Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Omega Time

Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 have begun: the scrape of steel on ice, the cold sharp air surrounding Olympians striving to be the best, to outrun the competition and go home with the gold. Being precisely fast, utilizing technique, stamina, muscle and something beyond that- an awe inspiring focus and energy stemming as much from the mind as the body, making champions. Often times, split seconds differentiate a gold from a silver; a moment undetected by the naked eye or the common watch, but precisely recorded by the Olympic Timekeeping abilities of Omega.
Omega is the Official Timekeepers at the Olympic Games and has been since Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games and the 1936 Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, when a single Omega technician came to the games hauling 27 stopwatches. In the intervening years , from then till now, Omega's expertise in Olympic timekeeping has increased dramatically. At this years Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games, Omega has 220 timekeeping professionals and engineers as well as 290 volunteers from the area. 250 tons of timekeeping equipment, on venue results and TV services culminating in the largest timekeeping effort in the history of winter sports.In commemoration of the Vancouver Olympics, Omega unveiled a Seamaster Professional 300m Vancouver 2010 Olympics Watch- limited edition of 2010 pieces. The bezel is red, the color of Canada's Maple leaf - the center of its flag. Aside from the looks, the timepiece is a certified chronometer , Caliber Omega 2500, equipped with Omega's renowned co-axial escapement technology. The watch sports a Helium escape valve and screw in crown which equips it for deep sea diving. The interior of the domed sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflective, and coupled with the lume coated hand and hour markers ensure optimal readability even in environments of low visibility.

So, if by chance, you furrow your brow and wonder if in fact the American Bobsleigh Team was driving a more furious race than the Canadian Team, rest assured Omega has your back ,with its timekeeping excellence, and may the best man win.

A Timepiece That Puts You to Sleep.

Imagine a timepiece that enables you to fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up refreshed in the morning. Well you need not stretch your imagination too far as a collection of such timepieces do exist with proven results. The Philip Stein timepieces are incorporated with Natural Frequency Technology which is said to emit a frequency of 7-9 hertz, the chief resonance frequency of mother earth. A frequency -in the words of Philip Stein - "that is harmonious and grounding to life".
So how does it work? There are two types of delivery systems Philip Stein utilizes to deliver the natural frequency. The first is via a dual chip system using electro-magnetic frequencies originally marketed in conjunction with Teslar technology developed in 1986. The other delivery system ,introduced more recently, is the Natural Frequency technology delivered via a metal disk in the watch which has been infused with key frequencies in the propriety process. In both systems natural frequencies enter the body's biofield telling the body to relax thereby reducing stress and promoting a general sense of well being.
The latest study done by Dr. Micheal Breus, a board certified sleep specialist, in October 2009 focusing on sleep proved subjects who participated in the study reported falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer, dreaming more pleasant dreams and feeling more refreshed upon waking than if they had not worn the timepieces.

I must say I am a bit skeptical, but after reviewing the clinical study and listening to rave reviews about the watches, I think it is worth a try since it is 6am and I am blearily rubbing my eyes.

Basel 2010 Sneak Peak: Harry Winston

Project Z6 is the newest addition to Harry Winston's remarkable array of timepieces. The intriguing aspect of this watch ,as well as its Project's Z's predecessors, is the case material Zalium. Never heard of it? Well it is a zirconium-based alloy used exclusively by Harry Winston. Its name originates of `Z`irconium and `al`l`ium` lily. Zalium is much harder than titanium. It is also used in jet engines and surgical tools. The reason it is used so sparingly in the watch industry is that it is exceedingly difficult to work with and must be machined from an ingot. Harry Winston has developed a procedure to work with Zalium with remarkable success.
The latest success is Project Z6, a fine watch with the signature Harry Winston moldings on the bezel. The Project Z6 is equipped with a 24 hour alarm, a complication developed exclusively for Harry Winston. One needs only to set the alarm via the crown; the striking mechanism is activated by a trigger at the 4'o'clock. An aperture on the dial allows for optimal view of the hammer which is attached to the 44mm Zalium watch case. The resulting sound has a powerful resonance which is achieved by a solid rectangular gong. The hand wound mechanical movement has a 72 hour power reserve owing to two barrels, one for the movement and the other for the striking mechanism. The movement contains no less than 340 components, 45 jewels and hand chamfered bridges. The two overlapping off center sub dials are punctuated by vibrant blue and red markings; one displaying the time and one indicating the alarm mechanism. A double day/night indicator adds too, but does not clutter, the elegant dial which is protected by a sapphire crystal.

