[ via Nationaljeweler ]

Watch sales at Amazon.com increased more than 100 percent in the first quarter of 2007, compared to the same period last year, marking the sixth consecutive quarter the online retail giant has seen its sales in the category double.

Amazon.com customers bought more than 23,000 unique styles of watches in the first quarter, including styles from 954 luxury brands. The company added more than 2,500 new brands and styles to its watch and jewelry store during the period.

Top watch sellers included the $17,316 Cartier men's Tank Francaise, the $12,275 Omega men's Seamaster, the $8,860 Chopard men's Mille Miglia, the $2,440 Baume & Mercier women's Diamant and the $1,750 TAG Heuer men's Formula One. The store also benefited from the addition of fashion brands, including Anne Klein New York, AK Anne Klein, Kenneth Cole Reaction, LeVian and Tokyo Flash.

Posted by Jason at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Girard-Perregaux has created a 32 piece edition of the Laureato Regatta Tourbillon chronograph which are dedicated to the extraordinary character of the 32nd America’s Cup: in an admirably proportioned case, they combine a Flying Tourbillon and a chronograph endowed with an exceptional countdown mechanism.

Read "BMW ORACLE Racing by Girard-Perregaux" »

Posted by Jason at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The new Breitling Superocean Heritage watches have woven steel bracelets and unidirectional rotating bezels with a 120-tooth system with a fluted profile for easy handling. Too bad these watches from one of my favorite watch makers, are so plain and boring.

Posted by Jason at 7:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Check out the new Big Ingenieur from IWC with a 51112 calibre movement with a seven-day power reserve. The case is a stainless steel 45.5mm beast and the movement is one of the best out there. This model has the date displayed at 6 and the power reserve for seven days at 3. This is the largest Ingenieur ever built and in my opinion one of the best looking too.

Posted by Jason at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Europastar ]

Michael Wunderman, the President of the Swiss watchmakers Corum recently sailed as 18th man aboard Victory Challenge in their battle against BMW Oracle in the 32nd America’s Cup. Corum recently became the “Official Timekeeper” of the Victory Challenge and have announced that they are producing a special limited edition version of their new Competition 48 that will mark their debut into the arena of the America’s Cup. The new limited edition models should be available sometime this month.

Posted by Jason at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Alpina-Watches ]

Here is a cool new full black Extreme Regulator watch from Alpina. It has a Caliber AL-650 movement that vibrates at 18,000 /h with 17 jewels. It is a manual winder and has a 42 hour power reserve. The case is made of stainless steel and is a whopping 48mm wide and 12mm tall. It features sapphire crystal and a rubber strap. I really like Alpina watches, especially this full black stainless steel model.

Posted by Jason at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The new Breitling Avenger Skyland is based on the solid Avenger “platform” and reflecting all its attributes, its rugged construction includes a screwlocked crown protected by substantial crown guards, pushpiece reinforcements screwed into steel as well as a thick glareproofed sapphire crystal. The result is a case that is particularly shock-resistant and water-resistant to 1,000 feet.

This new Breitling Avenger Skyalnd chrono is also distinguished by its user-friendliness that not only guarantees excellent wearer comfort but also smooth handling of the crown and non-slip pushpieces. Meanwhile, the large hands facilitate reading off the time in any conditions. The sophisticated lines are accentuated by the high-tech look of its dial with “stencil” numerals sporting an original design. The Avenger Skyland also comes in a special version made from blackened steel material achieved by an ultra-resistant carbon nitride-based treatment: a limited series nicknamed “Blacksteel”. I bet the Blacksteel version looks even better than this one.

Posted by Jason at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A new Chopard Mille Migilia GT Xl Chrono to mark the 80th anniversary of this legendary race. This year, Chopard is presenting the new “Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono”, a chronograph with integrated pushers. Powerful, distinctive and resolutely contemporary, it is embodying a blend of cutting-edge technology and sophisticated aesthetics. Clearly determined to stay ahead of the competition, it houses a mechanical self-winding chronograph movement that is chronometer-certified by the COSC.

Read "Mille Migilia GT XL Chrono by Chopard" »

Posted by Jason at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Le Journal De La Haute Horlogerie ]

The watch brand from La Chaux-de-Fonds is enriching its Bressel Flying Hands line with a new variation combining the radiance of elegant and luxurious styling with the subtleties of a finely-crafted proprietary movement.

Complex and mysterious by nature, the orchid is a symbol of grace and elegance that eloquently embodies passion. Tirelessly observed, studied and perpetually reinvented, it has fascinated people since the dawn of time. Transcending fashions, its rounded shapes, flamboyant colours and heady fragrance captivate the senses.

What finer flower could the JeanRichard designers have chosen to enrich their Bressel Flying Hands collection? Only the orchid could be so perfectly associated with the complexity and the finesse of this emblematic model from the watch brand with its reputation for fine craftsmanship.

Read "Jean Richard Bressel Flying Hands" »

Posted by Jason at 9:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Europastar ]

Looks like this new V-TEC ZETA from Ventura has some kind of cool snake skin strap. It has a VEN-04 digital movement. Some models come with a composite case combining Durinox® steel and Bakelite-like resin, designed by Paolo Fancelli, single scrolling cylinder for functions and LCD display. I like that Ventura makes watches that are like no other, but there are many other watches I would buy before one of these.

Posted by Jason at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)