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To quote Don (Michael) Corleone in Godfather Part III, “Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in!”. Just when I thought that this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo would keep me quiet for some time, my watch friend Michael (not Corleone) mailed me a few days ago, that he pulled the trigger on this fabulous blue dial Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref.25860. This predecessor of the current AP ref.26300 chronograph, is mighty interesting. Priced a bit more friendly than its successor, it doesn’t differ that much watch wise.  Although I can’t get it confirmed, the bezel of the newer 26300 is a bit wider than the 25860′s bezel. Not in terms of diameter, but the bezel itself, making the dial of the 25860 chronograph looking a bit larger then the one on it’s successor.

Here is some eye candy of the ref.25860 (pictures taken by Michael):

The movement in this baby isn’t a module as with the Off-Shore models, but a true chronograph movement based on F.Piguet’s caliber 1185. Another example of a time piece using this movement is the Vacheron Constantin Overseas chronograph I recently covered here .Although I wouldn’t mind owning an Off-Shore Chronograph, this movement makes this watch more interesting technically speaking. There is nothing wrong with an add-on chronograph module, but the fact that the date needs a cyclops on the Off-Shore models because the chronograph module has been fitted between the base movement and the dial would annoy me too much I guess.

If you haven’t tried a Royal Oak yet, please do. The bracelets are so comfortable and the polished and brushed parts of the case and bracelet are truly delightful to look at, especially when you let the (sun)light play with them.

Girard-Perregaux has launched an updated version of its classic ww.tc (world wide time control) chronograph.

Created in 2000, its “world time” function displays all the time zones on earth simultaneously and the original model is now available in a new steel shell.

Its 43mm case is satin-finished, its matt black “stepped” dial has been reworked, its 24-hour ring has been redesigned, and it has new baton-style hands for hours and minutes.

The timepiece’s self-winding movement offers a power reserve of 46 hours and it’s available with a matt black alligator strap and a deployant buckle, or with a steel bracelet.

Victorinox Swiss Army is about to launch three new mechanical Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chrono watches.

This contemporary men’s watch is available with a 44 mm case, crafted from stainless steel. The black interpretation, however, boasts a black Ice PVD coating.

The case is endowed with a screw-down crown, protected against accidental turning. The new Victorinox Swiss Army watches provide 100-meter water-resistance.

The interior life of all three models is represented by a reliable mechanical self-winding Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement. Each of the novel Victorinox Swiss Army watches has been designed in a distinctive style, which will leave no one unmoved.

The customers will be able to enjoy the watch, adorned with an olive and cream retro-themed dial and accompanied by a rugged-stitched brown leather strap.

Just as well, they will be offered a chance to admire the timepiece, which shows off an ultra-modern dial, dressed in black and silver. This version comes fitted with a rugged-stitched black leather strap.

The stunning model, exposing Black Ice PVD treatment on its dial, case and deployant clasp bracelet, will round out this impeccable team.

Covered with a triple-coated glare-proofed sapphire crystal, the dial of each chronograph presents an impressive array of useful functions. It comprises the central 60-second counter, the 30-minute and the 12-hour counters. They are joined by the date indication at 6 o’clock, the small seconds display at 9 o’clock, the chronograph with 1/4th of a second precision timing as well as the telemeter scale, arranged on the flange.

To be issued in December 2010, the Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronos watches will thrill those enthusiasts who prefer brilliant performance artfully framed by appealing exterior.

The new Panerai Luminor Marina PAM366 appeals to their Chinese market with the Chinese Character “Fu” printed on the dial at 6 o’clock. The watch features the tried and true Panerai OP II Movement, and will be limited to 1500 pieces. The watch will retail for $4400US.

Only time will tell, but it will be interesting to see how well received this watch is by the Chinese buying public. With such a small run of 1500 pieces, it shouldn’t be difficult to sell, however.

While I can appreciate the watch, I think they should have made it with a sandwich dial instead. Kudos to Panerai for taking this step, however.

I think I found my new grail watch. Well, achievable Grail at least…

One of the most beautiful, yet understated dress watches I have ever seen, with a very unique complication that sets it aside from the other watches out there. The Senator Diary has an alarm that can be set to go off any time in the next 30 days ahead! The alarm allows you to specify a date for it to go off as well in addition to the time. The exhibition case back of the Senator Diary is also very nice looking, as most Glashutte Original watches are.

This beauty features GO’s in-house manufacture Calibre 100-13 and totals 600 components! And of course also features GO’s signature 3/4 plates. Case measures a healthy 42mm in diameter.

Available in stainless steel with black dial for $18,100 and in rose gold with silver dial for $29,400. The Rose gold version is my grail! Hell, a lot of the higher end Glashutte Originals end up feeling like Grail watches to me. I just really like their stuff!

I got to check out this handsome new timepiece from Ebel a few months back and now they are formally introducing it to the world. Given the return to basics and classicism this year in the luxury watch industry, Ebel has taken the best of the their past and present and created a timeless look for the Classic Hexagon 41mm Large Date watch. The big date complication really makes the piece – that and Ebel’s signature monohull case that is made out of one piece of swoopy steel. It is 41mm wide – that makes it medium sized, and relatively thin at 10mm thick. The entire movement and dial is placed through the dial of the watch. The rear of the watch is curved and quite comfy. Ebel has always done a good job with playing with polish. The case is mostly satin finished with the bezel and screws done with a mirror finish. The hands and applied hour markers are polished as well for a handsome, legible look.

