WatchesOnNet - Luxury Watches For Men And Women Review

In Esperanto, the universal language, the word means always in motion.  In English, it has come to essentially mean “extraordinary, iconic timepiece.” The same definition pretty much applies to languages around the globe as Movado has become one of the most demanded and adored watches in the world. And the brand has quite an interesting history.

It was once known as the North American Watch Company, but today, the Movado Group is one of the leading makers and distributers of luxury timepieces in exisence.  They are now an amalgamation of several distinguished watchmakers including the Concord company, and it thus makes timepieces under the ESQ and Vizio brand names.  It also has licencing agreements with Coach and is a distributer for the Swiss fine watch brands, Piaget and Corum.  Aside from all this, Movado owns and operates many retail stores that not only sell Movado watches but also fine jewelry and accessories.

Movado can trace its roots all the way back to 1881, when it was established by Achille Ditesheim, a nineteen year old watchmaker in the small village of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Jura Mountains. Ditesheim’s little six-person workshop grew so quickly that by 1897 it had about eighty watchmakers, making it one of the largest manufacturers of luxury watches in the entire country. And already the brand had established a reputation for making watches of great technological sophistication being one of the first companies to utilize advanced machinery rather than simple hand tools. It was Ditesheim who gave Movado its Esperanto name.

By 1920 the Movado company was making and marketing over seven hundred different watch models throughout the world including two of its most well known timepieces, Ermeto and Valentino, the latter, encased in snakeskin, was named for the eponymous movie star, and the Ermeto, was one of the most luxurious watches of its era, with many of the different watches in the collection, covered in precious gemstones.

As good as the Twenties were to the Movado brand, the Thirties and Forties were perhaps even more innovative and noteworthy. In a roughly fifteen-year period, Movado created one of the first digital wristwatches,  as well as water-resistant timepieces in various styles and in 1945, they introduced the first ever automatic winding wristwatch called the Tempomatic (which eventually evolved into the  Kingmatic).

In the Sixties, Movado introduced the timepiece that till this day is probably most closely associated with the brand itself, its classic Museum Watch.

Nathan George Horwitt, an American artist, designed the Museum Watch with its now famous black, numberless dial. This design became so important to the horological world that Mr. Horwitt donated the prototype to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The brand went through a bit of a slump in the Seventies but when it was acquired by the North American Watch Company, its fortunes began to turn – especially in America and by 1996 the North American Watch Company officially adopted the Movado name as its own, as it had already become its most popular brand.

And today, Movado is still one of the most popular and innovative luxury watch brands in America, and that condition is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Technorati Tags: luxury watch, movado, Movado Watches, museum watch, timepieces

Just like a flower exhaling its fragrance, the Baume Mercier Ilea timepiece captures the magic that is pure femininity.  Curved with a harmonious form and sensuality that is feminine to the core, Ilea is at once luxurious, elegant and voluptuous.  This is a watch that is a treat for every woman’s senses.

Baume & Mercier has once again outdone itself in this new collection of watches for women.  Featuring diamonds and steel, and combining both satin-brushed and polished surfaces, the Ilea is a study in contrasts.  From its daintily sculpted bezel and seamless transition of curves and angles, the look and feel of this watch is timeless and unique.  An oval dial gracefully interplays with gems at the three and nine o’clock hours, and seamlessly blends with the raised edges and sculptural curves of the bracelet.  It is clear that this watch was designed by women for women, giving it the ultimate expression of luxury and grace.

A particular favorite in the Ilea line is the Ilea 8775.  Set with 28 diamonds on the bezel, against a two tone stainless steel and 18K gold bracelet, this is one truly luxurious timepiece for the sophisticated woman.  Its substantial weight, polished metals, mother-of-pearl dial and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal underscore the quality for which Baume Mercier is best known.

It’s no wonder that Baume & Mercier watches are represented by some of the most well known Hollywood celebrities of our time.  For the third year in a row, the official “ambassadors” of Baume Mercier watches are Teri Hatcher and Ashton Kutcher.  In prior years, the brand’s Hollywood luminaries have included Meg Ryan, Kiefer Sutherland, Gary Sinise and Kim Basinger.

Be sure to check out the Ilea Collection by Baume & Mercier.  This gorgeous new Baume watch is a tribute to the many facets of today’s woman.

