The Hublot Classic watch: A luxury-sports original which is still great

While the Hublot Big Bang watch collection has garnered all the headlines for the Hublot brand lately, I still remain a big fan of the Hublot Classic collection. There is something extremely refreshing to me about the minimalism and distinctively understated quality that these watches project. And of course, these were the original Hublot watches–timepieces which were as daring two decades ago, as the Big Bang watch is today. After all, in the 1980’s Hublot was an innovator in making rubber an accepted material for luxury watches, paving the way for so many other luxury watch brands which would follow in the 1990’s.

While the Hublot Big Bang is a powerful statement, respect is due to its historical predecessor, a fact which Hublot is keenly aware of. Even today, the Classic still stands on its own within the Hublot watch collection. With a nice range of models for both men and women, its still a great choice for an exclusive, under-the-radar luxury sports timepiece.

Milus Monocera: Brilliance in blending watch with jewelry

The Milus Monocera timepiece is a gorgeous piece of watch-ewelry. (Watch-ewelry = word I just made up combining watch and jewelry.) Milus has done a brilliant job of blending the simplicity of a cuff bracelet with the elegance and dazzle of a timepiece that could rival what some other brands are doing with their womens’ lines. Some history: the Monocera is named after the constellation Monozeros, which is Latin for unicorn.

This Monocera model features a rectangular case and a curvy design of 49 diamonds set on a finely brushed stainless steel cuff bracelet. Milus has also fashioned variations in different metals without diamonds that showcase the beautiful satin finish, as well as versions from the Haute Joaillerie collection with mother-of-pearl dials and bracelets that are emblazoned with diamonds in various colors. Diamonds or no diamonds, the Milus Monocera proves that timepieces and jewelry can be joined together in a superbly rare and fascinating way.

The Milus Zetios watches: Diverse choices, styled with class

Do you enjoy larger watches, and want a chronograph that is elegant, rather than sporty?  If these are your criteria, the Milus Zetios Chronograph is a great choice.  At 45mm in diameter, it is extremely substantial—not a watch for the faint-wristed! It’s also very refined, with one of the nicest case designs on the market, in my opinion.  I really love the cylindrical case lug design, and it really fits in beautifully with the smooth, rounded impression this Milus watch projects.

The dial of the Milus Zetios Chronograph watch is also extremely pleasing, with its polished Arabic numerals and distinct demarcation between the center and the peripheral section; its very classic, yet not stuck in the past, either.  The big date function at the twelve o’clock position is a technical plus of this chronograph, and it balances nicely with the chrono subdials. 

If you happen to like the Milus Zetios design, but feel the chronograph is a wee bit large, the slightly smaller 42mm Zetios watch with big date watch may be just the thing for you.   The extremely elegant Zetios Classic watch is the smallest of the Milus Zetios timepieces, and will no doubt be in high favor with traditionalists and anyone who places a design priority on simplicity.

Win on Superbowl Sunday with Chopard Happy Diamond Pendants

Ladies, consider Superbowl Sunday as your day to shop undisturbed for at minimum, four hours (you know, there’s preshow, halftime, post show… how long could they analyze a football game for?? About as long as we can analyze new diamond necklaces to add to our collection!). So enjoy this time that is absent of comments like “you already have something JUST like that!” or “that’s HOW much?!” to do a little indulging for yourself. Here are the pendants I’m choosing between, all designed by Chopard:

The Happy Sport Circle Pendant – it has round diamonds set in a shape of a flower that float inside of an 18k white gold circle. It’s casual, fun and a great staple for any jewelry wardrobe.

For those with a love a hearts, this Happy Diamond Heart Pendant is a beauty! Rose and white gold contrast in a heart shape of diamonds that drops off the main necklace chain. This is a great twist on a basic heart shaped pendant.

The So Happy Diamond Pendant floats a diamond inside a white gemstone that is surrounded by bead set diamonds. This pendant is classic elegance with a surprise. Gorgeous!

Either way you go, Chopard has diamond pendants in a plethora of designs that will please any woman’s taste (hint-hint guys that are still Valentine’s day shopping!).

Patek Philippe, Bedat and Piaget offer new hues for ladies watches

Manufacturers have long used different metal straps to cater to customer’s needs, but now we’re seeing a mass change in the variations of colors for dials and straps. And since color is a hot trend right now and will be for spring, here are some jazzed up colored watched to add to your collection.

Bedat & Co. No. 7 Ref. 728 is a classic shape, guilloche dial, alligator strap and 177 yellow diamonds set in the bezel and case. I think Bedat & Co. has the formula down for classically designed dress watches for women.

Patek Philippe has even joined the color parade. This quartz movement Aquanaut Luce piece pairs a lavender strap and dial that’s a bit more sporty if you’re looking for a more activity friendly watch. Fellow Aquanaut models include various metal, diamond and colors, including a baby blue and a grey version.

If you’re looking for color in the shape of pink sapphires, this Piaget Creative Collection Limelight Party piece is for you. I am a huge fan of white straps, but this one has an ingenious addition of color in the dial that makes it seem more like a bracelet than a watch – the best of both worlds!

Whether you’re looking for a uniquely colored dial or strap, Vialuxe has you covered. Search the timepiece section by color as well and see how your favorite brands are showcasing their colored models.

Glorious Vacheron Constantin Diamond Watches

There are diamond-set watches, and then there are diamond-set watches.  For those who demand the absolute best and most rare in the world of haute joaillerie, one of the finest sources of such creations is Vacheron Constantin.  While greatly appreciated by connoisseurs for their extraordinary mechanical complications and the history as a great watchmaker, the house has also specialized in extraordinary creations of dazzling jewelry.  Having long served royal houses and the creme de la creme of society through its 250 year history, Vacheron Constantin can do no less.

