Kobe Bryant Keeps His Eye On The Ball

People, for five years now I have been saying that celebrities, whether it be athletes, musicians, actors and high profiled people are all going to shift their thinking with regards to the watches they purchase. Thank Christ! Finally, they are getting more savvy and developing taste, which is a huge blessing. The days of bling are over. I feel triumphant. Don't get me wrong, you still get the uneducated gang banger Mofo's walking around with diamonds on their watches, acting like pimps,which is nothing more than tacky flash, but the difference now is that they are being laughed at instead of praised. This a a huge achievement for all the legitimate watch brands, which in my opinion was inevitable. Today is a different world, it's not like 5 years ago, where it was only about the car you drive, it's more about the watch you wear, because it is the only article besides clothing on you at all times.

What am I talking about? Well, the proof is in the pudding. In May of 2008, Kobe Bryant of The Los Angeles Lakers, was awarded MVP. How did he thank his team? He made the astute decision of giving all his teammates, Jaeger Le Coultre Master Compressor Chronograph's in stainless steel, after a team dinner. These timepieces were personally engraved with each players name and year on the caseback, compliments of Kobe Bryant. With a $10,000 plus price tag, How is that for gratitude? This watch not only shouts, "I have arrived", but also "I am determined to dominate on and off the court". The watch is a stainless steel 42 mm case, with a black Arabic dial with luminescent hour markers and hands for visibility in the darkest hours. It has a 65 hour power reserve, automatic self- winding in house manufactured movement calibre 751.

This movement like every JLC movement has been tested for 1,000 hours of quality control. This is a much more comprehensive testing than the chronometer process. If any part fails for whatever reason, the part is immediately replaced and retested from the beginning of the 1,000 hour process. This seal for the highest level of quality control is engraved on the caseback of every Jaeger Le Coultre watch.

The functions of the watch are hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph with a 60 seconds counter and a 30 minute counter and the assistance of the tachometer scale on the outer boarder of the dial makes it easy to time many different things with a click of a button. To finish the look of debonair, the watch is fitted with a cognac brown croco strap with double of white stitching on either side, with stainless steel to round it out and keep things in tact.

Kobe Bryant was introduced to the brand while doing a photo shoot for the JLC Sqaudra Reverso, and from there, it was history! The union between the two has proved to be a huge victory, and there is no doubt in my mind that even when Kobe is not on the court making history night after night, he still manages to keep his eye on the ball.

Pic courtesy of www.jaegerlecoultre.com

Get Ready For Bond!

We are only a couple days away from the new follow up James Bond Film, Quantum Of Solace. The should be a real nail biter. In 2006, we were all blown away with the resurrection of the James Bond franchise, with Casino Royal. Daniel Craig proved to be a modern day Sean Connery. As a bond fan, I can tell you that I was getting sick of the pretty boy old farts who played Bond over the years, who really didn't give the character justice. As much as I have been intrigued by bond as a kid, I have finally become a believer again.

Similarly, I have become a believer in the new Quantum Of Solace limited edition Omega Planet Ocean. Finally, a watch fit enough to be worn by James Bond since the Rolex Submariner worn in the sixties by Sean Connery. Don't get me wrong, this watch is not as cool as the vintage Rolex worn by Sean Connery, but it has serious character. I mean as far as watches on bracelets go, lets face it, your pretty limited because they all look like some variation of a stainless steel Rolex Submariner. So, the specs on the watch read like an assignment given to Bond by M. How cool is it, that the black textured dial is treated to look like the Grip used on 007's legendary Walter PPK Gun.

As much as I find it to be a real Burger King quality, the name of the movie is laser inscribed on the inside of the domed scratch resistant sapphire crystal, it has merit, and is sure to be a real collectible for any die hard Bond fan, since the watch is limited to only 5007 pieces for the world. The stainless steel caseback has 007 engraved into a very cool textured center, while the words planet ocean and the limited edition number out of 5007 is written around the edge in black, like the color of the dial, to give it that real high tech secret agent aesthetic. The case is a lethal 45 mm in diameter, and made out of high grade stainless steel, with the helium escape valve at the 10 o 'clock position has HE engraved, just in case you were not sure. The bezel, is a stainless steel unidirectional bezel and the watch is water resistant to 600 meters, which is enough to withstand the pressure depths of the sea and explosions faced by 007.

So, I urge you all to sit back, relax, and get ready for bond, which will be the cinematic event of the year, and be sure to watch out for 007 and his sophisticated wrist machinery!

pic courtesy of www.omega.com

The Dirty Truth About Variety

Hey, They say variety is the spice of life. Well, it's true to a point, but when it comes to timepieces it's completely overrated bullshit! In the last five to ten years, it seems that even frigging underwear companies want to be watch makers. Maybe I am exaggerating a little, but it's got way out of control. I hate to take food away from anyone's mouth, but let's be honest people, one thing this down economy will inevitably and finally do, is filter all the mickey mouse joke companies that claim or profess that they are serious watchmakers. The biggest issue that we are facing in the industry today are the independents. There really are some outstanding quality timepieces produced by the most exclusive artists, such as F.P Journe, Richard Mille or Vianney Halter. However, they are way too expensive and there is no heritage to legitimize who they are, and sadly enough, they just become another painting on the wall that most people can never afford.

