Victorinox ‘Alpnach’ Limited Edition

Victorinox Swiss Army introduces the ‘Alpnach’ Limited Edition 2012. This chronograph has it’s name from a helicopter-base of the Swiss army located at an altitude of 445 meters in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Taking on these details the watch is also limited to a quantity of 445 pieces. The design was inspired by a helicopter modell, the AS 532 Cougar. The new limited edition reunites all the most successful elements of it’s predecessors. The small-seconds indicator at 9 o’clock is directly inspired by the four-bladed rotor of the AS 532 Cougar military helicopter, and the chronograph’s zero-reset push-piece at 4 o’clock is reminiscent of the collective lever of the same aircraft.

The watch is of course Swiss Made with a case of 44 mm, stainless steel (316 L), black PVD treatment. It is scratch-resistant with a triple-coated anti-reflection sapphire crystal and water-resistant to 100 metres (10 ATM/330 feet). It features a screw-down open-worked case back in black PVD treatment with circular satin-brushing. The rotating bezel with tachometer scale has a countdown function ands all figures are coated with luminescent material.

The Alpnach Limited Edition 2012 will be in stores soon. You can check online atVictorinox for the closest retailer in your area.

Panerai Composite Models 2012

Panerai has just taken the lid off its two latest models, the Composite 47mm and the Black Seal 45mm both featuring composite cases. First debuting in 2010, Panerai’s composite case material had been put on hold due to manufacturing issues, but the material is now back and better than ever. Harder and lighter than ceramic, the new cases are built to withstand the rigors of both professional and regular usage. The Composite 47mm features the in-house hand-wound calibre P.3000 and boasts a three-day power reserve; the Black Seal 45mm houses an automatic P.9000 movement with date function. The 47mm should retail for € 7,700 EUR (approximately $9,900 USD) while the 45mm will set you back €7,300 EUR (approximately $9,386 USD). Source: Perpetuelle

A Closer Look at Crafting the Ralph Lauren RL67 Safari’s Gunmetal Case

Appearing in a deep black hue, Ralph Lauren’s RL67 Safari is unique in its finishing process. Unlike most colored metals, the chronograph’s casing undergoes a special treatment typically reserved for that of gunmetal – thus providing the watch its signature look and feel. Instead of undergoing Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) or Diamond-Like Carbon coating (DLC), both of which are industry norms, the RL67 Safari’s case and components opt for chemical and thermal treatments that transform the look of the original steel. Coupled with alternating sandblasting and microblasting finishing prior to its chemical and thermal baths, the Safari emerges in a deep matte black before undergoing brushing and polishing with diamond pastes for an aged quality. Finished with a sapphire crystal case and canvas strap, the chronograph is now available in both 39mm and 49mm editions starting at $9,800 USD. Source: HODINKEE

Blaken x Rolex - Submariner Date Single Red

Today we present the next Rolex custom from German high end watch customizer Blaken. Sometimes less is really more and that is 100% true with their new Blaken Submariner Date Single Red. The watch gets the usual full Diamond Like Coating in black and subtle red accents on the ‘Submariner’ logo on the dial and on the seconds hand. Limited to only 25 pieces worldwide, the Blaken Submariner Date Single Red can now be ordered from info@blaken.com, priced at 12750 Euros.

Bell & Ross Vintage BR Commando

Bell & Ross‘ much loved grey colorway has made it onto the Vintage BR 123 and 126 Commando watches. Both models sport a grey dial with black markings, a curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and a grey rubber strap. Inside the 41mm matte black PVD steel case resides an automatic mechanical movement. Expect prices to be in line with the rest of the Bell & Ross Vintage BR collection as it will be available at select stockists globally.

Alpina Midsize Diver Watch

Alpina has come out with a handsome new Diver model aimed at those tired of sporting a watch face as big as a clock. Coming in at a very modest and refreshing 38-mm size, this new model features a black dial with matching black rubber strap. Rated to a depth of 300 meters, the watch boasts a uni-directional bezel, steel case, luminous white indices, and a tri-date aperture. While this watch may look expensive, it sports a quartz movement, which should keep the cost down. Further information as well as a list of retailers can be found over at Alpina’s website.

Source: Perpetuelle

Interview: GC Watches talks about 'Smart Luxury'

GC Watches arose out of Paul Marciano's desire to create a brand for people like himself who aspire to a sophisticated standard of living. GC is a 15 year old Swiss-made watch brand that combines the best of Swiss quality and precision with remarkable European design.

So what exactly is Smart Luxury? David Yim, the COO of Sequel AG, a division of Timex Group which manages GC Watches, tells Anchor Division more about the philosophy of Smart Luxury at the Moments of Smart Luxury event where they honored GC's rising stars.

