For the second week running, I’m going to cover the fast-paced world of Formula 1, as I was lucky enough to be invited by H. Moser & Cie and the BWT Alpine F1 team for a factory tour and a one-day visit to the 2024 Silverstone Grand Prix. For those who have been following our Petrolhead Corner, which includes personal experiences from time to time, it’s no secret I love F1 racing and have been following it for about 30 years now. Weirdly, I have yet to visit an actual F1 race weekend but I’m not going to bore you with details on why that hasn’t happened yet. Instead, I will share my experience setting foot in the Enstone compounds of Alpine, talking to Pierre Gasly for a bit, and paying a visit to the Silverstone track on Friday.
The  replica luxury watches BWT Alpine F1 Team might not be the oldest on paper, as the name has been around since 2021, yet the history behind it goes back much further than that. Alpine, as a car manufacturer, is a subsidiary of Renault and fans of Formula 1 are very familiar with that name! Renault has been involved with F1 for decades, and in various forms, winning multiple championships both as a constructor and an engine supplier. For instance, it dominated F1 in the mid-1990s with Williams and Benetton (5 driver’s titles and 6 constructor’s titles between 1992 and 1997) and won four championships in a row with Red Bull Racing and Sebastian Vettel.
Renault entered F1 in 1977 as a constructor and  replica luxury watches was one of the pioneers in the turbo era in Formula 1 racing. Its history is deeply intertwined with Enstone, as it acquired the Benetton team in 2001, which was already working from the former stone quarry in the rolling hills of Oxfordshire. From then on, Renault had two stints as a factory or ‘Works’ team (2001 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2021) where it constructed both engine and chassis. In between it was rebranded to Lotus-Renault, and now it’s known as the BWT Alpine F1 Team.
Surprisingly, just before the 2024 season kicked off, the  replica luxury watches Enstone-based team announced its partnership with one of our favourite independent watchmakers; H. Moser & Cie! Talking to Edouard Meylan, CEO of Moser, he was actually just as surprised as I was for this opportunity and partnership. It turns out that Luca de Meo, the head of Renault Group, is a proper watch lover and H. Moser and Cie was at the top of his wishlist when it came to finding a new timing partner for the Alpine F1 team. The partnership was made public only a couple of weeks before the season opener in Bahrain, and we’ve seen two very enticing limited editions already. But, without telling you too much, expect a lot more to come!
Stepping into the Enstone facilities of Alpine reveals the incredible level of competition on all fronts. With roughly 800 employees in France working on the engine, and close to 1,000 more in the UK working on everything else, it’s a massive operation. Operating under a FIA regulated cost-cap of 145 million USD, the team is purely focused on developing, maintaining and running three cars in Formula 1; one for Pierre Gasly, one for Esteban Ocon, and one in parts as a spare car whenever it’s needed.
Virtually everything is done in-house, from layering the carbon fibre for the monocoque, the wings and the rest of the body, to the hand-welded Inconel exhaust manifolds. They use specific suppliers  replica luxury watches (sometimes mandated by the FIA) for certain elements such as the fixed rows of buttons on the steering wheel, but for the rest, it’s a proper ‘Manufacture’ if you will, similar to Moser. Alpine also stress analyses and tests everything themselves, and can build parts to a 60% scale to test in the team’s own wind tunnel for efficiency and performance gains. The time they have for this is limited by the FIA depending on the final standings in the Constructor’s Championship of last year. The higher up you finish, the less time you’re allowed to use a wind tunnel, to balance resources and performance between teams a bit.
Everything that’s developed, analyzed, tested, and eventually built in Enstone culminates on the track, as each team will bring multiple updates over the season. This can be pretty much anything, but is mostly focused on aerodynamics. Despite racing at what is basically their geographical home race and updates being introduced up and down the grid, Alpine had to do without. Pierre Gasly suffered some technical issues and was hit with massive grid penalties after replacing multiple key components ahead of the race. That meant he would start the Grand Prix from the very back, something he mentioned was ‘disappointing, but I will be doing all I can to make the best of it’ on Sunday.
On Thursday we briefly spoke to Pierre Gasly, a friend of the brand and the first-ever ambassador of Moser, and he talked about his racing life and the sacrifices it takes, plus his love for watches and the partnership between Alpine and Moser. During that conversation, Pierre explained how watches have been a growing interest for quite a while now, and in his eyes high-end watchmaking shares a lot of similarities with F1. It’s the relentless pursuit of perfection, both in design and engineering and the synergy of all components working together. An array of finely tuned and finished parts are assembled to serve a single purpose; to be the best at their game.
