Last week I received the Swatch-Clopedia,  a comprehensive source for all Swatch collectors. You can order it from Squiggly, a great online Swatch seller. I am no Swatch collector, but as every watch addict, I have my share of Swatches. From my first 1991 Test model to the Olympic Pheidippides 2004 model, with various models in between Never wear them, but nice to display.

Anyway, buy this guide! And be quick, because it is limited printing (6000 pieces and that’s it). The authors worked for 2 years on this book, which covers practically every Swatch between 1983 and now, including the limited models. The book has 900 pages in full color. What really amazed me, was the weight of this book when the postman delivered it. According to Squiggly, the book weighs almost 1.5 kilograms.

The prototype RW1 co-drivers watch was developed when in 1998 Robert Thacker - managing director of AST limited – the UK’s leading stopwatch specialist, was introduced to George Donaldson, former rally driver and well known WRC personality.  The two joined forces. Donaldson had the vision and Thacker the technical ability and manufacturing contacts to make the project happen.

Launch of the watch on the 17th of August in Finland

Donaldson’s regular work in the World Rally Championship brought them into contact with the sports greatest co-drivers including World Championship winning Robert Reid. Many of the functions of the watch were incorporated as a direct result of consultation with the top co-drivers.

The first RW1 co-drivers’ watch was launched in late 2002 and was used by all of the WRC works team co-drivers at that time. Word quickly spread and the watch was sold to co-drivers from over 30 countries. Demand for the watch continued to grow, so in 2004 work began on the specification for a MK2 co-drivers’ watch.

“We listened to the co-drivers’ feedback and incorporated many of their suggestions and a few of our own ideas into the new specification. We also decided to move production to a new facility”, commented Thacker.

An early sample was produced in 2006. The watch was a mock up for testing the programme functions of the watch and case design approval. Some WRC co-drivers were shown the watch at Monte-Carlo in January. “The initial reaction was very encouraging. They wanted to use the watch straight away”, said Thacker. The development process continued with a production date set for late July 2006.

Engineering samples arrived in late June and were tested extensively. Daniel Elena, Timo Rautiainen and Phil Mills were also given the samples to test and the results were very satisfactory. “By early July we were ready to go for full production”, said Thacker.
The new RWII is a completely new design, much more robust with a bigger and better display.

The watch is available for 99 UKP and can be ordered via http://www.astopwatch.co.uk.
Further information about its features and ordering via this link.

Finally, Baume et Mercier is back on the map (at least in my book). Their latest retro models are nicely done and will hopefully boost their image a bit. This Regulator (Regulateur) model breaths 1950s according to Baume et Mercier. A caliber 14070 Dubois-Dépraz based movement is ticking inside its 39mm stainless steel case. Price of this beauty is far from shocking, namely 1990 Euro (in Germany, it might vary worldwide). If you are into gold, Baume et Mercier also introduced a limited (176 pieces) Regulator with jumping hour, based on a caliber 14400 Dubois-Dépraz movement. The price of this one is a bit higher, 7200 Euro, but hey.. it’s gold! Both watches are water resistant up to 3 bar (30 meters) and come with an alligator strap. One slight note though… they should have left-out the date-feature. It ‘breaks’ the dial. So, B&M designers, remove the date window and re-position the printing to get it all ’synced’.

A Dutch fellow by the name of Peter took the initiative to start a Dutch Rolex Forum. I am pretty sure that there are a lot of Dutch Rolex collectors and fans. However, because a lot of Dutch people also understand the German language, I wonder if the Dutch Rolex Forum can get a few of those R-L-X.de visitors from The Netherlands into their new forum. I also wonder if the Dutch can keep the forum as friendly as the R-L-X forum is. Rolex Forums tend to attract people that can loose their temper quite easily As for now, the Dutch watch forums horlogeforum.nl and dezinvanluxe.nl seem to do allright!

 
Photo by Gerard from HPN.

It seems that I am on some Tag Heuer mailing list. I wonder why they mail it as ‘the latest news’ on the 27th of July while the press release says the 6th of June…  Anyway:

“Carrera Cal 360 Timekeeping Experience!”
 

JUNE 06 - TAG Heuer celebrates the excellence of the Carrera Cal 360: the first ever 1/100th of a second mechanical chronograph has been tested with F1 racing cars.

During 2 days and at the ‘’Avant-Garde’’ and prestigious racing track in Le Castellet, South of France, 10 top European watch journalists became Official Timekeepers for Team McLaren Mercedes and tested the Carrera Calibre 360 in real situation. A unique opportunity for them to experience LIVE not only the accuracy but also the precision of the revolutionary TAG Heuer Cal 360 movement. 

 
Using the legitimacy of F1 history and long term partnership with Team McLaren Mercedes, journalists were given unique access to the backstage of F1, and enjoyed the manual timekeeping of McLaren Formula 1 cars on the race track. 

The contest organized between journalists was a testimonial to the interest of the 1/100 of a second in manual timing, and to the unique accuracy of the Calibre 360. The 2 winners were at 5/100th from the official electronics timing system!
The unbeaten 1/100th precision of the Calibre 360 has been accomplished by watch experts, as well as the strong TAG Heuer heritage innovation skills and leadership in motor racing.

