WatchesOnNet - Luxury Watches For Men And Women Review

Well, our poll results are in and according to our members, fans and blog readers, the favored luxury watch brand for 2009 is Breitling!

As you can see here in this picture of a Breitling for Bentley GMT model, Breitlings are top of the line in terms of craftmanship and complexity; the latter being what the Breitling brand was founded on and continues to put first and foremost.

Breitling came in with 32%, followed by Omega with 27%, Cartier with 18%, Michele with 14% and lastly, Panerai with 9%.

I’m a bit surprised with the results to be honest with you; I would have thought that something more traditional like Cartier watches (especially with holidays purchases spiking specific interest) would have come in closer to the top. But that’s why the “people’s voice” is so great! YOU tell US what you think is the best and then we know.

Breitling is a definite favorite among celebrities and perhaps some of this public attention swayed your vote. Celebs like John Travolta, Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones and Dave Chapell love their Breitlings. Seen the video?

Whether you voted for Breitling as #1 or not, you can always find your dream watch with us and many times we run special promotions on already super low prices, so stay tuned. 2010 is the year to know what time it is!

Technorati Tags: Breitling, Breitling Watches, Cartier Watches, Luxury Watches, Michele Watches, Omega Watches, panerai

All luxury watch brands are gearing up for the 2010 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) which takes place in January in Geneva.

Many brands are giving sneak peaks of what they’ll be presenting and Baume Mercier is no different. One of la crème de la crème combinations in the world of watchmaking is considered that of complete calendar with moon phase indication. Baume Mericer gives this to us with its Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar. The watch also features a chronograph function and a 24-hour indicator.

A 42 mm case and fine details, such as the silvered dial with “grain d’orge” guilloche pattern, a satin silvered surface on the outer section, and subdials with concentric circle patterns at the chronograph counters, make this men’s watch an absolute classic.

The oxidized black finish on the hands add to the classism that Baume watches are known for and they look great set against a silver background. The date hand is “ a keen match for the gleaming golden countenance of the moon on its rotating disc in the window cutout at 6 o’clock. These elements both enhance the understated allure of the complete calendar function with its dual window indications for day of the week and month.”

This watch runs on the self-winding mechancial ETA-Valjoux 7751 caliber. With a power reserve of about 42 hours, the fine details mentioned above and the “aesthetic features the movement offers in this iteration includes Cotes de Geneve patterns on the bridges, a winding rotor with brand personalization, and blued screws; these elements will be clearly visible to the owner, thanks to a transparent sapphire exhibition window in the caseback.”

A leather alligator strap and polished stainless steel folding clasp with classic B&m signature top this handsome men’s watch off perfectly.

Look for this and many other great new timepieces at the SIHH.

Technorati Tags: Baume Mercier, Baume Mercier Watches, baume watches, Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar, Mens Watches

According to the company’s newsletter, Hublot is one of the very few luxury watch brands that have not suffered in sales during this year’s economic slump. It states that in fact, since September, “we have registered historic sales figures. October was the fifth best month of all time and November was the fourth best month of all time.”

Based on these assurances Hublot keeps making high-end watches that few can afford but which seem to sell. One of these, called the Hublot Big Bang One Million $ Black Caviar Bang (pictured), won the 2009 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve prize for Jewelry watch of the Year. The watch took 2,000 hours to create and costs a million dollars due to the fact that it’s made from white gold and rare baguette cut black diamonds. Almost 550 diamonds, totaling 34.5 carats, cover the watch.

Perhaps sales of the one million dollar Black Caviar Big Bang are what is allowing Hublot to do the following: partner with Depeche Mode to create twelve special Big Bang watches that feature album covers from this band on the dial.

These limited edition timepieces will be auctioned exclusively at Hublot.ch starting February, 1, 2010. All proceeds from these sales will benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust. A charity concept will take place as well on February 17 at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall.

Commenting on the cooperation with Hublot, Martin Gore from Depeche Mode claimed: “Being fans of Hublot watches, we are glad to work together with the company especially when the purpose is so important and noble. We were really honored to create these 12 timepieces together with Hublot and we appreciate very much the fact that money will go to the charity foundation for the young people suffering from cancer”.

Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver said the “brand felt proud and privileged to create twelve timepieces that reflect the fusion between the spirit and sound of the music of Depeche Mode and the vibrations of 450 years of Swiss watchmaking art.”

Technorati Tags: big bang, depeche mode big bang, hublot, Hublot watches, limited edition watches, Luxury Watches, one million dollar black caviar big bang, Watches

Holiday Twitter Giveaway!

We are giving away 2 Movado watches! You choose between the men’s watch or the women’s watch.  See below. To enter the contest, simply follow us on twitter (@watchesonnet) and tweet the following message:

“Just entered to win a Movado watch. Want a free watch? Just follow @watchesonnet and re-tweet. http://mywat.ch/contest“

The winners will be chosen on Wednesday, December 23rd at 12noon (EST) and one of the below watches will be gift wrapped and sent to you overnight. Just in Time for Christmas!

