IFA 2015 | Samsung to make new smartwatch available to competition

BERLIN — Samsung Electronics said on Thursday it would make its next smartwatch technology available to its competitors who also use Google Inc’s mobile platform Android, hoping to increase its share of the market, which is now dominated by Apple Inc.

The watch will be available as of October, it said at an event in Berlin tied to the IFA, Europe’s largest consumer electronics trade show.

Making the new smartwatches compatible with smartphones made by competitors could help sales for Samsung, which saw its market share shrink sharply following the launch of arch rival Apple’s Apple Watch.

Worldwide smartwatch shipments grew to 5 million in the second quarter of this year from 1 million in the same period last year, according to data of research firm Strategy Analytics.

“We are leading the way in this segment,” said Younghee Lee, Samsung’s global marketing head for mobile. “But we realise we can’t do it alone.”

Apple Watch captured a 75 percent global smartwatch market share, followed by Samsung with an 8 percent share.

Samsung launched its new watch on Monday. The Gear S2 comes with mobile payment technology just like Apple’s Watch.

Samsung did not give a price tag for the watch.

source: interaksyon.com

Flying the Breit skies

Aviation is about freedom, aviation is a lifestyle,” says Alexander Melchers, director of C. Melchers Singapore, at the viewing of Breitling’s Baselworld 2015 collection at the newly refurbished Breitling concept store in Greenbelt. Melchers’ company based in Singapore is the exclusive distributor of Breitling in Southeast Asia.

It’s how Europeans and Americans regard flying. In Asia, we mostly equate aviation with airports, connecting flights, miles, baggage allowance, inflight service, etc., but In Switzerland (where the brand heavily associated with aviation comes from) flying one’s own plane can be compared to, well, riding a Harley-Davidson, imagining Steppenwolf guitars chugging in the background, and easy-riding into the sunset.

“It’s about letting your hair down and putting on a leather jacket — whether you enjoy watching it or actually taking part in it,” shares Melchers. It’s the underlying message behind the Breitling name: freedom.

“And it’s liberating. The sky’s the limit. Notice that the blue in a Breitling watch is nicer than the others? It’s because of our pilots who get close to the sky.”


“Breitling’s DNA centers on aviation,” explains Lucerne managing director Emerson Yao.

In the early ‘30s, Breitling built on its reputation for precision and sturdiness, enriching its range with a “specialty” that would earn it worldwide fame: onboard chronographs intended for aircraft cockpits. These instruments — indispensable to secure piloting — enjoyed great success with the various armed forces, including the Royal Air Force (RAF), which used them to equip its famous World War II propeller-driven fighter planes.


During the ‘50s and ‘60s, Breitling played a key role in the boom of commercial aviation, as its onboard chronographs became standard equipment, first on the propeller-driven planes and later on the jet aircraft of many airplane manufacturers and airline companies. The brand thus quite naturally earned the status of “official supplier to world aviation.”

Yao says, “Today, the brand maintains its in-house set of jet planes.” The Breitling Jet Team — which competes in airshows such as the Reno Air Races and the Red Bull Air Race under the Breitling colors — put on an aerial show two years ago at Clark Air Base. Heck, brand ambassador John Travolta flies his own plane.



And that alliance with aviation is reflected in the luxury watch brand’s concept store in Greenbelt. The 31 square-meter store is decorated with aviation-themed Pop Art paintings by American artist Kevin T. Kelly to highlight Breitling’s aeronautical heritage, its technical vocation as a specialist in chronographs, and the brand’s instruments for professionals.

On view at the store is a comprehensive collection of Breitling timepieces, from the classic Navitimer and Chronomat collections to the Breitling for Bentley professional range. There are around 130 Breitling timepieces in numerous versions: from the classic to the more forward-thinking models — which may or may not be futuristic.

The Lucerne man has noticed how the latest models of watch brands such as Breitling are going the minimalist route. He says, “They’re characterized by simple lines, more classic. We hear terms such as ‘homage’ or ‘going back to one’s heritage,’ so I suppose that’s the next phase for the watch industry. Everybody going back to its historical pieces.”

Breitling sales director Peter Wong, who has been in the watch industry for 35 years, agrees. “At the end of the day, our platform is being a chronograph watch specialist.” The pillars of the brand, he adds, are about Breitling being the inventor of the modern chronograph and its authentic association with aviation.

Wong concludes, “We also have this obsession with quality. In every watch that we manufacture, every new model we come up, there are those tiny little details that we always look into.”

