History in The Making

Today I'll be going over the history of Vacheron Constantin.

Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest watch manufacturers being founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron.

Today Vecheron Constanting is part of the Richmont Group.

Vacheron Constantin has a small employee scale compared to that of Rolex, it only employs about 400 people world wide.

Vacheron Constantin made their first complication in 1770, 9 years after the first engine turned dial was invented by this marvelous company.

The name Vacheron Constantin came to be in around 1819 when then owner Jaques-Barthèlemy realized he needed help running the growing company. François Constantin became his assosiate and tats how Vacheron & Constantin came to have its name.

The watchmaking company has a motto and it states "Do better if possible and that is always possible".

In 2003 Vacheron Constantin introduced a new sports line called Overseas, and a collection called Egérie, the first to include watches for women.

In 2004 Vacheron Constantin opened its new headquarters and manufacture in Plab-les-Ouates, Geneva.

The Richmont Group named Juan Carlos Torres as the CEO of the company in October 2005. Vacheron Constantin is considered to be company that was able to create one of the most complicated wristwatches in the world entitled Tour de I'lle. It was created in 2005 to mark the anniversary of 250 years of Vacheron Constantin. The watch includes 834 parts and 16 horological complications. It was only available through the Vacheron Constantin shop in Geneva, Switzerland and sold for more than $1 million.

In 2007 Vacheron Constantin introduced the Metiers d'Art 'Les Masques' collection of timepieces featuring miniature reproductions of primitive art masks. The company selected twelve masks from a private museum collection and reproduced the masks on a small scale. The miniaturized masks are featured in the dial center of every watch from the 'Les Masques' collection.

See More of the Metiers d'Art 'Les Masques    More of Metier d'Art collection

Vacheron Consantin sells about 20,000 timepieces a year today.

Optic Marvel

Harry Winston Opus 11

Today I am writing about the Harry Winston Opus 11! It definitely has one of the most unique watch displays that I've seen so far.

The Opus 11 is limited edition with only 111 in the world.

The case, available in white gold, surrounds a sapphire-crystal dome.

The watch reminds me of a phoropter, the instrument used by an eye physician to check your vision.

The main circle (above) is where the hour is displayed with the peculiar, yet amazing arrangement.

The number in the middle of the hour circle gets reassembled every hour, then remains still for the next 60 minutes. 

There are 24 placards, that move and rotate to display the number in the center.

The top right circle (above) displays the minutes on a jumping disk for the tens place and a running disk for the individual units. An indicator points at the current time.

The bottom right circle (above) shows the beat of a big titanium balance-wheel.

The Opus 11 includes:

24 conical pinions

155 jewels 

566 components

The power reserve lasts for 48 hours until the crown on the top left corner has to be wound again.

The Opus 11 looks wonderful paired with a black leather strap.

Here is a video on YouTube of the Opus 11 that I stumbled upon:

The way the numbers rotate and assemble is completely ingenious!

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Thank you for reading ladies and gentlemen! 

(-Priscilla)

Now This Is A Complication

Frank Muller Aeternitas Mega 4

With 36 complications the Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 is one of the most complex timepieces ever.

This stunning timepiece has 25 complications visible.

This timepiece has a monstrous 1,483 components with 99 Jewels.

Arguably the most complicated wrist watch ever made this timepiece fetches a price of 2.7 million USD

Calibre FM 3480 QPSE

Frank Muller

"Mechanic Tourbillon, Carillon Westminster on 4 hammers and 4 gongs, Chronograph with fly-back mechanism and only one push-piece, Perpetual Calendar Secular, Equation of time, Two additional time zones, Automatic self-winding mechanism for the movement and the Westminster carillon."

This movement measures 34.4 mm x 41.4 mm x 13.65 mm

Which might seem large but taking count of sheer amount of components and complications is actually small.

This amazing Movement also has a power reserve of 3 days/strike 24 hours.

18,000 VPH

You can see this timepiece in 3 different models below!

Heres a bit more on what Frank Muller has to say about this outstanding timepiece

AETERNITAS MEGA 4

"The Aeternitas Mega – the most complicated wrist-watch - is the pinnacle of success in the art of watch-making in terms of complexity and complications. A grandiose work of art culminating in the design of the most complex wrist-watch ever made in the world thanks to the multifaceted skills of our watch-makers and constructors. Each of the 1,483 components was designed to give the watch an elegant design in the pure traditions of the old “cadraturiers” of the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. This watch inspires countless emotions and make it simply unique in the eyes of lovers in the art of fine mechanics and luxury watch making.

