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A watch is not just a pretty face. Behind every one is a slew of fascinating facts - from history and heritage to innovations and new directions. Here's an essential A to Z guide on watchmaking names you should know.
RADO
Who Are They: The Swiss company was founded in 1917 to produce watch movements. It launched its first collection in 1957.
Claim To Fame: Rado is seen as a pioneer in the use of scratch-proof materials like ceramic. In 1962, it launched the Rado Diastar Original, the world's first scratch-proof watch. It also pioneered the use of materials like lanthanum and sapphire crystal.
What's Hot: The unisex Sintra Skeleton automatic. For women, it's the white Jubile, the latest in the r5.5 collection designed by British designer Jasper Morrison.
RAYMOND WEIL
Who Are They: Founded by Swiss watch designer Raymond Weil in 1976. His son-in-law, Olivier Bernhelm, joined the company in 1982 and now heads it as president and CEO.
Claim To Fame: Sharing the same passion for the arts as its founder, the brand is closely linked to the arts, as is apparent in many of its designs and advertising campaigns.
What's Hot: The Nabucco Va Pensiero chronograph in grey graphite, named after the famous chorus from Verdi's opera, Nabucco, also the name of his watch collection. For women, it's the diamond-studded Freelancer Summertime in three colours.
RICHARD MILLE
Who Are They: Formed in 2001 by watchmaker Richard Mille and his partner, Dominique Guenat, the Swiss company has produced some 28 different watch models to date.
Claim To Fame: Its timepieces feature new materials, methods and watchmaking ideas. Inspired by Formula One racing, its first watch model, the RM-001, embodied the brand's philosophy of 21st century watchmaking with a futuristic design and cutting-edge technology.
What's Hot: Two tourbillons - the ultra-thin RM 107 and second time zone RM 022 "Aerodyne" in a titanium-carbon nanofibre case - and RM 028 skeletonised diver's watch.
ROGER DUBUIS (roh-zhay doo-bwee)
Who Are They: Founded by watchmaker Carlos Dias in 1995 as the Societe Genevoise des Montres. In 2001, Manufacture Roger Dubuis was established. Since then, all its movements and parts have been produced in-house in Switzerland.
Claim To Fame: Bold, avant-garde designs are the brand's signature style. Among its unique creations are the cross-cambered Follow Me series and iconic Golden Square line with its signature curved square-shaped checkerboard dial.
What's Hot: The Excalibur minute repeater and double tourbillon, and the diamond-decorated Easydiver diver's watch for women.
ROGER W. SMITH
Who Are They: The independent English watchmaker aims to revive English watchmaking through his exclusive handmade timepieces, all of which are made in the Roger Smith Workshop on the Isle of Man, off the northwest coast of England. The brand also produces clocks and chronometers.
Claim To Fame: Smith's watches are known for their classic appeal and pristine finish. The talented young watchmaker made his first two tourbillon pocket watches at the age of 22. Ten years on, he crafted his first collection of wristwatches, simply called Series 1.
What's Hot: A series of co-axial watches his workshop are making for the great British watchmaker and Smith's teacher, George Daniels, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Daniel's unique co-axial escapement, which was adopted by Omega in 1999.
ROMAIN JEROME (ro-mahn zher-rom)
Who Are They: Launched in 2004, the brand debuted with a golf watch that doubled as a score counter. It has since diversified into fountain pens and cufflinks by riding on the success of its Titanic-DNA series.
Claim To Fame: In 2007, the brand sparked controversy when it launched the Titanic-DNA collection that incorporates rusted steel and coal salvaged from the famous wreck into its watches, which have become highly sougt-after. It has since spawned several other collections.
What's Hot: The one-only Eyjafjallajokull-DNA with a dial made with ash from the volcano in Iceland that erupted in May, throwing international aviations into chaos.
A watch is not just a pretty face. Behind every one is a slew of fascinating facts - from history and heritage to innovations and new directions. Here's an essential A to Z guide on watchmaking names you should know.
RADO
Who Are They: The Swiss company was founded in 1917 to produce watch movements. It launched its first collection in 1957.
Claim To Fame: Rado is seen as a pioneer in the use of scratch-proof materials like ceramic. In 1962, it launched the Rado Diastar Original, the world's first scratch-proof watch. It also pioneered the use of materials like lanthanum and sapphire crystal.
What's Hot: The unisex Sintra Skeleton automatic. For women, it's the white Jubile, the latest in the r5.5 collection designed by British designer Jasper Morrison.
RAYMOND WEIL
Who Are They: Founded by Swiss watch designer Raymond Weil in 1976. His son-in-law, Olivier Bernhelm, joined the company in 1982 and now heads it as president and CEO.
Claim To Fame: Sharing the same passion for the arts as its founder, the brand is closely linked to the arts, as is apparent in many of its designs and advertising campaigns.
What's Hot: The Nabucco Va Pensiero chronograph in grey graphite, named after the famous chorus from Verdi's opera, Nabucco, also the name of his watch collection. For women, it's the diamond-studded Freelancer Summertime in three colours.
RICHARD MILLE
Who Are They: Formed in 2001 by watchmaker Richard Mille and his partner, Dominique Guenat, the Swiss company has produced some 28 different watch models to date.
Claim To Fame: Its timepieces feature new materials, methods and watchmaking ideas. Inspired by Formula One racing, its first watch model, the RM-001, embodied the brand's philosophy of 21st century watchmaking with a futuristic design and cutting-edge technology.
What's Hot: Two tourbillons - the ultra-thin RM 107 and second time zone RM 022 "Aerodyne" in a titanium-carbon nanofibre case - and RM 028 skeletonised diver's watch.
ROGER DUBUIS (roh-zhay doo-bwee)
Who Are They: Founded by watchmaker Carlos Dias in 1995 as the Societe Genevoise des Montres. In 2001, Manufacture Roger Dubuis was established. Since then, all its movements and parts have been produced in-house in Switzerland.
Claim To Fame: Bold, avant-garde designs are the brand's signature style. Among its unique creations are the cross-cambered Follow Me series and iconic Golden Square line with its signature curved square-shaped checkerboard dial.
What's Hot: The Excalibur minute repeater and double tourbillon, and the diamond-decorated Easydiver diver's watch for women.
ROGER W. SMITH
Who Are They: The independent English watchmaker aims to revive English watchmaking through his exclusive handmade timepieces, all of which are made in the Roger Smith Workshop on the Isle of Man, off the northwest coast of England. The brand also produces clocks and chronometers.
Claim To Fame: Smith's watches are known for their classic appeal and pristine finish. The talented young watchmaker made his first two tourbillon pocket watches at the age of 22. Ten years on, he crafted his first collection of wristwatches, simply called Series 1.
What's Hot: A series of co-axial watches his workshop are making for the great British watchmaker and Smith's teacher, George Daniels, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Daniel's unique co-axial escapement, which was adopted by Omega in 1999.
ROMAIN JEROME (ro-mahn zher-rom)
Who Are They: Launched in 2004, the brand debuted with a golf watch that doubled as a score counter. It has since diversified into fountain pens and cufflinks by riding on the success of its Titanic-DNA series.
Claim To Fame: In 2007, the brand sparked controversy when it launched the Titanic-DNA collection that incorporates rusted steel and coal salvaged from the famous wreck into its watches, which have become highly sougt-after. It has since spawned several other collections.
What's Hot: The one-only Eyjafjallajokull-DNA with a dial made with ash from the volcano in Iceland that erupted in May, throwing international aviations into chaos.
even my bags don't cost as much!
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