Archive for November, 2009

November 30th, 2009  Posted at   Cartier

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Embellished with dazzling round diamonds totalling 3 carats, employing a lot of white gold, the Cartier “Captive” watch is doomed to be highlighted in the SIHH 2010. Despite of still one month away from its official release time, we are lucky to have the chance to see it through a close-up shot.

Firstly, I am surprised by the undersized case for “Captive” model, only 35mm in diameter. This is obviously against Cartier’s stylistic grandeur. However, I really appreciate the clarity and simplicity owned by this new watch. We all know Cartier is one of the most prestigious jeweller and watchmaker, so a perfect integration of jewels and watchmaking is what we expect from Cartier. Now the “Captive” watch made it, with ease.

The rhodium-plated white gold dial, paved with round diamonds and protected by a Sapphire crystal, appears to be a little large for its diameter. The hour markers have been turned into 12 round diamonds lines, surrounding the “tiny” hands, very impressive. The blue in hands collaborated with the white in dial and the sparkle in diamonds, results in a strong visual effect and brings a great readability. The dial and light grey brushed canvas strap are joint by a connected ring at the 12 o’clock, which is also decorated by shiny diamonds, a fancy nifty touch.

This impressive timepiece, powered by a quartz movement, keeps the simplicity style in its functions: just display the hours and minutes. The water resistant is up to 30 meters. We can’t expect more for this diamond gold watch, because it’s good enough at its own job.

November 28th, 2009  Posted at   Casio

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I have expected to write something about suitable watches for the upcoming Christmas. You know there are lots of good watches, and it’s a tough job for me to make a careful selection of fancy Christmas gifts among them. However, when I see this dazzling Casio G-Shock Mini Deco-G watch, I know one ideal item for my selection has already been there.

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This shiny Casio G-Shock Mini Deco-G model is a fantastic present especially for her. As a perfect fusion of the chic style of sophisticated yet active women and iconic G-Shock shock and water resistance, the Deco-G (GMN690-7B) features a mask of hand-selected Swarovski crystals, against a rose brushed-metal dial, fitted with a glossy white case and band. The watch also has unwavering shock resistance and water resistance up to 100m. Moreover, the new Deco-G timepiece is multi-functional. With full auto EL backlight with afterglow, 48-city world time, 5 daily alarms, countdown timer, 1/100 second chronograph and 12/24 formats, the new design is much more refined than previous editions but it still maintains all the functions you would expect.

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To be focus of attention is the nature most women born with. With a little vanity and love to stand out, they are crazy about shopping, dressing and make-up. It is really hard for them to dislike this Casio G-Shock Mini Deco-G watch. Well, you may say the diamond encrusted G-Shock DW6900 models seen on countless celebrities are more amazing gifts, but its amazing price are not amazing for the average shoppers. The new Deco-G watch means a relatively inexpensive way to make a nice looking present from Casio with a chic style. This pretty sweet watch just costs you $200, but only available at Bloomingdales in Manhattan.

November 26th, 2009  Posted at   Chopard

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To pay a glowing tribute to classic motor racing, prestigious watchmaker Chopard has proudly unveiled the fourth limited edition of the Jacky Ickx watch. It is sure to be a delight for drivers and all devotees of fine mechanical engineering, with its unique 24-hour counter, tachometer scale and flyback chronograph function.

The exceptional Chopard Jacky Ickx collection presents the testimony of friendship between two passionately dedicated individuals – legendary motor-racing driver Jacky Icky and Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. The encounter as a result of common love of fine mechanisms, creates the Jacky Ickx models to salute to the Le Mans 24 Hours race, one of the world’s most legendary automobile competitions.

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Jack Ickx is one of the greatest racing driver in the world. At the age of just 23, he won his first victory at the French Grand Prix in 1968. The performance in endurance races is the most notable in his career. Six, that’s the number of times Jack Ickx got the champion in the Le Mans 24 Hours. With the first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1983, He is unquestionably one of the most gifted competitors in the history of motor sports.

