Ariel Adams
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Volna Typhoon Siberia SHCI Watch
Volna watches are all about attempting to rethink and recreate that image. The brand's newest watch is the Typhoon Siberia SHCI - a cool if not gimmicky means of adding something fun to the luxury sports chronograph watch segment. The name of the watch sounds like a foreign translation of a Hollywood action movie that might be called "Siberian Storm" - that somehow ends up "Typhoon Siberia." This new model is all in a very good type of grade 5 (G5) titanium and has a unique system that Volna has developed. Strap is rubber.
An irony of many chronograph diving watches is that operating the chronograph too deep underwater will damage the watch by letting water in. So Volna has developed a "Security Hand Chronograph Indicator" (SHCI) that displays a message on the dial of whether or not the chronograph is locked or unlocked for use. Locking it is done vial a turning lever located on the crown.
The watch case is 46.5mm wide and water resistant to 300 meters. There is a propeller engraved into the caseback and the crown. The dial is in black with decorative satin finished ruthenium plates and either red or black on black numerals and hands. Inside the watch is a Swiss Automatic movement that is likely a modified ETA. There are two versions of the watch (red on black or black on black dials), with limited editions of 125 pieces each. Not too sure about price, but it is over $10,000 per watch.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Phaidon Atlas Of 21st Century World Architecture Book Makes Ideal Gift
This book is the Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture from Phaidon Press. Call it a coffee table book, but it is one that people will want to look through a lot. The big book is about 20 lbs and 800 pages of pictures and detail rich content that is perfect for anyone with even a mild interest in architecture. I can't put the book down - each full page is dedicated to a specific structure, complete with technical layouts, photographs, and discussions of the building function, design, and about the architect. Structures include single family homes to massive complexes. Further, the book is arranged into color-coded sections by continent. That makes it easy to see the differences in architecture by region as well as culture.
Remember that the Atlas contains new buildings, all from the 21st century. You really get an incredible survey of how varied modern architecture really is. In addition to this publication, Phaidon produces a range of topical publications that would likely suit just about anyone, of any age or interest type. A great gift or for yourself. I just got too excited about this book not to blog about it. Retail price is $195, available direct from Phaidon.
Avenir Chrono Boss Premiere Watch Collection
The guys behind the brand are also behind the Rafaello & Company Jeweler brand. They tend to stick to urban pop culture elite as their best clients. While watches are not a new venture for them, the Avenir Chrono brand is. The watches comes in two sizes - 50mm wide and 44mm wide. Both bold in stature. There is one major thing that the watches really excel at, and this is high contrast to attract attention. Watch makers have known for years that a high contrast ratio look in watch makes them appealing. Plus it is good practice to throw in a splash of red. Look closely and you see it. Avenir Chrono took good notes in watch design class. You can see the high contrast of black and either the gold or steel (and platinum).
Titanium is also used in the cases and for parts of the bracelets. Inside the watches are Swiss ETA Valjoux 7753 automatic movements. The dials are pretty easy to read and masculine (kind of going for an aviator style look), while the dial plate is machine guilloche engraved. Imagine the diamond versions as you will, with diamonds all over the case and bracelet (but not the face thankfully). Prices for the Avenir Chrono Boss Premiere watches start at about $12,500 and go to $45,000 (for platinum most likely). Opt for the diamond encrusted "Black Snow" models and prices jump to $65,000 - $120,000.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Wristwatch Annual 2010 Catalog Better Than Ever
The book also features a new pictorial glossary of watch terms both common and obscure. It is now possible for you, with this brief eduction, to know what I am talking about half the time in my many watch-centric articles. I personally give credit to a previous version of Wrist Watch Annual back in 2002, for really acting as the catalyst to my intense passion for watches that I have today. It is a powerfully enjoyable publication, and beautifully made. Price is just $35 direct from the publisher website here. 456 pages of horological enjoyment with 1,400 full color images. I don't say this too often, but the books are almost drool worthy if you are anything like me. After you click over to the publisher's page, you have access to more information as well as screen shots of Wristwatch Annual 2010's select pages. A must have for all new and existing watch lovers out there.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogotoRead.com.
Tag Heuer Watches To Reconsider Relationship With Tiger Woods
I recently mentioned that Tag Heuer affirmed its commitment to Tiger Woods as a brand ambassador. They publicly stated that they would stick by the super star as a face of the brand despite and alleged transgressions. It now looks like they might have altered their position. This is the second time this month that Tag Heuer has had to "restate" an earlier announcement. The first was in regard to the origin on their new Caliber 1887 movement. Now Tag Heuer seems to suggest that Tiger Woods may not be in their short term future goals.We have already seen Tag Heuer pull Tiger Wood based ads, but that makes sense in the immediate given the negative publicity of Tiger's current extramarital activities. Now it looks like Tag Heuer is seriously considering their future with the golf superstar. The main reason? Not likely the current scandal. Though it helps lubricate their decision - the main rationale behind Tag Heuer's likely separation from Mr. Woods is his announcement to leave the professional world of golf for some indeterminable amount of time. Tiger's main allure was his ability to draw a large audience when he played on the greens. Now that he will withdraw from the public eye, does he really have immediate value to the popular watch brand? Several months from now when Tiger Woods hasn't been in a golf tournament in months, he will just be another rich guy in a Nike baseball cap (unless they pull out too). The bigger picture is that because Tiger Woods is exiting the world of golf for a while, he is severely jeopardizing his main income stream - endorsements.