Precision, freedom… these are ideas you can fly with.

source: philstar.com

Low-key launch as Apple Watch finally goes on sale

TOKYO — Apple Watch launched globally on Friday with a small queue of Japanese tech-addicts lining up in Tokyo for Apple Inc’s first wearable gadget, but there was no sign of the excitement usually attached to the company’s product rollouts.

Buyers can take the smartwatch home from a handful of upscale boutiques and department stores, including The Corner in Berlin, Maxfield in Los Angeles and Dover Street Market in Tokyo and London, which Apple courted to help position the watch as a fashion item.

But the gadget will not be sold at Apple stores on Friday. The company is directing people to order online instead, which should prevent the long lines of Apple devotees who typically flock to iPhone and iPad launches.

About 50 people lined up to buy the watch at electronic store Bic Camera in Tokyo’s Ginza district, while at the nearby Apple Store it was like any other Friday, according to Reuters reporters at the shops.

“I buy one or two Apple products every time they release something new,” Chiu Long, a 40-year-old IT worker from Taiwan, told Reuters while queuing up at Bic Camera.

“I like to run, so the heart rate reader is a progress,” he added.

At a retail outlet of mobile carrier SoftBank Corp around 20 people queued to get their hands on the gadget.

“I want to develop my own application that’s compatible with the smartwatch,” 27-year-old IT worker Tatsuya Omori said as he waited in line outside the store.

“I’m also an Apple fan. I simply want it.”

Technology lovers and investors keen to find out the components of the watch were left frustrated, with a tough resin coating protecting the core computing module from scrutiny.

Gadget repair firm iFixit, which has successfully prised open other Apple products on their launch day to reveal their components, said the U.S. company also appeared to be promoting its brand on the watch’s inner workings, complicating detailed analysis of the parts’ origins.

Gauging demand

The lack of queues at Apple stores will make it hard to judge popular demand for the watch, which comes in 38 variations with prices ranging from $349 for the Sport version to $10,000 and more for the gold Edition.

Apple has not released any numbers since it opened for pre-orders on April 10, although many buyers were told their watches would not arrive for a month or more as supply appeared to dry up.

Wall Street estimates of Apple Watch sales vary widely. FBR Capital Markets analyst Daniel Ives raised his sales estimate this week to 20 million watches from 17 million, based in part on online order backlogs.

“There was a question over whether the trajectory and demand for wearables in the Apple ecosystem was there and real,” said Ives. “But it’s a resounding yes.”

Apple itself said on Wednesday that some customers will get watches faster than promised.

“Our team is working to fill orders as quickly as possible based on the available supply and the order in which they were received,” Apple said in a statement.

The Cupertino, California company previously predicted that demand would exceed supply at product launch.

source: interaksyon.com

Swiss firm to put Napoleon's DNA in $8,000 watches

GENEVA - Napoleon's admirers will be able to carry his DNA on their wrists after a Swiss company announced Tuesday its plans to sell watches containing a fragment of the emperor's hair.

Half-millimeter slices of his locks will be placed inside a limited series of some 500 watches that are to bear the likeness of Napoleon, said Viviane de Witt, CEO of De Witt watchmakers, told AFP.

They will sell for the price of around 8,000 euros ($10,000).

The first surgery-like operation to slice up the hair happened Tuesday in the presence of a bailiff at the De Witt factory in Geneva.

"Napoleon was already quite idolized while he was alive, when he got his hair cut people picked it up and kept it," De Witt said.

In this case the hair was part of a 1,000-piece trove of Napoleon memorabilia belonging to the royal family of Monaco, which fetched jaw dropping prices during an auction in mid-November near Paris.

One of the most incredible sale prices was the 1.9 million euros ($2.4 million) a South Korean chicken mogul paid for a hat worn by Napoleon.

De Witt spent a whopping 29,600 euros ($36,900) for items containing Napoleon's hair at the sale, which had been expected to go for up to 7,000 euros ($8,700).

Viviane de Witt's husband, the company founder, is a direct descendant of Jerome Napoleon, the youngest brother of the early 19th-century French emperor.

De Witt makes about 1,500 watches per year with a staff of 60.

source: interaksyon.com

Swatch wins compensation from Tiffany's in contract row

GENEVA - Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group has won a lawsuit against US jewellery group Tiffany & Co over a failed joint venture to jointly design and market luxury watches.

Tiffany was required to pay Swatch 402 million Swiss francs (327 million euros, $449 million) under the ruling by the Netherlands Arbitration Institute, Swatch said in a statement.

