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Interview with Joël Dicker - Watch chat with the Geneva-based novelist
Joel Dicker. Harry Quebert. Baltimore. These are all names that ring a bell among fans of literature and many others too. The 30 year-old writer from Geneva is now the ambassador of the DS car brand that partnered GMT magazine for its 15th birthday party held at HEAD Geneve. Joel Dicker is adding another string to his bow by serving as director and starring in the DS web series leading up to an exclusive novel.
Although he's not a watch connoisseur as such, Joel Dicker is certainly not unappreciative of the classic, complex or innovative timepieces produced by the watch industry. The young author already translated into more than 30 languages shared a few thoughts on the topic with Worldtempus.
Which was your first watch?
I was given my first watch at the age of four: it was a Flik Flak with a blue strap! I later had a classic Swatch steel watch, but I don't remember the exact model....
Which model would you like to wear now?
The one I have at the moment suits me just fine: an Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. I like its sporty and classic nature: black, discreet and yet original.
And what kind of watch would you like to give your sweetheart?
Not a watch from a specific brand. On the contrary, if I could, I'd create a watch from scratch for my girl!
What does time represent for you?
Money! Just kidding. Time… embodies the ambiguous relationship between past time and the time we have left to carry out our plans and to live. So time is ambiguity.
What does Swiss watchmaking mean to you?
Pride in having a national product that is universally appreciated abroad! It's a benchmark, a guarantee of quality and of excellent workmanship. That has an impact both on the image of watchmaking in general and on Switzerland itself.
When you are touring abroad, do people talk to you about Swiss watchmaking?
Not about Swiss watchmaking in particular, but about all the things that symbolise Switzerland, including watches. The latter are of course a reference in terms of Swiss excellence in this domain. Afterwards, people also talk to me about banks and chocolate of course.
What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
I read all manner of things, although I wouldn't personally be capable of writing any and every kind of literary genre.
How about a thriller?
No! Murder, blood and torture are definitely not my scene. I'm a romantic…
The notion of time is bly present in your books. Can you tell me a bit more?
Yes indeed, all my books have a bly embedded concept of time. There are constant flashbacks to the life of the main protagonist, a lot of waiting, a sense of protracted duration. There is always a tie with past, present and future time, so it definitely underpins various situations.
What was your latest literary crush?
A bookseller recently recommended a book written by a pair of little-known authors and the title was also unfamiliar. I loved its unexpected side. It was a very different genre from anything I'd previously read. by John Robert and Evan Wright is all about the New York mafia, murder, cocaine… I highly recommend it!
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Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix - Time for jewellery
The Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix Jewellery category comprises 16 watches, which are intended for women, the sole exception being the Diamond Resilience by Speake-Marin - of which the understated charm in comparison with the other competitors, along with the 42 mm diameter, make it entirely suitable for a man's wrist.
When the priority is firmly placed on the jewellery nature of a model, with an abundance of precious materials and stones, as well as gem-setting expertise, watchmaking is naturally relegated to a background role. Only four of the 16 watches in the Jewellery category house a mechanical movement (Hermes, Speake-Marin, Omega and Champs-Elysees) and all except two (Omega and Speake-Marin) display only the hours and minutes. So for now let's forget about horological techniques and complications, and allow ourselves to be borne on the wings of a jewellery dream.
Vivid colours
While diamonds are the undisputed stars on the jewellery watch scene, some of the creations in this category are graced with resplendent colours. Such is very much the case with the models in de Grisogono's Grappoli collection, of which the sparkling precious stones - orange or blue sapphires, emeralds and amethysts - are briolette-cut around the white gold case and undulate with each flick of the wrist. The dial and bezel are adorned with the same stones, but arranged in a snow setting, while the pearl-like beads of the galuchat strap lend an additional precious touch to the watch.
The Hortensia secret watch by Chaumet unfurls the tender colours of a splendid bouquet of flowers sculpted in gold, opal and tourmaline, daintily concealing the natural white mother-of-pearl dial. A large pear-shaped pink tourmaline prolongs this delightful garden on the 6 o'clock lug of the pink satin strap.