Anchor Division: Can you tell us about the brand ethos behind GC?

David Yim: Sure. The brand is Smart Luxury. Our event tonight is to honor those who have found a way to live out their dream creatively and figuratively. The brand is a promise to recognize the luxurious moments in life but at the same time not to blow the bank, not to overscale things. Our brand is all about time and timing, and recognizing the fact that life goes by quickly. You have to savor precious moments and smart luxury moments that occur in everyday life.

I had a Smart Luxury moment earlier this week. I travel a tremendous amount. I live in Connecticut just outside of the city and I have two boys, a 7 year old and a 6 year old. Normally they're in school but I brought them into the city this week since it's the summertime. It turned out what they wanted to do was just order Dallas BBQ, sit in the hotel room, and play Monopoly. And that was my Smart Luxury moment, but everybody can have a Smart Luxury moment.

AD: Can we talk a little bit about your definition of Smart Luxury? Most people think of luxury as being expensive and decadent. The way you describe your Smart Luxury experience was spending quality time with your children doing something they really wanted to do.

DY: Luxury is the ability to do what you want to do without boundaries. That's luxury. In a lot of ways today's society has really defined luxury as more as "what can you afford". 'Afford monetarily' is a great dimension of luxury but it's not the only one for both our rising stars as well as all of us in our life. Our brand is designed to allow people to recognize that luxury is not just in the format of how much you spend. Our product displays that because we have great quality stuff that is really representative of how people want to dimension and reflect themselves.

A lot of times fashion and accessories are a way of expressing yourself. People will find a way of doing it but not in a way that sets them back or that is an unwise thing. Luxury should never be an unwise decision. That's what we're all about.

AD: How are your ambassadors working with your brand and exhibiting that Smart Luxury?

DY: Our ambassadors are the embodiment of people who have found ways of being smart and luxurious at the same time in the way they live their lives and the way they define their passions in what they get to do every day. We've been embarking on this smart luxury emphasis for almost two years now. All of these people share a thread of commonality where they've discovered in their own selves what they're passionate about, what they want to do.

We're honoring Shaina and Moises, who have found a way to parlay that passion into what they make a living out of. They're our rising stars. They're able to have that be a part of their every day life. We think that's spectacular. We applaud it. We want to lift these people up all over the world and give them a platform, not just for our brand but for themselves as well to describe how smart luxury is a part of their everyday. It's the perfect synergy for our brand.

AD: What can we look forward to in the future?

DY: That's a great question. A lot of people feel like this is a culmination of smart luxury for them. For us this is really the beginning. GC is a brand of Swiss made watches. It's been around for quite some time. We're celebrating our 15th anniversary globally. It's something that in the US is more of a launch. It's more of a new brand for the marketplace. Amongst the global Swiss-made brands GC is number 15 in the world in terms of watch units sold globally.

In the US we feel like we're getting off the ground at 15 years old, but it's an exciting thing! We're looking to follow in the footsteps of our Swiss parent company and our other partners around the world who really make GC a part of the Swiss watchmaking industry. At 15 years we're super excited about what that means. We're in a league of folks who have been making watches for a much longer time than that but we do feel like we have a unique point of view. I think our ambassadors are the embodiment of that point of view. It's really exciting.

AD: Awesome. Thank you.

DY: Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Mougin & Piquard X J.Crew - Grande Seconde Stainless Steel Watch

This black watch from Mougin & Piquard x J.Crew has been hand-assembled in Switzerland using a locally made quartz crystal movement, and features a smart double dial with both hour and minute markers. Based on an original design from the last century that was developed for pilots, this quality timepiece has an authentic sense of masculine cool.

An Interview with George Bamford of Bamford Watch Department - HB

Renowned for personalizing classical high-end watches, founder George Bamford of Bamford Watch Department sat down with HBTV for an exclusive interview. A true innovator sparking a new found appreciation for vintage wristwear, Bamford touches an array of topics including the brand’s inception, the concept of luxury, likening his brand to luxury car makers and the future of the watch industry.

Bell & Ross WW2 Régulateur Heritage Watch

Bell & Ross has always been passionate about military history, and particularly that of aviation, which made precise timekeeping one of its key navigational tools. The brand’s new Régulateur Heritage watch illustrates the unique parallel between the history of aviation and that of watch-making. Paying tribute to the timekeeping instruments used by bomber navigators in the 1930s and 1940s, the watch features Dubois Dépraz mechanical regulator with automatic winding, sandblasted steel case with grey PVD finish, black dial with sand-colored photo-luminescent coating and water-resistance up to 50 meters. By accurately reflecting period style, this model also opens a new chapter in the development of Bell & Ross design with an emphasis on the Second World War.