The case stemmed from a 2007-2011 cooperation deal that Swatch said Tiffany had systematically obstructed.

Swatch Group had sought 3.8 billion Swiss francs from its erstwhile partner, while Tiffany had counter-sued for 541.9 million Swiss francs from Swatch.

Swatch said the Netherlands Arbitration Institute had rejected Tiffany's counter-suit.

Tiffany chief executive Michael Kowalski said the company was "shocked and extremely disappointed with the decision" and was reviewing its options with its lawyers.

He said the company had "sufficient financial resources" to pay the award, and that its books would reflect the payment as an after-tax charge of $295 million to $305 million in the fourth quarter.

source: interaksyon.com

It’s all in the wrist — Who has vision to crack the ‘smartwatch’?

SINGAPORE — The smartwatch could be as revolutionary as the smartphone – an intelligent device on our wrist that connects our bodies to data and us to the world – but only a handful of companies have the heft and vision to be able to pull it off.

It’s not through lack of trying. Watchmakers and others have been adding calculators, calendars and wireless data connections to wrist-straps for at least 30 years.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is having another go on Wednesday, when it launches the Galaxy Gear in Berlin, but a source familiar with the matter said that the smartwatch device would be no game changer – more of a fashion accessory than an effort to redefine the genre.

Sony Corp is also launching a modest update of its Android-compatible SmartWatch, while heavyweights Apple Inc and Google Inc have shown tentative signs of interest in developing such technology.

The market potential, cheerleaders say, is vast. Leveraging advances in voice technology, biometrics, communications, cloud storage and power consumption, smartwatches and other wearable devices could be a $50 billion market by 2017, according to Credit Suisse.

“Look at the way we experience mobile communication today – this is not the end point,” said Andrew Sheehy, chief analyst at British-based consultancy Generator Research, pointing to the awkwardness with which most of us clasp the handset to our ear, remove it from our pockets to read messages, or tap in appointments and emails.

“If you look at the phone today, it’s important to ask: is this as good as it gets?”

Wearable devices such as smartwatches or digital eyewear, the argument goes, could take over many of the more cumbersome functions of a smartphone while also adding functions we can so far only dream of.

By tapping into sensors around the body, on objects and in other devices, they could offer what Plantronics, a headset maker, calls “contextual intelligence”, harvesting data to create “a highly personalized experience in real-time”, according to Joe Burton, the company’s CTO.

Advances in technology

Driving this optimism are advances in technology, and a more sophisticated audience already familiar with smartphones, apps, and wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth.

The prices and size of sensors have fallen rapidly – making them a feature of many smartphones. Samsung’s Galaxy S4 has nine, according to a report on wearable technology by Credit Suisse.

An addition to Bluetooth, for example, uses much less energy and can push and pull data to a watch via the mobile phone, says Paul Williamson of CSR plc, a maker of such so-called Bluetooth Smart chips.

With the technology now integrated into devices running the latest versions of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems, “smartwatches can render data from any of the applications that are running on your smartphone”, Williamson said.

Smartwatches like the Magellan Echo, for example, can stream data wirelessly from a range of third party fitness apps on a smartphone, without requiring frequent recharges.

Tim Ensor, head of connected devices at British-based Cambridge Consultants, which advises companies and develops new technologies, called the adoption of Bluetooth Smart “a real game-changer”.

But so far wearables have remained a niche for early adopters, such as fans of Pebble Technology’s crowd-funded smartwatch, which has sold 100,000 units since its launch earlier this year, or health and fitness enthusiasts embracing Nike’s Fuelband or Under Armour’s FitBit.

And therein lies the rub, says Generator Research’s Sheehy. Most of these players have either thought too small, or lack the heft to be able to break into the mainstream.

That not only means having capital and resources, but being able to build on existing expertise in hardware, software, cloud and processing data.

“This is tough technology,” he says. “The number of companies who can do this are very few and far between.”

Hurdles remain

First there are remaining technological hurdles, such as powering the devices. Batteries will need to be 5-10 times smaller than those in smartphones, says Cosmin Laslau, mobile energy analyst at Lux Research, requiring innovation in cell materials such as silicon anodes and packaging – such as Apple’s work on flexible batteries.

Then there is a need for better displays. Both Apple and Samsung have been working on curved glass – Samsung is investing more than $6 billion on displays this year alone, and is planning to launch a curved mobile device later this year, according to a source familiar with the matter.

