U-Boat U-42 to be Unveiled at Baselworld 2010
by Marco Gagliano on March 12, 2010
tagged as: watches previews u-boat
During the past few weeks, U-Boat has been hinting at the release of a new limited edition model to at this year's Baselworld fair. It would be great to have all the details, but I guess we will have to wait to see the watch at the show one week from now. Matt and I will be in Basel where we will be able to get the full scoop on the new U-Boat watches.
Based on its shape, lever, and crown system the U-42 that Italo Fontana and company is teasing us with is decidedly based on the gargantuan U-1942. It is hard to tell whether it will be 65mm in diameter like its older brother, but it will most likely be a hefty timepiece. 999 of the U-42s will be produced. The case, made of high grade titanium will boast a water resistance rating of 300 meters, which is enough to consider the watch a diver. This makes sense, as the design of the U-1942 and presumably the U-42 are based on a watch developed by Italo Fontana's grandfather for the Italian Navy.
The black and white image released by the company does not reveal much, but looking closely at the strap one can make out just enough letters to decipher the word "cordovan." This leather is extremely resilient and offers a vintage-like, smooth texture that make it unique.
The U-Boat U-42 watch, will no doubt inspire awe amongst U-Boat watch enthusiasts.
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Hamilton Khaki X-Landing - The Next Generation of Hamilton X-Watches
by Marco Gagliano on March 5, 2010
tagged as: reviews watches hamilton,
The Hamilton Khaki X-series of watches have offered an array of sporty, sizable watches with functional bezel systems and well-worked, impressive straps. The popular watch-geek destination www.timezone.com has reported a new addition to the Khaki X-watches that we should be introduced to in a few weeks by Hamilton themselves - the limited edition Khaki X-Landing.
The Hamilton Khaki X-Landing is encased in a 44mm stainless steel case that is equipped with the thick sapphire crystal and screw-locking crowns. The obvious difference between this and other X-watches is its GMT or multiple timezone function. This function is displayed by a red hand and the outer bezel, which is marked with the UTC differential (i.e -6 for Eastern Standard Time) 24 hour graduations. Also on the same bezel is the code words from the NATO phonetic alphabet that represent each letter of the English alphabet. This is the "Alfa, Bravo, Charlie" alphabet that was originally developed by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) in order to avoid misunderstanding between communicators regardless of their native language. This feature may be useful during those times where you are trying to spell out your postal code or last name over the telephone and you cannot think of any words to represent one of the letters.
Judging by the picture of the Khaki X-Landing, the other bezel functions are unclear. Within the sapphire crystal lies a system of rotating bezels controlled by an auxiliary crown at ten o'clock that will surely distinguish the X-Landing from the other models in the series. The black and metallic, multilevel dial depicts the date and chronograph functions, all of which are calculated by ETA's automatic 7754 calibre movement. The perforated leather strap is reminiscent of the classic sport straps from the sixties and seventies, which happens to be the golden age of space flight to which - judging from the name - this timepiece may allude.
The Hamilton Khaki X-Landing fortifies the strong link between Hamilton watches and the world of aviation. As with the other X-watch models, it is 44mm in diameter and it sports a system of rotating bezels that can be used to calculate values associated with specific aspects of flight. For fans of aviation and of luxury watchmaking, the X-Landing and the other X-styles combine both these worlds at fantastic prices.
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Michele Watches Limited and Special Collections
by Marco Gagliano on March 3, 2010
tagged as: news watches michele
Variety is the spice of life. Michele watches have embraced this proverb with great enthusiasm! Their watch bands - for example - draw from a palette of hundred of colours and dozens of materials. On the straps, a specialized mechanism allows the owner to swap them easily using only their fingers making it possible to vary the style of your watch as often as you change your outfit. The watches themselves are quite diverse even though each one captures the signature Michele style. For a limited time, Michele will offer an even bigger selection of glamorous and exciting watches in their limited and special collections.
These exotic pieces - offered in limited numbers and for a limited time - are mostly based on the Deco, Deco Ceramic, and Tahitian Ceramic collections and their unique characteristics range from subtle to quite conspicuous. One model that stands out more than the others is the Deco Safari Ceramic. It displays the time on an enamel, zebra-print dial that is studded with 27 full-cut diamonds. The other special versions of the Deco Ceramic offer a unique rose gold plated bezel instead of the usual, yellow gold bezel. Slight or intricate, the special edition variations of the original models guarantee exclusivity and personal flare.
Michele watches are all about individuality. The new Deco, Deco Ceramic, and Tahitian Ceramic models from the limited and special edition collection are an example of the company's innovation in style. One watch to match every personality.
