The Classic Fusion Chronograph Special Edition Boutique Roma

From Hublot -

Courtesy of Hublot

Here are the pertinents, straight from Nyon -

REFERENCE 521.NX.4610.VR.ROM20
Limited to 50 copies
DIAL
Grey and beige dégradé
Rhodium-plated appliques Roman number

CASE
Titanium Black brushed finished Diameter: 45 mm
Thickness: 13.05 mm
Water resistance: 5 ATM (50 m)
MOVEMENT
HUB1143
Self-winding chronograph movement
Frequency: 4 Hz (28 800 A/h) Power reserve: 42 hours Number of components: 280 Rubies: 59

CASE BACK
Titanium Black brushed engraved “SPECIAL EDITION / BOUTIQUE ROMA XX/50"
STRAP AND BUCKLE
Black rubber and grey calf with grey stitching
Stainless steel Black brushed deployant buckle clasp

BEZEL
Titanium Black brushed with engraved HUBLOT logo

What I'd Buy Myself - Part 3

As we continue with the Tempus Fugit "Anti-Holiday Gift Guide" format, another thing I would buy myself (and spoiler alert - I already did!), would be a pair of the new ilmia sneakers.

As I have said previously, I am a long-term fan of ilmia.  I know the CEO, he's a nice guy, and I think that the ilmia sneaker is something really special.  

What ilmia is offering is certainly something different - sneakers made by hand, in Europe, one pair at a time.  And as a child of Nike (and previously Adidas) I can tell you that there is indeed something to be said for consistency.  ilmia does not give you thousands of choices.  You can have two slightly different flavors of white, or black, or if you're particularly daring?  Brown.

Courtesy of ilmia

Not unlike the Adidas Rom or the Puma Roma, or the Nike Cortez, this is a fairly straight-forward, every day sneaker. 

I like ilmia for a LOT of reasons.  It is not flashy, it is not screaming for your attention.  You will note that you do not have to go and get an ilmia app so that you can be aware of the next "drop".  Simply put?  They've dropped!  You don't have to panic, or suffer through an unseemly case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).  You don't have to camp out in front of your favorite outlet overnight, in the cold, to purchase them.  There are no "signature" models... 

Okay, I take that back.  There is ONE signature model that I am aware of ; )

Now ultimately, ilmia is not for everyone.  And as my Mee-Maw used to say - "that's what makes a horse race".  

But, if you are not one to necessarily follow the crowd, and you want to treat your feet to something special?  I highly recommend them!

The Roma

From Viqueria -

Courtesy of Viqueria

For those of you unfamiliar, Viqueria is a new company based in Italy that will be offering some pretty good looking watches in an upcoming Kickstarter campaign.

Courtesy of Viqueria

It will be available in three different dial versions - silver, blue and black.

The case measures 40 mm in diameter, and is of stainless steel.  The movement is an interesting choice.  Time and date with a 24 hour time indication at 9 o'clock.

Some personal thoughts -
Kickstarter is jammed with watch offerings right now.  Some are more original than others.  But I would also have to say that with so many would be micro brands, the drive to offer something unique at an "amazing price" has led to desk drawers full of thrice worn Kickstarter trophies that now languishing.  So it is somewhat reassuring to see a Kickstarter watch that is not breaking its neck to be so different that it will only be relevant for a few months.  This is a watch that you will want to wear regularly.  And ultimately, isn't that the point?

I will keep you posted when the Viqueria is ready for its Kickstarter launch.
 For now, here are the pertinents, straight from Viqueria -


 Dial

• Hand-applied polished luminescent indexes
• Polished hands with luminescent markers
• Red seconds hand and red repeat hand at 9 o'clock
• Hand-applied Day Date window at 3 o’clock
• Dial external rehaut
• Polished VIQUERIA logo at 12 o'clock
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal

 Case

• Case diameter: 40 mm
• Case thickness: 12mm
• Polished fixed steel bezel
• Polished crown with VIQUERIA logo
• Scratch-resistant caseback with engraved logo
• Water resistance: 3atm
• Brushed and Polished steel case
• Push-down with Gasket
• Weight: Approx 110gr

 Movement

• Citizen Miyota 8217, Japan Made
• Automatic calibre, rapid date correction
• Diameter: 26 mm (11 ½''') — 21 jewels
• Balance frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour
• Power reserve: 40+ hours
• Complication: 24 hours repeater

 Straps

• Handmade Italian straps by 2DStrap
• 20mm width at the case