Archive for August, 2009
Two Piaget Watches for the Price of One?
Piaget is introducing a new luxury watch called the Piaget Limelight Twice. The word “twice” is used because the watch features an asymmetrical two face design that allows each face to display a different time zone. The Limelight is all around, a brand new creation; as it also features a hidden time-setting push-button function, a new case, and a new bracelet concept. Priced at $58,000 some say that for all that you get, it’s worth the price.
There are three styles of this new watch: two come with a black satin strap, while the crème de la crème version comes in a white gold and diamond chain (six all interconnected) bracelet. This Haute Joaillerie model has a total of 680 brilliant cut diamonds. The watch case is crafted from 18k white gold and has a hidden time adjuster that allows for the watch to be set to two different time zones. The dials are all off-centered and honestly, not that easy to read, but definitely pretty to look at. The two faces of the Piaget Limelight Twice give it a daytime and nighttime side, a sort of reversible watch so to speak.
The Limelight Twice was made to be worn by those women who like to be in the limelight – take center stage – and be checked out. Known for making blinged out women’s watches, Piaget is hoping to market this new ultra-deluxe watch to those who can afford the price tag and who like to be seen. Take Victoria Beckham for example, she likes to make a strong fashion statement, is frequently in the limelight, and has been snapped wearing Piaget watches before.
Panerai Watches, Now More Available
For die-hard watch collectors, known as “Paneristi”, Panerai watches have always been some of the most sought after and most difficult to acquire. For years, these watches were simply not very available in the U.S. Their pricey price tags also put them in a category of their own.
Fans of Panerai watches include former President Bill Clinton and actor / director Sylvester Stallone, who is such a fan that the company made a watch for him called the “Slytech”.
Panerai’s allure is that what they produce is perfection and perfection doesn’t come in mass quantities. There are only five styles of Panerai watches to choose from: Luminor, Luminor 1950, Luminor Base, Luminor Marina, and Radiomir. A partnership with Ferrari has also resulted in a few very unique watches that feature the Ferrari horse logo on the watch face.
However, recently the Italian watch company whose timepieces are now produced in Switzerland, has come out with an automatic mechanical P.9001 calibre, with three day power reserve, that uses an in-house movement for a more affordable price (in the eyes of Panerai) of $9,800. This new watch, with its Luminor 1950 case, comes in two models: The all stainless steel GMT Automatic retains Panerai’s most significant look: the 44mm case and with its clean lines and minimalist look, it very chic and handsome. The other version of this GMT (which allows you to set the watch to two different time zones) comes with a brown alligator band. Both are water resistant up to 300 meters.
Any way you look at it, it’s good news; Panerai watches are now more available for any one who wants to add to a personal luxury watch collection or start one.
Limited Edition Tissot Watches
Founded by a father and son team in 1853, Tissot introduced the first mass-produced pocket watch during that same year. Tissot has steadily maintained their reputation as one of the most leading-edge watchmakers in the world, being the first company to make watches out of plastic, wood, rock and mother-of-pearl.
Tissot is always on the leading edge of technology and innovation. From sporty watches like the popular T-Touch collection to more elegant timepieces like the men’s Quadrato Chronograph and the racy PRC 100 Dainca Patrick Limited Edition watches, Tissot is always on point.
2009 is proving to be a good year for Tissot. They have launched a series of hot, new ads featuring brand spokeswoman Danica Patrick, a new Sea T-Touch watch and upgrading already successful designs. Take the recently released Limited Edition Heritage 2009 designs for example.
There are two versions within this new Heritage edition: an 18K rose gold model of which only 333 watches were produced and a stainless steel model of which 3,333 pieces were manufactured.
These new Limited Edition Heritage watches take their inspiration from the 1940’s. They are classically designed and matched with a brown crocodile strap; both versions are rich in elegance, especially the rose gold one. A 38mm face, set on a black dial, shows intricate gold markings; the even numbers are boldly marked.
Both versions are chronometers and were tested over many days, in many positions and within varying temperatures to make sure they can withstand the standards of quality that Tissot watches promise.
With these new Limited Edition Heritage watches, Tissot’s motto of “innovators by tradition” has added two more collectible timepieces to the world of luxury watches.
Luxury Watches: The Inteligent Choice
Luxury watches have been around for nearly two centuries. The concept of keeping time on one’s wrist was something revolutionary during the 1800s. Before the wrist-watch, the most common time-keeping instrument was a pocket watch. Pocket watches eventually became obsolete as the wrist watch was far more convenient and harder to misplace.
Some of the first luxury watch brands to emerge during the 1800s include TAG Heuer, Omega and Audemars Piguet. The term luxury watch refers to the quality with which the timepiece is hand crafted and the rare materials that are used in the manufacturing phase. By these standards, all watches during the 19th century were “luxury” time pieces.
With the lack of mass production and industrialization there were no cheap knock off watches to purchase. All time-keeping instruments were made by skilled watch makers, who made a life out of crafting small pieces of metal into time-keeping art. Today, the facility with which lower grade quartz watches can be mass produced has given a greater sense of distinction to watches that are made in the traditional manner.
