Octavia Garcia, the artistic genuis behind Audemars Piguet

The making of a legend.  Where did this guy come from?

Educated in Switzerland, where he attended a school specializing in industrial design, Octavio Garcia familiarized himself with the craft principles and discovered the watch industry. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design, his intuitiveness led him fiirst to Omega, and he designed the entire collection--including the Constellation, Speed Master, and Sea Master. Additionally, Garcia worked for Swatch and its subsidiaries. Such opportunities afforded Garcia with important positions at the world's finest watchmakers.

The beginning of this artistic craftsmanship began with an architectural muse in the early urban industrial architecture of Chicago. Octavio became more interested in architecture and began his course in the arts. During his studies, Garcia met his wife, a citizen of Switzerland, and visited the country he now resides in.

Octavio Garcia, the design director of Audemars Piguet, is now a pillar in the luxury watch design industry. In a less than a year, Octavio Garcia has become one of two designers developing contemporary, neo-industrial concepts for Audemars Piguet, the only family-operated, watch-making manufacturer that prides itself on tradition. Of the company, Garcia states, "It is the only high-end company that experiments with new ideas." Involved with the design of the entire Piguet collection, Garcia focuses on the creation of the watch head, dial, and bracelet.. Upon taking over the creative mantle at Audemars Piguet, his first acts were to:

• contemporize the brand’s classic collection, evinced by his updated Jules Audemars Equation of Time watch
• unveil sleekly menacing, relentlessly modern watches

This first happened with the Juan Pablo Montoya Royal Oak Offshore watch that would come to define a large part of Audemars Piguet's contemporary brand equity as well as the prevailing creative substance of this era. The Royal Oak watch was named after a trio of warships christened Royal Oak, after the legendary Royal Oak (a hollowed out tree which offered King Charles II a safe hiding place from his pursuers) lent their distinctive name in 1972 to the luxury sports watch, Royal Oak. When examining the simple, yet refined stainless steel case, the face accented with dark blue, black, or silver, and a robber or Velcro fastening, the design elements incorporated by Garcia into this classically fashioned timepiece is indisputable. "It is a landmark. Essentially, we elevated the design. A soft re-style with a reflection of us with contemporary proportions. This was done to keep the soul of this landmark piece."

Garcia’s Montoya was the first timepiece to take functional elements from F-1 cars and introduce them as aesthetic flourishes in his watch. While this has become de rigueur today, at the time, it was verging on Dadaist subversion. It was at Audemars Piguet — the manufacture famously associated with audacity — that Garcia flourished and distilled his singular brand of design magic. In 2006, he completely recreated the once-staid Millenary case into a palace of three-dimensional architecture. Together with his key collaborator Philippe Vaptzarof, he’s overseen some of the modern era’s most sought-after watches, including the Rubens Barrichello Offshore, the Maserati MC-12 inspired Millenary MC-12 Tourbillon Chronograph, the forged carbon fiber Alinghi Team, 2007’s drop dead gorgeous Millenary watch with deadbeat seconds, and much more.

Who do you think is the greatest living watch designer in the world?

Criminal found his niche by only stealing Rolex watches

This local story caight my attention. It seems that this Miami, FL thief was so proud of how he made a "living" that he even tatooed the Rolex logo on his forearm.  Even after spending nearly 2 decades in prison for stealing these luxury watches, he returned to his trade as soon as he was released from prison.

A Florida thief with a peculiar penchant for Rolex watches faces up to 25 years in prison.  Leonardo Perez has pleaded guilty to charges he stole eight gold Rolex Presidential edition watches, each worth $50,000, over four months in 2007. The crime spree began just after Perez finished a 17-year sentence for stealing Rolexes in South Florida.

The 36-year-old Miami native is so loyal he even has the Rolex logo tattooed on a forearm. He used his eagle eyesight to assist with his crimes.  Investigators say he's been able to glimpse and follow drivers wearing the watch from the other side of the road. He primarily found victims out shopping, followed them home and robbed them at gunpoint.