The other issue is that because these independents make their own tools and parts, who the hell is going to service these timepieces once they are gone? To run as an independent today, there needs to be a lot of money backing them, and the reality is that this is few and far between. So as a result, there are no true independents because either they go under because of lack of funds, or they get swallowed up by a much bigger luxury group for a song. The other thing is, that it confuses the consumer to have too many choices. I know the whole deal with watches is they are statements of one's individuality, but come on people if it ain't done right, well let's just say it can be like a bottle of cheese wiz that exploded in the microwave, dirty,sticky and who wants to touch it? The end consumer today wants to be informed, but at the same time have their personality in tact. Trust me people, variety in the watch industry has become massively cliche. I have collected enough watches to know that you can try them all, but it becomes an expensive lesson to realize, that you should stick with the staple brands that have had a voice for hundreds of years because of their history, exclusivity and now investment potential.

Please don't be fooled so easily. If your lucky a brand like Panerai comes very rarely. I have so many clients that ask me about a million different brands and to be honest, I can't keep a track of them all. Like music today there are so many imitators, and the true visionaries are in a different league trying to survive one day to the next. How cool would it be, to buy that true piece of craftsmanship and not have to read about it or talk about it because it is out of your league. So, I say to all of you out there, first do your research and find out the dirty truth about variety, before you put yourself in debt for something that you love.

A Real American From Switzerland!

People, I am very excited about this. About two years ago, I had the unique opportunity to view the prototype of this incredibly sophisticated watch by Vacheron Constantin. The only thing was that it was very different from anything I have ever seen produced by the brand, even though it was originally produced in 1921 for the American market. Finally, the moment has come and this production is a reality. When I had the opportunity to see the prototype, it was white gold, cushion shaped, nostalgia pouring out of it, and a crown that was located at the one o'clock position near the very lug that the strap was connected to. The dial was this incredibly white enamel dial with the boldest fluid arabic numerals which absolutely blew me away.

In my ideal world this would be 45 mm, but hey I didn't design it did I? This feeling I had overwhelmed me when I saw it, I mean it made me want to buy a vintage car, and have a vintage suit, and act in some Woody Allen Film, set in the nineteen twenties. Very rarely do vintage watches have that effect. Normally vintage watches are cool, but never evoke an emotion to make me want to do other things.

So, the name of this watch is the Vacheron Constantin Historique American 1921. As far as I know, this watch is available in a limited production in 18k Rose Gold, which has so much depth, and is very rich in color. The watch sits 40 mm in case diameter, the unique placement of the crown gives it character and sets it apart from any fine wristwatch manufactured today. The movement of the watch just like in the roaring twenties, is a manual wind movement and in house manufactured, which is a Vacheron Constantin caliber 4400 that includes a 65 hour power reserve, and the most important seal of excellence, the very prestigious Hallmark De Geneve is stamped on it, ensuring the highest level of quality and craftsmanship. The dial, well lets just say it's just as important and well finished as the movement. Even though the original dial from the twenties was enamel and extremely white, this dial achieves a similar vision without being so stark. This dial has a unique personality as it is slightly shifted to the right, and is silver satin finished and sand blasted, with hand painted fancy black arabic numerals dancing of the dial, like words off a page. This is to be fitted with the finest black crocodile strap and a rose gold buckle to match the 18k rose gold case.

As far as I am concerned, the new Vacheron Constantin Historique American 1921, is the finest dress watch out there today with a taste of the twenties and proving once again to the world that it's a real American from Switzerland!

Pics courtesy of www.timezone.com

The End Of An Era

Very rarely do I write about particular people in the watch industry because of the dirty politics associated with it, but this time around it's for a different reason. I don't know how many of you like the brand Corum, but even though I would personally rather wear a Casio G-Shock with a smelly Velcro strap, it has always had it's own niche of dedicated collectors. They have been Fine Swiss Watch Makers since 1955. The man responsible for taking the brand to new heights was none other than Severin Wunderman. Severin was an absolute legend in the industry and very well respected. He had a vision, a very rare passion and his outlook on life was anything but conservative. He lead the most interesting life, till it sadly came to a screeching halt when he died of a stroke on June 25TH 2008. He was 69 years old. Severin had a long stint of success starting in 1972 when he was given the liscence to produce Gucci watches by the Gucci family. Severin was able to produce these timepieces under his own company Severin Montres Limited, for a good twenty-five years. This relationship was eliminated by The Gucci Group in the late nineties because they wanted to regain control and produce their own watches like happy little fascists, that didn't really matter because they are still god awful and no one likes them except women dancing around a pole.

