In the North, you have the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento as well as Yosemite Valley, Big Sur and Lake Tahoe, some of America’s most beautiful landscapes. For that reason, people who chose to live there appreciate nature, healthy living and the outdoors. Keep this in mind when dating there. Males and females both have chosen a nice lifestyle over money. In the North, having a lot cash is not as important as having an open mind and being friendly. In fact, if you are rich, maybe you should keep that a secret for a while.

Further south, you have the . Los Angeles is home to almost 10 million people making dating there quite easy. Remember, not everyone who lives in Southern California is rich and famous, but they still like to pretend that they are. So, if you have money to spend on a luxury date, LA and Hollywood are good places to do it. However, Southern California is also known for its beach culture. Places like Malibu and San Diego combine the love of the outdoors which is typical of Californians with a laid back and party lifestyle which come with living right near the ocean in a warm climate. There, a cool style will get you further than a large pay check.

Framed by an unfettered stainless steel case and black crocodile gaining calfskin leather strap, its automatic Swiss-made movement bares its mechanical intricacies that flaunt refined embellishments like blued screws, rhodium plating and perlage finishing.

Its smart appearance aside, this refined timepiece does not skimp on functionality with its water resistance of 500m as well as Super Luminova coated hands and indexes for optimal readability. Limited to 500 pieces.

Kazuki Nakajima

Aside from rudimentary embellishments such as his emblazoned signature and logo, this all black number also features a chockfull of thoughtful personalized details such as the red and white second hand that recalls the colors of his home country, Japan, and the openings in the dial fashioned after the breathing slits in his helmet.

Matched in power by its automatic Oris 635 movement, the timepiece also bears a layered, two-piece black dial with printed indexes and a date and day display at ‘3′ for an athletic overlay. Clad in a dark, menacing shell, the Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coated stainless steel piece screams with sporty elements such as its F1 tyre imprinted rubber strap and the highlighted ‘8′ numeral on the minute scale (Kazuki’s number).

Limited to 1,088 pieces, this robust number is not for the faint-hearted. And in case you want to hit the sea after the tracks, this watch is water resistant up to 100m.

Courting a new generation of moneyed moguls is a spectacular diamond- encrusted variant featuring baguette-cut stones (totaling 18ct) that encircle the dial, pave the case flanks and embellish the lugs.

Glitz aside, the Occhio’s aforementioned signature calling cards reprise their roles on both the case architecture and the hand- winding movement designed in collaboration with Christophe Claret.

Aficionados can pause to admire the action of the hammers and gongs through the sapphire case back, which also showcases the movement’s finely polished screws and meticulous finishing on the anthracite grey bridges and plates. Available in matte blackened 18K white gold with black alligator strap.

And we have to say, it doesn’t disappoint.

Powered by an automatic ORIS 733 movement and channeling Dylan’s perennial classicism, this timepiece features a stylish stainless steel rectangular case and a plain black leather strap that transcends time and trends, much like the man himself. A swirly patterned dial harks back to the vibrant pop art scene that dominated the 1960s along with Dylan’s then-rising musical star.

And for those who are seeking a more tangible portrayal of Dylan, the watch bears an image of him on the case back as well as his signature on the dial. Shielding the watch on both sides is a sapphire glass that wraps around it coupled with an inner and outer anti-reflective coating.

Limited to 3,000 pieces and presented in an exclusive box set with Dylan’s wind instrument of choice, a Hohner Marine Band harmonica, this timeless watch is the perfect tag-along for any fan worth his salt.

The refurbished movement, revved up with Incabloc shock absorbers and swan neck regulators, is exposed partially on an open- worked dial showing its balance, lever, time-setting and winding systems, as well as exquisite Cote de Genève and Perlage finishing on rhodium-plated plates and bridges. Limited to 50 pieces in stainless steel with an alligator strap.

Non-bejeweled versions are also available in limited editions of 150 pieces in steel with silvered dial; 150 pieces in steel with black dial; and 150 pieces in steel with 18K rose gold crown and bezel, and grey dial.

With respect to previous models, Due Valvole has the same case diameter as the case of Quattro Valvole, but accommodates only two dials, which are respectively inspired by the suction valve and the discharge valve of the motors.

