Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5980. The Most Elegant Chronograph.

Here we are reviewing another iconic Nautilus reference. This time, is the turn for one of the most elegant chronographs out there. This elegant piece available in stainless steel or rose gold, offers a wide variety of dial colors in order to please even the most demanding watch lifestylers. The rose gold version is fitted with a black-brown dial and an alligator strap with rectangular scales and a deployant buckle that is very comfortable and easy to operate.

Classy, modern, timeless and functional, the Nautilus chronograph includes the best of both worlds. With a sporty look but a dressy character, it's a timepiece that commands attention and outstanding wrist presence. Its black-brown dial looks either milk chocolate brown or black depending on the lighting conditions. The chronograph pushers are subtly disguised with the overall design and construction of the case and they are very easy to use.

Fitted with caliber CH 28-520 C, this elegant chronograph registers hours and minutes for up to 12 hours with a single counter at 6 o'clock and a date aperture at 3. The movement, with a power reserve of up to 55 hours is very nicely decorated with the traditional Côtes de Genève finish prevalent on other Patek Philippe movements. Its large case with a diameter of 40.5mm is solid, masculine and very comfortable. The case sits very nicely on top of the wrist if you have a flatter shaped wrist. The strap is perfectly finished and the hand stitching in light brown creates the perfect symphony of accents and contrast.

This watch is a must have in any watch collection where class, perfection and character happen to be the common denominators. Sticker price on this beauty only $64,000.

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Patek Philippe and tagged Patek Philippe New Models Baselworld 2013 Patek Nautilus 2013.

Rare Bird: Vintage Omega Seamaster 'Bumper'. Honoring Mad Men.

We know for a fact that many of our watch lifestylers work in advertising. AMC's Mad Men clearly portrays the most glamorous and fascinating era of Madison Avenue. The 50s and the 60s also mark the time for big horological changes, just right around the time Rolex launched the first Submariner and the first GMT Master. Therefore, why not honor the premiere of season 6 of Mad Men with this fantastic looking watch.

When found, Omega 'Bumpers' are typically not in good shape. However, this gorgeous watch fitted with a nice black alligator strap and original Omega tang buckle is in close to mint condition. The dial now perpetually stained from earlier corrosion is what we call a perfect example of a story telling watch.

This Omega Seamaster circa mid 50s is a rare and beautiful example of the 'Bumper Spring' model fitted with caliber 354. This watch is called the 'Bumper' because of the unique back and forth bumping of the hammer weight into the spring.

After putting the watch on, we immediately felt transported to that glamorous era of the fancy cocktails, beautiful secretaries and unforgettable new business pitches. The golden era for Leo Burnett, BBDO, Ogilvy, McCann Erickson, Lowe and of course of SCDP —Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce.

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Omega and tagged Omega Vintage Bumper Spring Omega Seamaster 2013.

Authenticate: TAG Heuer and Richard Mille Using Trusted.com

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How does Trusted.com work?

Trusted.com establishes partnerships with brands who wish to protect their brand image by providing an additional layer of reassurance and quality service to their customers. The authenticity of a product is established at the time of production. The ownership life cycle of a product is then tracked from production, to its distribution through the brand's supply chain, the initial purchase from an authorized retailer, and any subsequent ownership transfers.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under News.

Insider: GMT Master ref. 1675 circa 1978. A Stunner.

The story behind this beautiful example of a GMT Master ref. 1675 is just one of a kind. This watch was incorporated to a watch lifestyler's collection as part of a trade + cash type of deal. The watch is fitted with a nicely faded fat font Pepsi bezel inset. The hunt for the right insert took months, but the end result was worth the wait in our opinion.

While the dial is a MK IV example correct to the time period of the watch in the 5.5 million serial range, the bezel is an earlier example no longer found on watches of this time period. This watch comes with the correct calendar disc with open sixes and nines and the matte dial is just perfect, clean and with a beautiful egg shell to cream patina.

The hands show very little corrosion and match the dial perfectly with the same type of patina. The case has not been over polished like on most watches of this time period and still maintains thick lugs and nice chamfers. This watch is fitted with a hollow link Oyster bracelet still in decent shape. The movement is clean and keeping time spot on. +1 second per day.

