Jaeger-LeCoultre was founded in 1833 and continues to manufacture its watches from the Swiss hamlet of Le Sentier. This little town in the municipality of Chenit lies in the heart of the valley in the Jura, or the La Vallée de Joux. With over 200 patents and more than 1,000 different calibres developed and crafted under one roof, LeCoultre is perhaps best known for the Reverso, a watch that flips over to shield the glass during rough polo games.
* The model shown is the ‘Duomètre à Chronographe’. The 42mm watch will be launched in three versions: pink gold and platinum unlimited, yellow gold limited to 300, all straps has a folding buckle.
Chopard was founded in 1860, by 24-year-old Louis-Ulysse Chopard, in the small town of Sonvilier located in the Swiss Jura Mountains. Chopard focussed on developing precise pocket watches and chronometers based on innovative ideas. The company was sold in the 1960s because the family refused to manage the business. The new owner, Karl Scheufele, also had his own family jewellery business in Germany, adding a new segment to the production.
* The models shown are the limited edition ‘Mille Miglias’ of 2007 with the race now in its 80th year. The ‘Mille Miglia GT XL Chronograph’ is a 44mm watch limited to 2007 editions in steel and 500 in 18-carat rose gold.
Originally founded by the Baume brothers in 1830, it wasn’t until fifty years later (in 1920) that an alliance with Paul Mercier gave birth to Baume & Mercier. In 1964, the brand was bought by Piaget and in 1999 it became part of the Richemont group. Baume & Mercier has always created innovative watches that remain in step with the times and impose themselves as timeless classics.
* The model shown is the ‘Riviera XXL Magnum’. This 43mm watch comes in satin-brushed steel with a vulcanized rubber strap.
Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. But it was his grandsons Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who were responsible for establishing it as a famous world-wide brand name by heading up Cartier Paris, New York and London respectively.
The maison is known for numerous celebrated pieces but their biggest legacy is the 1904 invention of the first practical wristwatch, the ‘Santos’. In 1964, the Cartier family sold the brand and eventually it became the main subsidiary of Richemont.
* The model shown is the ‘Rotonde de Cartier’ limited to just ten pieces, all in platinum. The 43.5mm watch features a tourbillon, perpetual calendar, single push-button chronograph and an 8day power reserve.
Officine Panerai was founded in 1860 in Florence by Giovanni Panerai. It later became the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy and expanded to building precision instruments. Never over-active in its military production, the company turned to the civilian market in 1993 and remained the object of affection of only a few trendsetters, or ‘Paneristi’, amongst whom is Sylvester ‘Sly’ Stallone. Panerai remains famous for making large watches fashionable again. The brand was bought by Richemont in 1997.
* The model shown is the ‘Black Seal Ceramic Model’. This 45mm watch features a brand new Panerai hand-wound movement and is limited to just 1,000 pieces.