When it comes to watches, Pierre Gasly can be seen wearing a Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton, one of the coolest iterations of the brand’s curvaceous luxury sports watch. When asked about the brand and this specific watch, he says; “I find it very fascinating, and my favourite Moser watch is actually the Streamliner Skeleton. I love it and wear it pretty much every day, even right now. I think it was during one of the first meetings I had with Edouard I saw it and asked about it. I really like how detailed and refined it is, and I love the skeleton construction. You can see everything inside.”
Continuing; “There has always been a strong connection between motorsports and watches. I think the craftsmanship and precision, the focus on the details and the amount of work that goes into every piece are very similar to the work that goes into our cars. Pushing the boundaries in the sport, but also in every new watch that comes up. I can’t talk about it too much, but I know Moser is already working on some cool stuff. They’ve been at the factory learning about what we do, and seeing what they can implement in the watches in the future. There’s a lot to learn between both teams. I’m really excited to see what can come out of the collaboration.”
Xavier, who was with me for the entire trip was curious to learn what surprised him discovering the world of watches, and Moser in particular; “I would say the finesse and precision that goes into every piece. I wasn’t aware but when I realised the entire production of parts, tools and so on that goes into it, I was blown away. Going into the Moser manufacture, it kind of looks almost like an orchestra. Everyone has a role and everyone has their input at a given moment, and the work of a full group results in a very beautiful and unique piece. I was quite impressed with the hand-crafted work. Also, it’s a very creative world, which I love, as there’s almost no limit to it. You can come up with as many complexities as you want and really challenge yourself. It really fascinates me!”.
I also wanted to know a bit more about his drive, and how he motivates himself with a calendar of 24 races; “I love the competition, and I live for it. I need this in my life, and there’s nothing that I love doing more than racing an F1 car and battling it out with the other 19 best drivers in the world. Obviously it takes a lot of time and effort, and there are a lot of sacrifices on a personal life level. I definitely don’t have a similar life to my friends, but I’m in a position where I think I have the coolest job in the world.

The hardest thing to deal with, however, is having only 60 days of time back home, which I split between my family and friends, and my girlfriend who lives in Portugal. Trying to find time and the right balance on a personal level is extremely hard when you work in Formula 1. But I come to every race with the same excitement and I’m thinking about only one thing; race day!”

Following a complete and welcomed overhaul of the replica luxury watches TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Automatic collection in 2021, last month the brand introduced its latest updated models in the series, with five new Aquaracer Professional 300 Date and three Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT versions, with captivating new dials, slightly reduced case sizes, and powered by the proprietary movements. We gladly share our hands-on experience and live images of the new Aquaracer Professional 300 Date watches.

If you are familiar with the look of the Heuer 2000 series and Aquaracer (models’ name since 2005) before the collection was revamped in 2021 providing new watches with a more refined appeal, the first thing you’ll notice is that the 2024 update brought in even more refinement.
The new replica luxury watches TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date models feature stainless steel cases with a reduced diameter of 42mm, compared to the 43mm size of the 2021 edition, though they are slightly thicker at 12mm (about 13mm overall with the flat sapphire crystal). The case design is enhanced by a mix of satin-brushed and polished surfaces, a finish that was once exclusive to luxury timepieces but is now standard. This alternation beautifully highlights the chamfers, making these versatile diver’s watches look impressive even away from the water. The sporty aesthetic is further enhanced by the protected screwed crown, which adds both style and functionality.
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date cases are distinguished by the collection’s signature 12-sided (dodecagonal) unidirectional rotating bezels, first introduced in 1995. Over the years, these bezels have been updated regularly, losing their “claws” and since 2021, featuring ceramic inserts with a 60-minute graduation – 5-minute intervals, a mix of numerals and sticks and a Super-LumiNova triangle at 12 o’clock to mark the start of the diving time. The 120-click rotation is smooth, and the serrated edge provides an easy grip. The ceramic inserts match the dial colours, which vary by reference and can be blue, green, or black.
The screwed solid casebacks are adorned with the scaphandre à casque diving suit image, which first appeared on the Aquaracer case back in the early 2000s. The water resistance is an impressive 300 m/1,000 ft, as clearly stated on the dials. Speaking of the dials, let’s delve into their details.