As with the watch, the new Jacky Ickx model is equally talented. Housed in a sporty rugged stainless steel 42.5 mm case, the Jacky Ickx Edition IV features its self-winding chronograph movement, which bears a certification by the COSC and powers a flyback function, tachometric-scale speed display, as well as a truly unique 24-hour counter. Coming to the external design, the new Chopard watch has a great visual appeal and presents a more than compact style. On the “crowded” dial, we can find a innovative feature – a world first 24-hour counter at 6 o’clock. The big date counter at 12:00 and the symmetrical sub-dials layout are nifty touches for the significant watch.

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The Jacky Ickx Edition IV comes with an alligator leather strap or with a rubber strap featuring the famous 1960s Dunlop racing tyre-tread motif. It will be available in three variations, all shown in the pictures.

November 25th, 2009  Posted at   FRANC VILA

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Just one month before Christmas 2009, renowned watch manufacturer Franc Vila has introduced its first ladies watch, the FRANC VILA FVt28 Jumping Hours Automatique “Ivy Edition”, as a exceptional addition to the “Tribute” collection. In the creation of this new nifty watch, Mr.Vila overcame the challenge of designing a model for sophisticated ladies with strong character.FV.jpg

Franc Vila, one of the most famous watch designers in the world, developed his finely hand-crafted complicated wristwatches and fundamentally reinvented forms, building into the future by respecting the past, creating watches that are contemporary while retaining their classical spirit.

As a strong expression of Franc Vila “espirit unique” style, the FVt28 Jumping Hours Automatique “Ivy Edition” available in 2 variations (white and blue), makes the best Christmas gift for her. “Ivy Edition” is a very interesting name, which reminds me of Harvard or Yale, and demonstrates the brand’s ambition to make the “Ivy” watch. Generally speaking, the external design of “Ivy Edition” can cause a strong visual shock. The blue model has altogether 387 diamonds paved on the elliptic and circular bezel and lugs, while the white edition is decorated with 93 diamonds in all.

We can feel a strong “Ivy” theme via the beautiful blue or white mother-of-pearl dial with printed floral decoration. The diamonds set on the 8 indexes are extremely dazzling, forming a perfect match to the “Jumping Hours” window at 12:00 and the small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock.

The new Franc Vila timepiece has a high grade mechanical self-winding Caliber FV28. 27 rubies as the movement, totally hand-finished and complicated. Equipped with the FRANC VILA exclusive “Gold Concept Rotor”, the movement comes with 42-hour power reserve.

The FRANC VILA FVt28 Jumping Hours Automatique “Ivy Edition” is a truly form of art, and who wears it has time for leisure pursuit. Owning an exceptional watch like this is a rare privilege to wear an exclusive art.

November 24th, 2009  Posted at   Panerai

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When it comes to Panerai, We always think of its strikingly oversize collection. Just because of this signature feature, Panerai watches have become the favorites of masculine celebrities, including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Micheal Jordan. But can you imagine a panerai watch with an just 42mm case?

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The Radiomir PAM 336 is the newest Panerai watch, surprising people with its small body among those gaint watches. Thanks to the new hand-wound mechanical movement P.999 caliber that was designed, developed and produced completely Panerai, this 42mm pink gold model is smaller and thinner than the previous Radiomir editions. Only 500 pieces are made available for this new limited watch.

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The pink gold case, with a satin finish, is in great harmony with the chaocolate brown dial. The small seconds subdial is located at 9 o’clock, which is the standard Radiomir layout. I’m amazed with its extreme simplicity and good readability, nothing unnecessary being on the dial. A anti-glare sapphire crystal protects the dial, with a additional scratch resistance offered by the polished bezel. The new Panerai watch is mounted on a brown alligator leather strap fitted with a pink gold pin buckle.

