Two new motor racing-inspired TAG Heuer Carrera watches are being launched, says Simon Revington

TAG Heuer, the company responsible for some of the most elegant and sophisticated sports watches in the world, is releasing two exciting new additions to its exclusive Carrera collection.

The brand has a rich and distinguished association with motor racing, started in 1964 by the launch of the first Heuer Carrera watch as a tribute to the great Carrera Panamericana Mexico Road Race.

Since then the Carrera range has come to embody the finest aspects of motor racing: the passion, excitement and style that form such an intrinsic part of the sport. TAG Heuer has pushed the boundaries yet again with the launch this year of two of their most innovative and stylish sports watches, the Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage and the Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2.

The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage

Both pieces are inspired by and modelled on luxury GT Coupé cars and this is unmistakable in the cool, clear and strong lines that compose the two watches; they form a continuation of the company’s distinguished alliance with motor racing and mark a subtle yet exciting evolution in the Carrera range.

The company is no stranger to pioneering achievements and has been in pole position when it comes to innovation and excellence in design since the brand was launched 150 years ago. The list of landmarks that the company has notched up in its history is a testament to its pursuit of timekeeping perfection; it introduced the oscillating pinion, a key component of the chronometer, as far back as 1886 and continues to break new ground with sophisticated and stylish timepieces that exude authority.

The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage adds an elegant new edge to the Carrera range with pure, clean lines that convey a powerful presence. With only 6,000 of the watches being made worldwide, it is set to become a mark of individuality that sets the modern man apart by fusing the love and thrill of sport with the innovation and history of a company that has made a habit of capturing the chequered flag. The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage has a contemporary rhodiumplated hand that counts the seconds from 0 to 30 and another red hand that counts those from 30 to 60, with hand-applied hour markers and double glare proofing on the sapphire-crystal polished hands. The intricacy of the mechanical detail can be seen when looking at the back of the watch; a completely transparent back shows its ‘engine’ and a fascinating assortment of finely-detailed dials and cogs which move with an astounding mechanical refinement. A founding principle of the Carrera collection has been “prestige dedicated to performance” and in this limited edition Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage model, TAG Heuer has produced a timepiece that not only conforms to but exceeds the highest standards of that famous boast. The face design of the watch mirrors the cool, smooth bodywork of a collector’s edition car and the clean design makes the watch attractive with a steely, robust edge. The strap comes in two interchangeable styles – alligator leather or black organic rubber – and represents the two TAG themes of resolutely chic and downright sporty.

Another new addition to the Carrera family is the Grand Calibre 17 RS2 and with it the company has created arguably one of the most robustly handsome luxury sports watches on the market, complete in its definition of unrestrained power. The limited edition timepiece features a grade 2 titanium chassis and has all the hallmarks of the most high-tech GT cars on the road today. It demands respect with an unapologetic display of sophisticated masculine power. The ultra-sleek bodywork is covered with a tough black titanium carbide layer to protect against scratches or damage and this is evocatively offset by the vivid red colour of both the seconds hand and stitching of the strap, the dramatic effect creating a sense of pure strength and speed harnessed in a modern, elegant design. The watch boasts powerful black gold hands and declares its presence in any company with a dominant display of resolve coupled with a burning ambition to race ahead of the competition.

The Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2

Looking at the engine of the watch is to see that no detail has been spared in its creation; it is driven by TAG Heuer’s celebrated Rotating System and comes with a highly accurate COSCcertified chronograph movement. Both the Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage and the Calibre 17 RS2 feature distinctly GT race car-inspired, dashboardstyle disks on the face, replacing more traditional watch hands to give a true automobile edge to the design. Both pieces also feature ergonomic designs in a sleek and sheer black body which complements the all-round masculinity of the range and offsets the red second hand, creating the impression of a powerful Gran Turismo odometer. It’s no surprise that prestigious watches like these have prestigious advocates. A glance down the list of some of TAG Heuer’s past and present brand ambassadors and notable enthusiasts reads like a Who’s Who of the modern motor racing world and includes some of the planet’s most successful people. The list includes the likes of motor racing legend Ayrton Senna, Juan-Manuel Fangio, still considered by some to be the greatest driver of all time, current racing sensation Lewis Hamilton, former F1 champion Fernando Alonso, the golfer Tiger Woods and, from among Hollywood’s elite, Brad Pitt.

Precision, prestige and innovation are the three words most closely associated with TAG Heuer timepieces and with the launch of these two additions to the already-impressive Carrerra collection, the company has continued its tradition of excellence while remaining true to its motor racing heritage.

Both watches are superbly crafted and are a worthy investment for anybody who appreciates both the aesthetic beauty of sports racing cars and the elegance and unsurpassed precision of a modern premium timepiece.

The Carrera Calibre 1 Vintage starts at £2,295, while the Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2 starts at £3,995

For more information on both these models, visit David M. Robinson in Jubilee Place Shopping Mall, Canary Wharf or call them on 020 7538 2332

David M. Robinson recently held a series of launches for Georg Jensen in Southport, Altrincham and Liverpool.