To be honest, this is one of the most beautiful examples of a Rolex ref. 1675 that we have ever reviewed and experienced. If you come across a 1675 in this good of a condition, don't think twice, even if you need to move another watch and add some hard earned cash to the deal. We know that you won't regret it.

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Rolex and tagged Rolex GMT Master Vintage GMT Master 1675 2013.

Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711. A Genta Icon.

Another one of Gerald Genta's iconic creations. The Patek Philippe Nautilus was conceived using the universal shape of a porthole found on most maritime vessels and released just four years after the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was launched in 1972.

Just like on the rest of Genta's creations, the alternating brushed and polished areas on the bezel as well as the flat top cases are part of the design. Patek Philippe commissioned monsieur Genta to come up with a design that would compete with the Royal Oak and that would stand the test of time. The end result, the iconic Nautilus. With its unmistakeable black-blue dial this timepiece was released in 1976 as ref. 3700/1 in stainless steel and with the name Nautilus 'Jumbo' due to its large—40mm— case diameter at the time. Since then, the Nautilus has established itself as a classic, elegant sports watch from one of the top Haute Horlogerie houses.

The black-blue dial on the Nautilus often looks either chocolate brown or black depending on the lighting conditions. This watch comes with a 45-hour power reserve thanks to its self-winding caliber 324 S C, screw-down crown, sapphire crystal case back and a stainless steel bracelet. The watch is very comfortable and the bracelet somewhat light for our taste. The watch has a strong presence on the wrist and extremely accurate timekeeping with +1 seconds a day.

The Nautilus is definitely a piece that needs to be part of any collection looking to honor monsieur Genta's creations or any power collection. Now, if you already own a Royal Oak, an IWC Ingenieur SL and a Vacheron Constantin Overseas, it is very likely that you will end up adding a Nautilus to complete your poker of aces. Probably in due time and time is already ticking.

Sticker Price $29,800. For more info on this watch click here.

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Patek Philippe and tagged Patek Philippe Nautilus Nautilus Patek 5711 Gerald Genta 2013.

Insider: IWC Aquatimer 2000. Our Take on a Bumble-Bee.

The Aquatimer 2000 is one of the most iconic and beautiful references from IWC. With pressure-resistance to 2000m, 42-hour power-reserve automatic movement, a 44 mm case size and a highly luminescent sapphire bezel insert, the Aquatimer Automatic 2000 is a great looking sports watch.

Fitted with IWC's calibre 30110 —which is a modified base ETA 2892— the watch is a little too noisy when the rotor is spinning around. The watch is available with a rubber strap or a stainless steel bracelet with a quick release feature to switch bracelets/straps without needing any tools. You just press the quick release button with your fingertips.

The stainless steel case is solid. The traditional IWC markings are on the case back and the case is matte finished. While the watch case back seems to be a little too thick, it still sits nice on the wrist; however, in our opinion, we wouldn't say it's the most comfortable watch out there.

The sapphire rotating bezel is one of our favorite features on this watch. It's not only beautifully finished but also very functional. It comes with 60 perfect clicks, it's easy to rotate –even when wearing gloves–, easy to read underwater, and the beautiful bumble bee combo —black and yellow— on the insert offers great contrast and readability. The super luminova on the insert couldn't be any better at night.

The sapphire crystal is extremely thick —as needed on a watch that should withstand 200 bars of pressure— and comes with anti-reflective coating on both sides.

The rubber strap is a little uncomfortable because of the diamond pattern it has on the back but overall, is made of really nice high quality durable rubber very typical of IWC. The strap is fitted with a nice brushed IWC tang buckle that is easy to operate.

Overall, the craftsmanship of this watch is excellent —following all of the rigorous IWC standards. This is a watch that looks great with jeans, a suit and even better with a wet suit while diving the seas and oceans.

If you are looking for an inexpensive bumble bee look, the IWC Aquatimer 2000 is your best option. Sticker price $4,600. For more info click here .

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under IWC and tagged IWC IWC Aquatimer Aquatimer 2000 2013.

