Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Girard-Perregaux’s 1966 Chronograph watch gets bathed in blue for this 1966 Blue Chronograph version of the attractive retro-inspired timepiece by the high-end Swiss brand. The 40mm wide case in in 18k white gold with a sunburst style metallic blue dial that is very attractive. Blue just happens to be quite trendy in 2011 for watches. The chronograph subdials engravings are “snailed,” which results in pleasantly contrasting visual with concentric circles. It also helps with legibility when wanting to see the chronograph info easily.

On the dial the hands and hour indicators are applied and in 18k white gold. Inside the watch is an in-house made Girard-Perregaux GP030C0 automatic column wheel chronograph movement that is decorated and visible through the caseback window. The watch will come either on a black alligator strap, or an all 18k white gold metal bracelet. Prices for the 1966 Blue Chronograph are $29,700 on the strap and $51,850 on the gold bracelet. Look for this attractive watch soon.

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

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Chronograph Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch dials that make use of a number of retrograde hands that display a lot of information are hard to pull off. They simply end up making dials look cluttered and really hard to read. So when a brand designs a watch with a dial that has a few retrograde hands, and it looks good - then there is reason to take notice. I first noticed the good looks of the Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases at Baselworld 2011 where it was being debuted. It immediately “spoke” to me, and I think others will like it as well.

Longines will offer the watch in a 41mm wide or 44mm wide steel case with a black or silvered dial. The dial is engraved with a decorative pattern. Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic movement that has four retrograde hands. These are for GMT time, the date, day, and seconds. The watch also has the time, moon phase indicator, and a day/night indicator. Really a lot going on, but it isn’t intimidating to look at. The watch is available on a black or brown alligator strap with a price of 3,500 Swiss Francs.

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

Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Hublot’s main intent behind their women’s pieces is to shock and tantalize. I find it fascinating that they employ a very unique approach to making women’s watches versus men’s watches, as many brands have women’s watches that are just mini versions of their men’s collection.

One of Hublot’s more noteworthy lady’s line piece for 2011 is the Big Bang Leopard — a direct homage of a similar looking Rolex Daytona from a few years ago with the same leopard print dial and strap. Hublot takes the concept and applies it to their 41mm wide Big Bang collection watches. The strap is actually leopard print denim with a matching dial style. On the dial are 18k red gold hands and yellow diamond hour markers.

The case itself is 41mm wide and done in 18k red gold. A large size for many women, but small for many Hublot timepieces. Around the bezel are jewels means to compliments the leopard print. There you’ll find a mix of smoked quartz, andalusites, and citrine stones — all in baguette cuts. Inside the watch is an HUB4300 automatic chronograph movement. No doubt the piece is highly polarizing, but you know the right person will be able to pull off the look wildly.

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

Hublot Big Bang Leopard Watch for Your Wild Side originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What a strange bird. This is the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Aronde 1954 watch for 2011 (and I suppose also for 1954). This retro revival has the name of an avian and “wings” on the side of the case. This is 1950’s era watch design experimentation in full force. My favorite part of the watch is the dial - that has vertical or horizontal lines that go in a few directions.

The oddly shaped case is however comfortable on the wrist. It is 31.20mm wide by 44.50mm tall. It has a curved sapphire crystal and is done in 18k pink gold. Inside the Aronde is a Vacheron Constantin made caliber 1400 AS manually wound movement. The alligator strap is very high-quality and brand lovers will appreciate the Maltese Cross buckle. While interesting, aside from being a vintage redo, there isn’t much to say about the Aronde watch. It will not satisfy all people’s tastes, but that is OK. Enough retro watch lovers will appreciate the historic design and Vacheron sense of quality to peck these timepieces up.

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

Vacheron Constantin Historiques Aronde 1954 Watch Hands-On originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of Ellicott’s new watches this year is the Majesty Automatic Chronograph and I think it does a good job of mixing regality and sport - a good watch to bear the “Majesty” name. The watch is a mixture of DLC black coated steel and 18k rose gold. The colors mix nicely and I quite like the cushion/tonneau style case shape. Ellicott seems to like large pushers and elements on their watches to make them a bit cartoony. As such you have large chronograph pushers on the left of the case and solid looking crown. The dial is bold, but still highly legible. I’ve always like the brand’s signature hands and the chronograph function is integrated well. At 42mm wide, the case isn’t actually all that large in person. Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic with an 18k gold rotor. The shiny black alligator strap rounds out the look - nice piece Ellicott.

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

Ellicott Majesty Automatic Chronograph Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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“Sport” and “perpetual calendar” (they use the french “Quantième Perpetuel”) usually aren’t terms you hear in the same sentence when discussing high-end mechanical watches. But to be ballsy, that is what DeWitt did with the Academia Quantieme Perpetuel Sport watch. The amazingly loud design of the case and dial is sporty and bold. Certainly not for everyone, a good amount of people will appreciate the architectural complication that the design offers.

