India’s very own designer of bespoke handcrafted watches, Gaurav Mehta of Jaipur Watch Company (JWC), on the five most precious watches he owns. For the man hailing from Jaipur, a city where the air of royalty still hangs heavy, luxury watches are not about the price points, rather they are an emotional connect. A lover of everything vintage, to Gaurav, every timepiece he owns has a piece of history attached to it. A sneak peek…

a) Blue skeleton coin watch (JWC) – For the labour and the love that went into its making. When you see the end product of what you had initially conceived turn out to be this stunning and sound, it makes the designer in me delirious.

b) Kings Wristwear (JWC) – Fit for the wrist of a king, I have been very involved in the making process of this watch. It’s not only exquisite to look at but it’s technically extremely sound.

c) 5 Series Vintage Omega – Ever since its inception, Omega brought in the concept of accuracy and that has been the only label which has been on moon! This attracts me to these timepieces and I have started collecting them recently.

d) HMT Pilot (set of 15 variants) - One of the most iconic and elusive models from HMT has been the Pilot. There are multiple variants in the same model and there are a lot of unknown models which are yet to be discovered. I have managed to collect around 15 and they rule amongst the 200+ HMTs I own. The mechanics, the moving flywheel and the sweep second hands of an HMT watch attracted me towards these watches. 

e) Vintage Rolex Datejust – I am a die-hard lover of timeless classics and an avid collector of vintage memorabilia. Hence, this is one of my favourite watches. It’s an iconic design by Rolex that remains unchanged even after 100 years of its existence.

Strong bold and so very masculine, we are crushing over this beautiful Brietling Chronomat 44 Blacksteel special edition with a yellow dial that seem to say "wear me" with total abandon. The watch emanates sturdiness and high performance and sheer masculinity. The satin-brushed steel case and bezel stand out by their black carbon-based high-resistance treatment. They make a powerful contrast with the yellow dial – Breitling’s signature color – against which the black counters and red hands reminiscent of instrument panels stand out with admirable clarity.

With its black oscillating weight visible through a transparent sapphire crystal it sits pretty as a loyal companion to pilots all over the world due to its technical qualities. Its rugged case is water 200 m/660 ft. The screw-lock crown and safety pushpieces form an impenetrable rampart against any water infiltration and are protected against shocks by substantial lateral reinforcements. The unidirectional rotating bezel with black rubber-inlaid numerals is equipped with four polished rider tabs serving to measure times as well as facilitating handling. The dial ensures optimal readability thanks to its large luminescent-coated hour-markers and hands, protected by a sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides. The Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) ensures maximum reliability and precision.

Since we love watches this was something we just had to write about. Passionate watch collectors fought a bid recently at Sotheby’s Geneva that sent the prices of the rare watches soaring into ten times more than their pre-sale estimates. So what was so special about the watches that saw a ten minute polite but aggressive bidding in a room?

At this recent sale of important watches at Sotheby’s in Geneva an extreme rare watch by Patek Philippe surpassed its estimate value to reach $475,488. It soared to more than ten times its pre-sale estimate. This watch is thought to be the one of two models of reference 844 in white gold. This minute repeating perpetual calendar watch with moon-phases from 1973 bears a full digital display of day, month and date held within a single aperture.

The watch was offered for the first time in auction, it’s a very rare stainless steel Patek Phillippe wrist watch with black dial and Breguet numerals. This is the only known example of this reference which combines a stainless steel case, black dial and pink gold Breguet numerals.

What were the other watches that pleasantly fetched a price more than its pre-sale estimates. There was the stunning example of Swiss Art Deco, a superb desk timepiece made by Vacheron Constantin, in collaboration with Verger Frères sold at $433,178. Created in 1926 eight collectors vied for this watch which features a mother-of-pearl dial by Vladimir Makovsky.

There was also a world auction record for a Heuer watch when Formula One driver Ronnie Peterson’s Heuer Carerra watch sold at $226,663, over 20 times the pre-sale estimate of CHF 10,000 – 20,000. Six passionate collectors vied for the watch during a ten-minute bidding battle. This reference 1158 was presented to Ronnie Peterson by Jack W. Heuer in 1972 on the occasion of the signing of a sponsorship deal.

