OnlyWatch

Blancpain 500 Fathoms For Only Watch 2009

Not that the newer Blancpain 500 Fathoms watches needed improvements, but Blancpain needed to do something to it if it was going to be used as their unique showpiece watch for the Only Watch 2009 charity auction that will be held this month in Monaco at the yacht show. The release of the consumer version of the new Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch is imminent and the final publicity push for it is this special "piece unique" model for the well-watched charity auction. Aside from "1/1" badging all around, the Only Watch 2009 watch will feature a special dial with carbon fiber and specially skeletonized sections with a semi opaque view of the date wheel. The aperture for the date itself is at 6 o'clock.

The special watch shares the 48mm wide titanium case and awesome Blancpain manufacture Caliber 1315 automatic movement. Having a special watch like this is a great way to get attention for the new line as it will become widely publicly available soon after the auction is over. We can look closely to see what price this one-off Blancpain watch will fetch.

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

Tags: 2009, 500 fathoms, 500Fathoms, auction, blancpain, only watch, OnlyWatch, watch

Bovet Trilogy Three-In-One Watch For Only Watch 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Bovet's entrant in to the Only Watch 2009 charity watch auction is truly a unique piece. Not only is there literally just one piece, but there is also a few interesting things that the watch does. The watch case is shaped like a small pocket watch. The dial itself is Tahitian mother of pearl with a rotating ring around the edge that displays the minutes, while the hours are showing in a jumping our window - very nice. The main dial displays a Mona Lisa replica painting done on mother of pearl as well. Realize that the dial was an extreme pain for Bovet to do. It took the artist over a month to accomplish. Mainly because replicating that iconic Mona Lisa smile is almost impossible especially in miniature.

The 42mm wide gold watch can be three things. First it can be a pocket watch when attached to the gold chain. You can remove the chain and attach it to the alligator strap and module to make it a wrist watch. Lastly there is a way to make it a little desk clock. Now you know why it is called the "Trilogy." The movement is a Swiss automatic which has an 22k gold rotor. The Bovet Trilogy is a unique one-off watch for Only Watch 2009. It is an imaginative and worthy addition to the auction, and hopefully will fetch a good price as this unique watch brand certainly deserves more attention. Fancy shmancy, and I oh, so want one.

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

Tags: bovet, fleurier, mona lisa, MonaLisa, only watch, OnlyWatch, timepiece, trilogy, watch

Hermes Alligator Skin Table Clock

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Timepieces / Watches

For Only Watch 2009 French luxury goods house Hermès has come out with something a bit different than all the unique wristwatches on offer: a beautiful table clock finished in the world's finest saddle-stitched burgundy alligator skin, over several layers of leather. The 1930s-inspired clock has a stainless steel chassis measuring 175 mm high by 150 mm wide and 37 mm thick, with an easel back also covered in saddle-stitched alligator. It features black nickel indexes and hands, and comes in a red lacquer case. The clock's movement is a Swiss mechanical 8 day power reserve caliber 51 with 15 jewels, beating at 18,000 bph.

Tags: alligator, clock, France, Hermes, Only Watch, Only Watch 2009, OnlyWatch, OnlyWatch2009

Chaumet Dandy Unique Timepiece For Only Watch 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

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.

Tags: 2009, chaumet, dandy, gold, only watch, OnlyWatch, Ref W18891-40D, RefW18891-40d, watch

Patek Philippe Celestial Calendar Ref. 5106 Timepiece For Only Watch 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

patek philippe celestial calendar only watch

Patek Philippe collectors will want to pay attention to this unique watch that has been produced specially for the Only Watch 2009 charity watch auction taking place in Monaco in September. The watch furthers the growing line of celestial themed watches that Patek Philippe is known for. This watch has a few unique touches that you'll want to know about. The about 44mm wide case is done in 18k rose gold while the bezel is done in 22k rose gold which is not standard for watches that often use 18k rose gold for the whole case. 22k rose gold is often regarded as being too soft for a watch exterior, but Patek Philippe knowing the likely life of this watch (in a case) opted for the more pure gold in order to enhance the look of the guilloche engraving on the bezel. The mini rotor in the automatic 240 LU CL C movement is also in 22k rose gold. For all its complications the movement is thin at about 6.4mm thick - making for an overall thin watch. The strap is dark blue alligator.

