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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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Remember when we showed you what was probably the very first Lytro photograph?  Well London creative agency Berg has taken existing cinematic techniques and produced a similar result to a Lytro photograph, but with a much more detailed and exact interface.  And, they happened to demonstrate it using a 1960s Rolex Oyster Precision.  Watch the video above to see what we mean.

More details here.

From:HODINKEE

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En Northampton, Inglaterra una abuela aventurera detiene un robo a un negocio de venta de relojes Rolex a carterazos.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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We already showed you a new, super-slim tank from Cartier at SIHH 2012 in the Louis Cartier XL Slimline.  But, the Louis Cartier is not a new case.  And, while the Louis Cartier did answer collectors’ calls for a Tank with a mechanical movement, it uses a Piaget, and not a Cartier movement. 

Then, there is the brand new Tank Anglaise – the big story from the tank category of watches at Cartier 2012.  The Anglaise is the third model to be attributed to a particular region, following the Américaine and Tank Française.   The case to the Anglaise is bulkier than the other two, but features a rounded, ergonomic profile and has a crown that is integrated right into the signature parallel brancards.  This watch will be available in three different sizes, in both mens and womens pieces, but the clear favorite is the large sized men’s watch, as that is the piece that will use Cartier’s excellent in-house 1904MC caliber.  It should be noted that the white gold version, as pictured above, is completely coated in rhodium, too. 

Price for the white gold Cartier Tank Anglaise in the largest size (width: 36.2 mm; height: 47 mm; thickness: 9.82 mm) will be $ 42,000.

From:HODINKEE

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Try a virtual watch on at home using your webcam and augmented reality software, we have a Bell & Ross, Bremont and U-Boat watch for you try on. Do it yourself here: www.jurawatches.co.uk
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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www.facebook.com/thewatchcollectorny This video will show you how to properly set and use the GMT dual time zone features of a Rolex GMT Master II wristwatch. Please “Like” us on Facebook to win free gifts and watches. www.facebook.com/thewatchcollectorny

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KickStarter is doing a lot for time-keeping, and today’s find is no exception.  Deisgner Scott Thrift has come up with The Present, an annual clock that tells the story of the seasons using subtle gradients of pure color to mark the Equinoxes & Solstices throughout the years.  

The Present contains a custom microprocessor that was commissioned to accurately turn hours into months. The annual hand takes an entire year to complete a single clockwise rotation.  

As with any Kickstart project, you can make donations via easy-to-use portal, and a donation of $ 120 will get you The Present of your own.  Check it out here.

(via actblogs)

From:HODINKEE

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Early this month in Milan, two new paintings were unveiled by famed British artist Damien Hirst in conjunction with a fantastic exhibit at the Triennale Art Museum, O’Clock – time design, design time (full report on that coming). 

Hirst is an avid collector of Panerai watches and the brand has actually made appearances in previous examples of his work: a Panerai watch is painted on a table next to medicines and a skull in “Skull with Watch” from 2005 and is physically present in the installations “The Tranquility of Solitude (for George Dyer)” (2006), and “Killing Time” (2008).

In these two works, Panerai is even more present.  Both of the works are examples of his now famous “spin paintings”, but what you below is a canvas covered in paint, as well as actual Panerai dials. Atop the dials is simple household gloss.  The large circular painting is titled “Beautiful Sunflower Panerai Painting” and the smaller piece below is, very aptly, “Beautiful Fractional Sunflower Panerai Painting.”

While the Hirst paintings may have been the focal point at O’Clock – time design, design time, there were two dozen other fantastic time-related works that we will be showing you next week. Click through to see both works in full.

Related Posts: At the very same event, Panerai unveiled its new Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days, or the PAM422.

From:HODINKEE

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This is just plain awesome.  Some of my favorite watches in the world are the Patek Philippe chronographs made during the middle of the last century.  True “Gentleman’s Chronographs,” these watches are absolutely beautiful, incredibly refined, immensely wearable.  Inside those chronographs was, in most cases, a Patek Philippe caliber 13-130 – you’ll find it in the reference 1463, for example, and what is still the best value in vintage Patek, the Ref 130.  The thing is, both of these watches haven’t been made in the better part of a century.

The Patek Philippe Caliber 13-130

Today, we caught word of new Patek Philippe chronograph that will use the exact same movement as these classics, the Caliber 13-130.  How, you ask?  Well, when Patek Philippe moved in 1996, they found an old wooden chest on the 5th floor of their historic home, and inside were 16 unused caliber 13-130 movements.  These movements were fully assembled and regulated in 1955.  So, to celebrate this discovery, Patek disassembled and then reassmebled the movements this year, and placed them into a steel cushion case, reminiscent of the original Patek wristwatch chronograph. 

What we have then is the Patek Philippe Reference 3670A, featuring vintage Caliber 13-130 movements dating to 1955 house in a stainless steel case with anthracite dial.  Of course, only 16 watches could be made because that is how many movements were found, and the price will be 240,000 CHF, available only at Patek Philippe boutiques.

Just. Plain. Sick.

