tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-232958552024-03-05T23:01:39.978-08:00RF CLUBA Pioneering Membership for Our Exclusive Collection & ServicesReplica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-53131115762213679412009-07-14T03:32:00.000-07:002009-07-19T01:07:12.856-07:00Can I be Elite and Platinum Members at the Same Time?<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/doxa01-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 92px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/doxa01-1.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,102,0);" >Yes, you can own two or more memberships at the same time.<br /><br />There are members who want to enjoy usage of the Collection, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">regardless </span>earning affiliate points might choose to be a couple times of Platinum memberships, particularly when they have purchased them in different period of time.</span></div><div><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ccffff;"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Example One </span>: John is an Elite member and he is of one usage in the Collection. When he sees another timepiece he wants in the middle of the year, he can buy the Elite membership again to enjoy the one usage again. And before X'mas, he wants to get couple more pieces for his family so he bought a Collector membership.</span></span><br /></span><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Example Two </span>: Craig is an Elite member and one of his colleagues are amazed with his timepiece so he decides to refer her to join FR Club. As an Elite member, he is of no affiliate benefits (i.e. 20% of what her paid subscription) if he submits a referral. So he decides to be a Collector now. He subscribes $389 and immediately credits $60 right from her $299 Platinum member subscription is received. So he actually pays $329 for the right of 3 usages (less than $110 per usage). The beauty is that if his colleagues brings in more of her friends to join, Craig earns <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">5%</span> out of them <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">forever</span>. In one year later, he enjoys usages for <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">FREE</span> every year as he has more referrals directly from him and under his line -- timepieces to enjoy for <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">free</span> plus trading those on the marketplace to <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">earn points</span>!<br /><br />From the above examples, you can see it depends on what your vision on RF Club -- simply a club to join for timepiece usage, or while enjoying your usage, you can also make some bucks out of the Collection.</span></span></div><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)"><span style="color:#ccffff;"> </div></span></span>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-90969696890702985642009-07-14T03:29:00.000-07:002009-07-15T01:56:23.064-07:00The Hamilton Jazzmaster Slim<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3biBRHyTLbfr47IqxGGFQxRy_Ky4Iz_5ohk39BIwg0pM0baJdgIjTbRb41gx52X6IKfd9Hl11ugLZZ7dhtftcfIVYG7E2zJG2FosQYZECNwrx0A61RE3v1LziqjQhWYN4aFO/s1600-h/hamilton01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358261450308729874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3biBRHyTLbfr47IqxGGFQxRy_Ky4Iz_5ohk39BIwg0pM0baJdgIjTbRb41gx52X6IKfd9Hl11ugLZZ7dhtftcfIVYG7E2zJG2FosQYZECNwrx0A61RE3v1LziqjQhWYN4aFO/s320/hamilton01.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHaHgJMq9I/AAAAAAAAADs/HW3rKwMLF4A/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e20115709e720d970c-150wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355301254342683602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 248px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHaHgJMq9I/AAAAAAAAADs/HW3rKwMLF4A/s320/6a00d83452070069e20115709e720d970c-150wi.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">I'm always a fan of the understated mechanical dress watch, and the recently announced </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/webapp/en-us/collection/?c=ac&y=140">Hamilton Jazzmaster Slim</a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"> fits that category perfectly. Based on the high-grade ETA 2892 movement, it's available in 40 and 43mm sizes, in steel or gold case. Dials are black (shown right) or silver. It's an understated look, with just hours, minutes, and the date at six o'clock.</span> </div><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">The 2892 is the next movement up from the ubiquitous 2824, and is considered to be a better design. It's the base for most of Omega's co-axial series, for example, and is held in very high regard by watch aficionados. </p><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">I think 40mm is a perfect size for this watch: large enough to read easily without partaking of the big watch craze. Even though I'm close to seven feet tall, I don't want a full-dress watch to occupy too much wrist space -- it's supposed to be understated, after all.</p><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">List price for these ranges from $745 to $795, and they seem to be available for a bit less than that. Given the 2892 beating inside it, I consider this to be an excellent value. We're in contact with Hamilton now to see if we can arrange a loaner for review.</p><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">A couple of more pictures and comments after the break.</p><br /><br /><div style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102); TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011571939bcb970b-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2011571939bcb970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="H38615255-1" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011571939bcb970b-150wi" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">Check out the bracelet version - gorgeous, isn't it? I quite like the super clean vintage look combined with hassle-free modern movement. I think I'd miss the second hand after a while, though.</p><br /><br /><div style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102); TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20115709e6734970c-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20115709e6734970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Hamilton jazzmaster slim automatic h38615255" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20115709e6734970c-150wi" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">Here's another shot of the same model - note the nice case detailing. Congratulations, Hamilton -- this one's a real classic.</p><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">By Paul Hubbard</p><br /><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">www.watchreport.com<br /></p>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-81680350239120694662009-07-14T03:27:00.000-07:002009-07-16T00:20:55.145-07:00The Guess Mechanical Digital<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERtQE2ySnpMDkDKuAEy8oI6erPkteXrz-8RaHKbZfWT7PNUfzZo4J1ht1N4H5BZ9v6O0J3fLro-yoAR9HuOw44J-k4k8ZBNhemqqsUictMsIGy8gLay229seQeAQXBjGe-PtG/s1600-h/guess01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358260832029059458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERtQE2ySnpMDkDKuAEy8oI6erPkteXrz-8RaHKbZfWT7PNUfzZo4J1ht1N4H5BZ9v6O0J3fLro-yoAR9HuOw44J-k4k8ZBNhemqqsUictMsIGy8gLay229seQeAQXBjGe-PtG/s320/guess01.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHbCLtUmOI/AAAAAAAAAD0/p5GsocCk7o4/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e20115718720b7970b-800wi.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355302262469335266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHbCLtUmOI/AAAAAAAAAD0/p5GsocCk7o4/s320/6a00d83452070069e20115718720b7970b-800wi.png" border="0" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0);" >If you're like me, you probably never thought of using the </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-disc_display"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">flip-dot technology</span></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0);" > that you see on roadside signs for a wristwatch. A company called Sequel AG did, though, and has miniaturized it and licensed the technology to Guess for a line of women's watches appearing this fall to be called </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)" href="http://www.mechanicaldigital.com/mechanicaldigital/index.html"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">G-Motion</span></a><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)">. If you hit the link, you'll see a Flash video of the watch in action; in this case the design is Swarovski crystals (red/white) which makes for a standout look.</span><br /><br /></span><p style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">In effect, the face of the watch becomes a bitmapped display -- either on or off -- and we're excited about the possibilities of what a watch designer could do with that. the G-Motion line appears to use it for eight-segment displays of time/date/seconds, but you could also draw graphics, text, or pretty much anything else.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">Details are to be determined, but we are slated to get some of the first units for review, so keep an eye on WR for that.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">It'll be interesting to see how these are received by the fashionable -- it's a quartz watch, with a digital display, but the pixels are crystals and the maker is Guess. <em>That</em> should be interesting.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">By Paul Hubbard</span></p><span style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0);" >www.watchreport.com</span></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-86034122713681579002009-07-14T03:25:00.000-07:002009-07-15T04:13:49.721-07:00Omega X-33 ref. 3991.52 - The Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/omega01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/omega01.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last year I <a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2007/10/the-omega-speed.html">posted an item</a> about a discontinued analog-digital watch from Omega, the X-33. Today I am finally posting the actual review of the watch, obtained from ebay shortly after that posting. Why the long delay? Well, read on and see!<br /><br /><div class="post_text" style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)"><div><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f9b1970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="DSCF1644" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f9b1970b-150wi" /><br /><div> </div><div>To recap, the X-33 is one of two watches from Omega space-qualified by NASA. There's the mechanical Speedmaster (worn on the moon), and the quartz X-33, known as 'the Mars watch.' The X-33 was released in 1998 and discontinued in 2006, though Omega still sells them to military aviators directly at a discount. (No, please don't bother asking, I have no way to get one for you and don't know anyone who does!) Omega went through several design iterations before releasing it, and two versions hit the market. This one is second generation, with a matte-finished bezel, plunger 'crown' and improved buttons. The case is brushed titanium, the buttons are actually stainless steel finished to match the case, and the crystal is domed sapphire with dual-sided antireflective coating. The analog hands are lumed with Superluminova, as are the hour markers and bezel dot. Note that the bezel is bidirectional - this is a pilot's watch, after all, not a diver.</div><br /><div>Read on for more!<br /></div></div><div>Despite being several years old, there are quite a few things about this watch that remain unique. The curved LCD display, which allows larger digits on a round face, the super-bright 8 lux backlight, the 'mission timer' feature, and of course the special super-loud 80dB alarm.<br /></div><div><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f908970b-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f908970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="DSCF1929" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f908970b-150wi" /></a> On the negative side, the alarm volume (which was a NASA requirement, so it could be heard in a loud environment) reduced the versatility of the watch - to get that loud, Omega used a dual-layer caseback with vents, meaning that it's really, really not very waterproof at all. It's rated to 30m (100ft), but having disassembled mine, I wouldn't recommend showering or swimming with it. The gasket is held in place by vertical pressure from the screwed caseback, which is less effective than a screwdown design. And, of course, the venting doesn't help either. Engineering is all about tradeoffs, and for a watch designed for space and flying, this is a perfectly reasonable one. Those of us more earthbound, however, have to keep it in mind.<a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f935970b-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f935970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="DSCF1930" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f935970b-150wi" /></a> </div><br /><div>Another negative is the AR coating on the crystal. I got this one used, and as you can see, there are many small scratches in the coating. In person, it's not that obtrusive, but I do wish they had more durability. From what I've read, <a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2007/07/introduction-to.html">Sinn</a> is the leader in this -- perhaps Omega can license their technology in the future.<br /></div><div>Similarly, the unalloyed titanium body picks up scratches easily. Compare it to the 2006-vintage <a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2007/07/the-citizen-pro.html">Citizen PMT56-2711</a>, which, with its titanium nitride surface treatment, has only a single scratch despite lots of wrist time:<br /></div><div><a style="DISPLAY: inline" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e201156fada66f970c-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e201156fada66f970c" alt="Comparo" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e201156fada66f970c-320wi" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>There's a lot to like about this watch. Usually, I leave the LCD display off, which saves a bit of power and has a very uncluttered look. Since the hands are driven directly by the watch, this is my preferred wearer for traveling: it has a shortcut for quickly changing the hour, which is perfect for changing timezones.<br /></div><div><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e201156faca2e9970c-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e201156faca2e9970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="P1020364" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e201156faca2e9970c-150wi" /></a> I've also worn it to fly in a Piper Lance. As expected, the watch is unmatched for aviation: I used mission time for flight time, the timer for switching fuel tanks, the UTC time for weather and flight plan, and stopwatch for time since engine start. It was easy to hear the alarm, even in a very noisy plane with headphones on, and the display was super readable. I should also note that, when flying, I really prefer watches without reflective surfaces, as the glints and flashes of light are annoying and distracting; the X-33 is superb in this regard. I also quite like how the combination of domed AR-coated crystal and hands makes the watch readable from a wider range of angles than anything else I've ever seen. It's readable at very oblique angles, which is also nice for sneaking the time in long meetings.<a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f8d3970b-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f8d3970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="DSCF1932" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a1f8d3970b-150wi" /></a> </div><br /><div>If you look closely, you'll see that the hour and minute hands are white, and the second hand is a light shade of grey. It's a nice touch. Also look at the complex curved shape of the lugs; very beautiful and yet hardly noticeable. The button guards are sculpted ridges of metal, and yet the buttons are easily pressed while wearing gloves. Speaking of buttons, I have to mention that the X-33 has the nicest of any I have ever pressed, bar none. Firm, very definite, almost a 'snap' feel to them. Lovely. The electroluminescent backlight is blindingly bright to night-adapted eyes, so I usually rely on the excellent lume. It's as bright as my Seiko divers, though applied in smaller areas.</div><br /><div>A lot of Omega watches have more bling to them, but the X-33 is very understated. The logo on the dial is only visible at close scrutiny, and the low sales volumes mean that I've never had anyone recognize it. I did have a nice conversation with a NASA collaborator about it once I pointed it out, though - apparently some of the pilots in the flight test division have them. From what I've read on the net, it's also still popular with military pilots, so I yet hold out hope that Omega will reintroduce it again to the market.<br /></div><div><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a208e6970b-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2011570a208e6970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="DSCF1646" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a208e6970b-150wi" /></a> Mine came on Omega's leather-backed kevlar strap, which is cool but impractical. (At least in the Air Force, synthetic straps are forbidden in aircraft, as they will fuse to your skin in a fire. Ouch.) I put it on a plain leather strap with white stitching, which works well for a watch that should never be wet anyway. There is a version on a titanium bracelet as well.</div><br /><div><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a20982970b-popup"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2011570a20982970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="DSCF1937" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2011570a20982970b-150wi" /></a> Prices have gone up and down on the used market, I (over) paid $1,300 for this one without box or papers. That's an <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">awful</span> lot of money for a used quartz watch, especially now that competition like the <a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2009/05/casio-gshock-gw2500-gravity-defier.html">new aviator G-Shocks</a> are available. The X-33 is a complex tradeoff: unique features and history, but so-so value and durability. It's more of an irrational decision -- decide for yourself if it calls to you!</div><br /><div>For more information about the X-33 project, history and different models, I recommend reading <a href="http://watches.ryanrooney.com/omega/X-33/">Ryan Rooney's pages</a>.