diver

Blancpain 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009 Limited Edition Watch

Once again Blancpain is hanging out at the Cannes (32nd annual) International Boat Show. This time to officially release their previously announced Blancpain 500 Fathoms timepiece. In addition, they will release a special limited edition version of the Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch in celebration of the event. The limited edition of 50 pieces watch features a specially engraved caseback. I really love the 500 Fathoms' rotor. Not only do you get a propeller shape, but you also get hand perlage polish on it, and a different style of polish on the bottom that is meant to look like bubbles. The Caliber 1315 movement is extremely accurate and the watch itself is 1000 meters water resistant. The case is 48mm wide and in titanium.

I don't think that the dial of the limited edition is any different than the standard model. That is OK, as I have been a fan of the new dial look for a while. The torpedo hands and lots of lume are an interesting choice for the luxury brand. The titanium make up of the watch will make for a light and strong timepiece, but I am concerned about the case's ability to get scratches. The rotating diver's bezel has a sapphire crystal over it. Prices will likely be around $15,000. The International Boat Show in Cannes will be open September 9-14, 2009.

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

Gallery: Blancpain 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009

Tags: 500 fathoms, 500Fathoms, blancpain, cannes, diver, limited edition, LimitedEdition, watch

Louis Vuitton Ladies Tambour Diver Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Louis Vuitton applies it feminine touch to the otherwise manly Tambour Diver watch. The new Tambour Diver Lady is a charming line of watches that come in 35mm steel or pink gold cases (the latter having some diamond decoration). You can get the Louis Vuitton Tambour Diver Lady watch with a Swiss quartz or automatic mechanical movement. The dial is available with the classic Louis Vuitton floral pattern or pink mother or pearl.

Look for the Tambour Diver Lady on a textured rubber strap in pink or white. The watch uses the same shape and has the internal rotating diver's bezel just like the handsome, larger men's version. The timepiece is a fully functional diver being water resistant to 300 meters, and having a thick sapphire crystal. With its good looks, durability, and desirable name brand, this Louis Vuitton Tambour Diver Lady watch line could be the most notable women's diving watch to come along in a long while. You won't find the watches that easily as you'll have to look at special Louis Vuitton boutiques only. Price will likely be around 3,000 euros.

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

Tags: dive, diver, ladies, lady, louis vuitton, LouisVuitton, Q131M0, tambour

Rodolphe Paninaro Diver Chrono Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

A new diver styled watch will be released from watch maker Rodolphe. The timepiece is nice, but notice that I mention diver "style" watch. A true diver watch is water resistant to 300 meters, while you don't really want to submerge anything in water that is tested less than 100 meters water resistant. However the Paninaro Diver Chrono watch is only 50 meters water resistant. So enough to watch your hands a bit more, but I'd rather Rodolphe have called it the "Paninaro Wading Chrono." Pretty nonetheless.

The watch is in steel in black PVD and 44mm wide. For all intents and purposes it should be more than 50 meters water resistant. weakness might be in the crowns or chronograph pushers. The watch uses an automatic Swiss movement with a chronograph mechanism and big date. The dial is handsome with applied features making for a nice and clear, yet three dimensional look. It also has an inner rotating diver's bezel. From a pure style perspective the watch does a good job at adding the Rodolphe trendy forward thinking and brand characteristic design to the diving watch genre, but the watch does seem to lack in the durability department.

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

Tags: chrono, chronograph, dive, diver, paninaro, rodolphe, timepiece, watch

Pita Oceana Will Be 'Bargain' Platinum Metal Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Pita Barcelona is a cool and funky independent Spanish watch makers who will soon release their long anticipated Oceana diver's watch in a limited edition of just 80 pieces. The watch will be highly customizable, with over 2,300 possible combinations. One can choose from many types of parts and features, including straps, dials, hands, crystal materiel, bezel, and of course case metal. While the limited edition of just 80 may seem low, Pita's statement of "2009 limited edition" might mean that more of the desirable watches will be made in the future. The watches will be available in various styles of steel, gold, and even in platinum. Prices start at about 3,200 euros, and top out at around 17,000 euros for the 950 platinum case version. This is an incredible deal for a platinum watch that usually go for before $50,000 and way up. I cannot definitively say that this is the cheapest platinum watch out there, but is is one of the lowest prices - and as part of an incredible overall timepiece.

Many innovations went into the Pita Oceana's design. Notable is the crownless design and water resistance to 5000 meters. The case is 43mm wide and 18mm thick. The watch movement is based on a heavily modified ETA 2671 automatic, while the overall watch has two patents in the design. The small star-shaped seconds hand is also a "chromatic depth meter." Something about the colors changing as you dive deeper. A very cool looking watch that is totally unique from a couple of master watch makers in Barcelona. Check out the online Ocean customization options here.

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

Tags: 2009, barcelona, diver, limited edition, LimitedEdition, oceana, pita, platinum, spain, timepiece, watch

Omega Seamaster Ploprof In Gold For Only Watch 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions

The re-released Omega Seamaster Ploprof watch was a big hit with collectors who lusted after the original Ploprof watch of the 1970s. So it makes sense that Omega's contribution to the Only Watch 2009 auction represent this iconic timepiece - but in gold. It is ironic that was is essentially a very dedicated diving instrument should be milled in 250 grams of solid 18k red gold. This watch will help you sink when diving. For this one-off timepiece you can clearly see the note on the dial of "1/1 Only Watch" There will not be any more of these to go around. Plus, as the watch will be up for auction it is anyone's guess right now at how much it will go for. Aside from being in red gold, the Only watch version of the Seamaster Ploprof is nicely done with a white dial, bezel, and rubber strap. Like the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the bezel is covered with a sapphire crystal to protect it but keep it legible.

If you aren't familiar with the Ploprof watch functionality, allow me to cover it briefly. The 2009 (including this model) version of the watch is water resistant to 1200 meters, has an automatic helium escape valve, and a button (gold and white ceramic) at about 2 o'clock that is meant to release the rotating diver's bezel. The watch is over 55mm wide and 17.5 mm thick. The hands and hour indicators on the watch are also in red gold. Inside the watch is the Omega Calibre 8501 automatic movement that has been Chronometer certified. The individual who purchases this timepiece will no doubt be the envy of many, and few will just laugh of them for the ludicrous nature of the watch as some may see it. The Only Watch 2009 auction will be held in Monaco on September 24th this year.

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

Tags: 2009, diver, gold, omega, only watch, OnlyWatch, ploprof, seamaster, watch

IWC Gold Aquatimer Vintage Collection Automatic Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Last year the watch loving public was delighted to see the Vintage collection from IWC that included a vintage styled Aquatimer watch, closely resembling the first Aquatimer watch from 1967. This was easily the best of the new Vintage line watches in my opinion, and still looks great a year later. This year IWC has taken the entire new IWC Vintage line and added 18k gold (white or rose gold) versions of the 44m wide case to the strong lineup.

This is the rose gold IWC Vintage Aquatimer on a honey alligator strap. The look is about as beautiful a retro diver watch as you can get. The internal rotating bezel is controlled via the top crown on the right side of the watch, which is screwed down. Inside is an IWC manufactured 80111 calibre automatic movement with Pellaton winding system and integrated shock absorbers. Sapphire crystals (antireflective) are on the front and rear of the watch. This true diver's watch is water-resistant to 12 ATM. Price likely $15,000 - $20,000 for the gold versions of this highly desirable IWC Vintage Aquatimer watch. Perfect for actual diving or otherwise.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: aquatimer, diver, IWC, sihh 2009, Sihh2009, vintage, watch