With a tight integration of the textured leather strap, the watch fits very securely on the wrist. The dial is available in black or galvanic silver. Inside the watch is a Swiss ETA 2896 automatic movement. This isn’t the only classic styled big date watch this year, but is a good contender for your buying dollars.

Swiss jewelry and watch brand Chopard recently opened its newest boutique in Singapore, at the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes – featuring the Asia debut of the Animal World Collection.

To celebrate the family-owned company’s third boutique in Singapore, Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele herself was in attendance.

The boutique was officially opened by Swiss ambassador Jorg Al. Reding, Gruosi-Scheufele, Managing Director Chopard Asia Patrick Normand and Retail Director Chopard Singapore Valerie Chan.

Fortuitously, 2010 is also the 150th anniversary of Chopard so there was yet another reason to celebrate over the course of the two-day festivities. It may have also lent the sweet sense of triumph to the elaborate cake Gruosi-Scheufele is pictured cutting into here.

On the second day, after the official opening, Chopard brought together friends of the brand and collectors for a party at the new Fullerton Bay Hotel and a lovely dinner at Clifford Restaurant.

New from the Limelight collection is the Limelight City watch. This throw-back style model is directly inspired by a similar cushion-cased Piaget watch from the 1960s – an era which is hot in terms of watch style these days. The sideways cushion style is quite flattering to the wrist, and the mixture of brush and polished surfaces (with the added diamond decoration) feels classic, and uncommon in women’s watches. A lot of gold from the 1960s was textured in strange ways – as though people were simply tired of mere mirror polished surfaces. The case is in either 18k pink or white gold, with over 100 diamonds included on the dial and dial. There is a sort of bulbous friendliness to the design that would otherwise feel a bit cold.

Inside the watch is a Piaget manufacture made 524P automatic movement, that is visible through a sapphire caseback window. The watch comes on a few strap color choices – each being leather or reptile. The strap buckle has even more diamonds on it for decoration. As a compliment to today’s fashionable mature women, the Limelight City is an intriguing choice. Timeless in style yes, but clearly a token nod to another era.

Swiss jeweler and watchmaker Piaget continues its summer 2010 dalliance with actress Sienna Miller to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Possession collection.

The star is bedecked in full Piaget Possession regalia once more – two Possession rings; Possession watch (with Roman numerals); Possession bracelet (ID style); and Possession earrings. Each piece is in 18 carat white gold, with clear brilliant-cut diamonds, as is normal for the collection.

As with the first shot, photographer Raymond Meier and stylist Elissa Santisi work their magic to bring effervescence to the image. We will bring you the third and final shot soon. For the moment, scroll to the bottom of this entry to view behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot.

Returning to the jewelry and the watch, each one is distinctive in styling and in the use of materials and diamonds, especially compared with the items showcased in the last shot with Miller.

The 2010 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge recently lit up Antibes & Cowes, the second and third stops respectively in the classic yacht racing circuit.

Encompassing nine events worldwide including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Régates Royales, Cannes; the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge is now in its sixth year and welcomed two new additions for 2010 – the Classic Yacht Club Cowes Regatta (UK) and the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta Marblehead, (USA).

The Antibes leg of the circuit, the 15th edition of Les Voiles d’Antibes, closed on June 6 with the boats Mariska, Rowdy and Chaplin triumphing in the “Big Boats”, “Vintage” and “Classic” categories. As is customary throughout the series, the winners received a Radiomir Regatta 1/8th Second Titanio – 47 mm watch, specially created by Officine Panerai for the new season. It is being produced in a series of 500 pieces (above). 

Meanwhile the stage held at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes from July 18-24 was attended by more than 200 owners, captains and crews from the fifty two boats competing in the regatta.

The overall first prize went to Cetewayo while the Lallow Cup for best-presented new entrant went to the 1898 Gaff Cutter, Kismet. In contrast The International Metre Trophy for the highest placed Metre Boat was awarded to Wings; The Brian Keelan Memorial Trophy for the highest placed Gaffer went to Jap; and the Universal 8 Cup for the highest placed 8 Metre went was awarded to If.

Adam Gosling, Chairman of the BCYC Regatta Committee said: “It couldn’t have gone better really. We’ve had fantastic weather, the racing has been as tight as ever and the quality of the boats has been even better than usual.

Panerai are a great sponsor and have brought more style to the event which has allowed us to improve the quality of the onshore activities in particular. In terms of future aspirations, we believe the secret is quality not quantity. The sailors will tell you, they love this event and they love coming to Cowes.”

Amongst the classic yachts present at the events (though not participating in the regattas) was Eilean, a 22-metre Marconi ketch built in 1936 by Scottish boatyard Fife.

The boat (above) was purchased in 2006 by Officine Panerai and underwent a complete restoration at the Francesco Del Carlo boatyard in Viareggio, Tuscany.