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Shot again with the supremely versatile Zeiss ZA 24-70mm F2.8. With just a B+W MRC Circular polarizer for some of the shots. No magnifier was used. More Pics after the jump.
More pictures after the jump. Continue reading Another Night, Another Few Watches Some watch photography I did with an unorthodox kit. Sony A850 with a Sony ZA Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8 SSM and a couple of flashes. I used just a Marumi Achromatic +5 Close up filter to enhance magnification on the already macro friendly ZA 24-70mm. My simple leather jacket was used as a backdrop and a small metal sheet I fit into my small bag. The important thing is to just modify your light and use RF triggers so you can have off camera flashes. While a lot of patrons of the bar did not appreciate flashes popping left and right, I’m relatively happy with the results. Make sure to hit the link for all the pics.
More Pics In the Link Continue reading Shooting inside a Bar – Panerai 372 and Panerai Bronzo 382 Homages are a hot button topic on watch design. It seems that the consensus is, as long as the homage is an out of production vintage design, most people seem to find that ethically acceptable. Some do not of course. The moral objections come down to that some people believe that ripping of a hot popular design devalues a brand, cheaply exploits another firms’ efforts, and steals sales from the real watch. I think there is some truth to this line of thinking but I also think a lot of it is based on some shaky assumptions since there isn’t a way yet to realistically measure the effects of a homage design on a current production watch. Certainly for vintage watches it keeps that history alive in the modern conscience and the elevates the value of vintage pieces because eventually we all want the real thing if you’re into this hobby. That is the other aspect of it. Homages are typically priced significantly less than the watches that they’re copying. Since watch collecting is a strongly emotional hobby, nobody ends up being truly happy with that ownership experience. We all want to own our original works of art, how happy can a print really make you over the long term versus an original piece? Hamilton is currently owned by the Swatch Group. I ran into this watch while researching some of the other excellent Hamilton Jazzmaster Chronograph line. What watch does this remind you of?
Does it remind you of a certain IWC? If you look at the sub dial lay out, the arabic numerals, and the index ring (chapter ring), it certainly reminds me of this design from IWC and of the best watches I’ve ever owned: 
Personally, I don’t think anyone can objectively say with a straight face that one didn’t begot the other. Sure, Hamilton added a day/date, changed the pushers around and used a different font but come on. This also goes to show how perfect the IWC design is since it’s still just so much more elegant and beautiful than the Hamilton. Again in this case, I don’t think anyone buying that Hamilton is really stealing a sale from IWC considering the IWC is nearly 800% more costly. However, it does give Hamilton sales that feel somewhat undeserved although it is addressing a market need for people who want a downscale Portuguese Chronograph and for that, I can’t really blame them. http://www.bellross.com/us/#/shop/watches/details/421 While I realize it is historically significant, this style of the pilot’s watch has never really resonated with me. This though, Bell and Ross got the proportions just right somehow, it works. Even the onion crowns (which I usually dislike) is pretty good and not an over-sized piece. I can’t say I’m thrilled about the lugs or lack thereof but it does give it a unique flair. I think personally I would go for the PVD Heritage version that come with yellow vintage style lume. The watch is 45mm so its a hefty 2mm short of the IWC Big Pilot size case and at $3300, honestly not a total rip off like most of B&R’s line. You can probably work a 15% discount at retail. I’m not sure I’d buy it new over a Stowa Classic Chrono but if it pops up in the secondary markets, I would give it a shot. I’m not sure if there’s been a change of management over at Bells & Ross but they’ve just been hitting all the right buttons lately especially with their heritage line.
What a great watch. It seems like I’m going through their entire product line. The U2 shown here is the DLC version. It’s a great simple thin watch reminiscent of a compressor style with internal bi-directional rotating bezel. The movement is cushioned with soft silk pillows (no, probably some sort of polymer) that is better at absorbing shocks than you’ll find in any other “rugged” watch outside of the Supermarine. It was designed to withstand the tremendous G-forces from military jet ejection systems. The quality as usual, is outstanding. Perhaps my only criticism of the watch is that the laser cut hands has some slight white outlining on the edges and really that is just nitpicking. The crowns are not screw down and the caseback uses screws. This watch is rated for 100m which is ample for a pilot’s watch. I assume this was done to keep the watch relatively thin but still use the Bremont TripTic case construction. It has a snazzy looking knurled anodized aluminum side barrel.
No joke, this was not edited to look like this, it was just how it was captured.
Milgaus?
I’m very happy to see that this long project of horological love has finally started shipping out to customers. It is quite the bargain if you consider they’re one of the few microbrands able to procure the Incredible Soprod A10 movement. The design is unique and knowing how dedicated the owner is to the project, I’m very confident the overall quality will be immense. This is a must buy if you’re looking for a serious diver’s watch that isn’t made by one of the more common bigger firms. I especially enjoy how nicely finished the date window is, a small detail a lot of companies will gloss over with mediocrity. Find more info here: http://www.aegirinstruments.com/detail.aspx?pid=6
World famous artist murders a bunch of Stallone watches. Interesting concept about the flow of time and what not. I wonder if he actually purchased all those watches or he had an assistant call up Richemont for some dials. I’m sure they would have obliged consider the cache of this artist.
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