The aptly-named new edition continues the jewelry house’s pioneering spirit.

In keeping with its inventive sense of design and constant exploration into new ideas at once aesthetic and functional, the House of Harry Winston has rewritten history, so to speak, with its Histoire de Tourbillon 2, which the company unveiled at Baselworld, the recent, annual international watch and jewelry show in Basel, Switzerland.

This highly unusual and striking timepiece actually represents a second edition of Winston’s original Histoire de Tourbillon series launched in 2009—itself a groundbreaking watch that likewise artfully combined both technical sophistication and pioneering innovation in design. Powered by an exclusive mechanical hand-wound movement, the Histoire de Tourbillon 2 retains the sci-fi appeal and design sensibility originally developed by Maximilian Büsser, Winston’s watch-making wunderkind often credited as the man most responsible for the esteemed jewelry house’s virtual overnight success in the realm of complicated horological achievements through his celebrated Opus series.

Though limited to just 20 pieces, the new 18-karat white gold Histoire de Tourbillon 2 is already being viewed as Winston’s latest signature-style timepiece given its bi-axial flying tourbillon with running seconds at 9 o’clock, the hours with day to night indication at 2 o’clock and the minutes at 6 o’clock and displays isolated in independent subdials with their own partitioned fields of expression set at varying levels.

Further innovations abound, including the two concentric carriages on the tourbillon that increase precision by enabling the regulating organ to perform multidimensional rotations. Visually striking, the outer titanium carriage completes one full turn in 120 seconds and houses an internal carriage that revolves in just 40 seconds and maintains the balance, balance-spring and escapement.

The subdials are underscored by a beveled inner bezel ring, and swept over with orange-accented hands that stand out against the backdrop of an opaline black dial. Readability is also enhanced by day to night indications, which distinguish night and day by color: orange for day and blue for night. The decidedly masculine appeal of the Histoire de Toubillon 2 is reflected in two additional dial apertures set in a straight-line guilloché motif adding a finishing touch to the watch’s aesthetic appeal.

Apart from the complexity of the inner mechanism, few would argue that Büsser’s design is pretty intense and innovative not just in design, but pure aesthetics. The Histoire de Tourbillon 2 features a hand-crafted, handsome circular-grained, polished and shotpeened finish, highlighting the timepiece’s many components in “an extraordinary contrast between light and dark shades.” In addition, the watch features eight sapphire crystals. Three of the five on the dial side provide time indications, and the House of Harry Winston describes another three on the case back as “windows to a futuristic world in which technology forges the passing of time.”

The oversize 48.5mm case of the Histoire de Tourbillon 2 has a power reserve of up to 50 hours, features a matte black alligator strap and is water resistant up to 30 meters. Price available upon request.

Harry Winston, 212.245.2000, www.harrywinston.com

Vacheron Constantin created an extraordinary collection of 15 one-of-a-kind models as a tribute to the greatest composers, who inspired Marc Chagall’s 1964 monumental painting on the Garnier Opera House ceiling.

The first watch in the Metiers d’Art — Chagall & l’Opera de Paris collection entitled “Tribute to Famous Composers,” debuted on November 20th 2010, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the “Association pour le Rayonnement de l’Opera National de Paris” (AROP), the Friends of the Paris Opera & Ballet.

The 14 other exclusive watches will be created over the next two years. Each watch will be dedicated to one of the composers appearing in the painting.

This distinctive timepiece features a scrupulous reproduction of the entire Garnier Opera House ceiling. Although the yellow gold case is 31.50 mm-diameter dial, it houses a miniaturized reproduction that is actually spread over a 200 square meter ceiling. By using the honorable Geneva technique of grand feu enameled miniature painting, the dial is realistic and a real work of art.

Garnier Opera House was a muse for the timepiece in other ways beside for the dial. The three gold hands that point to the elegant works of Ravel, Debussy and the other 12 composers. An array of different nymphs have been hand-engraved dancing and singing, embodying the performing arts. The hours were created after the Second Empire gildings of the Ralais Garnier and the gold-rimmed dial mirror the ceiling.

