April 2008


This is a VERY cool promotional video by Patek Philippe showing their manufacturing process, perhaps illustrating a day (or month) in the life of Patek Philippe. One of the most well done videos I have ever seen made by a company showing the process. Not to mention that a Patek is probably one of the most carefully handmade watches that you can buy. Not really my cup of tea as I prefer A Lange, AP or Breguet when it comes to visual appeal for that kind of money, but I appreciate the craftmanship and the history of the brand.

Check out the video, it is outstanding. Probably the best quality control in the industry.

One of the more Charismatic members of the Breitlingsource Forums, acceldebt, posted one of his wonderful videos on Breitling Diamond bezels, to help educate and encourage the newbie to Diamond Bezels. They are a beautiful accessory when used correctly, at least in my opinion. Some people despise them, to each his own!

Enjoy the video:

When Richard Mille first launched his collection of watches in 2001, he caused quite a stir with his unique cases and movements. Now his signature skeletonised cases and calibers with futuristic materials and style are an icon of high-end technology combined with old world horology.

The Mille-Starck watch, which is a collaboration with the designer Philippe Starck, is a one of a kind, based on the RM 005-1 Caliber movement. The timepiece was auctioned and went for a very high $343,000.

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The watch is rectangular, and measures 35mm x 53.98mm. The beautiful movement uses blasted itanium and looks amazing in the Trademark Mille-style case. The watch will never be duplicated and this example that went for sale in 2005 is the only in existence.

I don’t know if I’ll even own a Richard Mille, but his watches are amazing in their uniqueness and really quite beautiful peices of horology.

Tudor, which is a brand of Rolex, is really starting to be more progressive in their styling. Perhaps Rolex, which is notoriously slow to change, is living vicariously through it’s sub-brand Tudor. Rolex has suprised a lot of Watch collectors with the introduction of the Yachtmaster II last year and this year with the Sea-Dweller Deepsea… and now Tudor releases a watch that is quite different than anything I’ve seen from the brand… the new Tudor Iconaut. Tudor does not have any North American distributors, so the watch isn’t quite as popular out in this neck of the woods.

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A chronograph with a 24-Hour GMT Hand as well. Nice Chunky bezel in stainless steel, and a chunkier case.. with what appears to be an oyster bracelet. This new watch from Tudor is a whopping 43mm in diameter. Maybe the Rolex Daytona will get this treatment soon too!!

The new 2008 Breitling Lineup has been released at Baselworld, and here are the new looks for the year. New Super Avenger, new SuperOcean and many others.

Breitling Super Avenger Dial – No more arabics, now just stick markers. This watch is less sporty than it used to be.. not sure if I like it or dislike it, but it just doesn’t seem to suit it.
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Breitling Airwolf Dial – No more sunburst, it is now vertical stripes. Nice, but I liked the sunburst too:
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Breitling Blackbird Polished – No more brushed case for this one. It retains the faceted bracelet:
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Breitling Superocean Dial and Hands – Dial is slightly different, with hands resembling a Omega Broad Arrow:
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In addition to those four models that have changes.. Breitling has also introduced two new models: The Chrono-Matic 49 and the Breitling for Bentley GMT.

Navitimer Chrono-Matic 49:
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Breitling for Bentley GMT:
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