Fortis B-42 Flieger Gets a Big Date and Adds a Collection of Ladies

The Classic B-42 Flieger has gotten itself a Big Date, thanks to the incredibly reliable Calibre F2014, which provides the watch with the ability to display the day at the 9 'o'clock position in either English or German. The timepiece is water resistance to a depth of 200 meters increasing its versatility. One can view the incredible movement via a Sapphire crystal case back. The dashing 42 mm PVD black coated or brushed steel case surround a handsome black dial protected by a double coated sapphire crystal. The Classic B-42 Flieger is very easy to read by day and by night, with clear white numerals, indices and hands coated with luminescence.

Now that the Classic B-42 Flieger has the Big Date, what about the ladies. No need to worry, Fortis will supply the ladies, for its 100th anniversary, in wonderful get up fit for a party or a romp in the park. The Ladies Timepieces are equipped with a high quality automatic movement. To the left of the inset, I present the Flieger Lady, a picture of subdued elegance and exceptional taste. To the right is the glamorous Official Cosmonauts Chronograph glittering with diamonds. But don't let this baby fool you, this timepiece has a functionality on par with more masculine counterparts. The Official Cosmonauts Chronograph is equipped with a highly efficient Swiss Valjoux automatic Chronograph movement 7750 and sports a tachymeter to measure speed of a moving object, in conjunction with the slender seconds hand.

The Fortis B-42 Flieger may have a touch of competition if the new Fortis B-47 BIG BLACK comes to town. A rugged uni-directional bezel rimmed with a gear pattern and armed with an innovative mechanics system developed by Fortis, may have quite a chance. The dark dial equipped with the day and date display is protected beneath a scratch resistant Sapphire crystal. And if by chance you think, that the Fortis B-47 BIG BLACK may not be noticed after all, you are quite mistaken. The B-47 BIG BLACK is 47mm in diameter and crafted from PVD coated steel and is water resistant to 200 meters.

The Zenith Star 159 days in Space

Zenith El Primero Striking 10th had no need for a tourbillon, as in space there is no gravity to hinder the effective precision of a watch; however, it is interesting to discover how Zenith El Primero fared with absolutely no gravity at all. As it turns out, quite well. After 3 planes and 14 Mi-8 helicopters with 7 rescue vehicles located the soyouz spacecraft reentry capsule on the vast steppes of Kazakhastan , after 159 days on the International Space Station ,they found , ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and his Zenith El Primero Striking 10th timepiece, along with his Russian and American fellow astronauts , doing just fine.

It is very fitting for the Zenith El Primero Striking 10th, based on the world's first automatic chronograph, to spend time up in space where its founder gazed so many years ago to gain inspiration for its identity.

Georges Favre-Jacot, founder of Zenith in 1865 at just 22, desired to make the best watch movement. To achieve his goal he hired the best watch- makers and designers, placed them all under one roof providing them with adequate lighting and heating, a luxury for most working conditions in those days, and set out to make a superior movement. The movement was made, and George Favre-Jacot was very pleased with the result. However, a watch movement of this quality required a proper name to represent its worth. George Favre-Jacot looked to the heavens, teeming with stars. He riveted his gaze towards a constellation rotating around a pole star, and his mind still intensely focused on his new watch movement, compared the celestial movements to the wheels and pivots turning on their axis. Thus he named the company Zenith, a term from the Celestial Coordinate system -referring to a direction pointing directly "above" a location in space, and as his logo, he chose a star.

Just like its ancestor, the original El Primero movement, which was the first chronograph to beat at a rate of 10 vibrations per second greater than the usual 8 vibrations per second, the Zenith El Primero Striking 10th, has its own horological milestone to flaunt. This Zenith El Primero Striking 10th, which won a best watch award, utilizes a flying seconds hand measuring time in 1/10ths of a second increments. The flying seconds hand going around the dial every second is also known as a "foudroyante" - most "foudroyante measure in 1/8ths of a second, but the zenith tracks seconds to the tenth. The movement supporting the 1/10th of a second flyback column wheel 60 minute chronograph is an in-house Zenith caliber 4057B vibrating at 36,000 vph.

But Zenith has not had enough of space, the company has another plan in the works. Zenith has partnered with Felix Baumgartner, Austrian pilot, champion parachutist and record-setting BASE jumper, in a project named Red Bull Stratos. Felix Baumgartner will jump out of a capsule suspended in the stratosphere - at an altitude of 36.5 km - four times higher than planes fly to beat four world records: highest manned balloon flight; highest leap; longest free fall , an an unprecedented first time ever achievement to break the sound barrier with a human body. Strapped to his hand will be a Zenith timepiece. Zenith being one of the main sponsors of this event, which will result in new research data for the improvement of aerospace safety. If any watch can maintain efficiency and reliability under these unearthly conditions, it will be a Zenith.

