The concept of the Evil Eye, also known as Ayin Harsha in Arabic countries, Nazar in Turkey or Matiasma in Greece, is a glance believed to have the power to cause harm to those on whom it falls and can come from anyone at any moment. The belief is that the cause can be zealously, malevolent jealousy or envy. The Evil Eye knows no boundaries except those imposed on it by various protective talismans, like those popular Turkish or Israeli blown glass blue and white eyes. Today, we bring you a different type of amulet, one that you can strap on your wrist and protect you as others less fortunate take a quick glimpse at your powerful timepiece.
Posts tagged #Halloween
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Calaveras Patrias. Five New Watches for 'Day of the Dead'.
Releasing limited edition after limited edition is not an easy thing and Hublot just released the new Big Bang Calaveras Patrias right on time for 'Dia de los Muertos' —Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico to celebrate those that have left life before us. A widely spread holiday that is now even celebrated by many here in the U.S. and that was perfectly showcased during the opening scenes of James Bond Spectre.
Insider: Richard Mille RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal. Hands-on with a Featherweight and Colorful RM Perfect for Halloween.
Released back in May of this year, the Richard Mille RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is the third watch released in honor of the Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal. Fitted with a movement that can withstand shocks of up to 10,000 Gs, this timepiece has set a new standard in the watch industry. In terms of shock resistance, the tourbillon movement expands the horizons of technical performance.
Insider: Angelus U10 Tourbillon Calavera. Hands-on with a Unique Piece Like No Other.
From the earliest days of its conception, the Angelus U10 Tourbillon Lumière released in 2015 —we featured it here— was imagined as a piece of mechanical art, paying tribute to some of the most influential and forward-thinking designers from the 60s and 70s, such as Dieter Rams and Achille Castiglioni. Earlier this year, Angelus pushed the envelope even further by integrating striking visual art into this singular watch in a unique piece like no other. The new Angelus U10 Tourbillon Calavera takes its inspiration from the Mexican 'Dia de los Muertos' celebration —Day of the Dead— where sugar-made skulls are painted and decorated with vibrant colors to honor those that have passed away.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Gentleman's Driver' ref. 26175ST. The Only Royal Oak Offshore with a Chiseled Out Bezel.
Released in 2010 and discontinued shortly after, the so called 'Gentleman's Driver' Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26175ST.OO.D003CU.01 is one of only seven references released by Audemars Piguet with orange accents on their dials. The other six are the following: Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph ref. 26703ST reviewed here, the Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Diver ref. 15707CE reviewed here, the Royal Oak Offshore Volcano ref. 26170ST.OO.D101CR.01, the Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition Oceanografía 'Goliath' ref. 26217 in white gold, rose gold and stainless steel featured here, the Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25770ST and the Royal Oak Offshore Scuba ref. 15701ST.OO.D002CA.01
Insider: Richard Mille RM052-01 Skull Tourbillon Pink Rubies, Black Sapphires and Diamonds. A Unique Piece Priced at Only $720K USD.
A while back, we brought you our hands-on review of the Richard Mille RM052-01 Skull Tourbillon here. Today, we bring you a special iteration of this amazing timepiece encrusted with pink rubies, black sapphires and diamonds. The Richard Mille RM052-01 Skull Tourbillon Rubies, Black Sapphires and Diamonds is a Unique Piece that takes its inspiration from the previous model presented in 2013 and from its predecessor the RM052 released in 2012.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph ref. 26703ST. Hands-on Review and Our Most Objective Thoughts.
Last week, we brought you the news straight from Geneva at the SIHH 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Geneve, on the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph ref. 26703ST. With all the hype and energy about the novelties while at the SIHH 2016, we had very little time to really analyze this new watch from Audemars Piguet in depth and give you our objective thoughts and feelings about it.
News: Introducing the Bell & Ross BR 01 Skull Bronze Limited Edition. Hands-On Live Pictures and Pricing.
In 2009, Bell & Ross made a lasting impression by breaking with traditional watchmaking codes with its first "Skull" BR 01. This year, the brand presents a surprising variant in a limited edition of 500 pieces. The new Bell & Ross BR 01 Skull Bronze —the inspiration for the Bell & Ross Skull Tourbillon for ONLY Watch auction— with its distinctive character, pays tribute to the epic of the parachutists of the Second World War. On their jumpsuits, these elite fighters proudly wore a crest bearing a skull and these words: "Death from Above". Falling from the sky at dawn on June 6, 1944, the troops of the 101st and 82nd American airborne divisions played a vital role in the Normandy landings. From time immemorial, the most formidable fighters have shown their courage by sporting such skulls, both to intimidate their adversaries and to ward off bad fortune. Today, while it continues to figure on a lot of military equipment —such as uniforms, emblems and even airplanes—, the famous "Jolly Roger" as decorative element appears as a talisman or a rebel symbol.
