Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Collection Excellence Platine Ref. 30130/000P-9876 – A Visual Feast

The Caliber 2795, developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin is a manual-winding movement made out of 169 small intricate components. This 27 jewel masterpiece is a tourbillon and operates at the 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vibrations/hour range. The main springs has approximately 45 hours power reserve.

Taking this beautiful movement, Vacheron Constantin married it into a 950 platinum curving 38 x 48.24 casing. This tonneau-shaped movement perfectly tailored to the case. Hence the birth of a 50 unit production run of the Malte Tourbillon Collection Excellence Platine.

The dial comes in a sandblasted finish with white gold Roman numerals and hour-markers. The mesmerizing tourbillon bearing the seconds hand sits at the 6 o’clock position.

The display case back with the large bridge in the center, gives an impression that the heart of the movement, the toubillon, has its own separate location compared to the rest of the mechanism. Regardless of the actual setup of the Caliber, it is a visual feast.

Whoever has the opportunity to get this watch is a very lucky person.

Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Power Reserve Bronzo (PAM00507) – Emmmmrm

Panerai’s first experiment with bronze. The soft warmth of the PAM00507’s patinated case and unidirectional bezel play immeasurably well against the muted green dial. Powered by Panerai’s in-house P.9002 calibre, the PAM 507 carries a 3-day power reserve that can be counted down by glancing near the 5:00 marker.

Look at the watch reminds me of a pothole of a ship. I don’t care much about that image hence I don’t find this watch esthetically pleasing to me. Sorry.

Archimede Pilot 42 Bronze Automatic – Good Enough….

The Archimede Bronze Pilot offers a simple design. The brushed finish of the CuSn8 (92% copper, 8% tin) bronze shows quality of manufacture. At 42mm, this Archimede is properly sized in my opinion. The large crown is synonymous with pilot watches of old and a nice design attractive to an otherwise sterile watch case. Powered by ETA 2824-2 automatic movement, it should have at least 40 hours of reserve time. You can view the movement via an exhibition case back.

I do not own a bronze watch before. Although bronze is better for protection against corrosion due to the creation of a protective layer (the oxide, hence the patina), I can’t bring it to myself to get one knowing full well it will change the way it look in a short space of time. Nevertheless, I would eventually get one for the experience. What better model then this fine example to be the first.

The Beautiful Blue Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph

The Omega Seamaster 300m has been an icon from Omega since the first one was introduced back in 1957 (by the way that’s the Independence Year for Malaysia from the British). I always wanted one in my collection but priorities dictates the acquisition had to be far ahead in the future.

Recently, Omega released the Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph features a lacquered blue dial with a 30-minute recorder at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour recorder at 6 o’clock and a small seconds dial at 9 o’clock. Protected by a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, this watch takes my breath away. Coupled with the polished blue ceramic bezel, the simmering indigo blue of the watch mesmerizes you into thinking that you are looking into the deep blue sea.

The watch case is a well balanced with a diameter of 41.5 mm stainless steel case with a helium-escape valve and an integrated date corrector at 10 o’clock. Capable of 300 meters of water pressure, this watch is not only a dress watch but also a tool watch to boot.

The engine that powers this beauty is the Co-Axial calibre 3330. It is a aelf-winding chronograph with column-wheel mechanism and Co-Axial Escapement. It has a free sprung-balance equipped with Si14 silicon balance spring. It is also a fully certified chronometer. The main springs can save up to 52 hours worth of potential energy.

I usually shun away from chronograph watches but this one is different. The frame hands and the colour make it desirable in my mind. Although I have not held one yet, I sense that it will be awesome on my wrist.  Can’t wait for a unit to arrive at an Authorised Dealer in Kuala Lumpur for me test.

New in-house movement by Tag Heuer; Calibre 1969

Tag Heuer has just launched its latest in-house movement, the Calibre 1969. A chronograph, it comes with a vertical-clutch system.

The new movement operates in the 28,800 vibrations per hour (4hz) range has a 70-hour power reserve capacity. Due to the larger main springs required, it thickness is at a respectable 6.5 mm thick.

The Calibre 1969 dial layout will have the chronograph minutes at 3 o’clock, the chronograph hours at 9 o’clock and the running seconds at 6 o’clock.

