Alfa Romeo Tribute…

Florence, Italy-based watch designer Giuliano Mazzuoli has unveiled his Contagiri 8C Competizione watch.   Mazzuoli’s Contagiri collection — “Contagiri” means tachometer when translated from Italian – is a tribute to the world of motor racing with two out its four versions dedicated to Alfa Romeo.  8C Competizione is a specific model made by Alfa Romeo, and the dial of the watch closely resembles the dashboard instruments of this automobile, as you can see below.

Giuliano Mazzuoli Contagiri 8C Competizione Watch

44mm stainless steel+black DLC, automatic mechanical movement, black rubber strap with matching metal buckle, limited edition of 500

The central hour hand on the watch does not make a full rotation, instead after sweeping from 1-to-12 it jumps retrograde (backwards) 270° back to hour #1.  The watch does not use a crown to wind the watch or to set the time, instead relying upon a lever similar to a “gear shift” through which the functions usually done through the crown are operated.  Note also a triangular aperture at the 6 o’clock position (now showing four-leaf clover) which marks the position of the gear with number “1″ indicating the position to wind the watch, and number “2″ indicating the position to set the time.

Alfa Romeo Contagiri 8C Competizione Sportscar

sells for ~$200,000

Learn more at http://www.giulianomazzuoli.com

“…I am spotting for rare, unique and beautiful watches….”

If you are a die-hard watch fan, then you know all about “watch spotting”.  I am yet to hang out with a watch guy who does not also confess to checking out the wrists of his fellow co-workers or countrymen in the office, on the sidewalk, at the stoplight, etc. etc.  Often watch spotting is done discreetly — but not always, as you will see in a moment.  It is likewise fun finding oneself on the receiving end of a watch spotting (i.e. you are asked “Hey, what’s that on your wrist?”).

This leads me to my focus today, which is an exceptional collection of wrist shot photos taken by a gent who was recently vacationing in the Cote d’Azur (aka the French Riviera aka Nice/Cannes/Monaco/etc.).  Cote d’Azur truly is a “lifestyles of the rich and famous” scene — from the huge yachts to the Ferraris and Lambos right down to the Audemars Piguet and Patek’s on the wrists, it’s pretty much full of people with off-the-charts wealth.

The fellow who runs “How’s Hamp” (cool blog, btw) did an excellent job of photographing and documenting his watch spottings for people to enjoy.   His album mostly includes “Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille and Patek Philippe watches but a few Rolex and Panerai’s are featured too.”   I have no doubt that you will enjoy the photos.  Click through here to see “How’s Hamp:  Watch Spotting in Cote d’Azur.”

Also while we are on the topic, I want to also quickly mention that the enjoyment of seeing “who’s wearing what” is what led me to create “Wrist Shot”- the first Facebook App for watch owners, collectors & enthusiasts.  The app was launched earlier this summer but is still in development phase (we are working on the enhanced version now).  You can read more about Wrist Shot HERE or check it out on Facebook HERE.

Finally, let me give a special thanks to the man himself (Hampus) for the head’s up — now go check out his “Watch Spotting in Cote d’Azur!!!

Like it…

Here’s a new and neat single-hand watch from a little-known German watch brand MeisterSinger.  Launched in 2002, MeisterSinger is a brand known for its single-hand watches that I liken to a more “relaxed” way of telling time.  So what’s up with the single-hand design?  Not much, really, but if you need help read on and I’ll tell you how to tell time.  This particular model is a special edition watch featuing a 43mm black PVD case and a bronze hand with matching bronze-color dial decoration.   Like other MeisterSinger watches, I’m pretty sure the movment is an ETA 2824-2 Swiss-made automatic but I need to confirm this.  Price is about $1,900 (1450 EUR), but distribution is limited so if you want to get one here in the United States you’ll probably need to drop an email to order-information@meistersinger.net.

