Omega Seamaster

Since it is the Royal Wedding and all, I thought we have a look at what watch Prince or the Duke of Cambridge wears. The watch is none other then the Omega Seamaster 300M Mid Size Quartz. The watch, reference 2561.80.00 is the mid-size version of the Seamaster 300M or also known as the Bond Omega. The other difference is that the watch is a quartz powered Omega Seamaster 300M. Sadly Omega no longer makes the watch.

The Seamaster is believed to have been a gift from his mother, the late Princess Diana. From photographs of Prince William, he seems to only wear this watch and has been wearing this watch for more then a decade. 

Basic specifications:

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date(3 o'clock position)

Movement: Omega calibre 1538

Case: stainless steel, 36.25 mm diameter

Crystal: domed sapphire

Water resistant: 30 ATM

The watch.

Photograph: Omega

A photograph of Prince William wearing the Omega Seamaster 300M.

Photograph: shamelessly borrowed from the Internet


Oh before I forget, Congratulations to the Royal Couple.

Stolas Harbormaster Spinnaker Review

This is our second collaboration review with WatchShock.com. The watch in question is the Stolas Harbormaster Spinnaker watch. This watch is froma new watch company, Stolas Watches. Stolas Watches is the brainchild of Curtis Stolas, a longtime watch collector. He founded Stolas Watches in 2009 to produce watches that could withstand severe punishment. 

Here is the link to the review:

Stolas Harbormaster Spinnaker

The watch.

Photograph: Stolas

NHIZ Rolex Deepsea

Yet another Rolex modification. This time well known Rolex modifier Bamford Watch Department has teamed up with NHIZ to design a custom Rolex Deepsea. NHIZ, a collaboration between NEIGHBOURHOOD and IZZUE, has 'updated' the Rolex Deepsea with an all black watch. 

The case, bezel and even the crown has been given a black PVD coating. The bracelet has been removed and the watch now comes fitted with a NATO type strap, also in black with black PVD hardware. 

Bamford has also changed the hands of the watch from the traditional Mercedes type hands to the military type sword hand found in the military issued Rolexes of the 70's and 80's. The dial has also received a modification, with a 'T' in a circle (to complete the military look) and the collaborating companies names at the 6 o'clock position.

The watch is priced at about USD 22,000. 

The watch.

The case back. You can see the respective companies logo.

The crown.

Photographs: Hypebeast

Christopher Ward C7 Rapide Chrono

The people at Christopher Ward has been busy and the fruit of the labour (one of many to come) is the C7 Rapide Chronograph. The retro looking watch is inspired by the Golden Age of motor racing where motor racing was a gentlemen sport with cars driven by Gentlemen Drivers. The drivers during this period (the middle part of the last century) includes greats like Fangio, Ascari, Moss and Brabham. 

Motor racing was an extremely dangerous pastime and spectators, never mind the drivers, often had to be on red alert. Drivers during this period had less regard for their own safety than for each other.

The new watch, the Red Rapide (which should be available as you read this), captures the very essence of the drivers of the period, the passion, the skills and the love for motor sports. This is reflected in the red dial of the C7 Rapide Chrono.

The C7 Rapide Chrono offers the following functionalities; hours, minutes, seconds (sub-dial), a split-second stopwatch function and a tachymeter bezel. 

The watch basic specifications:

Case: stainless steel, 42 mm diameter, 10.70 mm thick

Movement: ETA 251.272 thermo-compensated quartz movement

Crystal: sapphire

Water resistant: 10 ATM

For more information: 

C7 Rapide Chrono

The watch with the leather strap option.

The watch with the stainless steel bracelet option.

The beautiful case back with the steering wheel motif. Each watch is individually serialised.

Great attention to detail, a hall mark of all Christopher Ward watches.

Photographs: Christopher Ward

Breguet Type XXI

Looks like Breguet has released a new Type XXI during the recent Basel 2011. The new watch, reference 3810TI/H2/3ZU is based on and inspired by the Type XX chronograph issued to the Aeronavale Francaise (French Naval Air Arm) during the 50's. I am not to sure if this new watch replaces the old Type XXI or will be issued alongside it.