The case-back opens to an engraving created in tribute to Marc Chagall. The heart of the timepiece beats to the regular cadence of the Calibre 2460 self-winding movement entirely developed and manufactured by Vacheron.

The meticulous and artistic painted dial along with the impeccable watch complexity, this Vacheron watch will be part of its own history.

-Affluent Page

www.vacheron-constantin.com

Since the early eighties, the Villeret Collection has been an essential line for the Blancpain family. This year, Blancapain’s prestige line has unveiled nine new creations which include a pocket watch, an “Eight-day Complete Calendar” and a “Eight-day Power Reserve” timepiece.

Blancpain’s Villeret Collection of fine timepieces has always been defined by round double-stepped cases, classical lines and roman numeral dials; a tradition that has been followed for three decades. In the latest Villeret Collection, the design standard for previous timepieces has been thoroughly respected. However, in the 2010 launch new timepieces, the Villeret Collection still carries the traditional design elements with the full benefit of Blancpain’s new movement advances in horology.

The most prominent timepiece of the 2010 Villeret Collection is the “Complete Calendar 8 Jours.” It is meticulously crafted with Blancpain’s advanced “8-day Power Reserve Automatic Caliber 6639 Movement.” This outstanding timepiece encases three mainspring barrels with a free-sprung titanium balance, offering moon phases and small seconds. The “manufacturers of haute horology” grant the owner an option to choose any particular setting without causing any damage to the mechanism. This timepiece is unlike any other design in the industry that offers moon phases or a complete calender. Most moon phase and complete calendar models do not allow changes during certain hours of the day while Blancpain’s exquisite timepiece allows this feature and more. Unique in its make and design, Blancpain’s patented under-lug correctors produce a clean case-side profile that allows the owner to make finger pushes instead of using an adjustment button. In honor of timepiece craftsmanship from the eighteenth century, Blancpain premiers a blue-toned serpentine steel hand set in the date display. This model is offered in two tones, platinum and red gold with a ‘grand feu’ enamel dial. The Blancpain Villeret “Complete Calendar 8 Jours” is limited to 75 platinum designs and 275 red gold timepieces. The platinum timepiece will retail for $56,500 and the red gold tone will retail for $37,000.

Another timepiece offered in Villeret’s 2010 Collection is the “Eight-day Power Reserve” model, with three main spring barrels and a titanium free-sprung balance. The new Villeret model features Blancpain’s 13R0 manual wind movement with power reserve indications. This timepiece is offered in platinum with a ‘grand feu’ enamel dial in red gold.

The tradition of the Villeret design still carries on with the small seconds wind pocket watch. The timepiece features a hand decorated movement inside a 44.55 mm case that encloses a ‘grand feu’ enamel dial.

~Affluent Page

Blancpain

Celebrating Venezuela’s 200th independence anniversary in proper fashion, Vacheron Constantin will release a variation on it classic Patrimony Contemporaine to commemorate this exciting milestone in Venezuela’s history. Reflective of Venezuela’s Independence Day, April 19th, 1810, only 19 of these watches will be made. Of these select timepieces, 10 will be constructed with rose gold and 9 will be made of platinum. Sharing the fundamental elegance of the Patrimony collection, this limited line demonstrates the expertise and quality so fundamental to the Vacheron Constantin brand. Sleek lines and a minimalist face allow these pieces to be surprisingly demure, emphasizing the skill behind its calibre 1400 hand-wound mechanical movement. Already having received the Hallmark of Geneva Certification the calibre 1400 in each of these Swiss made watches is one of the most precise mechanical movements on the market. On the back of each of these limited edition watches is the symbolic “19” that sealed Venezuela’s bill for independence. Emblazoned with stars, the engraved number is encircled by the words “Estados Unidos De Venezuela. 1811.” With loving detail, flat surfaces of the movement are ribbed in a “Côtes de Genève” pattern, then all sharp angles and flat screws are hand polished.