There’s also the fact that wearing a device is not quite the same as carrying one.

For one thing it has to be stylish, says Gartner research director Angela McIntyre.

Filip Technologies spent three years working on a watch to make it acceptable for the kids who would wear it and their parents who would use it to track and communicate with their offspring via a smartphone.

“Consumers need to develop a more personal relationship with a wearable computing device than they would otherwise with a handheld device,” said CEO Jonathan Peachey, who joined the company in July.

Key to this is the interface, says Thad Starner, Professor of Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology, whose pioneering work with wearable computers led to him be a technical lead for Google Glass.

Developing a mobile interface for wristwatches and heads-up displays requires lots of experimentation, he says. The best way, he adds, is to build “living laboratories” where more and more people use them in everyday life.

“The most important thing, right now, is to reduce the time between the user’s intention to perform a task and the user’s action to complete that task.”

His other projects point to the possibilities: a contraption that lets him answer students’ text messages by voice while wandering across campus and a gesture interface that understands sign language.

Do I need it?

But even if those hurdles are overcome, just how useful is a wearable device going to be? “Finding a role or a use for wearable electronics is the central question facing the industry today,” says Mykola Golovko, an analyst at Euromonitor.

Right now the most appealing prospects are as a “slave” to the smartphone or tablet, where the wearable devices collects data from the user’s body or environment and relays it to the smartphone. The smartphone acts as a gateway to the Internet to process this information and merge it with other data before feeding it back to the device.

“In this world the role of the smartwatch is not to replace the phone but to keep the data feed going and make it even more accessible,” says Rob Milner, technical leader of smart systems at Cambridge Consultants.

But this is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

“The multi-sensor combo packages and low-power wireless chips are available,” says Shane Walker, an analyst at IHS, “now the data created from this pairing needs to be made compelling and useful.”

Cracking the nut

Which means that whoever cracks the nut of a mass market wearable device is less likely to be a pure hardware maker than a broader-based company.

“You can call me a smartwatch skeptic,” says Sarah Rotman Epps, an analyst at Forrester. “I don’t see that any vendor, with the possible exception of Apple, can make smartwatches a mainstream success.”

Speculation aside, Apple has kept its cards close to its chest. CEO Tim Cook has called the wrist “interesting” and Apple has registered the trademark iWatch in Japan. Several Apple patents point to wrist-worn devices.

And Google has staked a claim in wearables with its Google Glass, spectacles that include a small visual display. It bought start-up WIMM Labs, which had launched a smartwatch in 2011, and has demonstrated the power of contextual information with Google Now, which mines users’ emails, location and other data to provide a personalized stream of data.

Other possible players, says Generation Research’s Sheehy, include Microsoft Corp, Yahoo Inc.

“If Samsung or Google succeeded at this and Apple failed at this level, it would really be a handing over of the baton,” he said.

If the Galaxy Gear is the first salvo, Apple has little to fear. After two earlier wrist-phone flops in 1999 and 2009, Samsung is taking a cautious approach with its latest version of the smartwatch, according to the source familiar with Samsung’s thinking.

“Samsung is trying to say that it is not following but jumping into it ahead of its key rival, i.e. Apple,” he said. “They are simply dipping their toes into the market as they don’t want to take big risks with a costly bet on the new unproven category yet.”

source: interaksyon.com

Smart watches gain interest and popularity

PALO ALTO, California (AP) — On a sunny day at a picnic table in Silicon Valley, Eric Migicovsky glanced down at his wristwatch. He wasn't checking the time, he was checking his email. Glancing up, he grinned. The message was from yet another journalist.

In this corner of a world obsessed with the latest tech gadget, Migicovsky is this week's hotshot as his start-up company rolls out its new, high-tech Pebble smart watches. The $150, postage stamp-sized computer on a band is tethered wirelessly to a wearer's Android or iPhone.

With hands truly free, wearers can also read texts, see who is calling them, scan Twitter or Facebook feeds and yes, check the time, while digging in their garden, barbequing a steak or — as he was doing when he conceived of the idea — riding a bike when his phone began to ring.

And that's just the first version. Apps are being developed that could eventually bring everything from Angry Birds to eBay bidding onto our wrists.

"I like it when I'm running," says Migicovsky, "I like it on the subway, on an airplane, anytime I want to see what's on my phone without pulling it out of my pocket."

Pebble, which began shipping in January, is not the first to make a play for the watch market, which dwindled when consumers added smartphones to their purses and pockets. But this little firm of 11 is the most popular in the smart watch sector today, bubbling up amid rampant rumors that Apple has its own iWatch in the works.


