As we told you last week, the small selection of the Porsche watch collection that Bonham’s exhibited at SalonQP was enough to entice Straight-Six and The Prodigal Fool to clear the decks on 2 December. We pretty much decided in the taxi on the way back from the event that we had to be at the auction. A week or so later, a day’s holiday from our day jobs was booked and a lunch reservation at Scott’s was secured.

Yes, that’s right, we’re off to our first proper watch auction and we’re doing it in style.

Truth be told, we’re not expecting to come away with anything other than a better understanding of how auctions work and a long list of losing bids. There will, we suspect, be watch fans in the room with deeper pockets than ours.

But that’s no reason not to be serious about it. So, in Prodigal style, we’re pleased to share with you our carefully considered shopping list:

Lot #80: IWC Fliegeruhr Doppelchronograph (2006)

We’ve had something of a penchant for IWC’s pilot’s chromos for a long time. The rattrapante mechanism and ceramic case of this one add to its already considerable appeal.

Lot #59: Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox (1940s)

We’ve already recommended this as a potential bargain. The Memovox is a true classic. The lineage with today’s models and the interest of the alarm mechanism guarantee this watch a place on our list.

Lot #148: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris (1960)

This is our favourite thing in the sale. We’d absolutely love to be taking this puppy home. We loved last year’s Tribute to Polaris but here’s an opportunity to own the real thing and with the added bonus of an association with the Porsche collection. The £5,000 – £7,000 estimate that Bonham’s have put on it strikes us as too low. We’ll see what it goes for on the day.

Lot #223: Rolex Explorer (1958)

We already own a couple of classic Rolex sports watches but the Explorer has so far escaped us. And if you’re going to have an Explorer, you really owe it to yourself to have a vintage one. Rolex at its simplest, most rugged best. A class act.

Lot #280: Rolex Explorer (1966)

Ahem, see previous entry. The additional interest here is the condition of this particular watch. It looks flawless and comes with original box and full papers.

We’re not suggesting for a second that this list represents the best of the auction. They just happen to be the pieces that caught our eye given our tastes and the existing pieces in our collection.

If you’re a watch fan, regardless of whether you’re taking part in the auction or not, we thoroughly recommend devoting half an hour or so to browsing the online catalogue. It’s a joy.

14.05.2008

Enquanto comemora os 20 anos de sucesso como escritor e não lança um novo livro (o último foi a Bruxa de Portobello, no ano passado) Paulo Coelho passa boa parte do seu tempo viajando por diversos países. Parece férias. Mas é trabalho. Com algumas regalias, claro. E Paulo Coelho é um trabalhador disciplinado. Participa de eventos promocionais, fóruns, debates, entrevistas, enquanto administra a carreira de um dos maiores vendedores de livros do mundo e acompanha com a atenção as oscilações do mercado internacional.

Mesmo tendo ganhado com seus livros dinheiro “para viver três encarnações”, Paulo Coelho agradece pelos pagamentos que recebe como um trabalhador assalariado que ganhou uma bonificação que garantirá uma folga no orçamento. No último mês, fechou em Genebra, na Suíça, um contrato com IWC, “a Rolls Royce dos relógios”, como dizia, orgulhoso, momentos antes de acertar o acordo com a empresa suíça, uma das três escolhidas pelo escritor entre as várias que o assediam. Por dois anos de contrato, receberá cerca de US$ 800 mil. Em troca terá que sempre usar um relógio da marca, além de comparecer em três eventos a cada ano.  Leia a íntegra

Caneta da grife italiana de luxo  Montegrappa em homenagem ao escritor

Just because we woke this morning to an email from our friend – and all too occasional commenter on this site – Matt raving about it, we thought we’d share the IWC Aquatimer Automatic 2000 with  you.

In his email, after calling it “lovely” Matt goes on to say

finally, one that will stand the test of time.

In all honesty, we’re not so convinced.

If you read our recent post about buying cheap vintage watches, you’ll have seen our Prodigal rules of watch buying: we look for watches that are timeless, classic and great-looking.

While we love (and indeed own) the IWC Portuguese Chrono and have long coveted one of their pilot’s watches, we’ve always been a bit on the fence about the Aquatimer range. Great-looking? Yes. Timeless or classic? We’re not so sure.

When it comes to diving watches, our thoughts turn more readily to Sea-Dwellers, Panerais and even Omega Planet Oceans.

But that’s just us. What do you think? Will this Aquatimer “stand the test of time”?

12 Rounds (2009)
An internationally-well known terrorist named Miles Jackson -Aidan Gillen- has kidnapped detective Danny Fisher’s -John Cena- girlfriend Molly Porter -Ashley Scott- and forced him into “12 Rounds” of dangerous games carefully plotted throughout the streets of New Orleans.

