Automatic

Breitling Chronospace Automatic Watch

Last year saw Breitling release the new large-sized Chronospace models equipped with Swiss Superquartz multi-function movements. That same 46mm wide steel watch will now come in an automatic chronograph form with a Brietling calibre 23 (base ETA) COSC Chronometer certified movement. Not bad looking, the Chronospace does feel a bit "Breitling Generic." As though most of the features could be found on other models. Most iconic for the collection are its large size, applied square style hour markers and bezel style.

Tags: automatic, breitling, chronograph, chronospace, watch

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Perrelet Automatic Flying Tourbillon Watch

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Perrelet Automatic Flying Tourbillon Watch

Does this Perrelet watch case look familiar? It is the same one that the Turbine XL uses. Perrelet enjoyed the case so much they wanted this limited edition Automatic Flying Tourbillon watch to enjoy it as well. The case is 50mm wide in 18k rose gold and DLC coated steel. While the case is big, it still wears nicely. The strap is nicely integrated rubber. The piece contains the Perrelet P-161 automatic movement made by Perrelet. The movement has a long power reserve of 110 hours and of course, it is also an automatic. The flying one minute tourbillon doubles as the subsidiary seconds dial, while the time is placed above it on a smaller dial. Something about this really reminds me of Hublot. The back plate is made of an interesting looking piece of black carbon fiber. All in all pretty nifty and I look forward to seeing it in person soon.

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

Tags: automatic, flying tourbillon, Perrelet, watch

Victorinox Swiss Army AirBoss Automatic 42mm Watch

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Victorinox Swiss Army AirBoss Automatic 42mm Watch

For a few years now the AirBoss collection from Victorinox Swiss Army represented a slighty more complicated, and more expensive line for the popular brand. Consider the range a good in-between when moving from a quartz-movement-based watch to a higher-end mechancial watch (even though these are not the only mechanical watches Swiss Army makes).

The collection gets a bit more simple this year with a more basic and conservative 42mm wide version in steel with a more basic three-hand automatic movement (in this case I presume it is a Swiss ETA 2892-2). The easy-to-read dial is flanked by a sloped flange ring with minute indicators done in a technical looking font. The applied Arabic hour markers are lume filled, along with the large, easy to read hands. The date window above 6 o'clock gives the dial welcome symmetry, while the 24 hour indicator dial helps make it a Swiss Army watch. The case is water resistant to 100 meters, while seeing the dial should be easy on the eye with the AR coated sapphire crystal. Look for it with a silvered or charcoal dial. Price is a reasonable $995.

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

Tags: AirBoss, Automatic, Swiss Army, watch

Louis Vuitton Voyagez Tambour Automatic Chronograph Tachometer Watch

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Louis Vuitton Voyagez Tambour Automatic Chronograph Tachometer Watch

Another new for 2011 Louis Vuitton watch is this new Voyagez Tambour Automatic Chronograph watch with a tachymeter (tachometer). Why they emphasize this latter function I don't know. Racing-themed watches have been featured them on bezels and flange rings for a long time, with next to no people actually using them. However, those extra numerals around the dial tend to always look cool!

Set in a 44mm wide Tambour style case, the Voyagez is in steel with a gray and red dial with black and white trim. This aggressive looks goes really well with the carbon fiber strap. Inside the watch is a Dubois-Depraz made LV172 automatic chronograph movement. The dial design uses three middle aligned subdials for the 30 minute chronograph and subsidiary seconds. This might be one of the most interesting looking chronograph layouts in a watch this year. I look forward to checking it out upon its debut in March. Look for this new Tambour Voyagez Chrono in June 11 at a price of 4,800 euros.

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

Tags: 2011, automatic, louis vuitton, tachometer, tambour, voyagez, watch

Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Watch

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Watch

Now here is a watch I didn't see coming. Corum's interesting and iconic Golden Bridge watch that features a long and thin mechanical movement now comes in an automatic version. The nature of the concept needed something different than the ordinary half-circle style automatic rotor. So Corum uses a linear moving weight as an automatic winding mechanism. As you can see through the back of the watch, the platinum weight moves up and down as opposed to around in a circle. This "linear moving weight" concept is not new, but rarely used. It is part of the new Corum calibre CO313 movement that has 18k gold plates, guilloche machine engraved decoration, and shows just the time.

