March, 2015 ‣ Online Swiss Replica Watches UK Shop

Inside Rolex Bienne

The first thing that strikes you is its sheer size. The Rolex movement-making complex, on the Swiss replica watches uk outskirts of Bienne, Switzerland, is a study in gigantism. It consists of four monolithic buildings, occupying 170,000 cubic meters of space. It’s imposing, and, with its air of impregnability, a little mysterious.

We ride out there one February afternoon because Rolex has agreed to give us, two editors, a tour of the facility, a mainplate-to-hairspring view of how it makes its movements, 750,000-plus of them per year.

Before the tour, we receive a background briefing, a combination of live presentation and film. It takes place in a proportionately large auditorium attached to what is surely the biggest cheap replica watches-company reception area we’ve ever been in: a two-story-high, light-filled atrium with a Rolex-green marble floor.

This complex, Manufacture des Montres Rolex SA, located in an industrial zone called Champs-de-Boujean, is the sister of Rolex SA in Geneva, which makes cases, bracelets and dials; assembles the watches; and does the company’s gem-setting. Rolex corporate headquarters are also in Geneva.

Here in Bienne, about 2,000 employees make movement components, 50 million of them per year, assemble the movements, and send them to Switzerland’s chronometer-testing agency, COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) to receive chronometer certification. (All Rolex-made movements receive certification except for most in the Cellini collection — although Cellini Prince models are COSC-certified.) Rolex replica watches sale Bienne then ships the movements to Rolex Geneva for casing. The four Bienne buildings, set against the backdrop of the Jura mountains, are called Rolex III, IV, V and VI. (Rolex I and II are old, former factory buildings near the center of Bienne. Rolex no longer owns them.) The company also has a factory in the town of Le Locle, employing 150 people, where some movement assembly takes place.

Until 2004, Rolex Bienne and Rolex Geneva had different owners. The former belonged to the descendants of Jean Aegler, whose Aegler SA factory in Bienne provided movements to Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf starting in 1905. Rolex Geneva was, and still is, owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which Wilsdorf established in 1945.

Several years ago, Rolex Geneva bought the Bienne facility and the two were merged. That move, along with Rolex’s long-term project of acquiring many of its suppliers of components and equipment, has transformed the company into a vertically integrated manufacture.

Class over, we set out on the tour. It will have a theme, says François Paschoud, one of the facility’s technical directors: We will be following the manufacturing steps of Rolex’s famous Caliber 4130, the chronograph movement that Rolex launched in 2000 to replace the Zenith El Primero caliber it had been using in its Cosmograph Daytona models. That introduction was a latest replica watches uk major event for Rolex; it meant that from that point on all movements used in the Rolex brand were made in-house.

Brand to Watch: Angelus Returns

Baselworld is the peak time of year for the launch of new replica watches uk. But every so often it also serves as the coming-out party for a new brand that’s entering the market. Such is the case for Angelus, a name with serious watchmaking history. Angelus was a Swiss brand of some repute until (like many of its compatriots) it was wiped out by the quartz revolution in the 1970s. Now it’s making a return under notable new management. At Baselworld, Angelus will launch with its first new watch, the U10 Tourbillon Lumière. But in order to appreciate this accomplishment, we have to take a look at where the brand comes from.

Angelus Manufacture 560

Angelus was founded by the brothers Albert and Gustav Stolz in 1891, in Le Locle. The Stolzes had studied under Henri Sandoz of the Tavannes Watch Company, and began their own company at a time when the cheap replica watches uk business was booming. In the coming decades they established Angelus as a respected maker of both watches and watch movements. By the 1930s, its chronographs had become a major part of the business, and would become the brand’s most renowned creations. Angelus quickly adopted the design (conceived by Breitling) of a two-pusher chronograph, like this one from 1935.

The brand also became known for its portable clocks and table clocks with eight-day power reserves and a host of functions, like alarm, barometer and thermometer. But the watch that would make everything possible for Angelus was the Chronodato. In 1942, the company introduced the first widely-produced chronograph wristwatch with calendar function. The top Montblanc replica watches had a bicompax design to display the running seconds and a 45-minute counter; a date hand circled the dial, and month and day were displayed in apertures at 12 and 6 o’clock, respectively.

Angelus 1942 Chronodato 560 The Chronodato paved the way for the brand’s pièce de résistance in 1948: the Chrono-Datoluxe. Using Angelus’s caliber SF250, the Chrono-Datoluxe again had a bicompax chronograph display, to which it added a moon-phase at 6 o’clock. But the watch’s real significance was that it was the first serially produced Swiss replica watches uk with a digital date display. Two numeral disks rotated underneath the window between 11 and 12 o’clock, right beside a day display.

Angelus 1948 Chrono-Datoluxe (3x) 560

Angelus had made a name for itself, but its time in the sun was unfortunately brief. By the end of the 1960s the Swiss watch industry was in decline, and that process was severely accelerated by the advent of quartz replica watches uk sale. Production was shut down in the 1970s; Angelus became known as a darling of vintage-watch collectors.

