Luxury Watches: February 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

ANITQUA DSS 1953 Prototype SpySHOTs

Unknown 2/28/2013

By TLex Here're a couple spy shots of a semi-assembled DSS 1953 by ANTIQUA. They really only hint at what the finished production model might look like. As you can probably tell the lug inserts are missing. Stay tuned for more soon . . .

CHRS. WARD C60 Trident Pro Automatic BLUE

Unknown 2/28/2013

By TLex Here's the C60 Trident Pro Automatic from Christopher Ward in stunning blue, one of two new colors recently introduced to the Trident Pro family . . .

Read up on the Christopher Ward's latest DIVERs model, the new C11 Titanium ELITE

PARMIGIANI Fleurier PERSHING 'CBF'

Unknown 2/27/2013

By TLex It's carnival time! Parmigiani Fleurier continue with their unique partnership with CBF (Confedera��o Brasileira de Futebol) formed in 2011, when they became the official watchmaking partner of the legendary federation.

In celebration of this partnership, the Fleurier based watch brand have created 3 new 'CBF' Editions of the sporty Pershing Chronograph collection. Rather than simply stamping a shield on the case back of a watch. PF have painstaking researched, both the concept and the graphics for these timepiece truly capturing the spirit of the CBF. They are certainly colorful! Love the yellow rubber ;)

The watches feature a Titanium cases and a choice of either white gold or rose gold bezels. The side profile (below) illustrates how substantial the Pershing watch cases are - truly magnificent! The dials showcases the three colors of the CBF, which are gold, blue and green; each of them used in perfect harmony. The intense blue provides the background color, on top of the �C�tes de Gen�ve� guilloche worked surface.

Gold is used to highlight the two chronograph hands, usually so discreet. Green is used for the greatest symbol of Brazil�s passion for football: the 5 victory stars to commemorate as many world cups won by the national team. These 5 stars, featured on all the players� jerseys, replace the small seconds index at 3 o�clock on the Pershing.

Click to discover the new ABYSS Toubillon also by Parmigian Fleurier . . .

Minuteman by The CGA COMPANY

Unknown 2/27/2013

By TLex A new watch company is set to enter the market with a high-quality watch assembled in the United States. The 'Minuteman' is a produced by the CGA Company, who have a well established reputation for offering quality merchandise at reasonable prices.

The company's President, Thomas Carey states that it was his desire to provide a high-quality product while offering employment opportunities for Americans as well as support for organizations that are dedicated to helping veterans in need.

In order to achieve these lofty goals, the CGA Company will use high-quality watch components, many of them custom designed, and have them assembled in Ohio in the USA. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of each of the watches will be donated to various carefully selected charities that focus on providing assistance to needy veterans of the United States armed services.

The Minuteman watch is a simple military-style field watch powered by a three hands Swiss Quartz module. It has a water-resistance of 200m. At this stage there are six or seven variants: some with steel cases and some with IP treatment.

Please follow the link HERE to follow the progress of 'Minuteman' on their Facebook page or follow the CGA logo below for further details on pricing and pre-orders . . .

THOMAS PRESCHER Nemo CAPTAIN

Unknown 2/26/2013

By TLex And now for something completely different!

'' The diver fought against the strong current. Each time he removed another piece of mud it cost him immense energy�Again and again he rubbed away more dirt. This extremely difficult work must succeed. �Nau��, one more piece of dirt falls away. �Nautilus��appeared as the team succeeded. Finally, they discovered Captain Nemo�s submarine, and inside they found several plans of mechanical machines, which were later discovered to be plans of the different crew members� watches � "

Remember THIS? Last year, Thomas Prescher hinted at something that could have been a new diver, sadly it wasn't, but that isn't to say that his new creations were any less evocative of the ocean realm - far from it! The new Nemo series, which includes two models (thus far - a diver is still a possibility for the future) are inspired by the literary masterpiece by Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. The watches combine Steampunk and art nouveau influences with haughte horlogy.

The Nemo series watches have some shared design elements, such as the porthole designed front bezels and backs. Also nameplates and index rings have been inspired by old steam engines and Victorian engineering. The case of Nemo Sailor model uses saltwater-resistant bronze, which has the perfect look as it ages with time to form its wonderful patina. In contrast the Nemo Captain's case uses non-oxidizing materials. The lugs, front and back bezels of the flagship watch are made from Rose gold and the middle part from Palladium.

Not having a dial in a classic sense, red gold was chosen for the appliqu�s of the Captain: a fabulous combination underscoring a 19th Century maritime look. Its case measures 44mm in diameter by 12mm thick, while the domed Sapphire crystal rises 4mm from the case to give a total height of around 16mm. The crown is inspired by some type of ancient valve.

It is powered by a Triple Axis Tourbillon caliber with implemented jump hour indicator. A second small port affords a view of this 'kinetic sculpture', where a Sapphire domed crystal dome catches the eye. For the appliqu�s on the dial and the case, a soft copper found its way into the design. Copper�s warm, red color, together with the traditional font of the letters, round out the design to perfection.

The detail is quite breathtaking - the watches both charming. I can't wait to see the third model in the series!

AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Offshore Diver CERAMIC 2ndLook

Unknown 2/25/2013

By TLex I�ve been seduced by the dark side of the ~~force~~ offshore! Despite it having a high-tech ceramic case (I still haven't warmed to the growing trend in ceramic watch cases, I'm afraid) I'm finding the latest ROO DIVER more and more appealing - at least to look at that is. How it will fare on the wrist will be a completely different story (it's going to feel a little odd being so light).

