Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Watches: Defining Excellence For An Elite Complication

Patek Philippe minute repeater watches are acclaimed by many connoisseurs as among the finest–if not THE finest–examples of this exquisite complication. Because the minute repeater’s complex mechanism translates the time into a carefully tuned sequence of tones, the quality, tonality, and timbre of the chimes is directly proportional to the amount of time invested in tuning and perfecting each individual watch.  This is particularly critical in minute repeater wristwatches, which don’t have the case volume to allow sound to unfold the same way that a pocket-watch case does. 

While drawing from their rich history in manufacturing the most exceptional complications is an important part of why Patek can stay so dominant in this field, it’s not the only thing–the brand continues to look at ways to improve and innovate.  Take for example the extraordinary Patek Philippe Ref. 5074.  Continue Reading… »

F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souveraine: For When No Ordinary Chronograph Will Do!

The F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souveraine is a pretty incredible piece of haute horlogerie.  Looking to time a nice stroll through the park? Or, perhaps you have super-human reflexes and would like to measure the speed of an asteroid caroming through the atmosphere?  With the Centigraphe, you can do both, thanks to an exceptional manually wound chronograph movement (naturally an exclusive development of Francois-Paul Journe). 

This complex mechanism features three subdials, each of which are marked with a time scale, and a tachymeter.  Triggering the rocker switch on the right side of the watch  sets the hands into motion–at this moment, the immediate attention getter is the red foudroyante “flying-seconds” hand at left, which travels around its scale once each second; because of this unique hand and the 100th second calibration of its tachymeter, you can actually time something that is moving at 360,000 kilometers per hour! ( Put another way, that’s 1/3000th the speed of light!) Continue Reading… »

Hancock’s Charlize Theron – Super Style

Charlize Theron has been on the acting circuit for quite some time now, but Hancock is one of her bigger forays into the summer blockbuster realm. In the movie, Theron plays the wife of a PR agent, played by Jason Bateman, who tries to improve the public image of a careless superhero, played by Will Smith. Hancock opens on July 2nd, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, and while Theron’s role in the movie has been downplayed in the trailers, her presence along the press junket line has definitely been felt. Continue Reading… »

Ebel 1911 Lady Watches Show Magnificent Mineral Dials In Lapis, Tiger-Eye, And Malachite

Ebel watches have gotten a lot of press from watch enthusiasts for their dynamic men’s 1911 BTR collection.  But the BTRs aren’t the only Ebel 1911 timepieces which have an immediately intoxicating effect on the viewer.  The Ebel 1911 Lady stands out with its rich variety of exotic mineral dials, which include such strikingly beautiful species as tiger’s eye, malachite, and lapis lazuli. 

The combination of Ebel’s intricately finished 1911 case and bracelet in 18K red gold united with such dazzling materials creates a tremendously luxurious impression, along with the appeal that only Continue Reading… »

Cartier Santos Triple 100: The Watch With Three Faces

One of the most delightful and charming Cartier watches to debut this year, was the Santos Triple 100.  A particularly precious version of the venerable Cartier Santos design, the Triple 100 incorporates a dial system of mobile white gold prisms, which are linked to miniature gear trains.

What does this mean?  Turn the crown, and you can select between three unique identities–a classic Roman numeral face, a field of alternating black and white round brilliant diamonds, or the soulful, intense stare of a tiger. 

 It is creations such as these Continue Reading… »

Bell & Ross BR 01 Pink Gold Exemplifies The Rose Gold Revolution In Sport Watches

 It wasn’t so long ago that rose gold (or pink gold, if you prefer) was exclusively the preserve of dress watches.  Today, that state of affairs has changed completely.  While rose gold is still a superlative choice in a dressy timepiece, it has also become a material which many of the leading watch manufacturers–brands such as Hublot, Audemars Piguet, Zenith, and Girard-Perregaux–employ in the creation of exotic and powerful sport watches.

A fine example of how beautiful rose gold can be in a dynamic sport timepiece is provided by the striking Bell & Ross BR 01 Pink Gold watch.  This 46mm example of herculean horology makes an immediate impression Continue Reading… »

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph: A Luxury Chronograph Among The “All-Time Greats”

For devotees of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak design, there will always be (usually, at least!) friendly, animated discussions about which models are “must haves”.  Traditionalists, and lovers of Audemars Piguet history will always intone the Royal Oak Jumbo, which of course began the dynasty in 1972.  The Royal Oak Automatic Ref. 15300, with its highly promising Audemars Piguet manufacture 3120 movement will also have many adherents, thanks to its excellent technical qualities and slightly more modern (it’s thicker than the “Jumbo”) dimensions. 

Regardless of whom you are talking to, you will seldom find anyone who disputes that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph is one of THE most beautiful and versatile “Oaks” of all time Continue Reading… »

Anne Hathaway Gets Smart

Here we see Anne Hathaway at the Los Angeles Premiere of Get Smart in a strapless Bill Blass dress with tulle and feather details. Accessorized with Neil Lane teardrop earrings and Christian Louboutin heels, the dress is the right mix of simple and fun. Continue Reading… »

Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Watch: Worthy Competition For The Rolex GMT-Master II

The Omega Seamaster 300M GMT watch gets high marks as one of the best, most durable and functional of all the timepieces which possess multiple timezone capabilities. With its independently adjustable 12-hour hand, keeping up with changes to local time is is as easy as unscrewing the crown, and turning the crown forwards or backwards to move the hand as many hours backward or forward as you require. Meanwhile, a second timezone (such as your own timezone, or UTC) can be read via the red 24-hour hand and the 24-hour rotatable bezel.

Need a temporary third timezone? Easily handled–simply rotate the bezel and you can get this done as well. Reading the dial in the dark is extremely easy, thanks to extremely bold Superluminova applications on hour figures and hands; in fact, if its been charged under a quick exposure to a light source, the lume is so bright

Continue Reading… »

Celebrate Love Day with Cartier Love Charity Bracelets

Cartier’s 3rd annual Love Day Celebration is set for this Thursday, June 19th, with a huge celebration at Chicago’s Cartier boutique on Michigan Avenue. The newest celebrity sponsored charity bracelets will be unveiled, with this year’s design featuring two intertwined links fashioned of 18k white gold and 18k pink gold, both engraved with Cartier’s signature Love logo. Cartier will donate proceeds from each bracelet sold to the celebrity ambassador’s charity, as well as donating a percentage of sales from the first three days the bracelets are up for sale. This year’s colors, ambassadors and charities are: Continue Reading… »