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Watches: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

November 18, 2011

Fine Rides at the Concours d' Elegance

August 24, 2011

Being at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance—for any car lover—is like being in a very luxurious and wonderful dream. Thanks to an invitation from Rolex, I had the honor of visiting the 61st such event this weekend—in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the automobile.

Held on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, the event is an invitation-only affair that brings together hundreds of the world’s most prized collector cars in one of the most exclusive and competitive events. Magnificently Restored and untouched preserved automobiles from the turn of the century and throughout the decades come together in all their glory in what is a breathtaking and mind-boggling experience. I spent hours on the Concours devouring the sites—wooden wheels of yesteryear in cars dating back to 1914, hood ornaments that leave one marveling at their very intricate detailing and intake manifolds and outer accents finished in golden hues.

From Duesnbergs to Stutz’s (which celebrates its 100 year anniversary), Edwardian-era Rolls-Royce’s , Packards, and the finest Ferrari 250 GTO’s (the automobiles produced from 1962 to 1964 that marked the culmination of Enzo Ferrari’s efforts to perfect this line), the Concours d’ Elegance recalls the glamour and growth that classic automobiles and fine racing vehicles brought to reality. If one can’t fulfill a passion for the architectural lines of the roadsters, grand touring and motorsports here, it probably won’t happen anywhere.

This year’s Best of Show Winner: A quite alluring 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne owned by Peter Mullin (owner of many vintage autos) and an entry in the 1932-1937 European Classic category. My Best of Show Pick: While I loved the Winner, the interior didn’t do the trick for me. I’m afraid I was a bit more staid. I loved a couple of the American Classics, including a light yellow 1934 Packard, the owner of which happened to be a friend of famed car restorer Wayne Carini, whom I met him at the show– but watch for more coming about and from Carini soon enough here at Atimelyperspective. Watch for more coverage here, too, of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Seca Raceway in the coming days.

Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com.

Dive Deep: Audemars Piguet

July 25, 2011

The Royal Oak Offshore Diver by Audemars Piguet

If you've got a secret mission, this is the watch for you. The stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ($17,000) is water resistant to 300 meters and resistant to extreme pressures, shocks and magnetic phenomena. A diver's watch in all its pristine simplicity, it is equipped with the 278-part Manufacture Audemars Piguet self-winding movement: Calibre 3120. Built according to the NIHS Swiss watch industry norms that comply with international diving codes, the Royal Oak Offshore Diver is equipped with a host of features and functions that qualify it to be a dive watch:

Time preselection device: It features a dive scale on an inner rotating dial ring that is activated via a unidirectional click mechanism linked to the 10:00 crown. In compliance with the 92-11 norm, the device features a minutes scale on which five-minute periods are clearly highlighted.

Visibility: The time measured on the inner dial ring and the movement operating indication must be readable in the dark from a distance of 25 cm. The watch meets this requirement thanks to the luminescent coatings.

Water tightness and resistance to salt water: The 92-11 norm demands water tightness to at least 100 metres. The caseback screws, the intermediate bolts and the distinctive Royal Oak Offshore hexagonal screws seal the case as securely as a submarine hatch—to 300 meters.

Antimagnetic property and resistance to shocks and thermal variations: The movement of the Royal Oak Offshore Diver is protected by an antimagnetic strongbox-type case construction.

London Jewelers, 47 Main St., Southampton, 287-4499

Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com.

A Corum Chrono

July 18, 2011

Franck Muller Hits A Grand Slam

July 11, 2011

Franck Muller has teamed up with legendary baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson to create a watch collection under his name. The new Reggie Jackson Collection consists of three Conquistador models: Two Center Seconds pieces and one chronograph. Two feature vivid Yankees colors—blue rubber straps against a titanium case with blue bezels, and white dials with blue pinstripes and red accents. Thoughtful touches include Jackson’s number “44” instead of the typical “4,” and red, white and blue hands. The Reggie Jackson Chronograph (shown here, $20,300) is a titanium model created in 25 pieces. It houses the 8900CC self-winding caliber with 228 components and 27 jewels. The watch offers hours, minutes and small seconds at 9:00, date at 6:00 and 30-minute counter at 3:00. A blue rubber strap, bezel and pinstriped dial top things off. The two Center Seconds watches come in titanium with the Yankees colors ($10,300) and an 18k rose gold and black version with a guilloché dial ($16,000) created in a 25-piece set. Available exclusively at Tourneau, Walt Whitman Mall, 160 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 1055, Huntington Station, 631-427-2649

Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com.