The watch isn’t new, but this red bathed version is. Logically this watch should not look good. If you explained the concept of it to someone on paper, you’d be describing a mess. Though it does in fact seem to be greater than the sum of its parts. It comes across as cool - certainly more so that the original Academia Quantieme Perpetuel watch.

Continue reading DeWitt Academia Quantième Perpetuel Sport Watch

DeWitt Academia Quantième Perpetuel Sport Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Yachts & Sailing, Events, Wealth

The Perini Navi Cup, an annual super-luxe regatta in Sardinia dedicated to the world’s most stylish sailing superyachts built by the famed Italian boatyard Perini Navi, is gearing up for its biggest year ever with an extra day of racing and help from some big-name sponsors.

Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of yachts, from the megabucks Maltese Falcon to the Lord Foster-designed Panthalassa and founder Fabio Perini’s own Elettra are slated to make the scene and compete for the top prize under the auspices of the ultra-exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Set to take place September 1-4 in the waters around Porto Cervo, big ticket sponsors include Rolex, Audi and Champagne Pommery.

Want to compete in the Cup? There are six Perini Navi yachts available for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList, ranging from the 131-ft. Clan VI built in 1983 for $7.3 million, to the 184-ft. Salute built in 2008 for $50 million. There are also six Perini beauties for charter on JamesList, from the 110-ft. Heritage M built in 2000 for $95,000 per week to an impressive 164-ft. cruiser built in 2001 for $195,000 per week.

World’s Most Stylish Superyachts Set Sail for Perini Navi Cup originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Cute watches such as this are deceptively expensive. Graff does amazing things with precious stones and this one is charming and extremely feminine. The cases of these BabyGraff watches by Graff are 21mm wide in white gold. The straps or bracelets are very thin and done to emphasize the bracelet like quality and delicate nature of the design. If you opt for a strap they are matching galuchat (stingray) or lizard skin. The more luxurious models have the full diamond and precious stone bracelets that match the motif of the case and dial.

The cases are available in a few styles that emphasis either only diamonds, or diamonds and rubies, sapphires, or emeralds. The time is displayed via a pair of dauphine style hands and a Swiss quartz movement. There is a triangular cut stone in each as the 12 o’clock marker, and more more hour indicators in a small flange ring around the dial. I appreciate the extra effort used to make the as legible as possible. What is also interesting is that the watches feature an array of stone cuts, including baguette, princess, trilliant, trapeze, and triangle. Look for them soon where Graff watches are sold.

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

Graff BabyGraff Collection Watches originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

One of the most interesting “evolutionary” watches from A. Lange & Sohne in 2011 is this Zeitwerk Striking Time. I call it an evolutionary piece as it builds on the original Zeitwerk by adding a striking mechanism. What that does it automatically sound a special chime on the hour and at each quarter hour mark. Basically the hammers seen on the front of the dial strike the gong that goes around the dial each fifteen minutes. Watches with hammers and gongs on the dial are very very rare - and that is perhaps one of the coolest features of this watch.

Continue reading A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Striking Time Watch Hands-On

A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Striking Time Watch Hands-On originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This is possibly one of the best values in a women’s jewelry watch. For about $15,000 you get a gold watch with diamonds, a nice mother-of-pearl dial, and a Swiss mechanical movement. It helps that it is pretty fun looking as well. For 2011 Ulysse Nardin adds a few new colors to their Lady Diver watch collection. Colorful watches are a big deal this year as well. Seen here are purple, red, and blue version of the watch.

For me the color trend is interesting. It used to be that a high-end item needed to look really serious. As though to spend a lot of money you needed feel some elated sense of purpose. At some point people got a lot less scared when it came to charging a lot for an item and realized that people with money will pay for nice looking fun things. It doesn’t matter than you can get a pink watch for $50 or $50,000 - it is all about how the buyer feels when they get it and wear it. For that reason I think it is OK to have a baby blue luxury watch.

The Ulysse Nardin Lady Diver watch is 40mm wide (large for a lady’s wrist). Inside the watch is a UN-810 automatic movement. The dial has a wave texture on it, and diamond hour markers. While the dial is actually a bit simple, it is legible and does help keep attention on the design of the case. There are more diamonds on the bezel and still more on the middle lug section. If these colors are too much for your tastes but you still like the Lady Diver, there are more simple toned white or black version - and those with different dials. Look for the 2011 Lady Diver blue, red, or purple watches soon.

