All posts by Armen Eskijian

42mm, Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet Offshore Lava Special Edition 42mm

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Some watches don’t have a story. Some just make up the pieces to a history of watches that have gone against the conventional way of constructing a timepiece. lavaIn 1993 Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Offshore. A sporty and masculine watch that emanates power and envy in enthusiasts and professionals around the world. Yes, some watches don’t have a symbolic story or honorable meaning behind their special edition esteem. Instead, some watches are straight forward, because they don’t need to play games to score. Some are just named Lava because they’re just simply, Hot!

Produced in Singapore, only 99 Audemars Piguet Offshore Lava lava-5
Special Editions were made and let loose into the world. If you are a fan of Audemars Piguet and aren’t afraid of a little heat, the black watch, with bold and dominant orange accents, definitely belongs in your portfolio.

lava-6The watch originally comes with the complete black horn back alligator strap with orange stitching but we thought it would look even cooler with the complete orange horn back alligator strap with black stitching. Don’t be fooled by its size; this watch is 42mm in diameter, but looks smaller than it is because of its all black stealthy case, so it’s big, but subtle. The Lava Special Edition is not a daily watch, but definitlava-4ely one to pull out when you want a unique piece on your wrist, plus it’ll spice up your look. With only a few ever produced and its’ valiant aesthetics, the watch is scorching hot like molten lava.

 

 

Audemars Piguet, Chonograph Watch

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor

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survivor-5The Audemars Piguet Survivor was launched in 2008 and sold out almost immediately. With only 1,000 pieces produced, this limited edition AP was hard to attain, which made spotting one in a crowd, an infrequent phenomenon.

The design of the Survivor is sleek and classy, but does not lack edgesurvivor and virility. It’s innovative architecture set the bar high within the offshore family, inside and out. The chunky masculinity of the case and the massive chronographs create a sense of indestructability, making it the go to watch to sport when surviving the apocalypse.

When I first learned about the AP Survivor in 2009 and registered its bold presence, I thought it was huge! To be honest, I thought it was a little too big! Now it’s 2016 and the Survivor is a socially desired size, because we’re living in a time of big chunky watches, making the Survivor even more desirable than when it sold out in 20survivor-608, if that’s even possible. Looking at it now, it somehow seems smaller than I remember it back in 2009. I guess it’s true that your perception could alter and be influenced over time.

What I love most about this timepiece is how much the name fits the true style and look of this watch. The functional crown guards are designed to prevent any accidental impact from your daily office survivor-4activity or even during your next adrenalin packed adventure, while still maintaining its stealth and stylish image. It’s truly constructed to Survive anything! Regardless of what this watch was intended to be worn for, it looks like the Swiss went a little Mad Max on its design, and the world of watch collectors and admirers loved it!

Dual Time, Vacheron Constantine

Vacheron Constantin Harmony Dual Time

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Founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron in Geneva,
Switzerland, Vacheron Constantin embodied the first horologic complication and engine turned dial. This innovative and luxury timepieces continued to thrive within the family throughout the French Revolution until Vacheron’s Grandson took on a partner, Francois Constantin, giving us the name we know today.

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A timepiece said to be part of the “Holy Trinity,” along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin was owned by men like Napoleon Bonaparte, Pope Pius XI, Harry Truman and the Duke of Windsor. The name itself emanates superiority and so does its’ caliber.

The Vacheron Constantin Harmony is a tribute to the 260 years of its vivacity. The Limited Edition watch is cushion shaped and designed by a look inspired by a Vacheron Constantin unnamed-4Chronograph that was introduced in 1928. It was stylized to interoperate the contemporary style of said chronograph. The back of the watch has an inscription in tribute to the 260th Anniversary, along with a beautifully engraved skeleton case back.

The Harmony offers the most ideal complication of having a second time zone. The large clean display makes it easy to read the second zone, as well as the day and night indicators on the unnamed-6left hand side. The watch is not luminescent, but if it were, it would have taken away from its’ vintage heritage, ruining the style and purpose of its’ design. Normally, square or tank style watches don’t sit well on my wrist, but this case fits beautifully on round square-shaped admirers. Also, the double-sided folding clasp was amazingly comfortable and adds to its’ high-end uniformity.

IWC, Luxury Watches

IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Worldtimer

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The world is your mistress, and your greatest affair would be to explore her. Let different cities across the globe seduce you with their beauty and excitement while you carry this unique IWC on your wrist, made for the world traveler inside of you!

The IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Worldtimer can be your wingman as you travel across the world, whether it’s for work or for your luxurious getaways. This IWC has an ideal overview of the different time zones, unnamed-3even if you’re past the International Date Line. The outlying 24-hour ring of the dial is positioned once to current UTC (Universal Time Coordinator) using the crown and runs to local time zones without needing any adjustments, becoming the ultimate travel companion. The special case back is designed as tribute to world travelers, with its imprinted glass of the Northern Hemisphere and its different time zones.

