Archive for the ‘Interesting Watches’ Category

May 29th, 2010  Posted at   Interesting Watches

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Pictured is the Suunto Elementum Terra, a watch ideal for urban and wilderness exploration and survival. It unites useful functions for outdoor sports, including an altimeter, a barometer for predicting the weather, and a compass for navigation. It is a nice combination of form and multi-functionality.

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The stylishly rugged case is made of steel and measures 44mm in diameter. The strap is leather in the photos, while it is also available with a thick metal bracelet and several rubber straps of different styles. The watch performs the best on the leather strap, I think. The Elementum Terra has been applied with a standard LCD screen, which is one of the most beautiful and clear LCD screens that I have ever seen. The screen’s protector is a sapphire crystal, which ensures optimal readability. The case can stand the pressure down to 100 meters underwater.

The battery used in the model is the very popular CR2032 that is widely available. You can find it easily in most supermarkets. Suunto watches go for about 2 years on a battery. However, it seems a pity that the watch don’t incorporate a battery indicator on the dial.

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The Suunto Elementum collection is consisted of three cool timepieces – the Elementum Terra, the Elementum Aqua and the Elementum Ventus, each specifically designed for mountaineering, diving and sailing enthusiasts. Retail for the Elementum Terra is $899 – $1199. The quality is the best for your money, as the Terra will serve you on an 8000 meter peak as well as in the boardroom.

For those not familiar with Suunto, the Finnish-based brand is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports precision instruments for training, diving and outdoor sports. Suunto’s computers for the wrist offer strong aesthetics, accuracy and dependability. Suunto’s sister companies are familiar to sports and outdoors lovers the world over, and they include Wilson, Atomic, Precor, Salomon, Mavic and Arc’teryx.

Photos from aBlogtoRead

May 28th, 2010  Posted at   Interesting Watches

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The creative watchmaker Cabestan has recently unveiled this intriguing Sol Invictus watch, the world’s first perpetual mechanical watch using solar energy . Born out of the fruitful collaboration between Cabestan and Marc Alfieri , the remarkable model bears the name Sol Invictus, translated as Invincible Sun, stemming from that of God, revered by the Roman Emperor Aurelian.

As one of the best specialists in the field of watchmaking, Marc Alfieri boasts an extensive experience in large scale deployment of solar panels in France. When meeting with Jean-Francois Ruchonnet, the top watchmaker of Cabestan, Mark came up with the idea of integrating those solar panels into the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical to create a movement completely powered by solar energy. With the cooperation with l’INES, l’Institut National de l’Energie Solaire, Mark Alfieri successfully installed the solar panels into Sol Invictus with the power produced equal to 100 milliwatts.

The solar energy watch features two brushless micromotors – one for rewinding the movement and the other for setting the time. These elements boast the modest dimensions of 1.9 mm x 5.5 mm, diameter and length indicated respectively, which were traditionally used in the medical industry. The two micromotors are governed by a diminutive controller with a programmable oscillator. There have been used a twin-blade electromechanical contact, which serves to open and close electrical circuit. The entires structure demonstrates an astonishing rewinding system for the movement.

Marc Alfieri’s partner, Jean-Francois Ruchonnet, has integrated his eye-catching vertical Cabestan movement in the center of the watch. He has also equipped the model with two solar panels located at 12 and 6 o’clock. These important components are mounted in metal frames, secured to pivots. Underneath the solar cells the watch wearer can admire the micromotors and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The twin-blade contact with its glass casing is visible in the middle of the movement. The complicated mechanism, connecting the crown to the movement, also includes a striking 30 mm long axle, traversing the movement in its width.

The Cabestan Sol Invictus watch is surely meant for high-tech watch lovers.

May 19th, 2010  Posted at   Interesting Watches

The eponymous watch company Lionel Ladoire was founded in 2007. Lionel Ladoire, the founder, refers his first timepiece as the UFO of watchmaking. Frankly speaking, the watch is an audacious effort that leaves no on indifferent. As I googled something interesting about Ladoire, I was surprised that the man is a surfer and a rock drummer as well as a talented young watchmaker. The company owner is not like any horologists in my memory before.

