Regulator

DeWitt Twenty-8-Eight Regulator A.S.W. Limited Edition Watch

New by Swiss DeWitt is a watch called the Twenty-8-Eight Regulator A.S.W. The fascinating watch contains a very technically sophisticated movement, as well as a design and high-end appeal that relates directly to the brand's love of 1920s era American art deco aesthetics. The watch has a dial with an image meant to evoke New York City area art deco buildings. Not sure if there is a specific building in mind, but you get the point. This is not the first watch with means to evoke art deco building, but the concept is so rich, I invite as many interpretations that brands can bear to design.

There are a lot of interesting little details in the watch that can be hard to see. For example, much of the dial is a "smoked" sapphire crystal that allows you to see the movement underneath it, but still provides the presence of a dial. The dial is composed of a building-like motif with a large opening for the tourbillon surrounded but a sunray style design. Functions for the watch include the time as well as a power reserve indicator.

Gallery: DeWitt Regulator ASW watch

Tags: asw, dewitt, regulator, twenty-8-eight, watch

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Milus Zetios Regulator Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Taking the Zetios case, Milus has released a new regulator watch that is about as straight forward as they come. What I like about the Zetios case is the lug structures, which uses a cylinder style connector that moves freely. The luxury watch is as simple as a regulator style watch should be, without being minimalistic. Dial is guilloche engraved with a "Grain de Riz" style pattern. The subsidiary dials have snailed style circular engravings. Hands are blued steel, with matching indexes and Arabic numerals. The minutes ring is applied for a two layer look to the dial. The watch is in 42mm white in 18k rose gold, and has a sapphire crystal on the front and back. Matched to a black alligator strap. Inside the watch is a modified 2892 automatic movement (turned into a regulator style layout for the hands). Not horribly priced for a gold watch at 4,200 euros.

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

Tags: Milus, regulator, watch, Zeitos

Rebellion Regulator REB-7 Blue Version Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Rebellion Regulator REB-7 Blue Version Watch

While I think Rebellion watches are cool and exciting, I personally don't get super excited about them. Sound ironic? Maybe it is, but I feel like I got excited the first time I saw a Rebellion watch, and each time after that, it is just more of the same. Now the Rebellion DNA has been enhanced with the suave look of electric blue and steel. The case is 46mm wide, 56mm tall, and 20mm thick.

Rebellion is no BS brand. All Swiss, they also make their own, in-house made movements. Inside this new Rebellion Regulator REB-7 Blue Version watch is the REB-7 automatic movement with the regulator complication (and date). The date is read through the small window close to 6 o'clock, with an exposed numeral ring. aside from futuristic steel composure of the watch, all the hands and hour numeral information is in blue. Being a regulator, the subsidiary dial at the top is for the hours. Normally, a regulator watch would have another subsidiary dial for the seconds, but here the middle dial is used for the minutes and the seconds. The dial is covered with a large sapphire crystal and has some of its edges exposed. Sure to have good legibility due to double AR coating on said crystal.

The complex watch case has over 40 parts to it. Watches like this can sometimes be so visually complex, reading the time is a chore. A bit less of the case here, but don't get a watch like this thinking it is as easy to read as a Rolex Submariner for example. Not sure about price at this point, but recognize that Rebellion is a high-end luxury watch brand.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Tags: blue, reb-7, rebellion, regulator, watch

Alpina Extreme Tourbillon Regulator Manufacture Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As a limited edition of just 36 pieces (18 of each version) Swiss Alpina will release this new Extreme Tourbillon Regulator Manufacture watch. What exactly is extreme about it? No idea. Perhaps use of the term "extreme" is extreme. Though I do know this watch stems from a long line of "extreme" Alpina watches. Unique in the world of tourbillon movements are regulator watches, which this timepiece is. This is all part of Alpina's own caliber AL-980 automatic tourbillon movement. It has got a silicium lever and escapement wheel in the movement - if that doesn't mean anything to you, don't worry. Though those are good talking points for a luxury watch. The watch will come in two versions. Each has a 48mm wide case. One comes with a brushed titanium case and a pink gold bezel, and the other with a black ceramic bezel and a pink gold case. On the dial you get the large minute style hour markers and skeletonized 'bubble baton' hands in brushed steel for an intended sporty look. The simple style is one of those looks that appears best while being worn. In such a limited edition, pieces like this exist in a large sense to promote Alpina's more reasonably priced timepieces.

