Excellent opinions - no fence sitting or polite chit chat.
Agree with most - aside for JeanRichard, Cartier and De Bethune - these brands are actually really trying to move forward and have, IMHO some very promising models and design cues. De Bethune is taking a gamble with some uncompromising styling and that should be rewarded.
I couldn't agree more re. AP - the irony has gotten to the point of using a motorway as inspiration for "design" - classic! PT Barnum (or is it David Hannum) comes to mind...