Apple spokeswoman Natalie Harrison declined to comment, but it wasn't the first time she'd been asked. Apple has several patents for high-tech watches.

Tim Bajarin, a Creative Strategies analyst who's followed Apple for more than three decades, said he's been waiting for an iWatch ever since the company introduced a tiny Nano in 2010 and consumers began strapping them to their wrists.

"I do believe that Apple could potentially disrupt the watch market if they took their innovative design and tied it to their smartphones and ecosystems," he said. "We have no knowledge that they are doing this, but the area is ripe for innovation."

Meanwhile, Bajarin has one of the first 6,000 Pebbles shipped out so far, and he was gushing over it.

"I love it," he said. "I have four or five people who message me consistently, mostly my wife. In the past, I was always being forced to look at the face of my smartphone to see who it was, now I just glance at my wrist."

The next step? He wants a "Dick Tracy watch" that he could verbally order around, instead of pushing buttons.

Even without Apple, Pebble already faces serious competition with a handful of other smart watches.

The Cookoo, selling for $130, has a battery that lasts a year, compared to Pebble's once-a-week charge. The Sony SmartWatch, at $129.98, has a touchscreen, Motorola's $149 MOTOACTV includes a heart rate monitor and MetaWatch's $299 STRATA has a more feminine design.

These newly emerging devices are innovative not only for what they do, but also for how they were funded.

Last April, after failing to convince venture capitalists to fund Pebble, Migicovsky pitched it on Kickstarter, a website where any Internet user can support a project. He asked for $100,000. He got $10.3 million before capping his request. Supporters who spent $115 were promised a watch, which means Pebble has already sold about 85,000 watches. Cookoo and STRATA also turned to Kickstarter for start-up funding.

Michael Gartenberg, research director for technology research firm Gartner Inc., warned all of these start-ups face major challenges.

"There's been a lot of failed efforts to create smart watches and the key will be for vendors to understand the watch isn't just another digital device," he said. "Consumers wear watches for many reasons that have nothing to do with telling time, as evidenced by watch companies such as Rolex."

Gartenberg said that so far, none of the smart watches are really designed for the mass market. "The real question is will Apple or Google get into this space?" he asked, noting that Microsoft tried some years ago with their failed SPOT watches.

Any new device, even a watch, also raises regulatory questions. Are they safe to use on airplanes? Could they interfere with other devices? California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Erin Komatsubara said drivers are allowed to glance at a smart watch but it's not recommended to try to read anything at all while driving.

"It's considered a distraction," she said. "Two eyes on the road, two hands on the wheel, that's what we really, really want."

Manuel Yazijian, president of The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute, said mechanical watches have a mystique of their own. But he said watchmakers may eventually turn their focus, attention to detail and ability to work on small items to smart watches.

"It's a different ballgame. I just don't know if they'll need maintenance and repair yet," he said. "Time will tell, no pun intended."

And the app Yazijian would like to see? "Our industry likes the old school mechanical stuff that ticks, like a heartbeat, like a live animal on your wrist," he said. "It would be so cool if the smart watch could make a ticking sound, right?"

source: philstar.com

The multiple faces of Swatch: Style & personality – with a twist

MANILA, Philippines - Swatch’s many faces welcome spring: colors, contemporary messages, emotions and style transform an ordinary day into a day at full speed. Swatch’s mission for this season is to lighten up the world and brighten up everyone’s mood. Yes, we can. Yes, Swatch can!

The latest collection from Swatch anticipates spring with sunshine, fresh colors and inventive design. Traditions are revived with exciting new models from across the spectrum of Swatch families. Among them are the new Originals and Irony timekeepers in light-hearted, energetic, eye-catching versions. Signature materials take on new life as stainless steel, aluminum, silicone and leather combine to invigorate the new collection.

Designed with contemporary and spot-on taste in mind, the new Swatch Spring Collection 2013 features attractive and versatile Swatch watches for all occasions.