The engraved horizontal lines of the previous Aquaracer dials have been replaced with a sunray brushed wave pattern. The dials reflect light in a way that showcases a range of hues, like the ceramic bezels, often fading to a dramatic black before returning to their vibrant original colours, emphasizing the watch’s aquatic connection. However, compared to the 2021 releases, the 2024 Aquaracer Professional 300 Date editions seem to have added a touch more luxury, moving slightly away from the toolish-watch aesthetic of the earlier, already elegant Aquaracers. Despite this shift, the quality and performance remain top-notch, making the choice a matter of personal taste.
Readability is excellent, thanks to the thoughtful design elements. The flat minutes/seconds ring is crisp. The applied faceted indices at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock have a trapezoid shape, while the other eight indices (apart from the missing one at 6) feature an octagonal shape, perhaps as a nod to the bezel’s multi-sided silhouette. All hour markers are generously sized with a substantial Super-LumiNova fill, emitting a green glow not visible in our images. At 6 o’clock, the rectangular date aperture is magnified by a lens integrated into the inner side of the crystal, ensuring the top surface remains flat – a clever design solution.
The replica luxury watches Aquaracer Professional 300 Date handset is distinctive and perfectly complements the large indices, making it instantly recognizable. The rhodium-plated, sword-shaped hour hand with a shield tip pairs well with the narrower yet still prominent minutes hand. The central seconds hand varies in colour depending on the dial variant: orange with a Super-LumiNova-filled rectangular lollipop tip for the blue dial, lime green for the green dial, and blue for the black dial. This colour matches the printed chronometer designation on the dial, highlighting the watch’s precision.
All new references in the Aquaracer Professional 300 Date range are powered by the COSC-certified proprietary automatic calibre TH31-00, developed in collaboration with Sellita’s higher-end arm, AMT. These movements operate at 28,000 vibrations per hour and, importantly, provide an impressive 80 hours of autonomy.
The replica luxury watches Aquaracer Professional 300 Date offers the option of a rubber strap or a three-row stainless steel bracelet, both of which provide adequate comfort. Both feature a folding clasp with double safety push-buttons and a fine adjustment system, allowing for a convenient 10mm extension if needed. Rubber straps are available in blue and black to match the dial’s colour, although the green dial variant currently only comes with a bracelet.

Founded in 2016 by Sébastien Muller in the Swiss Jura, replica luxury watches Brellum is a niche independent brand that uses a direct distribution model. Specializing in crafting vintage-inspired chronographs at attainable prices, Brellum produces only a few hundred watches annually, with no more than 299 pieces a year, including limited editions. The brand now proudly introduces its first titanium watch, the Pandial Bicompax Titanium.
For its first titanium watch, Brellum logically chose the sporty Pandial collection. Titanium is an ideal choice for a sports replica luxury watches  due to its strength, lightness, and biocompatibility. At 43mm, the Pandial is admittedly a rather large watch, but the use of titanium significantly enhances wearing comfort; this titanium Pandial is about 20% lighter than a steel equivalent model.
Though the material, is new for replica luxury watches Brellum, the Pandial Titanium retains the fundamental characteristics of the collection. The round case still features pump-style pushers and a tachymeter bezel, giving it a sportier appearance compared to the brand’s Classic Duobox. Crucially, it retains the two box sapphire crystals – one at the front protecting the dial and one at the back allowing a detailed view of the chronograph movement. This unique design choice results in a thinner case band thus enhancing wearing comfort. The dimensions remain unchanged at 43mm x 15.90mm, with a water resistance rating of 100m.
In addition to the titanium case, the new Pandial introduces an original colour scheme with a striking blue dial with contrasting black subdials. The bi-compax layout includes a small seconds indicator at 9 o’clock and a chronograph 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, while the date is displayed at 6 o’clock. The multi-level construction creates an interesting sense of depth that is further enhanced by the different finishes. In particular, the centre part of the dial features a wave pattern. The diamond-cut applied indexes and hands are coated with Superluminova, ensuring enhanced visibility in the dark. Last, complementing the aluminium tachymeter bezel, a telemeter scale is transferred to the flange at the periphery of the dial.
Flip the replica luxury watches  over and the exhibition caseback allows you to discover the automatic calibre BR-753, a bi-compax version of the tried-and-tested ETA Valjoux 7750 (more precisely, it is a modified 7753). As such, you get an integrated cam-and-lever chronograph. It beats at 28,800 vibrations/hour and boasts 46 hours of power reserve. Its precision is certified by the COSC while the hacking mechanism allows for precise setting. The decoration is traditional with perlage and blue screws. The rotor is openworked and emblazoned with the brand’s logo. It is engraved with the individual limited-edition number of each watch.