What I find most attractive about this watch is the cool gray color of the slate dial. It could be because I’ve developed a great love for grays, but I feel as if the shades of this IWC are universally attractive.  What’s also very distinctive about this watch is its very clean display, leading all the way to the edges of the face. It kind of reminds me of an infinity pool. The marks are very legible and there is enough spacing between the major cities to make it easy to read. It has a good size crown and screw-down locking system nestled nicely between it. The watch is well finished and has an anti-reflective coating.

Personally, my business doesn’t require a lot of travel, nor do I do business in the multi-time zones that are offered in this new 2016 model, but the watch is very functional and easy to set if you have worked with other brands that have similar features.

I love the way the watch feels on my wrist and the continuity of the new alligator strap developed for this series. It’s an amazing fit and suitable for an active enthusiast. Overall, I think the IWC Yacht Club World Timer is a great buy! The only objection I have to this watch is the fact that it’s a bit too thick if you’re a stickler on having watches slide easily underneath your dress sleeves.

The IWC Yacht Club World Timer is well priced and can be found below $9,900.

 

 

 

Cartier, Cartier Watches, Luxury Watches, Previously Enjoyed, Yellow Gold Watch

Cartier Santos 100 Yellow Gold

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Named after the Brazilian aviation pioneer, Alberto Santos-Dumont,
unnamed-7 (1)the Cartier Santos 100 took flight in 1904. Dumont was known for many things, one of them being his win of the Deutch de la Meurthe prize on a flight that rounded the Eiffel Tower. Dumont had expressed to his good friend, Louis Cartier, that he wanted to be able to check the time while flying. So, Cartier designed a watch inspired by his friendship with the famous aviator and created the everlasting design of the Santos.

What makes the design and style of the Santos 100 iconic is the unnamed-4 (1)curved edges of its dial and its exposed screw. It is a dress watch that broke away from the traditional Smallzie concept. It’s large, crisp and sits comfortably on most wrists do to its curved casing. It’s clean and oversized numerals make it easy to read and introduce a classic and distinctive dial to Cartier’s signature look.

Although the Santos was innovated and launched in the early 1900’s, because of its contemporary look, Cartier was able to maintain the classic design till this day. The Cartier Santos 100 is no longer in production and though there are many currently available  in the pre-owned market, I anticipate this watch will be an iconic piece and will maintain its value a century from now. Current estimated prices are depending on condition and if the watch comes with its original Cartier packaging and certificate of origin. Yellow gold as pictured is available for sale on our website for $15,950 . The Santos 100 is also available in stainless steel and steel and gold which can cost anywhere between $3,500 – $4,500.

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The double-sided folding clasp allows you to adjust the length of the strap from both sides, which enables the person wearing it to position the center of the clasp as they see fit. The Santos also fits comfortably under most sleeves. A couple things that are not ideal about the Santos 100 is that it does not illuminate, nor does it have a calendar feature on the dial.

On its centenary in 2004, Cartier also came out with the stainless steel version of this yellow gold beaut!

The pictured Santos 100 is circa 2010!

44mm, Audemars Piguet, Automatic Watch, Chonograph Watch, Limited Edition, Luxury Watches

Audemars Piguet “End Of Days” Royal Oak Offshore

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unnamedLike many watches, the Audemars Piguet “End Of Days” Royal Oak Offshore gets its name from a famous icon. This AP in specific was named after the thriller “End of Days” staring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie was about Satan, Schwarzenegger, returning to earth and walking the streets of New York City, while also rocking an AP on his devilish wrists. This paved the way towards the watches popularity and it soon became the most demanded watch on the market.  Its movie cameo and Schwarzenegger’s impeccable taste for luxury watches set this AP on the map.

After the movie released in 1999, the AP “End of Days” became the hottest, pun unnamed-1intended, of all the limited edition Royal Oaks, and has yet to loose its sizzle. Although it’s highly in demand and obtained or admired by watch collectors worldwide, there is a limited supply of 500 ever made, making this AP, not only desired, but also rare. It’s true that the AP End Of Days gets its fame from fame itself, but this limited edition timepiece has a lot more to offer than being on Schwarzenegger’s wrist while on set. On its own, the AP End Of unnamedDays is an innovation. It has spearheaded the art of making luxury watches by being the first Royal Oak to be darkened by a PVD treatment. The watch is sexy and masculine. It has a black waffle dial with three chronographs. The numerals and hands on the dial are luminescent, helping you read time in the darkest of corners.

The strap is black Kevlar and Velcro, giving off the strong and rugged look so that even the smallest man can feel like the Governator. You wouldn’t expect it to look good on a thinner wrist, but this AP sits comfortably on all wrist sizes, and the kevlar strap helps form the fit. Personally, I prefer the Kevlar, which they used to fit their tang buckle onto the strap as shown, although some tend to vote against it. Though the body of the watch is big, its not overpowering. I love unnamed-3its low key stealth-ness but the right amount of yellow marks also makes it pop, flirting with your enemy, while still establishing your dominance. A couple unnamed-4things that aren’t ideal about this watch are how the double Velcro strap can make it difficult to wear because it gives it a very clunky feel. When it comes to the design, I would have blacked out the screws on the bezel as well as the steel crown cover. Other than that this is a badass watch. I am a huge AP lover, and it doesn’t hurt to feel indestructible like Schwarzenegger tends to be in his movies.

