Glashutte PanoTourbillon XL on JamesList.com

So I was perusing this great new website, JamesList.com. It is sort of like a rich man's version of Craigslist. It really has some of the most unique (expensive!) toys I have ever seen in one place. The best part, all of them are for sale.

Take for instance this stunning Glashutte Pano Tourbillon XL This is a new version of the most complicated watch movement equipped with minute tourbillon by Glashutte Original. The dial of the watch is divided into two parts: the upper one is silver and shows the tourbillon indications; the lower one is galvanized and contains the dial with minute and hour hands and two arc scales of date indicator and mainspring winding indicator. The tourbillon, the most demanding of all complications, was perfected by Glashutte master watchmaker Alfred Helwig. In a so-called “Flying Tourbillon”, the balance, pallets, and escapement wheel are located in a cantilevered carriage.

The case is a 42mm round design in 18k white gold. The case back is a sapphire exhibition crystal that exposes the spokes of the balance wheel and other components. An alligator leather strap with 18k buckle pulls it all together.

The list price for this piece is usually close to the $115,000. USD mark but you can have the one on JamesList for the bargain price of $99,000. USD. Check out the listing here and feel free to make an offer.

Watchmaker Bedat & Co seems to be closing up shop!

The down economy and soft luxury market has seemed to affect, yet another watch company. Bedat & Co. which started in 1996 will close its doors and cease operations soon, according to multiple industry sources. The luxury watch maker had a number of interesting watches for both men and women, such as favorites like the No.3, No. 7, and No. 8.

Bedat & Co. was founded by Simone Bedat who branched off after being a business partner of Raymond Weil. Bedat & Co could be found in large retailers as well as luxury boutiques. Bedat & Co. was purchased by Gucci in 2000, which means
that its closure might be a preemptive financial security measure taken by Gucci in anticipation of harder times ahead for the luxury group of brands.

At this time there is no specific date for Bedat & Co. to close up shop, or indication of whether it has filed for bankruptcy. Though, several sources indicate that we will be seeing the end of Bedat & Co. soon. It is a shame, and the worst part is that we never know what brand will kick the bucket next.

Chronoshark.com - Woot! for watches!!

So you are all familiar with WOOT!.com, right. You know that great website that offers one tech-like item per day at a crazy low prices for a limited amount of time. (or until SOLD OUT!) Well it seems that it was only a matter of time before someone came out with a similar version for timepieces.

The guys at Chronoshark.com (launched in 2008) created a place to go for a super daily watch deal. It was started by the people who do DiamondShark.com (same premise, blinged out diamond watches only!)

The concept is pretty similar to WOOT! and all of its competitors. It's real simple to use. First you visit ChronoShark.com everyday to see the deal of the day. If you want, you can get e-mails from them, or get their deals via RSS. If you like what you see, you can view some technical information, a clear image of the watch, some relevant details about the watch, and most importantly you get some some comparison prices as to what the same watch model would cost on major retails elsewhere. There is a countdown clock telling you how much time is left on the current deal.

Pricing seems real good on their current selections. They are limited to limited to mainstream brands with high distribution. Chronoshark says the main brands offered right now are: Accutron, Bulova, Citizen, ESQ, Invicta, Movado, Seiko and Technomarine. Both women and men's watches are available. Nice heritage brands for sure, but don't hold your breath for any Rolex or Richard Mille pieces to go through anytime soon. (LuxuryShark??)

I suggest you pop by every now and then to see what they have available. The deals are great but you had better hurry!!

SIHH 2009 WC Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth

Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth (IW323604)
in stainless steel with stainless steel bracelet

Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth (IW323601)
in stainless steel with black rubber strap

Classic Ingenieur in a 46-mm case with magnetic field protection to 80,000 A/m, IWC manufactured movement with Pellaton winding mechanism and integrated shock absorber system, central hacking seconds hand, date with rapid advance via the crown, calibre 80110, power reserve of 44 hours, automatic winding, sapphire glass (antireflective), screw-in back cover, screw-in crown, water-resistant to 12 bar, case height 15 mm, diameter 46 mm.

We are now listed on ALLTOP!!

