Watches at J2 Trading

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 are bringing some 250 tons of equipment 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.

The LINK Calibre S offers a true break from the traditional chronograph in that it’s simple yet sophisticated design is super-intuitive to use. It has two operating modes: “TIME” & “CHRONOGRAPH”. You merely press the crown to change from one mode to the other, then use the central hands (hours, minutes, seconds) for intuitive, easy-to-read displays in both modes.

TAG Heuer has put all its avant-garde mechanical watchmaking expertise into quartz precision. The Calibre S, with its exclusive movement – patented and developed by TAG Heuer – makes a clean break with the traditional codes of the chronograph, which has used three hard-to-read counters since 1822.

A true hybrid, the electro-mechanical timepiece is an ingenious mix of mechanical watchmaking expertise and extraordinary quartz precision. With no fewer than 230 mechanical components and five bi- directional micro-engines, the Calibre S is a mechanical movement with quartz precision.

Description & Features:

• TAG Heuer Calibre S electro mechanical movement
• Intuitive chronograph legibility with 1/10 second precision
• Two half-moon counters at 4:30 and 7:30
• Retrograde date with a perpetual calendar to 2099
• Time can be displayed at any point during timekeeping by simply pressing the crown
• “CHRONOGRAPH” mode enables the measurement of simple time, split time and two periods of time that follow at very short intervals
• Luminescent hands & markers for improved legibility in darkness
• Monochrome TAG Heuer logo
• “LINK – Calibre S” inscription
• Angled polished hands and markers
• Case diameter is 42 mm
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double-sided, anti-reflective coating
• Tachometer bezel in polished steel
• Screw-down case back
• Water-resistance up to 200 meters or 660 feet
• S-link, satin-finish, polished steel bracelet
• Double safety clasp with folding buckle

More details, or order this Mens Link Calibre S watch

See all TAG Heuer Link watches – shop a wide selection

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

This is not your traditional chronograph, but the result of a unique combination of precision, comfort, and unrivalled readability. The Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta has been specifically designed for sailing races but is also a prestigious and fashionable timepiece for everyday wear.

TAG Heuer has put all its avant-garde mechanical watchmaking expertise into quartz precision. The Calibre S, with its exclusive movement – patented and developed by TAG Heuer – makes a clean break with the traditional codes of the chronograph, which has used three hard-to-read counters since 1822.

A true hybrid, the electro-mechanical timepiece is an ingenious mix of mechanical watchmaking expertise and extraordinary quartz precision. With no fewer than 230 mechanical components and five bi- directional micro-engines, the Calibre S is a mechanical movement with quartz precision. 

Description & Features:

• TAG Heuer Calibre S electro mechanical movement
• Intuitive chronograph legibility with 1/10 second precision
• Two half-moon counters at 4:30 and 7:30
• Measures simple and intermediary time and two elapsed times
• Retrograde date with a perpetual calendar to 2099
• Countdown scale for regattas, configurable as desired from -10 to -1 minute
• Anti-clockwise movement of central hands in “REGATTA” mode, then clockwise once the countdown is over, as the Chronograph is triggered automatically
• Luminescent hands & markers for improved legibility in darkness
• Monochrome TAG Heuer logo
• “AQUARACER – Calibre S – 300 meters” inscription
• Hands set with diamonds with polished facets
• Case stamped in a block of solid steel with a diameter of 41 mm
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Fixed aluminium bezel with countdown scale (from -10 to -1 minute) for regattas
• Screw-down case back
• Water-resistance up to 300 meters or 990 feet
• Diving bell decoration stamped on case back
• Triple-row bracelet in satin-finish, polished steel
• Double security clasp with folding blade and extension to allow wear over a wetsuit 

More details, or order this Mens Aquaracer watch

See all TAG Heuer Aquaracer watches – shop a wide selection

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

This “Happy Beach” watch sees Chopard continuing their stunning success in designing jewelry according to a theme. It makes a cute, and sophisticated addition to watches in the “Happy Sport” series, which was first unveiled in 1993.