Experience: Museo Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese

Driving our way through Italy, all the way from Venezia down to Rome, we decided to briefly stop at Sant'Agata Bolognese —the birthplace of Lamborghini—and visit the 'Museo Lamborghini'. Sant'Agata Bolognese is a small community located east of Modena and about 38 kilometers northwest of Bologna. The 'Museo Lamborghini' is located adjacent to the factory on Via Modena and a must-see for watch lifestylers that appreciate automobiles. The 'Museo Lamborghini' offers a unique collection of vintage Lamborghinis that clearly show the evolution and history of this automaker.

At the museum you will be able to appreciate some of the most iconic Lamborghini machines ever made, all the way from a Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Superleggera to a Espada, a Countach 25th Anniversary Edition—only 658 pieces made—, a few Miuras and a LM002, amongst others.

Next to the 'Museo' by the factory side, we came across a beautiful Lamborghini Murcielago in carbon fiber that was just remarkable. As you make your way out of the 'Museo' you will find the Lamborghini store. A must shop type of place. Get plenty of Super Trofeo merchandise with Blancpain's logo on it. After taking off from Sant'Agata, stop by for a delicious meal at Gran Torino and experience the amazing Northern Italian cuisine in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region. A visit that is well worth it.

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Museo Lamborghini Sant'Agata Bolognese Top Automobiles.

Upcoming: IWJG Trade Show New York. April 22-23, 2013.

The International Watch and Jewelry Guild trade show for the New York area will take place on April 22nd and 23rd, 2013 at the Marriott NY Brooklyn Bridge. Expect tons of dealer activity and some of the most fascinating timepieces.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Events.

Insider: Panerai Luminor 1950 Marina 3 Days. Tradition and Character.

The Luminor 1950 Marina 3 Days clearly evokes the earlier days of Officine Panerai back in Firenze. In our opinion, this is one of the best balanced Panerais out there. This watch has a very solid and sturdy case measuring 44mm, sapphire display case back, black sandwich dial with superluminova—date aperture at 3 and small running seconds at 9—, 3-day power reserve, trademarked crown-guard, depth-rating to 300m/1000ft and houses Panerai's caliber P.9000—composed of 197 parts and 28 jewels.

This watch is definitely one that can be worn as a daily beater.

This Panerai is laying on top of a Chinese New Year 'Full Box'. This particular watch is very important to the watchlifestyler that owns it as he tied the knot wearing it on such an important and special occasion. The elegant look of the crocodile strap, is a perfect match to the delicate lacquered finish on the box. This 'Full Box' was gifted to our watch lifestyler by his mother as a symbol of good luck and well wishes for the new family that he recently formed with his beautiful wife.

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in Hong Kong and most of Asia. Lasting for 15 days, it’s the time of year to visit family and friends, clean the house, tie up any loose ends and start fresh for the upcoming new year. Flowers, lucky plants, lanterns and auspicious red couplets decorate the house. Certainly it is the most festive and happy time of year for Chinese watch stylers.

The 'Full Box' is a snack container specially designed for festive occasions in Southern China. The traditional box is usually made out of lacquered wood or modern designed high-end bakelite. Full boxes are generally round, octagonal or square in shape. Inside the box you'll find dividers that contain different types of sweets or snacks. According to the Chinese tradition, each family will prepare a 'Full Box' during Chinese New Year and share it with visiting guests as a symbol of their hospitality.

Just like this 'Full Box', the Panerai Luminor 1950 Marina 3 Days exudes character, tradition and refinement. Good luck to all the Paneristis out there.

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Panerai and tagged Luminor 1950 Marina 3 Days Officine Panerai Firenze PAM 312 Full Box 2013.

Experience: Hermès Tricolor Kelly Bag and a Discontinued Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Date-Day-Moonphase in 18K Yellow Gold

TriColor Kelly bag in Jaune, Vert Cru and Blue Thalassa.

The Hermès Kelly bag renamed after actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly is a classic just as the now discontinued Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Date-Date-Moonphase triple complication ref. 25594BA.

This gorgeous Royal Oak in 36mm and solid 18K yellow gold is a perfect example of a watch that goes well with everything. One of our watch lifestylers wears this watch on a daily basis due to its versatility and the neutral color of its dial. Because of the smaller size of the case—when compared to today's standards—this watch has the perfect size for any female watch lifestyler wanting to make a wrist statement.

This watch originally fitted with caliber 2224/2825 will help you keep track of the day, date and lunar phases during your hectic monthly schedule.

