© 2013 Adam Priscak for WatchAnish and TWL
Looking to break out with something different for your wrist this summer? Perhaps something that’s robust and practical whilst at the same time visually appealing (especially to the opposite sex)? Well, I may have just the thing for you; the SpidoLite II collection from TWL favorite Linde Werdelin.
“What would you recommend for under $5,000?” That has got to be one of the questions I get asked most often by those making their first foray into the world of mechanical timepieces. Generally speaking these first-time buyers are looking for a well-known brand name, one that inspires confidence and comfort in the mind of the purchaser, and one that their friends will all recognize, and envy. Well, thanks to Omega, I now have a new piece to add to my running list of recommendations, the Speedmaster Racing.
Yes, you guessed it, it’s collaboration time. Again. Teaming up with yet another of their numerous ambassadors – in this case athletic superstar and current world’s fastest man Usain ‘Lighting’ Bolt – Hublot presents the creatively titled King Power Usain Bolt.
The Lighting Bolt
Subtle jibes about the name aside, this latest ‘dedication’ from Hublot is actually pretty cool, if a bit egomaniacal. Presented in an over-sized 48mm King Power case, the color scheme is predominantly black with gold highlights across the dial, colors strongly associated with Mr. Bolt.
As you would expect the King Power Usain Bolt is powered by a chronograph movement – the Calibre HUB4100 to be precise. Functions include a central 60-second hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, as well as a 12-hour chronograph counter at 6 o’clock decorated with a touch of green in a nod to the colors of the Jamaican flag. At 9 o’clock there is a permanent small seconds counter with an anthracite grey transfer of Bolt’s silhouette, assuming the iconic pose he is world renowned for, contrasting against the black background. A date window at 4.30 completes the design.
For the final touch the strap is made from exactly the same gold-colored synthetic leather as the shoes Bolt wore when he broke the world records in Beijing in 2008. This is stitched onto black rubber – a Hublot signature – to guarantee comfort, strength and flexibility and really provides a striking contrast against the black case and dial.
The King Power Usain Bolt will be produced in an individually numbered, limited edition series of 250 pieces.
The Final Word
It’s no secret that Hublot is the king of limited edition timepieces. It almost feels like the brand comes out with a new “collaboration” every month sometimes but hate them or love them, I must say they occasionally make some pretty cool timepieces and they seem to have a good time doing it. And of course it’s always amusing to hear the spin that Hublot visionary and chairman Jean-Claude Biver puts on the brand’s latest variant, the King Power Usain Bolt being no exception;
“It’s perfectly natural to be associated with the fastest man, not just on the planet, but the fastest since the Big Bang”
Genius!
For more information please visit the official Hublot website: www.hublot.com
It seems that black is back and its here to stay. I for one could not be happier. Especially when you consider the number of high quality, stealth look watches that have been steadily introduced to the market over the last 12 months.
Wyler Genève Code-R chronograph
Take for example the new full-black Code-R chronograph from Wyler Genève. The brushed titanium case is subtle and refined yet the all black styling gives it a hint of toughness and reliability. And for a watch brand so closely linked with motorsport, reliability is key. That’s why the Code-R is powered by arguably one of the most reliable Swiss automatic chronograph movements presently on the market (at least within this price range) and has a power reserve of 42 hours.
Design Cues
Further demonstrating its strong links to motor racing the Code-R takes it design cues from the materials and technology used in the sport. As previously mentioned the external casing is made from lightweight yet incredibly resilient titanium with carbon-fibre resin for its inner frame. The rubber-coated crown is reticent of a car tyre and the chronograph pushers are pedal-shaped.
Function Over Form
However, just as in motor racing, design plays second fiddle to practicality in the Wyler Genève chronograph. A watch, no matter how stunning, has little use if it cannot be read and this problem is further magnified on an all-black timepiece such as the Code-R. To counter this, the hands and minute track numerals are coated with black SuperLuminova which ignite the dial at night to allow the user to view it clearly.
Ensuring comfortable wearing the Code-R is fitted as standard with a black rubber bracelet with pushbutton-operated fold-over clasp in steel and titanium and comes with a 2-year warranty.
The Final Word
Wyler Genève make stunning watches and the Code-R chronograph is no exception. The subtle stealthy allure of the watch cannot be denied and although I generally do not like titanium casing I would most certainly make an exception in this case (excuse the pun). This would make a great every day watch or a very nice addition to any collection.
Check out www.wylergeneve.com for more information.
It’s a huge problem faced by all high-end luxury watch brands. How to give potential clients the opportunity to “try before they buy”? Now pioneer watch maker Linde Werdelin, self-described as a combination of Danish ingenuity and Swiss craftsmanship, has come up with an innovative solution to overcome this hurdle. Enter the Linde Werdelin Test Set, an unparalleled opportunity to try out some of the most advanced and stylish watch technology in the world for five days obligation free!
How’s It Work?
Essentially you jump onto the dedicated Linde Werdlin “Try It” page and complete a basic loan request for insurance purposes. Note that the company will take a guarantee of €1,000 on your credit card, however, this is for security only and your card will not be charged if the watch is returned in the same condition it was dispatched. You then have five days from receipt to enjoy the watch and its fantastic features and then you can choose to purchase the piece or return in the packaging supplied by the company.
What Do You Get?
Not all watches from the collection are available with this deal, however, you can choose from the following:
Better still they will also send you the “The Rock” Land Instrument (pictured above) to test with the watch (hence the somewhat unoriginal title the “Test Set.”) However, it is important to note that if you choose to buy the watch the Rock is not included and must be purchased separately. Unless you’re a hardcore mountaineer, however, you will probably have little use for it but given it is only an additional €990 it kind of seems a shame not to buy it with the watch, even if just for the novelty factor alone.
The Final Word
Linde Werdelin is undoubtedly a pioneer in the watch industry both in their unique and highly practical watch concepts but also in their approach to customer service. This is yet another example of their dedication and commitment to their customers and if you have been thinking of purchasing one of these watches or might be considering it now, I would strongly recommend you give the “Test Set” a go. After all the worse that could happen is that you fall head over heels in love with whichever watch you choose and then can’t bring yourself to return it.
But then would that really be so bad?
What People Are Saying