Welcome back to another edition of The Sunday Horophile Times, our weekly review of news from the watch industry as well as a list of recommended reading from other online watch media around the world.

NEWS

Rolex and the Bloodhound SSC: Instruments of Speed

It’s one thing for a watch brand to partner with luxury supercar makers, and another to become part of a supersonic car. Since 2011, Rolex has been a sponsor of the British-based Bloodhound SSC project, an international education initiative focused on a 1,000mph Land Speed Record attempt.

Ahead of the record-breaking challenge set to take place in 2016 at the Hakskeen Pan in South Africa, Rolex has unveiled their “Instruments of Speed” cockpit instruments, an analogue speedometer and chronograph.

(Image source: www.timezone.com)

For more information: http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/rolex

Audemars Piguet and the Atlanta Hawks Announce Partnership

Audemars Piguet have signed on as the Official Time Keeper of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team and Philips Arena. Adding to their roster of brand ambassadors that include PGA’s Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood, FC Barcelona soccer star Leo Messi, the NBA’s LeBron James and retired cricket star Sachin Tendulkar, This marks the first time Audemars Piguet partners up with a professional sports team in the USA.

“Professional sports is nothing new to Audemars Piguet as the brand has had a long tradition of relationships with many of the world’s greatest athletes. Announcing the partnership following the team’s strong showing during the playoffs is incredibly exciting and we could not be more proud to have a place of honor at Atlanta’s beloved Philips Arena and the association with Danny Ferry, Coach Bud and the entire Atlanta Hawks organization” –Xavier Nolot, CEO Audemars Piguet (North America) Inc.

 More information on www.audemarspiguet.com

Grieb & Benzinger “Blue Merit”

Independent German brand Grieb & Benzinger, best known for their skeleton pieces and beautifully engraved and guilloch’ pieces have unveiled their latest unique piece called the Blue Merit. Looks vaguely familiar? That’s because it’s based on the venerable A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite.

More information on http://www.grieb-benzinger.com

MB&F LM101

It’s always a big deal whenever MB&F announce a new timepiece, but being the smallest and most affordable MB&F to date, not to mention the first to come with a totally in-house developed movement, the  LM101 marks an important milestone for the independent brand.

You can check out our hands-on review from a few days ago here.

More information on www.mbandf.com

Chopard Acquires Hotel Vendôme in Paris

Not your typical merger & acquisition story in the world of luxury watches and jewelry, Chopard announced their acquisition of the Union Hôtelière Parisienne, the company that owns the Hôtel de Vendôme at 1 Place Vendôme in Paris.

The Hôtel de Vendôme was built in 1723 as the private residence of Pierre Perrin, secretary to King Louis XIV. Comprised of 29 rooms, the flagship Chopard boutique on Plave Vendôme is located on the ground floor of the hotel, making this quite a logical investment for a brand that’s diversifying its activities while maintaining an emphasis on luxury.

RECOMMENDED READING

The boys at HODINKEE offer us a hands-on look at the The Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity, a watch that got a lot of slack when announced just before Baselworld 2014 but that I found kind of cool.

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hands-on-with-the-maurice-lacroix-masterpiece-gravity

Ever wanted to learn about the origins and history of the Tudor brand? read all about it on Dream Chrono.

http://blog.dreamchrono.com/2014/05/tudor-brand-history/

Down in Singapore, the one and only SJX of Watches by SJX gives us a look at two very rare Patek Philippe Refs. 5970, including this salmon dial that I never even knew existed.

http://www.watchesbysjx.com/2014/05/hands-on-with-two-very-special-patek.html

My buddy Frank Geelen of Monochrome gives us a hands-on look at two new pieces from my favourite watchmaker up north Stepan Sarpaneva, the minimalist enamel dial on the “Emali” and the latest incarnation of his moon, the Korona Kosmos.

http://monochrome-watches.com/hands-on-with-the-sarpaneva-emali-and-korona-kosmos/

And last but not least, Instagram sensation Watch Anish takes us on board a nautical adventure with Richard Mille at Les Voiles de St. Barth.

http://watch-anish.com/les-voiles-de-st-barth-richard-mille/

That’s all for this week’s edition of The Sunday Horophile Times, stay tuned for more watch reviews and segments from The Basel Dialogues series next week.