titanium

Panerai Radiomir Titanium 47mm Limited Edition Watch

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

Bovet Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The Bovet Sportster Saguaro is one of my favorite series of luxury watches. And with the tourbillon version Bovet takes the impressive design and retains the durable looks while creating a unique high luxury timepiece. The good news is that it is a lovely and decorated timepiece with a visually interesting tourbillon based movement with a power reserve indicator. The bad news is that most of the watches in this limited edition series are sold out. The Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon is available in 40, 45, and 51mm wide case sizes. Each in 18k red gold with PVD titanium. The dial on each sized version is a bit different. Engraved gold is hand decorated and chiseled and beautifully done. The practicality of the movement is increased by being an automatic and having a full 7 days of power reserve.

Each version of the watch is available in just 100 pieces, with the 40mm version already being sold out. I've personally handled one of the larger versions. The combination of crafts-like decoration with the sporty nature of the rubber strap and 300 meters of watch resistance is very impressive. And while Bovet submitted to the cliche policy of adding a dash of red to sum up the sporty look, here the trendy hue fits with a dashing watch demeanor.

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

Gallery: Bovet Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon Watch

Tags: bovet, gold, pvd, saguaro, sportster, titanium, tourbillon, watch

Richard Mille RM 28 Diver Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Richard Mille first teased the diver watch loving world with the RM 25 tourbillon diver watch. While the timepiece was ultra impressive, it was also ultra impractical. Now they release a new diver's watch that is more akin to something you might wear more often, but still requiring a large budget. This is the RM 28 Diver and represent a more simple dial design that I feel is actually more satisfying. Richard Mille timepieces are easily among the many brands that need to be seen in person to appreciate. The photos just don't do them justice, but at least you get a good idea of what the timepieces are all about.

The RM 28 is a bit smaller than the RM 25, being "only" 47mm wide in a titanium and rubber case. It is water resistant to 300 meters an has a hefty sized rotating diver's bezel. With a dial design the reminds me of Seiko dive watches on steroids, the watch is much easier to read that most Richard Mille watches, and has their cool vertical date window. The case is held together with a series of 22 torque screws. The movement is skeletonized and an automatic. It features a "variable winding level" which means that you can adjust how hard you need to move your wrist to get the watch to wind a certain amount. This is partially gimmicky, but an interesting concept. For example, Richard Mille expect you to adjust the watch if you are sitting at a help (easy winding), versus swinging a hammer around (tough winding). The winding level is set via adjustment done by 18k white gold pusher wings on the case. While a novelty, the idea is to get the owner more involved with the operation of the watch. Overall I like the bold looks, large hands, a fun character that Richard Mille brings to the "diver watch" plate.

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

Tags: dive, diver, richaed mille, RichaedMille, rm 28, Rm28, titanium, watch

F.P. Journe Octa Perpetual Titanium Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Someone mentioned to me a while ago that F.P. Journe watches were all starting to look the same. I tacitly agreed and then began to give the idea some thought. A watch company (especially one that does not release many models) has a tough task of keeping a brand identity secure, while at the same time delivering innovation in terms of design and function. F.P Journe watches each have a distinct character to them, which is important to preserve in each new watch. Though I do agree that many of the their models were starting to look the same with just the subdials doing new things. This new Octa Perpetual Titanium is a different matter because I sincerely get the feeling that this is a brand new model, but still characteristically a F.P. Journe timepiece.

The dial here features an off-center watch face and emphasis on the perpetual calendar with the retrograde date display taking up most of the dial. There are also windows for the day and month an an almost hidden leap year indicator located inside of the month window. Notice in the image the lower window that reads "BFE." The "B" is actually on a separate disc and is the leap year indicator. "B" stands for "bissextile," which indicators the 4th, and thus leap year (other years simply read "1, 2, or 3"). The time is easy to read in the functional watch dial that is applied over the face and features some light, but tasteful decoration. I further like how the subsidiary seconds dial is built into the design.

Titanium is the metal of choice for the 40mm wide case of the Octa Perpetual Titanium watch, a metal I am not sure that F.P. Journe has used before for cases. Inside the watch is an automatic OCTA Calibre FPJ 1300-3 movement made from 18k rose gold (nice). Having an all gold movement is rather sexy, and you are able to view it through he caseback window. I think that having a heavy gold movement rather defeats the purpose of having a light titanium case, but I am sure that F.P. Journe had their reasons. The watch is also quite thin at about 10mm thick. Overall a very classic looking timepiece that is undeniably F.P. Journe in character with a lot of luxury appointments. It does of course include its quirks, which makes for a well-natured luxury watch.