Check out the watches we’re giving away:

Omega Watches has added a new piece to its Museum Collection; the Milestone 1941 Collector’s Piece watch.  Taken directly from the company’s website this “museum was created in December 1983 to illustrate and perpetuate the historical highlights of the famous Swiss brand through the collection, preservation, maintenance, protection and exhibition of objects, documents and accounts related to the company and its activities. Some of the most remarkable items found among its collection are the 4,000 Omega watches, movement, clocks, instruments, tools, photos, engravings, posters, signs, awards and certificates.”

The museum is currently closed until April 2010 for renovations.

Each year Omega chooses a classic watch that was designed more than fifty years ago, and recreates it adding a new design and updated features, hence the new “Milestone 1941”. Originally this watch was made in 1938 and enjoyed much success among high-ranking military officers. The new version employs Omega’s famous co-axial technology and is crafted from high end materials such as 18K white gold.

The case measures 38mm and the dial is a varnished black color that comes with two sub dials: a 30-minute chronograph counter and small seconds counter at 3 and 9 o’clock respectively.
The watch runs on the Omega Calibre 3202 movement – an exclusive, self-winding one. The hour numerals and indexes are coated in Super-LumiNova while the hours and minutes are indicated by classic white skeleton hands, also coated with Super-LumiNova, rendering the dial perfectly legible under all circumstances.  The watch comes with a black alligator leather strap and matching 18K white gold buckle.

In accordance with the name of this watch, this new version will be available in a limited series of 1,941 pieces.

Technorati Tags: omega, omega milestone 1941 watch, omega museum, Omega Watches

Tissot, who is the official timekeeper and watch for NASCAR, participated in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week this past week in Las Vegas.

Tissot watches were everywhere; the Pit Crew Team received a check for $100,000.00 and specially engraved Tissot T-Touch Expert watches. The next day, part of the weekend-long celebration, the top twelve drivers raced their cars down Las Vegas Boulevard with their new special edition Tissot Le Locle Power Reserve watches on.

However, the drivers were not the only ones to be lucky enough to get a Tissot watch; fans too were rewarded. All along the “strip” that weekend were Tissot Touch Pit Road Girls handing out T-Touch wrist bands with a chance to win watches. “Printed on each wristband were the four Tissot retailers each participating in the give-away. Located inside each retailer was a locked safe containing a Tissot Special Edition NASCAR watch. Fans wearing the wristband were given the chance to unlock the safe and win.” The give-away gave fans a chance to win a total of eight Tissot watches, each worth $525 dollars.

Tissot watches, due to their sporty nature, durable build and precise timekeeping are often used in events like race car driving and motorcycle races.

Tissot has always been on the forefront of watchmaking and technology. They were the first company to implement a tactile touch technology, known as the T-Touch. These Tissot watches have touch-sensitive sapphire glasses and are technologically advanced with barometers and compasses.

Technorati Tags: nascar, sports watches, Tissot, tissot t touch, tissot watch, Tissot Watches, Watches

The world of luxury watches is competitive as each watch brand (and there are hundreds) are competing for the same audience; always trying to one up the other in terms of design, originality, complexity, luxury and more.

Oris watches are truly unique in that no other brand offers anything close to the men’s watch we’re about to review: the Oris Bob Dylan Limited Edition.

“There is a story behind every Oris, a reason why it became a watch.” These are the words from those that create Oris timepieces. Inspiration for Oris watches are found in the finer things of life: good music, great voices, fast cars and the wonders of the sea. Each watch is developed in collaboration with personalities from the arenas of motor sport, diving, aviation and culture.

During the 2009 Baselworld show Oris presented its limited edition Bob Dylan watch, which was created with input from the legendary singer himself.

The case is rectaungular and made from multi-piece stainless steel. The dial features a subtle pattern and limited edition engravings are seen on the back. The caseback shows a portrait of Dylan  and his signature can be seen across the dial. Limited to just 3,000 pieces worldwide, the watch comes in a special presentation box and sits alongside a Hohner Marine Band harmonica, the instrument which Dylan plays and has given him his iconic sound.

The strap is made from black leather and comes with a stainless steel folding clasp.

The Oris watch company was founded in 1904 and has become well-known for only producing mechanical watches. Oris watches have distinctive designs and are marked by the red rotor, the symbol of Oris mechanicals. Turn over any Oris watch and you will see, through a visible case back, the workings of the watch.

Technorati Tags: limited edition watches, Luxury Watches, Mens Watches, Oris Bob Dylan Limited Edition, oris watch, oris watch company, Oris Watches

IWC (the International Watch Company) was founded in 1868 by American expatriate, Florentine Ariosto Jones, in the town of Schaffhausen, Switzerland. For 140 years, the philosophy behind the IWC brand has been one of “good, solid craftsmanship”.

