Luxury Watches – Fashion, Sports, Prestige

While watching some of the events of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, I was amazed that in so many cases the winner was determined as the result of a photo finish. And furthermore, the gold, silver and bronze finishers were separated by a mere 1/100th of a second.

That got me to thinking about the timekeeping responsibility – like in nobody better screw up cause it can’t be re-done. I was certain that there would be tons of redundancy, but got curious about something really unusual happening like a mass power outage – surely they had battery backups as well.

Well a little digging under the covers showed all is well. Omega is once again the official winter games timekeeper for Vancouver 2010 continuing a 74 year legacy of being entrusted with this tremendous responsibility.

It is said that on their first assignment for the 1936 winter games in Germany, there was a lone Omega technician who brought 27 stopwatches that were used to time each event.  

Fast forward to today and we have the largest timekeeping contingent in the history of winter sports. We’re told that OMEGA deployed 220 timekeeping professionals and engineers supported by 290 local volunteers. Also, they’re bringing some 250 tons of equipment, no doubt including devices for redundancy, waterproof camera gear and more for timekeeping, on-venue results and TV services.

That is incredible, but certainly reduces the possibility of mistakes to something less than negligible. Omega claims to be the worlds most successful sports timekeepers and they seem to be taking every precaution to ensure they can retain the claim.

For one of your own check out this model from the Omega Olympic Collection. An Omega Seamaster self-winding chronometer with a rhodium-plated finish and 2 day power reserve, it’s tough under an anti-reflective, domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

Made for diving, it’s water-resistant down to depths of 1000 feet or 300 meters, and features a helium escape valve along with a screw-in crown and unidirectional rotating bezel. Sized for gents, it has a diameter of 41mm.

Designed for diving and known for their water resistance at depth, the Rolex Submariner has been often copied but never equaled. It’s been part of many sea expeditions, making thousands of dives under grueling conditions. Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian anthropologist, wore a Rolex Submariner in his 1970 Ra II sea expedition.

Created in 1953 and showcased to the world the following year at the Basel Watch Fair, the classic Rolex Submariner is by far one of the most widely recognized luxury products in the world. It is part of Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Professional line and is probably best known for its association with super-spy James Bond. The Rolex Submariner has appeared in eleven Bond movies.

Certified Swiss chronometer
Automatic self-winding movement
Water proof to 1000’ / 300m
Triplock triple-gasket system
Black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel
Case made from solid block of 904L stainless steel
Bracelet is stainless steel and 18k yellow gold
Divers wet-suit bracelet extension
Black dial
Magnified date window
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
40mm wide case

Get more details or order this Rolex Submariner watch

Check out other Submariner watches from Rolex

This Bentley Motors Chronograph has a solid 18kt gold case and aviation brown leather strap set off with white stitching. The silver dial with its 3 gold-rimmed sub-dials and luminous hands is finely accented by the knurled gold bezel surrounding it.

Fixed and variable tachymeters, a one-eighth second chronograph, date display, screw-down crown, and water-resistance to 100 meters are just a few of the features you would expect to find on such a precision instrument.

• Breitling Bentley Motors Series
• Self-winding automatic chronometer
• 25 jewel movement
• 1/8th second Chronograph
• Two Tachymeters
• 18kt yellow gold case
• Brown leather strap with white stitching
• Bi-directional rotating slide-rule bezel
• Date display between 4 and 5 o’clock
• Silver dial with luminescent hands
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Screw-down crown
• Water-resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet
• Case diameter is 48mm

Léon Breitling opened his first workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1884, making pocket watches and precision chronographs. His son, Gaston, initiated the production of Breitling watches in 1914 for the military in the First World War.

It was Willy Breitling, Leons grandson, that introduced chronometers for aircraft cockpits in 1936 and Breitling timepieces have been associated with flying ever since.

The Breitling for Bentley Motors commemorates Breitling’s sponsorship of Team Bentley during the famous Le Mans Grand Prix Endurance Race. 