It wasn’t until 2011 that it found new owners. And not just anyone: Manufacture La Joux-Perret. The highly regarded movement maker, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, makes original calibers for a number of clients. It also has its own brand, Arnold & Son, which creates manufacture movements in the same facility. So Angelus seems to be in very good hands.

The new Angelus is run out of the same La Chaux-de-Fonds site as La Joux-Perret and Arnold & Son. Like those companies, it is also directed by CEO Frédéric Wenger and technical director Sébastien Chaulmontet.

But since La Joux-Perret already has a powerful small brand in the form of Arnold & Son – and one that has produced a host of innovative and distinct replica fake watches uk based on its golden-age watchmaking heritage – what is left for Angelus to do in this new incarnation. The answer: something completely different.

The U10 Tourbillon Lumière looks unlike anything to have come out of the La Joux-Perret factories to date. It has an almost sci-fi appearance, with its 62.75-mm-long stainless steel case and seven separate sapphire crystals. Angelus refers to it as a “deconstructed movement,” with its tourbillon sitting apart from the rest of the mechanism. The inside of the tourbillon chamber has a matte black PVD finish to add to the dramatic effect. It is a flying tourbillon suspended above a titanium bridge.

The U10 has a 90-hour power reserve, thanks to two serially mounted barrels. Caliber A100 has 38 jewels and beats at 18,000 vph. It is a manual-wind movement, and you can monitor the level of wind via a separate display window on the side of the case. The movement is finely finished, as can be seen through the caseback crystal.

The dial, which displays hours, minutes and dead-beat seconds, is concave with a spoke-like design for the minutes track. The hands, as well as the indexes, are coated with Super-LumiNova that glows white and blue.

In total, the U10 case is 38 mm lug-to-lug and 15 mm thick. It makes a very imposing statement on a black alligator strap, which has a steel folding buckle. If someone is walking towards you wearing an Angelus, there will be no mistaking it. However, the chance of seeing one on the street is still minimal: only 25 pieces of this limited edition will be produced. Hopefully this is the first of many brave new releases from the revamped Angelus.

Angelus_U10 Tourbillon Lumière_runabout 560

Look, Ma, No Hands: 5 Watches That Tell Time Differently

The vast majority of replica watches uk store stick to traditional hour and minute hands to display the time, but a handful of bold manufacturers use their technical prowess to find new, innovative, and often downright audacious methods to indicate the hours, minutes, and occasionally even other functions. Below is a list of unusual watches that deviate from the conventional time-telling style, finding creative alternatives to hour and minute hands.

Introduced at Baselworld 2013, the HM3 Megawind by MB&F features a movement designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht that features an oversized “battleaxe” rotor. As with other MB&F “horological machines,” the hour and minute are indicated by revolving cones, machined from solid blocks of aluminum to paper thinness, housed inside larger cones made from brazed gold and sapphire.

HYT’s H1 does away with the hour hand, instead indicating the hour by means of a green liquid that flows through a tube along the edge of the dial. This unconventional cheap replica watches uk is famous for being powered by a system of bellows used to pump the liquid forward. Click here for our detailed analysis of how the HYT H1 works.

HYT's H1

A year after it introduced the H1, HYT brought out the H2 model (titanium/white gold version below), which added three additional functions: a power-reserve indicator, a temperature indicator and an “H-N-R” indicator. The latter is connected to the crown and tells the wearer which position the crown is in — H for setting the time, N for neutral, and R for winding (remonter in French).

Christophe Claret’s X-TREM-1 features a tourbillon and uses magnetic fields to create the illusion of hour and minute indicators floating through the air. Two small steel spheres – hollowed to make them lighter – are encased within two sapphire tubes placed to the right and left of the caseband and controlled by precision magnetic fields generated by two miniature magnets moved by cables. The position of each sphere indicates the hour and minute.

Christophe Claret X-TREM-1

One of the most unconventional timepieces in the always-innovative Harry Winston Opus collection is the Harry Winston Opus XI, with its futuristic, moving dial. Every hour, on the hour, in the span of 2 or 3 seconds, the numerical hour display – a system comprised of a multitude of wheels, pinions, arbors, bearings and tiles – disintegrates into utter chaos and then returns to order for the remainder of the hour. Click here to discover how this top Breitling replica watch’s miraculous movement pulls off this feat.

Harry Winston Opus XI

H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Funky Blue

As the discussion around smartwatches builds, the independent watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. takes a clear but distinctive position today. H. Moser & Cie. has produced smart replica watches uk for sale over 100 years by combining a clean interface, state-of-the-art ergonomics, ingenious functions and long power autonomy – without compromise. Today, they continue to nurture the next generation of watch lovers launching the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Funky Blue, a watch that both looks smart and is in fact very clever. This is the original smart watch.

While recently launched smartwatches struggle with complex interfaces, poor ergonomics and limited autonomy, the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar represents ingenious product design. Both cognitive and physical ergonomics are optimised with the clean and easy-to-read interface. The patented flash calendar, for example, allows the date adjustment forwards and backwards at any time of day and the instant date change at midnight. In addition, the mechanical battery with two barrels ensures exceptional autonomy with a minimum power reserve of 7 days. Finally, technology partner Precision Engineering developed the Moser interchangeable escapement to guarantee the highest precision. These are just a few of the intelligent solutions in this best replica watches uk that will satisfy the most demanding users.

