aBlogtoRead.com » F.P. Journe

F.P. Journe Octa Sport Watch

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:55:31 +0000

F.P. Journe is really pushing aluminum as its sport watch material of course. I've written in the past about not understanding why they would choose aluminum, which is a soft and easily dented metal for a super high-end luxury watch. It is very light, and I guess they like the quirk. Titanium has really usurped most aluminum use, but I think aluminum is still technically a bit lighter (just not stronger). The watch is just 53 grams in weight. According to F.P. Journe they used "high technology aluminum" (which is apparently the same used in Aeronautics).

So like fragile race cars F.P. Journe's sport watches are nice to look at with good performance but you don't want to hit things with it. The watch even has bumpers on the sides. This concept started with the first F.P. Journe sport watch which was last year's Centigraphe Sport (seen below, and priced super high). Oh, and they call their sport collection the "lineSport" collection. It does wreak of a certain disdain for English, whereby "Sport line" would actually grammatically make sense.

This good looking new watch is called the Octa Sport... lineSport. Unlike the wild chronograph mechanism of the Centigraphe, the Octa Sport is a more traditional F.P. Journe watch, but in a more sporty outfit. On the gray aluminum alloy dial you have the time, big date indicator, power reserve indicator, subsidiary seconds dial, and day/night indicator. The dial has applied Arabic hour numerals and nice lume-filled hands. It is pretty nice and the red elements do make it feel more sporty. Only problem is that this is still a fancy watch at heart and the core F.P. Journe look (that I love), just doesn't really lend itself to a sport watch style. Even if they attach a rubber strap to it and place a prominent red "S" on the dial.

A very interesting thing to note is that the Octa Sport watch has an aluminum movement. Most FP Journe watch movements are in gold. The movement is the in-house made Calibre FPJ 1300-3 automatic. It even has an aluminum rotor - but one one that also has a tungsten strip for extra weight. Power reserve for the movement is impressive at 120 hours. The movement is visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback window.

The Octa Sport watch case is a healthy (for F.P. Journe) 42mm wide. You'll notice that there are rubber bumpers on the side to protect the aluminum case. In addition to the rubber strap, there is an aluminum bracelet option - which also has rubber bumpers. Maybe FP Journe should just have a version in all black coated with vulcanized rubber? That would seem to solve the aluminum problem, and probably make the Octa Sport look more "sportive." Does anyone in the US even use that word? Look out for this delicate super-light F.P. Journe watch soon. Price for the Octa Sport is $25,790 on a rubber strap and $31,050 on the aluminum bracelet.

Octa Sport - Technical Specifications from F.P. Journe:

Movement

Automatic Calibre FPJ 1300-3

Unidirectional automatic winding

Movement in aluminum alloy

Dimensions of the movement

Overall diameter: 30.80 mm

Casing-up diameter: 30.40 mm

Overall height: 5.70 mm

Height of winding stem: 3.00 mm

Diameter of stem thread: S0.90 mm

Balance

Four adjustable inertia weights

Anachron free-sprung flat balance spring

Mobile stud holder

Free Sprung

Nivatronic laser soldered balance spring

Pinned GE stud

Frequency : 21'600 Alt/h, 3 Hz

Inertia : 10.10 mg/cm2

Angle of lift : 52°

Amplitude : 0 h dial up : > 300°

24 h dial up : > 280°

Main characteristics

Three position crown:

