Shopping for LED Christmas Lights? Don’t be Motley Fooled.

If you’ve spent any time at all on our website, you know that we’re very high on LED Christmas lights. We consider them the far better choice over incandescents for Christmas enthusiasts and professional installers.

And it’s not just because we sell them. After all, led from china there’s still some demand for incandescent lights, so we sell those too. So whether you buy incandescent lights from us, or LEDs, we make money either way.

But we’d still rather sell you the LED Christmas lights. Why? Simply because they’re the better value for you. And pleasing our customers is a great way to stay in business. (Yes, we know – an old-fashioned concept. We’re silly that way.)

We’re not the only company that preaches the value of LEDs, of course. LED Christmas lights are absolutely exploding in popularity nationwide. And we’ve noticed lately that lots of media outlets are publishing articles detailing the merits of LED Christmas lights.

That’s a good thing. Mostly.

Nice Effort, But Not Quite Correct…

Recently a new article pontificating about the benefits of g24 LED was published on the Motley Fool website.

In case you’re not familiar with the company, in their own words: “The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world’s greatest investment community.”

They really do publish a lot of interesting and useful information. This article about LED Christmas lights was no exception. It was interesting. And it was mostly useful. The article listed a lot of the benefits of LEDs that we’ve been writing about here for years.

It discussed the energy-saving benefits of LEDs.

It talked about how long LEDs last in comparison to incandescents.

It made the observation that LED prices are still somewhat higher than incandescents, but have been steadily coming down recently.

It revealed that businesses and cities nationwide are dumping their incandescents in favor of the money-saving benefits of LEDs.

Right on. (We’ve sold the LEDs to a pretty fair chunk of those businesses and cities.)

And it mentioned that you could head over to a big-box store like Target and pick up a string of LEDs for less than incandescents.

The Fool stumbled a bit on that last point.

It’s not that they were incorrect; you certainly can get cheap LEDs from Target, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and all the big box stores. The problem is that you’ll be getting what you pay for: CHEAP.

We could sell the same cheap LEDs that the big-box stores sell LED light mini spot lights. We refuse. Why? Because they’re mostly garbage, to be perfectly blunt. They’re made cheap to sell cheap. They don’t last. And during their short lifespans they don’t even provide the same visual quality that well-made LED lights offer.

To put it another way: buy the cheapo LED Christmas lights, and you’ll pay more in the long run, and enjoy them less in the short run.

Plain enough?

So for readers of that mostly-nice Motley Fool article – readers that are inspired by the Fool’s article to trundle off to Target (or whatever local big-box is convenient) and buy some cheapo LEDs – might we say that the Fool has sent them off on somewhat of a Fool’s Errand?

The Girard-Perregaux The Le Corbusier Trilogy

The Vintage 1945 case is meritorious indeed.  Convex and curvy with distinctive lugs and a well behaved tucked-in crown.  So far we have only featured it twice, both times its generous Art Deco form framed the brand’s trio of arrow-headed bridges.  The Girard-Perregaux Le Corbusier Collection are no less praiseworthy, with each presenting very different technical challenges to GP’s craftsmen and women due to the nature of the materials used for their unique and quite frankly jaw-droppingly beautiful dials. This collection is best presented, not by description, but through images released by the brand.

Three will be produced each a tribute to Le Corbusier, a lifelong vanguard of design and architecture.  A mother-of-pearl model, the Vintage 1945 le Corbusier La Chaux-de-Fonds, which takes seven days to meticulously handwork the slivers of the material to form the pattern and which is presented in an 18 carat pink gold case …..

The Vintage 1945 Le Corbusier Marseille, with a highly unusual concrete dial and presented in a stainless steel case ….
And the Vintage 1945 Le Corbusier Paris featuring a hand engraved metal dial, presented in a stainless steel case and which features the iconic “cowhide” strap.