</div><br /><div>By Paul Hubbard<br />www.watchreport.com </div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-59155836174823473102009-07-14T03:20:00.000-07:002009-07-16T00:39:19.821-07:00Skagen 697XLMLMB - The Review<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/skagen02.jpg"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/skagen02.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"> </span> <div><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105363691e5970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20105363691e5970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Face" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105363691e5970c-150wi" border="0" /></span></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span><span style="color:#ffff99;"> </span><div class="post_text"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0);" >Today's review is something a little different from our usual fare: Presenting a classically-styled mechanical dress watch with an unusual complication, the </span><a title="Manufacturer's page" style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)" href="http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=541" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#ffff99;">jump hour 549-SG2709</span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"> from Alpha Watches.</span><br /><br /></span><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><span style="color:#ffff99;">'Jump hour' requires a bit of explanation. If you look at 12 o'clock on the dial, you see a round window with the number '3' displayed. This is the hours, which are on a disc that changes at the top of the hour. Minutes are read from the long center hand, and seconds are at 6 o'clock in a 'subseconds' configuration. The hour change is quite rapid, about 1/2 of one second, which is why it's called a 'jump hour.' </span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><span style="color:#ffff99;">This is more properly labeled a 'jump-hour regulator,' which denotes the central minute hand. It makes an attractive and unusual dress watch, though I must admit that the hours are harder to read than a normal 3-hand watch due to the small window and reflective metal surrounding it. </span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105363697bb970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20105363697bb970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Side-crown" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105363697bb970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"> The sides of the case are fluted, with high-gloss polish everywhere. The crown is onion-style, which is easy to wind and set, and does not screw down. While it's probably splash-resistant, I'd not get this watch wet.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><span style="color:#ffff99;">The dial has a nice amount of fine detail and is done in a classical style. The minute track and subseconds are circular-grooved, and the face has a mesh pattern impressed. The hands are blue, with Breguet-style minute hand and simple second hand. Overall, it's well proportioned, not too busy and very functionally attractive.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536369d9a970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536369d9a970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Movement-one" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536369d9a970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"> On the back we see the display window showing a basic movement of Chinese manufacture. You can see that the bridges and rotor have what I would call 'stamped geneva stripes' on them, meant to evoke a real Cote du Geneve finish. It looks nicer than plain or unfinished metal, and does show some attention to appearances.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105362ed113970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20105362ed113970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Wrist" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105362ed113970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"> The watch sits quite well on the wrist on the included alligator-patterned leather strap. The deployant buckle is basic but functional. The watch is approximately 38mm by 10mm, and thus slides easily under dress cuffs.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><span style="color:#ffff99;">Probably the most compelling thing about this watch is what I've not yet mentioned: the price. List price </span><a href="http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=541" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#ffff99;">on the Alpha site</span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"> is $63, and I got this one on Ebay for<strong> twenty six dollars</strong>! That's less than a lot of Timexes.</span><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105362ed5a8970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20105362ed5a8970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Wrist-side" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105362ed5a8970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"> </span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><span style="color:#ffff99;">Alpha has a large line of mechanical watches, many of which are Rolex lookalikes. However, there are increasing numbers of original styles like this one, and they cost less than the leather strap of any European brand. This jump hour keeps excellent time, appears well made, and for the price I would unhesitatingly recommend it for anyone interested in exploring the fascinating world of mechanical watches for the price of a Timex quartz.</span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)"><span style="color:#ffff99;">By Paul Hubbard</span></p><p><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0);" ><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/">www.watchreport.com</a></span><br /></p></div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-74867822256314847622009-07-14T03:19:00.000-07:002009-07-22T22:19:26.904-07:00Skagen 697XLMLMB - The Review<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/skagen01.jpg"><span style="color:#99ffff;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/skagen01.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105371753eb970b-popup"><span style="color:#99ffff;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20105371753eb970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="597xlmlmb1" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105371753eb970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#99ffff;"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)">Our second Skagen review today is of the </span></span><a style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" href="http://www.skagen.com/item/697XLMLMB.fx"><span style="color:#99ffff;">697XLMLMB</span></a><span style="color:#99ffff;"><span style="color:#99ffff;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)">. It's a quartz men's dress watch with a style a bit more daring than most of their line. </span><br /></span><br /></span><br /><div><br /><div class="post_text" style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)"><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">Specifications:</span></p><br /><ul><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">35g in weight with strap.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">42.5mm across with crown, 40.2mm without, 49mm lug to lug.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">8.5mm thick.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">Black ion plated stainless steel case with polished snap-on caseback.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">Integral black calfskin leather strap with thorn buckle bearing Skagen logo.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">'Super hardened' mineral crystal.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">Miyota quartz movement with 'big date' complication.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">Decorative dual-layer dial, with center metal section with etched indices and screws.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">Matching ion plated crown, non-screw-down type, with Skagen logo.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">30m (100ft) water resistant.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#99ffff;">Lumed hands and indices.</span></li></ul><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">As with the </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2009/02/review-of-the-skagen-233xslslb.html"><span style="color:#99ffff;">Skagen 233XXLSLB</span></a><span style="color:#99ffff;">, the 697 is clearly a Skagen in style, but look closely and the differences are pronounced.</span></p><br /><p><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010537175adb970b-popup"><span style="color:#99ffff;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010537175adb970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="597xlmlmb4" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010537175adb970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#99ffff;"> Skagen describes this dial as 'layered charcoal', which seems appropriate. The outside portion is glossy black, and the center section is sunburst-finished with a lovely dove grey color. The four screws are decorative but attractive, and the etched minute markers add function.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">I quite like the 'big date' complication. Unlike normal dates, which are simply sequential numbers 1-31 on rotating disc, big date uses two overlapping discs, one for each digit. This yields a larger and more readable date, at the expense of having a seam down the middle and slight oddness of differing heights. I much prefer this to the glued-on-magnifier (aka cyclops), as seen on Rolexes. </span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">This model is larger than most at 40m across, which goes well with the big date window. It's contemporarily sized without being overly large, and in the brushed black finish still nicely understated. </span><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e201116851c7ca970c-popup"><span style="color:#99ffff;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e201116851c7ca970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="597xlmlmb2" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e201116851c7ca970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#99ffff;"> </span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">As with the 233XXLSLB, the strap is attached into a slot on the lugs and secured by two small screws on each side. It's very comfortable and perfectly matched to the watch. </span></p><br /><p><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010537175d30970b-popup"><span style="color:#99ffff;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010537175d30970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="597xlmlmb5" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010537175d30970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#99ffff;"> The light weight and low profile make for an excellent dress watch; the tapers ensure an effortless match to any cuff style you prefer.<br /><br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">As with many men's dress watches, the emphasis is on style over function. Most of the minute markers are missing to make room for other things, and the lume fades too rapidly to be super useful. It also takes some practice to read minutes precisely, or maybe I'm just too picky about that. Could be.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">Overall, it's an inexpensive watch without being cheap, with a dressy look enhanced by ion plating and unusual big-date complication. This one has a lot going for it.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">List price is a very $145. Review watch kindly loaned to us by Skagen PR.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#99ffff;">By Paul Hubbard</span></p><span style="color:#99ffff;">www.watchreport.com</span></div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-36047902977890673022009-07-14T03:16:00.000-07:002009-07-27T20:05:08.005-07:00Christopher Ward C8 Pilot - A Review<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/christopherward01.jpg"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/christopherward01.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><div><a style="FLOAT: right" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105369a36cb970b-pi"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20105369a36cb970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Face-angle-two" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105369a36cb970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">Today I'm reviewing a watch that I like a great deal: the Christopher Ward </span></span><a style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://www.christopherward.co.uk/PL2_MENS_C8-PILOT_Men_C8-Pilot---New.htm"><span style="color:#ffff99;">C8 Pilot</span></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);" >, model number </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://www.christopherward.co.uk/pd2_MENS_C8-PILOT_C8SKK_C8-Pilot--steel%5Bf%5Dblack%5Bf%5D-black.htm"><span style="color:#ffff99;">C8SKK</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);" >. It's a mechanical watch in the style of pilot's watches from decades ago, updated using modern materials and the ETA 2824-2 mechanical movement. Let's start with the specs:</span><br /><br /></span><div class="post_text" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"><ul><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">44mm by 9.7mm, 140g.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">22mm leather strap, black with off-white (ecru) stitching, brushed rivets and a nice butterfly double deployant clasp.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Antimagnetic inner case and dial.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Small mineral crystal on the back for viewing of the balance and rotor.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Signed oversized crown, gasketed but not screwdown.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">50m (150ft) water-resistant.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Matte finish stainless steel case.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Lumed indices and hands in the new blue-white SuperLuminova SLNBGW9.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Applied double-dot triangle at 12 o'clock to rapidly show dial orientation.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">ETA 2824-2 movement, 28,800 vph and 38 hour power reserve. Hacking, handwinding with center seconds and date at 3 o'clock.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Swiss Made (which usually denotes a vastly more expensive watch).</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">List price is 212 pounds for non-EC buyers, or about $311 as of December 2008.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffff66;">Christoper Ward has an unusual "60/60" guarantee for a 60-day no quibble return and 60 month (5 year) warranty. </span></li></ul><p><a href="http://www.christopherward.co.uk/PL2_MENS_C8-PILOT_Men_C8-Pilot---New.htm"><span style="color:#ffff66;">Other versions are also available</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> (white dial, brown strap, PVD case), but all share the same basics. Read on for our review.</span></p><p><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb660f970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536bb660f970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Face-one" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb660f970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> One of the great ironies of life is that technology often advances fastest in times of strife and warfare. For example, the modern pilot's watch, as well as the entire Panerai company, were both created out of the needs of the last world war. Watches are often decorative as well as functional, so the prospect of imminent demise has a way of removing all excess and distracting elements. At the time, watches were an essential navigational component since dead reckoning requires only a compass, clock, and map. All three had to be reliable and functional. Additionally, piston engines of the time had a much higher level of vibration than do modern jets, so legibility was critical. The original watches of the time were quite large because of this, often 50mm or more, designed to be worn on long straps over an outer coat. Self-winding watches lay in the future, so they were handwound pocketwatch movements. </span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">Iconic designs from this time came from IWC, Laco, Stowa, Wempe and Lange. You can read more about them </span><a href="http://www.qahill.com/tz/b-uhr/b-uhr.html"><span style="color:#ffff66;">here</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> and </span><a href="http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=13887"><span style="color:#ffff66;">here</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;">. </span></p><p><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105369a3a69970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e20105369a3a69970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Wrist-angle" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e20105369a3a69970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> If you browse those links and the pictures on them, you can see the inspiration for the Christopher Ward C8 pilot here: big crown for use with gloves, upright Arabic numerals, dotted triangle at 12 o'clock, luminous hands outlined in black and an easy-to-spot second hand. There's also the ecru-stitched black leather band with (decorative) rivets, matte-finished case (a shiny case is bad in a plane -- the reflections are distracting), as well as the invisible antimagnetic case and dial. In this case, CW has updated the classic design with a few modern elements: the movement is a self-winding (automatic) ETA 2824-2, the lume is blue, they added a date window at 3 o'clock, and there's a small window on the back to show the balance in motion.