Ever since Omega introduced the Seamaster 600 in 1970, it has been heralded as the most robust and seaworthy divers watch ever made.  So fascinated with this watch are its owners that the model even has its own fan sites and owner’s clubs.  That may explain why the latest watches in the Seamaster collection are garnering so much attention.

The Seamaster soon became known as the “Ploprof” within professional diving circles, which is based on the first three letters of the French words for professional divers – “plongeurs professionals”.  The new Co-Axial 8500 Seamaster watches are known as the Ploprof 1200M, which is water resistant up to an amazing 1200 meters, or 4000 feet.  

Fans of the original Ploprof watches are familiar with the features that made the original version so memorable, including the screwed-in crown that is located below a protective buffer at 9 o’clock, and the bezel-release security pusher with its anodized aluminum ring at the 2 o’clock position.  The pusher can be pressed during a dive, which will ensure that the bezel is locked firmly.  At the 4 o’clock position, the automatic helium escape valve releases helium atoms during decompression. 

Clearly the Ploprof 1200M is a prime example of why Omega watches are considered “serious diver’s watches”, and it will surely become a collector’s item that can be worn with or without a wetsuit. 

Technorati Tags: Brands, diver's watch, Men's Watches, Omega, ploprof, seamaster

According to BusinessWeek, Cartier watches is working on a prototype that will cut down on the need for watch maintenance by half, which will have very important consequences for the luxury watch industry.   Bernard Fornas, the CEO for the Geneva-based brand, expects to introduce the new technology within the next three years and compared this development to the difference between cars with fuel-injection and those with carburetors. 

Some of the new Cartier watches being released this year include the $117,000 Astrotourbillon and a new Captive line for women.  Like most other Swiss watches, these luxurious timepieces need to be adjusted and maintained every three to five years, which can cost about $775 each time.  Developing a watch that only needs adjustment every six to ten years will be a major improvement.   Many owners of high-end watches are not happy with the additional costs and service delays that regular maintenance incurs. 

While the new ID One concept timepiece is still in the prototype state, it was displayed at the International Salon of Fine Watchmaking in Geneva.  This spirit of innovation has helped restore needed optimism for Cartier Watches, which still sees the U.S. market as an “unsure environment”.  Cartier is enjoying a surge in Asian sales, however, and could have as many as 65 boutiques in China within the next five years.

Technorati Tags: astrotourbillon, cartier watches, luxury watches, watch maintenance

When it comes to men’s watches, there is nothing that says “serious watch” more than Omega watches.  The company behind the watch that was worn on the first moon landing has done it again.  Omega’s 50th Anniversary Speedmaster is an exact replica of the watch of the watch that NASA supplied to each of the Apollo astronauts.  It is even manually wound, just like the original.  This watch sold quite well between 1957 and 1966 as the Omega “Speedmaster” and later as the “Speedmaster Professional”.

Today’s Omega watches offer up the latest generation of amazing precision and ruggedness, just like they always have.  Take the Omega Speedmaster, for example (Ref. #311.33.42.50.01.001).  This men’s watch has is made of stainless steel and has a manual winding mechanism at its heart.  It is exactly like the one worn on the moon, and is even engraved with the NASA emblem, noting its flight qualification for all manned space missions.

This chronograph is distinctively masculine and quite powerful as well, with a 12-hour, 30 minute and 1/10 of a second subdial and rugged steel construction.  Its domed, anti-reflective case is scratch proof and water resistant up to 100 meters, and the large round case gives it the look and feel of a navigator’s watch, complete with a tachymeter on the bezel.

Technorati Tags: chronograph, Men's Watches, omega watches, speedmaster

As a brand whose exquisite watches have made their way into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Movado Watches employs the most refined use of linear design, finesse and modernity into their timepieces.

The latest incantation of Movado Watches is the long-awaited Red Label Museum Calendomatic Picture, a model that represents that company’s early designs dating back to 1946. Using a self-winding Calendomatic movement, the new Movado Red Label Museum watch maintains the same characteristic design concepts that have defined the brand for decades.

Measuring 42 mm in diameter, the round case of the Red Label Calendomatic is crafted from silvery stainless steel, which contrasts beautifully with the black leather strap and black dial. In addition to the signature Movado “dot” at the 12 o’clock hour, the watch features a convex date windo at the 6 o’clock hour, a function that is generated by the ETA 2824-2 progressive Calibre movement.

The new Red Label Museum Calendomatic from Movado Watches embodies the style and sophistication that has made the watch company such an icon in the world of horology, and it has enjoyed enormous market success since its release earlier this month.

Technorati Tags: luxury watches, Movado, movado calendomatic watch, movado watches

With its new special edition timepiece, Swiss watch manufacturer IWC, continues with its theme of making luxury watches to benefit good causes. The company’s fourth special edition was made to benefit the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and utilizes the design basics of the IWC Portuguese Automatic timepiece.

This limited edition model comes with a bright blue dial and a leather strap that pays homage to the work that Laureus has done with youth around the world. The foundation provides positive alternatives to addiction, violence, poverty and disease. Since it began its partnership with the Laureus Foundation in 2006, IWC has presented a limited series of watches every year.

