This seems to be the year of pocket watch from haute luxury watch makers. Something about a "return to classic tradition and heritage of the brand." Say that out-loud in an obnoxious ambiguously European accent for the "full effect." From Glashütte Original comes the lovely limited edition Pocket Watch No. 1. Maybe it is their first pocket watch, at least I think it is in the modern era.

Really the pocket quite is quite classic, in most every design sense. Details are still thin, so I can't tell you about the price or size yet. Expect that it is "of average pocket watch size." I do know that the case is in 18k rose gold, with hinged lids on both the dial and caseback. The dial is enamel, with blued steel hands, and painted Roman numeral hour markers. It has a tasteful looking subsidiary seconds dial as well.

Movement is the hand-wound 84-10, newly design caliber movement that has a few nice features. In addition to the time, the movement has a quarter repeater mechanism. Activating a lever on the side of the watch enables the watch to repeat the time back to you in an audio form, that is accurate to the closest quarter hour. The movement also features a zero-reset mechanism for the seconds hand, which resets the seconds indicator when you pull the crown out for accurate setting.

The Pocket Watch No. 1 comes with a matching rose gold chain. The watch looks very handsome, but carrying around a pocket watch these days is certainly an acquired taste. Glashutte Original is making just 25 pieces in this limited edition, that will be officially unveiled at Baselworld in March.

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

Golf lovers, are you prepared for another golf themed watch? Ready or not here is one sure to put a smirk on your face. This is the Iron watch by Charriol, shaped just like one of your clubs. The watch dial is complete with the iconic horizontal grooves and a dial shaped like the club head. Charriol calls the watch unisex being suitable for a man or a woman, but whoever you are, it takes a dedicated lover of the sport to wear one of these.

The watch case is in steel and not so large at 33mm wide by 29mm tall. Dots on the dial make the time readable, and the case is attached to a leather strap with an embossed crocodile pattern on it, and a steel butterfly clasp. In addition to the pictured black tone, the watch is available in a "green" green color that you shouldn't miss. Movement is quartz.. I like that Charriol is able to not take themselves too seriously and release a fun watch like this. Price is 1,260 Swiss Francs and it is available on their website.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Asymmetric diamond layouts are in. Harry Winston showed us this here on the Talk To Me, Harry Winston Snowflake watch, and not Montblanc gives us a taste of what this design aesthetic can produce. coming in January, Montblanc will reveal the new Star Pluie d'Etoiles watch for women. I do quite like the look. The case and dial work together harmoniously, as the watch wouldn't be what it is without both.

The case is 36mm wide and in 18k white gold. The out bezel is lined with baguette cut diamonds, while the inner side of the bezel is done in what looks to be round cut diamonds. The diamonds are top Wesselton, and there are 298 of them on the watch. The dial itself is in black Tahitian mother-of-peal, with a nicely engraved Montblanc star "falling" with the diamonds. Movement is a Swiss ETA automatic, and you know it is a Montblanc by the logo on the side of the case, as well as the characteristic "12" in their standard font. It is all on an alligator strap. A nice wintry ladies' watch this season.

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

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.

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.

The wave of retro watches continues this year. Your favorite high luxury watch makers just keep em coming. If today's luxury watches aren't selling, maybe ones that look like yesterday's will? This is the new (but you thought it was old didn't you?) Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph is the next iteration of the 1966 watch style. It may say 1966, but 1945 telegramed and wants their watch back. Not that this is a bad thing, but that is mentally where I place this design. A neatly displayed bi-compax 30 minute chronograph with a overly intricate tachymeter that takes up seemingly most of the dial. Reminds me a bit of certain Patek Philippe Calatrava watches.

The watch case is in 18k pink or white gold and 40mm wide. This size seems to be the new de facto of new vintage styled watches from the haute luxury watch makers. Good news is that the movement is an automatic, the newer caliber GP030C0 in-house made Girard-Perregaux column wheel movement. Strap is alligator and done in that classic thin style. A nice looker but not likely a top choice for younger generation luxury watch buyers. The official announcement will be in January at SIHH.

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

Jewels and high-fashion design. What else do you need in such a watch? This particular piece capitalizes on the new "brown" trend, of watches where brown is a prominent color. The Instrumento Tondo RMS58 by de Grisogono (for women) looks as though it has been dipped in a number of caramel varieties. I feel like I should be seeing the "making of" this watch on Food Network's "Unwrapped" television Show. It just looks so much like candy.

Aside from the mocha brown guilloche machine engraved 18k pink gold dial, the warm brown tones come from 94 brown diamonds and orange sapphire (almost 7.5 carats of jewels). The look is enhanced by chocolatey tones throughout the watch. While a new look for de Grisogono, the watch displays their standard bold yet refined Italian style (though the brand is Swiss). The dial is still easy to read and contains a power reserve indicator (that looks a bit out of place in design) and a second timezone subsidiary dial. Why no date or seconds hand? At least the watch values legibility. The watch case itself is 18k browny brown gold (not sure about the size, and not kidding, that is the name of the gold that de Grisogono uses). Inside the watch is an automatic mechanical movement, and the case is water resistant to 30 meters.

The strap looks like some manner of chocolate treat, but are a light brown galuchat (stingray). The strap has a fold over de Grisogono clasp again, in browny brown gold (the worst name for gold ever). The final touch is the black diamond set in the crown (you know, for some exoticism right?). Price is gonna be high!

