April 19, 2010 Editor’s Note: The watch initially shown in conjunction with the Hublot/F1 partnership announced March 13, 2010 was only a prototype (my original article, since updated, is HERE).  The actual production model will be as you now see below.  This watch was officially unveiled as the Hublot F1 King Power Announced at the recent 2010 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix.

Zirconium and ceramic bezel — “brake caliper” style…

Hublot has confirmed to me that Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver officially unveiled a new F1 King Power watch at the 2010 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix.  The watch, pictured below, looks awesome!  Hublot has masterfully crafted the bezel out of zirconium and ceramic in a design in resemblance of a high tech break assembly.  The unique strap consists of super-comfortable rubber on the inside and a special Nomex outer layer, which hard-core F1 fans will recognize as the material being used extensively in the racing suits of Formula One drivers.  Finally, as for the color scheme of the watch -  black, red and silver – well, it looks phenomenal!   More discussion and background, below the photo.

Now while the Official F1 Website press release calls this the first Official F1 watch, readers of this blog might recall that in my March 13 article announcing that Hublot had become the new “Official Watchmaker of F1″ I showed you a new Hublot F1 King which is obviously different (and less cool) than the one you see here.  So while I’m not quite sure about the slight discrepancy, I did note at the time that a “range of new Hublot F1 King Power watches [was] to come” and so in my view this watch announced today in China is the first (or second, depending on how you look at it) in a number of new Hublot F1 watches to come.  Exciting!

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A Big Huge Bang!

Without question this is a watershed deal for Jean-Claude Biver and Hublot that will cement the brand’s visibility and prospect’s for success for many years to come. Today, Hublot joined FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) to announce that the brand would be the “Official Watchmaker” for the coming FIFA World Cups to be held in South Africa in June and Brazil in 2014.  This new venture is also undoubtedly the crowning achievement of Hublot’s sports legacy as it allies itself with the most popular sports event in the world — World Cup football.

Hublot already has a long and illustrious history in the footballing world.  I have covered much of it extensively including its sponsorship of the Swiss team in 2006, an official partner of Euro 2008, the “Official Timekeeper” for Manchester United (which brought us the Red Devil Bang I and II, and the 30 foot tall Hublot clock which stands proud outside Old Trafford), and most recently a partnership with legend Diego Maradona (a great watch, the Big Bang Maradona). And now it is football’s supreme authority — FIFA.

Hublot’s CEO, Jean-Claude Biver had this to say:

We already have an in-depth understanding of the footballing world, as Hublot was the first luxury brand to become involved in this field. It is a great honour and an immense pleasure to become the “Official Watchmaker” for the next two FIFA World Cups(TM), and to be a part of the largest televised event in the world.

Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President was of course also ebullient about the partnership:

I am delighted that Hublot will be with us for the coming FIFA World Cups(TM). I have a lot of respect for Hublot and their ability to innovate and to stand apart, driven by Jean-Claude Biver’s own dynamism and passion!  Hublot’s image is a mark of Swiss quality and accuracy.

Yes there will be watches! The Watchmaker’s role on the pitch as “Official Timekeeper” means that HUBLOT will be visible on the referee’s boards when they show substitutions or stoppage time. This will start at the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup. In addition, as the “Official Watchmaker”, Hublot will create an exclusive limited edition series for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, and special collections of watches linked to the FIFA World Cup from 2011.

My congratulations to everyone at Hublot and FIFA on achieving this phenomenal partnership.

Russian heritage, Swiss made, Yvan Arpa craziness…Cold War inspired?

Niche watch brand Volna has a new watch that I couldn’t resist sharing – the Volnatomic Liquid Tourbillon.  Yes, I am going a bit off the beaten path, but follow along with me will you?  I think you’ll get a kick out of this watch.  First off, let me say that to fully appreciate this watch you must know one of the men behind it, Yvan Arpa.  More on him — and the watch — after the jump.  Here’s a first look:

Mechanical hand-wound movement with tourbillon and 72-hour power reserve (Concepto Watch Company C-8019), Black PVD titanium case, Diameter: 46.5mm, Strap Genuine rubber with yellow hand stitching, black PVD-coated double pin buckle.

