steel

It is hard to argue that this watch isn't a slight effort by Breguet to down-market its popular Reine de Naples timepieces for women. For the first time offered in steel, and with only the time on the dial, Breguet marks this watch as an "everyday" Reine de Naples in comparison to the rest of the collection that is very high end. being in gold, having jewels, and something having interesting complications. Still, Breguet includes enough in the piece to prevent it from being seen as a down market watch, or cheap.

The iconic egg-shaped case has been around for generations, and is a lovely staple in today's Breguet collection. The size of the watch isn't too small at 35.5mm wide and 43.75mm tall. The case enjoys that signature coined Breguet case edge, and the crown has a large diamond cabochon in it. The dial is mother of pearl and available in this gray tone as well as in blue (with matching strap). Face design is beautiful of course, with attractive blued steel hands, and a vintage compass style watch dial. The large "12" and "6" o'clock indicators are almost "trendy" in style by Breguet standards. Is this a Reine de Naples for the younger (rich) lady?

Powering the watch is a Breguet Calibre 591C automatic movement with a silicon escapement (for accuracy and longevity). The movement also has a solid gold automatic rotor. As you can see, even while the movement is comparatively simple and the case is in steel, Breguet has still kept this Reine de Naples watch firmly in the zone of luxury, even though its price should make it more accessible to buyers. Price for the watch is $13,900.

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

The result of this image that I took of the new Chronosome 46XY watch from Dutch watch brand Cornelius & Cie with headliner Kees Engelbarts was that only the bezel and dial became exposed, leaving the rest of the watch covered by a black halo. First, I say this to inform you that there is more watch than just what you see, and also, that I think it helps frame what the brand is best at. Engelbarts is an artist watch maker. He loves to engrave, and play with metal. It doesn't hurt that he is very good at it as well. Aside from the hand-engraved exposed skeletonized movement in the dial, this new model has a damast steel case. The steel is made in a unique folded manner. When cut and bathed in a special acid watch, beautiful designs expose themselves. The pattern here is actually known as "king water." The entire case is in this damast steel. While the Chronosome watch has "46XY" as part of the name, the case is actually 49mm wide (big), but there is also a 42mm wide version (as seen here). It also has a hand-engraved crown. Inside the larger watch is a vintage style A. Schild AS 690 manually wound movement with 8 days of power reserve. The smaller model I believe has a shorter 5 day power reserve. It has the time, a power reserve indicator, and a retrograde date. The pusher above the crown is to adjust it between winding and setting mode. A very interesting piece that will satisfy enthusiasts interesting the brand's appeal.

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

In Porsche language "S" refers to a sport model that is between the "standard" model and the "Turbo" model. It is a more expensive version of the original, with enough power to make you feel excited, without the showiness of the Turbo version. In Cartier language however, this label means "sport" as well, but not more expensive. The still fresh Roadster S watch from Cartier is a simplified version of their famous Roadster watch collection. Many people might actually prefer the S over the standard version given its more straight forward design and layout. Gone are the "bullet" shaped sapphire crystal lens over the date that visually connected with the crown, as well as the screws on the case. The crown here is a bit more streamlined (no cabochon as well). and only a black line on the dial around the date window alludes to the pointy, rounded shaped of the sapphire crystal lens on the standard Roadster watch.

There are two versions of the Roadster S timepiece. Each has a Cartier Caliber 049 automatic movement and is about 45.9 mm wide (11.8mm thick). One is the pictured steel version with steel bracelet. There is also a slightly less expensive version with a rubber bracelet and an aDLC coated bezel in black to match the color of the rubber strap. Each is very elegant looking, and modern at the same time. These truly are the new type of mainstream Cartier watch for this decade. The Roadster S has an iconic Cartier dial in silvered opaline white with the Roman numerals and lume coated sword-style hands. The black colored date disc with white numerals is a good design element. Nice watches that allude to the more expensive models, and have a true Cartier spirit with a slightly sporty twist. Price is $4,600 with the steel bracelet, and $4,200 with the rubber strap. Don't forget that you can even buy them online via Cartier's e-boutique. Check out their US online store here.

