With 617 horsepower and a 208mph top speed, topping the Mercedes SLR McLaren was no mean feat. Mercedes nearly managed to pull it off with the new SLS AMG. The gull-winged supercar was unveiled at the recent international auto show in Frankfurt to rave reviews. But it still falls a shade short of its predecessor's bragging rights, so the German automaker is reportedly working on an even more exclusive, more powerful and more capable SLS AMG Black Series.

Following in the Black Series that has given us the SLK55, CLK63 and SL65, the SLS Black is expected to gain some extra power and lose some weight to optimize that vital power to weight ratio. Sources expect the 563hp and 479lb-ft of torque from the existing 6.2-liter V8 to get a boost past the 600hp/500lb-ft mark, coupled with a 50kg weight-shaving scheme to drop the "stock" SLS' 0-62 mph time down from 3.8 seconds – already faster than 99% of the cars out on the road – to below 3.5 seconds, and the top speed up from 195 mph to 208.

Of course the added exclusivity won't come cheap: insiders expect the price to jump by half to over $250,000 when the SLS AMG Black Series hits the market in 2013.

Here is a watch for women to support women. The popular Gucci Twirl watch has just been made even more a watch for women by creating a special edition Gucci Twirl F.F.A.W.N. timepiece. FFAWN is the Foundation For the Advancement of Women, and for each of these watches that are sold, Gucci will give $100 to the foundation.

Oddly enough Gucci combines its giving to the foundation with the creation of a phantom watch - meaning it is in all black. This has been a popular style for men's watches, but I only now am seeing it applied to women's watches of this caliber. The timepiece is in black stainless steel with a spinning (twirling) watch face dial. The face is also in all black and surrounded by 34 black diamonds. The watch movement is a Swiss quartz. The caseback of the watch reads "Gucci for F.F.A.W.N." An interesting interpretation of the iconic looking timepiece.

Just what FFAWN does is a bit of a mystery to me. It was started by singer Mary J. Blige to help women reach their potential. The foundation gives grants and scholarships and has programs for women to help improve their self esteem and achieve various levels of personal and professional development. The Gucci for FFAWN Twirl watch retails for $1,895.

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

Adding just a new color to the Arceau Chronograph watch lineup with the "Ebony," and Hermes almost has you convinced you've got a totally new model. This is follow up watch to the Arceau Chronograph Alezan announced around Baselworld earlier this year. To Hermes, the Arceau line is direct extension of their equestrian heritage, making for a perfect companion to their full line of riding gear.

Hermes watches are finely designed in my opinion with flowing smooth lines and a refinement on par with other luxury watches with the names of exclusive French designers on them (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc...). The Arceau Ebony Chronograph has an almost totally black colored dial on the 43mm wide steel watch. Applied rings around the chronograph dials add a sense of depth to the mix, while the classic looking Arabic numerals have a character undeniably Hermes. The face is simple and clean, and Hermes could not resist adding the splash of their signature orange hue to the face to complete the branded look. I like the faceted window cut for the date window.

You get the distinct idea that the case shape is extremely smooth and pleasant to wear. Note the different lug structure at either end of the watch. Powering the timepiece is a Swiss ETA 2894 automatic movement. There is really nothing superfluous about the design, a fact that pleases me. Of course the watch would not be an Hermes if not fitted with a high grade calf leather strap, here in black with contrast stitching. Available soon from Hermes.

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

While the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph watch was getting bigger (up to about 44mm wide now I think) someone must have thought it was too big and too much. So here comes a three-hand version of the classic looking Tag Heuer Carrera with the Caliber 5 movement that has made its way into other Tag Heuer timepieces such as the Aquaracer. This Caliber 5 based Carrera is now 39mm wide and in steel.

Most of the watch is what we know and love about the Carrera save for the smaller size and more simple looking face. To help keep the dial from looking too bare, the designers added Clous de Paris texture (just a series of square boxes pattern) on the face, and gave it one of those "open" date windows that I am loathing more each time I see them. In my humble opinion, the watch would have looked better minus the half-banana shaped eye-sore of a date window. To preserve symmetry, would not have something smaller at 6 o'clock made a better choice? An interesting design point are the spelled out hours next to the hour markers. Look closely and you can see them spelled out, "ten," "three," five," etc...

Instead of the tachymetric scale on the aluminum bezel, there are now minute markers such as on a rotating diver's bezel, however I don't think this bezel rotates. The watch is available in the pictured brown color dial and (of course) black. Both are handsome in tone. The watches will be available soon and for a price that is likely a bit less than the Aquaracer automatic with the steel bracelet.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

A sure compromise between fancy and fun, the new Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold is a suave new character in the Admiral's Cup watch lineup. No, it isn't a radical new design in the Admiral's Cup line of timepieces, but rather another installment in Corum's ongoing quest to promote the Admiral's Cup collection as the premiere non-regatta timer yacht racing themed watch around! I am pretty sure it has succeeded in that endeavor.

