Aaron Rogers wearing Roger Dubuis Excalibur watch
2010 Super Bowl Champion quarterback, Aaron Rogers, is seen here wearing a Roger Dubuis Excalibur wristwatch. Photo taken during 2011 ESPY award show.
$10,001-$20,000
July 17, 2011
June 6, 2011
Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Chronograph
(Click image for slideshow - 4 photos)
At Baselworld 2011, Linde Werdelin introduced their first chronograph wristwatch, the SpidoSpeed. Available in three different variants: steel, black DLC, black DLC and rose gold; the SpidoSpeed uses Linde Werdelin's signature semi-skeletonized multi-layered case design. The case body is not only drilled out for aesthetics, it also helps to reduce weight. Visible through the clear caseback is a custom-made integrated chronograph movement with a skeletonized rotor. The SpidoSpeed chronograph is both aesthetically and technically pleasing, and as is the case with all Linde Werdelin timepieces, you can add one of their cool land (aka "the Rock") or diving (aka "the Reef") instruments.
Retail $17,000 (steel), $24,500 (gold)
Source: Linde Werdelin
May 2, 2011
Steve McQueen's 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross to be auctioned at Bonhams
If you are a watch collector, then you more than likely already know about the Rolex Explorer II with Orange hand Ref. 1655, ( aka the Steve McQueen Explorer). The circa 1971 Rolex timepiece that Steve McQueen made famous, is now a highly collectible timepiece.
The Husqvarna 400 Cross bike, like the Rolex, was used by Steve McQueen, and is therefore highly collectible as well. In fact, Bonhams auction house has the original bike scheduled to be sold on May 14, 2011. Pre-sale estimates are $50,000-$70,000. Learn more about Steve McQueen's Husqvarna 400 Cross (MI3845) bike here. And if you are interested in picking up a Steve McQueen Rolex Explorer II Ref 1655, I've located a few here and here, for $12,900 and $13,500 respectively. Steve McQueen wore a number of watches and rode a number of bikes over the years, and here are two separate examples that were sold by Antiquorum in 2009.
April 25, 2011
Chopard L.U.C. XP Urushi - Baselworld 2011
(Click image for slideshow - 4 photos)
One of the most unique Chopard L.U.C. timepieces to be introduced this year was the XP Urushi collection. Kiichiro Masumura, a Japanese artist, considered to be a "Living National Treasure" by his country, has supervised the creation of nine unique dials based on Urushi techniques. Urushi is the ancestral Japanese art of lacquering. The varnish is made from the sap of the Urushi tree (lacquer tree), a tree which is mostly found in Japan or China. The harvesting of the resin, somewhat like the rubber from the hevea Brasiliensis or "rubber tree", can only be done once a year and in very small quantities.
March 6, 2011
SIHH 2011 Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Extra-Thin
(Click image for gallery - 5 photos)
At SIHH 2011 there were two major trends, vintage retro watches and ultra-thin watches. This beautiful timepiece, with a mere 6.7 mm thick case, is the latter. To utilize such a thin case, Audemars Piguet, had to create an even thinner movement. The calibre 2120, like all movements at AP, was designed and produced in-house. The self-winding movement features 37 jewels, 214 parts, 40-hour power reserve and the balance beats at an unusual 19,800 vph (2.75 Hz). All parts finished by hand; mainplate rhodium-plated, bevelled and circular-grained; bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève.
The Cal.2120 movement is wound by a 21k pink gold skeletonized central oscillating weight. The oscillating weight (rotor) is bi-directional (it winds in both directions as opposed to the more typical uni-directional rotor configuration). To keep the movement thin, AP used a circular ring with 4 jewels rotating for the oscillating weight, instead of a ball bearing configuration. The four jewels are fixed on the deck. Due to this special design, the sound of the automatic rotor is supposed to be very pleasing.
The 41 mm diameter case is 18k white gold and features both polished and brushed surfaces. The dial is silvered with applied pink gold hour-markers. The hour and minute hands are also pink gold. The silvered dial and pink gold contrast very nicely, creating a very elegant look.
The strap is hand-sewn black crocodile leather with a large square scales, secured by an 18k white gold pin buckle. Water-resistant is 20 meters.
