Maurice De Mauriac « AZ Fine Time Blog

The time we’ve all been waiting for is here! The Basel World Fair starts next Thursday, April 25th, and AZ Fine Time is heading out to see all the great new products from our manufactures. We’ve had some sneak peaks of what will be available later this year, and will have plenty more while we’re in Basel. Be sure to follow our blog to get the most up to date news on our favorite brands, and see their new pieces hands on! Just go to the AZFT Blog, enter your email in the section as seen in the picture below and you will get all the info as we update live from Basel.

As a teaser, here is what we’ve seen so far…

Seiko

We’ve seen a new limited edition of 2,000 pieces, Grand Seiko 9F Quartz with the higher accuracy rating…

We’ve also seen the new variant of Astron GPS SAST015 with ceramic links and engraved bezel….

We’ve also heard rumors on the web about a Prospex Spring Drive Tuna Can SBDB008…

There’s also an image floating around the web of an 18kt Grand Seiko Spring Drive. Supposedly, there will be a white SBGA089, yellow SBGA090 and rose gold SBGA092 version with Snowflake dial. Very limited, and +/- 10 sec a month deviation.

Now the question is… Will these pieces come to the US market? Also, what else does Seiko have in store for their 100th Anniversary of watchmaking? Follow us next Thursday to find out.

Citizen

So far, all we have seen from Citizen is a new Signature Collection Grand Touring Automatic.

Now we wonder, will Citizen bring any more of the Satellite Wave technology or the Proximity Bluetooth Watch in Android platform to their line up? Also, since they just finally released the Eco-Drive EYES Concept Watch, will there be a new concept model to look forward to? We’ll just have to wait and see. We will be posting the new goods next Friday.

Mido

The latest from Mido is a new Multifort Diver with inner rotating bezel, which looks great…

There is also a new Commander Chronograph that is their 1st chrono in the series. Another amazing looking piece, and sure to be reasonably priced.

Since Swatch Group has recently introduced specially made ETA calibers (with special complications) for a couple of their other lower price point brands, will there be anything unique made for Mido? Find out next Thursday.

Glycine

Glycine has a new 43mm Combat Chronograph they have already introduced…

As well as the new Airman 17 “SPHAIR”…

The big news from Glycine is their introduction of the Airman “No. 1” with a Felsa 692 movement. It looks like there will be 3 variations all in 18kt (white, pink and yellow), and will only be available as a set of 3. All will read in 24 increments with a secondary timezone. Look for more from Glycine next Saturday.

Luminox

Luminox has introduced Recon Pointman Navigation Specialist. This complicated piece features a GMT, walking speed tachymeter, strap with 3 map scales, and a compass in the strap.

There’s also a new Tony Kanaan Limited Edition Valjoux 7750 Chronograph of only 300 pieces for the world.

Maurice De Mauriac

Daniel from MdM has been updating his site with a slew of new models. The biggest achievement is the production of his 1st tourbillon movement…

Also, he added his 1st world timer…

A new set of skeletonized pieces has also come forth. There will be round and tonneau shaped pieces in this collection…

And finally, the new variations of Le Mans Chrono’s…

We’ll be looking forward to reporting our findings in Basel. There will be tons of great stuff from our current manufactures, and maybe even some new ones added to the line up. Dont forget to follow the AZFT BLOG!

Thanks for reading!

Once upon a time (well, about 8 or 9 years ago)… The owner of AZ Fine Time, Mitchel Hirsh, made his yearly ritual of attending the Basel Fair. Usually, there are meetings to be had with current manufactures, and then the rest of the time is spent seeking out the latest and greatest that had not found their way to our store. Mitchel loves unique and unusual brands, and spends much of his time wandering around the independent watch makers section of the show. On his journey, he stumbled upon a single unit display with a man named Daniel Driefuss standing next to it. This was Mitchel’s 1st introduction to the brand Maurice De Mauriac.

Maurice De Mauriac

Daniel took the time to explain his watches and the love he puts into his brand. Mitchel was so impressed, he bought a watch for himself right there on the spot. Shortly after, they went for coffee to further discuss, not only the brand, but to get to know each other. Needless to say, they hit it off right away and became good friends. After the show, they went back to Zurich where Daniel took Mitchel on a tour of his Atelier (workshop), which is not only a retail front where Daniel sells his watches, but also where his watches are built. They were in the workshop til 3am having a great time and checking out all of Daniels amazing watches. Since then, Mitchel and Daniel have been great friends and very much like brothers.

Maurice De Mauriac

For those not familiar with Maurice De Mauriac watches… They are located in Zurich Switzerland. Daniel utilizes only 4 watch makers at his Atelier, all trained by IWC and only make about 1 watch a day. One of the best parts is that he will actually build custom designed pieces right on the spot for you. Let’s say you love one of his deisngs, but prefer a PVD case vs steel or domed crystal vs flat. Daniel makes that happen. There are also many ways to elaborate on that. Daniels workshop is filled with many different straps, dials, crystals, hands and other parts for his clients to choose from. Some of the more interesting concepts Daniel has developed are interchangeable bezels, where you can have white diamonds, black diamonds, 18kt gold, or just a plain steel or titanium bezel. He also has an assortment of colored crystals, should you want to have a nice tint to your watch. Now he even has his own proprietary movement known as the “black movement”, which is interchangeable with a Valjoux 7750 (that he uses regularly). Daniel is also very meticulous about timing. All his watches are tested to perform within the same deviation rate as COSC.

Maurice De Mauriac

I attended the Basel Fair with Mitchel this year and had the opportunity to meet Daniel myself. We met at a very nice cigar bar in Les Rois Trois (3 Kings) hotel. While it was fun looking at all of the watches at the fair, there is nothing like sitting down, enjoying a nice scotch and cigar, and having total focus on the watches in front of you. They were honestly some of the coolest designs I saw while in Switzerland. Meeting Daniel was also a great experience. He explained his watches with such passion, unlike any manufacture I have ever met. He has a deep love for what he does and it shines in every way.

I started working for AZ Fine Time near 8 years ago. This was my 1st introduction to Maurice De Mauriac and I have since loved his timepieces. In fact, the 1st watch I ever sold was an 18kt gold Chronograph Moonphase, so there is some sentimental value there for me as well. Now, knowing Daniel and seeing the passion he has for what he does, it means even more. Daniel is many things. An inspired designer, a talented watchmaker, a devoted family man, and of course a long time friend of AZ Fine Time.

Maurice De Mauriac

We are proud to have Maurice De Mauriac watches here in our store and to one of the only, and oldest, dealers in the states for them. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions in regards to these amazing timepieces.