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The horological UFO has a name as Roller Guardian Time, or RGT. With its 56 x 45 x 16.3mm uniquely-shaped case, the watch look strikingly on the wrist. The shape is created to resemble a pebble or a pebble-like UFO. The asymmetric shape is soft, organic, and surprisingly balanced. You may think the watch employs many hands for the GMT display. In fact, there is only one traditional moving hand (the big one), along with the other “hands” fixed in place. Hours, minutes and seconds are presented through disks that rotate on ceramic ball bearings that require no lubrication. The crown at 8 o’clock couples coherence with the quick correctors at 2 and 4 o’clock

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Inside the watch is an automatic movement with micro-rotors is an in-house design realized with the help of skilled outside partners. It is visible via the transparent case-back, finely decorative. Only 50 watches are produced per year for the RGT, with a price of $150,000 each.

May 18th, 2010  Posted at   Interesting Watches, Rebellion

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The eponymous watchmaker Rebellion has redefined again the frontiers of technical achievement with its Rebellion T-1000 watch. The watch, as the name suggests, is provided with an unbelievable 1000-hour power reserve, equal to almost 42 days! Rebellion builds the new history in this field.

The idea of increasing the power reserve was born in June 2008, inpired by the smell of motor oil and hot engines in the famous 24 hours of Le Mans car race. The endurance car racing has boasted extensive experience for the creative watchmaker.

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The case of the remarkable T-1000 watch is the brainchild of the combination of Rebellion with Eric Giroud. With a base in aluminum, the case is crafted in titanium, measuring 46.7mm x 46.9mm x 19.5mm. The case features a time-setting crown equipped with a patented push-button clutch system. The water-resistance is down to 50 meters. The functionality of the timepiece includes hours and minutes, indicated on rollers. The power reserve indicator is viewable through a window on the side of the case.

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The Rebellion T-1000 watch is created on a hand-wound movement – REB T-1000. It incorporates a winding lever with 14 ceramic jewels and 22 rubies. The movement beats at 18,000 vph, a relatively low frequency, and highlights the remarkable power reserve of 1000 hours. This exceptional power reserve is assured by six (2 x 3) vertical mainspring barrels, wound in parallel by the chain and prop shaft. To ensure an optimal torque curve, the barrels can discharge power automatically.

The watch comes with a black alligator leather strap, equipped with a patented folding clasp endowed with a micrometric push-button regulation system. The exclusive folding clasp enables the wearer to easily adjust the length of the strap. The release of this horological marvel is strictly limited to 100 pieces.

April 26th, 2010  Posted at   Interesting Watches

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The innovative watchmaker Devon has recently introduced its Tread 1 wristwatch, a remarkable timepiece of groundbreaking design. The Tread 1 is highly distinctive with its unique way of displaying the time, which is inspired by industrial conveyor belts and motorcycles.

It is Devon’s patented interwoven system of belts that allows for the unique time display. The belts runs in exacting motion to express the hours and minutes, while the seconds are showed by a belt in constant motion. The Tread One watch features a proprietary optical recognition system to monitor each belt position at all times.

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The belts are driven by four remarkable compact microstep motors that are powered by a lithium polymer rechargeable cell. It is able to run for two weeks on one charge. To ensure the outstanding clearance of the moving parts, the belt assemblies are incorporated on a central chassis. With this ingenious design, the parts appear to be floating in the watch case. All the four belts are made of fiber-reinforced glass nylon, just 2/1,000 of an inch thick. Moreover, they are really durable and stable enough to provide continuous precision. Also worth mentioning is that the watch case is bullet-proof.

Whether working on a car, motorcycle or watch, Scott Devon’s challenge to his design team is both simple and daunting: “We seek to create a design that redefines the category. We consult with experts in a variety of fields in order to build new innovations and keep pushing boundaries.” He demands that his team of artists, inventors and designers work together to deliver technological breakthroughs and fresh, modern, never-seen-it-before designs.

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With Tread 1, Devon immediately establishes a leading-edge vision and an exquisite command of the artistry of watch design. The Tread 1’s singular design creates an optimal watch for those watch lovers who deny everything conventional. The price is expected to go for about $15, 000.

April 17th, 2010  Posted at   Interesting Watches, Volna

The talented watchmaker Volna has built a new collection named “Volnatomic”, comprising a wide rage of watches that feature exceptional black and yellow color scheme.

