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To be honest, Fratellowatches rarely takes the time to explain mechanical watches in a way that even newbies understand why they are so expensive. We discuss timepieces of watch manufacturers like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex watches like it is our primary necessity of life. It is sheer luxury of course.

Over at Tested.com they understood the need for a crash course in (mechanical) watches and did a very cool explanation about high-end timepieces and what justifies their prices (and collecting them). We are honored to get mentioned in the article, together with our colleagues of Hodinkee and aBlogtoRead.

Patek Philippe

So, if you are new to watches and want to learn more about the technology used, the most sought-after brands and the watch collecting culture, make sure to read this article over at Tested.com. They have lots of cool other topics as well! A big thanks to Wesley Fenlon for the mention.


From:FratelloWatches RSS

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Pebble E-Paper Watch runs cool apps for iPhone and Android cell phones using Bluetooth technology, and has managed to woo all too eager financial backers on Kickstarter at a sweet and rising tune of over $ 6 million – that’s right, over $ 6 million!

Pebble E-Paper watch is a smartwatch product design project by 5 guys (aka the “Dream Team”) out in Palo Alto, CA. These five clever smartwatch technological geniuses originally launched and sought financial backing of merely $ 100,000 for the E-Paper watch on Kickstarter April 11th. By April 12th, 28 hours later, they had received; wait for it, $ 1 million in backer pledges! Indeed, what a difference a day makes!

The Wooing Factor. The wooing factor drawing so many backers to the Pebble E-Paper watch is its ability to run some of the coolest apps using Bluetooth technology from two of the hottest cellular smartphones on the market, iPhone and Andriod. Its slim lines and sleek appearance along with its potential to upload and run future apps has backers in a pledging frenzy on Kickstarter’s website!

Pebble E-Paper Watch. Pebble E-Paper watch is the smallest and lightest Smartwatch to be sold on the market to date. It has a 144 X 168 pixel display with a clean high resolution black and white E-paper display which is visible in sunlight and at night (includes an available backlight feature). It has a 22 mm watch band that can be easily replaced with a comparable width watch band. It is available in three colors: Jet Black, Arctic White, Cherry Red and a fourth color, which will be determined by Kickstarter backers that make pledges levels of (or more): $ 240, $ 550, $ 10,000.

Stunning Features. Pebble E-Paper watch features include a built in accelerometer, vibrating motor, powerful microprocessor, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR and it comes with a special USB cable that allows you to charge the Pebble from a computer or any wall USB charger for a battery life of 7 days. The watch is water resistant in the shower or while swimming.

The Pros. Amazing pros of the Pebble E-paper watch is its ease to upload apps using iPhone or Android cell phones wireless Bluetooth function. Simply browse the Watch App Store on your cell phone and merely install the app – it’s just that easy. Running apps using the Bluetooth wireless function Pebble E-Paper watch owners can enjoy the following functionality and features:

· Cyclists can enjoy the Bike Computer app which uses GPS to transmit data like average speed, elapsed time and distance travel
· Runners that run with their Smartphone can listen to and control music as well as monitor running distance and pace
· Caller ID feature
· Emails and Texts (Gmail or any IMAP email account) can be received
· Messages from Facebook and Twitter can be received as well
· Calendar alerts
· Silent vibrating alarm and timer
· Control Music on most Smartphone with music apps for iTunes, Spotify, Google music, Pandora all from your wrist!
· Golf Range finder functionality is in development prior to the watch’s roll out!
· Pebble SDK – allows developers to add functionality to E-Pebble using simple C structure to rock out their watch capabilities!
· It appears more apps and functionality are being explored and added daily

The Cons. Pebble E-Paper watch has a battery life of 7+ days when charged. However, be aware that the Bluetooth feature does affect the battery life of the cell phone using up to 5-10% per day.

The “Dream Team” appears to have hit a technological “demand nerve” with the Pebble E-Paper watch and the pledges are still coming in to fund the development and distribution of this amazing watch. At last tally backer pledges have risen to a sweet sum of $ 6,681,015. The project will be funded on Friday, May 18, 11 PM EDT. Pledge now while you can because the retail value of the Pebble E-Paper watch will be $ 150. Backers can also ask questions and make suggestions for added functionality for Pebble E-Paper Watch.

Hurry because the mad rush and stop watch is counting down – oh, and by the way there is an app for that too!

Get it here.

From:Luxury Watches That Impress Review Blog

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In Kanye and Jay-Z’s hit new song “Paris” off the album Watch the Throne, Jay-Z raps, “Audemars that’s losin’ time, hidden behind all these big rocks.” While this line may go over most of their audience’s head, it’s an instant recognizer to any watch enthusiast.

