The Spring Watch

Posted on March 31, 2011 by eRelyx

Casual men’s spring fashion is all about “The Contradiction,” being put-together-but-never-trying-too-hard, classic pieces partnered with an element of the un-expected. Confused yet? Allow me to elaborate…

The trend: Ivy League classic prep, with an edge. The apparel? A tapered slim fit that demonstrated expert tailoring, in tandem with relaxed, “wrinkle-welcome” fabric, like linen. The color palette? Sun-faded brights are everywhere, and where white once ruled the spring/summer season- 2011 runways visited the dark side.

We shopped some of our favorite brands to pull together three casual outfits that demonstrate the best of spring’s menswear fashion trends, just for you. Oh, and, because you know you’re never fully dressed with out a watch, we, of course, finished off each look with a favorite from the eRelyx site. C’est Magnifique!

Look One: Blue Gingham Shirt by J. Crew; Leather Moto Jacket by A.P.C; Belt by Tucker Blair; Shoes by Sperry Topsider; Pants by Bonobos; Watch: Omega Seamaster Chrono

Look Two: Denim by J.Crew; White Shirt by J.Crew; Pink Gingham Shirt by Vineyard Vines; Sunglasses by Ray-Ban; Sneakers by Jack Purcell for Converse at J. Crew; Belt by Smathers & Branson; Watch: Tag Heuer Monaco

Look Three: Chambray Oxford by J. Crew; Light Blue Polo with Navy Gingham Accent by Dressed by Chris Cuozzo; Pants by Bonobos; Belt by Tucker Blair; Suede Bucks by J.Crew; Watch: Rolex Daytona

Battle of the Brands: Omega vs. Breitling

Posted on March 30, 2011 by eRelyx

Breitling is a brand of Swiss Watches produced by privately owned Breitling SA (originally founded by Léon Breitling in 1884). The watchmaker offers high-end Certified Chronometers designed primarily for aviation use. Breitling’s watches offer aviation functions, though their chronograph functions have become more of status symbols than practically applied tools. Notable models include the Super Avenger, the Emergency, the Chrono Avenger, Super Ocean and the Navitimer. Celebrity endorsers of the brand have included high-profile celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, John Travolta and, currently, Wayne Gretzky. Other noted fans of the brand include Man vs. Wild star- Bear Grylls and the Bentley automobile brand- demonstrating Breitling’s dual nature as both functional timepiece and emblem of status & luxury.

Omega is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Biel, Switzerland and owned by the Swatch Group (originally founded in1848 by Louis Brandt). Omega is one of the most known and recognized watches in the world. Notable series of models for women & men include the Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation and Deville. Omega is the choice watch for NASA and was worn by Buzz Aldrin as the first watch on the Moon in 1969. At the 2006 Olympic Summer Games, Omega was the official Time Keeping device (Swimmer Michael Phelps endorses the brand). Starting in 1995, James Bond switched from Rolex to Omega Watches (today, Bond star Daniel Craig acts as a brand ambassador for the watch company). Other famous Omega wearers (past and present) are JFK, Prince William, VP Joe Biden, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and Cindy Crawford. We’ve also noted such celebrity Omega fans as Sofia Vergara, and Minka Kelly on the eRelyx blog.

So, now its your turn to voice your opinion. Which of these iconic brands do you prefer? Are you an Omega fan or do you favor Breitling over the rest? Vote today until Noon (EDT) on Friday, April 1, and don’t forget to check out the great inventory of Breitling and Omega watches for sale on eRelyx!

IWC Advertising

Posted on March 29, 2011 by eRelyx

If you follow our blog you know that we’re huge fans of IWC. Both the Portuguese Chronograph and Big Pilot have recently been featured as our “Watch of the Moment.” IWC watches are well made and look stunning. In addition, IWC is one of the most respected brands among watch enthusiasts and industry professionals. Over time, we believe that the brand will receive the same level of recognition among the general public as Rolex, Patek Philippe, or Cartier. Great advertising will certainly help.

IWC and its ad agency have churned out some winners in the past. One of our favorites is their public transportation campaign seen below.

