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Perrelet Turbine XL Watch

The big brother of the popular Perrelet Turbine watch is here. This is the Perrelet Turbine XL. A more complex looking and larger follow-up to the not-to-be-discontinued Turbine watch. Aside from style changes to the spinning turbine on the dial, bezel "claws" and a more instrumental looking face, the Turbine XL is now a full 50mm in width. It sounds more intimidating than it is. I got to wear the Turbine XL, and while it is huge, it isn't ridiculous on the wrist. More of a statement piece than its predecessor.

Perrelet will offer a few versions of the Turbine XL. Each version has a DLC black coated steel bezel. Some models have brushed titanium cases, others have DLC coated titanium cases, and a higher-end model will have a 18k rose gold case. In all, just like the original Turbine watch, there will be enough styles to offer most people something exciting.

An interesting improvement on the Turbine XL is the design of the turbine vanes on the dial. Like the original, the turbine vanes are connected to the rotor of the automatic movement, and spin with it. In the XL the turbine vanes are angled and bit, and the rear dial design has been improved me make the spinning effect more dazzling. It is an impressive refinement on an already clever watch.

Dial accents will include green, orange, while, and gold. I anticipate more coming in the future. Perrelet here as asserted its dedication to the Turbine line of sport themed watches, and is (quite literally) growing the collection. Prices for the Perrelet Turbine XL watches range from $6,000 - $6,650 in titanium, to $25,900 in gold.

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

Tags: 50, 50mm, perrelet, turbine, watch, xl

Bulova Accutron Spaceview 214 50th Anniversary Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

It is hard to believe that the famous Accutron Spaceview watch collection is 50 years old. Accutron was a sub-brand by Bulova and the name chosen to sit on the classic nerd watch. There were many Spaceview timepieces over the line's lifetime, but each shared the same type of movement technology as well as open dial. Bulova and Accutron are now owned by Citizen watches of Japan. As a 50th anniversary collection, Bulova Accutron is releasing a limited edition set of 1000 pieces of the iconic Spaceview 214 watch. The pieces will share the proportions and style of the original, but with a hand assembled movement, high-grade steel case, domed sapphire crystal, and alligator strap.

Spaceview watches have electronic movements that were precursors to quartz movements called "tuning fork" movements. Unlike quartz movements, I believe that turning fork movements used a sweeping seconds (as opposed to ticking) hand like mechanical movements. Though the movements are battery powered. Consumers were wowed by the "cool factors" of the Spaceview back in the 1960s, and they became very popular. I first discussed Spaceview watches here. Today, there are many Spaceview watches still available on the collector's market. The pieces are recognizable by their open, mostly green movements that contain those double copper coils. Back then the circuit board style dial was modern as could be. By today's standards it has a retro look that reminds you of that transistor radio you took apart as a kid. The 1000 pieces of this Bulova Accutron Spaceview 214 reissue models are going to be hard to get, and come with a nostalgia premium going for about $4,000 a piece. Available Fall 2010.

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

Tags: 214, 50, accutron, anniversary, bulova, reissue, spaceview, watch

Mido Commander 50th Anniversary Watch Collection

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I believe Mido Commander watches are quite rare in America. My experience has told me that the line is most popular in European and Asian markets - not 100% sure why that is. The watches are quite nice, and since 1959 have represented what I believe is an interesting interpretation on a watch that has elements of the Rolex Datejust (mostly due to the hands and hour markers as well as the overall attitude of the timepiece).

The Commander design has changed little since it was introduced in the 1950s. There have been a few styles, but each is easily recognizable as a Mido Commander. For its 50th anniversary, the Commander line introduces a few gold limited edition pieces or 50 or 500 pieces depending on the edition. The watches feature a solid case with no removable caseback, and a domed Hesalite crystal (for retro purposes I am sure). Inside is an automatic ETA movement (Mido is part of the Swatch Group which also owns ETA) with a day and date complication as well as being Chronometer certified. Go for the ultra retro thin tapered gold bracelet for the throw-back look, but each model is a handsome watch piece that is decidedly "different" without causing people to raise their eyebrows.

Via WatchLuxus.

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

Tags: 50, 50th, 50th anniversary, 50thAnniversary, commander, limited edition, LimitedEdition, mido, timepiece, watch

Zappos $50,000 T-Shirt

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Shoes

Shoe seller Zappos.com has come up with a unique stunt to prove the popularity of their store. They are selling a $50,000 limited edition "Cease and Desist" t-shirt which comes with a guarantee by Zappos to permanently disable a significant other`s Zappos.com account for life. The "Cease and Desist" t-shirt will be personally hand-delivered by a member of the Zappos Customer Loyalty Team. The listing promises that the rep will also be a shoulder to cry on for up to one hour for your spouse and will "be happy to frolic in a field of daisies with you or do anything that is mutually agreed upon to not be morally or ethically objectionable."

The shirt isn't much of a permanent deterrent. The first disclaimer says that Zappos is not responsible if your significant other creates another account using a different email address. But you can get your money back if you are permanently divorced or separated within 365 days.

Source

Tags: 000 shirt, 000Shirt, 50, shirt, zappos

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