The BALL for BMW watch collection was launched in Malaysia yesterday afternoon at the 1 Utama Shopping Centre. As its name suggests, this watch range by BALL is linked to the “Sheer Driving Pleasure” carmaker. Those who follow the watch scene would know BALL as the “railroad brand” known for its self-powered micro gas lights.

According to the Swiss-based company with American roots, BALL for BMW watches are “highly influenced by the lines of BMW cars and includes details that evoke their engines and bodies”. Penned by Magali Metrailler, the range is “designed with an overarching respect for the features shared by both BALL and BMW, namely lightness, performance and technology”.

BALL for BMW Power Reserve (left) and GMT, both paired with rubber straps here

The screw-in crown features convex and concave surfaces, things Chris Bangle likes to put on his BMWs. There’s also mention of dials and disc brakes – we’ll leave it to you to spot them. Inka Orange, the classic BMW dial colour, is used across the range, so you can match the dial on your wrist with those in your BMW.

Apparently inspired by BMW’s suspension, BALL for BMW watches exclusively feature the patented Amortiser system that protects the watch against extreme shocks. The system features a shock-absorbing protection ring that protects the mechanical movement from sudden rotor oscillations brought by lateral impacts.

Classic model is available in four dial colours, two band options – stainless steel or croc leather

The Swiss-made range is also COSC certified and uses H3 (micro gas lights) in glass tubes for illumination. Light is emitted when the H3 molecules strike the capsules’ coloured inner surface. BALL says that its trademark gas lights can last for over 20 years without an external power source and is 100 times brighter than conventional luminescent paint.

Three models powered by automatic ETA calibers are available – Classic (ETA 2892-2), Power Reserve (ETA 2897) and GMT (ETA 2893-2). The 40 mm-sized Classic sports the biggest BMW logo and can be had with a steel bracelet or crocodile leather strap.

The other two 42 mm models have their own unique features – a second time zone indicator for the GMT and a power reserve meter for the other – and a small BMW logo next to the date cutout. All come with anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

Prices start from RM11,800 for the Classic to RM14,100 for the GMT. Live pics after the jump will give you a closer view of the watches, and the models wearing them.

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Something to watch then. Rolex has been announced as Formula 1′s new official timekeeper. The Swiss watchmaker replaces Hublot in the role – and also as that of official timepiece – from 2013. It is reported that the deal will run for more than five years.

The sponsorship breaks new ground for the brand, known for its involvement with Wimbledon tennis as well as other events in golf and yachting – while it has previously sponsored major personalities in the field (Sir Malcolm Campbell as well as former F1 champion Jackie Stewart, it has never before been involved in F1 in such a manner.

In its capacity as Formula 1 Official Timekeeper and Official Timepiece, Rolex will give the time in different locations during each GP. The brand’s logo will also be positioned around the circuit and at several corners during Formula 1 races.

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Formula 1 returns to the United States after a long hiatus. The last time Formula 1 cars raced in the USA was in Indianapolis; this year’s race will happen in Austin, Texas. And to put a milestone on the event, Hublot – the official watch of Formula 1 – has designed a new watch. The timepiece is called F1 King Power Austin.

The King Power Austin is made primarily from titanium to keep the weight of this 48 mm watch low. The material is also chosen for its resistance to corrosion and biocompatibility. Since this is a Formula 1 watch, there are a number of design cues that comes directly from the sport. You’ll first notice the disc brake bezel, which is made from carbon and titanium. This chronograph’s start and reset push-pieces, which have red highlights, also reminds of the motorsport. Securing the case to your wrist is a strap made from black Hornback alligator leather, with red stitching.

Only 250 examples of the King Power Austin will be made. Previously, Hublot also dipped into its King Power collection to produce limited-edition F1 timepieces. All are named after the venue in which the race takes place, such as Suzuka, Interlagos and India to name a few. So if you have been collecting, you’ll want this one as well.

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Bell & Ross once again look to cockpit instruments for inspiration for the firm’s latest BR 01 timepieces, as they have so in the past with the BR 01 Compass and BR 01 RADAR. This time, it is the air navigation instruments that are given particular attention and are aptly named BR 01 Horizon, BR 01 Altimeter and the BR 01 Turn Coordinator.

The BR 01 Horizon is modeled after the attitude indicator, an instrument that monitors the aircraft’s position in relation to the horizon in all weather conditions. The BR 01 Horizon features a two-colour background that denotes the sky and ground, and is separated by a white horizon line on the 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock axis.

The raised index dial provides two functions – to provide legibility of the hour markers and to conceal the attachment of the hands’ attachment. Legibility is further enhanced with the application of white photo-luminescent coating on the hands and indices.

The BR 01 Altimeter draws influence from the altimeter, an instrument that calculates the aircraft’s altitude based on atmospheric pressure. The instrument determines altitude based on a reference point, example the ground, the sea (altitude measurement) or an isobaric surface.

As such, the timepiece mirrors the aircraft instrument right down to the typeface used as well as the three hands. This Bell & Ross features a window at 3 o’clock that displays the date; it displays the atmospheric pressure in the airplane.

