Looks like it was a fun event…wish I could have been there.

Watch the video here – Hublot in Hong Kong

More importantly, if it does go to Mars, will it make it back?!? 

Sorry Omega fans, but it looks like Fortis could be the new King of Space (space watches, that is) if this mission is successful! But don’t worry, its probably a couple decades away at best!

Above is an image on the homepage of the Mars 500 Mission microsite created by Fortis

It has been said by the European Space Agency Directorate of Human Spaceflight:  “To go to Mars is still a dream and one of the last gigantic challenges. But one day some of us will be on precisely that journey to the Red Planet. A journey with no way out once the spaceship is on a direct path to Mars.”

On March 31 began the simulation of a trip to Mars for 105 days, a Russian project sponsored by Fortis. Entitled Mars 500, the simulation is to test the physical and psychological effects caused by long periods of isolation. The crew, in a closed compartment of a spacecraft, will face situations likely to occur in any trip, such as difficulties in communicating with central control, among others. Recognized for its efficiency in aero-space projects, Fortis watches accompany the astronauts on this adventure.

500 days to Mars
Today, it is estimated that a trip to Mars would take at least 500 days and that the astronauts would be subject to high levels of radiation. The Russian authorities said there could be an experiment this year, but an actual journey may not occur until 2030.

I highly recommend you check out the special website created by Fortis which has more information about the Mars 500 Mission and the Limited Edition Fortis watch being used!

Technical Specifications
LIMITED EDITION MARS 500
FORTIS B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS
DAY/ DATE TITANIUM
Reference 658.27.81
Case No. 658.27.158

Movement
Automatic 2836-2, 11 1/2 ”’, 25 jewels
28,800 semi-vibrations per hour
fine timing device and Incabloc shock absorber

Function
hour, minute, center-stop-second
day/date indication bilingual English and German

Case
titanium, three-parts, 42 mm case diameter
MARS 500 edition logo engraved on the side
unidirectional turning bezel black with 60-minute scale (120 divisions)
Superluminova capsule at pos. 12 h
sapphire crystal anti-reflective coating on both sides
rubber coated crown
screw-down titanium case back individually numbered
water-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

Dial/Hands
black matte, status of limitation marked red at pos. 9 h flange with hour-scale 13 to 24 h triangles at pos. 3 h next to the day and date indication illustrating the direction of rotating the crown for quick adjustment hands, arabic numerals and indices with Superluminova white orange center-stop-second-hand with luminous dot

Attachment
rubber strap with folding clasp steel, brushed

Special Features
limited edition MARS 500 mission logo engraved on the side of the case, 2012 pieces
rubber coated crown with FORTIS crown logo, case back embossed with the emblems of the Russian space authorities
FSA Roscosmos and Cosmonauts Training Center Star City

Packaging
leather box, MARS 500 patch, pouch, instruction manual
international warranty card, certificate of limitation

Reference
658.27.81 K rubber strap with folding clasp
658.27.81 L 01 leather strap black
658.27.81 M titanium bracelet
Option brushed steel folding clasp for leather strap

Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver’s passion – for Hublot, for fine watches, for innovation, for life – never ceases to amaze me.  In fact it is something I find myself drawing inspiration from whenever I get to see him in action.  I’ve never met the guy, but I can only imagine the charisma and vitality that he exudes.  It’s surely much better than experiencing it through a YouTube video.

But I’ll let the video speak for itself – I hope you enjoy this very personal peek into the workings of one of the watch industry’s greatest ambassadors, Mr. Jean-Claude Biver:

Some “summer news” out today from Vacheron Constantin.  The Geneva-based manufacture Vacheron Constantin is presenting two new Overseas models this year: an Automatic and an Automatic Chronograph. It has opted for sophisticated and trendy grey, giving full scope to this popular colour with a slate grey dial, mouse grey strap, anthracite grey titanium bezel, and steel grey case. An exclusive and elegant combination of tones that suffers no rivalry from any other colour.   These are a couple of great looking watches that you can see and read more about below, courtesy of VC.

The Overseas, a reinterpretation of a 1933 model and of the 222 made in 1977, was launched by Vacheron Constantin in 1996. Dynamic, sporty and dedicated to travel, this new line quickly became the faithful companion of globetrotting enthusiasts looking for technical and aesthetic excellence. With their clean, naturally elegant lines, these highly technical products became an instant hit. The strong invitation to travel is conveyed today by the whole collection, whose appeal lies in its classical and dynamic character, remarkable functionality and exemplary legibility.

In 2004, Vacheron Constantin launched a new generation of the Overseas line, one that was resolutely more sporty and modern. It included a men’s model, a ladies’ model and a chronograph model, all in steel. The cases were slightly larger and a new bracelet of half Maltese cross links was developed.

In 2006, to celebrate the line’s 10th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin presented the Dual Time, an extremely useful function for busy travellers.