He is still awaiting trial.  Of course, having a 5 point crown tattoo is not a good idea to have tattooed on you anyway, especially in jail.  Their is a gang called "People Nation" that also uses the 5 point crown to symbolize their affiliation.

In closing, our advice for all those wearing Rolex watches is to make sure nobody follows you down your driveway at your home. Of course, we always should be aware of our surroundings anywere we go when we have a $50,000 watch on your wrist.  What do you do to prevent your luxury watch from being stolen when traveling?

A Rolex watch that doubles as a cellphone, mp3 & movie player

OK, I don't think that Rolex or Omega would ever come out with a watch that can double as a cellphone (except in a James Bond movie) but LG has and it looks to up the stakes again.

Most watch enthusiasts remember when the LG GD910 watch cellphone was first seen at the January Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2009. We expected great things and were overall impressed with the phone's specs. Of course once we had the phone, it didn't quite live up to it's hype. The new rumour is that LG is coming out with an update of the phone for the beginning of 2010 and should add some bold new colors and fix some of the problems customers have compained about:

- 80MB storage is really small
- backlight goes to low power mode when not in use so you can't read the watch in daylight
- No Internet Browser
- No live preview of what you are taking a photo of

Here's a quick rundown of what the watch has currently:

A VGA camera with 640 x 480 resolution (pretty much equal to a $10 Chinese digital camera). But it does provide the ability to make and receive video calls

The watch phone comes with a 1.4 inch TFT display touch screen which displays 256,000 colours at a pixel size of 128 x 160 pixels. The screen doubles up as the watch face as well as the display screen for all the enclosed functionality, which is accessed by using the flash user interface provided.

This is big for a watch face but really small for a video screen. If you want to pull having nice video with a watch you need a built in LCD projector or an adaptor to your video projection sunglasses for the 2012 model ;-).

It also provides text to speech capabilites (easier for texting than trying to ype on this thing) and an mp3 player.

This phone will likely not appeal to your typical luxury watch enthusiast. It lacks the style and distinction we look for in a watch. This is more suited for the ultra techno geek than a man wearing his Armani Suit and his custom Italian leather shoes.

I don't see Rolex ever coming out with a cellphone watch, ever. But what technological improvements could Rolex, Cartier, or Bvlgari make that would make you want one more? Any?

Herre's a great video faeturing the cellphone watch.

Men's luxury skeleton wrist watches - Pros & Cons

What exactly is a skeleton watch? Is it made up of the bones of animals? Are they only seen during the week of Halloween? Not exactly..these types of watches usually are encased in some type of transparent material that allows you to see the inner mechanisms of the watch working. Typically it is part of the face that can be seen ticking, sometimes it's the sides or back of the watch.

Pros - You get to enjoy watching the spectacular inner workings of a watch in motion.

Cons - If the skeleton watch face shows working gears behind it, it can occasionally be a little bit more difficult to tell the time. Some of the faces have extremely small numbers or are complicated to tell time. If you buy a cheap Chinese knockoff skeleton watch you should only expect it to last a few months (maybe a year or two). They typically will stop working after a short time.

The most expensive made skeleton watch is the the Skeleton Central Tourbillon from Omega according to the Watch Report. This watch is no exception from the well-known watches from Omega. The Skeleton Central has impressed with its 800 separate parts, each of them being hand-made, and with the placement of the tourbillon right in the center of the face. This watch is available for anyone being willing to pay $282,500 for it. We currently don't have any of these but are more than happy to help you sell it.

Here are some great examples of premium skeleton watches available at a discounted price for a limited time from Gray & Sons. Let us know in the comments which watches you like best and why?