The most prominent feature on this Happy Beach watch are the 3 floating fish – the first fish covered with 10 rubies, the second with 10 yellow sapphires, and the third with 10 blue sapphires, each weighing 0.15 carats. The case is stainless steel with a colored rubber strap.
 
Features

• From the Happy Sport Diamond Collection
• Precise Swiss Quartz movement
• Stainless steel case and bezel
• Colored rubber strap
• Dark blue, fish-patterned dial
• Arabic numeral markers at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Date display between 4 and 5 o’clock
• 3 floating fish – one with 10 rubies, one with 10 blue sapphires, one with 10 yellow sapphires
• Case measures 33 mm wide by 11 mm thickness
• Water-resistant to 30 meters / 100 feet

Louis-Ulysse Chopard, opened his first watch-making workshop in 1860 in Sonvilier, a small town located in the Swiss Jura Mountains. In 1963, jewelry entrepreneur Karl Scheufele purchased Chopard from from Louis-Ulysse’s grandson Paul-Andre, modernized the company and began a focus on integrating stylish jewelry design with watch making.

Get more details or order this Happy Beach watch

See other women’s Chopard Happy Sport 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.

Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer markets certain automatic chronograph models as “Steve McQueen Monaco Editions” in tribute to him wearing a similar watch in the film Le Mans.

In 2005, the watch maker’s marketing campaign also reissued a special edition Monaco chronograph to celebrate what would have been Steve McQueen’s 75th birthday.

The legendary McQueen was an avid motorcycle and racecar enthusiast. When he had the opportunity to drive in a movie, he often did so himself, performing many of his own stunts.

The most memorable were the classic chase in “Bullitt” and the motorcycle chase scene in “The Great Escape”. During his acting career, he even considered becoming a professional race car driver.

• Steve McQueen Edition Monaco
• Chronograph function
• Blue dial with 2 silver sub-dials
• Luminous polished nickel plated hour and minute hands
• Square case with hand-applied indexes
• White varnish Monaco name over TAG Heuer logo on dial
• Date function at 6 o’clock
• Stainless steel case and bracelet with alternate fine-brushed and polished steel finishes
• Fold-over, pushbutton safety clasp
• 38mm case diameter by 13mm thickness
• Perspex crystal
• Water-resistant to 30 meters
• Fluted crown

More details, or order this TAG Heuer Monaco automatic chronograph

See all TAG Heuer Monaco watches – shop a wide selection

This “Happy Heart” watch sees Chopard continuing their stunning success in designing jewelry according to a theme. It makes a cute but sophisticated addition to watches in the “Happy Sport” series, which was first unveiled in 1993.

This luxurious ladies’ watch features an elegant mother-of-pearl dial with two floating hearts, one that’s set with 13 diamonds, and another with 13 rubies. The precision quartz movement lies within a polished stainless steel case which is set off perfectly by the pink crocodile leather strap.
 
Features:

• From the Happy Sport Diamond Collection
• Precise Swiss Quartz movement
• Stainless steel case and bezel
• Pink Alligator Strap
• White mother-of-pearl dial
• Arabic numeral markers at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Date display between 4 and 5 o’clock
• 2 floating hearts – one with 13 diamonds, the other with 13 rubies
• Case measures 33 mm wide by 11 mm thickness
• Water-resistant to 30 meters / 100 feet

Louis-Ulysse Chopard, opened his first watch-making workshop in 1860 in Sonvilier, a small town located in the Swiss Jura Mountains. In 1963, jewelry entrepreneur Karl Scheufele purchased Chopard from from Louis-Ulysse’s grandson Paul-Andre, modernized the company and began a focus on integrating stylish jewelry design with watch making.

Get more details or order this Happy Heart watch

See other women’s Chopard Happy Sport watches