View other mens Breitling for Bentley Motors watches

It was Karl Scheufele that returned the company to its traditional roots in manufacturing its own mechanical watch movements, and in 1996 the L.U.C 1860 movement was introduced with a Breguet balance spring and 22 carat gold microrotor.

Inspired by and named for Chopard founder, Louis Ulysse Chopard, it was chosen the following year as watch of the year by trade journalists and watch dealers.

This luxurious sports watch features a distinctive bezel that turns at a click to indicate the hour in a second time zone on a 24-hour scale. Orange and black combine to create a harmonious aesthetic effect, including orange stitching on the black leather band and Superluminova numerals on the bezel.

Protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire window, the round black dial has a date calendar at three o’clock and dynamically shaped hands and hour markers enhanced with white Superluminova for easy time-keeping in the dark.

The 45 mm case, bezel, and screw-down crown are made with high quality stainless steel. Powered with automatic self-winding movement, this stunning men’s watch is water resistant to 1,000 feet.

COSC certified chronometer
Self-winding automatic 29 jewel movement
Black guilloche dial
GMT 2nd time zone feature
Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
Brushed & polished steel case
Black crocodile leather strap with deployment buckle
Water resistant to 300 meters / 1000 feet
Luminescent hands & markers
65 hour power reserve
45 mm diameter case

More details, or order this LUC Pro One GMT watch

See all Chopard LUC watches here

From 1927 through 1957, the “Mille Miglia”, or “thousand miles” open road endurance race, took place in Italy. Chopard’s watch collection of the same name, features chronometers built to the highest standards of precision craftsmanship.

Specifications & Features:

• Mille Miglia GMT 2005 Chronograph
• Swiss 25 jewel self-winding movement
• Power reserve of 46 hours
• COSC Chronometer certification
• Magnified date display at 3 o’clock
• Black or white dial
• Chronograph functions
• 24-hour engraved bezel
• White arrow tipped seconds hand
• Bridges decorated with straight line Côtes de Genève pattern
• Superluminova-coated hands and markers for excellent night visibility
• 42.5 mm case diameter by 14.8 mm thickness
• Water-resistant to 50 meters / 165 feet
• Case-back has a raised image of a racing car and the Mille Miglia arrow
• Steel crown stamped with the Mille Miglia race emblem
• Domed, glareproof sapphire crystal
• Black or brown “Barrenia” leather strap or natural black rubber band with the Dunlop tire-tread design from the 60s

The GMT model shown above is from the 2005 series, and is quite similar to the other annual series produced by Chopard. In similar fashion, it’s limited to 2,005 stainless steel pieces.

On the right it’s shown in rose gold, in an edition limited to 250 watches. Both models are set off handsomely by the black “Barrenia” leather strap with white stitching.

Get more details or order a GMT chronograph

See other men’s Chopard Mille Miglia watches

These precision instruments commemorate Breitling’s sponsorship of Team Bentley during the famous Le Mans Grand Prix Endurance Race. The large face typical of Breitling watches provides the wearer with a wealth of data.

The solid gold case of this Breitling for Bentley watch with its gold knurled bezel, sets off the black dial perfectly, and is further accented by a black leather strap with white stitching.

Unmistakably luxurious with both satin and polished gold finishes, this automatic chronometer, certified for precision, makes a most reliable and dependable accessory.

• Breitling for Bentley Motors Chronograph
• 18kt yellow gold case
• Automatic chronometer movement
• Bi-directional rotating slide rule bezel
• Black leather strap with tang clasp
• Case diameter of 48.7 millimeters
• Black dial with yellow gold hands
• Date display between 4 and 5 o’clock
• Luminescent hands & hour markers
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Water-resistant to a depth of 30 meters

See more details or order this Breitling for Bentley Motors chronograph

Find other Breitling Bentley Motors chronometers

Long a fixture at the Olympic Games, Omega is known for precision timekeeping. This Speedmaster Broad Arrow is a perfect example of superb reliability and accuracy that can be depended on when timing must be precise and exact.