Winding of the watch in position 0, clock wise

Correction of date in position 1, anti clockwise

Correction of time in position 2

Instant jump calendar

Off centre winding rotor in Titanium with

Tungsten segment

Barrel with slipping spring

Escapement 15 tooth

Indications

Centered hours and minutes

Small second at 6h00

Day/Night indication at 9h00

Power reserve at 10h30

Large date at 1h00

Autonomy

120+/- 12 hours

Winding Speed on watch winder: 274 rotations / 24 hours

Decoration

Circular Côtes de Genève on bridges

Partly circular graining on baseplate

Polished screw heads with chamfered slots

Chamfered and circular grained wheels

Steel components hand polished and chamfered

Case

Aluminum alloy with rubber inserts

Diameter: 42.00mm

Total height: 11.60mm

Dial

Aluminum alloy and sapphire

Superluminova hands

Superluminova appliqué indexes

12 luminescent points

Number of parts

Movement without dial 286

Cased up with Aluminum bracelet 510

Cased up with rubber strap 354

Jewels 40

Rubber 72

Weight

Total weight 53 g

Movement alone 11 g

Sapphire glass sub dial 2 g

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

F.P. Journe Chronometre Souverain Watch Available On James List

admin — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:02:08 +0000

I could really use a little 'Journe' in my life, but the privilege don't come cheap.There is no per se "entry-level" F.P. Journe watch - that isn't exactly what the brand is about. You are supposed to earn up to a F.P. Journe - after you've toiled away earned and learning. Francois Paul doesn't want his watches on your wrist until you can fully appreciate them, and that takes some time being a watch nerd. However, if you are looking for a relatively reasonable way to get in the highly desirable brand, this Chronometre Souverain is a good "budget bet" compared to their $600,000 plus steel minute repeater watch. For about $25,000 - $30,000, you can get a gold or platinum watch with a beautiful refined design, wearer-focused feature set, and a stunning in-house made movement.

Being 40mm wide, this is your classic moderately sized watch with a thin profile and a super legible face. As the movement is manually wound, you have a handy power reserve indicator on the dial (56 hours), and a subsidiary seconds dial. While the dial design isn't symmetrical, it is nicely balanced. Imbued with brand character, this represents tried and true method of having a great looking watch dial that isn't too simple or too complicated, and won't give you a headache to look at.

The periphery of the dial has a minute scale and Arabic hour numerals. The inner dial isÂ machine guilloche engraved. You either love or hate FP Journe's style of hands, but they are pretty legible. Over on the back of the watch is another sapphire crystal over the in-house made and hand-finished movement. In this case it is the Calibre 1304, and the bridges are in gold - which is not very commonly found. Oh, and the "Chronometre" part of the Chronometre Souverain's name does actually imply that the movement is accurate. All FP Journe watches are made in Geneva proper. The case is available in gold or platinum is just a great want to enjoy a smooth sense of luxury on your wrist. See one of these F.P. Journe Chronometre Souverain watches available on James List here.

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

F.P. Journe Vagabondage II Watch Hands-On

admin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:38:27 +0000

About a year ago I wrote about the announcement of the F.P. Journe Vagabondage II watch release here. I was very excited about the watch as it was both beautiful and technically interesting. F.P. Journe rarely disappoints when it comes to new watch creation and this second installment in the Vagabondage line offered an even more sophisticated manner of digital time display. A little while ago I sat down with Francois-Paul, and he showed me this gorgeous creation.

One thing I am not sure about is the price. I might have forgotten to ask, and companies such as this aren't usually the types to volunteer such information without asking. Sometimes I get so into the watch that I forget to make such inquiries. What I can say however, is that if you are not familiar with the brand and own other high-end watches, the price will likely outstand you. Prices for the Vagabondage II watch are $49,700 in platinum, limited to 69 pieces, and $47,900 in red gold, limited to 68 pieces.

What will amaze you about the watch is the straight forward, simple presentation of the information and the complication. While not an easy watch to make, F.P. Journe makes it seem easy by having it all work so well, and smoothly. The watch features the time in a digital display, with jumping hours and jumping minutes. Mechanical digital watches are proving to be quite popular, and the mechanism is usually governed by a constant force escapement that makes sure the power from the mainspring barrel is used properly. The movement itself is the in-house made and designed F.P. Journe Calibre 1509, and is really gorgeous. Aside from jumping minutes and hours, it has a power reserve indicator for the manually wound movement, and a traditional subsidiary seconds dial. Like I mentioned in the previous article on the Vagabondage II watch, it most resembles the A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk in terms of functionality (that was released around the same time). Though the two watches are visually very different.

