Replica Tudor Mini Sub

50 years ago Breguet delivered to the French Naval Airforce 500 Type XX Aéronavale watches made on special order. Actually, they were ordered in 1958, but it took Breguet 2 years to make all the pieces. The French Naval Air force (known as the Aéronavale), wanted easy to ready flight watches with flyback chronograph functions. Still to this day, all Breguet Type XX watches have a flyback chronograph. The watch had a special engraving on the back which read: Breguet Marine Nationale Aeronautique Navale." According to Breguet, the watches were still being used in service by pilots until the early 1980s (and collector's love them today). Breguet has actually been working with the French Navy since 1815 supplying pocket watches.

Inside the watch is the in-house made Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic mechanical caliber 899 movement. It has 43 hours of power reserve and a gold weighted automatic rotor. Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre "Master" watch movements, it bears the seal of the rigorous "1000 Hours Control" which is an in-house testing for quality, durability, and accuracy in each movement sold. The functions of the movement are the time and date. Operating the crown is a bit different than the standard screw-down crowns people are typically used to with diving style watches. It used the special locking crown guard found on the Master Compressor models. It is easy enough to use, and a reminder that you have a Jaeger-LeCoultre on your wrist. Most people will never see the movement, but it is in there and finished nicely. Jaeger-LeCoultre finishes all their movements with a nice level of decoration that the guy who is servicing your watch in the future will appreciate.

The watch is named the Agonium "Memento Mori, Carpe Diem!" Which translates into the uplifting statement "remember you will die, so seize the day." Good advice, but you aren't gonna close  a lot of business meetings with ol' silver bones here. The message is the same as the much more innocuous Mr. Jones The Accurate watch I discussed here. I mention silver by the way, because that is one of the three metals the watch is available it. Not quite sure of the watch size actually, but I hope it is massive. The watch case is handmade. Basically, each of these pieces is going to be a custom order. Strom themselves even invites you to suggest custom orders, "All is possible, ask for an offer." In sterling silver, palladium, gold, or even platinum, the case design is Gothic cool with skulls and architecture resembling an underground catacombs crypt. Skulls and bones stacked up making the corridors. You can even get versions of the palladium cased version with diamond decoration. Diamonds are used on the case as the eyes of the some of the larger skulls. I want to meet the man who orders that piece.

See Porsche Design watches on eBay here.

Replica Tudor Lady Sub

Replica rolex

Real watch maker (who epitomizes watch makers), makes real independent hand-made watch (that epitomizes indy hand-made watches). That is Jean-Baptiste Viot and his "Paris" (In Paris) watch. It is a pretty fantastic creation and I would first like to thank Francois-Xavier Overstake of the French watch blog Equation du Temps for permission to show you these images of the J-B Viot In Paris watch that he took. Aside from the highest image, all photography credit goes to him for the below images. Lucky him to be in France to get a hold of all that he does.

Replica Tudor Fastrider

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Pictured here is also the limited edition Tag Heuer Carrera 300 SLR. Also including the Calibre 1887 movement. Limited to 1887 pieces, this more retro version of the watch is meant to honor the classic Mercedes Benz 300 SLR car. The watch is in brown(ish) with a gradient dial, and orange highlights. It has a very cool brown leather perforated strap (done in unique manner). The dial design is clearly different, but the watch is of course very similar to the standard 1887 watch. It does have a tachymeter, but on the chapter ring, not on the bezel. Price for it is pretty high compared to the non-limited models at close to ,000.