Nearly three hundred years ago, a revolutionary English engineer was designing and handmaking precision clocks that were centuries ahead of their time. The original feats of science, design and beauty that one of our greatest minds, John Whitehurst, created can only be currently seen in museums, stately homes and palaces. And now, luxury Whitehurst clocks, steeped in British history and provenance, are back in commission.

During the 18th century, John Whitehurst, famous English industrial revolutionary, was working alongside some of the world’s greatest minds in his hometown of Derby, including Benjamin Franklin, to create most advanced and aesthetically challenging timepieces.

This is a standard that remains at the heart of Whitehurst, where, to this day, expert craftsman in Derby are still practising his art of hand making some of the most advanced, precise and mechanically beautiful clocks in the world.

And now, as it unveils its brand new timepieces to satisfy a renewed, international demand for painstakingly crafted, fine clocks, made to the highest standard, Whitehurst, it seems, is still making the heirlooms of the future.

The new weight-driven Whitehurst timepiece – with its design based on the original Y-Frame clock built in 1770, which today sits proudly at Chatsworth House – incorporates much of the original engineering found in the well-known antique. It is meticulously hand built, piece-by-piece, marrying new technology and three hundred year old techniques.

A commitment to the original Whitehurst ethos of mechanical firsts has allowed for the inclusion of a unique revolving polar projection. So, as well as marveling at the fascinatingly exposed intricate workings of the complication, you can continuously track the earth’s rotation – and keep a check on the time across the world in a most beautiful way.

The clock, which weighs-in at a substantial 18 kilograms without the stand, features a rare dual weight configuration and has been built with such mechanical responsibility, that it can be considered one of the best time keepers in the world, with as little as the loss of one second every two months.

As with original Whitehurst timepieces, all of the clock parts are made from material which comes from the same foundry, and, wherever possible, cut from the same piece to enhance precision. Some of the 18 wheels, which turn continuously, are made on machinery that has been making clock parts for hundreds of years. They have been carefully hand filed, hand polished through an eight-stage process and finished in a protective 24 carat gold to ensure a flawless result that can only be achieved through original techniques.

However, new digital and computer-controlled technology, along with the latest developments in materials, have been adopted for some elements – to create clock parts to a standard that even John Whitehurst could only dream about.

Whitehurst Clocks are built to order at a cost of £150,000 – £200,000. Each clock takes between six to nine months to hand build and, as with all Whitehurst clocks past and present, feature the official Whitehurst trademark within the working of the clock. Family crests can be hand engraved into the workings of the clock at the client’s request.

A Whitehurst craftsman will install the clock, and you will receive an official certificate of provenance & ownership upon installation wherever you are in world.

The care and support you receive is in keeping with the flawless Whitehurst experience. Each piece is designed to require minimal care from the owner and all timepieces are guaranteed for life. Support is provided in the form of a global network of Whitehurst approved horologists who will offer exceptional care and service to ensure your clock remains beautiful for life.

www.whitehurstclocks.com

Luxury watch brand TAG Heuer today kicked off a celebration if its 150th anniversary at an invitation-only event for more than 600 guests, honoring actor and climate change activist Leonardo DiCaprio for his dedication to saving the environment. DiCaprio has an ongoing partnership with the company that benefits the NRDC and Green Cross International.

The evening – dedicated to the pioneering spirit of innovation – also served as the launch for the Odyssey of Pioneers – a unique travelling roadshow that will showcase TAG Heuer’s finest timepieces of past, present and future in 15 cities, between March and October 2010.

As an Olympic flame, the tour will be lead by the new TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster, an exclusive model introduced by electric carmaker Tesla Motors at the Geneva Motor Show in early March 2010. This one-of-a-kind collector’s car incorporates the defining TAG Heuer avant-garde design elements, and celebrates the core values of both brands: innovation, precision, prestige and performance.

Starting in Basel, “The Odyssey of Pioneers” will be the first round-the-world tour by a zero-emission GT car: 37,000 km/24,000 miles; six-months; 15 stops; 18 watches on show, one record to be scored.

Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, was at the wheel of the new vehicle when it made its grand entry on stage. “The engineers of both brands have worked hand-in-hand, convinced that performance-driven technology – whether on the wrist or on the road – must be part of any sustainable development,” Musk said.

The night also served as the premiere of the Grand Carrera Pendulum, a 2010 concept watch that turns an immutable principle of mechanical watchmaking on its head – it is the first movement without a hairspring. Jean-Christophe Babin, president and CEO of TAG Heuer, explained how it works : “In the regulation system, we simply replaced the traditional hairspring with magnetic fields. TAG Heuer invented the oscillating pinion in 1887; the Mikrograph, the first counter that was accurate to a 100th of a second; and the V4, with its belt-driven transmission system. Now, we are introducing another major innovation, and another example of the pioneering spirit that has imbued us for a century and a half.”

“Mastering time, this has been our challenge since 1860,” said TAG Heuer Honorary Chairman Jack Heuer as he opened the celebration.

In his remarks, Leonardo DiCaprio – wearing the new Carrera 1887 – discussed his pride in being an ambassador for the company : “I am excited to be here to celebrate TAG’s 150th birthday,” said DiCaprio. “I am proud to be associated with a company that not only has a rich and storied history, but also understand the importance of doing good in the world. Our partnership, which enables people to buy a quality timepiece and help save the planet at the same time, is a model I hope other brands will follow.”

At dawn on Friday, April 19, the TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster left Basel to carry out its task of taking 150 years of heritage around the world and write a new page in this wonderful story.