Guests were invited to browse and try on pieces from the new collection whilst sipping champagne. Staff from all stores were on hand to offer advice and assistance to all concerned.

Further Georg Jensen events will be held throughout the year. Please email jo.harvey@davidmrobinson.co.uk if you would like to be invited.

September 2007 saw the inaugural David M. Robinson / Patek Philippe golf day at The Grove in Hertfordshire, famed for recently hosting the American Express World Golf Championship.

The exclusive event for customers of David M. Robinson involved breakfast followed by 18 holes around the championship course from the tortuous ‘black’ tees. Thankfully the weather was kind to all involved and after the round, everyone enjoyed a relaxed dinner with some well earned banter.

The Grove is home to the England Football team when playing at Wembley and the England Vice-Captain and David M. Robinson customer, Steven Gerrard was more than happy to drop by in his training kit to present the prizes and inform the players about the forthcoming fixtures.

Whilst enjoying dinner, guests were also able to have a sneak preview of forthcoming watches from Patek Philippe.

www.patek.com

October saw the launch of IWC at David M. Robinson in Liverpool, Church Alley.

The day saw the Liverpool FC manager, Mr Rafa Benitez call into the store to present Jamie Carragher with the award for Player of the Season. His prize was a beautiful IWC Portuguese Chronograph with black dial and strap. The watch had been engraved on the year to commemorate the award.

Later that day over 100 customers celebrated the launch of IWC in Liverpool, where David M. Robinson are the exclusive agents. Mercedes-Benz of Liverpool were also on hand to showcase the latest AMG cars due the collaboration that they have already with IWC.

Guests enjoyed champagne, fine wines and canapés supplied by Heathcotes during the evening and were also able to browse and buy the latest watches from IWC including some of the most sought after limited editions that had been reserved for the launch night.

www.iwc.com

At David M. Robinson we take pride in supplying a wide range of people with watches that suit their lifestyle. By day, Dr Alistair Sutcliffe is a GP and trauma doctor from North Yorkshire. But when he's not dealing with patients, he's a high altitude mountaineer and has just completed climbing the '7 summits' - the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. He's also a Rolex fan...

"I've known Karl Irwin, manager with David Robinson Ltd. for some years - he helps me indulge my love of fine timepieces. When climbing, my watch needs to be reliable, rugged and accurate, so it's a Rolex every time for me. My seadweller accompanied me to the summit of Everest on May 20th 2006, and has also been to the top of Mount Vinson - Antarctca's highest mountain, and Carstenz Pyramid - Indonesia's highest mountain.

Dr Alistair Sutcliffe and his Sea-Dweller on the Everest Summit

My explorer performed well on Aconcagua - South America's highest mountain, Denali - North America's highest, and Elbrus, Europe's highest climb. Kilimanjaro was treated to my GMT! With Antarctica looming again, I hope to take the new 2008 seadweller with me - I'll let you know how it performs!

In the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy the Rolex watches that I have the pleasure in owning. Thanks again Karl for helping my indulgence."

In Basel, Patek Philippe launched the much anticipated 5070P. 

This watch is a maunally wound chronograph from the Calatrava family of watches and is being made for one year only in platinum. 

Following on from our image of the forthcoming Omega Seamaster - James Bond 007 Limited Edition watch, I am delighted to reveal how the back of the case will appear.

These new images from Omega show the 007 logo inscription and the details of the watch around the outer of the case. As before the watch will be limited to 10,007 worldwide and the price is expected to be £1,950 when the watch is launched in October.

As with all watches purchased from David M. Robinson, this watch will be available to buy on interest free credit over 1, 2 or 3 years (subject to status)

If you would like to pre-order this watch then please contact karl.irwin@davidmrobinson.co.uk

After a hectic week, I can now reflect on possibly the most exciting Basel Watch and Jewellery Fairs that I can remember in a long time.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea

I can confirm the pre-show rumours about the Rolex Deepsea – the watch forums were full of speculation prior to Basel and I am delighted to say that it is happening later this year.

Without doubt, it was one of my personal favourite watches shown.

" The Swiss watch industry
is achieving extraordinary feats
to push the boundaries of
horology even further."

Paying tribute to the Deep Sea Special from 1960, an experimentalprototype watch which plunged to a depth of 10,916 metres in the Mariana Trench, the new Deepsea surpasses even that.

The new Deepsea will replace the current Sea-Dweller and will be known formally as ‘The Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea’. Waterproof to an incredible 3,900 metres (12,800ft), Rolex has had to overcome considerable challenges to produce this watch and has even developed new machinery in conjunction with Comex (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertise) just to be able to fully test each watch’s water resistancy.

The watch has many technical innovations, including the 5mmthick domed sapphire crystal glass and new patented Ringlock system, but the feature that stands head and shoulders above the rest is... the clasp. It sounds strange but it truly is a work of art and really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. It is also the first watch to feature a bracelet with a double extension system, making it easily adaptable for greater comfort over a diving suit.

The watch will retail for £4,750 when released later this year. We still await concrete information about when the first deliveries will be made but I would anticipate seeing the first watches in September.