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

Seemingly following in the footsteps of Vacheron Constantin, Ulysse Nardin steps away from aggressive modern style watches with this throwback timepiece aptly named the Classico. Forget the cheesy, super market pasta sauce sounding name and you get three versions of a pretty decent watch. The 40mm wide case is done in either 18k rose or white gold, and is water resistant to 50 meters. Dial colors include silvered, black, or blue. Design is right out of your grandfather's heyday. If it suited his type well, how wrong can you go?

The watch has a good movement too. An in-house made UN caliber 815 automatic movement that has been COSC certified, with a solid 22k automatic rotor visible through the sapphire caseback window . Good thing it has a date as well. Some of these throw-back models are too minimalistic for my taste. I prefer a date on watches personally. Here the petite window is nicely framed in gold. The sunburst polish on the dial is a nice retro touch as well (also the lug design). Pleasing as well is the fact that the hands and luminant covered, and there are lume dots over the hour markers. The alligator straps are brown for the pictured version, while the black and blue dialed versions are matched to black and blue straps respectively. Should be available soon.

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

Just when you thought there weren't any new ways to make a diamond watch, Century found something unique. The company known for unique uses of synthetic sapphire crystals has done it again. It combines 341 diamonds with 9 large clear sapphire crystals, and places them together in 18k carat white gold settings to bring you this Century Grace watch. A perfect timepiece for that goddess in your life who transcends concepts like value and wealth. Cause that is what it will take to afford the watch.

Even the dial of the watch is mostly a sapphire crystal. Cut and polished by hand complimented by 164 baguette cut diamonds (4.98 carats) on the case. The dial itself is mirrored with dauphine watch hands. Inside the watch is a quartz movement (of course). The Art Deco angularity of the watch continues into very nicely rendered bracelet. Again it is in 18k white gold, with the other eight Century sapphire crystals (one was used for the watch case) surrounded by 177 more baguette cut diamonds (whopping 8.70 carats). Not sure about the (equivalent to a small nation's GDP) price, but I do know that Century watches are mostly found in Asian markets (clue that their website is in English and Japanese only). A watch from Century, for your savings of the century.

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

New for the holiday season from Marvin watches is the M114 collection of watches. Pictured is the PVD pink gold version, while a steel case version (with a white or black dial) is also available. The watch takes the curious shape of the Marvin M014 watch and adds an open face dial with a view of the Sellita SW 200 automatic mechanical movement's escapement. The top and bottom of the dial are decorated in a nifty checkered pattern, while the M114 has an interesting take on a large subsidiary seconds dial. It actually uses a centrally mounted seconds hand to beguile the wearer into thinking the watch has a unique half circle subsidiary seconds dial creating a really interesting perspective.

As rectangular watches go, the M114 is a good mix of style and legibility. You also see signature Marvin touches such as the red color applied to the 8 o'clock hour indicator and the black with red back (not seen in this image) leather strap. The various red tones on the watch do spice it up a bit. The watch case has a sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 50 meters. Size is quite wearable at 38mm wide and 50mm tall. All Marvin watches carry a two year warranty. Prices are 890 euros for the steel version, and 990 euros for the PVD pink gold version. Marvin watches aren't available in the US yet, so for now you'll need to find them in Europe or elsewhere.

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

"Keep calm and carry on" is the phrase written on the rear of the upcoming Britannic watch by Industrial North Design. The term is the famous slogan of the British Ministry of Information. Quintessential British machinists and designers have created two quintessential British watches with the Britannic and Vanguard-Precision. Each is limited to just 15 pieces, and will be hand-made in England. Some people know that England used to be what Switzerland is today for watch making. The country is still ripe with talent and mechanical know-how.

Seen here are pre-production prototypes, with final designs yet to be cemented. The cases and dials are in high-grade steel and precision-cut. Size is 46mm wide. While the movement's are Swiss automatics, the watches are purely British. As such, you'll find things like rare 10BA screws used in the watches to secure the case together. These are "British Association" screws that are no longer used and originated back when Britain was an empire.

The Vanguard-Precision watch has the phrase "come into the factories" engraved on its caseback. This along with the textile pattern dial is meant to remind one of the cloth mills in northern England. Dials are cut sterling silver, and the seconds hand is double-sided. The watches will each have hand-made calf leather straps that are a wide 26mm wide. Watches with great personality, and to me feel like what a English Panerai would be like. Keep an eye on Industrial North Design for the watches to be released soon.

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

History and jewelry meet watch making once again at Angular Momentum with this Belle Epoque Eternal Time watch. The Belle Epoque era occurred before the Art Deco era, and was located mostly in the newly modernizing Europe of the late 19th century. The style combined classical elements with new forms of industrialization inspired decoration. It was edgy for the time, and certainly a bit baroque.

This new watch from Angular Momentum (as part of the Time Galley collection of timepieces) captures some of that look in this 18k white gold 41mm wide case decorated with an impressive number of diamonds. Two larger baguette cut diamonds sit at 12 and 6 o'clock. Time is told via the two gold colored orbs set behind the white gold and diamonds star medallion in the center of the watch. The larger orb is for the hours, while the smaller orb is for the minutes. Inside the watch is Swiss automatic mechanical movement. Quite an interesting and rare jewelry piece of horological art.

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