F.P. Journe Sonnerie Souveraine Watch Gets $400,000 At Auction
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
2010
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Paul Picot C-Type 48mm Helium Valve Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
The images here is still a render. Paul Picot amusingly took an actual photograph of the C-Type watch case and hand drew in the dial. You don't see that very often as such renders are usually completely computer created. I've always appreciated the smooth angularity of the C-Type watches. That look is retained here with lots of straight lines and edges. You can also appreciate the watch's unique look among other functional themed dive-style watches. The case is 300 meters water resistant with a built in helium escape valve. Seems rather odd that this less-than-commonly-used feature would be advertised right on the dial. The light slate colored dial is pretty, especially with the yellow and red highlights. The hour markers and hands are applied with SuperLumiNova. The new C-Type watch comes on a rubber strap with that cool repeating square pattern with a titanium clasp. You can get the strap in black, or yellow (for the brave).
Inside the watch is a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement. Each version of the Paul Picot C-Type 48mm Helium Valve watch (with or without PVD bezel) will be limited to just 500 pieces. Price is $7,590.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Breitling Galactic 41 Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
The dials are extremely legible - more so that many other modern Breitling watches. This is hands to decorative, though uncluttered dials that have lume applied and polished applied hour markers, as well as large polished hands. Like many Breitling watches the case is all highly polishing for that signature glossy-all-over look. I like the various dial colors options (blue, gray, black, white, cream), and the use of the textured square in the middle of the dial - a design that Breitling has been playing around with as of late - that works well here. A very handsome and well put together watch - sized for people who are sick of "too large" Breitling watches. Another solid "daily wear" from the brand.
Inside the watch is Breitling's Calibre 49 automatic movement - that is a Swiss ETA 2896 automatic with a big date complication. I don't know of any other Breitling watches with big date complications actually. The movement has been COSC Chronometer certified as well. Check the gallery below for more examples of the new Galactic 41 watch collection. Not sure about price, going to be a few thousand dollars of course and available soon.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Review: 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo, Ultimate Riding Machine
Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos
2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery
Last year's introduction of the BMW 5 series Gran Turismo marked the entrance into yet another mark segment for the Munich based automaker. It was immediately apparent that this machine was quite unlike anything ever to carry the blue and white roundel before and most observers were not immediately impressed when they first laid eyes on it.
However like Porsche's Panamera, this machines shape was driven more by function than style. While BMW's tag-line since the mid-1970s has been "The Ultimate Driving Machine" the new Gran Turismo is more like the ultimate driven machine. This is a car shaped more for the passengers than the person sitting behind the wheel. It's also a machine with no shortage of technology throughout. With this change in emphasis, is it now less of a driving machine?
Photos Copyright ©2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Magrette Baselworld Piece Unique Watch With Diamonds
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
The watch further has one of Magrette's newer, more updated watch dials with an embossed brand logo and bright LUM-TEC brand luminant. Each time Magrette does a new engraved piece they get nicer. The designs are a clever mix between classic European floral scroll designs and traditional Maori myth and legend images. The 44mm wide steel case has 60 diamonds totaling 1.73 carats - I love how they are arranged as well. I can't wait to see what Magrette will do next. While diamond decorated watches aren't in their standard collection, you could always ask for them to make you one really nicely...
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Ball Engineer Master II Diver World Time Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
Set in a 45mm wide Engineer Master II Diver steel case, the watch has a sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 300 meters. Inside the watch is a specially modified Swiss ETA 2836 automatic movement with the GMT ring complication in it. Ball calls it their caliber 965 The watch also has the day of the week and the date indicators. Like all Ball watches, the Engineer Master II Diver World Time watch is fitted with a number of tritium gas tubes in the hands and hour markers for effortless (no light charge) night viewing. Ball watches have the most powerful tritium gas tubes available in watches in the US. There are also 55 tubes in the watch.
The timepiece was inspired by Ball brand ambassador Guillaume Nery, the accomplished freediver. The watch caseback has an engraving meant to honor him. Ball will offer the Engineer Master II Diver World Time on a steel or rubber strap. Price should be a few thousand dollars, for this very cool, and highly useful timepiece.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Pretty Looking Vogard Supertraveler & Licensed Pilot Watches
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
First is a black cased version of their Supertraveler watch. This version with a PVD coated black steel case must be new. It is fitted with an orangey-yellow reptile strap and looks stunningly good (especially with the black stitching). It is really a solid mix of colors that work together. Then you have one of their "Licensed Pilot" model watches with a blue dial, with some yellow trim mixed with a yellow reptile strap. Note the baby blue stitching meant to match the face - very cool.
One of the best parts of Vogard watches in addition to their looks (easy to read dials, bold hands) is their signature complication). You open a lever on the right side of the watch and then turn the bezel to chance the timezone of the watch. Perfect for traveling. The time zones are all written on the bezel, and you can adjust the watch both "east and west." The GMT hand however is not independently adjustable, and serves as synchronized 24 hour hands so that you can know if it is AM or PM. Prices for the watches is about $7,750 with the straps, and about $8,000 with metal bracelets. Vogard offers a lot of color customization options, which you should certainly take advantage of if you are interested in their timepieces.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Review: 2010 BMW 335i xDrive Coupe
Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos
2010 BMW 335i xDrive coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
White space. It's a term product planners like to use in describing a new product that doesn't fit any existing segment and doesn't have any direct competitors. Some white space products end up being successful in the marketplace while others end up being duds like the Subaru Baja. Perhaps the most successful white space vehicle of the past four decades is the BMW 3 series.
BMW is generally credited with having invented the modern compact to mid-size sport sedan segment with the mid-1970s launch of the original 3 series. Since that time the dynamic driving characteristics of the 3 series have kept it ranked at the top of the segment while at the same time inspiring every premium brand in the business to create their own competitors. We spent a week with the latest 335i xDrive coupe trying to determine if it still ranks at the top of the heap.