The original smart watch is representative of the Swiss watch industry – persisting over centuries thanks to expertise, excellence, quality and passion. The Swiss replica watches sale industry faces challenges with the advent of smartwatches but also opportunities. CEO Edouard Meylan explains, “Smartwatches belong to a different segment. They are great gadgets. They even have the potential to introduce a new generation to wearables for the wrist. Our challenge is to continue being creative, innovative and true to our heritage in order to inspire highly discerning consumers. At H. Moser & Cie. we love challenges, so when it comes to nurturing the next generation of watch lovers, let us take it from here.”

With sincerest apologies, the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Funky Blue does not let you draw doodles, tweet, send your heartbeat to others or set your fitness goals. It does not even let you take photos. It does, however, elegantly and ingeniously let you declare your individuality while contemplating the time passing by. This is both very smart and very rare.

H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Funky Blue

This irreverent design by H. Moser & Cie. continues to tear down preconceptions. Countering the view that a perpetual calendar must be restricted to a classic look, the manufacture launches the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Funky Blue, a bold reinterpretation of this haute horlogerie model featuring a sky- blue dial and a kudu leather strap.

H. Moser & Cie. is taking a non-conformist stance at Baselworld by giving its perpetual calendar a brand new look. Aimed at watch fans searching for a model with classic appeal, this noteworthy watch avoids being modern trends and does not resemble watches worn by their grandfathers. The Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Funky Blue is the response to those who favour elegance and tradition, without sacrificing design. This fake watches uk has distinction: an authentic identity, a genuine signature; as a very rare timepiece from the H. Moser Manufacture, this exceptional watch stands out from the crowd.

Renowned for its celebrated fumé dials, H. Moser & Cie. is exploring new possibilities and is pushing the dial-maker’s craft even further. While the existing versions have a classic look, this Endeavour Perpetual Calendar is rewriting the rules with its electric blue dial, paired with a leather strap with a robust, rustic appearance – including natural markings – that offers the perfect contrast to the refined details and finishes of the dial and case. The common denominator is the HMC 341 manufacture movement, as ingenious as ever. Appreciated as a masterpiece in Simplicity and refinement, this perpetual calendar uses the indexes to show the months and can be adjusted forwards or backwards at any time without risk to the mechanism. With this unique and attractive combination, H. Moser & Cie. is changing the rules by mixing traditional cheap replica watchmaking with seductive design. A perpetual calendar with an adventurous appeal: H. Moser & Cie. has created something truly surprising, building on the exceptional and extremely rare developments it began in 2014.

Vacheron Constantin renews its support of European Artistic Crafts Days

For the fifth consecutive year, Vacheron Constantin is confirming its attachment to Artist Crafts by renewing its support of the European Artistic Crafts Days (JEMA) will take place from March 27th to 29th 2015 in a dozen different countries, including Switzerland, thus enabling the public to become acquainted with these skills and to spark future career interests.

Vacheron Constantin and the European Artistic Crafts Days share common values

The Geneva Maison is the world’s oldest Swiss replica watches Manufacture in the world, faithfully perpetuating a proud heritage imbued with excellence and passion across almost 260 years of uninterrupted history. For Vacheron Constantin, the promotion of Artistic Crafts is more than a commitment; it is a duty. In partnership with the French National institute of Artistic Crafts (INMA), the Manufacture is thus delighted to support the “Mutations” exhibition to be held at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. This is a perspective consisting of nine works inspired by heritage pieces of the museum and produced by collectives of artists and craftsmen. In Milan, in partnership with the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, Vacheron Constantin is presenting the “Intrecci” exhibition at the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, revisiting the art of traditional weaving.

The European Artistic Crafts Days in Western Switzerland: some 60 trades represented across three cantons

Following the city of Geneva in 2012, and Canton Vaud in 2014, this year it is the Republic and Canton of Jura’s turn to join the European Artistic Crafts Days, of which Vacheron Constantin has been a patron since the very first edition.

These different visits through the three cantons will enable the public to encounter artist crafts – many of them little or forgotten – and thereby guarantee a wealth of enriching, unprecedented interactions.

Vacheron Constantin opens the doors of its historic site at the l’Ile de la Cité in Geneva

As part of this 2015 edition, the Manufacture is delighted to be holding the first-ever public open day at the place where its history was made: the Maison Vacheron Constantin at the l’Ile de la Cité in Geneva. On this unique occasion, the Maison Vacheron Constantin is offering an opportunity to become acquainted with a master gemsetter, a master engraver and a master cheap Omega replica watchmaker who will demonstrate their art and skill. The demonstrations performed by our best replica watchmakers and master Artisans will give visitors a chance to discover fascinating techniques that have found their way through the centuries.

Every year, the European Artistic Crafts Days provide this eagerly anticipated event, the objective of which is to raise awareness of and preserve artistic crafts, while placing them in a contemporary perspective.

Through its support of this initiative, Vacheron Constantin reaffirms its determination to safeguard, transmit and promote an ancient heritage with which it is inextricably linked.