News & Updates
Latest News from the Swiss and German Watch Industries
25th August 2022
Breguet unveils two new additions to the Classique Family
Since 1775, Breguet has defined Swiss watchmaking and continues to produce iconic and eye-catching classic timepieces, crafted to last generations. Most recently, Breguet have unveiled two new additions to their Classique Family.
For the Ladies, and in time for the upcoming Spring season, Breguet have released the Classique Dame 8068 collection. For the first time, Breguet is offering three interchangeable straps in the same boxed set with an easy to use rapid interchange system. Each strap is fitted with its own unique gold buckle, enabling the user to change the look and style of their watch with minimal effort.
Available in white and rose gold 30mm case options, each watch is fitted with a beautiful cabochon-cut diamond and has its bezel and lugs fitted with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds. The mother-of-dial is adorned with a very fine guilloché pattern and completed with Breguet's signature Arabic numerals and Breguet hands.
For the Ladies, and in time for the upcoming Spring season, Breguet have released the Classique Dame 8068 collection. For the first time, Breguet is offering three interchangeable straps in the same boxed set with an easy to use rapid interchange system. Each strap is fitted with its own unique gold buckle, enabling the user to change the look and style of their watch with minimal effort.
Available in white and rose gold 30mm case options, each watch is fitted with a beautiful cabochon-cut diamond and has its bezel and lugs fitted with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds. The mother-of-dial is adorned with a very fine guilloché pattern and completed with Breguet's signature Arabic numerals and Breguet hands.
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For the Gents, Breguet has unveiled the new Classique 7337 Calendar featuring a modern interpretation of Breguets signature features. With it's off-centered dial adorned with a very fine hand-engraved Clous de Paris hobnial guilloché and barleycorn motif, the Classique 7337 now features a large aperture display for it's day and date. Completed with a highly detailed moon phase display featuring a hand-hammered solid gold moon, this watch truly has it all.
Available in white and rose gold 39mm case options, and powered by Breguet's 2.4mm thick Calibre 502, this watch not only boasts an aesthetically pleasing slim line profile, but also has strong a 45-hour power reserve. For more information, contact us today at Shum's Watches & Jewellery.
Available in white and rose gold 39mm case options, and powered by Breguet's 2.4mm thick Calibre 502, this watch not only boasts an aesthetically pleasing slim line profile, but also has strong a 45-hour power reserve. For more information, contact us today at Shum's Watches & Jewellery.
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30th June 2022
The Ocean is calling: Experience the new Superocean
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Breitling has just launched a redesign of its sporty sea watch. The new collection retraces the pared-down aesthetic of the original SuperOcean Slow Motion from the 1960s and 1970s, while adding modern features and a bright palette of color. Plus, it’s no longer strictly a dive watch— surf with it, swim with it, hit the beach bar with it.
Available in four sizes (46, 44, 42, and 36 mm), the collection’s colorful dials are paired with three different case metals—steel, steel-gold, and bronze. The special alloy used in the 44 and 42 mm bronze versions has an excellent resistance to corrosion but will still develop a subtle patina over time that makes the watch even more unique. The two strap options (a sporty rubber strap and a new three-row metal bracelet) have a folding clasp that allows for micro-adjustments of up to 15 mm for easy wear over rashies and dive suits. Aside from looking good, the new Superocean is also a technical marvel. Water-resistant to 300 m (1000 ft), it features broad hands and indexes coated in Super-LumiNova® that allow for exceptional readability underwater. Its scratchproof ceramic-inlayed bezel means it will never wear or fade. For safety, the bezel is unidirectional on most sizes and bidirectional with a patented lock on the 46 mm. This watch is also shock-, sand-, and saltwater-resistant. Its automatic Breitling Caliber 17 comes with a two-year warranty and an approximate 38-hour power reserve. Best of all, the Slow Motion’s distinctive square minute hand has made a comeback. So has the high-contrast minute scale. Fans will also remember “the dot,” a circular window at 6 o’clock that displayed different colors depending on whether the minutes-based chronograph was engaged, paused, or off. In the new Superocean, a circle near the tip of the second hand gives a wink to that much-loved feature. |
17th November 2021
Breitling Reaches New Heights
Super AVI, the newest watch series from Breitling, is a celebration of aviation history with designs inspired by the original 1953 “Co-Pilot” Ref. 765 AVI aviator’s watch and four legendary planes: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito.
"This collection embodies that sense of nostalgia for the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “But you don’t have to be a pilot or vintage-aircraft buff to appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship and rugged design.”