Photograph: Breguet

Anyway the new watch spots a grade 2 titanium case and a new black lacquered rotating bezel sporting Arabic numerals in relief. This bezel design was last seen in the limited edition Type XX issued last year. The other difference between the new Type XXI and the old XXI is the dial colour. The new watch spot a matt-black dial as opposed to the brown/ gray dial of old. I have to say that I like the new watch. It seems less cluttered as well. I especially like the 'floating' minute track. 

As with the reference 3810ST/92/9ZU, the new watch has the following functions: hours, minutes, small seconds (9 o'clock), day/ night indicator (3 o'clock), 12-hour totalizer and date (6 o'clock) and central minute totalizer. As with watches in the Type XX/XXI collection, the watch maintains the fly-back function.

Basic specifications:

Case: titanium, 42 mm diameter, 15.30 mm thick

Movement: Breguet automatic calibre 584/Q1

Crystal: sapphire

Water resistant: 10 ATM

For more information:

Breguet Type XXI

Rolex BLACK LTD Edition watches

It seems that modifying Rolex watches is the current rage. The Rolex BLACK LTD Edition project is one of the latest to join the foray. The difference between this project and the rest is that the watches in the BLACK LTD Edition collection are watches produced by Rolex before 1990. 

These carefully chosen selection of sport watches are sent to a select Rolex service experts in Switzerland who will service the watches, regulate them, bead blast the case and subsequently send the watches to the United States where a PVD coating is applied to the watches.

The watches selected for this project are from the popular Rolex range of sport watches and includes vintage Explorer, Explorer II, Submariner (ND), GMT Master, GMT Master II and the Sea-Dweller. The watches are limited to 50 pieces each. 

The watches.

The Explorer.

The Explorer II.

The GMT Master II.

The GMT Master.

The Sea-Dweller.

The Submariner.

Photographs: blackltdedition.com

Oris BC 3 Air Racing Limited Edition

Emmmm the more I look at the watch, the more I like it. Here are some photographs of the watch and a video of the watch. I like the discrete GMT function and the white tip sweep seconds hand. It is great that Oris is introducing nice models in the BC 3 range as it is my favourite collection in the Oris product range.

The dial.

The watch.

Photographs: Oris

The video.

Video: Oris

Yema YMHF0201 Sous Marine Diver Review

Here is a link to a review of the Yema Sous Diver watch over at the Watchshock site. It is a nice watch and I think it is great value for money. You can get an extra discount if you use the discount coupon in the review. A big thank you to Riley for the video review.

Yema YMHF0201 Sous Marine Diver watch

For those of you who are not familiar with Yema, here a bit of history:

Henry Louis Belmont created Yema in Besancon in 1948. Belmont envisioned superior timepieces with a worldwide presence. Belmont's philosophy for horology remains the centerpiece of their line: to dream, to create, to enjoy and his vision for the superior watch experience has resulted in audacious French designs, with world-class reliability. It was also popular among the Freanch military.

The watch.

Photograph: Riley

Panerai PAM00380 Radiomir Black Seal Logo 45mm

The PAM00380 is one of the watches announced by Panerai at the recent S.I.H.H. 2011. The Radiomir Black Seal watch is part of their Historic Collection. Some people consider this watch one of the least exciting releases by Panerai. I figure otherwise. I like the watch. It is nice to see the logo being used on the Radiomir.

The PAM00380 is similar to the current PAM00183, but there are several major differences between the watches. The most visible difference is in the dial. The PAM00380 does not have the sandwich dial like the PAM00183 but instead has a painted dial. It also sports the Panerai logo on the dial at the 6 o’clock position. I believe this is the first Radiomir to have the Panerai logo on the dial.

The other difference is the movement inside the watch. The PAM00380 is fitted with the Panerai OPII calibre, while the PAM00183 is powered by the Panerai OPXI calibre. Both movements are very similar, but with the following differences: The OPII does not have the swan's neck regulator, and lacks the higher quality finish of the OPXI. Because of these differences, the PAM00380 has been fitted with a solid case back.

