De Bethune’s Bold Meteorite-Dial Timepieces

Luxury timepieces with extraordinary meteorite dials have developed into and escalated throughout the horologe industry.  With this ever-increasing advancement in meteorite dialed timepieces, De Bethune took the initiative to further evolve its appearance for their latest unveiling, however this is not a first for them in working with materials such as the meteorite dial.  A little over a year ago, the brand revealed a revised, exclusive version of the Dream Watch 5 (priced at $446,000), which its case was solely made from a vivid-vilolet meteorite.  But for their latest variant of the meteorite dial, they chose to take a bold step with the use of their adamant meteorite (procured from a space rock initially discovered in Santiago del Estero, Argentina) in a somewhat atypical manner to augment the new DB28 Kind of Blue Tourbillon Meteorite.

The DB28 model has been through an extensive amount of variations and in an assortment of options to chose from over the recent years, and this new ultimate Kind of Blue Tourbillon Meteorite stands above the rest as a true masterpiece of its line.  The timepiece utilizes De Bethune’s mechanized DB2019v3 30-second tourbillon caliber as it’s main power source, and once the piece is fully wound it has a power reserve of five days (120 hours).  This out-of-the-world kind of watch is available with a retail price of $278,000.

For more information visit:  DeBethune.com

Leading Tag Heuer Watches For 2017

Tag Heuer is a world leader in sports and luxury watches, whether on a race track or a golf course, you will notice this brand’s considerable following. This is because the company continues to add revolutionary features to its watch making process, giving the users the maximum in luxury and high performance. For Tag Heuer, it isn’t just about the appearance, but a little bit of substance. This is why you will always see the brand with great functionality and features. Let’s take a look at some of the leading Tag Heuer watches this 2017.

Tag Heuer Men’s CV2A10: This model is one of the most famous in terms of luxury sports. It comes with a sleek look that would suit the classic man. It is made with a combination of a black dial and rubber strap that exudes a bold presence. This watch is for the lion-hearted man, but still offers a lot in terms of style. The hands of this watch are finished with fine silver, and the Arabic numerals are contrasting to the black dial. It comes in a stainless steel case, and has an aluminium coloured bezel. This watch has three different chronograph sub dials, giving you maximum performance.

Tag Heuer Men’s Aquaracer: If you are looking for a water resistant watch that is stylish and durable, then look no further. The Aquaracer is one watch from Tag Heuer that has superior construction and a design that suits all purposes. This watch is the prime of luxury, but is also good for everyday usage. The dial is sea blue, and it has a number of silver toned features. It comes in a stainless steel case, with the bezel moving in just one direction. This watch uses the highly accurate Swiss Automatic movement system, ensuring the time is always correct.

Tag Heuer Men’s Formula 1 Chronograph: if you are a man that likes fast paced things and high end devices, this is the best for you. Offering the best of speed and performance, the formula one watch was made for racers. It has a crystal clear display that allows you to look at the time in a blur. It has a black dial with a scratch resistant bezel that is made from titanium carbide.

Tag Heuer Men’s Carrera Automatic Stainless Steel: This watch comes with a very sleek presence for the ultimate professionals. This is the perfect blend between business and pleasure, and you can be sure of its exquisite design. It complements whatever ensemble that you are wearing, and it also harbors silver dial features.

Tag Heuer Men’s Link Chronograph: if you are a man of luxury, this watch would definitely not disappoint you. Made from the finest stainless steel, it is scratch resistant and has sapphire crystal features. In addition, It possesses a black dial with luminous time hands.

Style Icons: Interview with Andreas Weinås

Meet Andreas Weinås; the 30 year old Swedish menswear journalist who proves to be an icon of a true Gentleman’s style.  Andreas who currently serves as both the Executive Editor of the online Menswear/Clothing publication Manolo.se as well as an Editor of the Swedish print publication Kings Magazine.  Andreas who was once a professional handball player, has entered the menswear industry from a rather unorthodox background.  Though now proves to be an innovator and source of inspiration for well dressed men around the globe.  We were given the incredible opportunity to interview with Andreas, whom was just recently dubbed by Rake Japan – as “One of the 10 Most Rakish Men” their way of saying: One of the Best Dressed Men in the World.

What are you currently inspired by?

“For the last two years I’ve been very inspired by South Korean tailoring. Conceptually I think B&Tailor does an amazing job and makes some of the finest bespoke pieces in the world. I love the slightly fuller cut and classic silhouette combined with modern and contemporary details. Another brand that I think is worth mentioning is Agyesh Madans brand Stòffa in the US. They make MTM outerwear, trousers, bags and accessories that are simply incredible. Especially the suede jackets that, in my opinion, are some of the best value in the business.”

Take us through a day in the life of Andreas Weinås.

