Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX5 LMP1

The new AMVOX5 World Chronograph LMP1 is part of the long standing collaboration between Jaeger LeCoultre and Aston Martin Racing. The watch has a ceramic and titanium case and features the orange and blue colors of Gulf Oil, a historic Aston Martin racing sponsor. The limited edition of two hundred and fifty chronographs were tested by LMP1 prototype drivers in races proving its superior accuracy and readability – though we doubt they did much testing at Le Mans 2011 given both cars only lasted one lap!

The watch uses the Jaeger LeCoultre Calibre 752 movement with world time and chronograph complications. As we’ve come to expect from Jaeger LeCoultre, it’s a beautiful looking timepiece…

Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms

Blancpain have been making their brand visible in the motorsport world, with support of ADAC masters, Endurance GT racing and the Lamborghini Super-Trofeo one-make series. They have now released a limited edition ‘Fifty Fathoms’ watch based on an early 1950′s model, the Fifty Fathoms Aqua Lung.

With a driving inspired style, the watch uses an automatic Blancpain movement which has a power reserve of up to four days and a unique blue tinted nautilus shaped oscillating weight. The case is made of steel and the watch features a nylon strap with large holes in it like the original Fifty Fathoms Aqua Lung. We like…

TAG Heuer MP4-12C

TAG Heuer are producing some rather special timepieces at the moment – something that is reflected by the two pieces of news we’ve featured recently. Swiss watch maker TAG Heuer have released a new watch, the MP4-12C is inspired by the McLaren MP4-12C road car.

The watch has been designed carefully to feature a unique carbon fiber style pattern dial with a large central window. The watch uses the automatic Dubois Depraz Calibre 4900 Chronograph movement which includes forty seven jewels and a dinstinct semi-perpetual-calendar function with a large date. The case is made of titanium and the watch is limited to only one thousand pieces exclusively from Tag Heuer.

TAG Heuer Mikrograph

TAG Heuer continues down a very interesting and exciting path.  Since the release of the Monaco LS in 2009 – a watch that we really like on principle alone – the 150 year old brand has been really producing some exceptional timepieces of late.

Now, we have news of a brand new product from TAG Heuer that harkens back to one of their most famous mechanical achievements, the original 1916 Mikrograph.  For those who don’t know what a Mikrograph is, it’s a chronograph that has the ability to record and display time up to 1/100th of a second accuracy, and Heuer famously made a stopwatch capable of such a feat almost 100 years ago.

Now, the Mikrograph is back, but in the form of a limited edition Carrera wristwatch.  The blue second hand you see does rotate around the dial at a rate of one rotation per second, not unlike the Zenith El Primero Striking 10th.  The movement is comprised of two separate balance wheels with two separate escapements.

No word on price or availability, but it is reported to be 43mm and made in only 150 pieces.

AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder

Aston Martin and Jaeger-LeCoultre have announced the launch of the AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder timepiece which affords the owner of a DB9 the luxury of opening their sports car by simply pressing on the sapphire crystal of their watch.

The AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder heralds the third generation of the revolutionary creation that sealed the ties between Aston Martin and the Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre.

As the driver nears the car, all he need do is press the OPEN position on the watch glass (between eight and nine o’clock) in order to unlock the car, whereas doing the same thing on the CLOSE position between three and four o’clock will lock the vehicle.

By pressing simultaneously on the “OPEN” and “CLOSE” rectangles, the watch emits a signal recognised by the car as a “FIND ME” function: the headlamps light up for several seconds, without unlocking the car, so as to enable the owner to find the car at a glance.

In-cased in grade five titanium, the black dial of the AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder is adorned with a grille-type motif and bears rhodium-plated metallic numerals coated in the centre with a luminescent black substance. The DB9 logo, which is gilded – as are the hands and hour-markers, appears to be floating in the centre in a window revealing the ruthenium mainplate and bridges of the exquisitely refined movement.

The AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder watch is available to order now for £12,426 or $24,400 exclusive of local taxes and customs & duties charges.