2012 (2009)
American geologist Adrian Helmsley -Chiwetel Ejiofor- travels to India to meet his friend Satnam, who has discovered that neutrinos from a massive solar flare have penetrated the Earth and are causing the temperature of its core to increase rapidly. Adrian returns to Washington D.C. to inform White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) and US President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) to inform about what he has discovered. Many things will occur till 2012…

Jackson Curtis -John Cusack- wears a IWC Mark XVI Wristwatch

88 Minutes (2007)
Seattle. Jack Gramm, a successful forensic psychiatrist and college professor, is in evidence since being responsible for the condemnation of a serial killer -Jon Forster- being able of influencing the jury to sentence him to the death row. Jon accuses Jack of manipulation, inducing one witness and sister of one of his victims to testify against him. On the eve of Jon’s execution, Jack receives a phone call…

After the Sunset (2004)
Two master thieves are finally retiring after one last successful mission. Residing in their own tropical paradise, their old nemesis, FBI Agent Stan P. Lloyd shows up to make sure they really are retired. Docked in the port is an ocean liner called the “Diamond Cruise” and Stan is convinced that they’re not really retired at all, and that this is the next setup. While Lola is busy settling into their new life and trying to find ways to keep busy, Max is contemplating whether or not to steal the diamond. Will he?

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חברת כרונוטיים,  היבואנית הבלעדית של מותגי השעונים, תכשיטים ועטים מהמובילים בעולם, מציגה את שעון ה- Aquatimer Cronograph Reference 3767  -  הצדעה לצוללן האגדי ז’אק קוסטו.

 בשנת 1967 השיקה IWC את שעון ה Aquatimer Automatic – שעון צלילה שתוכנן עבור הצוללן האגדי ז’אק קוסטו, שעון שקבע סטנדרטים חדשים בעיצוב ותכנון של  שעוני צלילה והפך לאבן דרך בתעשיית השעונים. מאז המשיכה חברת IWC לפתח ולהשיק דגמי שעוני צלילה המגדירים בכל פעם מחדש את המושג שעון צלילה. דגם ה Aquatimer אשר הושק בשנת 1978 היה שעון היד הראשון בעולם העשוי מטיטניום.

 מאז שנת 2004 קיים שיתוף פעולה הדוק בין  Schaffhausen IWC וקרן ז’אק קוסטו, בנושא העלאת המודעות לשימור אוקיינוסים, ופיתוח משותף של שעוני צלילה.

 בעיצוב דגמי ה Aquatimer Chronograph Reference3767 החדשים נעשתה אינטרפרטציה חדשה לסדרת השעונים המצליחה Aquatimer, מתוך מחווה לחידושים הייחודיים שהציגה הסדרה במהלך השנים.

סדרת Aquatimer Chronograph – סדרת שעוני צלילה קשוחים בעלי מנגנון מכני הנטען ע”י תנועת יד (עם זמן פעולה של 44 שעות ללא מתיחה). המנגנונים מיוצרים בעבודת יד בסטנדרטים הגבוהים ביותר.

 המאפיין הבולט של השעונים החדשים – טבעת צלילה גדולה ומאסיבית, צבועה בצבעים זרחניים עזים ומעניקה לשעון מראה חדש ומרשים ביותר.

הרבע הראשון של הטבעת ומחוגי הדקות והשניות צבועים בצבעים זרחניים בולטים, מחוג השעות וציוני השעה צבועים בלבן ואילו לוח השעון ושלושת הרבעים הנותרים של טבעת הצלילה צבועים בצבע כהה. די במבט חטוף בשעון כדי לקרוא את השעה או לחשב כמה זמן נשאר לצלילה, גם בתנאי של אור חלש או אפלה.

 גימור השעונים עשוי בצבעים זרחניים מיוחדים: כתום בשילוב כחול רויאל או צהוב עז בשילוב שחור.

 לכל השעונים זכוכית ספיר עם ציפוי מונע השתקפות, סטופר הכולל תצוגת שניות, דקות ושעות וכן תצוגה של תאריך ויום.

 באמצעות כושר ההמצאה הגאוני של IWC ניתן לבחור בין רצועת מתכת או רצועת גומי ולהחליף ביניהן בקלות רבה.

 השעונים עמידים ללחצים של 12 באר (עומק של 120 מטר).

 שעוני IWC Schaffhausen מיובאים לישראל בבלעדיות ע”י כרונוטיים.

מחיר: החל מ 29,900 ₪

 אודות IWC Shaffhausen

מותג שעוני היוקרה IWC Schaffhausen  נוסד בשנת 1868 ע”י מהנדס ושען אמריקאי בשם פלורנטין אריוסטו ג’ונס, ונחשב למותג השעונים היוקרתי והמפורסם בעולם, המוביל בחדשנות ובעיצוב תוך שמירה על איכות ודיוק

עיצוב שעוני IWC כולל מוטיבים על זמניים, והשעונים מהווים מקור להשראה וחיקוי עבור תעשיית השעונים כולה.