Swatch is available at Swatch Shops in SM Megamall, Glorietta 1, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, TriNoma, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Marquee Mall, Pampanga, SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM City Davao, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Greenhills V-Mall, Shangri-La Plaza, Robinsons Place, Ermita, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Festival Mall, Ayala Center, Cebu and Abreeza Mall, Davao.

source: philstar.com

Harry Winston: Making horological history

The late Harry Winston once said, “People will stare. Make it worth their while.” The world’s most famous and expensive gems, like the Hope Diamond, once passed through the hands of the famed jeweler, so it’s no wonder that Harry Winston built its legacy on fine jewelry. But such a legendary figure couldn’t have gotten to where he was without risk. There is a famous anecdote about Winston: in 1935, he bought the famous 726-carat Jonker diamond from De Beers for $700,000 and intended to cut it into smaller diamonds. Nobody believed it could be done. He then hired expert diamond cutter Lazare Kaplan, who successfully cut 12 diamonds from the Jonker. Not only did Winston prove his doubters wrong, he also sold each diamond for $12 million apiece.

But when Winston passed away in 1978 and his son Ronald took over, the company decided to take a similar risk by going into luxury watchmaking. Prior to that, Harry Winston had been associated with diamonds and jewelry — not watches — for more than 60 years. And considering the exacting demands of horologists, along with the craftsmanship, heritage and expertise of the watch industry, this appeared to be a difficult endeavor to take on. The only way to achieve success was to “remain true to the spirit of the brand,” which is the company’s credo. Applying the same careful attention to detail to watches as they do with their jewelry, there would be no compromising on technical innovation or aesthetic quality.

Though the idea to go into watchmaking was conceived in 1989, the company took its time to do things well. When it finally launched its first watch, aptly called the Premier, in 1995, it became clear why they took their time. The Premier revolutionized the world of mechanical watchmaking with its bi-retrograde perpetual calendar, a world first at the time. Needless to say, this innovative wonder made the watch industry take notice and see that Harry Winston was to be a formidable contender.

Today, some of the most exquisite and sought-after timepieces by Harry Winston can be found in their salons, including Harry Winston Manila in Greenbelt 5. For instance, there is Project Z, which was developed in 2004 as a limited-edition series bridging high technological innovation and fine watchmaking tradition. Instrumental in revolutionizing Harry Winston timepieces, the series introduced an exclusive new material called Zalium, an ultra-light metal that is exclusive to the brand. Project Z6 also introduced a new complication developed specially for it: a hand-wound, 24-hour alarm clock movement. Composed of 18 layered parts, the complex dial uses five different finishes to create a highly dimensional design: Côtes de Genève, silver vertically brushed, slated brushed, blued steel and satin finished. A small shuriken-shaped disk indicates the seconds rotation. Borrowed from martial arts, a shuriken is the traditional ninja throwing star — a signature in Project Z designs. The Project Z6 is a limited edition of 300 pieces: 250 with anthracite dial and 50 with silver dial.




Another is the Midnight Minute Repeater, which is limited to 40 pieces in rose gold and 40 pieces in white gold with the option of a silver or dark dial. Sleek and sophisticated, the round 42mm case is fitted with a self-winding mechanical movement. An open dial design allows for a unique view of the minute repeater mechanism that can be activated by pressing the push piece situated at eight o’clock. Surrounded by a gold ring, a hollowed window — at the top left corner — emphasizes the technical innovation: two hammers gracefully engraved with Harry Winston’s initials, located on the exterior of the movement. Created to audibly indicate time on demand — chiming distinct tones: low pitch for hours, altering low and high pitch for quarter hours, and high pitch for minutes — minute repeaters require both extreme technical and musical precision. Perhaps one of the most challenging complications to craft, the minute repeater remains a testament to excellence in fine watchmaking.

Then there is the extremely rare Histoire de Tourbillon 2. The first Histoire de Tourbillon launched in 2009, which combined technical sophistication and fine design in a daring and distinctive manner. In 2011 for its second edition, Harry Winston issued a 20-piece limited series. Featuring an ingenious construction that includes a bi-axial flying tourbillon, Histoire de Tourbillon 2 offers its own interpretation of time measurement. Powered by a mechanical hand-wound movement exclusively developed for Harry Winston, the bi-axial flying tourbillon combines two concentric carriages and gains added precision by enabling the regulating organ to perform multi- dimensional rotations. The striking visual effect is created by an outer carriage completing one full turn in 120 seconds and housing an internal carriage.


The Premier Feathers collection was launched last year. Marrying the aesthetic codes of the Premier Collection, while observing watchmaking and feather art’s shared passion for careful work and manual dexterity, the result is beauty expressed in its purest form. For this, Harry Winston entrusted the project to Nelly Saunier, one of the few craftspeople who still practices the technique of feather art. The feathers, sourced with a respect for the environment, are obtained from species raised specifically for this purpose. Each dial takes approximately seven hours of work to make and like the 16th-century feather mosaic pictures so prized in Europe, each dial is unique. The feather dials fit perfectly with the setting of the timepiece. The collection also pays tribute to Cluster, the three-dimensional setting technique invented by Harry Winston himself, which enables a spontaneously asymmetrical association of brilliant, pear and marquise-cut stones. Delicately cut, the precious stones are nestled against each other to form a sparkling composition.

