Just for a change from the usual watch reviews, here are some fun and games involving magic tricks with watches!

Derren Brown changes the time on a man’s watch then helps him to ‘guess’ what time it has been changed to!  But even the mighty Mr. Brown doesn’t get it right all the time…

David Blaine changes the time on some poor guy’s watch without even touching it!

This one is very cool - some guy uses his crazy pickpocketing skills to STEAL George Bush’s watch as he greets the crowds.   How he doesn’t notice is beyond me.  There’s no sound in this clip…but it’s the pictures that you need to keep your eye on!

Now this one is just creepy - magician Paul Zenon SLOWS DOWN a guys watch, at the same time slowing down his pulse!

Having an expensive watch is an age old status symbol. Not content with simply having a a time keeper strapped to his arm, mankind has strived to make the most complicated mechanical wonders designed to make jaws drop. Complications, (additional extras to you and me) are the curreny of the high class watch, the more it has, the better it is. If you want to tread the route of the gentlemans collectors watch expect to spend well in excess of $200,000. Until you’ve pulled in that kind of money you might as well stick with your trusty casio.

The Chopard Super Ice Cube

Forget the endless, needless and confusing world of complications and spend your hard earned monies on the Chopard Super Ice Cube for that special lady in your life. The vital statistics: 66.16 carats of diamonds which includes 1,897 brilliants, 288 trapeze-cuts, and a center case set with 16 squares. No matter how much money this thing costs, it’s still ugly. Ugly and over a million dollars, a combination rarely seen.

$1,130,620

The Blancpain 1735

The 1735 has half-a-dozen complications, two more than a watch needs to qualify as a “grand complication”. It has an ultra-slim, 42 mm platinum case, a perpetual calendar (meaning it never gets the date wrong), a split-second chronograph, a minute repeater, a tourbillon and a moon phase minder. It takes steady Swiss hands eight-to-ten months to piece together all 740 components and only 18 out of a limited run of 30 watches have been assembled to date.  Click on the images below to get a real good look inside this $1,000,000 masterpiece.

$1,000,000

The Vacheron Constantin minute repeater

Vacheron Constantin started making watches in 1755 which gains them the title of oldest watch manufacturer in the world. In over 250 years in the watch-making game Vacheron Constantin have ammassed only 15 boutiques worldwide that sell their product. The plain vanilla faced minute repeater has a mesmerising mechanism that will chime back the time to you as and when you please. Housed in a 18K gold case the minute repeater was designed by Vacheron Constantin for Napoleon to help the tiny man to tell the time on the battlefield without getting shot. A minute repeater is a mechanical device that chimes out the time with two different bell sounds, so that at the pull of a lever you can hear exactly what time it is. All that history for the walk away price of $340,000! If you’re still not convinced that the mechanical wonder of a minute repeater is worth it then take a look at it in action.

$340,000

Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Considering the money you’d need to spend to get you hands on this piece of surgical engineering, it’s a mighty ugly watch. It looks like something you can pick up on the nightmarkets of Far East Asia but under the hood lie more complications than you’ll know what to do with. It comes with a tourbillon, a device invented in 1795 by French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet to counter the effect gravity has on your watch as it moves around on your wrist. It’s a negates the effects of gravity on your time telling mechanism within a tiny confined space yet somehow it was invented 200 years ago by a Frenchman?

Oh, not only does it have a tourbillon, it also has a minute repeater, so even if you were to climb Everest you could still tell the time perfectly without having to look at it. The minute repeater flexes it’s tiny mechanical muscles in the video below.

$297,500

Breguet double tourbillon

This watch qualifies as a “grande complication” - namely because it’s needlessly complicated. Mankind was born with two kidneys and it’s well known we can get by just fine with just one. Tourbillons are similar to kidneys and yet here, echoing the mystery of mankind, we see a watch sporting two of the complicated little numbers. They work independently of each other and hand over the task of running the watch to the other tourbillon every 12 hours like a miniture mechanical relay marathon. Not only does this watch hit the tourbillon market for all it’s worth, it also has a 44mm platinum case with front and back sapphire crystals and 540 moving parts. Your laptop has less moving parts than that, and this is just a watch, and it’s only $329,000.

