For the holiday season Montblanc presents a new jewelry item - these gold, diamond studded rings shaped like the Montblanc star emblem (you usually see it in white against black). The specific model is the Montblanc 4810 ring collection. The rings are quite clever and come in three thicknesses with varying amounts of diamonds. Materials include 18k white, yellow, or red gold - looking nice in each. Montblanc has been really trying to emphasis its jewelry and accessory collection over the last few years to bolster its already popular watch, and of course pen collections.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Volna is a luxury watch brand with an interesting slogan - "Russian Heritage Swiss Made." As a luxury watch maker their theme is giant paradox as the Swiss concept of luxury and Soviet Russia are concepts that clash. But ignore that little issue for a moment and you have a unique design niche for a luxury watch maker. In the red tinted vision of old Soviet era military technology, is a brand that celebrates the look and feel of that style of military nationality. In a country where often times the military elite got paid in medals versus money, their military equipment at least needed to have an impressive look and feel.

Volna watches are all about attempting to rethink and recreate that image. The brand's newest watch is the Typhoon Siberia SHCI - a cool if not gimmicky means of adding something fun to the luxury sports chronograph watch segment. The name of the watch sounds like a foreign translation of a Hollywood action movie that might be called "Siberian Storm" - that somehow ends up "Typhoon Siberia." This new model is all in a very good type of grade 5 (G5) titanium and has a unique system that Volna has developed. Strap is rubber.

An irony of many chronograph diving watches is that operating the chronograph too deep underwater will damage the watch by letting water in. So Volna has developed a "Security Hand Chronograph Indicator" (SHCI) that displays a message on the dial of whether or not the chronograph is locked or unlocked for use. Locking it is done vial a turning lever located on the crown.

The watch case is 46.5mm wide and water resistant to 300 meters. There is a propeller engraved into the caseback and the crown. The dial is in black with decorative satin finished ruthenium plates and either red or black on black numerals and hands. Inside the watch is a Swiss Automatic movement that is likely a modified ETA. There are two versions of the watch (red on black or black on black dials), with limited editions of 125 pieces each. Not too sure about price, but it is over $10,000 per watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Some people are hard to shop for, or alternatively you don't know someone well enough to get them something they really like. Then you have the added pressure of the Holiday season closely coming to its apex, and you are left stressing about what to get for those important people in your life. Usually the idea of a book doesn't get ones juices flowing as the idea of an exciting gift, but that isn't always the case. Here you have just one good example, of a world of image-rich publications that make a stunning presentation, and provide hours of interest. It is hard to go wrong.

This book is the Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture from Phaidon Press. Call it a coffee table book, but it is one that people will want to look through a lot. The big book is about 20 lbs and 800 pages of pictures and detail rich content that is perfect for anyone with even a mild interest in architecture. I can't put the book down - each full page is dedicated to a specific structure, complete with technical layouts, photographs, and discussions of the building function, design, and about the architect. Structures include single family homes to massive complexes. Further, the book is arranged into color-coded sections by continent. That makes it easy to see the differences in architecture by region as well as culture.

Remember that the Atlas contains new buildings, all from the 21st century. You really get an incredible survey of how varied modern architecture really is. In addition to this publication, Phaidon produces a range of topical publications that would likely suit just about anyone, of any age or interest type. A great gift or for yourself. I just got too excited about this book not to blog about it. Retail price is $195, available direct from Phaidon.

This new watch brand just sort of popped up out of nowhere. It looks to be aimed mostly to the fashion and high-end crowd who wake up each morning thinking about how blingy they want to be on a scale of 1 to "blinded by sparkles." Still, the watches aren't to shabby. Rather appealing looks with high quality components and Swiss movements. The first line from the Avenir Chrono brand is this Boss Premiere watch collection that comes in steel, rose gold, and platinum. Plus, you can get them decked out with diamonds. Now that I think of it, with a name like Avenir Chrono, the brand pretty much has to release only chronograph watches from now on right?

The guys behind the brand are also behind the Rafaello & Company Jeweler brand. They tend to stick to urban pop culture elite as their best clients. While watches are not a new venture for them, the Avenir Chrono brand is. The watches comes in two sizes - 50mm wide and 44mm wide. Both bold in stature. There is one major thing that the watches really excel at, and this is high contrast to attract attention. Watch makers have known for years that a high contrast ratio look in watch makes them appealing. Plus it is good practice to throw in a splash of red. Look closely and you see it. Avenir Chrono took good notes in watch design class. You can see the high contrast of black and either the gold or steel (and platinum).

Titanium is also used in the cases and for parts of the bracelets. Inside the watches are Swiss ETA Valjoux 7753 automatic movements. The dials are pretty easy to read and masculine (kind of going for an aviator style look), while the dial plate is machine guilloche engraved. Imagine the diamond versions as you will, with diamonds all over the case and bracelet (but not the face thankfully). Prices for the Avenir Chrono Boss Premiere watches start at about $12,500 and go to $45,000 (for platinum most likely). Opt for the diamond encrusted "Black Snow" models and prices jump to $65,000 - $120,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The aptly named "Wrist Watch Annual" line of yearly guides to the world of watches has now been released for 2010. Somewhere between a book and a magazine, this uber resource is the finest print publication that you can get when it comes to spending time in the world of watches. The guide covers many brands, each with a survey of their new and popular models - complete with images, movements, specs, and prices! The latter of which are hard to find.

