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

The Formula 1 Chronograph is prestigious and bold. It blends high-performance technology with quality materials for a sporty accessory you’ll never want to be without. A rugged stainless steel case and bracelet complement a vivid orange dial, complete with date display, and luminescent hands and markers.

Add in the titanium, carbon plated, unidirectional, rotating bezel; a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and water resistance to 660 feet, and you’ve got the perfect watch for the man that works as hard as he plays.

• Chronograph function
• Swiss Quartz movement
• Stainless steel case and bracelet
• Orange dial with silver sub-dials
• Hand-applied Arabic numerals
• Date display at 3:30 position
• Titanium carbon coated unidirectional bezel
• Luminescent hands and hour markers
• Double locking deployment clasp
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Case measures 41mm wide by 14 mm thick
• Water resistant to 200 meters (660 feet)

More details, or order this Formula 1 watch

See all TAG Heuer Formula One watches

This is one of the most popular watches from this small German watch company. The highly acclaimed Dark Sea Diver PRO is Riedenschild’s most sought after watch and it is now available with a black IP finish.

It features an automatic movement, twin screw-down crown caps with security links, inside moveable diving scale, index with glow, and scale in white and red. The PRO upgrades include a sapphire crystal front and screwed lugs.

• Automatic, 21-jewel, self-winding movement
• 32 hour power reserve
• Black IP 316L stainless steel case
• Black rubber strap
• Deployment buckle
• Screw-in case back
• Date display
• Rotating divers bezel
• Luminous hands and hour markers
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Diameter is 45mm
• Water resistant to 20ATM or 200 feet 

More details, or order this Riedenschild Dark Sea Diver watch

See all Riedenschild watches here

The ultimate prestige sport watch, this Formula One chronograph from TAG Heuer is designed to work as hard as you play. It captures sporty appeal while staying true to the legendary classic and sophisticated Tag style.

TAG Heuer’s reputation for gold-standard precision earned the company the privilege of providing official timing services for a number of world-class competitive sporting events, including the Olympic Games, the FIS Ski World Cup, the Indy Racing League & Indy 500 race, and the FIA Formula 1 Auto Racing World Championships.

Typical of the Formula 1 series watches are the unidirectional rotating bezel and protective bumpers on the case for added durability. Tag Heuer Formula One watches are an ideal choice for today’s active lifestyle whether on or off the road.

Chronograph function
Precision Swiss Quartz movement
Stainless steel case and bracelet
Red dial with silver sub-dials
Hand-applied Arabic numerals
Date display at 4:30 position
Titanium carbon plated unidirectional rotating bezel
Luminescent hands and hour markers
Double locking deployment clasp
Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
Case measures 41mm wide by 11 mm thick
Water resistant to 200 meters (660 feet)

More details, or order this Formula One watch

See all TAG Heuer Formula One watches – shop a wide selection

Shades of blue on the patterned watch dial contrast sharply with the 3 white chronograph subdials. Add in the bold white hands and markers with red-tipped seconds on both main and subdial, and you get a clear, clean display that’s easy to read regardless of your environment.

Underwater at depth, where these characteristics are most critical, the Curacao watch won’t let you down, even while night diving, as the luminescence shows a crisp readout. Rely on the superb Swiss engineering and precision of the Accutron Curacao.

• Swiss quartz movement
• Chronograph function
• Unidirectional rotating elapsed time bezel
• Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal
• Stainless steel case & bracelet
• Deployment buckle closure with lock
• Blue patterned dial
• Luminous hands & hour markers
• Date display at 4 o’clock
• Screw-in case back
• Screw-down crown
• Case diameter is 43 mm
• Water resistant to 200 meters / 660 feet
• Model 26B52

Accutron watch company revolutionized the industry when they introduced the world’s first fully electronic watch. Today, that tradition of innovation and craftsmanship continues.

More details or order this men’s Accutron Curacao dive watch

Anyone familiar with Clive Cussler novels knows of the adventures of his legendary hero, Dirk Pitt, who is never without his orange face DOXA dive watch.

This is largely because Cussler, who’s had the same DOXA SUB 600T since 1968, decided to model Pitts watch preference after his own.

In 2005, the Clive Cussler novel, “Sahara” was made into a movie starring Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt, who of course, can be seen wearing his legendary orange face DOXA diving watch.

