Black Friday Black Out

Today is Black Friday, the American non-holiday, the busiest Christmas shopping day of the season. Now a feature in the UK run-up-to-Christmas calendar, if the hype is to be believed I have decided to celebrate this day, not by frantically typing my debit card details into the online ether but by furthering my research on PVD/DLC* plating on watches.

PVD/DLC plating is the process which bonds a micron thick layer of metal compounds  to metal or other materials. An example of PVD use outside the watch industry is in clothing where quality brands, Barbour for one, use it to coat their jacket zips to offer a better quality and finish. On watches, this process creates deep, rich black finish that is impervious to scratches and incredibly hard wearing. An ideal application for an item that suffers daily wear. It’s also pretty nifty too.

My favourite watch to use this finish is Raymond Weil’s Freelancer Lady Urban Black, a 38mm automatic model with a striking aperture at 12 o’clock and 86 black diamonds set within the bezel and lugs.

I particularly love the matte black dial and numerals which set the perfect backdrop for the polished gold and silver mechanics of the movement. Heavy duty glamour. Lush. Check it out on the brand's site here.

Next up is the Perrelet Turbine XXs, also a 38mm case automatic, this time set with 326 diamonds seton the bezel, lugs and dial. The diamonds and white hour markers contrast superbly with the matt black case. The black rubber strap adds a sporty feel to the otherwise luxe feel of the piece

Sadly, for women’s PVD/DLC watches that’s pretty much the best on offer. I could blog all day about gent’s versions but, frankly, I find the type of gent’s watch that has this plating type is always the same: huge, bolshie, boring.  Citizen have made a good effort with their Eco-Drive Satellite Wave-Air which is almost as handsome as it is functional. 

Seriously it’s got Satellite Timekeeping Technology with Worldwide Reception, Time Adjustment Available in 26 Time Zones displayed as cities, Perpetual Calendar, Power Reserve Indicator, 3-Hand with Date and a Day-Date Band. All singing all dancing indeed.

So I hope I've managed to distract you from the Black Friday madness with these lovely black watches. Much better than spending the day screaming at error messages on Amazon, I'm sure you'll agree.

*PVD: Physical Vapor Deposition

  DLC: Diamond Like Carbon

 

Cartier Christmas- Panther Santa Clause

Animation seems to be the 2013 trend for Christmas ads, with John Lewis taking first place for weep-inducing You Tube watches of the Bear and the Hare.However, whilst everyone is rushing out to buy twin bell alarm clocks to wake their bears come Christmas day, Cartier have relied upon the cuteness of their iconic panther to deliver their Christmas message.

Winter Tale is a delightful CG animation which follows a baby panther (d'awww) and what appears to be be his concierge-style Santa Clause crew, creeping around 1920's Paris, delivering red and gold boxed Cartier gifts wherever they go.

The panther has been integral to the brands collections since 1914, ever since Louis Cartier was a supposedly tamed the legendary creature, and has featured in the brand's campaigns for a number of years. Certainly a worthy star to feature this year. I bet he'd eat that Hare and think nothing of it. The Bear too...

 Just look at that face!

Directed by Bibo Bergeron, this is the fourth installment of the Winter Tale series and a simply beautiful way to advertise Cartier's more giftable items. (as if Cartier even needs to advertise, pfft).

Being a sucker for Mr. baby panther, I have fallen in love with the Penthere De Cartier bracelet, an 18k yellow gold bracelet with Panther head motif, onyx nose, black laquer spots and tsavorite garnet eyes.

A simple stocking filler I'm sure you'll agree...

Check out more of Cartier's lovely campaign here and try not to get sucked in by the panther.

Hublot Big Bang Caviar 'Lady 305' - Phwoar!

Few watches elicit a "phwoar!", but If any is deserving of this accolade it’s Hublot’s Big Bang Caviar Lady 305, launched exclusively in Miami this week.

 

 41mm of phwoar!

Hublot are all about size and style and the 41mm limited edition does not stray from type. Based on the case of the bestselling One Million Dollar Black Caviar, this watch has been made especially for the brand’s Miami Boutique in celebration of Hublot’s ongoing sponsorship of the Miami Heat NBA Team.

 Hublot's One Million Dollar Black Caviar

The watch is inspired by the beauty of South Florida, with the 36 topaz stone set-bezel and blue alligator/rubber strap colours set to represent the sea and sky. There is also a great colour pop courtesy of the blue hand infills  which really stand out from the gold or silver dials.

The case back has also been specially designed to portray the Miami skyline line with the 305 Miami area code stamped in the middle.

The watches are being sold exclusively in the Miami boutique at $37.900 for the gold version and $16.88 for the silver. 

A casual purchase this isn’t but definitely something special for Hublot and Miami Heat fans alike. I'd be after the gold version myself. It's certainly a phwoar! from me.

For more phwoar! inspiring stuff,  visit Hublot's website.

High Street Horology- La Mer Collections

At first glance I thought uber-luxury skin care brand Crème DeLa Mer had ventured into watch retail. Fortunately, La Mer is actually an American watch company that specialise in wrap around and stack-style timepieces that are hand made in the States. The brand is the brainchild of Martine Llana who initially started tinkering with watch strap construction for a design degree project, after a gap year out spent travelling across Africa and Asia.

 Martine's Ann Arbor workshop, Michigan

The brand name literally means ‘The Ocean’ and it’s clear from the vibrant colours, textures and motifs used throughout the collection that Martine has been heavily influenced by the natural world encountered on her travels: South Africa's colourful markets, Bali's lush flowers, Italy's gorgeous leathers and Thailand's clear blue ocean.

  Puerto Vallaria, Mexico

Ko Samui, Thailand

 Nepalese markets

The watches themselves come in a variety of platings: 14K gold, rose-gold, silver or gun-metal and all contain a Japanese movement. Leathers are sourced from Italy so quality is assured. The unique part of La Mer’s offering is the option to customise your own watch. From a choice of 7 watch heads, 29 leathers and over 15 charm it is possible to create a look to suit your individual style which is an interesting USP if ever I’ve seen one. 

 Labradorite Stones By The Yard Watch, $250

 

 Neutral Tye Dye Gold Black Dial Soho Wrap Watch, $90

For my fictional design I chose the round gold case, dark grey leather wrap-strap and colour-mix chains. Nice.

My only bug bear is that all different watch heads, whether gold plated or stainless steel silver, all still cost the same when surely the stainless steel should be cheaper. Although I suppose holding such a large variety of options in stock must be an expensive undertaking for the business. Cash flow issues often puts the kibosh on any form of personal customisation for low-medium price point items so good on them for having the option.

The La Mer website itself is full of beautiful images, exploring the brand’s themes and inspiration. A lovely one to browse in such a cold and windy Friday. 

Watches start at $68 and goes up to $285. There's studs, chains, ombre, charms, every trend box has been ticked here.You can even but a watch storage box for $58. That’s another one for my Christmas list.

Despite the loops of charms, chains and leathers delivering a busy aesthetic, La Mer’s mission statement is rooted in simplicity: “In this day and age, with all the technology surrounding us…all we truly need on our wrist is a watch that tells time”. I couldn’t agree more.