MeisterSinger No. 3 Special Edition

Bronze Time Hand / 43mm Black PVD Case

Telling Time

The twelve-hour dial is divided by 144 markers. Each marker represents 5 minutes.  The 15-minute, 30-minute and the hour marker are increasingly bolder and in combination with the distinctive pointed hand make it easy to read the time.  It is 15 past 10 on the watch shown:

MeisterSinger Chief Designer Manfred Brassler appropriately reminds us that “timekeeping began with a single hand – sundials, the first church steeple clocks, the old Breguet subscription watches. For the people in the late 17th century, a second hand must have seemed as strange as a single one is to us now.”

Thus while this minimalistic method of telling time might seem unconventional by today’s standarsd, I think it should suit the modern luxury watch wearer and his iPhone 4 just fine!

The Allure and Intrigue of Amorphous Metals…

Let’s take a closer look at Liquidmetal Technologies (“Liquidmetal”), a company that has been getting a lot of attention this week, most recently by our friends over @Hodinkee.  You may think this is somewhat off topic but I promise you that if you read on you will see that I have quite nicely tied this story into the world of luxury watches

Liquidmetal Technologies is the only bulk producer of what are known as “amorphous alloys” i.e. liquidmetal.  Readers of this blog will recognize “liquidmetal” for its use in the special edition Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal, the watch which this blog was the first to discover and report on back in October 2, 2009.  I later reviewed the watch on June 8, 2010.

What you may not know is that Liquidmetal Technologies is actually a publicly traded company which trades on the pink sheets (LQMT.PK) aka a penny stock.  By many measures the company has not performed well in the last year or so – its sales for 2009 were approximately $14.7 million, down from $22.7 million in 2008.  2009 net income was a paltry $0.3 million, though an improvement from an $8.3 million loss in 2008.

I wonder if the company’s financial performance has anything to do with its obviously short-sighted and ill-fated attempt to market its technology for use in what would surely be insanely over-priced flash drives.  To see what I mean, check out this video, which by the way reminds me of TAG Heuer’s laughable attempt at sellling its own 8gb flash drives for $360 a pop!

Liquidmetal Flashdrive Video

But wait a minute, wait a minute—-WHAAAT?  Did you catch some of those luxury brand logos in the video?

Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Piaget Liquidmetal Flash Drives — WTF?!?!?

OK that is just weird, isn’t it?

Let’s get back to my discussion about recent events involving Liquidmetal –

The company’s stock had long traded for less than a quarter per share until August 6, 2010 — the day after the company licensed its liquidmetal patents (on an exclusive basis for the field of consumer electronic products) to none other than Apple .  However — interestingly and perhaps questionably — the company did not issue a press release announcing the deal with Apple.  It was not until August 9, 2010 that Liquidmetal’s agreement with Apple was formally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission via Form 8-K and the story was picked up by leading tech blogs CrunchGear, Engadget, and Gizmodo.  But the word was obviously out on August 6, as evidenced by the stock action:

So why all the hype about Liquidmetal? Well, it turns out the company does have some pretty cool technology:

Liquidmetal vs. Titanium vs. Steel Demonstration Video

The thing is, though, I wouldn’t get too excited about seeing liquidmetal used broadly anytime soon.  Why?  It’s expensive.  As much as $1,500 an ounce expensive.  This is because of some of the exotic raw materials such as beryllium and platinum that are used in some of the Liquidmetal alloys.

The high cost is also why Omega has indicated that it does not plan to use liquidmetal on a broad basis, either.

This said, I would not doubt the genius of Apple to figure out a way to mainstream the technology.  It is also interesting to me that this technology found its way into the world of luxury watchmaking, thus giving me a reason to write about it!

Singapore Grand Prix…

Just got word of a couple cool new Linde Werdelin watches.  These special edition 3-Timer Racing series are based on LW’s 3-Timer GMT watch and will be sold at haute horlgerie retailer E’collezione in Singapore as well as at LindeWerdelin.com.  Price is SGD10,800 at E’collezione and €5,280 on the website.  Limited to just 9 in each color and offered in one of the most avid watch collecting markets in the world (Singapore), I don’t think these will last long so LW fans you better get on it!

