limitededition

Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon Watch Wins Good Design Award, Again

Easily the most distinctive moon phase watch out there today, Finnish watch maker Sarpaneva's Korona K3 line of watches have just been given more international acclaim. The watch cases are 44mm wide and utterly unique in character. Very edgy and dark with a designer twist. Stepan Sarpaneva is inspired by the long and gloomy Finland winters in the design of his timepieces. The mostly dark tones conceal mythic tales about world as told through aspects of European lore. The large moon phase disc itself has a highly expressive face that isn't happy or sad, but rather purposeful in its aura.

Very much a manufacture style watch, they use modified automatic Soprod A10 movements. The dial has been skeletonized like a web, with the main features of the watch all being transparent. The case is either in steel or DLC coated black while the movement can be had in various different metal tones. One of the coolest features is the face of the moon again visible on the rear of the watch as located on the automatic rotor.

The Sarpaneva Koronoa K3 watch collection won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award in the past, but has now also won another Good Design award by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. This award was given specifically to the pictured Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon limited edition model. A very impressive timepiece, it is limited to just 20 pieces. Keep watch for more fascinating horological creations from Sarpaneva.

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

Tags: award, black moon, BlackMoon, good design, GoodDesign, k3, Korona, limited edition, LimitedEdition, Sarpaneva

Panerai Radiomir Titanium 47mm Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As retro themed timepieces go, this is an interesting one for sure. This Special Edition Panerai Radiomir Titanium PAM00349 is based on a design from the 1930s. It features an interesting design on the dial called a "California dial." This is where the top half of the numerals are Roman, and the lower half are Arabic. The dial is also sterile, which means it has no text or branding. While the timepiece is attractive, its clear homage to an older watch and lack of Panerai branding mean that it is almost exclusively a collector's item. The fact that Panerai is making only 12 of them further makes this point obvious.

The 47mm wide cushion shaped case is in titanium (clearly a modern element). Case is water resistant to 100 meters. The lugs are removable so that you can change the strap. On the dial you have rose gold hands covered with lume and a classic style of Panerai subsidiary seconds dial. Around the dial is a thin toothed chapter ring that has always look nice and adds depth to the look. Some people are going to love the dial, while others find it too bare. I would have preferred the hands be a bit longer. Notice the turnip shaped crown that is easy to operate, and where you can finally see some Panerai branding.

The watch movement is apparently in-house made, based on a Minerva movement. This might sound odd, but Minerva is owned by Montblanc, which is itself owned by Richemont, which is the parent company of Panerai. So there is some connection. The movement is the Panerai caliber OP XXVII that is hand-wound and visible through the caseback of the watch. With a very niche appeal and interesting vintage look, the Radiomir Titanium 47mm watch will only be found at select Panerai boutiques. Price is apparently a whopping $25,000 - $30,000.

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

Tags: 00349, 349, california dial, CaliforniaDial, limited edition, LimitedEdition, pam, pam0349, panerai, radiomir, titanium, watch

Bozeman Watch Co. Cutthroat Limited Edition Timepieces

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This is actually the second set of limited edition Cutthroat watches from Montana based American watch maker Bozeman Watch Company. The brand is known for classic looking luxury watches with an outdoorsy American twist, using Swiss movements. There are really very few smaller Americans brand such as this. As an homage to fishing and the famous Cutthroat trout, this newest edition of 100 pieces is broken up into at least 5 color choices. Four dials are in silver with either red, orange, blue, or green trim (as the color of the lume on the hour markers and tips of the hands), and one version with a black colored face. These are distinguished by regional or thematic names such as the "Yellowstone" or "Whitefish" editions.

In a classically handsome manner the watches are nice in a subtle way. Understated and functional. Inside the watches are Swiss automatic GMT movements (likely an ETA 2893-2) that have been COSC Chronometer certified. The arrow shaped (literally like an arrow used with a bow) GMT hand is red tipped on all models, and follow a neatly marked GMT hour scale on the chapter ring. The dial is very easy to read with all markers present. One of the things I really like about the watches is that all the hands are perfect in length. This is a sign of a good watch designer. The counterweight on the seconds hand is shaped like the brand logo. The watches are each in a 42mm wide, highly polished steel case with a sapphire crystal and 100 meters of water resistance. They are matched to simple leather straps with contrast stitching. Price for these hand-tooled watches is between $4,200 - $4,700 (each model is in a limited edition of 15 or 40 pieces - together totaling 100). The pictured model is the Bozeman Cutthroat Mack Creek Edition. You can learn more from Bozeman Watch Co. here.