“I try to workout at least 4-5 times a week and often before going to work. My workday normally starts around 9 a.m. with either a meeting in the city or at the office. I´m in charge of the day to day business of Manolo.se and on top of my own articles I edit the material from our freelance writers. I try to be as efficient as possible and plan my days in advance so that the website and magazine will run smooth even if I´m out of town for a business trip.”

How would you describe your own personal style?  Do you have a special cut philosophy?

“I consider my style to be a mixture of Scandinavian, Italian and British. The colour scheme is “Scandinavian” with a base of navy, brown and grey. I can appreciate men wearing vivid colors but I prefer a muted color scheme myself. The “Italian” part is definitely in the make. I prefer a soft construction with little to no canvas in the chest and shoulders. Neapolitan brands like Cesare Attolini and Orazio Luciano make some excellent soft tailoring in my opinion. The “British” part is the actual fabrics. There´s an expression called “Stile Inglese” which refers to Italians doing their version of British menswear. By combining the soft construction of Naples with heavy British fabrics in flannel, tweed and cashmere you get the best of both worlds if you ask me.”

Tell us about some of your go to pieces in your wardrobe.

“I have a navy made-to-measure suit from Cesare Attolini that I consider to be the backbone of my wardrobe. It´s made up in a British Birdseye cloth and the best fit I´ve experienced. Another piece that is special to me is a bespoke Polo Coat from B&Tailor in a “bulletproof” heavy wool fabric by Holland & Sherry. I´ve worn it pretty much everyday since I picked it up earlier this fall. On the more casual side, I would say that I´m extremely fond of my chocolate suede MTM jacket from Stoffa. It´s a shorter flight jacket with a large collar, oversize pockets and a double zip.”

What are your favorite clothing stores, either online or brick and mortar?

“I’m very impressed by The Armoury, both in New York and Hong Kong. I think they have done a lot for the revival of classic elegance in a modern context and they have a great philosophy about the brands or rather artisans they carry. In Sweden, I think Saman Amel (Made-to-measure atelier by two young and ambitious guys) is very inspiring.”

What do you think is the biggest faux pas or style sin that men commit?

“Not paying attention to the small details. It doesn’t matter if you buy a bespoke suit if you combine it with a pair of low quality plastic leather shoes. By paying attention to details like the tie knot and the sleeve/trouser length, you can look the part in something very reasonably priced.”

Tell us more about Manolo.se & King Magazine and your role at both Publications.

“Manolo.se is the biggest website in Scandinavia with a focus on sartorial menswear. We publish one article a day and it can be everything from a made-to-measure review to a feature of a new store opening. King Magazine is the biggest fashion magazine in Sweden for men and they are both are owned by Egmont Publishing.”

Manolo.se is the biggest menswear blog in Sweden, what is the greatest challenge in heading the site?

“I think the greatest challenge is to find a balance between high quality and a reasonable price range for the products we feature. We will focus a lot on bespoke in the +3000€-range because it´s simply the highest level of craftsmanship, but to be relevant to all our readers, we also try to highlight price worthy options under 1000€. To me it´s important that what we recommend is something that feels like a great product in that price range.”

What do you believe sets Stockholm apart, being your locality of choice?

“I’m originally from Gothenburg on the West Coast of Sweden but Stockholm is without a doubt a stronger city when it comes to sartorial menswear. With the Swedish financial sector located in the city, it´s only natural that men wear more suits and ties. I think especially young men in Stockholm dress exceptionally well with a lot of focus on fit and details.”

Favorite restaurant in Stockholm?

“My favorite restaurant in the city is a Japanese/Scandinavian fusion restaurant called Shibumi. It´s located in the basement of the Michelin star restaurant, Esperanto, but with a more simple presentation and a lower price point. The beef and salmon tartars are the best I´ve tasted in the world.”

Photographer: Ted Olsson

What timepieces do you currently have in your collection?  Do you have a holy grail watch you aspire to one day own?

“I have around 10-12 pieces at the moment. Since about a year or two I´ve decided to slim it down with fewer but “better” pieces. My favorite ones are the Patek Philippe Nautilus (ref. 5711), The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (ref. 15202) and my Cartier Tank Americaine. The most important in my heart however is probably my old Rolex Datejust (ref. 1600) that was handed down to me from my Grandfather. It´s a fairly humble piece, but the history and previous owner makes it such a special one.”

Where to next?

“At the time of writing I´m off to Milan for a very special project. I was asked to walk as a runway model for the Dolce&Gabbana FW/18 Menswear Show in Milano Fashion Week.”

Where can we follow you?

Through my personal Instagram account @andreasweinas.

2017: Watch Trends to Expect

Do you change your watch as often as you change your socks? Okay, so no one has the time or the money to do that! But if you do like to keep ahead of the latest fashion trends when it comes to accessories, you’ve come to the right place.