For more information, log onto www.rolex.com or email karl.irwin@davidmrobinson.co.uk

After its initial preview to select members of the jewellery trade in Dubai back in March, Basel was the official launch of the Mega Port Royal Open Grande Date from Zenith.

The Mega certainly lives up to its name and its huge proportions will be popular among those with a big enough personality to carry it off.

Mega Port Royal Open Grande Date from Zenith

Evolving from the successful Port Royal Open, Zenith has tweaked the design to be more user friendly for the wearer, most notably by placing the power reserve indicator behind the dial – almost in the style of a fuel gauge. It has also included a large date but retained the ‘open’ nature of the watch, whereby you can see into the movement from the front by looking through the dial.

This really does show the craftsmanship of the El Primero movement in all its glory and demonstrates why Zenith is one of only a handful of manufacturers in the Swiss watch industry to make every part from start to finish.

“The Mega certainly lives
up to its name and its huge
proportions will be popular
among those with a big enough
personality to carry it off”

Once again, the first deliveries are due in late 2008, when the price is expected to be £7,500.

For more information, log onto www.rolex.com or email karl.irwin@davidmrobinson.co.uk

Breitling had a busy Basel with a lot of new launches and evolutions of product, the real statement piece being the new Breitling for Bentley GMT.

Continuing the Breitling for Bentley family tradition of making big watches, the GMT is no different, with a 49mm case which is either steel or 18ct rose gold. The watch comes on either a bracelet or a rubber strap but, personally, the rubber strap is by far and away the best option and in 18ct rose gold it is absolutely stunning.

The first pieces are due in the UK in September and the prices start at approximately £5,100 for the steel watch.

SIHH 2008 in Geneva saw the launch of the new IWC Laureus watch for 2008. As in previous years, all the profits generated from the watch go to the Laureus Sport for Good Charity, which is run in conjunction with IWC and Daimler Chrysler. The charity supports over 50 projects around the globe which tackle some of the greatest challenges of our time, including poverty, racism, war, homelessness, drug addiction and HIV/Aids. Worldwide, about 150,000 children benefit annually from the foundation’s activities and this number increases daily.

This year the Laureus watch will be the stunning IWC Da Vinci Chronograph. The watch is a limited edition of 1,000 pieces worldwide in stainless steel and continues the theme of recent years with a blue dial to distinguish it from the standard range. The watch also has a unique case back bearing the logo of the Laureus Sport for Good Charity. The Da Vinci range was completely revamped last year and has until now only been available from four stores in London. This year a few further IWC retailers will be Da Vinci stockists and David M. Robinson has been selected as one of these.

The current retail price is £8,400 and we anticipate that the first watches will be available in late summer.

For more information, log onto http://www.breitlingforbentley.com/en/ or email karl.irwin@davidmrobinson.co.uk

After much anticipation and rumour it was confirmed at Basel that Patek Philippe will be releasing the 5070P this year.

The 5070 is a manually-wound chronograph from the Patek Philippe portfolio. Until now, it has only been made in 18ct white and rose gold but this year it will be made in platinum also.

Prices are expected to be in the region of £45,000 when the watch is launched later in the year, but only for those lucky enough to get hold of one. An immediate collectors’ piece, this watch is generating huge demand around the globe, especially in view of recent auction sales where Grand Complication Patek Philippe watches have been making huge premiums over their list price.

As you might anticipate, supply of this watch will be extremely limited and it will be made for just one year. I would suggest that you are very nice to your local Patek Philippe retailer, although he probably has a queue of people outside his door.

Other watches that you should keep an eye out for later in the year include the new Rolex Day-date II, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris limited edition and the Omega Seamaster, James Bond limited edition, amongst many others.

For more information about the brands mentioned above email karl.irwin@davidmrobinson.co.uk

One of the most exciting watches released in recent years by Rolex is due to land any day.  The Rolex Yachtmaster II was launched at the Basle Watch and Jewellery Fair in April and is a significant departure from the current Yachtmaster watch.  With a programmable countdown feature and mechanical memory, it allows the wearer to set the countdown time for each specific regatta.

The Yachtmaster II also comes with the 4160 movement that has been designed and manufactured entirely by Rolex.  This stunning new timepiece is available in either 18ct yellow or 18ct white gold and will be a much sought after model in any worthy watch collection.

For more information visit www.rolex.com to see the full Rolex collection

David M. Robinson Ltd.- The north's largest Rolex agent

August 2007 - This watch has landed slightly earlier than anticipated.  Please contact your nearest store if you would like to view this fantasic watch at your convenience.

At Basel, Omega launched to the jewellery trade, the new James Bond Omega Seamaster limted edition watch.

Due to be released in the autumn to coincide with the forthcoming new James Bond film - The Quantum of Solace, the watch will be the Seamaster 300m watch but with the new black dial and co-axial movement.  Prices are not confirmed as yet but it is expected to retial for £1,950 and will be limited to 10,007 worldwide.

For more information log onto www.omegawatches.com or email karl.irwin@davidmrobinson.co.uk