chronograph

Fortis Spaceleader Volkswagen Design White Watch

Last year my favorite new Fortis watch was the Spaceleader. The futuristic chronograph watch was designed by the Volkswagen Design team and offered as a special limited edition of 2,012 pieces. I first wrote about the Fortis Spaceleader watch here. For 2011 Fortis is offering two additional limited edition versions of the Spaceleader Chronograph. Each have white dials and are great looking in a sort of "Omega Speedmaster evolved" sense. One model has a white rubber strap and the other models has a black rubber strap. The case is in polished steel and is "wrapped" by the strap structure. Fortis and Volkswagen really hit on a good design and I think these new color variations will be just as popular as the original Spaceleader watch. Inside the watches are Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic movements. Look for these timepieces soon.

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

Gallery: Fortis Spaceleader Volkswagen Design White Watch

Tags: chronograph, fortis, limited edition, spaceleader, watch, white

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Girard-Perregaux's 1966 Chronograph watch gets bathed in blue for this 1966 Blue Chronograph version of the attractive retro-inspired timepiece by the high-end Swiss brand. The 40mm wide case in in 18k white gold with a sunburst style metallic blue dial that is very attractive. Blue just happens to be quite trendy in 2011 for watches. The chronograph subdials engravings are "snailed," which results in pleasantly contrasting visual with concentric circles. It also helps with legibility when wanting to see the chronograph info easily.

On the dial the hands and hour indicators are applied and in 18k white gold. Inside the watch is an in-house made Girard-Perregaux GP030C0 automatic column wheel chronograph movement that is decorated and visible through the caseback window. The watch will come either on a black alligator strap, or an all 18k white gold metal bracelet. Prices for the 1966 Blue Chronograph are $29,700 on the strap and $51,850 on the gold bracelet. Look for this attractive watch soon.

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

Tags: 1966, blue, chronograph, girard-perregaux, watch, watches

Ellicott Majesty Automatic Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

One of Ellicott's new watches this year is the Majesty Automatic Chronograph and I think it does a good job of mixing regality and sport - a good watch to bear the "Majesty" name. The watch is a mixture of DLC black coated steel and 18k rose gold. The colors mix nicely and I quite like the cushion/tonneau style case shape. Ellicott seems to like large pushers and elements on their watches to make them a bit cartoony. As such you have large chronograph pushers on the left of the case and solid looking crown. The dial is bold, but still highly legible. I've always like the brand's signature hands and the chronograph function is integrated well. At 42mm wide, the case isn't actually all that large in person. Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic with an 18k gold rotor. The shiny black alligator strap rounds out the look - nice piece Ellicott.

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

Tags: chronograph, ellicott, majesty, watch, watches

$2.7 Million Patek Philippe Watch Stars in Christie's Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions

An extremely important white gold Patek Philippe single-button chronograph from 1928, undoubtedly the only one of its kind, is expected to fetch up to $2.7 million at Christie's Important Watches sale in Geneva on May 16.

Created in 1928 on the eve of the stock market crash, the unique and complicated 1928 chronograph was a bespoke commission from one of Patek Philippe's most important patrons, though his exact identity is unknown.

The cushion-shaped wristwatch, with vertically positioned registers and Breguet numerals, is the only known example extant of a single-button chronograph by Patek Philippe made in white gold.

As such, it's perfectly possible that it could end up selling for more than $2.7 million, especially with the buoyant market for such horological masterpieces at the moment.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: auctions, bespoke, Christies, chronograph, Geneva, gold, most expensive watches, Patek Philippe, watches, white gold

Unique Montblanc Villeret Vintage Chronographe Purists Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Another special watch that the watch collector forum ThePuristS.com is offering for sale in honor of their 10th anniversary is this limited edition Montblanc Villeret 1858 Vintage Chronographe PuristS 10th Edition watch - the "P10." The site members are all frequent buyers of high-end watches, and to say thanks, a number of prestigious brands have offered special models to be sold exclusively through the site for the ongoing year-long celebration.

What makes this Montblanc Villeret watch special is the "P10" label at 10 o'clock on the dial, as well as special commemorative engravings on the caseback of the watch. Montblanc and ThePuristS will have 10 of these watches available. The cases are 43.5mm wide in 18k white gold while the dials are pristine white enamel with extremely crisp text. The movement is the Montblanc Minerva 16.29 and is easily the highlight of the watch. It is extremely beautiful in its finishing and design, and is viewable through the sapphire caseback window. To match the blued steel hands on the dial Montblanc chose a blue toned alligator strap to go with the watch. Price for the limited edition Montblanc Villeret Vintage Chronograph Purists Edition watch will be 41,000 euros - and available to PuristS members only. If you want one you can contact purists10th @ puristspro.com.

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

Tags: anniversary, chronograph, minerva, montblanc, p10, purists, villeret, vintage, watch

Ralph Lauren Sporting Chronograph Guilloche Steel Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Ralph Lauren Sporting Chronograph Guilloche Steel Watch

This new for 2011 Ralph Lauren watch is pretty nice, and is a sort of hybrid model between the Classic Slim and the Sporting Chronograph. Ralph Lauren literally took the case decor and dial look of the Classic Slim, and put in the Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic chronograph movement from the Sporting Chronograph watch models. From a naming perspecting they could have chosen either of the influencing models, but they chose the Sporting. I guess it could have been called the "Classic Chronograph." Too generic? Maybe.