The black and white dial of the Arceau Temari model by Hermes - echoing the ancestral Japanese folk art "balls" known as temari - is created by a traditional gem-set pattern of diamonds and onyx marquetry, while the white gold case is graced with a snow setting of 700 diamonds that renders each piece truly unique. The watch houses the Manufacture Hermes H1912 movement, of which the mainplate is graced with circular-grained and snailed finishes, while the bridges and the oscillating weight are satin-brushed and engraved with the H for Hermes.
A flurry of diamonds
The models presented by Boucheron, Chanel, DeLaneau and Louis Vuitton focus entirely on diamonds, at the expense of any other precious stones, while showcasing resolutely different designs and case shapes. The rectangular case typical of Boucheron, along with the bezel, dial and bracelet of the Reflet Pompon watch, are entirely set with round and baguette-cut diamonds. The couture-inspired detachable pompon (tassle) that may be worn as a pendant undulates like a supple fabric - in this instance replaced by a diamond pave setting.
At Chanel, Mademoiselle Gabrielle's famous lion is back with a roar, taking pride of place on the spectacular Lion Mosaïque watch in white gold and diamonds. The bracelet of this model takes the form of an imposing lion's head in three-quarter profile that looms larger than the watch case itself. This creation is inspired by Byzantine mosaics, echoed in the geometrically-cut shapes of the variously sized diamonds.
Each model in the Grace collection by DeLaneau is unique and the one competing in this year's Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix is the Grace Pear Diamonds watch with its 48.48 carats of diamonds. The broad wraparound bracelet is composed of 352 cascading pear-shaped diamonds, rose-cut according to an ancestral technique. Emerging from the middle is a round white gold case topped by a bezel and framing a dial set with a total of 268 gems.
The Dentelle de Monogram watch by Louis Vuitton exudes an extremely pure design with its dainty 30 mm white gold case and its riviere-style bracelet set with round diamonds. The shimmering mother-of-pearl dial picks up the Dentelle (lacework) motif of the eponymous jewellery collection and clothes it in diamonds.
Faced with such a dazzling array of charms, the watchmaking experts of the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix will be able to rely on gemmologist and jeweller Claude Sfeir to help them decide between these stunning competitors.
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Hanhart - Jan Edöcs named operational manager
Jan Edöcs will also continue to be a senior partner at the business and financial consulting group Consalve AG, whose services Hanhart already employed in the past. The 42-year-old Edöcs has more than 20 years' experience in the watch industry (Omega, Swatch Ltd., Versace, Milus International SA) and has proven experience in business management. Ronald Grob, previously interim CEO, will continue in future as a consultant at Hanhart. Production in Gutenbach will continue to be led by Klaus Eble, who has more than 40 years of service with Hanhart and is regarded as an expert in the production of precision timepieces.
Hanhart will be taking part at Baselworld 2013 (25.04. - 02.05.), presenting its new products at hall 2.0, booth E15.
The tradition-rich Hanhart brand was founded in 1882. The company is renowned for the production of functional instrument watches for use on land, sea and in the air. Since 2010 Hanhart is belonging to the Gaydoul Group.
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Omega - Seamaster Co-Axial 300 M Limited Edition James Bond 007
OMEGA celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the first James Bond film with the launch of two commemorative limited edition watches, a press conference and a showcase of props from every James Bond film at its new Westfield Stratford (England) boutique.
The event was opened by OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart, who welcomed media and guests and talked about his brand's relationship with the film franchise. He said, "James Bond is unmatched as a cultural icon and we are excited to be celebrating half a century of great adventure films featuring the world's favourite spy. We are also happy to have the opportunity to display items from every one of those films. I know that the showcase will bring back a lot of cinematic memories." Stephen Urquhart was joined by OMEGA's vice president and head of product development, Jean-Claude Monachon, who introduced two Seamaster Diver watches that OMEGA has released to commemorate the milestone. Released in two sizes, the new Seamaster Diver is distinguished by a red "50" on its diving bezel, a reminder that it is celebrating a special anniversary. Also at the press conference was Lindy Hemming, the Oscar-winning costume designer who chose the OMEGA Speedmaster as 007's watch in GoldenEye in 1995. Asked about her selection of the OMEGA Seamaster with the blue dial, she said "I was convinced that Commander Bond, a Naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this watch as opposed to the one everyone expected me to use."