 מקור השם IWC – חיבור של ראשי התיבות The International Watch Company ושם העיר שפהאוזן.

 המוטו של IWC המוטבע על כל אחד ואחד ממנגנוני השעונים : Probus Scafusia שפירושו בלטינית “מלאכת מחשבת “.

  אודות כרונוטיים

גלריית כרונוטיים הינה היבואנית הבלעדית של מותגי השעונים, תכשיטים ועטים המובילים בעולם. החברה שהוקמה בשנת 1998 ע”י קבוצת ה.א.ס משווקת את מותגיה ברשת חנויות כרונוטיים.

 גלריית כרונוטיים פועלות בהתאם לקונספט של גלריית המותגים המובילות בעולם שם מוצגים המותגים כפריטי אומנות בגלריה. בגלריות כרונוטיים ניתן דגש על שירות ויחס VIP לכל לקוח, לצד תצוגה מרשימה של שעונים, תכשיטים, עטים, סדרות מיוחדות, מהדורות מוגבלות ופריטים לאספנים.

 בין מותגי העל המיוצגים ע”י כרונוטיים:

IWC Schaffhausen, HERMES, VACHERON CONSTANTIN,
FRANK MULLER, ORIS,ULYSSE-NARDIN, GIRARD-PERREGAUX, Van Cleef & Arpels ועוד.

 סניפי כרונוטיים: תל אביב – כיכר המדינה וגן העיר (מרכז שירות). ירושלים – כתר דוד (מול מלון המלך דוד).

 כרונוטיים: 03-5446446

www.chronotime.co.il

 לפרטים נוספים:   www.ronenhillel.co.il

Unmistakeable originals of chronometry are the undisputed specialty of the IWC Schaffhausen watch factory in Schaffhausen, in north-east Switzerland: the famous “Da Vinci”, with its perpetual calendar, is one such. These naturally included the first “Grande Complication” for the wrist, but also the super-antimagnetic “Ingenieur” and the divers watches, which are capable of withstanding water pressure even down to a depth of 2000 metres – and the only divers watches with a mechanical depth gauge. From IWC come the professional “Pilots watches”. Equally unsurpassed are the exquisite pocket watches, which have been built at IWC since the year of its foundation in 1868.

It was no accident that an American engineer from Boston, Florentine Ariosto Jones, established the “International Watch Co.” in Schaffhausen of all places in the year 1868. The factory on the Rhine – situated far from the watchmaking centres of West Switzerland – is indebted to this American for its name and its existence. There he found a newly constructed hydroelectric power station for his machines. Ideal conditions for his passion to build perfect mechanical movements for an international market. He also found watchmakers whose profession already had a long tradition in Schaffhausen. The State Archives in Schaffhausen include an entry dated 29 January 1583 relating to the Guild of Pyrotechnicians, Gunsmiths, Watchmakers and Hoistmakers to the City Council. This proves that the watchmakers trade must already have existed in Schaffhausen at the time. In fact, the beginnings of the Schaffhausen watchmakers art can be traced even further, as far back as the year 1409, when a monk from the neighbouring monastery in Rheinau built the striking clock of St. Johanns church.

Originals of chronometry appeared soon after the company was established, for example in 1885 the Pallweber system pocket watch with its digital display, today a sought-after collectors item. At the end of the 19th century, IWC was one of the first watch manufacturers to recognize the potential of the new and increasingly fashionable wristwatch, for which it developed entirely new movements. It also continued to build original pocket watch movements into wristwatches when the market in the thirties demanded large, extremely accurate wristwatches. This is how the Portuguese line came into being – a trendsetting wristwatch in a “king-sized” format until today.

IWC was involved when watches had to learn to fly with the pioneers of aviation and today offers a comprehensive range of professional pilots watches, which are fitted with special protection against magnetic fields. And in the fifties the company not only led the competition in the race to introduce the first automatic movements, but also developed, in the so-called Pellaton winding mechanism, an unsurpassed winding system that it still uses exclusively today in its large automatic factory movements.

The special position of IWC is rooted not only in history, but also in geography. It remains the only watch factory in East Switzerland to this day. It is precisely for this reason that the factory regards the need to ensure a qualified succession in the manufacture of mechanical watches as both a commitment and a passion. Apprentice training leading to the Federal Final Diploma as Horloger complet has been the performance standard at IWC since 1950. This led us to set up our own training centre in 1968 with capacity for 15 Apprentices and two advanced training places. New training legislation came into effect in 2001, which offers budding watchmakers more flexible opportunities.

In the severe turbulence in the Swiss watch industry at the end of the seventies under its inspired manager, Günter Blümlein, this is the period in Schaffhausen when the points were set – contrary to the electronic spirit of the time – to take the company onto the track of mechanical watches, innovation and technically exacting mens watches. And from this conception of ourselves there grew the eye-catching advertising message: “IWC. Since 1868. And for as long as there are men.” Because mens watches have also been a subject of interest to women for a long time.

