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Giveaway: Breil Orchestra Automatic Watch

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 07:06:19 +0000

Italian Breil wants one of you to win this Orchestra reference TW1027 automatic watch. The very similar Breil Orchestra TW1020 was reviewed on aBlogtoRead.com here. In a 45mm wide black-toned steel case this is the cool skeletonized mechanical Orchestra model. It features an exposed automatic Japanese Miyota automatic mechanical movement that has been thoroughly skeletonized on the front and back. The dial is still very legible. Attached to this model is a black leather strap and it has a retail price of $475. Enter below for a chance to win one.

To Enter You Must:

1. Comment on this post below (on aBlogtoRead.com, not Facebook or elsewhere you might see this article) before the giveaway is over with your valid e-mail address where required. In the body of your comment mention whether or not you like exposed mechanical movement mechanics on watch dials.

2. Be a pal. If possible, Facebook like all or any of the following:

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3. Wait until the giveaway is over on May 31st, 2012 for the winner to be chosen at random.

A couple of basic rules. You can only enter once. You must comment with a valid e-mail address where you can be reached. Your comment must be confirmed and approved. You must complete the objectives to be considered. You are responsible for providing your contact shipping information if you are chosen. Shipping restrictions to non US entrants may apply based on sponsor's policies. Giveaway watch selection based on sponsor's inventory and watch availability. All comments made after the end of the giveaway period will not be considered. If you are chosen as a winner you then have 24 hours to ensure receipt of your full shipping information or an alternative winner will be chosen. For the full terms and conditions, please click here.

Good luck, and thanks to Breil Watches the sponsor of this Orchestra watch giveaway here at aBlogtoRead.com!

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

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Breil Orchestra TW1020 Watch Review

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:07:19 +0000

For a few years now Breil has been producing relatively cool Italian designed watches at mostly affordable prices. I recall some of their more expensive Swiss mechanical watches going for close to $2,000 - and really lusting after them (like the Manta 1970 automatic). Then I didn't really hear much from Breil for a few years - until recently. They seem to have an interesting new sales model with their Breil USA website. I can't say for sure, but it looks like they are selectively testing online sales with certain collections. The first of which is the Orchestra - for men and women. Their other watches are still available in some more traditional retail settings.

The Orchestra is a very large collection of men's and women's pieces that share a similar case shape and design ethic. There are mechanical and quartz models, and some very interesting skeletonized pieces like this Orchestra Ref. TW1020 piece. It is the Orchestra model that really caught my eye the most. Being relatively affordable and offering a pretty nice skeletonized dial and movement.

Skeletonized watches are often pretty expensive - at least the good ones are. The key is to not only skeletonize a movement, but to do so in a natural way that still looks authentic. Maintaining dial legibility isn't a bad thing either. What Breil did here is work with Japanese watch movement maker Miyota for a skeletonized version of one of their automatic movements. I have a feeling Miyota does the skeletonization themselves, and the result is pretty impressive - from the front and back of the watch.

The skeletonization is very thorough and you can see each of the important elements of the watch in detail. Those who appreciate mechanical movements will enjoy seeing the escapement and balance wheel moving while viewing the front of the watch. Pulling out the crown to adjust the time provides a clear view of how all the gears work together to move the hands and adjust the time. The skeletonization is not only visually satisfying but really helps you appreciate a mechanical watch movement without having to spend a fortune.

Breil was smart to give the dial legibility as well. The hands are lume-covered and bold enough to be read easily - something which I cannot say for many skeletonized watch dials. There is still a prominent set of hour markers which means that the skeletonzied view is nice, but not distracting to see. A ring of perlage polish and some other special finishes give the dial a classy, yet interesting industrial feel.

The case for this Orchestra model is 45mm wide but wears small due to the case shape and very thick bezel. This is not a watch for those looking for deliberately functional design - as it has some quizzical properties. The steel case is comfortable but quirky. It has a bowl shaped mineral crystal that sits over much of the dial, and some unique cutaway sections on the sides of the case. The idea is to help the entire watch look more skeletonized, but they just end up looking... well quirky as there is not much of a view. The watch actually has two bezel sections, with one being under the crystal. You can even see the crown stem, which is cool or unpleasant looking depending on your subjective tastes.

Coming in a few color styles, the Orchestra mechanical skeletonized watch comes on a leather strap or steel bracelet. The bracelet is fine, nothing fancy, but doesn't really integrate well with the case. I would have much preferred a fitted bracelet that does not leave gaps between the lugs. Breil has done that with some other watches and I think it would be really appreciated here. With the case and dial being as unique as they are, I think the best customers will simply find their own straps or bracelets to match with the Orchestra.

As a beginner's skeletonzied watch, the Orchestra ref. TW1020 is a good choice. It is also not bad for style conscious types looking for a unique watch that isn't several thousand bucks. With a retail price of $495, the price is fair for the interesting design and nicely executed skeletonized mechanical movement.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Edward Norton Is New Male Face Of Breil Watch Ads: High Price For The Actor?

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:29:19 +0000

We can be safe in assuming that Edward Norton was richly compensated for being Italian watch designer "Breil's" newest brand ambassador. The contract stipulates that for the next two years, Norton will be the primary face for all of Breil's print advertising. He gets to wear the watch for hours while photographers attempt to capture his "essence" and transfer than to the watch. Norton is actually an interesting choice for Breil, and probably not the first person you'd think that a watch company would choose. Virtually everyone in the watch industry is extremely conservative and highly conscious of image. Personally, I am a huge fan of Ed Norton (and I'll watch basically anything he is in), but you have to consider his image based on the most popular movies he has been in.