The "44" in the Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold watch refers to the black PVD steel case's size of 44mm wide. The name of the watch is more or less "primarily descriptive" of the watch without much character in the title. The bezel is 18k rose gold, and so are the applications on the dial such as the hands and hour markers. The style is fittingly bold, but not necessarily more so than other Admiral's Cup timepieces. Inside the watch is Corum's calibre 753 automatic mechanical chronograph movement that has been Chronometer certified. The true black and gold version of the watch is limited to just 188 pieces while a brushed gray dial version (matched to a gray PVD case) is also available and limited to just 128 pieces. There is no way of knowing why there is a difference in availability. It is also hard to tell if there is lume applied to the dial of the watch. It could be the "dark" style lume - but I hope it is there. Sport watches such as this suffer a loss of credibility without having any type of darkness visibility. If not, at least plenty of other Corum Admiral's Cup watches have lume applied to the large stylish hands. The Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold watch should be available soon.

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

Japan gets a lot of special watches that we never see here - though these are usually made by Japanese watch makers. Once In a while you get Japan only watches from Swiss makers such as Tag Heuer, and I wonder why Tag Heuer thinks no one else would want one. This special Carrera watch with a black mother of pearl dial is a perfect example. Not only is the watch a handsome, but more decorated rendition of the classic Carrera watch look, but it is simply enough to be appreciated by more markets. Notice that the dial is all black mother of pearl with a slightly matte black disc as part of the hour marker ring. The look is superb and something different from Tag Heuer - that to my knowledge has never utilized any type of mother of pearl on a man's watch.

Aside from this dial difference, the limited edition Tag Heuer Carrera Black features the same 44mm wide steel case and Tag Heuer Calibre 16 automatic chronograph movement as the rest of the modern Carerra watches. I've always loved bracelet of this watch that has mirrored certain Omega watch bracelets and features satin and polished steel finishes. Eventually Tag Heuer will upgrade the aluminum bezel (they look great but can be easy to scratch). Although Japan, like other Asian countries, is known to prefer smaller watches, I enjoy seeing the popularity of a 44mm wide model just as this there. 600 of these black mother of pearl Carrera watches will be available - in Japan only starting in July.

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

A welcome addition to the increasingly lively line of Rado watches is this new Sintra Automatic for 2009. The shape of the watch as it widens at the case is almost iconic at this point, while most of the visible features of the watch are ceramic - available in black or platinum colors. It has a sort of smooth, effortless elegance that works well on both the male and female wrist (models sized for each gender are available). The inner case of the watch is steel, while the screws and clasp are titanium. Inside the watch is an automatic ETA 2892 movement that ought to power the easy-to-read face nicely.

I like that the face of the watch is actually very easy to read. Certain Rado watches have been less easy on the eyes from a legibility standpoint, but the round dial and lume covered hands are simple and effective. A large sapphire crystal over the face is flush with the rest of the watch case. I think the Sintra line was always "futuristic" in style, but never too far out there as to alienate people wanting a classic looking watch. The Sintra is now an icon for Rado, and still a handsome timepiece for a few thousand dollars.

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

Rapper, producer, designer, and tastemaker Kanye West could obviously have any watch in the world. The one he chose is a customized all-black Rolex Submariner by Swiss firm Black-Out Concept (above), on a black nylon NATO spec strap. Kanye made a decision a while back that Rolex would be his signature watch brand, but he wanted to add his own twist; Black-Out's version was perfect. "It looks hard, it looks really cool," he explained in naming the watch one of his 10 style essentials. "It's a new take on a classic watch." He also likes the fact that they take a Rolex and literally "paint it black" (coat it, actually).

Black-Out Concept was founded in 2007 by Fabrice Letellier in Geneva. An avid watch collector, racecar driver and all-round exotic car enthusiast with the means to indulge his passions, the idea was born when Letellier had some of his supercar collection given a matte black treatment, i.e. blacked-out. Next he decided to do the same with his Rolex, and soon some of his fellow car and watch aficionados followed suit. Obviously there was a market for it. Letellier contracted with one of Geneva's best watchmakers to perfect the black out process for timepieces, which is done using two low-friction, scratch-proof finishes used by the military, PVD and DLC (diamond-like carbon).

Black-Out also creates customized blacked-out cars, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Aston Martin; the Black-Out package on the latter (see the gallery) costs about $40,000. They do customized matte black motorcycles as well built on a Harley-Davidson base, blacked-out Vertu Ascent cell phones - basically anything you can think of that would look better in all black. In addition to the Submariner they also black out several other Rolex models, including the GMT II, Daytona, Milgaus, and Deepsea, as well as other brands like Panerai, Bell & Ross and Audemars Piguet. Letellier has his own high-end watch brand in the works as well.



