Official launch of the 24th Tour Auto: Zenith delighted to be the official timekeeper

This Monday, 20th April, the 24th edition of the Tour Auto was launched under the nave of the Grand Palais in Paris. It was a day dedicated to official unveilings and last-minute technical testing before the tarmac and dust of the road in this highly anticipated competition, departing from Paris on the 21st and set to arrive in Biarritz on the 25th. The 20th April also saw a series of firsts for Zenith replica watches uk! It represented the announcement of its first year as the official timekeeper of the challenge, the first time it participated as a competitor with three drivers and one co-pilot, as well as the unveiling of its new chronograph, produced specially for the event, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition.

ZENITH ENTERS INTO THE LEGEND OF AN ICONIC RACE

With its first edition in 1899, the Tour Auto is the oldest automotive challenge still running today. Bringing vintage sports cars together side-by-side, this endurance event includes circuit races, relay rallies and pack racing, among other challenges. The competition is a must-see event in the international sporting calendar and is particularly admired by fans for its “golden era” from 1951 to 1986. From 1992 onwards, Peter Auto has taken on the role of organiser with the Tour Auto Optic 2ooo. Since this date, the route has been revised each year to allow the public from all four corners of France to witness this great spectacle.

On 20th April 2015, all were reunited to reflect on the authenticity and prestige of this legendary race.

First of all, there was the setting. Majestic. The Grand Palais and its breath-taking canopy, an architectural marvel, was also the historic backdrop to the Salon de l’Automobile from its first edition in 1901 until 1961.

There were some 233 vintage sports cars lined up on the grid: BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Renault, Citroën, Lancia and Ford; all the biggest names were represented by their most fabled models. All were brands that took part in the Tour Auto between 1951 and 1979 – a condition for being accepted to participate.

There were also a Breitling replica watches number of guest stars. Each year, the organisers invite a particular type of car to race. For 2015, the roadster was chosen; a racing car that is instantly recognisable for its open, roofless and windscreen-free design. In total, five roadsters would form the starting pack; a 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondiale, a 1954 Osca 1500, a 1956 Porsche 550 A, a 1956 Lotus Eleven 1500 and a 1957 Maserati 200 SI no less – a true highlight for car enthusiasts!

Also present were the competitors. Among the private challengers in their own vehicles, there were well-known faces and former champions, Yannick Dalmas and Gérard Larrousse at the wheel of a BMW M4, with six wins between them at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Olivier Panis and his two seasons driving Formula 1, and German nationals Jürgen Barth and Jochen Mass… not forgetting Félix Baumgartner, driver under the Zenith star, at the wheel of his 1955 Mercedes 300 SL.

Above all, there was the ambience! The vibrations and roar of the engines, the cheers of the spectators and enthusiasts, all brought together in one. Excited, amazed and intoxicated by the moment and the indescribable feeling of being there, in the middle of all this hubbub, conscious of being part of a truly unique experience together. A magical event!

ZENITH AND FELIX BAUMGARTNER – STARS OF THE EVENT

Felix joined Aldo Magada, CEO of the brand, on the Zenith Pop Up stage for an official presentation. Aldo Magada expressed his pride and happiness at the brand being named as the official timekeeper of the competition and at having the opportunity to race with three champions (he would be participating himself as a co-pilot), thereby entering into the legend of the Tour Auto.

Alongside him, Felix asserted his enthusiasm and delight at taking the wheel for Zenith: My main priority is to have fun and enkjoy the ride”.

A final highlight included the presentation of the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition, specially designed for the event. This luxury Breitling replica watches model with a sporty feel and automotive inspiration embodies all the expertise of Zenith. Designed to be a benchmark chronograph for drivers and classic car enthusiasts alike, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition is produced as a limited edition of only 500 pieces.

Just a few of the highlights of this truly amazing day! Organisers, partners, competitors and cars alike are ready at last and roaring with impatience to set off on the road!

So, on your marks for this spectacular race, which will feature stages in Vichy (21 April), Clermont-Ferrance (22 April), Toulouse (23 April), Pau (24 April) and Biarritz (25 April).

5 Citizen Eco-Drive Watches from Recent Baselworld Shows

Japan’s Citizen Watch Co. introduced a number of Breitling replica watches uk at recent Baselworld shows, many powered by the brand’s renowned Eco-Drive solar technology, which absorbs power for the movement from sunlight. Here are five Citizen Eco-Drive watches (prices included) that are in stores now.

The Citizen Eco-Drive Dress (Ref. BU2016-00A) has a two-tone stainless steel/rose gold case measuring 44 mm in diameter. The silver dial has applied rose-gold-toned indices. The watch, which contains Citizen’s Eco-Drive Caliber 8729, has an analog day and date display and both 12-hour and 24-hour time indication. The Eco-Drive Dress comes on a black alligator strap and retails for $325.