The countdown is almost over, the athletes are ready, and the timers are set to begin. In a few weeks from now, on July 26th, the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will ignite a summer of sporting action in the heart of the French capital. For the 31st time since 1932, Omega will fulfil the role of Official Timekeeper, recording times and scores in all 329 Olympic events across 32 sports. As you’d expect, such a role involves state-of-the-art technology and skilled staff (350 tonnes of equipment, 550 timekeepers…), which is only possible thanks to more than 90 years of experience. Omega will arrive in Paris with the most advanced technology it has ever delivered. But what exactly hides behind this role of timekeeper of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games…? We travelled to Switzerland to find out, and you can discover it in our latest in-depth movie!
Now, having seen much of  replica luxury watches what’s usually behind the scenes in the watchmaking world, this visit left me speechless. I had no idea how much was done, nor, to be quite honest, had I ever given it much thought. Of course, like everyone, I’ve seen the start pistols change quite a bit, and I’ve seen the times being projected on my TV screen, so it’s easy to keep track of lap times and more. But, I never thought ALL of this was in the hands of Omega. And I never thought that their involvement goes so deep.
What we will see at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and too often take for granted, is the result of 90 years of experience from the  replica luxury watches Omega Timing team. It all started in 1932, when for the first time in history, a single watch company – Omega, of course – was selected as the Official Timekeeper for every event. The brand sent one watchmaker all the way from Biel to Los Angeles, armed with 30 high-precision stopwatches that were accurate to the nearest 1/10th of a second. In 1948, the electronic era began, with the first photofinish camera and photoelectric cells, opening the door to the incredible technology we have come to expect from the brand at the Olympics. For an overview of Omega’s history in the field of Olympic Timekeeping, please consult this in-depth article.
What about Paris 2024…? In a nutshell, we’re looking at staggering numbers – 550 timekeepers and on-site professionals, 900 trained volunteers, 350 tonnes of equipment, 350 scoreboards and 200 kilometres of cables and optical fibre… Omega’s timekeeping at the Olympic Games is nothing short of impressive, overly impressive, I might say; something that took me (and the rest of our crew) by surprise, as you can discover in the video.
In addition to the classic (already technically impressive) equipment such as the electronic pistol, the starting blocks with built-in sensors to see any false start, the Quantum Timer with a resolution of one-millionth of a second (yes, you’ve read correctly), the photocell technology replacing the traditional ribbon, the swimming touch pads, and motion sensor and positioning systems,  replica luxury watches Omega is delivering new tech at Paris 2024.
This includes novel technologies such as the Scan ‘O’ Vision, the next generation of photo-finish technology, capable of recording 40,000 digital images per second on the finish line of races, ensuring the best accuracy for judges to decide the result and separate close finishes.  replica luxury watches Omega also introduces Computer Vision Technology, a combination of single or multi-camera systems, each feeding Artificial Intelligence models that are specifically trained for each sport. It allows for in-depth sporting analysis, and no longer requires physical tags attached to the athletes.
But, of course, the best is to look at the video on top of this article, which I hope will be as fascinating for you that it has been for me… It is a true eye-opening experience on a technology that isn’t explored enough. Good luck to the athletes and good luck to Omega for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The replica luxury watches Bold and Ultra-Modern Roger Dubuis Excalibur Titanium Monotourbillon
Among the numerous tourbillon watches crafted by Roger Dubuis, the Excalibur Titanium Monotourbillon stands out for its balanced design – modern and bold, yet not overly so. Constructed from grade 5 titanium and a more complex take on a model launched last year, this sleeker Excalibur Monotourbillon benefits from its lightweight, corrosion- and magnetic-resistant, hypoallergenic properties. It also brings a toned-down monochromatic look (with subtle metallic shades of grey) that often makes an object look sleek and modern. At least, you won’t be surprised that this is what we think here at MONOCHROME.
Measuring 42mm in diameter, the replica luxury watches edgy Excalibur case is notable for its distinctive angles, notched bezel, and characteristic triple lugs. This design ensures a strong wrist presence and makes the watch an excellent conversation starter. Despite its bold look, at 42mm in diameter and a bit over 12mm high, its size is relatively modest for a Roger Dubuis timepiece. And it should fit most men’s wrists easily. In addition, the use of lightweight titanium guarantees comfortable wear. With a water-resistance of 100 meters, you’ll be safe for regular use too.