Now, If you consider buying a Royal Oak like this one to turn it into your daily beater, just make sure that you have the matching Tri Color Kelly bag to go with it.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Hermès Hermes Kelly Hermes Bag Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Gold 2013.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15300ST. As Good as it Gets.

We have reviewed, owned and perused several Royal Oaks ref. 5402 "Jumbo". As you know, the ref. 5402 "Jumbo" was the first Royal Oak to be launched in 1972 fitted with an ultra-thin calibre 2121 —a masterpiece of 'haute horlogerie'— that changed the world of sports luxury watches forever.

Royal Oak purists tend to never considered buying a Royal Oak ref. 15300 as they feel they are betraying their true love for the ref. 5402 "Jumbo". However, we feel that the ref. 15300 is pure perfection and a robust Royal Oak with a quick-set calendar feature that makes it very desirable. The ref. 15300 is fitted with calibre 3120 which is called by some AP enthusiasts as "one of the greatest automatic movements ever made".

The case diameter is 39mm like on the "Jumbo", however, the ref. 15300 is thicker —than its predecessor— at 9.4mm. The watch wears a little bit smaller than the "Jumbo" as the proportions of the case and bezel are different, regardless that the case size is the same.

This watch just like any other Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is fitted with a beautiful solid link integrated bracelet. The bracelet has the unmistakeable AP grainy brushed finish with some polished areas at the end of the links and around the top and bottom of the center links. The bracelet is very solid and comfortable, however, the clasp is not my favorite part of this bracelet. The clasp is a double push button double folding clasp with AP shape blades on both ends of the interior of the clasp. We personally prefer the old school ref. 5402 blade clasp with fliplock, that happens to feel more sturdy and more comfortable.

The dial in this watch is a "Grande Tapisserie" (waffle pattern) in deep blue with white fonts. Depending on lighting conditions, it will almost look charcoal gray. The dial comes with white gold applied baton hour-markers and white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. The luminova is not very powerful and since the coated area in the hands and markers is very thin you don't get much brightness. Additionally, the luminova will wear out within a few hours after you go to bed. Not a big deal, just wanted to documented for those 'luminova lovers'. The calendar wheel is 'off-white' almost a very light ivory with all the numbers in the newer AP font with serifs opposed to the old school font in the 5402 and the 15202.

The movement is just gorgeous and quite accurate. This one has only lost 3 to 4 seconds a day —which is still under COSC specs— during the first week of daily wear.

Since this watch comes with a sapphire crystal case back you can admire the calibre 3120 through it. It's just gorgeous! The movement thickness with module is 4.26mm and a total diameter of 11¾ lignes. Frequency of balance wheel 3,00 (=21’600 alternances/hour) Hz, Bi-directional automatic winding with a 22K gold monobloc rotor fully decorated with the crest of the Audemars and Piguet families, 40 jewels, 60-hour power reserve and 280 parts, which IMHO is pretty impressive!

The Royal Oak ref. 15300 is actually more comfortable than the original Jumbo ref. 5402 and a perfect watch that matches all types of outfits—dressed down or suited up. Something else worth mentioning about the Royal Oak, is that is very understated and most of the time it flies under the radar unless you are near a serious watch lifestyler. Another clear advantage of the ref. 15300 over the ref. 5402 or the ref. 15202, is the quick-set calendar feature fitted on calibre 3120.

For those of you that always wonder whether the Royal Oak is suited for water activites, we can confidently say that there is nothing classier than relaxing in the pool with a Royal Oak and Vilebrequins.

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Audemars Piguet and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15300 Royal Oak Posts 2013.

Watch Goodies: The Wooden Rolex Clock. Hard to Find.

The real story behind the very hard to find wooden Rolex clocks has always been a mystery. Among different groups of avid Rolex watch collectors we've heard dozens of versions but until now we didn't have what we feel is a definitive answer.

Some people mention that the clock was given to select authorized dealers during the 1970s, another version assures that these clocks were given to employees after 'x' number of years of service at the Rolex Service Centers but you are about to hear the real story behind these iconic wall clocks.