In as little as 20 years, Harry Winston accomplished feats, such as winning the Design Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genéve for the Opus 9 in 2009 and being inducted into the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie as a partner-brand in 2011, that have taken other watch companies as long as 200 years to achieve. Today, watch enthusiasts highly anticipate the latest horological innovations by Harry Winston annually at Baselworld, considered the most important watch and jewelry trade show, in Basel, Switzerland. And as they wait each year for the next unveiling, Harry Winston has always made it worth their while, just as the late jeweler might have hoped.

source: philstar.com

Time to get stylish in go-anywhere Veloci watches

MANILA, Philippines - Veloci, an Italian-inspired watch collection that gives new life to iconic silhouettes of classic timepieces, recently announced its entry in the Philippine market with its Voyager and Cruise watch collection. The two collections come in a myriad of fashionable colors that allow you to build or layer your outfit using the watch as your color inspiration for just about any ocassion. A Veloci watch comes with two alternative watch straps. Known as the “go-anywhere dependable” watch, Veloci timepieces all have stainless steel watch cases, high-grade Japanese movements and high-quality nylon straps. For more information on Veloci watches you can check them out in various Asprey stores and selected L Timestudio boutiques and Time Gear boutiques, or like www.facebook.com/Asprey.ph.

source: philstar.com

Swarovski watches sparkle in time for the holiday season

What could be more dazzling than the beautiful Gucci Swarovski peep-toe heels on the feet of fashion model, TV host, and singer Solenn Heussaff wore one evening at Salon de Ning. From her beautiful legs we suggest you browse your eyes up higher to her slim wrists.




These days, you’ll probably see her wearing her equally dazzling Swarovski watch, part of the first-ever chronograph collection launched in Manila that showcases the famous brand name’s elegant timepieces that will definitely be in synch with the merry and bright season.

“We’re really looking forward to sharing Swarovski’s latest watch collection to the Philippine market because we know that we share with them the passion for aesthetically unique products and designs. Filipinos are known to be very fashionable and we’re certain that these watches will complement their style,” said Chris Neff, Swarovski’s head of emerging markets in Southeast Asia.

“Women no longer just wear watches for their function but as an essential part of her wardrobe. The new line of Swarovski watches, for instance, have the precision of Swiss technology and yet are also elegantly designed to complement a woman’s formal or casual look,” Emerson Yao, managing director of Lucerne, the exclusive distributor of Swarovski in the Philippines, told InterAksyon. “Sometimes, all she’ll need to look stylish is a Swarovski timepiece.”

Swarovski’s Watch Collection 2012 includes new lines such as the Octea Chrono that comes in two new trendy colors: anthracite and fuchsia. This stylish chronograph mixes round and linear elements and has the trademark combination of crystals and straps. It also features a unidirectional bezel made of a single piece of crystal. Its second counter, one of the three counters found on the dial, is circled by pavé crystals.

The Octea Sport line, which is available in white rose-gold, carries the same unidirectional bezel made of white ceramic. Its rubber strap with white ceramic elements also adds a sleek and modern appeal. For those who prefer a burst of color, this line is also available in ocean blue and lilac with rubber straps embellished with blue zircon and Light Amethyst Intensive Diamond Touch Light crystals.





Lovely Crystals features five playful and chic watches which come in white, black or magenta and have either stainless steel or calfskin leather as bracelet. However, its most eye-catching feature is its bezel is speckled with 16 zirconian crystals that move in a circular motion with the movement of the wrist.

The best-selling Elis Mini range also has two additions which are included in the latest collection: Elis Mini Silk Diamond Touch Light and Elis Lady Provence Lavender Diamond Touch Light. Among the other pieces, these two are the only chronographs with a pyramidal square case. They also stand out as both feature sparkling Crystal Mesh straps that make them exude an appeal of elegance, luxury and femininity.

source: interaksyon.com

Swatch deep shine collection: Glitter, gloss & eye-popping colors

MANILA, Philippines - Swatch, the in-style Swiss watch and jewelry maker’s latest collection, takes the wraps off a colorful set of five glittery, high-gloss Gents. With the holiday season and the New Year just around the corner, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate.