Photos Copyright ©2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Max Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Panerai PAM359 Luminor 1950 Marina Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
Inside the PAM359 is Panerai's in-house made P.9000 automatic movement with a 3 day power reserve, subsidiary seconds counter, and the date. Having an in-house movement of course increases the desirability of the piece to collectors. For me, placing all Arabic numerals on the dial actually makes it easier to read and plays with the Panerai look in a good way. Price is in the $7,500 vicinity.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Ventura v-tec Kappa Watch For 2010
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
One of the best things about the watch (aside from the style) is the material that it is made in. It uses a Ventura proprietary titanium alloy with special coatings called Titanox. Unlike normal titanium which is scratch and finger print prone, Titanox resists both, while retaining the lightness that titanium is known for. The design of the watch has it so that the case is tilted at a slight angle for easier reading when looking at your wrist without having to turn it as much. The high quality negative LCD screen has sharp looking, bold digital numerals. You can get the watch in a lighter or darker case color, with at least two strap styles including a Titanox bracelet. Prices aren't too much, and start at about 920 euros. Available starting this summer. Click below for more images.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Chronoswiss Timemaster Chronograph GMT With Second Time Zone Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
The case is in steel (and like I said black DLC coated) and 44mm wide. If you prefer, there is also a version of the watch without the DLC coating (though why would you want a cool design like this minus the super hard black coating?). In addition to the light silver/white dial, there is a black dial available. Inside the watch is a modified Swiss ETA 7750 automatic movement that has a GMT hand module. I love how the red GMT hand is matched with a red font date disc. Very hip. The reason the watch is called "GMT with Second Time zone" is because of the 24 hour bi-directional rotating bezel. Thus, you can use the bezel with the GMT hand to track yet another time zone. So actually the watch could state it has three time zones you can track.
Dial design is very polished and sticks with the Chronoswiss "vintage watches of flight" theme. You get that large "onion" crown (which looks great in DLC), and the protruding thin lugs. Chronoswiss is doing what Panerai did a little while ago. Refining a look that appeals to many men, and finally making it almost a cult watch. If Chronoswiss plays its cards right, it could have a popularity surge like Panerai did as soon as our economy bounces back enough.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Piaget Polo FortyFive Skeletonized Watches
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
Under the dials is the in-house made Piaget movement with perlage polish. The the dials retain all the necessary markers and numerals, but are otherwise skeletonzied. A liberal amount of red is used adding to the sporty feel of the watch. Many people feel that the Piaget Polo FortyFive watch collection was a mistake to begin with. Being overpriced and under-styled. Others really liked it though - and for those people I think these skeletonized models will be a hit.
Piaget uses a large red circle over the date window, which is a nice touch. I don't think these watches have the typical Piaget polish that we are used to, but that isn't really what the Polo FortyFive collection is all about. While the hour markers do a good job of popping out on the dial, the hands need a lot of improvement to be legible enough. I understand that these skeletonized Polo FortyFive watches are going to be commercially available but in limited amounts. Look for them sometime this year at a price that is likely a slight premium over the standard Piaget Polo FortyFive automatic or chronograph models.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Gallery: Piaget Polo 45 Skeletonized Watch
Roger Dubuis EasyDiver Small Seconds Ladies Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
This isn't the first EasyDiver watch for ladies, but Roger Dubuis revamped the look for 2010. The dial design is both functional and artistic offering the hour markers in a streamlined style. The integration of the purple lines with the mother-of-pearl places is quite nice, and I have always loved how Roger Dubuis crafted hands. They are folded and done with polish on one side and a brushed finish on the other. The rotating diver's style bezel is set with 36 diamonds adding a luxury touch to the sporty look of the watch.
In the middle of the dial there is some texturing in a clou de Paris motif (little squares that are like "half pyramids). Inside the watch is a Roger Dubuis made automatic Caliber RD821 movement with 48 hours of power reserve. The watch is mostly a true diver and is water resistant to 300 meters. The stylized purple strap is rubber. I feel that for the right (well to do) woman this is a fantastic piece that matches many outfits and is a loud statement on their personality and taste. Should be available, again as a limited edition.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Bulgari Sotirio Bulgari Watch Collection For 2010
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
The case is 43mm wide in steel with some gold or in all 18k gold. Sapphire crystal over the dial and caseback. Inside the watch is an in-house made Bulgari Caliber 168 automatic movement. The movement has a unique Bulgari shaped automatic rotor, and some perlage decoration, but otherwise nothing too special other than the fact that it is in-house made. In addition to the time, it has a date complication that displayed the date around the periphery of the watch. I personally don't like reading the date this way as I find it distracting when attempting to read the time. The prior Sotirio Bulgari watch did have the date on a disc though. For me, the style of the watch is held back, but in a good way. Bulgari was making some wild looking watches for a while that I didn't see too many people buying. While this watch has a lot of Bulgari DNA and a quirky style, it is relatively held back. Part of the reason for this is likely due to Bulgari's cost cutting needs as the brand hasn't been fiscally outstanding lately. Look for the new Sotirio Bulgari watches in Bulgari stores soon.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Hublot Watches Grab Lucrative Spot With World Cup
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Sports
Hublot will serve not only as the "official watch maker" for the 2010 and 2014 World Cup events, but also as the prestigious "Official Time Keeper." Thus, not only is Hublot able to make special limited edition watches with the event name on them, but also to have its name on the time keeping devices in the games. A very big step forward for Hublot as it goes without saying just how popular the World Cup games are around the world. The 2010 World Cup will be located in South Africa, while the 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil. I look forward to seeing what interesting limited edition watches Hublot releases for the games.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
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