The AP “End Of Days” is not just a watch; it’s a collector’s timepiece and investment, because like hell, it will never freeze over.

 

Automatic Watch, Chonograph Watch, IWC, Luxury Watches, Special Edition

IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galapagos

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The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galápagos Islands, with a black rubber coated case and strap, plays tribute to the International Watch Company’s partnership with the Charles Darwin Foundation. unnamed-1The CDF is an international non-profit scientific organization, working in the Galápagos Islands since 1959 under an agreement with the Government of Ecuador. Their mission is to work closely with government institutions, providing scientific knowledge and assistance to ensure the conservation of the Galápagos.

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago  in the Pacific Ocean, in Ecuador. It is considered the world’s supreme destination Galapagos-04for wild life viewing because its isolation is home to a diversity of plant and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Its prominence derives from Charles Darwin’s visit n 1835. It is said that the island, and the species that call it home, were what inspired his theories of evolution, therefore its conservation is extremely significant to our civilization.

The matte black rubber that coats the stainless steel case is special to the Galápagos Edition because it is applied through an unnamedintricate vulcanization process, creating a connection between the watch and the island. Its case back also pays tribute to the Galápagos Islands and the species that inhabit it. What I love most about this watch, besides its unique storyline, is its practicality. It’s aesthetically slick while also being thin and easy to slip under a dress sleeve, for when you decide to go on your very own Galapagos adventure and then inconspicuously morph into James Bond for the evening. From air to sea, this watch will work for anything that life plans to throw your way!

The highlighted white accents on the dial make it very legible and unnamed-3easy to read, even when time gets away from us. The fit is
extremely comfortable and lightweight and the body is durable. My only concern is that I’m not sure how the case will wear over the years. Since it has the black rubber casing, I’m not sure what it will do to the look of said rubber after exposure to salt, sun and body acidity, but only time, and experience with this beauty, will tell.

Part of the proceeds from the sales of the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galápagos Edition has gone to the Charles Darwin Foundation, essentially this IWC is commemorating the study of evolution and, at the same time, contributing to it. Safe to say that the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galápagos Islands is an evolutionary timepiece.

This watch is Previously Enjoyed and was last retailed for $6,900, but you can own it for just $4,250 today through Beverly Hills Watch Company.

BUY IT HERE!

48mm, Hublot, Previously Enjoyed, Rose Gold Watch, Special Edition

Hublot King Power King of Russia Rose Gold Special Edition

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unnamed-1The Hublot King of Russia is a tribute and gift to the global community of Russophiles and luxury watch lovers combined, but its exclusivity makes it hard to obtain. There were only 25 of these watches made, and sitting in front of me, is one of them. This watch is limited in production, but in spite of its rareness, it is its distinction that makes it desirable to watch collectors worldwide.

The Hublot King of Russia is homage to the Moscow Kremlin, which is a defense complex found within the heart of Moscow and overlooks St. Basil’s Cathedral. Four of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin were initially decorated with eagles. On August 23, 1935 the eagles were removed, and restored with five-pointed stars. It was said that in the sun, the stars shined so bright, the glow almost looked supernatural.

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What makes this Hublot deserve the title of King of Russia is the single golden star at the 12-hour mark representing the supernatural glow of the legendary Kremlin stars. On the case back of the watch is a golden painting of the St. Basel’s Cathedral on a white base. With its skeletonized dial and case back, it’s almost as if the Kremlin towers are overlooking the Cathedral, just like they do in Moscow.

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This luxury timepiece signifies the rich and flamboyant wealth of the Russian Empire. If you’re the type of man who likes to make his presence known, this is the watch for you. The King of Russia does not go by unnoticed! This Hublot is a manifestation of power. Between the connection to Russian dominance and sovereignty, this watch will make you feel like an Oligarch.

The horn back alligator strap stitched into the rubber lining, fastens around your wrist like a mold with its adjustable clasp to fit my 6 ½ inch wrist. The weight of the watch and the protruding case should make the watch difficult to wear for a man with my wrist size, but surprisingly I’m able to carry it, although not effortlessly, and feel as if I’m the King of my own Empire. Ideally, the watch would be a better fit for a man with about a 7 inch or larger wrist, who ways around 200 pounds, if not more. I also think it looks incredible on men who have olive colored skin. The watch also pairs unnamed-2beautifully with my Lamborghini Huracan with its asymmetrical design and flow. I love the partial exhibition dial, which makes me feel as if I belong within the inner circle of royalty.

Although I love the watch, I need to remind you that it’s not a classic, like a Patek Philippe Nautilus, but it has its own distinction. You can look at it as more of a specialty piece It has a shelf life of about five years but those years will be lived in sovereignty and if you own the King of Russia, the lifespan doesn’t really matter, because you’ll enjoy every second of it!