That’s right; we’ve done our research on the most exciting styles for the new season so you don’t have to! Think of us as your personal stylist, guiding you through what’s new at the back end of 2016 and the start of 2017. Read on…

Bold Cuffs – The 90s trend might have swept the catwalk at the start of 2016, with chokers taking centre stage when it comes to jewelry. But as we look to the end of the year and the start of a new one, dainty seems to be out and bold is in! Look for watches with large, cuff-like straps to make a real impression when it comes to your accessories. While this is arguably a more feminine take on style, a cuff-esque watch won’t look out of place on a man either.

Longines Mater Collection Men’s Watch from the Certified Watch Store

Semi-precious Stones – Everyone knows what their birthstone is, right? But did you know semi-precious stones are about to make a real statement in style in general. And when it comes to your jewelry closet, you can really have fun with beautiful jewels like this. Look for watches which feature semi-precious stones on the strap, or even on or around the clock face itself. The great thing about wrist wear like this is it works equally well for the office as it does for an evening out – why not pick out your favorite piece and stay ahead of the fashion curve?

On trend watch from the Certified Watch Store

Turquoise – Now here’s a colour you don’t expect to see much of in fall, but believe us when we say it’s enjoying something of a moment. If you’re not bold enough to add a sweater or two to your closet, why not make a subtle nod to the trend with a piece of jewelry here, or a new watch there. You’ll see turquoise in watch straps and it provides the perfect complement to silver or gold, too. Look out for the trend in 2017 and have fun with it!

Jaeger LeCoultre Unveils Their New Master Memovox

Jaeger LeCoultre unveils their Master Memovox Boutique Edition timepiece, that was made in celebration for the 60th anniversary of the automatic version of its emblematic Memovox alarm watch.  Designed with a contemporary riff on the Memovox snowdrop from the 1970’s that allocates its predecessor’s radiant dial, classic double crown, and an uncomplicated alarm-time gauge disk along with an exemplary blue sunburst finish.  Protected within a 40 mm stainless steal case, the Master Memovox timepiece’s Calibre 956 movement utilizes a date function as well as a power reserve of 45-hours.  The timepiece also has its caseback engraved with the Master Control logo (which signifies that the watch went through 1,000 hours of testing), and is presented with a soft deep-blue cotton strap that is sheathed in calfskin.  Symbolizing pure elegance and an immense amount of classic brilliance, the Master Memovox Boutique Edition is priced at $11,700, is limited to only 500 pieces, and available strictly at Jaeger LeCoultre boutiques.

For more information visit:  JaegerLeCoultre

Jacob & Co.’s Astronomical New Timepiece

This astronomical masterpiece by Jacob & Co. is even better that it’s predecessor (the Astronomia), but to fully understand this latest Astronomia model we must first understand it’s history.  The first Astronomia version functioned as a star chart that accurately kept track of time & rotations of, and around the Earth.  It featured an hours, minutes, and seconds display, a tourbillon, and a representation of the Earth & moon that rotates on spokes around a central axis (which is all palpable beneath a broad sapphire dome).  The Astronomia kicked off a craze toward conservatism in the latest timepieces, drawing in many supporters within the Swiss watchmaking enterprise, but because the watch is such an unconventional timepiece it has also come across some cynic’s as well.

Luckily Jacob & Co. has stopped most of this criticism with their new and improved version, the Astronomia Sky.  This timepiece includes a sidereal-time display that follows the movement of stars with zodiac signs.  There has never been another watch that brings in as much gravitas as the sidereal-time complication, which has only ever been attempted on the most prestigious and most intricate watches in history.  Luca Soprana (the watch development specialist who’s handiwork was unveiled by Jacob & Co. in 2014) said Jacob & Co.’s founder and chairman, “Jacob Arabo’s idea was really to create a sort of planetarium with all the stars and planets going around.”

The Astronomia Sky has it’s star chart resting under an upended dome over the movement, with a roaming oval signifying the stars above the Geneva latitude.  The dome gradually rotates at about one degree per day in regards to the orbit of the Earth around the sun that diversifies a sidereal day (approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4.1 seconds) from a solar day.  Luca Soprana said “The best thing about working with Jacob, is that he is not a watchmaker at all. He is concerned with the aesthetical quality of the piece and asks for things technical people would never request. He asks for a totally different approach, and for me, its very interesting to work this way.”  This out of the world piece of haute horology is priced around $690,000.

