Sport Luxury (or is it "luxury sport") watch maker Linde Werdelin will release a new version of its SpidoLite SA watch in 18k rose gold with a black DLC (diamond like carbon) coated dial. The watch is a stunning union of luxury and the unique merits that the SpidoLite watch line provides. Plus, I feel that the high contrast between the gold hands and the black dial make for improved legibility.

The SpidoLite SA line is known for its Svend Andersen ("SA") decorated vintage automatic mechanical movement (with a special blue gold automatic rotor), as well as the special skeletonized Biformeter case. All in all a great watch, further enhanced by the look and luxury of rose gold. Price for the gold version is not actually that much more than the standard titanium version. There is also a new version of the SpidoLite watch in all black DLC coated titanium, which is very nice (that version has metallic blued hands). Prices for the all DLC coated version are 9,800 euros, while the pictures rose gold version is 15,800 euros. Each is limited to just 88 pieces. Available very soon.

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

Here is a watch that for some is the holy grail of Chopard Mille Miglia watches. It combines just about everything that people like from the timepiece collection, and is a limited edition on top of that - of only 500 pieces. I am pretty psyched about this watch, and look forward to spending some time with one, you know... alone. The case is the GT XL style, meaning it is 44mm wide, and has those cool integrated chronograph pushers and crown guards. The watch case is super tough being steel coated with DLC (diamond like carbon). It is also luxurious having an 18k rose gold bezel, chronograph pushers, hands on the dial, and crown. Like the other Mille Miglia GT watches, Chopard applied some of that white, outlined numeral work on under the sapphire crystal, but made it subtle by just doing the 12 and 6 o'clock indicators that way.

The dial has some three dimensional qualities with the applied chronograph subdial rings and hour indicators painted with SuperLumiNova. The hands stand out super well for intense legibility. The dial doesn't however lose any of its racing character. You can see the reserve mounted magnifier placed under the crystal for the date window as well.

Movement is a Chronometer certified chronograph automatic, decorated and viewable through the watch's sapphire caseback. I love the traditional 1960s Dunlop tire tread pattern rubber strap that completes the look of one of the nicest racing themed watch collections of all time. Certain a start of Chopard's line up, and again, this Mille Miglia GT XL Chronograph is part of a limited edition only. Price for this Chopard Ref. 168459-6001 is $10,580.

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

Cartier jumps on the DLC (diamond-like carbon coating) bandwagon, but with something a bit different. They use something called ADLC for this new Santos 100 Carbon Chronograph watch model. ADLC is apparently a superior form of DLC which is known as "amorphous diamond-like carbon" coating. According to Cartier, ADLC is thicker, less prone to finger prints, and overall more "Cartier." No, I just made that last one up, but it is something I can almost hear them saying. At this point I don't know enough about ADLC to comment so I would consider the improvement over normal DLC to be less than substantial, otherwise everyone would be using it. Aside from the use of ADLC coated steel, the fabric strap takes this formal watch to a new sporty level - and the 18k rose gold bezel and other accents looks great against the black on the classic looking Santos design.

The Cartier Santos 100 Carbon Chronograph uses the Cartier automatic 8630 movement that is laid out with unique widely placed subdials - something you don't see very often. I like how the hands are relatively bold for a Cartier timepiece, as it is almost strange not seeing them in blued steel. It appears that Cartier retained the crown cabochon crystal - with maybe an onyx as opposed to a sapphire on this watch. Overall the style is a real hybrid between functional sport watches and the formal good looks that Cartier is so well known for. An interesting watch with 100 meters of water resistance that will appeal to enough people I am sure. Price will retail at 22,700 euros.

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

Here is a pretty cool aftermarket line of timepieces based on the new Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller watch. To be clear, these watches are not affiliated with Rolex, but merely are an aftermarket modification. These Jaques Picard SingleRed DeepSea limited edition of 86 piece watches take the new Rolex DeepSea watches, add a red colored DeepSea title (similar to very rare vintage models of the Rolex Submariner with red text), cover them in a diamond like carbon (DLC) coating, and place a special engraving on the caseback. There is also a special case, NATO strap in addition to the DLC coated steel metal bracelet and a book by Jacques Picard ( who was a prominent Belgian ocean explorer and researcher).

The 86 piece run corresponds to how old Jaques Picard was when he died. A portion of each SingleRed DeepSea watch sold will go to the preservation of the "Jaques Picard Archive." The reason I discuss this interesting limited line of modified Rolex watches is because it is for some people, the perfect Rolex Sea-Dweller watch. DLC is a popular ultra-hard coating that is incredibly scratch resistant and retains a healthy sheen on its surface. Applied over the new several mile deep diving Sea-Dweller, you have a bona bide holy grail Rolex for watch lovers world-wide. Price is 12,900 Euros, shipped from The Netherlands.

Via SingleRedDeepSea.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The cream of Linde Werdelin's new crop of watches is the limited edition of 44 SpidoLite watch in DLC (diamond like carbon) covered titanium. The dial is partially skeletonized with a view into the newly decorated vintage NOS automatic mechanical movement from the 1970s. It is a real melding of ultra modern style and classic reliability. In what seems like a dreamy relationship, Linde Werdelin is using Svend Andersen to engrave and finish the movements for the SpidoLite watch. You can be sure the decoration process will be impressive.

Retaining the ability to have a Linde Werdelin Instrument attach to the face of the watch, the SpidoLite is a new breed from the impressive luxury sports watch maker. The familiar large case sits comfortably on the one's wrist with one of the industry's best high-grade rubber straps. Other versions of the new limited edition SpidoLite watch include an all titanium version (no DLC coating) and a black DLC coated version with a yellow tint applied sapphire crystal for the ultimate "check me out" look. The SpidoLite watches will be officially unveiled at Baselworld 2009 in April. Prices are around $10,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

In case the obviousness of the case shape didn't arouse your suspicions, the modern Ferrari branded watches are produced by none other than Panerai. I've always felt that the Panerai branding was conspicuously absent from the face, but you'll find it on the back of the watch. This newest model based on the partnership is particularly svelte by my standards and is the Ref. FER000038.

The new feature for Ferrari (and Panerai for that matter) in this watch is the application of DLC (diamond like carbon) coating. The powerful diamond hard compound makes for a black sheen and virtually scratch-proof surface on the watch case as it is placed over the substrate metal - take that steel! In a manner that is particularly cool looking for the line, this 45mm wide cased watch is just beautifully simple and well made. The bicompax chronograph layout and revolving number design bathe the dial in a rich red that is accented by the F1 race car outline.

Inside is an automatic Panerai OPXII certified Chronometer movement. This exactly the type of watch I want to be seeing with a Ferrari logo on it. It is legible, dead-easy to use, and sure as hell stands out (but without screaming). The prancing horse logo on the crown and yellow emblem on the face round everything out. Well done Ferrari... I mean Panerai. Price is likely to be between $10,000 - $15,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.