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

Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has come out with a new version of its stylish Overseas model in rugged steel and titanium. Priced at $13,900, the new Overseas Dual Time Steel and Titanium model is equipped with a dual time-zone display powered by a mechanical self-winding Calibre 1222. The sporty watch is finished in a monochromatic palette with shades of grey created by the steel base, the titanium bezel and the slate grey dial. It features the Overseas collection's hefty 42 mm case, bezel with a cut-out inspired by the Maltese Cross, water resistance to a depth of 150 meters, and the emblematic Overseas motif depicting a two-masted sailboat engraved on the solid case-back. The watch comes with two straps, one in anthracite grey alligator leather and the other in black rubber. An extremely light metal that is resistant to corrosion, erosion and fire, titanium was initially developed for use in the aeronautical, aerospace, chemical and medical industries.

Big news this year here at Basel from Rolex. Most people are impressed by the new Rolex Submariner watches in all steel, but Rolex has also updated its popular Explorer model. The classic adventure watch has been upped to 39mm wide in steel, and features a slightly new dial. The case now comes in a better steel, which is grade 904L steel (most chemical and corrosion resistant). The dial has been ever so slightly updated. Newer hour markers and larger hands are most apparent.

The Rolex in-house made calibre 3132 movement is rock-solid and is COSC Chronometer certified. The watch has a sapphire crystal of course and is water resistant to 100 meters. Character of the watch is similar to the Submariner - but it is thinner, opts for a polished bezel instead of a rotating diver's bezel, and has a different style dial. The bracelet is very similar between the two, but the Explorer does not have a glide-lock clasp. For many, the Explorer is a simple, and less expensive Rolex that feels like a fantastic fit on many wrists. Surely fans will be excited as it has been a long time since the Rolex Explorer watch has been updated.

Click on the read more link below for technical specifications of the watch.

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

More with the gray watch trend? Where do these fads come from? Just recently I wrote about the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Gray that shared this theme, and no doubt there will be more. This watch is surely for the ladies, but will likely be available for men as well. I say that this is a ladies watch because the case is 41mm wide, which is typically the size Hublot reserves for its women's Big Bang watches - the male versions are at least 44mm wide, but now that I think about it -men who like the style could also enjoy it. Aside from the trendy gray colored dial, this watch has two interesting things to notice. First, is the metal bracelet, that I've never seen on the Hublot Big Bang watch line (though it is possible it was around before). It makes total sense for the watch to be coupled with a metal bracelet, and here is the first glimpse I've seen of one. Second is the fact that the watch is steel. Why is this important? Because steel is a lower cost metal and indicates Hublot realizes it cannot continue to fuel demand for its ultra decadent Big Bang watches constructed of exotic and/or precious materials. Though the screws are still titanium.

The case itself is a mixture of polished and satin surfaces, with a bezel inset with baguette cut diamonds. While diamond studded steel watches are not unheard of, does it really make that much sense? The dial is a fancy material called tantalum, which in this case is done with a soft satin gray look. The movement is the HUB1145 automatic mechanical chronograph movement, visible through the sapphire caseback window. While the watch does offer a rubber strap, go for the metal bracelet. Hublot hasn't been able to shed the whole "sandwiched" thing, so the bracelet is steel with "composite resin" in the middle. Not sure what that means, but it sounds like a fancy plastic or glue if you ask me.

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

The 164-ft. Heesen superyacht Man of Steel (above) is for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for $50 million. Built in 2008, the tri-deck ship with helipad takes its name from the use of hot rolled steel threaded seamlessly and worked in elegantly throughout the yacht. The main stairway floats off of the wall, supported on a steel column, while the stairs themselves are created out of steel with carpet inserts. Steel is also a notable element in the reveals of the maccasar ebony cabinetry. That and the floating glass floor over a bed of black river rock encountered upon entering the yacht mark it as one-of-a-kind among ultra-luxury cruisers.

The full-sized glass owner's suite has 240-degree views and a bed that rotates to take them all in. The owner's balcony contains a private negative edge spa and its own sundeck. The lower level and "pop-culture" themed family room are Moroccan-inspired with bright colors and a specially-commissioned Bisazza tile mural. Key elements of the modern Art Deco-inspired salon space include maccasar ebony, period-correct sterling silver, crystal, and a platinum color scheme. Asian and Zen influences can be seen in the custom platforms for the furniture, the square proportions of the cushions, and the glass encased black river rock floor.

