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Louis Vuitton Tambour Diving Watch II

I got fed up waiting for more information on this watch. Oh well, you can't blame an industry notorious for bad communication to communicate badly. The good news is that I was really excited to learn about Louis Vuitton's follow up piece to their original Tambour Diver (Diving). They simply call the watch the Tambour Diving II. It will again come in men's and women's models, with two dial styles.

The Tambour Diving II uses the case size case and movement as the original, but with a more sport, less "luxo-diver" look. While The original Louis Vuitton Tambour Diving watch played with colors like brown and complimented the watch with elements such as mother-of-pearl - the Diving II has a more sober look meant to emphasize activities like boat racing. The subsidiary seconds dial has turned in to a square, and looks more like a pennant flag. Hands have been skeletonized (with a different color for the hour and minute hand), while hour markers are mostly round and done with lots of lume.

For men, the case will be 44mm wide and the women's model will be 39.5mm wide. Aside from the steel models, an 18k red gold model will also be available for men. Like any good diver, the case will be water resistant to 300 meters. Inside the watch will be an ETA 2895 automatic movement. The dial colors will be either the pictured black or a metallic blue. My only problem with it is that the hands are too short. Overall a beautiful watch that is not so much a replacement for the original Tambour Diver as it is a more simple looking supplement.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com

Tags: 2, diver, diving, II, louis vuitton, tambour, watch

Bedat & Co. New Number 2 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Bedat & Co. is back with a bang for 2010 - sharply aimed at its old rival Cartier. The new models are the 2 and the 8 - and here is the No. 2. Different than the old number 2, it takes the concepts of a circle surrounded by two different oblong circles - with an oblong circle in the middle. The shapes are in gold, and perhaps steel as well. Covered in diamonds - true to the heritage and theme of the luxury brand. Men's models don't make a come back in America - at least not yet. The passion here is for women. Cartier is pulling product out of traditional watch and jewelry stores in favor of their own brand boutiques and website. Bedat & Co, under its new Malaysian ownership is making a serious, and highly calculated move to take back the US. The No. 2 watches have Swiss quartz movements, but other models have Swiss automatic mechanical movements as well. Finish on the watches is impressive, and as always, a Bedat & Co. watch is all about the design. Look for this and more Bedat & Co. pieces to be in about 65 US stores now - and of course throughout the world. Click on the "READ MORE" link below for some more images.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2, Bedat, no, number, watch

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Tony Stark Chooses Jaeger-LeCoultre Watches In Iron Man 2 Movie

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Tony Stark has two sidekicks in Iron Man 2, War Machine and Jaeger-LeCoultre. The popular luxury Swiss watch makers watch selected as the timepiece of choice on Robert Downey Jr.'s wrist as he played character Tony Stark in the newest installment of Iron Man. In the sequel, when Iron Man is not in his sophisticated mechanical suit, he is wearing a sophisticated mechanical watch. There are at least three different Jaeger-LeCoultre watches adorning Downey Jr.'s wrist in the film. Paramount of which is the new limited edition AMVOX3 GMT Tourbillon watch in platinum. See my other post on the matter for the other Jaeger-LeCoultre watches Tony Stark gets to show off in Iron Man 2 here.

The AMVOX series of watch is part of a partnership between Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin, but none of those cars are in the movie - as the film features Audi automobiles. Regardless, the style and pedigree of the AMVOX3 fits in perfectly well with the character's technical aptitude, flamboyant demeanor, and preference for mechanical goodness. The only disappointment to most movie viewers is the good looking watch is for the high-luxury buyer owner. At least Iron Man's timepiece is technically within reach as his suit of armor is only available in Hollywood form (for now).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: JLC AMVOX5 Platinum Watch

Tags: 2, amvox, amvox3, iron man, ironman, jaeger-lecoultre, movie, tony stark, tourbillon, watch

MB&F HM2-SV Watch Revealed

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Just recently I introduced a teaser shot of the upcoming Sapphire Vision version of the MB&F HM2 watch, known as the HM2-SV. THe unique aspect of the watch is the large 3.6mm thick sapphire crystal that serves as the front plate of the watch in lieu of metal. The result is an ability to see the MB&F automatic movement that powers the double faced timepiece. Here now are full images of the watch showing the incredibly complex large sapphire crystal plate over the watch in its full glory. Just as expected you have a very clear view into much of the movement. I believe that the blue "vein" through the watch is the water-resisting sealant ring (the gasket).

The left dial of the watch displays the date and a moon phase indicator, while the right dial has jumping hours and a retrograde minute scale. There will only be 25 of this watch made. While this limited edition volume isn't unheard of, it is relatively low given how popular MB&F watches are in high-end watch lover circles. The issue is really the sapphire crystal. There are just so hard to make. Three out of four crystals break during the process of making them that takes 55 hours for the crystal alone (to cut). The hardest part is drilling the holes for the screws. The back plate of the watch is in titanium, while the automatic rotor is 22k gold in its iconic battle ax shape. Pretty awesome watch from the world of avant garde high horology.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: MB&F HM2-SV watch