Insider: HYT Skull Green Eye and Red Eye. Two Watches That Need to Be Seen in Person to Appreciate Them.
A few weeks ago, while we were in Geneva for the SIHH 2015, we had the chance to meet with our friends from HYT and work on this hands-on review for the just launched Skull timepiece in two different variations, the Green Eye and the Red Eye. HYT’s new extraordinary and unprecedented creation, breaks all the rules. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate the power of its design. Even at first glance the Skull makes a striking impression, simply because it epitomizes and at the same time breaks away from everything that HYT represents. It is provocative, unique and has a bold design supported by the fluid mechanics that have become the brand’s signature style. The Skull speaks for itself. Its development, however, was anything but obvious. The new HYT Skull Red Eye is definitely more appealing for to those seeking that extra pop on the timepiece, while the Green Eye is a perfect companion for party animals and lovers of neon lights and the nightlife.
Insider: Richard Mille RM052-01 Skull Tourbillon Nano-Ceramic. The Most Unique Grain on a Ceramic Composite Case.
Not long ago we reviewed and photographed one of Richard Mille's latest creations, the RM052-01. The Richard Mille RM052-01 takes its inspiration from a previous model, the RM052. Opposed to its predecessor, the RM052-01 features a TZP ceramic bezel and case back with a middle case of carbon nano-tubes —measuring 42.70mm in width, 50mm in length and 15.95mm in thickness— and a solid red gold skull on the dial that includes a tourbillon strategically located inside its jaws.
This watch featuring the newest material in the Richard Mille line-up has the most fascinating finish that we've ever seen on any other ceramic composite watch due to its unique grain —product of the 95% yttrium-stabilized zirconium used in its production.
Insider: JEANRICHARD Aeroscope Black Chronograph. A Spectacular Black Timepiece for Black Friday.
Considering that today is 'Black Friday' here in the U.S., why not feature one of the nicest black watches in the market. This beautiful JEANRICHARD Aeroscope Black Chronograph ref. 60650-21J613-FK6A comes in a traditional cushion-shaped case with vertically satin-brushed finished DLC-coated black titanium case and bezel with pushers protected by carbon fiber composite surface. The case measures 44m in diameter and as we said it before when reviewing the JEANRICHARD Aquascope here, its satin-brushed finish is only comparable to the grain on the finish of Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks or Royal Oak Offshores. The case and bezel feature satin-brushed and highly polished areas and depending on the light, the watch tends to look more graphite grey than black. The look and feel of this watch is more of a black ceramic watch rather than that of a DLC titanium timepiece.
This watch features a beautiful black dial also finished with a satin-brushed vertical finish, circular satin-finished chrono registers, orange luminescent Arabic numerals —not very bright at low light—, a 12-hour chrono register at 6, a 30-minute chrono register at 9, a running seconds register at 3 o'clock and a date aperture between 4 and 5 o'clock. The dial is extremely nicely but somewhat busy, The arrow-shaped hands in orange also with luminescent material provide a nice contrasting touch and good readability.
The fixed bezel is also spectacularly finished and it features an orange minute scale with 5-minute increments with no luminescent material. The bezel along with the dial, makes this watch look ultra sporty and quite rugged. This watch features rectangular chrono pushers with carbon fiber composite and the start/stop pusher requires a strong push to activate the chronograph.
The beating heart inside this watch is the automatic calibre JR66 with 43 jewels, which provides a power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound. During our review the watch seemed to be keeping perfect time with a variation of +1 seconds over a four day period. The calibre is perfectly protected by a solid case back carefully engraved with the JEANRICHARD logo.
To round out its sporty look, this watch is fitted with a very comfortable rubber strap with JR markings near the lugs and a easy to operate deployant buckle. The strap is somewhat short but nicely finished.
On the wrist the watch wears extremely comfortable and way smaller than its actual size. This is something really positive for those with wrists smaller than 7" that want to wear a 44mm size watch. Overall, this is a very nice looking watch with an ultra sporty character that comes with a very nice price tag. If you are looking for an understated chronograph that is exclusive and extremely well finished, look no further.
Sticker Price $5,270 USD. For more info on JEANRICHARD click here.
Insider: Romain Jerome 'Día de los Muertos' Limited Edition. Celebrating One of Mexico's Most Important Holidays.
Considering the importance of Mexican consumers from a watch collecting standpoint, Romain Jerome celebrates and commemorates this holiday with a limited edition timepiece decorated with a traditional colorful skull emulating the look of the traditional sugar skulls —'calaveritas'— of this Mexican holiday.
'Dia de los Muertos' —Day of the Dead— is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 2nd throughout all of Mexico and it has been classified by the UNESCO as 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. The holiday focuses on remembering friends and family members who have passed while setting up private altars at home —called 'ofrendas'— to honor the deceased. The altars include pictures of the deceased, votive candles, Mexican marigolds —cempasúchil flowers—, sugar skulls —calaveritas— and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl.
