Posted in omega on Apr 18th, 2012 25 Comments »
The second season of Noob season 2 NOOB, the serie is the first french serie about MMORPG, GEEK, NOOB, KEVIN, NOLIFE etc… Noob, the serie is broadcasted on television (Nolife) noob-tv.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Posted in articles&news on Mar 12th, 2012 No Comments »
As I write this review I am actually freshly back from a visit of the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture in Le Sentier, Switzerland. In the watch industry the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture is considered a special place because it is a serious factory where both cases and movements are made – which is a rare combo. I got to see a lot of Reverso cases being produced and realized just how complex they are to manufacture. A simple case requires dozens of steps that involve both hand and machine work. The efforts are necessary to achieve the right shape, polish, and of course unique case flipping mechanism.
The original Reverso was produced in 1931 for British polo players stationed in India. The elite group wanted a watch they could wear while playing the game without too much risk of damage. At the time watch crystals were mostly glass and were relatively fragile. The Reverso case was designed to flip over and reveal a polished piece of solid metal to protect the crystal on the other side. The flipping case mechanism has of course been modernized a bit, but retains the same basic system as developed about 80 years ago. Last year Jaeger-LeCoultre fervently celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Reverso which involved the release of many new models, limited editions, and a closer look at the heritage of the watch. For review I had the pleasure of checking out one of the newer pieces – the Grande Reverso Duoface (also sometimes just called “Duo”) timepiece (ref. Q374.24.21).
The Reverso comes in a range of sizes and style. The largest of modern watches are the super-sized Reverso cases in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s highest end models such as the Gyrotourbillon II and the Triptyque. The Grande Reverso is a step down from that. The more square Squadra is a handsome sporty option as well. Then there are smaller men’s versions as well as a few sizes for the ladies. The Grande Reverso case is 32.15mm wide and about 52mm tall. That length of the case prevents it from looking small. I would not say that the piece wears large, but it certainly doesn’t feel petite. The Reverso is a super classic look. Those three horizontal lines in the case above and below the dial really make it look distinctive, and the overall look and feel of the piece is ultra-classy. No where will a Reverso look out of place.
The case flipping function is slick and well-engineered. Hell, the brand did have 80 years to work on it. There are spring-loaded ball bearings that help it move easily and snap securely into place. Originally the Reverso has a plain metal caseback. Jaeger-LeCoultre early-on realized that this space was useful for custom engravings, enamel paintings, etc… Today for example there is a special Reverso website where you can customize your own and Jaeger-LeCoultre will make it for you. The brand also realized that if they created complex movements, the watch could have two dials. This Duoface is a perfect example of one of those pieces.
In this case Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to use each side as a different time zone. So this is a nice two timezone watch with the date. The idea is that you just flip over the watch to see the time zone elsewhere. One side has the time with subsidiary seconds dial and an open-date indicator. The other side has another time zone with a day/night indicator. That latter side would be use for what is often referred to as “home time.” It makes for a useful travel watch, and as a benefit each side is aesthetically different giving you the option to “wear it light or dark.”
Each dial is very much reminiscent of the Reverso’s historical look. The brand is careful to ensure that detailing is impressive by giving the dials machine engraving and crisp printing. The black colored dial also has luminant for night viewing. The best part is that the overall Reverso look is not only highly art deco in style, but also very legible and useful. It is hard to not be a Reverso fan. The design is timeless, looks good on most people, and even after all this time the flipping case concept is still fun. Others have tried to replicate the idea of a double sided watch, but no one does it better than JLC.
This particular Grande Reverso Duoface watch has an 18k rose gold case. There are steel versions as well but I have to say that gold suits the Reverso very well. I know there are 18k white gold versions, but you might as well just get a steel one at that point. If you go gold, go rose or pink gold for a case like this. The color looks great with both the silvered and black colored dials. The blued steel hands on the silvered dial are classic – and Jaeger-LeCoultre even flame blues their hands in-house.
Pull the case to the side and you’ll see the perlage decorated back plate. It adds a nicely machined look and frames the rest of the case well. On the wrist the watch is extremely comfortable and feel slimmer than it is. It is very interesting to me how rectangular-shaped watches have a very distinct feel on the wrist compared to round watches.
If you are a guy who likes modern sized watches I don’t recommend going for a size any smaller than the Grande Reverso case. If it is still too small for you then check out a Squadra. Attached to the case is an alligator/crocodile strap. Of course it looks nice and I like how it is fitted directly to the case with very little gap. Funny how gaps between a strap and case keep some watches from looking their best. The deployant clasp on the strap is quite nice. It has a hidden fold-over deployant and what you see is just a very elegant rounded buckle piece. Very nice.
The majority of Reverso movements are manually wound. This has a lot to do with the space and style of the movement. Though there are a few automatic Reverso watches around. Jaeger-LeCoultre of course makes all of their own movements. The shame in a watch like this is that you can’t see the movement. Even opening up the case is something that only an expert should do. That makes sense as there are hands on both sides. For those wanting a more “pure” horological experience there are watches in the Grande Reverso range very similar to this piece that have an exhibition style caseback on the second dial side of the watch.