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

Ulysse Nardin Lady Diver Watch New Colors For 2011 originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now with three watches bearing his name, Christophe Claret - master watch maker and designer - is able to boastfully indicate he is a real watch brand. The oft-cited and relied upon movement making genius makes his work look easy. Producing highly limited super high-end watches with a distinct character and focus on complicated functions. Interestingly enough, between his Dual Tow and 21 Blackjack watches, the Adagio feels downright straight forward.

Looking like a follow-up to the Shabaka watch that he made for Jean Dunand, the Adagio has a sort of space-age Egyptian design to it, and comes in a 44mm wide case in either 18k rose or white gold, or in platinum. Aside from telling the time, the watch has a second timezone in 12 hour format with a day/night indicator, a big date, a subsidiary seconds disc, and a minute repeater. The beautiful dial comes in a series of materials including the pictured onyx, ruby, jade, lapis lazuli, and more.

Powering the watch is a Christophe Claret made SLB88 manually wound movement that is visible through the open case-back. Each Adagio watch style will be limited to just 8 pieces, from prices ranging from 268,000 - 318,000 Swiss Francs.

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

Christophe Claret Adagio Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Now that Hublot has the internal ability to make carbon fiber you are going to start seeing more and more impressive pieces like this. The Big Bang All Black Carbon Fiber watch doesn’t just have carbon fiber inserts, but a case that is entirely make out of carbon fiber. The 44.5mm wide Big Bang case looks adept in Carbon fiber in the “All Black” guise - especially as the dial is also in carbon fiber.

While I tend to find carbon fiber gets stale as a design element quickly, it really looks good here. The fact that the case is light weight and entirely made out of carbon fiber is a big plus. Inside the watch is a Hublot HUB4100 automatic chronograph movement. Look for this Big Bang All Black Carbon Fiber watch soon.

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

Hublot Big Bang All Black Carbon Fiber Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

For 2011 Rado - the original brand of the ceramic watch - releases the thinnest ceramic watch ever with the True Thinline collection. Based on the True collection, the Thinline comes in a very thin round case in either black or white ceramic. Basically this is a high-end thin Swatch Skin, in ceramic. That is OK because both are part of the Swatch group. Oddly enough Rado does not publish the actual dimensions of the True Thinline! Why? I have no idea, but I did see the pieces and they are pretty darn thin.

Technically unisex, these are more or less women’s watches. They come with or without diamonds in the hour indicators and are on while or black rubber straps with a ceramic buckle. The crystal is sapphire and inside the watch is a Swiss ETA quartz movement. My choice is the while model as the hands have the most contrast and I think it fits the thin watch theme the best.

Rado True Thinline Is Thinnest Ceramic Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spirits, Timepieces / Watches

Having worked together in the past, famous basketball player LeBron James and high-end Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet have taken their relationship to the next step. LeBron James was just announced to be Audemars Piguet’s newest international brand ambassador. In addition to wearing Audemars Piguet timepieces (he prefers the Royal Oak Offshore collection), James will be featured in a range of advertising and marketing campaigns. These will also involve James’ charitable foundation called The LeBron James Family Foundation, and other various special events.

Audemars Piguet is one of the most popular luxury watch brands with US Athletes (as well as international athletes of course), and has done an admirable job of receiving a high level of awareness in the US. The relationship with LeBron will further that mission, especially given LeBron’s popularity both on and off the court. Moving ahead a year or two the world will see a specially designed LeBron James Audemars Piguet timepiece. Likely a limited edition, and very likely part of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, the watch will come out in probably 2013. LeBron’s new relationship with Audemars Piguet was announced in Miami yesterday - where he plays for the Miami Heat team.

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

LeBron James Is New Audemars Piguet Watch Ambassador originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

For 2011 there was not much new in the Tudor watch department. The most noteworthy piece was the Heritage Advisor watch. In a nutshell it is a retro-styled timepiece with a mechanical alarm complication module over a base ETA automatic movement. That alone is fine, but the design and personality of this watch leave much more to be desired from the baby-Rolex brand.

Tudor isn’t a brand available in the US. There is a good reason for that. It would harm Rolex’s market position as they are less-expensive, but made in the same place. Unlike Rolex pieces, Tudor pieces don’t use in-house made movements. Usually they offer their own, more entry-level versions of Rolex favorites, but Tudor has been trying to move away from that model as of late.

Continue reading Tudor Heritage Advisor Watch

Tudor Heritage Advisor Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This here is a thing of beauty - the Full Amazone Curvex watch for women. As is the case in the odd world of luxury I come across fantastic finds purely by accident, through relationships, and because it is my business to know. A young lady wearing this diamond encrusted tank style watch is introduced to me - allowing my bank of high-end watch brands to grow by one. Running your finger over it you felt all the stones neatly set into place. Rubies and emeralds make up a floral motif in the landscape of diamonds. In total the watch has 26 carats of precious stones.

