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Perrelet Turbine XL Watch

The big brother of the popular Perrelet Turbine watch is here. This is the Perrelet Turbine XL. A more complex looking and larger follow-up to the not-to-be-discontinued Turbine watch. Aside from style changes to the spinning turbine on the dial, bezel "claws" and a more instrumental looking face, the Turbine XL is now a full 50mm in width. It sounds more intimidating than it is. I got to wear the Turbine XL, and while it is huge, it isn't ridiculous on the wrist. More of a statement piece than its predecessor.

Perrelet will offer a few versions of the Turbine XL. Each version has a DLC black coated steel bezel. Some models have brushed titanium cases, others have DLC coated titanium cases, and a higher-end model will have a 18k rose gold case. In all, just like the original Turbine watch, there will be enough styles to offer most people something exciting.

An interesting improvement on the Turbine XL is the design of the turbine vanes on the dial. Like the original, the turbine vanes are connected to the rotor of the automatic movement, and spin with it. In the XL the turbine vanes are angled and bit, and the rear dial design has been improved me make the spinning effect more dazzling. It is an impressive refinement on an already clever watch.

Dial accents will include green, orange, while, and gold. I anticipate more coming in the future. Perrelet here as asserted its dedication to the Turbine line of sport themed watches, and is (quite literally) growing the collection. Prices for the Perrelet Turbine XL watches range from $6,000 - $6,650 in titanium, to $25,900 in gold.

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

Tags: 50, 50mm, perrelet, turbine, watch, xl

Chopard Happy Sport XL Lady's Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The Chopard Happy Sport watch collection seems to be the bread and butter sports watch line for ladies from the Swiss brand that sees no end in its limitless variations. The new limited edition Happy Sport XL line is large at 42mm (in steel) wide for women, in three colors - blue, coral, and green mother-of-pearl. New hands and unique dials are what characterize the collection. In my opinion the cool water blue dial of the blue version is going to be the top earner of the bunch - though they are all very nice. The dials are done in various types of lacquers, with of course the free floating diamonds steel in gold (or maybe steel) that hover around in a sandwiched section in the middle dial. Love those fat colorful hands, and the rubber strap. Sporty and colorful indeed - with artistic dials - making them VERY Chopard in nature. Likely to have Swiss quartz movements.

The Happy Sport XL collection is going to be a limited edition of just 500 pieces (of each style). They are going to be exclusively available at Chopard brand boutiques. Nice overall, but the prices start at a whopping 5,590 euros. Seriously, just once do I want to be "pleasantly surprised" by the prices of watches in this segment.

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

Gallery: Chopard Happy Sport XL blue

Tags: chopard, happy sport, watch, xl

Boucheron Reflet XL Château Latour Millésime 2005 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Wine

Now here is a limited edition watch which has a wooden dial made from a 200 year old barrel in oak that was used to mature a very good French wine. That news alone should excite enough people to buy it. Wood is used on watches from time to time with various themes. Often meant to evoke a look similar to sail boats or classic car interiors. Here however the theme is French wine, and Boucheron can only take half the credit for the timepiece. Actually, a little bit less. Inside the Boucheron Reflet XL Château Latour Millésime 2005 is a Girard Perregaux Calibre GP4000 automatic movement.

From Château Latour comes the grand Millésime 2005 vintage wine. Considered quite a special collection, I don't think any of the wine is due to come with each of the 100 watches. The dials of the watches are made from specially selected wood used for the barrels to age the wine that is 200 years old. I like the clever design element where a barrel shape is place in the middle of the dial. That motif is extended to the engraving in the square steel case that is 31.5 x 45mm in size. Is that really "XL?" Of course it is pretty - most Boucheron pieces are. Pricey too, at $14,200 for each of the 100 pieces. Are you sure it doesn't come with wine?

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

Tags: 2005, boucheron, chateau, latour, millesime, reflet, watch, wine, xl

Cartier Roadster XL Watch In Gold & Walnut Aging Well

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

How is a classic born? It needs to look good from birth and then age nicely overtime retaining its reputation for having good looks. A classic thus, must survive the test of time. In the watch world, there are instant classics, ones discovered over decades, and those still memorable after just a few years in existence given the many luxury models they must compete with. So I look at this special Cartier Roadster XL in 18k pink gold that was announced in 2008 (also arrived in 18k white gold). Two years in the luxury watch world can be a long time for an "experimental" model, and most of them end up looking silly just a year after being released. Not here. What was different about this Roadster? Certainly not the fact that it is a Roadster, but rather the use of polished and lacquered walnut wood. A design taken from roadster cars, the combo of Cartier and wood is gorgeous. Use of wood isn't reserved for classic roadster cars, but other luxury automobiles, as well as watches from time to time. Most other watches that use wood do so in the case, and as a nod to boats, not cars. Cartier mixed wood with gold so well, this piece certainly qualifies as a classic.