She added, "I had also known contemporaries when I was in my twenties who were military and naval, and some who worked in field of energy and electricity, who all swore by their Omegas. Therefore, as one of the early tasks in designing the new Bond, Pierce Brosnan, I went to a props and hand props meeting and argued for the use of Omega, which I had of course first investigated to make sure they would be interested in placing their watches on Bond!" Bond film props and gadgets on display The showcase which opened on Wednesday features props from all 22 previously released Bond films. The Parahawk from The World is Not Enough is displayed outside the boutique; it attracted considerable attention from shoppers in the mall who were pleased to enter the boutique to see a wide range of props that includes a Dom Perignon champagne bottle from Dr. No, a flask bomb used in A View to Kill, super-villain Jaws' teeth from The Spy Who Loved Me and Bond's piton gun from GoldenEye.
The showcase continues through Friday February 24th at the OMEGA Boutique at the Stratford Westfield Mall and is open to the public.
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Omega - Dubai Desert Classic 2012
This year's edition of the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament boasted a stellar roster that included three of the world's four top-ranked golfers. The stars didn't disappoint: at the end of the third round, Rory McIlory, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, who entered the tournament ranked second, third and fourth in the world respectively, were in the leaderboard's top ten. But it was Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello who won by a single stroke over Westwood and Scotsman Stephen Gallacher.
Cabrera-Bello, who had been a stroke behind Westwood overnight, birdied the 17th hole and was able to hang on to his lead.
Cabrera-Bello was presented with the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic trophy by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Raynald Aeschlimann, Vice President and International Sales Director, OMEGA, the tournament's title sponsor, in the fiercely contested European Tour event.
The prestigious 18 Ct red gold an OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra Annual Calendar was presented to Cabrera-Bello along with the tournament trophy, following a tournament that saw one of the most dramatic European Tour finishes of the season.
"We are particularly proud to present this timepiece to a winner as worthy as Rafael," said Aeschlimann. "I know that when he wears it, it will bring back memories of his extraordinary performance at this tournament."
The watch presented to Cabrera-Bello is an OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra Annual Calendar with an 18 Ct red gold case and a brown leather strap. The date only needs to be adjusted once a year, on March 1. It is delivered with a four-year warranty and is water-resistant to 15 bar/150 metres/500 feet. The exclusive Co-Axial calibre 8611 is a member of the mechanical watch movement family that has signaled a revolution in the way mechanical wristwatches are being made.
OMEGA is one of the most prominent watch brands in the world and has long promoted golf as a global sport. Its title sponsorships include the OMEGA European Masters played each September in Switzerland and the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Master hosted every December in Dubai. In 2011, the brand entered into a partnership with The PGA of America and will serve as official timekeeper to The PGA Championship, one of golf's four "Majors," and the Ryder Cup when it is contested in the United States. OMEGA is also among the world's leading sports timekeepers and in 2012 will assume its Official Timekeeping role at the Olympic Games for the 25th time since 1932.
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Omega - Constellation
One of the brightest new stars in OMEGA's Constellation family is the Co-Axial 27 mm in 18 Ct red gold. It is not only uncompromisingly elegant but equipped with the brand's proprietary Co-Axial calibre 8521, from OMEGA's family of mechanical movements widely considered to be among the world's finest.
The luxurious timepiece's brushed case with polished claws is crafted from 18 Ct red gold. The matching bracelet has brushed links and polished bars set with 144 full-cut diamonds totalling 0.54 carat. The bezel is paved with 32 full-cut diamonds with a total weight of 0.50 carat. The screw-in caseback features a sapphire crystal that reveals the perfection of the Co-Axial movement inside.
The mother-of-pearl dial is completed with, appropriately, a constellation of applied 18 Ct red gold stars, some that are raised and others with a recessed profile. There is a trapezoidal date window at 3 o'clock. The polished and facetted 18 Ct gold hour and minute hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova, making them easy to read even in limited lighting conditions.
The Co-Axial movement at the heart of the Constellation is equipped with OMEGA's Si 14 silicon balance spring. The dimensions of the movement have allowed OMEGA to introduce its proprietary Co-Axial technology in a 27 mm wristwatch for the first time. The combination of the Co-Axial calibre 8521 and the silicon balance spring offers so much stability that OMEGA offers the stunning timepiece with a four-year warranty.
The OMEGA Constellation Co-Axial 27 mm is water resistant to 10 bar / 100 metres / 330 feet. An 18 Ct yellow gold model is also available. The OMEGA Constellation Co-Axial 27 mm was designed for the woman who cares as much about the mechanical movement inside the case as she does for its breathtaking beauty.
