'Watches: The Ultimate Guide', New Edition

French horology specialist Fabienne Reybaud's brilliant book Watches: The Ultimate Guide quickly sold out when first published by Assouline in 2006. Now the luxury publisher has brought out a new, updated edition covering developments in the watchmaking world and market in the intervening years. Ranging from pocket watches to limited edition Patek Philippe timepieces that routinely fetch millions at auction, Reybaud shares her knowledge of the watch industry from the history of production through different means of mechanization, collecting, and selling in a lavishly-illustrated volume. In addition to chapters on every major watchmaker, an horological glossary and a price guide, there's an indispensable index of retailers, auction houses, repair shops and specialists.

MB&F & Boucheron Team Up For The JwlryMachine Watch

What are these two men so happy about? Must be the release of the very special HM3 JwlryMachine timepiece. These men are MB&F founder Max Busser and Boucheron President Jean-Cristophe Bedos. I must admit I don't understand what "Jewelry" was shortened like that, but I love the watch. Using the MB&F Horological Machine Number 3 as a base, Boucheron was given free reign to create a special watch that exhibited the strengths of both brands. Boucheron is used to cooperating with other brands, as many Boucheron timepieces contain Girard-Perregaux movements. MB&F also has some experience engaging in such creative collaborations - and this relationship has produced a lovely offspring.

The watch known as the JwlryMachine is made of 18k gold and titanium. Here in white gold, the "bird" is made from the shape of the gold and loads of specially shaped amethyst with diamonds and sapphires. There is also a pink version in 18k pink gold with diamonds and pink toned stones. Looking like an owl (clearly) the watch is another beautiful piece of animal style jewelry - always a hot item, items like this make it easy for both women and men to appreciate high-end creative jewelry pieces. The watches will be made to order and the price will start at $195,000 - with primary availability at Boucheron boutiques.

Grand Seiko Luxury Watches Finally Available Wordwide

One of Japan's best kept horological secrets - Grand Seiko - will very soon be available world wide. For years (and years) watch lovers longingly looked to Japan at the prestigious high-end Grand Seiko timepieces that were available exclusively in that domestic market. Grand Seiko has been around for 50 years, and this month will officially be available around the world. Until now, only a few places like Hong Kong (I believe) were able to sell Grand Seiko timepieces.

Seiko announced that Grand Seiko would be available world wide last March, but didn't disclose any specific schedule. News has just been released that this month Seiko will offer the entire Grand Seiko collection (with the likely exclusion of a few special models) to 20 new markets around the world - including in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania.

Grand Seiko watches are hand-made in Japan by highly skilled watch makers - probably the very best in the country. I personally visited these manufactures and wrote about them here. Most watch lovers agree that Seiko has 'gold' with Grand Seiko. The collection includes timepieces of three varieties based on the movement. One collection has quartz movements, another has purely mechanical movements, and the third collection contains Seiko's now famous Spring Drive movements (that is a beautiful combo of mechanical watches with high accuracy quartz regulation).

A brand new website has been released for Grand Seiko here. The well-done site includes information on all the available models, and clearly describes the many benefits and selling points of Grand Seiko watches (not everyone has someone like me to sit there and passionately explain why they should like these timepieces). I am not alone in my ability to be impressed by these watches. The designs are classic, the quality is superb, and the movements are beloved among collectors. The best part is that compared to their distant Swiss cousins, these watches are a good value. Prices (for mechanical and Spring Drive models) generally seem to be in the $4,400 - $9,700 range. My current favorite model is the Grand Seiko SBGE001 with a GMT Spring Drive movement. When Grand Seiko watches come to a store near you (there is a store locator on the site), I highly recommend you check them out.