The last piece in the collection is reminiscent of the turn coordinator, which indicates flight symmetry. The instrument is a gyroscope used to visualise the rate of turn (roll) of the aircraft while a bearing in a curved tubed indicates the aircraft’s sideslip.

The BR 01 Turn Coordinator takes design cues that allows for the creation of an innovative display of time. The dial comprises two independent concentric discs, one to indicate 12 hours and the other to indicate 60 minutes. A white vertical marker indicates time, which is read from top to bottom.

This timepiece poses many challenges in its creation. For starters, each disc had to be made lightweight to maintain power reserve and accuracy of the watch. Each disc also needed to be sufficiently resistant so it does not deform and risk friction. To maintain accuracy, adjustments were made to the nearest micron, ensuring the discs are constantly parallel as they rotate.

All timepieces in this new BR 01 collection feature anti-glare matte black case for better legibility. The collection has a limited run of 999 pieces for each line.

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You have to agree that a watch is a very personal thing. Some prefer a chronograph while others want something that can read the phases of the moon. Then there’s a simple clean face like these Bell & Ross timepieces, which were launched in KL not too long ago.

Brought in by FJ Benjamin and Cortina Watch, the new Bell & Ross collection moves away from the usual four-cornered cases and playful dials that we are familiar with. Called the Vintage WW1 Heure Sautante, the collection features large complications with an original display and clear legibility.

Reading the watch might seem complex at first, seeing that the watch only has one hand. The hour is now read through a large fixed window at the 12 o’clock that displays the hour-digits. This is made possible by replacing the hour hand with a rotating disc on which the digits are printed. The figures jump when the hour changes.

The minute hand is centrally aligned between the hour window and the power reserve indicator at the 6 o’clock. The mechanism triggering the ‘jump’ in the digits requires energy; hence the usefulness of the power reserve indicator.

Blue-steel screws, circular-grained mainplate, oscillating weight and bridges decorated with ‘Côtes de Genève’, which can be viewed through the sapphire crystal caseback, are the shared components of both watches in this collection. What set the two apart are the case and the dial.

In the platinum version, the Vintage WW1 Heure Sautante opens a second window for the power reserve indicator. The dial is finished in opaline grey and silver with its 18k gold hand-applied guilloche decoration. Completing the watch is a pear-shaped blue-steel hand that indicates the minutes.

The pink gold version takes a more traditional approach. The opaline pearl dial is decorated with slim markers, which the pear-shaped blue-steel minute hand sweeps over. The power reserve indicator is open.

In both cases, the watch is 42 mm in diametre and comes with an appropriately coloured narrow alligator strap. The slim strap and fasteners, which resemble wire handles soldered to the case, brings out the vintage look and feel of the collection.

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These watches are the fruit of the partnership between TW Steel and the Formula 1 outfit. In fact, every member of the team – from the mechanics right to the team boss himself – wears one during a race weekend.

The TW Steel Lotus F1 Team Collection is new, which is inline with the rebranding of the Lotus F1 Team. Two watch lines have adopted the team’s livery: Pilot and CEO Tech.

There are two to choose from in the Pilot line, the TW667 is 45 mm in diameter and TW 678 is 48 mm in diametre. Black dial and white numbering make this watch stand out more.

Both chronographs are finished in a sleek matt sandblasted PVD black-coated case; the second hand and chronograph details are accented in gold. You can find the Lotus F1 Team logo on the case back.

The CEO Tech also comes in two sizes, the TW684 (44 mm) and TW685 (48 mm). Its chronograph movements are accurate to 1/20^th of a second and sport AA-grade black PVD coated cases off-set by AA-grade gold plated accents in the crown, pushers, second hand and bezel screws.

Notably, the CEO Tech feature real Sapphire crystal, which is rare to find it on a watch this size. Like the Pilot, you can find the team’s logo on the case back.

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Nicky Hayden was in KLCC this evening to launch the new Tissot 2010 T-Race Nicky Hayden Limited Edition, a special edition numbered watch that integrates Nicky’s colours and race number 69 on the case back with his lucky star emblem. The metal elements on the case was modeled to look like GP bike brakes.

Only 100 units will be available in Malaysia, out of 4,999 pieces worldwide. The watch retails at RM2,400. Also on display at the event is the Tissot 2010 T-Race MotoGP Limited Edition, with an 8,000 unit run. It’s sold in a helmet-shaped watch box with a set of MotoGP motorcycle handle grips.

Tissot 2010 T-Race MotoGP Limited Edition – RM2,750

Swiss-made chronograph quartz ETA movement
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with magnifying lens for date
Rotating bezel with GMT function
316L stainless steel case with silk printed glass case back
Carbon dial
Water resistant to 10 bar (100 m / 330 feet)
Black rubber bracelet
Helmet watch box with a set of authentic MotoGP motorcycle grips

Tissot 2010 T-Race Nicky Hayden Limited Edition – RM2,400

Swiss-made chronograph quartz ETA movement
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with magnifying lens for date
Rotating bezel with GMT function
316L stainless steel case with silk printed glass case back
Black and white dial with red detail
Water resistant to 10 bar (100 m / 330 feet)
Red silicon bracelet
Limited edition of 4,999 pieces

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