This latest collection celebrates aviation history with designs inspired by the original 1953 “Co-Pilot” Ref. 765 AVI aviator’s watch and four legendary planes: the North American P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito. With this collection, Breitling pays homage to these four legendary aircraft. The collection embodies the sense of nostalgia from the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools. The launch marks nearly a century of aviation timepieces from a brand that has shared some of the field’s finest moments.
The Super AVI’s distinctive design includes large, highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. Its sturdy case measure 46mm, and the oversized crown sits at 3 o’clock. Knurled bezels provide optimal grip, and top-stitched calfskin straps give a nod to the seams found on leather flight gear of the era. Pilots and other travellers will appreciate the ability to track a second-time zone using the 24-hour marking on the inner bezel and the red-tipped GMT hand. The engine of the Super AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Calibre B04 movement, which provides 70 hours of power reserve.
"This collection embodies that sense of nostalgia for the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “But you don’t have to be a pilot or vintage-aircraft buff to appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship and rugged design.”
This latest collection celebrates aviation history with designs inspired by the original 1953 “Co-Pilot” Ref. 765 AVI aviator’s watch and four legendary planes: the North American P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito. With this collection, Breitling pays homage to these four legendary aircraft. The collection embodies the sense of nostalgia from the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools. The launch marks nearly a century of aviation timepieces from a brand that has shared some of the field’s finest moments.
The Super AVI’s distinctive design includes large, highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. Its sturdy case measure 46mm, and the oversized crown sits at 3 o’clock. Knurled bezels provide optimal grip, and top-stitched calfskin straps give a nod to the seams found on leather flight gear of the era. Pilots and other travellers will appreciate the ability to track a second-time zone using the 24-hour marking on the inner bezel and the red-tipped GMT hand. The engine of the Super AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Calibre B04 movement, which provides 70 hours of power reserve.
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24th September 2021
Introducing the OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope family
329.30.43.51.03.001
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Introducing the new OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope collection. The word Chronoscope blends two traditional Greek expressions. "Chronos" meaning time and "Scope" meaning to observe. The tool typically measures the duration between the two points or events.
OMEGA's astonishing new 43mm Chronoscope performs this function beautifully - and on multiple levels. Featuring the following three timing scales: Tachymeter (Measuring speed based on distance), Telemeter (Measuring distanced based on the speed of sound), Pulsometer (Measuring a human's heartbeat). This beautiful collection was inspired by OMEGA's 1940's Chronograph "snail" dial design and the leaf-shaped hands and "spiral" track pattern from the 20th century. With a total of 7 different colour and strap variations to choose from, visit us at Shum's Watches & Jewellery today to find out more information. |
6th October 2020
OMEGA launches the Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary
310.32.42.50.02.001
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In 1970, OMEGA received the coveted “Silver Snoopy Award” from the astronauts at NASA, recognising the brand’s unique contributions to space exploration, as well as the Speedmaster’s vital support during the rescue of Apollo 13.
Exactly 50 years later, a special timepiece has been created in the occasion’s honour. Combining animation with watchmaking art, this incredible Snoopy tribute has taken the OMEGA Speedmaster to new realms of design. Our favourite beagle plays a prominent role within the timepiece, first appearing as an embossed silver medallion on the blue subdial at 9 o’clock. Here, he is shown wearing his famous spacesuit, in the exact style of the silver pin that NASA astronauts give to award recipients. The dial itself is also silver and laser-engraved with Ag925. It includes two more blue subdials, as well as blue PVD angle-shaped hour markers and hands. On the caseback, the fun really begins! This time, Snoopy has gone into orbit, thanks to his animated black and white Command and Service Module (CSM) on a magical hand. When the chronograph seconds hand is in use, Snoopy takes a trip around the mysterious far side of the moon – just like the Apollo 13 crew – with the lunar surface being decorated on the sapphire crystal using a unique micro-structured metallisation. In the distance, a vision of our home is included. This Earth disc rotates once per minute, in sync with the watch’s small seconds hand, and symbolises the precise rotation of the Earth. The iconic quote, “Eyes on the Stars”, is included within the black universe. The NAIAD LOCK keeps all caseback engravings in the correct, upright position, including the date in 1970 that OMEGA received the Silver Snoopy Award, as well as a tribute to the imperilled Apollo 13 mission that same year. Showing OMEGA’s superb attention to detail, the watch’s blue nylon fabric strap matches the other blue elements of the watch, and even features the trajectory of the Apollo 13 mission, embossed on the lining. This strap is attached to a 42 mm case in stainless steel, which is inspired by the 4th generation Speedmaster style (the first watch worn on the moon in 1969). The tachymeter scale, with the iconic “Dot over Ninety”, is shown in white enamel on a blue ceramic [ZrO2] bezel ring. In a superb display of watchmaking skill, the Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary watch is driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. This ground-breaking movement has taken the legendary Moonwatch calibre to new standards of excellence, with anti-magnetic innovation, as well as Master Chronometer certification from the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). The timepiece comes with OMEGA’s full 5-year warranty, and will not be a limited production. Eager fans will receive the watch in its own Apollo 13 presentation box, with a microfiber cleaning cloth, a brochure, and a magnifying glass to help you get up close to the details. |
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29th September 2020
Breguet - Classique Double Tourbillon Quai de L’Horloge
5345PT/1S/7XU
Mechanical virtuosity with aesthetic mastery: Breguet presents its new Double Tourbillon
The new Classique Double Tourbillon Quai de l’Horloge model houses a monumental movement in the proportions of a watch. Working with very limited space, the Breguet Manufacture has built a complex and harmonious universe that seemingly defies the laws of physics. Like a delicately chased sculpture, the entire exposed mechanism pivots around its axis at the rate of one full turn every 12 hours. It is propelled by two independent tourbillons, which each complete a full rotation per minute.