The owner of this clock is a former Rolex Service Center watchmaker that has finally provided a trustworthy answer for us. In the early 80s, this wall clocks were given by Rolex USA to authorized dealers with very high volume of sales. This particular watch was purchased by our friend from one of these dealers back in 1988 for $125. Ironic enough, the infamous Rolex wooden clock is fitted with a battery operated quartz movement made in Japan.

Going price for one of this clocks today is around $1500.

Is it really worth it with a Japanese quartz movement as its beating heart?

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Rolex, Watch Goodies and tagged Rolex Wooden Rolex Clock 2013.

Face to Face: Manuel Chamosa. 40 Years Servicing Rolex Timepieces.

We met Manuel for the first time back in 2004.

Looking for a reputable watchmaker to work on a collectible Audemars Piguet timepiece in the Dallas, Texas area is not an easy task. After several phone calls and numerous referrals, we contacted Manuel Chamosa to service the watch. After our first encounter with him, we immediately became close friends and he became our go-to watchmaker for anything Rolex, Vintage Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe related.

Manuel became a watchmaker in the 70's. Today, after more than four decades of service he holds a wealth of knowledge about Rolex and other brands that it's really hard to match. Manuel is a Mexican immigrant that joined the Dallas Rolex Service Center in the early 70's and quickly learned the ropes of watchmaking. After almost 12 years of service with Rolex, he decided to open his own business in the north Dallas area where he is still located today.

Manuel is not only a Certified Rolex Watchmaker but a serious collector and a pre-owned watch dealer of vintage pieces. Manuel's daily beater is a Rolex ref. 6239. To find Manuel click here.

How many watches have you worked on in your career?

A: Probably around 40,000.

What is your favorite watch, besides your daily beater?

A: I personally love all vintage Rolexes from the 1970's but my all time favorite watch is a Triple Calendar Vacheron Constantin ref. 4240.

If you could have only one watch, what would that be?

A: A Patek Philippe Minute Repeater ref. 5207.

What is the most rare timepiece that you own or have owned?

A: A Vacheron Constantin Minute Repeater from the 1940's and the Rolex Submariner ref. 6204 with white dial. I actually read somewhere that watch collector and dealer Eric Ku owns that Submariner now. To read more about Eric Ku click here.

What was the first expensive watch you purchased ?

A: Back in 1976 I purchased a GMT Master ref. 1675 in 18K yellow gold fitted with a brown leather strap. If my memory serves me right, I think I paid $650 at the time. I purchased the watch from a pawn shop—located on Jefferson street here in Dallas— that I used to do work for in the late 70s and early 80s. When I started my business, I used to buy pre-owned watches back in Mexico, restore them and then sell them here in the U.S. I purchased everything from Rolex to Patek Philippe and everything in between. I've owned some of the most amazing pieces that any collector could dream of. One of the rarest watches that I've ever owned is the rare Rolex Triple Calendar in 18K gold. While I no longer own that watch, I wore it for decades and then finally sold it to a Japanese collector about five years ago.

What do you think of the current state of the pre-owned watch business?

A: The internet has changed the pre-owned business a lot. Back in the days, some people hardly knew what they had in their hands and sometimes dealers would take advantage by buying at very low prices. Today, people go online and in minutes they can get a clear idea of how much their watch is worth. Profit margins had dropped but also the availability of rare collectible pieces has diminished.

How long does it take you to fully service a Rolex Submariner including polishing?

A: Close to three full hours of work that include disassembling the whole watch, doing all the necessary cleaning, polishing the case and bracelet, reassembling the movement, regulating and pressure testing. The breakdown of time allocated to the job is as follows: approximately 15 minutes to disassemble the watch and movement, 20 minutes cleaning all parts, 45-60 minutes to oil, regulate and reassemble and 60 minutes to polish.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and tagged Manuel Chamosa Chamosa Watch Repair Dallas.

Experience: Hermès Ties. The Blues.

When it comes to ties we know there's only one name and it's Hermès. Its silk, its designs and patterns, the shape and length of their ties and the way they look when knotted, is just unmistakeable. One can spot an Hermès tie half a block away. Just as one that knows can spot a Royal Oak in the distance.

Established in 1837, Hermès has specialized in silk, saddles, leather, accessories, parfums, ceramic and prêt-à-porter with the highest quality and outstanding craftsmanship. Its logo, since the 1950's has had a carriage pulled by a horse.