$329,000

Girard-Perregaux Opera One

This platinum timepiece has an alligator band, enough to get the activists backs up straight off the bat, and features a Westminster minute repeater and tourbillon with three gold bridges.

Unlike your standard run of the mill minute repeaters, the Girard-Perregaux’s Opera One sounds passing hours not with a stanard bell sound but a real life tune. $495,000 is all you’ll need to be allowed within arms length of this watch, failing that you can always just look at our nice picture..

$495,000

Grande Complication Blancpain

If Tom Cruise, Tommy Hilfiger, Gilette and Ralph Lauren had a love child, that thing (whatever it might be) would wear this watch. It costs a small fortune but for your dollar you get a minute repeater, a split-second chronograph, a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar, an automatic winding mechanism and if you’re into your astronomy it can even tell you how our lunar friend is doing in his monthly cycle. If you saved $2 every day it would only take you 1000 years to get your hands on this beauty.

$730,000

Vacheron Constantin Tour de l’Ile

Its that oldest of old watch manufacturer again. Vacheron Constantin claim this is the most complicated watch in the world, and because of that fact they only decided to put the time in to make seven of them. It’s estimated that the Tour de l’Ile took 10,000 man hours to make including the research and development needed to allow a watch this complicated to even exist. It has a list of sixteen complications including a minute repeater, sunset time, perpetual calendar, second time zone, a tourbillon device, the equation of time and the representation of the night sky, second time zone, moon phases, age of the moon,  a celestial chart, and a 58 hour power reserve. If it’s bells and whistles you like, this is the watch for you. With only seven of them ever being made the price of these rare birds is going up and up with some estimations sitting at around the $6,000,000 mark. If you’d jumped the queue when they first were announced you might well have got one much cheaper.

$1,500,000

The most expensive watch ever bought

The most expensive watch ever made was the result of a long lasting feud between two American financiers. During a time when most of the United States didn’t have two sticks to rub together the two businessmen, New York financier Henry Graves Jr. and Ohio automobile engineer James Ward Packard, duked it out in a game of “who can have the most ridiculous watch”.
Packard commissioned 13 complicated watches from Patek Philippe between 1900 and 1927 with complications including a perpetual calendar with phases and age of the moon, indication of sunrise and sunset, and a celestial chart depicting the constellations of stars in the sky over Packard’s home in Ohio.

Graves Jr. wasn’t going to roll over that easily, over a similar time period he comissioned complicated watched from the same guy who probably couldn’t believe his luck. To have two businessmen throwing money at you in the hope that you eventually roll over and say “this is as complicated as it gets” is surely a stroll up dream street for watch manufacturers.

The process eventually ended with a watch comissioned by Graves Jr. that boasted 24 complications. It took three years to design and five years to produce. The 24 carrat gold time piece was finished in 1933, had a different horological function for each hour of the day and included a chart of the night sky over Graves’ home in New York.

Triumphant in his victory, Graves died in 1953 leaving the watch to people lucky enough to be written into his will who sold the watch to the Time Museum in Rockford, Illinois. In 1999 the museum closed and their collection of watches was sold off at a Sotheby’s auction.  With a pre-sale estimate of $3 million, the Graves watch eventually sold for $11,003,500 to an anonymous collector.

That’s around half a million dollars for every complication in the watch and whoever bought it will be lucky enough to know how bright it is at the home of its original owner.

$11,003,500

1, Binary Watch

There are 10 types of people in this world:  those who understand binary and those who don’t.  If you found that joke funny, then you’ll go mad for this minimalist looking watch.  The top row denotes hours and the bottom row minutes and by the time you’ve worked out what time it is, it’ll already be 15 minutes later.  Useless.

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2, Thumbnail Watch

Frustratingly, this spectacularlooking timepiece is a mere concept that was designed as part of a competition organized by Timex.

The thought process behind it is that it can be turned on and off by pressing down on the ‘nail’.  The colour can also be changed by touching the surface.  There are two problems with this watch:  how on earth is it going to be powered and will you need to buy a full set of matching fingernail watches?  Surely you would end up looking like some sort of LED edward scissorhands…

3, Barcode Watch

This watch is certainly a futuristic looking piece of kit and it appears almost as tricky to use as the Binary Watch.  The first 2 columns indicate hours with the second 2 indicating minutes.  Your guess is as good as mine as to what the time is in this picture, but if you run it past the barcode scanner at the checkout I think it will register as a tin of baked beans.  Or soup - I’m not too sure.