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Omega - Constellation Co-Axial 27 mm
One of the brightest new stars in Omega's Constellation family is the Co-Axial 27 mm in 18 Ct red gold. It is not only uncompromisingly elegant but equipped with the brand's proprietary Co-Axial calibre 8521, from Omega's family of mechanical movements widely considered to be among the world's finest.
The luxurious timepiece's brushed case with polished claws is crafted from 18 Ct red gold. The matching bracelet has brushed links and polished bars set with 144 full-cut diamonds totalling 0.54 carat. The bezel is paved with 32 full-cut diamonds with a total weight of 0.50 carat. The screw-in caseback features a sapphire crystal that reveals the perfection of the Co-Axial movement inside.
The mother-of-pearl dial is completed with, appropriately, a constellation of applied 18 Ct red gold stars, some that are raised and others with a recessed profile. There is a trapezoidal date window at 3 o'clock. The polished and facetted 18 Ct gold hour and minute hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova, making them easy to read even in limited lighting conditions.
The Co-Axial movement at the heart of the Constellation is equipped with OMEGA's Si 14 silicon balance spring. The dimensions of the movement have allowed Omega to introduce its proprietary Co-Axial technology in a 27 mm wristwatch for the first time. The combination of the Co-Axial calibre 8521 and the silicon balance spring offers so much stability that Omega offers the stunning timepiece with a four-year warranty.
The Omega Constellation Co-Axial 27 mm is water resistant to 10 bar / 100 metres / 330 feet. An 18 Ct yellow gold model is also available.
The Omega Constellation Co-Axial 27 mm was designed for the woman who cares as much about the mechanical movement inside the case as she does for its breathtaking beauty.
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Livre - Omega Speedmaster & Speedmaster professional
First part 1957 -1969 (second part for the end of the year)
Bilingual book: ENG / FRA
Complete guide, full of useful information, allowing you to start a collection or continue one confidently: The OMEGA Speedmaster is a watch whose appearance, functions and history awaken a feeling of fascination and fulfilment in us.
This guide starts by some key dates followed by some questions and answers on the brand, the model, the case, the lugs, push-buttons, case backs, etc.. all necessary detail in order to identify a real Speedmaster.
ORDER BOOK
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Omega - Ladymatic
Can you imagine a line of women's watches that recalls the most compelling design elements of the golden age of couture and combines them with the best mechanical watch movements in the world? Is this idea simply too good to be true?
Omega can answer these questions in a word: Ladymatic.
Reviving a legendary name
The Omega Ladymatic reintroduces a name from the storied brand's illustrious past. Originally launched in 1955 and continuing for the better part of a generation, the Ladymatic wristwatch line defined feminine grace and elegance in another era. It was one of the brand's first self-winding watches to be designed especially for women and it featured the smallest automatic movement Omega had ever made.Omega has chosen to revive the legendary name with a family of watches whose design originality and Co-Axial innovation combine to give an entirely new meaning to Ladymatic. These are timepieces that have been created to address women's desire to own wristwatches that make profound fashion statements but which are also equipped with the best series-produced mechanical watch movements in the world.
Nicole Kidman and Ladymatic
Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, an Omega brand ambassador since 2004, will be the face (and wrist) associated with the Ladymatic line. Asked what she thought about Omega's decision to usea name associated with a product launched in the fifties, Kidman said, "There's something appealing about that type of communication. There's a fascination with the era which means that the advertisements can be playful without actually turning back the clock. As the Ladymatic watch collection represents state-of-the-industry technology, this campaign is really a sort of wink."
What's in a name? Ladymatic in 1955 and 2010
When the first Ladymatic watches were released by Omega in 1955, the name concisely communicated the collection's strength: the Ladymatic was a self-winding watch created especially for women.Omega president Stephen Urquhart said about reviving the Ladymatic name, "We're certainly aware that it sounds different now than it did 55 years ago. But the new watches are superb and they've been designed for women who have told us that they are as interested in the quality of our mechanical movements as they are in the style of the watches."Mr. Urquhart added, "By reviving this name, we've been able to focus attention on how important our women customers have been to us over the years and also to show the world what a mechanical watch for women should be in the 21st century."Nicole Kidman echoed his sentiment saying, "These days, interest in the quality of a watch movement isn't gender specific - women have the same interest in its performance as men do. The Ladymatic addresses that perfectly."
