jaeger lecoultre watches back wind gold and diamonds

The story goes that after a polo match in India, some British officers challenged their friend Cesar de Trey to create a watch that was able to resist the serious beatings caused by polo sport. Once back in Europe, Cesar de Trey (businessman) shared the problem with Jacques-David LeCoultre, who creates the Reverso watch in association with Jaeger. The Reverso watch was patented in 1931 (the 4th of March to be precise) and was originally designed by Rene-Alfred Chauvot.Almost 80 years later, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is still going strong and it is one of the classic watches that can also easily be referred to as a cult watch. The rectangular shape, the Reverso mechanism, the inhouse movement and the magnificient designed Jaeger-LeCoultre logo on the dial makes this a watch you can identify as being a JLC Reverso from a 100 yards distance (with a grain of salt). However, this isn’t a watch for show-offs. It is far too elegant and delicate to be recognized by the heavily suntanned -type of jet setters.For the watch enthusiasts or collectors, a vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso as shown above is probably a welcome addition to their collections. I found one at , a watchstore in a small harbour town in The Netherlands. has a very impressive bricks ‘n’ mortar shop, but a webshop as well. A reliable address for your wristwatches, repairs and servicesThis 1930s handwound Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is in good running order and for 5750 Euro (including a one year warrantee) it is probably a solid investment as well. For this kind of money, you can also buy a new one. But so can your neighbour So if you really want something special, take a look at this vintage timepiece.Personally, I wouldn’t use it for polo or any other kind of sports activity. Although it was meant to resist hard knocks, my guess is that the mechanic movement, case and crystal suffered big time during these polo activities. I can see myself buying a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso in the far future, the brand’s history (and especially this model’s) and the fact that I will ‘need’ a decent dress watch some time, makes this type of watch very desirable. Perhaps even a (red) gold one, for when I am old. 40something

Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced a new and impressive model to its Reverso collection, the Grande Reverso Duodate watch. The Reverso line was first produced as a reversible watch as a way to protect the timepieces worn by polo player's, but it was originally had only a metal plate on the reverse side. Jaeger-LeCoultre eventually came up with an idea of putting a watch face on both sides of the case. The Grand Reverso is powered by the hand-wound calibre 986 movement, which is produced in-house.The Grand Reverso will be available in two variations, a limited series of 500 will be produced in 18k pink gold and an additional 1,500 will be produced in stainless steel. The case measures 31.3mm wide by 52mm high, this larger case size is why Jaeger-LeCoultre classified it to be "grande". The main dial is silvered with a guilloche enraving with a seconds sub-dial and large date aperture. It has blued steel hands with Arabic numeral markers. The reverse face is black which allows for a second time zone and a synchronized 24-hour hand with a function of a day/night indicator.|||Richard Mille has released two new watches created to celebrate Brazilian Formula 1 race car driver Felipe Massa. The new RM 004-V2 and RM 008-V2 watches are both limited edition creations and are both a great tribute to the racing legend. The RM 004-V2 watch is to be produced in 18 carat gold in both white white and rose gold, with 10 pieces made in the white and 25 pieces rose gold. An additional 5 pieces wil be made in titanium with a red and yellow trim. The RM 008-V2 will also be produced in both 18 carat white and rose gold. and will have only 5 pieces produced in each metal with a green and yellow trim.Both the RM 004-V2 and the RM 008-V2 watches feature the standard Richard Mille tonneau shaped case set with structural screws. In addition to hours, minutes, and seconds, display the RM 004-V2 watch has a split seconds 30 minute chronograph, a power reserve indicator, a torque indicator, and a function selection indicator. The RM 008-V2 has everything the RM 004-V2 but also features a tourbillon escapement. The sub-seconds dial has a bright yellow arrow hand for easy readability. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with most of the indicators applied to crystal itself. The skeleton dial allows us to see inside to the movement of the watch. Both watches are completed by a rubber strap. These watches are sure to be highly sought after, and it is speculated that the Tourbillon will sell for around $100,000.|||Audemars Piguet has added two new beautiful diamond-set watches to its Royal Oak collection. Called the Royal Oak Tuxedo, the it has been created in both female and masculine versions. They feature an 18 carat white gold case with the standard royal oak octagonal bezel and paved with round brilliant diamonds. They both have lacquered black dials with white gold baton-shaped hour markers and hands, set with a row of round brilliant diamonds. The men's version has a total diamond carat weight of 4.65 carats, and the total diamond carat weight of the ladies watch is 3.80 carats.The men's Tuxedo watch for features the AP Caliber 2120 movement that was first used way back in 1967, it is one of the slimmest self-winding calibers that have a central rotor. The balance frequency beats at 19,800 vibrations per hour and it has a 40-hour power reserve. The ladies Tuxedo watch features the self-winding Caliber 2140 which beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 40-hour power reserve. Both movements are meticulously hand-finished and incorporate bridges with chamfered edges and Cotes-de-Geneve decorated surfaces. The screws of the movement have a finely polished finish.The ladies Tuxedo version has an engraved white gold case-back, and the men's version has a see-through case-back with a sapphire crystal which reveals the movement. Both watches are presented on an elegant black leather strap fitted with a diamond-set folding clasp crafted in 18 carat white gold in the shape of brand's initials. Both timepieces are water-resistant up to 50 meters.