Enchanting Ikepod Hourglass at Only Watch Auction

"Within the dim confines of a mad scientist's underground lab, atop a table crafted from alabaster, a blood red Ikepod hourglass marks the time. As your eyes adjust to the faint flickering light cast by low burning gas lamps, you can just make out that the stuff within the hour glass is not really sand at all. But what is it? What substance is marking the minutes in this dark dusty dungeon? You edge closer, ever so careful not to tread on the strange exotic markings etched onto the floor and glowing a faint green. As you pass the markings, you feel a slight tingle as the hair on your legs stand on end; however, you do not notice, you are transfixed by the hour glass. The hourglass vibrates just a bit, and then ever so slowly turns over. Now you know what black substance flows within the hour glass. Now you know. Within the hour glass black micro balls fall through the tiny constricted space keeping perfect time. The movement of the balls mesmerize you as you notice the curvature of the glass slightly distorts the nano balls within. The gentle rustling enchants you and you must have this magnificent piece of ancient timekeeping. But a certainty hits you like a ton of bricks. There is but one blood red Ikepod hourglass. But one. However, the Ikepod Hourglass is very much for sale at The Only Watch Auction by Antiquorum held at the Monaco Yacht Show this coming September, and if you purchase the Ikepod Hourglass know that the proceeds go to a very good cause. A very good cause indeed. The proceeds go to raise charity for medical research of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy."

Ikepod by Marc Newson, is the only company that sells very high end hourglasses. These hourglasses, exquisitely sculptured from a single tube of borosilicate industrial glass, range in price from $13,000 to $40,000 depending on the size. Marc Newson's creations are available in two sizes. The larger ones are 300mm height, 250mm width, and 9.6 kg in weight and the smaller versions are 150mm in height, 125mm wide and 1.5 kg in weight. The price also depends on the nano balls. Some are made from steel or black colored steel, others in copper and still others in gold. The hour glasses containing the gold nano balls are only available in very select locations. The Ikepod hourglasses are wonderful examples of functional art measuring time one hour at a time (larger version) or 10 minutes at a time (smaller version).

A Touch of Hourglass History
The use off hourglasses was first mentioned in the 14th century, used in work shops to determine if sufficient time had past in tempering metal, and then later as "sand glasses" on naval ships to measure 30 minute increments of time. This "hour glass was known as a "watch glass". In the following centuries hour glasses were used to measure speed of sea vessels. A log was tied to a rope. The rope was knotted at regular intervals of about 47 feet (14.3 meters) long . Once the log was thrown overboard, the rope attached to the stern rail did not move much while its attached log line trailed out from the moving ship. After 28 seconds, the amount of knots that had passed overboard was counted. The number of knots that ran out in 28 seconds was more or less the speed of the ship in nautical miles per hour. An hourglass was used to measure the seconds that passed. The term "knots" is still used as the speed measurement of nautical miles. Knots now refers to one nautical mile an hour or 1.15 miles on land. Today hour glasses are used in board games such as Pictionary or boggle, or in the kitchen as "egg timers" or as exquisite artistic functional creations by Ikepod.

Breitling Gets Into the Gaming Industry

Breitling, the makers of exceptional timekeeping instruments particularly in aviation, hosts and partakes in countless airshows and air competition, where pilots perform death defying acts, pushing the limits of speed and gravity.

Now Breitling wants you to enjoy the heart stopping adrenaline rush first hand. Of course you will need either a smart phone or a touch pad for a small fee, or free of charge on your IPhone, IPod touch and IPad. The Game known as "Breitling Reno Air Races" is a enjoyable prelude to the Breitling Sponsored National Championship Air Races, where low flying aircraft navigate 7 to 10 pylons, making sure they remain to the outside of the pylons and above the minimum altitude in accordance with the rules. The Breitling Reno Air races take place from September 14th to 18th, 2011 in Reno, Nevada, but you don't have to wait that long to feel the rush of air beneath your wings.

Breitling's debut app on iOS, "Breitling Reno Air Races.", developed by Revo Solutions and Bulkypix, is cleverly designed to replicate a genuine real life Breitling Reno Air Races Contest. The graphics are brilliant , a play on our perceptions as to what is real and what is not. Click on the Vid and see for yourself. But watch out - if you have a weak stomach - take precautions, because with this new game, you are in for the ride of your life.



