The OCEAN STAR 200C CARBON LIMITED EDITION

From Mido -

Courtesy of Mido

This is the latest from the folks in Le Locle. A carbon fiber case with a COSC movement.

Courtesy of Mido

Limited to 888 pieces, priced at $2,200.

Some more details -

The case measures 42.5 mm in diameter, has a screw-down crown, with a reported water resistance of 200 meters / 660 feet.

The movement is the caliber 80, is COSC certified, and has a reported power reserve of up to 80 hours.

More details at Mido's website -

www.midowatches.com/

Wrapping up the ITAnano Phantom 49mm Carbon Quartz

So more than 7 days have passed, so apologies for the delay!  It's time to wrap up my review of the ITAnano Phantom.

The particular model that I have been waring is the Phantom 49 mm Carbon Quartz -

So to be clear, this is a big watch!  But the folks at ITAnano have used modern materials to ensure that the weight of the watch is minimal, and the shape is comfortable and very, very wearable.

Graham Goes the Extra Mile at the Baja 1000

For whatever reason, writing this little "bloggy-wog" affords me the opportunity to meet a lot of people in the watch industry.  Eric Loth of Graham has certainly been one of the most interesting and engaging folks I have met recently.  One of the things that kept recurring in our conversation was Graham's (and his) commitment to making not just "cool" watches, but rather to make useful, accurate watches that are also cool.  The whole idea behind the Trigger for chronograph operations was not based upon the cool factor.  It was a response to a problem - how to make the chronograph button function as smoothly and precisely as possible.  Of course it doesn't hurt that its also cool!

Courtesy of Graham

But the other sense that I got from Mr. Loth was that he is not one to sit on life's sidelines, he likes to get in the game.  During our meeting in Los Angeles he explained that he was certainly happy to be in the US, but was a bit disappointed in that he would not be able to take part in his regular car racing schedule in Europe.  Not a person (or a company) to merely try to co-brand, Mr. Loth and Graham are actively involved in what they do.

And to that end they participated in this year's Baja 1000 and produced a special watch -

Courtesy of Graham

Introducing the Chronofighter Oversize Score Baja 1000 

A 47 mm black PVD steel case houses Graham's caliber G1747 self-winding chronograph movement.

Courtesy of Graham

And you know that the man who helped pioneer the idea of ceramic watches with Rado would have to have to add a special element or two when it comes to materials - and he has!  Carbon fiber is what the start/stop trigger is made of and the buckle is - you guessed it - black scratch-proof ceramic!  The story of the design and creation of the carbon fiber trigger is an adventure in itself, and I'll reach out to Graham to see if Mr. Loth might be willing to share it with us!

www.graham-london.com   

TERRANAUT Funding Project

As a watch blogger, I am frequently writing about big brands with big budgets.  But every now and then it's fun to hear (and write) about the smaller groups out there trying to make something new and different.

The folks at TERRANAUT are trying to get a new watch packaging option off the ground, and are looking for backers.  This is your opportunity to take part in a watch companies expansion, and there are nice little incentives for those who participate.

Here is what the hoped-for product will look like:

So in the interest of helping spread the word - here is the info:

Video Presentation:
http://vimeo.com/44753275

Link to the site to read more
http://pleasefund.us/projects/terranaut-watches

And here's their pitch -

Crowd-Funding Project for new British XL Watch Brand



XL watches are now a well-established trend. But our customers complained that many oversized watches are just too extreme to wear every day — they were spending a small fortune but only wearing their watch a few times per year.


So, as sales of its £1000+ timepieces dwindled, a British-based watch distribution company — which has spent the past 9 years sourcing and selling premium luxury watches — began work on a new mid-market watch brand.


After two years in development, we are pleased to present our brand; TERRANAUT and its first collection; the XL 50MM. TERRANAUT is the oversized watch that excels in wearer comfort. The RRP will be around £299.


Now, we need your help to perfect our offering. You can get involved today at:


PleaseFund.us/projects/terranaut-watches






The opportunity to participate in our crowd-funding project ends on Sunday 5th August. So, get hold of your TERRANAUT before everyone else and save up to 60% off RRP!






Exclusive features of the XL 50MM you won’t find on other watches for this price:


• Lugs retracted behind the watch case to give a ‘footprint’ on the wrist that feels like you’re wearing a much smaller watch


• Extra-long strap with deep padding — as standard — fabricated by a specialist watch strap maker


• Carbon fiber dial with C3 SuperLuminova™ shows the timing functions loud-and-clear, day-or-night


• Never-before-seen — Glow-in-the-Dark — leather strap in development


• ABS shockproof & water-resistant storage case — at no extra cost — when you get your XL 50MM at

PleaseFund.us/projects/terranaut-watches


www.terranautwatch.com

Graham Mercedes GMT

Courtesy of Graham

www.graham-london.com

Graham Silverstone Time Zone

With the Graham Silverstone Time Zone, Graham has challenged themselves by offering something completely different. Something... well... smaller! The design focus of this new offering was to showcase the rich experience and technical know-how that have come to symbolize Graham, while staying within a 42 mm "working space".

Silverstone Time Zone Black Carbon

A self-winding G1714 self-winding movement is the engine powering the Silverstone Time Zone, boasting 42 hours of power reserve.

Silverstone Time Zone Silver

Available in three color options - Silver, Black Carbon and Gulf Blue. One particularly nice feature is the color matching accent stitching on the strap. This is a great new option for people out there who crave a Graham but in a smaller size. As Graham so eloquently put it in their press release - 

Because Size Does Matter.

Silverstone Gulf Blue

For more details on the Silverstone Time Zone, visit Graham -


www.graham-london.com