The craft perfection, the training of its specialists, the renunciation of mass-market products: all of these are in keeping with the old-established principle of IWC. To make watches for small numbers of people, but watches of the highest quality. That is also the reason why, if carefully maintained, our watches last for decades. And why today they are rare items, which fetch collectors prices throughout the world.

Leading impulses for the mechanical watch come from IWC. With its 390 employees, the company manufactures these sought-after pieces. Since the year 2000 IWC has belonged to the watch division of Richemont SA.

See IWC collections

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Bernard Lawrence “Bernie” Madoff was born on April 29, 1938. He is the former Chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange and the admitted operator of the Ponzi scheme that might be “the largest investment fraud in Wall Street history”.
In March 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 felonies and admitted to turning his wealth management business into a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors of billions of dollars. Madoff said he began the Ponzi scheme in the early 1990s. However, federal investigators believe the fraud began as early as the 1980s. The amount missing from client accounts, including fabricated gains, was almost $65 billion. The court appointed trustee estimated actual losses to investors of $18 billion. On June 29, 2009, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison, the maximum allowed.
Madoff founded the Wall Street firm Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC in 1960, and was its chairman until his arrest on December 11, 2008. The firm was one of the top market maker businesses on Wall Street, which bypassed “specialist” firms by directly executing orders over the counter from retail brokers.
On December 10, 2008, Madoff’s sons told authorities that their father had just confessed to them that the asset management arm of his firm was a massive Ponzi scheme, and quoting him as saying it was “one big lie”. The following day, FBI agents arrested Madoff and charged him with one count of securities fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had previously conducted several investigations into Madoff’s business practices since 1992, which critics contend were incompetently handled.
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Madoff lots are 196-299 & 301-386.
U.S.Marshals Service
National Forfeited Jewelry Auction
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10 AM
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During the auction conducted live on Saturday, November 14th at the New York Sheraton Hotel & Towers and online simulcast utilizing www.proxibid.com., many of Madoff’s belongings were auctioned. And so, his wristwatch collection. Between the wristwatch brands he was a fun, like Rolex, there were many Cartier, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain, IWC, Hublot, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Piaget and Bulgari’s expensive watches.
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Some of them, the most expensive Rolex and some from other wristwatch brands:
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234
ROLEX: Gents 18kr vintage Rolex chronograph wristwatch; silver/white dial w/ black sticks & Arabics; 36.10mm round case; Black stitched crocodile strap (tang); Serial 66658 (1936); professionally restored.
$23000 – $26500

235
ROLEX: Gents 18ky vintage Rolex Oyster chronograph wristwatch; Monochrome motif; gold dial w/ luminous sticks & Arabics, 3 gold sub-dials; 35.1mm round case; Brown stitched Alligator strap (tang); 17 jewel Rolex Genève mechanical winding mvmt; Case 4048; Serial 58105 (1935). Note: Professionally restored.
$54000 – $58000

236
ROLEX: Gents st.steel & 18kr & 18ky vintage Rolex Oyster chronograph wristwatch; rose gold bezel, yellow gold crown; white dial w/ black sticks & Arabics; 34.6mm round case; Brown stitched Alligator strap (tang); 17 jewel Rolex Genève mechanical winding mvmt; Case 3668; Serial 146583 (1940). Note: Professionally restored.
$60000 – $63500

237
ROLEX: Gents 18ky vintage Rolex O.P. “Monoblocco” chronograph wristwatch; aka “Prisoner Watch”; domed plastic crystal; black dial w/ rose tri-sticks & Arabic numerals; gold hands; polished bezel; 35mm round case; dk brown alligator strap (tang); Model 3525; 17 jewel Rolex mechanical winding mvmt; Serial 380223 (1945).
$75000 – $87500

248A
WATCH: Gents st.steel Ulysse Nardin San Marco GMT wristwatch; black dial w/ luminous Arabic numerals; syn saph crystal; date at 3 position; dual-time at 11 position; 37mm round case; Black stitched leather band w/ tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 203-22; Serial No 978.
$1500 – $2000

250
WATCH: Gents st.steel Blancpain Leman chronograph flyback wristwatch; white dial w/ white sub-dials (3); syn saph crystal; date at 6 position; 38.2mm round case; brown alligator strap w/ deployant buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 2185-1127-53B; Serial No 294.
$4000 – $5200

251
WATCH: Gents 14kw Piaget Gouverneur Automatique chronograph wristwatch; light blue dial w/ matching sub-dials (3), Arabics; syn saph crystal; date at 6 position; 34.2mm round case; black alligator strap w/ 18kw Piaget tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 12978; Serial 810797.
$4500 – $5800