The hand-wound calibre RD512SQ powers the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Titanium Monotourbillon. In true RD fashion, this modernist skeleton movement intentionally departs from traditional baroque decorations in favour of a contemporary style and architecture. The components are openworked to reveal a mechanical sculpture of watch parts, shadow, and light. The movement’s structure centres around the flying tourbillon, originally positioned at 7 o’clock, and the barrel, from which bridges radiate to form a star pattern. It also offers a captivating view of all the moving parts, making the passage of time visible. Quite a feast for the eyes.
The replica luxury watches large tourbillon cage has 63 components. The lower cage is made of lightweight titanium, and its upper cage is in mirror-polished Cobalt Chrome, which is also non-magnetic and enables the weight of the piece to be reduced by 16%, according to the brand. It forms the characteristic Celtic cross that makes Roger Dubuis’ tourbillon recognizable. The balance ticks at 3Hz. Thanks to its visible mainspring, the movement has a robust 72-hour power reserve.
As we have come to expect from Roger Dubuis, attention has been paid to the finer details and the movement is beautifully finished. Every part of the movement is manufactured and hand-finished according to the demanding criteria of the Poinçon de Genève.
Despite its complex architecture, the watch offers good legibility. The black flange at the periphery features applied markers and is paired with large skeletonised hands. The use of luminescent material helps when in the dark. If you want down-to-the-minute precision, note that the minute track is interrupted by the tourbillon and the printed logo between 11 and 1 o’clock.
The replica luxury watches case is matched by a sophisticated titanium bracelet that is nicely integrated. It is finely finished with satin-brushed surfaces and polished bevels. The short, articulated links ensure excellent flexibility, which, together with the lightness, provides great wearing comfort. It is fitted with a practical quick-release system and secured to the wrist by a titanium buckle.

Omega has just announced a few new models for their Aqua Terra lineup today, and while they might not be earth-shattering, they do round out the collection with a classic charm. In 41mm, 38mm, and 34mm stainless steel cases, the new Seamaster Aqua Terra comes with a black varnished dial with a lacquer finish, changing it up from the horizontal “teak” pattern that normally forms an Aqua Terra dial replica luxury watches.
In terms of thickness, the new watches are 13.4mm, 12.3mm, or 12mm, respectively, with 20mm, 19mm, and 16mm lug widths. All models also come with 150m of water resistance. Each watch features an arrow minute hand and a more traditional short hour hand – both in white gold – with applied white gold diamond-polished indices, all of the above using Super-LumiNova. The 34mm version has softer, sloping “sailboat” hour markers around the dial and a round date window, while the other two have triangular markers and a more rectangular date window. All three feature white gold surrounds on the date window, making it stand out more from the dial than on the “teak” dials.

Inside the case is a Master Chronometer certified movement, the Caliber 8900 for the 41mm (60 hours of power reserve) and Caliber 8800 (55 hours of power reserve) for the 38mm and 34mm versions. If you head over to the Omega website, you can see that each watch is already available for purchase for $6,100 (regardless of size), so if the only thing holding you back from an Aqua Terra was the lack of traditional dial options, you can pick one up today replica luxury watches.
I had never much considered the fact that the Aqua Terra line didn’t have a plain, flat black dial but apparently it was a gap that rightfully had been filled. While I like the charm of the “teak” dials for the Aqua Terra, it isn’t dressy enough for anyone, and the Aqua Terra collection feels better positioned to fill that role than the Constellation line does at the moment.
The design seems cohesive in a sort of middle-of-the-road way. There’s only so much that can be done (or said) about a dial change. My only qualm is the 19mm lug width on the 38mm case. The price seems solid for a METAS-certified watch, however, and the “boat” indices on the 34mm dial are a good example of how subtle changes can really impact a design replica luxury watches.