As in existing Golden Bridge models, the movement is more or less suspended in the tonneau style case. For the automatic the watch is a bit larger (thankfully) being 37.2mm wide by 51.8mm tall. You can get the case in 18k red gold or 18k white gold. The crown is located at the bottom of the case. One funny issue with the watch is that Corum doesn't do the greatest job on the face of the watch in helping you determine which is the top and which is the bottom of the case. The watch is however surprisingly comfy on the wrist. I would personally consider this a men's watch, but I could also see women wearing it. The new Golden Bridge Automatic watch comes on a black crocodile strap.

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

Tags: automatic, corum, golden bridge, watch, watches

Tiret Automatic Chronograph Titanium Watch For 2011

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Tiret of New York offers up a new version of their Automatic Chronograph Titanium watch model for 2011. The 47mm wide titanium watch has Tiret "Ts" all over it from the hands to the shapes on the bezel. The watch dial has been made more dynamic with a metal "frame" over the chronograph subdials and day/date windows. Tiret really likes using highly original parts - which is seen in elements such as the watch crown and hour hands. For urban types, this might make an interesting talking piece. Attached to the watch is a black leather (or is it reptile?) strap. Price for the new Tiret Automatic Chronograph Titanium watch is $7,490.

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

Tags: automatic, chronograph, Tiret, titanium, watch

Valbray V.01 Limited Edition Watch

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I got to check out Valbray watches last year, but looks like 2011 is gonna be the year when they really launch. A new brand, Valbray will begin by offering two versions of the limited edition V.01 watch. A modern looking timepieces, the V.01 has a trick dial that has a camera-like shutter in it.

The shutter can be completely opened up to see the chronograph functions on the lower dial. If you grab the bezel and twist it around, you control the shutter that can be totally closed to hide the lower dial and offer a more bare dial that just tells the time. If you want it to tell the seconds you can just activate the chronograph. When the shutter is totally open, it is hidden under the bezel assembly. It is a neat system, and works pretty well. Valbray is not the first brand to offer just such a shutter in a watch dial, but they to offer a slick looking modern watch to go with the novelty.

Even when the shutter is closed a ring around the outer dial offers hour markers. The watch will comes in a 47mm case with 500 limited edition pieces in titanium and 250 pieces in 18k rose gold. Inside the watch is a modified Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement. The V.01 sits in a category of watches that are often referred to as "convertible watches" because they can covert to have a different look. I went into more details on convertible watches here.

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

Gallery: Valbray V.01 Limited Edition Watch

Tags: automatic, chronograph, v.01, valbray, watch

Omega Ladymatic Watch Collection

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Omega has just released news on this rather nice mechanical watch for women. Timepieces for ladies are usually beautiful, but mechanically simple inside relying on quartz movements much of the time. As more women are becoming interested in mechanical watches, brands are responding by offering interesting pieces for that segment. Omega's new Ladymatic, will come in a number of styles - here seen in 18k rose gold with diamond decoration.

I am quite impressed by not only the design, but also the components of this collection. The 34m wide watches come in steel, yellow or red gold, and with a unique bracelet or strap choices. The one piece lugs and nicely rounded case are made much more interesting by the sides of the case with their wave pattern style. Inside the dial and on the sides of the case are ceramic elements that Omega is cleverly using for the rich look of the dial and case design. Various level of diamond decoration and distinct Omega look really help this collection stand out.

Will the beauty of this piece help entire female watch owners to the appeal of mechanical watches? It is hard to say. The exposed movement caseback will give women a view of the Omega Calibre 8520 or 8521 automatic movement that has Omega's co-axial escapement, is COSC Chronometer certified, and has a silicon balance spring. The movement is quite appealing - even for men, and will be nice to look at through the back of the watch. An interesting collection, I look forward to seeing more from Omega in this range soon.

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

Tags: automatic, ladymatic, mechanial, omega, watches

Breil Milano Automatics Collection Watch

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It isn't often that Breil watches comes in mechanical form - but they do offer a few of these pieces in their "Automatics Collection." Newer there is this automatic version of the popular Breil Milano watch. It comes complete with its almost kinky looking strap (which is done in crocodile leather) with cross stitching on it, and a 45mm wide steel case in steel with some IP applied rose gold tone treatments on the bezel, as well as for the hour markers and the hands.

