BaselWorld day 1 in pictures, to be seen in my forum over at Watch-U-Seek!

Click here to have a look!

Patek Philippe’s line-up of their magnificent movements! I had to push some Italian looking mobsters to the side (giving me the evil eye) to get this picture, be proud of me. Very proud.

This news came in yesterday evening, a new Linde Werdelin Oktopus model with a Moonphase Complication. The Oktopus was introduced during BaselWorld 2009 and during my interview with them I was able to fiddle around with it a bit. The bezel with embossed numerals reminded me a bit about my precious Rolex Yacht-Master, and which I therefore really like. This new titanium Oktopus features a solid rose gold bezel, together with the moonphase complication the ultimate luxury diving watch.

If you have a pale skin like me, you know you have to stay away from gold watches. However, a rose gold bezel on a titanium case will suit you fine. It is actually the only possibility for me to wear a gold watch.

Also this time, Morten Linde and Jorn Werdelin got help from Svend Andersen (like he did with the SpidoLite SA models) to work on the complicated automatic movement based on Frederic Piguet caliber 1150. The moon disc is made out of Super Luminova, which will make sure it is visible during every time of the day (or night). Svend Andersen built this moonphase complication based on the date feature of the Piguet movement, allowing to show a countdown to the next full moon. The transparent sapphire case back of the Oktopus reveals the Andersen-modified Piguet movement. The titanium watch is water resistant to 888 meters and includes an automatic helium escape valve located on 9 o’clock in the case.

Normally, Linde Werdelin watches are limited to either 22, 44, 88 or 222 pieces each. However, the LW Oktopus is also a bit different in this aspect. It is limited to 29 pieces, connoting to the days before the next full moon. The Oktopus Moonphase Complication will be available for pre-order in September 2010.

And now, for the specifications of this ultimate luxury diving watch:

Size
46mm (w) by 49mm (l) by 14mm (h)
Movement
Automatic mechanical Frederic Piguet movement calibre 1150,
Linde Werdelin & Andersen Geneve personalised oscillator
72 hour power reserve / 28 jewels / 28,800 bpm
Moonphase complication by Svend Andersen with luminous photorealistic moon
phases and moonphase countdown, manually adjustable by second crown position
Case
Titanium gr. 5, microbille finish
Screw on case-back with sapphire crystal
Rose gold unidirectional turning bezel with 10 minute markings & Super Luminova
marker at 12 o?��Ǩ�Ѣclock
3.8mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Screw in crown with LW logo
Helium escape valve at 9 o?��Ǩ�Ѣclock
Dial
Black matt dial
Arabic numerals rose gold plated applied indexes with Super LumiNova
Hands
Rose gold plated, diamond cut rhodium plated with applied Super LumiNova
Water Resistance
888m / 2913 ft
Strap
Black alligator strap with titanium ardillon buckle

The days of Maurice Lacroix being an entry level brand is long gone (click here), especially since the introduction of the Masterpiece collection. During BaselWorld 2010, that is going to be held from March 18 till March 25, Maurice Lacroix will be introducing a number of interesting models.

Most interesting are the two different Phases de Lune timepieces, since a moon phase is a complication that speaks to everyone’s imagination. The Phases de Lune are from different Maurice Lacroix collections, namely that of the Pontos and the Les Classiques.

First, the Les Classiques Phases de Lune Automatique. A classic shaped moonphase timepiece, with a day and month indicator near 12 o’clock, and a very stylish moon disc at 6 o’clock. The date indicator is the fourth hand on the dial, pointing to the day numbers on the dial. The dial is available in silver (as pictured below) or black, the hands are filled with luminova and the 40mm case is available in stainless steel or a 18ct gold/stainless steel combination, where the lunette is made out of 18ct gold. The case has been finished with both polished and brushed parts, giving it an extra edge when the (sun)light is able to play with it.

Maurice Lacroix uses a mechanical automatic movement (caliber ML37) for this Phases de Lune. This self winding movement has a 38 hours powerreserve and shows hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, month and moonphase. Maurice Lacroix uses this caliber in several other moonphase watches from their collection. The finish on this rhodium plated movement is quite nice, with its hand-decorated circular grain. The movement is based on the famous ETA2824-2 movement and uses an add-one module for all extra functionality.

The other Phases de Lune is the one from the Pontos collection and is called Pontos D?ɬ�centrique Phases de Lune, Limited Edition in full. It is significantly different from the Les Classiques Phases de Lune as you can see below, and probably aims more at the watch collector or buyer who loves a classic design with a twist. A fairly big twist.