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The innovative P.999 caliber meatures just 27.4mm in diameter by 3.4mm thick, making it possible for the creation of smaller and thinner Panerai watches. Composed of 154 components including 19 jewels, this exceptional movement powers the new watch with its single barrel, allowing for a 60-hour power reserve. Ajusting screws and an Incabloc anti-shock device protection is used for keeping good running. The P.999 caliber will not be seen in many of the new Panerai watches, as it is special for the Panerai Historic Collection. The Radiomir PAM 336, along with all Panerai new models, will be introduced at the upcoming SIHH show, in January 2010.

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I appreciate this significant move for Panerai, a change to the thinner, smaller and sleeker. I am going to see it as the real turning point for Panerai from a “brand” to a “manufacturer”.

November 23rd, 2009  Posted at   Bulova, Citizen

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Recently, Bulova has introduced its new Kirkwood dive watch. To most people, even the seniors, the “Bulova Accutron” on the new watch dial is confusing. Some people believe that results from the difference of the tradition of branding between Japan and America. Because the Accutron is a separate watch brand, just owned by Bulova (Bulova is a brand under the wing of the famous Citizen Group), so according to American custom of branding, it is rare to put two brands together on the dial. In fact, we can make it sense easily by viewing the “Bulova Accutron” as the global luxury brand of the Bulova Corporation. And indeed it is.

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As with the new watch, I like the concise temperament it featured. Look at the dial, you can’t find anything superfluous. The daring design of markers and tapered hands offers a exceptional readability, a excellent match to the brown embossed wave-pattern dial. With the on-dial aperture at 12 o’clock and exhibition case back, we are allowed to admire two different decorated views of its 26-jewel self-winding, mechanical movement. A glareproof sapphire protects the dial.

To present the sports style, an essential unidirectional rotating bezel is mounted on the case, and the hands and markers are luminous. The screw-down crown and screw-back case confirm a unwavering reliability and the water resistance is up to 100 meters. The case and lugs are made of stainless steel rose gold ion plating treatment. The new watch comes with a durable black polyurethane strap. It is said that there are another editions available in stainless steel finish with black dial and strap, and in two stainless steel bracelet versions with blue or silver dial.

This new fancy watch will be available in the coming holiday season. And the estimated price is in the $1,000 – $1,300 range.

November 22nd, 2009  Posted at   Bell & Ross

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As the first watch to be constructed entirely of a carbon fiber case, the Bell & Ross BR01-92 & 94 limited all carbon fiber watches have recently been proudly released. The BR01-92 is a three-hand ordinary watch and the BR01-94 is a chronograph.

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Carbon fiber makes up the most important parts for the watch: case, dial and even strap. It’s hard to imagine how light on earth it is. Perhaps even titanium watches are heavier than these new models, for the density of titanium is higher than that of carbon fiber. By the way, my spectacle frame is made of pure Titanium, and I really want to change it to a all carbon model, if it can reduce the weight. I don’t like half measure, so if I am a fan of carbon fiber models, I will go all the way just like B&R does.

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The all carbon fiber editions makes some attractive change and also follows main “Pro” style in the shape design. Case size is still 46mm wide, featuring the signature touch with the hexagon inside the square case, and the configuration of the screw frames. The luminant hands and markers never changed, as well as their bold design, bring a excellent readability. As with the BR01-94 chronograph, powered by the “usual” for B&R – ETA 2894, embodies a certain symmetrical beauty with its chronograph subsidiary dials, date counter and unique “Ltd” (for limited edition) label. Only 500 pieces made available for each of the watches and the estimated price is between $5,000 – $8,000.

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November 20th, 2009  Posted at   JAEGER-LECOULTRE

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Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing Paris, an exclusive limited edition of 24 pieces available at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in Paris, has recently been introduced. The boutique will begin receiving pieces in the last week of November, with a total of 24.

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The new model bears exceptional inheritance from the 2009 edition of Le Mans 24 Hours, which has thrilled both motor sports enthusiasts and fine watchmaking devotees. The renowed watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre started its pleasant collaboration this spring with Aston Martin, an ever-victorious racing team in Le Mans 24 Hours. Following the success of the 2 AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing presented at Le Mans 2009, Jaeger-LeCoultre just launched its AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing Paris, extremely limited.

