The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta from 19-24 April kicks off this year’s Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. Among the 50 classic yachts taking part in this 25th anniversary event will be Eilean, the Bermudan ketch which returns for the first time to the island where she spent the final decades of her existence before her lengthy restoration work that was sponsored by Officine Panerai.

Eilean, the Bermudan ketch restored with the help of Officine Panerai
As part of a series of celebrations to mark the return of Eilean to Antigua, members of the pop band Duran Duran will attend the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. The group filmed the video for the their hit “Rio” on board Eilean 30 years ago. A multimedia exhibition on the island will be dedicated to the story of Eilean’s rebirth.

For those not fortunate to be attending the event on the beautiful Caribbean island, a new website, www.eilean.it, has been set up that presents visitors with all the historical and technical details about this classic vessel and, thanks to the latest technology, allows them to track the yacht’s movements in real time and follow the adventures of skipper Andrew Cully on his personal blog.

SCR was distilled in the centuries-old culture of these lands, brewed over time and achieved its purest form. Modern designs built on experience, know-how and aesthetics came together with state-of-the-art technology and skill to create matchless collections.

The product of 35 years of know-how and experience, SCR goes back to the fine watchmaking traditions of the lands where it was created.

The brand name comes from the word “şecere” which means “family tree” and symbolizes the link SCR forges between the past and the present.

Taking heart from the vast knowledge and experience in all phases of high watchmaking, from design to production and marketing, Pırlant has decided to introduce a fine watch brand from Turkey to global markets and taken sound steps to realize this ambition. Molded in Pırlant’s corporate culture, a young and talented design team was supported by the company’s considerable experience in horology and expertise of the dynamics of today’s global watch market.

Reflecting SCR’s characteristic features, Big Solo is the most spectacular among all SCR collections.

With models designed for men and women, the collection radiates positive energy, thanks to the colorful case and strap options.

Redefining trends with striking design features, Big Solo promises a refreshing change!

Reflecting “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” in three dimensional dials, the modern yet classical features of SCR collections appeal to a global taste.

With only 100 days to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games we bring you news of an Olympic anniversary timepiece collection from a name you may not have expected. German brand Junghans were one of the official timekeepers (the other was Longines) for the only Summer Olympic Games to be held so far in post-war Germany.

The Junghans 1972 Chronoscope
At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Junghans acted as the timekeeper for disciplines such as the 100 metres, archery and rowing. The company presented two timekeeping innovations at the Games: a Multicounter, which allowed all the boats in the rowing competition to be followed individually for the first time, and the first colour photo finish photographs accurate to 100th of a second.

The Junghans 1972 Mega Solar
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Junghans’s involvement with the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, the brand presents its “1972” collection, which features three quartz and three solar quartz Chronoscope models, all based on sketches from the period with an unmistakable 1970s design characterised by a flat case with distinctive edges and the blue, red and orange colours typical of the period.

For more information about Junghans read our article on the 150th anniversary of Junghans.

Christie’s presents a feast of 414 lots, including the finest antique, vintage and modern watches and wristwatches ever made, to be offered at the Geneva auction on 14 May. Estimated in excess of SFr. 16 million in total, the sale features some of the most exciting rediscoveries, rarities and masterpieces.

1955 Patek Philippe Wristwatch
Amongst the star lots of the sale is an incredibly rare gold two crown world time wristwatch (illustrated above) with 24 hour indication and cloisonné enamel dial depicting the map of North America, reference 2523, manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1955 (estimate: SFr. 1,600,000-2,600,000)

The first racing event of the 2012 season, with 56 dream sports cars, 159 drivers and a total of more than 30,000hp in the Blancpain Endurance Series as well as 17 Lamborghinis LP560‐4 in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo demonstrated impressively just how interested the teams and drivers are in the new Blancpain Race Weekends.

Feeling nothing like spring, continuous rain and cool temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius did not dampen the teams’ and drivers’ delight in competing at the 5,793m (3.6 miles) long Formula 1 track this weekend.

The starting list for the Blancpain Endurance Series, with names like “Il Dottore”, the successful Italian motorcyclist and 9‐time world champion Valentino Rossi, shows just how attractive the event is. The Italian drove a Ferrari 458 Italia, the famous Monster VR46 for his debut in GT sports this weekend for Team Kessel Racing. The professional motorcyclist was thrilled and definitely wants to compete in more events, depending on how they fit in with his MotoGP races.