Realized in titanium, it is equipped with two hand wound ETA 2671 movements that provide an autonomy of 38 hours and is equipped with two screwed on crowns in hand polished titanium, which is impermeable at up to 10 atmospheres of pressure. The two dials, which are divided by a raised central portion of the case, typical of high compression pistons, have different diameters, exactly like motors: the suction valve is smaller with 10 and 12 o’clock revving, while the discharge valve is larger and has a calendar at 3 o’clock.

This new proposal by Meccaniche Veloci, with its completely Italian design, once again pays homage to the roaring world of speed.

This prestigious mechanical object produced from a piston was intro­duced in 2006 with a limited produc­tion of 500 pieces for distribution throughout the world. The case, produced from solid aluminum, has been subjected to the same hardening process for the most perforating motors, while the four cavities are produced by processing at the lathe: “Four Valves” (Quattro Valvole) for four dials with extremely high preci­sion automatic Swiss movement.

Special care is also taken in every detail of the watchband, which is made by artisan craftsmen from calf or alligator hide and is attached to the case with four titanium screws. Following the success of the Quattro Valvole with the aluminum case, Meccaniche Veloci gave vent to its creativity, realizing different versions and establishing important partner­ships with leading companies in the motor sector, such as Dell! Orto and Brembo and experimenting with materials that had never been used before in the world of watches. Today the Quattro Valvole collections are quite vast, ranging from the sportiest collections in aluminum, ergal, carbon steel and carbon ceramics to the most precious “luxury” collection in gold and diamonds.

Like Old Master portraits of reclining nudes, the Golden Bridge Lady provides an intimate panorama of its inner beauty. Neatly suspended in mid-air between two sapphire crystals and decked out in resplendent 18K gold, the C0113 movement (dubbed the ‘baguette’) displays its barrel, wheels, gear trains, mainplate and bridges to glorious effect.

On the horizontal flanges, 144 diamonds accentuate this mechanical marvel like stadium floodlights. A further 108 brilliant cuts set into the gently curved case band act as framing devices for this masterpiece, bringing the total carat count to 2.5.

As a parting shot, the crown is set with a mother-of-pearl appliqué. Available in 18K rose gold with a white crocodile strap or 18K white gold with a black crocodile strap.

The original has been refinished to attract a new demographic, and now flaunts a case in white ceramic with a contrasting pink gold bezel lit by 52 diamonds (1.3 carats). The dial also exhibits this play of contrasts, with alternating sections in black and white mother-of-pearl. Its pleasing symmetry, well-proportioned elements and lustrous finish add to the winsome quality of this dedicated all-rounder. A chic white satin strap completes the watch.

And as with all Piaget Manufacture movements, the 830P is decorated to the hilt. Circular Geneva stripes, circular-grained parts, beveled bridges and blued screws compete for the wearer’s attention through the sapphire case back. In 18K pink gold with a white alligator strap.

But Chopard knows only too well how diamonds are a girl’s best friend sightings of its signature Happy Diamonds collection have been known to send hot-blooded women into ecstatic frenzies – so it has liberally paved the dial, bezel, case, lugs, even crown and cabochon, with bling-bling diamond, all 8.6 carats of them.

Tear yourself away from the dazzle of the brilliants and the baguettes, and you’ll notice how the Tourbillion Bridge morphs into an elegant letter ‘C’. Blued steel hands contrast beautifully against the crystalline purity of the dial that does away with numerals and indexes. For busy bees flitting from meetings and events to cocktails and soirees, the four-barreled L.U.C 4T Calibre works as tirelessly as you do, giving nine days of power reserve, which is indicated by the pointer at ‘12′.

The final act of seduction comes in the form of the transparent case back, which reveals the immaculate movement in its hand-finished, Geneva-striped splendor. Limited to 25 pieces each in 18K rose and white gold with a hand-stitched black alligator strap.

The turbine is actually a re-designed second rotor (the first being at the case back) that’s placed on the dial side, similar to previous models like the limited edition Double Rotor and the ladies‘ Diamond Flower. This time, however, the rotor has been enlarged, shaped into a turbine, and set against colored dials to evoke a greater sense of movement. Best of all, as it spins to evoke its aerial inspirations, the watch is wound at the same time. Clever.

Forged from a high-performance cocktail of titanium or DLC-coated titanium, the watch is a lightweight and superbly functional number. The tripartite case construction also comes with a screw- down case back ensuring 50m water resistance. At the heart of it is an automatic P-181 calibre with 42-hour power reserve. Elsewhere on the dial, luminous hands and numerals make short work of reading in the dark. Available with black leather or rubber strap.