The brand is Charles Oudin, and they are based in Paris (no surprise there). Watches like this aren’t about high-horology, but jewelry with a sober tone only make decadent by the amount of precious material. I enjoy the lack of pretentiousness in the design and presentation. The case is in 18k white gold, and I am not sure of the precise size. The dial is easy to read if you don’t need indicators as the dark hands contrast well with the diamond face. There is an option to have a Swiss ETA quartz or Swiss Frederic Piguet automatic movement - nice that you have a choice. In addition to this pictured version with ruby leaves and flowers, you can order one with sapphire ones. Price is 150,000 euros.

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

Charles Oudin Full Amazone Curvex Women’s Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Zenith was nice enough to show me the follow-up timepiece to last year’s Christophe Colomb - with its almost magical looking gyroscopic-style tourbillon. I am not sure of the name of this new for 2011 watch. It might be the Christophe Colomb 2, or perhaps the Christophe Colomb Equation of Time. That latter guess is because in addition to a new symmetrical dial, it has an equation of time complication which tells you the difference between the solar time and our calendar time. UPDATE: I was correct in my guess. It will be called the Christophe Colomb Equation of Time watch.

I do quite like the new dial. The guilloche machine engraved face frames the three dials nicely, and there is a nice mix between using all the space while the dial doesn’t look busy. The movement is still manually wound with about two days of power reserve while the dial has a power reserve indicator, the time, an equation of time hand, and the spacey looking gyroscopically suspended escapement. Should be in 18k white and rose gold. Look out for more details on this impressive Zenith watch soon.

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

Zenith Christophe Colomb Equation Of Time Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Probably the last of the lovely Double Tourbillon Technique watches from Greubel Forsey, here is the 2011 version done in platinum, with some variations on the dial. The tones are all lighter now and the watch is even heavier in platinum. The case is 47.50mm wide so that means a lot of platinum. This is super luxury watch is limited in production and will carry a half million dollar plus price tag.

I first discussed the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique watch here (where I go into more technical detail about the in-house made GF02s manually would movement). In short, it has the time, power reserve indicator, subsidiary seconds, and double tourbillon escapement. All in a compelling and airy dial that is a view into the hand-made and decorated mechanism. For the platinum model much of the movement is done in a nickel-palladium finish. There are polished, brushed, and frosted areas.

The watch is really a beautiful thing that I attempted to capture in the images. Unlike the rose gold version for example, Greubel Forsey really wanted to lighten up the open-movement of the watch to show off their brilliant level of finishing and polishing. They have done three versions of the Double Tourbillon Technique now, and this might be the last one. You really can’t go up higher than platinum. Perhaps they will do a “heritage” version in a few years - as they have done with other models. Having said that, if this is the last watch you were to ever buy, you’d realize you’ve hit close to the top.

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

Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique Platinum Watch Hands-On originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Seiko’s most compelling new watch offering for 2011 was easily their new Credor Spring Drive minute repeater. Credor is a special high-end subbrand from Seiko that is more or less only available in Japan. It contains Seiko’s high-accuracy Spring Drive movement that is a pleasing hybrid of mechanical beauty and accurate quartz crystal regulation. The watch follows up the Credor Sonnerie (also a form of chiming watch) from a few years ago.

Continue reading Seiko Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater Watch

Seiko Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Easily one of the coolest watches around is the Bulgari Serpenti. I think it was soft-launched last year, but really is available now - and in many forms. The Serpenti concept is not new, as the watch that wraps around your wrist like a snake is a vintage concept for the Italian brand. Though Bulgari has re-released it in a new form. What impressed me most is the execution. The watch is essentially many from one long wrapped strand of steel or gold. Inside is a complex system to make it elastic. It feels refined, as though it would last for a long time - really nice engineering here.

The “snake head” is the watch dial, and again it comes in a few styles. There are a few different faces and the Serpenti models come with and without diamonds. There are also some very high-end versions that are totally covered in precious stones. These also require you to open the snake’s mouth to reveal the watch face. In the past the Serpenti watches didn’t use Bulgari watch faces, but where make for a host of other brands. Today, as Bulgari makes their own watch, there is more brand uniformity.

There are a few coil sizes I believe for different wrists, but concept is more or less “on size fits all.” As a man I’d never be able to wear one of these, but I was impressed with how cool and elegant they look on women. I could easy see these watches as casual wear for the right lady. As a concept they are cool, as a watch they are refined, and as a style statement they are unmatched. Prices start in the $10,000 range I believe and go up from there. Check out more images in the galley below.

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

Bulgari Serpenti Ladies Watch Hands-On originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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