The new ROO Diver Ceramic, which was conceived in the R&D department of the AP manufacture is the third iteration of AP's current Royal Oak Offshore Diver's family. Read the full SP accompanied by HD images, below . . .

From AP This instrument developed to meet the requirements of diving enthusiasts or those looking for timepieces able to cope with intensive use, decisively pushes the envelope in terms of performance. Rugged and resistant to the pressure sustained at depths of 300 meters, the Royal Oak Offshore Diver maximizes the main technical characteristics of instruments intended for use in underwater activities, in order to guarantee users unfailing reliability at all times.

Fully compliant with the NIHS 92-11 (ISO6425) norm, this self-winding model with its powerful design, built for subaquatic use in conditions where rough estimates are not an option, appears this year for the first time with a case, bezel and easy-grip crowns all made of deep black high-tech ceramics.

Machining this avant-garde material, around seven times harder than steel and which only diamonds can scratch, calls for the use of special machines and tools equipped with diamond-tipped milling-cutters. The case middle is also treated to polished and satin-brushed finishes that represented a daunting technical challenge to achieve this degree of quality, due to the inherent resistant to abrasion of this composite material.

This reliable and efficient timepiece, for which the developers focused firmly on functionality, was thoroughly researched to ensure optimal suitability for use in diving conditions. For example, to improve the readability contrast in the ocean depths, for the first time its black dial bearing the traditional �M�ga Tapisserie� pattern is fitted with a luminescent orange hand matching the diving scale appearing on the rotating inner bezel ring, which also features an orange zone between 12 and 3 o�clock. This vivid shade enables instant readings of all essential information.

The rotating dive-time pre-selection device, unusually positioned inside the case, is technically far more complex to make than a traditional unidirectional exterior rotating bezel. It offers the advantage of reducing the parallax error and protecting this element � which is vital for divers in monitoring the duration of their immersion � from shocks and aggressive external factors such as water, salt or grains of sand that might jam the bezel.

To adjust this dive-time indicator, the Audemars Piguet watchmakers have developed a mechanism enabling it to be controlled via a watertight external crown positioned at 10 o�clock along the side of the case middle. This system as a whole represents a significant safety feature since, once the crown has been screwed back in, the dive time cannot be inadvertently modified. Equipped with a system of innovative water-tightness gaskets, it may be handled during immersion.

This technology that has also been applied to the winding-crown will enable the diver to perform various operations under water if necessary.

This watch also providing a central seconds display and a date indication at 3 o�clock is driven by Manufacture Audemars Piguet mechanical self-winding Calibre 3120, which may be observed through the titanium case-back fitted with a sapphire crystal � also a first in the Offshore Diver collection.

The latter highly sensitive element, that must be able to withstand the underwater pressure exercised at a depth of 300 meters, is secured to the case middle by screws and serves to reveal the 22-carat solid gold oscillating weight, along with some of the meticulously finished movement components including its balance beating at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour.

This rugged, graphically designed, ergonomic and almost unalterable timepiece focuses on essentials � which is exactly why it is worn on a rubber strap equipped with a titanium pin buckle. This simple and efficient, tried and tested fastening system enables the user to adjust the strap at any time to ensure a comfortable fit, whether directly on the skin or when wearing the instrument over a diving suit.

Also read up on the FORGED CARBON, ROO DIVER, ROO SCUBA and watch the VIDEO

EXT�tico DIVER N�1 #7

Unknown 2/24/2013

� OceanicTime

CHR. WARD C60 Trident-PRO new COLORs

Unknown 2/21/2013

By TLex Christopher WARD have released too new colors for the C60 Trident-PRO diver.

The blue's lovely, but really like the orange bezel on that black dial!

Read up on the Christopher Ward's latest DIVERs model, the new C11 Titanium ELITE

MARIO PACI SMZ BRONZO by Ennebi

Unknown 2/21/2013

By TLex The Mario Paci SMZ is now available in bronze. The SMZ 'sommozzatore' (scuba diver) was designed and built by Ennebi of Prato, Italy for Mario Paci Watches & Straps, also of Italy.

They have the exclusive rights for its sale.

ENNEBI Fondale VINTAGE

Unknown 2/21/2013

By TLex Here's the latest Fondale Vintage with its sporty sub seconds at 6 o'clock with red second pointer.

The watch is available direct from Ennebi or through any of their authorized dealers around the globe.

Read my review of the FONDALE . . .

F*CK EM Rolex Submariner by SUPREME

Unknown 2/20/2013

By TLex NYC clothing brand, Supreme have previewed an audacious custom no date Rolex Submariner with ceramic bezel for their Spring / Summer 2013 collection. Custom features include: 'F*CK EM' red text and a 'Supreme' engraved caseback. Has to be seen to be believed . . .

HUBLOT King Power 48MM Oceanographic 4000 JEANS

Unknown 2/19/2013

By TLex Introducing the new Hublot King Power 48MM Oceanographic 4000 Jeans.

A limited edition of just 21 numbered pieces exclusively available from 'Zegg & Cerlati' boutiques, at Place du Casino in Monte Carlo, Ischgl in Austria and Samnaun in Switzerland.

Not to be mistaken for the the Oceanographic 4000 Carbon DENIM!

The watch is born from an idea by Tina Zegg and Carlo Cerlati, two leading figures in luxury watchmaking based in Monaco, and backed by Hublot's Chairman, Jean-Claude Biver and the company's CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe.