[ via Richard Mille ]

The new RM020 Tourbillon pocket watch looks amazing, like all Richard Mille timepieces. It will be produced in titanium, with a choice of both front and back bezels in 18ct red gold, white gold or titanium. The RM 020 is the first pocket watch ever created that uses a non-metallic baseplate made of carbon nanofiber, originally used in U.S. Airforce jets. The RM Tourbillon pocket watch works best in the vertical postion and costs $440,000. Read a really good interview with Richard Mille at the International Herald Tribune.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As promised here are the survey results.

How did you find out about ProfessionalWatches.com?

50% (Referral/Link)
38.5% (Google Search)

What type of internet connection do you have?

88.5% of the readers that responded said they have a high-speed internet connection

What country do you live in?

62.7% U.S.
15.7% Europe
13.7% Canada

Do you subscribe to any watch publications?

26.9% of readers that responded said they do subscribe to a watch publication.
(WatchTime was #1)

What is your age?

74% of readers that responded said they are over 30.
(31-40 age group was 42%)

What is your income?

50% of the readers that responded said they make over $100k per year

What best describes your occupation?

29.4% of readers that responded say they work in Internet/Technology jobs
23.5% of the readers that responded said they are a Owner/CEO/President of a company

How much do you spend on watches per year?

25.5% of readers that responded said they spend $2000-$5000 per year on watches
55.2% of readers that responded said they spend under $2000 per year on watches
19.6% of readers said that responded they spend over $5000 per year on watches

How many watches do you purchase per year?

66.7% of readers that responded said they buy two or more watches per year.

"Thank You" to everyone who participated in this test survey.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 12:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I took this shot of an Aprilia race bike at the Lotus watches booth at Baselworld 2008. Their booth was on the second floor of Hall 1, so they did not spend a million on their setup, but even the less expensive displays can look great. As far as their watch prices and specs I am waiting on a press release from Lotus. I will update the site once I receive the official images and prices, but for now hit the jump for a few more shots.

Read "Lotus Watches booth at Baselworld" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 6:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Milus ]

I am not very familiar with the watch brand Milus but after seeing the TIRION TriRetrograde Seconds Skeleton advertised on street banners throughout Basel, I had to see it in person. Unfortunately I did not have a chance to take any photos, but hit the jump for the full press release. 


Read "TIRION TriRetrograde Seconds Skeleton by MILUS" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 7:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Watchismo ]

More sweet shots of the DeGrisogono Meccanico, and it looks like they added a cover to the mechanical digital display. The original press images showed no cover over this display. I think I liked it better without the cover. (Pre-production press images here.)

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is a video I took at the Hublot booth during Baselworld 2008. The Bat Bang Tourbillon looks really good close up. I will be publishing some high-resolution images of the Hublot Bat Bang in the immediate future.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Ball ]

Guillaume Nery is a three-time free dive world record holder and brand ambassador to Ball Watch Company. He makes dives without assistance or equipment on a regular basis to depths of 100 meters (330 feet). This is not only hard to do, it is hard to see while doing it. The ambient light is about 1% of surface light at these depths. This is where the 53 micro gas tubes (tritium) come in very handy and why he uses the EMII Diver GMT watch. The watch has a rotating inner bezel the utilizes 41 of the gas tubes with the remaining 12 being placed on the hands and dial. This illumination setup is very beneficial and allows divers to see their watch at any depth.

Read "Engineer Master II Diver GMT Black by BALL" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Horomundi ]

Blancpain has just introduced a model that is much sportier than any of their past models. It is called the Speed Command Chronograph and this particular version has some nice specs. A 45 mm diameter case made of brushed Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) treated steel that is water resistant to an impressive 300m. The dial is made of carbon fiber and the black chrono has a choice of yellow (pictured above) or orange accents. Personally I like the contrast of the yellow over the orange.

As for the movement, it is a Calibre F185, a 308-part mechanical self-winding chronograph with a 40-hour power reserve. It has hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o'clock. It also has a window-type date display as well as central chronograph seconds hand and 30 minute and 12 hour counters as well. Lastly the chronograph movement has a flyback function.

A few other notable features are a sloping inner dial ring with a tachometric scale and hour, minute hands and the central chronograph seconds with touches of red Superluminova.

Now I covered almost all the features of this watch, but I left one out. My favorite feature, the bidirectional (two-way) "countdown" bezel made of black sapphire. Just take a second look at the picture and tell me that this bezel is not cool.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Citizen ]

Citizen introduces the Eco-Drive Super Chronograph 1000 Calibre U700/U70, which can measure 1/1000th second. Not the first company to do it, TAG Heuer was the first, but still very impressive.

As well as split time, lap time and speed, the watch also displays average speed if the distance to be covered is input in advance.

When chronograph operations commence, small hands on the dial begin to rotate rapidly, while the same information is also displayed digitally. Together, the action of the hands and the digital display generate a feeling of speed and excitement.......

Hit the jump for two more pics.

Read "Eco-Drive Super Chronograph 1000 by CITIZEN" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

[ PRESS RELEASE via TAG Heuer ]

Maria Sharapova ACES twenty first birthday with star-studded bash

New York, April 23, 2008 –The fashion and entertainment elite came out to celebrate Maria Sharapova’s 21st birthday last night at a party hosted by luxury watch brand TAG Heuer. The invitation-only event for the three-time Grand Slam winner drew several celebrities including Michelle Trachtenberg and Dave Annable. Vogue’s Anna Wintour also made an appearance at the party, along with designers Vera Wang, Doo.Ri and Brian Wolk and Claude Morais of Ruffian.

Read "TAG Heuer Birthday Party for Maria Sharapova" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)