Citizen Eco-Drive Dress

The Citizen Eco-Drive Avion (Ref. AW1361-01E) is a military aviator-style timepiece with a 45-mm stainless steel case, black dial, and black leather strap with white contrast stitching. The date at 3 o’clock and pointer at 12 o’clock are reminiscent of vintage pilots’ watches. The latest Breitling replica watches indicates the time on both 12-hour and 24-hour scales. The price is $185.

Citizen Eco-Drive Avion

The men’s version of the new Citizen Eco-Drive Chrono-Time (Ref. BY0100-51H) is a chronograph but also much more. Its movement, Caliber H610, not only includes the Eco-Drive technology but also features Citizen’s atomic clock synchronization for greater timekeeping accuracy. The watch offers world times for 26 cities on a UTC display, a 1/5-second chronograph that can record time intervals up to 60 minutes, a perpetual calendar with date display, an alarm function, and a power reserve indicator. The Eco-Drive Chrono-Time has a 44-mm stainless steel case and bracelet and a nonreflective sapphire crystal. It is priced at $695.

Citizen Eco-Drive Chrono-Time

Another chronograph cheap Breitling replica watches, the Citizen Eco-Drive Shadowhawk (Ref. CA4170-51E), has a textured black dial, with luminous accents on the hands, indices and numerals, ringed by a tachymeter-scale flange which the wearer can use to record speeds up to Mach 2. Its 1/5-second chronograph measures times up to one hour and a subdial at 3 o’clock shows the time on a 24-hour scale. The stainless steel case is 43 mm in diameter and has a nonreflective mineral crystal. The Eco-Drive Shadowhawk, which comes on a stainless steel bracelet, costs $495.

Citizen Eco-Drive Shadowhawk

Also equipped with a 1/5-second chronograph function capable of measuring up to an hour of elapsed time, the Citizen Eco-Drive Ecosphere (Ref. CA4154-15E) is a big, sporty timepiece with a 48-mm case and a black polyurethane strap. The orange areas of the steel case have a “Chroma-finish,” which gives them the smooth feel of a new car. The black dial, with orange accents, displays the time in 12-hour and 24-hour format and the date in a window at 4:30, and is surrounded by a tachymeter scale. The price of the Citizen Eco-Drive Ecosphere is $395.

Citizen Eco-Drive Ecosphere

Fratello Friday: Are You Buying Authentic Watches?

The issue of  included an article called “Buyer Beware.” It was an interesting read, but mainly focused on the topic of how counterfeit latest Bretling replica watches pose a potential risk for the watch industry. In this article, I would like to put the focus more on the buyers of counterfeit watches or — even worse – the so-called “Frankenwatches.”

Many buyers of cheap, counterfeit watches are simply people who would love to own a Rolex but have a budget of about $25. They know they are buying a fake watch; they have no intention of buying the real thing. And the watch will probably go well with their fake Louis Vuitton bag and Hermès belt (people still wear these things?).

So let’s skip that discussion as well. You and I are not in this category and probably never will be. Fake watches are for fake people.

Let’s make a distinction between counterfeit watches and Frankenwatches as well. A counterfeit watch – or bracelet, as I mentioned in my small introduction – is a complete fake. Nothing is genuine about the Breitling replica watches uk. Some makers of counterfeit watches are quite good these days, which means they make them out of decent stainless steel, get most of the little details correct, and perhaps even provide a fake box and fake papers. Be very careful about those. Two things will probably give away it is fake: 1.) The price. It is probably too good to be true. 2.) The movement. There will be some other things as well, mainly in the details of the watch. So either make sure you are able to verify whether there is valid movement inside or study all the details of the watch to be sure. Ideally, you would bring a similar watch with you that you know to be genuine.

Fake Rolex Back  - Movement

Frankenwatches are another thing, and in my opinion, even more dangerous. A Frankenwatch is a watch that consists of (mainly) original and genuine parts but they are either not period-accurate or did not originally come with that specific timepiece. An example would be a Rolex Submariner from 1965, with a movement from a more recent Rolex watch Rolex (maybe not even a Submariner), a wrong bracelet, a bezel inlay from a later model, and an aftermarket plexiglas crystal. This, or another mix of ingredients, can make it hard to determine whether a watch is genuine or not.

In both cases, you need some self-education to avoid buying either a counterfeit cheap Breitling replica watches or a Frankenwatch. The level of education varies, of course, and also depends on whether there is a lot of documentation on a brand or specific watch, or whether there is little or none.

Kill Bill 2 - Fake Rolex

The easiest way to prevent yourself from buying a counterfeit or Frankenwatch is by going to an authorized dealer and buying a new watch. However, that doesn’t solve the issues in the market of pre-owned and vintage watches. Some discontinued and vintage watches are so high in demand – with corresponding price tags – that it also attracts scum. Scum that tries to make a fortune from of the passionate collectors and buyers of pre-owned and vintage watches that think they have found their Horological Holy Grail.

