Some of these are very uncommon, but they’re typically all well-done for what they are. A high-end style dive watch is more or less a designer style diver from among the major fashion brands. I am not sure who made this concept appealing the modern feel, but credit may visit Chanel for essentially taking the motif of the Rolex Submariner and creating an all ceramic watch that looks sexy and sporty at the same time.Chaumet’s offering in this arena is the Class One range. In comparison to a number of the additional high-end fashion houses the Chaumet Class One includes a wide range of options and styles. In addition to three-hand, GMT, along with chronograph models, the Class One was provided in a large range of looks and sizes (for men and women). For me the ideal model is the Class One XXL that’s 45mm wide and sold in steel and titanium, titanium, or in increased gold. This dimension has the GMT and Chronograph variant, and I think they are fun looking, sporty divers that will appeal to those who desire something a bit different – at least in the united states. Chaumet is a brand not sold in the US – so as much as I know having a Chaumet could be much more common in other parts of the world such as France or Japan. I believe the very first time I saw Chaumet watches individual was in London at their store within a store in Harrods.Being able to get one of these abroad and wear them in the US has its own advantages. Especially when people ask you about the opinion and you remark on how “oh, these are not available from the States.” The dial is very easy to read, particularly with the thick lume-coated hands. The dial is black with a bit of a wave pattern and metallic blue rings round the chronograph subdials. The friendly looking bubbly “12” is a nice touch.
Really soon (6pm on September 24th) it will be time for the Only Watch 2009 watch auction. I summed up the detail a bit here, and here. Click there to get the specs on it all. Frankly I am a bit tired of writing “Only Watch” 2009, but just because there has been so much to say about it. The concept is really cool; your favorite watch makers need to make special unique watches that are then sold to the super elite, and the money goes to charity. The auction is held at the Monaco Yacht show every other year.
Charity is nice and all, but for me it is all about the crazy watches they the brands came up with. This year there will be 34 watches auctioned off. For a watch to be part of the auction it must be the very first in a limited edition (1/XXX), or a totally unique watch specially made for the event. I really enjoyed seeing what the brands put out there, and I look forward to smirking at the prices that will be achieved for the timepieces. There is going to be a heavy amount of alcohol being poured at the event I am sure – which helps lubricate that part of your wrist that signs checks.
Check out this video from TheTimeTV.com that has Mr. Patrizzi talking about the Only Watch 2009 auction. Osvaldo Patrizzi is the guy behind Patrizzi & Co., the auction house and major organizer behind the Only Watch events. The video has lots of shots of the watches. You’ll want to see this unless you were among those people who got to see the watches on their traveling tour around the world. Getting you all excited pre-bidding time. Don’t you love the logo for the event? It is so 1981 cheesy. Some of my favorites for the event are from Omega, Louis Vuitton, Bovet, Gerald Charles, Confrerie Horlogerie, and Chaumet.