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The pictured Volnatomic Radioactive watches have a 46.5mm 316 steel case, with satin-brushed finish and black PVD coating. There are many versions of dial design available for the new watch: some features a toxic skull atomic symbol and emergency exit signs in the face, while others’ dial demonstrates alternating black and yellow sectors. The time is indicated by yellow hour and minute hands and a black seconds hand. The dial is highlighted by a stripe-pattern bezel with alternating matt or polished black finishes or alternating yellow-black colors. The matt black crown reveals a polished atomic symbol.

The sapphire crystal case-back is also different from variations. It demonstrates a yellow toxic skull symbol or a toxic skull symbol and atomic symbol depending on the model. The water-resistance is up to 50 meters.

These figurative details mark the use of irony via diverted codes, which I have never seen in the field of watchmaking before. The smartly diverted symbolism, conveyed by the warning triangle, the skull or the atomic propeller blade, brings remarkable exclusivity to the Volnatomic Radioactive Yellow and Black watches.

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The heart of the watch is a mechanical self-winding movement. It runs at 28,800 vph and offers a 42-hour power reserve. In line with the theme, even the shape of the oscillating weight of the movement is conceived like an atomic symbol. The movement sports the functions including hours, minutes and seconds.

Adding the final touch to the Volnatomic Radioactive Yellow and Black watches is a genuine rubber strap, finished with hand-sewn stitching and equipped with a steel black PVD-coated double-pin buckle.

April 12th, 2010  Posted at   Century, Interesting Watches

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The newest model for the extremely elegant Contemporary Timdepiece collection is this Century Couture, an elegantly feminine timepiece of the brand’s most modern designs. Pure, perfectly elegant, essentially precious: the novel Couture watch demonstrates a brandly new way of experiencing time for the well-known watchmaker.

Boasting translucent monochrome with clean lines, the Century Couture presents a celebration dedicated to the magic of light and the pleasure of every moment. Couture’s shape is inspired by a real legend in jewellery: the solitaire. As an innovative combination of the spirit of the most precious stones with contemporary watchmaking and Century’s technical expertise, Couture is dressed in a Century sapphire, painstakingly hand-cut and polished by Master Craftsmen.

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The new look never seen in the collection before is revealed by the fancy sapphire with 32 facets cut, performing a perfect harmonious composition and acting as a spiritual reference to the brilliant craftsmanship. Century creates two sizes for the Couture watch in order to make it ideal for all occasions. A large model measuring 37mm in diameter is designed for the daytime, featuring a date aperture at 6 c’clock. The perfect finishing touch for an urban outfit spices up a casual look for the elegant model. The 24.6mm version is specially conceived as the ultimate glamorous accessory for cocktail dressed and evening wear. And whether for a smart evening event or a beautiful day out, Couture sits perfectly on a choice of satin or alligator strap.

All in all, the fascinating Century Couture watch is a jewel worn on the wrist, a treasure designed to measure time, and a reliable timekeeper that transforms the most exquisite horological dreams into reality.

Kevin also publishes articles about the world of luxury watches on Watchestrends .

Technical Specifications

Ref. 832.6.S.65i.12.RR2. Models in steel. Century sapphire with 32 facets cut and polished by hand. Dial in amethyst-coloured Chinese lacquer. Quartz movement. Satin strap.

Ref. 832.4.S.50.12.RY2 (black) / 832.7.S.20.12.RY2 (palladium) / 832.1.S.100.12.RY2 (yellow gold). Models in steel. Century sapphire with 32 facets cut and polished by hand. Dial in Chinese lacquer or mirror. Quartz movement. Satin strap.

April 4th, 2010  Posted at   Baselworld 2010, Interesting Watches

With its ultimately avant-garde novelty – “Hornet Trafalgar, the Battle”, the watchmaker Arnold & Son standed for technical delicacy in BaselWorld 2010. The stunning watch was created to mark the overwhelming victory of the British Navy over the French and Spanish fleet, achieved in the Napoleonic wars over 200 years ago. It also pays tribute to legendary Admiral Nelson, who was shot and died of his wounds at the forementioned greatest victory.

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The Battle

There are three different dial executions available for the appealing Hornet Trafalgar collection: each of them features a battle-themed hand-touch up painting.

“H.M.S. Victory”

The first watch dial shows Admiral Nelson’s ship, the Victory, and the smaller Euryalus approaching the allied formation as seen from the ensuing British fleet.