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

Tags: fp journe, FpJourne, octa, perpetual, timepiece, titanium, watch

Perrelet Automatic Tourbillon Titanium Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I think Perrelet got it smack dab n the middle between formal and sport watches with this Automatic Tourbillon watch in titanium (and 18k rose gold). A few years ago it would have been absurd to mix gold and titanium, and today looking at this watch, the harmony seems almost natural.

With what could be described as a very Jaquet Droz inspired dial layout, the face of this watch has an off-center dial with a large, nicely made tourbillon serving as the small seconds. No nonsense gold colored hour markers are both aggressive and classy, while the splash of carbon fiber tells you that this is a less sensitive watch. Inside the 42mm wide case with its sandwiched titanium and smooth gold bezel and back, an automatic Perrelet caliber P161 runs with a massive 110 hours of power reserve. Really nice to have that type of power life as well as automatic winding. Lastly, it is certified as a chronometer, something less than average for a tourbillon based timepiece.

While the watch looks effortlessly marketable, it is in a limited edition of just 20 pieces. This does sort of make sense since the market for ultra-expensive complex sport watches is still niche to say the least. A rubber strap, double anti reflective coating on the sapphire crystal and 50 meters of water resistance make this an all too tempting investment to get dirty. For more information you can contact Perrelet USA at (954) 575-7980.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: automatic, gold, limited edition, LimitedEdition, Perrelet, timepiece, titanium, tourbillon, watch

Linde Werdelin SpidoLite Titanium DLC Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The cream of Linde Werdelin's new crop of watches is the limited edition of 44 SpidoLite watch in DLC (diamond like carbon) covered titanium. The dial is partially skeletonized with a view into the newly decorated vintage NOS automatic mechanical movement from the 1970s. It is a real melding of ultra modern style and classic reliability. In what seems like a dreamy relationship, Linde Werdelin is using Svend Andersen to engrave and finish the movements for the SpidoLite watch. You can be sure the decoration process will be impressive.

Retaining the ability to have a Linde Werdelin Instrument attach to the face of the watch, the SpidoLite is a new breed from the impressive luxury sports watch maker. The familiar large case sits comfortably on the one's wrist with one of the industry's best high-grade rubber straps. Other versions of the new limited edition SpidoLite watch include an all titanium version (no DLC coating) and a black DLC coated version with a yellow tint applied sapphire crystal for the ultimate "check me out" look. The SpidoLite watches will be officially unveiled at Baselworld 2009 in April. Prices are around $10,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Baselworld, DLC, Linde Werdelin, LindeWerdelin, SpidoLite, Svend Andersen, SvendAndersen, timepiece, Titanium, watch

Callaway Golf's Sleek New FT-iQ Driver

by Paul Rogers (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

Ever since its 1991 debut of the Big Bertha, a spatula-shaped driver named after a World War I-era German howitzer, Callaway Golf has earned a reputation for creating clubs that are easy to hit. The latest weapon to emerge from the company's R&D lab in Carlsbad, California, is the Callaway FT-iQ , a sleekly tapered square-shaped driver. Its angular aerodynamics were inspired by the coolly low-slung Lamborghini Reventón (covered by Luxist 16 months ago).

Composed of a titanium face, a carbon-fiber body and an aluminum back cradle fitted with internal weights, the club is designed to launch the ball higher and with less backspin than previous models. A high launch angle and a low spin rate combine to generate optimum carry given a player's swing speed. They also result in a boring trajectory that yields added distance to a drive by producing roll.

Another selling point of the FT-iQ is its promise of straighter shots thanks to an extremely high moment of inertia, the clubhead's resistance to closing at impact. The technology of the clubhead is augmented by a super premium Fubuki shaft from Mitsubishi Rayon, one of the finest shaft-makers in the game. Fans of Callaway's recent drivers will recognize the club's rather muted sound at impact, much softer than the thwack of many titanium models. But don't be fooled: The FT-iQ packs a powerful punch.

Tags: Callaway, driver, FT-iQ, golf, Lamborghini, titanium

Titanium Tricycle is Indestructable

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Children

Kids are notoriously rough on their toys and sometimes it's worth it to spend a little extra to get something that can stand up to the abuse. Outdoor toys like bikes not only take a beating from your kids but from the weather also, which is why some parents might opt to splurge on this titanium tricycle. Not only does it have a nearly indestructible and rust-proof titanium frame, but it also looks classy with its carbon seat and white leather saddle, plus bright white wheel rims.