Born in Germany, Thierry Hermès was the son of a Frenchman. Thierry and his family relocated to France in 1828 and in 1837, Thierry Hermès established Hermès as a harness workshop dedicated to serving noblemen in Paris. He created some of the finest wrought harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade. Thierry's son, Charles-Émile Hermès took over management in 1880 and established the well known shop at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where it remains today and where the new leader introduced saddlery and retail sales.

One of the many qualities of an Hermès tie is its timeless design, just like that of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Both have stood the test of time and today a 40 year old Hermès tie looks as good and as classic as a Royal Oak. For more info click here.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Fashion & Style and tagged Hermes Hermès Ties Royal Oak 15300 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 2013.

Insider: The Rolex Oysterquartz ref. 17000. A Forgotten Icon.

The Rolex Oysterquartz has now been discontinued for almost 10 years. For almost 26 years this iconic reference was produced in stainless steel, stainless steel and white gold, stainless steel and yellow gold and 18K yellow gold. It has been estimated that in all close to 25,000 Oysterquartz watches were ever produced by Rolex. The Oysterquartz was officially launched in 1977 and discontinued in 2003.

The Oysterquartz was launched during an era where quartz movements were increasingly becoming more important and in order to meet the demands of consumers, Rolex decided to venture into the quartz world with one of the most beautiful watch designs ever created.

The beating heart of this fantastic reference is one of those things that you can't hardly miss. If you've owned an Oysterquartz, you know what we are talking about. The ticking sound of this movement is so loud that you can hear it whenever you are in a quite area. Most Oysterquartz owners will make reference to this particular characteristic of this watch.

Evoking the looks of the Vacheron Constantin 222, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the IWC Ingenieur SL, with its flat top case, the Rolex Oyterquartz could not pass the test of time and maintain a spot in the current Rolex line-up.

This beautiful reference now forgotten by most watch collectors, was not only one of the first Rolex models to be fitted with a sapphire crystal at the time but also the only Rolex model to be supplied with a solid link integrated bracelet with no end links nor link removable screws.

Long live the Rolex Oysterquartz ref. 17000.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Rolex and tagged Rolex Oysterquartz Oysterquartz 17000 Rolex 17000 Oysterquartz rolex 2013.

Watch Shopping Guide: Chicago. Good Variety in the Second City.

Chicago also known as the second city or the 'windy city' is the third largest city in the U.S. but not necessarily the best place for watch shopping, if we really want to be quite blunt. Chicago offers a decent amount of specialized watch stores and only one dedicated watch boutique—Rolex boutique operated by Tourneau Watch Company. Watch stores are somewhat spread out around the city but with the main stores concentrated in two areas of the city, on the Magnificent Mile—Michigan Avenue— and Jeweler's Row along Wabash avenue in the heart of downtown.

As we start our watch shopping way around Chicago, we kick-off around Jeweler's Row. This row, located on Wabash avenue heading south between Washington and Monroe streets, offers a wide variety of pre-owned watch shops, a few gray dealers and just two authorized dealers—New York Jewelers and Marshall Pierce & Company. New York Jewelers carries a large selection of brands such as TAG Heuer, Bell & Ross, U-Boat, Chronoswiss and a nice selection of pre-owned vintage Rolex watches. Located about a block away from NYJ, right inside the building located at 5 South Wabash—Jewelers Center—, you'll find several watch dealers including the well known Howard Frum—one of the largest pre-owned watch dealers in the Midwest.

Heading north on Michigan avenue from Millennium Park right next to Allen Edmonds and a few steps away from the corner with Ohio, you will find the recently opened Tourbillon Boutique, specialized in very high end names such as Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Omega and Jaquet Droz. A block and a half away—still heading north on Michigan avenue—and on the opposite side of the avenue at the corner of Ontario and Michigan, Cartier and the Rolex boutique are located.

Catty corner from the Rolex boutique and a building away from the corner with Erie, you'll find, Swiss Fine Timing Atelier Jewelers. This store is the only authorized dealer for Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille and also carries other great names such as Hublot, Breguet, Parmigiani, Panerai, Graham, Chopard, Zenith and Glashütte amongst others.

Three blocks north from here you can stop at the Ralph Lauren boutique and check out their vintage watch section on the lower lever. Two blocks north inside the Water Tower Place shopping mall is where Tourneau is located. Wide selection of Breitling, Patek Philippe, Rolex, IWC, Longines and Panerai. A block north next to the Westin on Michigan avenue you will stumble upon the Omega, Bulgari and Louis Vuitton boutiques, finding Montblanc just right across the street from them. One block north from Louis Vuitton, you will make a left on Oak street and about half a block away on the right side you'll find Geneva Seal, authorized dealer for Roger Dubuis, Breitling, Frank Muller, Blancpain, Urwerk, Jacob & Co., Bell & Ross and TAG Heuer amongst others. Last stop the Hermès boutique on Oak and Rush street. From there make sure you have lunch or dinner at Fred's inside Barney's New York.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Watch Shopping and tagged Chicago Watches Marshall Pierce Tourneau Chicago Jewelers Row Chicago Top Watch Shopping 2013.

Insider: Tudor Chronograph ref. 79280. A Transitional Panda.

Tudor has been around for a very long time, always considered as the more affordable sibling to Rolex. It was not until 1946 that Hans Wilsdorf first opened Tudor. Wilsdorf chose the name Tudor because he wanted to honor the Tudor period of England. Tudor watches used the Tudor Rose emblem until the 1960s and thereafter Tudor changed the rose sign for the current shield sign.

One of the main differences between Rolex and Tudor could be seen when the Tudor Oyster Prince launched in 1952 with the same oyster case but instead of a Rolex manufactured movement, there was a movement supplied by ETA. Additionally, the price point has always been inferior to that of Rolex.

Tudor watches were available worldwide until the early 2000's when Rolex pulled them out of the U.S. market as they were cannibalizing Rolex sales. In theory, a Tudor is a Rolex watch but less expensive. Keep in mind that Tudors are manufactured on the same premises as Rolex and they undergo the same type of quality controls as Rolex. Tudor watches are also serviced at Rolex Service Centers worldwide.

This beautiful Tudor chronograph ref. 79280 is a transitional example. Tudor watches were fitted with Rolex crowns and Rolex case backs up until the late 90's when transitional Tudor watches appeared with either a Rolex case back or a Rolex crown only. After this period, Tudor watches were no longer fitted with Rolex parts. The last example to include Rolex parts was the Tudor Chronograph 'Big Block' with a dial that included the word 'Oysterdate' instead of 'Prince Date'. This transitional example comes with a Rolex crown but not with a Rolex case back.

The Tudor chronograph in our story also includes the word 'Tiger' on the dial as it was launched as a special tribute to golfer Tiger Woods for a short period of time. Tudors with the 'Tiger' dial typically command a lower price than that of the 'Big Blocks' or the clean 'Prince Date' dials.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Tudor and tagged Tudor Chronograph Panda Tudor Tiger Chronograph Tudor Tudor 79280 2013.

Experience: IWC Boutique. Wynn Las Vegas.

This newly opened IWC boutique is located at the esplanade of the Wynn casino in Las Vegas. Flanked by the Jaeger LeCoultre and the Piaget boutiques, the IWC boutique was definitely designed with the idea of making a big impression. With dedicated window displays for the Pilot's watch line and some other boutique exclusive pieces—such as the Big Pilot's Muhammad Ali Limited Edition watch, the Portuguese Hand-Wound Boutique Edition, the Ingenieur Automatic Boutique Edition and the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Boutique Edition— this boutique is not only inviting but very cozy once you make your way in.

Once inside the boutique you'll notice a cozy corner with a seating area that resembles that of a reading room with a fireplace. There are plenty of IWC catalogs and other IWC materials available to customer's and some fantastic watches to try on.

This time we perused the Muhammad Ali limited edition Big Pilot's watch. Constructed in stainless steel and with a limited production of 250 pieces, this reference is dedicated to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. The watch is sold in an impressive package – together with the monumental book “GOAT – Greatest of All Time.” with over 3,000 illustrations by more than 150 photographers and artists, the book is a celebration of Muhammad Ali’s life and a literary event in its own right.