253
WATCH: Gents 18kw Patek Philippe Annular Calendar wristwatch; black dial w/ silver Roman numerals; date at 6 position; 3 black sub-dials; syn saph crystal front & back; 36.95mm round case; black alligator band w/ 18kw deployant buckle; Model 5035G; 35 jewel Patek Philippe automatic mvmt, Cal. 315/198, Serial 3059777.
$12500 – $15600

254
WATCH: Gents 18ky Audemars Piguet Huitieme chronograph wristwatch; crème colored dial & sub-dials (3); date at 3 position; gold hands; 40.4mm round case; dkBrown alligator strap w/ 18ky AP double deployant clasp; Automatic mvmt; Serial C54966.
$6000 – $8000

258
WATCH: Gents st.steel IWC Portuguese chronograph wristwatch; silver dial w/ rose gold markers; 40.9mm round case; stitched brown alligator strap w/ tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model IW3714-01; Serial 2697455.
$3000 – $4000

264
WATCH: Gents 18kt rose gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duo wristwatch; Night/Day dials; brown crocodile strap w/ 18kr deployant buckle; Mechanical, winding mvmt; Case 270.2.54; Serial 1961500.
$4000 – $5100

Metropolitan Ballroom
New York Sheraton Hotel & Towers
811 Seventh Avenue
New York City, NY 10019

The auction was conducted by:
´Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers

[Source: CanadaEast]

The guys and girls at Byron Hamburger make a mighty fine hamburger; that much we’ve known for a while. What we didn’t know until recently was that someone on their team is also a bit of a watch fan. A couple of weeks ago, they sent us the following seemingly innocuous question over Twitter: “If you had £1,200 to spend on a vintage watch, what would be your top three?”

Now, 140 characters doesn’t leave you much scope for details. So, we have no idea what they were looking for or what their watch preferences tend towards.

On the other hand he did say “If you..” So, let’s first lay down the Prodigal rules of watch-buying. Whenever we spend our own money on a timepiece – vintage or otherwise – it has to be:

• Timeless: We look for design that doesn’t age. A watch should look as relevant today as it did 50 years ago and as it will 50 years in the future.
• Historic: We look for watches that are important, that have influenced other models in the range or indeed competing brands, watches that are genuine classics.
• Great looking: It’s the number one rule of watch-buying: buy what you like. The first two criteria we mentioned are of no importance unless the watch looks good to us. You should never buy a watch just because you think it’s a good investment.

So, with £1,200 as our limit, those three criteria as our guide, and the vastness of the interwebs as our shopping mall, here’s what we came up with:

1. IWC Mark X pilot’s watch: Fitted with the revered calibre C 83 this classic pilots watch was superceded just after the war by the even more famous IWC Mark XI. Although the Mark X is much rarer, collectors have only recently started to appreciate this fact and prices have started to move up considerably during the last few years.What’s that you say, you’d never find one for £1,200? Well, the nice people at Bonham’s were exhibiting at SalonQP last week and we can tell you that they have a beautiful example coming up in their 2 December sale. Estimate is £1,200 – 1,500. With a little luck…
2. Breitling Navitimer 806: The Navitimer is by far the most important and best-looking watch Breitling have ever produced and indeed it survives to this day – albeit in a less handsome guise – in their portfolio. The classic 806 models are the most desirable. Most watch fans know all about the Navitimer, but if you need a quick refresher, there are few better places on the web than Navitimer.net. These old 806s are getting harder to find, especially at reasonable prices. Again though, we’d refer you to Bonham’s. They’ve got a very nice looking one in their upcoming sale. So, if you miss out on the IWC Mark X, make this the next thing you bid on.
3. Rolex Oyster Perpetual: So, no points for originality with our third suggestion but, like it or not, the Rolex Perpetual is simply an all time classic. No serious watch fan should be without one in his or her collection. Vintage models are fairly easy to come by and you should be able to find one within budget. There’s a very nice example available right now at the Swiss Watch Centre, for instance.

There you have it: three ways to spend £1,200 on a vintage watch. Of course there are many, many more but these three would be top of our list if we were shopping today.

@ByronHamburger, we wish you good luck in your search. Be sure to let us know what you end up with. But, please, don’t let the allure of vintage timepieces distract you from making the best damn burgers in London.

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A selection of Michael’s striking Galapagos photographs, which he shot for IWC as part of the watchmaker’s support for the Charles Darwin Foundation, went on view on Wednesday at Milk Studios. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, actors Eric Dane and Jason Bateman were among the stars who came out to admire Michael’s work.

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From left: Benoit de Clerck, Jason Bateman, Federick Martel, and Michael Muller. Photo courtesy IWC.