</span></p><p><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f1f7970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f1f7970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Side-crown" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f1f7970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> The dimensions are changed a bit -- for the better, actually. The C8 Pilot is 44mm by a slim 9.7mm. It wears incredibly comfortably because of this, and is effortless to slide under sleeves. After my usual-wear dive watch at 15mm, 9.7 is a lot more versatile and comfortable since the weight sits lower and is spread out, the watch doesn't move nearly as much when your arm moves; less of a pendulum effect. It's hard to explain, but if you've worn a heavy, tall watch, you'll know what I mean. At 140g, this is also a very light weight watch, adding to the comfort. The thinness also means that the C8 can work as an unusual dress watch. </span><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb657a970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536bb657a970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="C5-comparison-one" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb657a970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">I've bought a couple of watches from Christopher Ward back in 2006, and have been meaning to do a review. On the left is a picture of the C8 behind my Malvern C5. I'm personally a big fan of the brand, which is Internet-only and is advertised via word of mouth. You can actually email Christoper Ward himself, and unlike every other watch brand that I know of, he publishes </span><a href="http://www.christopherward.co.uk/content.aspx?pid=work_in_progress"><span style="color:#ffff66;">detailed design notes and specs</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> on his website! For example, here's a snipped from</span><a href="http://www.christopherward.co.uk/Pdf/c8_pilot.pdf"><span style="color:#ffff66;"> the C8 PDF</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;">:</span></p><p><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536a21c0c970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536a21c0c970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Picture 1" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536a21c0c970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> It shows how he laid out the inner portion of the dial and hands, and little details such as the hour hand sweeping over the bottom of the triangle. It's the first time I've had a look at design drawings, and I find it really fascinating to see. I wish other brands would do likewise. </span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">In another drawing, he shows how he used the shape of the Spitfire's wing in designing the caseback:</span></p><p><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536a21d70970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536a21d70970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Back-detail-drawing" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536a21d70970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">The movement is the reliable and standard (Swiss) ETA 2824-2. In a recent change, Christopher Ward watches are now assembled in Switzerland and thus now say 'Swiss made' on the dial instead of the previous "Swiss mov't". ETA has changed their rules for their customers to require Swiss casing, and I suspect this is the cause behind the change.</span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">The 2824-2 movement is about 28mm across, and the C8 is 44mm across, so if you look you can see signs of this - the date indicator is closer to the center of the dial, and the movement window in back shows the outside of the rotor sweep. Design purists sometimes are upset if a movement requires a spacer, but it's completely fine with me, and really, there's no reason to limit watch size artificially. The 2824-2 is a good timekeeper, and any competent watchmaker can service or repair it easily. </span><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb64d4970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536bb64d4970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Back" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb64d4970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> A </span><a href="http://www.google.com/custom?q=2824&domains=www.watchreport.com&sitesearch=www.watchreport.com&client=pub-0804438658776568&forid=1&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%233183B4%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23BABABA%3BVLC%3A3183B4%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BALC%3AD57919%3BLC%3AD57919%3BT%3A3D3D3D%3BGFNT%3A818181%3BGIMP%3A818181%3BLH%3A50%3BLW%3A247%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.watchreport.com%2Fimages%2Ffull_logo.gif%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.watchreport.com%3BFORID%3A1%3B&hl=en&sa=Go"><span style="color:#ffff66;">quick search of Watch Report</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> lists 30 instances of '2824', giving you an idea of just how popular it is.</span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">The case is non-glare brushed 316L stainless steel, as is the signed crown. The matching rivets on the strap are also brushed, lending the watch a tool-like appearance I find appealing. The only reflections are from the applied triangle at 12 o'clock and the inset metallic ring around the date window. I'm not sure why he went with the date window surround, to be honest, as it doesn't help readability, but this is a small minus. </span><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb650d970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536bb650d970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Clasp" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb650d970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">The crown is tapered, signed, and fluted. It's very easy to grasp, wind, and set, but has ample clearance so as not to irritate the wrist below. Lacking crown guards, I can see a bit of risk in it getting caught and damaged on straps or similar if you're not careful. It doesn't screw down, though the watch still manages to be rated for 50m (150ft) of water resistance. </span><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb65ec970b-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536bb65ec970b" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Wrist-clasp" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536bb65ec970b-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">The luminosity on the watch is quite good. The blue lacks the initial intensity of, say, </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2007/09/review-of-the-1.html"><span style="color:#ffff66;">the Orange Monster</span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;">, but remains very legible for eight hours. The numerals (in white) are not lumed, but the hands, minute markers, and triangle are. It's easy to read, and if you look closely you'll see that the second hand has two colors of lume on it; a nice detail to appreciate.</span></p><p><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f33e970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f33e970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Wrist-side" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f33e970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;">The strap is 22mm wide at the lugs, tapering to 20mm at the double deployant clasp. It's thicker than usual at 4 or 5mm of signed calfskin. I've never seen this before on a watch, but the spring bars are quick release, meaning that you can remove the strap using only a fingernail. I'm a big fan of quick-release straps; I've been using them from another vendor for years now on all my watches. I've never had one come loose, and the ease of changing straps is wonderful. Hopefully other brands will copy the idea as well. (You can see the quick-release catch in the above picture of the back of the watch.) Interestingly, on my 7.25" wrist, the strap was at its smallest setting, which hints to me that this is a watch designed for the large-wristed. It's easy to punch new holes in the strap, however; expect to do so if you have smaller wrists.</span><a style="FLOAT: right" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f792970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f792970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Face-angle" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f792970c-150wi" /></span></a></p><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">I've greatly enjoyed wearing this watch. Christopher Ward provided us a review unit, but if they hadn't, I'd be buying one out my own funds, I like it that much. Highly recommended. </span></p><p><a style="FLOAT: left" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f8fb970c-popup"><span style="color:#ffff66;"><img class="at-xid-6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f8fb970c" style="MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 150px" alt="Wrist-straight" src="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.a/6a00d83452070069e2010536c4f8fb970c-150wi" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffff66;">Look for a follow-up email interview with Christoper Ward himself soon on WatchReport as well.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#ffff66;">By Paul Hubbard</span></p><span style="color:#ffff66;">www.watchreport.com</span></div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-26582767918688697922009-07-14T03:14:00.000-07:002009-07-19T00:57:11.880-07:00Victorinox Classic XLS MT<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/victorinox01.jpg"><span style="color:#cccccc;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 92px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/victorinox01.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;"> </span> <div><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=250,height=500,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/10/12/sa_241300_sol_a03.jpg"><span style="color:#cccccc;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; FLOAT: right" title="Sa_241300_sol_a03" border="0" alt="Sa_241300_sol_a03" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/10/12/sa_241300_sol_a03.jpg" width="150" height="300" /></span></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);" >As a former pilot, there are two watches that represent the absolute finest gear for flying: the </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://www.watchreport.com/2007/10/the-omega-speed.html"><span style="color:#cccccc;">Omega X-33</span></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);" >, and </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://www.breitling.com/en/"><span style="color:#cccccc;">Breitling Aerospace</span></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);" >. Both are quartz and analog/digital, and have very different looks. Today's post is about a very similar watch that has a much more reasonable price tag to the Aerospace, the </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://www.swissarmy.com/Timepieces/Pages/Product.aspx?category=chrono+classic&product=241300&"><span style="color:#cccccc;">Victorinox Swiss Army Classic XLS MT</span></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);" >. I've not yet confirmed this, but I strongly suspect that it has the exact same movement as the Aerospace, the </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://www.eta.ch/"><span style="color:#cccccc;">ETA</span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"> 988.432, making it one heck of a deal. Specifications of the Victorinox are:</span><br /><br /></span><div style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" class="post_text"><ul><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Swiss made, Swiss quartz movement.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Anti-reflective-coated sapphire crystal.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Stainless steel case, PVD-coated 'gunmetal'. </span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Luminous hands and hour markers.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Crown guard.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Countdown timer, alarm clock, stopwatch, dual time zone, multiple languages.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Water resistant to 100m.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">45mm by 12m, quite large.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">List price is shown as $1,095USD, but I would expect a discount from that. Let's compare to the Breitling Aerospace:</span></p><ul><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Titanium case.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Night-vision-goggle-compatible backlight. (I have no idea what that means, but it sure sounds cool.)</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Second timezone, alarm, stopwatch, countdown timer.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">Crown-driven operation.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">100m waterproof.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">AR-coated sapphire crystal.</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#cccccc;">42mm by 10.4mm, 38g.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">(Picture snipped from</span><a href="http://www.breitling.com/en/"><span style="color:#cccccc;"> the Breitling website</span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;">)</span></p><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">You can kind of see from the pictures that the displays are identical, which makes sense if the movements are the same. You can also see that the Victorinox is larger. 45mm is large but not huge; I'd be happy to wear one.</span></p><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">As with many Swiss brands, Breitling bars selling over the Internet, but Amazon sells them with a list price of $2,795. </span><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=398,height=424,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/10/12/picture_1.png"><span style="color:#cccccc;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; FLOAT: right" title="Picture_1" border="0" alt="Picture_1" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/10/12/picture_1.png" width="150" height="159" /></span></a></p><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">There are two things I dislike about this movement: the lack of a second hand (useful for 30-second turns), and the crown-driven operation. It's really hard to manipulate while wearing it, which limits the functionality a bit. Nevertheless, I'm hoping that I can try the Victorinox, as that price is much more up my alley, and I really like how it looks.</span></p><p><span style="color:#cccccc;">By Paul Hubbard</span></p><span style="color:#cccccc;">www.watchreport.com</span></div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-65243548939931615522009-07-14T03:13:00.000-07:002009-07-14T07:31:54.539-07:00Two New Bell & Ross Models<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/bellross02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 92px;" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/bellross02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div><br /><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=395,height=403,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/18/brti.jpg"><img title="Brti" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px; float: right;" alt="Brti" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/18/brti.jpg" width="150" border="0" height="153" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">The Bell & Ross company (Yep, that's an ampersand. The joke is that Bell & Ross got theirs from Vacheron Constantin, who used to be Vacheron & Constantin.) has been a </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.watchreport.com/bell_ross/index.html">recurring subject</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> here on Watch Report. We like many of their watches, particularly the aircraft-styled Instrument collection and their new line of dive watches. Today we've got some new models from B&R, so let's take a look and see what's changed. </span><br /><div class="post_text" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><p>First up is the BR01 Instrument Pro Titanium. Like their predecessor Instrument models, it has the square case, bold dial and aircraft-gauge style paired with a reliable ETA mechanical movement. This new model is now made of lightweight <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium">titanium,</a> and they've also changed the style of the hour and minute hands to a beveled/polished look that I quite like. It's very similar to the style of the hands on the Seiko Marinemaster SBDX001, another watch slated for review here. The BR01 has a chronograph, using the ETA 2892 base coupled with a Dubois-Dupraz chronograph module. Specs are 46mm, <a href="http://mrtitanium.com/tigrades.html">grade-2 titanium</a> with a satin finish. The dial is grey with white Superluminova coating on hands and hour markers. The crystal is sapphire with an anti-reflective coating, and the strap is rubber.</p><br /><p>About the only thing I don't like is the MSRP of 5500 Euros, or $7900. That's quite a bit for a stock-ETA watch, and probably reflects how well B&R has been doing in the marketplace with the Instrument series.</p><br /><p>The other new model is the BRS Ceramic Instrument. This pays homage to the immensely influential Chanel J12 series, debuting in 2000, which were the first to ship watches made from super-tough white and black ceramics.</p><br /><p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=330,height=321,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/18/j12black.jpg"><img title="J12black" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; float: left;" alt="J12black" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/18/j12black.jpg" width="150" border="0" height="145" /></a> (The picture is from <a href="http://chanel.com/wfj-global/en-us/index.php?fullscreen=1&x=1037&y=22&width=1263&height=1578">the Chanel site</a>) Ever since the J12, other companies have introduced watches made of ceramics, which we consider a fine thing: ceramics make excellent watch cases and bracelets. I should also note that other companies have been making ceramic watches for a while, such as Rado, but for some reason the J12 proved more influential. Such is fashion.</p><br /><p>Bell & Ross have done some interesting things with it - they used it to make an ultra-thin watch of more moderate size, which combined with the quartz movement chosen should result in a fantastically durable watch. </p><br /><p>The specifications for the Ceramic Instrument</p><br /><ul><br /><li>55g, 6.8mm by 39mm. Only 7mm less than the Ti Pro, but that's quite a lot in a square watch.</li><br /><li>More than one material is available - white or black ceramic, steel or gold, with or without diamonds around the bezel.</li><br /><li>List prices range from 2900 to 7900 Euros, or 4100USD to 11,300USD.