January 25th, 2010
timurhanc
Another year and another “world’s most complicated watch.” Also the 4th in the coveted Franck MullerAeternitas watch series of high complex watches that are either amazing looking or ludicrous looking – depending on how you see it. The financially troubled brand is putting the finishing touches on this limited series (of no specific disclosed amount) watch (even though the first of them was already finished and presented to an American watch collector recently at a dinner). Inside are a whopping 36 complications! I am not going to list them all here, but you can consult with the image in the gallery below for a spec sheet of the various functions that it has. 25 of the 36 complications are visible on the dial. Franck Muller is surprisingly brief on the details. We don’t know materials or size of the watch yet. I would imagine that it is on the larger side though. The movement has 1,483 parts to it! Wow, talk about complex and fragile. The watch took 5 years to design.

Some functions include, but are not limited to, a monopusher split-second chronograph (no idea how that is done with one button), a 1000 year calendar, very accurate equation of time (between solar and clock time), complex sonnerie chiming functions, multiple timezones, moon phase indicator, and of course, more. The obvious competitor to the Aeternitas Mega 4 watch is the recently released Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica Grande Sonnerie watch. While the Hybris Mechanica only has 25 complications, it is arguably more pleasing to the eyes. Plus, for a bit less price you get three watches and a fancy safe.
The Franck Muller Aeternitas 4 watch is the high horology equivalent of a fancy Texas Instruments graphing calculator. Sure it does a lot and it gets us mechanical nerds excited, but it isn’t going to get you any action from the ladies (but sharing with them the price tag of $2.7 million might).

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Posted in Watches
Tags: Aeternitas, chronograph, Franck, franck muller, fun, Grande, Jaeger, LeCoultre, movement, MullerAeternitas, Watch
January 24th, 2010
timurhanc
Hublot strikes hard with a less-than-innovative, but still satisfying large Big Bang watch with a host of luxury features. First is the new type of gold alloy used for most of the case called “King Gold.” It is basically what looks to be rose gold with less rose in it. Think of it as a hint of white gold as it has 5% platinum in it. Interesting that Hublot is not the only brand this year to make up a new gold. A. Lange & Sohne have released their Honey Gold alloy as well.

The Hublot Gold King Power Tourbillon GMT is also the first watch to have a tourbillon as well as a second timezone and retrograde date indicator. Does this really feel innovative? Again, no – but you do have “technical” bragging rights. The case is large at 48mm wide in King Gold, titanium, ceramic, composite resin, and rubber. The dial has a nice look in theory, but a lot of it likely gets lost as the tones as similar. Meaning the watch is not super easy to read. Still, it looks pretty sharp, and that is what Hublot watches of this caliber are going for. In The dial is a mix of a real dial with hour indicators on it and the exposed movement. You have a view of the tourbillon as well as some of the major gears that power the watch. Price will of course be expensive by this is part of a limited edition of just 28 pieces. Hublot collectors are getting giddy as I speak. More details closer to release at Baselworld 2010 in March. It might sound as though I am speaking both negatively and positively at the same time out the watch – this is true. I am irritated that Hublot does not need to try hard anymore to have nice watches, but am happy that they have such a winning formula.

Tags:
big bang,
caliber,
hublot watches,
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luxury features,
movement,
platinum,
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tourbillon,
Watch
Posted in Luxury
Tags: big bang, caliber, hublot watches, limited edition, luxury features, movement, platinum, retro, titanium, tourbillon, Watch