Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Bell & Ross - Evolution of the Military Watch
MILITARY WATCHES: TIME REBORN
The year 2011 is a watershed year in the history of Bell & Ross. A master of military-inspired watchmaking, the Franco-Swiss brand is once again setting the pace by updating the 1920s timepieces that were fi rst worn on the wrist to today's tastes. Bell & Ross is thus paying tribute to military timepiece history by introducing a pocket watch transformed into a wristwatch - the Vintage WW1.
THE TIME MACHINE
In 2011, similar to a movie fl ashback, Bell & Ross is boarding a time machine and offering a nostalgic, yet modern pocket watch transformed into a wristwatch – the Vintage WW1. This is a unique way of reinterpreting the history of the military watch an approach that has always guided the brand's designs.
"We are delving into the past even more in order to round out our collection", explains Bell & Ross designer, Bruno Belamich. "The military watch has been our passion since our early days and we are looking to reinvent the fi rst models of these wristwatches which appeared on pilots' wrists in the 1920s. "The challenge? Remain loyal to the watchmaking canons of the day while adapting them to the Bell & Ross design principles.
FROM POCKET WATCH TO WRISTWATCH
The reimagining of those bygone days is a two-phase process: the design of a fob watch of rare sobriety, the PW1 standing for Pocket Watch 1 and the introduction of a wristwatch christened the WW1 for Wrist Watch 1. First worn by French soldiers during the Great War, these wristwatches were then tested experimentally by pilots in the 1920s before being declared technically reliable in the 1930s. The Vintage WW1 pays tribute to this era and takes its inspiration from the stylistic designs of the "Roaring Twenties", yet does so without appearing dated. A true missing "time" link between the pocket watch and the wristwatch of the 1940s, the shapes and functions of the Vintage WW1 refl ect all of Bell & Ross' genetic codes.
A CLASSIC, ELEGANT, DIFFERENT WATCH
In 2005, Bell & Ross metamorphosed aeronautical cockpit displays into an inimitable square watch - the BR01. In 2011, the brand is once again living up to its reputation by transforming a pocket watch into a wristwatch. The Vintage WW1 model clearly stands out as a reincarnation of the past into the present. A large diameter fob style case, horns welded to the case that are used as lugs, legant, robust leather straps, an extremely readable dial, a fl uted crown that is easy to handle with gloves, a top quality
mechanical movement.
The Vintage WW1 could have been worn by a pilot from the '20s. In the 21st century, it will be worn by those looking for a large, classic and elegant timepiece that truly stands out. A masculine icon, this fl awless watch is the beginning of an era of a new style: military neo-classicism.
The year 2011 is a watershed year in the history of Bell & Ross. A master of military-inspired watchmaking, the Franco-Swiss brand is once again setting the pace by updating the 1920s timepieces that were fi rst worn on the wrist to today's tastes. Bell & Ross is thus paying tribute to military timepiece history by introducing a pocket watch transformed into a wristwatch - the Vintage WW1.
THE TIME MACHINE
In 2011, similar to a movie fl ashback, Bell & Ross is boarding a time machine and offering a nostalgic, yet modern pocket watch transformed into a wristwatch – the Vintage WW1. This is a unique way of reinterpreting the history of the military watch an approach that has always guided the brand's designs.
"We are delving into the past even more in order to round out our collection", explains Bell & Ross designer, Bruno Belamich. "The military watch has been our passion since our early days and we are looking to reinvent the fi rst models of these wristwatches which appeared on pilots' wrists in the 1920s. "The challenge? Remain loyal to the watchmaking canons of the day while adapting them to the Bell & Ross design principles.
FROM POCKET WATCH TO WRISTWATCH
The reimagining of those bygone days is a two-phase process: the design of a fob watch of rare sobriety, the PW1 standing for Pocket Watch 1 and the introduction of a wristwatch christened the WW1 for Wrist Watch 1. First worn by French soldiers during the Great War, these wristwatches were then tested experimentally by pilots in the 1920s before being declared technically reliable in the 1930s. The Vintage WW1 pays tribute to this era and takes its inspiration from the stylistic designs of the "Roaring Twenties", yet does so without appearing dated. A true missing "time" link between the pocket watch and the wristwatch of the 1940s, the shapes and functions of the Vintage WW1 refl ect all of Bell & Ross' genetic codes.
A CLASSIC, ELEGANT, DIFFERENT WATCH
In 2005, Bell & Ross metamorphosed aeronautical cockpit displays into an inimitable square watch - the BR01. In 2011, the brand is once again living up to its reputation by transforming a pocket watch into a wristwatch. The Vintage WW1 model clearly stands out as a reincarnation of the past into the present. A large diameter fob style case, horns welded to the case that are used as lugs, legant, robust leather straps, an extremely readable dial, a fl uted crown that is easy to handle with gloves, a top quality
mechanical movement.
The Vintage WW1 could have been worn by a pilot from the '20s. In the 21st century, it will be worn by those looking for a large, classic and elegant timepiece that truly stands out. A masculine icon, this fl awless watch is the beginning of an era of a new style: military neo-classicism.
2012 Fisker Karma - First Drive Review
We finally get our hands on Fisker's gorgeous plug-in hybrid sedan.
By: DON SHERMAN
February, 2011
February, 2011
Three years and a billion investment dollars after the Fisker Karma rolled forth as a stunning plug-in-hybrid concept, it's finally ready to rock as a stunning production car. All in less time (and for far less money) than GM needed to produce the Chevy Volt.
The Karma's recipe calls for sexy design stirred with a heap of sustainability. We had faith in the styling part of the concoction: While growing up in Denmark, Henrik Fisker inherited from his father a deep appreciation for American cars of the Sixties. Upon completing formal design studies, he put his rearing to excellent use. Warming up for the Karma, Fisker designed the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin DB9 and V-8 Vantage—all of which stand tall next to any Corvette or Eldorado.
As for sustainability, in the Karma it means consuming no petroleum for the first 50 miles and interior trim that bows to Mother Nature. Indeed, the very idea of sustainability permeates Fisker's business plan, which is backed by venture capitalists and government agencies. On the heels of the low-volume, $100,000 Karma, there will be a more affordable car, the Nina, also built around earth-friendly technology. The hope is that these two plug-in hybrids will give Fisker global reach as a viable carmaking enterprise.
The Karma lays a good foundation. Up front there's a 260-hp, GM-supplied four-cylinder engine spinning a mighty generator. Next in line is a 20-kWh, American-made lithium-ion battery pack. Twin AC motors straddling the rear axle deliver 402 horsepower to the differential. The propulsion system, the Brembo brakes, the 22-inch cast aluminum wheels, and the aluminum suspension components are supported by an aluminum space frame stitched together with 260 feet of welds and a thousand or so rivets. The Karma's aluminum skin is finished with a solar-cell roof, a composite decklid, and plastic bumpers.
Like the Nissan Leaf, the Karma is always electrically driven; the gasoline engine powers only the generator. Slip into the elegantly tailored driver's seat, engage "stealth" mode, and you can motor sedately to the future with little more than a hum from the powertrain. Tugging the "sport" paddle to the left of the steering wheel brings additional energy to bear. When the gasoline engine kicks in to supplement the battery pack's wattage—to trim the 0-to-60-mph run from a claimed 7.9 seconds to 5.9, or to add 250 miles to the driving range—the extra thrust is accompanied by the whistle of a turbo spooling up, the snarl of angry exhaust gas, and a resonant boom or two. Bent on fulfilling its mission, the generator set keeps growling even when you ease off the accelerator.
The Karma's initial surge is sufficiently potent to avoid damnation as a slug. But the physics conspire against it keeping pace with other $100K sports sedans. In spite of the joys of low-rpm electric torque, the realities of a curb weight well above 4000 pounds and only one gear ratio mean that mileage is where this car excels. Until the EPA weighs in on that subject, we can only guess that the Karma will land slightly below the Volt's ratings of 93 equivalent mpg (MPGe) in electric driving and 35 mpg city and 40 highway with the engine running.
Handling is a subject we can address with more confidence. The Karma's steering is endowed with real road feel and linear turn-in response. The ride is supple, and there's minimal body roll when you fling the wheel; the low-mounted, 600-pound battery pack makes for an effective keel. Even though the rear wheels carry 53 percent of the Karma's mass, there's understeer awaiting those who visit the borderlands of grip. The brakes are calibrated to convert excess momentum into the maximum amount of charging energy without inflicting pedal weirdness.
Considering its low-slung and curvaceous flanks, the Karma provides surprisingly easy entry and cozy accommodations for four grown-ups. A 10.2-inch screen replaces the usual forest of tiny infotainment buttons with audible, visual, and tactile responses to touch commands. Trim is a cut or two above the $100,000 norm, thanks to fine detailing and lovely custom touches. The top EcoChic edition is an animal-free showcase of high-end textiles, faux suede, and rescued California wildfire hardwood.
Fisker claims to have 3000 deposits in the bank. Some of those who've plunked down the cash are doubtless atoning for past turbo-V-8 sins, but others may be less altruistic, simply drawn to the sexiest fenders ever draped over an American sedan. Whatever their motivation, they'll get a beautiful, luxurious machine that goes easy on the environment.
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