</li></ul><br /><p>Here's a shot of the family faces, courtesy of their PR:<br /><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=402,height=403,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/18/brceramics.jpg"></a></p><br /><center><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=402,height=403,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/18/brceramics.jpg"><img title="Brceramics" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" alt="Brceramics" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/18/brceramics.jpg" width="150" border="0" height="150" /></a></center><br /><p>And one closeup of the black dial with diamonds:<br /></p><br /><center><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=409,height=352,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/18/brdiamonds.jpg"><img title="Brdiamonds" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" alt="Brdiamonds" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/18/brdiamonds.jpg" width="150" border="0" height="129" /></a> </center><br /><p>By Paul Hubbard</p>www.watchreport.com</div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-23935627773176586472009-07-14T03:12:00.000-07:002009-08-09T23:30:35.619-07:00The Tissot T-Touch Expert<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/tissot01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/tissot01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div></div><div><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=519,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/06/header_2.jpg"><img title="Header_2" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" height="97" alt="Header_2" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/06/header_2.jpg" width="150" border="0" /></a> <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">The Tissot T-Touch is a well known and respected line of tech watches from one of Switzerland's best known watch manufacturers. Tissot has built its name on crafting well built and affordable time pieces — something of a rarity from everyone's favorite neutral federal republic. It has been nearly a year since I reviewed the </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" href="http://www.watchreport.com/2007/10/review-of-the-t.html">Seastar 1000</a><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)"> and walked away impressed. The T-Touch Expert is the most feature packed model in the brands history and it offers a comprehensive mix of sport styling and easy to use tech. </span><br /><br /><div class="post_text"><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">The T-Touch line is famous for its "touch" ability that turns the regular-old sapphire crystal into a touch sensitive interface for selecting one of the many, many functions. Lets take a look under the hood:</p><ul style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)"><li>43.6mm titanium case. </li><br /><li>Matching titanium bracelet.</li><br /><li>Sapphire crystal.</li><br /><li>Dual time zones.</li><br /><li>Dual Alarms*.</li><br /><li>Barometer (absolute and relative)*.</li><br /><li>Chronograph/Countdown timer*.</li><br /><li>Thermometer*.</li><br /><li>Altimeter (can record difference)*.</li><br /><li>Compass (with Azimuth ability)*.</li><br /><li>Perpetual Counter.</li><br /><li>100m Water Resistance.</li><br /><li>Integrated LCD with red backlight.</li><br /><li>Touch enabled crystal.</li></ul><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">* Touch-activated features.</p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">The above list, while somewhat overwhelming, shows what can be done with modern technology. The kind of tools that would have filled Batman's utility belt can now be packed into a relatively small 43mm case. I remember seeing the spec sheet and being surprised by both the laundry list of features and the fact that almost every one of the features can be activated on the touch crystal, which has seven touch points. Some of the touch points even have two feature levels (ie. Chronograph/countdown timer) activated by tapping the allocated area twice. </p><div style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)" align="left"><strong>The Case</strong></div><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">The case on the Tissot T-Touch Expert is the kind of case (and bracelet) that makes your brain skip a beat with you pick it up. It looks heavy and solid but the titanium is light and relatively hollow feeling. It doesn't feel cheap at all -- it feels strong and confident while being worn, and is yet another watch that proves titanium is a great case and bracelet material. I am admittedly not the biggest fan of the styling on most Tissot watches, but I consider this to be a very handsome watch that is both cool and sporty without being too nerdy. The T-Touch Expe<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=427,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/06/case_2.jpg"><img title="Case_2" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" height="106" alt="Case_2" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/06/case_2.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a>rt incorporates a large LCD screen that takes up most of the lower third of the dial and relates data in tandem with the hands based upon which feature you've selected. The chronograph-style side buttons are used to manipulate certain functions while the middle button is pressed to activate the touch mode or held down for two seconds to activate the backlight. </p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">When a feature is activated the screen shows fine point data (heading, barometric pressure, lapsed time) while the hands take on a contextual meaning. For example, when the watch is in "meteo" mode the hands group together and depending on their position to the right or left of 12 o'clock, they indicate whether the pressure is rising or dropping. <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=548,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/06/wrist_3.jpg"><img title="Wrist_3" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; HEIGHT: 86px" alt="Wrist_3" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/06/wrist_3.jpg" border="0" /></a>Depending on the amount of change in the hands position, you can predict bad weather. The best feature, as far as I'm concerned, is the ability to blend the features with standard time keeping mode so you can monitor a feature on-screen and still have the time reading on the hands. This is a great feature and really shows that Tissot knows what they are doing and what is needed in tech a watch. I can activate touch mode, choose the countdown timer by touching "chrono" twice, begin a countdown, and the watch returns to time keeping mode but leaves the countdown information on screen. Great for cooking, driving long distance, etc. Its just an obvious feature for a watch with a screen and I really appreciate it on the T-Touch Expert. </p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)"><strong>The Bracelet</strong></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">As <a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=533,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/06/img_1106.jpg"><img title="Img_1106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; HEIGHT: 84px" alt="Img_1106" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/06/img_1106.jpg" border="0" /></a>previously noted, the bracelet is made of titanium so it is light and strong and I did not find the review model to be especially scratch prone (titanium's Achilles heel). The bracelet is noise free with a firm pushbutton divers-fold release and a nice folding divers extension inside the clasp. The extension is likely not designed for diving, per say, because the watch is only rated to 100m and the functions cannot be used while submerged. I like to think of it at a jacket extension to get the watch on top of lighter weather protective clothing like jackets and sweaters. I usually have a complaint about the bracelet on almost every watch, but this is a rare exception. It's light, precise, has a good clasp, and there's no noise. If you get this watch, get it on the bracelet. </p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)"><strong>Conclusion</strong> </p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">This is a great watch, but it is not without fault. Granted, you can only cram<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=518,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/06/compass.jpg"><img title="Compass" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 134px; HEIGHT: 86px" alt="Compass" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/09/06/compass.jpg" border="0" /></a> so much tech into one watch case, but where is the atomic regulation and solar charging capability? As the Expert is a premium watch, I feel like these features should be present. There is no watch that will be for everyone and no watch is perfect, but Tissot has come close to perfecting the tech watch. Obviously, the T-Touch Expert is not dressy or flashy nor is it especially boisterous for a sport watch whose peers are covered in bumpy plastic. In a world ruled by G-Shocks and a few Suuntos, the Expert has come to the fight with solid build quality, sharp styling, and the easiest user interface of any watch since the single-button chronograph. The T-Touch Expert is a solid performer that is so dead simple to use, its like its powered by magic. Arthur C. Clark would have been impressed. </p><p style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)">By James Stacey</p><p><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,153)"><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/">http://www.watchreport.com/</a></span><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-31583896713676069552009-07-14T03:11:00.000-07:002009-08-02T18:25:33.412-07:00The New Sinn 657<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/sinn01-1.jpg"><span style="color:#99ff99;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/sinn01-1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><div class="post_text"><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=373,height=614,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://gallery.watchreport.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/08/zoom1.jpg"><span style="color:#99ff99;"><img title="Zoom1" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" height="246" alt="Zoom1" src="http://www.watchreport.com/images/2008/07/08/zoom1.jpg" width="149" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">We've become big </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/sinn/index.html"><span style="color:#99ff99;">Sinn</span></a><span style="color:#99ff99;"> fans here at WatchReport, and today I learned of a new model, the 657. Available in black chromed steel (shown) or stainless, this update to the 657 adds some features of interest:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Updated bezel design, more durable and more readable markers </span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Size increased to a more modern 40mm by 12mm </span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Added a black chapter ring around the dial for readability. </span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#99ff99;">Those are just the new features! In addition, it's a bulletproof watch for extreme environments:</span></p><ul><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Anti-magnetic to 80,000 A/m, which works out to about 1000 Gauss, or 0.1T, the same </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2007/05/the_new_rolex_m.html"><span style="color:#99ff99;">as the Rolex Milgauss</span></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">. As with the Milgauss, Sinn used an iron dial and soft iron movement casing inside the watch to achieve this. </span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Double-sided anti-reflective-coated sapphire crystal, very scratch resistant. </span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Waterproof to 200m (660ft), which is exceptional for a pilot's watch. </span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Very unusually, it's rated for low pressures too, again for pilots in unpressurized cockpits. </span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#99ff99;">Stainless steel case, about 77g without the bracelet or band. </span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#99ff99;">The movement is based on the tractor ETA 2824-2, a well-known and reliable Swiss automatic. The product page, auto-translated from German, </span><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.sinn.de/onlineshopPRO/TEMPLATE/index-ka.php%3Fid%3D657.020&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsinn%2B657%2Bsite:sinn.de%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG"><span style="color:#99ff99;">is here via Google</span></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">, and the original is </span><a href="http://www.sinn.de/sinn-uhren-2000/online-shop/Modelle/sinn-news/news.htm"><span style="color:#99ff99;">here at sinn.de</span></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">.</span></p><p><span style="color:#99ff99;">Street price for the stainless version is about 1600USD, I would expect that the black chrome version would be a few hundred dollars more. I really like this one, and after </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2008/06/review-of-the-s.html"><span style="color:#99ff99;">Christian's review of the 856C</span></a><span style="color:#99ff99;"> I'm dying to see one of these in person.</span></p></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-17292892382049381042009-07-14T03:07:00.000-07:002009-07-16T00:24:18.457-07:00Rolex Sea-Dweller - The Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EyDcsZplje8y-gQeERZgD4DZVg_CmwXD99EtPpkqin1bgCicXtXIEtHyKNqN_JVkNHUDQ249ATkuT2O_bD22ptMuzQXmGmw3igNAp2UeUqNGQDZhddPiMw5bhO-0WwRAXWeX/s1600-h/seadweller01.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358255730374994658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EyDcsZplje8y-gQeERZgD4DZVg_CmwXD99EtPpkqin1bgCicXtXIEtHyKNqN_JVkNHUDQ249ATkuT2O_bD22ptMuzQXmGmw3igNAp2UeUqNGQDZhddPiMw5bhO-0WwRAXWeX/s320/seadweller01.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnjPUBLxI/AAAAAAAAAGc/KndBMzROM4g/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409988833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355316024512163602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnjPUBLxI/AAAAAAAAAGc/KndBMzROM4g/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409988833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;">Without a doubt, the Rolex Sea-Dweller is one of my favorite watches of all time. It represents everything I look for in a watch of this sort: simplicity, quality, functionality, and stark beauty.<br /><br /></span></div><p><span style="color:#ccccff;">The Sea-Dweller is one of the less common Rolex sport models. While the Submariner is produced in several combinations of materials and colors, there is only one Sea-Dweller. It is only available in all stainless steel, and only with a black dial and black bezel. Rolex designed the Sea-Dweller purely as a dive tool — not a fashion accessory.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnR8lHMLI/AAAAAAAAAGE/MurlklJSmLI/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409ae8833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315727425810610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnR8lHMLI/AAAAAAAAAGE/MurlklJSmLI/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409ae8833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /><br /></span></div><p><span style="color:#ccccff;">Features of the Rolex Sea-Dweller:</span></p><ul><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">Guaranteed waterproof to 1,200 meters, or 4,000 feet (that's significantly higher than the 1,000 foot rating of the Submariner).</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">40mm stainless steel case which sits 14.5mm high.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">Ultra-thick synthetic sapphire crystal.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">Unidirectional rotating bezel with a corrosion resistant anodized aluminum insert.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">No date magnifier. I don't mind the "cyclops" on my Explorer II, but I prefer the cleaner look of the Sea-Dweller.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnZBmOlNI/AAAAAAAAAGM/wT1Laho6_7w/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409b38833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315849031750866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 308px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnZBmOlNI/AAAAAAAAAGM/wT1Laho6_7w/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409b38833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ccccff;"><span class="li">Helium escape valve. </span><span class="li">Developed in cooperation with the French industrial diving company, </span><span class="li">Comex, the helium escape valve allows helium molecules to safely escape without popping the crystal off the watch </span><span class="li">during decompression (I told you this is a hardcore dive tool).</span></span></li><br /><li><span class="li"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Dive extension. The dive extension on the Sea-Dweller is actually </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHne2butKI/AAAAAAAAAGU/InBXSaaX8_4/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409968833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315949114143906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHne2butKI/AAAAAAAAAGU/InBXSaaX8_4/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409968833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;">nothing to write home about, but it's sufficient. This is one of the biggest improvements of the </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2008/04/the-new-rolex-s.html"><span style="color:#ccccff;">new Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA</span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;">.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHmlxEvU0I/AAAAAAAAAFM/w3XiB32gLcc/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5b7e8834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355314968422994754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHmlxEvU0I/AAAAAAAAAFM/w3XiB32gLcc/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5b7e8834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></li></ul><p><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span> </p><ul><li><span style="color:#ccccff;"><span class="li">Triplock screwdown crown. The Trip</span><span class="li">lock system uses an additional rubber gasket (clearly</span><span class="li"> visible when the crown is unscrewed) beyond the Twinlock system used on many other Rolex sport models like the old <a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2006/05/review_of_the_r.html">GMT Master II</a> and the </span><span class="li">Explorer II. The crown threads </span><span class="li">beautifully, and feels incredibly robust and secure.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnBBBmLSI/AAAAAAAAAFs/GxRqN9ubzQU/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409a28833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315436561247522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 164px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnBBBmLSI/AAAAAAAAAFs/GxRqN9ubzQU/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409a28833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ccccff;"><span class="li">Quick-change and quick-set date. Quick-change means that the d</span><span class="li">ate changes over to the next day instantly almost exactly at midnight (as opposed to changing gradually over the course of several minutes before and after midnight). Quick-set means that you can set the date while the crown is pulled out to the second position rather than having to change the time in order to change the date.