Two New Settimanas

From ochs und junior -

Courtesy of ochs und junior

Two new takes on the settimana. The first is a black pvd dial with pink hands and day marker. This, as well as the brown and gold version are offered in a 36 mm titanium case.

Courtesy of ochs und junior

The brown pvd dial differs in that it also has indices for the hour markers. The dial is brown pvd with gold hued hands and day marker.

The movement is ETA's 2824-2 Top Grade.

Here are the pertinents:

settimana PVD in black and pink Weekday watch designed by Ludwig Oechslin | Display of hours, minutes, and seconds | Display of the 7 days of the week via a pink dot rotating clockwise between 1 and 7 o’clock | 36 mm case in grade 5 titanium | ETA 2824-2 top grade | Dial and weekday disc with black PVD coating | Weekday dot, hour, minute, and second hands in pink. Not customizable | Ecopell calf leather strap (S/M/L/XL) and leather pouch, handmade by Sabina Brägger. Availability and Price CHF 2300 – Export price CHF 2486 – Incl. 8.1% Swiss VAT

settimana PVD in brown and gold colors Weekday watch designed by Ludwig Oechslin | Display of hours, minutes, and seconds | Display of the 7 days of the week by means of a gold-colored dot rotating clockwise between 1 and 7 o’clock | 36 mm case in grade 5 titanium | ETA 2824-2 top grade | Dial and weekday disc with brown PVD coating | Indexes, weekday dot, hour, minute and second hands in gold tones. Not customizable | Beige textile strap (S/M/L/XL) and calf leather pouch, handmade by Sabina Brägger. Availability and Price CHF 2300 – Export price CHF 2486 – Incl. 8.1% Swiss VAT

Both anticipate shipping 8 weeks from date of order.

The Klassik Bicolor

From Archimede -

Courtesy of Archimede

This is a new iteration of the Classic 42 family, and it is an intriguing blend of pvds (black and gold) on a stainless steel case.

With the Archimede brand, the Icklers continue to provide a range of beautiful watches at truly affordable prices.

Long may it last!

Here are the pertinents -

Movement	Automatic movement SW 200-1, Swiss Made
ICKLER Case	The high-quality case is manufactured by ICKLER in Pforzheim. ICKLER black PVD case, brushed and polished, sapphire crystal, screw down case back with mineral crystal, waterresistant to 5 ATM, 8mm crown with Logo 'A', diameter 42mm, thickness 9.8mm, lug-to-lug length 51 mm
Dial	Black with gold patterned indexes
Band	Black leather strap (wrist size: 17,8 - 21,7cm) (optional: deployment clasp)
Delivery time	1-2 weeks

Devon Works Tread 2 Godiva

This just in from Devon Works -

Courtesy of DEVON Works

In order to expand upon the success of their wildly popular Tread 2 line of timepiece, Devon's design department began experimenting this year with earth-toned materials, and one of the pieces they put together was immediately recognized as something special. 

The Harrier from Techné Instruments

This just in from Techné -

Courtesy of Techne

Techné Instruments is proud to unveil the Harrier, a modern interpretation of the classical fliegeruhr (military pilot watch).

Two years in the making, the display of the Harrier borrows cues from iconic navigation and timing instruments of the 20th century. The oversize minute tracks and Arabic numerals are inspired by altimeters and vintage German pilot timekeepers. The hollow luminous hands are borrowed from navigation compasses and the two dots by the 12 o'clock mark are borrowed from the British Wrist Watch Waterproof standard.

Courtesy of Techne

The flagship model of this new collection is the reference 363, powered by a novel self-winding mechanical calibre supplied by Citizen Holdings, the world's number 2 watch company.

Courtesy of Techne

Founded in 1918, the Citizen watch company released their first truly efficient shock-protection in 1956. Nineteen years later, they released a 11½ calibre that proved so reliable it is still in demand today. After 1975, this calibre 8200 allowed Miyota to develop 12 variations, of which the 8217 is used in a custom version by Techné since 2010.

