Written by: Jatinder Sandhu

Are you looking for ways to rekindle your less-than-enthusiastic significant other this Valentine’s Day? Why not get him (or her) in the spirit this year with a luxury watch from Invicta? Or better yet, treat yourself to one this year! It’s a classic gift that anyone will love as it adds a degree of sophistication to any wardrobe. Seeing as it is appropriate to wear daily for business, casual, or recreational purposes–it certainly beats a teddy bear!

Front view of the Invicta Men's 1013 Chronograph Dark Blue Watch

Let Watchesonnet be your gift giver this year, since they are giving away an Invicta II Men’s Chronograph Watch 1013 on Valentine’s Day. Usually valued at $600, it’s a gorgeously crafted Japanese quartz watch with a blue face protected by flame-fusion crystal that will turn heads. This chronograph is equipped with three subdials with 60 second, 60 minute, and 12 hour functions. Also, the date is displayed on the right side of the dial, decorating the face of the watch with an ultra-modern look. The steel-linked wrist band with a silver tone gives this watch a classic element, combining tradition with modern technology. The recent trend of wearing over-sized masculine watches makes this timepiece appropriate for women as well, if it’s her cup of tea. If that’s not the case, enter the sweepstakes to get this sweet watch for yourself!

Back view of Invicta Men's 1013 Chronograph Dark Blue Stainless Steel Watch

To enter the sweepstakes, submit your e-mail address at http://www.watchesonnet.com/sweepstakes/, and then share your unique url via email or your social networking site of choice: Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Tumbler, or Linked In. Every time a friend uses your url to sign up for the sweepstakes, you’re eligible for another chance to win since an additional entry in your name gets added to the drawing for every friend you refer. Send the url out on as many venues as possible to increase your chances of winning! The winner will be notified via email on Valentine’s Day. With a promotion like this, you might want to consider snagging a sweet deal on an Invicta watch for your significant other on watchesonnet.com and keeping this handsome timepiece for yourself.

Side view of the Invicta 1013 Men's Watch

Maybe you’ve decided that you don’t need a holiday to show your significant other how important they are to you, but a luxury watch from Invicta is a guaranteed way to make him or her smile when least expected. Whether it’s your first year together in a committed relationship or one of many with many more years to come, there are few gifts as symbolic as a finely crafted luxury watch that lets your partner know how much you value your commitment to each other. If your relationship is an investment of a lifetime, then your dedication is worthy of an emblem as timeless as a luxurious chronograph.

The Breitling Extreme 800 is scheduled for summer 2012.

Known for their highly functional and durable timepieces, Breitling is not only famous for its extreme precision. A primarily athletics-aimed company, the watch making brand has accompanied a number of extreme sports members in their energetic pursuits. This year, pilot and extreme record guru Herbert Nitsch will take the Breitling test to a new level – 800 feet below sea level, to be exact.

In June of 2007, Nitsch, or “The Flying Fish,” freedove a record 700 feet into the Aegean Sea off the Greek island of Spetses. Though this surpassed the efforts of his adventurous competitors, Nitsch is currently in preparation to take another plunge with his Breitling with the goal to break his own record. After a handful of successful trial runs with equipment as high-tech and reliable as Breitling watches themselves, Nitsch is scheduled to dive again this summer, this time off the island of Santorini, to officially claim 2012’s Breitling Extreme 800 for the second year in a row.

Originally founded in 1884 by Leon Breitling in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, the private company is currently headquartered in Grenolen. Since 2000, the company has focused on the production of certified chronometers, due to their high functionality in extreme conditions. Sounding somewhat of a misnomer, the watches are famous for their complications, meaning they frequently feature qualities beyond the simple display of hours, minutes, and seconds. This ambitious style is used because the Breitling pieces are typically created with a targeted clientele in mind—the manufacturer generates watches for diving, aviation, as well as traditional luxury, and many end up in conditions as intense as the drive of their owners.

