Chopard Happy Diamonds

Hublot Breaks Ground on Its New Manufacture
To accommodate its continued growth, and to further assist in the verticalization of its watch production, Hublot began construction of a second building that will more than double the surface area of its existing manufacture in Nyon, Switzerland.In a groundbreaking ceremony on March 3, Jean-Claude Biver, chairman of Hublot (and recently named president of the LVMH Group’s Watch Division), and Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, turned the first sod with shovels specially engraved for the occasion.This new unit, located right next to the original building, will be dedicated chiefly to the production of components for Hublot manufacture movements and the production of watch cases. The facility will house micro-mechanical workshops, a bank of CNC machines, and workshops devoted to decoration, electroplating, general mechanical and washing, among other disciplines. After-sales service and some administrative offices will also be installed in the new building, which is set to open in A

Archimede Outdoor Protect and PVD Review
A couple of years ago, we got the chance to review the Archimede Outdoor. We were impressed back then, but in the years that have past, have longed to revisit the watch. Not simply because we missed it, which we did, but because in those 2 years, we've seen so many watches that I kept thinking, "wow, the Outdoor was really unique… Perhaps more unique than we gave it credit for originally." Which is true, there isn't anything else quite like the Outdoor; it's a daily watch, a tool watch, a field watch, a sport watch…all wrapped up into a compact, understated and well-priced package.If that weren't enough, they've also released two new versions of the watch, one of which replaced the version we originally reviewed. The new versions are the Protect, which features a hardened steel case (more on that later) and the PVD, which is simply PVD coated. They also had released a full-lume dial option at some point, which seemed worth examining. So, today we're going to look at one of

Surprise - an unexpected 'new' watch
Well I thought I had done my dash for 2008, but while browsing the watch display at a pawn shop I found a diamond in the rough. Nestled among the old and battered watches, mostly g-shocks & citizens of yesteryear, was a Tissot PRC 200 quartz chronograph. The case was filthy, scratched and dinged, with one dent in particular of concern. I had a close look and noticed that it did not touch the (sapphire) crystal, which appeared to be in perfect condition. The stainless steel bracelet was scratched and worn, but not damaged in any way I could see. Also, the chrono hands (stopwatch) would not return to zero when the stopwatch was reset. I've seen this plenty of times before and knew it would be an easy fix, but I suspect the shop thought it was faulty.It seems to be a current model (I found one that looked identical in a Jeweller's today), and retails for $925 (NZD).I managed to get the shop down to $250, and headed home with my 'prize.'Here are some pics of the watch, as bought yester

Omegas and your pocket knife
My father always taught me to have a pocket knife on you at all times. I've had one in my pocket I think since I was about seven, maybe eight years old. Because of this training I've had one on my person for the last 40 years. In doing so I've come to love high-end custom and production knives along with other man toys. Just wondering how many of you guys or gals(My wife carries a sweet Microtech UTX-70),l out there share my same interest? Doesn't have to be some big beastly macho man knife, just something you might carry every day. I'm real partial to Chris Reeve Knives. Fantastic EDC(Every Day Carry), knives in a large or small configuration.This is one of his newest folders called the Inkosi. Zulu for Chief. The handle scales are inlayed brown canvas micarta. Yes, inlayed.Oh ya, there's my new Omega in the picture.

Does it piss anyone else off that DavidSW has BNIB 5711a purchased in March for sale?
5 year waiting lists or closed waiting list for those who really want one, but either he back-doors his way into one or someone else buys one and flips it immediately. Disgusting!