(via Perpetuelle)

From:HODINKEE

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This is part two of a short series of articles about watch photography by Ming Thein. Part 1 can be found here, and part three will appear next week.

1950s GUB Deck Chronometer, Ricoh GR Digital III. Click all images for larger versions.

Don’t think you need to immediately rush out to buy a DSLR, macro lens and lighting setup to capture good images. They help, but good work can still be done with a compact camera that has a macro mode, and some creative lighting and composition. Side note: every image in this article was shot with a compact camera.

1950s GUB Deck Chronometer, Ricoh GR Digital III. Click all images for larger versions.

There are two major differences between compact cameras and DSLRs/ ILCs (Micro Four Thirds, Sony NEX and the like). The first is that almost every compact camera has a macro mode; this tells the camera to allow the lens to focus closer, and in some cases locks the lens to the minimum (i.e. widest) focal length. In every case, closest focus and maximum magnification with a compact will be achieved with the lens at its widest position. Zooming in will usually result in the camera not being able to find focus. Whilst you can typically get within 5cm; and in some cases, 1cm; you are going to have huge perspective distortion. This is a property of wide angle lenses; objects closer to the camera will have a much greater relative share of the frame than those further away. This can be useful in some cases.

Sinn 756 S UTC. Panasonic LX3.

The second major difference is that depth of field – controlling what is in focus and what isn’t – generally isn’t an issue with a compact camera, as a consequence of the small sensor and requisite optics mean much is in focus all of the time. A larger sensor camera will allow you to selectively focus on objects – and in some cases, even be unable to achieve sufficient depth of field to get the entire watch in focus at an angle without resorting to some trick optics, or stacking software.

Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso Grande GMT. Canon IXUS SD780IS.

Nomos Tangomat GMT-12. Apple iPhone 4.

Recall lesson three from the last article: pay attention to the light. Yes, most cameras have an on-board flash, but at typical watch photography distances, it will be too powerful and result in an extremely overexposed image. Even worse, it’s direct, undiffused and going to show every single scratch and dust spot. Once again, there are exceptions.

MB&F HM3. Canon IXUS SD780IS, with flash.

The easiest way to take care of lighting is to find a nice, bright location where the light isn’t harsh; for instance, a white room with a large window is good. You want to start away from the window to avoid direct light (and unwanted reflections). If there isn’t enough light, your shutter speed will drop to the point that you will either have to a) increase sensitivity, resulting in digital grain and degradation in image quality; or b) get a tripod and use the self-timer.

Both shots: Chronoswiss Pathos. Canon IXUS SD780IS, with a handy nearby spotlight.

Once again, pay attention to backgrounds and details – things in the corner of the frame or at the edges can make or break an image. You don’t want to distract the viewer from the main subject. Make sure the watch is properly in focus and exposed; some compacts have a histogram function that will show you if your subject is overexposed – this happens if the histogram is bunched up hard against the right hand side.

Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso Grande GMT. Note background. Canon IXUS SD780IS

Remember the on-board flash? It isn’t entirely useless. Get a plain white piece of A3 paper, fold it in half, and cut a hole in it for the lens. You can fold it into a half-pipe and place the watch in the middle, if you wish. Now use the flash. Compare the effect before and after: big difference! What you have effectively made is a diffuser. It helps to even out and soften the light from the flash. The white paper acts as a bonus shield to cut unwanted reflections. You might find the images a little flat, but some contrast adjustment either on the camera or in your favorite image editing software can help.

Nomos Tangomat GMT-12. Ricoh GR Digital III, with a little photoshop help.

What if you already have a DSLR lying around, but perhaps not a dedicated macro lens? Well, not to worry. You might not be able to get as close as a compact camera, but the kit lenses bundled with the camera generally do a decent job and focus fairly close. Use the maximum focal length (zoom in fully), and find out how close you can go. You might want to switch to manual focus, set the minimum focus distance and move the camera back and forth instead. Closing down the aperture – f number – will help to increase your depth of field. The same rules about lighting apply: find somewhere bright and diffuse, use the paper trick, or get a tripod.

Sinn 556. Ricoh GXR and 50/2.5 A12 macro.

In both cases, taking a manual white balance reading off a white sheet of paper in the same location as where you intend to photograph the watch will greatly help with your color accuracy (and remove that horrible yellow cast if you have no choice but to shoot under a desk lamp at night, for instance).

Omega Seamaster. Canon IXUS SD780IS. If all else fails and you can’t get the color right, go black and white.

Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945. Canon IXUS SD780IS.

An important thing I haven’t mentioned is that learning to use your camera is quite critical. Familiarity with its functions and controls will make your photography experience much more fluid rather than frustrating. Regular practice is a good way to improve both your composition and familiarity with your tool. Remember, a person who has been shooting the same (now outdated) camera for the last ten years will almost always produce much better images than somebody with a new expensive toy.

Now, go out and practice! MT

Sinn 756 S UTC. Panasonic LX3. Don’t forget the fun element!

Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso Grande GMT. Canon IXUS SD780IS.

From:FratelloWatches RSS

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