JAM HOME MADE Secret Mickey Watch

Japanese jewellery designers JAM HOME MADE recently partnered with Disney to release this Mickey Mouse watch. The three dials on the face each reveal the Mickey Mouse drawing that lies beneath. Available in your choice of black, gold or silver, each watch comes in a special edition black case with a golden Mickey print embossed.

source:hypebeast.com/

The $1.2 Million Manufacture Royale Opera Time-Piece Watch

 Manufacture Royale takes inspiration from Voltaire. Yes, that Voltaire - a man that at one point they refer to as the "Super Salesman." They should have just called the watch "Voltaire." That would have been better than making it look like a wrist catapult and for some reason calling it the Opera (well it does have a minute repeater complication).
It also appears that Manufacture Royale, has been influenced by the designs of fellow watch brand Louis Moinet. Both seem to be focused on the "age of enlightenment" (and limitless coffers). Another nod to fantasy is the Manufacture Royale logo. Above the "MR" letter is a curved line with the handle of a sword coming out of it. This is the sword in the stone - Excalibur from Arthurian legend. Make of this what you will. I just smile and think of the Disney cartoon. Does Merlin come with the watch? Perhaps a little Archimedes? Owls seem to be really "in" right now.







The Opera Time-Piece (how MR officially calls it) contains a brand new movement that is manually wound, has a tourbillon and a minute repeater. It was designed by the good people at Fabrique du Temps. Built of 319 parts, the movement is quite nice looking. I do enjoy the silicon escapement, and the combo of brass in various tones and finishes. Makes for a very rich look. While nicely conceived, it is not quite as unique as the watch case, but is still quite attractive. Power reserve is said to be in excess of 100 hours. Plus, the minute repeater plays the hours in A, and the minute in C sharp.




Now comes the interesting part. See how the case opens up like the bellows of an accordion? This unique design feature is made to create a resonance cage/chamber to allow for the minute repeater to sound more lively. The unfortunate reality is that the complexity of many minute repeaters is diminished by the tinny sound they make after being cased in a watch. The modern needs of a watch with water resistance (as well as the desire for precious metals that absorb sound) has made it a challenge for watch designers to come up with cases that adequately allow for minute repeater complications to sound decent. For Manufacture Royale had to convince engineers to develop this ultra complex style of articulating case. We can call it the "Beetle shell watch case."



The watch case itself is 50mm wide done in 18k rose and gray gold. It has three sapphire crystals and 60 pieces in its construction. Everything about this watch is crazy. It is weird and wonderful. Ugly and beautiful. A novelty for true collectors, only 12 of these watches will be made - making way for other future Manufacture Royal watches. I really do appreciate the audacity of the men behind this watch and brand. There is a hefty amount of silliness here. They make little attempt to hide the fact that this is one eternally ostentatious toy. The watch comes in a veneered wooden box that is said to be a reproduction of the Bastille Opera House in Paris. In case you didn't detect it yet, the French are behind this timepiece. The price you ask? Well in Manufacture Royale's own words "just like the product - exceptional." And they aren't lying.... $1,200,000. My consumer gland just had an aneurysm.




Case
Case materials and finishing:
-Folding/unfolding case in patented 18 carat gray or rose gold. 3 sapphire crystals.
-Moveable transparent back. Screws and axles in 18 carat gray or rose gold.
-Assembled and polished entirely by hand
-Individually numbered -Case dimensions 50mm in diameter -Number of components 60 -Crown 18 carat rose gold. Polished and diamond encrusted / Manufacture Royale logo hand-polished surface -Hands Hours and minutes in hand-polished 18 carat rose gold.
-Strap Hand sewn Mississippi alligator skin
-Buckle Hand-polished 18 carat rose and gray gold.
Movement
-Movement dimensions Height: 5.45 mm / Diameter: 32 mm
-Number of components 319
-Number of rubies 29
-Power reserve 108 hours
-Frequency 3Hz, 21,600 vibrations per hour
-Plates Brass with sunray brushing, polished angles
-Bridges Brass with sunray brushing, polished angles
-Entirely hand finished
-Bells/chimes Hours in A / Minutes in C sharp
-Tourbillon Escape wheel and anchors in silicon
-One rotation per minute
-Functions Hours, Minutes. Repeater (triggered by slide)
-Gears Counter gears and sound system NIHS 20-02
-Balance spring Flat
-Balance with screws