Former Formula 1 drivers Karl Wendlinger (AUT) and Mark Blundell (GBR) are just as excited about the series and the format. The competitors demonstrated in the free practice and qualifying sessions that it would be an exciting weekend. Extremely small differences in the lap times and fantastic duels prove the high professionalism of the series. The first winners of the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series were announced after the 3‐hour race on Sunday afternoon:

1 Bas Leinders (BEL) / Maxime Martin (BEL) / Markus Palttala (FIN) BMW Z4

2 Marco Bonamoni (ITA) / Edward Sandström (SWE) / Laurens Vanthoor (BEL) Audi R8 LMS

3 Koen Wauters (BEL) / Anthony Kumpen (BEL) / Karl Wendlinger (AUT) Mercedes‐Benz SLS AMG GT3

The 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series will take place at attractive European circuits on six weekends, with a 3‐hour race on Sunday. The Total 24 Hours of Spa will be the highlight of the series at the last weekend of July.

Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain, will participate again with a Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ at the next event in Silverstone (2 – 3 June 2012). The Swiss will also defend his ADAC GT Masters Amateur Championship title in a Gallardo LP600+. The German racing team Reiter Engineering is in charge of the cars.

2012 Schedule:

Blancpain Endurance Series and Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo:

14 – 15 April, Monza (ITA)
2 – 3 May, Silverstone (GBR)
30 June – 1 July, Paul Ricard (FRA)
28 – 31 July, 24h Spa Francorchamps (BEL)
22 – 23 September, Nürburgring (GER)
13 – 14 October, Navarra (ESP)
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia:

26 – 27 May, Sepang (MYS)
14 – 15 July, Fuji (JPN)
18 – 19 August, Ordos (CHN)
15 – 16 September, Zhuhai (CHN)
6 – 7 October, Pan Bay (TWN)
10 – 11 November, Shanghai (CHN)

After launching its inPulse watch, which is compatible with the Blackberry smartphone, Allerta Inc. took just over one day to secure more than a million US dollars in pledges to fund its new “Pebble” watch, which will be compatible with the iOS and Android operating systems. And the company only needed $100,000 dollars of backing to finance the project.

The Pebble watch
From left: Arctic White, Jet Black, Cherry Red
The watch uses an “electronic paper” display similar to that used for e-book readers, which can be read in any light conditions. It will also benefit from numerous applications, such as a cycle meter or golf range finder, that can be downloaded via Pebble’s own watch app store. This video explainsthe features of the watch.

The innovative funding model is attractive to individuals, especially early adopters, who can secure one of the watches (whose retail price is expected to be in excess of $150) for $125 or less. But special “distributor” packages are also available, which offer up to 100 watches for a $10,000 dollar pledge.

A special package has been made available for developers, who will receive a prototype watch in August in order to develop applications ready for the product’s launch in September 2012. The fact that this developer package has already sold out with 100 backers is an indication of the potential popularity of the Pebble.

For more information on the Pebble, visit the crowd-funding website Kickstarter.

F.P. Journe is exhibiting its collection of gunmetal watches from the mid to late 19th Century from 21 April to 15 September 2012 at the The Forbes Galleries on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

After Geneva and Tokyo, the renewed Forbes Galleries in New York at 62 Fifth Avenue will host the exhibition Steel Time, featuring the largest historic collection of gunmetal watches—a remarkable display of 200 watches made between 1850 and 1910. Each piece is unique in a variety of styles and techniques, but all have echoes in the wristwatches produced today.

The industry of laminated iron was one of the greatest adventures of the 19th century. Produced in large quantities as of 1845, the material was used in railways, bridges and towers. As the price of steel fell, it replaced iron in most industrial applications and it made a dramatic entrance with the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1885, and the building of the Eiffel Tower in 1889. The metal thus became familiar to the general population, and widely accepted. The fashion spread to all walks of life, and not the least horology.

Gunmetal watches developed shortly after the war of 1870 and painted a captivating picture of a new type of watch that was both egalitarian and fun! There was a considerable price difference between steel watches and those in gold, which gave steel watches the possibility to circulate freely without being subject to heavy taxation. The watch thus became generalised to all classes of society and led to the birth of the proletarian watch. This production was also greatly encouraged by the growth of the French metal industry, which resulted in the development of new methods of production and treatment of steel.

Numerous styles were designed in gunmetal watches, sometimes with a plain case, sometimes adorned with two gilt metals applied on the bezel and to the edge of the case back. The dials could be in white or coloured enamel, simply marked with the word Regulateur, or embellished with numbers painted on round flinqué enamel cartouches of various colours, and often depicted a locomotive, a ship or a car. Depending on the price, some offered a more complicated movement, with chronograph, alarm setting or striking mechanism, and others could offer world-time indications. In creative hands, steel did much to popularise watches.