Since founding Code41 in 2016, Lausanne-based designer Claudio D’Amore has set his brand apart through transparency, community engagement, and fair pricing. From a product perspective, Code41 has developed a unique portfolio of watches with distinct aesthetics, sporty vibes, and often featuring openworked dials. The brand’s latest collection, UNIFY, is somewhat more approachable and consensual. However, it still carries a strong message, promoting ideals of tolerance, equality, and diversity. UNIFY timepieces will be regularly offered as collaborative editions with artists and personalities who share these fundamental values. high quality replica watches
For its first UNIFY collaboration, Code41 has partnered with Sharoz Makarechi, an Iranian-American entrepreneur, artist, and activist dedicated to inclusivity. The 88-piece limited edition watch features a dial connected to her Substance Project, which combats the mass incarceration of Black Americans. The dial is emblazoned with a clenched fist, symbolizing unity and the defence of human rights. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Equal Justice Initiative organization. high quality replica watches
Somewhat derived from the X41, the watch is presented in a new quirky 38mm case with an elevated round bezel topping a tonneau/cushion-like foundation. Its water resistance is rated at 100m / 10ATM. Flip the watch over, and the exhibition case back reveals the automatic Sellita SW290-1 caliber, a small second version of the tried-and-tested SW200 (itself a clone of the ETA 2824). As such, it runs at 4Hz and has a power reserve of 41 hours. Its stop-second mechanism allows for precise setting.
Besides the limited-edition watch, the UNIFY collection will be part of the permanent lineup, featuring three models with different dial options: blue, silver, and white. The white dial model includes an “equity flag” small second subdial in a gradient spectrum of skin colours. The small seconds subdial is positioned at 9 o’clock, opposite to the date. All dials are finished with applied markers and hands with luminous inserts, and a crosshair design. high quality replica watches

Every year, a very select group of vintage cars and their owners are invited to the shored of Lake Como, for one of the most prestigious events on the calendar. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which we were lucky enough to attend several times before, is one of the highlights of the classic car world. And every year BMW, one of the organizing partners, brings along some of its most prized historical cars, as well as an exciting special project vehicle. Or vehicles for this year, as it not only unveiled the Concept Skytop but also the R20 Concept motorbike! highluxurystore.ru
In the classic car world, a few events stand out as being the best, the absolute creme-de-la-creme. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is certainly one of the most prestigious, alongside the Amelia Island Concours and of course Pebble Beach. The event on the shores of Lake Como in Italy brings together 50 of the most unique and special cars built between 1920 and 1980, spread across multiple categories. Out of all of the entrants, a group of finalists is selected, out of which the Best in Show is voted. This year the winner was the 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider which has been owned by the same man for 77 years and is in an amazingly original, unrestored condition!
While most of the attention goes to the vintage cars, joining them is an eclectic mix of more modern road- and racing cars, as well as several of the best and most exciting one-offs and concept vehicles. This blend of the past, present and future is a rare sight to behold and if you’re really into cars, attending the Villa d’Este event is a must!
As one of the organizing partners of the event, BMW always showcases some of its best modern and historic cars. Virtually every year they also release an exciting new concept vehicle, and this time around it’s the Concept Skytop.
This open-top grand tourer is quite something! It’s a surprising mix of classical lines and contemporary styling elements, almost in the vein of a coachbuilt one-off car. And in a sense, that’s exactly what it is. Inspiration for the design study comes from cars like the BMW 503 and BMW Z8, to name just two. A particularly pleasing element is the centre spline that runs from the nose, through the interior, to the rear deck, finished with aluminium trim. highluxurystore.ru
The shark nose up front thankfully has a pair of horizontal BMW kidneys instead of the verticle ones you see on some of the brand’s recent cars. From the front to the back, several creases and lines accentuate the Concept Skytop’s profile, ending in a sleek but stout rear end with LED lights and a pair of oval exhaust tips. The interior is a luxurious haven finished with leather, aluminium trim and a centre console angled towards the driver. The roof panels, also finished in leather, can be stored in the trunk.
Such a car deserved a fitting drivetrain, and BMW opted for their most powerful V8 engine to date. BMW hasn’t released performance details, but considering the fact the Concept Skytop is based on the M8 Convertible, it should pack at least 625bhp. BMW is allegedly considering a small production run of this impressive concept car, which will undoubtedly be sold in record time and for quite some money.
On the other end of the spectrum, sits the BMW R20 Concept. This bold café racer-type concept motorcycle looks absolutely amazing from end to end. There’s a lot less you can do to a bike than to a car, visually at least, but BMW has incorporated a ton of details everywhere you look.
The R20 is built around BMW’s famous boxer engine, with the cylinders protruding on either side. The rather bright pink tank on top of the black frame immediately catches your attention. The engine, for instance, has black cylinders and machined bare metal heads with a plaque carrying the bike’s name. The BMW logo is seen on either side of the tank but also below the radiator, a nice finishing touch. highluxurystore.ru
Things get even more interesting towards the rear, as the R20 Concept has an exposed and polished driveshaft and coupling link. Such things are usually hidden behind some protective sheet or even completely encased, so it’s cool to see them exposed like this.