For more information visit:  Jacob&Co.com

Ulysse Nardin’s Translucent Executive Skeleton Tourbillon

The Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon, is quite the revealing timepiece as it’s transparent design masks no secrets or surprises.  This Ulysse Nardin is one of the latest additions to the Swiss manufacture’s Executive collection, while the watch features an ultra lightweight titanium case protecting an intricate layout within, and finished by a bordering black ceramic bezel.  A watch that lets it’s movement double as the dial and triple as a sleek design, what could be more striking?

The translucent design gives the dial an incredible amount of magnitude and dimension, with the manually wound movement (which encompasses a 170-hour power reserve) that’s apparent if you glance below the rectangular bridge that encloses the hour and minute hands.  Magnified roman numerals comprise the hour marker areas at 3 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and 12 o’clock, while the Tourbillon is located at 6 o’clock.  And to add a little more innovation to this transparent masterpiece; is the braided leather strap, the titanium clasp, and the ceramic buckle.  The Executive Skeleton Tourbillon is priced at $38,000.

For more information visit:  UlysseNardin.com

The Song Bird Within A Timepiece

Watch innovator, Jaquet Droz has combined cutting edge horology with an aesthetic heritage that originated from the Age of Enlightenment in their latest version of the “Charming Bird”.  These Jaquet Droz watches are not just their latest release, they are also a limited-edition collection that was first announced by the manufacture in 2013.  As it featured the first complication of it’s kind to ever be composed for a wristwatch, an “avian automata that sings a soothing song”.

The little colored song bird rests underneath a sapphire-crystal dome, creating a pitch-perfect lower half of the face.  Once turned on by a button at the 2 o’ clock position, the solo vocalist will commence dancing and chirp in a wide range of melodic tunes.  What creates the realistic refrain are just three small sapphire-crystal conduits, (which are only visible via the semi-skeletonized mechanism), storing and transporting air that has been compressed by carbon pistons, and the changing speed decides the intensity of the song bird’s pitch.

One of the most unique qualities of the Charming Bird is it’s ornamental dial coated in mother of pearl.  The timepiece’s fine body has been brilliantly engraved and hand painted to reflect the Swiss countryside that crosses onto the higher part of the sub-dial, in which features the minute and hour hands against a sleek black onyx backdrop.  In addition, the watch features a self winding movement that includes a regulator that is dependent on magnetic repulsion to prevent any contact between the metallic componentry.

Jaquet Droz’s Charming Bird is available in your choice of a red or a white gold case, and there will only be eight models of each timepiece produced, priced from $430,500.

For more information visit:  Jaquet Droz’s Charming Bird

This Jaquet Droz Timepiece Is The Epitome Of Elegance

This brand new Jaquet Droz watch, appropriately named the Petite Heure Minute Thousand Year Light, proves to be the epitome of elegance.  Created with an intricate amount of detail and color which transforms this unique timepiece into a stunning piece of wearable art.  The secret to this timepiece’s illuminating appearance is mother-of-pearl, placed perfectly underneath the black-lacquer dial revealing only a subtle alcove.  As the result of intaglio engraving, it allows for layers of translucent colored paint to create a beautiful floral design.  Jaquet Droz’s gradually growing métiers d’art department, was greatly influenced from the mother-of-pearl and lacquer jewelry boxes forged in Korea a millennium ago.  There is only a total of five variations that have been constructed for the Thousand Year Lights and each variation has been restricted to 28 pieces.  The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Thousand Year Light timepiece is priced from $39,900 to $51,500.

For more information visit:  JaquetDroz.com

Ulysse Nardin’s Newest Timepiece Which Honors The America’s Cup

The Ulysse Nardin Classico Schooner America timepiece, which not only honors 19th-century yachts with sailing’s most respectable regatta (the America’s Cup).  It also pays tribute and homage to the Swiss watchmaker’s maritime legacy in which shows their long lasting teamwork with Sweden’s Artemis Racing team in their venture to take home the gold in the competition’s 35th running in 2017.

This new Ulysse Nardin can either be cased in your choice of 18 karat white or rose gold, and on the dial portrays the magnificent gaff schooner America sailing through the seas for victory in the 1851 New York Yacht Club.  After the race had finished both the cup (awarded by the United Kingdom’s Royal Yacht Squadron) and the name of the race was then renamed in the honor of that triumphant racing vessel.  In the dial’s background you may notice England’s Isle of Wight, that is the circumnavigation in which  the original course was composed.  The nautical scene is also shown on the watch in enamel cloisonné that was depicted by their own artisans at Donzé Cadrans and created with 26 unique methods and steps not to mention 50 hours of professional craftsmanship.

There will only be 30 of these automatic timepieces (which includes a power reserve of 42-hours), each priced at $39,800.  For those curious about Artemis Racing, it competes in Toulon, France next.  Scheduled for the 9th through the 11th of September as part of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, (a qualifier for next year’s main competition).

For more information on Ulysse Nardin visit:  UlysseNardin.com