[ via Blancpain ]

Blancpain is proud to be opening its second Boutique on Swiss soil. Located on the corner of Zurich's famous Bahnhofstrasse shopping mile and the equally renowned Paradeplatz, a two-floor 100 square-metre store is opening today, entirely dedicated to displaying the collections of the world's oldest watch brand.

Reflecting the philosophy prevailing in the Manufacture in Le Brassus, a village nestling at the far end of the Lac de Joux, Blancpain Boutiques convey the same spirit that pervades the workshops of its master-watchmakers. Crafted by a skilled cabinetmaker from the Vallée de Joux, the interior design of the boutique is imbued with the regional heritage and the Blancpain horological know-how perpetuated for the past 270 years.

Noble woodwork, refined mouldings, pure, streamlined furniture, along with traditional wrought iron catches adorning the windows and displays, all contribute to endowing the premises with a characteristic Blancpain touch of luxury and elegance.

Comfortable leather chairs welcome visitors, who can thus savour a "lounge" atmosphere in which to discover subtle timepieces created in harmony with the noblest watchmaking traditions and provide an area conducive to friendly exchanges, a value Blancpain consistently cultivates in conjunction with an inimitable art of hospitality and time-honoured expertise.

BLANCPAIN BOUTIQUE
Bahnhofstrasse 28 - Paradeplatz
CH - 8001 ZURICH
Tel.: + 41 44 220 11 80
Fax: + 41 44 220 11 82
E-mail :boutique.zuerich@blancpain.com

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via TheTimeTv ]

Blancpain SA and Vincent Calabrese, a love story

Paudex/Le Brassus, 23 June 2008 – Blancpain SA, a company of The Swatch Group Ltd., is announcing that it acquired the company Vica Sàrl and, with this acquisition, the Vincent Calabrese brand.

Mr. Vincent Calabrese, who created the first of his famous watches, the Golden Bridge, in 1997, also co-founded the AHCI Horological Academy of Independent Creators in 1985. At the birth of this renowned academy he created and exhibited his first Tourbillon according to the principle of his “spatial watchmaking”. This Tourbillon, which is entirely handcrafted and made in 18-carat gold, is suspended in a case of sapphires and therefore seems to float in space. It is a piece full of poetry, the purity and esthetics of which transcend its mechanical and technical complexities.

When Jacques Piguet, who at the time was the owner of Frédéric Piguet SA and Blancpain SA, discovered this watch, he asked Vincent Calabrese to create a Tourbillon for Blancpain. This Tourbillon is one of the most beautiful watches ever made.

Vincent Calabrese has now decided to expand his creative opportunities and production facilities by selling the company Vica Sàrl to Blancpain SA. The Vincent Calabrese brand name as well as the facilities, developments and patents will pass into the ownership of Blancpain SA. Vincent Calabrese, an artisan watchmaker of extraordinary talent, will join the team at Blancpain managed by Marc A. Hayek, Managing Director, and become a member of the Executive Management Board. This will allow him to focus exclusively on research and the realization of unique projects for Blancpain.

With Vincent Calabrese, Blancpain SA will enhance its creative capabilities in relation to highly complex watches.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 2:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Horomundi ]

Blancpain has just introduced a model that is much sportier than any of their past models. It is called the Speed Command Chronograph and this particular version has some nice specs. A 45 mm diameter case made of brushed Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) treated steel that is water resistant to an impressive 300m. The dial is made of carbon fiber and the black chrono has a choice of yellow (pictured above) or orange accents. Personally I like the contrast of the yellow over the orange.

As for the movement, it is a Calibre F185, a 308-part mechanical self-winding chronograph with a 40-hour power reserve. It has hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o'clock. It also has a window-type date display as well as central chronograph seconds hand and 30 minute and 12 hour counters as well. Lastly the chronograph movement has a flyback function.

A few other notable features are a sloping inner dial ring with a tachometric scale and hour, minute hands and the central chronograph seconds with touches of red Superluminova.

Now I covered almost all the features of this watch, but I left one out. My favorite feature, the bidirectional (two-way) "countdown" bezel made of black sapphire. Just take a second look at the picture and tell me that this bezel is not cool.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[ via The Watch Quote ]

Here are a few Valentine's Day themed watches from Audemars Piguet, Blancpain and Hublot . More pics after the jump.

Read "Valentine's Day Watches" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Fratellowatches ]

Here is a nice new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms model with a new movement and a 45mm case. This watch was just introduced at Baselworld along with so many nice new watches from all the top watch companies. I did not get a chance to make it to Baselworld this year, but I promise I will be there next year and I will definitely be bringing home many high res images to publish on ProfessionalWatches.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)