Bell & Ross Goes Skull & Bones

I gotta give mad props to Corum. Even though they made the hideous 99 cent looking bubble over stainless watch on a crocodile strap worth more than the actual watch, they were way ahead of their time by being the first in the watch industry years ago to play with the whole concept of incorporating skulls. In the last five years the skull craze has gone out of control, from handbags to shoes, to t shirts, thongs, belts you name it, even the top fashion designers in the world have made a killing by using skulls. It’s weird, for me as a musicphile to see skulls being used in many different genres of music over the last 30 years as expression, and people looked down with ridicule upon it for so long and now people wanna go down on it. Nothing is relevant until it becomes mainstream, but hey there are leaders and then there are the rest of the dirty have nots. For this years Basel 2009 Bell & Ross have very strategically played with the skull and cross bones theme which they have been able to adapt as part of their BR Instrument series.

Even though skulls are a reminder of death and mortality, during World War 11 there was a regime known as airborne. These were fearless aviators who served their country and were aware of their own mortality at all times,since they were the first to be exposed to high levels of danger and subsequently death, there anthems spoke the words “death from above” and this was symbolized with a skull. This later became the symbol that was used on their clothing like their uniforms, patches and the fighter planes they flew to defend their missions for their country! This watch pays serious homage to those brave men who dedicated their lives in the call of duty .

This watch is 46mm in diameter. 316L glass bead blasted steel with black finishing type carbon powder coating. This watch has a striking photo luminescent skull for ultimate legibility at night. The movement is a highly modified eta 2892 mechanical automatic movement which is one of the most reliable sound staple movements in the world. The sword hands are a great contrast to the very simplistic skull dial and provides a nice aesthetic to that true skull enthusiast. Th watch is water resistant to 100 meters and can be fitted with a thick rubber, leather or a very cool synthetic strap for ultimate durability and wearibility in those extreme wearing situations. The crystal is made out of synthetic sapphire anti reflective scratch resistant glass for those hard knocks that one can makes day to day for impact. The detail of where the screws are cleverly placed are extended out on each side of the skull giving the case and dial unique symmetry. What more could you possibly frigging want.

I must say even though this watch has an element of kitch, it has a crazy coolness factor all over it and serves the purpose of incorporating the symbolic skull which represents the noble brave men of the past and modern watch innovation to make this the ultimate skull and bones timepiece!

pic courtesy of http://www.timezone.com

A Racing Beauty

Chronoswiss is known for their tuna can watch cases and skelotinzed versions of the valjoux 7750 movements. They have never really been my glass of champagne, but hey I can’t love them all otherwise there would be nothing interesting to write about. This year for Basel 2009, Chronoswiss has introduced a special edition tachoscope in collaboration with Audi. I have to say I am really impressed. The watch is clean concise, and very well finished. I guess because it doesn’t look like a typical Chronoswiss and more like a higher end watch maker is why this watch has given me a slight bulge. This marks the 100Th anniversary of Audi and has been represented in a very classy way. The dial is made out of white enamel.

The only thing wrong that makes the watch look a little cheap is that the Audi Logo, the infamous rings give it that Olympic swatch feeling for a slight second, but if you can get beyond that, you will see how well balanced this watch really is. This limited edition of 100 pieces for the world will feature 65 pieces made in white gold and 35 pieces made in platinum which is marked on the back of the case which surrounds the beautifully finished rotor which also bears the Audi logo , giving it a nice subtle touch and more than enough for branding a collaboration.

The details of this watch are absolutely fantastic, as the the crown has been machined to look like a gearwheel, while the jet black contrasting Arabic numerals jump off the white enamel dial like words of a page,which were inspired by the union races of the 1930’s. The watch case was designed by Audi and the movement is a Chronoswiss Calibre C.125. which is the perfect bond between a watch and car manufacturer at it’s finest. I mean it’s clear that Audi who has nothing to do with watches, should be designing watch cases because they have very cleverly made the case to look like as if A lange & Sohne and Vacheron Constantine made the perfect love child of a refined watch case and besides it puts anything Chronoswiss has ever done to bloody shame.

The two separate subdials display the hours and seconds, while the floating bold black minute hand and the red chrono hand balances out all the functions by being such a bold simplistic colors and makes it a truly unique layout to provide just the right amount of space for the other functions . This one button tachoscope with a rich black alligator strap boasts boldness innovation and raw engineering with heart with ingenuity making this one hell of a racing beauty!

pics courtesy of http://www.timezone.com

What A Shame!

Well, the Basel Fair is officially underway and let me tell you, this is probably the shittiest Basel Fair I have ever seen. I mean the products introduced are average at best. The two brands that people wait for Rolex & Patek Phillipe have been really disappointing for this years 2009 Basel. These two brands are the barometer in good times and in bad. Every watch brand follows like sheep waiting to see what these two legendary brands will do. Both these brands have put me to sleep this year, screw the sleeping pills. Since I am not a Patek Phillipe fan my eyes always gravitate towards Rolex. Last year, if you remember Rolex delivered the Rolex Deep Sea and the Daytona in Rose Gold which were pretty well received novelties and to be honest, I wasn’t too badly offended. This year is frigging God awful.So where do I start?

