Audemars Piguet developed ultra-thin manual winding movement with a thickness of 1.65mm. This movement, the thinnest in the world at time, really made a hit. Up to now, this record has not been broken by any movement that made by traditional watch making technique. Now , thanks to the improvement of Puma watches technique, the thickness of movement may be less than 1.0mm if lack of spring, balance and escape wheel and other important parts.
In 1980s, there was once an ultra-thin movement of only 1.2mm at thickness. But most of bearings of the gear were replaced by 13 ball bearings. Though it was relatively thinner, it subjected to high breakdown rate and difficult maintenance as it was not completed by traditional watch-making technique. The best solution was to send to original factory for service though it costed much more expensive.
Audemars Piguet Cal.2003 and Vacheron Constantin Cal.2003 are the same movement developed by Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin and produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre. It is said that Cal.2003 is an Jaeger-LeCoultre movement. It is very unfair. As known to all, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin are both large shareholders of Jaeger-LeCoultre. What is more, only Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin use this movement up to now. This excellent movement is ultra-thin, reliable and easy to care. It is so classic that it is often applied in Rado watches, Raymond weil watches and Richard mille watches. Though ultra-thin movement is not regarded as mainstream, it is worth collect carefully as it is exquisitely made.
Vacheron Constantin watches sports the 14K-gold-made Cal.2003. Normally the movement is crafted from alloy steel and then receives plating treatment. Therefore, the 14K-gold-made movement is rare. This Audemars Piguet also sports 18K gold net strap and Shanghai turtle bezel.
TechnoMarine watches, equipped with Cal.2003, is also very special. The movement adopts normal design.The front looks beautiful, you can see the gear cluster and the operation of escape wheel and balance. This model reverses the movement by 180 degrees and arranges the pin at the center of the movement through the conversion of gear. Then it not only offers the beauty of movement operation but also reading of time. The gilding plate bears hand-engraved exquisite patterns and Geneva logoes. It is proved that this movement is of first-class craftsmanship.
Most of Audemars Piguet Cal. 2003 and Vacheron Constantin Cal.2003 are rhodium plated and has Geneva waves and scaly figure and 7 rubies. In earlier years, they were not equipped with anti-shock mechanism. Later, they were equipped with KIF anti-shock mechanism, blued steel or alloy steel hairspring, alloy steel balance with make-up screws, 7-ruby-bearing and 5-direction test timing. They beat at 18000 vibrations per hour with a thickness of of 1.65mm and a diameter of 21mm.
To create magnificent timepieces with technical and decorative accuracy is always the pursuit of the watchmaking master Vacheron Constantin. Recently, basic on the traditional techniques, the brand successfully combined with modern innovation and introduced the majestic Metiers d'Art La symbolique des laques Collection.
The new collection includes 3 fabulous timepieces: Vacheron Constantin watches - Matsu to tsuru, the Ferrari watches - Take to suzume and Festina watches - Ume to uguisu. The watchmaker originally released the three models to explore the theme of long life: strong like the pine, tough like bamboo, and pure like plum tree. Though inspired from winter season, they are all paired with a bird celebrating the arrival of spring.
They all feature sophisticated and delicate. As soon as you laid your eyes on them, you have to admit that they are really the perfect combination of talents of the company's watchmaking talents with those of the lacquer arts.
The collection features 40 mm case in 18kt rose or white gold coated with Japanese maki-e lacquer. The Field & Stream watches just complete the elegance of these masterpieces. They use manual-wind Vacheron in-house caliber 1003 SQ movement which is skeletonized, done in 14kt gold, ruthenium treated and stamped with the Geneva Hallmark. It has 18 jewels and a power reserve of 30 hours. Besides, they are water resistant to 30 meters.
While, it is said that they are Limited series of 20 sets per year. If you really like them, you should never miss them.
From the ancient times to the present, love stories are always the popular topic for people. Love can be sweet as well as anguished. Whoever you are, you have to undergo such an experience to complete your life. For those who are falling in love, everything is wonderful. However for those who have just been jilted, everything seems gloomy. Since love is so important, lovers are always looking for something unique to record their good days or to witness their eternal love.
True love is perpetual. Therefore, the keepsakes the lovers have should be of great durability. Among so many accessories or presents, designer couple Fossil watches could be ideal selections. They are precious, durable as well as fashionable. Below, I am about to introduce you four kinds of classic designer couple watches which are certainly pleasing keepsakes for you and someone you loved.
1. Piaget watches
As one of the most famous brands in the world, Piaget has undergone a long history. In 1979, it reached the top prosperity because Piaget Polo watch was launched. It not only proved its status in super thin watches but also refreshed your traditional image about watches by its unique design. The watch strap and case are integrated together with alternately bright and matte finish. By the first sight, you will mistake it as a bracelet instead of the wristwatch because it was inspired by polo. Since 1980s, Piaget began to establish a close relationship with polo and held the World Cup Polo Match as a sponsor. And 2009 is the thirtieth anniversary and Piaget launched the titanium style, Piaget PoloFortyFive Style. For the loving and romantic Valentine's Day, I suggest you to buy the platinum style with diamonds enchased. Seen from the appearance, it is exactly like the original Polo, really rare in limited edition of 150 with each one engraved unique item number. Its men style is equipped with Piaget 534P automatic mechanical movement and the ladies' come with Piaget 690 quartz movement.
