by Elizabeth Doerr

Vogard Black F1 Timezoner

* Just ten years after the launch of the first Vogard Timezoner at Baselworld 2004, founder and CEO Mike Vogt announces that he has sold his patent to a big player in the watch industry: IWC.

The Timezoner is the only watch in the world providing time zone adjustment by simply twisting the bezel. It is also the first mechanical watch to clearly display the differences between Daylight Savings Time and standard time. Vogt has now sold its patent and all related intellectual property to IWC. Vogt says he is pleased that he has found a partner able to exploit the technology on a global level, something he as a niche producer was never able to do. Though Vogard will continue to offer after-sales service, it will cease manufacturing and sales of the Timezoner as of December 31, 2014.

* A 1958 Geophysic Chronomètre by Jaeger-LeCoultre was sold in Antiquorum’s November 8 sale for CHF 52,500 despite its pre-sale estimate of CHF 8,000. For more information on the modern re-issue of this classic, please read Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Geophyisc 1958: Appealingly Adventurous On The Wrist.

* Ulysse Nardin has happily extended its Classico Cloisonné collection with a new model called the Amerigo Vespucci, named for the ship built in 1930 that was named for the famous Italian explorer after whom America is named. (Whew!) The wristwatch limited to just 30 pieces featuring a hand-created cloisonné enamel dial and 40 mm case is available in pink or white gold. It is powered by the automatic C.O.S.C.-certified UN Caliber 815. Fun fact: more than 500 mm of fine gold wire is needed to make each dial’s cloisons.

The Amerigo Vespucci by Ulysse Nardin

* Celebrating 150 years since Georges Favre-Jacot founded one of the first industrial manufactures in Switzerland, Zenith introduces the Academy Georges Favre-Jacot. Among its 797 individual movement components (including 575 for the chain alone), this timepiece contains a traditional chain-and-fusée system to ensure constant force of manually wound, C.O.S.C.-certified, high-frequency (5Hz) Caliber El Primero 4810. The 45 mm timepiece boasting 50 hours of power reserve is available in a limited edition of 150 pieces.

Uwe Ahrendt, CEO of Nomos

* The international corporate competition “Entrepreneur of the Year” was started in 1986 by auditing and consultancy firm Ernst & Young in the U.S.A. to honor exceptional achievement. From 300 nominated companies, 45 managers made it into the German final in five categories in 2014. Stunningly, the winner was Uwe Ahrendt, CEO of Nomos. Under his leadership, Nomos has experienced strong growth, doubling its turnover in the last three years. Nomos boasts in-house verticalization of up to 95 percent, including its own escapement. For more information on that, please read Bravo, Nomos! How The Metro Will Change The Watch Game.

* National Jeweler reports that Richemont has won a case that will allow trademark owners to get court orders to compel Internet service providers to block or impede access to websites selling counterfeit versions of their wares. For all the facts, please read National Jeweler’s story: www.nationaljeweler.com/majors/public-policy-issues/Richemont-wins-fight-5794.shtml.

Skeleton Pure by Armin Strom

* Armin Strom introduces the Skeleton Pure collection, which highlights the airiness of the brand’s characteristic skeletonized movement by using rhodium or ruthenium PVD plating, lending the eight-day, double-barrel manufacture movement beating at 3 Hertz a three-dimensional look. Limited to just 100 pieces in each configuration, Skeleton Pure is available in a 43.4 mm case as each of the elements that Armin Strom’s collections are divided into: Fire (pink gold), Water (stainless steel), Air (titanium) and Earth (black PVD-coated stainless steel). Visit the dedicated mini-website to assemble your own: www.pure.arminstrom.com.

Oktopus Carbon Moon by Linde Werdelin

* Linde Werdelin announces the launch of the Octopus Moon Carbon with a case made of 3DTP carbon composite. 3DTP is reported to be the first proprietary carbon technology specifically developed for the high-precision tolerance demanded by high-end watchmaking. The Octopus Moon Carbon is a limited edition of 59 pieces.