2006 TIMEZONE WATCH OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

This page contains images and brief information about the 6 finalists for the 2006 TimeZone Watch of the Year Award. Before voting, please scroll down this page to review the information provided for each finalist, and consider performing additional research so that your vote is as informed as possible. At the bottom of this page is a link to the forum where you may cast your vote. Please read the text in the voting forum header for voting instructions.     

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange

In 2003 Lange inaugurated its Technology and Development Center where they pursue the same type of research carried out by Richard Lange, the oldest son of company founder Adolph Lange. One of Richard’s patents, No. 529945, concerned a “metal alloy for balance springs.” Today Lange produces its own balance springs, and one of them can be found in the new caliber L041.2 that powers this watch, which bears the name Richard Lange. With this homage, Lange stresses simplicity and accuracy. The movement consists of 199 parts with 26 jewels. The L041.2 features an in house balance wheel with eccentric weights for adjustment and regulation. The movement also features a separate going train to drive the central seconds.  This train requires a separate bridge over the ¾ plate.  

Credor Sonnerie

The Credor Sonnerie incorporates Seiko’s proprietary technology which provides for completely smooth operation of the seconds hand. The movement is equipped with 2 barrels to assure that the Sonnerie has sufficient power. The movement is comprised of over 600 parts, and each movement is hand assembled in Seiko’s  Micro Arts Studio. The Sonnerie incorporates a unique bell rather than a traditional bar or rod style chime and so produces a very clear and sustained tone. Seiko’s technology allows the Sonnerie to operate against a nearly silent background, with no “whirring” as is often associated with traditional striking watches. The hour striking function can be set to one of three different modes: an hourly strike, three hourly strike, or silence.  The movement has a “fail-safe” mechanism to prevent the chime sounding when inappropriate actions are performed by mistake.

Glashütte Original PanoNavigator

The GO PanoNavigator is designed for optimum legibility and functionality. The brushed platinum case houses a GO caliber 95 flyback chronograph movement outfitted with a bilaterally winding rotor passing energy to twin spring barrels designed to generate a specific amount of winding energy. To achieve this, a small, quickly winding translation between the rotor and the spring barrel was combined with a larger, more slowly winding one in the stepped gear. The constant tensioning thus achieved makes the best possible rate precision possible and at the same time minimizes wear and tear due to overuse.

Harry Winston Opus 6

Harry Winston collaborated with Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey to produce the Opus 6 which features a double tourbillon that has a one minute cage rotating inside a four minute cage inclined at 30° from the horizontal. The time is determined by reading the three small discs at the top of the watch: the two small disks at the two o’clock position display hours and minutes, while the seconds are shown by the indicator at the 11 o’clock position. The movement’s unique design allows the eye to focus on the tourbillon. The tourbillon bridge is mounted on the main plate, and the gear train is largely hidden from view, making the tourbillon the center of attention.   

H. Moser & Cie. Perpetual 1

The H. Moser Perpetual 1 sets a new standard for simplicity in a perpetual calendar watch with month and date displays. At first glance the month display might go unnoticed. The month is indicated by a small, centrally mounted arrow that points to the hour numbers. 1 is January, 2 is February, etc. The oversized date jumps instantly at the end of the month from 28, 29, 30, or 31 to 1. Unlike many watches, the date  can be set at any time of the day or night, forward or backward, without fear of damaging the movement. The Perpetual 1 also features a 7 day power reserve. The leap year display (required for setting) is incorporated into the movement and may be viewed through the sapphire case back.         

Patek Philippe Ref. 5960

The Patek Philippe 5960 is an all new in-house reference featuring an annual calendar, flyback column wheel chronograph, and power reserve indicator. The chronograph is engaged and disengaged via a clutch mechanism that eliminates backlash and jitter in the seconds hand caused by the sudden meshing of gear teeth. The chronograph mechanism is designed to run at all times, allowing the owner to use the chronograph seconds hand as the continuous seconds hand for normal time indication. The gold rotor rotates on super hard zirconium ball bearings that require no lubrication. The movement consists of 456 parts including 40 jewels and provides a 55 hour power reserve. The balance spring is of the Breguet variety, and the movement bears the Geneva Seal.

Now that you have reviewed the finalists, use the link below to visit the voting forum to cast your vote!

2006 TZ Watch of the Year Voting Forum