IWC takes what it has done well and makes it better, hence new versions in rose and white gold of the Vintage Collection. Called the “Jubilee Edition”, the release of these men’s watches is timed perfectly for the holiday season.

The IWC Vintage Collection from 2008 included models made in stainless steel and limited edition platinum and whose inspiration for design was taken from the first Special Pilot’s Watch from 1936, the original Portuguese from 1939, the Ingenieur from 1955, the Aquatimer from 1967, the first Da Vinci from 1969 and, the first Portofino from 1984.

The Jubilee Edition, otherwise known as the “Golden Age”, due to the precious metals used in the production of these watches, come in unlimited editions of the famed Pilot’s Watch, Portuguese, Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Da Vinci and Portofino models. The only differences in these new versions are that some are made in rose gold while others are made in white gold and they are technically updated. However, the appeal of these timeless designs still stands.

IWC has only ever really made men’s watches, of which there are many. The flagship is the Big Pilot from the Pilot’s Watches Classics collection, which also houses the Spitfire, named after its split-seconds hand, has the ability to measure time with down-to-the-second precision. The Vintage collection offers watches with a classic cockpit look, and the Specialties collection includes the Grande Complications model, with 21 functions and displays, including a perpetual calendar for the next 500 years.

Add some holiday cheer to your wrist with one of these newly released IWC watches.

Technorati Tags: Aquatimer, Da Vinci, Ingenieur, IWC, IWC vintage collection, IWC Watches, jubilee edition, Luxury Watches, men's luxury watches, Mens Watches, pilots watch, Portofino, Portuguese

By now we’ve all heard the infamous voicemail message allegedly left by Tiger Woods to the woman that he has been having an affair with. She claims to have hundreds of text messages from him; all saved.

The crashing of his car a few days ago was said to be in reaction to his emotions and a fight with his wife, etc. He has made an apology through his website: “I am dealing with my behaviour and personal failings behind closed doors with my family,” it said. “Those feelings should be shared by us alone.”

Up until now Tiger has maintained a perfect image as a professional athlete, family man, legendary golfer, respectable toward the press and more. All this has made him valuable in the eyes of sponsors, which in turn has made Tiger a rich guy; valued at $1 billion dollars. So, now the question is: Will his sponsors keep him?

This is a question that TAG Heuer must think about and answer. On its official website TAG states “it is both his character and his achievements that make Tiger Woods unique. His personal obsession with results and perfection, his ability to withstand pressure, to meet expectations and exceed them, but also his love of discipline – all this makes him a natural partner for the brand.”

TAG Heuer even made a men’s watch just for Tiger, called the Professional Golf Watch. Developed and worn by Tiger Woods you can be sure that this watch has sold well, as have other TAG Heuer watches that Tiger has promoted or been seen wearing.

A comparable incident happened with Michael Phelps when he was photographed smoking pot; Omega watches stood by him. And who knows, but it’s possible that the “bad” press could have upped watch sales. Perhaps TAG Heuer will look to Omega for advice on how to handle this delicate situation.

Technorati Tags: Mens Watches, omega, Omega Watches, professional golf watch, Tag Heuer, Tag Heuer Watches, Tag Watches, tiger woods

The focus of luxury watch brands has been moving from the U.S. and European markets to India and Asia for some time now. Out with the old and in with the new is what all luxury good brands need in order to survive the economic crisis that flattened the pockets of usual consumers.

India, with its huge population; many who are educated abroad and come back to start businesses, has seen its middle class growing. The appetite for luxury watches like Omega watches and Tissot watches has been growing as well. To promote their brands and their watches, these two companies have been hiring local, well known faces to announce their new collections, opening of boutiques and more.

Sonali Bendre is no longer an official Omega ambassador but she has what it takes to pitch the product. She’s 34 years old, beautiful and talented (an ex model and actress) but perhaps most alluring is that she’s married. And this is what sells products in India today; strange, but true. Apparently, when it comes to selling products married Indian women offer a sense of nostalgia and trust that unmarried women don’t. In Bollywood, the Indian movie market, this doesn’t work as well because married women stop being part of the average man’s dreams but “in the hugely cluttered media platforms, a married actress endorsing a brand does get that extra attention from the audience – a curious but extra glance.” This concept is further explained by Chief Growth Officer of Dentsu Media India, Sai Nagesh, who goes on to say that married women “continue to enjoy a certain nostalgic relationship in the minds of the audience.”

And it pays. Shooting an ad is less time consuming than filming a movie and also tends to bring home the rupees a lot more.  The amount they get paid depends on their popularity and how many personal appearance they may do for a certain brand / product. When it comes to promoting watches there are plenty of opportunities: new boutique openings, launch of a new collection, new women’s watch, new men’s watch, etc.

Sonali, who in addition to endorsing Omega watches, also endorses Pril soap, Surya bulbs and tubes and was recently made ambassador of the health brand Dr. Morepen.

Technorati Tags: Luxury Watches, Mens Watches, Omega Watches, sonali bendre, Tissot Watches, Women's Watches