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Ariel Adams @ Luxist.com- Kyboe Watches: Fun Fashion From The Netherlands
- Hublot Big Bang Polo de Paris Limited Edition Watch
- Sylvester Stallone Wearing A Jacob & Co. Skull Five Time Zone Watch
- Franc Vila FV35 SuperSonico 5-Minute Repeater Watch
- Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe Réctangulaire Full Black Watch & Their Bering Strait Expedition
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IWC: The Book, The Manufacture
Posted on September 2, 2010
Filed Under IWC | 6 Comments
I did a survey on Luxist within the last year that was a survey of the “best” luxury watch brands according to the site’s readers who participated in the poll. I had to choose five brands, and among those was IWC. With a strong, focused product line, and an emphasis on performance and gentlemen’s sport activity, I felt that the brand resonated particularly well with American audiences. While such polls aren’t hard science, the result was that Luxist readers felt that IWC was the best luxury watch brand. Beating the likes of others such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet.
IWC was obviously on my radar before the results of that poll, but it was a fascinating look into the perception of (mostly American) luxury blog readers. One of your fellow aBlogtoRead.com readers recently commented on an IWC related article that IWC watches are well-made, nicely designed, but over-priced. A quick response via another fellow reader indicated a wise observation. If a brand is doing well, selling its products, and experiencing high demand, the amount it asks for its products isn’t too high – especially if it is getting that amount. That sort of halted the topic, and I thought it was a good message about the luxury industry overall. Luxury goods are easy to attack. It is easy to complain about price, image, and snobbiness. What is more impressive is when luxury brands are defended. Such conduct shows that the price, image, and possible snobbiness don’t actually result in bad sentiment - in that particular case. I’m making a general statement about the luxury industry and many different types of products, but in the context of IWC, it interesting to see fans ‘ring in’ to communicate their own personal high-view of the brand and what they sell.
IWC has a really interesting history, and I won’t try to sum it up here. The brand was actually started by an American, and occurred at the time when Swiss labor was actually cheaper than American labor – at least this is my understanding. Since that time (a long time ago), the brand has transformed a lot, and currently under Richemont Group ownership, thrives as one of the most well-respected luxury watch brands around. The exact details of when the brand started to current day IWC apparently were unknown to any one person. So IWC decided to put together a book to document its history. Which is what this new (and massive) IWC book is all about - and it is called "IWC: Engineering Time Since 1868."
The synthesis of this new book is actually really interesting, and kind of unusual. Most books are created with very specific purposes in mind – to sell copies, and make money. This book is a little different. While IWC of course wants to sell as many copies as possible, the book has other value. First, I think that IWC simply wanted to have a good grasp on its own history. I don’t know whose idea it was to make the book, but CEO George Kern but the ball in motion a while ago to chronicle the history and story of IWC. In cooperation of current and former IWC employees, as well as many historical documents, the task was given to German writer and journalist Manfred Fritz. It took him a few years to finish the job, but the result was a quite competent collection of the history and activities that made up the International Watch Company. The book would serve as a base, for while all future brand history could be added to. The value to Kern was that IWC could finally have a detailed and relatively precise authority on its history, values, and tradition. A very Germanic thing to do yes, but IWC is located in Schaffhausen which is quite close to Germany, and in the German speaking part of Switzerland.
European watch buyers value something that American watch buyers (and this sort of applies to general consumer mentalities overall) aren’t as focused on. It is the concept of history and tradition. A company that is old, and had been around for a long time is given a lot of instant credibility. European consumers looking for watches seem often times to be weary of new products and companies that haven’t yet proven themselves. This of course doesn’t apply to everyone, but overall the sentiment seems to hold true. For that reason, IWC felt it was a good idea from a branding standpoint to show existing and potential customers that it has an impressive looking, hefty 25 pound book filled with history. So it isn’t that everyone who might become interested with IWC is going to buy the book and read it cover to back – but rather that they could if they wanted to, and will at least have it to flip through while hanging out at IWC boutiques. The book should also be available at traditional book retailers as well, for those who discover it, and find interest in the brand or the watches.