Each model in the Girard-Perregaux Le Corbusier Trilogy will be powered by the GP 3300-0078 movement and each will be reassuringly limited to an ultra-exclusive 5 pieces per edition.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-Winding

Is the classically styled, slender-cased wristwatch experiencing an up-size? There was a time when a timepiece such as the new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-Winding model would have a case measurement which stopped well short of 40mm, 38mm being customary – now it would seem ultra-slim cases are getting broader dial-side yet at 41mm this piece is by no means voluminous.  For example, Hamilton have a “catch-all” attitude -  their Thin-O-Matic and Intra-Matic are available in both 38mm and 42mm cases, Piaget’s Altiplano may be svelte on the flank, but edge-to-edge it is a substantial 42mm and Cartier’s Extra-Flat Ballon Bleu de Cartier may be side-on skinny, but is in fact an almost beastly 46mm across.

The new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-Winding is elegantly beautiful, but cleverly styled.  The silvered, opaline dial, although uncluttered and wide appears less empty thanks to the elongated markers, the railtrack edge shrinks it further still and faceted dauphine hands are just enough to absorb the middle dial plainness.  So – if your yearning is for classy and classical but with added wrist presence then a 42mm case may be the answer, and this model would make for a sophisticated and educated choice.

Of course, with Vacheron Constantin you also partake of the brand’s rich history, both in years and also accomplishments.  This piece is powered by the brand’s acclaimed ultra-thin Calibre 1120, built and finished to the fastidious standard expected in order to meet the criteria of the Hallmark of Geneva.  This meticulous handworking is all the more appreciable through the sapphire caseback because the rotor has been skeletonised and thus the panorama is as unbroken as possible.

For this model Vacheron Constantin choose pink gold for the case, applied markers and hands and here the exemplary finishing standards continue – the Hallmark of Geneva celebrated its 125th Anniversary last year with a new set of regulations which now take into account the exterior components as well as the calibre.  The Patrimony Traditionnelle 14 Day Tourbillon was the first watch to achieve the all-new Geneva Hallmark as we were pleased to report back in November.

The new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-Winding comes presented on a hand-stitched brown alligator leather strap.

Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo

Panerai release the  Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo.  It’s not the only piece unveiled by Officine Panerai at SIHH 2011, and many would argue that it’s not the pick of the crop of their new releases, but with a watchcase constructed from bronze it is surely the most unusual.  Known as the PAM00382, it is symbolic of all things pelagic, a piece so aquatic in appearance that you can almost sense the saltiness of the sea.  If King Neptune wore a watch then this would be it.

If you know Panerai, then you’ll know this model, it has all the safety hardware – unidirectional rotating bezel with graduated scale for dive time, the outsize security brake lever-locked crown, the raised studs on the bezel.  That bronze case ( ….sure to produce a patina which would impress even “Old Man” Harrison) has a tactile brushed finish and after a series of 44mm models across the Panerai portfolio big is back, this one is a cuff-busting 47mm across.
The stunning yet subtle green dial continues the aquatic theme, displaying by far the best Luminor dial layout – bar-markers and dots, with the small seconds at 9 o’clock and date window at 3 o’clock, another fine example of a reassuringly retro + refreshingly revamped mix which Panerai execute so brilliantly.

The  piece uses the formidable P9000 Calibre with its chunky 3/4 plate construction visible through the caseback.  Sensitive skin? fear not, a titanium ring frames the sapphire crystal on the caseback so no nasy rash.  The only possible problem with this big boy might be that weighty bronze case.
The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo is a limited edition of 1000 pieces and comes presented on a vintage style leather strap with a spare strap and the tools required to fit it also supplied.

Montblanc Villeret 1858 Vintage Tachydate

Of course, Montblanc are one of the best known luxury brand names worldwide – it’s  difficult to believe that they have only been producing watches since 1997.  Marketing know-how and brand familiarity have perhaps been responsible in part for the brand’s ascendency into the upper echelons of horology, but the purchase of the historical Minerva movement manufacture has ensured success.  Montblanc continue to pay tribute to the year Minerva was founded, 1858, with the strongly vintage-styled Villeret 1858 collection with a limited edition release of 1, 8 or 58 pieces each year.

