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.

The Belle Epoque, or "Beautiful Era" in Europe took place during the end of the 19th century and up to World War I. It was considered a golden age for the wealthy population of Europe. The era involved excellent economic and cultural times where inexpensive labor and low (to no) taxes allowed for a semi-renaissance period in regard to the development and creation of art and scientific advancements. Free flowing money from wealthy elites helped fuel people whose lives were dedicated to simply being creative. A distinct artistic genre was borne that I consider to be a precursor of art deco. It involved imbuing more traditional formal art with a late 19th century futuristic twist.

In celebration of this era (one that we would so love to relive nowadays), Swiss watch maker Angular Momentum has created the Time Gallery Bell Époque watch. Using their new Time Gallery case, the watch is an artistic testament to the aesthetic style of choice as defined by that era. Using a 41mm wide 18k white gold case (with pave diamond settings) the majority of the watch dial is covered in an ornate foliate design enhanced by a multitude of finely cut diamonds. The decoration is placed over a black sapphire crystal. The time is read via a window placed at 12 o'clock where a disc spins once each 12 hours. Inside the watch is an automatic mechanical movement. Angular Momentum is slated to open a line of boutiques in the Middle East where this and other artistic watches will be showcased.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Oh those computer guys, they have a habit of building monster homes. Norman Waitt, Jr. co-founder of Gateway had a hankering for a vacation home (and why not, he lives in Omaha, Nebraska, he could use a little sun). So where else but Montecito, the place where Oprah and others with the wherewithal to jet in for weekend getaways chose to nest. According to Ben Casselman of the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Waitt built a roughly 12,000-square-foot home, known as "Belle Époque." He picked up the property in 2003 for $12.6 million, tore down the existing house and spent the last four years creating his dream home. Now that it is done, he's done, deciding to sell without ever settling in. He put the house on the market last year for $24.8 million and has now dropped it to $22.5 million.

Belle Epoque was designed to maximize the views and make sure that plenty of gorgeous Santa Barbara light flooded the home. It has a large formal living room with gently curved French doors. The dining room is designed for dining in the round and more French doors open to the terrace. The breakfast room faces east to catch the morning sun There is a conservatory with custom gothic style windows and doors, Carrera marble flooring and thresholds and motorized windows. Key details include antique light fixtures, tiles, glass mosaics, refurbished bath fixtures, old stone tops and exquisite reclaimed antique oak flooring. The 2.76-acre property has a pool and spa, formal garden, meditation garden and three-car garage. After the jump, take a look around and let me know in the comments if you would rather have this home in Montecito or Ellen's?