Even though this long relationship came to an end, Severin made good, because in 2000 he bought Corum SA, and has since increased it's distribution from Zero to almost 200 points of sale in the US market alone. The brand went from a stodgy old coin watch to their iconic identity with the infamous bubble watches which became their bread and butter staples. These limited edition Bubbles also were done in the name of charity, when Corum SA donated the proceeds of a quarter of a million dollars of sales to the Victims families of the Sept 11 twin tower attacks in 2001. These limited edition bubbles had dials of the American Flag and the caseback representing the pride of America. His charity also spread further with more personal issues as he was battling lung cancer, where he donated millions to cancer research. Severin always had his own unique flair, incorporating skulls into his bubble watches making them limited with crazy packaging and being ahead of their time in such a stuffy traditional industry.

Today, Severin's son Michael Wunderman who was the President of Montres Corum, has returned to California and become the President of Corum USA, as of this past January. He has been a pillar of strength to Severin over the years, and even with the horrific tragedy of his fathers death, he plans to carry out his fathers vision in his own unique way. His involvement over the past 10 years in Switzerland, home of watchmaking has been one of the key factors in catapulting the success of the brand from a global perspective. With the reconstruction of the Admirals Cup two years ago, the brand has been reinvented making a hearty masculine watch with creativity, passion and watchmaking as the future new icon of Corum.

For the US market, Corum is lauching the Admirals Cup Challenge Black Flag, which will be a 100 piece limited edition that will be unveiled November 20TH, 2008. This is a watch I wouldn't mind wearing for the day. The case is a staggering 48 mm octagonal shape, and is constructed out of black titanium with a rubber bezel, the dial is black and coated with blue superluminova for the ultimate black rebel aesthetic. The functions include a three register chronograph with bold Arabic numerals, a semicircle seamless integrated date wheel in between the three o'clock and six o'clock chronograph registers, and a 24 mm black rubber strap that you could whip anyone's ass with. The movement is just as solid as the the housing, which is an automatic chronometer COSC certified Corum caliber CO753 movement. As much as this year was the end of an era for Corum, this is the start of new brand that has one hell of a platform to grow from!

pic courtesy of www. corum.com

Talk About Product Placement!

If your as much of a fan of the show Entourage like me, you pay attention. This show from day one has been very addictive, and leaves you wanting more every time. The product placement on the show has been just as outstanding. I mean you have seen everything, from the finest cars, to the finest women, suits and ready to wear and now the finest watches in the world. Yesterday, On episode 5 of season 7, it was very clear that Audemars Piguet became just as much of a character as the lead, Vinny Chace. I don't know about all of you, but one of the main reasons I watch the show is because of Ari Gold, played by actor Jeremy Piven. He keeps the show light and makes you wet yourself with laughter every time.

In particular, The AP Royal Oak Offshore Chrono in solid 18k yellow gold which I find very tacky and kind of repulsive, was in one of the main scenes of the show. Ari, walks into his office already wearing a stainless steel AP Royal Oak Offshore, there is a box on his desk with Audemars Piguet written on it, and he opens it and there was the solid 18k gold version. Aside from being in the show and mentioned ,the person who gifted it to Ari Gold referred to it as "possibly the finest timepiece known to man". I don't know how much Audemars Piguet spent to have this kind of testimonial, but I am sure it wasn't cheap. It shows you that today, watches are on the forefront and a force to reckon with. I mean come on I am writing about it. It's one thing to have a mention or an appearance, but to write a show around it, just shows the strength of how watches have become the ultimate status symbol of wealth and power.

pic courtesy of www.hbo.com

Albert Einstein Resurrected at Antiquorum

Albert Einstein was one of the rarest phenomenon's the world has ever seen. He is best known for his scientific discoveries, namely his theory of relativity. He is revered as the Genius God Father of physics by geeks all around the world, and in 1999 he was haled by Time Magazine as "Person of the Century". Even though he has been deceased for 53 years, his spirit and legacy lives on. You may ask yourself, how the hell does this relate to watches?

Well, On October 16Th,2008 Antiquorum had yet another absolutely record breaking auction in NYC. I mean with the way the current state of affairs is with the global economy, that is quite and outstanding feat. Of course Patek Philippe made history by selling a Ref 2499 Yellow Gold first series made in 1956, for over one and a half million dollars. So Patek still proves to be the legendary auction champion, by outdoing themselves every time. However, The hero, The excitement that stole the show was a Longines watch made in 1930 and presented to Professor Albert Einstein on February 16, 1931 in Los Angeles. This very unique specialty piece broke two records, First for a time only watch and Second for Longines. This watch went for five hundred and ninety six thousand dollars which is a record breaking estimated 2,000 percent of it's original value.

The watch is nothing to really right home about. It is very simple and classic. The watch in my estimation is anywhere between a 32 mm to 34 mm in case size. So it was quite small. The case is a touneau shaped gold filled case, manual wind, white Arabic dial, which has a very nice patina from the age of the watch. The strap is a dark brown calf strap that looks completely war distressed which gives it incredible character.

This certainly proves that in an economy worse than the great depression, watches are still absolutely most sought after, and the spirit of Albert Einstein lives on by being resurrected and making history at Antiquorum.

pic courtesy of www.google.com
watch pic courtesy of www.antiquorum.com