During the first decade of the 21st century, Miyota began developing of a new 11½ calibre that would exceed the 8200 in terms of performance, refinement and slimness. Miyota relied on their near-centurial experience in industrial watchmaking and proprietary technology to design and industrialize the new calibre 9000.

Courtesy of Techne

Positively reviewed by watchmakers, this cost-efficient calibre offers a thinness of 3.90 mm, a high-torque, a generous power reserve of 42 hours and the accuracy of a high-beat inline anchor lever paced at 28,800 alternance per hour.

All 9015 movements used by Techné are manually fine-tuned in three positions to run within COSC rates (-4 to +6 seconds per day), which entitles the watches to bear the “Opus Manufactum” label (Latin for “hand-worked”).

Measuring 41.0 mm in diameter with a total thickness of 11.1 mm, the Harrier comes with a scratch-proof front sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflection coating. The reference 363.0 comes in brushed surgical 316L stainless steel and the reference 363.1 comes with a sand-blasted finishing and an aeronautical surface-hardening PVD coating. Both versions use a screw-down crown, are water resistant to 5 bar, and are available on a choice of 15 different straps.

www.technewatches.com

AQUADIVE's NOS Model 77

This just in from AQUADIVE -
AQUADIVE is proud to be the only watch company in the world today to offer an updated NOS version of their vintage iconic timepieces. The soon to be released AQUADIVE NOS Model 77 (December 2012), is based on the iconic 70's design and model, the 1977 AQUADIVE MARITIME.

Courtesy of Aquadive

The NOS Model 77 is a classic beauty, housed in a genuine NOS vintage case with a unique 70's Swiss design. Only a limited quantity of these cases are still available in our inventory. The NOS Model 77 case is all original with beautiful stainless steel suburst finish and extremely durable PVD coating on the lower part of the case. In the 70's, AQUADIVE would be one of very few companies who applied a layer of copper alloy to the case to make the PVD coating extremely durable. The original unidirectional rotating bezel has a black aluminum insert and operates on a very precise and solid 60 click mechanism. The model 77 case measures 41mm wide - excluding crown - by 48mm long, and has 22mm lugs.

Courtesy of AQUADIVE

The NOS Model 77 is supplied on a specially designed NATO or rubber dive strap. The case, bezel, case back, and Anton Schild automatic movement are vintage genuine NOS parts originally manufactured in the mid 70's in Switzerland. The crystal, gaskets, galvanized dial, hands, and ETA movements are all new Swiss made parts. The new 5mm thick crystal and gasket insure much higher depth rating than the original. So the NOS Model 77 case is now depth rated beyond 200m/660ft. An HRV was also added at 2'clock to insure that the model 77 can also be used by professional divers.

Courtesy of AQUADIVE

The modern black dial is a two piece galvanized and all Swiss made construction. The hands are a 100% reproduction of the original hands found in the vintage automatic version. The NOS self-winding 21 Jewel Anton Schild movements are regulated to 20 seconds a day, due to age and features of this particular movement. They have all been disassembled, oiled, cleaned, and serviced by our master watchmaker. They are the movements that were originally used in this case back in the mid to late 70's. The vintage date wheels in the Anton Schild movement are white with red digits. Back in the 70's, it was a common feature for date wheels in terms of legibility. So to stay true to the vintage heritage of this model, AQUADIVE did not switch the date wheels over to modern black versions on these vintage movements. With the modern ETA 2836 Elabore movements, the date wheel is black.

The Model 77 was first developed in the early 70's, and is entirely constructed and manufactured in Switzerland. The case was originally designed to accommodate a mechanical three hand, or chronograph, automatic movement; hence the thickness of the case back. In preparation for the digital revolution, it was later adapted and offered with a US developed LED module from the mid 70's until the early 80's. The LED module displayed hours, minutes, seconds, month, and date. Only a limited amount of this model were ever produced with the automatic movements. And very few used examples of this model - in either form - even exist today. And that makes them highly coveted by dive watch collectors around the world. When first manufactured, the case was depth rated to 20ATM.


www.aquadive.com

Something New from Xetum!