Men and women both can enjoy these gem-set masterpieces.  The 45mm Kalla Duchesse Large watch is a tonneau-shaped watch fit for a king, and displays a white gold case and bracelet which literally disappear beneath a glittering carpet of masterfully set-baguette diamonds totaling 58.35 carats in all.  For women, the resplendent Lady Kalla watch is absolutely extraordinary; a similar Vacheron Constantin watch wasowned by Princess Diana. 

The heritage of these extraordinary diamond watches date back to 1979, when Vacheron Constantin created their incomparable jewelry watch masterpiece–the Kallista–which was hewn from a kilogram bar of gold, and set with 118 emerald-cut diamonds (each with their own certificate!) totaling approximately 130 carats.  With an estimated value of well over 9 million dollars, the heritage of this creation shines out in each jeweled Vacheron Constantin watch.�

Gerald Genta watches: A fantastic escape from “conventional” luxury

For those who feel that the watch world is a little drab, maybe a bit too serious and stuffy, the timepieces of Gerald Genta are surely a welcome antidote.  With their brilliant and provocative use of color, daring combinations of materials, and exquisite craftsmanship, each Gerald Genta watch–from their legendary retrogrades with jumping hours to an incomparable grande sonnerie–makes an unmistakable impression that is far off the beaten path.

The watches of the Gerald Genta Fantasy collection are some of the most whimsical on the planet, and for many, summarize just how much Gerald Genta has always pressed the edge of design.  Imagine—putting a Disney cartoon character on the dial of an exquisite and beautifully crafted high luxury watch!  Yet this is exactly what these watches do, sparking up the controversy even more with wild colors and fascinating retrograde functions–an eye-catching complication that is nearly synonymous with this boundary-pushing maker of luxury timepieces.�

The Piaget Black Tie Emperador Cushion Watch – Dressy Dual-Time

Of the many complications featured in the craft of fine watchmaking, few are as inherently useful as a second time zone display.  However, it sometimes seems that sportier designs tend to be more prevalent than more exclusively dressy ones.

For the individual who desiring a beautiful and exclusive dual-time watch for elegant or business attire, I can’t recommend the Piaget Emperador Cushion timepiece highly enough.  Pictures really don’t begin to do this watch justice.  The distinctive cushion shaped 18K gold case radiates absolutely amazing attention to detail in every minute facet; if, like me, you find contrasting polished and brushed surfaces to be particularly attractive, this watch will impress you greatly.  Similarly, the guilloche-decorated silvered dial is wonderfully subtle, and the triangulation between the sub seconds dial, the second time zone indicator and the date, has a definite appeal all its own.

This Piaget watch is far more than merely a pretty face, however–its easy-to-use mechanism with quickly adjustable time zone and date display is animated by a finely decorated movement which is designed and manufactured by Piaget. �

DeWitt, Girard-Perregaux, and Breguet – Beautiful oval ladies watches

Ovals make a truly wonderful shape for ladies watches–elegant, classic, yet somehow a distinctly refreshing escape from the hegemony of the ever-present round form which dominates most watch design. Women seeking out exquisitely crafted luxury watches that are incredible examples of just how beautiful the oval can be have some outstanding options to choose from among several of the finest haute de gamme watchmaking houses in the world.

The DeWitt Alma watch collection is stately and powerful, yet refined with superb, sublime details. The casework is absolutely extraordinary, as is the attention to detail on the dial, and the setting of diamonds and other gems. These DeWitt timepieces for ladies also offers superb mechanical workmanship, and unique complications–such as those found on the Alma Utopia watch.

Girard-Perregaux’s Cat’s-Eye watches from the Collection Lady are another stunning assemblage of magnificent oval timepieces. Exclusively animated by fine Girard-Perregaux in-house movements, jewelry and fine watchmaking are united as one in these award-winning luxury watches.

The ravishing Breguet Reine de Naples watch collection presents another fabulous union of haute joaillerie and haute horlogerie. Its an interesting point of reference to note that there was a certain amount of internal opposition within Breguet to this design when it was first proposed–needless to say, women have responded with great enthusiasm to these exceptionally beautiful timepieces.

The F.P. Journe Chronometre Souverain – Exquisite, classic, and sophisticated

If you take a moment to peruse the F.P. Journe website or catalog, or spend any time reading about the amazing horological achievements of Francois-Paul Journe, its very hard not to be overwhelmed be a desire to own an F.P. Journe watch (or multiple F.P. Journe watches, with bank account willing!) While his extraordinary complicated watches have garnered tremendous acclaim in the luxury press, and rightly so, perhaps the most attractive F.P Journe watch to my eyes is one of the (comparatively) simplest–the Chronometre Souverain.

There are so many wonderful details on the Chronometre Souverain watch which please me, that its hard to know where to start. The case design is wonderful–classic, yet infused with just enough of a distinctive flavor to clearly differentiate it from the established offerings from the larger watchmaking houses. The dial has the same wonderful effect– it is elegant and beautiful in its numerous fine details, but bears the unmistakable design signature of one of the world’s most creative and inventive watchmakers. Then of course you have the fascinating F.P Journe manufacture movement ticking inside this watch, enriched with distinctive constructive details (plates and wheels crafted from 18K pink gold), and horologically innovative features (a power reserve indicator, twin mainspring barrels, and a free-sprung balance).

This is a wonderful union of watchmaking brilliance and classical beauty. Whether you are looking to collect your first ultra-exclusive dress watch, or you want to expand your collection beyond the established watch models from more broadly famous brands such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, or Vacheron Constantin, the F.P. Journe Chronometre Souverain timepiece should be one of your first considerations.