With a notable and respected third-party author, as well as a grand tale to tell, the IWC book served most of its purposes relatively well. But that alone wouldn’t get it a ton of attention outside the world of watch lovers and IWC aficionados. So IWC decided that it wanted to sex things up a bit, so that their new investment would get noticed by even more people, and further entice people to check it out that might not otherwise.
If IWC asked me how to do this, I don’t think they would have liked my answer. I probably would have told them to insert a lot of tasteful nudes – where ‘calendar girl’ style women would pose minus wardrobes, brandishing an assortment of fine IWC watches. I don’t know about you, but I would have picked up the book to check that out. Unfortunately, IWC likely would have wanted to take a more prudent route and not risk offending its more conservative clients. Oh, well. Perhaps another brand will use my idea.
The plan to jazz up the book took time to develop. After a lot of ideas and matters of practically were addressed, the final result was to make a book within a book. What is a book within a book? Call it an intermission. There is literally another book inside of the massive book. It even feels different. The sandwiched literature isn’t really about watches – but more about how IWC products and personality can influence story telling. IWC was able to convince well-known, high-selling Brazilian author (of books such as The Alchemist) Paulo Coehlo to pen the book within the book. Because the rest of the book was filled to the brim with imagery, so should Paulo’s text. So IWC enlisted French artist and cartoonist Enki Bilal for the task. While not known too well in the US, Enki is a talented artist, and has some animated movies under his belt.
No matter the result, IWC would have three big names to slap on the front of its book – which alone would have been pretty brag-worthy for them. What impresses me is that it all came together pretty well.
For the unveiling of the book, I visited IWC’s headquarters and manufacture in Schaffhausen. The sleepy Swiss town (well most Swiss towns are quiet) is typical of the village style burghs that watch makers like to call home. While the manufacture is extremely modern, vestiges of a medieval past are all around. With smoke pluming chimneys on story-book style homes, to a castle topped mountain, the view from the factory is conducive to practicing the history rich art of watch making.
The unveiling event included the three men responsible for the content in the book. Though in reality, IWC as a whole deserves a pat on the back for getting the book done. Manfred, Paulo, and Enki are three totally different types of men, and IWC likely has some amusing stories involving the trio collaborating on the book. In fact, the event itself was the first time that the three men ever met each other. Prior to that, all the work was done remotely and via IWC as a conduit. The German, the Frenchman, and the Brazilian each added something interesting to the history book, above and beyond what IWC would have created if it was an entirely in-house effort.
OK, so enough about the making of the book, is it worth checking out? That is a good question, because it isn’t exactly cheap. While you get a beautiful, useful, and heavy tome, the IWC history book costs about 250 Swiss Francs. To be honest I was skeptical at first. It is easy to put in a ton of pictures, and dress up text with glossy pages and a fancy publishing job. That isn’t the case here. What impressed me most about the book was the organization. Each major watch collection has its own section. So let’s say you are interested in the Aquatimer. IWC dive watches have an entire section complete with history, technology, and a review of many models – both modern and historic. It gives people a way to feel much more connected to watches they may have, as well as learn about potential collections they are interested in.
It goes without saying that the book features a proper history and timeline of IWC, its major players, and the events and successes it has had. Manfred fulfills his role as a journalist making the information clear and useful. The book isn’t merely reams of paragraphs that feel like marketing copy to praise IWC for each moment of its existence.
Some of the things I really like are discussions about unique technology IWC has used or developed, images of classic IWC advertisements, famous relationships and watches produced, as well as an intimate understanding of what interests not only a watch lover, but also history buffs.
How about the book within the book? Well Enki’s illustrations each have some IWC imagery in them, and serve to compliment the short stories they accompany. Paulo provides several short stories – which offer a glimpse of what he sees the IWC lifestyle to be like, done of course in the style he is famous for. Paulo needed to get his mind about luxury watches as well as IWC’s particular history and product offering before embarking on this project. I believe this is the only commissioned work that he has ever done, which speaks well to the persuasive power of IWC (and perhaps Mr. Kern).