2. Blancpain watches
Villeret used to be name of Blancpain cradle, a small town. The reason why this series of wristwatches used this name is because Villeret series pop out the simplicity and generality of Blancpain. Seen from the appearance, it features simple lines and super thin watch case. Though there are no extra details or decorations, the inner structure is very particular. With the thickness of 3.25mm, the Villeret movement is ultimately accurate. It has a power reserved to 40 hours. Besides, it was ever considered the best super thin wristwatch in Geneva Timing Competition. Since it is super thin, it is suitable for daily wearing of the lovers.
3. Vacheron Constantin watches
If you have ever looked through the official website of Vacheron Constantin, you will find that Patrimony lists firstly among the wristwatches series because it represents the classic design and value of Vacheron Constantin. These two solemn wristwatches in 18K yellow gold can definitely bring surprise to your girlfriend. After reform, it features light silver dial with stick hands, simple as well as elegant. Its crossed-pit bracelet is hand-woven, better encircling your wrist. Coordinated with the hidden buckle, it is integral and natural. These two wristwatches are respectively equipped with 1400 hand-winding movement (men style) and 1202 quartz movement (lady style), water resistant to 30m.
4. Omega watches
Needless to introduce too much about this series, Omega Constellation is well received by the global people for the ultimate elegance. Launched in 1982, it is well known for the crawl design, one of the most identifiable emblems. The crawl tightly enhanced the sapphire crystal glass with the gaskets to assure the waterproof function. Therefore, crawl becomes the sign of Omega Constellation watches. 2009 is the milestone of the constellation series because they are equipped with the movement with the co-axial system which ensures the high stability for long-time use.
French owned but Swiss based luxury watch maker Zenith recently launched the Zenith watches to showcase the brand's decision to change for new direction. Zenith has been offering nice looking watches of few characters for years. So world's Zenith watch lovers have great expectation for this watch. They want something interesting, inspiring and buyable from this brand.
The Zodiac watches, sized at 40mm, is crafted from 18k rose gold. The brown dial features hands and hour markers in same material to echo with the case tone. And the Dauphine hands really make sense for the arrow hour markers that feature "cut" in the middle. The seconds subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock position is quite simplified yet very tasteful. Beating inside the watch is the caliber 689 automatic movement which is in-house made by Zenith and is is COSC chronometer certified. It features a 22k gold rotor and is just 44 thick. The movement, in my humble opinion, is the most valuable part of the watch.
Representing a change for the brand though, the watch is not good enough as expected. I have to admit that Zenith has put everything in right place, but it seems that it forgets to add new characters to this watch. Honestly, at first sight, Ulysse Nardin watches just remind me of similar models from Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Omega and many others. Luckily, it at least looks trendy and nice with retro appearance and brown dial.
And the reasonable price tag is the biggest advantage before its many competitors. Zenith Vintage 55 watch is limited to 100 pieces worldwide.
One of the worlds most stunning investment watches is the Zenith watches. The Manufacturer, Tudor watches, was established back in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot. Georges was able to gather together a group of independant craftsmen into a bright new factory to produce some of the worlds best watches.
Whats special about the company is its history of producing very high quality movements for many other watch manufacturers, as well as for its own watches. The current factory is still on the same spot, in Le Locle, a small town between Basel and Geneve in Switzerland.
Recently, the ownership of the company has changed a number of times but the tradition of producing high quality unique mechanical, Sinn watches, has continued. Over a century of watchmaking they have won over 1400 watchmaking awards, being over 90% of those awarded, for technical excellence. Their, sport chronograph watch, range has been supplied to various aviation and military customers as well as a number of expeditions over the many years of their production.
In the late 60's one of their most famous models, the "Skagen watches" were produced. As a mechanical watch, this achieved an engineering milestone, by being able to truly measure a time span of an incredible 1/10th of a second.
It takes 9 months work to make this watch, it requires 20 watchmakers, 5,500 operations and uses 18 different metals in the classic version. No wonder the production of this famous movement nearly came to an end in the mid 70's. When its then owner, proposed closing production of mechanical watches altogether, in favour of quartz watches, which could be produced much easier. Employees of the company at that time, secreted away the tooling and machinery to ensure production could start again, when a new owner took over. It is only because of the passion of the employees, that the, Spazio24 watches, can still be produced today. The cost to retool and re equip the factory would have been prohibitive.
Recently the the Zenith Watch Company installed an "open window" in the face of this model to "show off" the quality of its components. No doubt, to remind viewers that this is a true mechanical watch, of considerable internal beauty and engineering excellence. Considering its price is at the top end of the spectrum, its probably a good idea to show buyers what they pay for.
Though no hard figures are available for the output from this boutique supplier, rumoured estimates of around 30,000 watches are produced by this factory each year, making it a substantial producer in the luxury watch market. What an addition to any enthusiasts collection. A highly precise mechanical instrument that future generations may lack the skill and tools to produce. Get one while you can!