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

Gallery: Alpina Extreme Tourbillon Regulator Manufacture watch

Tags: Alpina, Extreme, limited edition, LimitedEdition, Manufacture, Regulator, Tourbillon, watch

Glashütte Original Strasser & Rohde Regulator Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Glashütte Original Strasser & Rohde Regulator Watch

Arriving in a limited edition of just 25 pieces is another throw-back style watch model from German Glashutte Original. This is the Strasser & Rohde Regulator watch, which is just that - a traditional style regulator watch. A regulator is a watch where the minutes scale takes charge, filling up the whole dial, while there are subsidiary dials for the hours and minutes. The name refers to the fact that these were historically produced as extra-accurate clocks that were used to "regulate" the time on other smaller clocks and watches. The layout you see is the most typical look for this type of watch.

The hand wound Glashutte Original GO 49-04 watch movement is new and totally in-house made by Glashutte Original. The watch case is 42mm wide and in 18k rose gold. The movement is completely viewable through the rear sapphire caseback window and is stunning to behold. Glashutte Original really did a nice job designing it and decorating it. The dial itself is highly minimalistic, but not in the modern sense. Despite just telling the time, the watch has the added visual interest of subdials, a reason why regulator style watches are so popular these days.

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

Tags: Glashtte Original, GlashtteOriginal, limited edition, LimitedEdition, regulator, Strasser Rohde, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Armin Elements Regulator Watches Hands-On

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I've been fascinated by the upcoming collection of Armin by Armin Strom, Elements watch collection (that I previously mentioned here). The four versions are each named by another element, giving us the Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. The very interesting dials are special because they are designed well enough to live with as your daily watch. Reading the unique regulator retrograde displays puts a smile on my face. The watches use modified manually wound ETA Unitas movements, and are very nicely decorated - a hallmark of the Armin Strom watches. The dials have separate indicators for the hours, minutes, seconds, and the date.

I got to spend some time with these watches and check them out a bit. Armin Strom would like me to remind you that these are pre-production prototypes. So the final ones will a have much nicer fit and finish. You can see how nicely the movement is decorated with a unique circular polish pattern. The dial has an intense depth and detailed look. Operating the watch is simple via the crown. One thing that I am not totally happy with is the pusher located at about 10 o'clock that is used to adjust the date. I don't mind a pusher for this function, but I think it should have been protected (so that you don't accidentally press it), and designed to be a bit more attractive. It just looks a bit blase compared to the crown. Otherwise the case is done nicely. The reptile straps are awesome. Thick and very well made. The certainly have that hand-made feel. The extension lip sticking out of the bezel at 6 o'clock is used by Armin should you want personalized initials engraved on the watch.

Pictured is the Armin Elements Air model in its "light and airy" white and blue tones. I quite like the summery look of the watch. Aside from the pink gold cased Fire version of the watch, the Elements collection starts at about $17,600. To get an Armin Strom watch you can contact their US distributor at (724) 263-2286.

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

Gallery: Armin Elements Watches

Tags: air, Armin, earth, Elements, fire, regulator, Strom, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay, water

Armin Regulator Elements Earth Watch Finally Spotted

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I was quite excited about the Armin (by Armin Strom) Elements watch collection when it was first announced (seemingly a while ago). "Armin" seems to be a more sporty side line to the standard Armin strom collection of watches that is very elegant and traditional in focus. One thing that both lines share is the appreciation for dial skeletonization. You can see the modern style of partial skeletonization on the Elements watch here. The collection comes in a few colors. Each one representing a different Element. The pictured version is "Earth." Though I was initially excited about the line, now I am impressed and really want to get my hands on one of these beauties. One of the major strengths that the Elements watch is its ability to function as a comfortable everyday watch, save for one that looks different than most other everyday watches.

This watch has a titanium case, and here it has been coated in PVD black. The movement is manually wound with a 46 hour power reserve. The regulator display style has a different dial for the hours, minutes, and seconds, while there is also a retrograde date display. I believe that the pusher at 10 o'clock is to change the date. Each Armin Elements watch is part of a limited edition of just 100 pieces. This image indicates that the watch should now be ready for prime time. Price for the pictured version will retail at $18,850.

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

Gallery: Armin Elements Earth Watch back

Tags: armin, earth, elements, regulator, strom, watch

Doxa TC Four & Five Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Doxa is most known for their diving watches but are slowly releasing alternatives to the watches that put the brand on the map. I think it was in fact Doxa that started the "orange diving watch color trend." Here are two new watches that are more connected to the world of classic cars than diving underwater. These are the Doxa TC Four and Five watches. The Four is the silvered face model with the power reserve indicator on the dial, while the Five is the black dial colored regulator watch.

