Courtesy of Audemars Piguet.

Such peculiar watch face also has a very peculiar production method. Fitting for a luxury brand like Audemars Piquet, the watch face is not produced using high tech tools but is rather produced with a simple combination of a burin and a pantograph. The system is naturally fine tuned to perfection but this centuries old mechanism still has an impact on today’s design. Basically the machine on one side has an oversized model for the Royal Oak’s tapisserie pattern and a blank brass dial sculpted to resemble the oversized version on the other. The below video shows the meticulous process that goes into making face of a luxury time piece.

How It’s Made: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dial from HODINKEE on Vimeo.

Pretty impressive huh? I have a feeling I will be writing quite a few more watch posts in the near future. I seem to have picked up a new hobby with Vintage Watches.

Via Hodinkee.

This is however not the only time piece I’m leaving Finland with. The other Swiss watch has a history almost as interesting as the Omega watch. This gold Tissot watch from the late 70′s or early 80′s (could not date back the early stages of the watch), is a family heirloom that got to my possession years ago. Actually I got it well before I was ready to wear the actual watch. So I had it, kept it safe and recently got it cleaned up, replaced the battery and it’s ticking like a charm now. The leather strap I bought recently as the old strap was long gone. I might consider changing the glass as this one has few scratches.

Really happy with the watches. Exactly what I needed as my Tokyoflash watch called it quits recently. The good thing about such vintage time pieces is that they work the same year after year, decade after another. Let’s see if I come across other special watches in the next year or two. Although these should be more than enough to stay on time even better from here on.

Via Hypebeast.

According to harrywinston.com, “an extremely complex case stages the show. The three overlapping cylinders on three levels are configured to deconstruct time. The main circle is the hour’s domain, flanked by two pavilions. One shows the minutes on a jumping disk for the tens and a running disk for the units. The other, slightly lower, displays the regular beat of a big titanium balance-wheel.” Aside from the fancy mechanics the limited edition watch (only 111 pieces produced) features a white gold casing.

Needless to say the complexity of the watch requires countless man-hours to produce a single watch. I have to salute the minds behind this piece. True masterpiece. No word on the price but you may visit harrywinston.com for more details.
Via Freshness.

Not to get side tracked, one of the most interesting watches I have seen in the recent past is the new G-Shock Atomic Frogman watch with real rubies. The black and red light weight titanium watch has two rubies placed on the face of the watch. Not too bling but bling enough to push the price tag to close to $2000. The watch is limited to only 200 pieces worldwide. Not too bad, my only concern is if one or both of the rubies happen to fall off, it would be damn expensive to replace them. Still a cool watch.

Via Hypebeast.

The market is flooded with awesome designs such as the Hublot Big Bang “All Black” watch below.

Picture via Hypebeast.

All black carbon fiber watch with pretty awesome design. Unfortunately watches like the Hublot fetch a pretty serious price as well. My last trip to a watch store selling Hublot left me with my teeth cringing. One time piece costs as much as a new car. I do have an expensive taste but I need to think about this.

The sad part is that all the nice watches I have found have cost minimum of 2000 euros. Perhaps I can find an impressive Swiss made time piece with a bit lower price tag, or maybe I will settle for less and just get a new Tokyoflash time piece. The only sad thing is that I really liked my watch and everyone else seemed to like it as well. So rest in peace good watch, unless I find a way to resurrect you.

Recommendations for great watches are welcome!

Pictures courtesy of Phosphor Watches.

As phosphor put it, the watch is “driven by Micro-Magnetic Mechanical Digital (M3D) technology, the Phosphor Reveal watch utilizes miniature-sized rotors adorned with Swarovski crystals that revolve to reveal numerical or chronological information. With each minute, an electrical pulse generates an electromagnetic field that changes the position of the crystals on the face of the watch, to elegantly display the passing time, while producing a distinctive sound unique to the Phosphor Reveal digital watch line.” (Phosphor Watches) Pretty unique huh? And the price point is not half bad either, with the watches going for $199 to $249.

I am impressed by the technology and I could probably pull off wearing one of these watches. I would definitely be happy just to see one live. The next best thing is a video that shows the watch in action. Check that below.

So is the watch too much or is it just right? I say it’s pretty cool, bling, but pretty cool. That might just be my gadget freak nerdy side talking though.

Via Engadget.

if Audemars is out of your price range and the Presidential Rolex is a thing of the past you might as well take the Hublot route and opt for some really, really awesome looking time pieces. Below two watches that would make any man happy any day of the year. First off, Hublot Big Bang Caviar.

This all black time piece made entirely of Ceramic ensures durability but also comfort as it’s 30% lighter than steel but also rust- and scratch- proof as well as anti allergenic, just to name few qualities. The piece looks as awesome as watch can possibly look without being too overwhelming. I would not mind getting watch like this (wink, wink, I know you’re reading this Jeci Chao). But if you want something not quite as black as this watch you might go for F1 King Power Tourbillon King Gold Ceramic.

Via TimeZone.

According to TimeZone, the watch is “equipped with the tourbillon chronograph movement HUB7300, features a 5 day power reserve, a special tourbillon cage and a balance with an F1 brake disc decoration along the same lines as the watch bezel, made from ceramic and with a circular satin finish in imitation of F1 brake discs.” The strap is also same material as used in production of the F1 drivers’ overalls. Not a bad watch either. It’s also a rare piece as only 50 of these have ever been made. Just like KIKS TYO x MOMOTARO JEANS collaboration.

So now you have some ideas on what to ask from or to get for your significant other. And if watches aren’t the thing you’re looking for, you might just go ahead with some roses instead. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

The jacket is designed by Frida Giannini, whose other recent works include the special edition watch and jewelry collection released in partnership with The Recording Academy who hosts the renowned Grammy Awards. The interesting thing about the release is that this one is Gucci’s first ever digital time piece. A modern touch but still does not sacrifice the luxurious approach the brand is known for. I think the biggest change has been the fact that the music industry has embraced fashion as an important element and the artists (or at least most of them) have switched from the über baggy clothes to more stylish alternatives, such as Gucci’s ready to wear pieces.

Pictures via Gucci Facebook.

It’s great to see these types of brands evolve and produce more and more innovative pieces while still retaining the original artisan approach. I’m sure we’ll see much more of such interesting collaborations/releases and as these emerge, we’ll keep you posted.

The new member of the Kisai family of watches comes in two colorways, white and black.

The glossy streamlined plastic casing and translucent lens lighted by multicolor LED display has that stylish look, but still ensures you stick out of the crowd. The watch includes USB charging which is an awesome addition. According to Tokyoflash, “one full charge takes 3.5 hours and each charge should last 1 month. There are 300 charges in one battery and the battery is easily replaceable.” This is good as these watches (although stylish) are not easy on the batteries. Take it from me, I’ve had one for like 4 years.

I somehow like the white design better than the black one. It has a lot of energy to it and the flashy screen on black base has a nice contrast to it. The watch almost has a hint of Apple-like design aspects to it, which I like.

Pictures courtesy of Tokyoflash.

Recently Tokyoflash has started including YouTube clips showing the watches in action and it’s definitely a good look as static images can only tell so much.

So do you like the latest Tokyoflash design or are you missing the “more simple” original pieces like Pimp Trip the Light Fantastic? I do admit that the latest watches don’t have quite as much of cool factor as the originals, but they do look good. And with a price tag of only € 60 I might actually cop the white piece as it would fit very nicely with my white tees and new kicks.