Watch Collecting: A Perspective From One Who Tried, And Failed

Watch collecting is an interesting pursuit, and can mean very different things to different people.  There is no “right answer”–only what works for that individual.  Some people enjoy a rotation of 3-10 watches, happily going to the safety deposit bank or the safe to pull stuff off the winder.  Others keep a few timepieces on hand they wear regularly, and leave the others–sometimes many others–wrapped up in plastic for posterity or investment purposes (I’m thinking of the Patek crowd here, particularly)  Then there are the fanatics for vintage Rolex or Panerai limited editions, who enjoy the hyper-minutiae and sharing a latest rare acquisition with their equally obsessed buddies at get-togethers where festivity levels are just slightly less than that of a Roman bacchanalia.   Continue Reading… »

Elton John and Chopard Celebrate the 11th Annual White Tie & Tiara Ball

Once again this year, Sir Elton John, and luxury brand Chopard, paired up to host the White Tie and Tiara Ball to benefit the Elton John Aids Foundation. Elton John and Chopard have a long history together: He and Chopard co-President Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele are longtime friends and together have raised nearly $45 million dollars for the charity, through these events.

As the theme of this year’s ball was “Contemporary Art”, Elton John and David Furnish transformed the grounds of their Windsor mansion into an open air art gallery and sculpture garden. Works of art on loan from leading London galleries were displayed throughout the grounds, along side Chopard creations, which were exhibited in Andy Warhol’s “Brillo Boxes”. Continue Reading… »

A Plethora Of Watchmaking Seals: Geneva Seal, Patek Philippe Seal, Fleurier Seal, And More

With authenticity and substance becoming ever more important in the messages that watch companies seek to convey to their customers, exclusive seals promising performance, finishing standards, and more are multiplying rapidly.  From Bedat & Co with their AOSC certificate covering the Swiss origin of parts and assembly, to Patek Philippe, which created waves at Baselworld 2009 with their announcement that the Poincon de Geneve (Geneva Seal) is being ditched for a new, and more demanding in-house Patek Philippe Seal, its clear that brands want to differentiate themselves from their competition more than ever. Continue Reading… »

Chopard Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL Power Reserve Watch: Car-Themed Luxury Timepiece With A Gas Gauge

A great attribute of the Chopard Mille Miglia watch collection is the wonderful array of models it offers, each presenting an appealing variation on the automotive theme.  Among the most attractive of these sportily elegant Chopard timepieces is the Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL Power Reserve, which cleverly plays upon the similarity between an automobile fuel gauge, and the mainspring barrel of a watch.   Continue Reading… »

Chopard L.U.C Twist Watch Gets Solid Black Or Silver Dial In 2009

Chopard’s exquisite and eye-catching L.U.C Twist watch is one of my all-time favorite modern dress timepieces.  During the time I owned the white gold version, it drew a considerable amount of complimentary attention from knowledgeable watch lovers–both for its superb Chopard 1.96 caliber movement, and the striking presence of its black dial with a guilloched white gold center.  If one desired a more austere look, however, they were out of luck.  In 2009, all tastes are accommodated with the impending introduction of solid monochrome dials in either black or silver, in both the white and pink gold models.   Continue Reading… »

Chopard Two O Ten Chrono XL: A Finely Detailed And Fashionable Chronograph Watch

A person seeking a fashionable, yet finely crafted mechanical luxury watch would do well to have a look at the Chopard Two O Ten Chrono XL.  Presented in finely polished stainless steel or 18-karat gold, the Two O Ten has some very substantial wrist presence and a copious amount of fine details to admire.

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Chopard L.U.C Pro One: The Range Rover Of Dive Watches

The Chopard L.U.C Pro One is a dive timepiece whose primary design focus is elegance and refined workmanship.  In contrast to archetypal tool-oriented dive watches like the Rolex Submariner, the L.U.C Pro One seems designed under the assumption that the bottom of the swimming pool is probably the deepest water its owner will experience.

This is not in any way a detraction of the L.U.C Pro One.  Nor is it an assertion that this Chopard watch isn’t fully capable of undertaking demanding dive duties; it is pressure-tested to 300 meters, after all, and features both a protected screw-down crown and a unidirectional bezel–all essential elements Continue Reading… »

Chopard Happy Sport Mark II Chrono All Black–The Boldest Happy Sport Yet Has Real Crossover Appeal

The Chopard Happy Sport collection has always stood out–the mobile diamonds in the dials of these watches make them immediately recognizable, and highly fashionable.  This year, Chopard has brought out what just might be the boldest, most distinctive Happy Sport timepiece yet.  

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Chopard Mille Miglia 2008 GT XL Chrono Keeps Chopard Car Theme Strong

The Chopard Mille Miglia watch collection is pretty amazing for its ever-changing model palette.  Each year, we see new limited editions, each of which has details inspired by the excitement and fanfare of the Mille Miglia race and the classic cars that participate in it.  No wonder this collection continues to be a winner for Chopard.

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Chopard L.U.C Chrono One Flyback Watch Is A Tour-De-Force Among Luxury Chronographs

The Chopard L.U.C Chrono One Flyback is one of the most highly awaited luxury chronographs to hit the market. Directly squared off against such prestigious competition as the Patek Philippe Ref. 5960P and the A. Lange & Sohne Datograph, the Chrono One lives up to the uncompromising standards of haute horlogerie that Chopard’s manufacture L.U.C collection is known for.  Offered in a limited edition pre-release in 2006, the watch will now be made more widely available in versions in white or rose gold.

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