There aren’t likely to be that many people who read IWC’s history book in its entirety. It isn’t that type of book. It is meant to be a large coffee table sized publication meant for perusal and short stints of reading. Each time you sit down with it, you can open up a different section, and see if there are items you want to explore further. Pages aren’t cluttered with text, and only a few sections have long portions of text without a break. The book even has two book-mark strings – assuming you might be looking at more than one section at a time.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the book is lovely, and like I said, all the images are welcome and useful. It helps bring the beauty, purpose, and history of IWC watches appreciatively to life. The reason I discussed the organization and content of the book first, is to help separate from coffee tables books that are meant to be viewed only. But between sessions of checking it out, the book will not only look nice sitting around the house, but prove interesting to most people who flip through it. As an added bonus, the size and weight of the book provide that if needed, it can be used as a weapon in self defense (if you can manage to swing it about). A solid strike to the solar plexus should find most opponents stunned and on the ground. Of course I (and most certainly IWC), recommend the book for reading purposes only.
No doubt IWC will update the book every so often when new things come out, but the core history will remain. The significant investment in the book was a reasonable endeavor for them, and as I discussed above, the book has a number of important uses for IWC. For you, it is worthwhile to pick up if you are an existing IWC fan, want to know more about the brand, or are just interested in the last century of watch making (as there aren’t too many books or resources that offer as attractive a package to get such information). Priced in the US at $250, and available from IWC and major book retailers.
Giveaway: LUM-TEC B15 Chronograph Watch
Posted on September 1, 2010
Filed Under LUM-TEC | 226 Comments
LUM-TEC lovers rejoice, this month you have a chance to win one of LUM-TEC's very popular Combat B series watches. This is the limited edition B15 Chronograph, with a 43mm wide bead-blasted steel case and a real carbon fiber dial. A pilot watch at heart, it comes with a sturdy NATO style strap, and a very easy to read dial. LUM-TEC of course gives the watch their famous MDV luminant that works very well I must say. Visibility is further enhanced by anti-reflective (AR) coating on both sides of the sapphire crystal.
Inside the watch is a Miyota OS20 quartz chronograph movement. It has a 60 minute counter, synchronized 24 hour hand, subsidiary seconds dial, and the date. The B 15 is part of a very limited production of just 100 pieces, and has a retail price of $565. But you can get a free B15 by entering for a chance to win below.
To Enter You Must:
1. Comment on this post below with your valid e-mail address where required. In the body of your comment mention a favorite pilot watch, or any other reason why you are the best candidate to win.
2. Be a pal. If you are feeling up to it, Facebook friend/fan all or any of the following:
3. Wait until the giveaway is over on October 1st, 2010 for the winner to be chosen at random.
A couple of basic rules. You can only enter once. You must comment with a valid e-mail address where you can be reached. Your comment must be confirmed and approved. You must complete the objectives to be considered. You are responsible for providing your contact shipping information if you are chosen. Shipping restrictions to non US entrants may apply based on sponsor's policies. Giveaway watch selection based on sponsor's inventory and watch availability. All comments made after the end of the giveaway period will not be considered. For the full terms and conditions, please click here.
Good luck, and thanks to LUM-TEC, the sponsor of the LUM-TEC B15 watch giveaway here at aBlogtoRead.com!
View Cartier Manufacture Movement Watches In America
Posted on August 31, 2010
Filed Under Cartier | 8 Comments
I had Cartier make this image for me because it was the best possible visual for the event. With Cartier getting really serious about amazing in-house made movements and complications they are sending a set of the watches on the road in the good 'ol US of A for us to see. The Cartier road show is coming to a city near you. Can you spot some of your favorite Cartier manufacture movements? There is a glut of tourbillon watches, and my favorite, the Cartier Astrotourbillon. Can you name them all?