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4, Camera Phone Watch

This really shouldn’t be called a ‘Camera Phone Watch’ as it’s clearly more of a ‘holy crap I wan’t that!’ sort of a watch.  It would probably be quicker to list all this things this little beauty from Korean company Telson can’t do, so here we go:  do the dishes, mow the lawn.

So if you’re looking for a 256 colour LCD screen voice recognition camera phone watch that can’t do the washing up, or cut your lawn then you know where to look.  For those of you who prefer their watches to come with a build in lawnmower, you’re best looking elsewhere I’m afraid.

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5, Tokyo Flash Watch

Somehow managing to look both like an old piece of equipment you’d find in a science lab and a submarine radar at the same time, the Tokyo Flash Watch is a rather attractive little number.

The Tokyo Flash range combines stylish design with a unique LED display for each of it’s watches, seeming as it does to hold style and function in equally high regard.

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For some more sensible designer watches, come and check out Watch Superstar!

1, Big Ben

It might be one of the most accurate and famous clocks in the world but there’s no getting round the fact that it just ain’t going to fit on your wrist.  Not without some considerable pain, anyway.  And you’d probably go deaf the first time it went off.

2, Cuckoo Clock

Again, it’s going to be a struggle to fit this on the old wrist – but it’s a more realistic option than Big Ben.  The only downside with this charming timepiece is that the little bird that pops out on the hour will no doubt have your eye out.  So it’s best that you use it along with some form of protective eyewear.

3, Atomic Clock

You’d never have to worry about your watch running fast or slow with this one.  Atomic clocks are THE most accurate clocks around, using as they do an atomic resonance frequency standard as their timekeeping element.  Which any idiot knows.  The downside is that unfortunately all atomic clocks come with their own suspiciously hairstyled scientist.  If you are averse to hanging out with such people (people with mullets, not scientists – they’re cool) then we suggest you go for more practical wristwear.

4, Grandfather Clock

If you prefer your timepieces with a more classic, rustic look then the good old grandfather clock is the ‘watch’ for you.  Make sure you get Grandad’s permission before gaffer taping it to your wrist first, though.

5, Sundial

Possibly the most ridiculous item on this list for the simple reason that you can only use it when the sun is out…..and you need to stand still all day….and it weighs a ton….in fact all of these timepieces are completely useless as watches.  If you’re after something more practical and stylish then why not check out a much more sensible selection of designer watches.

Steven Stamkos - Young Ice Hockey Star and NHL First Overall Draft Pick

In a world where precision and timing are key, Steven Stamkos, the rising ice hockey star certainly knows the importance of a split second. As of today, he will have no problem with his timing as he has signed an official agreement with the Swiss watchmaking brand Tissot to become the company’s first Canadian male sporting ambassador. Tissot, which has been the Official Timekeeper of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships since 1996, has partnered with this young, successful and dynamic Canadian sports personality throughout his quest in reaching his professional goals. Tissot will also be launching a special Steven Stamkos limited edition timepiece bearing his number “91”.

For Tissot, Steven Stamkos fits perfectly with the brand’s values of innovation, quest for performance and stretching oneself to the limits as hard work and willingness are just two of the strengths in Stamkos’ personality. His work ethic is exceptional; he’s grounded, and very mature. On the ice, Stamkos has an obvious sense of what he needs to accomplish. He has explosive speed, and is a natural goal scorer who owns an extraordinary wrist shot with a quick release. Off the ice, the young center displays maturity beyond his years. He’s a well-rounded individual and his dynamism and charisma make him a perfect ambassador for Tissot.

Within the three year contract, signed with Tissot President, Mr François Thiébaud, Steven Stamkos agrees to represent the brand on and off the ice. His image will also soon be gracing the windows of Tissot official retail outlets in Canada, the United States and around the world.

2009 will see the launch of a dedicated limited edition Steven Stamkos watch with Ice Hockey design details and the distinctive number “91” engraved on the back.

