Showing at WatchTime IBG 2014: Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique
WatchTime and noted watch collector and expert Jeff Kingston have teamed up again for the 2014 edition of the popular Inside Basel.Geneva series of collector events, kicking off tomorrow night, September 5, in Chicago. Among the core sponsoring watch brands is Breguet, which will showcase its Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5377 at the events.The Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5377, which the brand says is the world’s thinnest self-winding tourbillon watch, comes in either a platinum or rose-gold case that measures 42 mm in diameter and an astoundingly slender 7 mm thick. Its movement, manufacture Caliber 581DR, is only 3 mm thick. The off-centered tourbillon carriage is made of titanium and protected by a number of patents. The movement is also fitted with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring and an escapement made of silicon and a special non-magnetic steel. Also notable are the movement’s high energy barrel, which provides a

Parmigiani Invests Nearly $20 Million in Vaucher Manufacturing Facility
Parmigiani has announced the opening of its nearly $20 million state-of-the-art Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier facility near its headquarters in Fleurier. The new facility provides about 75,000 square feet for Parmigiani’s movement production, finishing and assembly. Parmigiani manufactures all its components within its own facilities. The new Vaucher workshop also provides a wide range of components and services to many of the most recognized names in haute horlogerie. Founded in 1996 by Michel Parmigiani, master watchmaker, designer, and restoration expert, with the support of the Sandoz Family Foundation, Parmigiani Fleurier SA is a recognized leader in the production of top-tier components for luxury timepieces, and they are among the few Swiss watchmaking houses that insists on finishing each watch completely by hand.

Cartier Calibre Diver Watch
Ready to dive in style? If you had to ask me what Cartier watch I'd want it would probably be something in the Calibre collection. If you had to ask me what Cartier watch I'd want and budget was not an issue, it would probably be the Calibre de Cartier Astrotourbillon. A few years ago in 2010 when the Calibre collection was released, it was to be the brand's new flagship men's model in a round case that also featured the brand's new in-house movement (the caliber 1904MC). While not without its quirks, I enjoyed it right away and the collection became a success.The original Calibre (reviewed here) was followed up with the Calibre Chronograph from 2013, and for 2014 Cartier will release the Calibre Diver. Here I was expecting the Calibre GMT for 2014 and instead I am surprised with a diver. I am not complaining. Watch lovers like me go gaga for divers and each luxury brand should have one. The idea of a luxury diver is less about actually diving, and more about the idea that you can comb

Bring a Loupe: A Heuer That Tracks The Tides, An IWC With A Compass, A Patek With Removable Lugs, And Many Others
This week's Bring A Loupe will focus on quirky watches, and explain the special something that makes each stand out from the standard production of the brand. Among the beautiful oddities featured, you will discover an interesting Patek with removable lugs and an IWC that hides a compass. This is your Bring A Loupe for November 13, 2015. The IWC Compass Reference 3510A, True Tool Watch With A Twist 1 OF 11 The Compass model was launched in 1978 as a collaboration between Porsche Design and IWC; it offered a very astute way to combine a compass and an automatic movement. Detailed R&D – yielding six patents – was necessary to properly shield the movement from the compass' magnetism and allow a swift opening of the top part to reveal the compass underneath. As a result, the watch is obviously thick – 12 mm – but the 39 mm case size partly makes up for that. In addition, it is divinely light, having been manufactured in both aluminu

The new Baselworld 2008 Omegas!!! WHOA!!!!!!!!!
Guys... WHOA!!!!!! I'm amazed, flabbergasted and what have you... the new Ωs that were presented over at Basel are just WHOA, WHOA... Here are the NEW Aqua Terra models...!!!!!They feature last year's gorgeous in-house movement, the great 8500/8501 Finally...!!! A sporty watch with the new movement!!! YES, YES, YEEEES!!! And here... a re-creation of the so-called Alaska Speedmaster of the early 1970s...I know, I've recently said that I was fed-up with all the limited editions they came out over the past few years... but THIS!!!! This is something else!!! I'm drooling all over the place!!!! I'm skipping work... going to the Omega boutique right now to put my name down for it (or them)... I mean it!!! Wow... Now this was the piece of BaselWorld news that really made it for me! Running now...