Maurice Lacroix just unveiled their stunning Memoire 1 which houses a number of innovations under the Memoire’s sleek watch face.

This is the first mechanical watch with a memory function. Inside the white gold case is a 48 jewel automatic movement, transparent mineral based hour disc, and a chronograph with “mechanical memory” that can remember elapsed times.

For example, you can switch into chrono mode, setting the hands to 12 o’clock and then revert to watch mode and the hands will flit back to their correct position.

It should be with a retail price of £135,000 ($270,000).

The case is in black titanium and sports a protective grill across the sapphire crystal that is meant to offer additional protection to the crystal.

What makes this piece interesting though is the introduction of an anchor in silicon, marking a major milestone for the manufacture and a wholly unanticipated one at that.

The tourbillon carriage ‘sits behind bars’ at the 11 o’clock position, and makes one revolution per minute.

The Grande Date version features a patented three-disk system that is yet another mechanical advancement from the brand this year. Via watchtribune

LVMH, the world’s leading luxury group, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Hublot group, a top of the range watchmaker enjoying very strong growth.

LVMH will acquire Hublot from Mr Carlo Crocco, who founded the group in 1980, and a company controlled by Mr Jean-Claude Biver, who has managed Hublot since 2004.

Inspired by the elegance of a New York formal evening, this Piaget masterpiece showcases the theme of bows, realized in 18K gold and a magnificent constellation of diamonds, totaling over 45 carats in all.

The intricacy of the case and bracelet design is truly spectacular, leaving one in wonder over the skills possessed by the master jewelers of the house.

Source : Vialuxe

Nine world records were set at Antiquorum’s massive vintage Rolex auction on April 17, entitled Revolution: The Evolution of the Rolex Sport Watch, commemorating the brand’s 100th anniversary. In total, $8,515,260 worth of timepieces were sold to bidders worldwide.

Among the records set was $237,600 each for two highly-prized 1967 Sea-Dweller Submariners, and $166,800 for a 1973 Submariner originally issued to the British military. The most beautiful watch in the sale, the rare “Jean-Claude Killy” Antimagnetic Oyster Chronograph, fetched $155,000, while the highest price was brought in by a 1979 “Comex” model Sea-Dweller, which went for $248,800. [...]

The TAG Heuer MERIDIIST represents the Swiss watchmaker’s entrance into the world of exclusive, high luxury communication devices. The MERIDIIST is crafted from 316L stainless steel–the same material employed in the creation of TAG Heuer’s watches.

Featuring 430 individual components, and a virtually unscratchable sapphire crystal displays, the TAG Heuer MERIDIIST places a unique combination of style, functionality, and finely engineered sophistication in its owner’s palm. Key technical elements of this exclusive instrument include a front independent time unit with 28 days power reserve, and a talk time reserve of 7 hours.

The TAG Heuer MERIDIIST is scheduled for release in September 2008, and will be available at TAG Heuer boutiques and select TAG Heuer authorized retailers.