</span></span></li></ul><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHm2J8UbGI/AAAAAAAAAFc/1dhaxlJXR1k/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5b918834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315249976470626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHm2J8UbGI/AAAAAAAAAFc/1dhaxlJXR1k/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5b918834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;">Some other interesting facts about the Rolex Sea-Dweller, and Rolex in general:</span></div><div><br /><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">The Sea-Dweller is the only Rolex with a date, but without the date magnifier. This accounts for a lot of its popularity as many people love Rolex watches, but aren't crazy about the "bubble".</span></div><ul><li><span class="li"><span style="color:#ccccff;">The Sea-Dweller is the only Rolex with writing on the caseback. It says "ROLEX OYSTER" and "ORIGINAL ESCAPE VALVE". </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2008/04/the-new-rolex-s.html"><span style="color:#ccccff;">The new Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA</span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;"> seems to take all this writing, and put it on the front of the watch, creating a much busier face.</span></span></li><br /><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">The additional thickness of the Sea-Dweller's case beyond that of the Submariner is to accommodate the helium escape valve.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHmvaHRmCI/AAAAAAAAAFU/DLlc23BQ6EM/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5b708834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315134058305570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHmvaHRmCI/AAAAAAAAAFU/DLlc23BQ6EM/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5b708834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">The bulbous shape of the hour hand which Rolex uses on many of their sport models allows it to be seen while directly under the minute hand. This may seem like an unnecessary detail, but it's actually a great, widely copied, and under appreciated design. It also makes the hour hand more easily distinguishable in low light.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li"><span style="color:#ccccff;">This extraordinarily beautiful watch is being discontinued. It is being replaced by the admittedly interesting, but very different </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2008/04/the-new-rolex-s.html"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA</span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;">. I can promise you that there will always be a market for the "old" Sea-Dwellers, however. They were classics even before being discontinued.</span></span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">Most, if not all, modern Rolexes have the Rolex coronet etched on the inside of the crystal at the 6 o'clock position. If you're buying from anyone other than an authorized retailer, make sure you can see the etching before you buy it.</span></li><br /><li style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">Rolex is one of the few remaining Swiss watchmakers who still makes their own movements. Most brands purchase either movements, or movement kits, from companies like ETA. Rolex, however, designs and builds everything but a few oils themselves.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHm7OWp8DI/AAAAAAAAAFk/IxvFxPWQgGA/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5bb28834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315337060020274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 259px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHm7OWp8DI/AAAAAAAAAFk/IxvFxPWQgGA/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5522b5bb28834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /></li><li><span class="li" style="color:#ccccff;">Rolex is a privately held company which donates a great deal of it's profits to charity. I think of Rolex as the Robin Hood of the watch world: take from those who can afford it, and give to those who cannot.</span></li></ul><div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kVGyTateYOQ"><br /><br /> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kVGyTateYOQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object></span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">If you follow Watch Report regularly, you probably already know that I'm a big Rolex fan. Sure, I like plenty of other watches, and yes, I think Rolexes are getting to be slightly overpriced these days. But in my experience (I've owned a total of four Rolexes in my life, and started wearing my father's in high school), they are some of the best built watches in the world. I love the fact that they design and build almost everything in-house, and cut no corners when it comes to quality. I love that Rolex manages to be both classic and innovative simultaneously. And I love that they donate so much money to charity.</span></div><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnGA0r23I/AAAAAAAAAF0/NIFjFI6H5wo/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409a68833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355315522406439794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 277px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlHnGA0r23I/AAAAAAAAAF0/NIFjFI6H5wo/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5521409a68833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ccccff;">What I don't like about Rolex is that the brand has become a status symbol. I've actually met people with GMT Masters who didn't even know how to operate them. And every time I see a someone in a suit at the airport talking a little too loudly on his Bluetooth headset and making a big production of looking at his Rolex, I cringe. To me, Rolex doesn't mean status, or even success. It means achievement, a refusal to compromise, and a commitment to quality in a world where everything around me seems to be getting cheaper and flimsier by the day.</span></p><div><span style="color:#ccccff;">www.watchreport.com</span></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-69449060994571012942009-07-14T03:04:00.000-07:002009-07-27T20:15:00.532-07:00BALL Engineer Master II Diver - The Complete Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSMCU8kGg9V0LdmRmmCW1ZwG4fLw0KaLSRGGxgmwJYzjO5dlppn7dbZ5vIv5Ve4uQfKFCnlUfvWhSHFWo4ir6t53JNQSpafPMR6tAXKn0KwFL_AeXL187gUbGMfrNhplfIDMC/s1600-h/ball01.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358255246648275922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSMCU8kGg9V0LdmRmmCW1ZwG4fLw0KaLSRGGxgmwJYzjO5dlppn7dbZ5vIv5Ve4uQfKFCnlUfvWhSHFWo4ir6t53JNQSpafPMR6tAXKn0KwFL_AeXL187gUbGMfrNhplfIDMC/s320/ball01.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><div></div><div><span style="color:#ffffcc;">If you're looking to put something a little different on your wrist, you owe it to yourself to consider a Ball. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAio0vXgI/AAAAAAAAAHk/JogxlqGE-6c/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e5a38834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554608203652610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAio0vXgI/AAAAAAAAAHk/JogxlqGE-6c/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e5a38834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /><br /></span></div><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I came across Ball watches when I was looking for something distinctive and unique; something that combines the tradition of a good automatic movement with modern functionality; something that stands out without being ostentatious. The result was the </span><a href="http://www.ballwatch.com/newsletter/june06/diver.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Ball Engineer Master II Diver</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;"> you see here.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAsKdDDDI/AAAAAAAAAH0/E7M6uA8Su98/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e59c8834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554771849907250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAsKdDDDI/AAAAAAAAAH0/E7M6uA8Su98/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e59c8834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAieXqr7I/AAAAAAAAAHc/aAPzgWcfk30/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1798833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554605397356466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 167px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAieXqr7I/AAAAAAAAAHc/aAPzgWcfk30/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1798833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><br /><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;">The best way to appreciate the Engineer Master II Diver is to consider its impressive list of </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAiPYskcI/AAAAAAAAAHU/MtEe8G1tp1E/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1768833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554601375142338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAiPYskcI/AAAAAAAAAHU/MtEe8G1tp1E/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1768833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">features:</span></p><ul><li><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span class="li">ETA 2836-2 automatic </span><span class="li">movement.</span></span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">Tritium gas tube illumination (more on this below).</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span class="li">Inner rotating timing bezel </span><span class="li">with gas tube illumination (more on this below).</span></span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">Beautiful domed sapphire crystal.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">Day and date, both large and readable.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">Shock resistant to 5,000Gs.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">Antimagnetic to 4,800A/m.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">Water resistant to 300 meters, or about 1,000 feet.</span></li><br /><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">Dual screwdown crowns (one for the movement, one for the inner rotating bezel), as well as a screwdown caseback.</span></li></ul><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAsdCzQHI/AAAAAAAAAIE/uhlULeJcugo/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e6038834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554776840093810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAsdCzQHI/AAAAAAAAAIE/uhlULeJcugo/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e6038834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><ul><li><span class="li" style="color:#ffffcc;">42mm brushed stainless steel case, and a unique brushed stainless steel bracelet with a hidden clasp.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAsUVoJFI/AAAAAAAAAH8/L_l6tu_ejHg/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e59f8834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554774503138386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAsUVoJFI/AAAAAAAAAH8/L_l6tu_ejHg/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e59f8834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></li></ul><div><span style="color:#ffffcc;">As you can see, this is an extremely impressive set of features for a $1,899 Swiss watch (Ball watches were once American made, closely </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAh3CugGI/AAAAAAAAAHM/T_s2qKf5Ilw/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1728833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554594840543330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAh3CugGI/AAAAAAAAAHM/T_s2qKf5Ilw/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1728833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">associated with the emergence of the railroad, but the brand was purchased by a Swiss company in the 1990s). Of particular note is the tritium illumination system. The Ball Engineer Master II Diver has no fewer than 53 individual micro gas tubes, making it the most nighttime-readable and functional analog watch I've ever seen. Even the inner rotating bezel and bezel pearl use tritium tubes for diving in dark conditions.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAPyZr5SI/AAAAAAAAAGk/4imt6ieAmvc/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1b48833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554284357018914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAPyZr5SI/AAAAAAAAAGk/4imt6ieAmvc/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1b48833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Ball says they expect their gas tube illumination system to work for about 25 years. If you're hoping to keep your Ball watch beyond that, don't worry. </span><a href="http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=83097" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">According to this p</span></a><a href="http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=83097" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">ost</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;"> on the official Ball forum (hosted by our friends at </span><a href="http://www.watchuseek.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">watchuseek</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">), micro gas tube replacement will be offered as an option with regular maintenance. Apparently it's a relatively simple process, and assuming you'll probably only need to do it once in your life (sorry, don't mean to be morbid, but it's true), don't let the half-life of radioactive tritium gas stop you from buying a Ball.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLARZQR4rI/AAAAAAAAAHE/HVq6mEuPlh0/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1708833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554311966417586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLARZQR4rI/AAAAAAAAAHE/HVq6mEuPlh0/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef1708833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffffcc;">The Engineer Master II Diver uses an internal rotating bezel rather than the standard external bezel you see on most dive watches. That means the timing bezel sits below the sapphire crystal where it's protected from accidental bumps which can change its position and give you an incorrect reading (uni-directional rotating bezels can only be bumped in the direction that makes you think you have less time rather than more, but who wants to come up early?). The bezel is adjusted by unscrewing and turning the top crown. The only disadvantage of an internal rotating bezel is that it can't be adjusted once you're </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAQSLCRzI/AAAAAAAAAGs/t2kHgGNJy0w/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef15f8833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554292885505842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAQSLCRzI/AAAAAAAAAGs/t2kHgGNJy0w/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef15f8833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">already underwater (once submerged, you shouldn't unscrew either crown), however as long as you remember to set it before entering the water, there's no reason to change it once you've started your dive.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffffcc;">The Ball Engineer Master II is an extremely unique timepiece. The design is stunning (I love the green, the ornate second hand, the brushed case, the hidden clasp), and the number of features they manage to cram in is inspiring. While the </span><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/2008/04/review-of-the-k.html"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Kobold Soarway Diver</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;"> that I reviewed recently is for those who want a low-key diver, the Ball Engineer Master II Diver is for people who want a watch that jumps out without being "blingey", and that combines traditional Swiss watchmaking with modern features and robustness.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAiyTViWI/AAAAAAAAAHs/zfbGSEoBu0Y/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e5aa8834-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554610747902306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAiyTViWI/AAAAAAAAAHs/zfbGSEoBu0Y/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e55215e5aa8834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.watchreport.com/"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">www.watchreport.com</span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAQ5LHlDI/AAAAAAAAAG8/o0n0zvTJAJw/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef17c8833-500wi.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355554303354836018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 143px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLAQ5LHlDI/AAAAAAAAAG8/o0n0zvTJAJw/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fef17c8833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-39290718020291620162009-07-14T03:03:00.001-07:002009-07-22T22:19:57.639-07:00The Original James Bond Watch Coming to America<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TAzneehsF2SRI-lrpsLnvIuQI0HY9nongkDLxJddoV_u2ML0IjY4OTr7oGDfzZMtBToPrBAIKfFgYck6WUo_pi_8q9iY0r0XC3ahInLsxshaczY-5icVf8zLfxyiDgfmKke1/s1600-h/jamesbond01.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358254579341193970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TAzneehsF2SRI-lrpsLnvIuQI0HY9nongkDLxJddoV_u2ML0IjY4OTr7oGDfzZMtBToPrBAIKfFgYck6WUo_pi_8q9iY0r0XC3ahInLsxshaczY-5icVf8zLfxyiDgfmKke1/s320/jamesbond01.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);font-size:85%;" ></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;" >The National Watch and Clock Museum will be presenting an exhibit in the summer of 2010 that will explore the subject of the watches of James Bond. Attached is the press release with photos. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div id="post_message_2060619" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Dell Deaton, the National Watch & Clock Museum’s guest curator for the exhibit, Watches, James Bond Watches.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLGx6ONUZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/IUGF0MZ1Uo0/s1600-h/New+Dell+Deaton+photo.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355561467641680274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLGx6ONUZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/IUGF0MZ1Uo0/s320/New+Dell+Deaton+photo.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLG9gvzxKI/AAAAAAAAAIU/wsV26hyuVGA/s1600-h/FlemmingRolex_001_20081010.