Technorati Tags: Baume et Mercier, Ilea 8775, Watches

Now more than ever, the world of luxury watches and look-alike replicas is more accessible to the average person.  Thanks to the availability of quality technology and design, many Asian companies now produce cheap watches that closely resemble their original luxury counterparts.

Being a watch aficionado myself, I decided to find out what kind of luxury replica watches were on sale in my price range, and even more importantly, if they met my discerning eye for identifying the real thing.

I learned that there are dozens of web sites out there selling top quality Japanese replica-grade watches.  However, not all of their watches passed the “smell test” for me.  I know that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, but I am still somewhat suspicious of any company that profits from blatant trademark infringement, even if they do tell you up front that it is a replica.

Here are some highlights of what I found online:

• A classic “18K Bvlgari with White Dial and Leather Band”: I am intrigued by the claim of 18K gold at a price of only $114 (this couldn’t be true, right?), but otherwise impressed by the look of the watch… not a bad imitation at first glance, but I would need to see the real thing to be sure.

• A black-strapped Breitling for Bentley “T” was unconvincing at best. It just didn’t have the right stuff to convince me it was genuine. At $109, I think there must be something better than this for men’s watches.

• The Philip Stein Teslar White Dial with Diamond Bezel scored high on looks, but beware of any claims that these cheap imitations contain the real frequency technology for which Philip Stein is best known. If you really want a “feel good” watch, go directly to Philip Stein or an authorized retailer, and bypass the imitations.

After doing this research online, I realized that the best way to assess the quality and workmanship of any designer replica is to look at it next to the original.  If possible, wear one consistently for a month or two and see if you notice any defects.  This will give you a much clearer idea of whether a cheap men’s or women’s watch is really the best option for you.

Technorati Tags: 18k bvlgari, breitling for bentley, luxury watch, philip stein teslar

The struggling world economy has been hard on luxury brands, and watches are no exception.  In a recent interview with Newsweek, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, a top executive with Chopard, commented that no one in government is going to offer the luxury watch industry a bailout, like they have with the auto and banking industries.  While wearing a luxury watch is certainly not a necessity, any major breakdown of Switzerland’s leading industry would have a certain impact on the economy. 

About thirty years ago, the sudden availability of cheap imitation luxury watches imported from Asia, posed a threat to the staying power of luxury Swiss chronograph timepieces.  But throughout the eighties and nineties, Switzerland battled its way back into the hearts of luxury watch lovers worldwide.  The “luxury generation” and healthy world economies helped this industry enormously, but the recent economic downturn poses a much more substantial threat.

The survival of high-priced luxury watches is also threatened by a demographic trend that has evolved over the past twenty years.  Many people have started to collect men’s and women’s watches for all variety of activities, instead of one seeking one premium luxury watch to be worn for life.

In response to this- as well as the economic downturn – some companies, such as TAG Heuer, have introduced less expensive versions of their popular favorites, making the brands more accessible to a larger audience.  Rolex is another large-volume watchmaker threatened by the global economic crisis.  They have recently launched a more commercially accessible collection called DateJust.  This new line is a more contemporary and marketable version of the classic Rolex.

Despite the sense of world economic gloom that remains throughout the Swiss watch making community, there is also a renewed sense of excitement about the possibilities of expanding to reach new customer bases while riding out the crisis.  It may be true that no one absolutely needs a luxury watch, particularly during an economic crisis, but because these watches still symbolize the hope of perfection; they will continue to thrive among people who feed on this dream.

Technorati Tags: chopard, luxury watch, Luxury Watches, Rolex, Tag Heuer, Watches

Perhaps you’ve seen the Bvlgari name before, and if you are like me, you equate Bvlgari with the ultimate in luxury.  This reputation is no accident.  It is true that Bvlgari has been the pinnacle of Italian taste in jewelry for over a century.

Not only do they use the highest quality precious metals and gems, their creative spirit that draws its inspiration from centuries of Greek and Roman art.  This aesthetic appeal comes through in everything Bulgari designs.  This is because Sotririo Bvlgari, the founder, called on his Greek roots for inspiration, and incorporated the sophistication of the Roman culture he so embraced. It is no wonder that Bvlgari chose to open his first store on the Via Condotti in Rome.  It was not long before this location became a meeting spot for the aristocracy, and celebrities in the world of culture.

Bvlgari has proven that when the sky is the limit – and your best customers consider money no object – it allows for the pursuit of pure luxury watches without limits.  This is what Bvlgari represents today, particularly in its High Jewellery Watches, with their daring combinations of the finest cut diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.  These watches symbolize opulent beauty like no other collection of watches I’ve seen, and they are meant to get noticed on a grand scale.