The Calibre 1509 movement is actually made in almost all 18kÂ rose gold (something which is really rare). You can see the very nicely decorated movement in the back of the watch and through the dial. Journe does a great job at the finishing, and always makes his movements deliciously impressive to behold. The dial of the watch has a sandwiched smoked sapphire crystal. He wanted to have the the ability to see the movement through the dial, but not to take emphasis away from the time readouts. So as you can see, the movement along with the discs for the numerals can be seen through the dial, but the time display information really has your paramount attention. Can you see what I mean when I say that this is a sophisticated timepiece, but at the same time F.P. Journe pulls it off so well he makes it look easy and simple?

F.P. Journe is not a fan of massive watch cases. The Vagabondage II is in a reasonably sized case that is 37.5mm wide and 45mm tall. The flat "tortue" style case sits very comfortably on the wrist and feels very thin (only 8mm thick). As a limited edition, the watch comes in 69 pieces in platinum (the one I am showing you), and 68 pieces in 18k rose gold. On the rose gold version the time window and hands are in rose gold, while for the platinum version they are in white gold. You can see me wearing the watch. While it doesn't have a giant "look at me presence" it is does seethe incredible good taste and refinement. F.P. Journe is really a master at what he does.

Operation of the watch is straight forward - and again it is very easy to read. As seen in the little video I took - you can see the watch changing minutes. Look at how fast and simple the minute changes (because they are jumping minutes). How cool is that? It goes without saying that I want a watch like this. I'll not likely be in a position to afford it any time soon, but it I can certainly appreciate this and other F.P. Journe timepieces when I see them, and understand why those with "choices" often opt for a F.P. Journe in their collection.

Tech Specs from F.P. Journe:

VAGABONDAGE II

Movement
Calibre 1509
Manual winding
Movement in 18K rose gold
30 jewels

Dimensions of the Movement
Overall diameter: 29.3 x 28.2 mm
Casing-up diameter: 29.3 x 28.4 mm
Overall height: 5.28 mm
Height of winding system: 3.13 mm
Diameter of stem thread: S0.90 mm

Balance
Four inertia weights
Flat Anachron microflamed spring
Mobile stud holders
Free sprung
Nivatronic laser-welded to collet
Pinned GE stud
Frequency: 21,600 v / h, (3Hz)
Inertia: 10.10 mg /cm2
Angle of lift: 52Â°
Amplitude: 0h dial up: > 260Â°
24h dial up: > 260Â°

Principal characteristics
1 minute constant force device, patented No EP 1528443
Digital indication of hours and minutes
Time adjustment via crown in position 2
Pallets escapement with 15 tooth escape wheel
Two position crown
Sub-second at 6h00
Power reserve at 12h00

Power reserve
40 hours

Decoration
High quality
Partly circular grained base plate and Geneva waves
Polished screw heads, chamfered slots
Pegs with polished rounded ends

Case
Flat Tortue shape 45 x 37.5 mm
Height 8.00 mm
Dial Smoked Sapphire

Limited Series
Platinum PT 950 69 pieces
White gold windows and blue hands
Rose gold 18K 68 pieces
Rose gold windows and hands

Number of parts
Movement without dial: 223
Cased-up on leather strap: 256

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Time Remaining: 1d 8h 17m
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FP JOURNE OCTA LUNE PLATINUM 40mm 5 DAY POWER RESERVE
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Time Remaining: 1d 8h 49m
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FP Journe Chronometre A Resonance Operating Instruction Manual Book
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Time Remaining: 1d 9h 32m

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FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Remontoire Operating Instruction Manual Book
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Time Remaining: 1d 9h 32m

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FPJOURNE SET OF ALL 5 RUTHENIUM LIMITED EDITION MATCHING NUMBERS WOW
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FP JOURNE OCTA ZODIAQUE POWER RESERVE PLATINUM WATCH
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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Court Orders F.P. Journe To Pay Jaquet Droz Legal Costs In Lost Case Over Intellectual Property Rights

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:42:03 +0000

I really wish I could read French right now. It seems that even though I am an attorney I don't quite understand this case. First is the language barrier, and second is the legal barrier.Â UPDATE: I've learned that the translated text was so confusing that I got the facts (not the law) of this case wrong. To please see the updated version as follows...

