Alexandre Despatie with his U-Boat Classico 53mm Watch
by Marco Gagliano on June 2, 2009
tagged as: style celebrities canada classico u-boat mens watches sports
The multi-talented, home-town hero Alexandre Despatie was spotted by one of my clients wearing a 53mm, beige U-Boat Classico. Alexandre was speaking at a recent public appearance when my client noticed the bold, oversize design that U-Boat watches are known for. I find it even more fitting that I'm writing an entry about the world champion and Olympic medalist, as his twenty-fourth birthday on the eighth of June quickly approaches.
Alexandre Despatie started diving at the age of five and has since captured many titles as well as the hearts of many fans in his native Montreal and Laval and in the rest of the world. He offers his time to charity work and played his first role in a feature film as Olivier Duclos in the 2006 Quebec teen flick À vos marques! Party!. Alexandre is a well dressed, young, up-and-coming star. The perfect fit for a 53mm beige Classico.
New Corum Ltd Black Flag
by Dino Standjofski on November 9, 2008
tagged as: movement challenge admirals cup corum chronograph sports style watches mens titanium watch straps reviews
Corum has enlarged its iconic Admiral's Cup line with a new boldly designed model - the Challenge 48 Black Flag.
The new Corum Admiral's Cup is created in deep black and luminescent blue. You will not see the bright colors of the nautical pennants featured by other watches of the line.
The signature 12-sided case of the Admiral's Cup Challenge 48 'Black Flag' is crafted in black titanium and measures 48 mm in diameter. Titanium is highly appreciated by watchmakers for its superb resilience and lightness. Thus, the case produced from titanium has minimized weight and offers reliable protection to the movement.
The Challenge 48 'Black Flag' is equipped with a robust automatic chronograph movement - CO-753 caliber, the supreme precision of which is approved by COSC chronometer certification. The movement, beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, provides the chronograph function in addition to hours, minutes, seconds and date. One more advantage is a 42-hour power reserve. The movement reveals the special Corum finish. The oscillating weight is engraved with the brand's name.
The imposing case construction features stylized black titanium lever-pushers positioned at 2 and 4 o'clock and protected by the brand's exclusive locking system. The black titanium screw-down case-back reveals a raised engraving of the Admiral's Cup Trophy. The case also incorporates a black vulcanized rubber bezel and convex anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The black titanium crown is engraved with the Corum key. The timepiece is 300-meter water-resistant.
The black Cotes-de-Geneve-decorated dial displays chevrons coated in blue luminescent material, the same as the faceted hour and minute hands. As for the chronograph seconds-hand, it is covered with deep black lacquer. Being positioned in the center of the dial, it features the Corum key as a counterweight.
The small chronograph minute counter is found at 3 o'clock, the hour counter at 6 o'clock and the small seconds counter at 9 o'clock. The counter hands shine due to the use of a specific blue Superluminova, creating a distinctive contrast with the black dial, and providing supreme readability. The date function is shown in a large window at 4:30.
The flange features 12 very discreet nautical pennants marking the hours, the characteristic symbol of the Admiral's Cup collection.
The Admiral's Cup Challenge 48 'Black Flag' is secured to the wrist with a black vulcanized rubber strap fitted with a black titanium pin buckle engraved with the brand's name.
New Corum Black Hull
by Dino Standjofski on November 9, 2008
tagged as: challenge reviews watch straps titanium mens watches style sports chronograph corum admirals cup
The Corum Admiral's Cup Black Hull 48 sporty chronograph has been developed as a handy and stylish tool for measuring short time intervals.
The timepiece houses an automatic-winding mechanical chronograph movement - the CO-753 caliber, the mechanism offering precision and reliability guaranteed by a COSC chronometer certificate. In addition to hours, minutes, seconds and the date, the 27-jewel movement provides the chronograph function. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and gives an advantage of a 42-hour power reserve.
The resolutely masculine Corum watch features tight lines, being cloaked in intense black color. The Admiral's Cup signature 12-sided case is crafted from titanium, the material characterized by remarkable lightness and hardness. The titanium 48-mm-in-diameter case is covered with black PVD.