The new 41 mm Datejust 11 which is available in steel and gold and stainless steel and white gold with new dial treatments and fluted bezels only. I love the size, and finally makes wearing a Datejust masculine elegant and versatile. I hope to god they introduce it in a domed bezel configuration because that would blow the roof off, because lets face it fluted bezels and oyster bracelets don’t belong together kinda like a man with a vagina, but having a 41 mm datejust with oyster bracelet with domed bezel would clean it up, modernize it and be the best looking stainless steel mens watch on a bracelet. Then, oh yeah there is the ridiculous new oh la la Daytona in white gold with a fully pave dial with white strap! Yawn. I don’t see the signs of a P Diddy white party anytime soon. In this economy to come out with something so offensive, shit, i guess Rolex doesn’t really care.

Then there is the new steel and Gold submariner with blue and black dials. Well my only issue is that they didn’t go bigger because in my opinion they still look like nicer versions of the old which isn’t bad, but if your going to make a complete change to this model the case should have been at least 43 mm. The plus points are the watches themselves have gotten the new bracelet technology which is cleaner more modern and better constructed. The dial seems to have gotten the Maxi Dot treatment for the luminescent hour markers and it’s hard to tell if the bezel went ceramic or has been screened like a fake painting.

The new Datejust 36 mm is real PIMP. Whoever came up with the new dial was definitely taking hallucinogens and it looks as though there are flowers on the dial which is just downright insulting. Of course the diamond dial diamond bezel elements certify this watch a giant turd in my opinion, but hey I guess ladies will love the new 36 mm datejust because it dresses the watch up more, and I guess if your a chick who has money and hasn’t gotten some for a while this will definitely make you feel better to compensate. i will say I am very impressed by the new Rolex Cellini Prince in 18K white gold . This historic legend with manual wind movement has gotten the attention of detail of the dial and case and screams sophistication complication and in my opinion is probably the most underrated watch that Rolex has in it’s arsenal.

I know Rolex has much more to offer with a variety of models that need the attention of modernity and upgrading and size, which I am sure will role out sometime in the future, but in such a weak time they should have unleashed one weapon to restore hope and get collectors excited to talk about the brand and make people wanna buy and not cry. What a dirty shame!

Pics courtesy of http://www.rolex.com

Gandhi Hails Supreme At Antiquorum!

So, if you read my recent post, Gandhi Time, then you know of the auction that took place last week by Antiquorum in NYC, which auctioned off Gandh’s famed Zenith pocket watch and his other personal belongings. I think this auction completely rocked the foundation of all attending because Gandhi made history again when the lot of his things went for an estimated 2 million dollars. Not only was history made, but the man responsible for winning the auction was non other than Indian Mogul Vijay Mallya, who is a highly successful Indian business mogul who owns one of the most famous liquor companies in India, Kingfisher Beer, which is also the name of his prestigious airline, which happens to be the best airline in India.. He also has his money invested in a three legged rocking horse Formula ! racing team that almost always places last, but hey you can’t be the King Dong of everything all the time. He has done a great justice by being the winner of the Gandhi Auction, because now he is returning these items to India where they rightfully belong, to be on display permanently for the public to revere and admire such amazing history of probably the greatest spiritual leader of all time.

Despite the economic diarrhea being spread around the world like a virus “Antiquorum is pleased that the objects attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest spiritual and political leaders of the 20Th-century will be returning to India. We know that this was the hope of the Indian people, as well as many others around the world. As the world’s premier horological auction house for the past 35 years, Antiquorum safeguards the interests of all involved – consignors and buyers, alike. In the case of today’s high-profile auction of Gandhi’s pocket watch and personal artifacts, which realized $2,096,000, our commitment to this process and our reputation as auctioneers has insured a fair, and we believe, positive outcome,” said Robert Maron, Chairman Antiquorum. I think it’s fair to say that with the recent hard on for all things indian, Slum Dog Millioniare phenomenon, the country, natural healing, yoga,the food, the people and especially Gandhi, it brings india and Indians to the forefront of society for the first time in years, so it’s really not a surprise why Gandhi hailed supreme at Antiquorum.

pic courtesy of http://www.horomundi.com
quote courtesy of http://www.antiquorum.com

The Undisputed Best Watch Magazine In The World!

As you all know by know, I am not big on giving unnecessary compliments to just anybody. I feel it is my purpose to educate you all as objectively as I possibly can. With the current economic state of affairs, it’s quite clear that magazines sales in general have diminished, and Internet based magazines are at an all time high. What a shocker! People are impatient and want their information now just like fast food. One magazine that I have been thoroughly impressed by over the last four years and has strangley beaten the odds, and will receive the first Johnny Flyback award for outstanding journalism and overall content is non other than Revolution Magazine!