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The Three Bell & Ross Square BR Instrument Watches
by Marco Gagliano on February 26, 2010
tagged as: watches bell & ross
Bell & Ross has always moved forward as a company, but it has done so in small(ish), cautious steps. This has been a key to their success and contrasts other companies like Frank Muller for instance, who's quick growth troubled them and saw thousands of their watches sold "dumped" on the grey market. The BR Instrument was an primary player in Bell & Ross' climb to fame. When it first came out it was embraced by watch lovers despite its squareness, size, and ultra-sporty, military styling. Once the watch's acceptance was evident, Bell & Ross branched into other versions of the Instrument including the smaller BR-03. Some successful experimentation with the ceramic and the BR-03 92 frame, eventually led to the creation of the BR-S ceramics. The trifecta was complete. These three different Instruments cover all the bases in terms of satisfying fans of the square Bell & Ross watches.
BR-01 - the Original Bell & Ross Instrument
When a watch is square, its increase in surface area makes the watch appear much larger then a round or tonneau watch of the same width. While there are no rules of who can wear the 46mm watch, one needs to be a fan of oversize timepepieces to love the Bell & Ross BR-01. There are many such aficionados. The BR-01 92 and 94s pushed the oversize watch style closer to being accepted as a mainstay in the timepiece landscape, but even when the BR-01s where avant-garde and new there was no lack of interested. I can remember selling quite a few to men and women. As may be expected, not only people passionate about large watches where attracted to the Instruments. The introduction of the 42mm-case BR-03s took care of them.
The original "Instrument" BR-01 92 and the 42mm BR-03 51 GMT in titanium and carbon fiber.
BR-03 - The Instrument Prince
Once the BR Instrument became a certain winner, Bell & Ross introduced its smaller brother - the BR-03. The BR-03 was received with enthusiasm by many. Contrary to the BR-01, nobody complained about its size and - for many - comparing it to the 46mm BR-01 led to the realization that they indeed liked the larger size better. The BR-03 Instruments opened the floodgates, and Bell & Ross' sporty, square timepieces became a sensation. Numerous variations of both sizes of the BR Instruments have been conceived by Bell & Ross since then. The variations of the BR-03, in line with the slightly more conservative nature of their target market, have been much more low-key and simple then the new BR-01 models. The BR-03 92 Ceramic was amongst these and - in my opinion - served to test the waters for Bell & Ross' next move for the square Instrument style - the BR-S.
The BR-03-92 Ceramic and the 38mm BR-S Ceramic White
BR-S - Smaller, Slimmer, Smarter
The Bell & Ross BR-01 and BR-03 Instruments, while easy to dress up with classy, elegant straps, gold, and diamonds, could not escape their sporty military roots. This is fine for the owners of these Bell & Ross watches, and probably the reason why they purchased their timepiece, but for those who seek more elegance the BR-S were conceived. The BR-03 Ceramic evolved into the white BR-S Ceramic and an entire collection spawned from it. At once elegant, fashionable, and true to the Instrument's imitation of aeroplane gauges, the BR-S collection is different enough to be enjoyed by fans of the original BR models and be noticed by fashion lovers that may not have otherwise be drawn to Bell & Ross watches.
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Frédérique Constant Junior - Why Wait to Give Him His First Luxury Watch
by Marco Gagliano on February 24, 2010
tagged as: reviews watches junior frederique constant
It is natural for fathers to want the best for their sons. When it comes to watches, a high-quality Swiss timepiece has often been too expensive to justify as a gift for a young man, even though many companies offer specifically suitable models. Traditionally, mid-size watches, which are smaller then the full, man sizes yet still considerably larger then woman's, have served the young market segment. But often these mid-size models are as expensive as their full-size counterparts. This probably explains why most young people's first high-end watch is handed down from their parents. If you are not quite ready to hand over your luxury watch however, Frédérique Constant revealed a new watch that targets young watch lovers and is priced accordingly to their tumultuous and dynamic lifestyles. A Frédérique Constant Junior is a good introduction to luxury watches for any young watch lover and, thanks to high quality Swiss manufacturing, will last for future generations as well.
The stainless steel case is 38mm in diameter, which is just below what you would expect from a modern watch for men. While the watch is intended for "young gentlemen 12-16 years of age," I see grown men wearing watches this size often. Other grown-up features of the Junior include a sapphire crystal and Frédérique Constant's automatic-winding FC 303 calibre movement. The movement's balance wheel and rotor are visible through a sapphire window on the back of the case. This mechanism is indeed a serious machine, based on ETA's infamous, 25-jewel 2824-2.
The style of the watch is classic and based on the sporty look of the race-oriented Healy Automatic. Photo-luminescent paint is applied to the hands and numerical hour markers. The leather strap is hand stitched and is black to match the black dial or light brown with the white dial. The style is simple and does not boast the true luxury of the watch. Thanks to its timeless style and superior quality, an FC Junior will surely be around for the next generation to enjoy.
The Frédérique Constant Junior is conceived to be an important, and meaningful gift for a young man. It can commemorate a milestone or carry a symbolic message with a personalized engraving on its case back, and high-end Swiss manufacturing assure that it will be enjoyed for many years.
Visit Frédérique Constant's Junior mini-site to design your own FC Junior. To leave comments on this and all our blog posts, visit the Matt Baily facebook fan page.