Herbert Nitsch dives for Breitling

With names like Navimeter and SuperOcean, it’s no secret that Breitling watches are built to withstand excessive environments. The Navimeter offers aviation functions, the SuperOcean is capable of enduring the utmost amounts of water and pressure, and extreme luxury options like the Breitling for Bentley can offer highly complex movements, gold cases and bracelets, and diamonds on the bezel. The watch was even a competitor with Omega to launch to the moon, but Breitling instead remained experts of the sea, sky, and sports car.

Perhaps most impressive is the Emergency. This incredible timepiece is intended for civil as well as military pilots, but is also available to the public on the condition that buyers sign an agreement to compensate in the event of a rescue service. The Breitling Emergency features a radio transmitter which broadcasts on distress frequencies, and has even been reported to save lives.

Whatever the feat, the extreme events associated with this brand make Breitling watches a reliable and trustworthy choice, for highway cruisers and freedivers alike.

While many luxury watch brands tend to make appearances on the famous and fortunate, Audemars Piguet has proven its ability to garner a unique clientele and reputation. Throughout multiple settings and social groups, the brand has proved its worth time and time again, and has especially done so this year.

With a track record in world-renowned athletes as supporters, Audemers Piguet certainly does not lack strong representation. Among the brands current ambassadors are names such as Novak Diokovic, the Serbian tennis star, Sachin Tendulkar, an Indian cricket player, Michael Schumacher, a German racecar driver, Lionel Messi, the Argentinean soccer player, and most notable to American audiences, the basketball idol LeBron James.

LeBron James, one of the eight Audemars Piguet celebrity athlete ambassadors.

Most recently, the company has captured the attention of exclusive watch manufacturers as well as public audiences at SIHH 2012, where Audemars Piguet celebrated the 40th anniversary of its timeless timepiece, the Royal Oak. Known for its innovation in, and, in fact, invention of the luxury sports watch, the Royal Oak is not only celebrated its birthday, but served and is serving as a catalyst for the rebirth of the Audemars Piguet brand. The anniversary launched in collaboration with a new ad campaign—“To break the rules, you must first master them.”

The slogan, one can assume, refers to the expertise in design and precision the brand has maintained since its creation in 1875. However, the phrase refers to more than the brand’s functionality and loyalty to founders—it refers, too, to its ability to keep contemporary in the ever-changing, fiercely competitive modern market.

“While the watches that we make are expressions of our respect for the traditions of hand crafted timepieces and while we celebrate the fact that we are the one of the few major Swiss brands still in the hands of the descendants of the original founding families, we are also a modern, progressive company famous for our innovations in technology, the daring use of new materials and bold designs,” says Audemars Piguet CEO Philippe Merk.

The campaign aids to highlight two major themes that represent the brand: artistry and mastery. The bet pieces of the 2012 collection will be showcased using extreme close up photos, shot by photographer Richard Foster, along with brief but enlightening descriptions, allowing viewers to better understand each piece, and the way that it both mirrors and challenges typical luxury watchmaking.

There is also a focus on the watch manufacturer’s history, using a photo collection from English photographic artist Dan Holdsworth, whose work on the project features a dramatic capturing of the heart of the Vallee de Joux, where Audemars Piguet had its beginnings. The rebranding will also include a sprucing up of the brand logo.

The Royal Oak Offshore, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

“We are very excited to be working with outstanding photographic talent for this campaign,” says Chief Marketing Officer, Tim Sayler. “While other brands may like to be seen as heirlooms, Audemars Piguet is a progressive brand for the here and now, a brand to be worn by connoisseurs who respect the past but are making their own futures.”

January 2012 begins the launch of the brand’s campaign along with its new models, which will continue to be introduced through the coming year.

The Cannes Film Festival red carpet

Since its conception, Chopard has expressed its artisanship in ways other than their premiere fashion design. For the last 15 years, the brand has proven their aesthetic prowess in a way that is rather atypical of companies of its caliber, and that is by partnering with the Cannes Film Festival. The Swiss luxury watch and jewelry manufacturer began its alliance with the festival in 1997, and will be marking its twelfth year as a partner this May.

For those who are not familiar with the festival, a brief history:

Officially titled Le Festival International du Film de Cannes, the Cannes International Film Festival, as one might guess, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France. The event is notable on account of its previews of upcoming films from around the world, introducing new works for the year in genres such as drama, comedy, and documentary. It is one of the most valued and elite festivals in the world, attracting invitation-only audiences of film makers, critics, and stars.