From the very beginning, the Mega was incorporated into the Aeternitas project and is, indeed, the culmination of this project. The Aeternitas Mega 4 is the only “Grand Sonnerie” time-keeper in which the Tourbillon is visible on the dial side, which limits the space available for the “Grand Sonnerie” mechanism and thus makes the design even more complicated.

The glass sapphire case back enables the harmoniously chiselled and decorated pieces that overlap to be admired in a stunning combination as a dazzling ballet. This masterpiece was entirely designed and manufactured by the Franck Muller group and once again demonstrates their vast array of skills and ability in the Art of Haute Horlogerie."

As you can see they have a lot to say about their timepiece and who wouldn't this timepiece is truly a milestone in Frank Mullers great history.

This magnificent timepiece is made in 3 different styles

All with a Case Dimensions of  42.00 mm x  61.00 mm x  19.15mm 

A Hand Sewn Alligator Strap

3 ATM Water Resistance which is about 30 meters.

Display: Hours, Minutes, 24 hours, Chronograph, Fly-back, Minutes counter, 

hour counter retrograde, two time zones, Movement power reserve 

Display of the chime: Grande or petite chime 

Chime or silence 

Chime power reserve 

Perpetual calendar display: Date retrograde, Day, Month, Year, Leap year (cycle of 4 years), no 

leap year (cycle of 100 years), leap year (cycle of 400 years), Equation 

of time 

Cintrée Curvex 8888

 18 carat white gold

Dial: Sun-stamped lacquered white dial with black Arabic numerals 

Cintrée Curvex 8888 

18 carat white gold 

Full set baguettes red rubies

Dial: Sun-stamped lacquered white dial with black Arabic numerals 

Cintrée Curvex 8888 

18 carat white gold with black PVD treatment 

Dial: Sun-stamped lacquered black dial with red Arabic numerals 

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The Four Corners of The World!

The Four Corners of The World!

This is a video Vacheron Constantin Released in 2011 and I found it very interesting so I thought I'd share it with you guys.

Part of their Métiers d'Art collection Vacheron brings are and history into this collections and integrates them into their timepieces making marvelous creations. These are just four that have been released throughout the years.

Vacheron Constantin

"These are truly works of art that demonstrate the talent and outstanding expertise of the company's  master craftsmen over the years."

I wrote another blog about this collection previous that you can go read

Another artful collection

I am very fond of this collection because it takes many things into count.

History, culture, living , and many other things.

Not to mention the way they integrate it into their timepiece to make something completely new.

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The Celestial

Today will be the first Saturday blog I've ever done, to start off I would like to recommend WatchFacts.com

Watch Facts is the carfax of the watch industry they certify that a timepiece you have bought has not been stolen and of course if its all original.

Ok so lets start this off my beloved watch lovers.

Today I will be speaking about another timepiece I dream to have.

It is a Patek Philippe Grand complication

Quick fact Patek Philippe made the first wrist watch in 1868

The grand complication was the celestial particularly ref 6102

A dream upon the stars, yes indeed this timepiece is.

This timepiece is a start gazer to say it can be looked at just like the beautiful night sky.

Patek Philippe uses their 240 mechanical movement on this timepiece.

Illustrating the hours and minutes of solar time

a beautiful sky chart with the phases as well as the orbit of the moon.

It gives you the time of the meridian passage of Sirius and moon.

And a hand for your date.

Composed of 315 components 45 jewels

with a diameter of 44 mm

It has power reserve of 38-48 hours and produces 21,600 vph

Of course the name Patek Philippe is respecting in the watch industry but they always seem to take simplicity and complication one step closer.

This timepiece is truly something that shines but without all the aesthetics other watchmakers use

Patek Philippe instead uses a beautiful dial with outstanding functions to capture the attention of anyone just how the full moon catches your eye in the night sky.

Truly exceptional.

I truly admire Patek Philippes work and especially this timepiece.

I truly do believe they try to simplify the complicated and make it into something magnificent.

They use a shiny navy alligator strap with square scales that goes perfectly with the color scheme of the timepiece.