This is a European case that isn't applying US law. But let me give it to you as I understanding. After 5 years, and at least one appeal, Swiss watch maker F.P. Journe has been ordered to pay damages to Jaquet Droz and the Swatch Group (owner of Jaquet Droz) in the amount of tens of thousands of euros for infringement of Jaquet Droz's intellectual property rights for legal cost damages. It looks like Jaquet Droz was accused by FP Journe to have copied designs that FP Journe allegedly has created. This this would have been a copyright infringement case . Let me explain (not a hardcore legal discussion, don't worry).

In the world of watches, protecting a design under an intellectual property theory is very tough. That is because most of the watch design is considered functional, difficult to remove from the "purely aesthetic" elements, and mostly under the realm of patent law to protect, if at all. There is also the concept of designs that cannot be protected because they have been around so long, as countless watch designs have utilized them. So for all intents and purposes, most watch designs are in the "public domain," because it has "all been done before."

What can be protected aside from those functional elements where a patent is specially obtained, are items that fall under copyright or trademark law. Again, I am using US law, but it is likely quite similar in Europe (at least in France and Switzerland). Trademark law is going to protect things such as logos, "signature" or iconic (distinctive) traits of a watch brand that lead consumers to believe they are from a particular brand. Aside from logos and such, this is tough to prove, but theoretically should protect certain things. On the copyright angle, we have those original artistic expressions that are protected. But here you need to prove designs are original (tough), and you need show copying to a degree. Slight changes here and there could still be infringements (derivative protections), but often are not. Look at the classic example of the Rolex Submariner. There are countless "copies" of the watch. All that don't say "Rolex" on them are likely perfectly legal "copies." Why? Because they are simply applying a theme or type of watch. Things like a rotating diver's bezel, the hour markers, hands, bracelet, etc... can all said to be "functional" and not artistic expression. For that reason only a patent could protect them - and such patents would have expired long ago if there were ever obtained in the first place.

So going back to the F.P. Journe and Jaquet Droz situation. In 2004 FP. Journe apparently accused Jaquet Droz of copying the looks of its Octa Automatic watch - that has a small frame secured with three screws over the smaller hours and minutes, with a second subdial in the middle of the watch dial. It is really the three screws and their "figure 8" layout which FP. Journe was accusing Jaquet Droz of copying. Everything I have read about this situation was translated from French, so I am doing my best to understand it all. Based on the language, it appears at though the issue was based around copyright - but it could have trademark infringement elements in it. This is because the FP Journe Octa watch featured this design, and they could have made the argument that there is a consumer association between the design and the brand. Trademark protection is all about product or service origination association, and (real or likely) consumer confusion.

Both courts sided with Jaquet Droz and not FP Journe. Why? Because Jaquet Droz presented evidence of older pocket watch designs that it copied, and that those designs not only predated the FP Journe designs, but that they were not original to FP Journe. Why did FP Journe end up paying Jaquet Droz even though they brought the suit? I believe that because the law in Europe sometimes has the losing party pay for the legal costs of the winning party. The specific watch that FP Journe released that had the infringing design was the Octa (see above is the Octa Perpetual watch in titanium). I am not 100% sure this specific watch was part of the suit (as I seems to have been released recently), but it does display how FP Journe used the design that they alleged was being copied.

I personally suspect that the suit was based on a degree of bad blood between the companies. There are potentially dozens of situations like this each year that occur. Where one company could theoretically sue another watch maker for intellectual property infringement and have a good case. Why don't they? One, because it is expensive as hell, and the results are highly speculative. Plus, I believe that this typing of "copying" is often an accepted part of the watch industry. Watches are often sold due to quality, branding, and marketing. Not about who has right combination of design elements. The major weapon many watch companies have is their brand images, and sometimes the technical ability to do things that one could not copy even if they wanted to.

Given the years of time and massive legal expenses it is unclear exactly what FP Journe wanted to prove by funding this legal battle. They ended up having to actually pay the Swatch Group, even after all the years of bitter battling. Seems like a not so wise thing to do for a smaller independent watch brand. If you think about it, all Jaquet Droz needed to do was prove that the FP Journe watch design was not original and it was "case closed" so to say.