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

Tags: american, Bozeman, co, cutthroat, GMT, limited edition, LimitedEdition, montana, watch

Omega Milestone 1941 Collector's Piece Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This is the 9th installment of Omega's Museum Collection watches that are modern re-issues of classic watches from Omega's past. This Milestone 1941 Collector's Piece is based on a watch released back in 1938. Omega is certainly taking vintage to a new era with this one. The original it is based on was know as the CK 2080. While this new version looks super retro, it is actually quite modern aside from the looks. Inside the watch is a modern Omega Caliber 3203 Co-Axial manually wound movement in a 38mm wide 18k white gold case. The movement also has a column wheel for the chronograph complication.

The retro techy instrument dial would have been all the rage of "atomic scientists" back in the early 40s no doubt. Omega claims the original was popular among high grade military personnel. The dial features a tachymeter, telemetre, and a 30 minute chronograph aside from the time. The watch dial itself is thrown in the middle. A busy dial, but cool and functional. Lume on the hands and dial is SuperLumiNova. The case and lugs are also old fashioned in style - though still handsome. Attached is a black alligator strap with a simple buckle in matching 18k white gold. A truly nice, niche watch in a limited edition of just 1,941 pieces.

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

Tags: 1941, collectors piece, CollectorsPiece, limited edition, LimitedEdition, miltestone, omega, watch

Zenith Vintage 55 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As predicted, here is yet another "vintage" watch model from a popular Swiss luxury watch brand (that is coincidentally French owned). Zenith underwent new direction recently and this may be one of the first models to stem from that change. There are high hopes for the brand that was for the last few years making interesting, but unbuyable watches that lacked soul or clear purpose.

This new model is certainly a change, but I don't think it is for the better. the Zenith Vintage 55 watch has all the right things in the right places but nevertheless feels uninspired. There are better options with a very similar design from brands such as Chopard, Union Glashutte, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and others. The Vintage 55 simply lacks the character that people are looking for when buying a new watch meant to evoke feelings of some amorphous "retro past." At least it is somewhat trendy with a now "in" vintage look and brown dial.

The watch is in a 40mm wide 18k rose gold case with matching hands and hour markers. A tasteful subsidiary seconds dial and dauphine hands meld logically with the arrow hour markers that have one of the watch's only unique features - center "cuts" in the indexes. A single Arabic numeral is used for 12 o'clock to orient the dial. Likely the most enticing aspect of the Vintage 55 watch is the Zenith caliber 689 automatic (with 22k gold rotor) in-house made movement that is very thin at just 4mm thick and is COSC chronometer certified. Unless the price for the Zenith Vintage 55 watch is particularly inviting, I just don't see what makes the watch differ from the competition unless you are a "Zenith only" person. As one more possible incentive (or realization on Zenith's behalf), the watch will be as a limited edition of 100 pieces.

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

Tags: 55, brown, chronometer, limited edition, LimitedEdition, rose gold, RoseGold, Vintage, watch, Zenith

Hublot Commando Bang Camo Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

It seems like only yesterday that I spoke about the last ultra luxury camouflage timepiece that will never (ever) be worn in a dangerous combat environment by a soldier. Maybe by the high profile guy they are escorting while he is wearing his weekend commando gear. Plus, I totally see an 80's era Arnold brandishing this watch on his sweaty wrist while lighting a cigar on the set of Predator. That would have been sweet.

Hublot's latest Bang is this Commando Bang watch that will come in a brown and green style of camouflage. You could also call those desert or khaki and jungle camo styles. The patterns are the old school style camo and are present on the dials and straps. The cases (probably around 44mm wide) are in some fancy type of wear and fire resistant material that is black. Probably a lot of matte ceramic and fancy metal alloys, also Kevlar (per the standard Big Bang watch case material list). The straps are fiber and something called NOMEX. Even though these are clearly just more derivative Hublot Big Bang watches, they are cool! Very neat to look at, and I think that most guys would have no problems wearing them around. The layered look of the camo on the dials is particularly neat looking.