They are my pic for The Best Watch Magazine In The World For 2009. They’re complete Rock Stars who are best in class that deserve many accolades.! Their commitment to reporting the latest watch news and the beautiful high print quality layout of the magazine which is absolutely superb and puts them in a league of their own, which is very clearly defined for the reader to understand. Sure like any watch magazine, you can definitely tell who the advertisers are, but it’s also very apparent how honest, technical, bold and sexy this magazine really is. At the newsstand price of $14.99 it ain’t cheap, but the fact that you can’t even find them on newsstands right now because they are sold out, is a testament to they’re vision and devout following which is rapidly growing.

The reason that this mag is more addictive than porn is not just because of the nasty closeups, but the dedicated editors and writers who’s passion is very clearly watches and the industry because they themselves are collectors and enthusiasts who understand how people think. The magazine only started in 2005, and with so many other crappy watch magazines being at the forefront for so long, it’s incredible to see how respected and almost biblical this magazine has become amongst watch fanatics and luxury enthusiasts alike in such a short period of time. The in depth articles not just on the watches themselves, but the people who make it happen is written in a way that makes people think for days and makes the true watch aficionado go to a place of fantasy. This is truly an amazing achievement for such an incredibly conservative lack luster subject, and I give Revolution Magazine my respect with A Rock On Award!

So please support the revolution and get the skinny and be a part of something cool without boring the shit out of yourself and buy this magazine if you are lucky enough to find it!

Disclaimer: The Johnny Flyback Award is a written one and not a phallic statue
pic courtesy of http://www.revolutionmagazine.com

IT’s About Time for A Lawsuit!

According to the Associated Press, it appears that screen legends Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have filed a lawsuit against mediocre watch brand Tutima and Overture Films which distributed the movie Righteous Kill for unspecified damages. According to De Niro And Pacino, they never endorsed commercial partnerships between the movie and the watch brand. I guess if I was either of the two actors, I would do the same thing because I would be really embarrassed to have any affiliation with such a shiteous brand. Let’s face it people Tutima is a brand that wants to be IWC, but can’t because they constantly break and look like a really disposable cracker jack version of IWC.

I give overture films credit at least they had the nuts to make a statement in which they said “We are surprised by this action as Overture Films has not received any communication on this matter for months from Pacino, De Niro or their representatives. We take lawsuits very seriously and our legal team is addressing the issue.” As for Tutima they didn’t immediately return a voicemail looking for their comments, because they are complete D-Bags who know they were completely in the wrong. All they were looking for was an angle to gain popularity, respect and exposure by using the names and voices of two of the most respected screen actors of all time without their permission.

Just for the record, had the permission had actually been asked, the two actors made it very clear that they still would have never validated any sort of tie in between the movie and the watch brand for the use of they’re names and voices. Hey one way to look at it is that Tutima finally got mentioned which should give them some exposure for once, yeah with a looming lawsuit hanging over their heads from two men they should have never fucked with! This is what angers me, to start with Tutima is trying to gain credibility, instead they further themselves to damnation. They should publicly apologize or make some sort of statement. In these hard times they can’t afford not to make it right. Well, the good thing is, that it’s one less dirty brand to worry about!

Righteous Kill pic courtesy of http://www.moviegoods.com
Tutima Logo courtesy of http://www.Tutima.com

Is This Neccessary?

To begin with, I am not A Ulysse Nardin Fan, I will never be, and I can’t pretend like some gay guy wanting to be straight. All my friends and fans know that I feel that this brand is for the real rear admiral. I don’t knock they’re innovation, concepts, or success, I just feel that they are AP offshore of round divers watches making the same model over and over again and to be honest they are really hideous looking.

To make matter worse, this year for Basel, UN have decided to highlight one of they’re really clever novelties not as a watch put at a smart phone/watch. I am sorry, this is just hilarious. They’re head is so far up they’re own stink hole, that they have suffocated themselves from what they are actually good at. The product is well made and well packaged and marketed flawlessly, but come on people, I don’t care if this smart phone contributes to teleporting oneself to wherever the F you want to be, but to make a phone when your a watchmaker is borderline TRANNY.

I mean sure if the economy is good, to diversify your product line, why not? Well, last time I checked we are in the middle of what could be the Greatest Depression we have ever faced, and UN feels the world really needs a hybrid smart phone that will probably cost thousands of dollars? Yeah I am sure that’s a major priority for all! The thing is, that when you start involving yourself in completely different realms, the client starts to get confused with the direction with the company is taking. Even though I am not a fan of Useless Nardin as I like to call it, they are a successful powerhouse within the watch industry that has a formula which sells very specific timepieces to a very targeted customer.

So this smart phone is going to combine horology and the latest and greatest in smart phone Intel, providing service with any network. It’s a really dumb idea, and I have lost even more respect for the brand because of this blatant stupidity! So this smart phone is a really tacky blue and gold color, and the buttons on the side of the phone are gold resembling chronograph pushers, where the little porthole window on the back of the phone displays a winding rotor that suggest that the phone is self winding. To push us all over the edge the watch is limited to 1846 pieces, you know the year the UN started. I think I am going to be sick! Anyway, I don’t know, but am I the only one here who wants to know if all this this is really necessary?

pic courtesy of http://www.timezone.com