Each year, an elite member of this film community is chosen to be “president” of the festival. Last May, the chosen President of the Jury was Robert De Nero, the famed American actor/director/producer. Announced recently on Jan. 20, 2012, this year’s President of the Jury will be Nanni Moretti, Italian director and actor, who will be presiding over the 65^th Cannes Festival.

Albeit  unusual, the Chopard alliance with the Cannes Film Festival is not inappropriate. The fusion occurred upon the meeting of Pierre Viot, president of the festival, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, and Co-President of Chopard. Viot requested Gruosi-Scheufele and her craftsmen redesign the Golden Palm Award, the highest prize awarded at the festival presented to the director of the best feature film. The Chopard-designed Golden Palm, or Palme d’Or, was unveiled in May of 1998. Subsequently, in 2001 Chopard introduced a new award to the festival, a self-titled trophy for creativity. Each year, the Chopard trophy is awarded to two actors, one man and one woman, for being Male and Female Revelation of the Year.

The Chopard-designed Palm d'Or

Not surprisingly, the partnership also opens up opportunities for Chopard to dress red carpet walkers in its signature pieces. In fact, the company even developed a Red Carpet Collection in 2007 for the 60^thanniversary opening ceremony. Inspired by the stars themselves, the appropriately numbered 60 new jewelry pieces were introduced, 10 of which created with the purpose of being paired with 10 Valentino gowns also made specially for the occasion.

The upcoming Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 16 to 27, 2012.  Film and fashion fans alike should be on the lookout for some impressive art, both on the screens and on the wrists of audience members.

The Swiss luxury watchmaker’s approach is driven by the successful turnout of September 2010 and 2011 sales, which also aimed to support cancer-fighting causes.

In partnership with the Union for International Cancer Control, Raymond Weil designed an exclusive watch — the Freelancer limited edition timekeeper, which featured a mechanical movement with automatic winding, stainless steel case and a white dial with two sub-dials. Only 34 timepieces were produced, symbolizing the 34th anniversary of the brand. The limited edition watch was sold online, through the company’s website, to the public community and RW club members. The first week of sales was reserved for RW club members only. The company donated 25 percent of proceeds from the sale of the timepiece to UICC.

The Maestro limited edition timepiece was sold during the months of September 2011 and December 2011 to benefit the fight against cancer.

Raymond Weil then offered the public and RW club members a second chance to support the struggle against cancer in September 2011, selling the Maestro special edition. Self-winding mechanical movement, a stainless steel case snapped with a sapphire crystal anti-glare treatment, an anthracite grey dial and brown leather strap were among the timepiece’s features. Like the Freelancer limited edition timekeeper sold in September 2010, the Maestro model was sold exclusively online to Internet users and RW club members. 25 percent of those proceeds were donated to one of three cancer-fighting associations chosen by the purchaser. The three institutions, in partnership with Raymond Weil, included the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Unit of Geneva University Hospital, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Singapore Cancer Society.

Raymond Weil decided to build on the success of the Maestro limited edition sales in September 2011 and offered a third chance to support the good cause in December 2011. Like the previous models, the special edition timepiece was sold online, under the RW Club & Community chapter. The Swiss luxury watchmaker donated 25 percent of those proceeds to one of the previously mentioned associations as well.

Cancer, one of the leading causes of death around the world, will presumably kill 84 million people between now and 2015. This deadly disease affects one of every 600 children. However, 30 to 40 percent of cancers can be avoided through prevention, and one third of cancer cases can be cured with an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. For this reason, Raymond Weil has made strong efforts to become involved in the fight against cancer.

From a successful turnout of over 5,000 entries, Theresa Joyce was chosen as the winner of the Oris World Cup promotion. Joyce and her husband Paul were treated to a complimentary trip during the first weekend of December 2011 to the Birds of Prey World Cup ski races in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The prize included two nights’ accommodations at the Charter Hotel, weekend lift tickets, VIP access to events such as the Savor the Slopes culinary event featuring top chefs from around the country, cocktails and a chance to socialize with prominent ski industry figures from the U.S. Ski Team. In addition, Joyce received a Oris BC3 Advanced Day Date watch.