Dressed to the nines, the lugs extend and wrap around the case like a pair of parentheses framing a statement, while a shimmery mother-of-pearl dial forms an elegant backdrop to the elongated Roman numerals that emphasize the lines of the case.

Animating the watch is a new generation Calibre 830P, a whisper-thin hand-wound movement measuring 2.5mm in height. The large case accommodates the movement’s larger balance and barrel that provides a 65-hour power reserve.

Each collection dished out personality in spades: You could choose to be a beach bunny (Star Sea) one day and glam rock goddess (Star Rock) the next, indulge your inner princess (Star Love) or live the life of a high-society maven (Starissime).

This year, country club kittens get thei­r share of the limelight: the Chrono Masters  Moonphase Lady is just the thing to don on golfing green. Its sporty character is highlighted the chronograph functions, powered by an automatic chronograph movement with column-wheel mechanism.

Rounding off this dynamic athlete is a triple calendar, function and moon phase indicator. A glimpse through the transparent case back will reveal a powerful heart, the 357 part El Primero 410 movement with 22K gold rotor.

Keen observers will note that the watch derives from men’s ChronoMaster range, hence the similarity in appearance. The double godron case is smaller (37.5mm in diameter) but the dial maintains the same Roman numeral appliques and grain d’orge (barleycorn) guilloche that made the ChronoMaster so successful. The female of the species also bears a distinctive tiara of diamonds totaling 4.88 carats. In 18K rose or white gold with a white or brown crocodile strap.

And where many other sports offerings limit themselves to the ubiquitous chronograph function, Armand Nicolet proves that elegant complications and athleticism don’t make strange bedfellows. The SOS’s four variants – day and date, complete calendar, chronograph as well as chronograph with complete calendar – trumpet the brand’s everyday ethos brilliantly.

For those after gutsy chic, a rousing DLC-coated titanium get-up teems with lethal dynamism (Read Raven Maven Rushes). Water resistant to 200m, it comes in a choice of black, black and grey or silvered dials with rubber, calf or alligator strap.

However, that’s not to say the watch is a pushover when it comes to functionality. An automatic chronograph movement provides the driving force for stopwatch functions and the big date display at 12′. If you want to impress your coterie of girlfriends, flip the watch over to view the skeleton rotor through the transparent case back, meticulously crafted to resemble the brand logo.

But if that doesn’t elicit the requisite oohs and aahs, then distract them with the radiant fire from the 62 brilliants set in the bezel. In steel or 18K red gold with mother-of-pearl dial and white alligator strap.

The birthday flag bearer of choice is the Super Limited Edition 1884, which houses one of the brand’s most famous technical triumphs, an ultra-slim automatic calendar movement, the Venus 203 (visible through an open case back), that was the world’s slimmest at the time it was created in the early 1950s.

Likewise, the watch’s sombre and classical style befits its stature, anchored by a 41mm Grand Ocean case with 18K gold bezel and silver-plated dial, and a vintage style dial indicating the calendar and moon phase functions with sublime geometry. Available in limited edition of 125 pieces with a crocodile leather strap, the deal is sealed with the edition number engraved on the left side of the case.

Steve McQuee

Forty years after its birth as the world’s first square-cased water resistant sports watch, and deified a year later, thanks to Steve McQueen who famously strapped it on during the set of his 1970 movie smash, Le Mans, TAG Heuer’s Monaco remains an icon for fans of sport watches, with the ability to turn perfectly coherent gentlemen into squealing school boys with each new roll-out.

This year, the brand has gone the whole nine yards to celebrate its 40th birthday. There is an ultra-robust concept watch, the Monaco Twenty Four (read about it in Lab Dance), an all-white beauty for the lasses (see Dame Game), and two limited editions – the Calibre 12 Chronograph and the Automatic Calibre 11 Chronograph which are the subjects of our affection in this review.

First up is the Calibre 12 Chronograph, a 5,000 piece limited edition collection forged out of an alliance with motor-racing titan, Gulf Oil (hence its nickname Gulf Limited Edition). Breaking out with a spanking new anti-reflective sapphire crystal that wraps around the front and back, the watch is given a fresh breath of air with a powerful new movement, Calibre 12, derived from a Dubois Depraz 2008 module.