The design of the dials remind me of classic race car gauges while The simple polished yet streamlined shape of the watch case further reminds me of the "wind tunnel era." Wile the vertically striped texturing on the dial looks a lot like teak wood on a yacht floor, it could be another element to classic cars that I am not considering. Alternatively I could have got it all wrong and the Four and Five collection watches are an homage to something entirely different than cars...say boats for instance.

Both watches are likely in stainless steel and feature modified base ETA movements. The Four has a base automatic ETA 2892 with a power reserve module on it, while the Five has a different base ETA movement and is also an automatic. I believe that each model can be had in both silvered or black dials and come with black or brown leather straps. The watches should be relatively well priced (maybe $2k - $3k) though Doxa watches are often a bit on the higher end (price wise) in comparison to their competition. Look for the Doxa TC Four and Five watches about now.

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

Tags: doxa, five, four, power reserve, PowerReserve, regulator, tc, watch

Piaget Emperador Coussin Regulator Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This is probably the first regulator watch from Piaget that I have seen, and it is the Emperador Coussin Regulator. For those who don't know, a "regulator" is a watch that uses the main dial for the minutes, and a smaller dial for the hours. Piaget even took the traditional regulator watch theme a step further and added a 30 second retrograde seconds counter. The counter located at the top of the face will count 30 seconds and then the indicator hand will snap back to zero position and start over. The retrograde seconds counter isn't about functionality, but is merely a fun complication to observe. To do this, Piaget uses its in-house made Calibre 835P hand-wound mechanical movement that is just 3.92mm thick (very thin). Power reserve is 65 hours.

The Emperador Coussin Regulator features the Emperador Coussin's 42.5mm wide 18k rose or white gold case with a midnight blue or charcoal gray dial. Hands and indexes on the face are gold as well. Although this is not a limited edition watch, each piece will have its individual serial number and year of manufacture engraved on the back of the case. Piaget did a nice job of taking the concept of a regulator watch and "making it their own." I don't know if this cushion shaped Emperador case is what I would have personally chose to house the complication ( I would have likely opted for their rectangular Emperador, or a Polo case), but the overall effect is nice. The watch should be available now.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: coussin, emperador, piaget, regulator, timepiece, watch

Alpina Extreme Tourbillon Regulator Watch With Manufacture Movement

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Suddenly the skier's performance watch turns into an intense ultra luxury timepiece. Capturing the regulator design modern Alpina watches are fondly know for, the Extreme Tourbillon Regulator watch adds a manufacture developed tourbillon movement in this limited edition of 18 piece collection.

Titanium is the luxury material of choice this year. Last year it was ceramic. This watch combines them both in a well designed 48mm wide case with a tasteful industrial inspired face and popular black tones. The exclusive automatic AL-980 tourbillon movement makes use of silicon palettes as well as a silicon escapement wheel. A power reserve of 48 hours completes a movement fit for the sporty demeanor of this watch. Going along with trendy design choices, Alpina places bubbly skeletonized hands on the layered face. I find that the unique style of a tourbillon carriage window fits in well with the layout of a regulator style watch - where the tourbillon acts as the seconds indicator. With a price of well over $50,000 Alpina might be stretching the limits of its appeal to high-end buyers. Though with only 18 pieces it makes for good PR, and strengthens the credibility of the brand.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: alpina, extreme, manufacture, regulator, timepiece, tourbillon, watch

Armin Elements Regulator Watch Collection

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

"Armin" is a new branding exercise from the watch maker Armin Strom, who began the brand in 2006. Taking his last name out, he also moves on to much sportier models, maintaining their high level of exclusivity. The new Elements collection is a fascinating line of watches based on a new Armin in-house movement; the Armin Strom calibre ASR07. The movement is a manually wound (with 46 hours of power reserve) regulator movement that includes a date complication. All information is laid out in subdial, with the minutes and date dials using retrograde indicators. The theme involves uses of overlapping circles that together present a partially skeletonized, yet functional display of the time.

The Elements collection focuses on four models. You guessed it, they are the Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air. As such, the color tones of the watch cases, dials, and straps attempt coordinate with their specific elemental theme. Each 43mm wide case is constructed out of titanium, with models like the Fire being plated in gold, and black PVD coating on the Earth model. Each strap is a shaded tone of alligator leather. The look of this limited edition (100 of each model) series is endearing, and consistent enough to look good years from now, even when the techie skeletonized look has officially past its prime.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Armin Elemental Watch collection