Limited to just 50 pieces, each bearing an individually engraved number on their transparent back, the 2013 Vulcain 50s Presidents’ Alarm Watch Edition France (ref. 160151.323L) will be offered exclusively in France.
Swiss Brands
Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Chronograph in Steel
Last year, the Swiss watchmaking brand has expanded its Vintage 1945 collection with a beautiful automatic chronograph. A version in rose gold retailed for more than €26,000, so a version in stainless steel, twice less expensive, was introduced in parallel. It looks like the version in steel proved more successful among connoisseurs, so, this year, the company presents an updated version: the 2013 Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Chronograph in Steel (Ref. 25883-11-221-BB6C).
Saint Honore Worldcode Chronograph in Black Ceramic
Saint Honore Paris, a French company that has a number of great models in its portfolio, but is still inconsistent when it comes to design, has finally found a contractor capable of making fine ceramic components for their fashion watches.
Unlike Hermes, another French fashion house that has enough resources to get the best industrial designers and the best mechanical movements for their timekeepers, SHP is forced to move by smaller increments towards their goal of becoming a great name in the industry. Still, they do make the progress and, around a month ago, the company has expanded its Opera line with a ceramic wristwatch designed for ladies, and now they introduce a sporty Saint Honore Worldcode Chronograph in Black Ceramic (ref. 890128 71CIN).
Eberhard & Co. Scafodat 500 41025 Professional Diver
If memory serves, the Eberhard & Co. Scafodat 500, a professional diving tool, was first introduced back in 2006 or 2005. In 2013, it was slightly updated. Although I cannot see any noticeable differences between the ref. 41025 2013 model and previous iterations, the timekeeper still deserves a mention now, when thousands of recreational divers still sit on the fence trying to choose among dozens of great mechanical diving watches that are available both online and at numerous boutiques.
2013 Alpina Extreme Diver 300M Collection
Alpina Geneve has released yet another update to its Extreme Diver 300M collection of cushion-shaped divers. After a mild facelift to its chronograph that was revealed in May during Baselworld 2013 event, the Swiss-based company turned its attention to the three-hander version of the diver. Just like the previous iteration, the 2013 Alpina Extreme Diver 300M collection (Refs. AL-525LBO4V26, AL-525LBO4V26B & AL-525LBO4V26B2) will be available in three versions that will differ only in the way the gadget is secured on your wrist.
Versace Vanitas Quartz Collection in Gold-Plated Steel
The Italian fashion giant Gianni Versace S.p.A. has finally decided to expand their Vanitas collection (the one that was previously known to me only for its fairly expensive fragrances but also happens to include handbags and other accessories) with a fashion watch. Designed for women and powered by an inexpensive Swiss quartz movement, which is identical to the mechanism that also happens to animate their 2010 Versace Reve Carre model, the new Versace Vanitas Quartz Collection (ref. VK773 0017) sports an attractive design.