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Montblanc Star Pluie d'Etoiles Watch For The Ladies

Filed under: Timepieces


Asymmetric diamond layouts are in. Harry Winston showed us this here on the Talk To Me, Harry Winston Snowflake watch, and not Montblanc gives us a taste of what this design aesthetic can produce. coming in January, Montblanc will reveal the new Star Pluie d'Etoiles watch for women. I do quite like the look. The case and dial work together harmoniously, as the watch wouldn't be what it is without both.

The case is 36mm wide and in 18k white gold. The out bezel is lined with baguette cut diamonds, while the inner side of the bezel is done in what looks to be round cut diamonds. The diamonds are top Wesselton, and there are 298 of them on the watch. The dial itself is in black Tahitian mother-of-peal, with a nicely engraved Montblanc star "falling" with the diamonds. Movement is a Swiss ETA automatic, and you know it is a Montblanc by the logo on the side of the case, as well as the characteristic "12" in their standard font. It is all on an alligator strap. A nice wintry ladies' watch this season.

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

Cartier Rotonde Central Chronograph Watch

Filed under: Timepieces


One of the more interesting new Cartier watches at SIHH 2009 this year is the Rotonde Central Chronograph. This watch uses Cartier's new in-house manually-wound 9907 MC calibre movement built in La Chaux de Fonds. The look of the watch is unique to say the least, with the centrally placed chronograph subdial measuring 30 minutes, with a disc that literally covers most of the hour and minute hand on the watch face.

The chronograph dial is very easy to read as all 30 minutes are displayed on the central revolving disc. The chronograph seconds are displayed on a thin blued hand that uses the middle 60 second ring. This means that there is no seconds hands for the main time. I think the watch suffers from a bit of concentric circle-itis. I count five functional rings on the face. I also feel as though the hour hand is too long, or the minute hand is too short. I can see this becoming a legibility issue for some people.

I do however approve of the large rectangular chronograph pushers, and the new interpretation of the traditional Cartier crown. See the bulbous sapphire crystal cabochon, and dotted periphery that decorate the crown. The dial features some guilloche engraving, while the 18k gold case complements the overall theme of the watch nicely.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar And Equation Of Time Watch

Filed under: Timepieces

girard perregaux equation of time
Soon after the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar watch was given the title of best watch of the year for 2008 by a Japanese watch magazine, Girard-Perregaux introduced a follow-up model, the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar and Equation of Time at SIHH 2009.

The new watch, while having a very similar name, holds the same in-house made movement (the automatic caliber GP033M0), but removes the moonphase in favor of an 'equation of time' dial. This indicator shows the difference between the solar time and the time displayed on your wrist. The deviation is never more than plus or minus 15 minutes. Further, the layout of the dial is dramatically different than the 1966 Annual Calendar. What remains is the annual calendar's functionality with a new asymmetrical layout. The design reminds me more of Maurice Lacroix than Girard-Perregaux, but retains a simplicity that I can attribute Girard-Perregaux's traditional looks.

Case diameter is 40mm and is made of 18k rose gold. The gold leaf-shaped hands contrast well against the blued steel hands of the subdials. Like I said, the design is very avant garde for a classic watch, but remains clean and elegant - the most important aspect of any Girard Perregaux watch these days.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Frederic Jouvenot Chronographe Evolution I

Filed under: Timepieces


One of the most innovative new timepieces to debut at the Salon International de la Haute Horologerie (SIHH) in Geneva this week is this watch by young French-Swiss watchmaker Frederic Jouvenot. The automatic Chronographe Evolution 1 (above) is billed as the first classic chronograph with a fully visible automatic winding mechanism on the face. It features a 44mm case in either 18-karat white or rose gold with black gold detailing, and is limited to only 88 pieces each. Waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, it has a massive bi-directional gold central winding rotor, 50 hour power reserve, and a sapphire exhibition window on the reverse revealing the complex mechanism.