Here’s a look at the TAG Heuer’s Carrera Heuer-01 that was launched last year at Basel and now available with three new models with a metal bracelet that look super stylish. In the first one you can go for the steel version where the case and bracelet both are made from steel to give it a sporty look. The second one comes in titanium-a metal used in the fields of aeronautics to aerospace as well as the chemical industry and medicine. It’s also twice as light and resistance as steel. The third combines the ceramic and rubber and comes in attractive pitch black design. It’s water resistance to 100 meters. How about that for beauty and sturdy in your wrist now?

Breitling’s Galactic collection now has  a new model that not only looks stunning but is also a technical breakthrough with the B35 “in-house” caliber. This selfwinding worldtime movement is distinguished by its revolutionary simple operation. Pulling out the crown and turning it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments is enough to correct all the dial indications in one smooth move, including automatic adjustment of the date to local time, in both directions. To provide this unprecedented functionality, Breitling has developed two patented innovations relating to the differential system and the connection between the city disk and the movement.

The case is fitted with a brand-new smooth bezel in tungsten carbide, an ultra-resistant high-tech composite material of which the original shade makes a subtle contrast with the polished steel. Tungsten carbide is made from tungsten powder molded at a high temperature and under extremely high pressure. The result is incomparable hardness almost five times greater than that of steel, as well as a scratch-resistant surface able to withstand hard knocks and wear over time.

We love the sporty look of this sturdy, travel friendly number.

Ethos brought the extremely prestigious and coveted Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) to India with a gala dinner hosted by Mr. Yashovardhan Saboo, Chairman Ethos at the Swiss embassy.

The event saw many guests appreciating the watches like: Dr. H.E. Linus von Castelmur (Ambassador of Switzerland to India and Bhutan) with his wife, Rajive Suri, Peter Dascoli, Cecile Dascoli, Prisca Marti, Reis Marti, Patrick Saurini, Sarah Arnett, Wolfgang Will, Aurel Bacs, Carlo Lamprecht, Carine Maillard, Jerome Riff, Malvika Suri, Aditya Singhal, Charuvi Agrawal and many others.  

Anu & Yashovardhan Saboo;  Peter Dascoli with Cecile Dascoli

Clockwise: Aerel Bac with Carlo Lamprecht; Patric Saurini & Sarah Arnett; Dr. H.E. Linus von Castelmur with his wife 

At the GPHG, New Delhi, discerning watch lovers and collectors got the opportunity to admire 72 phenomenal timepieces from participating luxury brands including Breguet, Blancpain, A. Lange & Söhne, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaquet Droz, Harry Winston, OMEGA, Bulgari, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Chopard, Breguet, Mont Blanc, Hublot, Hermes, TAG Heuer. Each unveiled these special creations that showcased their expertise and excellence in haute horlogerie. Other internationally acclaimed luxury watch brands like Urwerk, Frederic Jouvenot, Grönefeld Parallax, Delaneau among others, which have so far not entered Indian retail, also reached the Indian connoisseurs at this symposium.

Ranbir Kapoor has now been added to TAG Heuer's alluring list of sports and celebrity ambassadors. The association with the biggest youth icon of India will surely give a great push to the Swiss watchmaker's position in the market.

The actor signed a long term partnership with the brand as its Brand Ambassador while it unveiled its global campaign in India - DON’T CRACK UNDER PRESSURE. Best known for breaking rules, the brand is synonymous to ground breaking innovation. 'Don’t crack under pressure' asserts the powerful truth that achievement is due as much to mental strength as to physical capabilities. 

Ranbir sporting TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Ceramic Bezel Black Dial Black Leather Strap

“Far more than a claim, it is a powerful mindset,” said TAG Heuer CEO Stephane Linder. “Those who know TAG Heuer may recognize the motto, a tribute to an early 90’s campaign which for many remains the most archetypal expression of TAG Heuer’s unbreakable determination. The campaign captures the mental strength of our Dream Team, athletes and partners, who reflect the values of the TAG Heuer shield. In India, we are proud to have two of the best names in Bollywood sporting TAG Heuer and we see a great future with them in the coming years.” 