But if your style is somewhat less flashy and more conservative, don’t let the Bvlgari High Jewellery collection scare you away.  The well established Bvlgari Bvlgari collection is one that may suit you well, and can be worn more casually.  The real icon of Bulgari’s assortment of watches is the BVLGARI BVLGARI line.  The most distinctive feature of this collection is the double logo engraved on the watch’s bezel.  Purely modern in their design, these watches are meticulously fashioned and sophisticated.

Other  Bvlgari collections include Assioma, , BZero1, Diagono, and Ergon.  These are available in a wide selection of high quality materials, including yellow gold, white gold, titanium, stainless steel, pink gold, diamonds and more.

Whatever you choose from the Bvlgari Watches collection, it will certainly become one of the most treasured pieces in your collection.

Technorati Tags: bvlgari, Bvlgari Watches, Luxury Watches

Looking back to 1921, when Guccio Gucci (yes that was his real name) opened his leather goods company and small luggage shop in Florence Italy, no one would have guessed that this former hotelier could have such an influence on the world of couture.  But after spending years at London’s Savoy Hotel watching the upper classes move about in all their finery, Guccio absorbed the aesthetics of English nobility.  When he introduced his first collections of Tuscan-crafted leather goods, Gucci enjoyed enormous success within just a few years time.

While the company has expanded far beyond its original line of leather goods, it still appeals to a highly sophisticated international clientele.  Now the collection of Gucci designs includes hats, scarves, shoes, accessories, fragrances, fine jewelry, ties and sunglasses as well as the original handbags, luggage and small leather goods.  Oh, and I almost forgot – Gucci designs some of the world’s most sensational watches.

I have always been impressed by the Gucci Style, so I began to search for the perfect Gucci watch to complement my favorite handbag.  When I first began my search, I was most impressed by the horse-bit inspired bracelet designs in their Signoria and Tornabuoni collections.  I had almost forgotten about Gucci’s equestrian roots, but I remember seeing similar images on their scarves and handbags.  These extraordinary horse-bit bracelet designs are like nothing I’ve seen in any other luxury watch collection.

Another impressive selection is found in Gucci’s Twirl Collection watches, with their hinged cuff bracelets featuring the signature Gucci “G” or embedded with Gucci’s green, red and black color bands. Gucci Twirl offers another way to transform a watch into wearable art.

Perhaps the most modern rendition of Gucci-inspired design is represented by the I-Gucci collection of men’s and women’s watches.  These Swiss digital timepieces feature a bold numeric time and date, with programmable time zone features.  Most of I-Gucci watches are shown with wide, boldly colored bands and some versions include a diamond-bezel.

Gucci doesn’t leave Swiss chronograph technology out of the equation.  Their extensive selection of watches also includes the G-Chrono Collection, a handsome selection of Swiss chronographs with a distinctively Italian quality.

After sorting through several dozen potential favorites, I have decided on the exquisite black Signoria with gold accents, a tiger-eye case, and horse-bit bracelet.   Do yourself a favor and explore the full line of Gucci watches.  There is something for everyone in their extensive collections’.

Technorati Tags: Gucci, Gucci Watch, Gucci Watches, men's gucci watches, Watches, women's gucci watch

Unlike many of its Swiss competitors, Movado is not defined by its association with sports celebrities, pilots and race-car drivers.  Rather, in keeping with its roots in the world of design, the Movado Company is an ardent supporter of the arts.

Internationally recognized for its commitment to arts organizations and individual artists, Movado started this tradition by commissioning artists like Andy Warhol and James Rosenquist to design limited edition creations as a part of the Movado Artists’ Series of timepieces.  Since then, Movado has unveiled their TimeScultpure at Lincoln Center, designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson, and they have continually supported the NYC Ballet, Kennedy Center, Baryshnikov Art Center, and many others, through sponsorships and awards.

Future Legends is a partnership between Movado and four well-known arts organizations:  The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, The Baryshnikov Arts Center, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  Now in its second year, Future Legends selected the design team at Doshi Levien, and dancers Kirk Henning Doug Letheren to represent their selection of “emerging artists of exceptional talent.”

A recent event for Future Legends, held at the Cooper Hewitt Museum, featured performances by Wynton Marsalis and Natalie Cole, plus appearances by Movado ambassadors Kerry Washington and Mia Maestro.