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This stunning edition features a black PVD-coated grade 5 titanium case with black and white dial, and black luminescent numerals. The dial decoration revealing the movement reproduces the characteristic gridwork motif of car radiator grills and is framed by a black flange. The movement bridges and plates are coated with ruthenium, while the chronograph levers in orange eloxed aluminium appear through an opening between 4 and 8 o’clock.

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An Calibre Jaeger-LeCoultre 751E serves for movement in the exceptional timepiece, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand. Thanks to its revolutionary patented vertical-trigger system, the AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing model is still the only chronograph operating without push pieces. It comes with a calfskin strap, fitted with a 20 mm folding clasp in steel with pvd coating. The water-resistance to 50 metres is available and estimated price is set at $20,000.

November 19th, 2009  Posted at   Digit Watch, Industry News

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Digit watch, as the name suggests, is a kind of watch designed for fingers, not for wrists. It is just like a ring watch. Finding such watches is not quite difficult.

The Digit Watch #27, is designed with a simple aim – to create the finest “Digit” watch in the world. This shiny digit watch is composed of an Aquamarine jewel face, 142 diamonds and an 18k white gold ring. The world’s most twinkling materials are put together and create this stunning timepiece or luxury ring. It is of extreme attration to both women and men who bear bling complex. Moreover, only the best Swiss movements can be used in the Digit Watch #27, such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Blancpain and others, and you can personalise your perfect Digit Watch #27 by your choice for its “heart”.

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Mo Eden, the designer of the Digit Watch #27, Started his career as a Bespoke Jeweller for clients in London, Paris, Los Angeles, Moscow, Toronto, Warsaw & Copenhagen. Specialising in the procurement of rare & unusual stones & the production of outstanding pieces. Mo Eden Believes Individuality and Opulence are necessary. Being the owner of a piece of Mo Eden Jewellery you will certainly be noticed. The twinkle of Diamonds, the colour of Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds should be trance like in their luminescense.

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Coming back to the new watch, I think it’s better to view the Digit Watch #27 as a concept watch, just more realistic. The movements and extremely contemporary design are of great appeal to the connoisseurs and devotees of luxury watches and jewels. The new watch is truly a striking integration of jewels and luxury watches.

November 18th, 2009  Posted at   Audemars Piguet, Industrial North Design

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The Jules Audemars watch with Audemars Piguet escapement, took home the Men’s watch award at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix last week. And no surprise come out for this result, for the most advanced watch escapement technologies currently available featured in the prizewinning watch. In addition, the Asian Edition Public Prize fell to the stunning model during the Asia Watchmaking Grand Prix exhibition held in Singapore this September. This model has also earned other distinctions, including the best “Horological Value” prize presented at the 3rd edition of the Tiempo de Relojes award in Mexico this October; as well as the “Best Complicated Watch” prize at the ceremony organised by VOGUE Spain.

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Philippe Merk holding the two awards with a big smile.

I think Philippe Merk, Audemars Piguet CEO, is the most lucky man in watchmaking field. It is unusual for a watch to win so many prizes or distinctions. For 2009 is Philippe Merk’s first year at the helm of the company, I can not tell whether the new CEO has brought good luck to AP or in reverse. But I am sure about that Philippe Merk has been in pleasant relationship with the prestigious watch manufacturer. In his acceptance speech, Philippe Merk warmly thanked the company’s teams in both Le Brassus and Le Locle who made this feat possible. He saluted the work and the talent of the movement designers and hardworking watchmakers in their constant quest for horological innovation.

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The model in the world spotlight, generally referred to as CHRONOAP, features the Audemars Piguet escapement presented in 2006. This most advanced technology allows it to operate lubricant-free and be both extremely efficient and shock-resistant. It runs at a ridiculously high 6hz (or 43,200 vph), nearly twice as fast as usual, which ensures enhanced chronometry and improved reliability. And it is said that this technology can eventually make its way into the AP Royal Oak Offshore 3126 calibre movement. That will be the day.