Baselworld 2010

DeWitt Academia Blackstream Chronograph Watch

The last few years have not been easy for DeWitt, and that has likely challenged their designers to come up with new things while staying true to the brand DNA. This year at Baselworld the brand symbolically re-released some older complex models, and new models were merely design experiments. You really started to expect that DeWitt was all about high complications for the prices they were asking. Now I think you have watches that are too little for too much. If I had to choose a decent one it would be this Academia Blackstream Chronograph watch. It has a base ETA 7753 automatic chronograph movement, which has been simplified down to a 30 minute chronograph for aesthetic purposes.

In a 44mm titanium and black rubber case, the style is DeWitt, but the specs hardly excite like DeWitt was once able to do. Dial styling is acceptable and decent to look at, but still on the side of underwhelming a bit. The watch does have a better presence in person though. DeWitt has made these funky rubber straps that you can see at play here. These next few years might be a time when getting a good deal on a DeWitt is possible and even wise. Or they might be the last gasps of breath from a brand that once had so much promise.

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

Tags: academia, Baselworld 2010, blackstream, chronograph, dewitt, watch

Patek Philippe 5951 Watch, Boring at Baselworld?

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

While to an extent it is true that "Patek Philippe can do no harm," it is also true that they can bore you to sleep. New, less than exciting watches for 2010 feel aimed square at collectors and do nothing to make newbies interested in the brand. In fact, with mostly Asian buyers seeking out the brand, the tiny new calibers and "same as before" looks show unflattering hesitation in the brand to do anything that isn't going to appeal to people who are just buying their watches as investment. The sad thing, is that Patek Philippe really is good at making nice designs - they just hold back most of the time. And yes, the watches are still mechanically good. Nothing new there, but no new technical innovations as far as I am concerned.

For 2010 there was no Patek star at Baselworld. Though this new model might be claimed as one give that the rest are less than 'descript' - it is the Ref. 5951 in platinum. It looks smaller than it is with a effeminate cushion shaped in the precious metal. Though the red and black colors prove it is a man's watch. It has a good look, in a "dandy" sort of way. Is that really the look you are going for Patek? Inside the watch is the new manually wound CHR 27-525 PS Q caliber, with a bunch of complications. There is the time, monopusher split-second (rattrapante) chronograph, perpetual calendar, day/night indicator window, and moonphase. The watch also comes with a hot injection of Patek snobbery no doubt.

Patek Philippe has made a nice watch, in the wrong case. And I don't understand the sporty colors at all. These odd elements really take away from the cool movement, and symmetrical (though cluttered) dial design. Patek should really stop sitting around thinking about what their core customers want to buy, and start making watches that they themselves want to make, once again. At least that is my view. No doubt, the watches will sell as Patek Philippe can't do wrong...

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

Tags: 2010, 5951, basel, Baselworld 2010, patek philippe, PatekPhilippe, platinum, watch

Volna Volnatomic Tourbillon Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Horological artist extraordinaire Yvan Arpa is at it again. Due to the popularity of pieces like his Artya Tourbillon that I discussed here, he has been influenced to continue this trend of mini diorama works of art with high watch complications. This here is a prototype of the Volnatomic Tourbillon watch. What is Volnatomic? Well it is a special collection of watches that Arpa is making for Volna. The top of the line will be a limited edition set of tourbillon watches such as this. The tourbillon carriage will look like an atomic symbol, and the design of the dial will be loosely based on the inside of an atomic submarine. Look at the left of the dial to discover two liquid filled canisters. These are filled with liquid SuperLumiNova that is meant to glow in the dark - a concept Arpa wants to take further.

Fans of Volna watches will recognize the watch is in the Volna case - large and in PVD steel. On the side of the case is a sapphire window showing more of the movement and art contained in the watch. You have to love a piece like this for its humor, artistic bravery, and good use of high-end watch complications. The rest of the Volnatomic collection uses a lot of the same imagery, will be much less expensive, and should be released later this year. For lovers of this awesome Volnatomic Tourbillon, the final version will be a limited edition of a yet to be disclosed amount.

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

Tags: Baselworld 2010, BaselworldWatchShow, tourbillon, volna, volnatomic, watch, yvan arpa, YvanArpa

Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moonphase Watch Hands-On

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Face time with the Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moonphase watch yields good results from the superhero dive watch with a moonphase indicator from one of the edgiest upcoming brands out there today. For detailed specs on the piece you can refer to my seminal article on the Oktopus Moonphase here. The watch is water resistant to 888 meters and is the chunkiest of the Linde Werdelin line (non moonphase Oktopus watches are water resistant to 1,111 meters). It has larger-than-life hands, and a grippy rotating diver's bezel. Unique is an interesting moonphase indicator that uses newsprint style images of the moon on a moving disc. The complication is potentially quite useful as well, given the need for divers to be aware of tides, and the moon's influence over the tides.

The watch is in titanium and rose gold - that is used for the bezel, highly polished hands, and hour indicators. Really a good looking dial that is easy to read. Gold usually mixes nicely with titanium. The watch fits well via the special alligator strap. Inside the watch is a Frederic Piguet (ETA is the parent company) high-end automatic movement that is finished and modified by the highly regarded watch maker Svend Andersen. Price for the Linde Wedelin Oktopus Moonphase is 21,700, and it will be part of a limited edition of just 29 pieces.