Gents Chronoswiss Opus in stainless steel. Auto w/ subseconds, date and chronograph. With box and papers. Ref CH 7523. Est. Retail $12,950 G&S: $6,350 Special: $5,720	Cvstos Challenge QP-S C QPS SYR in stainless steel on a rubber strap. Auto w/ date, day, month, moonphase and perpetual calendar. Box and papers. Limited edition of 50 pieces. Est. Retail $27,600 G&S: $17,940 Special: $15,640	Zenith Chronomaster Baroque in 18k yellow gold. Skeletonized dial and automatic movement under glass w/ subseconds, date, day, month, moonphase and chronograph. Complete with box and booklets. Est. Retail $47,000 G&S: $29,500 Special: $27,900
Hautlence HLO in 18k pink gold on leather strap. Manual w/ retrograde minutes, subseconds and date. Partially skeletonized. With box & papers. Est. Retail $49,000 G&S: $32,400 Special: $29,540	Corum Perpetual Calendar Skeleton in platinum on leather strap, with 18k white gold deployant buckle. Auto w/ moonphase and perpetual calendar. With original papers & Kubic watchwinding box. Est. Retail $69,000 G&S: $37,950 Special: $35,970	Breguet La Tradition in 18k on leather strap. Incredible skeleton dial. Manual w/ power reserve. With box and papers. Ref 7027. Est. Retail $24,000 G&S: $15,440 Special: $14,840
Rare Pierre Kunz Spirit Of Challenge Ref.# G403 in black steel & rubber. Auto w/ sweep seconds, chronograph and day night. Box and papers. Limited edition of 250 pieces. Est. Retail $21,800 G&S: $14,170 Special: $13,320	Limited edition Swatch Tresor Magique in platinum on leather strap. Auto. Complete with box and papers. G&S: $2,700 Special: $2,350	Chronoswiss Opus Ref.# CH 7522 R in 18k pink gold & stainless steel on a black leather strap. Auto w/ subseconds and chronograph. Box and papers. Est. Retail $12,500 G&S: $8,125 Special: $7,300

It's a Rolex watch, of course the family would notice if a Doctor took it

Next time you have a medical emergency we suggest you remember to take off that Rolex watch even if it's used, even while under cardiac arrest. I was reading recently about a man out in California who had his doctor pocket his watch "instead" of resuscitating him. The man, Jerry Kubena Sr, a retired Manteca police lieutenant, on the ER table ended up dying and the remaining family slapped a lawsuit on the doctor. Read the full details here.

I would normally give a doctor the benefit of the doubt BUT when the nurses noticed a watch no longer on the man and a watch like "bulge" in the Dr.'s pocket things start getting questionable. But, it seems things get worse. Hospital security was called to investigate the dispute. Ignoring security's orders, the lawsuit notes Enmon walked out of the operating room and into the parking lot. This evidence was easily backed up by security camera footage.

Another nurse saw him toss something into the grass. Once security searched the area they found the watch. Hmmmm.... I feel sorry for the defense lawyer who represents Dr. Cleveland James Enmon, 32 yrs. old. Not going to be easy.

Have you ever took off your Rolex watch before going into certain locations or being admitted to the hospital?

A historical perspective of the Rolex Daytona

Rolex introduced its first chronograph models around 1937. In 1960, Rolex gave the chronograph line a major facelift with the introduction of the Cosmograph (model 6239), a Rolex trademarked term which is similar to the chronograph--the cosmetic difference being that the 'tachymeter scale' is printed (or engraved) on the bezel rather than on the outer rim of the dial.

The legendary Rolex Cosmograph "Daytona" wristwatch traces back to the early months of 1961, when Rolex began manufacturing the Rolex Cosmograph. At the time, Rolex was a sponsor of the 24 Hours of Daytona race, and named its new chronograph watch after that famous race (why not right?). Because of their usefulness in calculating average lap speed, the watch's popularity took off in the motor racing community. This smart marketing maneuver would later become celebrated in marketing case study textbooks worldwide on how to successfully market a product.

Early models were iIntroduced in 1961 using a Valjoux 72 manual-wind 3-register chronograph movement, the Cosmograph, Cosmograph Daytona and Oyster Cosmograph Daytona were produced continuously until 1988. Relatively unpopular, they were replaced by a bigger Daytona featuring self-winding movements, using a slightly modified version of Zenith's El Primero caliber, under the name Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph. In 2000 Rolex replaced the Zenith movement with a 3-register chronograph movement entirely of its own design, the Rolex 4130 caliber (model number: 116520). Due to its limited production and increasing popularity, the stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is considered a rare watch to own.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most expensive watches marketed enough to be readily recognized by non-enthusiasts, and is often worn for this reason, The Daytona comes in several models, these can be identified by the color of the watch face, the type of metal used, and the type of strap, these include, white gold strap with white face; and stainless steel strap with black face amongst others.

