Hot on the heels of last year’s Defy El Primero 21, a high-frequency chronograph capable of measuring hundredths of a second, and the Defy Lab, the most accurate watch on our planet with a pioneering oscillator, 2018 sees the launch of Zenith’s Defy Zero G. Equipped with its proprietary ‘Gravity Control’ module, the Defy Zero G fleshes out Zenith’s nascent Defy collection and stages a hypnotic, gravity-busting show on deck.
If the early El Primero watches (the ref. A386 in particular), fitted with one of the very first automatic chronograph movements, are certainly the most iconic pieces produced by the Le Locle-based manufacture, another watch has gained quite some fame recently: the Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Cairelli. Already reissued in 2016 in a limited edition, some new, non-limited versions of the Cairelli-inspired watch have been presented, with exotic materials and a new flyback function – quite relevant for a pilot chronograph. Meet the new Zenith Pilot Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Flyback, with Bronze or Aged-Steel case.
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury group, recorded revenue of EUR 42.6 billion in 2017, an increase of 13% over the previous year. The group also shows a sustained growth in organic revenue, with a 12% increase. The group profit is up 18%, at EUR 8,293 million. All business divisions recorded double-digit organic growth, with the exception of Wines and Spirits. For what is our main concern here, the watchmaking industry, LVMH (owner, among others, of TAG Heuer, Hublot, Zenith and Bulgari) reports an ‘Excellent year for Bvlgari and good progress at Hublot and TAG Heuer’.
The end of the year is close, so it is time, before 2018 starts, to recap what happened in 2017. Yesterday, we looked at the industry and the 5 main highlights of the year. Today, we move back to watches, with the 5 pieces that created most conversations. Controversial, innovative, unexpected or loved… There were some great pieces in 2017 and these 5 are the ones that, for us, should be remembered. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. Please share with us in the comment section which watches made an impression on you.
In mechanical engineering, compliant mechanisms (monolithic or joint-less structures) are flexible mechanisms that transfer an input force or displacement to another point through elastic body deformation, using the elastic properties of matter to affect the motion of mechanical components. These monolithic, compact and precise components replace several mechanically assembled parts. The absence of mechanical coupling eliminates contact, play, friction, wear, lubrication or dispersions.
One of the earliest metals known to man – bronze – refers to a wide range of copper alloys, usually with tin as the main additive. Because it is strong and tough, bronze is mostly used to craft tool watches. It was used in boat fittings – prior to stainless steel – because of its resistance to saltwater corrosion. It oxidizes but only on its outer layer, and that greenish layer protects the metal from further corrosion. This is what makes bronze so special, but you have to be ready for it. The patina that slowly grows over time adds that rugged, vintage, distinctive touch and makes every watch unique and different from the rest. Here are 6 Bronze watches released in recent years that you might want to consider, if you like your watches to live and become unique.
It’s now time to lift the veil on the big and truly exciting news we had anticipated further to Jean-Claude Biver’s (President of the LVMH watch division) and Julien Tornare’s (CEO of Zenith) press conference last May: a groundbreaking development in the field of chronometry, exploring unchartered territories and challenging the basic operating principle of the mechanical watch regulation, invented in 1675 by Christiaan Huygens – a principle that has remained basically unchanged since its creation. The name of this watch is the Zenith DEFY LAB, and it comes with a revolutionary, yet technically quite simple, type of oscillator.
Vintage is one of the biggest trends these days… Really, what a piece of news! We all know that brands have been widely surfing on the vintage / heritage / reissue trend, and for now over 10 years. However, in the middle of the dozens of vintage-inspired watches launched every year, there are some good ones and the one you really need to consider. Here are 5 of the coolest vintage-inspired watches of 2017, to look good this summer.
Sprung to life: who manufactures Hairsprings? An industry perspective on this key component whose production is still shrouded in secrecy – Barely one centimeter in diameter, the hairspring is the beating heart of a watch movement. It is a strategic component in several respects. Manufacturing hairsprings is a complex process and the whole Swiss watch industry has been relying on one supplier, Swatch Group’s Nivarox… at least, until very recently!
Legend has it that at the beginning of the 20th century, Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch for aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont because of the inconvenience of using a pocket watch while flying. The Santos was one of the earliest wristwatches and pilot watches. Born out of practicality, the watches intended for pilots have evolved – in fact, the original Santos had very little to do with a flight ‘tool’ watch.