Tonight i read an article about two Cartier Mono-poussoirs and Cartier’s rich horological history…. An absolute must-read for watch aficionados!

The last few years Cartier surprised me with the new collection. The ending of the Collection Privee Cartier Paris was kind of a shock. However the size of Cartier’s top-end complicated watches was a bigger shock. I’ve always looked at Cartier as a brand with small to medium sized watches, especially in the high-end collection.

Cartier’s top-end complicated watches feature very interesting calibers and complications and the design is (like always) top notch. What bothered me the last few years is that Cartier released several oversized highly complicated watches. Personally i don’t have a problem with oversized watches, however i think the size should suit a watch’s design and function. A 45 mm large tourbillon is something that i just don’t like. When Cartier, the brand with the imago of very moderate sized watches, released oversized complicated watches you might understand my feelings.

After reading the article about the Cartier Tank Mono-poussoir and Tortue Mono-poussoir chronographs i was pleased to see again why i admired this brand so much. The article is written by Cartier connaisseur Geo who also has a magnificent website about Cartier’s mechanical men’s watches. His website, Troisanneaux, is the most complete source for Collection Privee Cartier Paris.

Here you can find the article Cartier and it’s Mono Poussoirs. Photos are from Geo.

It’s been roughly 9 months since I bought my ‘grail-watch’, a Korona K1 from the Finnish watchmaker Sarpaneva. So enough experience to sit down and write about this watch that’s been almost constantly on my wrist for almost 9 months.

In May of last year it was finally time. The months before had been an intense period. Of course a decision like this was not made overnight, so long lists of potential watches had to be narrowed down. Or maybe the decision was not so difficult, it was just me having difficulty with spending so much money on a watch.

When my decision was final, the deal was made and a ticket to Helsinki was booked… there’s nothing like buying your watch from the watchmaker who made it… no who designed it! It’s his creation that somehow touched me in such way that I wanted this watch. Wanted it so bad that I sold quite a few other watches to raise the funds.

After nine months of almost continuous wearing my Sarpaneva Korona K1, all I can say is that it was my best decision ever (when it comes to watches). On watch forum PuristS Pro i posted an extensive review about my Korona K1 and how it’s made. I hope my review sheds some light on how special this watch is. Have fun reading the review…

And do let me know what you think of it!

Frederique Constant is a (relatively) new brand, however one of the most promising watch brands of the Swiss watch industry. And now you have a chance to win one!

In 1992, four years after the brand was launched, the first timepieces where released. Since then Frederique Constant realized a constant yearly growth of 25-30%… impressive isn’t it? In 2004 Frederique Constant released it’s first manufacture movement, the Heart Beat Manufacture Caliber FC-910. In the following years three more calibers where released including a tourbillon. Later i will write more about the Frederique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture calibers.

The above Frederique Constant Maxime Manufacture Automatic was released at Baselworld 2009. The dial shows a combination of a sunray and Clous de Paris pattern, nothing new, but I think it looks very good. The stainless steel case has a diameter of 42 mm and is equipped with a convex sapphire crystal.

Not only it’s classy looks stand out, the prize is just amazing. At the time of release the retail prize was just below € 2.000,- . This makes it the most affordable watch with a manufacture caliber.

Now let’s move on to how you can win one of 5 Frederique Constant watches or $ 5,000 prize money.

Here is the message Frederique Constant has published on their Facebook pages:

It’s now time for you to share with the other fans your Passion of Frederique Constant. From the 1st February until the 30th April 2010, you will have the opportunity to create your video presentation of your Frederique Constant. If you are not yet the lucky owner of a Frederique Constant, don’t worry and be creative in your video about Frederique Constant, you may perhaps become the owner of a Frederique Constant timepiece soon…

There will be the possibility to win 5 nice Frederique Constant watches and $5 000 prize money. The watches will be either an automatic Index Clear Vision (FC-303B6B6) or either a Ladies automatic Double Heart Beat Chocolate (FC-310GDHB2P4). The winners will be the 5 persons who will have the more “like” on his video, but also the video rated as the most creative by Frederique Constant.

You have to submit your video clip, which should last about 3:30 min, in the Frederique Constant fan page on Facebook.

The contest entries may be reused by Frederique Constant on his various channels.

Tips for your video:

• Show us all about your watch: watch box, buckle, strap, case, case back, movement…
• Explain us the main characteristics of your watches!
• Try to tell us a nice story!
• Try to do a dynamic and nice movie of about 3 min 30 sec maximum!
• Be creative
• Invite your friends to vote for your creation!

So far, it only remains us to wish you good luck for this contest!

By the way, these watches can be won…

Check out Frederique Constant’s fan page on Facebook and share your video to win one of the prizes. Good luck!

And now the Linde Werdelin test is almost over, so is my vacation…

The 2-Timer has been on my wrist for the past 3,5 weeks, except when i rinsed the salt sea-water off and when making photos of the watch. The Linde Werdelin proved to be an absolute reliable partner for traveling, even if you’re going off the beaten track. With it’s rubber strap it was very comfortable to wear with 35 degrees Celsius during day time. Yes 35 degrees Celsius and it’s winter here in India… can you imagine? The sea water’s temperature is around 28 degrees, which is also no punishment.

Now a last photo before i’m going to write the test review…