The DOXA SUB 750T Professional is an updated version of the original DOXA SUB 300T. It maintains the original iconic styling in a slightly larger case with a flat sapphire crystal. The orange face, already known for easy visibility underwater, is enhanced for night viewing with the addition of superluminova coating on the hands and markers.

• Limited Edition of 5000 pieces
• 25 jewel Swiss self-winding movement
• 42 hour power reserve
• Solid 316L stainless steel case
• Heavy duty stainless steel bracelet with DOXA SUB
• Anti-shock protection
• Classic orange dial & “dwarf” hour hand
• Superluminova coating on hands & markers
• Scratch resistant, anti-reflective, sapphire crystal
• Case measures 44.7 mm by 14 mm
• Screw-down crown
• Screw-in case back engraved with limited edition number
• Unidirectional rotating bezel engraved with the US Navy maximum no decompression limits in feet
• Water resistant to a depth of 750 meters / 2460 feet

DOXA was founded in 1889 by Georges Ducommun in one of the most inventive watch making areas – the canton of Neuchatel’s Jura Mountains in Switzerland. Ducommun later developed instrument panels for both automobiles and airplanes during the 1930s, and Bugatti, the famous race car maker, started equipping their cars with the DOXA “8-day” watch movement, helping to establish DOXA as a serious player.

When diving became popular in the 1960s, DOXA sought input from professionals like Jacques Cousteau and the US Navy to develop their SUB 300T which they released in 1967. The watch was a hit and sold out quickly, due in part to U.S. Divers, Cousteau’s company, buying large quantities and reselling them in the U.S.

After the introduction of quartz watches in the 70s, the Swiss watch making industry suffered some hard economic times and DOXA ceased operations around 1980.

But despite the availability of accurate, reliable watches not dependent on the precise mechanical movements made famous by the Swiss, it seems the quality of the latter is now in more demand than ever. 

In 2002 the DOXA brand was revived by the owners and since then DOXA has introduced new editions of its well known watches in limited quantities. All of them use Swiss movements and many are faithful to the original models in design and construction.

The sophisticated VX-200 collection combines superb Swiss engineering and precision with elegance and reliability. The screw-back with sapphire viewing window allows display of the automatic mechanical movement.

Perfect for divers, the rugged high-grade stainless steel construction ensures you can count on this watch at watery depths, and other harsh environments.

Specufucations & Features:

• Automatic, 25-jewel self-winding, mechanical movement
• Unidirectional elapsed time bezel
• Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal
• Stainless steel case & bracelet
• Solid fold-over buckle
• Safety clasp & extender
• Black dial
• Screw-down crown
• Date display at 3 o’clock
• Luminous hands & hour markers
• Screw-in case back with sapphire exhibition window
• Case diameter is 45 mm
• Water resistant to 200 meters / 660 feet
• Model 28B83

Accutron watch company revolutionized the industry when they introduced the world’s first fully electronic watch. Today, that tradition of innovation and craftsmanship continues.

More details or order this men’s Accutron VX-200 watch

Tissot has always prided itself on producing luxury watches at reasonable prices. They craft fine Swiss timepieces known for their reliability, versatility, and hardy good looks. This T-Sport is a case in point with chronograph functions, water-resistance down to 200 meters, and rugged case and bracelet.

• From the T-Sport PRS200 Collection by Tissot
• Polished gold-tone solid stainless steel case and bracelet
• Blue dial with gold tone hands and indices
• Luminous hands and markers
• Date function
• Unit-directional rotating bezel
• Chronograph Functions – 30 minute chronograph one tenth second increments
• Precise Swiss quartz movement
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Fold-over deployment clasp
• Water resistant to 200m (660ft)
• Screw-down crown
• Case measures 40mm diameter by 12mm thick

Get details on Tissot T-Sport watches – shop all available styles

Shop for other Tissot watches – wide selection available

Offering a range of high-quality versatile timepieces, Tissot continues that tradition of providing Swiss luxury watches at affordable prices. Along with the usual features you would expect to find in a quality dive watch, this Diver Seastar goes even further staying water-resistant to 300 meters, or 1000 feet of depth.

• Seastar 1000 Collection by Tissot
• Brushed solid stainless steel case and bracelet
• Double-locking deployment clasp
• Deep blue dial
• Luminous hands and hour markers
• Date display
• Uni-directional rotating bezel with red zone indicated
• Swiss precision automatic movement
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Water resistant to 300m (1000ft)
• Screw-down crown
• Case measures 44mm diameter by 15mm thick

Get details on Tissot Seastar watches - shop all available styles

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