So what’s the scoop on this watch?  Well, as I noted above it was developed under the guidance of Yvan Arpa (and, presumably Volna CEO Sébastien Bottinelli as well).  Do you know Yvan Arpa?  I don’t, really, but what little I do know leads me to call him a “shock artist”.   Let me back that up by saying that most recently, Arpa created a watch out of dinosaur poop, and prior to that he ran Romain Jerome which brought the world watches with moon dust and rusted pieces of the sunken Titanic in them.  And of course there was the defiant Romain Jerome Crisis Tourbillon, a watch that may or may not have actually survived the recent crisis.  Prior to these roles, Arpa also worked at Hublot and Baume & Mercier, where I think it is safe to say that life was decidedly less exciting for him.  So now you see, this is the man behind the Volnamatic Liquid Tourbillon!

As for the watch itself, well I think it is quite obviously a “head turner” during the day or night.  Thinking of Volna’s Russian-inspired heritage, I see in the watch themes of the Cold War  — from the the movement design inspired by the interior of ballistic missile nuclear submarines (SSBN) to the “atomic reactor” symbolised by a tourbillon carriage to the the liquid “uranium storage tanks”, the watch is simply nuclear!

And about the liquid “uranium storage tanks” — they are actually are embedded into the movement mainplate and contain a blue-coloured fluid that is also visible through a sapphire crystal on the side of the watch.  As you can see below, WOW do they bring the watch to life in the dark!  Also worth mentioning is the pictogram (the little yellow man and the arrow) which is active during the winding and time-setting operations — as if to signal danger or a the need to escape to somewhere safe.  Or is the little man simple showing us the way to the nearest men’s room?  Let’s just say that the visual effects on this watch are impressive:

So there you have it!  Are you an eclectic and passionate watch collector?  This watch may very well be for you.  Only 10 will be made and price will probably be into the 6 figures.  I’d take this watch over the dinosaur poop watch any day.  Cheers Yvan!

Here’s another new watch from Daniel Roth. Err, Bulgari.  Err, Bulgari Daniel Roth.  However you now call the brand, the watch is still every bit as beautiful and reflective of the technical expertise of the former Daniel Roth.   But I suppose it is time to get used to the “BVLGARI” branding on it because soon I expect that is all there will be.  Not that this would be a bad thing if they continue with watches such as this — one of the new novelties from Baselworld 2010 – a split-second chronograph (aka rattrapante) with tourbillon.  It looks quite nice, in my opinion, though some may prefer Bulgari Daniel Roth Torubillon Lumiere Skeleton watch that I showed a couple weeks ago.  I’d guess the price on this beauty would be somewhere close to $100,000, but no official word yet.

46 mm double ellipse case in 18-carat rose gold, crown and pushers in 18-carat rose gold, transparent sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistant to 30 meters; Mechanical hand-wound movement, Tourbillon regulator, split-second chronograph, date and 48 hour power-reserve, Côtes de Genève and circular-grained finishing; Convex split-level white lacquered and satin-brushed dial; Alligator leather strap fitted with a triple-blade folding clasp in 18-carat rose gold.

The first AMVOX to combine the chronograph and a world time clock…be sure to check the video…

Aston Martin and Jaeger-LeCoultre chose the Le Mans Series championship race on the Paul Ricard circuit to present their partnership’s latest creation. The new AMVOX5 World Chronograph combines the power of style and innovation with refinement and performance, in a testimony to the core values shared by the two companies since the commencement of their partnership in 2004.

Jaeger Le-Coultre AMVOX5 World Chronograph

200 pieces in ceramic + 18 carat pink gold case (44mm diamter)

and…

300 pieces with a ceramic and titanium case

In a nod to the watch’s automobile lineage, London is replaced by the town of Gaydon in Warwickshire, where Aston Martin’s headquarters and factory are located.   Look closely and you can see “Gaydon” near the 6 o’clock position.   Oh — almost forgot — lest you ever think a car radiator can not be inspiring, Jaeger-LeCoultre did note note in its press release that the partially open dial bears markings “inspired by the radiator grille of a sports car.”  Uhh….okay. Yay for the radiator! LOL.  The time elapsed on the chronograph function is read on the central second hand and on the two 30-minute and 12-hour counters.