A thrilling experience for a day in the heart of the action!”

Since this guy called Valentine E. Balmat spams my mailbox with it, Tag Heuer probably doesn’t mind putting it online here as well

Glycine introduces a re-edition of the Airman SST 06 wrist watch. The original version of the SST 06 was released in the 1960s. The first Glycine Airman ever was released in 1953.

This watch features this orange 24-hour bezel. Also available in black or blue. The movement is based on an ETA 2893-2 movement, which is a 2892 based movement with GMT (extra timezone) feature. The diameter of the watch is a stunning 44 mm and is water resistant to 200 metres. Buyer can choose between a leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet. Prices vary between 1600 and 1800 Swiss francs.

This watch has been topic of discussion couple of times at the Glycine Forum at WatchUseek.com watch portal. I have been told by the way, that the Glycine Airman was a very popular watch in the Vietnam war by helicopter pilots.

Source: Europastar

Dirk Claassen over at www.horlogenieuws.nl (Dutch) reports that Corum introduced the Admiral’s Cup Competition 48 especially for nautical sports.

The watch has a La Joux Perret caliber 8235 movement, which is based on the famous and often discussed valjoux 7750 movement. It is chronometer-certified (COSC), with 24 jewels, high-end finish and personalised rotor.

The watch case is 48mm in diameter and is made out of titanium. The Corum has a vulcanised rubber strap and the water resistancy is 300 meters. The watch is available in either black or blue. Dirk notes that the watch has this stunning twelve-facetted sapphire crystal.

Although the Corum website does not show the Admiral’s Cup Competition 48, it is really worth looking. The other Admiral’s Cup watches are definately interesting for the nautical sports fan!

Financial Times Deutschland writes that Diego Maradona has been busted by the Italian Tax police. They took his Rolexes (it seems that he always wears/wore two) and his diamond studded earrings. Now, I think a man should not wear earrings, but who am I…

Anyway, the Italian tax police took his 2 Daytonas. Worth approximately 10.000 Euro, according to the Financial Times Deutschland. I wonder whether if that is for one Rolex or for the two of them. If it is for two Rolex Daytonas, it is a bit unfair for Maradona. The 10.000 euro is being deducted from the 30.000.000,- Euro he still owes to the tax department. Because of their former owner, they might deliver some more euros if Italy is going to put them on eBay or Antiquorum

A sad day for Maradona. Taking a man’s watch must be one of the all time lowest things someone can do.

Source: Thanks to Hannes for posting this over at www.r-l-x.de

I have never cared much about Rado watches because of the lack of mechanical movements. Just recently my attention was drawn to the re-introduction of the Rado Diastar with automatic movement. I also noted that Rado introduced their high-tech ceramic Sintra watch with an automatic movement. Well, finally :-). I have to admit that I like the concept of unscratchable watches by using ceramic materials, but I always linked this watch to old people who play tennis all day. But don’t let me hold you back from purchasing this Rado Sintra XXL! With the introduction of the use of mechanical movements, it might attract the younger crowd as well.

As always, this ETA driven automatic Rado has a high-tech ceramic case and bracelet, a domed saphire crystal and a crystal clear dial. The movement is displayed through another saphire crystal at the back. The dial, available in black and white, features big arabic numerals. Visit the Rado website for detailed information.

Source: Europastar

Alessandra from Baobab TV mailed me if I was interested in linking to http://www.thetimetv.com. Ofcourse I am! It is a wonderful initiative and really gives the online watch community an ‘originality’ boost. thetimetv.com is broadband television about watchmaking, a very interesting ‘tv channel’ on your computer! Check it out!

Since I am not present at Basel (again), better click here to check the latest…

At least Zenith succeeded in making their watches more ugly then before. Thank you Nataf, for ruining such a nice historic brand. Good job.

Thanks to Jorge Merino for publishing it on TimeZone. All credits go to him.

For the Dutch/Belgian readers, go to www.horlogenieuws.nl for the latest on Basel. Gerard is posting there as much as he can.

His latest news on Rolex might interest you. The new GMT-Master II is there. New dial, new movement.

Hannes at “Das Rolex Forum” posted this presskit photo:

Panerai and Ferrari. Two Italian brands working together on a new ‘company’ watch for the latter.

Here are the results:

Rattrapante Scuderia

Chronograph Yellow Gold

Paneristis around the world are clearly disappointed and reactions range from “Near-sighted Marketing Disaster”, “Truly Scandalous” to “A sad day for Panerai and the Paneristi”.

Oh well, in my opinion this was just what the marketing machine of Panerai is all about. Making big bucks. As with every watch company… Omega making Schumacher/Olympic/Speedmaster Limiteds, Breitling making Bentley’s watches, JLC making AM watches… Paneristi shouldn’t think Panerai is any different then the rest just because Donati (Panerai CEO) pretends to be listening to them by posting a message on Paneristi.com every once in a while… It is all part of the game ofcourse. If you don’t like it, buy something else…