So when I hear of Ed Norton, I think of some specific movies he has been in. Recently, he was in another new "The Hulk" movie. Mostly he wore a Polar heart-rate watch to make sure he didn't turn into the Hulk. He destroyed this watch a number of times as he turned into the Hulk, and was running from "the law" half the time. Then you have "The People Versus Larry Flint." In this excellent movie discussing the power of the First Amendment and the evolution of American adult magazines, you have Norton playing an attorney who defends the often frustrating porn-god, Larry Flint; who at one point convinces Norton to maintain his representation because Larry Flint is too fun and interesting to drop as a client. Then you have American History X, where Norton walks around neo-Nazi-esque complete with shaved head and tattoos, until realizing the err of his ways only to watch his brother get killed doing the same thing. Probably not the best face for any watch brand, at least coming from that movie. Finally, I always fondly think of Fight Club. What a great movie that was, even though author Chuck Palahniuk's book was a complex read. Here you have the two-faced Norton starting... well, a fight club, living in a condemned house, causing overall mayhem, with... as I believe it was called, "project mayhem," and providing audiences with many a black-eyed head shot. I really loved that movie.

Of course Norton has been in plenty of other movies but these are the ones that initially come to mind. So putting aside what the consumer association may be with Norton, lets focus on what all this means for him. Being a watch brand ambassador is not all fun and games. Sure you need to spend hours dolled up in front of a camera swapping watches and wardrobe, but there is so much more. Basically, Norton cannot be see wearing anything other than a Breil watch until his contract is up. That is a pretty steep price if you ask me, especially since Breil watches are nice, but not movie start nice. We are talking about watches that are a few hundred bucks, as opposed to ones which run with a higher league of watch. Imagine him getting together with pals, each has a $5,000 - $20,000 watch on, and Norton has a $700 Breil. He is basically gonna have to say, "I'm getting $5 mil a year to wear this, screw all of you." Actually I am not sure how much he is making a year on this, but I hope it is at least that.

Watch companies are dead serious about these contracts and "ambassador relationships." They will do what it takes to preserve the responsibilities of the celebrities they compensate for the visibility. Breil's female ambassador is Charlize Theron (also a good choice). While she has had no problems with Breil, she did have a particularly nasty law suit with Raymond Weil, another watch brand that she previously had a representation agreement with. Being seen wearing a Christian Dior watch at a charity function, Raymond Weil sued Theron for $20 million, arguing that being seen with a competitor's watch undermined the advertising campaign 100%. Silly? Yea I think so, but it is a illustration of how serious the watch brands take this. The suit by Raymond Weil against Theron is ongoing to my knowledge.

So moving back to Norton, he is going to have to stick to wearing Breil watch in most all public places for a while. I really hope that Breil gives him most every male watch they have. I've had some experiences with Breil watch, and the fit and finish is good, and the looks are interesting. I don't know if I could wear one everyday, but there are certainly enough good watches in their line-up. Though I do wish they had more mechanical models. Watch for Breil print ads featuring Edward Norton to start popping up this month.

See Breil watches on eBay here.

See Breil watches on Amazon here.

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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

New Breil Mediterraneo Watch Adds Dash Of Deck Wood Style, Really

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:24 +0000

Breil Milano is one of the few "fashion watch" brands that I take a keen interest in. The Italian watch designer has been slowly creeping their way upmarket with some really appealing designs. The newest model to watch my attention is the Mediterraneo watch with the inset strips of wood. Note that not all Mediterraneo watches have the wood insets. The purpose of this is to recall the style of yachts and boats, in the Mediterranean that is. I have to say the nautical suggestion is well done. This watch evokes a boating feel, not simply a diving feel. And that really makes it different. Most other boating watches are too much like diving watches to me, and while diving watches are a passion I have, I'd like more variety.

With the Mediterraneo, Breil has succeeded in creating a nice looking, but unimposing watch that suggests luxury. As I mentioned before, this is not a diving watch, but the dial does suggest that fact to a degree. The hands and number indicators are similar to what one would find on a diving watch, and the hash marks are those used on rotating diver's bezels. Here the hash marks don't move, so they are purely for show. I don't necessarily like that fact, but one can live with it. It is a bit like having non-functioning air vents on a car's hood or along the wheel wells.

The horizontally striped rubber strap also adds to the boating theme and helps add substance to the strap with the texture. The Breil Mediterraneo is a sporty watch, but as I said, has a significant air of Italian style to it. The vertical wooden stripes flank the round face with the thick bezel looking like a porthole. Also kudos to the dark colored seconds hand that is obviously there, but does not distract from the overall nice looks of the watch. Certainly a nice watch with lots of "deck" appeal. Retail is $650, but expect a street price of about $400.

See Breil watches on eBay here.

See Breil watches on Amazon here.

Breil watches can always be found at:

Breil light brown watch strap ODD attachment 14 mm
$9.99
Time Remaining: 2h 44m
Buy It Now for only: $9.99
Buy It Now

SWISS WATCH BREIL NEW
$49.99
Time Remaining: 2h 55m
Buy It Now for only: $54.99
Buy It Now | Bid now

SWISS WATCH BREIL
$49.99
Time Remaining: 2h 55m
Buy It Now for only: $54.99
Buy It Now | Bid now

ORIGINAL SWISS LADIES WATCH BREIL 1984 YEAR
$34.99
Time Remaining: 4h 16m
Buy It Now for only: $39.99
Buy It Now | Bid now

ANTIQUE WRISTWATCH MOVEMENT FOR REPAIR OR PARTS FHF 36 BREIL
$149.99
Time Remaining: 4h 44m
Buy It Now for only: $149.99
Buy It Now

Breil Milano Manta 1970 Mens Swiss Chronograph White Leather Watch BW0517
$390.00
Time Remaining: 8h 35m
Buy It Now for only: $499.99
Buy It Now | Bid now

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.