Retail TBD
Source: Audemars Piguet
January 31, 2011
SIHH 2011 Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo
(Click image for gallery - 4 photos)
At SIHH 2011, Officine Panerai launched a new diver watch with an unconventional case material, bronze. Bronze is an alloy made of copper and tin, or copper and another metal. In this case, Panerai used an alloy of copper and pure tin (CuSn8) , which is very resistant to corrosion. The new Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo (PAM00382) features an imposing 47 mm case, a case that over time will acquire a patina that shows its age, something collector's will surely appreciate. The movement is the in-house caliber P.9000, designed by Panerai in Neuchâtel. The caseback is sapphire, secured by titanium (because it is hypo-allergenic). A leather strap, with a vintage finish, and a titanium buckle is included. Limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide.
Officine Panerai Press Release
"A powerful, fascinating reminder of the sea makes the new Special Edition Luminor Submersible unique. This professional underwater watch is the development of the model made by Officine Panerai more than half a century ago for the commandos of the Egyptian Navy. The new Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo - 47 mm is actually made of bronze, one of the materials associated since antiquity with the world of the sea.
Bronze is an alloy based on copper and one other metal, usually tin, to which other elements can be added to achieve particular performance. The bronze chosen by Officine Panerai for the case of the new Luminor Submersible is CuSn8, an alloy of copper and pure tin very resistant to corrosive action by sea water and atmospheric agents. As well as its high degree of structural strength, this material preserves the warm shades of the original while acquiring over time the aged appearance through the patina which covers it. This patina is the result of the reaction of the bronze to external agents (air, humidity, heat and wear) and it does not alter the properties of the material but is rather a sign of its ageing, making each example unique and personalised.
The brushed bronze case, 47 mm in diameter, is water-resistant to 300 metres and has a unidirectional rotating bezel with ratchet click and graduated scale for calculating the times of immersion, with raised studs for reference. The characteristic bridge protecting the winding crown, with the lever ensuring perfect water-resistance of the crown itself, is also made of bronze. The sapphire back is fixed to the caseband by a ring of titanium, a metal chosen for its hypo-allergenic qualities.
The dial follows the characteristic appearance of the Luminor Submersible, with bar markers applied in place of the figures 12 and 6, but it is executed in an unusual dark green colour which goes well with the bronze colour of the case. Protected by a sapphire crystal, the dial has skeleton hands which are highly luminous, the little dials of the small seconds at 9 o'clock and, in a symmetrical position, the window with the date.
The movement of the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo - 47 mm is the automatic P.9000 calibre, entirely designed and produced in the Officine Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel. The P.9000 calibre has a structure with a three-quarter plate, clearly visible through the transparent caseback, a diameter of 133⁄4 lignes and two spring barrels which provide a power reserve of three days.
Identified by the reference PAM00382 and produced in a limited edition of 1.000 units, the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo - 47 mm is completed by a leather strap, treated in such a way as to have an appearance similar to that of the period models and fitted with a personalised titanium buckle."
Retail $10,700
Source: Officine Panerai
January 12, 2011
SIHH 2011 Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea
(Click image for gallery - 4 photos)
Jaeger-LeCoultre has just released of preview of two new vintage inspired Memovox timepieces. Prior to the famous Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Dive Alarm timepiece (a diving version of the Memovox alarm watch), there was the Memovox Deep Sea. The Memovox Deep Sea was the first diver's watch ever made by Jaeger-LeCoultre. And after successfully re-introducing two Polaris models in 2008, Jaeger-LeCoultre has decided to re-introduce a new version that is inspired by the famous 1959 Memovox Deep Sea model, the Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea.
The Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea has a slightly bigger case than the original, at 40.5 mm, but aside from that, it's exterior is nearly identical to the original model -- it even has the same convex plexiglass crystal (a feature collector's will appreciate). The same design, but a new movement powers the Deep Sea. The JLC Calibre 956 is the same movement used in the Tribute to Polaris from 2008 and the current Memovox Master timepieces. This movement, which is a descendant of the first Memovox calibre, features the latest technologies, including a variable inertia balance and an automatic winding rotor with ceramic ball bearings. The hand decorated Jaeger-LeCoultre in-house movement runs at 28,800 vph, has 23 jewels, a 45-hour power reserve, and 268 parts.
There are two versions, the "Jaeger-LeCoultre Classique 1959" (the American version) and the "LeCoultre Spécial Amérique 1959" (the European version). The American version says "LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm Automatic" on the dial, and is limited to 359 timepieces. The European version says "Jaeger-LeCoultre" on the dial, and is limited to 959 timepieces worldwide. The dials on the European version is more sporty, and has luminous hour markers, whereas the American version is more traditional and does not have luminous hour markers.
