XXL

Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Watch

While I really like what comes out of house Girard-Perregaux, I am getting a bit tired of seeing the same old thing. This year the vintage 1945 XXL Square watch gets a new dial. Yes, it looks lovely, and yes, they did a good job. Though if you didn't tell me that it was new for 2011, I wouldn't have asked. Always strong in the movement making department, Girard-Perregaux has yet to find its modern legs. It can't seem to decide whether it is competing with Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, or someone else. Maybe all high-end Swiss brands are on its radar. For this reason, the brand has turtled itself in a place of "adherence to tradition." This means their pieces are nice looking and classic in appearance, but don't even attempt to rock the boat design-wise with novel concept.

Thus, I bow my hat to the brand and afford it all my respect and praise. And humbly ask "do you have anything more modern looking?" Hey, maybe I am in for a surprise this year. This watch features a new dial for the Vintage XXL . Very straight forward art-deco style case and dial with Arabic numerals, dauphine hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial. The case is almost a perfect square being about 35 by 36mm in size, and in 18k pink gold. Inside the watch is a in-house GP3300 automatic movement. There will also be a less expensive model with a steel case. Seems like you've seen it before, but trust me it is new.

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

Tags: 1945, 2011, girard-perregaux, vintage, watch, xxl

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra XXL Small Seconds Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Why this new retro themed watch from Omega has a "Seamaster Aqua Terra" moniker in the name I don't know. I mean the case is a bit like the Seamaster Aqua Terra, but the dial is something all together different, and it has a new movement. If you like large, 'old-timey' watches (that are luxurious) this might be just for you. The little touches are what make it nice. The case is 49.2mm wide and available in 18k white or rose gold. So right there already we are talking big money. Inside the watch is a new in-house made Omega Calibre 2211 movement. It is COSC Chronometer certified, but for some reason Omega has been hush on whether it is an automatic or manually wound. What gives Omega?

The lovely dial with its "railroad" style Arabic numerals is done in enamel (two layers) with a guilloche engraved sterling silver subsidiary seconds dial. Blued steel hands are really cool. Copying an older Omega design to have the brand logo be included in the hands. See what I mean? An interesting, if hard to understand collector's piece from Omega. The Seamaster Aqua Terra XXL Small Seconds watch will be limited to 88 piece in both types of gold and be available soon.

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

Gallery: Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra XXL Small Seconds

Tags: Aqua Terra, limited edition, Omega, Seasmaster, small seconds, XXL

Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL Flyback Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Now up to 45mm wide (up from 43mm) the Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL beats the older XL in size and design for the look of the sportier version of the standard Riviera watch that wasn't exactly stuffy to begin with. Complications include a 30 minute flyback chronograph powered by the automatic mechanical Ref. 8834 movement that is likely a modified Valjoux 7750. The dial of the watch is something you've probably noticed. Call it skeletonized, call it a "view to the movement," the dial is actually a black tinted sapphire crystal. The text and Roman numerals are applied directly on the tinted dial in luminant.

The case is PVD coated steel with a cool looking sandblasted look. Everything about it is big from the four large hex screws, chronograph pushers, and massive crown. It is hard to tell in the images but the left side of the case is decorated with vertical cutaway slits (Baume & Mercier says they are meant to remind you of a car grill). The case is also 200 meters water resistant and features a exhibition caseback. Despite what is likely broad appeal, the Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL Flyback Chronograph watch will be limited to just 1000 pieces. A nice action version of the already sporty Riviera Magnum watch line.

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

Tags: baume mercier, BaumeMercier, chronograph, magnum, riviera, watch, xxl