Chopard Monaco Historique Time Attack MF Watch Review

I love this watch, but not everyone will. Some people might not get it - but the beauty is crystal clear to me. This watch was announced last year and was a curious release for Chopard. Part of the larger Mille Miglia collection, this watch combines Chopard sexiness with Superquartz geekiness - something that is really hard to find. This Chopard Monaco Historique Time Attack MF watch is one of two timepieces made for the car race in Monaco that is officially named the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. The other one is an automatic model with a 7750 called the Monaco Historique Chronograph (of which there is a picture here). Each share the slick black, orange, and polished steel color scheme, but the Time Attack MF is a much more unique model (even though the mechanical chronograph is a nice model as well). These watches aren't limited edition models per se, but aren't the types to be produced for very long. What really drew me to the watch was the fact that it had a super reliable and accurate high-end thermocompensated (also known as "thermoline") ETA quartz movement, but didn't look like a tool watch. These are the same movements that Breitling (and a few other brands) use in their COSC Chronometer certified quartz watches. Getting a Chronometer certification for a quartz movement isn't at all the same as for a mechanical movement. While your standard drug store quartz watch will be accurate to within about 15 seconds a month, a Superquartz will be accurate to within about 10 seconds a year. They are also a lot more expensive and better made that standard quartz movements. The "MF" part of the watch name stands for multi-function. The movement does more than tell the time, but has your standard bevy of multi-function quartz features such as a chronograph, 2 alarms, calendar, UTC (GMT) time, and second timezone... among a few other features including being back-lit. This is all done via a small negative LCD display on the dial. If you like, you can "blank" out the LCD screen to make it look as though it is not there.

Chopard Gran Turismo XL Racing In Pink Watch

I put this question before you now: Can a man wear a pink watch and retain his masculinity? I made fun of the first guy I saw wearing a "salmon" colored shirt. But, today, it isn't that uncommon. Worn properly, and in the right style, pink isn't always out-of-place. So I wonder, has the time come when a man can get away with wearing a pink watch? When I write about men's watches in white people always fight about whether they would wear them. While one guy can easily pull off a white watch, it definitely isn't for everyone. I expect that even fewer men would be wiling to try it with something pink. Here is what I think: If you take the right type of fairly masculine watch and make it pink, at least a few guys will be able to pull it off. Which brings me to this new-for-2011 limited edition piece from Chopard. Apparently the wife of Chopard's CEO wanted this to happen. It is a limited edition of 1000 piece pink version of the Chopard Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL watch. Named "Racing in Pink," it is otherwise identical to the standard black-dialed version of this 44mm wide steel watch. Design is anything but feminine and I was brave enough to strap it to my wrist.

Quality is very high thanks to Chopard's fine attention to detail

These 5th Edition models further follow style form some of Chopard's Historique watches from the last few years. I covered some 2010 Mille Miglia models here, and I reviewed the Monaco Historique Time Attack MF here. You can see how the Classic Racing Jacky Ickx 5th Edition follows suit with a similar bezel and dial theme. The dials are quite attractive and really legible (which is often the case with Chopard sport watches). You can see how the rose gold cased model comes with a silvered dial with two black subsidiary dials, while the model with the steel case comes with a black dial (and two silvered subsidiary dials for the chronograph). For fun the chronograph pushers look a bit like engine pistons. On the rear of the watch is Jacky Ickx signature and some limited edition graphics. For the record, I think that almost every Jacky Ickx watch (from and brand) has his signature on the dial or elsewhere on the watch. I am not sure of the exact movement inside of these pieces. According to Chopard they are built on a Swiss ETA 2892 automatic base with a chronograph and big date module. The movements have power reserves of 40 hours and are COSC Chronometer certified. In addition to the 24 hour chronograph and big date, you should know that the chronograph has a flyback function and the time is a stop seconds (which means the seconds stop when you pull out the crown).