The book also features a new pictorial glossary of watch terms both common and obscure. It is now possible for you, with this brief eduction, to know what I am talking about half the time in my many watch-centric articles. I personally give credit to a previous version of Wrist Watch Annual back in 2002, for really acting as the catalyst to my intense passion for watches that I have today. It is a powerfully enjoyable publication, and beautifully made. Price is just $35 direct from the publisher website here. 456 pages of horological enjoyment with 1,400 full color images. I don't say this too often, but the books are almost drool worthy if you are anything like me. After you click over to the publisher's page, you have access to more information as well as screen shots of Wristwatch Annual 2010's select pages. A must have for all new and existing watch lovers out there.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogotoRead.com.

I recently mentioned that Tag Heuer affirmed its commitment to Tiger Woods as a brand ambassador. They publicly stated that they would stick by the super star as a face of the brand despite and alleged transgressions. It now looks like they might have altered their position. This is the second time this month that Tag Heuer has had to "restate" an earlier announcement. The first was in regard to the origin on their new Caliber 1887 movement.

Now Tag Heuer seems to suggest that Tiger Woods may not be in their short term future goals.We have already seen Tag Heuer pull Tiger Wood based ads, but that makes sense in the immediate given the negative publicity of Tiger's current extramarital activities. Now it looks like Tag Heuer is seriously considering their future with the golf superstar. The main reason? Not likely the current scandal. Though it helps lubricate their decision - the main rationale behind Tag Heuer's likely separation from Mr. Woods is his announcement to leave the professional world of golf for some indeterminable amount of time. Tiger's main allure was his ability to draw a large audience when he played on the greens. Now that he will withdraw from the public eye, does he really have immediate value to the popular watch brand? Several months from now when Tiger Woods hasn't been in a golf tournament in months, he will just be another rich guy in a Nike baseball cap (unless they pull out too). The bigger picture is that because Tiger Woods is exiting the world of golf for a while, he is severely jeopardizing his main income stream - endorsements.

Via World Tempus.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Newer brand on the block is Edmond watches, not yet widely in the US but are available. The Swiss watch brand looks like a futuristic cousin of Panerai, and mostly shares their dimensions by having nicely sized 44mm wide steel watch cases that are also available with black or gold PVD finishes. The complex construction of the cases lend themselves well to the overall style of the brand - making for good looking masculine watches that display that sense of Swiss watch design refinement hard to find in the rest of the world. There are a number of models, but each currently shares the signature case design. It also has a special "Lock-ED" lever over the clasp to secure it similar to what you find in Panerai. With the lever locked the watches have 200 meters of water resistance. Crystals on the top and rear of the watch are sapphire.

The pictured model is the Cap Horn in gold PVD and a technical looking, though pleasurable to read face. The bezel is in black PVD with goldtone screws. The overall feel of the watch is a sporty delight that is created by the cohesive rugged character of the watch that seems to borrow from a number of popular watch designs out there (while still being extremely unique in its own right). Movements in the watches are Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatics. Edmond watches are a cool newcomer that certainly deserve some wrist time. The pictured watch is priced reasonably at about $1,900.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

With a deep connection to functionally themed luxury sport watches, IWC rejects an approach to watch making that focuses on form over function. In recent years according to one poll, IWC, which is nominated for a Luxist Award, has risen to be considered the top luxury watch brand among wealthy Americans. Frequently sighted on the wrists of athletes to actors and bankers, the wide adoption of IWC watches proves that watch lovers want timepieces with utilitarian roots.

IWC watches are split between two major styles, with activity themed offerings such as Pilot or Aquatimer diving watches, and classic "thinking person" styles such as the mega popular Portuguese or Ingeniuer timepieces. Equally proficient in steel or gold, IWC is also known to offers excellently finished movements of in-house design and manufacture. IWC is also known for offering luxury watches for a wide array of budgets from mid level luxury to the ultra high-end.

While a name like "International Watch Company" might sound universal, the brand is totally Swiss in design and quality. IWC watches have little trouble being recognized in most circles and benefit from a distinct lack of pretentiousness in their brand image. Owning an IWC luxury watch typically communicates that you buy nice watches for your own enjoyment, not merely for others to see.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

No list of luxury watch brands would be complete without Rolex, which is nominated for a Luxist Award. After all, it is the most well-known luxury watch brand in the world. With a reputation more solid than platinum, Rolex watches have been said to be "as good as money" not only in looks, but in retaining value. The Rolex secret is in continuous refinement of models that are each classics unto themselves. Rolex rarely releases a totally new model, but rather keeps tweaking watches that are demanded time and time again, generation after generation.

Rolex watches such as the Submariner, GMT Master II, Daytona, and Datejust all have something in common. In addition to superior levels of construction and reliability, they have the unique ability to look good on most any wrist. The universal luxury brand also has universally looks good. With Rolex, being conservative is one of their key assets.
Being fanatical about quality has helped Rolex garner their reputation as a producer of extremely well made mechanical movements, all made and developed in-house. While their most complex movement currently made is only a chronograph, the movements are considered highly reliable. Outside, Rolex uses the finest metals and alloys to produce their world famous looks.

While Rolex timepieces aren't the most expensive luxury watches, they hands down have a name that is worth the most. No well-rounded watch collection is complete without one, and wearing a Rolex affords you respect no matter who you are with.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.