Tags: 2011, chronograph, engraved, guilloche, Ralph Lauren, sporting, watch

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Breitling Chronospace Automatic Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Last year saw Breitling release the new large-sized Chronospace models equipped with Swiss Superquartz multi-function movements. That same 46mm wide steel watch will now come in an automatic chronograph form with a Brietling calibre 23 (base ETA) COSC Chronometer certified movement. Not bad looking, the Chronospace does feel a bit "Breitling Generic." As though most of the features could be found on other models. Most iconic for the collection are its large size, applied square style hour markers and bezel style.

Tags: automatic, breitling, chronograph, chronospace, watch

Continue reading “Breitling Chronospace Automatic Watch”

Alpina Startimer Pilot Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The retro looking Startimer Pilot collection from Alpina will have three pieces including the pictured chronograph, a three-hand automatic, and a time with subsidiary date dial model. A little warning right off the bat, the pictured model with that style dial is really nice, but there is another model that seems to be floating around with hour and minute hands so stubby it seems to be a joke. Do yourself and the world a favor - friends don't let friend by watches with too-small hands.

At 44mm wide, the Startimer Pilots come in steel cases that are 100 meters water resistant and have sapphire crystals. I like the thin bezel that maximizes dial space. The little touch of red on the counterweight of the chronograph seconds hand is welcome. Using a bi-compax layout, the dials are classic looking but functional - while the chronograph doesn't significantly obscure reading of the dial. The sizable Arabic hour numerals feels functional and sound. Inside the watch are Swiss automatic movements, while the version with just the time and date has an in-house made Alpina/Frederique Constant movement. According to Alpina these Startimer Pilot watches are being made in partnership with plane makers Cessna and PrivatAir. Look for them at reasonable prices sometime this year. Each is said to be limited to 8,888 pieces.

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

Tags: Alpina, Chronograph, Pilot, Startimer, Watch

Armin Strom Racing Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

New for 2011, one of Swiss watch maker Armin Strom's new piece is this simply named "Racing Chronograph," meant to honor their sponsorship of the Marussia Virgin Racing F1 team. Armin Strom does not have the license to use the "F1" name or logo on the watch itself, but the style is enough of an indicator.

Very few details right now, but the watch will come in a brushed or PVD black coated (steel or titanium) case (probably around 44mm wide). It will have an optional black or white dial, with red trim and a very handsome looking modern face. According to Armin Strom, the watch will have components that are made out of the same materials that are in the Marussia Virigin car - though I am not sure what those are. I am also not sure as to what movement it has. Armin Strom has been keen on using their own in-house made movements as of late - though this one has a layout of a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph. I do like the placement of the date window. The strap is rubber and the small extension of the case on the bottom is actually meant to hold a custom initials engraving for the customer. Look for this Armin Racing Chronograph watch soon.

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

Gallery: Armin Strom Racing Chronograph watch

Tags: armin strom, chronograph, watch

Alexander Shorokhoff Avantgarde Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Wow, this is really pretty cool. I don't quite know why, but I am really drawn to this new timepiece from boutique German watch maker Alexander Shorokhoff. This new watch is simply called the "Avantgarde." Use of large numerals and chronograph subdials adds a comforting cartoonish look that I quite love. It helps that everything on the dial is still well-proportioned. Plus, the detailing is quite impressive. I love the use of the contrasting colors on the dial, as well as the stylized shapes of the hands and numerals.

Details on the Avantgarde chrono are scant, as it will be officially debuted next month. It has a mechanical 30 minute chronograph with the date. I believe it is a base ETA that has been reworked and decorated by Alexander Shorokoff. Price is said to be reasonable. I will look out for more information soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com

Tags: Alexander Shorokhoff, avantgarde, chronograph, german, watch

Hanhart Primus Chronograph Pilot & Racer Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Hanhart Primus Chronograph Pilot & Racer Watches

Hanhart is a brand you'll hopefully be hearing more about soon. The Austrian (I believe) sports watch brand has evolved into something quite nice over the last few years and might finally get the attention it deserve in the US under new North American oversight by the man who made Chronoswiss popular in the States. One of Hanhart's newer models is this Primus Choronograph watch. I wonder if the rock band Primus has anything to say about this? Maybe Hanhart just gave them all watches.

The Primus Chronograph comes essentially in two forms - one with and one without a rotating diver's bezel. The models with the bezel are referred to as the Primus Chronograph Divers, while the bezel-less version are the Pilots or Racers. The watches are 44mm wide in steel cases that have been aDLC coated black. The aDLC coating is very hard and scratch resistant. Note the red chronograph start/stop pusher. The dials on both models are a bit different and come in orange or steel/white. My top pick is the Diver. It has a neat looking striped rubber strap and easy to read dial. The Primus Chronograph watches use modified Swiss Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movements Look for these nice lookers soon.