Cartier Tank Americaine Tourbillon Volant Watch

Filed under: Timepieces


Getting ready for SIHH 2009, Cartier is doing everything in their power not to share Bvlgari's fate this year of losses due to the falling luxury marketing as a result of the poor economy. Instead of too much experimentation, Cartier is refining and adding to its classic lines. The Tank is a typical Cartier icon, with an beautiful iteration here fitted with a flying tourbillon.

The Tank Americaine Tourbillon Volant (another name for flying tourbillon) goes back the original (well the most popular at least historically) squared luxury watches. Dial engravings are common of today's upper echelon of Cartier fare, with a beautiful case design almost as nice the Emperador watch from Piaget. The difference being the intensity of the lugs as they connect to the sides of the case sandwiching the dial.

Take a look at the beautifully large crown with equally impressive sapphire crystal cabochon. Operating it lets you feel the smooth, manually wound mechanical Cartier caliber 9452MC with flying tourbillon complication and Geneva Seal. Power reserve is 50 hours. Going along with the the style of today, the Tank Americaine is aptly large at 52mm tall and 36mm wide. The case is 18k rose gold, and the hands, as always, are heat-blued and lovely. A bold follow up to a Cartier classic.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Impressions Of The New A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange "Pour le Merite" And 1815 Watch Models

Filed under: Timepieces


Today the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie SIHH 2009 officially begins in Geneva, where the best of the best watch makers come to display what new and beautiful watches the welcoming crowd can expect to see in stores soon. The perennial show favorite A. Lange & Sohne presents two new models: the limited edition Richard Lange "Pour Le Merite" and a new version of the best selling 1815 model. Sharp eyes watch the Lange Uhren manufacture eager to see how classic tradition can be made fresh each year. I got a chance to view the watches before the show and can report that I am impressed.

Polo Ralph Lauren Partners With Richemont Group, Will Release Luxury Watch Line

Filed under: Apparel, Timepieces


Polo Ralph Lauren was recently admitted to the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), a prestigious luxury watch industry trade show. Interestingly enough Ralph Lauren does not currently offer any luxury watches. That is all going to change soon as Ralph Lauren has partnered with the prestigious watch making Richemont Group to produce watches with a license from popular fashion house. The new watches will be distributed through a number of global retailers under the "Polo Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelery Company" name.

Richemont is the controlling group behind a number of high performing luxury watch brands such and IWC, Officine Panerai, and Cartier. The ensuing Polo Ralph Lauren watches will be established as luxury models, though no images of the designs have been made available just yet. This will all change in less than two weeks as the new watch brand is set to release its first line of models at the 2009 SIHH show later this month in Geneva.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

SIHH 2009 Watch Exhibition January 19th-23rd In Geneva

Filed under: Timepieces, Events


The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) is the second most important annual watch show next to Baselworld (held in Basel, Switzerland typically in April). SIHH is held in Geneva, Switzerland, and showcases the new watches from its member brands. This year, a few new faces are among the 17 exhibiting brands that include: Piaget, A. Lange & Sohne, Cartier, IWC, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Baume & Mercier, among many other watch makers who typify distinction in mechanics and design.

Not just anyone can attend this private event, a fact that makes SIHH a lot different than the larger Baselworld show. To be included you need to be specifically invited by the exhibiting brands. At times like this it is good to know people in the right places. SIHH has always been a more gala like event celebrating not only the watches, but the glamour and appeal of the luxury industry and all its participants. If you are invited and flying to Switzerland, getting there is really easy as the show is actually located in a part of the Geneva airport.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif Paris Watch

Filed under: Timepieces


The latest watch in Piaget's Polo Tourbillon Relatif series will delight fans of the city of Paris. The new watch, which will be shown at the upcoming SIHH 2008 watch and jewelry show has a mechanical hand-wound one minute flying tourbillon and uses the Manufacture Piaget caliber 608P movement. The dial features names of famous Parisians. The coolness factor here though is on the sides of the watch. The sides of the watch are decorated with amazingly intricate etchings of the city. The design shows monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and others. No details on price or production are available yet.

