Last week we (my gf and I) returned from my vacation in the United States. Going from GMT-7 to GMT+2 (daylight saving time included) resulted in that I still am a bit off-beat. During my holiday, the Rolex GMT-Master proved itself to be very useful when making phonecalls to The Netherlands.

Rolex is also the brand that I spotted the most in the US, both in shops and in the wild Especially in the watch shops in Las Vegas, they had large collections of them. One of the stores that impressed me the most was the Tourneau store in Ceasars Palace. Besides having enourmeous displays full of Rolex, they also had Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Cartier, Omega, Tag Heuer and a lot of other brands for sale. The sales lady told me that this was their largest store in the US (I don’t know if Tourneau is also located outside the US). The one thing I didn’t like about Tourneau, is their ‘Certified Pre-Owned’ collection. Their prices are way too high (2995 USD for a used Breitling Aerospace for example) and these watches do not come in their original box and papers. But, according to one of the sales people, it does come with a nice Tourneau certificate. Ahum, as if that tells me anything.

In San Francisco, the city that I liked best during our trip, I bought a copy of Revolution Magazine. I bought a copy in Singapore earlier this year, and I like it a lot. Too bad it isn’t available in Europe (you can get a subscription for a ridicilous price, 200 USD for 4 copies a year) but that has been solved thanks to Ariel Adams. Thanks mate!

Revolution Magazine has great photos (and not the press kit photos you see in most magazines) and on top of that, really interesting in-depth articles I only know from the German watch magazines. I noticed that photoshoots (of ladies in bikini wearing watches that are just exotic as they are) and articles (diving watches) in my US issue of September have been copy/pasted from the issue I had bought in April in Singapore. Anyway, the other articles and the extra magazine that came with it made it all good again.

Oh well, back to work and back to writing watch related articles again. Thanks for the comments and e-mails I received during my holiday. I also noticed that during my stay in the US, the number of members of the ‘a Passion for Watches’ LinkedIn Group went over 560 and the discussion feature is being used quite well. If you are not connected yet, make sure you’ll do

Just before I went on vacation, I bought this great Omega Speedmaster Professional from 1969. I will enlighten you with some pictures soon

Just like Seiko Champion Harry, I am on a vacation. I’ll be visiting Los Angelos, San Francisco, Las Vegas etc. Because of the time difference of 9 hours, my GMT-Master II will join me. The rest is safely stored (I hope) at the bank. Although I can’t imagina getting in trouble with customs (when I return) with my Rolex, I will take my Dutch warrantee card to be sure. The stories about Dutch customs are horrifying.

Anyway, I will return in the week of September 22nd. Hopefully back with fresh ideas and great blogging material (I hope I can get some Revolution Magazines over there…)

Watch2008 - THE two day watch fair for the independent and innovative watch companies!

Watch2008, the 1st watch fair showcasing independent and innovative watchmakers, will be held on December 6th and 7th at Castle Hoogenweerth in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet and talk to the watchmakers and experience their latest products.

“An event like this, mainly focused on the independent watch brands, is something we lack in the Benelux and maybe even in all of Europe”, says Ernie Romers, director and owner of Watchuseek.com, one of the organizers of Watch2008.

“A fair where pure craftsmanship comes first and the producers can share their knowledge and enthusiasm with true connoisseurs. That’s what Watch2008 is all about!”. In the opinion of the organizers, the glamour and location of Castle Hoogenweerth make it a fitting surrounding for this gathering.

The list of watch brands include: ACE, Aristo Vollmer, Blancier, D.Dornblüth, Cyclos, Fifth Avenue, Limes, Jörg Schauer and Stowa, JS Watch co., TB Buti, Kadloo, Kremke Watch Co., Kudoke, Archimede, MKII Corp., Rainer Nienaber, Pita, Steffen, Thomas Ninchritz, Quadtec, Marcello C, Pierre Junod, Anonimo and Svend Andersen.

There will also be several “round table meetings” on specific subjects like watch seminars and how to recognize counterfeit watches.

Tickets for this unique event are EUR 35.00 including food and beverage. An early bird discount applies until October 1st.

Please visit www.watch2008.nl for updates, links and subscriptions.

Jorg Hysek, designer of watches and pens for Tag Heuer and Cartier. Hysek also manufactures watches under his own label.

As Hysek writes in their press release of the X-Ray Perpetual Calendar, this watch is a result of traditional watchmaking and high-tech style ‘n’ design. The X-Ray watch is made out of 18ct rose gold (including the folding clasp) and uses rubber for some parts of the watchcase as well.

This watch features a perpetual calendar function and an impressive dial which gives a view on the highly worked movement. Months and bissextile leap year indication at 12 o’clock, date indication at 3 o’clock, day counter at 9 o’clock and second GMT indication at 6 o’clock. An exceptional watch in perfect continuity to Hysek’s style which measures the eternal time.

As for the watch’s specifications:

Case dimensions: 51 x 41 x 13 mm
Crystal: Anti-reflection sapphire dial
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Movement: auotmatic movement customized by Hysek, 28800 bph, PR of 42 hours
Strap: Black rubber strap with 18k rose gold H insert
Clasp: Double fold over buckle

A few months ago, I visited Singapore and noticed this incredible piece of art in the display of The Hour Glass shop in the Millenia Walk mall. This watch, an URWERK 103, was an incredible eye-catcher.

Last week I received a presentation of URWERK’s latest creation, the UR103 Hexagon. It also included a technical description of this time piece.

URWERK, founded in 1997 by Felix Baumgartner (watchmaker) and Martin Frei (artist), celebrates each new collection by 10 black watches. This year, URWERK introduces the new black platinum 103 Hexagon. The birth of URWERK’s «Black» limited editions goes back to 1999 with the presentation of a special version of URWERK’s very first watch, - the UR102 – which was clothed in black and called « Night Watch ». The concept was revived in 2006 with the now mythical « Black Bird », a creation with combat aesthetics and a name derived from military aviation. The « Black Shark » followed in 2007.

Today the UR103 « Hexagon » – a limited edition of only 10 pieces – takes its turn under the spotlight, with its black platinum case.

Four orbiting and rotating satellites display the hours, with each satellite indicating the time in a both analogue and digital fashion as it arcs across the minute chapter.T he four hour-satellites of the UR-103 are crafted in aluminium and are suspended under a grade-2 titanium orbital cross. The complication is mounted on a non-magnetic ARCAP P40 base plate providing superior strength and stability to traditional metals. The hour-satellites complete a full revolution under the orbital cross every four hours. As the satellite approaches the crown position, an internal Geneva cross causes it to undergo a 120 degree rotation on its own axis. This 120 degree rotation positions the next hour for its turn indicating the time at the front of the dial.

As for the watch’s specifications:

Case: black platinum (PE-CVD treatment)
Dimensions: 50mm x 36mm x 13.5mm
Movement: Calibre 3.03: hand winding; 21,600bph/3Hz; 43 hours power reserve.
Triple base plate in ARCAP P40
Time indicated with satellites controlled by a Geneva Cross
Control Board: Titanium; power reserve indicator; time regulating dials indicating 15 minutes and seconds; precision adjustment screw.
Strap: black alligator leather

Thanks to Yacine Sar of URWERK for documentation. URWERK has an official forum hosted by Horomundi.