The designer treatment of the watch is interesting and will appeal to certain fashionista types. My personal preference for a more manly watch is the Breil Manta collection. At 45mm wide, the Breil Milano automatic is something that will appeal to men and some women who can bear the size. The brown and gold tones go smoothly together. I like how the pushers and crown are in brown as well.

Despite the chronograph subdials, the watch is pretty easy to read - though the watch hands should be longer. Oddly enough the text of the date and day of the week indicators seems to be in a different font. I do like the curved flange ring around the dial with the large applied hour markers that supplements in the inner dial. The watch has a sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 100 meters. Inside the watch is a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic movement. Price is tad high for what you are getting, but is $2,625.

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

Tags: automatic, automatics, breil, collection, milano, watch

Christopher Ward C60 Trident Auto & GMT Dive Watches

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This is a really nice looking dive watch from Christopher Ward, I am glad that they released it (well, about to release it). The design of the C60 Trident isn't exactly their creation entirely, but has a lot borrowed from fellow British watch maker Bremont. Consider this a more affordable Supermarine 500 watch. This baby Bremont isn't so baby in a 42mm wide steel case that has two optional movements. You can get the three hand automatic (C60 Trident Auto) with a Swiss ETA 2824 movement, and there is also a GMT model (C60 Trident GMT) with a Swiss ETA 2893 movement. The best part of the watch is the hands, which Christopher Ward adopted from Bremont, as did they with the hour markers. The watch is available on two strap options (leather or rubber), and a metal bracelet (another homage to the Supermarine 500 watch).

The case is water resistant to 300 meters and has a sapphire crystal. The GMT model differentiates itself by having bronze/rose gold colored hour markers and a greener lume on the hands. Of course it has a GMT hand as well, with a GMT rotating bezel. You can even get the GMT models with "Pepsi" style GMT bezel in red and blue (in addition to the black).

Priced between $390 - $690, these are a really good value for what you get (as are most Christopher Ward timepieces). And you can order them online from their website. If you can't afford a Bremont Supermarine 500 and like the style, then a C60 Trident Auto or GMT will likely certainly satisfy. Available between October-November 2010.

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

Tags: automatic, C60, Christopher Ward, dive, diver, Trident, watch, watches

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Automatic Tourbillon Watch

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Roger Dubuis' Excalibur now comes in a version with a front mounted flying tourbillon and exposed automatic micro rotor! Some watches lovers will rejoice. the high-luxury, high-style watch is the latest in the band's revitalization effort. Several years ago the brand was very popular, then things went south, and now with refined designs and improved mechanics, they are really fighting to come back and reassert themselves. I will give it to them that the new watches are certainly easy on the eyes and have some novel design features.

The highly complex movement here is the RD 520, that is in-house made by Roger Dubuis. The case is 45mm wide in 18k rose gold, with a standard (large) Excalibur style case. The dial has those great looking sharp Roman numerals complete with sharp hands. You've see thins look on other similar watches - but those had double tourbillons, while this has a single tourbillon and a solid gold micro rotor. The face has a fascinating asymmetrical look, but symmetrical versions of the Roger Dubuis Excalibur are also really nice. The dial is further decorated with mother-of-pearl elements. A nice watch, this one isn't at all cheap. Limited to 88 pieces, the Excalibur Automatic Tourbillon is priced at about $158,000.

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

Tags: automatic, Excalibur, Roger Dubuis, tourbillon, watch

Swatch Automatic Chrono Right Track White Or Blue Watch Giveaway

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

These are two good looking Swatch watches. Fresh from the Automatic Chrono collection, Swatch offers two new versions of the Right Track model, and we have got one for you. Enter below to win your choice of a Swatch Automatic Chrono Right Track White or Right Track Blue watch (you can click on those respective links to see more details about them or buy one. We previously offered a Swatch Automatic Chrono watch giveaway here that was so popular, Swatch agreed to another round for this new model. The watches are handsome, and have a great sense of civility, but also modern design to them. You can think of one as a man' piece, and the other as a woman's piece, but they are actually unisex and larger at almost 45mm wide. The cases are in Swatch plastic with alligator print leather straps and mechanical automatic calibre C01.211 movements from ETA. The watch bezel is metal, along with the dial and hands. A pretty chic look, retailing for $370 each. View the gallery below for more images. Check them out, enter to win, and enjoy a cool Swatch watch for the summer. Follow Swatch on Twitter here.

THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED. THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER.

To enter, leave a comment on this post sharing why you'd like to win the watch. The giveaway ends on June 28th at 8:00pm PST. See additional rules below.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before June 28th, 2010 at 8:00PM Pacific Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive one Swatch Automatic Chrono Watch in a choice of white or blue valued at $370.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

See full giveaway rules here.

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

Gallery: Swatch Automatic Chrono Right Track White and Blue Watches

Tags: Automatic, blue, Chrono, giveaway, luxist giveaway, Swatch, white

Christopher Ward C40 SpeedHawk Chronograph Automatic Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

New from Christopher Ward London is a great looking Swiss Made mechanical chronograph watch that is surprisingly affordable. It is actually their first ever automatic chronograph watch, and features the popular Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic movement. The watch is the C40 SpeedHawk Chronograph Automatic, and continues the brand's collection of aviation themed sport watches. In an attractive 42mm wide steel case, the watch has a black dial with red and white trim that create an instrument like design motif on the face. It is a very good looking men's watch in a Breitling sort of way. The red stems on the chronograph pushers are nice design touch. Note the small "hawk" character as the counterweight on the chronograph seconds hand.

The case also has a rotating diver's style bezel and is water resistant to 50 meters. The rear of the watch is exposed with a view to the surprisingly attractive decoration on the 7750 movement. The dial sapphire crystal is AR coated for a reduced glare view of the dial making it easy to read, while the hands and hour markers are covered with luminant. The C40 SpeedHawk is available on a leather strap or a metal bracelet. For the price you get a ton of features, a good movement (one of the least expensive watches around with the movement), and a style you can't complain about. Priced at $775 on the leather strap and $835 with the metal bracelet.

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

Gallery: Christopher Ward C40 Speedhawk Chronograph Automatic Watch back

Tags: automatic, C40, choronograph, Christopher Ward, Speedhawk, watch

Rado Ceramica Digital Automatic Watch

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Parts sharing at the Swatch Group? Yup. But not like that is anything new. I mean most of their watch movements come from a single source, but I digress. What I am talking about here is the movement from the new for 2010 Hamilton Pulsar watch (which I previously wrote about here). Instead of going LED like original Hamilton Pulsar, they created a Seiko Kinetic style movement that has an LCD digital display, with an automatic rotor in the back that is used to charge the quartz movement. This same movement (made by ETA), has been borrow by Rado for use in this new Ceramica Digital Automatic watch. Frankly, I think the Rado watch houses the movement better. This timepiece feels like a real 1980s throw back. Everything you love about Rado (black, ceramic), with the digital angularity that popularized the era. The negative LCD display ensure that it doesn't look like a fancy Timex either. If you like the durable nature of Rado's use of ceramic, the black shiny color, and the square look - this might be a good digital watch for you. Only downside is that there is no backlight. Should be available soon.

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

Tags: automatic, ceramica, digital, rado, watch

Hamilton RailRoad Automatic Lady's Watch

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

One of the odder new 2010 model watches from Hamilton is the RailRoad Automatic collection. For both men and woman, the watches can't seem to shake the fact that their most distinctive feature is borrow from the popular Cartier Roadster collection. The crown mixed with the date window magnifier lens on the sapphire crystal is just too connected to Cartier. Sure Hamilton does it a bit differently, but watch lovers know exactly where the design was taken from. Other than that there is no Cartier in the design. The dial feels retro, but not retro inspired. It just sort of feel like a lot of random elements from classic watches from the 1940s - 1960s where thrown into the RailRoad Automatic design. The ladies model here is 38mm wide, and available in gold plating (as seen). Look at the watch hands, do they not look like fingers and appear as though they have French tips? Inside the watch is a Swiss 2824-2 automatic movement. The white leather strap goes well with the gold plated case and has an interesting metal port hole, which is a unique look. Prices start at $890 for the lady's models.

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

Tags: Automatic, Hamilton, ladys, RailRoad, watch, womens