Remember Las Vegas? Audemars Piguet sure does. The important city to the brand (due to the many watch stores) now gets and important watch collection from the brand. In black and red tones, the new collection of Royal Oak model based watches are suitable wrist companions for nights of luxury and excess in the hottest city in the desert. The popularity of Vegas comes and goes, but you can't deny the importance of a fantastic watch while spending time on the Strip.

Most most exclusive of the watches in the collection is the pictured Audemars Piguet Las Vegas Strip Manual Wind Tourbillon with Chronograph watch. It is limited to 35 pieces and comes in a blackened steel case. Other models include two diamond studded automatic chronograph versions (for men or women each limited to 60 pieces), and a more standard automatic chronograph without all the decoration (limited to 400 pieces). Each has that signature look meant to match your casino attire. Sure it is a bit silly, but in Las Vegas you feel the need to go all out.

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You may find it odd that this Richard Mille RM 019 Tourbillon timepiece was recently voted as the 2009's best women's watch in Singapore. Not that the watch isn't nice in theory, but it isn't very practical (or at all practical), nor is it very feminine looking aside from the diamond studded Celtic knot design on the dial and the lovely gleaming onyx movement plate. So while I agree that the watch is cool and probably fun to wear, I would hardly consider it as the best women's watch. But the vote does represent how watch crazy Singaporeans feel, out where the Asia Edition of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève was held this year.

This is not the first time that a Richard Mille watch has been awarded by Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, and I must admit that the watches are quite impressive in person. Still, it is a shame that many more mainstream appeal women's watches got shafted by a watch that I would predict most women wouldn't choose to wear very often or at all.

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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.

Watch companies like to get creative with the use of synthetic sapphire crystals, but it is difficult given the fact that the material can be very fragile. The problem isn't so much in risk of it breaking once it is made, but rather that the fabrication of synthetic sapphire crystal into all sorts of organic shapes requires a lot of stress of the material. So pieces can break with relative ease. That is why the finished result is not always as impressive as possible without knowing what a pain in the ass the watch was to make. This is probably the fact with this limited edition of just 5 pieces Corum Golden Tourbillon Panoramique Grey Sapphire watch.

What is interesting here is the application of gray PVD on the sapphire giving it that special look. The movement is a manually wound tourbillon based movement with a long 90 hours of power reserve. As you can see, the movement mainplate and bridges are all in sapphire! Something truly remarkable from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. The rest of the watch case is in 18k white gold with 309 diamonds decorating most every surface. Plus, the watch case has four sapphire crystals to help appreciate the movement from any angle. It is really a nice combination of luxury indulgence and mechanical intrigue. Expect prices to make your skin as light as the gray sapphire of the watch.

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

Luxist recently covered the new Bugatti 16C Galibier ultra luxury sedan that the car world is so very excited about. An interesting element of the new auto was a partnership with luxury watch maker Parmigiani to include a watch with the car. I should say that Bugatti and Parmigiani have been working together since 2004, when Parmigiani released its Type 370 Bugatti watch that was avant garde to say the least.

Parmigiani has recently released real images of the Bugatti Tourbillon watch in action. The flex-use mechanical timepiece is made to: mount in Galibier's dashboard, attach to a wrist strap, function as a pocket watch, and also be docked in a desk clock unit. Little else is know about the timepiece, except that it is handsome to behold and just about simple enough to be a car clock. The watch has a tourbillon complication as well as a power reserve indicator. My understanding is that the idea is to include the Parmigiani Bugatti Tourbillon watch with the Galibier 16C car. For the over $1 million that the 16C is likely to go for, this included watch is no major practical surprise. When driving a car like this, you want to be sure that even the clock in your car is worth more than most other vehicles on the road around you.

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

Here is a stunning piece of Dior men's jewelry and it is a one-of-a-kind watch at that. LVMH-owned Dior takes one of their standard watch designs and forgoes much of that unnecessary stuff, like most of the metal. Instead the watch seems to be held together mostly by diamonds, rubies and red tinted mineral glass. The movement is a manually-would tourbillon that you can see operating almost in silhouette through the tinted red glass.