Inside the watch is likely Hublot's standard adoption of an ETA 2894-2 automatic movement. The Commando Bang line will be a limited edition (not sure of how many pieces or the the price). Cool looking watches yet again from Hublot - that Big Bang style just refuses to age thus far.

Via Watch Happening.

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

Gallery: Hublot Commando Bang Camo Watches

Tags: 301.CI.8610.NR, 301.CI.8710.NR, big bang, BigBang, camo, camuflage, commando, Hublot, limited edition, LimitedEdition, watch

Belvedere Vodka Silver Ltd. Edition

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Belvedere, the all natural super premium vodka from Poland, has come out with a limited edition silver bottle for the holidays perfect for gift giving or festive occasions.

Available only until the New Year, the Belvedere Silver bottle features the brand's signature design set against a mirrored background for a modern, celebratory look.

Using only Dankowskie Gold Rye grown solely in the sweeping plains of Poland's Mazovia region, water from a pristine artesian well, and a proprietary purification process, Belvedere is distilled four times to uncover the vodka's strength of character.

The preciseness of the distillation process allows the distinctive notes of the vodka to come through without stripping away the subtle nuances, resulting in a smooth, creamy, peppery taste with a clean finish.

The limited edition Belvedere Silver bottles are available in four sizes: 375 ml, 750 ml, 1 litre and 1.75 litre, with the 750 ml size retailing for $35.

Tags: Belvedere, Belvedere Vodka, BelvedereVodka, holiday 09, Holiday09, limited edition, LimitedEdition, Poland, vodka

Hublot King Power Chrono Flying Tourbillon Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I need to have a social life like a Russian oligarch soon. I feel as though there is so much more about this watch (and ones like it) that I should be excited about, but just don't have enough "new money" socialite parties to attend and show the watch off at. Walking down the street I'm afraid the "lay people" just aren't going to get it. Of course I am being somewhat facetious, but not really. It is true that it takes a special sort of luxury loving audience to get giddy about stuff like this. Maybe that is part of the point. With a name like "King Power Chrono Flying Tourbillon," Hublot is obviously aiming at some manner of... royalty.

The watch is all black in tone and a biggie at 48mm wide. Most notable on the dial is the large flying tourbillon (has no top bridge) with its rubies and spinning glory. The watch is a mixture of mostly ceramic and black PVD coated titanium with some composite resin materials thrown in the mix. Movement is the manually wound HUB1400CT with 120 hours of power reserve. Not that the movement isn't cool, but it does not excite me as it might have once done - you just see this type of thing too much from Hublot these days. Still, the watch excites some people, as it just won the 5th Premier Middle East Watches, Jewelry, and Pens Award. Not sure why it was competing against jewelry and pens. Plus, the locale of the awards is probably a hint as to where most of the 28 pieces in this limited edition set are finding homes. Price is probably just a few tankers worth of unrefined oil.

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

Tags: chrono, hublot, king, limited edition, LimitedEdition, power, tourbillon, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Franck Muller Conquistador Singapore Grand Prix Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I recently spoke about Arnold Schwarzenegger visiting a Franck Muller store. He might have gone in to check out a watch such as this. Right out of a financially troubled Franck Muller comes this beast of a luxury timepiece. I've never seen anything like it from the brand, and this Conquistador Singapore Grand Prix watch certainly is aimed at one of the few places right now where you can bet on luxury watch sales still taking place.

There are other versions of this new style Conquistador watch. The dramatic colors and design are what really get me. It is like Franck Muller is targeting Roger Dubuis in some odd manner it seems with these "talk to me designs." This particular watch looks like a perfect compliment to Batman's The Joker attire. Don't you think?

Case comes in two forms. Either titanium and ergal (a type of aluminum alloy - think the red color on the watch case) or titanium and 18k rose gold. Size is 48mm wide by 62mm tall, and 14mm thick. Front and rear crystal is sapphire, of course. Inside the "statement rich" timepiece is an automatic Franck Muller FM caliber 7000 chronograph movement. Notable is the high level of decoration and platinum automatic rotor in the movement. The watch is limited to 80 pieces in the titanium and ergal, and 80 pieces in the titanium and gold.