                                                                                                                                                                                      source:ablogtoread.com/

Rolex 2010 Submariner Ceramic Bezel

Rolex has officially launched its new updated Rolex Submariner. The watch undergoes a material change on the bezel and replaces the traditional aluminium material in exchange for a more robust and scratch-resistant ceramic. The use of ceramic was previously seen on gold Submariners last year and GMT bezels prior. Two colors are available in black and green with a suggested retail price of $7,400 USD and $7,800 USD respectively.

TAG Heuer Monaco Twenty Four Calibre 36 Chronograph

TAG Heuer create an inspired piece revolving around progressive design and engineering with their Monaco Twenty Four Calibre 36 Chronograph. The watch takes on cues from force induction superchargers in the automotive world with TAG Heuer’s 36 Calibre movement which signifies 36,000 vibrations per hour. Additional design elements include shock resistant features which creates a floating movement. The aesthetics of the 40.5 mm case include black titanium carbide and stripes based on Steve McQueen’s Porsche 917K from the movie “Le Mans”.










                                                                                                                                                                                        source:hypebeast.com/

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Venezuela Limted Edition Watch

Lots of "watch"attention down on South America. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and now Venezuela. I feel as though there is some entity out there that reports to the luxury watch world on when certain cultures, countries, or groups have special events - so that someone can make a limited edition watch for the occasion. In this instance, Vacheron Constantin is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Venezuela's independence. This was back in 1810 under the famous General Simon Bolivar. Vacheron Constantin indicates that it was doing business in the region starting as early back as 1835, though sales didn't start in Venezeula until about 1922.

Based on the newer Patrimony Contemporaine, the watch will be highly limited with just 19 pieces made. Ten will be in rose gold, and nine in platinum. The watch features a beautifully made in-house manually wound Calibre 1400 movement, and a very simple, minimalist dial. Special to this watch is the caseback, which includes a special engraving to honor the special anniversary for the country




                                                                                                                                                                                             source:luxist.com/

Yves Behar for Issey Miyake Vue Watch – A Closer Look

The Vue by Yves Behar for Issey Miyake watch combines the longtime innovation of the Japanese designer with the industrialism of Behar. Sleek and minimal, the watch features a round frame, solid band with a vanishing dial. To add uniqueness to this collaboration, the watch only features one numeral at a time and fades out as time passes. The duo didn’t stop there, as the watches box is made out of what appears to be sticky notes on top of each other. Available in 5 variations, ranging from a metal or leather band to a white, black or brown colorway. Further information is available here.

                                                                                                                                                                                             source:hypebeast.com/

Bell & Ross Vintage Officer Watch Collection

Finally, I have found a Bell & Ross which will work for me. The elegant “Vintage Officer” collection is it. “Bell & Ross has designed the Vintage Officer Collection as an homage to the aviators of the 1940’s, who were the first professionals to use the wristwatch as a tool on their missions… The cases measure 41mm and are water resistant to 100 meters. The crystal is a domed sapphire with AR-coating.Dials are available in black or silver, with numerals, index and hands covered in SuperLuminova coating. Numerals and index have polished appliqués.”
A few more looks at the Bell & Ross Vintage Officer Collection of watches after the click.

                                                                                                                                                                                            photos:selectism.com/

Zac Efron Wears Cartier Calibre Watch

Actor Zac Efron was recently spotted wearing Cartier's newer Calibre men's watch while at the 2010 Deauville American Film Festival. New for 2010, the Calibre is an impressive, large design that melds sports and sophistication rather well - being a larger watch. Connoisseurs appreciate that it contains an in-house Cartier made movement. I first wrote about the Cartier Calibre watches here. Here is is wearing a steel Calibre watch with a black colored dial and an alligator strap. What exactly is he praying for though?



                                                                                                                                                                                       source:luxist.com/