The expertise of the art of watchmaking is never without aesthetic virtuosity at Breguet. Each component is hand-finished, while the back of the movement is engraved with the “House on the Quai”, the Parisian building where Abraham-Louis Breguet fulfilled his life’s work. Stylised and rounded, the barrel bridges in steel take on the form of the letter B. All the components are meticulously straight-grained, chamfered, and even satin-brushed by hand. A true signature of the House, the hand-engraving on a rose engine (guilloché work) finds a new field of expression on the movement. Laid bare as it is, the caliber exposes the inner flank of the caseband, from which the hand-engraved Roman numerals stand out echoing in their design those of the sapphire hours chapter.
The new Classique Double Tourbillon Quai de l’Horloge model houses a monumental movement in the proportions of a watch. Working with very limited space, the Breguet Manufacture has built a complex and harmonious universe that seemingly defies the laws of physics. Like a delicately chased sculpture, the entire exposed mechanism pivots around its axis at the rate of one full turn every 12 hours. It is propelled by two independent tourbillons, which each complete a full rotation per minute.
The expertise of the art of watchmaking is never without aesthetic virtuosity at Breguet. Each component is hand-finished, while the back of the movement is engraved with the “House on the Quai”, the Parisian building where Abraham-Louis Breguet fulfilled his life’s work. Stylised and rounded, the barrel bridges in steel take on the form of the letter B. All the components are meticulously straight-grained, chamfered, and even satin-brushed by hand. A true signature of the House, the hand-engraving on a rose engine (guilloché work) finds a new field of expression on the movement. Laid bare as it is, the caliber exposes the inner flank of the caseband, from which the hand-engraved Roman numerals stand out echoing in their design those of the sapphire hours chapter.
26th June 2020
Tourbillion Day
On June 26, 1801, master watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet patented a new kind of regulator: the tourbillon.
Abraham-Louis Breguet only sold 35 tourbillon watches in his lifetime. This confidential figure in itself hints at the extreme complexity involved in producing this unique mechanism. While patented in 1801, its development took no less than 10 years of experimentation and research in the years spanning from 1795 to 1805.
At a time when timepieces were worn vertically in the waistcoat pocket, the master watchmaker devised a way of negating the effects of the earth’s attraction on the functioning of the oscillator and, on the basis of this, improving the chronometric accuracy of the movement. Then the idea came to him to incorporate the balance wheel and spring as well as the escapement (lever and escape wheel) in a mobile casing rotating on itself. Abraham-Louis Breguet devised the name tourbillon for this double rotation of the cage and its parts in reference to the long-forgotten notion of a planetary system.
Abraham-Louis Breguet only sold 35 tourbillon watches in his lifetime. This confidential figure in itself hints at the extreme complexity involved in producing this unique mechanism. While patented in 1801, its development took no less than 10 years of experimentation and research in the years spanning from 1795 to 1805.
At a time when timepieces were worn vertically in the waistcoat pocket, the master watchmaker devised a way of negating the effects of the earth’s attraction on the functioning of the oscillator and, on the basis of this, improving the chronometric accuracy of the movement. Then the idea came to him to incorporate the balance wheel and spring as well as the escapement (lever and escape wheel) in a mobile casing rotating on itself. Abraham-Louis Breguet devised the name tourbillon for this double rotation of the cage and its parts in reference to the long-forgotten notion of a planetary system.
