Reporting from Geneva: Zenith’s New Elite 681 Ultra Thin
We’ve arrived in Geneva for SIHH 2010 and our first stop Sunday night was an event hosted by Zenith’s new CEO Jean-Fr��d��ric Dufour at the Hotel Kempinski to introduce their new line. The room was packed, and Jean-Claude Biver stopped by to lend his support. The featured model is the Elite 681 Ultra Thin. Though we have been in Geneva only a few hours, it is evident that the trend toward restrained, classic styles started in 2009 carries over to his year, and Zenith’s new model follows that mantra. It features a new ultra-thin 40mm-diameter case housing the extra-slim (3.81mm) Elite 681 self-winding caliber, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and providing a 50-hour power reserve.The case comes in a choice of 18-carat rose gold or stainless steel, while the sapphire crystal exhibition back provides a view of the movement with its tungsten oscillating weight adorned with C?tes de Gen��ve.The domed sapphire crystal has anti-reflective coating on both sides provi

In-House Made At Parmigiani Watches
The sleek Parmigiani Tonda Hemispheres and a superb 1931 Bugatti Type 50SIn our first article about my visit to Parmigiani Fleurier, we covered the history of the brand, its strong connection with restoration, and we also discussed how the company strives to keep the watchmaking and restoring trades alive.?In this second segment, we will discover what it takes to make a Parmigiani watch by taking a special tour of the "Watchmaking hub" that is behind the brand. Officially called MHF (Manufactures Horlogeres de la Fondation), it is a network of five superb manufacturing sites, all primarily owned by the Sandoz Family Foundation, the founder?of Parmigiani Fleurier.Out of the five facilities, Atokalpa SA, is responsible for most moving parts, such as gears and pinions, as well as for components of the escapement, while Elwin SA makes balance shafts and other extremely fine parts. Without them, creating a true in-house calibre would not be possible. This time, however, we will concentrate

A Look At Cartier's New Maison de Metiers d��Arts In La Chaux-de-Fonds
If, somewhere out there, there is a harmonious valley in which watch-lovers can meditate, if there is a monastery in which they can discover inner peace – then Cartier’s new Maison de Métiers d’Arts in La Chaux-de-Fonds is likely to be that Shangri-La. It’s a place where one can admire and concentrate on the meticulous effort that makes the dials of haute horology.Cartier has transformed an old barn into a state-of-the-art watchmaking facility, showroom and greeting space for guests. In doing so, they’ve fulfilled the manufacture’s goal of providing a space that blends the company’s rich history with its current innovative watchmaking techniques. 2 OF 15 The ground floor sets the mood in blending the old and the new. It’s a fusion of 18th century limestone, wood, and period furniture that provides a conversational environment for visitors. The main lobby that leads to the other floors of the facility is a modern struc

Geneva Patek Boutique Visit
Recently got back from Geneva from a watch binge... lol. We visited the Patek boutique in the city center. They had these 3 beauties! They had all of the Nautilus models to see if I wished. They were not for sale and only there so clients can try them on, but what a treat it was. The 5726 is calling my name!! I just don't know if I can endure the wait time.... The gentlemen was nice enough to take us to the 5th floor where they hold client events overlooking the lake. No pictures were allowed of the interior though. Certainly a great experience.

China's impact on the luxury watch market
I am curious what the impact of the falling Chinese economy will have on the luxury watch market. It is clear that with the falling Yuan, foreign goods are going to get more expensive for them and probably throttle the demand for luxury goods. Are we entering a period where watch prices are going to get impacted? Will the luxury watch companies cut production or reduce prices further? From Bloomberg: The response to uncertainty in the Chinese economy is falling sales. Luxury automakers have been offering discounts of up to 30%, Bloomberg News found recently.