2008's Ten Most Everything Watches!

There are quite a few watches that have stuck in my mind as the most memorable watches of 2008.

The Girard Perregaux ww.tc 24 Hour Shopping Watch has been judged by the Prix Official de la Revue des Montres 2008 in Paris as the most beautiful women's watch of 2008. Prestigous luxury shopping locations are indicated on the watch such as Bond Street, Rodeo Drive and Madison Avenue and Ginza a distinctly exclusive shopping area with astronomical rents in Tokyo. This watch is the companion to the men's ww.tc 24 Financial which tracks the opening and closing times of the Worlds Financial Market. The Girard Perregaux has a automatic GP033 GO movement which is found in Girard-Perregaux cats eye collection. By adjusting the left crown, the outermost dial ring moves to switch between timezones. The bezel and the dial sports 80 diamonds. Elegant whimsical numbers seem to float on the cloudy surface of the dial, like the view outside a plane window travelling to any one of those shopping destinations.

The Concord C1 Tourbillon Gravity was awarded the title of "Watch Design of the Year." at the Grand Prix de Geneve in November.



Ebel 1911 Perpetual Calender Chronograph the watch that most resembles architecture.
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Romaine Jerome's Day and Night Watch only tells one whether it is Day or Night. So in my books this is the most vague watch of 2008.

The Watch comprised of the weirdest materials is: Romaine Jerome's Moon Dust Collection the next in its DNA of famous legends line of Watches. These watches are made out of:

• Fragments of the Apollo XI spacecraft

• Fragments of the Soyuz spacecraft

• Dials with mineral structure containing Moon dust

• Fibers from the International Space Station Space Suit

As you recall in the last Collection Romain Jerome had crafted watches from remnants of the titanic.




The most diamond studded watch: The Tourbillon Diamants. with 58 carats with 480 baguette diamonds.
I had blogged about Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Haute Joaillerie Watch just yesterday but with 394 baguette diamonds and weighing 52 carats slightly less than the Blancpain.


The most Testosterone Charged Watch:
Zenith Defy Extreme Zero G Multi-Dimensional Tourbillon watch. Now don't tell me you don't agree. Be a man and wear your Zenith Defy. Lurk on the edge of danger and defy danger. Grrr!


The most innovative watch of 2008: De Grisogono Meccanico timepiece. This watch may look like it is digital, but in actual fact it is completely mechanical.


The ugliest Watch of 2008: Angular Momentum Oriental BlossomTime Cushion Watch Collection
I hope I have not offended anyone, but really now. This watch reminds me of one of those shower caps one wears when one does not want ones curlers to fall out at night. What is that red dot in the middle again? Looks a bit creepy to me.
Concord Delirium Mini Ladies' Watch 18K Yellow Gold Silver Dial Diamond Bezel

And finally .... Most sorely missed Watch Collection of 2008: Concord Delirium.

Since 1979 Concord Delirium have been gracing the hands of many watch wearers with its ultra thin watch movements. No longer will these watches be featured in advertising campaigns or unveiled at Basel World. However all good things must come to an end.

So many innovative and remarkable timepieces were unveiled in 2008, a year of economic struggle and global financial uncertainty. The timepieces were specs of light in a dark bleak landscape. Hope. Watch Companies have been through tough times and some like Blancpain went into temporary hibernation, but Watch Companies pulled through. And even though the World of Luxury Items is hurting, watch companies continue to produce and to unveil more brilliant, innovative and awe inspiring watches. Each new watch is an island of hope in a sea of despair.

Thank you to all my readers and much success in 2009.

Girard-Perregaux and its Cat's Eyes

In 2004, Girard Perregaux launched the Cat's Eye line of Luxury Watches. Putting a strong emphasis on its women's collection, Girard Perregaux developed this line placing a small complication within each watch. The watches are quite beautiful, either housed in a horizontal or vertical oval case shaped ,and as you might already have suspected, like a cat's eye. This watch collection has so inspired the World of Luxury Watches that in 2005 the Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Collection won an award in China.

Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Automatic Ladies' Watch 18K White Gold Pink Mother-of-Pearl Dial Diamond Bezel on Pink Strap

Cat's Eye watches are powered by either the automatic mechanical GP033 L0 or the GP 033 R0 movement, which beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has 32 rubies as well as 48 hours power reserve. In Cat's Eye Watches diamonds encircle the bezel proclaiming that although this watch has a complication it is still very much feminine. These watches are available with a gorgeous moon phase version with a smoky mother of pearl dial, and a date version with a power-reserve arc as well as a small seconds sub dial. A Tourbillon version is also available suspended beneath one gold bridge nestled in soft pink with a matching satin strap. This version has a 20 jeweled movements which beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers 75 hours of power reserve.
These watches are truly an investment. Girard-Perregaux are building upon this line with more remarkable an innovative timepieces.




Girard Perregaux has just unveiled a watch. A Luxury Watch that surely would steer the conversation away from those sordid secrets told over cucumber sandwiches and delicately buttered scones. How about the ...

Girard Perregaux Cat's Eye Annual and Zodiac Calender Watch.

"Brilliant. Just Brilliant," I say.

Now how many times have you asked someone, "So what sign are you?" thinking that all this odd behavior can be explained by being a Sagittarius or a Leo. I love this watch it so feminine and so right. Like giving a man a watch with his current stock portfolio updates (if they haven't come up with that yet) The watch itself is mysterious like a palm readers circus tent with a diamond studded star. Gerard-Perregaux utilizes the Horizontal oval case with hazy mother-of-pearl dial, and encircled upon the bezel by 68 diamonds. The watch beats to a GP033 automatic mechanical movement to display the time with seconds and date at the 9:00 and between the 12:00 and 3:00 position respectively. The moon phase is just below the bottom center of the watch. At the bottom like a crooked smile is zodiac indicator with wonderful illustrated depictions of each sign. The case is 35.25mm wide by 30.25 tall. The rear of the watch is comprised of clear sapphire crystal so that one can view the exceptional movement that has kept Gerard Perregaux watches ticking since 1791.


It is late and I need to prep for my New Years Resolution (going to bed at a somewhat reasonable time) however I grit my teeth as I really must blog about the other incredible Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye movement. The Cat's Eye Haute Joaillerie Watch simply smothered in diamonds. Once in a while a Watch Company presents its favorite collection in diamonds. So how many diamonds can fit on a Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Movement?
394 baguette diamonds weighing (breath in) 52 carats (okay you can breath out now) itemized as follows:
Oval Case: 87 baguette diamonds weighing 7.5 carats.
Crown: 5 baguette diamonds weighing .1 carat.
Dial: 98 baguette diamonds weighing 6.5 carats.
Bracelet: 204 baguette diamonds weighing 38 carats.

The GP033 automatic movement is visible via the Sapphire crystal case back and beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations. The bridges are engraved with the Seal of Geneva or Cotes de Geneve. The surface of the 18k winding rotor is pave-set with 145 round brilliants, weighing .35 carat. The watch has a 46 hour power reserve.
This watch is available in very limited editions.

However when one purchases this watch one has to bare in mind all the hours of meticoulous labor that was required to craft this elegant timepiece. 1200 hours of highly skilled watchmaking experts working in over 10 workshops.

Girard-Perregaux has a long watch history; history Girard Perregaux makes everyday.

In this economic climate you cannot afford a cheap watch.

It is a challenging uncertain time. The economy is a bit shifty, not someone I would bring home to Mom and Dad. However, unfortunately, the slump is here for a while so we better get used to it... and getting used to may involve some economically friendly habit adjustments. You are in luck,as your habit changing can be incorporated within your New Years Resolutions List without much additional contemplation.

Now we still have three days till New Years and perhaps you have not completed your list. Let me make a suggestion to add to the Lose 20lbs or Get Organized or Find a New Job or Make One Million Dollars.

My suggestion: Purchase a good solid watch.

To expand, a good solid watch will not fail you in times of need. It will not break nor will the hands fall off. When things break they do so at the most inconvenient moments. A fridge will break before a huge party; the car will sputter and cough a black plume of smoke moments before you have to be at your best friends wedding the next town over. Would it not be comforting if you had the guaranteed satisfaction of a consistent dependable bit of machinery that will never let you down, provided you treat it with respect?

Those replica bargain watches sold on a million different websites and in elasticized rows in briefcases on busy street corners, may look the similar in their gilded cases and bits of transparent glass, but are not quite dependable.

If you have just missed your best friends wedding ,thanks to the car, you need security.

Well you may contest, replica watches are cheaper and ,hey, a watch is a watch.

