Dandy

I really like the look of this watch, but I just can't get over the name "Dandy." It is a men's watch, and I know the classic meaning of the term. Yes, you can partially forgive the nomenclature given Chaumet being French, but still. Imagine looking at the back of your watch and constantly being reminded that you are wearing a "Dandy."

Aside from that, the looks of the Dandy watches have always tickled me. Even the jumping hour version that Chaumet made for the Only Watch 2009 watch auction is great to look at - and isn't that the point of a nice watch? This particular Chaumet Dandy watch is known as the Arty Edition, and brings a new cushion shaped case as well as new lug structures (that look quite fine indeed). You also have the crown located at the 12 o'clock position. The dark tones are almost sumptuous with the patent leather strap and "racing strip" that extends through the length of the case on to the straps. The watch is 40mm wide in steel, while another version similar to the Only Watch 2009 Chaumet Dandy jumping hour watch will be available in 18k rose gold. The jumping hour versions of the watch are limited to 120 piece, while the Art Edition Dandy watches are not limited to any specific amount.

Inside the watches are custom made for Chaumet movements. They are the CP12V-V and CP12V-III. Both are mechanical and automatic, with special "Dandy" automatic rotors. A good looking fine of classically French designed timepieces.

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

More news from the Only Watch 2009 unique watch auction. While there are many unique watches that will be available I make it my mission to mention what I think are the best. Here is a "dandy" watch from French Chaumet. I really believe they need to re-think the title of this watch. No fellow man that I know would want to invest in a watch that is known as the "Dandy." Not even a dandy man. That might have worked 200 years ago. I have a feeling Chaumet does very poorly with this watch in Italy where machismo is the predominant style for watches. Despite the odd nomenclature, the watch is a great looking timepiece. Chaumet has taken the Dandy watch case and created a unique looking jumping hour complication with a subsidiary seconds dial all shaped nicely into the case. There is a "racing stripe" that goes down the middle side of the case and into the case as well. It is an interesting design cue and well played.

The watch is in solid 18k rose gold, as are the hands and hour markers on the dial that has a sunray pattern and is in black lacquer. The case is 40mm wide and has a Bovet style crown placed in the top of the case (there is a black onyx cabochon crystal in the crown as well). The watch has a Chaumet CP-12V-III automatic mechanical movement. Although it is a fashionable and unique watch, I like the design a lot a find it comfortable to ready. Too bad there will only be one of these watch available, ever. If you have your heart set on it, plan on being at Only Watch 2009 in Monaco on September 24th.

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

Nigerian-born artist, aesthete and aRude magazine publisher Iké Udé (above) is one of the last of the old-school dandies - old school as in Oscar Wilde and Baudelaire. His new book, Style File: The World's Most Elegantly Dressed, is a compendium of extraordinarily-attired people, but it shouldn't be confused with just another Best Dressed list. To make Udé's grade you have to have a measure of eccentricity, verve and idiosyncrasy in your ensembles that can't merely be purchased at the nearest shop, no matter how chic. Some of the people in the book are well known, others not so much, but they all have incredible in style in common. See the gallery for pix of some standouts; we've focused on the men since they get less exposure than their female counterparts in this regard - plus one major babe.

Dictionaries generally define "dandyism" as a man's undue attention to his appearance, and it definitely has taken on a pejorative aspect so it's nice to see a museum exhibit that celebrates dandyism. The Dior family home in Granville, France is now a museum and their exhibit on dandyism will run from now until September 21. The exhibit includes such pieces as a white shirt belonging to perhaps the most famous dandy, Oscar Wilde, dating from when he was living in penniless exile in a seedy Paris hotel after his disgrace, under an assumed name which was a cryptic allusion to his homosexuality. The exhibit covers two centuries of dandies and celebrates the birth of Jules Barbey D'Aurevilly whose Du Dandysme et de George Brummell written in 1845 is considered a treatise on the subject. The exhibit includes a large selection of accessories belonging to dandies through the ages including satin waistcoats, monocles, dressing gowns and a large collection of walking sticks. The exhibit also includes tributes to modern dandies such as John Galliano and David Bowie.

For a little more information on the life of a modern dandy check out Dandyism.net.