Panerai watches were created to face the darkness of the night and of the depths of the sea: these were the conditions under which the special underwater forces of the Royal Italian Navy operated, as they carried out missions which demanded extraordinary courage and heroism but also exceptionally durable and reliable equipment. It was in the 1930s and 1940s of the last century that the Italian Navy nominated Orologeria Panerai in Florence, with which it had already collaborated for many years, as its trusted partner for supplying underwater watches for the frogmen. To satisfy the strict requirements imposed by the Navy, the workshop of ideas created by the Panerai family developed a timepiece and other precision instruments embodying innovative technical solutions of genius and revolutionary simplicity, solutions which transformed those watches into an icon and which still today make every Panerai watch immediately recognizable.
Experience: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400ST. 'Water Resistant' Means You Can Swim and Shower with it.
Countless times we have seen watch collectors post questions across the different watch forums regarding the water resistance of their watches and whether they can shower or swim with them. Some of the most common posts relate to questions like: Can I shower or swim with my Royal Oak? Can I shower with my Rolex Submariner?
'Water Resistance' and 'Waterproof' are two terms that are commonly interchangeably used by the different watch manufactures depending on the type of testing that the watch has undergone or at their discretion. In the context of the textile industry, these two terms mean two completely different things, where 'water resistant' refers to 'water repellant' more so than waterproofing.
Insider: Omega Olympic Pocket Watch 1932 Rattrapante Chronograph. Fitted with Double Column-Wheel Mechanism.
The Omega Olympic Pocket Watch 1932 Rattrapante Chronographs in 18K yellow, white or red gold have one of the most fascinating stories in the horological world. This fascinating pocket watches fitted with a rattrapante chronograph movement with a double column-wheel mechanism are powered by rediscovered unassembled movement kits that had been in storage at Omega’s headquarters for almost a century. According to the archives, several years ago, some unassembled chronograph movement kits were discovered in a hidden corner at Omega’s headquarters in Biel, Switzerland.
Experience: Grand Velas Riviera Maya. Vilebrequin Trunks and Watches are All You'll Need to Bring.
Memorial Day weekend officially marks the beginning of Summer for most watchlifestylers and watch collectors in the U.S., this time we are once again featuring the luxurious Grand Velas Resort in Riviera Maya, which happens to be one of our favorite destinations in that part of the world. Riviera Maya is a tourism paradise located in the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This secluded beach destination is only 25 miles south of Cancun and 5 miles away from Playa del Carmen. Grand Velas is a paradisiac oasis where luxury, fine dining and relaxation are the common denominators. Pack your Vilebrequin trunks and your watches and get ready to experience service at its finest.
Experience: An Evening with Kona Brewing Co. at the Omega Boutique Chicago. Pairing Craft Beer with Timepieces Works Brilliantly.
Earlier this week, we had the pleasure to be invited along with a select group of watch collectors and watchlifestylers, to an intimate beer tasting evening with Kona Brewing Co. at the Omega Boutique in Chicago. As usual, our friends from the Omega Boutique put together a very classy and fun event surrounding us by amazing timepieces in their showcases. As expected, the star of the night was the highly coveted Speedmaster 'Dark Side of the Moon' that several collectors were already sporting. Considering the huge beer connoisseurs that we are and our passion for timepieces, there was no way we would've missed this event.
News: Presenting the New Valbray EL1 Chronograph. 100-Piece Limited Edition in Partnership with Leica to Celebrate 100 Years of Leica Photography.
In a perfectly suited partnership with the iconic Leica camera from Germany, Valbray presents the new EL1 Chronograph Limited Edition watch. This watch featuring a diaphragm system like that in cameras, decided to join forces with Leica to celebrate 100 Years of Leica Photography. To make this watch even more special, its name EL1 comes from the initials of Ernst Leitz, one of the founders of the Leica brand.
Experience: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Hommage à l’Art de la Danse. A Vibrant Tribute to the World of Ballet and Edgar Degas..
acheron Constantin unveils three new one-of-a-kind additions to its Métiers d’Art Hommage à l’Art de la Danse collection, based on the highlights of a ballerina’s daily life: learning, training and performance. These creations from the workshops of the Manufacture revisit the ancestral art of Grand Feu grisaille enameling to highlight the art of classical ballet by reinterpreting the works of Edgar Degas. These three new one-of-a-kind models were given an exclusive presentation at the New York City Ballet on May 8th 2014. In becoming a patron of the Opéra National de Paris in 2007, Vacheron Constantin chose to provide a uniquely inspirational stage for the artisanal traditions of the Fine Watchmaking artistic crafts known in French as Métiers d’Art.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe ref. 5100 10-Day Power Reserve. A Very Special Timepiece Launched to Welcome the Millennium in The Year 2000.
