Jaeger LeCoultre Watches: New Jaeger LeCoultre Batman Reverso Watch

Timed with the opening of The Dark Knight Rises in theaters in 2012, which is the final Batman movie from Christopher Nolan, Jaeger LeCoultre announced a new limited edition Batman Reverso watch. This new model is based on the Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 watch but includes a unique Batman logo lacquered on the reverse side. The dial side of the watch features a very sleek black dial, paired with a black alligator strap and stainless steel.
Jaeger LeCoultre watches are prized by collectors as the brand has a tradition of supplying movements and other parts to many other well-known watch companies, including Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. Founded in 1833, the company has continued to make advancements in watchmaking and actually made the most complicated wristwatch in the world in 2009, which featured 26 complications. The Reverso watch, first released in 1931, was designed for polo players who had need of a watch that could be protected against shock. The lines of the watch are Art Deco-inspired and the swiveling case may be engraved for personalization.
The New Reverso Tribute to 1931
The Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 watch, also just released, is unique because the straps were specially commissioned by the company and make by Eduardo Fagliano of Argentina, who also makes boots for Argentinian polo players. As the original Reverso watch was designed for polo players, this is a rather interesting tie-in. Only 100 of these limited edition are available at $7,250 in stainless steel.
Interestingly, this new Batman Reverso watch is not a mere tribute as Bruce Wayne, played by Christian Bale, has worn one of the Reverso Jaeger LeCoultre watches throughout the trilogy. Val Kilmer wore a Jaeger LeCoultre watch as well for the Batman Forever movie in 1995. This is also the second Batman Reverso watch produced by JLC. The first, released in 1995, isn't as striking as this new model although it's still popular on the secondhand market for those seeking limited edition watches from the company.
The press release announcing this new Batman Reverso included plenty of photos, although it didn't specify many details. How many of these watches will be made is still unknown and it's also unclear where they will be sold. Jaeger LeCoultre did hint that the watch will be on display in JLC boutiques located in Hong Hong, Geneva, London and Los Angeles, California.

A Modern Day Feminist Hamlet: Hunting for Sparrows by Beatrice Gerard

Thelma knows her mother did not die of natural causes. She knows this not by empirical evidence but by her own intuition in the form of a vision. She knows that Claire Wise, CEO and founder of multi-billion dollar international corporation, Wise Woman Inc., was murdered. Her untimely death was caused by the greedy, corrupt ambitions of her lover, Steve. Steve had been her close friend and her jealous underling. He had been there from the beginning, he got in on the ground floor, when she was growing her company.
Thelma wants justice for Claire Wise, powerful symbol of feminist power. But she is unsure of the guilt of Steve, the one she would accuse. In order to be certain she does her own empirical test of guilt. She has his deeds played out in a film, and then she watches him while he watches the movie. "The Play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king."
Thelma is an anagram of Hamlet, which in turn is an anagram of Amleth, the original historical character on which Hamlet is based. Hunting for Sparrows is a brilliant twist on Hamlet; a feminist version of the timeless story of a man who could not make up his mind.
Like Hamlet, Thelma's sanity, not the guilt of the murderer becomes the central issue of the story. Steve, the man who murdered Thelma's mother leads the charge on Thelma's sanity, claiming concern for her. He wishes to have her committed. He convinces the others that she has no grip on reality. Of course, this is what he must do, because otherwise she might convince everyone of his guilt. He calls into question her perceptions about other things. He manipulates the other characters with his lies while Thelma convinces them of her madness with her cynical humor and inappropriate jokes at odd moments.
When someone sees a truth too frightening to accept, they are often accused of madness. But denial is a form of madness too. Denial helps one feel more comfortable, and as a result, may result in a more socially acceptable manner of behavior. By the same token, willingness to see a painful truth may result in behaviors that are outside the socially acceptable norm. Both conditions are a form of madness.
Thelma, like Hamlet, hesitates. She has the opportunity to get revenge, or justice, however one defines it, but chooses not to take it. She reasons herself out of it. She can't decide and act on what she knows. But she can't forget it either, and let it go, nor should she. In other words, she can't make up her mind. Her failure to act, her indecisiveness leads to not only her demise, but the demise of others. This is the essential story of Hamlet. It applies to any human in a struggle of this kind, be it male or female. It is a universal condition, not a masculine or feminine one.
Hunting for Sparrows is certainly worth the time and effort it will take to read it. One might wish to keep a copy of Hamlet nearby, to cross-reference and ponder.

Can Women Wear Men's Watches?

I don't know about you, but I have really fallen in love with the trend to bigger watches. There are a lot of oversized ladies versions on the market to choose from, but I honestly prefer to wear a man's timepiece. Even before it became in style to sport a large dial watch I would pull my father's wristwatch from my jewelry box every so often and wear it to make me feel closer to him. As women, we often times will turn to our men's shirts when we want to feel sexy or if you're like me...most days will be found in a pair of men's 501 Levis and a tank top. The fact is that many women are attracted to menswear. Why not watches? If you're going to ditch your delicate and demure Movado watches and join the trend in wearing an oversized timepiece there are a few rules of thumb;

• Choose a size that is appropriately large. Some men's watches like models from Hublot and Breitling are extreme in size. Most ladies don't have exceptionally big wrists and these types of watches will probably overwhelm you. I spoke of Movado before and actually the men's line might be the perfect fit for a gal who wants the look and feel of a men's timepiece but just isn't ready for anything too big or bold.

• Most times I will recommend a metal bracelet, rather than a leather strap for a girl wearing a men's timepiece. For some reason the leather just seems too masculine and it never really sits right on the wrist. You want an oversized timepiece to droop a bit, like a bracelet and the leather doesn't lend itself to that type of fit.

Whichever style you decide on, remember to choose a watch carefully. You will have it for quite some time and in most cases you will spend a pretty penny on it. Make sure that you pick a reputable brand name that is Swiss made and high quality. You may need to try on different models in a department store, but make your final purchase on-line. On-line shops have the biggest selection of watches to choose from. They will also feature many timepieces on sale or clearance so you will definitely get a better price. Try something different and new this year. Slip on a man's wristwatch...how great they look might surprise you.