As to my suspicion of bad blood between the opponents, I can only speculate as to the reasons, but the situation seems likely given what is at risk weighed with the potential outcome of the case. Having had a difficult time dealing with FP Journe myself, I can easily see why they might get overly zealous in a situation like this. Plus, it is well known in the watch industry that the Swatch Group is very hard headed and won't stand down from a (real or potential) fight. Further still, I believe it is a matter of pride for the watch makers and executives involved. They hate having their ideas stripped as they feel a deep sense of ownership over those watches they release. All the watches involved here are high-end to very high-end. So the pool of people that would even be consumers or know what the watches here are is small. If this were an issue involving watches where millions of units are made, then it would have been a more practical legal battle.

I last want to say that if this case occurred in the US, applying US law, I don't think the case would have lasted quite that long. European laws tend to be more protective of intellectual property when it comes to art (and watch design falls into that). In the US, really only copyright or trademark law could have applied. The use of screws on dials, and frames around subdials has been done before, and frequently. So have overlapping subdials. Thus, I feel that at least in the US, FP Journe would have had a really hard time finding an issue that contained a true question of the law in this regard in the first placeÂ Â - let alone a 5 year long legal battle. Which again, is why you so infrequently see cases like this.

For more information see smaller articles on this case (in French) at these two places on Business Montres and World Tempus. Plus the appeals court decision PDF via World Tempus.

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Jaquet Droz Petite Hour Minute J005034202 18K WG Limited 43MM Enamel Dial MINT
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FP JOURNE OCTA CALENDRIER PLATINUM 40mm ANNUAL CALEND
$48,995.00
Time Remaining: 1d 8h 17m
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FP JOURNE OCTA LUNE PLATINUM 40mm 5 DAY POWER RESERVE
$41,995.00
Time Remaining: 1d 8h 49m
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FP Journe Chronometre A Resonance Operating Instruction Manual Book
$149.00
Time Remaining: 1d 9h 32m

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FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Remontoire Operating Instruction Manual Book
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Time Remaining: 1d 9h 32m

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

F.P. Journe Vagabondage II Watch

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:45:47 +0000

Fantastic new watch from F.P. Journe, I am enthralled. I was not so involve with the first Vagabondage watch, but this Vagabondage II timepiece is a damn good little number. Careful before judging it. You really need to understand where this watch is coming form. Check out all the little details in the design, understand the concept behind the digital display for the hours and minutes, appreciate the "open" nature of the dial, and I think you'll agree that it is a winner. I am not a fan of every timepiece from the brand, but again, this one really does it for me.

Two versions of the watch will be released soon in November. 69 pieces in platinum and 68 is 18k rose gold. Yes, the watch is very similar in theme to the also recently released A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk watch, but that is ok. I feel that the market is big enough for a few versions of this "digital mechanical" theme. While the Zeitwek is more a tuxedo friendly watch, thhe Vagabondage II is a true wrist borne machine in all its exposed glory. The best part? The watch is extremely easy to read. No more struggle to justify a cool looking watch that is too hard to understand when trying to tell the time.

The concept is simple really. The In-house, hand-made F.P. Journe Caliber 1509 manually wound movement has the time with digital hours, minutes, and analog seconds, also has a power reserve indicator. The hour and minutes are "jumping" and to support this features, the movement has a constant force escapement. The movement is beautifully decorated with a 40 hour power reserve. The movement is visible thought the sapphire caseback window and is made up of 223 parts.Various types of decoration including perlage polishing and Cotes de Geneve polishing. Most of the movement is done in 18k rose gold.

One the rose gold cased version, the window piece frames for the indicators are also in rose gold, while the window piece frames are in white gold on the platinum cased version. The case is 37mm wide at is widest point being a cushion shape (F.P. Journe calls the shape "flat tortue"), while it is 45mm tall.Â The hands are also in gold or blued. The make up of the dial is interesting. You'll notice that the movement is visible through dial, but is darkened. This is due to the use of a smoked sapphire crustal, which also holds the function indicator window in place. A really neat use of smoked sapphire, and helps to emphasize the functional aspects of the dial, while still making the movement visible for appreciation. The case is actually very thin at just 8mm thick.