IWC would love for everyone to try on their watches. Unfortunately, that’s probably not going to happen. This advertising campaign is the next best thing, isn’t it? The creativity is through the roof!! Brilliant (although probably not cheap!).

Another IWC advertisement that we love is one that calls out men. “IWC – Official supplier to men.” You know what? I’m a man. I should probably have an IWC watch. After all, they are my official supplier. Plain & simple. I like it.

In general, IWC, unlike many other watch brands, “gets” advertising. But it’s not without its head-scratchers. I saw the ad below while walking in downtown Boston.

Engineered for navigators? I’m not sure what that means. Does that mean it’s high quality? Does it have a compass? Maybe a sextant (yep, just dropped “sextant” into a blog)? Maybe it has GPS – it is 2011, right? Will it help me navigate the Boston subway system?

If the watch is for navigators, does that mean that it’s not for me? I basically navigate my way from my condo – to the office – to the gym – to the grocery store – and back home. Wash, rinse, repeat. I don’t need a special tool for that.

Look. I understand that advertising can’t, and shouldn’t target everyone. But, will the navigators please raise their hands? Anyone? Is this thing on?

I will have an IWC Portuguese Chronograph someday soon. But it’s not because I’m a navigator. Or because I want a watch that was engineered to satisfy Lewis and Clark. I will buy an IWC because it looks amazing. Because it keeps accurate time. Because it makes me feel great. Because it makes others ooh and ahh. Shouldn’t IWC focus their ads on that?

I LOVE IWC (Dear IWC – don’t be mad at me. You guys are fantastic). I will recommend the brand to anyone who will listen. But this ad left me scratching my head.

What do you think?

Watch-erazzi

Posted on March 28, 2011 by eRelyx

This week’s Celebrity watch led us over seas to Spain to the Madrid “Hop” movie premier where we spied James Marsden wearing what looks to be either a stainless steel Tag Heuer or Rolex. Next we found Antonio Banderas at the Malaga Film Festival giving paparazzi a clear shot of this good-looking watch, whilst hugging dear friend & famed flamenco singer- Estrella Morente.

Back on US soil we sighted celebs David Beckham and Tom Cruise sitting courtside at a Lakers game with their respective sons, Brooklyn & Connor (who appears to be already following in dad’s watch-loving footsteps, wearing one seriously big, seriously bling-ed out timepiece).

Meanwhile, in Santa Monica at the American Red Cross Youth Run, Josh Duhamel kept it low-key with a digital white Casio while posing for pics with Glee starlet Dianna Agron & wife, Fergie.

Pictures courtesy of PR Photos

Watch of the Moment: Tag Heuer Link

Posted on March 25, 2011 by eRelyx

We’ll admit it. Sometimes we get carried away recommending very expensive watches. We understand that not everyone wants to drop $10K on an IWC Big Pilot or a Rolex Daytona. So this week we decided to focus on a less expensive, but still great, luxury watch – the Tag Heuer Link.

What do we love about the Tag Heuer Link? First, it’s a good compromise between sporty and dressy. It’s a Tag, so it has sporty roots…but the unique bracelet makes it a bit dressier. And at ~40mm, it’s not too big to dress up. Second, they are available at reasonable price points. Need an automatic version? Those are available for ~$2,000. Want a quartz model to save some money? Those are available for ~$1500.

Check out the two Tag Heuer Link watches we have available on eRelyx. The first is a pre-owned quartz model with a navy dial available for $690. The second is a new automatic model with a black dial and an exhibition back available for $1699. Click on the images below for more details. And check out the video of the actual automatic model for sale.

Wild Thang

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Carrie

Spring is in the air and what better way to welcome warmer weather than with a bold, bright statement making watch?!?!

Marie Claire inspired our style watch this week with their colorful & chic picks featured in the fashion section of the April 2011 issue (on newsstands now).

Take a walk on the wild side with some of these bright and unique strap watches available now at eRelyx (click pictures to view product details)

POLL: Chrono or Chro-no-no?

Posted on March 23, 2011 by eRelyx

Do you dig the Chronograph feature on your watch or do you prefer to keep it streamlined and simple? Is the chronograph watch a “do” or a chro-”No-No.” Cast your vote & check out the variety of plain & chronograph options available at eRelyx here

Which Do You Prefer: a Watch with a Chronograph or No-Chronograph?customer surveys

Take That, Kim and Paris!

