Raymond Weil Unveils Special Edition Nabucco Inspired by Gibson Guitars
Earlier this year, Swiss watch manufacturer Raymond Weil and Gibson Brands, an American manufacturer of guitars and other instruments, announced their plans to work together to create a special Nabucco timepiece, specifically inspired by the famous self-tuning Gibson SG Standard guitar. Here’s a look at the watch that resulted.The special-edition Raymond Weil Nabucco timepiece has four key design elements that signify it as a Gibson Special Edition. First, the iconic Gibson logo is located just above the Raymond Weil plaque in the center of the dial, replacing the standard applied 12 o’clock hour marker. The second design element is the six grooves that encircle the edges of the black galvanic dial, symbolizing the strings of a Gibson SG Standard guitar. The third is the Gibson logo incorporated into the custom oscillating weight that is visible through the clear sapphire caseback.? Finally, there are the two prominent screws that attach the Raymond Weil logo, which are sim

PPR Becomes the Majority Shareholder of Sowind Group
Sowind Group and PPR jointly announced today the launch of a reserved capital increase of Sowind Group that will be fully subscribed by PPR. PPR will then become the majority shareholder of Sowind with a 50.1 % stake. PPR already owned a 23% share based on a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2008 when Sowind was controlled by Luigi Macaluso, who passed away in October last year. The transaction allows PPR's Luxury Group to strengthen its presence in the haute horlogerie segment while supporting Sowind Group's international development. Sowind Group includes Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard. Under the agreement, Francois-Henri Pinault becomes Chairman of Sowind Group, alongside Monica Mailander Macaluso, who becomes Vice-Chairman.Sowind Group, which is one of the last independent Swiss watchmaking manufactures, has a presence in 60 countries, namely with the Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard brands.Fran?ois-Henri Pinault said: This operation strengthens PPR's Luxury Group in the

They have a permanent collection which they call the "extraordinary dials"
They have a permanent collection which they call the "extraordinary dials", referring to the dials asextraordinary. Last year a major theme of the dials was butterflies (see here). This year, the models of the Lady, the animals are still in. Emphasis is placed on the Arctic and Africa.

First AP. 15400 black or 26470 navy. Please help me decide!
I'm pretty much set on my next purchase and I think it's come down to one of the following two. The Royal Oak 15400 black vs. ROO 26470 in navy blue with the rubber band. The plan is to sell my sub partially help fund the AP. I'll be keeping the rest of the collection. The biggest decision is between these two AP. Which one would you go for and most importantly why?I find this decision very hard to make. I like both watches and feel like I can pull it off on a 6.5 inch wrist. Comments are very much appreciated.

For All Mankind - Some Questions
Just finished watching the excellent film documentary For All Mankind on DVD. I'd thoroughly recommend it for any space buffs with the added bonus of some cool Speedy wrist shots ;-)I have a couple of questions. Some of the astronauts appeared to have their Speedies on SS mesh bracelets. How did they swap them back to Velcro straps for EVA work during the flight? I have enough trouble swapping straps with a lug tool and screwdriver with the aid of gravity (or was bracelet swapping part of standard NASA training?!)?Also, why do the earth orbit EVA shots 15min or so in look like something out of a Ray Harryhausen movie? I'm a total Apollo anti-cynic, but I have to admit this footage looks a little ropey. Is it the film frame rate?One last question. What music would you have chosen to play on the way? My choice - Elton John 'Rocket Man' (cliche, I know)