The movement features more than 200 components. Unfortunately, some parts still need sourcing from external manufacturers.

 

[Photos and info from http://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-calibre-1969-first-look/%5D

Sector Urban 450 Chronograph Watches are refreshingly

This year, Sector unveiled three Chronograph 450 watches, each powered by a Swiss made quartz movement and housed in a stainless steel case. The case measures 48mm and it is shielded with mineral glass. The water resistance is 100 meters. The dial comes with three sub-dials and a date aperture at the 9 o’clock position.

The screw-down crown and chronograph pushers are located on the left side. Sector used applied Arabic numerals 4, 8 and 12; engraved numerals 2, 6 and 10, and engraved indexes which indicate odd hours. Two chrono counters are located at the 6 o’clock position and at the 12 o’clock position, whilst a small seconds sub-dial is placed at the 3 o’clock position. A tachymeter scale with white Arabic numerals is also included.

The leather straps that come with certain models are ridged with double stitching. The model that comes with the rubber strap has the brand etched into the rubber with a yellow spine running along the middle.

This series is not expensive. I like the stainless steel version. If Sector is able to design an automatic/mechanical model, I’ll definitely get one.

Model: Sector Urban 450 Chronograph Watch R3271776003

Model: Sector Urban 450 Chronograph Watch R3271776001

Model: Sector Urban 450 Chronograph Watch R3271776002

LEGO Is Set to Introduce A Wrist Watch Collection For Adults

Sometime in November 2013, LEGO will launch a collection of timepieces for men and women. Officially, these timepieces are referred to as the LEGO Watch System because pieces such as the bracelet links and bezels can be interchanged with each other. The manufacturer is ClicTime, the same company responsible for the children’s LEGO watches.

I believe, this could be a runaway success for LEGO. The brand has transcends itself to have a universal (ageless) appeal and this watch project is no exception. Personally, I will start to collect them when they are available for sale.

Photos sourced from A Blog To watch: http://www.ablogtowatch.com/lego-launches-wrist-watch-collection-adults/

The Amazingly Complex Opus XIII by Harry Winston

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A self-contained Cesium Atomic Clock has been integrated into a wristwatch by US-based watch company Bathys Hawaii

Using state-of-the-art technology derived from the US military, watchmaker Dr. John Patterson and engineer George Talbot have successfully demonstrated a working prototype cesium atomic wrist watch capable of accuracy to 1 second in 1000 years. The new watch is called the “Cesium 133”, named for the most stable isotope of the element.

“The technology found in this watch is something even a decade ago no one could imagine existing in such a small package” says Dr. Patterson. “Within a single chip there is a laser, a heater, a sealed cavity of cesium gas, a microwave filter and a photodiode detector. Using the exact same principle of counting hyperfine lines of excited cesium 133 atoms used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), our watch is able to achieve unprecedented levels of accuracy; on the order of 1 second per thousand years”.

The prototype watch created by Patterson and Talbot is powered by rechargeable lithium batteries and the time is displayed on a traditional analog dial with a moonphase indicator. The watch at 60mm x 50mm x 23mm. Before the watch enters production, Patterson anticipates reducing the size and increasing the battery life.

Bathys Hawaii is a small boutique watch company that was founded in 2005 by Dr. John Patterson. The firm specializes in timepieces designed for diving, exploration and extreme environments. The watches are designed in Hawaii and manufactured in Switzerland. Their website is http://www.bathyshawaii.com

For an individual, this appears to be an over-kill. The ability to notice a 1/100th change in time is impossible and such instruments can be considered useless. The only use for such a time piece is bragging rights.

Casio Edifice Solar EF331 is one of the “must have” under the series

The Casio Edifice series is one of the successful watch lines under Casio. A lot of tie-ins with sports and teams were made with the Edifice series. The most recent is the Formula One Red Bull Team.

The watches are designed to be robust. Although not stated as robust as the G-Shock, but based on my experience with this sub-brand, it is as robust. Moreover, with solar power, practically maintenance free.

This particular specimen, the EF331, is basic without chronograph function. Cheap yet excellent everyday watch to have. A lot of the models under this series comes with chronograph function or with Ana-digi display.

If you are a serious watch collector, you need to have at least one Casio Edifice in your collection. I chose this for my collection.