So if the first day of SIHH wasn't enough, I just got word that my little blog here, just got listed on ALLTOP. I couldn't be more excited.

If you have not checked out ALLTOP, as of yet...what the hell are you waiting for? Guy Kawasaki and his team give you all the information you will ever need on just about everything. Think if it as a "digital magazine rack" of the internet. (their words, not mine) =)

Head over there and check 'em out. You may never leave.

SIHH 2009 Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator with Invisibly Set Diamonds

Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator
with Invisibly set Diamonds

Technical Data

Reference:
Malte Tourbillon Regulator with Invisible Setting
30682/000G-9477

Movement: 1795 R
Tonneau shaped tourbillon regulator movement,
designed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
manual wind

Power-reserve: Approx. 40 hours


Case:
18K white gold, 39,60mm x 50 mm
Fully paved with 270 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 12.25 ct.
Crown set with 4 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 0.1 ct.

Dial:
18K white gold set with 261 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 5.63 ct.


Strap:
Black hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square-scaled alligator leather

Clasp:
18K white gold folding-clasp, half Maltese cross set with 30 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 0.9 ct.


Total of the weight of approx 18.98 ct.

SIHH 2009 Ralph Lauren - The Stirrup Collection by Jaeger LeCoultre

Ralph Lauren - The Stirrup Collection
powered by Jaeger LeCoultre


Technical Information

Jaeger-LeCoultre movement for Ralph Lauren, caliber RL750, power reserve: 48 hours.

Case 18k rose gold, domed anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal, water-resistance: 30m.

SIHH 2009 Ralph Lauren - The Classic Slim Collection by Piaget

Ralph Lauren - The Classic Slim Collection
powered by Piaget


Technical Information

Piaget movement for Ralph Lauren, caliber: RL430, power reserve: 40 hours.

Case Diameter: 42mm, thickness: 5.35mm, 18k rose gold, guillochée bezel, water-resistance: 30m.

SIHH 2009 Ralph Lauren Sporting Collection by IWC

Ralph Lauren Sporting Collection powered by IWC

Technical Information

IWC mechanical movement for Ralph Lauren, Caliber: RL98295, Power reserve: 45 hours. Water-resistant to 50m. Double treated Anti-reflective coated crystal.

SIHH 2009 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Perpétuel Calender

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande
Tradition Tourbillon Perpétuel Calender

Movement:

Mechanical automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 987, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand
28,800 vibrations per hour
48-hour power reserve
401 parts (yellow gold version), 403 (pink gold and platinum version)
47 jewels (yellow gold version), 49 (pink gold and platinum version)
8.15 mm thick
Silicon escapement on the limited series in 18-carat yellow gold

Functions:
Hours, minutes, small seconds, tourbillon, perpetual calendar and moon phases

Dial:
Velvet-finished, one part adorned with a Clous de Paris hobnail motif and featuring applied 18 carat gilded hour-markers and logo

Hands:
Gilded Dauphines Tradition style

Crown:
New construction with extremely fine fluting

Case:
42 mm in diameter, available in platinum, 18-carat pink gold and in a limited series of 300 in 18-carat yellow gold on the limited series: sapphire crystal case-back with integrated magnifying glass providing an enlarged vision of the silicon escapement
water-resistant to 5 atm

Straps:
Alligator leather with folding clasp in 18-carat white, pink or yellow gold

SIHH 2009 - Audemars Piguet - Jules Audemars Watch with Audemars Piguet Escapement

The exhaust Audemars Piguet presented in 2006 holds its promises. It works without oils, assures a high yield and guarantees a superior resistance to the shocks. In his new case to three-dimensional design, it goes even beyond the expectations from that time that its technical performances are doubled of a frequency out norm: 43,200 alternations an hour! While beating two times more quickly than to the ordinary one, the pendulum offers to the movement a better horology and an increased reliability.

