MH17

Grieb&Benzinger Blue Dragon Imperial

August 8th 2014 (8.8.2014) was a lucky day for a passionate Chinese watch collector who was born in the year of the dragon and therefore addicted to dragon collectables. After 8 months of waiting, a very special BLUE DRAGON IMPERIAL has been handed over to his lucky owner. A personal bespoke (time)piece of art, made with the best materials and full of personal meanings for the owner. The dragon has always been the symbol of imperial power – a symbol for happiness, peace, protection and destiny. And since 8 is the Chinese lucky number, this dragon project was blessed with triple luck.

The BLUE DRAGON IMPERIAL alludes to and combines Chinese mythology with the craftsmanship of GRIEB&BENZINGER, for which the workshop is famed. This outstanding watch impresses by its amazing skeleton dragon which is fully skeletonized out of the movement itself and majestically floats within the case. Historical handicrafts and fine skills are exhibited by GRIEB&BENZINGER within this BLUE DRAGON IMPERIAL watch: hand-skeletonization, hand-guilloché, hand-engraving and of course fine watchmaking.

The blue platinum coated movement is tribute to very rare historical Swiss watch making roots: Blue movements have mainly been built for the Chinese market in imperial China of the Qing Dynasty under Emperors Jia Qing and Dao Guang. GRIEB&BENZINGER is lucky enough to own one of these very rare original blue watch movements (made by Charles Oudin in about 1820) - the historical roots comes full circle.

As with every GRIEB&BENZINGER creation, this is an exceedingly rare timepiece. This bespoke BLUE DRAGON IMPERIAL comes in a solid 18K palladium-white gold case and a bezel set 66 finest Princess cut diamonds. The price tag hit the US $ six digit region, but this is not a big surprise realizing it’s again a bespoke handmade GRIEB&BENZINGER.

Photograph: Grieb&Benzinger

BLUE DRAGON IMPERIAL  

         

Fully hand-skeletonized manually wound movement, also guilloché and engraved by hand. Solid 18K palladium white gold case, bezel set with 66 high grade Princess cut diamonds, 43 mm in diameter, blue alligator-skin strap with solid 18K buckle.

For more information:

Grieb&Benzinger

Beautiful Bouqets: the Amadeo Fleurier 39 by BOVET

The gift of flowers has always been a romantic gesture, whether on a festive occasion or simply as an everyday expression of love. Representing the everlasting beauty and romance of flowers, the Amadeo Fleurier 39 by BOVET possesses all the charm and symbolism of the feminine flower, yet its allure will never fade. The distinctive beauty of the Amadeo Fleurier 39 make it an unforgettable and romantic holiday gift.

Created by artisans working with the techniques of traditional master craftsmanship for which BOVET is renowned, the elegant roses and lotuses are delicately hand-painted or set with diamonds on the radiant mother of pearl dials. Diamonds frame the one of a kind paintings or diamond set floral motifs, adding a lustrous glow to the case and dial.

Photographs: Bovet 1822

Endlessly versatile and elegant, thanks to the trademark Amadeo convertible case, the Amadeo Fleurier 39 may be enjoyed as a wristwatch, table clock, pendant, or pocket watch.

For more information:

Bovet 1822

AP Prices in Taiwan

These covers some of the recent AP release in the ROO collection...

Royal Oak Offshore Diver reference 15707CB.

NTD 733,000.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26402CB.

NTD 1,283,000.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26470OR.

NTD 2,125,000.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26470OR.

NTD 1,250,000.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26470ST.

NTD 787,000.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26470ST.

NTD 798,000.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26470ST.

NTD 798,000.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26470ST.

NTD 798,000.

Photographs: Audemars Piguet

More flip clocks...

This time I spotted this at a local 'Japanese' based store... and yes, I do like flip clocks...

This is a digital version of a retro flip clock...

I believe the brand is Bruno. Sadly I did not get the price...

No, I did not get one...

Panerai prices

Panerai prices in Taiwan. These are retail prices of some of the pieces I believe will make its way to Taiwan...

PAM00330 Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Oro Rosa 48mm. This is a Special Edition of only 50 pieces from 2009. 

NTD 4,018,000.

PAM00446 Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica 59mm. This is a Special Edition of only 50 pieces from 2013. 

NTD 6,216,000.

PAM00497 Radiomir 10 Days GMT Oro Rosso 45mm. This is a Special Edition of only 250 pieces from 2012. 

NTD 1,227,000.

PAM00502 Radiomir 1940 Chrono Monopulsante 8 Days GMT Oro Rosso 45mm. This is a Special Edition of only 300 pieces from 2013. 

NTD 1,446,000.

PAM00528 Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Ceramica 48mm. This is a Special Edition of only 150 pieces from 2013. 

NTD 5,200,000.

PAM00529 Pocket Watch 3 Days Oro Bianco 50mm. This is a Special Edition of only 50 pieces from 2014. 

NTD 2,298,000.

Photographs: Panerai

I believe these pieces will be here in Taiwan for the Taipei 101 Watch and Jewelry Salon 2014. 

Taipei 101 Watch and Jewelry Salon 2014

Taipei 101 will host its annual Watch and Jewelry Salon 2014 from 4th. September to 5th. October. From what I understand, there will be a couple of private showing by the various brands and also a general exhibition. 

The brands that will be displaying are:

Audemars Piguet

Blancpain

Breguet

Boucheron

Bvlgari

Cartier

Chanel

Chopard

DeBeers

Dior

Hermes

IWC Schaffhausen

Jadegia

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Louis Vuitton

Longines

MontBlanc

Omega

Patek Philippe

Piaget

Panerai

Rado

Rolex

TAGHeuer

Tiffany&Co

Tissot

Tudor

Vacheron Constantin

Van Cleef&Arpels

Zenith

Cortina Watch will also showcase some of the brands it brings into Taiwan.