Again, BMW is quiet about performance, but I expect this machine to be a blast to drive! There’s also no word of it entering production, but I can already see myself planting my backside on that seat and ripping through the hills surrounding Lake Como!

To many, watches are all about creating memories and lasting experiences. I still vividly remember where, when and how I bought one of my most precious watches, the Tudor Black Bay 79220N. It’s that connection that keeps me from ever selling it. But what if you wanted something more than just a ready-made product? What if you wanted some hands-on experience building a watch? Well, DIY Watch Club and its do-it-yourself watchmaking kits are just the thing for you. And along with its watch-building kits, the company also offers kits to heat-blue watch hands and even mix and apply lume to the hands and dial! high quality replica watches
About a year and a half ago, I detailed my personal build experience of a DIY Watch Club GMT Diver. Buying such a kit gets you everything you need, from the assembly tools to all the components and detailed instructions. With it, you are guided step by step to check the movement, install the hands, fit it inside the case, close it, and put a strap on it. Sounds straightforward enough, but it takes a bit of patience and a ton of focus! And to make it even more challenging, you can now buy a DIY bluing and/or luming kit as well, which is exactly what we opted for in our second-ever DIY Watch Club build!
The technique of blueing hands is nothing new and is quite honestly a simple process on paper. It originates from a time when metals weren’t as pure and advanced as they are today. This means that they could either oxidate or become brittle in the watchmaking process, which is something you obviously don’t want. To combat this, watchmakers resorted to thermally hardening and colouring things such as hands and screws. Putting parts through a heat cycle hardens them so they don’t warp and gives them an ultra-thin layer of controlled oxidation to protect the material over time. The most common colour is blue, but there’s a whole spectrum you can go through. Moritz Grossmann, for instance, often opts for a violet-brown hue. high quality replica watches
The bluing kit supplied by DIY Watch Club comes with a heat-resistant plate to work on, a clamp with a flexible arm, a small container, a torch, brass shavings, a glass container and a few other tools needed in the process. The instructions describe in detail what happens when you heat steel over a flame and carefully explain the steps to achieve the desired result. So, off I went in my first attempt to blue a set of hands!
The first thing you should know is that this takes time. A lot of time. Setting up is the first thing and should be done with care as you are working with an open flame. Then comes the delicate process of bluing the actual hands. Luckily, DIY Watch Club provides more than one set, so you can screw up once or twice. The brass shavings help disperse the heat evenly, and the glass container has distilled water for quenching the hands. My first set was far from even in terms of colour, as that’s the trickiest thing to get right: an even tone of blue from end to end on all three hands.
However, I was quite happy with my second set of hands and those are the ones that ended up in my final watch. Just to be on the safe side, I also blued a third set if the application of the luminous material that was next didn’t go according to plan. So knowing the hard part was done, I moved on to the even more challenging process: mixing and applying lume! high quality replica watches
Excuse the blatantly obvious Walter White-inspired pun, but the lume kit is a completely different experience altogether. In the box is a scale, a small container of glowing powder (see the connection?!?), a syringe with a bonding agent, a small bottle of binder, a mixing dish, tools and the sandwich dial with two bottom layers and one top layer. Again, the extra bottom layer is in case you screw up, which is very likely to happen at the first crack.
For the luming itself, you have two options: using the pre-mixed bonding agent in the syringe or going full Breaking Bad and mixing your own with the small bottle of binder and paint thinner. DIY Watch Club talks you through what is needed for both and what the benefits are of each method. I went for the simpler solution since it sounded like the safer way of doing things when it’s your first time. high quality replica watches
The measurements of the lume mix are very precise, so the scale is very much needed. Mix it incorrectly, and it can come out too runny, meaning it won’t hold, or too thick, meaning it won’t spread easily. Don’t mix too much at once, though, as the stuff starts drying out quite quickly, so working swiftly is of the essence.
Now, mixing isn’t the hardest part of the whole experience. That came next, as I was now ready to apply the lume to the hands. I thought it would be wise to try it on non-blued hands first to see how things go and have them ready as an escape if needed. The process relies on the surface tension of the luming mix, which you apply on one end of the hand and then draw across the area that needs to be filled. Far from easy to do and hugely frustrating! The result of my first attempt? A set of useless hands, ready for the trash! Nevertheless, I soldiered on and attempted a blued set of hands and applied what I learned from my trial run.