The Ladymatic Line
The watches in the new Ladymatic line feature polished 34 mm cases with a distinctive ceramic ring between an outer decorative wave and the inner case body. The cases are crafted in 18 Ct red or yellow gold or in stainless steel.The Ladymatic watches are offered with a choice of polished or snow-set diamond-paved bezels. The polished screw-in crown is either set with a Brilliant Omega CutT™ diamond or is embossed with a polished OMEGA logo. The polished caseback has a sapphire crystal that reveals the movement that powers the watch.The movement driving the Ladymatic watches is the Omega Co-Axial calibre 8520/8521. At its heart is the Co-Axial escapement, the component that in 1999 signaled a revolution in how mechanical wristwatches are made. Each movement is equipped with OMEGA's exclusive Si 14 silicon balance spring, an innovation that makes it more resistant to external shocks and environmental disturbancEach watch in the Omega Ladymatic collection is an officially certified chronometer, a testimony to their outstanding timekeeping performance. The remarkable stability and performance of the Co-Axial calibers equipped with silicon balance springs makes it possible for Omega to deliver each Ladymatic wristwatch with a four-year warranty.The stunning face of the Ladymatic is highlighted by the supernova pattern, which emanates from the centre of the dial. The extra-white mother-ofpearl or lacquered black dials match the colour of the striking ceramic ring. The dials are available either with 11 diamond indexes in facetted 18 Ct gold mounts or in understated elegant simplicity with no hour markers. There is a diamond-polished date window at the 3 o'clock position. The polished alpha-shaped hands have been made from 18 Ct gold and are treated with white Super-LumiNova, making them readable in any lighting conditions.The Omega Ladymatic watches are presented with either bracelets in metals matching their cases or on alligator leather straps in mother-of-pearl white or brilliant black. The metal bracelets feature Omega's patented 3-row screw-and-pin design with a butterfly clasp. The alligator straps have a polished link in the metal that corresponds to the case and an 18 Ct gold foldover clasp.The new Omega Ladymatic Collection draws certain influences from its namesake: like the original Ladymatic watches, the line perfectly blends graceful, timeless design and Omega's groundbreaking technology. The new collection, with its Co-Axial technology and bold fashion features, takes the best elements of an earlier era and introduces them, completely updated and upgraded, to women of accomplishment in a new century.
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Omega - Seamaster Diver 300m "Vancouver 2010" Limited Edition
As the OMEGA clock counting down to the start of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games has just reached the minus 100 day mark, OMEGA is releasing two special limited edition watches to commemorate the milestone. The OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300m "Vancouver 2010" Limited Edition will be produced in 41 mm and 36.25 mm versions, each in a release of 2010 numbered pieces and featuring the OMEGA Co-Axial caliber 2500.
The Seamaster Diver 300m "Vancouver 2010" Limited Edition is equipped with professional diving features: it has a unidirectional rotating bezel, a helium-escape valve and is water resistant to a depth of 300 meters. The caseback is embossed with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games logo which features "Ilanaak", the symbol of the Games. It represents the figures made of piled stones which the Canadian First Nations people created to serve as greetings to anyone moving through their territories. The logo's name, Ilanaak, was taken from the word for "friend" in Inuktitut, the name given to the variety of Inuit languages spoken in Canada. The caseback is engraved with the Limited Edition number (0000/2010).
OMEGA will be serving as Official Olympic Timekeeper for the 24th time at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and will be carrying on a legacy dating back to the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The Seamaster Diver 300m "Vancouver 2010" Limited Edition watches ideally commemorate the Winter Games in Vancouver and OMEGA's long relationship with the Olympic Movement.
The striking watches feature white lacquered dials and red-anodized aluminum bezel rings. These bold contrasting colors recall the Canadian flag with its proud red maple leaf against a stark white background. The white dials are also reminiscent of the snow and ice which will play such an important role in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
The watches' connection to the Games in Vancouver is further reinforced by the colored Olympic rings on the counterweight of the red-tipped, rhodium-plated chro¬nograph seconds hand. Their hands and indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova which at night or in limited light conditions casts a soft blue reflection.
[Rating: 5 / 5 stars]
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