The Romain Jerome 'Día de los Muertos' ref. RJ.T.AU.FM.001.01 is available in a limited edition of 25 pieces in two different versions with or without spiral micro pave black diamonds on the bezel. This watch is fitted with a black PVD coated steel case —with encrusted black diamonds around the bezel— measuring 46mm in diameter, a black ceramic bezel, a black mirror-polished dial with skull shaped applique adorned with a 'champlevé' cold enameled decoration, a polished RJ logo at 4 o'clock and black satin brushed arrow-shaped hands with superluminova on the tips. The seven colors on the skull are representative of the seven stages through which the soul of the dead must pass —according to the Aztec beliefs— before being able to rest in peace. The texture and finish on the skull applique is just flawlessly executed and a real treat to the eyes. Opposed to what most stock images depict, the flowers on the skull are pink and not red providing the perfect contrast against the cream background of the skull and the blackness of the timepiece.
Just as with any other Romain Jerome timepieces, the case is very solid and massive but quite comfortable. The case features the traditional claws and hex screws on the case band and this particular watch is fitted with a very unique and nicely decorated solid case back. The beating heart inside this fascinating limited edition timepiece is the automatic calibre RJ001-A fitted with 23 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph.
The Romain Jerome 'Día de los Muertos' is fitted with a beautiful black hornback alligator strap with deployant buckle that rounds up the interesting and fascinating design of the watch.
On the wrist, the 'Día de los Muertos' Limited Edition wears true to its size and quite comfortably. The wrist presence of this watch is spectacular and if you want to highlight the pink flowers on the skull even more, make sure you pair it with a pink shirt or any shirt with pink accents. If you are Mexican or just someone that worships 'la calaca tilica y flaca' this watch is a must have.
Sticker Price $21,450 USD. For more info on Romaine Jerome click here.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Diver ref. 15707CE. A Watch Best Appreciated in Person.
A couple of days ago we had the pleasure of perusing the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Diver. We would like to thank our friends at Audemars Piguet for allowing us to get up close and personal with this beautiful novelty that was presented earlier this year at the SIHH.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Diver ref. 15707CE.00.A002CA.01 is the third Diver in the Royal Oak Offshore Diver line-up and it's one stunning watch. To read our review of the Stainless Steel Diver ref. 15703ST click here and for our review of the Forged Carbon Diver ref. 15706AU click here. At the bottom of this story you'll find a few side-by-side pictures of the Ceramic Diver next to the Stainless Steel one.
This Royal Oak Offshore Diver comes with a case and bezel fully made of ceramic in the same exact measurements as its two siblings —the Stainless Steel and Forged Carbon. In contrast with the other two, the Ceramic Diver is the most lustrous of all, due to the highly reflective properties of the ceramic.
The plots connecting the strap to the case and the case back are made of titanium and out of the three models, the Ceramic Diver is the only one fitted with a display case back that allows full view of the Audemars Piguet calibre 3120.
The 'Méga Tapisserie' dial on the Ceramic Diver is matte opposed to the glossy dials on the Forged Carbon —less glossy than on the SS model— and Stainless Steel Divers. The Stainless Steel model is the only one with a glossy dial. The calendar wheel is also black like on the other Divers; however, it features the newer font just like the Forged Carbon. The orange accents on the seconds, minute hands and rotating bezel need to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. The contrast these accents provide is just exceptional but somewhat flashier than the yellow on the Forged Carbon Diver.
Both crowns on the watch are made of ceramic and they are very easy to use with excellent grip. The brushed finish on the ceramic is superb and has the exact same grain found on the stainless steel Diver. Something we really like about the ceramic model is that, depending on the lighting conditions, the color of the case and bezel will vary from dark black to graphite black.
The strap is the exact same that is fitted on the other two Royal Oak Offshore Divers and just like on the Forged Carbon Diver, the Ceramic Diver also comes with a titanium tang buckle. Weight wise, we feel that the Ceramic Diver is quite close to the Stainless Steel Diver, perhaps slightly lighter. Unfortunately, we didn't have our scale with us to do a weight comparison.
The watch is just as comfortable as the other two Divers but with a sportier look and feel to it. The orange accents seem to go well with most outfits and for sure will be a perfect match to your black Mares diving suit.
The side-by-side pictures below clearly show how much more rugged and sporty the Ceramic Diver is next to the Stainless Steel model. This new model will be available at authorized dealers and boutiques in just a few months. Get your cash ready because we know that once you try one on, you won't want it to leave your wrist —just exactly how we felt when we knew it was time to take it off after reviewing it.
Since the pictures really don't show the true beauty and actual colors of this watch, we encourage you to see it in person to fall in love with it.
Sticker Price $21,800 USD. For more info click here.