Although I still prefer the traditional red tricycle this one does look pretty snazzy. $2,500

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Tags: bicycle, bike, children, kids, titanium, toy, toys, tricycle

Panerai Luminor 1950 Titanium Tourbillon GMT

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style

A few months back The Classicist wrote about the illustrious history of Officine Panerai, the watchmaker founded in Florence in 1860 and former supplier to the Royal Italian Navy. That history lives on in the form of Panerai's 1950 models, based on vintage designs but incorporating modern technological advancements. For the first time, Panerai is now offering one of the most elegant models, its Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT (above), in titanium, making it an extremely precious timepiece indeed. The watch features a six day power reserve; vertically rotating tourbillon; crystal window on the reverse revealing the movement; and an alligator strap with a titanium clasp. Only 150 of these watches are being produced at a price of $122,000.

Gallery: Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT

Tags: Italy, Panerai, The Classicist, TheClassicist, Titanium

Urban Nature's Limited Edition Precious Metal Planters

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Garden

Urban Nature, a Los Angeles-based design firm that specializes in sleek-yet-simple modern planters, now introduces a line of limited edition vessels crafted by local artisans from titanium and platinum. Planters include an avant-garde exotic plant arrangement that is personally couriered to its destination. The company also offers custom designs in addition to on-site consults and maintenance. Reminiscent of Architectural Pottery's vintage Cal-modern pieces, Urban Nature's collection seems to do exactly what its name implies: create a corner of life in an otherwise sterile urban landscape.

Titanium planters start at $50,000, while the platinum version will cost $250,000 and up, making these precious metals indeed. Shown above is Urban Nature's Minimalist Bowl, which retails at a more reasonable $1,395. Though I think you'll want a pair.

Source

Tags: custom arrangements, CustomArrangements, modern planters, ModernPlanters, planters, platinum, precious metals, PreciousMetals, titanium, urban nature, UrbanNature

Outfit Your Nano in an $800 Titanium Case

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

People are serious about their iPods, there's no doubt about that, but are they $800 serious? The FACTRON Re-Nano case is betting on it, made of pure titanium (titanium!) and ending up quite industrial-looking. Priced at just over $800, of all the iPod designs it will only fit the nano -- which doesn't make much sense to me. Either make a version for all the iPods, or if you only want to make one at least make it for the biggest and baddest of the iPods, not the younger brother version.

I love my nano, but believe you me I'm not spending five times more on the case than I did on the gadget itself! Not unless it's a heck of a lot cuter than this anyway.

Source

Tags: case, factron, iPod, mp3, music, nano, re nano, re-nano, renano, titanium

Zenith Grande Port-Royal Tourbillon

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

You wouldn't dare call Zenith's Grande Port-Royal Tourbillon girly and that's not just because of the glowering muscular model in the ad. The watch is inspired by martial arts and the bridge of the tourbillon and chronograph counters are meant to resemble targets. The dial is covered by the same grid pattern, in black gold, protecting the sapphire crystal.The watch uses the El Primero 4007 movement which is encased in black titanium.

Source

Tags: black gold, titanium, tourbillon, wristwatch, zenith

Seven Cycles IMX: a Titan in Titanium

by Anne Metz (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

I am grateful to the aerospace industry for so many things: Airbus, NASA, SkyMall magazine ...

But I am especially grateful to the aerospace industry for its use of titanium, the space-age metal that used in airplane construction. Simultaneously unbreakable, indefatigable, corrosion-proof and ultralight, titanium is also totally dope.

Equally dope is Seven Cycles of Watertown, Massachusetts, which has been making bicycle frames from titanium since 1997.

With summer around the bend, I've got a jones for the IMX, Seven's flagship titanium/carbon mountain bike. The frame alone is $3,395. Steep, yes. But think of it like the two-wheeled equivalent of a tailor-made suit.

That $3,395 includes custom sizing, yes, but it also includes dialed-in custom handling and ride characteristics (do you want Cadillac comfortable? Formula-1fast?). Decal choice is also part of the deal, as is making sure the frame is compatible with the exact components you choose.

In other words, the aerospace-quality bike frame you get is an honest-to-god one-of-a-kind.

Can you say that for a Boeing 747? I didn't think so.

Tags: 747, bikes, boeing, cadillac, custom, massachusetts, mountain bike, MountainBike, nascar, seven, seven cycles, SevenCycles, titanium, watertown

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