Tin gods
Normal television isn't a patch on Smart TV. You may have a smartphone, but if it's not an iPhone then you're missing out on a whole world of mobile awesomeness. Why are you still fiddling about with that iPad when the iPad 2 is just screaming to be purchased? With modern society the way it is, we consumers are indoctrinated to think that whatever we have right now, there's always something better out there. And the truth is, well, there are better things out there, there's no point in denying it and life becomes infinitely more enjoyable when we accept that fact. There, I've said it.
The notion of the grass is always greener, that there's always something better out there, is always a worry when buying a watch. Purchasing a watch can be a practical process, with your budget only stretching as far as a steel watch with few if any bells and whistles. But why bother with steel when you can have titanium? Harder, stronger, lighter; choosing titanium over steel is almost a no-brainer and the first up to entice you is the Eberhard Chrono 4 Geant Limited Edition (above right). The Chrono 4 Geant was released last year in steel but has this year been given an upgrade in titanium, with a limited run of 1887 pieces, to celebrate the foundation year of Eberhard & Co. The Chrono 4 Geant is a busy watch with a titanium case that is a veritable geant, or giant, at 46mm. The dial features four chronograph sub dials, giving rise to the '4' in the name, presented neatly in a row and counting minutes, hours, 24 hours and small seconds. The Eberhard Chrono 4 Geant Limited Edition costs HK$79,800 and also features a tachymeter and is water resistant to 200 metres. The date function is in an unusual position, 12 o'clock, and the watch comes with a sporty black rubber strap with nice Eberhard logo detailing.
The Bell & Ross BR01 Instrument Pro Titanium (right) is a bit of an oldie, but a goodie. First released in 2008, the Pro Titanium is still a watch to be reckoned with as it marries the signature Bell & Ross case design with the unique properties of titanium. Inspired by aeronautical construction, the XL sized 46mm titanium case on the Pro Titanium houses a three-counter chronograph with 12-hour, 30-minute and 60-second sub dials dominating the lower part of the face. A date function is squeezed in between the four and five o'clock position and the numerals and hands of the watch are coated in Superluminova, to make it readable at night. Complete with Bell & Ross' famously meaty black rubber strap, the Pro Titanium is priced at a mere HK$73,500.
From an oldie we go to the newest of the new with the Hublot Oceanographic 4000 (right). Released in June, the Oceanographic 4000 pushes the extremes of watchmaking. The titanium case has a diameter of 48mm and is water resistant to a ludicrous 4,000 metres. This watch has been made with serious divers in mind, with two pressure-resistant screw-in crowns, one at the two o'clock position, to adjust dive time, and one at the four o'clock position, to adjust time and date. There is also a helium valve at the 10 o'clock position to slow release dangerous gasses on ascent. The numerals and hands are coated in Superluminova to make it readable in the murky depths. The watch comes with optional rubber strap or titanium bracelet. The titanium version of this watch is limited to 1,000 numbered pieces and costs HK$155,000.