The Montblanc Villeret 1858 Vintage Tachydate is presented in a classically rounded case, which at 43.5mm is perhaps a little on the large side for vintage.  Mono-pusher operation of the chronograph via the crown keeps the polished case side unfunny and tidy.  On the pristine dial are counters for 30 mins at 3 o’clock and for small seconds at 9.  A Pointer Date indicator, always an eye-pleasing feature is at 6 o’clock.

The Montblanc Villeret 1858 Tachydate will be officially unveiled at SIHH 2012 and will be a limited release of 58 pieces with white gold case and 58 with rose gold case.

The Armand Nicolet M02 – Those in the know, will know – you know?

Armand Nicolet, the Tramelan-based watch manufacture unveiled a new up-dated edition of their sports timer, the Armand Nicolet M02.

If you have an Armand Nicolet timepiece in your collection, bravo!  Not only do you have impeccably good taste, but also you do not give a hoot what’s hot and what’s not.  You are unmoved by what a “golf master” may have strapped to his wrist when he slips on a green jacket, you are unimpressed by what might be beneath the nomex overalls of a young man while he sprays champagne over his peers.  You are much more inspired by a beautifully guillochéd face, by a modified vintage movement and by attention to detail.  Not every one will recognise the name on your watch dial, but the few who are in the know, will know – you know?

The Armand Nicolet M02 may have been re-styled, but the changes are subtle and considered – this is a brand which remains true to its founder and his emphasis on the artisan skills which he promoted.  This piece wears a little lighter, and some rather elegant Arabic numerals have been placed to alternate between the markers, but it’s still an elegant and perfectly proportioned chronograph timer.

With an Armand Nicolet watch there are subtleties which escape the camera, minutiae which can only be appreciated on the wrist – often view able only through a loupe.  On this piece there are contrasting guilloché on the chronograph counters, at the dial center and snailing at the edge onto which the numerals and markers are applied.  There are little dots which have been lume-coated and some superb but modest recessing.  At 9 o’clock is a 45 min counter, at 3 is one for small seconds.  Housed within  the 43mm case is the automatic chronograph 2045/2824-2 movement.

The new Armand Nicolet M02 will be available in black, silvered or blue dial editions with a choice of leather strap or bracelet.

Bell & Ross BR 01-92 Compass Watch

Bell & Ross release the Instrument BR 01-92 Compass watch.
This is the latest evolution of the BR-01 Instrument series and the brand have been cleverly building the collection by working their way through aviation cockpit inspired dials to great effect.  So far the BR 01  portfolio has included a luxury tourbillon limited edition, a skull edition in tribute to the Airborne paratroopers of World War II and the (slightly) tamer Heritage models.  Recently they presented the BR-01 Radar so the Compass is a natural progression.
The new model, like its predessors is a monster.  Measuring 46mm x 46mm, flat, square and instantly recognisable.

The Compass features a mechanical automatic ETA 2892 with discs instead of hands used to indicate time.  The outer disc displays the hours, the inner disc the minutes.  A  white vertical line at the top of the dial serves as a fixed reference point to indicate the hours and minutes, thus giving the impression of a navigation compass.  The dial is split into two, the upper half for time indication, the lower half purely for visual effect with the rotating discs viewable through smoked sapphire crystal.
It has been interesting to view the story of this young brand unfold from its origins in the early 1990′s when Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo first sought to construct timepieces for use in the most extreme environments.  That the Instrument BR-01 continues to evolve is no suprise, it is surely the industry’s finest example of a modern cult classic.  Indestructable by design and nature, this thing could and should be around forever.

The Bell & Ross BR 01-92 Compass will be available in October limited to 500 pieces worldwide.