'Watch' TV

Watch enthusiasts can now get vidoes, a la You Tube through The Time TV
go over to thetimetv.com and see what's ticking in the world of high-end watches

And now.... the Tondagraph

Combining the hypnotic beauty of the Tourbillon with the technical function of the Chronograph, the Tondagraph model (Calibre PF 354) joins the highly exclusive world of Parmigiani Fleurier's Haute Horlogerie collections. Testifying to a level of excellence that must never be lacking in the craftsman's hand, all Haute Horlogerie models are the fruit of tens of trades essential for creating an in-house manufactured piece. While the chamfering of the two Tourbillon bridges alone requires 20 hours' work to achieve the requisite finish quality, the cage as a whole will require nearly 40 hours. As proof, the light glides over the components with an incomparable shine. The entire mechanism is visible via the back of the watch, enabling the connoisseur to admire both its faces fully.

The style of dial, marked by its "Côtes de Genève" design, blends perfectly into Parmigiani's aesthetic line. In the middle of the dial, the double ellipse formed by the outline of the Tourbillon cage and of the 30 minute chronograph counter is now one of the brand's outstanding codes. The two-level graduated tachometer can be used for measuring speeds of 3000 km/h, supplementing the chronograph's indications.

The (Israeli) Commando's Watch

Watch lovers each have "holy grail" watches. These are prized pieces that are rare and desirable to the watch lover. They are sometimes new watches, old watches, expensive watches, or just plain rare watches. Here is an interesting one from Eterna, in the best condition I have ever seen. This is the Eterna Super KonTiki, which is a diver's watch at heart. Eterna is a laudable brand that just made a reappearance in the US after not being officially sold in the US for some time. I am glad to see them back. Back to the Super KonTiki at issue.

In the 1970s, Eterna started to supply the elite forces of the Israeli military with Eterna watches, most of them being this style of Super KonTiki. Most of those special forces were part of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) commando unit. This is the same group that was known for going on covert missions all over the world seeking out WWII war criminals, and performing missions on terrorist enemies (recall the movie Munich).

You know this watch is part of the original government issued watches because it is complete with the engraved serial number and Hebrew lettering on the caseback.

'Caviar for the Wrist'

Our first post for the New Year comes with a bang courtesy of Hublot

In keeping with its sleek, innovative watch styling, Hublot opened an equally eye-catching boutique on Geneva’s Rue Céard in December. The store's front two windows feature LCD lights that illuminate the timepieces from below to give the appearance that they are floating in front of blue background. Upon entering the boutique, customers can get a sense of Hublot’s storied past through historical footage projected like a watermark onto large transparent glass surfaces throughout the store.

The opening of the boutique is timed with the release of the company’s latest creation: the One Million $ Black Caviar Bang tourbillion watch, a striking gold model with 322 black diamonds invisibly set to conceal any sign of metal. The $1 million watch, which takes more than 2,000 hours of labor to create, is available by special order only

Hamilton [Almost] Stole the show @ Bond premier

Of course, the "Quantum of Solace" premeir at Carib 5 last Thursday was all about the Omega Seamaster - Bond's choice - and the Omega line in general, but Jamaican dealers Swiss stores had the commendable presence of mind to showcase their other lines, and the new Hamilton watches, in particular, were the real show stopperi n my opinion.

go to www.swissstores.com or www.hamiltonwatch.com to see more

Vulcania image link

http://www.dezimoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/vulcania-1.jpg

Still on time

Reviews of new high-end timepieces coming soon, plus interview with Uli Bangerter of Swiss Stores.