Case is 42mm wide in White gold, with the thorough assortment of diamonds and rubies being carried over to most of the bracelet. The style of this high cost fashion watch is impressive with a rhyme and reason to the jewel layout. The dial skeletonization is uniquely done, and the views of the movement are quite pretty. I like the use of the large pyramid-cut ruby as the palette over the tourbillon. Price for this piece unique Dior watch was 1.3 million Swiss Francs. This Dior Christal Tourbillon Diamonds and Rubies watch has been nominated to be included in the awards for the 2009 Geneva Grand Prix d'Horlogerie.

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

Antiquorum's catalog of watches and clocks to be auctioned off in September is over 300 pages long, and there are some cool ones this time around. Nevertheless, Patek Philippe is bound to be the most desirable brand if past auctions this year have been any indicator. Going for an estimated $400,000 - $600,000 this Patek Philippe Ref. 3939HP watch might be the star of the auction. These conservative estimates will likely be beat.

This watch was uniquely made per a customer request to have a black dial, and a silver dial is also included (not exactly user changeable). The platinum cased watch hides the most desirable elements which are a tourbillon based movement as well as a minute repeater complication (operated with the lever on the left side of the watch). Aside from that the dial is very simple, with elegant Arabic numerals and pomme hands. The subsidiary seconds dial tells most of the story. The watch was originally sold in the year 2000. We will wait until next month to see what the final bid will be for this collectible Patek Philippe.

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

I have been continually intrigued by Clerc watches for a while - for they create my favorite style watches (diver watches) with unique designs and a whole lot of luxury. I have not been pleased with all of their models, and for me, this Clerc Hydroscaph Gold Tourbillon watch takes things a bit too far. This is especially true in this economy where timepieces such as this are quickly becoming an endangered species. The again, my discussion might be pointless as this limited edition of 28 pieces watch has already sold out reportedly. Still, with low production numbers (like 28 pieces) you can't be too surprised all are spoken for. Clerc wouldn't even be around if at least a few dozen wealthy watch lovers weren't willing to fund these expensive luxury diving watch endeavors. I simply feel as though the design overkill is verging too close to the Concord C1 watches that I was not especially pleased with. While by no means a stickler for simple classic designs, I just envision my eyes getting tired and strained staring at this dial for too long. You can make your own decision about it though.

The Hydroscaph Gold Tourbillon uses an almost 50mm wide case in rose gold with black titanium made up of over 75 parts. The watch is water resistant to 500 meters, but you really don't want to be taking this watch underwater do you? The strap is rubber, and the sapphire crystal has the hour markers etched on the back of it.

The apparent richness of the watch comes from the movement (manually-wound with a 120 hour power reserve) and its complications. There is a tourbillon (doubles as the seconds subdial), retrograde date indicator, and power reserve indicator. The watch also features a helium escape valve. The movement seen through the dial is nice, but in the end the complications are less exciting than the sum of the parts. If it was a real diver's watch, the dial would at least have some luminant right? For me, while I am sure the quality and construction of the watch are just super, this is the ultimate poser's watch. Being lauded as a super high-end luxury diving watch that you'll never actually do anything with. The price, I am sure will be exceptional.

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

Another timepiece not in-line with the times, but perhaps it is. Sure ultra luxury watches are not en vogue given the economy, but then again at least they are straight forward with why they are expensive. People feel more comfortable paying luxury prices for clear luxury items. The alternative are $100,000 sport watches that most people would never notice as being so "valuable."

