The First Annual Watchstars Awards: Here Are the 5 Winning Watches for 2014
Last week, the winners of the 2014 Watchstars Awards were announced, as selected by an international committee of experts. The Watchstars Awards are international watch awards, intended to honor the best watches of the world in different categories.?This was Watchstars' inaugural year. There were five categories, each with one winner.Watchstars was created by Ebner Publishing Group, a German company that owns numerous watch publications in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. (WatchTime is one of Ebner's holdings.)The Watchstars committee consists of 44 experienced watch specialists from around the world. Among them are Joe Thompson, Norma Buchanan and Mark Bernardo of WatchTime. More information on the jury is available here.Significantly, watch manufacturers are not allowed to submit watches to the competition: only committee members can nominate and vote. All watches are eligible, regardless of the brand, its size or its country of origin. Watchstars was established to

Dodane 1857 Type 23 Black PVD Watch
When it comes to aviation watches, we're generally limited to watches that follow a particular style (say, a flieger reference), or perhaps something that's based on a model from a brand's archives. It's a much less common thing for us to have available a civilian variant of a model that's available to an active military air force - but that's precisely what we've got with this new model from Dodane 1857.Interestingly, this new PVD version of their popular Type 23 model had its development funded by by the sale of specific watches (750 in total) to members of France's Air Force (makes for a rather interesting and specific military tie-in, for sure). Given those ties, it's not a surprise that Dodane is using a movement designed to conform to military requirements for toughness and accuracy, the Calibre 2030.Of course, you don't just have to take Dodane's word for it. If you like, via a special order process, you can have the movement in your new watch certified by the Besan?on Observato

Concord Announces New C1 Chronograph Watch
Concord has updated their C1 Chronograph range with a new look for 2013, and let's just say it looksfamiliar. The new C1 retains the same 44mm footprint as the past models but the design as been massaged to be a bit more reserved, now featuring a slimmer crown, improved legibility, and a more ergonomic and curved case shape.The C1 is powered by Concord's A07 movement which is based on the ETA Valgranges A07.211, a 25 jewel automatic movement with chrono seconds, sub dials for both 30 minutes and 12 hours and a date display - think of it as a Valjoux 7750 for larger watches. The C1's crystal is sapphire and the bezel is made from either titanium or ceramic, depending on the specific model.If you only casually glanced at the photos, would you have guessed Concord? Me neither, as the overall design is distinctively that of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. While I would agree with Concord that this new C1 is more attractive than the previous generation, that is because it looks like

Maurice Lacroix by Kris Van Assche, Patricia Urquiola
Three designers were once more the chance to create their own interpretation of this classic in 2011, in a performance that reflects their personality without hide the original. Joint project of this year, the Maurice Lacroix and Wallpaper sought without compromise designers who are faithful to their beliefs and whose work reflects their own styles. The result is an impressive trio of Kris Van Assche, Patricia Urquiola, and Rodolfo Dordoni.Each of them will now create a unique interpretation of the Pontos Décentrique GMT - no aesthetic condition. Watches will be presented at Baselworld 2011 in March, and then sold at auction on Antiquorum of activity in the 22, 2011. The product will go to the three charities of choice the designers.

Classic Seamaster Info Needed...
I've always had a thing for classic watches. What can you fine folks tell me about this one... Any info would be appreciated. Most importantly, what would you be willing to pay for such a thing? Thanks in advance...