THE WATCHISMO TIMES WATCH BLOG: March 01, 2009

Thursday

New Brand - Ladoire Geneve Helvet Mechanic RGT (Roller Guardian Time) Watch

Following in the footsteps of independent watch brands like Hautlence, 36 year old watch designer Lionel Ladoire has introduced his first collection featuring the Timepiece Roller Guardian Time. A limited edition series of 40 watches are planned for their first year of production.

Ladoire's first timekeeper offers an unusual view. Time is displayed by revolving indicators that turn on ball bearings. There is one single hand displaying a second time zone. A deep recess in the middle of the hour-indicator shows some of the entrails of the custom- made movement by ASXP-Engineering, an enterprise that also works for Hautlence and MCT. The large pusher on the right adjusts the second time-zone.

via Watchprosite

Close-up of dial with hours disc (upper left), minutes (lower center), and seconds (upper right), and a GMT second time zone at the center.

The back of the watch reveals some further interesting details of the movement. The micro-rotor for the automatic winding is covered by a circular disc giving it a perfectly balanced look. The balance-wheel bridge shows the two attachments for the Moser double hairspring coming from Precision Engineering in Schaffhausen. A spiderweb on the barrel is part of the corporate design.

via Watchprosite

Side-view with GMT regulator

French watch designer Lionel Ladoire

Preview - Ulysse Nardin Mechanical Cellphone to be Announced at Baselworld

Celebrated Swiss vanguard watchmaker Ulysse Nardin has partnered with the European firm, SCI Innovations, to create the world's first hybrid smart phone: the Chairman.

Inherently green, this smart phone pairs cutting-edge kinetic technology with the pedigree of the 163-year-old timepiece innovator.

The Chairman will be launched the end of March at Baselworld 2009 at Ulysse Nardin’s booth.

While details are limited, it has been confirmed that the Chairman will be able to use any mobile phone service provider in the world and includes several components never seen before in a smart phone.

It will incorporate a Ulysse Nardin designed kinetic rotor system which is blended into the mechanical and aesthetical design of the smart phone. This smart-phone is hand-assembled under the strictest guidelines mandated by Ulysse Nardin.

More information during its launch at Baselworld.

All Ulysse Nardin posts at The Watchismo Times--> LINK

Ulysse Nardin watch website--> LINK
Ulysse Nardin UNCells website--> LINK

via Timezone

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New Releases - Linde Werdelin SpidoLite

Gadget and horological aficionados trying to balance durability with weight have a stylish new option. The SpidoLite, from Danish watchmaker Linde Werdelin, employs a titanium casing that drastically reduces the overall weight. Reportedly made at the request of mountaineer Morten Linde before he climbed Mount Everest, the casing is drilled into an "exoskeleton" form that further lightens the load while giving it a striking, incomplete appearance.

Particularly exciting for vintage watch fans, the SpidoLite uses a 1970s automatic movement that was personally modified by founding member of the ACHI, Svend Anderson.

The SpidoLite is produced in a single batch of only 44 and will officially hit the market at BaselWorld 2009. It's expected to retail for €9,000 and will be available in April.

Black DLC SpidoLite with detachable "instrument" and yellow Sapphire crystal

via Coolhunting & KronosBlog

Linde Werdelin website-->Link
Svend Anderson website-->Link

Previously featured Linde Werdelin Bifometer Watch->Link

Read these other unusual watch stories from The Watchismo Times;
Horological Weaponry
Shoot To Kilfitt - Subminiature Camera-Watch
Subminiature Camera Watches
Steinheil Camera Watch
Victorian Camera Pocket Watch
1950s Minifon Spy Recorder Watch
Compartment Scroll Watch
Victorian Wrist Horn
Rolex Lipstick Watch
Omega Ring Watch
Rolex Ring Watch
Walking Stick Watches
History of Calculating Devices
James Bond Movie Gadget Watches

Not Enough? More Odd Watch Stories-->LINK

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New Releases - De Bethune Dream Watch No.2 Silicon-Titanium Tourbillon 2009

As its defining characteristic, the calibre DB2009 employs the lightest tourbillon in the world designed entirely in silicon and titanium and having neither a cage nor the traditional pillars, but incorporating the latest temperature-compensated silicon / platinum balance. The frequency of this new hand-wound mechanical calibre is 36,000 vibrations per hour and inside a 30 second tourbillon.

The Dream Watch Two possesses the lightest tourbillion in the world. This anorexic tourbillion is a slim, U-shaped silicon cage and a platinum ring surrounding the balance wheel, weighing a total of 0.18 grams. The tourbillion is extremely interesting but I have little technical details. Again, this watch is incredibly well finished. Incredibly. 10 pieces will be made each year.

via Horomundi

Power reserve indicator on the back of Tourbillon 2009

Dream One with annular balance.
(and three-dimensional moonphase)

The simple oscillator of the mechanical calibre DB2016, designed by De4 Bethune, is a genuine achievement in the world of watchmaking. The balance spring of the regulating organ is not visible; it is concealed within an annular balance consisting of a central silicon disc surrounded by a thin ring of polished platinum which can be seen through the dial.

Annular Balance: The balance spring of the regulating organ is not visible; it is concealed within an annular balance consisting of a central silicon disc surrounded by a thin ring of polished platinum which can be seen through the dial.

See much more from Ian Skellern at Horomundi-->LINK

De Bethune Dream Watch One photomontage-->LINK

DeBethune official website-->LINK

Other Related Independent Watch Brand Features at The Watchismo Times-->LINK

New Release - 2009 Dewitt Academia Tourbillon Force Constante à Chaîne

DeWitt has enhanced its constant force tourbillon with a system that relays energy to its associated power reserve indicator. Rotating the crown when winding the barrel-spring drives a miniature chain, which uses an intermediate wheel to activate the power reserve indicator sliding on a worm screw. Three years after developing a patented regulating system – three extra wheels transmitting impulses of identical force to the tourbillon, whatever the barrel’s degree of tension

close-up of dial

close-up of chain mechanism