Alpina Startimer Classic Collection
Alpina Gen��ve is launching the new Startimer Classic Collection with designs inspired by original Alpina Pilot watch designs from the 1920s and 30s. In this new collection the functional Startimer Pilot look takes on a traditional, vintage look. Find wallpaper and prices inside. The Startimer Classic Collection is available with two different calibers; a three-hand automatic version with date (cal. AL-525) in a stainless steel case and available with either blackened steel indexes or rose-gold plated indexes. The second version is the Chrono-Automatic (cal. AL-860) with two chrono-counters, in a stainless steel case and available with either blackened steel indexes or rose-gold plated indexes. The Chrono-Automatic is also available in a special vintage variation with a telemeter indicator on the dial.The Startimer classic auto is priced at $995 and the Startimer Classic Chrono-Automatic retails for $2,450. The images below may be enlarged with a click.

Zodiac Sea Dragon Review
All too often, when a great old, but defunct brand name falls into new hands, either nothing happens with it, or they take that once great name and sully it with a poor lineup and bad decisions. It's like a weird get-rich-quick scheme for watch brands. They think that by taking a once established name, they are guaranteed a successful new line… Well, design, branding, authenticity and a slew of other important things go into it, so most of those re-launched brands fizzle after not long. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Zodiac.Zodiac was once a great and innovative brand, pushing the boundaries of design and technology for years, making some great cult classics, like the Sea Wolf. Unfortunately, like many others, they didn't survive the quartz-crisis. In the mid 90's Fossil brand picked up the name and revived it, though never re-established it to what it once was. As we learned in Basel this year (check out that article for some more details) there are some new minds at

Speedmaster dilemma
Hoping to solicit opinions on my dilemma. I am 99% set on a speedmaster and have it narrowed down to 1. Original Moonwatch. 2. White dial racing speedmaster, 44mm3. 57 speedmasterMy thoughts so far are1. First Omega, start with an icon. Size is pretty perfect.2. Never had a manual wind, not sure how I good I would be at remembering to wind3. Racing 44mm pictured below if I figured out how to attach them, is about at or beyond the upper size limits for me, though my picture is bad. I wasn't planning on posting them. In the metal, this made my heart beat fastest however and if it was 40 or 42 mm I would already own it.4. Automatic movement and date function are pros for me, as well as increased durability with Crystal, ceramic, etc5. Love the throwback but haven't seen it in the metal. I have two vintage Rolex, a 16800 sub and 1655 explorer ii so I love patina, not sure how I feel about the faux patina look however.6. The white dial 40 mm racing speedmaster variants do not do it for

Travel Time Options
This is a repost of my travel options I had posted on the Rolex Forum. Given some of the recent inquiry threads I thought the side by side might be useful.Happy Holidays everyone...

OEM kevlar dive strap
Just got a 305 and I tried on the second strap that comes with it (the kevlar strap with the friction buckle). The strap seems really long (which I guess makes sense if you are wearing it over a wet suit). At first I thought it was going to be a cool alternative strap...but I can't imagine I'll use this strap for day-to-day usage. Does anyone use this aside from when diving?