It is no coincidence that these racing-inspired models come just in time for the always popular Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, Formula 1′s famous night race which will take place September 24-26, 2010.    More broadly, I’m excited about these watches because my guess is that this will be just the first of several new “Racing Series” watches we see from Linde Werdelin…stay tuned!

Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Singapore Racing Series

46mm x 49mm x 12mm case, ETA 2893 – A2 mechanical automatic movement, 24 hour bidirectional turning bezel, model name “Racing” engraved on caseback

Close Up

Be sure to check out my other coverage of the always exciting Linde Werdlin brand here.

Big flyer…

In what is the last of several new special edition watches from IWC for 2010, here’s a first look at the new IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar, a “boutique exclusive” watch that will be available this fall.   It is a loud and proud pilot watch, and I like the yellow-orange color scheme on the dial (and the strap).  As for other aspects of the watch, well, as I have said many times I am not a fan of cut-off numerals on watch dials, and this watch has many of them.  Also, I am not at all pleased with IWC’s laziness with the “generic” limited edition numbering on these pieces – each piece will be engraved “ONE of 250″ (rather than “1 of 250″ “2 of 250″ etc.).  I had the same complaint with the IWC Big Blue Pilot Watch and I hope this does not become common practice for all of IWC’s limited editions.  They should know better than to cut corners like this.

So all in all, I guess this watch is not for me, but what about you?  Drop a comment below.

Yellow IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar (Boutique Exclusive)

46mm stainless steel case, black alligator strap w/matching deployment buckle

Limited to 250 globally.  Price: $28,000

Close Up

By the way, if you missed my previous posts on the aforementioned IWC special edition watches for 2010, be sure to check out the Red Gold Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Double Moonphase, the Big Blue Pilot Watch, the IWC Zidane Ingenieur and the IWC Cousteau Aquatimer Chronograph.

What the Fu…

Behold the new limited edition Panerai Luminor Marina  福 (“Fu”) – aka PAM 366.  I gotta say right up front that I am lukewarm on this watch and I find it to be a questionable choice by Panerai for a limited edition piece.  The reason for this watch seems to be that, after five successful years in the market, Panerai wants to show that it respects and understands the Chinese culture.  Or something like that.  I fail to see the connection, but it is entirely possible that I in fact do not understand the Chinese culture like Panerai does.

Further adding to the oddity of the release is its price and its production.  1,500 pieces will be made — a pretty good size run for a LE – and priced at 29,900 Renminbi, or about $4,400.  In other words, relatively high production / relatively low price.  What?!?

To me, this watch unfortunately comes off as an over-eager kowtow to China.

Panerai Luminor Marina “Fu” China

44mm polished stainless steel case, movement is the COSC-certified OP II calibre (hand-wound)

Chinese character “Fu” at 6 o’clock

The watch is to be launched in mid-August at Officine Panerai boutiques in Shanghai and Beijing as well as selected network of authorized China dealers and will eventually be available in all Panerai boutiques in Greater China.

The Fu according to Panerai

The concept of the time-honored Chinese character Fu (good fortune or happiness) is explained in ancient Chinese writings in five aspects: longevity, prosperity, health, virtue and a well-ended life. People in China have been posting decorations of Fu (usually written on red paper) on their door fronts since the time of Southern Sung Dynasty. To others, the character speaks of ones best wishes; to oneself, it is an expression of the pursuit of happiness. Numerous set phrases with positive meanings consist of which and they signify the Chinese peoples aspiration after good lives. As time goes by, the meaning of Fu is further extended and expanded; yet, the posting tradition persists as the term never ceases to implicate being blessed and protected and having good fortune. Officine Panerai has therefore infused the character into the dial to create a perfect fusion of Chinese tradition elements and Italian classic design. It is also the wish of the brand that every wearer will receive this valuable blessing and be grateful.