Inside this Grande Reverso Duoface is a Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 986 manually wound movement. All features are controlled via the crown and it has a power reserve of about 48 hours. It is a slick movement and all I could have asked for in addition to the existing features would be a power reserve indicator. For me, I really like it when manually wound movements have those. Price for this excellent Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Duoface watch is $ 19,300 in 18k rose gold and about $ 10,200 in steel. It is a classic, and an easy decision to own.
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From:aBlogtoRead.com
Posted in articles&news on Feb 1st, 2012 No Comments »
This past January, Bvlgari has announced its new model for 2012. This new watch is the Bvlgari Grande Sonnerie Quantieme Perpetual watch, a unique new time piece sure to catch the attention of many potential buyers. This time piece is a Grand Complication model, which will make a great addition to the luxurious Daniel Roth collection.
Bvlgari Grande Sonnerie Quantieme Perpetual Watch
The most unique feature of this watch is its perpetual calendar, which has full calendar indications up to the year 2100. The watch has a very complicated making, since it contains such a unique feature, which is probably why it took almost a year to create such an accessory. The watch is made up of 923 parts. This beautiful elegant time piece is also quite artsy with a complicated design. It is said that this watch has already made a place on the list of the top ten most complicated watches to have ever been made.
The Bvglari Grande Sonnerie Quantieme Perpetual watch contains two self-winding barrels. The purpose of the first barrel is to maintain all of the usual timekeeping functions that a watch has. The second barrel is specifically meant to aid the striking mechanism, as well as promising a full 24-hour power reserve in Grand Sonnerie mode. The Petite Sonnerie mode is known for its mechanism which doesn’t repeat the hours once it strikes the quarters.
This chic watch will function properly and will have no need for maintenance until the year 2100. This time piece tracks the months that have 28, 29, 30 and 31 days. 2100 is going to be a leap year so the watch will need to be fixed so it can provide accurate calendar information till the year 2200, which will also be a leap year.
The one of a kind uniqueness that this watch possesses is due to the fact that it was modeled after a vinyl record player. The case is a beautiful eye catching 18kt pink-gold with a black alligator leather strap and a 18kt matching pink gold triple blade folding clasp. Another great feature that this watch contains is that it is water resistant in up to 30 meters or 99 feet of water, making this watch ideal for a day of water sports at the lake or that big summer cruise. The physical mechanical beauty of this time piece also makes it perfect for those weekend long business trips as well as meetings. This watch is sure to make you the envy amongst all of your friends with its luxury and punctuality.
Posted in Tag Heuer on Jan 12th, 2012 1 Comment »
The Formula 1 men’s watch is water resistant to 200 metres. Sporty in design with a racing edge, this watch features a black dial with double date window at 12 o’clock, chronograph features with three sub-dials, luminous hands and markers to increase visibility in low light conditions set within a 44mm fine brushed steel case. Swiss made with quartz chronograph movement. The watch is secured with a 3-row steel bracelet and deployment clasp.
Posted in Tag Heuer on Jan 2nd, 2012 11 Comments »
This is a Tag Grande Date Chrono. I love this piece! Please comment and tell me what you think.
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Posted in Tag Heuer on Dec 31st, 2011 20 Comments »
Posted in articles&news on Dec 21st, 2011 No Comments »
This new Bulgari Daniel Roth collection watch joins the ranks (small ranks) of million dollar plus timepieces from the brand. Offering a wildly complicated movement and inspiration from the Daniel Roth brand that Bulgari engulfed into itself, this piece is one serious homage to a love of horology.
Based on the commentary I have received thus far, people seem to dig the video Bulgari made about its new Daniel Roth Grande Sonnerie Perpetual Calendar watch. I must admit that it does work well when you make a watch look like a deity coming from space to save the planet – with chimes. Chime your well to a better like. According to Bulgari, if in operation all the time, the sonnerie function will chime over 433,500 times per a year. That is a lot of dings and dongs.
Bulgari says it takes about one year to build each of these watches. I believe that. There are a very small amount of people who are skilled enough to make them, and it takes along time to decorate the parts, assemble, and then test the movements. Actually, decorating the movement parts is the most challenging. That takes about six months. It then takes four months to build the movement, test it, take it apart, clean it, and then put it back together again.
Inside the watch is the Caliber DR 5307. It is made up of 923 parts and has 82 jewels (for those who wanted to know). One of my favorite things about this super complicated watch movement is that it is an automatic. Most all of the time watches like this are manually wound. Not only does it being an automatic make it more convenient, but it also makes it easier to store allowing you to put it on a traditional spinning winder so that you don’t need to reset it all the time.
