Although most IWCs are not my cup of tea, I make exceptions for the Portugieser and the Ingenieur as pictured below. This photo was taken by a TimeZoner by the name of ‘Lauranceyap’ at the IWC Forum.

Actually, this IWC is the only IWC I can see myself wearing in the future. I guess my weakness for integrated bracelets plays part! It is 42mm in diameter and has the inhouse IWC caliber 80110. Pricing seems to be on par with other brands that use inhouse movements or movements of similar quality. In the Sales Corner over at TimeZone and on Chrono24.com?you can find pre-owned 2006 models for around 4000 Euro.

Almost as stupid as the AP Royal Oak catalogue where they had fitted one of the bolts in bezel in the wrong direction. This Rolex advertisement below probably went-out unseen by the head of the office at Rolex PR & Communications.

The horror, the shame.. as an avid Rolex admirer, I have to admit.. even Rolex makes such dumb mistakes. However, this is nothing compared to the mistake Omega made with their recent press photos. Check out this blog at Chuck Maddox’s site.

Source: R-L-X

SuitbertW posted a short pictorial on the Purists’ visit to Audemars Piguet. Click here to view all photos.

Check all other posts about this visit in the Audemars Piguet Discussion Board as well!!

The Omega Constellation Double Eagle model has been the biggest change of the Constellation line since 1982. Before that, only the 1952-1969 era counts. In the 70s there was no real clear and defined Constellation design. The Manhattan series, which seems to be some kind of ’code name’ for the post-1982 Constellation models, didn’t change much until 1995. Most post-Constellation series were referred to as Constellation95 models. Not too long ago, Omega did some restyling and admitted to the big & bold hype of most other brands out there. Although it is hard to think of it as a hype anymore. Big watches are here to stay, maybe next to smaller watches again.. but definately no hype (or fad)..

A TimeZoner by the name of mjb, published a small pictorial of the Omega Constellation Double Eagle in the Omega Forum. This Double Eagle has the co-axial movement, based on Omega caliber 2500B (based on the ETA 2892-A2).

Click here for more pictures!

Fresh from the press, Richemont acquires Minerva… There goes their independancy, but here comes (probably) watches!! Finally, after all those prototyping, rumours etc… this might be their chance to fight themselves back on the market.

Here is the article as it was published this morning on Richemont.com:

“Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Fabrique d’Horlogerie Minerva SA in a private transaction from G. P. P. International SA, Luxembourg.

The watch brand Minerva was established by Charles Robert in 1858 and is based in Villeret, Switzerland. It has 22 employees and is today specialized in the development and manufacturing of high end mechanical movements.

The transaction will have no material impact on Richemont’s consolidated net assets and will not have any impact on profitability for the year ending 31 March 2007.

Richemont owns a portfolio of leading international brands or ‘Maisons’, which are managed independently of one another, recognising their individuality and uniqueness. The businesses operate in five areas: Jewellery Maisons, being Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels; Specialist watchmakers, which is made up of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, IWC, Baume & Mercier, Vacheron Constantin, Officine Panerai and A. Lange & Söhne; Writing instrument Maisons - Montblanc and Montegrappa; Leather and accessories Maisons, being Alfred Dunhill and Lancel; and Other businesses, which includes, specifically, Chloé as well as other smaller Maisons and watch component manufacturing activities for third parties.

In addition to its luxury goods business, Richemont holds an 18.6 per cent interest in British American Tobacco.”

I guess it is Patek time again! :-) 

David, a visitor of the Patek Philippe forum at WatchRap.com, is the proud new owner of this magnificent Patek Philippe 5970 in pink gold. Or as he claims, a proud new pink papa! Although I don’t like hairy wrists other than my own, here is a shot of his new pink 5970!

Have fun wearing it! Or at least by keeping it for the next generation

Some time ago, I read this great topic on a Dutch watch forum called dezinvanluxe.nl, it is about Steef who likes to collect catalogues of watch brands.

When you live in The Netherlands and ask for a Panerai brochure via Panerai.com, you will receive one with a handwritten ‘compliments’ card. Steef probably ordered a few catalogues to much, because he got an email from Hans Dekkers, brand manager for Panerai BeNeLux and Scandinavia. Hans Dekkers wrote to Steef that he shouldn’t expect to get hand written ’compliment’ cards anymore, after posting the picture above with 6 hand written cards at the mentioned forum.

So now Steef receives his catalogues without a ‘compliments’ card, which really upsets him (no phun intended). I really wonder why Hans (Panerai) keeps sending him catalogues at all

Steef, why ordering that much catalogues if you are not going to buy a Panerai anyway (like you wrote in one of the threads)?

At TimeZone, Mike Margolis quotes an email from Jean-Claude Biver. JC Biver is the man behind Hublot. He seems to follow some other smart CEO’s from watch manufacturers, by posting and scanning on watch forums. Below his email, as quoted by Mike Margolis:

“This a new sponsoring agreement made with Luna Rossa (which belongs in majority to Prada) in order to make a special Big Bang, all in the materials used in the America’s Cup boat. Full ceramic, Kevlar, carbon, titanium and rubber. A total synergy between the boat and the watch plus a total synergy between the two brands. Which are both not only luxury brands, but work both with the “fusion “concept. In fact we could not have a better partner, 1000 watches will be made and will be sold all over the world including in some of the Prada’s flagship stores of Italy.A phenomenal event for Hublot and a great opportunity to join the America’s Cup!Deliveries will only start in November.The watch is a 44,5mm ceramic Big Bang (same case as All Black, but with a special carbon dial bearing the log of Luna Rossa).