Much more enticing to me are the two racing models which will be made in ceramic and titanium, with a black or white dial (100 of each).  Inspired by the performance of the meteoric LMP1 Aston Martin Racing prototype (pictured), these timepieces feature chronographic counters executed in carbon fibre, punctuated with a flash of orange on the world time disc, orange chronographic second hand and orange overstitching on the calfskin leather strap:

Finally, here’s a cool video compilation of the Amvox Series, as compiled by Jaeger-LeCoultre:

Corum finds its dive watch credentials…

This year Corum has introduced a phenomenal dive watch – the Admiral’s Cup Deep Hull 48.  Those of you who, like me, don’t get all that much excited about Corum’s Ti Bridge watches, should definitely give this particular watch special consideration.  This watch is in fact Corum’s first dedicated dive watch, perhaps a surprising fact to the casual watch enthusiast.  But to its credit, Corum did everything right to make this watch a legitimate choice in the high-end dive watch segment.  

Corum Admiral’s Cup Deep Hull 48

Limited Edition 500 pieces, Ref 947.950.04/0371 ANI2

48mm titanium case, on a black rubber strap with titanium buckle

The Deep Hull’s specifications demonstrate that it is a serious diver.  The substantially sized 48mm, 12-sided case is forged of high-grade titanium and delivers an impressive 1,000 meter water resistance.  And it also has a decompression valve (aka helium-escape valve) which during ascent evacuates helium that has accumulated inside the case due to the diver’s depth and long periods of time underwater.    Lest the casual observer assume this watch’s depth rating to be for mere mortals, Corum has very boldly stamped the “1000M” depth rating on the edge of the case:

You can also see in the above picture how nicely designed the dial is.  The watch has luminous hands and hour markers, designed in Corum’s signature “nautical pennant” style.  On many if not most Corum watches, these nautical pennants are multi-colored and for me (a non-sailor) a bit too much.  But I really like the monochromatic look of the Deep Hull.  Also as noted on the black dial, the movement is a “certified chronometer” aka a very precise timekeeper.

In summary, I think that this watch is a winner, and in the words of the #1 dive watch blog on the ‘Net, the Corum Admiral’s Cup Deep Hull 48 is ”as suited to the consummate professional at helm of a racing yacht as it is to the deep sea diver“!  Indeed, the timing for the release of the brand’s first ever true dive watch could not be better!

First In Watches goes off topic…”Ferrari Friday”…

Luxury watches and supercars go hand-in-hand, don’t they?  Thought I would switch it up a bit on this fantastic Friday with a look at something new this week from Italian-automaker extraordinaire Ferrari.  In fact it was just yesterday that Ferrari.com shared a special preview of its new 599 GTO.    The web special includes photos, videos and interviews on the new car – definitely worth the click.  An exclusive preview for a small number of Ferrari clients will be held on April 14th at the Military Academy in Modena, and the official public debut of the new 599 GTO will be at the Beijing International Motor Show at the end of April.   Price?  around $460,000.  Chances of owning one?  Nil.

The fastest road vehicle ever manufactured by Ferrari, limited production of 599

6.0-liter V-12 engine, 670 horsepower, 0-62 mph 3.35 seconds, top speed 208+ mph

If are not on the waiting list for the real deal, your best chance to carress this car may be this 1:43 scale model, yours for just 299 EUROS, exclusively from Ferrari:

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Hat Tip: Luxury Insider and Motor Authority.

OMEGA-sponsored Solar Impulse officially makes its maiden flight…

OMEGA announced yesterday:

On a perfect spring day with a clear blue sky over the Swiss town of Payerne and a dramatic Alpine panorama in the distance, the Solar Impulse prototype plane, HB-SIA, took off on its maiden flight at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.  Solar Impulse founders and co-pilots André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard followed the plane in helicopters throughout its two-hour flight. Borschberg reflected the feelings of the entire team when he said, “After almost seven years of work this is an unbelievable moment for all of us. We were fully concentrated but we were also able to enjoy this remarkable success.”  The Solar Impulse prototype, with its 63-metre wingspan and weighing only 1700 kg, was flown by test pilot Markus Scherdel.

The aircraft successfully landed after its long-awaited maiden flight with a perfect landing at the airport in Payerne after about two hours in the air. The flight proved to be emotionally charged. Bertrand Piccard commented, “I had too many tears in my eyes to see the plane! It went so silently, so softly . . . I’m overwhelmed.”