The dial and hands on this watch are highlighted with signal-red super-luminova which gives the watch a unique, sporty, and distinctly masculine look. Red was chosen as the color of choice because Ali boxed wearing red gloves the majority of the time. The watch is very solid, just as any other Big Pilot's watch and features the 7-day power reserve, black leather strap and a case back that bears the official logo of Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Watch Shopping, IWC and tagged IWC Boutique Las Vegas Big Pilot's 2013.

Insider: Bell & Ross Space 2. The Re-encounter with an Old Friend.

Back in the year 2000, our watchlifestyler friend Juan Carlos sold this Bell & Ross Space 2 to one of his fellow friends and work colleagues, who happens to also be a watchlifestyler. The deal took place in Mexico City. Juan Carlos mentions that he still remembers the deal as if it had taken place yesterday and also how much he had missed this watch after departing his collection.

Juan Carlos and his friend Memo didn't stay much in touch after they both have moved back to the U.S. Last year, Memo decided to take a job in Chicago where Juan Carlos is now residing. They had reconnected since then and a couple of weeks ago they decided to meet up for a few drinks and finally catch up properly regarding the watch. Memo brought the watch over to dinner and left if with Juan Carlos so that we could properly review it and picture it. This Bell & Ross is now a very hard to find piece. If you find one is very likely that it will be in terrible abused condition. Fortunately, this one has held up nicely and is starting to show some nice light cream patina on the dial markers.

Long gone are the days of the Bell & Ross watches designed and manufactured by Sinn, the German company. This chronograph houses a Lemania 5100 caliber which is a true chronograph movement and not just a chrono module. This watch comes with day and date indicators, military 24-hr time register at 12 o'clock and a power-reserve of 45 hours. The chrono minutes and seconds are located on the central pinion opposed to registers on the dial. The running seconds are at 9 o'clock, while the chrono 12-hour register is located at 6 o'clock.

The stainless steel case and bracelet are bead-blasted to offer extra durability and scratch protection, the watch is waterproof to a depth of 200m/600ft, fitted with a flip-lock clasp, flight-suit extension, and a anti-glare double-coated sapphire crystal with a somewhat redish tint to it. In our opinion, this watch has one of the best anti-glare coatings we've ever seen during our collecting life. Another interesting characteristic of this watch—and that Mr. H didn't remember up until the re-encounter— is that the case is also anti-magnetic.

Below you will find some of the shots taken at the time Memo picked up Juan Carlos on his Porsche Cayenne Turbo. They had a few drinks and food at the JW Marriot and here are some nigh shots of the occasion.

At 40.3 mm, a weight of approximately 155 grams and somewhere in the $3,500-4,500 price range —depending on condition—, this collector's timepiece is one that you cannot pass on if you ever come across one that is up for sale.

Here are the shots taken the next day. Now you can really appreciate the watch and its beauty. If you find one, give us a call and we'll let Juan Carlos know as Memo won't sell back this one.

Sticker Price $3,500-4,500 USD. For more info on Bell & Ross click here.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Bell & Ross and tagged Bell & Ross Space 2 Discontinued Bell & Ross Posts 2013 2013.

Experience: Château Lafite Rothschild 1962. One of the Most Amazing Wines in the World.

Without a doubt one of the finest and most complex wines in the world. This Bordeaux wine from the Haute-Medoc region and bottled in Pauillac, France is a superb combination of body, taste and aromas only possible in a wine of this caliber and pedigree. Domaines Baron Rothschild dates back to 1234. Even though the property was not in the Bordeaux region at the time, it is thought that vines were already at the estate owned by Gombaud de Lafite the original owner of the Château were this wine comes from. Interesting enough the Château still maintains the name of that original owner. While vines were probably in existence at Lafite, it was not until around 1680, that the majority of the vineyards of what we know today as Lafite Rothschild were created. In the 17th century, the property of Château Lafite was purchased by the Ségur family. It is known that Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States liked Château Lafite Rothschild so much that he purchased multiple cases of the wine.

The complexity and power of this wine is one that can only be understood and experienced when having the honor and pleasure of uncorking one and sipping it.

The notes are high on tannins, red cherries and wild mushrooms on the palate and oak and vergamot on the nose.

Price range between $1,000 and $1,500 per bottle. However, be very careful as to who you buy from. We know from very good sources that some of the bottles in this vintage might have already turned into vinegar due to lack of proper wine storing.

For more info on this wine click here.