Ulysse Nardin Chairman luxury smartphone

Swiss brand Ulysse Nardin are historically known for their nautical chronometers, and they have carried over that level of precision into the modern era. The Chairman, a watch-smartphone hybrid, is in the pre-order stage. The main feature of the phone is an operational mechanical watch rotor, which gives extra power to the battery in the same way that kinetic watches draw power. Coming in 12 different versions, the phones feature 32GB of memory, touchscreens that include thumb print recognition, and are constructed with over 300 parts. A docking station, made out of lacquered wood, is included. Only 1846 pieces of each of the 12 models will be made. So we recommend ordering one soon if you want to settle the debate between your friends over who has the best phone.

MARCH LA.B.

Christophe Claret & Couture Time

Held on June 5, 2011, the Encore Ballroom at the Wynn Las Vegas played host to a crowd of nearly 800 for the presentation of the Jury Prize – a watchmaking competition, put on by Couture Time, that recognizes exceptional timepieces in different categories. The Jury Prize for Innovation – for oustanding invention or innovation – was presented to Christophe Claret and his 21 Blackjack watch. A reflection of its environment, this unique watch features a dice game on its sides, roulette on the back, and blackjack on the face, with the player’s and dealer’s cards on the bottom and top, respectively. Basically, it’s a miniature casino on the go for those of you who can’t get enough.

Rado: r5.5 XXL Chronograph

Industrial designer Jasper Morrison is known for keeping his work simple but elegant, and he continues that with the newly designed r5.5 XXL Chronograph. A beefed-up version of Rado’s original r5.5, the larger model offers an extra size quartz chronograph movement. There’s a choice of the platinum matt version, which is highlighted by yellow hands on the sleek platinum dial, and the matt black version, which incorporates white hands to contrast the minimalist ceramic casing. As always with the r5.5, the face of the watch blends seamlessly into the bracelet, giving sophistication to a watch with a sporty touch.

The Versace Watch Collection

The new collection of Versace wristgear is on the way, and it features highly detail-oriented pieces in the finest quality. Traditionally Versace, the watches accurately reflect the fashion house in each of their pieces. The value of craftsmanship is evident in the sharp lines and glamorous cut and styles. Made with high precision and care, the watches are Swiss Made. From the DV One to the V-Race (above), each item in the collection is not only conventional, but sporty and eye-grabbing.

U-Boat U-42 Chrono

You don’t have to brave 20,000 leagues to sport the look of a slick submariner. The U-Boat U-42 takes the most aesthetically pleasing elements of the undersea behemoths (industrial might and bravery, not cabin fever and claustrophobia) and combines them into a suave timepiece. Inspired by his grandfather and created for the Italian Navy, Italo Fontana designed the U-42, limited at 999 units, with engravings by mechanical pantograph and galvanized, with a window crown built in two parts to give you a flexibility with winding and setting without sacrificing the subtlety of the look. It’s also water-tight, though, if you’re down below and you’re getting that wet, you probably have bigger things to worry about.

Cadence: 4-Bit Watch

If you’ve been looking for something low-key and minimalist, Cadence has got you covered. With their 4-Bit Watch, they’ve got 4-bit binary code hour markers, a case made from stainless steel, and a two-part saddle stitched leather strap with a stainless steel buckle. And as part of the Miyota quartz movement, you’ll never have to wind your watch. With a five year limited warranty and sapphire coated quartz glass to prevent scratching, the 4-Bit is a must have for those on the go. Check out the website for other sleek and subtle watches, including the 4:20, Ecomatic, the Wrist Rocket and the Oarsman.

Bell & Ross’ New Website!

Race-car drivers, pilots, bomb-disposal experts. These are just some of the regular customers that watchmakers Bell & Ross serve. But you don’t have to be travelling faster than the speed of sound or know the difference between the red and blue wires to use these high-performance accessories. In fact, the company offers a wide assortment of watches for every type of man, from astronaut to average joe. Continuing their reputation as online pioneers (they were the first to develop an online presence and e-commerce site for watches), Bell & Ross have debuted a new website that is equal parts visually stunning and user-friendly. With a goal to aid timepiece enthusiasts with a unique online experience and showcase their latest offerings, the new site greets visitors with a sleek interface that shows individuals the watches represent more than mere wrist accessories, but rather, a lifestyle. Bell & Ross offer three different collections (VINTAGE, AVIATION, MARINE), all of which are currently available for viewing through a floating mosaic, placed for user ease. Take a look at their site HERE!

Saint Honore Haussman Forty 7-24

Saint Honore makes good time with a new super-chronograph watch attributed to those who make the best time. The Haussman Forty 7-24 is designed as an homage to race cars and the sleek prestige carried with driving faster, better than anyone else. A silver tinted dial, honeycomb caseback and tachymetric scale graduated up to 407 km/h, inspired by the legendary speed on the track. The face is based heavily on the dashboard aesthetic and, in case you were wondering, the large orange 15 a nod to the starting time of 24 hour races (3 pm/15:00.)

Gucci GRAMMY Timepiece Collection

After a three-year partnership made exclusively with The Recording Academy in 2010, Gucci Timepieces and Jewelry has successfully launched the Gucci GRAMMY timepiece collection. Inspired by the GRAMMY Awards, these timepieces will benefit the GRAMMY Museum.

Gucci Timepieces and Jewelry is the first partner to help support the GRAMMY Museum assess a Muzak archive that was recently discovered in a warehouse in South Carolina. The archives are said to have included more than 20,000 never-released master recordings of American music dating back to 1934, from jazz to spiritual. This effort will determine the best way to house, digitize and ultimately release the recordings. Gucci’s music and film preservation interests are admirable endeavours that display the brand’s commitment to celebrating the legacy of various forms of art.

Props, Gucci.