This is the latest from Xetum - the Tyndall PVD

Courtesy of Xetum

Here are the details, straight from Union Square!

Black matte PVD case
Black instrument-style dial with sub dial seconds indicator and 24H markings
California-designed, Swiss made
ETA Swiss automatic movement (2895-2), elaboree-grade, with engraved black rotor
Sapphire front crystal
Naturally tanned leather strap with lining of Italian cork
Black PVD buckle


The PVD Tyndall is priced at $1495, and is available for pre-order with shipping beginning October 23rd.
To order:
www.xetum.com/pvd















The SUB 1500T from DOXA

Courtesy of DOXA

DOXA continues to put out a watch that people want, and the 1500T has proven to be no exception.  45 mm PVD treated stainless steel case with automatic HRV, and a bracelet that is similar to the one first introduced to the 5000T with a ratcheting wet-suit extension!

Here are the stats:

Limited Edition
1500 pieces, made and assembled by hand in Switzerland

Case
PVD treated solid stainless steel (316L) PVD.
The Seaconqueror measures a hearty 45 mm in diameter (excluding crown), 15 mm in height.  Stainless steel screw-down crown.  The 1500T Sharkhunter Military Edition is water resistant to a depth of 5000 feet, and is hand assembled in Switzerland. 

Crystal
Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective 3mm domed sapphire crystal

Caseback
Solid-stainless steel, screw-back, engraved limited edition number xxxx/1500

HRV
Helium Release Valve

Bezel
Unidirectional, constructed of PVD treated solid stainless steel .  US Navy maximum no decompression limit times in feet (engraved).

Movement
High grade 25 jewel self-winding Swiss made movement with hacking second function,42 hours of power reserve.  Based on the ETA 2892, decorated by DOXA.

Anti-Shock
Incabloc shock protection

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, quick-set date at 3 o'clock

Size & Weight                 
Length = 47 mm | Weight = 219
| Dial diameter = 30.2mm

Hands
Replica of the original 1967 SUB hands, Superluminova filled, featuring the iconic dwarf hour hand.

Bracelet
A more modern look and feel!  Solid stainless steel.  The bracelet is attached by screws, NOT spring bars to ensure a secure fit!  The bracelet also features a ratcheting dive suite extension, which allows you to engage the extension with you thumb and finger - you can do this with the watch ON YOUR WRIST!  21 mm end pieces, solid stainless steel end pieces.

Get all the info -

www.doxawatches.com

Feldo update - 5 days in

Okay, after 5 days here is some initial feedback on the Feldo -

I think the most frequent comment I have heard is "cool watch".  This really does draw the eye in.   The Shape of the case is unique, not simply going for a standard shape, it is not round, not square.  Neither is it smooth or sharp.  It truly does create it's own form.

For me, I have to say that I am still enjoying the "Mystery" hour hand part of the complication.  It is fun!

In terms of the size and weight - well, it is substantial in its proportions, but not overly heavy.  The PVD is very well executed, and the rubber strap is quite comfortable.

I will be getting into more specific details - i.e. size, etc. shortly.

ARMIN Racing Chronograph

This just in from Armin Strom -

ARMIN Racing Chronograph

In the context of its association with the Marussia Virgin Racing F1 stable, watch
manufacturer, Armin Strom, has the pleasure of presenting the official watch for the
team’s mechanics and development staff. Called the ARMIN Racing Chronograph,
this timekeeper will not go by unnoticed in the paddocks, thanks to its black PVD
titanium case with imposing diameter. The product, with date at 9 o’clock and
components sculpted out of the materials used in racing cars, focuses on the
challenge facing F1 of pushing materials to the limits of their applications. The
circles around the various indications on the dial, highlighted in bright red, serve as a
clear reminder to mechanical sports enthusiasts of the efforts exerted by brake discs
during a Sunday Grand Prix.
The ARMIN Racing Chronograph was developed with a deep concern to achieve
reliability in all tests and devote particular attention to the component finishing and
decoration visible through the case back. This care and a passion for detail have
always constituted the driving force of master watchmaker Armin Strom and his Brand.