One may wonder how Movado watches got such a great reputation within the arts community, or how they became synonymous with modern style into the 21^st century.  The answer is quite simple.  Movado creates some of the most distinctively minimal and modern watch designs to be found anywhere.  Known best for their single point of reference on the face – at the twelve o’clock hour, and their linear hour and minute hands, it is easy to notice a Movado watch without a second glance.  Over time, this versatile and recognizable design concept has morphed into a vast array of timepieces for both men and women, accented by an even wider selection of bracelets to complement any fashion palate.

Technorati Tags: Luxury Watches, men's movado, movado, Movado Timepieces, Movado Watches, women's movado

Calling all fans of TAG-Heuer watches: It’s time for some TAG-Heuer trivia. I thought fans might like to see some highlights of what has made history for TAG-Heuer since the company’s inception in 1860.

After reading all about the company’s founder, my first question was this: Who put the TAG in TAG-Heuer? Well, up until 1985, the watch company founded by Eduouard Heuer (in St. Imier Switzerland) was just called Heuer. They were best known for their groundbreaking innovations in Chronograph technology. But in 1985, when Heuer was acquired by Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG), the name was officially changed to TAG-Heuer. TAG manufactures such high-tech items as the ceramic turbochargers used in Formula One racecars. This partnership further enhanced each company’s reputation for performance and precision.

Here’s another thing many TAG Heuer watch fans may not realize: It is possible that their favorite champagne, most luxurious handbag and cherished timepiece could all be created by the same company. LVMH, or Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy is the current owner of the TAG Heuer watch company, and as the name implies, this is the same company who makes the famous champagne, Scotch, and fabulous handbags. This is one company not unfamiliar with the luxury market.

Some other TAG-Heuer firsts:

• Tag Heuer was the official timekeeper of the three Summer Olympic Games of the 1920’s, the Formula 1 World Championships, the World Skiing Championships, and the America’s Cup Challenge.
• Some of the more recently TAG Heuer models include the V4 Monaco, a watch with movement that is driven by belts, rather than gears. Another first for TAG Heuer is the Carrera Calibre 360. It is the first mechanical chronograph watch to measure and display time to the one-hundredth of a second.
• Among many famous athletes and celebrities, TAG Heuer also has a following in space! John Glenn wore a Heuer chronograph stop-watch aboard the Mercury Atlas 6 spacecraft, the first manned space flight launched in the US to orbit the earth. (This watch is currently on display in San Diego at the Air and Space Museum.)

Technorati Tags: Tag Heuer, Tag Heuer Watches, Tag Watches

Technorati Tags: Breitling, pilots watch, Watches

For years, I was under the impression that Breitling watches were just for men.  Perhaps it was their association with aviation, or their recent partnership with Bentley Motors, but it always seemed to be such a male-dominated watch company, worn extensively by pilots, that I never thought to look for a women’s version… until now.

Good news for women who have been admiring these distinctive timepieces on men’s wrists.  The Breitling Windrider series includes the Cockpit Women’s watch.  Designed with enough flash and femininity to satisfy even the most fashion-conscious woman, the Breitling Cockpit Lady is stunning in its meticulous attention to detail.

The face is available in gold, white or black, with a stainless steel, two-tone, steel/gold or rose gold case.  But the most exciting part, for me anyway, is the selection of bracelets.  A collection of leather, croco, lizard, and Diver Pro styles are available, with a wide selection of colors that complement the gorgeous Breitling case.  The widest selection of colors is available in Croco, including red, navy, white, pink, yellow, brown, green, blue, black and orange.  Honestly, after seeing how great these bracelets look with the Cockpit design, I don’t know if I could ever decide on just one color.

Breitling distinguishes itself by its modern interpretation of the feminine in these timepieces.  For a brand like Breitling, best known for its “winged B” logo and history in aviation, a ladies’ sports watch must be softer; an effortless combination of performance and elegance.   This beautiful Cockpit Lady by Breitling is the culmination of their best known design elements, specifically tailored for the active woman: SuperQuartz movement, a unidirectional ratcheted bezel, Roman numerals, and a cambered Sapphire crystal, glare-proofed on both sides.

Check out the Breitling Cockpit Lady, and you will learn that Breitling is definitely not a watch company just for men.  Wear it long enough and you may want to take some flying lessons!

Technorati Tags: Breitling, Breitling Watches, cocktail series, windrider watch