What does that caliber DR 5307 automatic movement do? Well the function families are the time, perpetual calendar, moon phase indicator, grade and petite (little) sonnerie chimes, and the tourbillon. A full list of features is as follows:
-Westminster Carillon chimes
-Four gongs
-Grande Sonnerie
-Petite Sonnerie
-Minute Repeater
-Silence mode
-Tourbillon
-Perpetual Calendar
-Leap Year Indicator
-Month indicator
-Weekday indicator
-Date indicator
-Moon phases
-Automatic winding for movement and striking system
-Silent centrifugal governor
-Power reserve indicator for movement (48h)
-Power reserve indicator for striking system (28h in mode « Little »)
-Secured striking mode (during striking, the time setting system is disconnected)
-Secured time setting (during time setting, the striking system is disconnected)
-Secured striking system (the minute repeater is disconnected during striking in « passing » and vice-versa)
-Striking mode selector “chimes/silence » (rotating water resistant selector with indication)
-Striking mode selector « little/grand » (rotating water resistant selector with indication)
That is a lot of features and a very important thing to point out is that the Bulgari Daniel Roth Grande Sonnerie Quantieme Perpetual Calendar watch has both sonnerie and minute repeater functions. The first chimes the times at various intervals automatically, and the latter chimes the time back to you on command.
Even with its relatively complex design, all the information is displayed conveniently. I love that despite this there is some skeletonization on the dial as the date of the week and month discs are transparent sapphire over sections of the movement. Why are there two power reserve indicators? One is for the time functions and one is for the power reserve functions.
The watch itself is placed in an 18k pink gold case that is matched to a black alligator strap. Not sure about the case width or thickness though – but this isn’t going to be a small timepiece. It really is an incredible machine and I can’t wait to get some hands-on time with one.
According to Buglari each piece will be unique in some way (if only how the hammer and gongs are regulated and adjusted). Not sure necessarily what that means, but as they are each hand made it is possible to offer slight variations from piece to piece. If you haven’t viewed the above video yet I suggest that you do. Ready to put down your dollar bills? The Bulgari Daniel Roth Grande Sonnerie Quantieme Perpetual [Calendar] watch will be priced at 980,000 Swiss Francs.
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From:aBlogtoRead.com
Posted in articles&news on Dec 15th, 2011 No Comments »
If you’ve paid attention to the vintage Reverso market this year (why would you? that’s our job), you surely have noticed that the Reversos that consistently sell for the most money are those with bright enamel dials. As we previously reported, a vintage Reverso with a bright red enamel dial sold at Antiquorum for 35,000 CHF.
Just announced today is a new version of the TT 1931 Reverso (a watch we adore) with a bright red lacquer dial. Was JLC inspired by the strong results of vintage pieces with red dials? Probably, but the new Grande Reverso 1931 Rouge doesn’t use enamel, but instead a nice bright lacquer. It just looks great.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 1931 Rouge will be available at the JLC boutique in Milan, exclusively.
Related Content: This is the second Italy-exclusive Reverso of 2011. The other can be seen here. Also, JLC created a bright blue enamel Reverso this year, too.
From:HODINKEE
Posted in articles&news on Dec 15th, 2011 No Comments »
Now isn’t that pretty? This is a special Milan Boutique edition of the newer Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin watch. The version with the limited “heritage” dial that is. According to Jaeger-LeCoultre in the 1930′s red (among other bright colors) were very popular for wrist watch dials. This model has a bright red lacquered dial. I don’t know whether it is limited and if it is only available at the JLC Milan boutique – but it is a looker. Check out the vintage Reverso ad below as well.
Grande Reverso 1931 Rouge : technical specs
Movement
• mechanical hand-wound movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822
• 21,600 vibrations per hour
• 21 jewels
• 2.94 mm thick
• 134 parts
• 45-hour power reserve
Functions
• hours, minutes
Dial
• red lacquered
• silver-toned hour-markers
Case
• steel
• 46 mm long
• 27.5 mm wide
• 7.27 mm thick
• “1000 Hours Control” indication on the caseback
• water resistance: 3 bar
Boutique edition
From:aBlogtoRead.com
Posted in articles&news on Nov 16th, 2011 No Comments »
This is a pre-owned Longines Grande Classique l4.635.4. It has a 33mm Steel case (measured across its width, excluding crown), a White Roman Numeral dial, a Steel bracelet, and is powered by a Quartz movement. The case has a 2848xxxx serial and paperwork is dated 04 July 2001, making it 10 years old. It originated in the UK, and comes complete with box. It is also supplied with a comprehensive 12 month Watchfinder warranty.
This Longines has undergone the Watchfinder three-point check for accuracy, water-resistance and condition. It has also been referenced against technical documents and manufacturer records where possible to ensure authenticity and a clean history.
Finance illustrations
The repayment results below are for guidance only
| Cash Price | £ 3,500.00 |
| Minimum Deposit | £ 875.00 |
| 6 x Monthly Installment | £ 437.50 |
| Interest/Total Charge for credit | £ 0.00 |
| Total Amount Payable | £ 3,500.00 |
| Typical APR | 0.00% |
Pay just £95.29 for 36 months – 19.9% APR
Classic Credit over 36 Months
Finance illustrations
The repayment results below are for guidance only
| Cash Price | £ 3,500.00 |
| Minimum Deposit | £ 875.00 |
| 36 x Monthly Installment | £ 95.29 |
| Interest/Total Charge for credit | £ 805.44 |
| Total Amount Payable | £ 4,305.44 |
| Typical APR | 19.90% |
source from: watchfinder
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