I'm short on time today since it is my birthday so I'll had to make this one short.

Remember I will gladly accept any of my dream watches as a gift.

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The Equation of Time

 Audemars Piguet

Ladies and gentlemen I present one of my dream watches.

Ok so I need to gain some self control, I musn't sell all my belongings to acquire this beauty.

But it truly is hard to resist with this timepiece.

This time piece is named Jules Audemars Equation of Time.

It's prices arounf a $100,000 (anyone know where I can finance this watch for maybe 10-20 years with 0% interest? no? ok I will continue to with my crazy fantasies.)

The exquisite Jules Audemars Equation of Time has a case with of 43 mm

with a thickness of 11.7 mm.

Water Resistance: 20m (Go swimming in this beauty? oh no no)

The dial has gold applied Roman Numerals in Pink,Yellow and White as well as the hands.

There is also a skeleton version that of course has no numerals but has platinum hands.

With a caliber 2120/2808

Glare Proofed Sapphire crystal on both the back and front.

The case comes in a variety of options, Platinum, Pink Gold, Yellow Gold, or White Gold.

It comes with a matching buckle as well and a Hand-stitched «large square scale» crocodile strap.

This Watch was made in such perfection that it is truly hard to decide between which style looks better.

The beautiful movement consist of 423 components many of which are made of 21 karat gold as well as 41 jewels.

Giving this timepiece a power reserve of 40 hours

This timepiece is very accurate thanks to the 41 jewels.

This Watch does it all as well sunrise and sunset times, equation of time, perpetual calendar, astronomical moon, hours, minutes

Now my beloved watch that isn't on my wrist as of today (Probably won't be anytime soon)

is so special it has its own movie.

Yup a watch with its own movie and no I don't mean the 3 minute videos other watches.

This timepiece got a full 15 minutes.

They effensiced the equation of time feature very well.

For those of you who don't know what that is its

the difference between "true" solar time (that of Nature) and "mean" solar time (that of Man). 

The video and the entire collection of watches will be below.

If anyone has one and doesn't want it I will take it out of your hands no hassles.

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Anyone want to make a young mans dream come true and give this watch to him as a gift, in fact it is my birthday tomorrow and this would be the perfect gift.

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Silvered dial with yellow gold numerals hands and case with a brown strap

Silvered Dial with White gold numerals hands and case with a black strap

Silvered Dial with rose gold numeral hands and case with  abrown

Vacheron Constantin Shows Us The Beauty Of Skeleton Movements

Another SIHH watch this one is from Vacheron Constantin

Before I go on I must admit I am very fond of skeleton movements.

But this one is truly eye catching.

                 Vacheron Constantin MÉTIERS D'ART 

This skeleton movement features Roman Numerals in a very extravagant fashion.

It comes with an external ring which can be either Black,Grey, or Blue; Which are made of Grand Feu opaque enameled 

The Movement has been detailed by hand it is a caliber 4400 SQ and is only 2.8 mm thick and 

consist of 127 parts with 21 jewels.

It produces 28,800 Vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of about 65 hours.

The casing is only 7.5 mm thick and has a diameter of 40 mm and is made of 18k white gold

It comes with an alligator Mississippiensis strap with an 18k white gold buckle.

The watch is water resistant up to about 30 meters.

 If viewing the front of the movement wasn't enough for you no worries, it has a see-through sapphire crystal.

The detail that went to this timepiece is exceptional.

It was hand engraved with such detail its hard to imagine how much time and how delicate it must have been.

 All 3 colors of this model are spectacular and very flashy.

This timepiece tells hours and minutes and you can see every part in the movement bring those actions to live.

Vacheron Constantin truly did great work with this skeleton movement and have made into a piece of art that you can wear and admire on your wrist.

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JLC Counters Gravity Affects, SIHH Jaeger-LeCoultre

JLC Counters Gravity Affects, SIHH Jaeger-LeCoultre 

SIHH is one of my favorite watch events.

My last few post have been about watches released at the SIHH 

This next post will be about.. yes.. another.. watch released at the SIHH

Don't worry guys I'll review watches that come in to us later.

But come on SIHH releases some of the most magnificent watches one can lay their eyes on.

