In my article on the Chronoswiss Grand Opus Singapore Grand Prix I mentioned the Franck Muller Conquistador GP Chronograph released last year.  A new piece from the brand has just came to my attention, the Franck Muller Conaquistador Grand Prix Tourbillon.

It is no secret that Franck Muller has taken a less prominent role in recent years from the day-to-day running of the brand which he founded in 1992 with Vartan Sirmakes, the renowned Haute Horlogerie watch case expert, however the instantly recognisable, slightly quirky case and dial designs are still very much in evidence as are the complications housed within.  After all this is the brand who presented to the industry the astounding Aeternitas Mega 4, a piece so complicated that it not only raised the bar for other manufacturers, it made it almost unattainable.

The Franck Muller Conquistador Tourbillon is the latest piece in the Grand Prix Collection and like most of the sportier pieces from this brand is a magnificent, handsome brute.

Franck Muller Conquistador Grand Prix Tourbillon

The piece is available in two versions, 18 carat rose gold or with titanium and Ergal ( not a mountain peak in Ireland, but a high-tech alloy of the super strong/super light variety).  The Conquistador measures 48mm x 62.7mm, but I bet you wouldn’t know it – all thanks to that curvy Cintrée Curvex body.  Symmetry is achieved through the curious but clever addition of two crowns, only the one on the right is functional, and the outsize tourbillon also serves as a small seconds counter.

The Franck Muller Conquistador Tourbillon is presented on a black reptile strap.

Thanks to Franck Muller for assisting with this article.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Girard Perregaux release a new piece, the 1966 Perpetual Calendar.  Launched in 2006, the 1966 collection celebrates a time when the brand achieved recognition for their research and development with particular regard to high frequency movements.  The latest piece is everything a retro-classic watch should be – flawless, pristine and exquisitely beautiful.

The Girard Perregaux 1966 Perpetual Calendar

Everything about it is in proportion, everything is perfectly arranged, everything has a certain harmonious order.  From the blued hands which mark the day, date and month, the traditional moonphase at 6 o’clock to the tapering hour and minute hands to the wonderfully elongated baton markers, this piece quite simply has the perfect dial layout.  Add a plain polished case rim and the slightly domed dial synonymous of this collection and this surely is the perfect package.  This watch does not scream elegance it merely whispers it in a hushed husky tone.  Inside is the self-winding GP033Qo Calibre with the Microvar balance with variable inertia, viewable through an exhibition case back.

The Girard Perregaux 1966 Perpetual Calendar is limited to 99 pieces with white gold case and 99 pieces with pink gold.

Popularity: 2% [?]

To celebrate the Singapore Grand Prix 2010 Chronoswiss release a limited editon of its Grand Opus.

You may remember that the brand released the Opus Black Magic at Baselworld 2010 featuring the brand’s patented version of DLC – Dianor, which framed the  hand-skeletonisation and hand-engraving of the movement to superb effect, well the latest piece does a similar job with a few subtle changes.

Bright orange takes the place of red for the steel hands adding a striking contrast, with the title of the watch Opus Grand Prix featuring on the lower edge of the dial.  The Chronoswiss C 741 Calibre also powers this piece with a power reserve of 46 hours.  The individual number of each piece is engraved onto the sapphire crystal case back.

The Singapore Grand Prix, the first night-time event in F1 history takes place this year on the 26th September.  When Bernie Ecclestone signed the event up for a five year deal it was timed so European viewers could watch the event at convenient times i.e. night time in Singapore (we at the Watch Press would have simply stayed up all night and had a bit of a GP party..), yet it has become the most spectacular spectacle of the F1 calendar, second only to the Monaco event.  Other brands have chosen to release limited edition pieces in tribute to the Marina Bay Street Circuit race including Audemars Piguet, with their Off Shore and a monster of a piece from Franck Muller in the form of the Conquistador Singapore GP Racing Chronograph in 2009 well why not?  with every marketing department of every brand looking to the east this is hardly a suprise and commemorative pieces this year will include two pieces from TAG Heuer, a  Monaco Calibre 12 Chronograph and a Formula 1 Lady’s Ceramic limited edition.

The Chronoswiss Grand Opus Singapore Grand Prix will be a limited edition of just 25 pieces worldwide.

Popularity: 4% [?]