So what does the watch do? It is funny as the watch is very Geneva-centric - in that the frame of reference for looking at the sky is how the sky appears while in Geneva. Basically the watch tells you what the night sky looks like from Geneva - as opposed to other positions on Earth. It has a lot of information about the sky, as well as the time and date. Looking at the dial you can tell what the sky (position) of the stars looks like as well as the phase of the moon and the position of the moon in the night sky. This tells you the solar time, the passage of Sirius, what is going on with the moon, and shows you a nice sky chart. Most of this information will just look pretty because you can go online to figure out all this information in a more readable manner. This is lovely novelty for novelty's sake, and is just what collectors like - you don't get to look at a delicate golden rendition of the Milky Way online the way you do while gazing at this beauty.

With the fine decoration, complex automatic movement, and unique nature of a one-off Patek Philippe model, I have a feeling that this Ref. 5106 watch from Patek Philippe will go for a hefty price at auction in September, and will likely increase in value a few years from now if recent Patek Philippe watch auction results are any indication.

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

Tags: 2009, 5106, auction, calendar, celestial, only watch, OnlyWatch, patek philippe, PatekPhilippe

Omega Seamaster Ploprof In Gold For Only Watch 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions

The re-released Omega Seamaster Ploprof watch was a big hit with collectors who lusted after the original Ploprof watch of the 1970s. So it makes sense that Omega's contribution to the Only Watch 2009 auction represent this iconic timepiece - but in gold. It is ironic that was is essentially a very dedicated diving instrument should be milled in 250 grams of solid 18k red gold. This watch will help you sink when diving. For this one-off timepiece you can clearly see the note on the dial of "1/1 Only Watch" There will not be any more of these to go around. Plus, as the watch will be up for auction it is anyone's guess right now at how much it will go for. Aside from being in red gold, the Only watch version of the Seamaster Ploprof is nicely done with a white dial, bezel, and rubber strap. Like the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the bezel is covered with a sapphire crystal to protect it but keep it legible.

If you aren't familiar with the Ploprof watch functionality, allow me to cover it briefly. The 2009 (including this model) version of the watch is water resistant to 1200 meters, has an automatic helium escape valve, and a button (gold and white ceramic) at about 2 o'clock that is meant to release the rotating diver's bezel. The watch is over 55mm wide and 17.5 mm thick. The hands and hour indicators on the watch are also in red gold. Inside the watch is the Omega Calibre 8501 automatic movement that has been Chronometer certified. The individual who purchases this timepiece will no doubt be the envy of many, and few will just laugh of them for the ludicrous nature of the watch as some may see it. The Only Watch 2009 auction will be held in Monaco on September 24th this year.

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

Tags: 2009, diver, gold, omega, only watch, OnlyWatch, ploprof, seamaster, watch

'Only Watch 09' Charity Watch Auction In Monaco This September

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions, Charity

This special annual watch auction is a collaboration between Patrizzi & Co. (auctioneers) and the Monaco Yacht Show. To be held in Monaco on September 24th, 2009, the intended purpose of the auction is to raise money for the Monegasque Association against Dunchenne Muscular Dystrophy - who is heading efforts to develop new and innovative surgical techniques to fight Muscular Dystrophy. The event that starts with good intentions also has a great concept behind it. Plus, the auction will have no reserve prices.

The name "Only Watch" refers to the fact that each watch auctioned must be unique. This falls into two categories: the watch must be "number 1" in a limited edition set, or it must be a watch that is wholly originally and cannot be bought anywhere else. These special requirements add an distinct attractive quality to the event. Although the auction is not for another six months, the items offered will be on tour in several key locations before the show starting in August, see the link below for complete tour dates.

Watch brand participators include only high-end Swiss makers such as Audemars Piguet, BNB Concept, Cartier, De Bethune, Urwerk, Patek Philippe, and many others. There are going to be a great deal of very interesting watches. Pictured above is a unique watch movement from BNB Concept - a maker of movements for some of the higher-end watch makers of today. They will be participating in the event, and this movement is likely to be housed in one of the available watches for auction. Check back for more information as it becomes available.

Via Only Watch 09 Press Release - Patrizzi & Co.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 09, auction, bnb concept, BnbConcept, monaco, only watch, OnlyWatch, patrizzi, timepiece, watch, yacht show, YachtShow