Posted on March 22, 2011 by eRelyx

Move over Kim and Paris, we have a new favorite socialite over here at eRelyx HQ – Tamara Ecclestone.

Never heard of her? Neither had we, until today. Tamara caught our attention while she was attending a gala over in London. Check out a few pictures from the event:

Tamara is sporting a gold Audemars Piguet watch. There’s nothing like a beautiful woman wearing a beautiful watch. We might have a new contender for eRelyx spokeswoman!! Having said that, we know very little about Tamara. This is what we were able to gather from Wikipedia:

She’s 26. She is the elder daughter of Croatian former Armani model Slavica and “Formula 1 Supremo” Bernie Ecclestone. She’s a socialite, television personality, and model. And finally, she seems like a nice person – she has been involved in fundraising for the Great Ormond Street Hospital and other activities to benefit sick children.

Does anyone know anything else about this watch-wearing beauty?

Photos by PR Photos

Vintage Watches are Back!

Posted on March 22, 2011 by eRelyx

You heard it here second! Okay…maybe third or fourth.

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article about the re-emergence of vintage watches (Full article here). For many years, the size of wristwatches has gradually increased. 44mm and 46mm Panerai and Breitling watches have become the norm. Watches with bedazzled bezels, dials and bracelets are also commonplace. Don’t believe me? Check out our recent post on the BET Hip Hop Awards: Click here. Big and blinding.

Are times changing? For some, yes. Here is my take:

Young people buy watches because of how they will be perceived while wearing them. A $7500 Rolex is a great indicator of “success.” A $6500 Panerai says, “I’m successful and cool.” Young people gain confidence while wearing watches. It also helps them gain acceptance from their peers. When the economy was booming, young, successful businessmen and women were gobbling up large, expensive, showy watches.

While many older individuals buy watches to signal success, there are also many who buy watches because they evoke memories of the good old days. As people get older, they become more sentimental. They like things that remind them of the past. A man may buy a watch because it reminds him of his father. There are often positive associations with the past and memories. The past is safe. It’s comfortable. As men get older, they become “big ole saps.” (Side note: I actually cried during the Bachelor finale).

The combination of more challenging economic times and the aging population may be driving the vintage trend.

Vintage watches aren’t for everyone. As noted in the WSJ article, it can be expensive to maintain a vintage watch. As a result, watch manufacturers are designing watches that are new, but have a vintage look to them. The IWC Portuguese and the Vacheron Constantin 1921 Historique are two great examples.

Looking for a newer watch that looks vintage? Here’s what we suggest: Find a watch that is on the smaller side (34mm-40mm), has a leather band, and has a relatively simple face. Also, you’ll want to steer clear of bright, flashy dials (unless you consider the 80s vintage).

Here are a few examples from our inventory:

(Celebrity photos provided by PR Photos)

Celebrity Watch

Posted on March 21, 2011 by eRelyx

From Jessica Biel’s be-loved blue Hublot highlighted in March’s “I Really Love My…” section of People Style Watch, to Bradley Cooper’s Dior Homme watch featured in a fashion spread with co-star Abbie Cornish for April’s Marie Claire– These are the week’s Celebrity Watch Sightings…

(L-R: Bradley Cooper- Dior; Rob Kardashian- unknown (if you can ID Rob’s watch- let us know!); Holly Madison- Gucci; Jessica Alba- Rolex; Mark McGrath (of Sugar Ray)- Rolex Submariner (interesting fact: McGrath loves his Rolex Submariner so much he even has the brand’s logo tattooed across his abdomen); Minka Kelly- Rolex Datejust; Jessica Biel- Hublot; Kevin McHale (of Glee)- unsure, possibly a swatch?; Mario Lopez- Panerai; Nicky Hilton- Rolex; Whitney Port- Rolex Datejust; Olivia Palermo- Vintage)

Photos Courtesy of PR Photos, Marie Claire (April 2011), People Style Watch (March 2011)

Monthly Archives: March 2011