Oris BC3 Advanced Day Date Watch

The sporty timepiece offers a range of features, including a variety of dials, black DLC plated stainless steel case, a sapphire top, automatic movement and choice of black rubber or leather strap.

“Christmas came early and Paul and I could not have been happier,” Joyce said. “We got to see some great racing, have some great food, and spend time with great people. A special thank you to MyOris!”

The Audi Birds of Prey World Cup races features a number of events, including downhill races, live entertainment, film productions, ice skating, autograph signing and more that can be enjoyed by family and friends.

During the Men’s Downhill Race, skilled racers attempt to be the fastest one down the mountain as they pass through a number of control gates. The hills usually average a 750-meter vertical drop, at the least, and racers tend to exceed speeds over 80 mph.

At The Bird’s Nest, a public tent, hungry and thirsty spectators at the races can enjoy the provided food, beverages, beer garden and live music.

Spectators can also meet and mingle with some of the members of the U.S. Ski Team and even score free autographs during the eventful weekend.

The World Cup calendar also features the Women’s Super G, a one-run event similar to that of a downhill race, but with added frequent turns to challenge the most technical of racers.

Following each event, formal awards were handed out to the victors.

In partnership with Ski Magazine, the luxury watch brand Oris provided a chance for the public to score a free Oris timepiece and weekend trip to the races.

The PUMA.Peace commission proposes corporate responsibility for a better world.

For the past 64 years of its life, the major athletic company PUMA has shown its prowess in a variety of ways. Established independently in 1948, after an initial fusion with what would become Adidas (the two companies were originally Gebruder Dassler Schuhfabrik, formed in 1924 by two eventually estranged brothers), the German multinational company has reached its paws into different areas of fashion design—namely, it’s sneakers, sportswear, and line of watches. More recently, PUMA has made its presence in another venue, the art world. Somewhat surprising for a brand whose roots cross with membership in the Nazi party, PUMA presented the “Peace Starts With Me” program last year to be included in the World Peace Festival in August of 2011.

Peace Starts With Me was created as a part of the PUMA.Peace commission with the intention of becoming an annual promotion of a more peaceful world, stressing corporate partnerships as vehicles to making a difference. In last year’s program, PUMA accumulated the works of a range of international filmmakers in an effort to showcase content based upon on a theme of peace. Seven artists were chosen from around the world to have their work presented at World Peace Festival 2011, under the condition that they allow open downloading and online as well as live screening without any cost, in order to embody the ideology of equality and shared possession.

“The goal of our PUMA peace initiative is to create programs that foster a more peaceful world than the one we live in today,” says Jochen Zeitz, CEO of the Sport & Lifestyle Group. “Each of us can make a difference in this world as individuals, as corporations and through strategic partnerships.”

Much like PUMA products themselves, the seven short films (usually between one to 2 minutes) encompassed a diverse range of style, experimentation, and color. One film, for example, by Tom Gran and Kayleigh Gibbons, shows the intertwining of multicolored string supporting a series of knives, scissors, and other weapons. We follow the “society of living threads,” as the artists describe it, until they eventually, gently, release the bladed objects as the film concludes. Just shy of two minutes long, the animation reiterates the idea that “peace is about letting go,” and that we as colorful threads must release the urge to carry and uphold the web of violence that exists in our world today.

Zeitz continued, saying, “At PUMA, we feel that we are uniquely positioned to contribute to making the world a better place for generations to come.”

PUMA’s project certainly succeeded in showcasing fine art as a catalyst of communication; we can only hope that the presence of its products across the globe will make a similar impression.

A colorful assortment of PUMA watches.

Jean-Claude Biver has stepped down as Hublot CEO.

Jean-Claude Biver, a leader in the Swiss watch industry, has stepped down as CEO of luxury watchmakerHublot, but will continue to serve as board chairmen of the brand.

