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Baselworld 2012: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Date (Red Bezel)

Two weeks ago at the Geneva Time Exhibition, TAG Heuer launched 18 completely new editions of its iconic Formula 1 watch ().  TAG did a great job these are some exciting new pieces that in TAGs most popular collection.  Inspired by high-performance Formula 1 automotive technology, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 is for many a gateway watch into the world of fine timepieces (it was for me, at least).  With a quartz movement inside, this watch is all about external appearances balanced colors and design, unpretentious, functional and super tough an aspirational piece for many a young professional.   This said, lets look today at another one of new, revamped TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches, this one a Chronograph model with a striking red aluminum bezel ring.   Again, big credit to TAG Heuer on a job well done with the revamp of the Formula 1 line this year.  Available at TAG Heuer retailers worldwide in April 2012.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Date (Red Bezel)

42mm black titanium carbide-coated case and bezel with red aluminum bezel ring inset

Hands-On With The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire 40.5 (Live Pics + Video)

Click to enlargeThis could be one of my favorite pieces from SIHH – here’s why:

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire 40.5, in spite of its long and arduous name (for those of us with an English tongue) is a very serious watch.  It is, what many would call, a piece of haute horlogerie.  Now this terms gets thrown around a lot, in fact the “HH” in “SIHH” stands for haute horlogerie and I can tell you with great certainty that not all watches shown at the salon warrant such a title.  The new Duometre does, however.

You see, this watch uses a movement, the JLC Caliber 381, that employs a double-wing concept, meaning it has two unique energy sources.  The first, regulated by the escapement and the balance, is entirely dedicated to the precise measurement of the passing of time; whereas the second source of energy is devoted to the display of the functions: hours, minutes, seconds, calendar and moon phases for both hemispheres.  The two are then regulated against each other via a jumping seconds hand that measures 1/6th of a second.  To see this watch in action is just a thrill, so luckily we’ve filmed it for you below:

Now the Caliber 381 isn’t anything new for this year, the original Duometre was released a few years and it has been praised by watch enthusiasts and collectors the world over.  But, what makes this year’s Duometre so attractive to me is the combination of such an impressive movement in such a wearable size.  The Duometre has never been a large watch, it was 42mm, but now, it is available in 18k pink gold in a smaller 40.5mm case.  

Also, what makes this watch so attractive, besides the incredible movement and great size, is that it is a true piece of haute horlogerie – a watch with an incredibly complicated movement (367 parts!) from a storied brand, and yet doesn’t cost a fortune. Of course, everything is relative and the approximate $37,000 this Duometre will run could buy a lot of things, like for example any one of these seven sport utility vehicles, but if you compare this watch to most other high-end, true haute horlogerie pieces, it’s a relative bargain.

Stainless Steel and Plastic Grey Lg Round Bracelet w Crystals

Item: NY8426 Stainless steel and plastic watch with a polished finish and a round face. Dark grey colored dial with a glossy finish. Case size 43.5MM. Case thickness 10.5MM.

Stainless steel and plastic watch with a polished finish and a round face. Dark grey colored dial with a glossy finish. Case size 43.5MM. Case thickness 10.5MM.