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Michael, of course, is in training for his big Mt. Kilimanjaro climb with Summit on the Summit in January. I saw him last night at Stockland Martel’s dinner party at Beechwood in Venice. Part of his training includes shaving his calorie intake to just 500 a day for a prescribed period of time. 500 calories a day! Michael and his fellow climbers—who include actress Jessica Biel—are taking this trip very seriously. If you haven’t had a chance to contribute to Summit on the Summit, which is raising awareness of the global water crisis, please visit summitonthesummit.com.

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IWC isn’t very well known outside of Europe yet makes some of the best made (and highest priced) timepieces in the world.  They outpace Rolex to a significant degree, both in design and price, and I’d be curious to know what their sales figures are.

Anyway, they are re-releasing some of their most beloved vintage designs – IWC has been in business for 140 years, and so they have some really interesting and unique pieces that I simply had to share.  The best of these is the Da Vinci.  With its oddly shaped face and masculine lines, it stands off the wrist yet is not ostentatious or garish. The watch itself is composed of brushed platinum, with an alligator band, and obviously it’s swiss made (automatic self-winding).

The Da Vinci is being brought back as part of a set from IWC, but for those of you lucky enough to find it for sale by itself, you can expect to pay approximately $40k.  For those interested in the set — it’s $241,000.

The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month from IWC Schaffhausen displays the date and the month of its mechanically programmed calendar in digital form.

The latest IWC collection of can be enquired and ordered at Khimji’s Watches – 24699173/24699174. You can also email us at krwatchs@omantel.net.om, tejaskapasi@khimjiramdas.com

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Photo by Michael Muller.

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Back in May, I did a Q&A with Michael Muller about photographing the Galapagos as part of a collaboration between Swiss watchmaker IWC and the Charles Darwin Foundation. Next Wednesday, a selection of those photos will go on view in Los Angeles at the Hanger at Milk Studios. If you’re in town and would like to attend the event, scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. November 11, please email RSVP-USA@iwc.com.

If you like, you can also download this pdf (IWC_Aquatimer_Collection) of some of Michael’s images, with text by Grégoire Koulbanis, a veteran diver and scientific adviser for UNESCO, who was part of the IWC Galapagos expedition. In fact, here’s a nice photo of him and Michael at the IWC Schaffhausen Private Dinner Reception in Geneva in January.

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Michael Muller (left) and Grégoire Koulbanis. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for IWC Schaffhausen.

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Michael, meanwhile, is gearing up for a new adventure: climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. In January, he will join a motley team of celebrities and other notables—Jessica Biel is among those whose names have been mentioned—for Summit on the Summit. The climb, spearheaded by the Grammy-nominated singer Kenna, is intended to raise awareness of the appalling lack of clean drinking water in so many parts of the world. To find out more, including how you can contribute, check out The Huffington Post’s story on the Summit, and visit the Summit’s website.

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Image provided by www.seashepherd.org

Imagine, being on a 174ft shipping vessel in the middle of Antarctica with only your crew and no assistance in sight, you are hunting down a Japanese Whaling fleet only to know your ship cannot handle the iceberg terrain that is around you everyday at all times. What would you do?

This is just an example of a scenario encountered by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) shipping vessel, the Steve Irwin, while on a mission to end the unlawful killings of whales and protect the endangered mammal species. The SSCS, a non-profit organization that has dedicates its whole existence “to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.”

Most notably known for its popular cable television series Whale Wars on Animal Planet, the Sea Shepherd’s track down illegal whaling fleets in response to a 1986 moratorium ban on all commercial whaling by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society believes the  Japanese have intentionally disregarded this the moratorium and continue to kill thousands of whales, due to a loop-hole in the moratorium, which allows whaling for research purposes only. Nations around the world have argued that the Japanese have not performed any relevant research but continue to intentionally kill innocent whales for the sake of profit and a long standing Japanese tradition.

The Sea Shepherds, considered international pirates to those who continue to slaughter whales, use non-harmful, conventional tactics to confront these whaling fleets in an effort to save innocent whales. The most notable tactics used have been butyric acid, also known as a stink bomb, and prop fouler. The butyric acid is used to make fishing unbearable due to the smell left behind and to contaminate whaling meat. Prop Fowlers are “long strands of rope, steel cables, and buoys that would slip under her hull and catch and tangle her propeller.” They are used to slow or disable the shipping vessels, which stops them from hunting and killing whales but the most effective method of stopping the whaling fleet has been chasing these vessels. If the Japanese fleet attempts to flee the Steve Irwin, they are not capable of hunting whales thus saving whales from the hands of the Japanese.

The preservation of whales came to light in the 1960’s, while whale fishing was at its peak, countries such as Norway, Japan and the Soviet Union were heavy whalers and as time passed scientist began noticing the depletion of whale species and concern grew. The eco-impact of depleted whale species was unknown but concerns grew. “As whales were increasingly watched, filmed and studied, their high intelligence, rich social lives, and ability to feel emotion and experience pain became apparent.”