Spyker Timepiece

Spyker Timepiece

Apparently, a limited edition Spyker timepiece represents the perfect Christmas gift for discerning motoring and watch enthusiasts.  Launched at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans to celebrate the exclusive supercar brand’s participation in the world-renowned motor racing challenge, the Spyker Timepieces collection are adorned with exquisite design details that echo the styling features of Spyker’s luxury supercars.

Designed and engineered by renowned watch and luxury goods expert, Thierry Chaunu of Expression D’Artistes International S.A., the Spyker-branded chronographs are available in solid 18K grey or rose gold finishes, each of which is limited to a run of 250, or in polished steel or matt black titanium finishes, each of which is limited to a run of 1000 each.  The quilted leather bracelets, available in Dutch Spyker Orange, Black Anthracite or Blanc de Blanc white, are hand-stitched in France using Royal Dutch Hulshof leather, the very same as the hides that are specified for Spyker’s supercar interiors.

These exclusive watches are water resistant to 100 metres and are individually numbered.

The Spyker Timepieces collection is available online at www.SpykerTime.com and at carefully selected watch retailers as well as a small number of Spyker-sponsored car owners’ events, with prices ranging from US$ 9,750 / € 7,500 to US$30,500 / € 23,500.

Chopard 2010 GT XL

Chopard have been the principal sponsors of the Mille Miglia for many years and  each year they make a limited edition watch to commemorate the occasion.

This years watch is the GT XL Chrono which has a specially made brushed aluminum dial similar to the instrument panel of some cars. The watch uses an automatic Chopard movement, which has a power reserve of forty-six hours. Only 2,010 of the watches will be made with a steel case as well as two hundred and fifty with a rose gold case, both models have a rubber strap modelled after the profile of a Dunlop tyre.

New AMVOX 5 by Jaeger-LeCoultre

The fifth watch borne out of the partnership between Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin. The AMVOX5 World Chronograph, the first timepiece in the AMVOX collection associating the chronograph with worldtime functions, celebrates the fifth watch borne out of the shared values of two exceptional brands: absolute respect for the noblest traditions; and the tireless pursuit of perfection.

The Grande Maison in the Vallée de Joux and the famous British sports car maker are fuelled by the same passion: a love of mechanical beauty be it of the automobile or horological type. Jaeger-LeCoultre is the only manufacturer to unite over 40 professions and skills under a single roof, from watchmakers and artisans who perpetuate and enrich the heritage passed on by former generations, to microtechnical engineers and cutting-edge technology specialists. “Striving for success is one of the cornerstones of our partnership. The fabulous accomplishments that have punctuated the history of our brands have led to decisive breakthroughs, both in watchmaking and in car manufacturing”, said Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO Jérôme Lambert.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: “Aston Martin and Jaeger-LeCoultre enjoy a highly productive collaboration, one which shares the values of each brand perfectly. The similar approach to manufacture, attention to detail and craftsmanship lends itself perfectly to this latest time piece in the AMVOX range.

Hublot King Power F1

Hublot have become the official timekeeper for F1 racing, and to celebrate they have created a limited edition – the ‘King Power F1′.

The Hublot King Power F1 has a large forty eight millimeter matte black ceramic case and bezel with a rubber strap. The partially skeletonized dial is made of carbon and features the F1 logo in white gold. Only five hundred of the watches will be made and will be available exclusively from Hublot stores.

Nice watch, dodgy name.

Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Atalante Flyback Chronograph

The new Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Atalante Flyback Chronograph continues Parmigiani Fleurier’s relationship with Bugatti.

The watch is named after the legendary (and extremely beautiful) Bugatti 57S Atalante coupé, which is one of the rarest Bugatti’s ever made. The watch uses the automatic Parmigiani caliber PF335 and has a flyback chronograph complication with a power reserve of fifty hours. The dial of the watch has chamfered bridges reminiscent of the grille of the 57S Atalante whilst the case is available in either eighteen karat rose or white gold with Hermès alligator straps.

Not quite as exclusive as the car, but a lovely piece all the same. Interested parties should contact their local Bugatti or Parmigiani Fleuruer dealer.