Some Breitling replica watches for sale brands are eager to characterize the internet as a bad place, more or less the sewer of society. We know better, of course. This view, in my opinion, mainly comes from brands that do not have a clear strategy or vision regarding online sales yet and use it as an excuse to avoid the discussion. However, other brands are very helpful if you need more information about a discontinued watch or even a vintage watch. Some will inform you whether the parts are original, and sometimes may even offer to do a check-up on the watch. In the latter case, however, this of course means that you’ve already bought it. If a lot of money is involved, a seller might agree to have the watch checked for authenticity at a brand’s service center. Unfortunately, John Mayer came to this decision a bit too late, but it is how he found out some of his watches were no good.

Fake Rolex Datejust - German writing on dial

Buying a genuine watch is a matter of doing the homework. Whether you do the research yourself or would rather “borrow” a bit of knowledge from other collectors or sources, it will prevent you from making many mistakes. From rather stupid ones (like my own fake bracelet) to ones that were about to remain unexposed if you didn’t made that extra mile. This rule does not only apply to internet sales, of course, but also to pre-owned and vintage watches sold by traditional brick-and-mortar shops and auctions (yes, people, Frankenwatches and counterfeits even show up there once in a while).

Common sense and education is key when it comes to purchasing a Breitling fake watches from any channel other than an authorized dealer or brand boutique. There are some really great books out there that can make you a virtual expert on this subject matter, brand forums with a lot of knowledgeable contributors and of course various watch blogs that have covered a lot of different of wristwatches. Absorb as much information as you can and do not forget to ask about a second opinion when you are in doubt. If you have any tips to share, please leave a comment below.

Brand to Watch: Aerowatch and the Aerowatch Renaissance Orange Tornado

Aerowatch is a small brand with a big history. At Baselworld 2015, the Jura-based brand debuted the Renaissance Orange Tornado, a new skeletonized watch with bright accents on the dial. It’s worth taking a look at both where this latest Breitling replica watches company comes from and what it’s doing today. Here’s the Aerowatch story behind the Renaissance Orange Tornado.

Aerowatch isn’t the most familiar name in the watch world, but it has the kind of solid Swiss heritage that many small independent brands would do anything for. Originally founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1910, Aerowatch aspired to being a watchmaker for the future. As the name suggests, the brand had its eye on an English-speaking international market, and during the golden age of flight it wanted to be the first name in aviation-themed timepieces.

Aerowatch-Historical Ad 560

But the path forward was not so easy. The brand moved repeatedly, first to Fleurier, then to Neuchâtel. Throughout, it remained a family-run business. When Maxime Crevoisier took over the company from its original owners in 1942, he set it on its course as a specialist in pocketwatches and pendant Breitling replica watches uk for men and women.

He and his son Georges built up a distribution network in more than 30 countries. The business continued along through the following decades. In 2001 the Crevoisiers sold Aerowatch to Denis Bolzli, who now runs the company with his two sons. It is based in Saignelégier in the Swiss Jura, close to the French border.

Aerowatch Headquarters 560

A key thing to know about the brand is that Aerowatch only entered the wristwatch market very recently. Throughout the 20th century it remained a pocketwatch company. It was not until 2004 that the brand began to work on original wrist cheap Breitling replica watches with fine Swiss movements. Today it has a range of models for men and women, with quartz and mechanical calibers.

An important moment for the brand was 2009, when it launched its first Grandes Squelettes models. Skeletonized models are always a pleasure to gaze into, but all the more so when the movements they reveal have some history to them. That’s definitely the case with Aerowatch’s Grandes Squelettes: they’re powered by hand-wound Unitas movements, which have a heritage dating back to the 1950s.

Aerowatch Orange Tornado soldier 560

The Renaissance Orange Tornado uses a skeletonized bridge design. It’s built off of concentric circles that emanate outwards from the balance, located at 8 o’clock. (This subtle asymmetry was also used in the Black Tornado, which was introduced several years ago; other Grandes Squelettes models have different designs.) Two bright orange hands with luminous coating are mounted at the center; a seconds subdial is at 6 o’clock. Simple, luminous hour markings are found around the perimeter of the dial, making for easy reading. The small seconds display has no markers, but the orange hand should make its position easy to spot nonetheless.

One real treat in looking at the Renaissance Orange Tornado is that its barrel is open for view. As you wind the movement via the crown, you can see the mainspring contract. And as it winds down over the course of 46 hours, you’ll be able to monitor the remaining power just by glancing at it.

Aerowatch Orange Tornado mainspring CU 560

The Breitling replica watches uk uses a Unitas 6498 movement, a 16 1/2-ligne manual caliber. Now owned by ETA (and sometimes known as the ETA 6498), it runs in 17 jewels and has a pocketwatch-style power reserve of 18,000 vph. The movement has been skeletonized, decorated, and chamfered by hand.

The Renaissance Orange Tornado is sizable: it has a 45-mm diameter. Its case is made of polished stainless steel with a black PVD coating. The ring around the dial is matte black with orange markings for the hour indexes. The front sapphire crystal is domed. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters.

Aerowatch Orange Tornado back 560

Available at Aerowatch retailers since March, the Renaissance Orange Tornado costs $2,580. It comes on a black leather strap with orange overstitching and has a steel folding clasp that’s coated in black PVD.