TI11-CR.90

Movement 
Mechanical with automatic winding
With chronograph function and date
Rubies: 25
Power reserve: 46 hours

Case 
Titanium, with matt black PVD coating
Sapphire crystal and case back, with anti-reflective treatment
Diameter: 44.40mm
Total height: 13.85mm
Water-resistant: 50m

Dial
Decorated in the Marussia Virgin F1 colours of black/red/white

Bracelet
High-tech leather or black/red rubber with black PVD coated titanium Ardillon buckle

Price
$8,800 - limited to 400.

For more information on Armin Strom:

Totally Worth It, LLC - 888 TWI 4All (888 894 4255) or 724 263 2286

info@totallyworthit.com - www.TotallyWorthIt.com

Part Two

And now for the final installment of the 15 Day Porsche Chronograph review.

The reliability of the watch in terms of time loss/gain has been first rate!  Throughout the "cookie test" and three different overnight trials with the chronograph running for more than 8 hours without interruption, there were no significant deviations.

Moreover, through daily wear over a 15 day period, there was only a slight time loss in the first 24 hour period, but in fairness I suspect that this was mostly down to a very brief settling in period.  The following 14 days were precision itself.

Finally, the look and feel of the watch.  I have gone on at length already about overall "wearability" of this chronograph.  Admittedly, it is not small!  Having said that, the use of titanium and rubber go a great way to make this a more "flexible" feeling watch.  The weight savings achieved by using titanium are not insignificant.  But think about this next thing - the use of the rubber strap is the best possible choice to ensure that the watch itself will much better adapt to a variety of wrist sizes.  The rubber tends to mold/adapt more to the wrist than leather, and certainly more so than a metal bracelet.  The use of a butterfly clasp was also really inspired as it maintains the sleek look of this sports car for the wrist.

And what about the balance between the titanium and the PVD finish?  I have to be completely honest and say here and now that I prefer it to either all PVD or all titanium. The contrast is notable, but not in
a garish or contrived way. It is at once sporty and modern - a fantastic effect.

So how do I conclude this?  It is a challenging proposition to do a 15 day review while intentionally NOT getting too technical.  In terms of performance, look and feel - Porsche has a hit on their hands.  The attention to detail enhance the theme of the watch itself - from the steering wheel rotor to the "gas pedal" chronograph pushers to the tire tread pattern on the underside of the strap, they have not missed a trick.

If I can find one potential negative, it is a as a US customer.  Porsche watches are not widely available and therefore as much as I (or my fellow Americans) might want one, it will take some travel to obtain one.  But really that is the only negative thing I have to report - other than my sadness in sending it back to its home in Switzerland.

So As I bid a fond farewell, I encourage you to check this time keeper out in person.  For those of you not near to a Porsche retail outlet, please visit them online at:

www.porsche-design.com

Magrette Moana Pacific!

Moana Pacific
Dion launched this model a while ago, and it is proving to be a run-away success.  
This is the Magrette Moana Pacific!  Apparently a few pieces are still available!

Check out all of the offerings at Magrette:  http://magrette.com/

In Santa Barbara - Richard and his Bell & Ross

Richard at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art 

Wendy and I were taking in the museum this past Saturday when I met Richard. As a rule, I try not to be too intrusive on other people's museum experience, but Richard was kind enough to agree to a photo with his Bell and Ross Chronograph. But more than just a cool watch, I have to say that Richard is a very dapper fellow!