In 2009, Vacheron Constantin introduced titanium in its Overseas line in two new models: the Automatic and the Automatic Chronograph. The steel case, titanium bezel and slate grey dial gave the watch a particularly sporty and elegant character. The manufacture also used titanium in 2008 in its Quai de l’Ile collection.

Titanium was discovered in 1791 by the Reverend William Gregor, a British mineralogist and chemist, and named after the Titans in Greek mythology. An industrial production process was developed in 1939 by a metallurgist and chemist from Luxembourg, Wihelm Justin Kroll. Titanium is a light, bluish grey metal that is resistant to corrosion, erosion and fire. It is widely used in the aeronautics, aerospace, chemical and medical industries and recently in the watch industry where it is used for its contemporary look, imposing and original quality, and light weight (density 40% lower than steel), all perfectly in line with the expectations of new customers of technical Haute Horlogerie.

The cases of these two new models, each with a generous diameter of 42 mm, incorporate all the identifying features of the Overseas collection: sleek lines, a bezel inspired by the Maltese cross, hourmarkers and screwed-down pushpieces for the chronograph version, white luminescent hourmarkers, water resistance to a depth of 15 ATM, the equivalent of 150 metres, and, of course, the emblematic Overseas motif of the three-masted sailing ship, the Amerigo Vespucci, engraved on the caseback.

Besides its classic hours, minutes and seconds functions, the Overseas Chronograph has two counters – 30 minutes at 3 o’clock and 12 hours at 9 o’clock – and an oversized date window below 12 o’clock.

The automatic mechanical movement – the 1226 calibre for the mechanical model, the 1137 calibre for the chronograph – is enclosed in soft iron which gives it 100% protection from the all-pervading effects of magnetism that can affect the rate and precision of a watch.

Every watch is delivered with two straps, one in mouse grey alligator, the other in black rubber.

Luxury watchmaker Perrelet introduced several new and impressive watch collections at BASELWORLD  2009.  One of them is the TURBINE collection, which was featured here on Perpetuelle.com a few days ago.  After seeing photos of this watch I was instantly intrigued.  Now Perrelet has released a short video clip with a little bit of flair and also a brief idea of how the watch looks in action.  The one potential shortcoming of this watch that I noticed is that the hands appear difficult to read against the slatted rotor background – but this seems like a problem easily fixed with some appropriately colored hands.  Anyway, please enjoy this video and then jump on over to Perpetuelle’s Baselworld Forum to see more!

OMEGA recently opened its 51st boutique on the prestigious Fifth Avenue in New York, NY and it got me thinking, much like my friend RJ at Fratellowatches who recently opined on a similar topic.

This follows the opening of seven flagship stores in 2008 which were complemented by 20 more franchise stores.  In 2008, OMEGA’s 50th boutique in Westfield, London marked the achievement of the brand’s ambitious target of opening 50 boutiques, located in the world’s most desirable retail locations, devoted exclusively to OMEGA products and including a range of Omega products not available anywhere else.  OMEGA’s first flagship store was opened in Zurich, Switzerland in December 2000.

OMEGA will maintain its strategy of supporting its corporate and franchise boutiques with high-profile independent points of sale throughout the world, ensuring that every customer benefits from competent, OMEGA-trained sales consultation and after-sales service.  Like my friend RJ at Fratellowatches who recently opined on a similar topic, I wonder what is the impetus for this trend of brands owning their own boutiques.

I certainly have my ideas, and I will elaborate in a future post.

Kyle

Watch the film, guess who will win the duel and enter to win prestigious prizes from Tag Heuer ! Contest details and entry link here.

Glashütte Original has prepared a nice video slide-show of its new novelties revealed at Baselworld 2009.  This is a nice 5:44 clip which is set to some nice soft Jazz and other music   This is a brand that continues to impress me, year after year, with its original and beautiful design concepts and “Made in Germany” craftsmanship.

Here’s the video, and don’t forget you can check out hundreds more new watches in photo and Video from this year’s show on the #1 Baselworld Forum on the Internet, Perpetuelle.com!

I applauded JLC for being the first major watch brand to set up its own YouTube Channel, and until now the videos posted on jaegerlecoultreclub have been at least somewhat entertaining and informative. But after watching this one, I couldn’t help but wonder “what was Jaeger-LeCoultre thinking?” This video is a mix of cheesy music, some awkward “silent” actors/models, and oh yea, a few sub-par wrist shots of what appear to be Jaeger-LeCoultre watches (but only recognizable if you actually pause the video). It is with great pain I share this video with you:

I’m all for watch brands embracing online media, and Jaeger-LeCoultre does seem to be a bit ahead of the pack in this regard, but this move is a big Thumbs Down in my book and something I would expect from some second-rate grey market dealer. Better luck next time, JLC!