A beautiful and impressive aircraft, isn’t it?  When I consider that it is solar-powered I am even more impressed!  As you can see in the pictures, OMEGA is one of Solar Impulse’s Main Partners, and has supplied capital, technological and other support.  Of course what would such an arrangement be without a special wriswatch?  Let’s take a closer look at the Omega Solar Impulse aka the Omega Speedmaster HB-SIA Co-Axial GMT Chronograph Ref # 321.90.44.52.01.001:

Titanium case (44.25mm), black carbon fiber dial, Omega Caliber 3603 (COSC)

You may remember our friends at Hodinkee profiled this watch a year ago this month; if not, check out their article now!   Like Hodinkee, I had the opportunity to take a closer look at this watch in the awesome Omega Boutique in New York, and I can attest to its “coolness”.  As you might expect the watch is very light given its titanium case and the carbon fiber dial is a nice touch.  The caseback is also pretty cool:

Price in the boutique is $8,600 if my memory serves me right — but if you shop a bit you should be able to acquire this watch for around $6,000.

As for the Solar Impulse and its ultimate goal? Well, its team dreams that their work will one day result in the ability for man to circumnavigate the globe in a plane powered only by solar energy.  Stay tuned in at http://solarimpulse.com/.

Love the color and materials, dislike date sub-dial…

After the very sharp, very “Vacheron” looking chronograph and time-only models of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas models that were launched this time last year (see: Vacheron Constantin Overseas:  Dressed in Grey, 04/16/09), 2010 sees the launch of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time.   The watch will be available with a grey croc strap as well as a black rubber one.   The Dual Time uses Vacheron’s automatic caliber 1222 with a soft-iron antimagnetic inner case.  The price on this particular piece is likely to be in the $15,000 – $18,000 range by my estimation.

42 mm steel case, titanium “Maltese cross” inspired bezel (fantastic!), water resistance 150 meters, motif of the three-masted sailing ship “Amerigo Vespucci” engraved on the caseback

(c) The Hour Lounge

(c) The Hour Lounge

(c) The Hour Lounge

My only nit-pick about this watch is its date sub-dial –  it is quite poorly designed.  And in fact this poor design is nothing new  – no fewer than 11 different Vacheron Constantin models use this same sub-dial design.  However on this particular watch it looks even more striking in comparison to the much more minimalistic dual-time sub-dial at the 6 o’clock position.  What do I mean by poor design?  Well, as I’ve highlighted below, you can see that the days 1-31 appear very crowded on the sub-dial – and most oddly the “1″ looks like it almost got squeezed right off the dial!  Makes no sense whatsoever to me.  Sure it is a small detail, but discerning buyers of a watch of this high a caliber have good reason to obsessed with little details such as this.

Lest I end on too sour a note (particularly for those of you not familiar with the brand), I will point out  that Vacheron Constantin is one of the pre-eminent watch makers today, right up there with Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and others — generally speaking, a Vacheron Constantin is second to none!

Perpetuelle’s Authorized Dealer Interview Series #2…

In continuing with our Authorized Dealer Interview series, Perpetuelle.com Moderator James Bond recently had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Al Armstrong of Armstrong Rockwell Watches & Fine Jewelry in Hartford, CT.  Like Bond’s prior interview with Dorfman Jewelers of Boston, his discussion with Al Armstrong is equally insightful and entertaining and I wanted to take a moment to highlight it here on the blog.

One of the most interesting things I learned from the  interview is that Armstrong Rockwell was one of the very first retailers in American to carry the now very prestigious German watch brand Glashütte Original (my favorite brand!).  In addition, I always find it interesting to hear which brands a particular AD carries and why.  Armstrong Rockwell carries an interesting mix of well or fairly well-known brands – Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Hublot, Perrelet, Roger Dubuis, IWC, Glashütte Original. They also carry Urban Jurgensen & Sonner of Copenhagen, British watch brand, Dent (most famously known for the creation of Big Ben), and McGonigle Watches, a very unique, independent Irish watch brand (ran by two brothers).   I’ll leave it to you to read more about why Al Armstrong decided to carry these brands — and more — in the interview!

**Click here to read James Bond’s full interview with Al Armstrong of Armstrong Rockwell Watches & Fine Jewelery**

Finally — as I noted in the last interview, James and I would like to be able to continue this series of interviews with various leading Authorized Dealers of fine luxury watches.  If you are interested in speaking with us, please drop me a line at kyle@perpetuelle.com or James Bond at james@perpetuelle.com.  There is no cost/fee — It’s all for the love of watches!  You can think of it as a way to gain a bit of free PR and in exchange for sharing some “Authorized Dealer” insights with our audience.