Automatic Calibre 11 Chronograph

Upsized to 39mm for contemporary flair, the watch takes further design cues from McQueen’s Porsche Gulf 916K, seen in the Le Mans movie, with a grey meteor dial bearing its signature orange and blue racing stripes and a ‘Gulf’ logo imprinted on the dial.

Jack Heuer

But if you ask us, it is the Automatic Calibre 11 Chronograph that truly sets our hearts racing. A 1,000-piece limited re-edition straight out of horological back pages, the watch spells vintage cool from the word go – brushed steel case, blue dial with red accents and a left hand crown that mimics its original 1969 styling. In fact, we’ll go even further to say that it will be a hot auction piece, thanks to the stamp of the original ‘Heuer’ logo on its dial.

Further fuelling its collector’s cachet is its case back bearing the signature of TAG Heuer’s honorary chairman, Jack Heuer, and special box set that includes a second blue alligator strap as well as a Steve McQueen commemorative tome. Life truly begins at 40.

Evidently, his ‘less is more’ ethos melds with Rado’s watch-making philosophy like pesto and pasta, and the partnership that has blossomed into a fully-fledged collection just seems inevitable.

Essentialist abounds on the new R5.5 chronograph, an emphatic display of Morrison’s deft touches. Helmed by fluid and harmonious edges and lines, its modest 38mm square case in matte black ceramic with integrated ceramic bracelet is subtle and sensual.

Exemplifying minimalist chic is the sleek dial with lithe markers and hands as well as two utilitarian chronograph sub- dials that complete this sports timekeeper. Powered by a quartz movement, the R5.5 is also available in an elementary two-hand version.

This new sports-inspired Chronographe Grand Dateur Automatique is also endowed with 300m water resistance. Complete with an integrated rubber strap, this cool dive-friendly Cobra is made to withstand even the most intense of water sports, heralding Franc Vila’s foray into the sports timekeeping realm.

Elsewhere, the marque’s iconic dial that recalls an inverted figure of ‘8′ continues to hog the limelight. Made of carbon fibre, it even sports a guilloche centre that keeps the traditional and avant-garde camps elated without over tipping each side of the scale.

Fitted with the automatic FV8Ch chronograph movement with date indication and 42- hour power reserve, the Cobra’s limited run of 88 pieces should put you at ease as chances of running into a mate with similar wrist candy are slim to none.

Befitting the intrinsic dynamism of this new sports offering is the exclusive automatic DR1306 calibre. Endowed with what the marque terms as a “Chrono Sprint” function, its chronograph display is scaled down to a single counter (as opposed to the more common double or triple counters) that features two numeral tracks, one for the hours and another for the minutes for easy readability. Upping the ante is a single pusher at ‘7′ that controls the chronograph’s start, stop and reset modes. Elsewhere, with a 41 x 44mm case crafted out of steel and coated with a proprietary Black Tich titanium carbide compound that enhances the watch’s corrosion resistance, the Endurer certainly lives up to its name. Available with black rubber strap and water resistant to 100m.

Anchored by its crimped white gold case and grey hands, the calling card for the new in-house hand-wound RDO1SQ movement are the bridges, which are patterned by a striking circular-grained motif. But stealing the thunder, as always is the pair of flying one-minute tourbillions at ‘4′ and ‘7′. So if you fancy yourself a rebel at heart, your name’s written on this bodacious 45mm number.

A 45mm leviathan, it incorporates the in-house ML 106-7 calibre (developed from the ML 106 base chronograph movement) bearing the patented lever which guarantees precision by locking the zeroing function when the chronograph hands are in operation. The 60-minute chronograph counter, along with the small seconds counter is shaped like skeletal discs, resembling tyre rims.

Further into the labyrinthine structure, the hand-decorated bridges plated with black gold come into view. And against this chic mechanical web is the snailed architecture and black screws of the bottom plate, golden gears, and black balance wheel that blends inconspicuously into its surroundings.

As an indication of refinement, Maurice Lacroix combines a variety of finishes on the steel case: Polished sunray, circular- and vertical-brushed. The dials are coated with anti-reflective coating on both sides for a clearer view of the movement, and treated with a slate-grey metal coat to enhance the effect of the double counters. A black hand stitched crocodile strap rounds off the watch. Limited to 250 pieces.

The Altiplano Small Seconds displays its classicism with the assurance of one well established in the genre. Corralled by 48 brilliants (totaling 1.5 carats) on the bezel, the gorgeous brush-finished silver dial plays host to stylized numerals and a small seconds sub-dial at ‘10′, ringed by 30 brilliants (0.1 carats).