But today I'll be covering 2 Jaeger-LeCoultre

We'll start with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Sphérotourbillon

The Spherotourbillon is part of the Duometre line, a line in which all watches use the Dual Wing concept this concept to put simply uses two power sources one for your time keeping and the other for your regulation and complication needs.

This watch will be sold in very limited quantities, 75 in platinum and an unknown amount of rose gold but it'll be limited as well as stated by Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO. 

Ok so lets explain why there is a Dual Wing concept.

In a watch when you use its features a certain amount of power is used to support them, this can affect your normal features.

Let me show another world example imagine you're on your computer it has say 8 GB and you have your platform and start up programs that use up say 3 GB (That's a lot for just a platform and startup programs I know) then you open a video editing program that uses 4.5 GB you'll notice that your operation on your basic platform might slow down, this is essentially the same for watches.

To resolve this they gave the complication and regulation its own power source so it won't affect the normal time keeping of the timepiece.

Seeing the image above of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Sphérotourbillon

You can see there are two mainspring sections one labeled Hours/Minutes the other labeled Regulator.

Separating the power source assures high accuracy 

But just to take it a step further in accuracy they used a dual-axis, dual cage tourbillon on a 20° incline.

The fact that it uses two axis means the tourbillon can counteract gravity in a large magnitude of positions.

To make this watch even more exact they've added a flyback seconds button at 2 o'clock which resets your seconds without stopping the watch.

 The Watch has a 382 movement which consist of 460 parts with a 50 hour power reserve.

Jaeger-LeCoultre says the following about their timepiece

"An authentic revolution in the field of Grande Complication models, the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon, stemming from almost 180 years of history and invention unique to Jaeger-LeCoultre, is equipped withan unprecedented multi-axis tourbillon. In addition to the axis of its carriage, the Sphérotourbillon has a second axis inclined at 20° and thereby freeing it from the effects of gravity in all positions. The revolutionary `Dual-Wing` concept featured in Calibre 382 once again paves the way for an original function and makes this exceptional model the first tourbillon watch that is precisely adjustable thanks to the small seconds flyback system."

The watch is beautiful and unique.

on the dial you will find two power reserve indicators.

A Date feature around the hour and minute indicator

A second indicator as well as a dual time feature.

Of course your able to see the beautiful tourbillon on the face of the watch.

Look below to see the The Rose Gold Model and White Gold Model as well as a special model that seems to have a night sky dial which I loved.

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Retonde de Cartier

Retonde de Cartier

When I saw the following image I was left breathless.

Cartier have created a jaw dropping timepiece that makes jaws drop to the floor. They names it Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire. Designed like a stadium in rows and with the center stage being the (Ask Watchmaker).
This piece is truly admirable.
The "Cartier Stadium" is set up as follows.
Upper Level: Date display
Mid Level: Month Display
Ground Level: Day Display
Now I've seen a good amount of perpetual calendars but none like this. Cartier has redesigned the perpetual calendar into something new. Something that you look at and become lost in because you scan the watch in and out, out and in. But even with this marvelous designed they've made it easy to read.
The display windows is what I like to call a "Cartier Blue"  that is easy to spot.
But it goes much further than that, Cartier have redesigned the manual adjustments of this timepiece.
Changing the Date/Day/Month on a perpetual calendar can be hard as well as risky since you can over-wound the watch. But Cartier has changed that, just like how you would change your hour/minute on your normal watch using the crown you can do so with the Date/Day/Month features on this timepiece.
Cartier has essentially taken the perpetual calendar to the next level.

On the back of this timepiece you can see a leap year indicator.
With a a sapphire crystal back case you can see the amazing movement working.

Cartier states the following "The Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendar watch revolutionizes the perpetual calendar in terms of function and appearance. Its innovative design has produced a three-dimensional concentric display of the day, date and month. A flying tourbillon, rotating once every minute, occupies center-stage. Fine watchmaking connoisseurs will be sure to appreciate the ease of correcting the settings with the crown and admire the fine finishing of this “Poinçon de Genève” certified watch which is fitted with a 9459 MC mechanical self-winding movement."