• Advanced exhaust Audemars Piguet, fruit of ten years of development absence of lubrication on the raised direct impulse on the high pendulum yield resistance superior to the shocks stability optimum in the long term

• High frequency: 43,200 alternations an hour (6 Hz) Better horology reliability increased

• Movement design to the three-dimensional construction

• Finishing and decoration of the inspired movements of the big watchmaking tradition

• Escapement Audemars Piguet put in value within the prestigious classical collection Julius Audemars

Technical data

Reference: 26153PT.OO.D028CR.01

Movement: 2908 to remontage manual with Audemars Piguet Escapement. Diameter of caliber: 172/3 lines (39,00 mm) 34 rubies 267 components Power reserve: Until 56 o'clock rhythm of the pendulum: 43200 alternations an hour Finishing: decoration of all the components finished by hand.

Case: Platinum 950 Diameter: 46 mm Water-resistance: 20 m. Sapphire crystal.

Dial: enamel white, Roman black painted figures turn blue Aiguilles in steel.

Functions Hours and Small minutes second Indication of the reserve of market.

SIHH 2009 - Panerai - LUMINOR 1950 SUBMERSIBLE 47 mm (PAM00305)

LUMINOR 1950 SUBMERSIBLE 47 mm with New Panerai P.9000 Movement

This is Panerai's first Submersible with an exhibition back. Notice there is also, no cyclops over the date and the use of stick markers at 12 and 6 remind us of some of the original designs.

Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai P.9000 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13 ¾ lignes, 7.9 mm thick, 28 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incablock® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 195 components.
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, calculation of immersion time.
Case: Diameter 47 mm, brushed titanium.
Bezel: Brushed titanium with polished edges, anti-clockwise unidirectional rotating bezel with graduated scale for calculating the time of immersion and ratchet click at minute intervals.
Back: See-through sapphire crystal.
Device protecting the crown: (protected as a Trademark) Brushed titanium.
Dial: Black with luminous hour markers. Date at 3 oclock, small seconds at 9 oclock.
Crystal: Sapphire, made from corundum, 4 mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.
Water- resistance: 30 bar (300 metres).
Strap: PANERAI personalised rubber strap and large-size brushed titanium buckle.
Supplied with a second interchangeable strap, a tool to change the strap and a steel screwdriver.

SIHH 2009 - Panerai - LUMINOR 1950 MARINA 3 DAYS AUTOMATIC 44 mm (PAM00312)

LUMINOR 1950 MARINA 3 DAYS AUTOMATIC 44 mm with New Panerari Calibre P.9000

Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai P.9000 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13 ¾ lignes, 7.9 mm thick, 28 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 195 components.
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date.
Case: Diameter 44 mm, AISI 316L brushed steel.
Bezel: Polished steel.
Back: See-through sapphire crystal.
Device protecting the crown: (protected as a Trademark) Brushed steel.
Dial: Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 oclock, small seconds at 9 oclock.
Crystal: Sapphire, made from corundum, 2.6mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.
Water- resistance: 30 bar (300 metres).
Strap: PANERAI personalised black alligator strap and large-size brushed steel buckle.
Supplied with a second interchangeable strap, a tool to change the strap and a steel screwdriver.

SIHH 2009

OK, I am really excited for this years SIHH exhibition. Some people love the Oscars, some the Grammy Awards, hell...some even mark the date of the AVN Awards on their calendars. For me it's SIHH - Salon International Haute Horologic, or better known as The Worlds Finest Watch Exhibition, EVER!!

I will be posting several times today with what companies like Patek Phillipe, Panerai, and IWC are planning on releasing for the next year. Things may be a little sporadic as I do have to fit work in here somehow but I promise I will do the best I can.

So sit back and enjoy. I know I will.

Cartier Santos 100 Squelette - Same Leopard, Different Spots.

In the next few weeks, a few dozen of the worlds most luxurious watchmakers and their invited guests will converge on Geneva, Switzerland for the SIHH. At the 2009 edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, Cartier will be unveiling it's latest Limited Edition timepiece - the Cartier Haute Horlogerie Santos 100 Squelette. (Squelette being French for skeleton - for obvious reasons.)

Cartier craftsmen designed a watch that showcases an open-worked movement in a 46.5mm Santos 100 case, with beveled bridges that also serve as a transparent Roman numeral dial. A sapphire crystal and exhibition case back allow you to view the finely carved Cartier caliber 9611MC movement as if it were floating with blued steel hands marking the passing minutes and hours.