I answer or rather counter question, "Are replica watches cheaper?

And.. Is a watch merely a watch?

To answer my first question. You may not believe it but some replica watches are actually more expensive than the genuine 100% authentic wristwatches.

Secondly, a watch tracks the time. Time never stops, not for an instant and to track it ineffectively is to not track it at all.




An example, you say. How about the Movado Gentry for Ladies. This practical stylish Movado Watch is only $99. A genuine article manufactured with traditional Movado precision and unquestionable style. This Watch will serve you well from year to year. Counting the seconds. Tracking the time. Bringing in the New Year 2009.

Jumping Hours and Retrograde Luxury Watch Time Displays.

Gerald Genta is the master of Retrograde watches. Retrograde readouts display time in an arc usually 180 degrees. When the hand reaches the end of the arc, the hand jumps back to the beginning and starts tracking the time.

Gerald Genta Retro Fantasy Unisex Watch Automatic 18K Yellow Gold Mickey Mother-of-Pearl



This Retro Fantasy is an enjoyable time piece. Mickey's pointed finger displays the retrograde minutes and beside his other hand is the finely gold framed aperture displaying the jumping hours. Gerald Genta utilizes this time display method in many of its collections . This time display is exceptionally easy to read especially for those who have difficulty reading the hands on a traditional watch. The hour is instantaneously bold & visible.

This power driven timepiece looks like a speedometer coupled with a coke can opener, but the entire look is a work of art. This watch is bi-retro as the minutes and the date is retrograde whilst the hours are jumping.
The jumping hour watch is so named as the hour digit jumps into view at a one or two window aperture. Some watches have a hand for the minutes and the jumping hours, some watches have both jumping minutes and jumping hours and many watches have jumping dates.

The jumping hours system works with a rotating disc and has become a popular alternative to time display.
The video below is an excellent example of a jumping hour timepiece with retrograde minute.

Baume & Mercier unveils Hampton Magnum XXL

Baume & Mercier has just unveiled its latest Hampton Collection. The Magnum XXL - kind of like here comes the bad boys to liven up your beach party. The Magnum XXL for men is rugged and adventurous. A sporty chronograph watch with an avant-garde design. Square watches are the definite in thing, and Baume & Mercier has just made it easier for you to choose in style. The sleek square bezel is punctuated by four black screws at the four corners of the bezel marking the shape. The watch is square, but the numbers on the dial are within a perfect circle, and within that circle is another with yet another three circular sub dials. The white numbers on the black face lend a sense of galactical mystery to the watch perfectly grounded in a square. The rubber band is extremely comfortable and flexible. Perfect for high energy sports.

The white Magnum XXL is for the ladies. The ladies sitting on white and blue striped beach chairs sipping martinis under huge floppy sunhats and D & G sunglasses, and watching the bad boys of the Hamptons saunter past. Baume & Mercier knows the Hamptons and Baume & Mercier knows what the ladies like. Everything about the ladies watch is sensual from the pure white rubber strap to the gently sloping numerals, to the delicate Phi symbol at the 12 'o clock position.

Every once in a while Baume & Mercier unveils a winner and I think that these two stylish watches may fit the bill.

Movado keeps time since 1881 and now you can own a Movado for just $99.

The mind blowing prices on Movado watches are almost too good to be true. Movado Gentry for him and her for just $99 each. Unbelievable.

Movado Gentry Mens' Watch Stainless Steel Black Dial on Brown Leather Strap 0604992

Movado began ticking in 1881 when Achille Diteshein, a young headstrong entrepreneur of just 19 years old accomplished in a few years what most people only dream of accomplishing in a lifetime, he hired six watchmakers and set up shop in Le Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. He worked tirelessly to be the best, to invent, to be a step ahead. It is incredible to note, in the first 100 years of existence, Movado registered close to 100 patents. In 1890 Achille's brothers, Leopold and Isadore, "stepped on the band wagon" and joined the company becoming L.A.I Diteshein.
The year 1905 became the pivotal year for the three brothers when the name "MOVADO" was chosen to represent the company. Movado means "always in motion" in Esperanto.


In 1912 the polyplan watch debuted, contoured to follow the curve of the wrist. The watch is elongated and rectangular with a revolutionary movement constructed on three levels. The polyplan would lie forgotten for the next 89 years until 2001 when Movado would release the exquisite Elliptica. The Elliptica is quite unique in that the numbers are along the top and bottom, and only the 3 and 9 are at the sides.