Beautifully grained walnut is used as the dial, as well as center links in the gold bracelet. According to Cartier, the wood links in the bracelet are so well treated and coated, they are totally water resistant. The dial is printed to be extremely legible, just like in standard Roadster fashion. Technically, there isn't too much special in the watch, just an ETA Swiss automatic movement (likely a 2892). Though the Cartier name on this impressive watch makes for a solid (gold) timepiece. Quite possibly the best watch to wear while spending time in your Rolls Royce or Bentley with a matching wood interior. Pricey at about $40,000. Also limited to 250 pieces (I believe). Click on "READ MORE" below for additional images. By the way, this piece was molested by me at the San Francisco Cartier boutique store.

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

Tags: Cartier, gold, limited edition, Roadster, timepiece, walnut, watch, XL

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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

Glashutte Original PanoMaticLunar XL Watch For 2010

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The newest Glashutte Original PanoMatic watch has been updated in design to be more streamlined and minimalist. This moonphase version is the PanoMaticLunar XL and further has a trendy gray demeanor to it. If brown is the new hot color to match with gold, then gray is the new hot color to match with steel, white gold, or platinum. As such, this 42mm wide watch comes in steel - finished really well by Glashutte Original.

Inside the watch is the in-house made Calibre 90-02 automatic movement. Functions include a big date, off-centered watch dial with subsidiary seconds, and a moon phase indicator. All in various shades of gray. You can see the movement through the watch's sapphire caseback window. The strap is in charcoal shaded alligator. It is hard to say whether the watch will be a hit. Emphasis here is more on the dial and functions than the presentation or the case. Part of me feels that the case is too simple looking. At the same time, the information delivery on the dial is very straightforward and comfortable. Look for the watch in Glashutte Original boutiques or retailers soon.

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

Tags: 2010, Baselworld, Glashutte Original, GlashutteOriginal, moon phase, MoonPhase, PanoMaticLunar, watch, XL

Baume & Mercier Classima Executives XL Chronograph Calendar Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Baume & Mercier offers up a Valjoux 7751 movement based watch so similar in theme to a similar offering by Longines, that the brand can never deny who its intended competitor is. By all accounts the new Baume & Mercier Classima Executives XL Chronograph Calendar watch is a nice looking watch, but it does not feel particularly special. Actually that sounds like most of the recent Baume & Mercier watches. I think they are too afraid to infringe upon their higher end relatives in the Richemont Group. A few years ago we saw a host of exciting looking Capeland, Riviera, and Hampton models coming out. Did that stream dry up?

In a 42mm steel case the watch style is classic with just a hint of personality. Baume & Mercier supplies the watch with a relatively attractive guilloche engraved finished dial. It feels like it is missing Roman numerals, but that would have made the dial too busy. Dark gray hands instead of the expected blued steel hands give the watch a Tuxedo look - while the red gold date hand and gold toned moon on the moon phase indicator add a suggestion of luxury. Sapphire crystal on the front and rear of the watch allow clear views, with a Baume & Mercier signed automatic rotor see in the back. The Valjoux 7751 automatic movement is related to the Valjoux 7750, but adds a host of features including an annual calendar, synchronized 24 hour hand, and moonphase indicator in addition to the time and 12 hour chronograph. While there is nothing wrong with the attractive watch, give the competition, anything above $3,000 would be too much to pay for a watch like this. Though I don't know the price of the watch yet.

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

Tags: 7751, Baume Mercier, BaumeMercier, calendar, chronograph, classima, executives, watch, xl

Parmigiani Fleurier Tourbillon Arlequin Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This collector's timepiece is limited to just 3 pieces and is pretty stunning if you are the sort of person who not only enjoys the looks of Parmigiani Fleurier watches, but also those decorated with precious jewels. The Tourbillon Arlequin watch is placed in the Kalpa XL watch case and fitted with the manually wound Caliber PF 500 movement. The watch complications include the time and power reserve indicator. Most tourbillon watches use the tourbillon cage as a subsidiary seconds indicator, but a centrally positioned seconds hand is also included in this watch. The highlight of the Tourbillon Arlequin is the checkerboard-like arrangement of 92 baguette cut diamonds and 45 baguette cut sapphire stones all over the dial. The stunning watch makes up in bold looks, what is loses in legibility. The 44mm tall by 37.2mm wide case is in platinum. It is an ultra decadent watch with an equally ultra decadent price (by request only). A nice, almost haute jewelry timepiece from Swiss Parmigiani Fleurier.

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

Tags: arlequin, kalpa, parmigiani fleurier, ParmigianiFleurier, tourbillon, watch, xl

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