The case is Platinum and measures 45 mm 15.1 mm thick and the watch is Automatic of course. The crown is Platinum and has a Sapphire Cabochon to decorate it.A silver galvanized guilloche dial with a silvered grid and black Roman numeral and of course the sword shape in a "Cartier Blue". It comes standard with a black alligator strap double folding buckle that is made of 18k white gold. The "stadium" (Perpetual Calendar) with of course the tourbillon complicatio. The watch is also certified "Poincon de Geneve". The movement consist of 382 parts inclduing 51 jewels, the movement itself it 32 mm and 8.1 mm thick. There is 21,600 vibrations occuring every hour and has a power reserve of about 50 hours, water resistant up to 30 m.

This is truly a magnificent timepiece and my respect goes out to Cartier for being innovative, yet maintaining the essence of watchmaking.

Remember Swiss Watchmakers offers Cartier Watch Repair

Watch Repairs

Today I'll be sharing a few repairs with you one that I fell in love with

A nice Rolex and its Date indicator that is in for service. You can see it with its date indicator removed below it also shows the beautiful black dial.

As we continue you can see more and more of the Rolex parts, I honestly enjoy just seeing every little part and envisioning  how when all put together each part works with one another to keep accurate time and show you your date all in a classy style.

  The next repair displayed below is an IWC that I fell in love with. To be specific I fell in love with the dial.The way the hour indicators are shown is simply mesmerizing indicating your year and month on it/perpetual calendar. 7 day Power Reserve and of course the moon phase that is very flashy

                                                            

If you'd like to send in your watch to us for a repair simply go to our site SwissWatchLand.com, fill out the form and send us your timepiece we will maintain contact with you throughout the process.

Watches for sale

I am very proud to announce that Swiss Watchmakers not only services fine timepieces but also sells them now.
Check out our new page http://swisswatchland.com/watch-sales/

We will be adding new time pieces as time goes on. We will also be accepting what I would like to call "hunts".

What is a "hunt"?

Well if you want a certain time piece you tell us and we hunt it down for you and give you a price on the desired time piece. (We may not always be able to find the time piece and holy high-end time pieces will be available for "hunt").

Want to send in a watch to us for repair? Want a review on your time piece as well? Visit us at SwissWatchLand and fill out the form or give us a call 305-377-4837

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The next blog will be back to reviewing timepieces so stay tuned!

Apple and Watches?

Today at the workshop it was all about Apple's and watches.

Not edible apples but the new Apple Iphones

Questions flew around about the new Iphones and watches were being repaired.

Apple and watches, watches and Apple.

Soon we'll be repairing Apple watches the iWatch (which actually might end up being a tv)

But no seriously Apple might be a luxury brand but it isn't quite the same as the art that luxury watch brands can bring to the table.

Just take a look at this beautiful timepiece.

"It is the most impressive watch in the industry the craftsmanship quality the design is very simple they've been making the watch for 30 years as far as the quality of the parts there is nothing better it's always a privileged to work on these watches, they are truly beautiful pieces"- Patrick Desbiolles

Want to send in a watch to us for repair? Want a review on your time piece as well? Visit us at SwissWatchLand and fill out the form or give us a call 305-377-4837

 Patek-Philippe. iPhone 5s is currently Apple's highest end phone. Patek-Philippe is the same in the watch world. You can't go higher than this.

This is Patek's Reference 3970.

www.SwissWatchLand.Com 

Rolex & Omega Watch Repair starting at $369  Luxury quartz starting at $200

The prices shown are for full service

 and refinishing of the time piece

Lets take a moment to admire the dial. I personally love Patek Philippe Dials, Classy and simple nothing too crazy.
A perpetual chronograph that is perfected in every single part.

Swiss Watchmakers is located in the historic Dupont building. 169 E Flagler Street suite #1032 Miami FL 33131

Just like the new iPhone this time piece is in a league of its own it brings simplicity of art to a new level. It can do everything you need it to do in a simple design.

Apple and Patek-Philippe are at the top in their own perspective. Both making amazing pieces.

Patek Philippe 315

Today I got a chance to see Fabio service a Patek Philippe with a 315 movement.
I took a few snaps and I got some of him putting on the balance.
The watch was completely serviced including refinishing of all the screws.

 Swiss Watchmakers is based in Miami Florida in the historic Dupont Building.
169 E Flagler Street Suite 1032 Miami FL 33131

All Watchmakers in our facility are certified licensed

 and are perfectionist  

They take great care to detail.

In these Pictures we can see Fabio putting the balance on the Patek Philippe.

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