Yawn?

Like the Zenith Elite Ultra Thin 681 that I showed you back in March, these new Zenith “Captain” watches are the latest offering in Zenith’s Elite collection.   As you can see the watches are, well, plain.  The $3,000-$4,000 price tag is not out of line for a watch with an in-house movement (as is the case here), but I’m just not feeling the love for this watch at such a price.  Perhaps there is a subtle sophistication that I am missing.  Or not.  Feel free to weigh-in with a comment.

Zenith Elite Captain Central Seconds

40mm case (stainless steel or rose gold), sapphire display back, water resistance 50 meters, automatic Zenith caliber Elite 670.

If I were going to buy a Zenith, I’d much prefer something like the Zenith El-Primero Striking 1/10 Chronograph. Granted, the Striking 1/10 is at least 2x-3x the price of the Elite Captain, but I find it many times more interesting than the watch shown here.

A Winning Combination…

What a nice surprise today from Geneva-based Frederique Constant — a partnership with renowned cigar maker Cohiba for a limited edition watch and humidor!  Right now I can think of few things better than putting on the limited edition Frederique Constant watch you see below and smoking that Cohiba!

This watch is truly one of the first Frederique Constant watches I find myself being excited about.  For some reason it is hard to put my finger on, I often find that the brand’s watches — though nicely designed and appropriately priced — lack the sort of character or vibrancy that make me want to go out and buy one.  But not this time — the watch has a distinctive and very classy look to it that I really like.  And of course it comes on a “tobacco-brown” strap:

My only quibble is that the numeral “XI” (11) that is cut-off by the Frederique Constant logo looks a bit awkward — I might have preferred if the logo placement were just a few millimeters higher thus avoiding the intersection with the numeral.  Also, I think the I would prefer to have seen the partnership more discreetly memorialized with a “Cohiba” engraving on the caseback rather than the logo on the dial.  But overall, I think the watch looks pretty good.

Available exclusively in the U.S., the watch will be presented in a beautiful box that doubles as a humidor.  I don’t think the cigars are included, but that is a problem that can be quickly remedied by your local tobacconist.  How cool it must be to have a fresh tobacco smell imparted upon your watch every time you take it out of the humidor/case!

Production will be limited edition to just 188 numbered pieces in steel and 188 pieces in rose gold plated.  No word yet on price.

** Update** These limited edition sets (watch + humidor) are phenomenally priced at $1,750 for the Rose Gold Plated version (FC-325CW4C24) and $1,650 for the steel version.

Frederique Constant and Cohiba will be launching these exclusive timepieces during a dedicated event on September 22^nd, 2010 at Club Macanudo in New York City.

Baume & Mercier Intros a High-End Watch Line…

The William Baume collection is Baume & Mercier’s new and very respectable effort at offering a high-end “haute horlogerie” collection in addition to its regular entry- and mid-level luxury watches.   The lineup will include limited edition models with high end functions & design such as “ultra-thin”, “retrograde seconds”, and “jumping hours”.   The watch I want to show you today is the Jumping Hours.

The William Baume Jumping Hour displays  minutes and seconds on the two  subdials, while the “jumping hour” window is positioned at 12 o’clock (see below).   Available in two color schemes (silver or black on a rose gold case), these watch dials are nicely adorned with a crossweave guilloché motif and sunburst satin-brushed finish on the subdials.  Price is $19,900 per piece.  Limited to 40 in each color.  Available September 2010.

William Baume Jumping Hour (Ref M0A08857)

41mm red gold case (9.6mm thick), Dubois Depraz 14400 movement

The modestly-decorated automatic mechanical movement is featured through a sapphire crystal case-back:

And here’s a closer look at the black-dialed version.  Note that the time is showing approximately 8:09.  The way that a jumping hour watch works is that with the turning of each our, the hour numeral will jump ahead to the appropriate hour (as opposed to the gradual sweep of a hand if it were a normal watch).