This IWC Portuguese edition will be offered in a limited edition of 1,000 timepieces, each engraved with a number, and a “team spirit” medallion that features children with arms interlinked. The image itself is the work of a twelve year old Sri Lankan boy, whose drawing was chosen from hundreds of drawings submitted by children around the world. In addition to being a touching symbol of the Laureus Foundation’s mission, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these watches will fund worldwide Laureus projects aimed at helping at-risk youth.

Technorati Tags: iwc, IWC Portuguese edition, Laureus Foundation

Technorati Tags: filipino, manny pacquiao, people's champ, victorinox swiss army

In keeping with Tissot Watches’ tradition of awarding a watch to Nascar champions, more racing greats have been the recipients of this coveted honor. In fact, the competition for the remaining watches among Nascar drivers is heating up.

In keeping with their mission to create a high-performance, precision timepiece, Tissot Watches continues to award a watch and $5,000 to the racer who spends the least amount of time with his crew in the pit, hence the title, “Pit Road Precision”.

In October 2009, Jimmie Johnson claimed his watch, after winning the Pit Road Precision title as well as the Sprint Cup. For finishing second in the lead lap and staying with his crew for just over 329 seconds, Johnson claimed one of the coveted Tissot watches and a check for $5,000.

Jeff Gordon, in another round for Tissot watches, claimed a watch and prize money for spending the shortest amount of time in the pit lane in his recent performance at the Pepsi 500 at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.

Driving his number 24 Hendrick Motorsports car, he too won the Pit Road Precision title for spending the shortest amount of time (just over 295 seconds) in the pit during the race. Gordon scored another victory recently by being named as one of the 50 greatest drivers by Nascar.

Technorati Tags: luxury watches, nascar, tissot, tissot watches

If you’ve ever wondered who the “Michele” is behind the Michele Watch Company, here is the scoop. Michele Barouh is the daughter of the company’s founder, Jack Barouh. Jack named the company for Michele when she was a small child, but today she is the force behind the company’s creative success.

As the creative director for Michele Watches, Barouh brings a younger, more whimsical perspective to the line. She instinctively knows how to balance the need to develop a new customer base with retaining the existing status of the brand, and thanks to her personal style and imagination, she never stops innovating.

Before becoming Michele’s creative director, Michele earned a Masters in Art and Business at the Sotheby’s Institute, and even though the company is now owned by Fossil, she is able to make major contributions to the direction of the brand. As a third generation watch designer, one of her more recent triumphs was the launch and design of Michele Watches interchangeable bands, a development that has positively impacted the company’s success.

Michele Watches are known for being one of the most fashion-conscious luxury watch brands, and thanks to Michele Barouh’s dynamic vision, the company continues to be at the cutting edge of international watch making trends.

Technorati Tags: luxury watch brands, michele watches

Tissot Watches is ready for action at this year’s 2010 Qatar Fencing Grand Prix, will take place at the Aspire Academy.  The world’s top contenders in fencing will take part in the men’s and women’s events, with fencers from China, Switzerland and France competing for the top medals.

Qatar will be represented by 13 men and 7 women , all of whom home to compete in the 2013 World Fencing Championships.  The Qatar Fencing Federation (QFF) just signed a four-year agreement with Swiss Timing, the parent company of Tissot watches, who will sponsor this event for the next 4 years.

Tissot watches has been with the Qatar Fencing Federation since the competition got started in 2004, and their expertise has been an enormous help to the event.

Participating countries include Canada, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Iraq, Ukraine, Norway, Netherlands, South Africa, Malaysia, Nigeria, Poland Korea, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, China, Sweden, Japan, Israel, Belarus, Italy, and of course – Qatar.  Tissot watches is looking to reach a global audience through their sponsorship of this event, which will be broadcast in many countries around the world and in several languages.

Technorati Tags: luxury watches, swiss timing, tissot watches, world fencing championships

Despite lingering skepticism about the global economy, Internet search engines report a surge of interest in luxury watch brands, with global search volume on the rise for makers of high-end authentic watches.

According to Geneva’s IC Agency World Watch Report, interest in luxury authentic watches has continued to grow, despite a floundering economy.  After analyzing 25 luxury watch manufacturers, the study found that Jaeger LeCoultre, Audmars Piguet and Blancpain were the leading brands being searched online.

The report followed the search trends for some 120 models, including the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso, which accounted for 8.2 percent of total search volume among the group.   This classically designed watch is unique in that its case can be inverted by the wearer and worn on the reverse side, allowing for more versatility and the appearance of owning two watches.  This elegant series of men’s and women’s watches is available in solid gold, two-tone and solid steel, and in either a precision quartz or manual-winding movement.  It is a sign of these economic times that the most popular model of luxury authentic watches being sought out online is also the most practical.

The second most popular model was the Royal Oak, which is made by Audemars Piquet.  Another interesting finding in this study was that over 300,000 people on social networking sites subscribe to the fan pages for popular brands of luxury authentic watches.

Technorati Tags: audemars piguet, authentic watches, Jaeger-LeCoultre, luxury watches