The Breitling Watch Blog

Wow – this is a hell of a looker. The Blacksand Uniformity. Having searched all over the net with little to no information on this brand, I have to assume they are new as there is a domain registered to www.blacksandgeneve.com but no website currently there.

Beautiful DLC coated movement, dubbed the Black Sand Caliber 1970, is fantastic in appearance and features double barrels giving it 5 day power reserve! I’m pretty excited to see some more stuff coming out from these guys, including more information on the company.

BLACKSAND – Uniformity

A striking emblem of a watchmaking trend firmly geared towards authenticity, Uniformity takes up the challenge of marrying sophisticated aesthetic references with a superb expression of the noblest watchmaking arts. Its easily identifiable design is asserted through the distinctive structure of a strongly curved case housing a finely crafted movement. This COSC- and Chronofiable-certified automatic movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a five-day power reserve. The hands and hour-markers light up the dark background of a shimmering opaline blue dial, ensuring maximum readability and aesthetic magic. With this model, Blacksand is preparing the way for a new watchmaking style that is “conjugated” in both modern present and classic future tenses.

Movement
Automatic, Blacksand Calibre 1970, 13¼ lignes, 35 jewels, twin barrels

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds and date

Case
Grade 5 titanium, tantalum, 5N pink gold or ceramics, 46 mm
Sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment, front and back
Water-resistant to 100 m

Cadran
Two-dimensional, opaline mainplate and vertical satin-brushed upper plate
Hour-markers, vacuum-moulded Arabic numerals and satin-brushed hands coated with blue-emission white Superluminova
Date window at 6 o’clock

Wristband
Interchangeable. Tech rubber or alligator leather strap with triple-blade folding clasp in grade 5 titanium or 5N pink gold, ceramic pushers

With SIHH 2011 coming, new Panerai models are starting to poke their heads out of the woodwork. While we can expect a few new watches to use the new P.3000 Caliber Movement from Panerai, the latest to be announced do not use the new series of movements from Panerai. There is speculation that the new P.3000 movements are designed to replace their unitas powered watches.

Panerai PAM 386
New Composite case Panerai 386, looks outstanding. This one is a Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic Composite, which means it is a 3 Day Automatic caliber P.9000, featuring date and small seconds. The Composite case is a synthetic ceramic that is created using an electro-chemical process that transforms aluminum into this material. Very Cool stuff.

There are also a huge multitude of individual boutique editions being released in various numbers of anywhere from 100 to 200 pieces from Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei and some others I believe, with Reference numbers in the 400’s. Here are some photos:

“You actually own a Ril Watch. You do not need to wait for the next generation.”

That’s their slogan. Obviously this is a reverse take on Patek’s slogan which is, “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.” Now, while they use a spin-off of Patek’s slogan, their watches have absolutely no relationship in look or pedigree to Patek Philippe. They’re more of a Rolex Sub “homage” to be diplomatic.. others would call it a copy.

Ril Concept states that their watches are designed in London and use precision automatic Japanese movements, selling for $999US. They feature a 38mm case, sort of like a mini-submariner. To me they look more like they were designed in Switzerland (by Rolex) and then copied by someone in London. Also, the 30m water resistance doesn’t really seem like its up to the task of being a scuba watch, which is what it’s marketed as.

Features:
-Scratchproof sapphire glass
-Stainless Steel
-Rotating Scuba bezel
-High precision Japanese automatic movement 21 jewels
-48 hours power reserve
-Screwed winding crown
-Water resistant (30m)

Take a look and decide for yourself!
http://rilconcept.com/

Among the Swiss Watch companies developing their own watch movements is Alpina. This Alpina Nightlife Club Regulator is pretty cool, and looks better than most Alpinas I’ve seen in the past, while still preserving their trademark look.

Their new Nightlife Club Regulator features the Alpina AL950 movement which features:

25 rubies
Glucydur Balance
Alternances 28,800 /h
Nivarox A Spiral
Regulateur Hour Hand decentered at 10:30
Date-by-Hand at 6 O’Clock
Bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève
Platine and bridges Rhodium plated
Blue screws
42-hour power reserve

The unique rotor resembles the bumper winds of yore, and has a very nice asthetic. The Alpina Nightlife Club features a 44mm stainless steel case, sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance. A very pleasing and wearable watch from Alpina. In my opinion, a nicer overall design than many of their past efforts.

If you’re one of the people in the world that can prove your certification of recieving a Black Belt, you are eligible to purchase a Black Belt Watch. The website states that you need to provide authorized certification of having received a black belt, but it does not explicitly state which disciplines you must have one in. I wonder if a Black Belt in eating Pizza counts? If so, I think I am eligible!

At any rate, these are very cool watches. They currently have two models, with only the automatic available from the website currently. A quartz Chronograph will be available soon. Black Belt watches is a Swiss-based company, and the Automatic model sells for 3000CHF.