You won't have to in order to check them out. If you want to view the collection of beautiful, technically interesting, high-end, and not to mention rare, Cartier manufacture movement watches, look below at a list of Cartier boutique stores near you for the dates that they will be there.
• Cartier, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
o September 30th through October 6th
• Cartier, Fifth Avenue, New York City, New York
o October 8th through October 16th
• Hyde Park Jewelers, Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Denver, Colorado
o October 18th through October 27th
• Cellini, Waldorf Astoria, New York City, New York
o October 30th through November 10th
• Cartier, North Park Center, Dallas, Texas
o November 13th through November 29th
• Cartier, WYNN Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
o January 8th through January 24th
• Cartier, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, California
o January 27th through February 3rd
• Cartier, Waterside Shops Pelican Bay, Naples, Florida
o February 7th through February 18th
• Cartier, 370 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California
o February 22nd through March 10th
• Cartier, Bal Harbour Shops, Bal Harbour, Florida
o February 28th through March 9th
• Cartier, 40 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts
o March 11th through March 20th
Corum Admiral’s Cup Deep Hull 48 Limited Edition Watch
Posted on August 31, 2010
Filed Under Corum | 10 Comments
It is big and it goes down pretty deep. It is also the first real diver's watch from Corum that I can think of (aside from a few dive style Corum Bubble watches). This is the new for 2010 Admiral's Cup Deep Hull 48 watch from Corum, and it is rather interesting, though I have some thoughts on it overall. The Admiral's Cup line has been very good to the brand, and over the last few years Corum has been refining it a lot. More models, lots of variety, and a furtherance of making them look more manly as opposed to colorful (which was the classic look with all the colored flags). Today's Admiral's Cup watches share very little in common with the originals. Here, the flags are barely still there in monochromatic glory. The real standout features of an Admiral's Cup watch is its 12 sided case and bezel.
The Deep Hull 48 is in a 48mm wide titanium case, and is actually weighty for titanium. It is after all, a large watch. The case comes in either brushed titanium or in PVD black coated titanium. Both are limited editions, and I think there is a reason for that. In fact, Corum releases very few Admiral's Cup watches that aren't limited editions. I think it is because many of them are highly niche targeted or experiments. I would suggest that the Deep Hull is an experiment. Corum is testing the design, and I think they want to make a serious case for a Corum dive watch.
Functionally the Deep Hull is a very serious diver. 1000 meters of water resistance. Automatic helium escape valve. Lots of lume, rotating diver's bezel, rubber strap... and of course... cool name. Design wise I like the case, but I feel as though it is missing something. As though after I look it over I am left wondering, "is that it?" As though I want it to have just one more trick up its sleeve.
Maybe my problem is with the dial. It just feels too much like other subsidiary second day/date Corum Admiral's Cup watches. Just with a bit more lume. Could Corum has done a bit more? Perhaps. Maybe something more original and dive watch in style. Look at the Chanel J12 Marine, that watch feels oceany and marine in theme. This just feels like "big Tony's big Corum watch with sharp angles." I want to like the Deep Hull more than I do, I love the concept, I love dive watches, but I think Corum needs to spend more time on the dial. Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic COSC Chronometer certified movement, with a subsidiary seconds hand, and a day/date complication. I have a feeling that the movement started it's like as a modified Valjoux 7750. Corum calls the movement their calibre CO947
Again, the case, caseback, crown, strap, buckle, and other external features of the watch are great. Even the super thick 12-sided sapphire crystal over the dial is cool. Then again, the dial itself isn't bad or anything, I just feel a desire for a bit more, and I know that Corum can give it to me. The Deep Hull 48 isn't a bad watch, or a bad buy, but I feel that given Corum's new found effort on design and polish, they can do a bit better. Any I have no doubt that they will. With just 500 pieces in titanium, and 255 pieces in black titanium, this limited edition set will set the stage for better and more beautiful Corum dive watches to come in the near future.
See Corum watches on eBay here.
See Corum watches on Amazon here.