“TAG Heuer has always been one of my dreams,” said Ranbir Kapoor. “It started when I was really young, it was the first watch I wanted to own in my life. I really have to pinch myself to believe that I am part of the TAG Heuer family. I think TAG Heuer stands for the four principle P’s that is prestige, precision, passion and performance. I think that is something we all and especially I can identify with.”

We love Dior VIII Montaigne with its pink gold, here’s why.

This new expression of femininity is an ultimate gift for the woman of today and is perfectly in sync with the upcoming festive season in case you are planning to indulge in some luxe buys.

If you are a traveller at heart with a flair for stylish timepieces on your wrist, Louis Vuitton has just the right accessory for you. The new TAMBOUR HEURES DU MONDE has been designed keeping you in mind. If you are wearing this, a flick of your wrist will give the exact time wherever in the world you may be.

The very first thing to notice in this timepiece is the off-centre map of the world on the dial with its light relief and satin engraving designed to highlight the different continents. Surrounding it, the initials of 24 cities  corresponding to different time zones  are alternately written in yellow or white for enhanced legibility. Simply activate the push button located at 2 o’clock to position the little yellow mobile marker (which circles the map of the world) under the time zone whose time you would like to see displayed in the large window next to the date. 

Another one of its many notable features is that the diurnal and nocturnal times are distinguished by the colour of their numbers: white for day and grey for night. The function is incredibly simple to use, even when you need to adjust its settings, as a discreet corrector positioned at 4 o’clock on the middle allows you to set the time in the zones (for example, when the clocks go forward or back).

The elegant grey dial features a vertical satin finish as a graphic echo of the time zones. In addition, the reverse is just as beautiful as the front, because the transparent back of the 44-mm diameter steel instrument reveals an LV 101 automatic calibre whose oscillating weight bears the LV signature cut into the metal. Presented on a grey alligator bracelet featuring a black calfskin chape with yellow stitching and a saddle stitch finish, the case is watertight to 50 metres. The dial comes in 44 mm steel case with transparent back and anti-reflective sapphire glass.

Don't hold yourself back, go for it - flaunt it as you travel the world cherishing memories and knowing exactly what time you created it.

In the early 1980s, Ernest Schneider – to whom Willy Breitling had just sold his firm – learned that the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian airforce aerobatics team, had issued a bid for tender on their first official watch.  It was then that he decided to create a brand-new aviation chronograph specifically designed for pilots’ needs.

This was developed in close cooperation with the squadron. All details of the construction and exterior were designed to meet the demands of aviation professionals. It was sturdy, readability of the dial was excellent as was the pushpieces and the crown.

It turned out to be ultra-functional, avant-garde and an elegant chronograph. Voted by the Italian flying aces, the official Frecce Tricolori watch was thus, launched in 1983. It also became the flagship of the Breitling spirit. In 1984, the firm celebrated its 100th anniversary in grand style by launching its mainstream Chronomat collection.

Over the past three decades, this exceptional watch has seen an evolution in its aesthetic expressed through a sequence of subtle adjustments yet maintaining its immediately recognizable character and style. Breitling has constantly improved its performances in terms of sturdiness, functionality, precision and reliability. In 2009, the Chronomat was the first model in the range to host the new Manufacture Breitling calibers. It is the leader of the Breitling collections establishing itself as an authentic horological classic.  

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its best-seller, Breitling has created a special series reviving the design and the spirit of the original Frecce Tricolori chronograph. This Chronomat Airborne is distinguished by its satin-brushed rotating bezel equipped with four raised rider tabs serving to count off flight times, while facilitating rotation even with gloved hands.

The result is an edgy, technical and sophisticated appearance. The sturdy steel case with its polished finish comes in two large dials of 41 and 44 mm sizes. It will have two versions: beautiful black with silver-toned counters, and silver-toned with black counters. The caseback is engraved with the inscription “Edition Spéciale 30e Anniversaire” (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) as well as the outline of an Aermacchi, one of the ten planes flown by the Italian flight squadron. It’s an absolute must have in the wardrobe of an aviator.