With striking great looks, the Speedmaster never fails to garner its share of attention. The Broad Arrow model comes with an 18 carat solid gold case accentuated by a superior quality black leather strap. The gold hands contrast splendidly against the black face.

• Officially certified chronometer
• Automatic chronograph movement
• 18K yellow gold case
• Black leather strap
• Self winding chronograph with column wheel mechanism
• Fixed bezel with tachymeter
• Luminous hands & markers
• 55 Hours power reserve
• Date display at 6 o’clock
• Black dial
• Rhodium-plated finish
• Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Diameter is 42mm
• Water resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet

Related products: Omega Speedmaster watches – view all styles.

The “Mille Miglia” Collection offered by Chopard watches is named after the annual open road endurance race that took place in Italy between 1927 and 1957. The name means “thousand miles” and is indicative of the quality and precision found in every Chopard timepiece.

Specification & Features:

• Mille Miglia 2006 Gran Turismo XL Chronometer
• Swiss 24 jewel movement
• Power reserve of 46 hours
• Screw-down crown
• Brown barrenia leather strap or natural black rubber tire-tread design
• Double folding clasp
• COSC Chronometer certification
• Magnified date display at 3 o’clock
• Black Mille Miglia style dial with large Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock
• Bridges decorated with straight line Côtes de Genève pattern
• Superluminova-coated hands and markers for excellent night visibility
• Seconds hand tipped with a red arrow
• 44 mm case diameter by 14 mm thickness
• Cambered, glareproof sapphire crystal
• Water-resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet

This Gran Turismo is also available as the GT XL Power Control which displays a power reserve at the 6 o’clock position in the form of a fuel gage.

The strap is a natural black rubber strap done with a 1960’s Dunlop Racing tire-tread design.

Get more details or order this men’s Chopard Mille Miglia watch

Omega has long been known for precision timekeeping in high-profile competitions such as the Olympic Games and various other prestigious events. In fact they will once again be official timekeepers for both the 2008 Beijing Summer Games and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

Speedmaster Moon Phase
Manual winding movement
Chronograph function
Moon phase sub-dial
Black dial
Fixed bezel with tachymeter
Luminous hands & markers
Stainless steel case & bracelet
Pushbutton safety release clasp
Diameter is 42mm
Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Water resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet

For over 150 years, Omega has created innovative, reliable, high-quality watches. Not only are they a fixture at the Olympics, but Neil Armstrong wore one on his famous moon walk in 1969. Even today, shuttle astronauts continue to rely on Omega.

More details, or order this Speedmaster Moon Phase chronograph

Related products: Omega Speedmaster watches - view all styles.

Mille Miglia, meaning “thousand miles”, is just one of several superb watch collections created by the fine watch-makers at Chopard. It’s named after the annual open road endurance race that took place in Italy between 1927 and 1957.

The Gran Turismo GT XL watch is available in a stainless steel or rose gold case, and with this stylish brown or black leather strap, a stainless steel bracelet, or a natural black rubber band done with a 1960’s Dunlop Racing tire-tread design.

Features:

• Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono – 2007 Chronograph
• Stainless steel or rose gold case
• Swiss 25 jewel self-winding movement
• Power reserve of 48 hours
• COSC Chronometer certification
• Magnified date display at 3 o’clock
• Black 2-level dial with large Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock
• Chronograph function
• Main seconds hand tipped with a red arrow
• Bridges adorned with straight Côtes de Genève motif
• Superluminova-coated hands & markers for excellent night visibility
• 44 mm case diameter by 14 mm thickness
• Water-resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet
• Screw-in locking crown
• Integrated rectangular pushers
• Sapphire crystal case back
• Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Brown barrenia leather strap or natural black rubber tire-tread design

Get more details or order a Chopard Mille Miglia watch