While embracing the Latin American revolutionary spirit best represented by Venezuela’s war for independence, the watch also represents Vacheron Constantin long history in South America. By 1835, the company, well known as the world’s oldest watch manufacture, had already opened a store in Rio de Janeiro. In 1922, certain of his strong ties with Venezuela, Charles Constantin, not yet the president of Vacheron Constantin, became Venezuela’s vice-counsel in Geneva.

Although pricing has not been released for this limited production timepiece, it should sell for far more than the standard Patrimony Contemporaine which retails at $410,000.

~Affluent Page

Vacheron Constantin

In celebration of Nigeria’s 50 years of independence, Alexander Amosu has collaborated with Rolex to create a signature timepiece. Amosu, a young Nigerian entrepreneur, made his name in the mobile phone industry by launching one of the first ringtone companies in the UK. Since then, his company has expanded to provide some of the most glamorous custom phones using materials such as white gold and colored diamonds.

Under Amosu’s guidance, these limited edition watches reflect the business mongul’s pride in his homeland. The dial, which read “Nigeria Submariner,” displays the pleasing bright green and white of the Nigerian flag. When describing the line of watches, Amosu stateed that “This project has been months in the making. As a proud Nigerian, I wanted to do something special to mark this historic occasion and I felt that a luxury timepiece was the best way to do this… I wanted to create a timepiece that could be passed down from generation to generation, A legacy timepiece.” This variation on Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Submariner is certain to do just that. These commemorative pieces still provide all the qualities of the original including Rolex including a durable, virtually scratch proof ceramic bezel and a triplock winding crown that assures a waterproof seal up to 300 meters.

Reflecting the country’s 50 years and the importance of this Golden Jubilee, only 50 watches will be produced. The collection will be available 1st October 2010. Each watch will be numbered, and the first watch to be manufactured will be presented to the President of Nigeria. Watches 2 though 10 will be auctioned by phone and are only purchasable by noteworthy government officials and Nigeria’s elite. The remaining watches numbered 11 through 50 will be priced at £15,000 and may be purchased through Alexander Amosu’s website.

~Affluent Page

Alexander Amosu

Gemologist extraordinaire, Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof has introduced a new line of bespoke timepieces to his repertoire of remarkable jewelry. Each piece carries an inimitable cylindrical dial upon which a stunning embellishment, of one’s personal choice, is mounted.

Creator of some of the most exquisite works of art existent today, he has revisited the early evolutionary stages of the first public clocks, which once strictly served as instruments to the church and state in 13th century Europe. The 16th century marked the appearance of the first timepieces. These time-informing pieces of jewelry had a drum-like shape and were used to adorn the neck.

The historical concept inspired Zadora to create a distinctive 21st century timepiece. The Zadora Timepiece carries fragments of the original drum-like design and is combined with the designer’s exceptional inventive touch. The time is read-out on the side of the case breaking away from the standard idea that time should be advised through the flat uppermost surface of a watch.

The Zadora Enamel Guilloche Timepiece is crafted in 18-karat white gold. The bezel is set with white diamond details encasing a large green cabochon tsavorite center stone. A royal blue enameled guilloche disk contours the centerpiece, adding to the superb dazzler.

Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof learned his craft from the great Haida Indian artist, who personally tutored him in the art of metal and gold graving. His devotion to create such striking designs is coupled with his love of nature and great interest in Indian mysticism, which has inspired him to pursue his talent for gem sculpting and metallurgy as a full time profession. Having a background in working with Faberge pieces, his truly perfected skill can be testified by his years of practice. Such experience has placed him in the high ranks of custom jewelry.

The rediscovered timepiece is priced at $145,000.