All watches were originally mechanical. The employment of battery and quartz watches did not occur until the 20th century. Mechanical watches function by winding the crown of the watch, which in turn makes the movement unwind and keep time. The development of automatic watches was a great advancement. Automatic watches function brilliantly by having a pendulum inside the movement. The pendulum moves as your wrist does. When it moves it constantly winds itself, a feature that provides self-efficiency. Watches that are made in this manner are more practical, of better quality, more precise and much classier.
Luxury watches today are made the same way they were originally hand crafted more than 200 years ago. Switzerland is the country of origin for most high-end watch manufacturers. The art of watch making finds its roots in this country as well.
Most mass produced wrist-watches are such low-grade quality that they generally don’t last more than a year. Besides being low in quality, they do not keep time with precision. They will most likely lose 1-2 minutes a month, or up to 5 minutes if the watch is exceptionally defective. Besides all these inconveniences, batteries for cheap watches have to be changed at least once a year. Given all these characteristics, it is far more intelligent to purchase a quality time-piece that will last longer, yield a return if purchased as an investment and look like a piece of art on your hand.
Bvlgari Serpenti Watch Collection
Feel the roar of the wild in the new luxury watch collection by Bvlgari. The Serpenti watches are sleek, bangle-like pieces that reflect the fine, elegant design roots of old-school Bvlgari. This collection is for women, as the delicate bracelet is meant to wrap and coil itself around her wrist like a snake.
The Serpenti watches come with diamonds, pink coral, jade, and onyx. The watch bracelet is created in 18k white and rose gold. The watch face, which has that diamond shape like a snake’s head, sits at the end of the bracelet. The Serpenti watch collection is more jewelry like than timepiece, in that the focus of the piece is the bracelet and not so much like actual watch face.
The style is a throwback to the 1980’s when decadence was in and Bvlgari was first making a name for itself when everyone was buying, buying, buying luxury goods without a thought as to the cost.
These Serpenti watches accompany a jewelry collection as well and should be available soon.
Another famous jewelry / watch brand to create a collection around a wild animal is Cartier and the Panthere collection. Although this collection includes watches, the watches do not reflect the animal instinct like the rings, which have become the most recognizable piece of the entire collection. Rings that feature a panther’s head, encrusted in diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones have been spotted on many a famous finger. Bracelets that coil around the wrist and feature a panther’s head have been seen on many celebrity wrists and the necklaces and earrings to a lesser degree.
The Cartier Panthere watch collection is available for men and women in gold and stainless steel and two tone versions and feature the classic Cartier Roman numeral markers. Diamonds around the bezel are also available.
Time to Go: Send Them Off with a Watch
Eighteen years at home and your kid is about to leave for his first day of college. You’re either rejoicing your new found freedom and independence again or weeping at the thought that you’re baby is all grown up. Like any parent, you’re probably a mixture of both feelings.
Either way, if you’re looking for the perfect “send off” gift, get him or her a cool, designer watch. A good, solid watch will come in handy in many ways. First of all, every time they look at it, they’ll think of you! Second, they won’t have an excuse to be late to class. Third, watches last a lifetime; it’s the gift that won’t ever stop giving; it can one day be something that your son or daughter will be able to pass on to their own children. And fourth, (again, back to you), your baby will think you’re super cool if you get them a watch that they’ll feel cool wearing.
Whether it’s a top notch watch like Bvlgari, Cartier, Baume & Mercier, or something less expensive (Gucci watches are priced well), like a Tissot, Omega or Movado watch.
A great, fun watch for young women is anything and everything by Michele watches. For young men, try a sporty watch, like a T-Touch by Tissot or a Raymond Weil.
Whatever you choose, remember these two things when weighing your options. #1: don’t pay retail and #2: don’t buy a replica.
Oh and lastly, don’t go with some cheese ball watch from a celebrity’s line. Why people like Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton even bother to design watches they think people will buy is beyond me, but I can tell you, that it’s definitely not cool for your college-bound baby to sport something designed for teenagers.
Omega Shines with Phelps and Rosolino
After much drama and analysis over bathing suits and world records, Michael Phelps, Ambassador for Omega watches, won against Serbian Milorad Cavic, who had become quite the rival. Phelps not only beat Cavic but became the first swimmer ever to break 50 seconds in 100 meter butterfly. The Serbian swimmer had earlier this month, also broken the 50 second mark, but Phelps swam faster at the Foro Italico race with a time of 49.82 seconds.
The reason this race and rivalry has received so much attention is two-fold. Since last year’s Beijing Olympics in this same 100 meter event, Cavic, who lost to Phelps by one-hundredth of a second, has maintained that the Omega timing systems were faulty and that he actually touched first and should have won the gold medal. Then came the recent insults about bathing suits, with Cavic offering to get Phelps one of the supposedly faster polyurethane suits, like the Arena-X Glide that he wears. But it seems that Phelps in his American-made Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit did just fine indeed.
After the race, the two rivals finally shook hands and Cavic did say one thing to Phelps: “You’re the man.”
Another amazing swimmer to join the Omega team is 30 year-old Italian Massimiliano Rosolino, becoming the company’s newest spokesperson.
Omega signed Rosolino at the perfect time, since he will undoubtedly be one of the main stars at the next World Championships in Rome 2009. Omega will also be the official timekeeper of these games. Rosolino, who hails from Naples, always wears the Omega Seamaster that has his name inscribed on the back and which was given to him as a gift after his 2000 victory in Sydney. Rosolino has said that he loves Omega watches because “they express the good taste of those who wear them.”