IWC 2009 Aquatimer Watches Defeat Early Gripes To Win Over Watch Collectors

No matter what their preferred watch brands may be, devotees of sports watches all seem united when it comes to the issue of dial design. Make ‘em big, make ‘em bold, and oh yes–make sure there’s plenty of luminous applications that keep a brilliant glow for more than just a few minutes.  With that last point in mind, I have to sing the praises of the IWC’s 2009 Aquatimer line, which I’ve recently been able to see live for the first time this year.    (Click here to read a summary of the 2009 IWC Aquatimer collection) Continue Reading… »

Happy 25th Anniversary Scott Kay!

As he celebrates 25 years in the jewelry business, Scott Kay can truly be called one of the industry’s top artisans. Blending creative talent, innovative mediums and great business sense has made Scott Kay one of the gold standards and best known names in jewelry today.

Since graduating from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Scott Kay has been blazing his own trail in the world of jewelry. With just $5000 in his pocket, and few connections, he set out to create his own brand.

Scott began in the late 1980’s working with platinum; a medium largely abandoned in the industry in the previous 60 years. Scott persevered, presenting beautiful and artistic platinum pieces, and the market responded. Today Scott Kay is well known for incredible platinum work and for his unique use of platinum and yellow gold in tandem – a combination not traditionally found together. This is just one of the many appealing and creative specialties of the Scott Kay brand.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2: Masterful Watchmaking On Many Levels

After 2006’s amazingly complex Reverso a Triptyque watch, which presented its perpetual calendar functions across an unprecedented three faces, Jaeger-LeCoultre has again accomplished the extraodinary.  The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 watch is a comprehensive work of micro-mechanical art, which demonstrates an exceptional level of fine finishing, and some extremely advanced watchmaking technology. 

Although the spherical tourbillon is clearly inspired by the brand’s landmark Gyrotourbillon 1, this complicated new Reverso timepiece is by no means a technical clone.  For one thing, the twin cages in the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 have a different shape and rate of rotation than those of the Gyrotourbillon 1.   Also unique to the Gyrotourbillon 2 is a highly unusual 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… »

IWC Vintage Collection Da Vinci Watch Stands Out With Unusual, Striking Design

In the world of luxury watchmaking, an unusual or distinctive case design is perhaps most obvious way to make an unforgettable impression. Watches such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Gondolo Trapeze, and any of the Cartier Libres would be just a few examples of timepieces which stand out unfailingly. The new IWC Da Vinci watch from the Vintage Collection is most certainly in this category as well, with its striking hexagonal case. Modeled after the Continue Reading… »

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Tribute To Polaris Watches Faithfully Recreate Rare 1960’s Divers

In the world of vintage-inspired timepieces, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Memovox Tribute to Polaris watches are a 2008 standout.  The two timepieces–the Model 1965 in platinum and the Model 1968 in steel–are directly inspired by the distinctive design of two Memovox Polaris watches which the Manufacture produced in small quantities during the 1960’s (fewer than 2000 produced between the years of 1965 and 1970).

What makes these Jaeger-LeCoultre models excellent, is the close Continue Reading… »

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chrono-Automatic Edition TOP GUN Watch Flies High With Technical Substance And Style

The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chrono-Automatic Edition TOP GUN watch is a great thematic limited edition timepiece.  A nice follow up to the brand’s more complicated split-seconds chronograph of the same name, it should allow collectors and IWC fans a chance to obtain a companion chronograph that has an equally cool aura.  The neatest feature of these IWC watches, in my opinion, is the case–which is manufactured from Continue Reading… »

Parmigiani Kalpa Hemispheres Watch: Elegant Master Of Off-Set Time Zones

Parmigiani Fleurier is far too much of a sleeper among high luxury watch brands, in my opinion.  Headed up by watchmaking virtuoso Michel Parmigiani, the brand produces gorgeous manufacture timepieces that demonstrate perfectionist quality, striking designs, and superb complications–including such masterpieces as minute repeaters, tourbillons, and perpetual calendars.  The new Parmigiani Kalpa Hemispheres watch is yet another fine example of this brand’s ability to produce outstanding haute horlogerie.

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Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Demonstrates Real Commitment To Haute Horlogerie

Montblanc continues its forward surge to capture the interest of serious collectors, with a striking pair of mono-push chronographs.  The Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph watch comes on the heels of Montblanc’s recent acquisition of the Manufacture Minerva, and the production of some truly exquisite timepieces within the  exclusive Villeret 1858 Collection.  However, the remarkable movements in these watches Continue Reading… »

Cartier Cirque Animalier Watches – Fanciful Works Of Art Perpetuate Delightful Cartier Specialty

A great specialty of the house of Cartier is extravagant, fanciful haute joaillerie design in the form of various animals; a particularly famous example is the c.1975 yellow gold Crocodile necklace made for Mexican actress Maria Felix.  Carrying on this delightful theme for 2008, Cartier has shown their gorgeous Cirque Animalier watches, which depict the elephant, the tiger, and the panda Continue Reading… »