“We are delighted to welcome Steven into our global Tissot family” said François Thiébaud. “Steven represents the future of our brand as he is ambitious, has a fighting spirit and at the same time is firmly attached to traditional values. We believe that he will be a real asset to our brand and an example to many young people around the world and we are sure that he will become one of the stars of the sport in the future.”

Bond girl Eva Green, the French actress, who is Montblanc’s Ambassador since 2007, is featured in another ad campaign for the famous brand.

The new campaign was launched November 3. It promotes the jewelry and watches line. The photoshoot was made by photographer Ellen von Unwerth, who succeeds Paolo Roversi.

The pictures were shot in Milan and each photo of this line is followed by the slogan:

“Montblanc. A Story to Tell.”

Eva Green’s looks fascinating retro to present pieces from the La Dame Blanche Collection, the 4810 Collection, a sport watch, all signed Montblanc.

Eva, who is also the face of Dior’s Midnight Poison perfume, told:

It will be a pleasure to work with Montblanc to support its cultural initiatives and, in particular, its work with UNICEF,” said the French actress, who is also the face of Dior’s Midnight Poison fragrance. “Montblanc’s ongoing dedication to cultural achievement and also its constant striving for perfect craftsmanship in all that it created reflects my own private passions.”

Omega announced that Zhang is joining its select group of brand ambassadors which includes fellow actors George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, sports superstars Michael Phelps, Dame Ellen MacArthur and Michael Schumacher, iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford and Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon.

Zhang Ziyi is an actress of rare beauty and monumental achievement. Following her cinematic début in Zhang Yimou’s The Road Home, which won the Silver Bear Award at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival, she has gone on to appear in 16 more movies including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers and Memoirs of a Geisha.

Zhang’s award-winning performance as the headstrong Jen in the acclaimed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon led to film roles which have spread her fame far beyond the shores of her native China. She is currently starring in “Mei Lan Fang”, the critically acclaimed Chen Kai-Ge biopic which has been selected for competition in the February 2009 Berlin Film Festival.

Omega plans to build a global campaign around its stunning new spokeswoman immediately and will also be arranging an ambitious schedule of personal appearances at strategic locations around the world.

Zhang said that she is particularly looking forward to working with the Swiss watchmaker. “I love Omega’s watchmaking heritage,” she said. “They have a great legacy and history, including their presence in China, of which I am very pleased to be part of it.”

Zhang Ziyi is the highest ranking woman on Forbes’s list of China’s most powerful celebrities and they also rate her as the woman with the greatest amount of social influence in China.

TAG Heuer today introduced actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio as its newest ambassador. The three-year agreement is a unique one for TAG Heuer and DiCaprio, with the royalties generated from the deal going to support the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Green Cross International. In addition, a multi-million dollar commitment from Mr. DiCaprio will go to support environmental charities.

“TAG Heuer is a strong brand with a proven commitment to doing good,” said DiCaprio. “It is a great day when a company as respected as TAG Heuer explores a different way to do business—selling products and giving back at the same time. I’m very excited to start this new partnership.”

DiCaprio’s commitment to sustainability and children in need will be the cornerstones of his partnership with TAG Heuer over the next three years.

“TAG Heuer and I will be making donations to NRDC and Green Cross International as well as other influential and effective environmental organizations,” says DiCaprio. “Each and every day, these organizations are doing important work to protect our planet’s resources for future generations. Hopefully, our donations will help expand their reach and raise their profile.”

“Leonardo DiCaprio is far more than an actor,” said Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO and president of TAG Heuer. “He is a man who wants to change the planet and improve the plight of children in need. He is contributing his skills and wealth to a better, smarter world.”

TAG Heuer is proud to announce Leonardo DiCaprio as its ambassador because they share the same relentless drive to push innovation and exceed expectations, especially their own. TAG Heuer surpasses itself and its competitors with each new timekeeping device; Leonardo DiCaprio proves himself a more skillful and inventive actor with each new film he makes, and a more dedicated activist with each new environmental endeavor. It is in this spirit that TAG Heuer is proud to join forces with its newest ambassador, Leonardo DiCaprio.