 

audemars-piguet-don-ramon-watch

Audemars Piguet Don Ramon watch

The history of the Audemars Piguet watches began over a hundred years ago in Geneva, Switzerland in 1889. The company was known early on for producing very complex watches for the time, such as creating the world’s thinnest pocket-watch in 1925 and the world’s first skeleton watch in 1928. In fact, AP is one of top three original Swiss watchmakers along with Patek Phillipe and Vacheron Constantin.

 

Though the Depression era slowed the luxury watch company down, for obvious reasons, the brand was able to make a comeback during the World War II era. It did this by inventing a watch that was especially thin for its time and could be used as a stopwatch called a chronograph. This watch caused the sales of Audemars Piguet to expand worldwide throughout the 1940s and 50s. Through the following decades, the brand designed the thinnest automatic movement watch, the world’s thinnest wristwatch, and their famous “Royal Oak” watch, which is believed to have been the catalyst in introducing stainless steel in the watch industry.

 

Audemars Piguet also gained a reputation over the years for producing high-quality watches for Tiffany & Co and Bulgari to be re-banded under their own names. Though the name Audemars Piguet is generally not as recognizable as Rolex, their company produces watches of a much higher quality. The AP website boasts that much of their watch-making is done by hand and can take months to complete, and that each individual watch is manufactured by professionals and is made using old-fashioned tools.

 

These watches are still now made and tested thoroughly; the movement components inside each watch is highly complex and involves thousands of millimeter precision, while more common brands such as Rolex are almost all machine made and not nearly as accurate. But there is a price to be paid for such luxury. Depending on model and special features, an Audemars Piguet watch can go anywhere from five thousand to a hundred thousand dollars. So, it’s no wonder Jay-Z has one.

lebron-james wearing AP watch

LeBron James wearing an AP watch

 

The brand is also keeping with the modern times. Audemars Piguet has several celebrity “ambassadors” they sponsor, such as top of the line athletes LeBron James and Lionel Messi.

From:Luxury Watches That Impress Review Blog

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When we first saw the new Rolex Datejust II presented at BaselWorld 2009, we weren’t very enthusiastic about it. We were not ready for a leap from a 36mm to a 41mm diameter. In all honesty, we feel we might be a bit too Rain Man-ish when it comes to sudden changes in product design. Especially when it comes to products that we love so much. For example, it takes us ages to like a new BMW car when it is being introduced, because we love the current or former models so much. The same goes for new Rolex watches. Perhaps you recognize this behavior? (please do)

Last summer, we were visiting a Rolex boutique in Orlando and tried the Datejust II for the first time. Although the stainless steel / gold Datejust watch is still King since it appeared in the Wallstreet [and American Psycho] movie, the relatively new Datejust II is definitely a great option for those who are looking for a watch that will fit just every occasion.

The diameter of 41mm is pretty easy to get used to and the big fat luminous hour markers and the large crown at 12 o’clock makes perfect use of the large dial. The white gold bezel is impressive, especially in sunlight. The blue dial on the model we’ve had for a while really stands out in the rays of the sun as well. The dark blue dial some times turns into a deep purple color, simply amazing.

The Datejust has been there since 1946 and has probably been the most popular Rolex watch world wide ever since. Rolex does not disclose these numbers unfortunately. Perhaps a Datejust is just not exciting enough for watch collectors, but we are pretty sure that this could be a perfect ‘only watch’. Be it a graduation gift, wedding gift or just for those who only buy one good watch in their entire life, you can’t do much wrong with this stainless steel Rolex Datejust ref.116334.

This Datejust II features most of the recent innovations Rolex introduced in the last few years. The flimsy folding clasp has been replaced with something more solid with a great adjustment system and the movement has been upgraded to caliber 3136 featuring the patented Parachrom hairspring. For now, the stainless steel version of the Datejust II is only available with a white gold fluted bezel. We suspect that BaselWorld 2012 might bring the Datejust II version with a smooth bezel.

Actual list price is 6.780 EUR. However, on the pre-owned market, you should be able to find one around 5000 EUR / 6500 USD.


From:FratelloWatches RSS

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Wall clocks are one of those ubiquitous everyday objects that we rarely think about, but if you think about it there’s no reason that these functional objects can’t be cool as well. We’ve certainly shown you awesome examples in the past; like the McIntosh mantle clock and Nooka’s version.

We’ve noticed that this sort of well-designed office accessory tends not to be cheap, and the one we’ve found for you today is no exception.