The five models in the Deep Shine Collection make perfect party-goers, with trend-wise colors and high-gloss surfaces littered with glitter that sparkles and shines. The watches feature sunbrushed dials framed by eye-popping plastic cases. The rocky silicone straps add life to the party with joyful and glitter-strewn surfaces.

The high color, sparkling glitter and deep gloss give these festive Gents a perfect reason to celebrate — and everyone’s invited.

source: philstar.com

Swatch captures color in motion with the Big Automatic Collection

MANILA, Philippines - Swatch captures all the excitement and fascination of mechanical watch movements with six new Irony Big Automatics: the Swiss watch and jewelry maker makes use of a clear case back and high-contrast color to render the rotor and movement the focus of attention in the Big Automatic Collection. The 37.4 mm case features a clear case back offering a wide-open view of the automatic movement’s intricate mechanics, and the brightly colored rotor-in-motion is so captivating it’s almost hypnotic.

Midday Sun and Dark Sky also feature cut-away dials in navy blue and black, respectively, further enhancing their allure. Both dials are framed by signature Irony stainless steel cases and bezels, while navy blue and black rotors draw the eye to the clear case back and its fascinating views of near-perpetual motion. Grey Sky and Green Sky feature dials in grey and green, respectively, accompanied by rotors in matching colors, while Black Board showcases a sun-brushed black dial set off nicely by white numerals and grey indexes and the movement’s black rotor. The brilliant Whitematic tops off the collection with sizzle and spark: the bezel is adorned with 42 transparent white crystals. This model is further distinguished by a sunbrushed gray dial and silver rotor with white indexes. Bracelets in stainless steel, leather with alligator embossing add hearty elegance and self-assured style to the Big Automatic Collection.

Iconic Swatch design, on-trend color and a fascinating Swiss-made mechanical movement makes the Irony Big Automatic an irresistible way to watch time in motion.

source: philstar.com

Pacman And Technomarine Score A Knockout Punch

MANILA, Philippines — From celebrities, to politicians, to notable figures in Philippine society, Skye Lounge was a melting pot of people from all walks of life. But for one night, they would all bow down to a global icon—the one, multi talented, Manny Pacquiao.

Last March 2, TechnoMarine launched the limited edition Manny Pacquiao MP8 watch with an event attended by the likes of Pops Fernandez, Cesar Montano, Gloria Diaz and Philippine Azkal, Anton del Rosario, among others.

Set in the breezy Penthouse of W tower overlooking the Taguig skyline, Skye Lounge was tinted with a spectrum of red, blue and yellow surrounding a mini boxing ring. While waiting for Pacman’s arrival, guests were entertained by the wit and beauty of event hosts BorgyManotoc and Georgina Wilson.

But the arrival of Manny Pacquiao was really what kicked the night off.

TechnoMarine, the Swiss brand known for its bold yet distinctive timepieces, teams up with no less than the world’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao to bring yet another winning creation.The limited edition “Manny Pacquiao 8” or simply MP8 is a testament to TechnoMarine’s continuous innovation, dedication to style and fine craftsmanship. Designed for today’s fun and active individuals who value quality, MP8 brings to fore a “cool” take on luxury as it shows off striking details.

“We are extremely pleased to introduce the limited edition MP8 to the Philippines,” states Rex Mendoza, director of Techno Time Retailers Corp., the exclusive distributor of TechnoMarine in the Philippines. “This timepiece is very limited with only 1,000 pieces that will be produced worldwide.”

MP8 takes inspiration from the country’s very own boxing champ and his unprecedented global achievements. TechnoMarine associates with the world’s best and this partnership with the Pacman is no exception.

The features are evident right from MP8’s eye-catching dial. The number “8” prominently stands out on the face of the watch, symbolizing Pacquiao’s eight world boxing championship titles alongside a yellow sun. The additional red and blue details that accentuate the silver dial give the MP8 an unmistakable Filipino connection. It still retains the signature wave pattern alluding to the water element that has become TechnoMarine’s signature look.

Adding a stylish touch is the red strap that can be interchanged with a white one. Limited edition yellow and blue straps are sold separately to match every mood.

The TechnoMarine MP8 is more than just another bold statement in watch-making. It underlies a timely partnership between an esteemed luxury brand and one of the world’s accomplished professional athletes. This partnership amplifies the brand’s innovative spirit – one that fuses bold designs with the luxury of a fine Swiss watch.

article source: mb.com.ph