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355561666961720482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLG9gvzxKI/AAAAAAAAAIU/wsV26hyuVGA/s320/FlemmingRolex_001_20081010.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ian Fleming’s personal Rolex 1016 Explorer, which served as his basis for the personal James Bond wristwatch he described in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1963) Credit: Imperial War Museum</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Ian Fleming on the set of “Goldfinger,” 1964, wearing his Rolex 1016 Explorer wristwatch Standing next to him are James Bond film producers Harry Saltzman (immediate right) and Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli (far right).<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLHRT5bFVI/AAAAAAAAAIc/S6FWVz6UYUc/s1600-h/Ian+Fleming+on+set+of+Goldfinger.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355562007109768530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 255px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLHRT5bFVI/AAAAAAAAAIc/S6FWVz6UYUc/s320/Ian+Fleming+on+set+of+Goldfinger.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;">Ernie Romers<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">www.watchuseek.com<br /><br />Credit: Imperial War Museum and Getty Images</span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> </span></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-91066272075827650412009-07-14T03:00:00.000-07:002009-07-14T03:02:54.386-07:00Kobold Soarway Diver - The Ultimate Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjN222HKhvFm-kPnme5Ej15Wbkj-DB3-4RXs46p46iuGBKpcAvBrYXyctFO-iyM95h9IUKnnl-PuSHH6zBP0P__aCf9rKCBxGRN6CzMvvQwYUCcjK6h0xK5g3S7zRnzrkkKQD/s1600-h/K01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358254132005661826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjN222HKhvFm-kPnme5Ej15Wbkj-DB3-4RXs46p46iuGBKpcAvBrYXyctFO-iyM95h9IUKnnl-PuSHH6zBP0P__aCf9rKCBxGRN6CzMvvQwYUCcjK6h0xK5g3S7zRnzrkkKQD/s320/K01.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKTO2IM4I/AAAAAAAAAI8/h53WYv-gnqQ/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b798833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565338648392578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 109px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKTO2IM4I/AAAAAAAAAI8/h53WYv-gnqQ/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b798833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKhNHr_XI/AAAAAAAAAJc/9yjSF4_B9Iw/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b958833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565578703338866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKhNHr_XI/AAAAAAAAAJc/9yjSF4_B9Iw/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b958833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0);font-size:85%;" ><img title="Kobold Soarway Diver" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 5px" height="170" alt="Kobold Soarway Diver" src="http://www.watchreport.com/watchreport/review_images/kobold_soarway_diver.jpg" width="150" border="0" /></span><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)"><span style="font-size:85%;">I've wanted a Kobold watch for pretty close to three years now. The first Kobold I fell in love with was the <a href="http://www.koboldwatch.com/products/ps.htm" target="_blank">Polar Surveyor</a> since it has both a chronograph, and a 24-hour hand. When I went through a military watch phase, I was dying for the <a href="http://www.koboldwatch.com/products/phantom.htm" target="_blank">Kobold Phantom</a>. And I've always been a huge </span><span style="font-size:85%;">dive watch fanatic, so the <a href="http://www.koboldwatch.com/products/seal.htm" target="_blank">Kobold Soarway </a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.koboldwatch.com/products/seal.htm" target="_blank">Diver SEAL</a> was a big temptation. But when I was recently fortunate enough to get my hands on almost the entire Kobold collection at one of the very few authorized </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Kobold dealers, the one that seemed to make the most sense for me was the <a href="http://www.koboldwatch.com/products/soarway_diver.htm" target="_blank">Kobold Soarway Diver</a> (non-SEAL version).</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKSQOHT-I/AAAAAAAAAIk/DaTvRfpOypM/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b7f8833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565321837563874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 36px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKSQOHT-I/AAAAAAAAAIk/DaTvRfpOypM/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b7f8833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKg4snSyI/AAAAAAAAAJU/CyDw7tWIAlk/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b908833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565573221075746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKg4snSyI/AAAAAAAAAJU/CyDw7tWIAlk/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b908833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kobold watches are known for their substantial cases which are usually between 41mm and 44mm wide (without their prominent crowns), and 15mm to 17.75mm tall. That's a pretty big watch for my relatively small arm. The Kobold Soarway Diver uses the very </span><span style="font-size:85%;">slim ETA 2892 movement, however, which allows the case to be a mere 1</span><span style="font-size:85%;">0.25mm high — in my opinion, the perfect size.</span></p><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)"><span style="font-size:85%;">I was also lucky enough to find a very special Soarway Diver. It turns out that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001254/" target="_blank">James Gandolfini</a> of </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Sopranos fame is a big Kobold fan, so when the show ended last year, he ordered 400 custom made Kobold Soarway Divers for the cast and crew. A very small number of these watches ended up being sold by crew members who, having little appreciation for fine timepieces, decided they'd rather have the cash than the souvenir. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKSusjpnI/AAAAAAAAAIs/xTjO6jCmxro/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b8a8833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565330018313842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKSusjpnI/AAAAAAAAAIs/xTjO6jCmxro/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b8a8833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Being a huge Sopranos fan, when I was lucky enough to come across one, I snatched it up immediately.</span></p><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)"><span style="font-size:85%;">The caseback bears the following inscription:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKTcXmEPI/AAAAAAAAAJE/9eQAErBkAT0/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b828833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565342278422770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKTcXmEPI/AAAAAAAAAJE/9eQAErBkAT0/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b828833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKhfg1BbI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ilYxYUS7Wnc/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0ba78833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565583640626610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKhfg1BbI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ilYxYUS7Wnc/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0ba78833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">THE SOPRANOS<br />1997-2007<br />"REST IN PEACE"<br />THANK YOU<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">-J.G.</span></p><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's a breakdown of the custom-made "Sopranos" ve</span><span style="font-size:85%;">rsion of the Kobold Soarway Diver:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKS_DlncI/AAAAAAAAAI0/hRFA1HiM9f0/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b768833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565334409878978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKS_DlncI/AAAAAAAAAI0/hRFA1HiM9f0/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b768833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><ul style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)"><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Polished titanium case.</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Brushed titanium, uni-directional, engraved ratcheting bezel.</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Screwdown crown and caseback.</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Date between the 3 and 4 o'clock positions.</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Anti-reflective (inside only) synthetic sapphire crystal.</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Luminescent hands, hour markers, and bezel "pearl".</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Waterproof to 100 meters, or about 330 feet.</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Antimagnetic case.</span></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="li">Retail price of $3,450.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKg7qr31I/AAAAAAAAAJM/QNwHSfI5TIc/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b858833-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565574018293586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKg7qr31I/AAAAAAAAAJM/QNwHSfI5TIc/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e551fe0b858833-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a></li></ul><br /><p style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0)"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Kobold Soarway Diver is an unusually simple and elegant timepiece, especially with the black canvas Zulu strap that I use in place of the brown calfskin band it came with. Although Kobold has a very passionate following, it is not a mainstream </span><span style="font-size:85%;">brand which means you can have a beautiful and well constructed automatic watch, and still fly under the social radar. Even though this watch is only 1 in 400, and a gift from the most famous on-screen gangster since Marlon Brando, people admire it for what really counts: its beauty.</span></p><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,0);font-size:85%;" >www.watchreport.com</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKl7lXZ7I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/0b5ZXgyVTH4/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e5521512678834-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565659895326642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 147px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKl7lXZ7I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/0b5ZXgyVTH4/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e5521512678834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKhtPIi5I/AAAAAAAAAJs/KxTcnL1lYiE/s1600-h/6a00d83452070069e200e55215124a8834-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565587324504978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLKhtPIi5I/AAAAAAAAAJs/KxTcnL1lYiE/s320/6a00d83452070069e200e55215124a8834-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-91542167308766914132009-07-14T02:59:00.000-07:002009-08-02T18:22:59.899-07:00Cartier Celebrates the 3rd Edition of the LOVE DAY on 11th June 2009<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/loveday01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/loveday01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLMsctcyAI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/uHHZqHL0qy8/s1600-h/L0VEDAY_L0VE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355567970890074114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLMsctcyAI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/uHHZqHL0qy8/s320/L0VEDAY_L0VE.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLM-KCujQI/AAAAAAAAAKE/qkvBf9yvFto/s1600-h/Benelux_NL.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355568275116690690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 177px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLM-KCujQI/AAAAAAAAAKE/qkvBf9yvFto/s320/Benelux_NL.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLNFOSa3lI/AAAAAAAAAKM/QkrP6f_T-Cs/s1600-h/L0VEDAY_Cartier.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355568396515335762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 63px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlLNFOSa3lI/AAAAAAAAAKM/QkrP6f_T-Cs/s320/L0VEDAY_Cartier.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><strong></strong>Related link: <a href="http://www.cartier.com/en_eu/Cartier" target="_blank">www.cartier.com/en_eu/Cartier</a><br /></span><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Ernie Romers<br />www.watchuseek.com</span> </div></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-25817850595848351222009-07-14T02:56:00.000-07:002009-08-02T18:31:05.631-07:00The Saeculum Glashütte Original Music Festival Prize 2009 awarded to Gustavo Dudamel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/g02.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/g02.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffffff;"><b>“Music and music and peace, justice and love”: </b></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><b>The Saeculum Glashütte Original Music Festival Prize 2009 </b><b>awarded to Gustavo Dudamel</b><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">On Saturday, May 23rd, the sixth award-giving ceremony of the Glashütte Original SAECULUM Music Festival Prize took place in the world-famous Dresden Semperoper.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1695_01_Semperoper.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1694_semper01.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,51,102);font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">The prize, which is worth 25,000 EUR, has been sponsored by the Glashütte Original manufactory since 2004 and is awarded as part of the Dresden Music Festival.</span></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1697_Saeculum_Preis.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,51,102);font-size:85%;" >This year, the coveted prize went to the young, up-and-coming conductor:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1699_Dudamel_Prtr.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">Gustavo Dudamel</span></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1701_Preisverl01.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >On Saturday evening, the 28-year-old Venezuelan national was presented with the award by the Managing Director of Glashütte Original, Günter Wiegand (photo right) and by the Director of the Dresden Music Festival, Jan Vogler (photo centre). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1703_Preisverl02.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >The honour paid to Dudamel indicates a new direction for the Saeculum Prize.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >Up to now, it has been used to honour an artist’s life work, “saeculum” being </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >the Latin word for an age or generation.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >This means that the musician was primarily honoured not as a shooting star of </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >the classical music world but much more for his commitment to the educational programme El Sistema. This consists of a network of music schools and orchestras in Venezuela. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >With classical music, children and young people from impoverished backgrounds </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >can learn to find direction in their lives. The prize is there to buy instruments for </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >the orchestra in Venezuela, exclaimed a grateful Gustavo Dudamel. El Sistema is working on a social level, trying to find peaceful solutions to problems. Some of </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >the money is also expected to go to projects in Los Angeles and in Scotland.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >It’s all about transmitting sensitivity and art to a new generation, explained Dudamel. “That is the most important thing – music and music and peace, justice and love”.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1705_Konzert2.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">After the award ceremony, the spirited young conductor expressed his thanks with a rousing concert together with the Concertgebouw Orchester from Amsterdam. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1708_Konzert3.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >From his conductor’s podium, Gustavo Dudamel allowed the orchestra to play freely, thereby awakening its full, characteristic elegance. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1710_Konzert1.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">At the end of Sergei Prokofiev’s fifth symphony, the audience paid loud tribute to </span></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >the conductor and the orchestra with standing ovations.<br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >Impressions from the subsequent reception in the elegant atmosphere </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >of the Semperoper:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1712_empfang.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="WIDTH: 390px; HEIGHT: 354px" alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1713_Dudamel.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >Prize-winner Gustavo Dudamel proudly showing off his prize and ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="WIDTH: 391px; HEIGHT: 284px" alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1715_Dudamel7.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >... talking shop with the managing directors of Glashütte Original, </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >Mister Günter Wiegand (photo left) and Mister Thomas Meier (photo right) ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="WIDTH: 392px; HEIGHT: 380px" alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1717_Dudamel2.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">... and then about the Saeculum with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.</span></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="WIDTH: 393px; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1719_Dudamel8.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">from left to right: Jan Vogler, Günter Wiegand, Gustavo Dudamel, Thomas Meier, Gerd Uecker (Director of the Semperoper Dresden)</span></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="WIDTH: 396px; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1721_Dudamel5.