A-SA-BK

Movement:

Automatic BALL calibre 965

Functions:

Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, day and date

World Time display

Illuminated rotating inner bezel

55 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial for night reading capability

Case:

Stainless steel case, diameter 45mm, height 15.4mm

Anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Screwed-in crown

Water-resistance to 300m

Antimagnetic to 4,800A/m

Shock-resistant to 5,000Gs

Dial:

Black or white

Band:

Stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap

New York, NY (July 14, 2010) – On Thursday, July 22 at 4 p.m., luxury watchmaker Hublot and legendary soccer club Manchester United will team up for a unique outdoor event that will bring back the World Cup fever to the Big Apple.

Professional players Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nani, Darren Fletcher, Michael Owen and the manager Sir Alex Ferguson will attempt to hit a target “masked” as a giant Hublot Watch from 51 feet in the hopes of scoring a one million dollar goal for United for UNICEF. The event, which will take place in between the iconic Flatiron and Empire State buildings on 23rd Street and Broadway, will be open to the public.

Regardless of the result, everyone is a winner as Hublot has promised to make a significant contribution even if none of the players are able to hit the intended target.

“Our relationship with Manchester United is very special”, says Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver. “We love putting our creative hats on to organize unique experiences such as the Million Dollar Challenge to support United for UNICEF”.

The Manchester United team, which will be on tour in the U.S. and Canada from July 16th through July 28th, is even in America a “religion” for both young and old. For many U.S. fans, they are the “Yankees of soccer”.

“We are very excited to participate in the Hublot Million Dollar Challenge”, says Manchester United Foundation CEO John Shiels. “The event will be a unique opportunity to bring people together to raise funds for United for UNICEF, while also having a great time”.

The relationship between Manchester United and Hublot started in 2008 when Hublot designed the Manchester United Big Bang. They have worked together throughout the world to raise awareness of the Manchester United Foundation, which aims to educate, motivate and inspire young people to build a better life for themselves and their communities. Through their foundation, the Manchester United has created United for UNICEF, the longest partnership of its kind. In a little over 10 years, United for UNICEF has raised over £2 million pounds and has helped change the lives of over 2.2 million children.

Jules Verne takes its name from the famous French writer who once had a great ambition to “depict the whole earth”. Crafted in Grade 5 titanium, the case of Instrument 1 is never a burden on wrist even with a diameter of 46.3mm. In addition to the eight 5N pink gold screws and the polished pink gold flanks, the brushed stainless steel bezel further enhances the appearance of the piece. On the black dial adorned with the brand’s exclusive Cotes du Jura, there are 4 counters for lapsed minutes and hours, small seconds as well as second time zone. A button at 10 sets the second time zone indication. Controlling the chronograph is a patented lever mechanism, with two unconventional pushers on both sides of the crown to start, stop and reset the chronograph. The most mystical part is the porthole at 9 o’clock which features a real piece of the moon that was taken from a lunar meteorite, making the piece the first to carry a real piece of the moon. Worn on a carbon finished alligator strap, it’s powered by a self-winding movement with a 44-hour power reserve.

From the same collection, Instrument 2 is a split-seconds chronograph. Same as Instrument 1, it’s also made out of a 46.3mm diameter case composed of titanium, stainless steel and pink gold. The unique lever system guarantees the chronograph can work flawlessly under extreme weather conditions. The porthole at 9 also features a piece of a lunar meteorite. Sharing the same layout with Instrument 1, its dial is white , while the hands are in blued steel. The grooved crown at 3 o’clock has a lily relief which is the brand’s logo. The button at 10 controls the split-seconds hand. Built with blued steel screws and Cotes du Jura adornment, the exclusive self-winding movement beats at 28,800 vph. Just like Instrument 1, it’s mounted to an alligator strap with production Limited to 60 pieces.

Louis Moinet Meteoris is a new form of planetarium. Unlike the vast majority of planetariums which only show a limited number of planets, Meteoris is able to show the whole solar system based on the original work of Remy Chauvin, a French scholar. Thanks to its faster rotation speed, the acceleration of the planets enables the Earth to rotate around the Sun in 37 seconds instead of the usual 365 days. Although the planetarium is driven by electricity, the power transmission system itself is mechanical. Supporting by blued stainless steel spokes, the sun and its 10 plants were crafted by the artist Jean-Yves Kervevan, using hand-made resins and varnishes. On the midnight-blue lacquered dial, each of the twelve constellations is decorated with gold dust and the 154 stars are represented by Top Wesselton VVS diamonds totalling 5.6 carats. On the stand below, four Meteoris Tourbillon wristwatches are displayed.

The pieces have a dial composed of meteorite from Mars, Rosetta(the oldest meteorite found on Earth), the Asteroid Itqiy and the Moon. Comprised of 50 components, the pink of white gold case have a diameter of 47mm and are directly inspired by the drawings of Louis Moinet. The open-worked barrel at 12 o’clock is connected to the tourbillon at 12 by a hand-crafted vertical bar. The transparent sapphire crystal back reveals the unique “octopus” spring of the winding mechanism of the manual-winding movement beating at 21,600 vph and has 72-hour power reserve. Meteoris is a unique piece that measures 150cm in height, 71cm in depth and weighs 100kg.