The importance to all that the preservation of whales is imperative to the sustainability of our eco-system. The unknown effects could be disastrous and could potentially effect us all. To learn more about the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society or support their efforts, please visit its website at www.seashepherd.org.

The man is back to HK  O_O

Cr:as tagged + rain-cloud

IWC Portofino Hand-Wound

When I look at watches, I try to find timepieces that withstand the test of time (ha!). Will I wear the piece 10 years from now? How about 50 years? Sadly, this is probably the reason I don’t have a watch is because these are the watches that are out my current income range (one can dream right?).

IWC Schaffhausen is one of those watchmakers that craft some of the most beautiful timepieces. In particular, the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound watch is one of my favorite watches from their “Vintage Collection.” It’s simplistic yet it can turn heads on the street.

From IWC:

- Mechanical movement

- Hand-wound

- 46-hour power reserve when fully wound

- Moon phase display at 12 o’clock

- Small seconds

- Breguet spring

- Sapphire glass, arched edge, anti-reflective coating on both sides

- See-through sapphire-glass back

- Water-resistant: 3 bar

- Case diameter: 46 mm

- Case height: 11 mm

- Weight in platinum with alligator leather strap: 121 g

- Weight in stainless-steel with alligator leather strap: 85 g

The 2009/2010 Portuguese Automatic has a new dial. It is the same dial as the Portuguese Automatic in rose gold (IW5001/01).

The Portuguese Chronograph has been a succes for years in the same configuration. It was only a matter of time before the Automatic would appear in this combination.

If you would like to pre-order this watch, you can send an e-mail to info@acejewelers.com or visit www.AceJewelers.com for more information.

IWC Portuguese. Platină, aur alb, drăcii, editie limitată la 500 de bucăti. Detalii tehnice aici. Pentru bani, aici.

In a dazzling show, the new Khimji’s Watches showroom was formally inaugurated on 10th October at Shatti Al Qurum by HH Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture.

The popular Swiss folklore group ‘25 Jahre Jodeldwett Geschwister Rymann’, specially flown in from Switzerland made the evening come alive with a scintillating performance. Giving a local flavour to the evening was also a brilliant display of song and dance by a highly talented traditional Omani dance troupe from Sur.

A special book on the new Khimji’s Watches showroom, detailing the fascinating interior displays and celebrating the fine nuances that went into making it world-class, was released on the occasion in both Arabic and English versions.

The opening of the new Khimji’s Watches showroom is the biggest happening in Muscat and makes shopping for the most prestigious watches and accessories, at the ultimate luxury destination, an unforgettable experience.

Located at Al Offuq Building in Shatti Al Qurum, the new Khimji’s Watches  showroom hosts the best brands in the world from the high-end watches, jewellery and accessories such as Rolex, Chopard, Cartier, Piaget, IWC, de Grisogono, Chanel, Gerald Genta, Oris, Bell & Ross and Tudor, to Vertu luxury mobile phones and Caran d’Ache writing instruments. The showroom also has the Lunettes (Eyewear) Collection comprising Versace, Bulgari, Tiffany, Mont Blanc and Tom Ford.

A host of dignitaries from the principal companies were represented at the formal opening, namely Yann du Pasquier from Rolex S.A., Hugues Jucker from Chopard, Patric Normand and Awn Zureikar from Cartier, Jean Marc Shammas and Myriam Hayek from Piaget, Hannes Pantli and Gianfranco d’Attis from IWC, Marco Caciti from De Grisogono S.A., Julien Moirignot from Chanel, Jean Philippe Cattin and  Tristan Boyer De Bouillane from Gerald Genta, Frederic Weber of Caran d’ Ache, Wajdi A. Hadi from Vertu ME, Andrea Zaffin and Enrico Destro from Luxottica and Werner Baumgartner from Swarovski M.E.

The formal inauguration was managed by NPA Events who gave the event a touch of exclusivity, befitting the new Khimji’s Watches showroom.

IWC 502219 Portuguese Perpetual Limited 250 pieces

Movement: Mechanical with automatic wind (Caliber 51613 IWC Patent)
Case: Platinum 42.3mm, Sapphire crystal case back
Strap or Bracelet: Black alligator strap with Platinum folding buckle
Dial: Silver

DW-MINT-US$33,950 – Oct 2009

unser Preis: 664 Euro

(ev. alte Preise bzw verkaufter Artikel)

Luxus-Armbanduhr:
mit Wert-Gutachten / Echtheits-Zertifikat

Original IWC, International Watch Corporation:

Größe:  Herren-Armbanduhr
Uhr-Typ:  International Watch Corporation Schaffhausen
    Swiss Made
Typnummer / Referenz-Nummer:  Br 582.379
Gehäuse-Seriennummer:  2243517
Gehäuse:  Edelstahl
Band / Schließe:  Edelstahl-Glieder-Sport-Armband
    mit Faltschließe
    in der Klappe fein längenverstellbar
    Edelstahl
Uhr-Werk:  Quarz / Quartz  Kaliber / Caliber / Calibre 2405
    Werknummer:  2288076,  7 Juwels,  Batterie V390
    Die erste Version der Quarzmodelle (1976/77-1979)
        Merkmale:
        Quarzkaliber 2405 mit Datumsanzeige
        aus ETA-Produktion
        Durchmesser: 28.00 mm
        Höhe: 4.05 mm
        Anzahl Steine: 7
        Frequenz: 32,768 Hz
        Feinregulierung: Trimmer
        Gesamtproduktion: 13,600 Stück (davon 380 Stück für Ingenieur SL)
Anzeige von Stunde, Minute, zentraler Sekunde, Sekundenstopp
Datums-Anzeige mit Schnell-Datumseinstellung
Besonderheiten:  spezieller Rückdeckel-Verschluss mit Dichtung
    der Boden wird um 30 Grad gegen den Uhrzeigersinn gedreht und
    kann dann wie bei einem Bajonett-Verschluss geöffnet werden
Krone:  geriffelte Einstellkrone
Safirglas / Saphirglas / Mineralglas
Gehäuse:  hochglanzpoliert und teils mattiert / satiniert / geschliffen
Zifferblatt:  schwarz, hochfein mattiert
    mit weißen römischen Ziffern
Zeiger:  weiß, schwertförmig
Gehäuse-Breite (mit Krone):  36,0 mm
Gehäuse-Breite (ohne Krone):  33,8 mm
Gehäuse-Länge:  41,2 mm
Ansatz-Breite:  23,1 mm
Gesamt-Höhe inkl. Glas und Rückdeckel:  NUR 8,4 mm
für Armumfang bis zu 20,2 cm
für Längenänderung sind 7 geschraubte Glieder im Band
Uhrenbox / Verpackung vorhanden
    sehr exklusiv / repräsentativ
    in lackiertem Edelholz
Alle Funktionen intakt
Erhaltung:  fast Neuzustand
    mit der Lupe sind eventuell minimalste Tragespuren
        oder Spuren vom Anprobieren erkennbar
Sammelwürdige Armbanduhr mit dem gleichen Werk, das auch bei
    der Ingenieur SL verwendet wurde

Echtheit und Wert:

Neues Echtheits-Zertifikat / Wert-Gutachten ist vorhanden
    und wird mitgeliefert (als ausführlicher Laborbericht,
    gerichtsverwertbar und von Versicherungen anerkannt).

Wert laut Gutachten:

1.500 Euro  (Stand 2008)

Bei älteren Preislisten oder bei älterem Preis-Stand ist zu
berücksichtigen, dass der Artikel inzwischen einen höheren Wert hat
durch die üblichen laufenden Preiserhöhungen der Hersteller.

RARITÄT — normal nicht mehr erhältlich

unser Preis: 664 Euro

(ev. alte Preise bzw verkaufter Artikel)

hier klicken zur Original-Seite :
IWC INTERNATIONAL WATCH CORPORATION KALIBER 2405 TOPUHR

derzeit lieferbarer Schmuck, Diamanten und
Armband-Uhren bitte HIER KLICKEN

Gewerbegruppe Gunar Mayer Fahrner GmbH

www.juwelenmarkt.de:  Informationen und Gelegenheiten
Schmuck und Diamanten und Luxus-Armband-Uhren
Gesellschaftssitz Brunnthal    Geschäftsführer: Gunar Mayer
Lärchenstr.14    85649 Brunnthal
Telefon: 08104-88899-25    Fax: -24    1@ggm1.de
Handelsregister B Amtsgericht München HRB 159434
Steuernr.: 143/140/80026    UID-Nr.: DE814570759

Iwc, International, Watch, Corporation, Kaliber, Juwelier, Ankauf, Verkauf, Uhr, Uhren http://www.ankauf-brillant.de http://www.diamant-ringe.eu Ankauf Uhren Uhrenankauf Rolex Breitling Cartier Chopard Patek Moral SCHMUCK DIAMANTEN UHREN – KOMPETENZ – ANKAUF – VERKAUF – LEXIKON http://www.uhrenkauf.eu http://www.diamanten-verkauf.eu http://www.juwelier-24.de http://www.ankauf-brillanten.eu http://www.brillantendiscount.com Armband-Uhren Rolex Cartier Patek Breitling Chopard Ebel IWC INTERNATIONAL WATCH CORPORATION KALIBER 2405 TOPUHR

Shop 14, Level 7
MLC Centre
Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000

Date : Friday 2 Oct 2009

The location was Ambar, coincidentally also the choice of the Richemont crowd that night. Being made of sterner stuff, the Richemont-ers were outside on this slightly chilly night, whilst we were tucked inside, talking watches, food, travel, bikes, and the madness of the Paneristi