 New Men's Corum Admiral's Cup Classic Chronometer Watch  US $3,600.00
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 CORUM ADMIRAL'S CUP 48 COMPETITION 18K ROSE GOLD WATCH! US $5,999.99
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 Brand-new Corum "Admirals Cup 44" men's watch US $14,500.00
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 Corum Admiral’s Cup Titanium Competition 48 US $2,025.00
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 Brand-new Corum "Admirals Cup Challenge 44" men's watch US $16,500.00
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 Brand-new Corum "Admirals Cup Competition 40" watch US $4,750.00
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Storm Caspa Watch Review
Posted on August 30, 2010
Filed Under Storm | 5 Comments
Given the types of watches I frequently write about on aBlogtoRead, you might think me the type who is able to afford many of these timepieces. That isn't true - it may be that I just do all this to get access to stuff I wouldn't otherwise be able to afford. So for those of you who lust over timepieces that can't afford - and dream of someday being able to save up for - I feel your pain. It is for that reason that I attempt to bring to your attention timepieces that are much more affordable, or simple splurges that you don't need to think too much about buying. Which brings me to the Storm Caspa watch.
Storm of London offers a really wide range of timepieces, and I am going to end up writing about a few of the pieces they offer that I like. The Caspa is one of them. I think it has an attractive design, and is affordable enough to allow most people to get it without really even thinking. What you get is a well adapted design, in a Storm package, the is a good fit for many occasions.
Looking at the design you might think Omega Speedmaster mixed with Chanel or Bulgari. Actually, Storm is "borrowing" the exact dial design of a watch I previously wrote about - which is the Chronograph Suisse Mangusta Super Meccanica Stupenda watch. The Chronograph Suisse uses a different type of case, and is well... a chronograph, but you can easily see the similarity right? Storm chose a good design from a less-than-well-know brand, and helped make it more affordable. That watch from Chronograph Suisse isn't available for much under $6,000. The Storm Caspa goes for just over $200. This practice of a less expensive brand using the design of a higher-end brand occurs daily in the watch industry and isn't really something anyone even turns their head for (and sometimes the opposite occurs as well!).
Storm chose to not make the Caspa a chronograph. Instead using the subdials for calendar dials (date and date), as well as synchronized 24 hour hand (for indicating AM/PM). Interestingly enough, there are two large openings on the side of the case that have a clear crystal installed. Does this mean Storm initially intended the watch to be a chronograph? That a chronograph version is coming? Or perhaps it is just a coincidence based on the "skeletonized side" design of the watch.
Storm does leave the tachymeter scale on the bezel which is only useful when you have a chronograph. This element on the watch is purely for looks. Some people can't forgive that, but I don't really mind in a watch at this level. The look of the Caspa, in its various colors is pretty satisfying. You'll be hard pressed to find a watch at this level with a handsome look like this. Being easy to read is a good side benefit of the design, and should help sway purchase potentials.
At about 41.5mm wide, the case, in steel, is a nice size and fits well. I like that most all Storm watches I've ever worn are surprisingly comfortable - even the ones with less than traditional designs. The really unique design element here are the skeletonized sides of the case. Some very high-end mechanical watches have such windows in sapphire crystal to provide views into their mechanical movements, and Storm does it here to see (sort of) the quartz movement inside. It is an interesting and unexpected element that helps the Caspa feel more unique. The watch case is water resistant to 50 meters, and has a mineral crystal. For the price, I am pretty satisfied with the case.
Storm puts the Caspa on a leather strap with a crocodile texture. This comes in black or brown, depending on the color of the dial (which comes in four tones) - black being my favorite. The strap looks nice, and feels comfy, but I don't think it will last very long. Expect maybe a year or so of wear out of the strap before it will need to be replaced.
For a comfortable, stylish, and easy to read watch that is very affordable, Storm has some good offerings, and this Caspa model is near the top of my list. Price from Storm is $210, and I believe the Caspa is a new product for 2010.
Check out the Caspa watch collection via Storm here.
Thanks to Storm for the review unit. Opinions are 100% independent.