|||Here we have the Audemars Piguet Tradition Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater watch created to commemorate a unique cushion-shaped pocket watch introduced way back in 1923. This impressive creation is one of the rare timepiece to house both a perpetual calendar and minute repeater. The case is available in 18 carat white gold or platinum and measures 39 mm in diameter. The bezel has a brushed finish while the case and lugs are polished.The dial has a beautiful opaline vertical satin-brushed finish with "Cathedral" hands. The numeral hour markers are Breguet-style Arabic numerals crafted in pink gold while the pointers for small seconds, day, date, month, and leap year are crafted in blued steel. Located at the 9 o'clock position is the classical moon phase indicator. This indicates the motions of the Moon through a 29 1/2 day cycle. The watches minute repeater chimes the hours, quarter hours, and individual minutes on two gongs. The see-through case-back is produced from sapphire crystal and allows for easier viewing of the hand-wound Caliber 2855, which is composed of 435 hand-finished parts. The movement has a balance frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour and features an advantage of 30-hour power-reserve. The bridges are decorated with Cotes de Geneve and anglage finishes. It also has beveled screws, jewels, and repeater hammers which feature a fine polish. The Audemars Piguet Tradition Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater watch is completed by a hand-sewn alligator leather strap which is fitted an 18 white carat gold or platinum buckle.|||This year Audemars Piguet has launched a number of limited edition timepieces in honor of the Las Vegas Strip. The first of which is the blackened titanium Royal Oak Offshore Limited to just 300 pieces. It comes with a beautiful presentation box with a deck of cards and a royal flush design on top. The model number for the blackened Las Vegas watch is 26186SN.00.D101CR.01 and retail is $29,200.Audemars Piguet has also released a very special set of his and her matching diamond set Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs, complete with a very impressive box with a complete set of clay poker chips. The model number for this set is 26191BC.ZZ.D002CR.01 and expected retail is $91,000. These watches will only sold as a set, with a total of 50 sets to be produced.|||Vacheron Constantin has introduced the final set in the series of "Les Masques" timepieces, part of Vacheron's Metiers d'Art watch collection. The first set, introduced in 2007, bore miniature reproductions inspired by primitive arts masks from China, Alaska, the Congo and Indonesia. The second set, introduced in 2008 featured reproductions inspired by art masks from Mexico, Japan, Gabon, and Papua New Guinea. The final set released this year features reproductions inspired by masks from Indonesia, China, Mexico and Gabon. The miniature masks were created by scanning the originals to get a three-dimensional image, then that prototype was given to an engraver who meticulously carved the masks to replicate the exact look of these ancient artifacts.Beginning in 2007 Vacheron Constantin planned to release the Les Masques collection as sets of four watches, one set released each year in a limited edition of 25 for 3 years. This years release is the final in the series that has made history for the pretigious brand. The timepieces were inspired from artwork found in the Barbier-Mueller collection - a collection of over 7,000 pieces which includes artwork from tribal, classical and other primitive civilizations from around the globe. Now that all the sets have been released, the collection consists of twelve watches each with a different mask with representatives from the continents of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.Each of the exquisite sets of watches utilizes each of the 4 most luxurious case materials. The China mask is produced in 18 carat yellow gold, Indonesia is 18 carat white gold, Gabon is in 18 carat pink gold and Mexico in platinum. The miniature masks appear upon a transparent sapphire crystal, and every watch is engraved with a poem by French writer Michel Butor. Each watch features the VC 2460 G4, self-winding mechanical stamped Poin?on de Gen��ve movement. The indications and functions are displayed in 4 windows on the case rim. Each case measures 40 mm with a sapphire case-back, and is water resistant to 30 meters.The Indonesia watch is inspired by a facial mask from the Island of Lombok and the Sasak people. This mask is made of hard wood and has traces of white pigments. The China watch is inspired by a Zangs-'Bag facial Mask from the Tibet region, Tantric Buddhism which dates around the 16th or 17th century. It is produced from partially-gilt copper. The Mexico mask is a Pendant Mask from the State of Guerrero and is produced from basalt, a common extrusive volcanic rock. The Gabon watch is a Ngontang Mask produced by the Western Gabon, Fang people. It is a soft wood covered with white kaolin with specks of crystallization.