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

Tags: chronograph, diver, Hanhart, pilot, primus, racer, watch

Hamilton Pan Europ Automatic Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Hamilton Pan Europ Automatic Chronograph Watch

This retro-kick is getting sort of monotonous. It is like designers are literally flipping through old catalogs trying to figure out what they want to build (again). They then design it with modern dimensions in mind using modern materials, and then plop in a modern Swiss ETA automatic movement. Nostalgia and modern fashion sells it, and everyone celebrates a job well done, with money that would have otherwise went to R&D.

There is nothing wrong or unwholesome looking about this new "Pan Europ" watch that Hamilton will release this year. It looks neat, just as neat as a legion of other watches with the same look did when they came out about 40 years ago. There is literally no new design twist on the genre that I can find Hamilton adding - and that might be considered a good thing. Looking like 70s dive/sport/race watches, the Pan Europe is in a longer tonneau style steel case with a round dial and rotating bezel. The steel case is 45mm wide, with a metallic blue bezel and dial. The bi-compax chronograph looks nice, and the watch has 100 meters of water resistance and a sapphire crystal.

According to Hamilton the watch uses an "AutoChrono Calibre H31" movement. Though I am pretty sure this is just a modified Valjoux 77550 or newer Valgranges movement. The strap is porthole punched brown leather with a crocodile pattern on it. If you really wanted a watch of this style, for a decent price with today's manufacuting in mind, the Hamilton Pan Europ might be just what you are looking for. It will be commercially available in September of 2011, with a price of $1,900.

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

Tags: 2011, chronograph, Hamilton, Pan Europ, retro, watch

Tiret Automatic Chronograph Titanium Watch For 2011

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Tiret of New York offers up a new version of their Automatic Chronograph Titanium watch model for 2011. The 47mm wide titanium watch has Tiret "Ts" all over it from the hands to the shapes on the bezel. The watch dial has been made more dynamic with a metal "frame" over the chronograph subdials and day/date windows. Tiret really likes using highly original parts - which is seen in elements such as the watch crown and hour hands. For urban types, this might make an interesting talking piece. Attached to the watch is a black leather (or is it reptile?) strap. Price for the new Tiret Automatic Chronograph Titanium watch is $7,490.

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

Tags: automatic, chronograph, Tiret, titanium, watch

Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The newest iteration of the Classic Fusion "classy" watch from Hublot will have a bi-compax chronograph. The Classic Fusion Chronograph is a more simple chronograph in comparison to the Big Bang or King Power styles with the same complications - though it is not by any means a simple watch. Hublot offers it with a matte black dial and either titanium or 18k red gold applied hour markers and hands. The watch case comes in one size of 45mm wide, and will be offered in titanium or 18k red gold. The watch feels like just what the Classic Fusion needed to have that little extra bit of visual interest. Inside the watch will be an Hublot HUB1143 automatic movement.

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

Tags: chronograph, classic fusion, hublot, watch, watches

Baume & Mercier Capeland Flyback Chronograph Watch For 2011

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This was something I didn't see coming - at least in this form. Baume & Mercier has pledged that their future will be in the past. What I mean is that for the brand to be something decent again, they are going to be making almost only vintage inspired timepieces for the foreseeable future. I actually hope I am wrong, but this seems to be the case. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it is a shame that Richemont's entry level brand is only offering people watches of "vintage descent." Plus, many of their new pieces seem to be competing with Longines now more than ever. But that is a different story (Baume & Mercier hates when I talk about Longines!)

Baume & Mercier recovered the Capeland watch name - that was extremely big about 10 years ago. Though the previous generation of Capeland models were not themselves pieces that used a recovered name (as far as I can tell). The Capeland watches I am referring to were beautiful, modern, but also elegant. They were among the first "nice" timepieces I ever got into - and I wanted one so badly at the time. It was the Capeland that made me a Baume & Mercier fan (at the time it was still just "Baume et Mercier").

Now Baume & Mercier uses the Capeland name again for a watch that has nothing to do with the original Capeland. It is a nice looking "old timey" timepiece, but where is the redo of the watch collection that I loved? Rather than a more modern interpretation of a collection that was very popular, Baume & Mercier gives us the Capeland Flyback Chronograph that looks like a watch your uncle hid in his - you know what - during Vietnam to bring back to you.

The "new" Capeland comes in a 42mm wide case available in steel or 18k rose gold. The dial has a vintage looking dial with "railroad" Arabic numerals and pomme hands (in either gold or blued steel). Baume & Mercier knows the design is less than original, but wants to make up for that in design execution and its powerful distribution. Inside the watch is a La-Joux-Perret made automatic chronograph (with a bi-compax layout), that has a flyback function.

No word on price yet - which will be the real deal maker or killer. Though there is no watch precisely like this on the market right now. The new Capeland is fine. Nothing ultra exciting, but fine. I am frustrated that use of the name will mean that the Capeland I like will not get a redesign for a long while to come.

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

Gallery: Baume and Mercier Capeland Flyback Chronograph Watch For 2011