First Ever Geneva Time Exhibition a Great Success

Times are tough; the recession has caused companies to look for more ways to cut costs.This is why Geneva Time Exhibition dubbed "The Independent Watchmakers Fair" has played an important role for the smaller watch companies. Less known than the SIHH, the Geneva Time Exhibition ,which ran from January 17th to January 22nd, at the International Conference Center in Geneva, created a platform where smaller watch companies could pool limited resources and showcase their new watches. 38 watch brands were involved including Alain Silberstein, Clerc, HD3, Aspen, B.R.M, Louis Moinet, Kubik (makers of watch winders) and many others.

The event was well publicized and convenient being that it coincided with the SIHH event. 500 journalists attended GTE documenting exciting innovative timepieces crafted by talented watchmakers who used the Exhibition to make their presence known in the world of watchmaking. In addition a surprisingly large number of orders were made at the show, an encouraging sign of gradual recovery from the recession.

Sotheby's, BMW, Laurent Perrier and Arasa Morelli were the official partners of this event. Florence Noël, Dominique Franchino, Paola Orlando, the founders of GTE were ecstatic with the results and success of this Fair, and have decided to take their fair global - first stop ,India, later this year at the launch of Mumbai Time Exhibition.

Girard-Perregaux Goes Quartz

Girard-Perregaux, in a startling move, has unveiled a Quartz powered watch. The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Quartz Watch houses a GP13500 quartz movement. To avid watch collectors who treasure mechanical movements and balk at quartz movements, the unveiling of this watch by high end Swiss manufacturer Girard-Perregaux, must provide them with some mental turmoil and a little bit of betrayal. I mean one can't forget the enormous impact Seiko Quartz Watch had on the mechanical watch industry back in 1969. That period of time was coined, "The Quartz Scare" whereby the entire mechanical watch industry buckled to their knees while precise and cheap battery powered watches flooded the market. Companies went bankrupt and others like Blancpain went dormant for a time.

On the other hand, the introduction of quartz powered watches was a huge technological advancement in timekeeping, and soon a host of functions were added to the watches.
Girard-Perregaux has unveiled the high end Laureato Quartz as a tribute to its advancements in the 1970's and the accomplishment of Girard-Perregaux's electronics specialist, Georges Vuffrey. It was Girard-Perregaux who established the quartz crystal's frequency of 32.768 hertz, a specification standard to all quartz calibers until today, and this is the frequency used in Girard-Perregaux newest addition.

A grid pattern covers the blue dial enhanced by red accents provided by the center seconds hand and date wheel. The back of the stainless steel case is transparent sapphire crystal displaying the quartz movement; not often seen in quartz movements. Girard-Perregaux has applied its expert craftsmanship and finishing to this watch so much so that the entire movement is covered with Cotes de Geneve patterns, a gilt-finished battery cover emblazoned with GP and symbol as well as a large amount of perfectly finished blued screws. A stunning integrated stainless steel bracelet fits smoothly around the wrist.
Although the reference to Quartz may bring to mind inferior quality meant for the masses, this superbly crafted luxury timepiece will be released in a very limited edition of 40.

The Dreamy De Bethune DB025 Watch

As soon as I laid eyes on this magnificent watch by De Bethune's new DB025 line, the movie Avatar suddenly came to mind. Must be the incredible iridescent blue of the watch dial and powerful skeletonized watch hands sweeping across a celestial landscape. There is something so out worldly and vast about the dial like one is looking at the nights sky from a remote mountain top. Instantaneously ones attention is drawn to the moon representing the moon phase beneath the 12 'o'clock position. Encased in the hardened non-magnetic 44.6 mm steel case , available in 18k white or rose gold, the DB025 is a timepiece on the cutting edge of watch technology sporting a manual wound movement which requires no adjustment. In addition, De Bethune has implemented a silicon balance wheel which is a more resilient material. The watch has a 6 day power reserve with a power reserve indicator discretely placed at the side rear of the case.

De Bethune makes exclusive high end watches which are quite costly, but then again what price would you pay for a little bit of heaven.

Parmigiani Unveils The Captains' Watch for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

Its only 139 days until FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa, and Parmigiani is making tribute to the spirit of sportsmanship. Soccer is the most popular sports in the world. Each team is led by a Captain who evokes a sense of team spirit especially when moral is low. A good Captian is critical to the sucess of a team, and the greatest soccer success will be winning the FIFA World Cup. This past week at SIHH, Parmigiani unveiled the "The Captain's Watch", a watch dedicated to the Captain of teams from 13 selected countries. These countries are: Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, and United States. Each Captain will be able to design their ideal 18 carat white gold Pershing chronograph model, evoking the spirit of their nation and adding their own personal touch. Only ten watches representing each country will be released at 60,000 CHF. In addition, a percentage of the profit shall go to the charity selected by each Captain.

Three of these watches were unveiled at the SIHH crafted in close collaboration with the Captain of the teams: Fabio Cannavaro - Captain of the Italian Team; John Terry - Captain of the English Team; Carlos Bocanegra - Captain of the United States Team.

For the other ten, well, we will just have to wait and see... the suspense...