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >from left to right: Gustavo Dudamel, Alexander Prinz von Sachsen, </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" >Christoph Amend (chief editor of ZEIT magazine), Mira Wang (cellist), Jan Vogler</span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><b>The Glashütte Original SAECULUM Music Festival Prize</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="WIDTH: 406px; HEIGHT: 418px" alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1751_Saeculum_Preis2.jpg" border="0" /> </span><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;color:#ffffff;" >This year’s SAECULUM Glashütte Original Music Festival Prize was once again made by two trainees at the Alfred Helwig School of Watchmaking. The School, which is part of the Glashütte Original factory, trains twelve watchmakers and three toolmakers every year.<br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;color:#ffffff;" >The form of the prize symbolizes in inimitable manner its Saxon origins and the craft of watchmaking. The flying Tourbillon with its 18 tiny weighted screws demonstrates the virtuosity of these watchmakers. It is regarded as a symbol of the highest level of the art of watchmaking and was developed in Glashütte about 1920.<br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;color:#ffffff;" >The base of the prize is made of fine Elbe sandstone and comes from the Saxon Switzerland mountain range. This material is characteristic of the unique appearance of the buildings in Dresden’s Old City.<br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color:#ffffff;">Taken together, these two components – the sophisticated Tourbillon and the solid base of Elbe sandstone – form a symbol which simultaneously combines both continuity and immortality.<br />Best regards,<br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153)">Ernie Romers</span></span></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153);font-size:85%;" ><br />www.watchuseek.com</span> </span></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-40149093865308777752009-07-13T21:44:00.000-07:002009-07-27T20:06:01.721-07:00Glashütte's Art of Watchmaking Fair in Hong Kong - Strong Interest in<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/g01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/g01.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div id="post_message_1960830" style="COLOR: rgb(0,153,0)"><span style="font-size:85%;">Glashütte Original presents selected exhibits of the German Watch Museum Glashütte for the first time in Asia.<br /><br />From May 14 – 17, Glashütte Original, the founder of the German Watch Museum Glashütte, took part in the international fair ART HK 09 which attracted more than 27,000 visitors. Rare timekeepers from Glashütte were presented to an Asian audience for the first time and generated strong interest in the art of fine German watchmaking.<br /><br />During the fair, Glashütte Original displayed a selection of its current models that have been produced largely by hand, in the traditional Glashütte way. During the four days, selected exhibits of the museum including pocket watches, pilot watches, chronographs, early wristwatches, and historic working tools were equally on show representing more than 160 years of continuous creation and development.<br /><br />Live demonstrations provided fascinating insights into the art of mechanical watchmaking. Numerous interested visitors were thus able to experience directly the striking precision and meticulous exactness that Glashütte watchmakers achieve in their work.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1668_hk1.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1669_hk2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1670_hk3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Rare timekeepers from Glashütte were presented to an Asian audience for the first time and generated strong interest in the art of fine German watchmaking.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1672_hk4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1673_hk5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1674_hk6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1675_hk7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />During the four days, selected exhibits of the museum including pocket watches, pilot watches, chronographs, early wristwatches, and historic working tools were equally on show representing more than 160 years of continuous creation and development.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1676_hk8.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1678_hk9.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />During the fair, Glashütte Original displayed a selection of its current models that have been produced largely by hand, in the traditional Glashütte way.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1680_hk11.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1681_hk12.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1679_hk10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Live demonstrations provided fascinating insights into the art of mechanical watchmaking. Numerous interested visitors were thus able to experience directly the striking precision and meticulous exactness that Glashütte watchmakers achieve in their work.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1683_hk13.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1684_hk14.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1685_hk15.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1686_hk16.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1687_hk17.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1688_hk18.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1689_hk19.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1690_hk20.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1691_hk21.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1692_hk22.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.glashuette-original.com/upload/aktuelles_en/i_1693_hk23.jpg" border="0" /></span> </div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,153,0);font-size:85%;" ><br />Ernie Romers<br />www.watchuseek.com</span>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-90649797009953891682009-07-13T21:40:00.000-07:002009-07-14T02:52:16.697-07:00SCATOLA DEL TEMPO Awarded the Producer Dino De Laurentiis<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYj3DJU9_bWHi81n0YqNQ_9GXzRf_5JCBbnwxMFyAOuYUZXNBmTPURlNoiZ5bmbl8R8uEZWIIPfq1vSqB993M2aCLAYGULOrFgZbtpEWD71LyKEW1m0DsVazbpUNucyRwcJnS0/s1600-h/box01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358251193295190258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYj3DJU9_bWHi81n0YqNQ_9GXzRf_5JCBbnwxMFyAOuYUZXNBmTPURlNoiZ5bmbl8R8uEZWIIPfq1vSqB993M2aCLAYGULOrFgZbtpEWD71LyKEW1m0DsVazbpUNucyRwcJnS0/s320/box01.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><b></b></span></span> </div><div style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><b></b></span></span> </div><div style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355660045238725218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMgb4Y06mI/AAAAAAAAAKc/Gufuf73mq8Q/s320/SdT+-+6RT+EB+OS1.jpg" border="0" /></b></span></span></div><div style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></strong> </div><div style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></strong> </div><div style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></strong> </div><div style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153)" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>SCATOLA DEL TEMPO </b></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>AWARDS DINO DE LAURENTIIS</b></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><i><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">Awarded in Los Angeles the legendary Italian producer</span></i><br /></div></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br />Scatola del Tempo, the prestigious Italian company and creator of rotating watch holders, has awarded the producer Dino De Laurentiis for his long and successful career.</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">Dino De Laurentiis, </span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">born at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_Annunziata" target="_blank">Torre Annunziata</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Naples" target="_blank">province of Naples</a> in 1919, </span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">left home at 17, determined to be a director, and produced his first film,</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"> “</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>L'Amore Canta”</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">, before his 21st birthday. Since then, he produced many prestigious Italian films including movies by Federico Fellini in collaboration with Carlo Ponti, before moving to the US.</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">An extraordinary icon of Italian cinema, </span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">Dino De Laurentiis has either financed, produced or distributed over 600 movies and with the new millennium and his seventh decade in the industry, he has shown no inclination of stopping.</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">During his long career De Laurentiis made a number of successful and acclaimed films, </span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">including Fellini's "</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>La Strada</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">", and, among others, "</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Le notti di Cabiria</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">”, "</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>War and Peace</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">”, "</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Body of Evidence</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">", </span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>"Unforgettable", "Breakdown", “</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpico" target="_blank">Serpico</a>”,</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i> “</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Days_of_the_Condor" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Three Days of the Condor</i></span></a></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>”,</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i> “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Serpent%27s_Egg_%28film%29" target="_blank">The Serpent's Egg</a>”</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>, “</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_%28film%29" target="_blank">Ragtime</a>”</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMgbr8lEHI/AAAAAAAAAKU/46PEdi40Opw/s1600-h/Dino+De+Laurentiis+light.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355660041899020402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMgbr8lEHI/AAAAAAAAAKU/46PEdi40Opw/s320/Dino+De+Laurentiis+light.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">De Laurentiis won two Oscar with "</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>La Strada</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">", and "</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Le notti di Cabiria</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">”, and i</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">n 2001 he received the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_G._Thalberg_Memorial_Award" target="_blank">Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award</a> from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>SCATOLA DEL TEMPO</b></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Scatola del Tempo originates at the end of the ‘80s, thanks to the vision of a collector, Sandro Colarieti, who sought watch holders worthy of the quality of his collection. He decided to create his own, employing expert craftsmen and first-rate materials. </i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>After having produced a small series, for himself and as a homage to his friend, he started receiving commissions from other collectors and from producers. Thus, Scatola del Tempo was born, today appreciated and known worldwide with its very own, special idea of what constitutes a watch case. </i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>In 1990 rotating watch holders saw the light for the first time, designed to guarantee to maintain automatic watches in charge, so as to keep not just the time, but also the date.</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><i><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">Sandro Colarieti then created the 1RT model, the prototype for a long series which enjoyed an immediate success, to the point that it was also used by some of the greatest Swiss Houses of Horology. For instance, Patek Philippe has endorsed such devices for its own models for over 15 years. The watch winders are equipped with a high precision micro-motor and controlled by a micro-processor. They can rotate both clockwise and anti-clockwise, keeping any automatic movement within the device in full charge for over a year. </span></i><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The engines are Swiss produced but the final assembly takes place in Italy, likewise the quality control on finishing materials and the functioning of mechanical parts.</i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>A great heritage has been left behind by Sandro Colarieti as well as a hefty responsibility for the future. </i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>In order to raise its international profile Scatola del Tempo is counting on a series of prestigious events, such as those attended in 2007 for the 50th anniversary of the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, with the ceremony awarding Andy Garcia, Terry Gilliam and Francis Menotti and the participation of Julia Roberts during the American Cinemateque Award. Meanwhile, in 2008, Scatola has already rewarded George Lucas, Forest Whitaker, Steven Spielberg, Gabriele Muccino, Michele Placido and now Dino De Laurentiis.<br /><br /></i></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,153,153);font-size:85%;" >Ernie Romers<br />www.watchuseek.com</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(23,54,93)"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-87007479424724555712009-07-13T21:32:00.000-07:002009-07-14T02:54:14.865-07:00U-Boats : Limited Editions, Limited Stock!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxA0ABXS_dbGMn-01k3OFKJtizgL2eGkK_lo5nzDtkkCB_GVbflmDeWMmle-eGb91q8YYEOy2OI0SYwmY6UALoq9SHA2paQu306uQOME7cl4fvVHh-0Lwv9OdU9TDQ0uc9FQL/s1600-h/uboat02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358251902318756002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxA0ABXS_dbGMn-01k3OFKJtizgL2eGkK_lo5nzDtkkCB_GVbflmDeWMmle-eGb91q8YYEOy2OI0SYwmY6UALoq9SHA2paQu306uQOME7cl4fvVHh-0Lwv9OdU9TDQ0uc9FQL/s320/uboat02.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"></span></div><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"></span></div><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"></span></div><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">From bottom to top : 45mm chrono (EUR 510.00), 53mm chrono (EUR 620.00), 45mm two-tone (EUR 690.00), 45mm two-tone next to 53mm chrono.</span> </div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnKC_HztI/AAAAAAAAAMc/n8gCxDJD6TI/s1600-h/4553benelux.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355667435427450578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnKC_HztI/AAAAAAAAAMc/n8gCxDJD6TI/s320/4553benelux.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnKHqlToI/AAAAAAAAAMU/CaIcegpdabk/s1600-h/53benelux-big.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355667436683480706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnKHqlToI/AAAAAAAAAMU/CaIcegpdabk/s320/53benelux-big.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnJ-x96ZI/AAAAAAAAAMM/X9ntSJVd4p8/s1600-h/45twotone-big.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355667434298534290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnJ-x96ZI/AAAAAAAAAMM/X9ntSJVd4p8/s320/45twotone-big.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnJmuNJ8I/AAAAAAAAAME/biZdAEBX1G0/s1600-h/45benelux-big.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355667427840305090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V8QdZHlReRo/SlMnJmuNJ8I/AAAAAAAAAME/biZdAEBX1G0/s320/45benelux-big.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">Ernie Romers</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">www.watchuseek.com</span> </div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-70202403639994292682009-07-13T21:21:00.000-07:002009-07-14T08:05:29.766-07:00Ocean Diver Collection - The Presentation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/oceandiver01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 92px;" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/oceandiver01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">As you are aware we have decided to change plans for Ocean Diver making it Swiss. It is now time to present you the Ocean Diver collection.<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Instead of a single model we will have 3 models:</span> </span><br /><ul style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">the Ocean Diver as we know it (with ETA 2836-2 movement)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">the Ocean Diver GMT (with Prometheus GMT movement Swiss made and based on ETA 2836-2)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">the Ocean Diver Chrono version (with ETA 7750 movement)</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">In terms of specs here they are:</span> </span><br /><ul style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">sandblasted</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">water resistant 300 meters</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Swiss Made</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Diameter: 42.00 mm</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Length: 51.40 mm</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">super luminous</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">2 years warranty</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">sapphire crystal</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">rubber or leather strap (still to be decided)</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">And now for the photos:</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Ocean Diver</span> <img style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);" alt="" src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f251/sapcmc/2836.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Ocean Diver GMT</span> <img style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);" alt="" src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f251/sapcmc/2836_GMT.