Garmin D2 Pilot Watch
My Garmin collection (left to right, front to back): Edge 500, Edge 510, FR910XT, Edge 800, Swim, and FR70I am a very active person. In particular, I train about 10+ hours a week (mainly swimming, cycling, and running) as I am part of a local amateur (but serious) triathlon team: PacWest Athletics. So as such, I have owned various sports watches, and in particular Garmin GPS sports watches. Pretty much every Garmin sports model since 2007-except for the Approach S models which are superb golf-specific watches. Currently, I have three of their watch models plus three more Garmin Edge devices dedicated for cycling.So why do I start with this inventory of my Garmin watches and devices for this post. Simply to say that, while not perfect, I think Garmin understands how to make watches suited for specific activities-I call them Activity-focused smartwatches. That's what makes me and many others come back for more.Garmin's philosophy, is that they create different watches purpose-built for s

Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours Watch
SIHH 2013 will see the release of a brand new version of the now well-known Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec watch. I find it rather interesting to see how Montblanc continues to explore and expand this collection that started the in-house made Montblanc movement watch collection. Made in Le Locle, timepieces like the Nicolas Rieussec collection represent the in-house made mid-range of watches in the Montblanc collection. Above them are the Minerva Villeret produced Montblanc watches.The Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours evolves the design of the dial to play around with the complications once again. Gone is the second time zone, but added in is a day of the week indicator opposite the date. The off-centered time display is where the real difference can be found. Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec watches typically have day/night (AM/PM) indicators, but this model offers this function in a much more beautiful way. The time dial has a normal minutes hand, but now comes with a wandering disc to indicate t

Audemars Piguet Watch Manufacture
An interesting time at the various Audemars Piguet watch manufacture facilities leads to an interesting article I wrote in Haute Living. The full text of the Audemars Piguet manufacture article is here, but I've gone ahead and put images from the visit in the gallery below. Enjoy, I think AP fans and general watch lovers will find it a good read. #gallery-2 { margin: auto; } #gallery-2 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 20%; } #gallery-2 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-2 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; }

Tissot Sailing-Touch Watch
The super famous Tissot T-Touch line just keeps getting additions. Interestingly enough some of my most popular articles are those on the T-Touch Expert and the Sea-Touch. People love these things! Last year at Basel 2009 Tissot released a diving version of the T-Touch with the Sea-Touch, and now we will have the Sailing-Touch. Yes, the name of the models are getting less and less elegant, but the style is looking sharp, and the interesting new functions are always welcome. Interestingly, this new watch will feature a bit of a lower price as I understand it, with some luxury features as well.First let's look at the style. It is a real departure from the aggressive looks of the rest of the T-Touch line. The look is smoother and feels more like a boating instrument, but that is the point right? Here are two color varieties. Tissot indicates that initially the watch will be available with a lacquered white, navy blue, silvered, or black dial. In addition to an available rubber strap in wh

defect on the dial of my new Speedy 60th Anniversary
Hey all, just wanted to get your thoughts on quality control at Omega. After a long wait and a significant deposit I finally received a 60th anniversary speedy. After liberating it from that monstrosity of a bracelet it came on, I really enjoyed it for about two weeks until I decided to check out the dial under the loupe (sometimes I just like to admire them close up, you know?).I immediately notice a splotch of white paint, admittedly the size of a pin prick and basically invisible to the naked eye, but very prominent under the loupe, right in the center of the lume plot at 12.It's not even its presence that bothers me so much. Like I said, it's practically invisible without magnification. However, I keep having this image in my head of an omega watchmaker examining it through a loupe while affixing the dial, noticing it (as it's obvious), and thinking to himself oh no bother, they'll probably never notice. For a watch that cost over $7,000, can't I reasonably expect a little more att