This is the Audemars Piguet Millenary Calcedoine (Chalcedony) watch and it serves up some of the most popular luxury features in a watch. You have an 18k pink gold case that is 45mm wide by 40mm tall. You have a stunning array of 395 brilliant-cut diamonds placed all over the case and in the dial was well. You have a beautifully decorated and designed open-work in-house made Audemars Piguet Calibre 2861 manually-wound tourbillon movement - with a chalcedony mainplate. And you have a galuchat (stingray) strap. It just oozes "my Tahitian vacation home is more expensive than you primary south Florida residence plus four children's Ivy league educations combined!"

Aside from diamonds, arabesque engravings decorate the movement while the tourbillon escapement is visible to the left of the watch face itself ( that is surprisingly legible). I am sure that Audemars Piguet will not be making too many of these watches for men - no, maybe they are for women - but contact them and I am sure they will put your name on an arbitrarily long waiting list as well as inform you of "what the damage" will be.

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

This interesting timepiece will arrive in three varieties showing different parts of the world. There is the pictured model showing Asia and the nearby areas, another version focusing on Europe and Africa, and a third version focusing on the Americas. This is another "we can do it" watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre who just recently announced the Hybris Mechanica Grande Sonnerie, which is the most complex watch in the world. While the Tourbillon complication is complex in this Grand Master Tourbillon Continents watch line, the focus is on the artistry on the dial.

The dial starts with a machine engraved plate where the continents are outlined, and the vertical texturing is applied within the body of the land masses. The plate is then hand painted with enamel in a champleve technique to apply the various colors in the most delicate of manners. I am almost oversimplifying the process, but you get the idea. The bodies of water are done with a raised wave-like texture that is likely extremely tough to do. Compass symbols line the bezel and double as hour indicators for the hands of the watch. You can see the tourbillon (also the subsidiary seconds dial) through the window at 6 o'clock as part of the Jaeger LeCoultre Calibre 978 manually wound movement. Sapphire crystals cover the top and back of the watch. The Grand Master Tourbillon Continents watch really succeeds in creating a visually stunning map in a technique that few companies can be said to have mastered. Each of the three versions will be limited to 20 pieces in three materials that include 18k white, yellow,or rose gold. Not sure about price but more than likely over $100,000.

Via WatchTime.

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

This collector's timepiece is limited to just 3 pieces and is pretty stunning if you are the sort of person who not only enjoys the looks of Parmigiani Fleurier watches, but also those decorated with precious jewels. The Tourbillon Arlequin watch is placed in the Kalpa XL watch case and fitted with the manually wound Caliber PF 500 movement. The watch complications include the time and power reserve indicator. Most tourbillon watches use the tourbillon cage as a subsidiary seconds indicator, but a centrally positioned seconds hand is also included in this watch. The highlight of the Tourbillon Arlequin is the checkerboard-like arrangement of 92 baguette cut diamonds and 45 baguette cut sapphire stones all over the dial. The stunning watch makes up in bold looks, what is loses in legibility. The 44mm tall by 37.2mm wide case is in platinum. It is an ultra decadent watch with an equally ultra decadent price (by request only). A nice, almost haute jewelry timepiece from Swiss Parmigiani Fleurier.

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

Most of the time when a watchmaker creates a timepiece with a tourbillon complication in the movement, the tourbillon is literally the centerpiece of the dial, with everything swimming around it. Why? Because the major allure of the expensive complications is watching them operate. The concept behind the tourbillon (or spinning balance wheel) is that it helps improve the rate of watches - but for the most part it really doesn't. Thus, for a consumer to go to the expensive of buying a tourbillon movement based watch means that he or she is going to want to visually see their investment all the time.

Patek Philippe is going just the opposite of this with the new Ref. 5101R 10-Day Tourbillon movement. Really "stealth wealth" here, the amazing manually wound caliber 28-20/222 mechanical tourbillon based movement has a power reserve of 10 full days, with a corresponding indicator on the front of the watch. However, the viewable tourbillon on the face of the watch is totally absent! Instead, you'll have to flip the watch over to the transparent sapphire crystal caseback to check out your investment operating. This is the first watch for Patek Philippe with 10-days of power (in two barrels) and a tourbillon movement. All you get on the dial of the watch in reference to this is a simple reminder in the subsidiary seconds dial that a "Tourbillon" is laying right beneath it.