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

Tags: conquistabor, franck muller, FranckMuller, grand prix, GrandPrix, limited edition, LimitedEdition, singapore, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Glashütte Original Pocket Watch No. 1 With Quarter Hour Repeater

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This seems to be the year of pocket watch from haute luxury watch makers. Something about a "return to classic tradition and heritage of the brand." Say that out-loud in an obnoxious ambiguously European accent for the "full effect." From Glashütte Original comes the lovely limited edition Pocket Watch No. 1. Maybe it is their first pocket watch, at least I think it is in the modern era.

Really the pocket quite is quite classic, in most every design sense. Details are still thin, so I can't tell you about the price or size yet. Expect that it is "of average pocket watch size." I do know that the case is in 18k rose gold, with hinged lids on both the dial and caseback. The dial is enamel, with blued steel hands, and painted Roman numeral hour markers. It has a tasteful looking subsidiary seconds dial as well.

Movement is the hand-wound 84-10, newly design caliber movement that has a few nice features. In addition to the time, the movement has a quarter repeater mechanism. Activating a lever on the side of the watch enables the watch to repeat the time back to you in an audio form, that is accurate to the closest quarter hour. The movement also features a zero-reset mechanism for the seconds hand, which resets the seconds indicator when you pull the crown out for accurate setting.

The Pocket Watch No. 1 comes with a matching rose gold chain. The watch looks very handsome, but carrying around a pocket watch these days is certainly an acquired taste. Glashutte Original is making just 25 pieces in this limited edition, that will be officially unveiled at Baselworld in March.

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

Tags: 1, Glashutte Original, GlashutteOriginal, Limited Edition, LimitedEdition, Pocket Watch, PocketWatch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Herman Miller Select Eames Inspired Walnut Tops Set

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

You may know Herman Miller as a chair and furniture maker, but the company also makes items for the home. As people buy less products made in America, I think that Herman Miller takes prides in the fact that it is an American company, and enjoys releasing uniquely American products. Another side of Herman Miller you may not be familiar with is Herman Miller Select. The point of Select is to align with important designers and create one special product at a time. The first Herman Miller Select product was an Eames inspired chair, and now it is a set of toy tops.

The set of three tops was designed by New York city based design firm Klein Reid. If you are familiar with their work, you'll see the similarity in these tops. The design is inspired by famous designers Charles and Ray Eames (think, the Eames chair). The Eameses themselves looked to toys for inspiration in their work. Herman Miller currently produces Eames designed furniture, so it makes sense for them to offer these limited edition tops.

Made of high-quality turned solid Walnut wood, to me the tops each represent different periods of American design aesthetic - from ornate decoration to stark modernism. The tops arrive together as a set and are each between about 4 - 4.75 inches in size. They work too, but you have to use two hands to spin them. The look of wood and soft edges make the tops attractive pieces of decorative art, evoking imagery of toys from a simpler time as well as pure Americana. A good gift idea. Production is limited and will cease forever in April 2010. Price is $199 per set and available at select Herman Miller dealers and retailers. You'll need to locate a Herman Miller dealer or retailer here if you want to get a set.

Gallery: Herman Miller Tops

Tags: Eames, Herman Miller, HermanMiller, Klein Reid, KleinReid, limited edition, LimitedEdition, Select, tops, toys

Glashütte Original Strasser & Rohde Regulator Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Glashütte Original Strasser & Rohde Regulator Watch

Arriving in a limited edition of just 25 pieces is another throw-back style watch model from German Glashutte Original. This is the Strasser & Rohde Regulator watch, which is just that - a traditional style regulator watch. A regulator is a watch where the minutes scale takes charge, filling up the whole dial, while there are subsidiary dials for the hours and minutes. The name refers to the fact that these were historically produced as extra-accurate clocks that were used to "regulate" the time on other smaller clocks and watches. The layout you see is the most typical look for this type of watch.

The hand wound Glashutte Original GO 49-04 watch movement is new and totally in-house made by Glashutte Original. The watch case is 42mm wide and in 18k rose gold. The movement is completely viewable through the rear sapphire caseback window and is stunning to behold. Glashutte Original really did a nice job designing it and decorating it. The dial itself is highly minimalistic, but not in the modern sense. Despite just telling the time, the watch has the added visual interest of subdials, a reason why regulator style watches are so popular these days.