Did You Know?

William Baume Collection – A tribute to 180 years of Baume & Mercier

It was in 1830 that the “Frères Baume” watch comptoir horloger (watch dealership) was founded in Les Bois, a village in the Swiss Jura region. In 1918, the firm was renamed Baume & Mercier and relocated to Geneva, under the leadership of William Baume, representing the third generation of one of the most important watchmaking Houses of the era.

Right from the time of its founding, the Baume brand distinguished itself by the excellence and innovation of its timepieces. It won six gold medals in the World Fairs of Paris, London, Philadelphia and Geneva with its complication watches – tourbillons, minute repeaters, perpetual calendars – along with a number of prizes in the timing competitions held by the Kew Teddington Observatory near London, the most renowned of the period. It was there that in 1892, a keyless chronometer with tourbillon escapement by Baume won the absolute precision record that was to remain unequaled for ten years. Such is the rich watchmaking history that the William Baume Collection now celebrates by offering a contemporary expression of the haute horlogerie models that are an integral part of the Baume & Mercier heritage.

William A. Baume (1885-1956)

William Baume shaped the modern destiny of the Baume & Mercier brand by resolutely leading the “Frères Baume” company, founded in 1830 by his grandfather Louis Victor Baume and his great-uncle Célestin Baume, into the 20^th century.

An exceptionally talented watchmaker brimming with innovative ideas in the early 20^th century, William Baume joined forces in 1918 with Paul Mercier to create the Baume & Mercier brand in Geneva. The new company brilliantly combined traditional and contemporary watchmaking, drawing inspiration from the latest technical and aesthetic trends that it interpreted in complete harmony with the rules of watchmaking craftsmanship.

Loyal to his forefathers’ determination to “create only watches of the highest quality”, William Baume perpetuated their expertise with passion and innovation, while giving a new dimension to their horological heritage through the contribution of Paul Mercier. The latter, a cosmopolitan aesthete and an astute businessman, admirably complemented William Baume’s watchmaking know-how. At the heart of the 1920s, a period of dramatic change characterized by major technical breakthroughs and unprecedented creative effervescence, William Baume and Paul Mercier defined a brand philosophy that is as modern as ever: mastering watchmaking and placing it the service of timeless design and elegance.

Collection – A Tribute to 180 Years Inbox X Reply | Rachel.Leung@baume-et-mercier.com show details Jul 30 (4 days ago) Dear Friend and Member of the Media, I’m very excited to let you know that the online multimedia press kit William Baume Collection – A tribute to 180 years of Baume & Mercier is available for your viewing at www.baume-et-mercier.com/WilliamBaume This site will tell you more about our newly launched 40-piece William Baume Jumping Hour limited editions (retail value $19,900), as well as the story behind the William Baume Collection. In the online Press Lounge (http://press-lounge.baume-et-mercier.com/user), you can download this press kit, as well as pictures of the watches and all the texts in word doc format. Unfortunately, due to the fact that these watches are all limited editions and in such small quantities, we do not have an prototypes or samples available for photoshootings. Should you require any additional information, please contact me. Thank you. Best regards, Rachel Leung Director of Marketing & Communications BAUME & MERCIER Branch of Richemont International NA 645 Fifth Ave, 6th floor New York, NY 10022 Tel direct : (212) 909-4346 Cell phone: (203) 513-1788 Fax : (212) 755-3138 http://www.baume-et-mercier.com 2 attachments — Download all attachments View all images William-Baume-collection-watch-8857-men-red-gold-XL-jumping-hours-catalog-2010.jpg 697K   View Download William-Baume-collection-watch-8858-men-red-gold-XL-jumping-hours-catalog-2010.jpg 679K   View Download Reply Forward