Teased for a while on his website (mentioned here), Christophe Claret just released the new limited edition of 63 pieces DualTow watch. Each piece is customizable by the buyer. Meaning you can have it in a series of colors and materials, which comes with spending probably around $300,000 or more on the watch. To customize the watch, you enter the DualTow Configurator on the website and select from the options (it is fun, do check it out). There are a few interesting complications in this highly unique watch. First, a few facts about the timepiece itself. The watch is 42.75mm wide by 48.2mm tall. The lugs move to wrap around your wrist, while large sapphire crystals cover the front and rear of the watch, while smaller crystals provide for side view into the movement. The dial of the watch is skeletonized, with cut jewels (that match other trim colors of the watch) around the periphery of the dial. The case is available in white or rose gold, platinum, or PVD coated titanium.

The manually wound movement is an ultra complex tourbillon with mono-pusher chronograph consisting of 582 parts alone, and with 73 jewels. The tourbillon rests in the lower part of the dial, while the planetary gear based 12 hour chronograph resides in the top portion of the case. The planetary gear used for the chronograph is similar to a column wheel. Then there is the "DualTow" portion of the watch used to tell the time. It is really much like a "5 minute clock" in the sense that the time is digitally displayed to the nearest five minutes. The minute and hours are placed on two rubber belts (in many color options) that are pulled by the movement. It is a clever concept for such a watch. The person wearing it probably has no need for the precision of 'to the minute' accuracy - but if they do, they can always use the chronograph. One little touch I like is that the arms used to hold up the time windows that go over the belt are angled in the fashion that the hands in almost every watch ad are placed - which is for and optimal symmetrical look and a sense of uplifting optimism. Available soon, price will depend on the options.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

There has been a lot of buzz about Stefan Kudoke and the upcoming Kudoke watch line. Reminding me of a more refined and precision cut Krone skeletonized watches, the Kudoke watches are all about appreciating the beauty of a watch movement. Stripped to the bone (no pun intended) this skeletonized look even gets a fair amount of engraving decoration on many of the bridges. Such engraving contrasts with perlage polish, while steel and gold tones play off of one another in this very interesting design. The hands of the watch look as finely cut as the face, but seem to have an artisan look that helps promote the idea that this is still an 'independent' watch. Seeing this timepiece in a 'still' image doesn't allow you to appreciate just how animated the entire piece likely is while in operation. With gears constantly moving the entire timepiece serves to feature the essential aspect of watch making... the watch movement itself.

More details will be available later this month as the Kudoke watch line is officially unveiled at Baselworld. The movements are each skeletonized and decorated by hand. I anticipate the watch line to be in precious metals with comparable luxury pricing.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

As a sign of the times, another watch company is buckling under the economic difficulties especially present in the luxury industry. Bedat & Co. which started in 1996 will close its doors and cease operations soon, according to multiple industry sources. The luxury watch maker had a number of interesting watches for both men and women, such as favorites like the No.3, No. 7, and No. 8.

Bedat & Co. was founded by Simone Bedat who branched off after being a business partner of Raymond Weil. The brand enjoyed healthy distribution in high-end watch retailers and department stores alike. While it isn't clear exactly why certain watch brands are suffering more than others, I speculate it has to do with the annual sales volume a brand needs to survive. Interestingly, Bedat & Co. was purchased by Gucci in 2000, which means that its closure might be a preemptive financial security measure taken by Gucci in anticipation of harder times ahead for the luxury group of brands.

At this time there is no specific date for Bedat & Co. to close up shop, or indication of whether it has filed for bankruptcy. Though, several sources indicate that we will be seeing the end of Bedat & Co. soon. It is a shame, and the worst part is that we never know what brand will kick the bucket next.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

In my opinion this watch represents a refined version of the typical Gerald Genta design. The watch maker is known for their common use of particular themes. These include use of retrograde time displays, three dimensional dial designs, use of "points" and "dots," and highly complex case designs. This watches takes each of those concepts and applies them is a beautifully cohesive manner. The new Arena Tourbillon Retrograde Hours watch is akin to a flagship model for Gerald Genta, featuring the best of what the watch maker has to offer, without going overboard.

The movement is the automatic Gerald Genta caliber GG9053 that was released a year ago, and known for its tourbillon balance wheel and retrograde hour display (the hour hand does not circle the full length of the dial and "jumps" to pass over the tourbillon area). The minute hand still revolves around the entire dial, while the seconds are displayed in the tourbillon carriage. The 45mm wide case is constructed in platinum, with rich use of brass on the dial. As you can notice, the dial features a layered look using multiple levels to add depth when viewing the face. The signature Gerald Genta bezel is wide and smooth adding a sense of robustness to the watch's character. Despite the luxury nature of the timepiece, it is still a capable sports watch with a 64 hour power reserve and 100 meters of water resistance. This is the Gerald Genta watch I'd like to be seen wearing.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The luxury watch world loves a difference of opinion. Recently, the Prix Officiel de la Revue des Montres 2008 in Paris announced that the Girard Perregaux ww.tc. 24 Hour Shopping was the most beautiful women's watch of 2008. Around the same time, the Salon Internacional Alta Relojeria in Mexico awarded this Roger Dubuis King Square Ladies' Tourbillon as ladies' watch of the year. Two opinions in what is essentially the same category. Interestingly enough, the two watches have a lot in common. Both have mostly white tones with alligator straps and light dials; both have diamond decorated bezels and faces; and both feature easy to read dials.

