I must confess that I had a lot of trouble finding the right format for a substantive recap of 2013 in the watchmaking industry. The chronological order is always the obvious choice, but it would dilute several issues that were spread throughout a remarkable year filled with records. Then I thought of choosing 12 main topics, each representing a month of the year. Well, a mere dozen were not enough - I needed a full 24 hours. Here they are, in random order. 01:00. Fair-y TalesWith the 2014 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie already on the horizon, it should be underlined that trade fairs, exhibitions and salons popped up like mushrooms throughout the year. The one named replica watches & Wonders, a kind of SIHH offshoot, took place in Hong Kong in late September and symbolized the importance of the Asian market. The success of the SIAR (Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería), held in Mexico, is a proof of the growing maturity of the Latin-American market. Everyone had a jolly good time at SalonQP with more than 70 brands populating London's Saatchi Gallery, whereas Belles Montres in Paris was the exception to the trend with a decrease in exhibitors. But the SIHH and Baselworld once again proved that they remain the year's biggest watchmaking summits (even if they provide the worst wi-fi connection of them all…), with a special mention for the updated facilities in Basel spectacularly authored by architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron: 122,000 visitors, 3,610 accredited media, 1,460 exhibiting brands. One setback for 2014: R. I. P Geneva Time Exhibition. Baselworld 2013. Baselworld 02:00. Rise of the SeventiesNever mind the classic looks aimed at a certain Asian clientele: for me, the single most important stylistic trait of 2013 in watchmaking was the increase in 70s-inspired reinterpretations. Being an admirer of the decade's pop culture and design, I must confess a bit of bias - but most will agree the best re-editions of classic models were indeed modelled after 70s timepieces, from Vulcain's Nautical Heritage Seventies to the recently unveiled Longines Heritage 1973. The revivalist trend we've been witnessing in the past years gained such momentum that a dedicated award was created at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve. 03:00. Raise the Bid, Drop the HammerIt was yet another extraordinary year for the auction business, with the hammer being hit with gusto throughout 2013 and most spectacularly between September and November: buying an exceptional vintage timepiece has become a favoured way of investing. On the charity side, the Only replica watch initiative totalled a staggering 6. 225 million Euro for the 33-watch lot presented - but with 3. 625 million (that's 58 per cent of the total!) paid out for the Patek Phillippe Ref 5004T. It only cemented replica patek philippe 's status as champion of the auctions, with replica rolex a clear second: the dedicated replica rolex Daytona sale amassed almost 10 million Euro and raised a lot of eyebrows for the best and worst reasons, as some sales defied common sense. Almost 1. 1 million dollars for a not so rare 6263/6239 Paul Newman? A new record for almost every random reference featured? Right afterwards, auctioneer extraordinaire Aurel Bacs stepped down as international head of Christie's replica watch department for a well-deserved sabbatical 2014. 04:00. The Russians are ComingBack during the Cold War era, 'The Russians are Coming' was a most feared announcement. In 2013, one Russian watchmaker came into the limelight and impressed many observers: Konstantin Chaykin. Some critics will label his complications as gimmicks, but I find them quite imaginative and original. The visual and sound effects on the Cinema replica watch are outstanding and the hourglass on the Carpe Diem dial is not too shabby either…05:00. Luminous ShadesOne specific element of style did shine in special fashion: SuperLuminova and its growing array of hues contributed decisively to more attractive dials, especially the military or vintage-inspired ones. Following developments already seen in recent years, 2013 showed dials with indexes and hands beautifully tinted with lume in the most varied colours, even combining them with matching straps. 06:00 Improved AppendixAny wristwatch can greatly benefit from the right choice of strap or bracelet, another area of the industry that has been gaining remarkable momentum. replica hublot and replica iwc were on top of the list with fabric (even denim!) inserts on a rubber base. NATO straps went from niche to mainstream. And most quality replica watches are now fitted with leather straps featuring rounded edges between the lugs to better follow the curve of the case. Big Bang Jeans Diamonds. replica hublot 07:00. The 'It' Material(s)In the year that saw Chanel commemorate a decade of the iconic J12, ceramics was the material par excellence in contemporary watchmaking: it looks good, it's light, comfortable, resistant, anti-corrosive, anti-allergenic, immune to brutal temperature changes and on top of that it can be polished or matte finished, providing not only a pleasant tactile appeal but also that sporty technological aura or stealthy military spirit some particular replica watches demand - as seen in new releases from replica audemars piguet to replica iwc . The other material worth mentioning is silicon: its presence in the Aiguille d'Or winning Girard-Perregaux Constant Force L. M. shows how far brands are willing to use it in the heart of their respective movements. 