Of course, Black-Out aren't the only ones to offer blacked-out Rolexes; we've written before about Bamford & Sons' $30,000 PVD Daytona and other models, as well as Jacques Picard's $18,000 DLC Deepsea. (No, we don't know who thought of it first.) Black-Out doesn't actually sell watches, however, they customize yours at a cost of €5,000, or about $7,000, which includes Fed-Ex'ing to and from Geneva, and a set of three different straps including the NATO. So you can in fact get the look of the far more expensive models for much less - if you pick up a used Submariner in the $5,000 range - yet still have a watch that's every bit as exclusive, not to mention Kanye-approved. You can contact Black-Out's U.S. representative Christian Ginet at blackoutconcept@mac.com for more info.

Ultra luxury watches are rare to spot, even online. We mostly have computer images to go off of, and the only time most of us will see many types of luxury watches are in select boutiques and on the rare collector (very rare). This is why it is so interesting to see this Maitres du Temps Chapter One Black & White watch in reality (well in a photograph). This real view of the $400,000 ultra watch proves that the timepiece lives up to its reputation. The Chapter One Black & White is an almost monochromatic "tuxedo" version of the Maitres du Temps Chapter One watch.

The Maitres du Temps Chapter One watch is hailed as a masterpiece by some people in the watch community which makes sense given the team of literal watch making masters behind the design both visually and mechanically. The Black & White version is in 18k white gold with a dizzying array of complications most notable of which are the polar placed moon phase and say of the week cylinder displays and manually wound tourbillon movement. The presence of the watch is breathtaking, because it is so luxuriously bold, and not necessarily because you have to love the design. Maitres du Temps did such a nice job making it a truly unique, yet classic feeling timepiece. The wrist in the image is lucky indeed!

Thanks to, and via Independant In Time.

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

This is the first Versace watch that would be suitable as a daily wear for me. The design theme is somewhere between the Chanel J12 and the Hermes Clipper line. The black colored watch is mostly steel (possibly some titanium), with a case design that has enough character to make it unique - even though it has a familiar presence. The thick polished bezel with is tachymetre scale is well done, and almost looks like it should be a rotating timer bezel, though it is not. The black on black dial is contrasted with some polished steel to help it be readable, but the look is strong and serious - something Versace isn't always known for. Interestingly enough, the Medusa head is absent from this men's timepiece from Versace who typically always places it somewhere on their watches. Then again, I haven't seen the case-back of this model.

Versace insists that the DV One watch is more than just show. The sporty chronograph watch has a Chronometer certified (COSC) automatic movement inside, with a solid design and character. Precious few details on this timepiece exist, but it is part of an overall larger line of more serious luxury watches from Versace that will arrive soon later this year. Price is sure to be $5000 plus.

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

The big news for Maitres du Temps at Baselworld this year will be their new Chapter Two watch, but the beautiful Chapter One watch should not be overlooked. To help emphasize that point, Maitres du Temps is releasing a limited edition of (what I call) 'Tuxedo look' black and white Chapter One watches. Whereas the standard (really not so standard a watch) Chapter One watch comes in blues and gold, the Black version is a monochromatic delight. Lots of 18k white gold contrasts well with the black tones all over the case and dial, along with the black alligator strap.

Maitres du Temps is an interesting watch brand. The aggregated efforts of master watch makers combine to create some amazing creations. The roster of this all-star team includes such names as Roger Dubuis, Christophe Claret, and Peter Speake-Marin. A fourth name is allegedly to be added for the Chapter Two watches' dream team.

The Chapter One watch is not only amazing for how it looks and the amount of complications it has, but also for how easy those complications are to see and operate. In addition to the complex manually-wound tourbillon movement, the watch includes a chronograph, retrograde GMT display, day of the week, moon phase, retrograde date, and the time of course. The clever roller system on the top and bottom of the case are genius for being effective, simple, and elegant. The Maitres du Temps Black Chapter One will be available in very limited numbers with an official release at Baselworld soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Wealthy patrons with shopping addictions are a tempting customer base for creditors, and so more and more of them are coming up with ways to make their services attractive to the biggest spenders in the world. The Centurion card from American Express is the leading status symbol to date, with its classy black card made of titanium that comes with exclusive perks like a personal concierge (to help you plan your spending) and special treatment at all the top retailers.

But the Centurion, better known simply as the "Black Card," is getting some competition for the top of the prestigious credit card pyramid. Companies like Bank of America and Citigroup are coming up with their own versions, and it seems the greatest competition so far is from the Visa Stratus Rewards card, aka the "White Card." And in the U.K. there's always the Ozwald Boateng-designed Coutts & Co.'s World card from the same private bank Queen Elizabeth uses.

This is one jacket that should have made the live-like-Jack-Bauer gear list because the only thing that can get into it is you. The long black trench is bulletproof, stab-proof and, of course, weatherproof, so no bullets, knives, "hypodermic needles, ice picks, knives and broken bottles " will penetrate it. Think of it as stylish full-body armor. This makes it the sort of jacket that you would want if you regularly tour through war-zones or exceptionally hostile neighborhoods late at night, although it will certainly give you a sense of security no matter where you go. It features two large front pockets and a high-rise collar to block the chill, as well. Price: $2,000.

[via boingboing]