gresso.time

iPhone's are popping up everywhere and the cases are all starting to look the same. Buying a unique phone might give a little individuality but it's nearly impossible to live without the convenience of Apple. To reconcile, check out the $6,000 modified iPhone from Gresso. The company offers a few phones of their own and, for the right price, a willingness to create a custom phone. The iPhone 4 Time Machine, found on The Fancy, is your typical iPhone with six clocks from around the world inserted on the back of your phone. Grab a couple stares when your phone is next to your ear but feel a tinge of regret when the next iPhone is released later this year.

weather.screensaver

I'm reluctant to feature a screensaver that's only available for Apple Macs but I really like this simple design by Stefan Trifan. The Weather Screensaver is available for many cities across the world and lists the weather, time, and date using an elegant and minimalist design.

breitling.transocean

My favorite timepieces are usually simple and elegant (see A. Lange & Söhne and Patek Philippe) but I realized it's wise to have a wide arsenal at hand. Different events call for different timepieces and Breitling is the clear choice for aviation adventures. The Breitling Transocean Chronograph is a 2010 edition of their classic Transocean timepiece originally released in 1958. 2,000 pieces in steel will be released  (and an additional 200 in red gold) until the back window is replaced with a steel  cover. Prices start at $7,600.

untime.clock

The UnTIME Clock by Pushkar Ingale, a fellow in the Stanford-India Biodesign Program, is a really simple but great concept. Two counter-turning dials constantly adjust to show the current time but the combinations of size, background, and colors provide endless possibilities. Notice that design, found on Yanko Design, used the same black wood layout that the website uses for their background (and featured earlier on this blog).

hermes.time

Hermes traditionally tends toward conservative design but their latest timepiece is a modern addition to their collection. The Hermes Carre H Watch was designed by French architect Marc Berthier and runs $15,000 with a run limited of 173 pieces. Found on Uncrate, the titanium watch is water resistant to 30 meters and features a 44 hour power reserve.

200th.post

ˈmä-dərn has received over 5,000 hits since its start and this post marks the 200th contribution. Some days I submit ten new posts while there have been months without a single update. The rhythm is victim to a varying schedule and the difficulty in finding items that make a perfect fit. As with previous celebrations, the blog marks the landmark with more jewels.

For this holiday season, Cartier showcases a winter panther in a 30 second video on their Winter Tale website. Follow the panther to view accessories for him, her, and a special "Diamonds forever" section. I would be happy to feature a little of everything Cartier has to offer but their watches have always been my favorite. I featured the ever-popular Tank Francaise near the beginning of this blog but a much newer masterpiece also exemplifies the distinctive Cartier design and elegance. The Cartier Roadster S, found on Uncrate, stands as the newest addition to the Cartier collection and is available for a mere $3,500. Perhaps the rubber strap helps tapper the price tag but it gives Cartier enthusiasts a chance to stick with the brand and go casual.

Also new on the slate for Cartier is the Cartier flagship opening in Hong Kong. Located in the 29-story Prince's Building on Chater Road, the façade emits fluctuating light and rises 17 meters above the ground, "reflect[ing] the pulsating rhythm of the city — ascending by day to absorb the light of the sky, before gently falling back to earth at night to showcase the store windows."

pirelli.calendar

Pirelli ("Power is nothing without control") is known for tires but each year they release a new (sensual) calendar featuring top models and legendary photographers. Good luck buying one, they're only given as gifts to top Pirelli customers and VIP clients. There are currently three 2011 calendars on Ebay and one stands at $860 with 30 bids and five days to go. This year's calendar was shot by Karl Lagerfeld and features Julianne Moore and many others in a Greek and Roman mythology theme. Past models include Gisele, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Sophia Loren, Julia Stiles, Hilary Swank, Heidi Klum, and many more. Not bad for a tire company.

patek.philippe

As my past watch choices have shown, I like simple black and white watches albeit pieces that often come with hefty price tags. The latest is from Patek Philippe, of which no watch collection would be complete without. Patek Philippe & Co. has gained over 70 patents since it's 1851 inception and dominates luxury auctions worldwide with record-breaking bids. Unlike the multi-million dollar timepieces that show up at Sotheby's and Christie's, the Calatrava “Clous de Paris” (Ref. 5116G) can be found for less than $20,000 and is an absolutely beautiful wristwatch that would complement any outfit, if not take center stage. For those who have never noticed, timepieces using roman numerals usually use IIII in lieu of IV, and while no unanimous reason exists, there are multiple theories listed here. For more timepieces, look at A. Lange & Söhne's Lange 31 and Cartier's Tank Francaise.