For many years, François-Paul Journe, a passionate and knowledgeable collector, brought together this collection of singular gunmetal timepieces. He is the privileged guardian of this historical heritage and is proud to share this unique collection with the American public at The Forbes Galleries. The NAWCC (National Watch and Clock Museum) in Columbia, PA, is supporting this exhibition.

Exhibition Steel Time From 21 April to 15 September 2012 Monday through Saturday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm At The Forbes Galleries, 62 Fifth Avenue, 10016 New York, Tel. 212-206-5548 “STEEL TIME” the book, is published by F.P. Journe F.P. Journe keeps this exhibition alive through a book entitled Steel Time, written by two outstanding experts, Jean Claude Sabrier and Georges Rigot. More than 300 fascinating pages cover the origin of these creations, sometimes going back to the 17th century. One seldom sees such a vivid and complete approach to quality watchmaking in precious-metal watches.

The preface, by François-Paul Journe, introduces the only steel watch in the F.P. Journe -Invenit et Fecit- collection. Only a steel case can give the Sonnerie Souveraine chiming watch its crystal-clear sound. Otherwise the brand only uses platinum or gold for its precious and elegant cases and 18K rose gold for all its movements.

The Limited English Edition signed by F.P. Journe will be available for sale at US$ 250 at the Boutique F.P.Journe, 721 Madison Avenue, 10016 New York, Tel: +1 (212) 644 5918 ny@fpjourne.com

The astounding Grande Sonnerie will be available to hear at the F.P. Journe Boutique, 721 Madison Avenue, 10065 New York, Tel. 01 (212) 644 5918.

Swatch Group AG is acquiring 100% of the shares of Simon Et Membrez SA in Delémont. The shares are currently owned by Philippe Membrez, the company’s CEO, and Etienne Membrez and Didier Membrez. In addition, Swatch Group is also acquiring the related 60% holding in Termiboîtes SA (case polishing) in Courtemaîche that counts 50 employees. Simon Et Membrez SA is a seamless fit alongside the existing Swatch Group production companies and logically complements Comadur, Ruedin and Lascor, the companies active in the production of watch casings within the Swatch Group.

Simon Et Membrez SA manufactures high quality watch cases for the top price segment out of precious materials such as gold, titanium, platinum, palladium and premium-quality steels. Swatch Group has a long-standing business relationship with Simon Et Membrez SA for a number of its watch brands (Breguet, Blancpain). Simon Et Membrez SA will continue to supply third parties.

With its 250 employees the company will continue to trade under the Simon Et Membrez name, as Philippe Membrez and his team will continue to be responsible for business operations. In its new plant in Delémont, the company has an ultra-modern machinery pool and works with the most advanced technologies, which meet the quality requirements of its clients and demonstrate environmental awareness (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified). Simon Et Membrez SA was created in 1975 in Delémont by René Simon and Etienne Membrez, the father of the current CEO. The new plant in Delémont was inaugurated in the summer of 2008 and expanded to its current size in 2011.

Ulysse Nardin takes another swift step towards independence with the acquisition of the Ebel in-house chronograph movement. A revered and reliable movement, it has been considered one of the finest on the market for 17 years – a true success story. Interestingly, the Ebel Chronograph story began in parallel with one of Ulysse Nardin’s most notable breakthroughs: the Perpetual Calendar.

The commonality is a grassroots movement that was optimised and adapted to each of these two outstanding products, allowing both brands to realise their dream of innovation. With Ulysse Nardin’s purchase of the movement, it is as if the twin brothers have found each other. The story of this chronograph will carry on in the hands of the master watchmakers who brought the movement to life, for they are now a part of the Ulysse Nardin family. Ulysse Nardin looks forward to releasing the additional manufacture movement by the end of 2012.

Without hesitation, the acquisition of this manufacture chronograph movement further strengthens Ulysse Nardin’s position as a renowned manufacturer in the exacting world of watchmaking.

During a soirée organised in Kuala Lumpur, famous watch collector Dr Bernard Cheong presented Julio Iglesias with a one-of-a-kind version of the Geograph Rainforest, specially created for him by the Ateliers Louis Moinet.

Participants were able to enjoy a special performance by the famous artist. Dr Cheong is happy to be taking part in spread awareness of this exceptional creation dedicated to preserving the Malaysian tropical forest of Belum- Temengor, one of the oldest in the world.

Geograph Rainforest is a truly unique creation in the watchmaking field. It features a dial made from an authentic fossilised palm tree from South- West Asia estimated to be 70 million years old.