Generally when I think of sectional seating a large, overly plush couch with too many throw pillows and a 90 degree angle comes to mind, the kind you sink into and can't get up out of without a helping hand. The "Pantonova" couch is something else altogether though, made of chrome steel it consists of 4 pieces that fit together to form a very cool looking (and also very uncomfortable looking) 74" sofa. Designed in 1971 it still looks modern and contemporary, and although cushions aren't included (you can ask about getting them though, for an additional charge) I think you would definitely need them (sitting on this couch without them brings to mind the infamous "waffle print thighs" that result from certain types of lawn furniture). $5,000

Via Design Mind

Talk about a unique combination of materials, this Steel and Stone Cello Sculpture is created out of (yep, you guessed it!) steel and river stones. It's an amazingly life-like, free-standing, and full-sized rendition of the instrument complete with a copper-stringed bow. The fact that it's only the outline of the instrument keeps it a light and airy piece without sacrificing any of the the musical essence the artists (Nerio Festa and Heidi Hummler) wanted to capture. Can be placed indoors or out, made in California. $3800

I'm a sucker for accent pieces that find a way to blend the whimsical energy of happy childhood memories with a dose of maturity for the adult I am today. These stainless steel pinwheels from Chiasso take the breezy fun from days past and mix it with a healthy dose of class and durability by creating them of lightweight stainless steel. I think they'd make a fun summertime addition indoors or out, and considering the average plastic pinwheel goes for $2 or less, these are actually a little pricey at $15 each.

When it comes to durability and timelessness in the kitchen very few things can compete with stainless steel, but the downside is that stainless steel dishes almost always have to sacrifice beauty for functionality. But that's not the case with this deep steel bowl by Simon Pearce. A brushed and traditional "stainless" look on the outside leads to the surprising shine and glisten of hammered steel on the inside. The combination makes for a nice mix of tough meets pretty, art meets function, you get the idea. $128.

The latest design from TeNo is the YuKoN, a rubber bracelet with changeable elements that can be taken from basic all the way up to posh. The bracelet can be customized with a variety of pieces made from steel, red gold, yellow gold, wood, horn, mother of pearl and diamonds. The line starts at $165 for a plain bracelet and goes up to $3,585 for a bracelet with a total of .248 carats of diamonds. Bracelets can be ordered complete or piece by piece depending on your style and the elements slide off so you can mix and match. The bracelets are available in seven different wrist sizes.

Starchitect Daniel Libeskind has branched out into furniture. The architect who is famous for his angular building style has worked with Toronto furniture designer Klaus Nienkämper to create the limited edition Spirit House chair, inspired by the angles of Liebeskind's design for the new Michael Lee-Chin Crystal addition at the Royal Ontario Museum. The Spirit House name refers to the heart of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, where the support beams create an open space.

The chair is made of 14-gauge stainless steel with a brushed finish and weighs 180 lbs. The chair can be used in five different positions (good luck moving it around) and can also serve as a side table. 13 Spirit House Chairs will be placed on the first level of the Spirit House, three will be placed at the front entrance to the Lee-Chin Crystal and two will be on display in the new ROM Museum Store and will be available for purchase after June 2nd through KLAUS by Nienkämper. The chair sells for $12,000 Canadian.

[Thanks Duarte]

Wine storage is usually an elegant wood affair. Pretty, but heavy wood wine racks often take up a lot of space and may not work with modern decor. Boltz has taken their metal and glass, no frills aesthetic to the world of wine racks, creating simple utilitarian products that seem perfect for concrete floor lofts. The corner wine bar, shown here is made of solid steel and can hold 15 bottles as well as six to eight wine glasses in the rack above. It has has a glass shelf on the top rack and a triangular glass top. It sells for $299. Boltz also makes wine racks, wine towers and a countertop wine rack.

The German-made Bebop Fireplace Tools set is minimal and modern, lacking the ornate detailing that is commonly found on the handles of many older tool sets. It was designed by Andre Gilli and is made of solid stainless steel. Along with the stand, the set includes a brush, poker, tong and shovel, and measures 29.13"H x 10.62"W x 9.05"D. There is also a coordinating log holder available if you have a wood-burning fireplace or simply want to use real logs to accessorize a gas/electric fire installation. Price: $467.