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Ocean Diver Chrono</span> <img style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);" alt="" src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f251/sapcmc/7750.jpg" border="0" /> <img style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);" alt="" src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f251/sapcmc/explosion_7750_cut.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><br />Managing Director</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Prometheus Watch Company</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);" href="http://www.prometheuswatch.com/" target="_blank">http://www.prometheuswatch.com/</a> </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">www.watchuseek.com</span></span>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-69641707557695571842009-07-12T20:37:00.003-07:002009-07-15T23:52:13.225-07:00About Us<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/team01.jpg"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/team01.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffccff;"> </span><p style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></p><p style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">As an extension of our previous website (which was hacked by powerful competitor and domain got hi-jacked for more than a year), RF has been providing the best possible quality of watches and accessories to our friends/loyal customers, at the lowest comparable pricing and with the most reliable logistics arrangement.</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"><br /></span></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:georgia;" ><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">We <b>GUARANTEE</b> satisfaction!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"><br /></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">And the Club is an extension of our guarantee -- simply put, if we are not confident with our products, we are not able to offer eternal usage and option to exchange, as well as refurblished products to trade.<br /></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">Here is a quick breakdown of the elements to make RF Club the most reputable watch supplier worldwide. And, of course, the below elements applies to our products, other than watches. </span></p><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,153)">1 Quality</span> </span></b></span></h4><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span lang="EN-US">What we describe is what you get! We describe our products honestly, with the our 13+ years of experience in producing and trading watches.</span><span lang="EN-US"> Every watch we produce is of the highest possible quality grade available.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span lang="EN-US">We take pride to offer our customers quality watches. All of our ETA movement parts are brand new, imported from Switzerland. </span><span lang="EN-US">And our Japanese movement parts are also brand new, imported from Japan directly. </span><span lang="EN-US">For brand new watches to be used by our Members, we use <b>NO USED / REFURBLISHED / SECOND-HAND</b> (no matter you call those non-brand-new movements) movements that most of the suppliers/resellers are selling out there with unreasonably low price. We equip our watches <b>ONLY WITH BRAND NEW MOVEMENTS AND PARTS</b>, to maintain our product quality, as specified.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">In order to identify our products from other low quality products out there, we mark our products (on every major parts of a watch) with a special mark -- so no one can claim that they get a junk and want to return to us to swarp a good watch with a bad one. To view our product features in detail please go to the Think Tank Page to see the quality of parts and components that you are interested in.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></p><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,153)">2 Price</span></b> </span></span></h4><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">FR offers the lowest possible annual subscription fee available for high quality watches. We produce our own watches, we know the costing very well. If someone is offering a lower price compared with ours on the same product, there must be a trade-off -- either the reseller is using an used movement or lower grade steel or used parts etc. without honest explanation to the customers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">To lower their prices, or make as much money as they could, they will do whatever it takes to do so.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></p><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,153)">3 Satisfaction Guarantee / Warranty</span> </span></b></span></h4><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">We offer a Satisfaction Guarantee on all of our products. If for any reason at all you are not satisfied with your usage, you can return it within 3 days for an exchange. Or if you change your mind after receiving the order, we can change into someone else with a credit from the previous order -- no question asked.<br /></span></p><br /><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,153)">4 Quality Control</span></b> </span></span></h4><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">Before dispatching any order, our Quality Control team carefully inspects for any flaws, scratches, malfunctions or mis-marks. We also test the watches to make sure all of the features and functions are working perfectly.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></p><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,153);" >5 Our History </span></b></span></h4><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></h4><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color:#ffccff;">We have been in this business for over 13 years, from a small factory established in 1993, being our own wholesaler in 1996 and going to retail since year 2000. Our customer always comes first. That is why you will not find a dissatisfied customer, except those buyers who come from rumor-making competitors. We always stand behind our word, and do anything possible to keep our customers happy.</span><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,153);" ><br /></span></b></span></p><br /><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,153);" >6 Actual Pictures </span></b></span></h4><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></h4><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">All of our product pictures are actual pictures of the products that we carry, with our own '<b>FREEREPLICA.COM</b>' watermark. And, by request, you can always ask for the original, high resolution pictures for your examination.</span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">We don’t have small, distorted pictures, or borrowed (even stolen) pictures, where you can barely see anything or the watermarks covering another ones. Or you can even see resellers using the pictures from other sources -- with other sites' watermarks!</span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span lang="EN-US">We have large pictures of our watches so you can see the quality before you purchase. For each product, we have more than one picture -- including front view, side view, back view and detailed views for special features on the watches. You can always ask for more pictures of the watches you want to inspect more about</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span></span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></p><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><b><span lang="EN-US">7 Lowest Price Guarantee</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></h4><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color:#ffccff;">You will not find your benefits from our subscription is lowest possible, value-of-money offer in the market. If you do find a lower comparable price, for the exact quality that we offer, we guarantee to beat it by 5%! Please </span><a href="mailto:replicafactory@gmail.com"><span style="color:#ffccff;">email</span></a><span style="color:#ffccff;"> us for details.</span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"><br /></span></b></p><br /><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><b><span lang="EN-US">8 Prompt Order Handling & Logistics</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></h4><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">FR has the best, professional logistic team you will find in the market. All emails are answered the same day they are received (mostly within an hour). No cut-and-paste standard answers, no 'online-translator' English from our Customer Services staff. We also offer live chat with our representative online. We will soon be connect with Twitter and Facebook to interact with our customers even closer and faster.<br /></span></p><br /><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color:#ffccff;">All in-stock orders are shipped on the same day of the payment received. You have your choice of shipment method. We are here to help, if you have any questions at all please </span><a href="mailto:replicafactory@gmail.com"><span style="color:#ffccff;">email</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"> us for information.</span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></p><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><b><span lang="EN-US">9 Wholesale Discount Offer</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></h4><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span lang="EN-US">For wholesale and bulk purchase, we are able to offer discounts depending on quantity and destinated country. Depending on the Customs issue, we can guarantee shipment to several major cities worldwide for large packages. Pleases</span><span lang="EN-US"> <a href="mailto:replicafactory@gmail.com">email</a> u</span><span lang="EN-US"> for further queries.</span></span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></p><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><b><span lang="EN-US">10 Post-Sale Service for Customers</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></h4><h4 style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;"></span></h4><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#ffccff;">We are glad to inform you that you have at your disposal our customer post-sale service during the life of the product you use. We provide parts, maintenance services, exchange and other related services for <b>FREE </b>or minimal charge.</span></p>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-10010769652768739522009-07-12T20:10:00.002-07:002009-07-16T23:52:04.594-07:00Why Should I Join the Club ?<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/blog_standard_top_pic01_fr11.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/blog_standard_top_pic01_fr11.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><div><p><span style="color:#000000;">Yes, you are right that there are many resellers/hawkers/re-re-resellers out there, from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Russia, Lybia and even from Switzerland and Italy as claimed.</span></p><span style="color:#000000;"><p><br />Firstly, I don't recall any online resellers from Switzerland I know, I mean resellers 'located' in Switzerland with correspondence address there. I do hae many Swiss friends of mine are my customers, in fact.</p><p><br />You might be shocked if you know how many. Based on the estimate of my customers who told me they are direct resellers and assuming they are about 20% of the total population of 'successful' resellers, I would say there are at least 20,000 full-time, direct, surviving resellers out there.</p><p><br />How about the re-reseller, or even re-re-resellers? I cannot even tried to estimate.</p><p><br />Now you can see, if you trade with those people, you can imagine how insecured your order would be -- a single link breaks in their 'supply chain', your order (or precisely your money) will go to the Pacific Ocean.</p><p><br />Not only the frequency of your money changing hands in the process, but also the logistics cannot be tracked and managable, and without mentioning the quality of product you are getting. For a local Chinese reseller, for example, he would do whatever it takes to lower one single US dollar on acquiring your watch as US$1 can buy him/her a decent lunch box there.</p><p><br />You can imagine that how they would treat your order 'nicely' by sending you a watch with 'used' movement (will stop running in couple months or weeks), a used sapphire crytal (will leak wearing under rain) or lower graded bracelet (yellowish color compared with the case), or worst, simply sending you one or two grades lowered watch. The money the reseller saves can feed him for a month!</p><p><br />If you yell at them, as they always answer your email by copy-and-paste answers or online translator, they might not know what you are talking about or simply ignore your complaint. A single bad order can cover any discount or price reduction offered by them! Give you a 30% discount will bring you a 100% loss!</p><p><br />More importantly, nowadays, there is one more risk.</p><p><br />Almost ALL packages sent from the above listed countries (except Switzerland and Italy) will go through X-ray machine at your country's Customs, especially if you are in the States, Germany, France, Austria, Australia and Japan. If your package got seized by the Customs, you are not only losing the package, but also your shipping address will beput on the 'hall-of-fame' of the Customs office. ALL packages sent to this address will be delayed, examined and inspected upside down. </p><p> </p><p>A 30% discount will bring you 100% loss on your order, but also 300% troubles bringing to you in the nearest future! We have tactics to overcome the seizing issue. Our seizing rate is less than 0.01% or one out of 10,000 packages might get seized. Even our package is seized, we still have a way to get it out, with your cooperation. </p><p> </p><p>In conclusion, price is NOT the rule of this game. If you want to play this game, you pay for this game.</span></p></div>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-67371313106824092982009-07-12T20:10:00.001-07:002009-07-17T00:16:21.553-07:00Why Using a Weblog to Run Your Business ?<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/blog_standard_top_pic01_fr13.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/blog_standard_top_pic01_fr13.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;"><br /></span><h4><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">We have been running this business for 10+ years and we gained an excellent reputation, by our replicafactory (retail and wholesale) and freereplica (high-end retail).</span></h4><span lang="EN-US"><h4><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">While gaining trust and confidence from customers, we then started getting troubles, from bright and dark sides, i.e. hacking by other competitors for customer database, rumors spreading by competitors, our domains got high-jacked, our websites and email addresses were blocked as spam and got suspended.</span></h4><h4><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">We took too much efforts on handling those and we don't see it is no longer necessary in this era. We come up with a decision to face our customers again with a new game (RF Club) and a brand new approach. We no longer rely on setups from the previous generation -- we position ourselves as, again, the rainmaker, the pioneer of the market.</span></h4><h4><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">We will use all the Web 2.0 techniques and tools and social network platform ready to do this business. We use Gmail for correspondence (no more webmail), Blogger (no more hackable, hosted website), Flickr album (no more backdoor-opened OS Commerce shopping cart), Discussion Forum (no more hosted, abusable forum), Weblog (no more boring newsletters) and all available IMs (ICQ / Yahoo Messenger / MSN Messenger / GoogleTalk / Meebo / AOL) to communicate with our members and friends 24/7.</span></h4><h4><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">Our members are mature and smart customers -- they are not fancy website lovers and they don't like listening sales pitches. For example, they like to see something honest as presented in our pictures which were taken in normal room condition (no studio setup to take impressive, perfect pictures) as well as our plain, to-the-point description -- if the watch is gold but not 18K, we WILL NOT state a 200-dollar-watch as 18K gold watch.</span></h4><h4><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">Our customers/friends like honest and fair trades with professionals, not bargaining with hawkers in the flea markets in some third world cities. They don't want copy-and-paste answers, they want someone knowing what they want and ask for. They don't like boring, guessing online-translator-English, they want world class managed and operated supplier in this arena. </span></h4><h4><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;"></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">If you are this kind of customer, welcome to RF Club! </span></h4><h4><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;"></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#33ffff;">If you are one of our competitors out there, no more cloning or pseudo websites, learn from us now as it is a long way for you to evolve!</span></span></h4>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23295855.post-47799596978357126892009-07-12T19:54:00.004-07:002009-07-19T01:02:07.037-07:00Where Are You From ?<a href="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/hongkong01.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 92px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/rfroni/hongkong01.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#ccccff;">Like many large corporations today, it is to both yours and our benefits for us to be here. Simply put, business is business and who operates most economically wins.<br /><br />The world is much smaller than it was 20, 10 or even 5 years ago and the world will get 'smaller' still. In an age when we can converse by email and instant messaging it is not so important where we are but how we handle our business by taking care of you and your needs in the most effective and efficient way.<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,51,102);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span lang="EN-US"><o p="">For more information about this free and modern city, visit :</o></span></span><br /></span><pre style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:georgia;" ><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;color:#ccccff;"><a href="http://www.investhk.gov.hk/news.aspx?type=six" target="_blank">http://www.investhk.gov.hk/news.aspx?type=six</a></span></pre>Replica Factoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015079351085769622noreply@blogger.com0