In contrast to the more gentle and whimsical nature of the Girard Perregaux watch, the Roger Dubuis King Ladies' Tourbillon displays a stronger more architectural approach. It is a bold beauty with dramatic use of strong lines, as well as a shapely wrist adornment with its rounded square shapes and industrially themed Roman numeral markers. The flying tourbillon framed by a hat of diamonds never felt more at home - housed in a watch gilded with 482 diamonds and 13 rubies. This watch is statuesque in the same way that a woman can be handsome. It's not trying to be a delicate little thing, but it is inextricably feminine, and for that I appreciate the Salon Internacional Alta Relojeria's decision to award it year's best ladies watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Shoving diamonds all over a tourbillon movement based watch can often have a "gaudy" result. It's hard to produce the ultra decadent and still have it appear tasteful. I believe that despite the almost half million dollar price of this Chopard Ladies Diamond Quattro Tourbillon watch, it still remains cleverly and attractively designed.

The decadence comes with the 42mm wide 18k white or rose gold case fitted with about 450 diamonds (over 10 carats) in round, baguette, and pave cuts. The watches are matched with white or pink alligator straps. Inside is Chopard's lauded L.U.C. 4T manufacture made tourbillon movement. The "Quattro" relates to the fact that the movement contain four barrels for a total power reserve of 216 hours (nine days) in this manually wound movement! Further, this Chopard L.U.C. 4T is one of the few chronometer COSC certified tourbillon movements available.

Attractive design comes from use of the classic Chopard Happy Diamond Sport watch case, and the beautiful dial layout. A gold Chopard cursive signature "C" creates the tourbillon bridge as well as the focal point of the dial display. Blued hands are clear and attractive, even for the seconds displayed via the tourbillon cage. You might have missed it at first glace, but the upper portion of the dial is reserved for the well integrated power reserve indicator, with a single ruby placed at the "empty" position.

While the Chopard Ladies Diamond Quattro Tourbillon watch with its limited edition of only 50 pieces (25 for white gold, 25 for rose gold), might be for the wealthy only, it still passes muster for attractive design without an excess of gaudy offensiveness.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Nkiru is an Ibo word that means "looking ahead," and founder Steven Richardson follows that motto when thinking up his newest and latest limited edition timepieces. Unisex in appeal and forward in design, many of his designs have the inner workings of the watch not only clearly visible to the wearer but also bejeweled and presented in unexpected ways.

With the trend these days leaning towards watches for fashion rather than necessity these beauties are sure to find a lasting place in your wardrobe.

Via Justluxe

The Ray from Quicksilver: it looks tough and it means business when it comes to being earth-friendly. Designed for and made of eco-conscious materials and concepts, THE RAY features ebony wood from sustainable forests, 100% recycled steel and aluminum, 100% solvent-free links, and it needs no batteries thanks to automatic movement (which has an awesome lifespan of up to 10 years).

The watch is 86% recyclable and there's a special program in place for getting the watch back once it's long little life is over. Only 1,000 of them will be made and available starting this November for about $500 each, and you can see a cool video of how they're put together here.

One of the first releases in the DNA of Famous Legends collection by Romain Jerome was the Titanic DNA watch, featuring oxidized steel salvaged from the real Titanic. The collection is rapidly expanding with several different models now available featuring everything from rust to jewels, but perhaps one of the most noteworthy is the "Day&Night" watch. It doesn't tell the time, it just tells you whether it's day or night.

It may seem like a silly idea but it's really just a reflection of the times -- watches are less and less about actually telling the time (we all have cell phones and PDAs for that now) and more about style and luxury. The Day&Night watch sells for $300,000 and the first lot sold out in just 48 hours. Apparently there are a lot of people looking to know whether it's day or whether it's night -- from their watch.

In the market for a waterproof watch? You may have trouble finding one, considering few watches (if any) are truly and completely waterproof, and are in reality only water resistant. Water resistance is a term that can mean anything from "withstands minor splashing" to "submersible up to 100 meters," to any number of other definitions. So before you take your $5000 "water-resistant" watch into the swimming pool you may want to check on some details. Maybe it can go cannon balling with you or maybe it should stay sitting safely by your beach towel and flip flops -- either way it's something worth knowing.

The Web Time Series Elite Watch is, in my opinion, probably more of a conversation piece than a convenient way to tell the time -- which you do by looking where the colored lines intersect with the numbered lines (the hour on the top, the minutes on the bottom). Available in Aqua (blue resin) or Satsuma (orange resin) it boasts Super 2035 inner workings, a 4 year battery, and a hidden butterfly clasp on the strap. I won't deny it looks awesome, though I think the frustration of using it may increase your risk for migraines (so use it at your own risk!). ¥16,800, $169.

Via TechEBlog

I've always liked Fossil watches, and this one is no exception. It's definitely not a design that will go with just anything, but this Phillip Starck Cross Digi watch is no doubt an eye catcher. The cross design displays the time vertically and the day and date horizontally, and the silicone strap is adjustable while remaining seamless with hidden control buttons for a minimalistic design. It's available in white, black, orange, and green with coordinating LCD screens.

For $125 I think it's a fun way to take the typical digital watch idea to a classier level.

It seems to be the trend lately for exotic auto makers to delve into the world of electronics and accessories, and Koenigsegg is no exception. They have collaborated with Quinting to offer two unique limited edition transparent watch designs: the Ghost chronograph and the Advance.

Based on the concept of "Mystery Clocks," Quinting specializes in making watches with transparent inner workings made of fine cut sapphire crystal assembled by expert hands in a dust-free environment to ensure complete transparency. Unfortunately these two designs are only available in limited quantities to owners of a Koenigsegg supercar, but Quinting makes many other beautiful designs if you're not so lucky but are still hankering for one of your own.