|||The newest version of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore is the new chronograph create to commemorate the brand's 2009 sponsorship of the Gstaad Classic rally. The classic rally which will feature 100 classic cars built prior to 1976 racing along three routes around the alpine village of Gstaad. The Gstaad Classic 2009 is a Limited Edition watch which will be produced in a limited number of just 50 pieces. The case is produced from titanium and measures 42 mm in diameter, the brushed titanium finish is nicely accented by the upper chronograph push-piece produced in red rubber. The engraved case-back of the Gstaad Classic Chronograph is engraved with the words "Gstaad Classic 2009".The new Audemars Piguet watch also features the signature octagonal bezel and its distinctive hexagonal screws. The gray Mega Tapestry motif dial is highlighted by red accents and black sub-dials. The dial also features luminous Arabic hour markers, and a tachymeter scale. The baton-shaped hour and minute hands and crafted from white gold which are then coated with a luminous material for improved visibility. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters. The case is set on a perforated leather strap with contrasting red stitching. The watch also comes with an additional strap in rubber. The straps is fastened with a titanium deployant clasp in the shape of the brand's initials, AP.The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Gstaad Classic 2009 Limited Edition features the self-winding AP 2326/2840 caliber, which beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has up to a 38 hour power reserve. The movement is decorated with the Cotes-de-Geneve patterns on the bridges, finely chamfered edges, and circular-grained plates. The chronograph function includes central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute counter and a 12-hour hour counter. The Gstaad comes with a metal box resembling the fuel cap of a car.|||This summer Vacheron Constant has launched two new models for its Overseas collection, the Overseas Automatic and the Overseas Automatic Chronograph. These two feature a monochramtic grey theme with finely brushed stainless steel cases and anthracite titanium bezels. The models are re-interpretations of previous Vacheron watches produced way back in 1933 and 1977. Both of these watches feature a large 42 mm stainless steel cases and the titanium bezel shaped as a continuation of the Maltese Cross symbol that is the hallmark of the brand. Both have slate colored dials with baton shaped hands and silver wedge-shaped hour markers treated with a luminous coating for superior legibility even in low-light conditions. The watches feature screw-down winding crowns and screw-locked engraved case-back. The supberb structure of these models allow for water resistant up to 150 meters, equivalent to 15 ATM.The new titanium Overseas watches have an automatic movement, with the Automatic is driven by the 1226 calibre and the Automatic Chronograph by the 1137 caliber. Both are magnetically shielded. The Overseas Chronograph Caliber 1137 has a balance frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, a 40-hour power reserve, and measure independent intervals of time with 1/6th second precision. The Overseas Automatic 1226 caliber has a date display and central sweep seconds with a stop function. Both Overseas timepieces come with a grey alligator leather strap and a rubber strap. The stainless steel buckle has a triple-deployant with the Maltese Cross.|||Finest Watches is now on Twitter, you can follow us at www.twitter.com/finestwatches - Get updates on our latest inventory, new releases, and other news from the world of luxury timepieces.|||The new PAM 341 Radiomir Egiziano is a rare watch with only 300 pieces being made which is part of the 2009 special edition lineup. The PAM 341 has a huge case size measuring 60mm produced in brushed titanium. This watch is an amazing recreation of a classic, historic and unique piece and is sure to be one of the most sought after watches for Panerai enthusiasts. Based off of the original stainless steel GPF 2/56 watch that was created for Commandos of the Egyptian Navy back in 1956, only fifty of these watches were made. The GPF 2/56 had a 16�� Angelus 8-day movement, and a rotating bezel. The signature Panerai security lever on the crown enabled the watch to be wound under water.The Panerai PAM00341 features a hand-wound P.2002/7 calibre movement, which includes 13 3/4 lignes, 21 jewels, Glycydur balance, an 8 day power reserve, KIF Parechoc anti-shock protection, and three barrels which totals 191 components. The dial displays hours, minutes, small seconds, and seconds reset. Protected by a sapphire crystal formed of corundum, 5.8 mm thick treated with an anti-reflective coating. The watch is completed with a leather strap and a large brushed titanium sewn-in buckle. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters.|||This year Audemars Piguet is introducing a few new variations of the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph watch, with new dial designs and the exclusive self-winding Calibre 3126/3840. The case of the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph measures 42 mm in diameter and is available in both stainless steel and titanium. The signature octagonal bezel, inspired by the portholes of old ships is secured with hexagonal screws which helps insure its 100 meter water-resistant. The case is also provided with antimagnetic protection. The case-back of the new Royal Oak Offshore bares the traditional engraving of the Royal Oak Offshore logo.New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Watches are available with a silvered dial, or with an anthracite dial which are both adorned with a Mega Tapestry motif. The watch features a chronograph function which is displayed by a red central seconds hand, 30-minute and 12-hour counters. As well as a third counter for the small seconds and the large date aperture located at the 3 o'clock position. The stainless steel version of the Audemars Piguet watch is completed by a stainless steel bracelet with an AP triple-blade folding clasp or a black "Hornback" crocodile leather strap with a stainless steel AP folding clasp. The titanium version is completed with a titanium bracelet fitted with an AP triple-blade folding clasp.|||Swiss watchmaker Bell & Ross has released a new striking addition to its BR01-92 collection, the Gold Ingot watch that is a limited edition of just 250 pieces. The extra large case measures 46mm wide and is constructed in 18 carat rose gold. Gold is the theme for this watch and the material is carried through every aspect of its construction with the exception of the shiny black alligator strap. My favorite part of the watch is the special pyramid texturing on the dial that helps to break up the solid gold construction which includes the hands, dial, and Arabic and stick hour markers. The gold hour and minute hands are skeletonized so that you can see the gold underneath. Even the screws which are typical constructed from steel are gold on the Ingot.The Bell & Ross BR01-92 Gold Ingot watch is powered by the swiss ETA 2892A2 automatic mechanical movement which has a meticulous finish. It contains 21 jewels and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The power reserve for the watch is approximately 42 hours, a high precision adjustment in 4 positions with a tolerance of 0/+10 seconds a day. The Gold Ingot displays hours, minutes and central seconds and the dial is protected by an antireflective sapphire crystal. It is waterproof to 100 meters (325 ft).|||Here's an interesting marriage between luxury cars and watches. I find myself writing about this collaboration quite a bit lately, but here's a watch that doesn't shy away from making its tribute clear to all who glance in its direction. The Chopard Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL Power Reserve screams testosterone with its tire tread inspired rubber strap and fuel gauge power reserve. And for lack of more articulate explanation of my feeling for this watch I say - What a cool watch. The Chopard Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL Power Reserve has a 44mm case which is 8 mm thick and is produced in several metals. It is powered by the self-winding movement caliber A07.161 which features hours, minutes, date, power reserve and sweep seconds. The watch is completed by the patterned Dunlop tire tread strap in black rubber.|||TAG Heuer has been developing this timepiece for years, it was first introduced at Baselworld in 2004 as just a concept. After 3 more years of development in 2007 the brand presented its pre-series prototypes. Well the journey is about to be complete and this one time concept timepiece is now becoming reality with an expectation to be available for sale by the last quarter of this year. While it is not uncommon for luxury watches to be inspired by luxury cars, the Monaco V4 watch found its inspiration from the car engines. Which should make for an easy transition as car engines and mechanical watches have similar concerns in regard to performance. The TAG Heuer Monaco V4 is unique in many respects, instead of a rotating oscillating weight for automatic winding they have substituted a 4.25-gram platinum ingot which is used as a kind of cylinder, in a linear movement. One of the most car engine like developments is the drive-belt transmission of power. This includes 13 notched belts with a gauge measuring 0.5 x 0.45mm. The movement has 2.2mm diameter bearings with 0.25mm balls that rotate inside, instead of synthetic rubies often used for reduced friction. It also includes four barrels that serve as energy generators and feature transparent sapphire bridges. Each single barrel produces energy of 375 grams which results in a total output of 1.5 kilos.|||The Calatrava line of watches from Patek Philippe has been joined by yet another addition to the very popular collection, the Calatrava Officier Reference number 5153 is a watch with classic design and beauty. This new addition is only being produced in a single metal, 18 carat yellow gold which and will have a total width measuring 38 mm in diameter. The case has a Bassine-style bezel with a signature turban-shaped crown as well as horns with rounded ends feature visible screw attachments. The sapphire crystal case back is protected by a hinged anti-dust cover which helps create a 30 meters water resistance for the watch. The dial is made in a silvered opaline with a hand-guilloch�� center and has gold applique hour markers. The gold hands display hours, minutes and center seconds and there is a date window at the 3 o'clock position. The Officier is nicely complimented by the matt chocolate brown large square-scaled alligator strap. The Calatrava Officier is powered by a mechanical self-winding, 324 S C caliber movement which by itself is 27 mm in diameter and 3.3 mm high. The movement is comprised of 213 parts which includes 29 jewels and 6 bridges. The movement has a gyromax balance and has a total of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The movement allows for power reserve with a maximum of 45 hours.