“The Battle”

On the second dial, the same scene is depicted this time from the enemy perspective. Despite appearances, the Victory with its sails in shreds is about to defeat the French Bucentaure and Redoutable.

“Nelson’s Demise”

The third dial depicts Admiral Nelson struggling in his final throes on the upper deck of the Victory. He is about to be carried to the lower deck where he will pass away only after having learned about the overwhelming victory of his fleet.

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Dead Boat

The Arnold & Son novelty employs an impressive pink gold case, measuring 47mm in diameter and 14mm in thickness. The case is water-resistant to 30 meters.

Beating inside the watch is a self-winding mechanical movement. It runs at 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement sports the a range of functions, including hours, minutes, date, GMT and a 24-hour display for the second time zone.

A leather strap, fitted with a pin buckle, is adopted to add the final touch to the Arnold & Son Hornet Trafalgar watch. Only 25 pieces are made available worldwide for each of the collection.

Kevin also publishes articles about the world of luxury watches on Watchestrends .

March 24th, 2010  Posted at   Interesting Watches

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In the dream of every little girl to be a princess, Prince Charming, a beautiful palace, a kind fairy, and a splendid attire are indispensable. As a perfect complement to the gorgeous outfit of any contemporary princess, this Disney Kids’ Princess Time Teacher Pink Velcro watch is sure to win the heart of any small lady, which demonstrates the images of the Disney princesses’ characters and features classic Disney pink style.

Measuring 28.3 mm in diameter, the round metal case is thick to 7.5mm. The bezel is also made from metal, which frames an enchanting blue dial. There are hour markings and labeled hour and minute hands carefully placed on the watch’s face that vividly depicts those Disney princesses’ characters.

Inside the little horological masterpiece is a reliable Japanese quartz movement, giving life to those essential functions – hours and minutes. The 14mm nylon strap, closed with a Velcro clasp, comes with this lovely watch. The water resistance is 30 meters, enough for those who like playing with water. Complying to traditional Disney style of, this little watch is a beautiful timepiece, intentionally created for small women with a dream of being a princess.

kids-mickey-mouse-time-teacher-watch.jpgOf course, little boys would never be forgotten. For those little princes, the Walt Disney Company produced a watch with the theme of Mickey Mouse, the most popular cartoon character with children all over the world. The watch bears the name Disney Kids’ Mickey Mouse Time Teacher Red Velcro, a sure hit with young watch enthusiasts.

This watch employs a metal case, measuring 28.3mm * 7.5mm. Protected by a mineral crystal, the withe dial looks perfect with the metal bezel, which proudly reveals the image of the legendary Mickey Mouse. The watch relies on a quartz movement, sporting the functions of minutes, hours and seconds. The watch comes with a 14 mm nylon strap, enhanced with a Velcro clasp. It is water-resistant to 30 meters.

Kevin also publishes articles about the world of luxury watches on Watchestrends .

March 22nd, 2010  Posted at   Baselworld 2010, Interesting Watches

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The watchmaker Pita Barcelona has recently released its new Pita Oceana 5000m watch at BaselWorld 2010 last week. There are two versions for the new collection: Black PVD Pita Oceana 5000m, and Stainless Steel Pita Oceana 5000m. Both of them are created by AHCI member Aniceto Jiménez Pita.

The Oceana model features a round-shaped case, measuring 43mm*21mm. Crafted in stainless steel, titanium, 18 ct. Gold, or Platinum 950 , the case is coated with black PVD or not, depending on the version. Personally, the black version is more compatible the overall design. The star-shaped seconds hand features a chromatic depth meter. Just as the name shows, the Oceana watch is water-resistant to 5000m. However, I wonder whether there is a diver who want to go down to such a depth of ocean.

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The movement is Pita-003 Calibre, carefully developed from ETA-2678 and featuring two patented systems for a water-entry free case: Pita-TSM (Time Setting Mechanism) and Pita-RT (Remote Transmission). No crown, no back cover, no weak points. With the two systems, the watch allows easy time setting under deep water.

As discussed above, the watch has four variations which have been fully customized to different taste. The Pita Oceana 5000m will be unveiled in a limited edition of 80 pieces for each version.

Kevin also publishes articles about the world of luxury watches on Watchestrends .