Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control

images: jaeger-lecoultre.com

Classical purity is difficult to achieve. Swiss Luxury watch manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master Control succeeds on every level. The glowing Rose Gold 40mm case with the elegant Brown alligator band with a folding Rose gold buckle harmoniously reflect the identity of Jaeger-LeCoultre. Beautiful details include the sunray-brushed silver face with gilt numerals, hands and hour-markers. The modern spear shaped hands subtly mirror the shape of the hour markers. The larger case combined with a wide bezel and strong lugs add to the modern spirit of this otherwise traditional watch. The exhibition sapphire crystal case back reveals an in-house JL Caliber 956 automatic movement featuring a 22K oscillating weight segment. Totally modern ceramic ball bearings further enhance the reliability of this beautiful time piece. Also available in stainless steel.

Retail is $13,350 USD. Read more here.

Bottega Veneta and Girard Perregaux BVX

image: nytimes.com

In December 2010, Bottega Veneta will release its very first Luxury watch produced by Swiss watch creator Girard Perregaux. The BVX will features a sexy curved dark brushed titanium case, with a signature Bottega Veneta Brown face and Brown crocodile strap. The exhibition case back will showcase the 18K rose gold automatic movement produced expressly by Girard Perregaux for Bottega Veneta.

Available at Bottega Veneta boutiques. $14,600 USD.

Gerald Genta: The Luxury Sport Watch

Gerald Genta designed four of the most iconic Swiss Luxury Sport Watches of the 1970s. They represent some of the greatest achievements in watch design to date and are still considered to be the Ultimate Luxury for men and women around the world. Many of them have been updated with slightly larger cases, while remaining true to the original Genta designs.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus is considered by many watch enthusiasts to be the ultimate sport watch from the most prestigious Swiss watch company in the world. It has remained true to its original design, but is now larger. Until the recession, a several year wait list could almost be guaranteed and the Nautilus is never discounted like most Pateks.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has spawned countless imitations, including my gold plate and steel 7th grade graduation watch from the local mall discounter, before I ever knew the original. The trademark three plane octagonal bezel with exposed white gold hexagonal screw heads is one of the most identifiable in watch history and wisely, AP never changed this design.

The IWC Ingenieur had an obvious update from its original design, where the asymmetrical porthole design was centered and the bracelet was given a more squared off interpretation. I actually prefer the update's symmetry and chiseled bracelet.

The Vacheron Constantin 222 morphed into the Overseas where it was given a more aggressive bezel and bracelet reflecting the Maltese Cross, the hallmark of the brand. This design departs from the original much more than the IWC Ingenieur.

Patek Philippe Nautilus
image: patekphilippe.com

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
image: audemarspiguet.com

IWC Ingenieur Original 1970s version
image: timezone.com


IWC Ingenieur

image: iwc.com

image: artoftime.com

Vacheron Constantin 222
image: fratellowatches.com




Vacheron Constantin Overseas
image: vacheronconstantin.com

The Black Out Rolex

Black Out Rolex GMT Master II

Black Out Rolex Milgauss
images: projectx.com

First of all, the Black Out Rolex is not made by Rolex. The only way to get one is through an after-market customization process. The finest company offering this service is London based Project X Designs. A new Rolex will be coated with Black DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) for the ultimate customized stealth wealth.

Taking things even further, Project X Designs offers more than a dozen custom options, including a sapphire crystal case back and custom enamel color options for the hands, sub-dials and bezel and will even consider custom work on your own personal timepiece.

In the words of founder Daniel Bourn: "(for those)who seek the individuality that contemporary high volume production does not offer."

Will you join Daniel Craig and Kanye West as a client of Project X Designs?

Read more here.

The Gold Rolex: Day-Date or Daytona?

Philip Crangi wearing a Rolex Day-Date
image: gq.com

Rolex Day-Date
image: jomashop.com

Rolex Daytona
image: rolex.com

For quite some time I have been obsessed with the idea of a Gold Rolex. The only problem: which one? I have narrowed down my options to a Daytona or a Day-Date (often referred to as the President due to President Eisenhower's association with the brand).

The Daytona has a more casual vibe, whereas the Day-Date is more formal. Another distinct difference: the Daytona sports a 40mm case, while the Day-Date features a 36mm case. Both Marc Jacobs and Elizabeth Hurley have been spotted wearing a Rolex Day-Date in 18K gold, while Elle Macpherson and Andy Roddick proudly don an 18K Rolex Daytona. Of course, Victoria Beckham has both.

Jewelry designer Philip Crangi on gq.com:

"Nothing looks better on a tanned, tattooed wrist than a big gold watch. So I've decided I absolutely can't live without a Rolex Day-Date 'President' in eighteen-karat gold with a black face."

more here.

What say you? Discreet Dressy or Splashy Sporty?

Hermés Cape Cod TGM

image: hermes.com

The largest style in the Cape Cod family (47mm x 33mm, including lugs), this watch makes a bold, yet timeless (no pun intended) statement. I like this on the classic Barenia (saddle leather) strap in Natural or Black, but I would love it on a Graphite Crocodile double tour strap (available by Special Order only).

$2400 USD. Available here.

IWC Portuguese Chronograph

IWC Portuguese Chronograph in Stainless Steel with Alligator Strap
image: iwc.com

The International Watch Company, a rare American founded Swiss Watch company based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland was approached by two Portuguese businessmen in 1938 to produce an over sized wrist watch based on the accuracy and styling of a pocket watch. Reintroduced in 1993, they are among the most recognized watches produced by IWC.

Reducing the chronograph to its most essential form, the IWC Portuguese Chronograph is pure elegant simplicity. The unique thin bezel, symmetrical dial with raised Arabic numerals, tapering swallow style hands, and recessed subdials for the minutes and seconds counters add up to the perfectly proportioned timepiece. The scratch resistant sapphire crystal, self winding mechanism and water resistance make the Portuguese Chronograph an everyday Luxury.

IWC website here.