~Affluent Page

Zadora Time Pieces

Maximilian Büsser & Friends are known for producing some of the most radical horological machines on the market. In just a few weeks, they’ll be releasing their newest and most intriguing timepiece yet, the Horological Machine Number 4, otherwise known as the ”Thunderbolt.”

At first glance, when you look at this exclusive image of the HMN4, you won’t quite know what to think. But after a more intense look, you’ll slowly recognize and be shocked to find out that the design was inspired by the A-10 Warthog, a classic military plane used by the United States Air Force in the 1970’s. Amazingly this watch has been under development for 3 years and is made up of an unprecedented 311 pieces.  This dream watch, which was specifically designed for Max Busser, founder of MB&F, will have two crowns–one for winding the watch and the other for adjusting the time.

Though we won’t see the full watch in all its glory–or know its price–until July 7th, it’s clear that much like their timepieces, ”MB&F has once again used their synergy to become much greater than the sum of their parts”. Stay tuned for updates.

~Affluent Page

MB&F

Piaget exudes its classic elegance with its exclusive Emperador Temple watch, which it released in spring of 2010 for $3.5 million.

This limited edition platinum watch is so rare that it is only available for purchase upon commission; clients must contact Piaget and be approved for the sale. Each watch that is commissioned varies according to the diamond placement, making each timepiece one of-a-kind.

Its “Temple” style ziggurat design opens out twice, which means that there are actually two watches combined in one. By pushing down on certain trigger points the “second” watch is unveiled. When one of the points is pressed, the first face lifts, revealing the second, more intricate face.

The “first” watch has a mother of pearl and diamond face. It opens up to a larger face with an exposed one-minute tourbillion and power reserve indicator.

Sprawled across the watch are several different cuts of diamonds, which make it look unique. Piaget uses different cuts of diamonds instead of colored stones, which allows the watch to appear interesting without looking monotonous or boring. In all, the luxurious watch is encrusted with over 1200 perfectly cut diamonds.

There are baguette-cut stones, which are the classic, geometric cut. This chic cut is used for smaller rectangular diamonds and is usually used to compliment other, larger diamonds, like in engagement rings. A more important player in this collector’s piece is the brilliant cut diamond whose shape resembles a cone. The brilliant cut provides “maximum light return through the top of the diamond,” ensuring exceptional shine and clarity. The largest diamond on the timepiece is the emerald cut which covers the first watch face.

[Piaget]

Founded in 1980, Brown Safe Manufacturing has expanded into the premiere Safe and Vault Company with their release of the Watch Panel Chronos.

Their product line is ornamented with a range of luxurious safes, from high-grade military products that withstand severe attacks to the jewelry safes designed with exotic metals and wood interiors. However, Brown Safe Manufacturing has recently bolstered their unique tradition with their latest safe.

Nicknamed the “Titanic Tour De Force,” the Watch Panel Chronos unifies the custom craftsmanship of individuality and consummate precision. Since each Brown Safe features an excess of choices and optional items, each safe is unique to the individual’s specific tastes and standards. From the more obvious features of the simple fingerprint entry and automatic watch carousel, to the more subtle, such as the self closing drawers, and frictionless door.

Brown Safe ensures their Chronos line with steadfast reliability – developing every component with expertly laser and machine cuts. Whether it is the exacting accuracy of the masterful timelock, or the precision of the machine cut face, the Chronos’ innovative craftsmanship is unmistakable as it is undeniable.

Since the primary function of the Chronos is the guarantee of safety, Brown Safe implores their 28 years of experience to create the safes, which could be used under military regulations. Established with the newest means of proven defenses, the Chronos boasts protection with the ballistic armor plating, four way solid titanium, tungsten carbide hard plat, locking bolt anti-drive, active and passive relocking, interlocking anti-pry door, hi-density amalgamate cladding, reinforced anchor bolts, alarm system integration, and a GPS alert and tracking system.

With a standard price of $74,500, the Watch Panel Chronos is strictly available through www.brownsafe.com.