Basic specifications:


Functions: hours, minutes and seconds (sub-dial at 9 o'clock)


Movement: Panerai OPII hand would chronometer (COSC) calibre

Case: 316L stainless steel, 45 mm diameter


Crystal: sapphire
(1.9 mm thick)

Water resistant: 10 ATM

For more information:

PAM00380

The watch.

The solid case back. It comes with removable lugs.

A closer view of the dial. I do like the dial.

Photographs: Panerai

Inside Basel/ Geneva 2011

Now in it's 6th year, the popular Inside Basel/ Geneva will be held at the following locations. Book early so that you will not be disappointed. As usual tickets are first come first served basis and seats are limited. Tickets will cost USD 119 will come with a cocktail reception and a three-course dinner.

Event schedule and locations:

June 15 Chicago

June 21 Miami

September 22 Philadelphia

September 27 New York

October 4 San Francisco

October 6 Los Angeles

For more information:

Inside Basel/ Geneva 2011

THANK YOU

A big THANK YOU to all the readers, followers, supporters, visitors, friends and family on our 2nd Anniversary. 

Happy Easter

A Happy Easter to all readers, followers and supporters of this blog.

Ikepod Hourglass Video

Here is a link to a video showing how Ikepod's The Hourglass is made. It is just awesome. Just a brief, The Hourglass from Ikepod is made of highly durable borosilicate glass and instead of sand, it comes with stainless steel nanoballs. The hourglass is available in 10 or 60 minutes timer.

The Hourglass

Oris BC3 Air Racing Limited Edition

Oris has released the limited edition BC3 Air Racing to commemorate the success of the Oris Big Crown Racing Team. In its first foray in the legendary Reno Air Races in Nevada, USA, the team was placed 2nd in the Formula Gold Race. The plane, the Scarlet Screamer, was piloted by team pilot Don Vito Wypraechtiger.

The Scarlet Screamer.

The BC3 Air Racing is a limited edition run of only 1,000 pieces, referenced 01 668 7647 7184-Set. The watch case is titanium and has an additional 24 hour hand to show a second time zone. The red airplane shaped pointer of the second time zone hand relates to the colour and design of the Scarlet Screamer. 

The watch has the following basic specifications: 

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date and 2nd Time Zone

Case: titanium, 42 mm

Crystal: sapphire

Movement: Oris calibre 668 (ETA 2893-2) automatic movement

Water resistant: 10 ATM

The watch comes with a stainless steel screw down crown and a special engraved titanium case back. It will also come in a special box with an extra strap and strap change tool. All in all, I have to say it is an interesting watch and an offering from Oris which I might like to get, since I have always like the BC3 series from Oris. 

For more information:

Oris BC3 Air Racing

The watch:

The beautiful case back.

The set.

Photographs: Oris

DaLuca Panerai Straps

I just put in my order for the Panerai Assolutamente strap for my PAM00367. Sadly the local boutique told me that it will take about 2 months to get the strap. Emmm.. looks like I may need to get another strap to satisfy my thirst for a new strap. 

Before we go any further, the Assolutamente (absolutely in Italian) is the stressed strap that comes with the limited/ special boutique edition Panerai. I like the look of the strap. The model number for the straps:

MX006ZBZ: standard length tang buckle

MX006ZC5: XL length tang buckle

Anyway I was looking at DaLuca straps, especially their collection of Panerai straps. I have to say that the straps looks very interesting. All their straps are one of a kind and they use premium leather. The straps are made in San Diego and the best part is that they do test the straps they make on a Panerai for look and fit. The straps also comes with the screw tubes and the models I am interested in, comes with sewn-in polished buckle. I wonder if they they can change the buckle to the GPF Mod Dep type. Perhaps I will need to look at their Custom Watch strap option. 

They also have vintage watch straps, made from vintage leather that DaLuca source from all over the world. These straps have a distressed older worn look. Interesting. The straps I was looking at are the following:

Despair.

Sevilla de Anco.

Smokehaus.

Spontagio.

Vulan.

Photographs: DaLuca Straps

Have a look at their website for other straps that they have. 

DaLuca Panerai Straps