Hugh Jackman is the new Montblanc ambassador for North America

Australian actor Hugh Jackman has been announced as Montblanc’s North American ambassador.

The 47-year-old award-winning actor represents the German brand since 2014 as a global ambassador of international markets, and his new responsibilities will put him in the spotlight in the USA and Canada.

Montblanc is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and Hugh Jackman will play a major role in promoting the luxury writing instruments, jewelry, and watches produced by the company.

The Astronomia Sky features a three-dimensional sidereal display

Jacob & Co. announced the launch of the Astronomia Sky Celestial Panorama Gravitational Triple Axis Tourbillon.

The extremely complicated timepiece features a sidereal display in three dimensions combined with an oval sky indicator and a 24-hour day and night display.

The Astronomia Sky is an 18-piece limited edition inspired by the astronomical town clocks. The watch indicates the 12 months on the side of the celestial dial.

Swiss watches: keeping the dream alive since the 16th century | Photo: Vacheron Constantin | Photo: Shutterstock

Why are Swiss watches so good?

Everyone grew up hearing that if you’re buying an high-end watch, then it should be made in Switzerland. So why have Swiss watchmakers kept their credibility intact through time?

Why do Swiss watchmakers produce the best watches in the world? What have they learned? Why are Swiss timepieces so accurate? Why has the Swiss watchmaking industry been so active since the 16th century?

Specialization is one of the strongest reasons for why men from the Jura mountains began building high-quality wrist watches. Even if their popularity only gained wings in the early 20th century. For the Swiss, timekeepers are an art form. And it is easy to understand why.

Gwyneth Paltrow teams up with Frederique Constant

Gwyneth Paltrow is the new face of the luxury watchmaker Frederique Constant.

The Hollywood actress and philanthropist has been named the global charity ambassadress of the Swiss brand, and she will support the educational projects of “DonorsChoose,” a nonprofit organization that allows people to donate directly to high-need public schools.

Paltrow is the star of the new charity advertising campaign shot by Tom Munro. Since 2004, Frederique Constant has been donating $50 for each Ladies collection watch sold to multiple charities.

Seiko’s first ever tourbillon is inspired by Japan

Seiko has launched its first ever tourbillon watch. The new Credor timepiece is profoundly inspired by the Japanese culture.

It is stunningly beautiful. The Fugaku Tourbillon features a 43mm diameter platinum case adorned with 43 blue sapphires, and the hour marks are presented in 18-karat yellow gold.

Katsushika Hokusai, the famous Japanese artist from the Edo Period, inspired the new wrist watch by Seiko. Hokusai’s iconic print “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” gets a tridimensional perspective thanks to the work of Kiyoshi Terui.

Bulgari reveals the world’s thinnest minute repeater

The new Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater is only 6.85mm thick, thanks to the exclusive BVL Calibre 362 that measures just 3.12mm. The record-breaking ultra-thin timepiece was revealed at Baselworld 2016.

Bulgari set a new standard in the industry by delivering excellent sound in the smallest amount of space so far. The Octo Minute Repeater broke the previous record, held by Piaget’s Emperador Coussin Ultra-thin Minute Repeater since 2013.

The minute repeater is one of the most complex horological complications. The feat of housing it in such a small space, without losing the feel and look of a traditional timepiece, was achieved in Bulgari’s Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie, in Le Sentier, Switzerland.

A pocket watch series featuring the Chinese zodiac

Maîtres du Temps has launched a series of pocket watches representing the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. Meet the brand’s “Fine Arts” chapter.

Go east. The watch company founded by Steven Holtzman traveled to the Far East to find inspiration for their latest horological creation. As a result, the Chinese cultural traditions and decorative arts gave birth to a unique set of pocket watches.

Holtzman believes “culture is like a bridge, one that connects the disparate elements of a civilization,” and so he blended the Asian art with the European mechanics.

Raymond Weil pays tribute to The Beatles

Raymond Weil announced the launch of “The Beatles,” a limited edition of 3,000 Maestro watches.

For many, it is the greatest band of all time. The iconic Fab Four change the course of popular music forever with songs such as “Love Me Do”, “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.”

Raymond Weil pays tribute to the group founded in Liverpool in 1960. “The Beatles” watch features a mechanical self-winding movement housed in a 39.5mm polished steel case, with the band’s 13 albums clearly marked around the bespoke dial.

The Horological Smartwatch gets a world timer

Swiss watch manufacturer Frederique Constant launched an updated version of its Horological Smartwatch powered by MotionX.

The new model features a world timer function to meet the needs of long-distance travelers. Users will have the opportunity to check their home time, whilst keeping track of current time wherever they are.

“Every time the watch synchronizes with the user’s smartphone the date and time are adjusted, giving complete control over time zone changes,” the brand explains.