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

Tags: Glashtte Original, GlashtteOriginal, limited edition, LimitedEdition, regulator, Strasser Rohde, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Chopard Classic Racing Chronograph Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Chopard Classic Racing Chronograph Limited Edition Watch

This watch has to have one of the most detailed Chopard watch cases I have ever seen. The image here doesn't do this fact justice, but look at the sides and rear of the watch and you get a visual treat. This limited edition of just 500 pieces 18kt gold watch steps both forward and back with a refreshing look at the Chopard racing chronograph watch line. Case size is about 48mm wide (big for the brand!) by 15mm thick. It is water resistant to 100 meters.

Likely the brand's more popular collection are the Mille Miglia watches. The nomenclature burst open a bit so that the Mille Miglia name isn't applied to all of their racing themed watches, but fans "in the know" understand the heritage. One of the most fun elements is the gold three spoke racing steering wheel that is placed on the side of the rubber coated crown. The sides of the case are all nicely milled and cut with an interesting horizontal striping. The large screw columns intentionally protrude a bit giving it a very technical feel. The crown guard and rubberized integrated chronograph pushers are nicely done in a unique style. The black on rose gold tones are extremely contemporary.

Chopard never lets down with the dials on its racing watches. The hands (in gold) are always large and have a high contrast with the dial. Three overlapping chronograph subdials are subdued, but legible. The dial itself enjoys a vertical pattering which is new to the collection, while the minute marker scaled chapter ring is futuristic and retro at the same time. Inside the watch is a base ETA automatic chronograph movement that has been COSC Chronometer certified. Lastly, no Chopard racing watch would be complete without the requisite Dunlop tire tread rubber strap. Price is about $24,000.

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

Tags: Chopard, Chronograph, Classic Racing, ClassicRacing, limited edition, LimitedEdition, rose gold, RoseGold, watch

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Las Vegas Strip Collection Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Las Vegas Strip Tourbillon watch

Remember Las Vegas? Audemars Piguet sure does. The important city to the brand (due to the many watch stores) now gets and important watch collection from the brand. In black and red tones, the new collection of Royal Oak model based watches are suitable wrist companions for nights of luxury and excess in the hottest city in the desert. The popularity of Vegas comes and goes, but you can't deny the importance of a fantastic watch while spending time on the Strip.

Most most exclusive of the watches in the collection is the pictured Audemars Piguet Las Vegas Strip Manual Wind Tourbillon with Chronograph watch. It is limited to 35 pieces and comes in a blackened steel case. Other models include two diamond studded automatic chronograph versions (for men or women each limited to 60 pieces), and a more standard automatic chronograph without all the decoration (limited to 400 pieces). Each has that signature look meant to match your casino attire. Sure it is a bit silly, but in Las Vegas you feel the need to go all out.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Gallery: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Las Vegas Strip Collection Watches

Tags: audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, las vegas, LasVegas, limited edition, LimitedEdition, royal oak, RoyalOak, strip, tourbillon, watch

MB&F HM2.2 Watch Designed By Alain Silberstein

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

MB&F HM2.2 Black Box Alain Silberstein watch

One of my favorite watch designers, Alain Silberstein has paired up with one of my favorite independent watch makers MB&F to create this limited edition of 8 pieces Horological Machine 2.2 (HM2.2) "Black Box" watch. It uses the existing HM2 watch and adds Alain Silberstein's special character. The telltale signs of his involvement are the three multicolor shapes on right-hand dial, the shapes of the hands and indicators, and the character rick face of the moon phase. You also have both MB&F (Max Busser & Friends) and Alain Silberstein's signature or logo on the rear of the watch.

This HM2.2 Black Box version of the HM2 watch is done in black PVD coated titanium and silicium. The combination of design cues makes the watch look like a nice little Bauhaus inspired instrument. If you've worn one of these watches you know how large it is - but cool looking. 59mm wide and 38mm tall. Relatively thin for a watch like this at 13mm thick. Movement is an automatic (with a blue 22k gold version of the signature battle ax rotor) and has two distinct faces. On the left is a small moonphase indicator and retrograde date. On the right is the time via retrograde minutes an jumping hour. I actually feel like this HM2.2 version of the watch is more legible than the original, and certainly presents a unique presentation on the already unique watch. Really nice, and just for a few people who can get one of the eight MB&F "Black Boxes" out there.

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

Tags: alain silberstein, AlainSilberstein, hm2.2, horological machine, HorologicalMachine, limited edition, LimitedEdition, mbf, watch