Watch Words Spring 2016

Richard Mille RM011 TI Felipe Massa

The king has returned! One of the most sought after pieces of the Richard Mille line, the RM011 titanium fly back chronograph Felipe Massa, now graces the case at Oliver Smith Jeweler. This timepiece exemplifies everything that sets a Richard Mille watch apart from other luxury brands as well as refines elements from the RM004 and RM008. 

The iconic tonneau shaped case rendered in grade 5 titanium was enlarged to make room for the automatic movement with variable rotor geometry. The ability to make adjustments to the rotor allows for the movement's winding to be adjusted for the lifestyle of the wearer. Another notable difference in the RM011 from its predecessors is the enlarged and ribbed pushers for the chronograph mechanism. Not only do these refine the silhouette of the watch, they make the pushers easier to use. 

This watch embodies the combination of form led by function, with the very aesthetics of the watch formed by stripping back the layers of the case to reveal the movement, and allow the functionality of the watch to take center stage. The fly back chronograph is smooth and easy to operate, and in combination with the 60 minute countdown and elapsed hours indication is a useful tool in many situations. The oversized date display, delineated by bold red and white stripes, as well as the month indication are as easy to use as they are fantastic to behold. 

This is one of the most requested pieces in the line, so if you have been eyeing the star of the Richard Mille line, be sure to give Oliver a call soon!

 
IWC Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" and Chronograph Edition "The Last Flight"

First launched in 1936 by IWC, the Pilot's watch collection is the company's oldest active collection. To celebrate eighty years of elegant timepieces IWC is releasing several new pieces including some subtle redesigns and several amazing special editions.

We are very lucky to have in stock two such stunning special editions from the collection that honor one of the most esteemed aviators in history.  The work and life of famed writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry are celebrated beautifully in two new watches, the Pilot's watch chronograph edition "The Last Flight" and the Pilot's watch double chronograph edition "Le Petit Prince."

The Last Flight edition features a predominately brown color scheme, a nod to Saint-Exupéry's flight suit, and include a brown dial, brown ceramic case, and warm toned titanium pushers and caseback.  The brown ceramic featured here is of special note; it is formed from silicon nitride, a world first from IWC. This material like other ceramics, is harder, lighter, and more corrosion resistant than metal, but more importantly is more shock and impact resistant than any of the other ceramics common to the watchmaking industry. This unique piece is finished with the initial A for Antoine on the dial, and a stunning engraving of the author himself on the caseback.

The double chronograph "Le Petit Prince" edition is equally as impressive, if a little more whimsical than the"Saint-Exupéry" editions.  The double chronograph feature allows for accurate timing of two events with elapsed hours and minutes, an invaluable tool for early pilots. It is however, the very unique day function that is sure to impress the wearer of the watch. The days of the week indicated here are not marked with their names, but by a whimsical golden star that jumps between seven cutouts on the dial. Each star represents one of the planets visited by the Little Prince on his journey, with the back engraving labeling the inhabitant of each planet. The star can be reset by the wearer to any position, so that the order of the journey can start with a certain star, or can remind the wearer of the important lessons the Little Prince learns from each encounter.

Individually these watches are beautiful examples of the special edition pieces that IWC creates, and together become a stunning tribute to aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the work that transcends him.
 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph

If you've seen our ads, you know that Oliver has been buying estate and vintage watches, and among his finds is this gorgeous Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph. Rendered in stainless steel with a knockout blue and orange accented dial, this watch is circa 2009, which aficionados of the brand will recognize as being before the controversial resizing of the Royal Oak watches from 39 to 41mm. With any other modern brands discussing a watch at 39mm would seem diminutive, but that is simply not the case with the Royal Oak Chronograph. As many have observed, due to the design of the watch it 'wears bigger' than many other pieces of that size, and sits beautifully on the wrist with its iconic integrated bracelet. This piece, while an estate purchase, is in beautiful condition and shows of the fantastic combination of watchmaking finishes that have made the AP Royal Oak watches horological royalty. 

This, and other used fine timepieces, are available for purchase online on our ebay site, or of course in our showroom as well.

Kind Regards, 
The Oliver Smith Watch Team

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