17th June 2020
Girard-Perregaux first Australia virtual event goes live!
Last month, Wednesday 17th June, we held an exclusive virtual event to showcase the hidden beauty of Girard-Perregaux. A representative from our Switzerland manufacture, Isabelle - Brand Manager APAC, also showcased some of the brand's most prized haute horlogerie pieces.
During the event, we also got to see for the first time heritage pieces from the manufacture, with special guest presenter Willy - Curator of the Heritage - explaining the history and workings of these pieces. These pieces define the exquisite craftsmanship that is now iconic in our collections today.
During the event, we also got to see for the first time heritage pieces from the manufacture, with special guest presenter Willy - Curator of the Heritage - explaining the history and workings of these pieces. These pieces define the exquisite craftsmanship that is now iconic in our collections today.
5th May 2020
Breguet Novelty Release 2020 - A New Reine de Naples
On 5th May 2020, for the very first time, Breguet highlights the delicate oval shape of the dial of the Reine de Naples with pure, bright white grand feu enamel, complete with numerals in celestial shades.
The Reine de Naples 8918 features expertly applied grand feu enamel on its dial – a first for this collection. Against an immaculate background, the stylized Breguet Arabic numerals appear in blue enamel, as does the signature of the House and the words “émaillé Grand Feu” (grand feu enamel). The alligator leather strap, fitted with a folding buckle set with 28 diamonds, echoes these heavenly hues. 117 diamonds emphasize the circumference of the bezel and the dial flange of this composition in white gold. The Reine de Naples 8918 in grand feu enamel ticks to the rhythm of a self-winding manufacture caliber.
Model Number: 8918 BB 28964 D00D
The Reine de Naples 8918 features expertly applied grand feu enamel on its dial – a first for this collection. Against an immaculate background, the stylized Breguet Arabic numerals appear in blue enamel, as does the signature of the House and the words “émaillé Grand Feu” (grand feu enamel). The alligator leather strap, fitted with a folding buckle set with 28 diamonds, echoes these heavenly hues. 117 diamonds emphasize the circumference of the bezel and the dial flange of this composition in white gold. The Reine de Naples 8918 in grand feu enamel ticks to the rhythm of a self-winding manufacture caliber.
Model Number: 8918 BB 28964 D00D
Blancpain Manufacture Virtual Tour
Have you ever wanted to do a tour of the exclusive watch manufactures in Switzerland? Now you can, from the comfort of your own home. Step into and explore the world of Swiss Watchmaking via a virtual tour of the Blancpain manufacture in the Vallée de Joux.
Did you know, Blancpain has two separate manufacturing locations?
Village of Le Sentier:
Housing all the main specialised watchmaking activities from engineering to quality control along with component testing and approval, production and finishing, as well as movement assembly and final casing-up.
Village of Le Brassus:
Specialising in the design, creation and manufacture of high complications such as minute-repeaters, split-second chronographs, tourbillons and complex calendars.
Start your own tour of these world class manufacturers now.
Did you know, Blancpain has two separate manufacturing locations?
Village of Le Sentier:
Housing all the main specialised watchmaking activities from engineering to quality control along with component testing and approval, production and finishing, as well as movement assembly and final casing-up.
Village of Le Brassus:
Specialising in the design, creation and manufacture of high complications such as minute-repeaters, split-second chronographs, tourbillons and complex calendars.
Start your own tour of these world class manufacturers now.
16th April 2020
Breitling unveils the new Chronomat Collection
Breitling has always been about instruments for professionals. So even during the quartz crisis, when everyone else was turning towards the thinner quartz watches, Breitling continue to do what it did best, manufacturing a robust and reliable mechanical watch. Thus, the Chronomat family was first born in 1984.
Paying tribute to the original Chronomat collection, the Chronomat 2020 collection features the distinctive Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly style clasp.
Available in a range of eye-catching colours, Including the green and copper dials, the new Chronomat collection will become an iconic piece of this generation.
Should you wish to see these beautiful timepieces when they become available in store, be sure to sign up to our newsletter.
Paying tribute to the original Chronomat collection, the Chronomat 2020 collection features the distinctive Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly style clasp.
Available in a range of eye-catching colours, Including the green and copper dials, the new Chronomat collection will become an iconic piece of this generation.
Should you wish to see these beautiful timepieces when they become available in store, be sure to sign up to our newsletter.
Shum's Watches & Jewellery Media Coverage
20th March 2020
Sunday Morning Herald, Executive Style