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

Tags: 2010, Basel, Baselworld 2010, gold, linde werdelin, LindeWerdelin, moonphase, oktopus, watch

Glashutte Original PanoMatic Counter XL Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Totally unique watch complications were not exactly common this year, but Glashutte Original had a few, the most useful of which is the counter in the Glashutte Original PanoMatic Counter XL watch. Similar to the golf counter complication, this "multi purpose" counter is able to count up to 99. The left side of the 44mm wide steel case has an additional three buttons that control the digit counter window on the left of the case with the red numerals. One button is for counting up, the other is for counting back down, and the third button is to reset back to zero. The Counter complication sits quietly next to the rest of the watch. You have the PanoMatic XL watch with the time, "Panorama Date" (big date), and a prominent 12 hour chronograph. The chronograph orientation is cool using overlapping rings. With the crown, the watch appears to have many "projectiles" coming out of it, but is actually a very simple watch to operate.

Really beautifully finished in typical Glashutte Original fashion, the piece contains the in-house made automatic Caliber 96 movement that is beautifully decorated and looks amazing (as is the Glashutte Original way...). Even though emphasis on the dial is not the time, the watch face itself is not hard to read thanks to the design of the dial. The watch has a sapphire crystal on the front and back, and is water resistant to 50 meters. For what it is, the prices should be pretty reasonable. Look for it later this year.

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

Gallery: Glashutte Original PanoMatic Counter XL

Tags: 2010, basel, Baselworld 2010, counter, glashutte original, GlashutteOriginal, panomatic, watch, xl

Perrelet Diamond Flower Ceramic & Eve Watches For 2010

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The success of the Perrelet Diamond Flower watch from last year has spurred a few new models for the 2010. The fun and beautiful watch is now in steel and ceramic, again with available diamonds. The best part of the watch is the flower segment on the dial that spins around the face when you move the watch. It is connected to the rotor on the rear of the automatic watch movement. In addition to looking cool, this system allows the movement to wind about 40% faster.

The new cases in ceramic are 40mm wide and supplemented by some new colors in the steel case. One such color is baby blue, and you can see an image of that when you click READ MORE below. Ceramic is a hot material, and it is available in black and white. The bezel treatment is interesting. You have diamonds, or a pattern of engraved Perrelet logos. There are diamonds on the dials of the models though, and the dial is a beautiful mother of pearl. Flowers being the theme of the watch, the hands, hour indicators, and segments on the dial all appear as leaves or petals. The watch is matched to a ceramic bracelet or unique textured rubber strap.

The Eve is a less expensive model. It is more straight forward in design with an easy to read dial, still in ceramic. No diamonds or mother of pearl here, just a good looking case that emphasizes the flower and feminine theme.

The Diamond Flower watches have a Perrelet P-181 automatic double rotor movement, while the Eve has a P-261 automatic movement. Both pretty impressive watches from a design and feature standpoint that will make any woman happy. Prices for the Eve watches are about $3,200, while the Diamond Flower Ceramic will range from about 4,650 - 8,400. Look for them soon.

READ MORE BELOW FOR MORE IMAGES.

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

Tags: 2010, basel, Baselworld 2010, ceramic, Diamond Flower, DiamondFlower, eve, Perrelet, watch

Continue reading “Perrelet Diamond Flower Ceramic & Eve Watches For 2010”

New Rolex Explorer Watch For 2010

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Big news this year here at Basel from Rolex. Most people are impressed by the new Rolex Submariner watches in all steel, but Rolex has also updated its popular Explorer model. The classic adventure watch has been upped to 39mm wide in steel, and features a slightly new dial. The case now comes in a better steel, which is grade 904L steel (most chemical and corrosion resistant). The dial has been ever so slightly updated. Newer hour markers and larger hands are most apparent.

The Rolex in-house made calibre 3132 movement is rock-solid and is COSC Chronometer certified. The watch has a sapphire crystal of course and is water resistant to 100 meters. Character of the watch is similar to the Submariner - but it is thinner, opts for a polished bezel instead of a rotating diver's bezel, and has a different style dial. The bracelet is very similar between the two, but the Explorer does not have a glide-lock clasp. For many, the Explorer is a simple, and less expensive Rolex that feels like a fantastic fit on many wrists. Surely fans will be excited as it has been a long time since the Rolex Explorer watch has been updated.

Click on the read more link below for technical specifications of the watch.

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

Gallery: New Rolex Explorer Watch For 2010

Tags: 2010, 214270, 214270 77200, 21427077200, Basel, baselworld 2010, Explorer, new, Rolex, rolex explorer, steel

Continue reading “New Rolex Explorer Watch For 2010”

Breitling for Bentley Gold Pocket Watch

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

In honor of Walter Owen "W.O." Bentley, who founded the famed British marque that bears his name in 1919, Breitling is set to unveil a one-of-a-kind Grande Complication pocket watch from the Breitling for Bentley collection at Baselworld in Switzerland later this year. The movement of the Bentley Masterpiece watch combines two of the most sophisticated complications in the "horological repertoire": a perpetual calendar (displaying the date, day, month, leap years and moon phases) that takes account of the quadrennial occurrence of February 29th; and a minute repeater striking the hours, quarters and minutes on demand. Based on a late 19th century design from Breitling's archives, the timepiece comprises almost 700 parts. The cover of the 18-carat yellow gold case is adorned with an engraving depicting W.O. Bentley at the wheel of one of his early racing models.

[TimeZone]

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Tags: Baselworld 2010, Bentley, Breitling, gold, pocket watch

Baselworld 2010

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