sihh 2009

IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch

This IWC presents a first (in my knowledge) complication for watches. This is the first perpetual calendar with a "big" date and month display. I really like how this looks on the face, having the two large display windows polarized horizontally on the dial. While it is easier for me to read the month as a three letter abbreviation, this style will be more convenient when you write out the date in the European style: "25/8/09," as for us Americans, we will have to switch around the numbers in our head. While this Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar watch does not display the day of the week, if you aren't aware of that, you've got other problems. Instead, there is a tastefully small leap year indicator at 6 o'clock, and a full 12 hour chronograph to satisfy you. The chronograph combines both the hours and minute counter into one dial (with two hands) in the 12 o'clock position. This is one of the most simple looking, complex watches out there.

The watch comes in a limited edition of 500 with pieces in 18k rose gold or platinum. The newer Da Vinci style tonneau case measures 44mm wide by 16mm tall. This watch has an automatic in-house IWC caliber 89800 movement that has 474 parts (very complex) and a massive power reserve of 68 hours. Knowing this will help you justify the price of this beautiful IWC Da Vinci watch, which is likely to be $40,000 plus.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Chronograph, Da Vinci, DaVinci, IWC, Perpetual Calendar, PerpetualCalendar, sihh 2009, Sihh2009, timepiece, 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

Cartier Santos 100 Squelette Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

It was only a matter of time before the Cartier Santos got the skeletonized treatment. It has been already been done with most of their other popular watch lines. At SIHH 2009 this month, Cartier will debut the limited edition Santos 100 Squelette watch based on the Santos XL case size. This large 46.5mm x 55mm classic square "tank" case will hold a finely carved Cartier individually numbered manually-wound caliber 9611MC movement, with a 72 hour power reserve. Through sapphire crystals on the front and rear of the watch, you can literally see right through to the other side, clearly viewing all watch operations with each glance. You have to give Cartier credit for shaving as much metal off the movement as possible.

Unlike most skeletonized watches, the watch face is literally carved into the movement. That way you still get Cartier's signature use of Roman numeral hour markers. The Santos 100 Squelette case is constructed from palladium, that looks great with contrasting polished and brushed surfaces. The blued steel hands complete the beautiful look of this exotic Cartier watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: cartier, santos, santos 100 squelette, Santos100Squelette, sihh 2009, Sihh2009, timepiece, watch

Cartier Baignoire Grand Modele Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Debuting at this year's SIHH show, Cartier is releasing an homage to one of its most beautiful woman's line of watches that began in the early 20th century. The Baignoire Grande Modele watch is named after the Baignoire bathtub that shares a shape with the watch case. In watch form, the shape offers a simple yet elegant approach to the classic tonneau case.

The new model is traditional in almost all respects but with a larger sized case. Inside is an ultra-thin manually wound Piaget 430C movement. The case is 18k rose gold with a solid silver dial decorated with sunburst guilloche machine polishing. The beige colored strap is satin with an inner lining for strength and ends with an 18k gold signed buckle to match the watch case. Style is pure Cartier in all respects with blued hands and Roman numeral hour markers. A sapphire jewel cabochon set in the crown completes this very beautiful Cartier Baignoire Grand Modele watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: baignoire grand modele, BaignoireGrandModele, catier, sihh 2009, Sihh2009, timepiece, watch