Each movement is individually numbered. The Cartier Haute Horlogerie Santos 100 Squelette displays a subtle brushed finish contrasted by polished surfaces on the case edges and screw-decorated Santos bezel. The faceted palladium crown is set with a sapphire cabochon. An alligator leather strap completes this fine timepiece.

We will have to wait for SIHH for pricing and availability, but it's only a few weeks away. We can all wait that long, right??

Richard Mille RM025 Chronograph Diver - New, Expensive, & Round?

Swiss watchmaking's "bad boy", Richard Mille is at it again. He has introduced what may be the most beautiful and fully functional dive watch, ever. The RM025 Tourbillon Chrongraph Diver. RM decided to go with a 50.75mm round case design not only for aesthetics but out of necessity. During testing, he found out that his signature tonneau shape cases was not capable to effectively resist the pressure found 300 meters below the ocean's surface.

The case, available in a combination of red or white gold and titanium, is notable for both its water-tight construction, and intricate workmanship. Torque screws hold the tripartite case together with even pressure all around. While the 3-part rotating bezel moves uni-directionally around it.

The RM025 hosts the exclusive Richard Mille Caliber 025 movement which combines a column-wheel controlled chronograph with a one-minute tourbillon equipped with a variable-inertia balance beating at a rate of 21,600 beats per hour. It has an amazing torque indicator that reveals the optimum mainspring tension curve and also a 70hr. power reserve meter. If you look closely at the dial, you will see an indicator at the 4 o'clock position marked "H N W", that is the position of the central push bottom on the crown to switch between its three functions; "H" (to adjust the hands), "N' (neutral time display mode), and "W" (to use the crown for winding). All of this is tucked behind an exhibition dial so we can see this amazing engine at work. Each timepiece is fitted with a specially designed rubber dive strap.

Due to how complex and time consuming this watch is to create, expect Richard Mille to limit the amount of RM025 watches produced annually. Price, well it has not been established as of yet, but don't expect to pay less than $250,000 for it.

Now watch out for that shark up ahead.

Rolex - The Official Watch of "Life Savers" Everywhere!

OK...so this press release came out just after the new year or so from Melrose Jewelers, an online Rolex wholesaler/retailer. I see the title "Rolex Watches Help with the Recovery of Owen Wilson" so I read it. I wish I had those few minutes of my life back.

I was (and still am) absolutely floored at the audacity of Melrose Jewelers for printing up such horse-shit! Or as one website called it - "The most serious case of "You've got to be fucking kidding me" marketing we've ever seen or heard." To save you the misfortune of reading it; it basically says that Rolex played a major role in Owen Wilson's recovery form an attempted suicide back in '08.

The timing of the piece clearly shows that Melrose Jewelers wanted to drum up a little extra Holiday business and we all know that all press is good press so...they decided to post this on their blog with a few pics of Owen Wilson wearing his Rolex Submariner about.

It is filled with blurbs like, "Whatever the hawks of the media choose to write, it is clear that Rolex played a major role in Owen Wilson's recovery. Back in good form, the actor is nothing less than a comic genius in a time when comedy is a necessity. Wearing a Rolex Submariner and attending Rolex Benefits helped Owen Wilson realize his life was valuable and worth living. Once again, the precision and quality of a Rolex proves to be a lifesaver in more ways than one."

Ahem...Melrose Jewelers, ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? So what you are saying is that luxury brand goods are life saving devices when all else in life seems grim? You should be ashamed of yourselves for posting and then releasing to the press after it made the rounds on the internet, a story that is pure and utter bullshit. This is a mans life that we are talking about. I am sure if Owen Wilson or anyone that has been in that situation before was asked, give up your precious Rolexes for a more stable and healthy way of life for yourself, those watches would be gone in seconds.

Look, who knows, maybe Wilson got a free watch out of it. Maybe the venerable Swiss watchmaker does have magical healing powers. Maybe monkeys will fly out of my ass when I get up from this chair.

But congratulations, it is only January 9th and you have won the Internet Asshat Award for the year, already. Wear it well.