The latter’s asymmetric positioning delivers just the right dose of eccentricity to offset the strict geometry of the 30mm square case. At its core, an ultra-thin manual winding movement: Calibre 450P, with a thickness of only 2.1mm.

This being a Piaget Manufacture, the finishing on the mechanism is second to none: Circular Cotes de Geneve, circular-grained main plate, beveled bridges and blued screws – a delightful vista visible through the sapphire case back. In 18K white gold with a white alligator strap.

And echoing the immortal words of ex-brand ambassador and supermodel, Cindy Crawford, lasses the world over will be declaring ‘My Choice’ after setting eyes on the refreshed collection.

For starters, the “griffes” are softer and more refined. While it retains the inimitable constellation star at ‘6′, its feminine appeal is enlivened by striking dials in silver, champagne, black, brown and white mother-of-pearl that boasts a wave pattern radiating from the star. Elsewhere, it’s re-designed ‘mono rang’ bracelet with linear links is sporty and elegant all at once.

The collection comes in many different flavors – five case sizes and different combination of case metals with diamond studded options. But we’re sure of particular interest would be the 31, 35 and 38mm variants, which brandish the Marque’s famed Co-Axial manufactured calibers.

Launched a decade ago in 1999, the Co-Axial’s escapement calling card is its configuration that helps reduce friction among key components while ensuring accuracy and longevity. Fitted in the 31mm size is the Calibre 2500 with 48-hour power reserve.

The larger 35 and 38mm counterparts are anchored by the 8520 and 8500 calibres with 50-hour power reserve respectively.  All models available in 18K red or yellow gold, bi-color (stainless steel with either 18K red or yellow gold), or stainless steel, with matching bracelets.

Part of Chopard’s 2009 Red Carpet Collection, which consists of 62 new jewelery models launched as part of the watch brand’s celebration of a decade-long partnership with the Cannes Film Festival, the quartz timepiece packs a glitzy punch of star power with a steel case totally bedecked with an assortment of differently sized diamonds.

A diamond set case cover unhinges to reveal more diamonds within a minimally designed diamond pave dial face punctuated by a pair of spear hands to tell the time.

L’Heure Selenite presents a stunning snapshot of the night sky, featuring a disc of black only at ‘12′, embraced by an ivory mother-of-pearl crescent moon. A glittering panorama of black and white diamonds depicting a blanket of stars in the sky, adds a third dimension of astronomical beauty to this dreamy timepiece.
While the 18K white gold case, flanked by a rolled-edge handmade black alligator leather strap, tops it all off with understated elegance.

The ‘bones’ of the iconic Swordfish are still apparent in its stainless steel case, rhodium-plated skeleton hands and stamped rubber strap, but the sporty aesthetic is luxuriously updated with 2.024 carats of diamonds prominently displayed on the case, bezel, lugs, crown, push-button ends and the dial. Not forgetting, the striking pair of silver rimmed ‘12′ and ‘6′ hour markers set with — you guessed it — more diamonds.

So far it comes in black or white dials with matching rubber straps.

High-Lights
A perceptive man who has had a hand in developing over 3,000 watches in his time with the watch industry, Nieto can be credited for consolidating Baume & Mercier’s market position through iconic lines like the Hampton and the Riviera. He is also responsible for opening up the lucrative Chinese market for the brand, as well as getting its production unit fully up to speed with the timely delivery of its products to global markets.

His Words:
“We will be affected for sure, but we also have a good card to play. I think we will be gaining more market share”

Digging deep into its archives to retrieve and rework original movements from 1957 to equip the LS8, components from the vintage calibers are fashioned into the manual-winding AN0711S with hours, minutes and small seconds functions.

Made up of 127 parts, the updated movement incorporates up-to-the- minute technical features such as the Incabloc shock absorber and swan-neck regulator.

But it is the aesthetic realm where this watch truly shines. Polished blued screws stand out against the rhodium plates a bridges beautifully finished with Geneva stripes and perlage.

The AN0711S framed by a skeleton dial, its rhythmic clockwork a lively visual spectacle that will charm legions of connoisseurs. Limited to 200 pieces each in stainless steel with silvered dial; stainless steel with black dial; and stainless steel 18K rose gold crown and bezel, and grey . Alligator straps with contrast stitching complete the handsome package.