Characteristics - as per Breitling.Com

• Epic races with rare intensity
  
• Incredible fully 3D graphics
• Ultra-exact copy of Renos ground and race circuits
• Optimized gyroscopic and touch controls
• 3 play options: Quick Play, Single Race and Multiplayer
• WiFi and 3G multi-player function for up to 8 players
• Several Classifications of planes and circuits
• Customizable planes: name, style and colors
• Tutorial to learn to fly in a race
• Openfient compatible

This game in all its thrilling glory, is available, free of charge and exclusively on iOS platforms.

Click here to get your Breitling Game absolutely free

What You Don't Know About Water Resistance and Your Luxury Watch. (But about to find out)

Summer is here and that means lots and lots of water. Whether you intend on splashing or swimming or floating or diving or just hanging around at the water's edge, you need a watch with some measure of water resistance. Here are some useful tips on what makes a watch water resistant and if the water resistancy of your watch is enough for the type of water sports you enjoy. If you plan on entering a dark underground watery chamber in full diving gear, then a watch with a helium valve and 300 + water resistance is probably the best idea. If on the other hand, you cannot swim - nope never learnt and have no intention of doing so, than a watch which can handle a splash or too is your best bet. The market is absolutely brimming with great water resistance watches, some of which have water resistancy exceeding man's maximum diving depth like the Hublot King Power Diver 4000m or Clerc Hydroscaph 1000m.

So what exactly is water resistance and what makes one watch more water resistant than another.
What components make a watch water resistant?

Gasket

– O rings made of rubber, nylon or Teflon. The gaskets form water tight seals at the areas where the crystal, back and crown meet the watch case.

· Sealant – a quick hardening liquid. The sealant lines the water-resistant watch case. This helps prevent any moisture from entering the watch case.

· Watch case. The thickness and material of the watch case also play a major factor in determining whether the watch can be safely submerged in water. A sturdy case has a greater ability to withstand the water pressure without caving in, thus the case is made from steel, titanium or steel plated with gold. Solid gold cases can be water-resistant if they are thick enough.

· A screw in case back – rather than the push in case back.

· A screw in Crown – found in most diver watches. This helps prevent water penetrating the watch-stem hole.

2. What will happen if water gets into my watch?

When water seeps into the interior of the watch, watch parts can rust, slowing down mechanical mechanisms or short circuiting electronics. Therefore utmost care must be taken to ensure that the type of water activity you do with your watch, meets the luxury watch manufacturers guidelines.

2. Why can’t I find a water-proof watch?

A couple days ago my friend approached me. He was in the market to purchase a new luxury watch; however, he was becoming very agitated..

“I have searched high and low, from website to website, but I just cannot seem to find a watch that is labeled water- proof.”

“Well, “I said pleased with my new found knowledge, “I can help you on this one. The Federal Trade Commission has issued strict guidelines that prevent watch marketers from labeling their watches water-proof, so even the watch that you will purchase for scuba diving will not be labeled water-proof. The term is illegal and no longer used.” My friend seemed much happier and bought his watch the very next day.

3. The label on my watch clearly states “water resistant to 50 meters” but the sales person informed me that I could only use this watch for swimming, not for diving or snorkeling.

The water-resistance levels are only useful if the watch and water is perfectly motionless. The tests to determine the water-resistance have been done in a controlled environment with no confounding factors. In the real world the swimmer and the water is in constant motion adding additional pressure to the watch. So although the label may clearly state that the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, it means 50 meters in lab testing machines, and not in the swirling ocean currents or violent sprays of water during White Water Rafting.

4. What are the different levels of water-resistance?

My friend did call me about a 100 times more before purchasing his watch. This was one of his more valid questions. I was in a great mood, so I tabulated my findings. My friend loves tables.

Water Resistance Rating	Suitability	Comments	Watch Example
Water Resistance 30m or 50m	Water related work & fishing	NOT for swimming or diving
Water Resistance 100m	Surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing & water sports	NOT suitable for diving
Water Resistance 200m	Professional Marine activity and serious water sports	NOT suitable for diving
Divers 100 m	MIN ISO standard for scuba diving at depths not requiring helium gas.	These watches are generally older watches
Diver’s 200 m or 300 m	Suitable for scuba diving depths not requiring Helium gas	Most contemporary diver’s watches have this rating.
Diver’s 300 + m helium safe	Suitable for saturation diving (helium enriched environments).	Watches designed for Helium mixed-gas diving will have additional markings.

5. I have come across the abbreviation ATM when describing the watches water-resistance. What does it stand for?

ATM is an abbreviation for “atmosphere” which equals ten meters of water pressure.

6. Does my watch maintain the same water-resistance indefinitely?

Absolutely not! Just like any piece of machinery – watches wear with time. Gaskets can become corroded or misshapen, hampering the effectiveness of the water-resistance. The cases can become dented creating tiny gaps where water can enter, and crystals can become loose or broken. As a result your watch needs preventative maintenance just like your car.

7. I have just purchased my watch, when do I need to check the water-resistance?

Your watch needs to be checked at least once a year. In addition, the watch needs to be reexamined every time the case-back is open as the gaskets can become dislodged. Make sure that you take your watch only to a Service Center Authorized by the manufacturer.

8. What else can affect my watch’s water-resistance?

· Exposing your watch to heat like entering a hot tub or a sauna can cause the gaskets to lose their shape and capability to keep out water.

· Certain chemicals such as heavily chlorinated water, hair spray and perfumes can work their way into the seams of the watch and damage the gaskets.

9. What about the Watch Strap?

As in the watch case, the watch strap must be suitable for water wear. The most recommended strap materials are rubber, metal, plastic or nylon. Stay away from leather unless of course the leather has been treated to resist water, and guaranteed safe for swimming.

New Tokyo Flash Watch Takes Breathalyzer Test

Tokyo Flash is known for unique time displays, but now they are unveiling a watch with a unique watch function as well.
Their latest innovation is an LCD digital watch which has the capability of measuring the blood alcohol level with the aid of a tiny functional breathalyzer and an internal computer.

Going out for a drink? Wondering if you have had one to many? Simply press the Alcohol Test button and breath into a port situated on the side of the watch. After a bit, the color on the LCD will change according to your blood alcohol level. Green shows extremely low or negligent alcohol content and red for "Man! You are seriously drunk. Give me the keys to your car!"
Crafted from stainless steel, available in black, the Tokyo Flash is operated via touch screen technology.

If this watch is really a reliable indicator of blood alcohol content, and it has been tested and retested to insure its accuracy, then I applaud its potentially life saving use. However, if this watch is prone to unreliable readings, then it can cause more harm then good.

This is a great idea by Tokyo Flash, but it must be understood that this watch is displayed not merely as a cute unique time display, but the representation of a serious condition and the impeded integrity of a person's cognitive functioning - the cause of many accidents and loss of lives.

I would love to see your comments on this one.

Bell & Ross Takes a Gamble for Monaco for the 2011 Only Watch Auction

Bell & Ross pays tribute to Monaco, the site of the Only Watch Auction held by Antiquorum once every two years in September at the Monaco Yacht Show to raise charity for medical research of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

34 major watch brands are participating in this worthy cause. In order for a watch to partake in this auction it must be either the first watch of a limited edition, or a completely unique model. Watch brands go to great lengths to stand out, and the result is pure salivating eye candy to watch aficionados.

Bell & Ross BR 01 Casino Watch is fashioned after a roulette wheel. The model for the Only Watch Auction is crafted in 18k pink gold with alternating bands of black PVD. The Roulette Wheel Dial is the perfect arena to apply Bell & Ross Radar watch display, which consists of three moving discs displaying the hours, minutes and seconds. The watch case is based on Bell & Ross' signature BR01 models.

Although the 18k pink gold and black PVD is Bell & Ross watch of choice for the Auction, I like its more similar rendition of the roulette table all decked out in the traditional red, green, white and black colorations. Now seeing that you may want this watch to display the time, rather than beat the odds, one must know how time is told on this roulette wheel. The "0" travels around the watch in an analogous manner displaying the time and the white ball displays the minutes. The seconds looking very much like a roulette wheel central brass are displayed in the middle of the dial. Although the Bell & Ross BR 01 Casino Watch in gold and PVD will be a only watch, the more colorful steel roulette table look alike will be available in exclusive casino venues starting this coming October.

Watch brands participating in this years Only Watch Auction commencing on September 22nd are:
Audemars Piguet, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Bovet, Breguet, Celsius X VI II, Chanel, Chaumet, Chopard, Corum, De Bethune, DeLaCour, DeWitt, Franck Muller, Frederique Constant, Girard-Perregaux, Harry Winston, Hermes, Hublot, Ikepod, Jaquet Droz, Laurent Ferrier, Louis Vuitton, Maurice Lacroix, MB&F, Montblanc, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Richard Mille, Romain Jerome, Tag Heuer, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vulcain, Zenith.