This is a very iconic piece and a major part of Jaeger-LeCoultre's watchmaking history, and the fact that only 1,318 are being produced, will surely make this a highly sought after model.
Retail $12,450
Source: Jaeger-LeCoultre
December 12, 2010
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Caliber 01
(Click image for gallery - 8 photos)
Breitling has just announced another model that will include their robust in-house caliber B01 movement, the Transocean Chronograph Caliber 01. Unlike previous Breilting models that have been retrofitted with the new B01 Caliber movement, this is an all new timepiece. It pays tribute to the classic chronographs of the 1950s and 1960s, however, it has been designed with a contemporary style. The case is 43 mm and features an open caseback, like the new Navitimer that was released earlier this year. Except, unlike the Navitimer, the Transocean has a truly vintage feel.
Breitling Press Release
"A brand-new Breitling model is taxiing along the runway, ready for takeoff. The Transocean with its modern lines, pure design and refined details admirably reflects the spirit of luxury and prestige of the finest long-haul journeys. Aboard its understated, streamlined fuselage is a high-performance "engine" entirely developed and produced in the Breitling workshops. As a preview celebration of this future classic, the brand with the winged B is introducing a Transocean Chronograph Limited special series fitted with a transparent caseback revealing Breitling Caliber 01 - doubtless the best chronograph movement in its category.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Breitling shared the finest hours in the amazing saga of the conquest of the skies. The famous Navitimer, launched in 1952, rapidly established itself as the cult watch among pilots and other devotees of aviation. The brand supplied onboard chronographs for the propeller planes and subsequently the jet planes of numerous aircraft manufacturers and airlines, thus becoming the "official supplier to world aviation". In 1958, building upon the reputation for excellence acquired by its instruments for professionals, Breitling launched a new model named Transocean. "Men who have faith in the mighty liners of the sky will trust the Transocean, for behind every Breitling wristwatch lies the experience of aviation precision" - ran the slogan. This high-performance shock-resistant, antimagnetic and super-watertight model was also distinguished by its extremely precise chronometer-certified selfwinding movement. Endowed with an understated and refined design, it soon became a great success and proudly accompanied the boom in transatlantic travel, in an era when the famous Boeing 707, DC-8 and Caravelle aircraft - three symbols of speed, comfort and security - were bringing continents closer together than ever.
Breitling pays tribute to this landmark model in its brand history by launching a new collection also inspired by the spirit of great journeys and luxury long-haul aircraft. While the pure lines of today's Transocean are strongly reminiscent of the finest classic chronographs of the 1950s and 1960s, the new model reinterprets them in a resolutely contemporary style. The elegant case is distinguished by its perfectly understated design, magnified by a smooth, slender bezel with a beveled profile and streamlined lugs molding the wrist. The epitome of simplicity. The classic round pushpieces, a nod to the first waterresistant pushpieces, lend a subtle vintage touch, while the large "baton" type straight-line hands, highlighted by a luminescent substance, convey a more modern aura. A prime example of clarity and readability, the dial features meticulously refined details such as applied hour-markers, counters that are finely recessed and "snailed" (decorated with a spiral motif), and an 18K gold rendering of the initial B that served for many years as the brand emblem.
At the heart of this model lies an exceptional "engine" also designed to keep precise and reliable time throughout the longest journeys, since the Transocean is equipped with Caliber 01, a high-performance selfwinding chronograph movement entirely developed and produced within the Breitling workshop and chronometer certified like all the brand's movements. A model of discreet luxury, fine craftsmanship and technical perfection, the new Transocean is 100% Swiss made, as indeed are all chronographs and wrist instruments bearing the Breitling signature.
As a prelude to the launch of the series-produced models, Breitling offers collectors and enthusiasts of milestone watches a special edition of this new first-class chronograph. Issued in worldwide series of 2,000 in steel and 200 in red gold, the Transocean Chronograph Limited is equipped with a polished case and bezel and carries the individual number engraved on the case middle. It is available with two dial variations - Mercury Silver or black - and comes fitted with a choice of leather or crocodile leather strap, or a woven steel bracelet. Contrary to future models in the series, to be endowed with solid casebacks, this limited-edition model water-resistant to 100 meters (330 ft) boasts a transparent back serving to reveal the 100% Breitling-made chronograph caliber with its column wheel and its distinctive architecture. An open window on excellence."
Retail $6,700/TBD (Steel/Gold)
Source: Breitling
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