Via World Tempus.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Edmond Swiss Watches
The pictured model is the Cap Horn in gold PVD and a technical looking, though pleasurable to read face. The bezel is in black PVD with goldtone screws. The overall feel of the watch is a sporty delight that is created by the cohesive rugged character of the watch that seems to borrow from a number of popular watch designs out there (while still being extremely unique in its own right). Movements in the watches are Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatics. Edmond watches are a cool newcomer that certainly deserve some wrist time. The pictured watch is priced reasonably at about $1,900.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Patek Philippe: The Timeless Innovator
If high collectible value were the only criteria for the best luxury watch brand, the Patek Philippe, nominated for a Luxist Award, would beat the rest hands down. Even in recession stricken economies, Patek Philippe watches are able to achieve record values at auction. The brand almost epitomizes Swiss haute horology. All Swiss made and designed, Patek Philippe sits as a benchmark of modern classic watch style as well as technical innovation. Not afraid of progress, some of their most traditional looking timepieces contain space-age parts.
Patek Philippe is so well-regarded and trusted, that they even developed their own movement certification system, that they only use to rate their own watches. Such a degree of self governance would only be allowed from a brand such as Patek Philippe.
Their timepieces styles are conservative and timeless. Though unlike Rolex, Patek Philippe revels in the frequent release of highly complex, though always still useful mechanical wonders. Their manufacture is responsible for creating the most complex timepiece in the world, a pocket watch produced back in 1989 – which has yet to be trumped. Considered the best watches in the world by many, it would be hard to dispute this statement in a room full of fanatic (and wealthy) Patek Philippe fans and collectors.
Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.
IWC: Totally Swiss in Design and Quality
With a deep connection to functionally themed luxury sport watches, IWC rejects an approach to watch making that focuses on form over function. In recent years according to one poll, IWC, which is nominated for a Luxist Award, has risen to be considered the top luxury watch brand among wealthy Americans. Frequently sighted on the wrists of athletes to actors and bankers, the wide adoption of IWC watches proves that watch lovers want timepieces with utilitarian roots.
IWC watches are split between two major styles, with activity themed offerings such as Pilot or Aquatimer diving watches, and classic "thinking person" styles such as the mega popular Portuguese or Ingeniuer timepieces. Equally proficient in steel or gold, IWC is also known to offers excellently finished movements of in-house design and manufacture. IWC is also known for offering luxury watches for a wide array of budgets from mid level luxury to the ultra high-end.
While a name like "International Watch Company" might sound universal, the brand is totally Swiss in design and quality. IWC watches have little trouble being recognized in most circles and benefit from a distinct lack of pretentiousness in their brand image. Owning an IWC luxury watch typically communicates that you buy nice watches for your own enjoyment, not merely for others to see.
Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.
Rolex: Classics for Generations
No list of luxury watch brands would be complete without Rolex, which is nominated for a Luxist Award. After all, it is the most well-known luxury watch brand in the world. With a reputation more solid than platinum, Rolex watches have been said to be "as good as money" not only in looks, but in retaining value. The Rolex secret is in continuous refinement of models that are each classics unto themselves. Rolex rarely releases a totally new model, but rather keeps tweaking watches that are demanded time and time again, generation after generation.
Rolex watches such as the Submariner, GMT Master II, Daytona, and Datejust all have something in common. In addition to superior levels of construction and reliability, they have the unique ability to look good on most any wrist. The universal luxury brand also has universally looks good. With Rolex, being conservative is one of their key assets.
Being fanatical about quality has helped Rolex garner their reputation as a producer of extremely well made mechanical movements, all made and developed in-house. While their most complex movement currently made is only a chronograph, the movements are considered highly reliable. Outside, Rolex uses the finest metals and alloys to produce their world famous looks.
While Rolex timepieces aren't the most expensive luxury watches, they hands down have a name that is worth the most. No well-rounded watch collection is complete without one, and wearing a Rolex affords you respect no matter who you are with.
Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.
Audemars Piguet: The Trendsetter
With the higher-end watch lover in mind, Audemars Piguet, which is nominated for a Luxist Award, made independently owned luxury watch makers mainstream. An innovator in combining luxury with sport themed watches, Audemars Piguet stands equally as an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, as well as being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future.
Back in the 1970s Audemars Piguet shocked the worlds with the Royal Oak, a sport themed watch that commanded a price never before seen on a steel timepiece. The classic timepiece remains one of their most popular lines of watch that come in a wealth of exotic materials, complications, colors, and limited editions.
Audemars Piguet has been closely aligned with pop culture icons and important figures for decades. They've made special edition watches for clients ranging to former US Presidents, to Hollywood mega stars, and top athletes. What attracts them all is the brand's dedication to matching the high quality and intrigue of the inside of the watch, with the outside. As such, Audemars Piguet has always been considered a trend setter, often copied even by competing haute luxury brands.
Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.