Replacing the position is Ricardo Guadalupe, former Hublot managing director and long-time friend and colleague of Biver, with whom he has worked with for over 20 years. The positions were changed on Jan. 1. Guadalupe had worked at Blancpain, owned by Swatch Group, for several years before joining Hublot in 2005.

“I had decided already many years ago that Ricardo would take over as chief executive at some point,” Biver said. “Now it is official.”

While his resignation has marked an end to his role as chief executive, Biver will serve as board chairman of the Hublot — helping to conduct communication activities and providing input to the luxury watch brand’s strategy and product development.

“There is a time for learning, a time for doing, a time for handing over, and a time for moving on,” said Biver in a statement. “I’ve happily made it safe and sound to the hand-over stage. With the gratification of being able to hand over to a friend and colleague of more than twenty years. And happiness at the prospect of remaining part of the team on matters relating to strategy, products and corporate relations.”

Biver has successfully worked in the industry for nearly 40 years, leading watch brands Blancpain and Omega prior to Hublot. He has also been credited with helping to rescue the Swiss watch industry from the quartz movement, bringing back the life and style of mechanical watches. Hublot even remained successful during the recession of the late-2000s. Up to November 2009, business sales had dropped 30 percent for a majority of the Swiss watch industry business. Despite the slip of the economy, Hublot sales were only down 15 percent. By 2011, sales increased to 30 percent, a number above the industry average. Biver expects that 2012 will entail more of a challenge.

“You’re not going to see less of me,” Biver told Douglas Gollan, editor-in-chief at Elite Traveler. “For an entrepreneur there are four quarters of a career. The first is learning, and for me that started when I entered the industry in 1974, and you of course never stop learning. Then you have the action part, which started with Blancpain in 1982 and has lasted until now. So you can say I am at halftime. Then you have the transmission period, which I plan for the next seven years and then departure period that takes one year, so I am planning eight more years.”

The Classic Linear Chronograph, part of the TX 810 Series.

The TX Watch brand grew out of the well known Timex brand of watches. With its founding in 2006, Timex called the new brand “TechnoLuxury”. While TX Watches became one of Timex’s more expensive brands, it still maintained affordability of the quality. The brand is German engineered and Italian designed.

The TX Collections include:

• The 310 Series, known as the Classic Perpetual Calendar. This watch includes date display, with the ability to accurately display the date, with leap year, until 2100.

• The 600 Series, or the Pilot Fly-back Chronograph. This iconic watch offers a fly-back chronograph function. In addition, the watch offers the ability to track a second time zone.

• The 610 Series, the Classic Fly-back Chronograph. This series is the classic, nostalgic version of the 600 Series watches.

• The 810 Series, the Classic Linear Chronograph. The classic styling of this series is highlighted by the six hand movement run by four motors. Each of these operate independently of each other.

The TX Watches brand is an affordable, luxurious entry into the the luxury watch market. It’s collections offer classic design with a modern edge.

Tissot is a luxury Swiss watchmaker that was founded in 1853. The company produced the first mass-produced pocket watch in 1853. Other firsts for the brand include the first watches made out of plastic, stone, mother of pearl, and wood. Tissot is the official timekeeper of organizations such as the Chinese Basketball Association, the Australian Football League, and NASCAR.

Danica Patrick’s racing career began in 1992 as a 10 year old go-kart racer. At 16, Patrick moved to England and began racing in British national series events. On May 25 2005, after a return to the United States, Patrick became the fourth woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500. She also became the first woman to lead the race. In 2009, Patrick finished third at the Indianapolis 500, the highest finish ever for a woman at that race. She currently races within the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Danica Patrick is a Brand Ambassador for Tissot.

The partnership between Tissot and Patrick is a long one. In addition to Patrick being a brand ambassador, Tissot has also been a sponsor in her career, serving as the primary sponsor on Patrick’s No. 7 Car in the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series. The PRC 200 (Danica Patrick 2011) is the watch associated with Tissot and Patrick.

Tissot has a relationship with auto racing as well as having a reputation for being an innovative watchmaker. Because of this, it makes perfect sense in choosing Danica Patrick as one of it’s brand ambassadors. Patrick is an innovator in the field of auto racing, forging a new path in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by men.