The case construction demonstrates locking pushbuttons, representing the brand's exclusive lockout system. The pushbuttons are also crafted from titanium and are PVD-treated. They hug a titanium crown, featuring the Corum key engraving. The convex glare-proofed sapphire crystal is surrounded by a black vulcanized rubber bezel. The black titanium screw-down case back is embellished with the Admiral's Cup trophy. The timepiece is 300-meter water-resistant.
The dial of the Corum Admiral's Cup Black Hull 48 watch shows off minute numerals and chevrons provided with black luminescent treatment, along with the faceted hour and minute hands, resulting in perfect readability even in the dark.
The chronograph seconds hand is located at the center of the dial, featuring the Corum key as a counterweight. It is covered with deep black lacquer.
The small chronograph minute and hour counters and the small seconds hand found at 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock respectively are equipped with polished-to-a-taper hands. With help of relief, they are made more visible.
You will find the date window at 4:30. The flange is completed with the collection's symbolic 12 nautical pennants marking the hours.
The winding rotor reveals the brand's name engraving.
The Corum Admiral's Cup Black Hull 48 watch is coupled with a black vulcanized rubber strap fitted with a titanium pin buckle treated with black PVD and engraved with Corum name.
Still a good time to buy a watch
by Dino Standjofski on October 17, 2008
tagged as: tips gift ideas avalanche extreme mens sports alpina pre-owned chronograph movement hamilton style watches
In these economic times of uncertainty, there are exceptional watch brands that are comparable to those of the Haute Horlogerie. There are many watch brands that are at par as far as quality and style is concerned. Watches like Hamilton which are owned by the Swatch group, who also own the movements that are supplied to watch manufacturers around the world.
The Hamilton Jazzmaster Chrono with 7750 movement and sapphire crystal, is comparable to a IWC Portuguese chronograph with its 42mm stainless steel case, the IWC has the same base movement as the Hamilton and is four times the price. Granted the IWC is a world renown name, you pay for the marketing. Hamilton is on the mark with its styling and most important its price point. The value is uncomparable in any other watch brand.
Another example of styling quality and value would be the Alpina line of Extreme watches. Comparable to the Hublot Big Bang, these 48mm timepieces exude the fashion and style of todays large sporty watches. Sapphire crystals excellent attention to finishing and detail, Alpina prices are a fraction to so many watch brands in the high-end market.
The Alpina Extreme Regulator with its Unitas 6497 modified regulator movement. So many watch companies use this base movement as a regular three hand watch with manual wind. Panerai had it in there incredibly saught after 1950 and Militare watches are at a whopping 10 times the price of the Alpina, which is not even a regulator, with the hour, minute, and second hands independent of one another, which is considered quite a large complication in the world of mechanical watches.
There is a wide range of prices and styles that could satisfy any budget, as long as it turns your crank, you don't have to break the bank.
Paul Newman 1925-2008
by Dino Standjofski on October 1, 2008
tagged as: sports pre-owned rolex watches cars celebrities
Paul Newman, known for his piercing blue eyes, boyish good looks and stellar performances in scores of hit Hollywood movies, has died. He was 83.
Newman, who had been battling cancer, passed away on Friday, Newman's Own Foundation said in a statement from Westport, Connecticut.
'Paul Newman's craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all,' Foundation Vice-Chairman Robert Forrester said.
Newman played youthful rebels, charming rogues, golden-hearted drunks and amoral opportunists in a career that encompassed more than 50 movies. He was one of the most popular and consistently bankable Hollywood stars in the second half of the 20th century.
The link between Paul Newman and the watch world is through Rolex. His huge enthusiasm for car racing is the probable cause for connection between the Rolex Daytona and his name.
The Rolex Cosmograph was so useful in calculating the average lap speed, that Rolex nicknamed it 'Daytona' after the infamous motor sport capital Daytona Beach in Florida. A few models of the Daytona were available with 'exotic' dials. One of these exotic dials, is believed to be worn by Paul Newman in the movie 'Winning.' Although Mr. Newman claimed that his first Daytona was given to him by his wife in 1972 and did not have an 'exotic' dial, the most coveted and collectible Rolex watch in history still carries his name.
But Paul Newman was a great ambassador for Rolex even if one disregards that particular model. He is often pictured wearing a Daytona and will always be remembered by race fans for his feats in the motoring world including being the oldest driver ever to compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
