Articles and News

BRAND NEWS: FREDERIQUE-CONSTANT, ALPINA WATCHES; ANTONINI GOA COLLECTION, SYNTHETIC DIAMOND TESTER June 13, 2012 (0 comments)

Frederique Constant Introduces New Classics Manufacture Watch

Geneva, Switzerland--Frederique Constant has been developing and producing its Manufacture Caliber watches since 2001. The first caliber was the Heart Beat Manufacture, with its iconic aperture in the dial. Newer versions of the Heart Beat Manufacture included various complications, a silicon escapement wheel, and an in-house tourbillon.

Development of the second base caliber by Frederique Constant started in 2008. The goal was to redevelop all components and reduce cost of manufacturing by 30%, while maintaining the same high quality level of the Heart Beat Manufacture calibers. This resulted in the Maxime Manufacture, which realized significant economies of scale. In line with the firm’s philosophy of accessible luxury the cost savings were passed on to consumers.

This year, Frederique Constant is proud to introduce the new Classics Manufacture, left, with a retail price starting at €1’750 in stainless steel. Decoration of the movement features the Cotes de Geneve and

Collimacon patterns in a bright rhodium finish. The new Classics Manufacture is based on the second generation of the Maxime movement, cal. FC-710, and features an added center hand to measure seconds. Apart from stainless steel, the Classics Manufacture is also available with a case finished in rose gold plating, at €1’950.

 

Alpina Introduces New Time-Zone Watch

Geneva, Switzerland—Alpina introduces its latest Worldtimer watch, featuring a rotating ring with the names of 24 world cities inscribed on it. A second rotating ring has 24-hour markers, to display time in different zones. (Local time is shown by a standard hour and minute hand.) The Alpina Worldtimer has a mechanical automatic caliber AL-718 with 28 jewels and has a 48-hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 10 ATM.  The watch is finished off with a black leather crocodile strap, and the front and the back of the watch are covered with sapphire crystal.

The Alpina Worldtimer is part of the Alpina Aviation collection, developed in close collaboration with Cessna Aircraft and PrivatAir. The three firms work together closely to promote their equally high quality products and services, through cross-marketing activities in Europe and North America.

Production of the Alpina Startimer Worldtimer will be limited at 8’888 pieces and they will be presented in a dedicated, luxurious packaging, alongside a Cessna Citation Mustang scale model in PrivatAir livery.

 

Antonini Presents New Goa Collection

Milan, Italy--Antonini reinvents the classic long necklace with stones, in its new Goa collection, a sophisticated “capsule” of accessories to be worn every day. The necklace comes in two lengths (choker or long), plus pendant earrings to complete the look.

The collection plays with the hues and organic forms of stones; colorful “pebbles” with a natural cuts alternating with unusual asymmetrical links of pink gold accented with champagne diamonds.

A limited edition is available with purple or green amethysts, pink gold, and champagne diamonds. The green amethyst version contrasts with the denser colour of smoky quartz, while the more traditional purple plays on the different hues and transparencies of the color. The links and ring clasp are decorated with diamonds.

The earrings follow the form of the ear lobe with a sparkling line of diamonds and a luminous dangling amethyst.

 

Low-Cost, Portable Synthetic Diamond Tester Set For Launch

Hong Kong—Diamond Services Ltd. announces a new low-cost device to screen and separate synthetic and natural diamonds. The device, which the company claims is highly accurate and able to detect both HPHT and CVD grown diamonds, is a pen-shaped pointer called the DiamaPen. It will be introduced at the Hong Kong Gem & Jewellery Fair, June 21-24, at an introductory price of US $199. The manufacturer says it successfully detected both fancy yellow and colorless synthetics in tests.

The DiamaPen employs a 405 nm wavelength laser beam, which requires users to wear special safety glasses.

Diamond Services Ltd. acknowledges the device is not a replacement for a full-scale identification test in a gemological laboratory, but says it is a useful tool for the first steps in examining a diamond, especially at trade events.

For information or an appointment at the Hong Kong Fair, call (+852) 2536-4555 or email info@diamondservices.com.hk