The “Züri Date” Cherry Blossom

From Maurice de Mauriac -

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

The case measures 35 mm in diameter, 41.5 mm lug to lug, and is of stainless steel.  The movement is ETAs 2834-2.

Per Maurice de Mauriac, during the month of October, a percentage of each sale of the "Züri Date” Cherry Blossom will be donated to the Cancer Leauge in Zurich.

The Racquet Rallymaster III - an Opportunity to Reflect

In truth? I was not in a huge rush to push this out as merely a press announcement about yet another new release. But this latest offering from Maurice de Mauriac is a bit special.

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

It has nearly been a year since Daniel Dreyfuss passed away. And while he was beyond doubt a man full of joys and passions, one thing in particular is indelibly tied to him and the brand that is now under the stewardship of his two sons - and that is tennis.

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

The Racquet Rallymaster III, is perhaps one of the most fitting tributes to a man who by sheer glint of will was able to create something form virtually nothing - registering a name, and pouring his heart into it to see it become a touchstone for collectors and watch journalists alike. 

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

This is currently in preorder status, and is limited to 100 pieces. Delivery anticipated in September.

The Chrono Modern Zurich Grand Prix

From Maurice de Mauriac -

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

Available in two versions - stainless steel with black PVD finish with a black dial (above), and in stainless steel with a silver dial (below) -

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

It is also available in two different sizes - 42 mm or 45 mm in diameter.

Here are the pertinents -

Maurice de Mauriac Chrono Modern Zurich Grand Prix 

CASE: 

Brushed stainless steel or stainless steel with black PVD coating; screw-down bezel; screw-down crown and pushers; domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides; sapphire caseback; water resistant to 100 meters 

Diameter: 42mm, 50mm lug-to-lug; 45mm, 53.5mm lug-to-lug Height: 10.7mm 

MOVEMENT: 

Swiss Valjoux (ETA 7750 top execution); blued screws; personalized with a black coated racing-inspired oscillating weight 

Functions: hours, minutes; day and date; chronograph 

DIAL: 

Black or white with Zurich racing stripes and Lucky Numbers badge; guilloché-stamped center; double day-date window; hands hands filled with Super-LumiNova 

Subdials: chronograph minute counter at 12 o’clock, chronograph hours at 6 o’clock 

BRACELET: 

22mm wide; brushed steel bracelet, stainless steel with black PVD coating, or NATO strap with white/blue color combo 

PRICE: 

from 3.700 CHF plus personalization (including 7.7% VAT) 

Availability: online and in the Zurich atelier

The Mayor of the Ramada

I have a lot of memories of BaselWorld. Curious to relate? The majority of them took place in the Hotel formerly known as the Ramada - the Hyperion. Anyone who had ever visited BaselWorld before it ceased operations would know about the lobby of that hotel. It wasn't necessarily glamorous, at least before it became the Hyperion. But what it did have? It had a lot of tables. And these tables in the lobby became the epicenter for where the real deals at BaselWorld would take place. You want to negotiate a deal? You sure as hell wouldn't do it in a booth in Hall 1! You'd go somewhere the press wouldn't find you because they were too busy running around the booths. But the Ramada/Hyperion was more than just a spot for confidential business rendezvous, it was also a spot for small independent brands to pitch their tents and introduce the more intrepid journalists (like yours truly) to their brands. And the undisputed Mayor of the Ramada was Daniel Simon Dreifuss -

I first encountered Daniel at my first BaselWorld visit as a member of the press, back in 2011. The blog formerly known as Tempus Fugit was by no means a known quantity by any stretch of the imagination. But Daniel had reached out via email on my second to last day and we arranged to meet.

And I introduced him to a few other journalists while I was at it ; )

But what Daniel would go on to do at subsequent fairs was emblematic of what made him so well known in Watch Town. Daniel realized that the best, most time and cost effective way to spread the word about Maurice de Mauriac was to plant a flag in the middle of the second busiest intersection at BaselWorld - the lobby of the Ramada. The lobby of the Ramada was not unlike Rick's Bar in the movie Casablanca. It was the one place, that sooner or later, everyone would pass through.

And it was there you would see Daniel, wearing something colorful and fun, jumping out of his seat to shake your hand, and then dipping into his signature leather tote bag to bring forth his latest watches, along with NATO straps of every color and pattern.

The last time I spoke with Daniel was September, 2021. I was returning home following a consulting trip in Neuchatel and had a day stopover in Zurich. He was running late, so I checked out the watches, and spoke with his sons. In the end he came in somewhat flustered from all of the errands he was busy taking care of that morning. If I remember correctly, he was in the process of either building or refurbishing a home in Italy.

Word reached Henki Time's North Shore offices early this morning that Daniel Simon Dreifuss had passed away. And if I am honest, this marks a fairly big turning point. Daniel was a larger than life personality - but in the best possible way. He made a lasting impression on everyone he met, and he will be sorely missed. 

His two sons had already taken over the business, and I suspect that they will continue on, making those human connections.

So what is there left to say? Well, thank you Daniel. You made Watch Town a whole lot more interesting! You will be missed, and certainly not forgotten. 

Go easy, and God's speed.

The Grand Cœur

From Maurice de Mauriac -

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

I'm not going to lie to you sports fans, I'm conflicted by this one. I've shared the Hyperion lobby with Daniel Dreifuss on more than one occasion, and he is charming beyond belief. I genuinely enjoy seeing him every year, and I am sorry to have missed him this year. I can't really say the same for at least one of the heirs apparent, but life moves forward, and with luck they will grow into their roles and carry the brand forward. 