This time around, I was content with how it turned out, but you can’t be 100% sure until it has dried and cured for over 24 hours. Upon closer inspection, they’re not exactly perfect, and you can see some very small run-overs under a loupe. But, to me at least, they were good to go! A similar process is needed for the dial, where you apply the lume to the base layer. It takes some concentration to fill in the hour markers and this time around it’s a matter of applying the right amount of lume. Too little, which I did with my first try, and it doesn’t fill the entire marker hole when dry. Too much and you run the chance of the dial becoming too thick when sandwiched.
So, on to the assembly of the watch, which basically follows the same steps as the first DIY Watch Club build I attempted. This time, I opted for the time-and-date diver in a blue and silvery white colour scheme.
I’m quite happy with how it looks in the end and can recommend the experience to anyone who is looking to get more involved in his or her watches. It is a genuinely rewarding experience, even though it’s quite challenging. I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about getting more hands-on with watches.
Get stuck in, and build something you will remember for a very long time. And the imperfections? Well, I consider them my maker’s mark, my personal signature, if you will. You can check the full spec list of my watch down below, yet this is just one of many types of builds available.

Some watches just ooze class; among them, timepieces with officer-style casebacks seem to start with an unfair advantage. The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Vendome One watch might be a tad too colorful for some. Yet, it is very difficult to argue that an extra-thin, double caseback-equipped, hand guilloche-decorated timepiece in yellow gold does not have at least one foot set firmly in class.
The concept is not new. Chopard’s L.U.C line is reserved for the especially elegant and thin watches, often with yet more elaborately crafted cases, dials, and movements than in other collections such as Racing (with Mille Miglia watches) or Alpine Eagle. Within the Chopard L.U.C line, XPS stands for Extra-Plat Secondes, i.e. extra-thin, with a seconds display. The icing on the cake, here, is, of course, the “officer” style case with its hinged double caseback — just as it was on the first-ever Chopard L.U.C watch, reference 16/1860/1, that debuted in 1997.
Chopard has developed its own honeycomb-inspired pattern — a favored animal of the Scheufele family that runs the company now. Not only are they beekeepers themselves, but so was the father of Louis-Ulysse Chopard who founded the company in 1860. In fact, from 1860 through to the 1920s, watches signed by Louis-Ulysse Chopard were all engraved on the movements and on the inside of the back covers with a beehive surrounded by bees. Meaningless trivia for some, and an on-brand pattern for the most dedicated fans.
Press the button neatly integrated into the crown of the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Vendome One watch and a latch releases the solid gold outer caseback. The inside reveals the Parisian connection of the watch with a hand-engraved motif of the Sun strongly associated with Louis XIV, the instigator of the project to build Place Vendôme. During his reign (1643-1715), the Sun represented the sovereign’s influence on the world and can still be seen on the square’s wrought ironwork — a most humble symbol one could choose for themselves, really. And so, whenever you are wearing this 40,000-dollar solid gold watch, it will remind you just how admirably restrained you are in relation to some others.
Once you manage to draw your eyes away from the magnificent image of “Louis XIV, By the Grace of God, Most Christian King of France and Navarre; Count of Provence, Forcalquier and the lands adjacent; Dauphin of Viennois, Count of Valentinois and of Diois,” (I knew it was worth looking up his full title), i.e. the Sun King, you are greeted by the image of the equally elaborate Chopard L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L. Dating back to 1996, as its name implies, the 96.01 stands as the company’s first manufacture movement. Just 3.30mm thick and combining an extended 65-hour power reserve with a modern 4Hz operating frequency, it is an absolute tour de force not just for the ’90s, but even for today. And if all that was not enough, it is also COSC and Geneva Seal (Poinçon de Genève) certified.
From the front, it is covered by a solid 18k gold dial — yes, all of it — decorated with a bespoke, hand-guilloche (not stamped) honeycomb pattern, and gilded hands and hour markers. Its color is Bering blue “[echoing] that of the doorway at 1 Place Vendôme: A deep, rich hue reminiscent of the famous square’s distinctive architecture.”
The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Vendome One watch measures 40mm wide and 7.70mm thick, which is impressive for a double caseback-equipped watch and therefore worthy of the “XP,” i.e. extra-thin designation in the name. Fitted with a brighter brown calfskin scrap with white ecru bridle stitching, blue leather lining, and 18k yellow gold pin buckle, it is a bit more on the casual side — if there ever was such a thing for a solid gold, extra-thin dress watch.