Category Archives: Watches

Bulova Accutron Calibrator

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I am admittedly a watch fanatic, and I believe it’s been to long without a watch post on Howtobeswell. Something exciting is around the corner from Bulova that I have just got to talk about. With both mechanical and quartz designs, Bulova watches are intricately and elegantly detailed, using fine quality materials. Founded in 1875, Bulova is one of the world’s most recognized brands, and reaches a wide range of consumers with its variety of watches and clock offerings.  An independent subsidiary of Citizen Watch Company, Bulova is headquartered in New York City.
 
 At Basel World 2012, Bulova announced a revolutionary advance in timekeeping accuracy- at least for the wearer. They are introducing the Bulova Accutron Calibrator, featuring the External Fine Adjustment System (EFAS). This feature allows watch enthusiasts the ability to control the accuracy of their automatic watches, maintaining 99.99% accuracy simply, and without need for a technician. – Their claim, but from them it carries some weight. 

MIB 3 and the Hamilton Ventura

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On May 25th of this year the movie Men in Black 3 came out. It is starring Will Smith, and Tommy Lee Jones reprising their roles as the Men in Black. In this movie Agent J travels in time to MIB‘s early years in the 1960s, to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history. The film also stars Josh Brolin as the young Agent K, and Emma Thompson as Agent O

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Top Ten Watches of Historical Significance

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I was searching on the internet the other day, stopping at my usual haunts and watch blogs. I was reading all of these great stories of watch histories and it struck me, where can I find the top watches that have really made a mark in history? I did a quick search and I didn’t find any satisfying list compiled, so I took it upon myself to do it.

Here it is; the first thing you’ll notice is that there are more than ten here. Well I took some liberties, and I can, because its my list. I wanted to choose pieces that made an impact, that was he first at something, or contributed something to its legend. I didn’t want to base it on popularity, although the two #10 watches kind of are. Continue reading →

Chopard and the Mille Miglia….II

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This is the second of a two-part piece about the storied Mille Miglia Race- the exhibition of speed and machinery, the most important auto-cross event in the world,  and the  Chopard watch that bears its name.

Part 2:

The Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph. Chopard is a Swiss-based luxury watch, jewelry, and Accessories Company founded in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard. Chopard initially concentrated on developing precision pocket watches and chronometers. Chopard is regarded as a manufacture, in other words that they make many of their watches and movements in-house rather than using the base movements (ebauches) of other manufacturers.

 

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Chopard and The Mille Miglia

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This post is a two-part piece About the storied Mille Miglia Race, and the Historic watchmaker Chopard- the world sponsor and the official timekeeper of Mille Miglia since 1988.

Part 1:

 

Today is the finish of The mille Miglia, It is Italy’s historic 1,000-mile race which was run annually from Brescia to Rome and back, from 1927 through 1940, and from 1947 through 1957. Hundreds of drivers,and cars have traversed this course, in its day it was the measure of a man and a showcase for a car manufacturer. It was a stage for showing off a drivers prowess, and the beauty and technology of a machine he was piloting.  This year is the 35th that the Mille will be run as a vintage racing event. There are a number of automakers whose classic models participated in the original event who have entered vehicles to relive former glories. Continue reading →

Omega Speedmaster

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I lived a milestone recently, a few weeks ago I graduated from the Gemological Institute of America and I am now a Graduate Gemologist (I get to put the cool little G.G. after my name). I thought this was the right reason to give myself a graduation gift. There has been one watch that I have pined for, to add to my collection, for quite some time. Being the Omega fan that I am, it won’t surprise you to find out that it is, of course one of their models- The Speedmaster professional. So I rewarded myself with a 1968 “Pre-moon” Omega Speedmaster. There are a number of reasons I chose this particular watch, but one very important one I’ll tell you about later on. For now we will dissect why I like this model.

It is a Chronograph: Men like machines; gauges, speed, and technology. The chronograph captures all of this in one package all available on your wrist. The chronograph balances aesthetics, technical prowess and utility all effortlessly and equally. They are typically masculine timepieces waiting to spring into action metering; Le Mans races, Olympic track events, and medium-rare tenderloin. No other watch allows you to connect with the movement the way the chronograph does. Starting the timer, you’ll hear a solid click of the clutch engaging and the sweep hand smoothly journeys around the dial. The Speedmaster testifies that its wearer is both capable and refined. Continue reading →

Don Draper’s Omega Watch

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After five seasons now, many watch enthusiasts have been wringing their hands in anticipation for a good enough glimpse of Don Draper”s wrist. We have all wanted to see what watch this 60s leader in style  has chosen to wear. Well, all of our patients paid off, and last night (Season 5 , Episode 6) we were rewarded. In a scene where Don was waiting for his wife, he took a nice long look at his watch. In what I am sure was a product placement for Omega, we had a unobstructed view of a beautiful early 60’s omega seamaster with a cross hair dial. A gorgeous watch in gold over stainless steel on a black leather strap.

When I saw the camera pan across the watch I paused the screen and admired it for a moment. Then I did some searching on the Omega Vintage database and discovered what I believe is the correct model. The cross hair is not a common model so it was easier to distinguish against other watches of that vintage. I believe this piece is a Seamaster De Ville reference number 166.0020, it is an automatic with the 24 jewel caliber 565. This is a beautiful example of an Omega as the brand was becoming one of the top quality manufacturers in the world. You can still find this watch and similar models online, if you are looking for that vintage look. Sites such as Ebay list many for under $1000. Know what you’re looking for, use the Omega database if you want to be sure of what you’re getting. When you find just the right one, just like Don Draper and his Seamaster cross hair, you’re going to look swell.

Louis Cartier XL Slimline-Tank

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The Cartier design house has a long history of serving royalty, stars, and celebrities. The one time Prince of Wales, Edward VII, called Cartier the “Jeweler of the Kings, King of Jewelers”.

Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier when he took over the workshop of his master. In 1874, his son Alfred Cartier took over the company, but it was Alfred’s sons; Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who were responsible for establishing the brand name worldwide. Cartier has since become a world renowned fashion house for jewelry, watches and other goods. Louis retained responsibility for the Paris branch, and he was responsible for some of the company’s most celebrated designs, such as the fashionable wristwatches and exotic oriental flavored Art Deco designs. This year they created this beautiful advertisement highlighting their history and icons, notably in the ad is the journey of the Cartier panther. 

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Hamilton Limited Edition Khaki Navy Pioneer

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Some of you may be thinking that I am spending a little too much time talking about watches, for a fashion and style blog. You might be right, but with Basel World coming up, and SIHH just passed there is so much going on in the world of horology this time of year that I have to talk about it. Besides it’s all about me, right? Continue reading →

Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph

Due to the traditional dive watch design and to its ability to evoke turquoise blue seas and deep reef dives, this luxury watch will certainly help to kill your winter blues. If you’re about to go snorkeling in the great barrier reef, or sea diving in the any ocean paradise, you maybe shouldn’t consider the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph. You don’t need to be a great diver to wear this watch, In fact, you don’t need to be a diver at all, because The Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph is not a diving watch! It has a fixed bezel, and it is water-resistant only to 10 bars (100m).But it makes a serious statement lying on your wrist beach side.

This watch seems quite simple. It looks very sporty, but has a gorgeous vintage flavor, and the black on stainless on calfskin leather makes a bold statement. It is masculine, but not alike the enormous monsters people wear today. The case measures 40.5mm which is a very appropriate size for this style. I love that it is tribute to the original Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Deep Sea, one of the first diving watches ever purposed. Only 1,061 models were made in 1959. Continue reading →