The Breitling Watch Blog

On the top of my list of dress watches that I would really love to own, but can’t afford (especially with the markets the way they are right now! Blech!), are Jacquet Droz. I love the simple lines, coupled with significantly sized cases. They are like the minimalist version of F.P. Journe, in my opinion.

Their new model, the Ceramic Power Reserve, uses high-tech ceramics combined with their signature styling to acheive a watch that is both class, and tech all in one. The case measures 44m, and the movement is a Jaquet Droz caliber 4063D with 30 jewels. Power reserve is a respectable 68 hours.

Some other very cool models from Jacquet Droz include the Grande Seconds, and the Grande Seconde Decentree:

Holy crap! This is probably the most insane (ugly?) watch I have ever seen. Built as Haute Horologie, the Hysek Colosso watch is truly a sight to behold. Whether you think it is beauty or beast, it certainly stands out in the crowd. I personally would not be caught dead with this thing on my wrist.

Jorg Hysek, of the company’s namesake, has been designing watches for almost 30 years, designing watches for Rolex and Vacheron Constantin, among others. His watches command a premium and this one is no exception. The colosso will cost you $550,000.

Complications:
3D earth – 12mm diameter at 12 O’Clock makes 1 rotation every 24 hours
Minute Repeater – Cathedral timbre at the hour, quarter and minute.
Big Date
Power Reserve Indication
Retrograde Time Zones
City Time Zone indication
Transmission feedback

Specifications
62 jewels
Power Reserve: 48 hours
18’000 vibrations / hour
Case Size: 60mm x 40mm

I’ve posted a new Breitling video review, and this one is of the intricate Breitling Montbrillant Datora. The slightly larger Navitimer has a very complex dial with a full calendar complication. Beautifully executed watch, in a larger 43mm diameter. This is probably one my favourite Navitimers along with the World. Sometimes you want one smaller, but not too small. The Datora really fits the bill.

Check it out:

It looks like there is a continuing interest in Rose Gold as the new luxury watch material of choice after stainless steel. I’m seeing more and more people gravitate towards the Rose Gold stuff, as White gold looks too much like stainless steel, and yellow gold is too tacky for their tastes. There seems to be a variation of Rose, Red and Pink Gold in the industry. There is no standard, so with varying levels of copper and other metals alloying the Gold, different colors of Rose gold are produced. Breitling has both Red and Rose gold varieties.

A lot of beautiful peices with in Rose Gold like this Ebel 1911 BTR Perpetual Calendar that was just released. Note also the Perpetual Calendar is a significant complication compared to what Ebel has normally produced – which is another trend we are seeing with luxury watch brands.

Jaeger LeCoultre has decided to go against the grain with one of their most recent releases, the Master Grande Ultra Thin 40. Though this watch is extremely thin, it still boasts a relatively decent 40mm diameter. And the case is available in stainless steel and…. you guessed it.. Rose Gold!

One of the latest offerings from Corum, the Romvlvs Retrograde Annual Calendar. Beautiful peice of work, 41mm, beautiful dial and case is in 18kt Rose Gold, of course. Dial is black, as it seems to compliment Rose Gold the best. However, we are starting to see a little bit of Two-Tone rose gold and steel as well. I am hoping that more of this will start to happen as the combination is striking in my opinion.

For those of you that have not owned these watches, or purchased them without the boxes, or just plain wanna see what they look like on video instead of pics, I shot some short videos on the boxes, showing how they come together and stuff.. nothing special.

One Panerai watch box video:

And one Breitling Watch box video: