Rides : Infiniti and Bell & Ross unveil $5,000 wristwatch

Watches and cars go together like fine wine and good crystal stemware. Many automakers collaborate with great watchmakers to produce beautiful homages to to some of favorite machines. Infiniti and Bell & Ross are two manufacturers of quality goods that have worked together in the past, and the two are back at it again with a new limited-edition timepiece.

It's called the Bell & Ross BR02-8 Carbon Case Purple 8 Pro Dial, and that mouthful of a 44-millimeter timekeeper will set you back $5,080. That is, if you can find one of the only 200 examples to be produced. How does this watch relate to Infiniti? The second hand and eight digit sport the same purple-hued luminescence that Infiniti automobiles feature in their gauge cluster. The eighth digit was chosen because it is considered a lucky number in Asia, and it's also the symbol for infinity when it's turned on its side.

 

INFINITI COLLABORATION WITH BELL & ROSS COMMEMORATED BY NEW LIMITED EDITION WRISTWATCH

ROLLE, Switzerland (September 8, 2011) – Infiniti, the luxury performance automotive brand from Japan, has unveiled the Limited Edition BR02-8 Infiniti Carbon Case Purple 8 Pro Dial wristwatch, engineered by the Swiss specialist time instrument maker Bell & Ross. This is the second exclusive timepiece to be revealed by Infiniti, following the launch of the special edition BR03-92 Instrument Phantom model to commemorate last year's arrival of the Infiniti FX Limited Edition performance crossover.

The elegant watch has been designed to mark the continued and successful collaboration between Infiniti and Bell & Ross, two marques renowned for exceptional performance, modern luxury, technical perfection, and a unique ownership experience. Only 200 examples from the BR02-8 Infiniti Carbon Case Purple 8 Pro Dial series are available for purchase from any of the Infiniti Centre worldwide including the 45 outlets across Europe, at a recommended retail price (RRP) of £3,090.

Stylish yet subtle cues drawn from the partnership between Infiniti and Bell & Ross are clearly evident on this exclusive piece. The seconds pointer and eighth digit which sit on a matt black dial, sport a photo-luminescent finish in the same distinct purple colour employed by Infiniti across the globe. The number 'eight' is a symbol of luck in Asia, whilst also resembling the mathematical sign of infinity and the automaker's badge when rotated on its side. As a reminder of just how special this watch is, the steel case back has been beautifully engraved with the Infiniti signature, discretely complementing the Bell & Ross insignia.

Andy Palmer, Infiniti's Executive Vice President explains: "The Limited Edition BR02-8 Infiniti Carbon Case Purple 8 Pro Dial wristwatch is a true celebration of our continued association with Bell & Ross, for which we are very proud. The new timepiece effortlessly embodies the unique qualities of both brands to offer discerning customers a rare and highly sought-after addition to their collection."

For the locations of Infiniti Centres which span from Belgium to Bahrain, visit www.infiniti.com.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Movement: Automatic mechanical ETA 2982
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds (all central hands). Date with quick correction
Case: Diameter 44mm, steel with matte black PVD finish, screw-in winding crowns, decompression valve
Back: Screw-down, steel with engraving of the Infiniti signature. Bell & Ross insignia etched below
Dial: Black. Infiniti purple-coloured seconds pointer and number '8'. Index and hands covered in a photo-luminescent coating for optimal night reading. Unidirectional internal bezel toothed and graduated to 60 minutes
Glass: Anti-reflection sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 1,000 metres
Straps: Black rubber
Reference: BR 02 Purple 8 Pro Dial
Price: €3,500 or $5,080
Unique edition of 200 examples worldwide

 

Fossil's Meta Watch passes the FCC...Here comes you rmagic wrist watch

Fossil's Meta Watch has been beset with delays and defective parts but finally there's good news -- the watches have passed the FCC. The two models (analog and digital) can sync with your Android smartphone or tablet via a Texas Instruments CC2560 Bluetooth controller and are being sold as a "development platform" until enough apps are built to take advantage of the technology. T.I.'s website lists the watches as being available since August 22nd, although we're not entirely sure what to make of that -- it still looks like a pre-order situation to us. In any case, the devices should hopefully start reaching app developers pretty soon. Hey, how about using the internal gyroscopes to bring some genuine wrist-flapping action to Angry Birds?

Watches : Casio G-Shock — Anti Magnetic Watch

The Casio G-Shock “Anti Magnetic” derives its name from the extraordinarily tough design of its casing, both shock resistant and anti-magnetic, the G-Shock is designed to maximize durability in the harshest of environs. The “Anti Magnetic” also features 200M Water Resistant, /1000 Second Stopwatch w/Speed Indicator, including standard G-Shock technology.

Tech : Fossil Meta Watch wrists-on at Google I/O

Today at Google I/O we got a chance to play with Meta Watch, Fossil's wearable development platform, which allows developers to extend the interfaces of devices and applications to the wrist. Both watches -- one analog / digital with traditional dial plus two small OLED displays, the other digital with a larger memory-in-pixel LCD (a highly reflective, always-on, ultra low-power screen) -- feature Bluetooth for communication, along with a vibration motor, three-axis accelerometer, and ambient light sensor. The devices are built around Texas Instrument's super efficient MSP430TM microcontroller and CC2560 Bluetooth radio and will run seven days on a charge. A set of contacts in the back allow the watches to interface with a debugging clip for charging and JTAG programming. The hardware is paired with an SDK which allows a tablet or smartphone running Android to register button presses and receive sensor data from the watches, and then respond by sending text or triggering the vibration motor. It's also possible to develop custom embedded wearable applications running directly on your wrist, and it'll be up to developers to truly unleash the magical possibilities here.

Speaking of developers, the Meta Watch is currently available to pre-order for $199 (see our source link), with availability pegged for June 30th. Based on what we heard today at Google I/O, the watch is being hawked to devs only, but it's obvious that DIY-minded consumers could buy one as well. For now, just two of the models shown here will be sold, but there's no telling what'll happen once the platform has enough of a backbone to support an influx of consumer buying. The company's not handing out a timeframe as to when it'll be ready for the mass market, but we'd be shocked if it's still floundering around this time next year. Interested in having an early peek? Take a look at our gallery below and our hands-on video after the break.

Fossil Meta Watch wrists-on at Google I/O

Phosphor's Reveal wristwatch uses Swarovski crystals to tell time, bedazzle you

The Phosphor brand has usually been associated with E Ink watches in the past, but they're taking the off-the-beaten-path timekeeping technology in a very different direction this time around with the introduction of the new Reveal line. Of course, glittery little stones are no strangers to the surfaces of watches around the world, but with the Reveal, they play an active role: Phosphor is using what it describes as "proprietary Micro-Magnetic Mechanical Digital technology" to rotate Swarovski crystals into place to form digital time readouts on the thoroughly encrusted face. Think of it like an extremely low-res E Ink, we suppose... but with shiny rocks in place of electrically-charged granules of white and black pigment. The models are available in six styles -- four for women, two for men -- starting today from $199 and up. Follow the break for the full press release. 

 

Phosphor Debuts Phosphor Reveal Watch with Mechanical Digital Technology

New watch line incorporates Swarovski crystals and Micro-Magnetic Mechanical Digital technology

(Dallas – March 7, 2011) – The American watch brand, Phosphor (www.phosphorwatches.com), announces the launch of its newest innovation-The Phosphor RevealTM line. Phosphor Reveal marks the world's first mechanical digital watches utilizing its proprietary Micro-Magnetic Mechanical DigitalTM (M3D) technology.

The Phosphor Reveal watch line skillfully blends design and technology to craft the ultimate fashion timepiece. Driven by M3D technology, the Phosphor Reveal watch utilizes miniature-sized rotors adorned with Swarovski crystals that revolve to reveal numerical or chronological information. With each changing minute, an electrical pulse generates an electromagnetic field that changes the position of the crystals on the face of the watch, to elegantly display the passing time, while producing a distinctive sound unique to the Phosphor Reveal digital watch line.

"In the last 20 years, we've seen a proliferation of technologies that have enhanced our lives in a million different ways, but many of these have bypassed the watch category," Phosphor's Managing Director Donald Brewer said. "The Phosphor Reveal line is changing that - using technology to create an elegant and distinctive fashion timepiece."

While the current line of Phosphor Reveal watches are adorned with crystals, M3D technology allows for any number of materials, such as precious metals, woods or ceramics, to be affixed to the rotating segments, creating an the possibility for an endless number of unique watch faces.

The Phosphor Reveal line offers six style choices: pink, red, white and black patent leather for women with crystal-adorned face frame, and two black matte leather men's band choices with or without adorned top ring. The basic "time" mode features a 12-hour display, with the hours positioned above the minutes on the face. The watch face also offers a 'seconds'mode and 'off'mode, showing an entire face of crystals with no time display.

PHOSPHOR REVEAL FEATURES

Micro-Magnetic Mechanical DigitalTM (M3D) technology enables a new generation of innovative watch designs with the following display benefits:

Striking Watch Face Design – By adorning the face of the watch with rotating crystals, the Reveal watch offers an elegant and striking appearance, exclusive to the line of watches.

Infinite Display Appearances - The rotating segmentscan be oriented in a variety of different layouts. Any material can be affixed onto these rotatable segments ranging from Swarovski crystals, to precious metals or gems, to almost anything imaginable.

Ultra High Contrast Display: Depending on material or paints affixed to the revolving rotors, the M3D display technology can achieve the highest contrast of any digital display available today.With some configurations, the watch face can even match the clarity and appearance of ink on paper.

Low Power Consumption: The M3D display technology is bi-stable, meaning that the display requires no power to maintain an image, as power is only needed when transitioning from one time to another.

Wide Viewing Angle: With a viewing cone of 180 degrees, the M3D technology overcomes the disadvantages of conventional displays when it comes to off-axis viewing. Together with its high contrast, it allows the user to read the time at a glance from any angle.

Phosphor is now selling the Phosphor Reveal line from its website (www.phosphorwatches.com) and through selected retailers starting at $199.

Tech : Video - inPulse Bluetooth smartwatch gets Facebook Places check-in app for Android

Ever since Allerta released an SDK for its well-hyped inPulse smartwatch, it was only a matter of time before we start seeing more practical applications that take this Bluetooth peripheral beyond the BlackBerry ecosystem. For instance, the latest example comes from the inPulse's very own Lead Designer Eric Migicovsky, who happens to be a fan of Facebook Places and possibly an Android convert. Rather than having to pull out his Nexus One for every check-in, Migicovsky can now use his simple app on his inPulse to grab a list of nearby locations off the phone, and then check in with just a click of a button. Pretty neat, eh? For those interested, you can grab the project code off inPulse's website and get programming.