I really like the polishing and finishing on the case. It is a delicate and sophisticated look. While the Vagabondage II (great name!) watch is not the timepiece for every occasion, I can see how it could be a holy grail for some. For me it is my current favorite watch for the F.P. Journe watch brand, plus, they even hint to a third model in the Vagabondage line. Price? Well... a lot of course.

See F.P. Journe watches on eBay here.

FP JOURNE OCTA CALENDRIER PLATINUM 40mm ANNUAL CALEND
$48,995.00
Time Remaining: 1d 8h 17m
Buy It Now for only: $48,995.00
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FP JOURNE OCTA LUNE PLATINUM 40mm 5 DAY POWER RESERVE
$41,995.00
Time Remaining: 1d 8h 49m
Buy It Now for only: $41,995.00
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FP Journe Chronometre A Resonance Operating Instruction Manual Book
$149.00
Time Remaining: 1d 9h 32m

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FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Remontoire Operating Instruction Manual Book
$199.00
Time Remaining: 1d 9h 32m

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FPJOURNE SET OF ALL 5 RUTHENIUM LIMITED EDITION MATCHING NUMBERS WOW
$349,000.00
Time Remaining: 1d 21h 16m
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FP JOURNE OCTA ZODIAQUE POWER RESERVE PLATINUM WATCH
$32,995.00
Time Remaining: 2d 12h 44m
Buy It Now for only: $32,995.00
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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain With Constant Force Escapement And Dead Seconds Available On James List ...

F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain With Constant Force Escapement And Dead Seconds Available On James List

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:03:01 +0000

This is a hell of a F.P. Journe watch from about 2004-2005 and really resonates with me because it epitomizes what I like in the brand. Some of their other watches just feel like too little for too much, but this Tourbillon Souverain came out when the brand was smoking hot, and everyone was paying attention. An earlier F.P. Journe's Tourbillon Souverain was released before this model, but this watch added a lot to the timepiece and refined the looks of the face. Aside from looking cool, this timepiece has a ton of interesting things going on inside.

For one thing, you have a very clean exhibition of the tourbillon on the dial instead of looking through to your wrist between sandwiches of sapphire crystal, you see the tourbillon escapement on a plate of gold with perlage polishing. Classy and sensible. Then you have the watch dial that is smaller and off centered and a subsidiary "dead seconds" (I will get to that in a bit). Don't miss the power reserve indicator as well. The full name of the watch is the ridiculous sounding "F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain - Remontoir d’Egalité avec Seconde Morte," but I will spare you that title by not continually repeating it.

The watch case itself is in platinum and 40mm wide. There are all the iconic F.P. Journe design elements to the Tourbillon Souverain that I expect from the brand. This includes the style of the dials and the hands, not to mention the colors, and of course the flat little crown that actually works quite nicely. The two symmetrical windows on the dial work well off of each other. Even though there is so much going on in the watch. At 40mm wide, it is relatively medium sized by today's standards, making the entire piece classic looking, and harder to make in the smaller size.

Aside from what you see on the dial and through the caseback window, the watch has two other very important complications. One is sort of a novelty for fun, and the other is an important part of the watch's ability to keep accurate and reliable time. The latter is a constant force escapement which is also known as a remontoir. This complication is used to control the force that is moving from the mainspring to the escapement and then to the watch. It makes sure that the force moving through this train is constant, regardless of how tightly wound the mainspring is. What happens with a mainspring, is that the force it releases when it is tightly wound, is more than the force it releases when it is almost unwound. This effect the rate results of a watch making it less accurate. A constant force escapement helps remedy this issue, which makes having a remontoir nice in luxury mechanical watches. You don't necessarily need a remontoir to have more accurate mechanical watch, but it is one good means of going so.

The other complication the watch has is what is know as "seconde morte" or "dead seconds" in English. Basically creates a seconds indicator that moves in steps from one second to another just like a quartz watch has a ticking seconds hand. We know most mechanical watches to have sweeping seconds hands, but this is the one exception. It is actually true that having a dead seconds dial makes certain types of timing more accurate - but really here it is just a novelty that F.P. Journe enjoyed throwing in. You can see more of it working in the video.

See an F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain watch is available on James List for the price of about $85,000.

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