ink.calendar

The Ink Calendar by Oscar Diaz is a fun concept to change your perception of time. According to Dezeen, the calendar "enhances the perception of time passing and not only signaling it." As the paper absorbs the ink, the dates are highlighted throughout the entire month until it's time to update your wall art. Each month comes in a different color corresponding to the weather and mood of each month, ranging from deep blue in December to red in the summertime. It's probably not fun to change your calendar each month, but like a good timepiece, it's going to take a little manual labor to keep the clock ticking.

bubble.calendar

The Bubble Calendar is nearly four feet high and available in four languages. With 2010 coming around the corner, it's a better option than those 75%-off  calendars in mall kiosks that look the same every year. Available in a vertical or horizontal layout with Helvetica Neue font, the calendar is only $20.10 plus shipping and handling.

world.clock

Following the Telephone 3, the World Timer was also designed by Jacob Jensen and beautifully displays the time in five major cities. Available for €582.64 (about $878) on Dansk Design, the clock is about 14" x 20" and would adds class to any office space.

lange.31

A. Lange & Söhne is currently my favorite watch brand, and only the second watch brand I have ever fell for. Although I've been wanting the previously posted Cartier Tank Francaise since the beginning of high school, A. Lange & Söhne is in a whole different league, making Rolex feel like Timex. The Lange 31, shown below, was an engineering feat when it was released in 2007.

I always thought it would be neat to have a manual wind wristwatch, but this one takes it to a whole new level. The 270 degree arc measures how many days of energy are left, but to accomplish storing 31 days worth of energy after a single wind in a small wristwatch is unheard of; indeed, Luxist even quotes another watch maker as saying there's no way it seems possible

So beyond the beautiful minimalist inspired design, the watch is manual and incredibly one of a kind. Made from platinum and finished with a black crocodile strap, I fell for the watch before I saw the price, which would of caused me to move on. With a price tag of  $300,000, I'm sure you can negotiate a smaller figure, but whatever you pay, you must remember the small home you could of bought. But don't think what you see is all you get - go to the A. Lange & Söhne website to see what the watch looks like on the inside, it's nothing less than it's own piece of artwork, or watch a video that explains the making and perfection of the Lange 31.

energy.clock

The Energy Aware Clock was created by Swedish designers and premiered at the Design September design show in Brussels, Belgium this past September. The clock tracks energy usage throughout the day and allows households to view their energy output, pinpointing the times when usage is highest and hopefully reducing wastefulness. While not available for retail yet, hopefully the concept will reach stores because the idea and design make conservation cool and easy.

flip.clock

9031 has a small assortment of free downloads ranging from fonts and icons to screensavers and wallpapers. Below is a screenshot of Fliqlo, their flip-clock screensaver that can be adjusted in size and change between 12- to 24-hour timekeeping. They also have an interactive falling lego screensaver that you can play and much more. Best of all, it's the only free thing on this blog.

calendar.magnet

Finally, something I own! I first saw this MoMA Perpetual Calendar while babysitting. The magnetic silver sphere is attached to a string and the circular frame, also magnetic, keeps the sphere at the the month while the black sphere rests on the day. No, it's not automatic, but it can hang on the wall or sit on a shelf. When I went to Seattle, I saw the calendar at a furniture shop and had to buy it. For $40, it ends up being cheaper than buying a $15 calendar every year. Plus there's a mini version for on a desktop and different color schemes.

cartier.time

This may possibly be the best and most classic watch ever; in fact, I have wanted Cartier's Tank Francaise since the beginning of high school. While in San Juan, P.R., after sophomore year of high school, we went into Cartier and I fitted the watch under pretense that my parents were looking for a graduation present. It was perfect: the weight, the look, the feel. This will be my college graduation present to myself from myself -- I can say goodbye to a kidney if that's what it takes, it's gorgeous.

According to Wikipedia, Cartier is currently the no. 1 seller of luxury jewelery in the world, and the no. 2 seller of luxury watches (after Rolex). The Tank Francaise was created by Louis Cartier in 1917 and inspired by the new Renault tanks which Cartier saw on the Western Front.