PIERRE KUNZ "Chrono Sport"

Just could not believe my eyes... a really cool Chrono Sport by Kunz. Although it's on the large side, a bit to big for most, it is a very cool watch to play with. The double chrono retrograde and the shifting hour markers give it a very futuristic feeling. Compared to other "fancy" chronos out there this one is very aggressively priced. Kunz's steel watches are becoming increasingly interesting... and there is something about that carbon fibber mesh that hypnotizes most of us guys. In my case, on motorbikes it just dives me to insanity.

God knows I am not a fan of "WatchLand" (Frank Muller, CVSTOS, European and Pierre Kunz) but this does not mean that they should not be praised when it need to be. I must admit that although it's difficult I can't help but like this PK. The AM/PM or day/night indicator mechanism is simply brilliant. The point of this is to have the hours from 6 PM until 6 AM with luminova on them. Instead of having the typical day/night indicator with your classic modified moon-phase disk that shows a moon and sun, you can simply look at the hours. Is this really useful? No, but the way the hour markers jump into place is simply sublime. The entire look and feel of the watch is very well put together. The view of the retrograde chrono minutes and hour hands is just better that great. The only downside is it's large size. even if it is a 44 mm, it is a very large 44 mm if you ask me. This I am afraid will not be seen in something smaller due to the thickness of the movement. If they would make this smaller the watch would inevitably look "chubby" since the thickness would have to remain the same.

The other surprising aspect is it's price, at least in my opinion. Such a new and relatively complicated watch at 14,000€/17,000$ list is very reasonable. Some give way less for much more money.

PERSONAL VERDICT: Very cool watch. Too large for me but very cool none the less.

Pierre Kunz...

Deja vu...

When is se the RM005-FM I can't help but get that itchy feeling. Yes, that weird feeling that although I am not 100% convinced it is a watch for me it might though be a very interesting watch to own in the future. Inevitably I would regret my decision if I didn't go for it.

It's the same felling I had when I decided NOT to get the OffShore "End of Days", big mistake. Actually, both share many similarities. They are both Limited Editions, although 300 and 500 respectively are not what I would call limited at that price point and total production numbers. Both look more like funky sumer watches and don't really reflect an expensive feeling, back then the EOD looked like a citizen diver and the FM looks like a LEGO watch. Both deviate substantially from the other lineup, the FM with the sandblasted finish and the EOD with the PVD coating. Both have something yellow in them. Both have detractors at first and fans later...

Looking at these similarities I can't help but wonder if the FM will follow the EOD and almost triple in value over time. My only negative point would be that the FM is at a much higher price point than the EOD was, which by todays standards could be considered a bargain. Regular production watches that start at the 30's range usually don't ever go beyond their list price (except for some very rare Pateks or other vintage watches of course) even if they are LEs. Will the FM ever be worth something in the 90's? I sincerely doubt that, but maybe in 30 years... with inflation who knows.



Richard Mille...
Audemars Piguet...

NUBEO "Black JellyFish"

This new comer seems to have its ideas straight. Not just a flashy gimmicky design or another cool summer watch, the Nubeo "Medusse" project seems to be taking shape. The case construction and attention to manufacturing details are unusual at these price points. No mater the size and weight of the Medusse, the curved back of the watch makes it comfortable for anybody. The ladies models are particularly interesting and become a more sensible option to the AP Lady Chronos that cost a fortune. Plus, if you give one to your girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/friend you just won't get heart arrhythmia when he/she takes it to the beach or engages in other activities that are not appropriate for outrageously expensive time pieces.

A great balance between fun, summer, price and durability. Its extravagant design might not be of everybody's taste but you are getting your moneys worth in terms of quality. One thing is certain though, lately manufacturers are more busy copying than creating (CVSTOS for instance), the Jellyfish is not a copy of something else... thanks for that guys.

Nubeo...

VERTU "Constellation"

This new VERTU "Constellation" will be presented next month around the world. I must admit that I am not impressed, and also a bit disappointed. Not impressed because at a first look it seems to be a Nokia 8800 dressed up in drag at four times the price. Disappointed because initially the idea behind VERTU was to have a very well made and durable shell that can be upgraded via the insides once there was better electronics. With the introduction of new models this whole philosophy goes down the drain. The way things look now is that they will be more interested in selling new phones and updates for existing models will cease to be priority.


I will wait to have and surf one for a while before I pass final judgement.

more details...

VERTU

Farewell to the RM005...

It has not be so long since the introduction of the RM005. The 005 is/was RM's hottest seller. The RM005 opened the possibility for more people to have access to own a Richard Mille. Now the RM005 is gone... but it has been replaced by the RM010. The upgrade is essentially a larger case and a skeletonized movement for only a 10% price increase. Quiet sensible since it also opens the possibility for those with larger wrist to be comfortable with one. Both are the same movement and are hardly recognizable when seen at a distance. Even though the RM010 is larger the proportions are similar to its smaller brother making them look bigger or smaller depending on the actual owner. It is only then when they are turned around that the difference between both is quiet apparent. The RM010's skeletonized movement takes the spotlight.

Many comments and debates have flared up regarding the discontinuation of the RM005. Personally I welcome its disappearance and don't see it as a "death" but more as a way for the company to evolve. It's good to leave emblematic models behind, it creates a sense of history that is sometimes crucial to marketing. Some speculate that the price of the RM005 will be negatively affected in the second hand market. I am not to certain about that, there is one "little" detail that nobody has observed. The RM005 is waterproof to 100 meters, versus the 50 meters of the RM010. Yes, the RM005 is the RM with the highest waterproof value. That alone could be a reason for prices to actually rise.

Richard Mille...