If you're a fan of hyperbole, put on a napkin, because this press release is dripping with it -

Next generation takes over family run watch brand Maurice de Mauriac Zurich

Grand Cœur – the first watch of the Dreifuss brothers

12 November 2020 – Grand Cœur. This is the name of the new watch from the Zurich brand Maurice de Mauriac. The watch is the birth certificate for a new era: The Grand Cœur is the first watch developed only by Massimo and Leonard Dreifuss, the sons of founder Daniel Dreifuss, who are now taking over the sceptre.

To mark this new era the brothers have worked tirelessly to bring out the Grand Cœur. From its conception, to its design and development, brothers Massimo (28) and Leonard Dreifuss (25), have built the Grand Cœur, as both a homage to their father and as a beacon emblematic of the future vision the brand hopes to embark on. The watch aims to symbolise and honour life, and is therefore customised with its own personalised heartbeat for its wearer.

So anyway...
Back to the watch -

To mark this new era the brothers have worked tirelessly to bring out the Grand Cœur. From its conception, to its design and development, brothers Massimo (28) and Leonard Dreifuss (25), have built the Grand Cœur, as both a homage to their father and as a beacon emblematic of the future vision the brand hopes to embark on. The watch aims to symbolise and honour life, and is therefore customised with its own personalised heartbeat for its wearer.

Grand Cœur – a watch with a heart

For their first creation, the Dreifuss brothers have opted for an exceptional Manufacture movement with a high degree of transparency in a typical Maurice de Mauriac case. The heart of the watch beats behind the red sapphire crystal of the "L3 sees red", the last watch developed by their father, which is used as the red crystal back for the Grand Cœur and reveals the mechanical automatic movement.

The Grand Cœur pulses with the Concepto Manufacture REF 3038 calibre, an automatic movement with a central rotor. It beats 28,800 times per hour, has an Incabloc shock protection system, 29 jewels and 48 hours of power reserve. For the Grand Cœur, the balance wheel and escapement are moved to the top of the movement. The titanium case with a diameter of 45mm has a DLC coating, a domed sapphire crystal and screw-down pushers. The strap is made of rubber with red stitching.

Pop-up store in the heart of Zurich

The Grand Cœur is available online, in the Zurich shop and from 19 November to 24 December in the pop-up store at Bleicherweg 10 in the heart of Zurich for 11,145 GBP / 14,700 USD. The watch is limited to 48 pieces. The number stands for the place where the Grand Cœur comes to life and where the heart of the Grand Cœur first beat - in the Atelier at Tödistrasse 48 in Zurich.

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

Now myself, I am not too crazy about anything "pulsing" near my hand, but maybe that's just me.

At just south of $15,000, I hope it also makes espresso. You gotta' be able to punch your weight, and this one is, I'm sorry to say, a bit of a stretch. Once you get to that price point, you have a lot of options. But we will wait, and we will see. And let's hope it is a success.

The L1

 From Maurice de Mauriac -

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

A nice new modern look for the folks based in Zurich. 

The case is of stainless steel (DLC) and if I've understood the info, measures 39 mm in diameter.  The movement is ETA's 2892.

Something new from Maurice de Mauriac

Here is the latest -

Courtesy of Maurice De Mauriac

Something really exciting from Maurice De Mauriac

Courtesy of Maurice De Mauriac

I got a great email this morning from Daniel Dreifuss - this is the newest addition to his growing collection - and it is the FIRST watch to NOT feature a movement from ETA!  Rather a very special movement that is not typically found in your average watch!  So the question you want to ask yourself, is do you want the same old typical mass produced watch?  Or do you want something unique from a small, family enterprise like Maurice De Mauriac?

Maurice De Mauriac

In a very quick SKYPE call this morning, Daniel shared some of the details with me - and it is very exciting.

IMPORTANT - my understanding is that there will only be 10 of these bad boys - so no dawdlers!

Courtesy of Maurice De Mauriac

For more information on this, and the rest of the collection - visit the team at -

www.mauricedemauriac.ch

Le Mans Series Automatic

Courtesy of Maurice de Mauriac

This is the latest from the folks at Maurice de Mauriac - the Le Mans Series Automatic.

Stainless steel, self-winding ETA movement, display back.  Tasty!

www.mauricedemauriac.com

Maurice De Mauriac

Of course, the folks at Maurice De Mauriac are putting out some really cool "of the moment" chronographs.  
But if you take the time to get to know them, you'll see some truly beautiful, more traditional items as well -

Courtesy of Maurice De Mauriac

This is the Automatic Classic.  I LOVE this dial!

And for the chronograph lovers out there -

Courtesy of Maurice De Mauriac

I will have quite a bit more to come from Maurice De Mauriac in the coming weeks - and hopefully an interview!  Stay tuned!


Check out the entire collection -  http://mauricedemauriac.ch

Maurice De Mauriac

Magnus and Maurice

One of the more enjoyable aspects of BaselWorld is the chance for more informal meetings.  I got a late night message from Maurice De Mauriac and at 4:00 the next day we got together with another blogger - Magnus Bosse and had a peek at what he is up to.

There will be quite a bit more in the coming days - stay tuned!

www.mauricedemauriac.ch