Chopard Classic Racing Jacky Ickx 5th Edition Watch

2011 sees the release of the 5th version of Chopard's Classic Racing Jacky Ickx Edition watches. The former high-profile race car driver who was popular in the 1970s has a long history with timing and watch brands. Chopard is by no means the first brand to honor the driver with timepieces. Though I believe that they currently are the only brand making new Jacky Ickx themed watches. With the 5th Edition limited production model now released I assume that that the first four editions sold pretty well. Done in a Mille Miglia style case, this Classic Racing watch is about 42.5mm wide and available in steel or 18k rose gold. While the case and overall demeanor of the watch is all "Mille Miglia," the Jacky Ickx models have separated themselves by having tri-compax oriented chronograph subdial layouts and a big date indicator under 12 o'clock. Plus, following in the foot steps of the 4th Edition Jackie Ickx Chopard watch, the hour register for the chronograph measures a full 24 hours - not just 12 hours. This of course is in honor of Jacky Ickx and the Le Mans 24 hour race.

Certina Podium DS, A Podium Finish Every Time

Certina has been in the business of making outstanding Swiss watches since 1888. Now into its 120th year of enterprise the company has remained true to its vision of innovation and excellence. Even after all this time the watchmaking ethos of the company can be expressed in three key words: style, reliability and precision. This is perfectly illustrated by the latest chronograph model in its emblematic DS Podium line. Equipped with the famous ETA Valgranges movement for large watches, an automatic movement with a very long energy reserve (the power curve is very smooth), and a calibre that lends itself very well to customization, it is growing in stature and confirming its temperament. For many successful years now, Certina has been an official Partner of the BMW Sauber F1 Team and their ace driver Robert Kubica. This strong association with motorsport is evident in every aspect of the design of this stunning timepiece, especially the clarity of the dial. Many chronographs can often appear cluttered and difficult to read, however, the DS Podium line does not suffer from this affliction. In fact quite the opposite is true, the dial is almost striking in its clarity and the colour scheme chosen makes a strong statement that legibility is a priority.

Certina DS 1 Chrono Automatique Watch

Last year Basel saw the Certina DS 1 release to a lot of happy watch lovers. It was a entry level priced handsome watch with the build quality and parts that the Swatch Group is able to provide (usually pretty good). Quality is a bit up from Hamilton, another Swatch Group brand. The standard DS 1 watch has an ETA 2824-2 movement, while this new chronograph version will have a Valjoux 7750. This might be one of the best priced watches to be available with the highly desirable work-horse automatic chronograph movement. Still with the Tag Heuer Carrera look, the Certina DS 1 Chrono Automatique (Automatic if you aren't in Europe!) takes everything I love about the Valjoux 7750 movement and emphasizes on its sober tool-like demeanor. That isn't to say the watch is without beautiful good looks, but it is more handsome than flashy. You'll notice that Certina chose to include two different types of pushers for the chronograph. The start and stop pusher being a bit larger and easier to use. The presence of three distinct pushers/crown on the side of the case is a nice design feature. With an impressive 100 meters of water resistance, a special Certina DS crown security system (to protect from damage), and an AR coated domed sapphire crystal, this is to be the value of the year for under $2,000. The 316L grade steel case is 43mm wide, which is the perfect size for today's tastes. The case polish varies between high gloss and satin, which add visual depth and interest to face and bracelet. Also note the exhibition caseback window. You can't see it in the image above, but as this is a 'retro' themed watch design, Certina chose to stamp the brand older logo on the watch crown. Collectors like stuff like that. Look for the official release very soon.

Certina DS Rookie Watch

In addition to Tissot, Certina offers nicely designed Swiss watches are affordable prices, and is part of the Swatch Group. While not as common in the US, there are some real nice Certina timepieces that should be considered when looking for a decently priced quartz watch. Though there are mechanical Certina watches available as well. Basically, Certina watches are priced in the 200 - 2,000 euro zone. Almost all Certina sport watches have a name that starts with "DS." This stands for "Double Security" and is more a safe sounding name than impressive technology. It just means that their cases are durable (not sure just HOW durable), are 100 meters water resistant, and have sapphire crystals. This watch is the DS Rookie, a funny sounding name for a good youthful timepiece that doesn't look chintzy. At 40mm wide, Certina is literally aiming straight at the young make demographic with this watch - those more mature adults who prefer 40mm wide cases will find the DS Rooking a good wear. The cases are in steel, with some in PVD black. You'll notice the interesting two-tone model below in both brushed and PVD black steel.