From:HODINKEE

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Mike Horn operates on a 30-hour day, 24 just didn’t make sense to him.  He divides the day into six five-hour intervals broken up concisely into sleeping, eating, working, walking, and whatever else he may have to do that day.  Horn has traveled around the world on the equator three times without the help of a motorized vehicle.  He’s swam the entire length of the Amazon river with a broken knee.  He’s circumnavigated the arctic circle by himself (it took him two years and three months).  He did so with a specially developed, tripled cased Panerai on his wrist. While many explorers have taken to wearing digital watches on expeditions, where Horn goes, a digital instrument would simply freeze, so everything must be mechanical.

We spent the day with Horn aboard his custom-built 109 foot aluminum boat, the Pangaea.  We filmed the video above, and took the pictures below.  Click through to read more about this incredible man, his noble mission, the tailored watches from Panerai he brings along for the ride. 

From:HODINKEE

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Jacob & Co Question&Answer:

Question by Jacob M

The last name does not have to be used. I just want something unique. Example:I have a friend named ryan tanguay and his name is rye bread t-way

Best answer:

Answer by starryeyes
Jake in the box

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Question by Simmy

I really want to know what you think is more cool edward or jacob!

Best answer:

Answer by . p u n k .
Neither.

But, if I had to choose, Jacob.

At least he’s not an abusive stalker. xD

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IWC Question&Answer:

Question by Chad

first it was…
john cena has five moves!
john cena holds the title for too long! (yet you guys are always complaining about short regains)
john cena wins too much! he never loses!

then now it’s…
randy orton is boring!
randy orton has less moves than cena!
randy orton has no mic skills!

i remember when you all loved orton

Best answer:

Answer by Josh Knepshield
Yeah because they have no lives

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Question by U.wanna.battle.me?!

here are some blonde jokes pass them on!

Blonde LOGIC

Two blondes living in Oklahoma were sitting on a bench talking…….. and one blonde says to the other, “Which do you think is farther away……….Florida or the moon?”

The other blonde turns and says “Helloooooooooo, can you see Florida…?????”

CAR TROUBLE

A blonde pushes her BMW into a gas station. She tells the mechanic it died. After he works on it for a few minutes, it is idling smoothly. She says, “What’s the story?”

He replies, “Just crap in the carburetor”

She asks, “How often do I have to do that?”

SPEEDING TICKET

A police officer stops a blonde for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license.

She replied in a huff, “I wish you guys would get your act together. Just yesterday you take away my license and then today you expect me to show it to you!”

RIVER WALK

There’s this blonde out for a walk. She comes to a river and sees another blonde on the opposite bank. “Yoo-hoo!” she shouts,

“How can I get to the other side?”

The second blonde looks up the river then down the river and shouts back, “You ARE on the other side.”

AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE

A gorgeous young redhead goes into the doctor’s office and said that her body hurt wherever she touched it.

“Impossible!” says the doctor. “Show me.”

The redhead took her finger, pushed on her left cheek and screamed, then she pushed her elbow and screamed in even more. She pushed her knee and screamed; likewise she pushed her ankle and screamed. Everywhere she touched made her scream.

The doctor said, “You’re not really a redhead, are you?

“Well, no” she said, “I’m actually a blonde.”

“I thought so,” the doctor said. “Your finger is broken.”

KNITTING

A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway.

Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting! Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, “PULL OVER!”

“NO!” the blonde yelled back, “IT’S A SCARF!”

BLONDE ON THE SUN

A Russian, an American, and a Blonde were talking one day. The Russian said, “We were the first in space!” The American said, “We were the first on the moon!”

The Blonde said, “So what? We’re going to be the first on the sun!”

The Russian and the American looked at each other and shook their heads. “You can’t land on the sun, you idiot! You’ll burn up!” said the Russian.

To which the Blonde replied, “We’re not stupid, you know. We’re going at night!”

IN A VACUUM

A blonde was playing Trivial Pursuit one night. It was her turn. She rolled the dice and she landed on Science & Nature. Her question was, “If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?”

She thought for a time and then asked, “Is it on or off?”

THE BLONDE JOKE TO END

A girl was visiting her blonde friend, who had acquired two new dogs, and asked her what their names were. The blonde responded by saying that one was named Rolex and one was named Timex.

Her friend said, “Whoever heard of someone naming dogs like that?”

HELLLOOOOOOO……,” answered the blond. “They’re watch dogs!”

Best answer:

Answer by happy
i really like the jokes but i hate when ppl write about blonde, y cant it b brunets or something. u think it fair to the blond girls, cuz i sure dont.

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