It is fact that Paul Newman himself had worn the Daytona style of Rolex watch from the time he fell in love with automobile racing up until his death in 2008. Paul Newman was quoted as receiving a Daytona model from his wife in 1972. It was similar looking to some he had worn in movies and posters before but the 1972 watch was the real thing. Unlike other celebrities, Paul Newman was not a paid endorser of the Rolex brand, he just always wore one because he liked it.

Omega Speedmaster - 50 years in the making

Omega has created timepieces since 1912. However the Omega Speedmaster history begins quietly in 1943 when Omega launched the movement "27 CHRO C12" or “321” as the official nickname. The CHRO stood for Chronograph, 27 for the movements diameter in millimeters and C12 for the 12-hour totalizer. The movement was designed by Albert Piguet of the now famous Piguet line of watches.
This model was available to the public from 1946 with a shock protection system and antimagnetic balance spring. In January 1959 Lemania started production of the Speedmaster. In 1958, Omega began preselling what was to be THE most well known chronograph. In 1960 the bezel was replaced with a black one, the hands were changed from arrow shaped to "dauphine" and the case diameter grew by one mm. In 1965 they began the work of creating a new movement and in August 1965 began the assembly of the first "861- calibre" movements. The new movement meant increased frequency from 18,000 (2,5Hz) to 21,600 (3Hz) vibrations per hour. By now the Speedmaster was well into the space program and in April 1966 the addition "Professional" was made to the dial of the Speedmaster to commemorate it’s debut in space.
How did this watch become known as the moon watch/space watch? Well, NASA indiscreetly sent two employees out to purchase five reputable chronographs in the Houston, TX area to be tested for possible use in space in 1964 (this included Corrigan’s, which at the time was the city’s best-known watch and jewelry retailer). The Mercury program was nearing completion and the coming Gemini program would require a watch that could withstand the extreme conditions in space, including space walking. After the first round of tests 2 of the 5 brands were disqualified. By the second round there was only one left.
On 09/29/1964 NASA ordered 12 Speedmasters from the US Omega importer. They paid full retail price, $82.50 (Considering inflation that’s $566.83 in 2008 dollars) for the watches and wanted them delivered by 10/21/1964. Meanwhile NASA arranged for a series of test to finally determine what watch to use in space. The watches had to cope with:
• Extremely high temperatures: 48 hours at 71º C followed by 30 minutes at 93º C. This under a pressure of 0,35atm and relative humidity not over 15%. (this replicates Phoenix, AZ)
• Sub Freezing temperatures: 4 hours at -18º C. (like your ex-wife’s mother-in-law)
• Temperature-pressure: 0,000001atm and temperature raised to 71º C. Temperature then lowered to -18º C in 45 minutes and again raised to 71º C in 45 minutes. This cycle was repeated fifteen times.
• Relative humidity: 240 hours in relative humidity of at least 95% and at temperatures varying between 20º C and 71º C (similar to Miami, FL). The steam had a pH value of between 6,5 and 7,5.
• Oxygen atmosphere: Exposure to 100% oxygen atmosphere at a pressure of 0,35atm and a temperature of 71º C for 48 hours. (almost like an asthma attack while skiing downhill at 60mph)
• Shock: Six 11 millisecond shocks of 40g each in six different directions. (reminds you of when your teenager told you she was pregnant from her boyfriend)
• Acceleration: Linear acceleration from 1g to 7,25g within 333 seconds. (like when your girlfriend throws your watch out of the car window into oncoming traffic)
• Decompression: 90 minutes in a vacuum of 0,000001atm and a temperature of 71º C and 30 minutes in the same vacuum but at a temperature of 93ºC. (replicates what happens when the cleaning lady at work vacuums up your watch)
• High pressure: Exposure to 1,6atm for one hour. (like a high pressure sales call)
• Vibration: Three cycles of 30 minutes (lateral, horizontal and vertical), the frequency varying from 5 to 2000cps and back to 5cps in 15 minutes. Average acceleration per impulse 8,8g. (similar to flying a small plane in a third world country)
• Acoustic noise: 130db over a frequency range from 40 to 10000Hz for 30 minutes. (similar to children screaming in a daycare facility)
The tests were completed on 03/01/1965. Three chronographs from different manufacturers were still running, but only the Speedmaster had passed without any of the serious troubles that had occurred with the two others (twisted hands, warped crystals, etc.). NASA stated: "Operational and environmental tests ot the three selected chronographs have been completed, and, as a result of the test, Omega chronographs have been calibrated and issued to three members of the GT-3 crews." The "GT-3" (Gemini-Titan III) took of 04.52 March 23, 1964 with the astronauts John Young and Virgil Grissom on board. On the next Gemini flight (IV) Edward White left the capsule and became the first American to walk in space. On his wrist was the Speedmaster.
Omega ironically only learned about the Speedmaster’s journey into space after seeing a photograph of Ed White taken during America’s first spacewalk as part of the Gemini 4 mission in June of 1965. This is how the Omega Speedmaster earned a place in American history & now you know the rest of the story.