Movado Elliptica Ladies' Watch Stainless Steel White Mother-of-Pearl Dial Diamond Bezel on Lavender Leather Strap



Movado gained worldwide respect and recognition with the introduction of the museum watch. Nathan George Horwitt, a follower of the Bauhaus movement, designed a watch with no ornamentation besides for a gold dot at the 12 o'clock representing the sun at high noon.
In 1959 the "dot at the top watch" was excepted into the Design Collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art becoming known as the "Museum Watch". In 1960 Movado purchases Horwitt's design and begins production of the world famous museum watch. George Horwitt had designed the watch a full 13 years earlier. It single dot seemed quite plain to some. After all with all the great designs out there why would anyone want a dial with a single dot? However Movado was created by little more than a boy who had a vision to the future. Movado recognised the small dot as powerful as the sun itself. To be able to own a Movado for as little as $99 is incredible.Movado Dolca Ladies' Watch Gold Plated Mother-of-Pearl Dial

I simply love the Movado, Dolca. The museum watch bracelet design features cushion-cornered square links with circular center cutouts. The Dolca featured above is a geometric beauty with a distinct retro feel.
Movado Vivo Ladies' Watch Gold Tone Black Dial 0605638

A delicate as tulips whose season is too short, is the Movado Vivo. Aside from the slim bracelet, the beautiful gold tone case that frames the Museum dial is positioned slightly closer to the bottom edge of the case. This feminine round watch gives the illusion that the case is elongated on the top and sides. However the watch is in fact quite round. This little tease gives the watch an alluring sense of captivating mystery adding to its sensual curves.

I have blogged about the Movado SL quite a number of times and in other Movado blogs I frequently feel an irresistible urge to mention Movado SL. Call it a Movado SL addiction. I will get some help for it I promise, but for now I need to blog about the Movado SL so please hear me out. The Movado SL symbolized an entirely new dimension in Movado - the Movado Sport Luxury Timepieces. The Movado SL features an elegant but sporty round case with the loan dot at the 12 o' clock; however while other Movado Musuem watches have a truly loan dot, this dot has quite a bit of company. The dot is carried from the dial onto the center of each segment of the bracelet.

Movado provides one with the distinct satisfaction of owning an article of importance, which keeps perfect time.

Hublot Big Bang.

It was in 1980 when Hublot astounded the horological world by unveiling its first collection with a porthole design attached to an integrated rubber strap. Most luxury watch companies at that time were still solidly attached to gold, steel and leather straps. A rubber strap for luxury was practically unheard of, but hey it worked. The Watch was an instant success. In 2005 Hublot released its earth shattering Big Bang watch. The Big Bang launched Hublot into a new era of success. The rubber strap gives the illusion of going right through the case. Hublot creates watches in two impressive sizes, the 41mm and 44mm. The Hublot materials are quite unusual and similarly cutting edge. Materials such as tungsten, palladium, ceramic, rubber, carbon and titanium. The brand is under the highly competent direction of JeanCleadeBiver. Biver has four C rules which are the basis of his development strategy: Continuity. Concentration. Consistency. Coherence.

There are three up and coming amazing 38mm Hublot's Big Bang for women. Hublot fuses modern materials with ancient diamonds. Gorgeous. Big Bang 38 Gold is rose gold and uses six titanium H shape screws to attach the bezel. The titanium screws portray a suggestion of adventure juxtaposed by two rows of serene sparkling diamonds on the bezel. The Big Bang 38 Portocervo is crafted in rose gold and bears white brilliants on the case as well as the bezel. The strap is white rubber (no surprises there). The dial is white matte, white ceramic insets and rose gold numerals and hand.

The Big Bang St. Moritz is steel with two rows of diamonds on the bezel.

These ladies watches are quite unusual and outrageously beautiful. The fusing of old material with new innovations is part and parcel of Hublot tradition.

Just look at these three watches, aquamarine, orange an purple. The color fusion is unbelievable. I love watches. I know watches, but never before has a set of watches made my blood pump like these three do. The colors are so alive, pulsating with energy, electric. Hublot you are genius. Big bang Carat Collection. Words are just going to seem bla in comparison to the images. So just feast your eyes and let the watches spin you into a world of vivacious color.