As the smart phone is more and more popular, many watchmakers become not content with making an iPhone app to attract those smart phone owners who love luxury wristwatches. They are trying to create something that integrates the communication instruments with their timekeeping intruments. It is the source of inspiration for the Meridiist by TAG Heuer , the Chairman by Ulysse Nardin , and the Le DIX by Celsius.

Last year, TAG Heuer released the Meridiist, a cell phone model in limited series. To accentuate both design and motor racing, TAG Heuer’s top designers use steel and black PVD-coated titanium to finish the Meridiist, inspired by the legendary Lamborghini Murcielago and thus produced in a limited edition of 1963 (the year the car-making firm was founded). With its 400 hand-assembled mechanical parts, the Meridiist is distinguished by its 28-day operating autonomy (7 hours in conversation mode). Incoming calls are shown on an OLED display on the top of the phone’s body which can also show a 1/100th of a second countdown. The MP3 player and the 2 mega-pixel camera look humble in comparison with the novelties unveiled by Google or Apple. There is a broad choice of leather cases and diamond setting options, including a 7.42-carat version set with 1,232 diamonds.

Unveiled at Baselworld 2009, Ulysse Nardin Chairman phone features an more distinctly horological style. The steel or rose gold cell phone is hand-assembles and endowed with a 30-day power reserve (8 days’ autonomy in conversation mode). There is a crown and an oscillating weight on the back of the case serving to recharge its batteries. It was released in a limited edition of 1846 per material – the number represents the birth year of Ulysse Nardin. Produced in partnership with SCI Innovations Ltd (USA), the Chairman is intended to be in the vanguard of technology, featuring fingerprint recognition, high-definition video, an 8 mega-pixel camera, the Google Android telecommunications platform, a full-screen digital keypad, along with a range of pre-installed applications.

We know that there was an area specially designed for smart phones in Baselworld 2010. The ultra limited-edition Le DIX was presented there this year and caused a sensation among fine watchmaking connoisseurs. Its birth has been accompanied by some well-known names in the industry, including Richard Mille on the Board of Directors, Edouard Meylan (son of former Audemars Piguet CEO George-Henri) in charge of marketing, and specialised consultant Hugues-Olivier Borès (former marketing director of Patek Philippe).

Generously revealed for watchmaking devotees who are often frustrated by not being able to admire the mechanism on the back of the watch they are wearing, the exclusive mechanical movement was developed in partnership with BNB. The flying tourbillon is fitted with extremely effective tiny shock-absorbers. The 120 hour power reserve is automatically replenished by three hours each time the grade 5 titanium case is opened, thanks to its cleverly named “Papillon” patented micromechanical winding system. Other micromechanical features include a mechanical battery-ejection system, a main connector protected by a mechanical-locking flap, and screen-flap closing cushioned by a set of spring-mounted ball bearings. Its 547 mechanical components are all meticulously hand-finished and housed in an equally complex case crafted in grade 5 titanium subtly enriched with inserts in ebony (for the 18-piece limited edition) or carbon fibre (28-piece edition).