History of the Rolex GMT Master watch

The GMT Master was originally designed in 1955 in collaboration with Pan American World Airways for use by their pilots during World War II. As a result of their rigorous flight schedules for the U.S military, Pan Am pilots were the first afflicted by “jet lag,” a condition caused by making frequent jumps between time zones. Pan Am’s founder, Juan Trippe, theorized that if the pilots had a watch that would help them keep track of the time in their current time zone as well as their home time zone, the effects of jet lag would be milder. The original Rolex GMT master watch was developed by Rolex and Pan Am exclusively for Pam Am pilots, first officers, and navigators. This model featured a fourth hand and adjustable 24-hour bezel, enabling pilots to know their "home" time as well as the local time of any destination in a different time zone.

Many Rolex connoisseurs miss the convex crystals found on these older Rolex GMT Master watches.

The first version of the GMT Master series, 6542 had a bakelite bezel insert. As this bezel was likely to crack, it got replaced by a metal bezel in 1956. The bakelite bezel was luminous. The standard GMT Master series was waterproof to 50m/165 ft.

In 1964 the GMT Master series 6542 was worn in the James Bond Movie, “GoldFinger” by Honor Blackman, a female actress.

The GMT Master acquired more press in 1970 when a GMT Rolex Master was worn by Jack Schweigert, an astronaut. Not just any astronaut, but the one who helped Apollo 13 return safely to Earth after an oxygen tank ruptured.

In 1981 the waterproof depth was increased to 100m/330 ft. These models (1981 and up) are more common and best represent the Rolex GMT master series today.

A new model of the GMT Master came out in 1983 that features a sapphire crystal which cannot easily be scratched. This model was named the GMT Master II. In 2006 it was updated with the Parachrom hairspring which is unaffected by any magnetic field & 10x more resistance to shocks than standard hairsprings. In 2007 the bezel was updated to the nearly indestructible ceramic bezel, the most durable bezel in the world.

The GMT can display time in two different time zones and the GMT II in three. Using the additional "GMT" hand which completes a 24 hour cycle in a single rotation, the GMT (and GMT II) uses a bi-directional rotatable bezel marked zero to twenty three allowing for a second time zone to be displayed with the GMT hand pointing to the bezel hour. The GMT II allows the GMT hand to be set independently from the hour hand thus allowing a third time zone.

Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Chronograph

Here is our video review of the Panerai Ferrari Granturismo Chronograph in stainless steel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWCBeFX5ikE

Go to this watch on our website:
Panerai Ferrari Granturismo

Video Review of the Omega Speedmaster Professional