The 51.7mm x 29.6mm rectangular case is made of 18k rose gold, with corresponding hands and Arabic hour markers (Breguet style) on the face. Attached to the art deco inspired case are brown crocodile straps. A lovely looking Patek Philippe watch with its true value hiding under the hood. Well over $100k.

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

The Tourbillon Boutique is a chain of retail stores operated by the Swatch Group that offers its most exclusive watch brands (and Swatch). While most of the shops are located in Switzerland, the US is about to see its second Tourbillon Boutique store, due to open in New York City sometime in May, located in the Financial District on Wall St. Recently, Swatch owned Omega opened up its flagship store on 5th Avenue, and this second new opening indicates a distinct focus on the US market for the Swatch Group watch brands.

Until now, the only Tourbillon store in the US was located in Costa Mesa, just south of Los Angeles. The purpose of the store is to house the most luxurious brands and timepieces that the Swatch Group offers. This includes Breguet, Jaquet Droz, Blancpain, Glashutte Original, Leon Hatot, Omega, and Swatch (though I am not sure how the Swatch branded watches fit in as they are mainstream as opposed to luxury watches for the most part). The Tourbillon Boutique stores are not limited to watches with the expensive and complex tourbillon complications, but any of the firm's best timepiece offerings.

Questions arise as to why the Swatch Group is currently expanding during difficult economic times. My guess is that the US market has more promise in terms of expansion than Europe, while at the same time the Swatch Group is investing in the future when the economy will eventually bounce back. Lower real estate prices and the availability of labor makes it an enticing environment for market positioning once the demand for fine timepieces edges its way back up, once again.

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

Germany's greatest luxury watch maker has again been recognized for its masterful creations with an award for its Cabaret Tourbillon timepiece. The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag in collaboration with the popular Armbanduhren (wristwatch) magazine recently released its reader judged award of "Watch of the year 2009." The top choice among the German watch lover respondents was the A. Lange & Sohne Tourbillon Cabaret. The watch has a unique innovation included in the already complex tourbillon complication, that being the inclusion of a 'hack seconds' (stop seconds) feature. This simple concept stops the seconds from running when the crown is pulled out to allow for a much more accurate setting of the time. While the complication is simple on non-tourbillon based watches, adding the stop seconds feature into a tourbillon watch was extremely difficult feat, but A. Lange & Sohne was able accomplish it with a specially engineered hacking arm.

Aside from the unique "world's first" complication, the Cabaret Tourbillon features an 18k gold case with an outsize date complication, power reserve indicator, and subsidiary seconds dial. All laid out logically and beautifully. The Cabaret Tourbillon received the award for best watch of 2009 because it really combines each element that watch lovers and collectors seek: functionality, heritage, perfect finishing, beauty, and exclusivity. A. Lange & Sohne is a perennial winner of such awards - with the most recent recognition, having been chosen from 154 different contender watches. With this winning streak I expect A. Lange & Sohne watches to win again in the future.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

This watch from master watch designer (and maker) Gerald Genta looks like a really high class art deco gambling table right? This is the Octo (for the type of case) Sunray Tourbillon, and boy does it shine. The combination of industrial design with luxury appointments makes it the Gerald Genta flagship watch of 2009 (at least so far). While it seems larger, the 42.5mm wide yellow gold case holds the caliber GG9051 tourbillon movement (with a power reserve of 64) hours. This gold look is not the only version of the Sunray watch available. There is also a tri-composite, platinum, or gold with tantalum insert case available. The latter actually has a white gold and red laquer dial that should look great. The alligator strap is very wide between the lugs, and the entire look of this watch is quite 'regal' if I may use the term. Don't miss the fact that the dial has retrograde hours (that jumps over the tourbillon as to not hinder the view), with a standard minute hand. Price will certainly be at least around $80,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.