As you can see, the moonphase disc is located on 4 o’clock, the hours are indicated by a disc, the minutes by a hand (and also the only hand on this watch) and the date disc is at 6 o’clock. Below the moonphase disc you’ll notice that there is another disc, indicating the day/night.

The titanium & sand blasted watch case has a diameter of 45mm and is therefore probably not suited for everyone out there. The movement ticking inside is the Maurice Lacroix caliber ML122, a self winding mechanical movement with a vibration of 28.800bph and a powerreserve of?Ǭ� 38 hours. The finish is comparable to the ML37 as discussed above.

This Maurice Lacroix Pontos D?ɬ�centrique Phases de Lune is limited to 500 pieces world wide. Prices on both models are still unknown.

In April 2009, just after I returned from BaselWorld 2009, I temporarily switched my Rolex Yacht-Master 16622 with a friend’s Submariner 16613.

Although I really had to get used to all that gold on this Submariner, the watch was definitely an eye-catcher and felt right in terms of weight, size and looks. The blue dial was amazing, espcially during daylight.

Since BaselWorld 2009, Rolex introduced the new stainless steel/gold Submariner 116613. Using their new style case, like the GMT-Master IIc 116710LN and the earlier introduced white gold Submariner 116619, it is evident that this is Rolex’s way forward. It seems that Rolex listened to a lot of customers, and is firing their innovations to us in up-tempo. Rolex brings us new and improved movements (parachrom, YMII movement), a new type of bracelet with solid gold center links and a new folding clasp and ofcourse the new case design.

John Holbrook of The Rolex Reference Page and Watch Talk Forums Inc wrote an excellent comparative review on the new Two Tone Submariner 116613 and the former 16613 model. He had the opportunity to review the new Two Tone Submariner and compare it to his own Z-series model Submariner 16613.

Below you see the pictures that he took of both models:

Although the differences appear to be quite obvious, I suggest you read John’s article to learn more about the changes that Rolex made to its most iconic model of the last few decades.

Click here to read “COMPARATIVE REVIEW: The Rolex Submariner 16613 vs. the Rolex Submariner 116613″

As I planned to attend BaselWorld 2010, I assume that one of the models that Rolex will be introducing will be the new Submariner in stainless steel, probably with the same case design and bracelet as the full gold and gold/steel models. I would consider this a good successor to the 16600 Sea-Dweller and 16610 Submariner, as the new Deep-Sea Sea-Dweller is a totally different design from its predecessor. However you never know if Rolex is actually going to introduce the Rolex Submariner 116610 this year, that they will come with something completely different or that they will skip a year with their innovations.

Both photos are used with permission from WATCH TALK FORUMS INC

I have a few of them, pocket watches I mean. I just got them from my grandfather, and it seems that most of him were owned by his own father and grandfather. I never wear them and they just sit tight in the safe. Although I can admire a nice pocket watch, I don’t see myself wearing (or is it carrying?) one of those time pieces.

However, I guess there is a market for them, since Glash?ɬ�tte Original just introduced their Pocket Watch No.1 today on the 28th of October. With the launch of the Glash?ɬ�tte Original Pocket Watch No. 1, the established manufactory harkens back to this epoch and presents a timelessly elegant pocket watch with quarter-hour repetition, which comes in a worldwide limited edition of 25 pieces.

As a reference model, a historical watch by Julius Assmann (famous for his pioneering work in the Glash?ɬ�tte watchmaking industry) has been used. When I attend watchfairs, I sometimes look at these (formerly) East German made pocket watches and really like them for their complications, especially the repetition movements. However, as I said before, when am I ever going to use such a watch? Perhaps I should put one up in a glass bell in the living room and use it as a clock.

Back to the Glash?ɬ�tte Original Pocket Watch No.1. It features a quarter-hour repetition that will tell you time by first letting you hear the number of hours that passed, and additionally (in another tone) the quarters since that last hour. So, if it dings 12 times and dings (in a higher tone) another 2 times, it is half past 12 in the afternoon. To operate the repetition complication, simply use the slide that is located on the lower side of the case.

What I really do like about pocket watches is that the movement is kind of large and easy to access. As you can see above, the Glash?ɬ�tte Original movement is a feast for the eyes, especially the engraving on the balance cock.

This special model will be available as of April 2010 when it will be officially presented during BASELWORLD 2010 (18 ?��Ǩ��� 25 March). And remember folks, only 25 pieces available. I guess you have to be quick or have some good friends over at the Glash?ɬ�tte Original factory.