08:00. Rare CraftsPowerhouses such as replica cartier , Vacheron Constantin and Van Cleef & Arpels have been investing hugely in areas ranging from enamelling to engraving and hiring the best contemporary artisans to create absolute masterpieces. Likewise, many other brands showed similar recognition towards decorative handwork showcasing extraordinary dexterity, nurturing older craftsmen and training new ones capable of perpetuating ancestral techniques that a mere decade ago seemed to be a dying breed. Other companies hire small ateliers and highly talented freelancers to devote specific artistic skills to unique timepieces or limited editions. There has also been a wide range of artistic crafts featured lately in dials showing the best of miniaturization including guillochage, marquetry, stone setting, painting, sculpting and enameling, to name but a few. 09:00. Sponsorship Race2013 was quite an animated year regarding sponsorship by replica watch brands, especially in the sports department. replica rolex played a major role, as always - further cementing its stronghold in tennis (events, players) and surprising everyone by becoming Formula 1's official timekeeper… but losing out to Longines in the show-jumping discipline. Among the myriad of watch-sponsored events and athletes, it's worth mentioning the signing of soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo by Jacob & Co. , the end of the partnership between replica audemars piguet and Novak Djokovic (who seems to be 'going Japanese…) and the most relevant weight/price ratio in sports: the 19-gram Richard Mille RM 27-01 Tourbillon that accompanied Rafael Nadal back to the top of tennis, worth 625. 000 euro. 10:00. Happy Birthday to YouThe year brought a string of anniversaries! Jaeger-LeCoultre commemorated 180 years in the best shape ever (1300 employees, a turnover of 600 millions Swiss francs and probably the most complete catalogue in the business); Tissot celebrated 160 years; Seiko became a century-old producer of wristreplica replica watches ; Emile Pequignet reached the age of 40 after a complicated period; while Chronoswiss turned 30. A number of iconic models toasted significant milestones in 2013: Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms (60 years), replica rolex 's Daytona (50) replica tag heuer 's Carrera (50), Chronoswiss's Regulateur (25), replica audemars piguet 's Royal Oak Offshore and Chopard's Happy Sport (20). And the list goes on…11:00 Musical ChairsIt almost looked like the offseason in the football scene, with some of the most coveted superstars of management changing 'teams' - many within the same luxury congolomerate. The most important moves? At LVMH, Jean-Christophe Babin went from replica tag heuer to replica bvlgari , making way for Stephane Linder. At Richemont, Jer? me Lambert left his position as Jaeger-LeCoultre's CEO to head Montblanc, succeeded by Daniel Riedo. Corum's Antonio Calce doubled up as CEO of Eterna (hence also Porsche Design) for a short period of time after the acquisition of China Haidian. They were not alone in the corporate game of musical chairs…? Jean-Christophe Babin and Stephane Linder Miguel Seabra /espiral do Tempo 12:00 The Name GameOscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest showed us how important a name can be. Several timepieces were given quite interesting nametags in 2013, but was there one that could literally capture the imagination better than Chaumet's Attrape-Moi Si Tu M'Aimes Complication Creative? Maybe Boucheron's Epure Je Pense a Toi. To be continued. . .
Usually in July the weather conditions in London rarely gets higher than fifteen levels, so this several years stunning heatwave has everyone taking advantage of it! Richard Mille chose an ideal spot because of the 4th ground terrace at Harrods to host the arrival of none besides Mr Yohan Blake and the pretty to start with RM059 to arrive while in the region (which was basically becoming delivered to some consumer downstairs and presented personally by one particular of your wold's quickest guys!).
(Simply click pictures for hi-res variations)
In your marks
get set
Go!! A racing machine with a racing device about the wrist!
The RM059 Tourbillon is different to the view worn by Blake through the 2012 Olympics in London. As opposed to the modified RM038 inside of a unique colour scheme (that real look at is being auctioned at OnlyWatch in Monaco this September, FYI) the 059 has a absolutely option aesthetic. You may have in all probability study all in regards to the uneven carbon nanotube circumstance and bridges manufactured to resemble claw marks of 'The Beast', but really it absolutely was not easy to visualise this enjoy effectively right until I saw it in human being.
It is really hella environmentally friendly, but male it appears to be hella awesome over the wrist too! I used to be really a person in the individuals who did not just take on the view after i noticed the press launch photographs, but in man or woman it seems to be lots superior! With the rate (circa ?330k +) it really is not gonna be described as a piece that may make it really is way on to everyone's wrist, but for the million/billionaire in the summer driving all around MonteCarlo/Dubai/Beverly Hills in a very matching lime eco-friendly Lamborghini it will be a showstopper, and truly only a few makers can execute a f*cked up crazy strategy and ensure it is as cool as Richard Mille can!
I am going to leave you with a few more photographs of the party. Have a very wonderful weekend!! :D
Yohan on Instagram tho ;)
Inform me that doesn't search summertime high-quality!