Girard-Perregaux Shopping Watch

Filed under: Timepieces


I find the newest women's watch from Girard-Perregaux a little sexist (women aren't the only shoppers after all) but the watch is awfully attractive. The Girard-Perregaux ww.tc 24 Hour Shopping Watch gives the time in 24 time zones listing them, not by cities as most watches do, but by shopping destinations. The watch lists places famous for their fashion and luxury boutiques, such as Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Dubai, Ginza and Rode Drive. There are several different versions available and each one focuses on two specific venues: Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Orchard Road, or Montenapoleone and Central or Rue du Rhône and Nan Jing Xi Lu. The other time zones are indicated on the city ring by fifteen different sized diamonds, adding up to 0.18 carats. The dial has diamonds as some of the hour markets and the bezel is set with 54 diamonds (a total of 1.95 carats). The 41mm watch uses the Girard-Perregaux movement GP033G0, a mechanical movement with automatic winding. It has a sapphire crystal and a sapphire back. One nice detail is the onyx cabochons set into the watch crowns.

Cartier Perles Watch

Filed under: Timepieces


We don't know too much about this watch except that is will be introduced during the SIHH show in Switzerland in April. The Cartier Perles watch is part of the Cartier Libre watch collection which also includes Cartier's Crash watches. The Cartier Perle is done in 18K white gold with 389 diamonds (a total of 2.9 carats) and highlighted by two pearls. The movement is a Swiss quartz module. The style is very striking but it looks like might be awkward to wear.

New Panerai Watches From SIHH

Filed under: Timepieces


Mike Disher of Time Zone is at the SIHH show and is covering some of the new releases. Today we are looking at Panerai watches. I'm pretty immune to the charms of this brand but these are some lovely and simple watches.

My favorite is the Radiomir 10 Days GMT in pink gold, PAM00273. It uses the Panerai calibre P.2003 movement and has a 45 mm diameter pink gold case with a "sandwich" dial and pink gold hands. The central hand with the arrow displays the second time zone. The edition of 250 pieces that will be available starting in August.

Girard Perregaux Watches at SIHH

Filed under: Timepieces


The SIHH watch and jewelry show has begun and Girard Perregaux is showing off a wide variety of watches several of which highlight the watches vintage styles.

My favorite is this one, the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon watch combines a Tourbillon and a slot machine equipped with a striking mechanism in a Vintage 1945 case. The top of the dial has three symbols that spin while the bottom part of the watch reveals the tourbillon cage. A handle on the right side of the case sets the three reels in motion which then stop randomly on one of the possible five symbols, while a hammer strikes a gong. Out of the 125 combinations, only one represents the jackpot: the three bells in a row. The 43mm case is done in pink gold.

Girard-Perregaux Hours of the World Perpetual Calendar Watch

Filed under: Timepieces


We first heard about this watch when it made its debut at SIHH, now check out the sexy red gold version of the Hours of the World Perpetual Calendar by Girard-Perregaux. The 41mm watch which is ringed with the names of the world's major cities is equipped with an automatic GP 033Q0 mechanical movement with 46-hour power reserve. The watch has a day/night disc and indicates the day, month, date, moon phase on a four year cycle with leap year. It has an anti-reflection sapphire crystal with a transparent screw-down caseback. 

[via EuropaStar]

Roger Dubuis Vintage Grand Prix Collection Watches

Filed under: Timepieces, Wheels

At SIHH in Geneva Roger Dubuis showed off their limited edition Vintage Grand Prix Collection. There will be 28 pieces in both a GoldenSquare case and an Hommage Sympathie case. The selling feature of these two gold watches are their enameled dials with vintage racing motifs. Like other Dubuis watches, it's more fun than fierce as opposed to other racing-themed watches we've seen lately.



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