The Overseas World Time

From Vacheron Constantin -

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

This is the latest iteration of the Overseas - a world time model.

Available in three dial versions and with steel bracelet, leather or rubber strap.

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Here are the pertinents -

References 

7700V/110A-B129 – silver-toned dial 
7700V/110A-B172 – blue dial 
7700V/110A-B176 – brown dial 
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces 

Caliber 

2460 WT
Mechanical self-winding
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin 
22K gold Overseas oscillating weight
36.6 mm (11’’’1⁄4) diameter, 7.55 mm thick 
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
255 components
27 jewels 

Indications 

Hours and minutes
Central seconds
World time indication (37 cities) 
Day-night indication 

Case 

Stainless steel
43.5 mm diameter, 12.6 mm thick
Soft iron casing ring ensuring anti-magnetic protection 
Screwed-down crown
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 15 bar (approx. 150 meters) 

Dial 

3 superimposed dials:
A.  Map of the northern hemisphere with sunburst satin-finished
continents & velvet-finished seas. Translucent silver-
toned/blue/brown lacquered disc with transferred city names
B.  Sapphire disc with transferred day/night and 24-hour
indications (period between 6.30pm and 6.30am highlighted
with a black background)
C.  Translucent silver-toned/blue/brown lacquered ring, opalin-
finished, transferred minute-track
18K gold hours and minutes hands highlighted with white
luminescent material

Bracelet/Straps 

Stainless steel bracelet, half Maltese cross-shaped polished and satin-brushed links
Delivered with a second black/blue/brown Mississippiensis alligator leather strap featuring 

a black nubuck lining with a micro- perforated effect, hand-stitched, large square scales
Delivered with a third strap in black/blue/brown rubber

Clasps 

Stainless steel bracelet secured by a stainless steel triple-blade folding 
clasp with push-pieces and comfort-adjustment system
Delivered with a second stainless steel triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces and 
interchangeable system (patent pending) compatible with both additional straps 

What Watch would Tintin Wear?

Now those of you long time readers out there will remember a post with a similar title regarding the ochs und junior Two Time Zones (then referred to as the due ore).

What I was getting at was the spirit of the watch and the feeling that you had while wearing it.  I haven't had that feeling since 2011 - until recently when I got to test drive Michael Happe's Gavox Aurora.  Now in fairness, I realize that a review was conducted recently on this but as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.  And this is certainly the case here.

Courtesy of Gavox

This would be perfect for Tintin for a number of reasons - UTC, stop watch, and with Professor Calculus's help, he might even find a use for the moon phase to help thwart the evil deeds of Rastapopoulos (who I am fairly certain is a devoted IWC fan)!

Shamelessly borrowed from the INFOWEB

But this is the one that I suspect Tintin would strap on each morning in his Brussel's apartment before setting off to Marlinspike, or being thrown into another adventure in Tibet or even Syldavia -

Shamelessly borrowed form the INFOWEB

So pennies are being saved here at Tempus Fugit HQ for the Aurora - because while I write about this stuff and try to be objective, sometimes something strikes a nerve with you that is well-beyond the every day and speaks to you on a personal level.  That's why we are watch fans, isn't it?

Enjoy your watches!

Tourbillon Ronde d'Or – Grand Prix de Monaco Mai 1966

From Ateliers DeMonaco

Courtesy of Ateliers DeMonaco

Here are the pertinents -

Technical specifications

Tourbillon Ronde d'Or – Grand Prix de Monaco Mai 1966

Reference:                  dMc-TB-GP2-WG

Movement:                 

Patented Tourbillon XP 1

Automatic winding

Curved chamfered, hand perlage, hand engraving decoration

Hand engraved 22 carats gold rotor

Silicium escape wheel and lever

Alternances 28800 beats/hour (4 Hrz)

Sapphire tourbillon bridge

Functions:                   

Hour, minutes, small seconds (6 o’clock)

Case:                           

18K White gold

Diameter 44 MM

Thickness 13.1 MM

31 parts overall

Titanium core

Brushed, polished and assembled by hand

Front and back sapphire crystal

Water resistant up to 3 ATM

Dial:                            

Solid gold 4 layers applied by hand

Hand engraved dial showing Grand Prix de Monaco Mai 1966

6 o'clock tourbillon opening

Hands:                         

Dauphine shaped

Strap:                          

Hand stitched alligator leather

18K folding buckle

Edition:                  

Unique piece

The Alpiner Heritage Manufacture KM-710

from Alpina 

Courtesy of Alpina

This is the latest release from Alpina.  A 41.5 mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystal front and display back.  Self-winding AL-710 self winding movement with hours, minutes, seconds and the date at 6 o'clock.

Here are the pertinents -

Alpina Alpiner Heritage Manufacture KM-710

Reference                               AL-710KMV4E6

Case                                        

Stainless steel case

41.5 mm diameter, 13.00 mm thickness

Scratch-resistant "glass box" sapphire crystal

5 ATM/50m/150ft Water-resistant

Transparent case-back

Movement                               

AL-710 Manufacture caliber, automatic with adjustable date by crown

Perlage & Soleillage decoration on the movement

26 jewels, 42 hours power reserve, 28,800 alt/h

Dial                                          

Silver color dial with black printed arabic indexes and beige color luminous coated dots

Date by hand at 6 o’clock

Black color hands

Beige color luminous coated hours and minutes hands

                                               

Strap                                       

Dark brown genuine leather strap

Functions                                

Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date