To celebrate the arrival of the new millennium in the year 2000, Patek Philippe created a limited edition series of 3,000 watches under the ref. 5100. Of these 3,000 watches, only 1,500 were made in 18K yellow gold with white dial, 300 in platinum with black dial, 450 in 18K white gold with blue dial and 750 in 18K rose gold with a brown dial. This watch featuring an entirely new chronometer movement with a 10-day power reserve represented a first in the history of watchmaking.
News: Breguet Adds Two Pocket Watches To Their Historical Collection. 750,000 Swiss Francs Well Spent.
At the Christie’s auction in Geneva last week, Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Montres Breguet SA, acquired two emblematic lots: the Breguet No. 4039, an extremely fine half quarter repeating watch with eccentric hour dial and the indication of the date, and the extremely rare Breguet Tourbillon No. 1176 which belonged to Count Potocki. These two exceptional pieces were auctioned for a total amount of 750’000 Swiss Francs.
News: Leo Messi Visits The Audemars Piguet Manufacture in Le Brassus. The King of Soccer Gets a Lesson in Watchmaking.
Four-time Golden Ball winner Leo Messi paid a visit to the Manufacture Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus. An ambassador of the Swiss brand since 2010, the Argentine born prodigy took the opportunity to enrich his knowledge of Haute Horlogerie.
Accompanied by François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO, Audemars Piguet, Leo Messi visited the workshops where his namesake limited-edition watch is made.
Insider: HYT H2 Titanium Platinum SQ. Perfectly Suited for Those That Love Red Accents on Timepieces.
Earning its place in the sphere of high-end watchmaking by turning utopia into reality, HYT is continuing its quest for hybridization with the new H2 models. The perfect alliance between high-end watchmaking and fluid mechanics, the H2 was born as the result of a vision shared by the hydro mechanical horologists and the APRP team —Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi— overseen by Giulio Papi. Bolstered by the enthusiastic reception to its launch in 2012, HYT is continuing its immersion in the world of Haute Horlogerie and pushing the limits of hydro mechanics yet further with the new Baselworld 2014 H2.
News: Rare and Historical Panerai ref. 6152/1 Luminor Sells for 425,000 Swiss Francs at Sotheby's Important Watches Auction in Geneva.
Today May 14, 2014 Sotheby's Important Watches Auction took place in Geneva. While this auction didn't bring as much attention and high bidders as the Christie's auction two days ago, some interesting selling activity took place.
We do have to say, that we are quite surprised that many very interesting lots did not sell and those lots that were expected to fetch very high amounts, ended up realizing mediocre amounts under the low estimate or right in the middle.
News: Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948. An Iconic Timepiece in White and Blue.
A cult watch that has appealed to both men and women, the Reverso has shown up in all manner of fascinating guises since 1931. Featuring an attractive blend of elegance and sportiness, the Reverso became a great classic of the Art Deco cultural movement, of which it embodies the essential values: refinement, artistic craftsmanship and aesthetic clarity. Ever since its birth, and above and beyond its timekeeping function, the Reverso has played the role of a guardian of memories. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 with its stainless steel case revives the spirit of a bygone era.
News: Sotheby's Important Watches Sale in Geneva Taking Place Tomorrow. These are 23 Lots That You Should Follow Closely.
While Sotheby's Important Watches Sale in Geneva taking place tomorrow May 14, 2014 won't be as big as the Christie's sale, it for sure will have some wow factor coming from 23 lots that we will be following very closely. This upcoming sale taking place tomorrow in Geneva, includes 342 lots divided in two sessions:
News: Christie's Important Watches Sale in Geneva Totals $27.2 Million USD. Here are Some of the Highlights.
Yesterday, May 12th, 2014, Christie's Important Watches Sale in Geneva brought in a total of $27,230,528 USD Inclusive of Buyer's Premiums. Once again and surpassing all expectations, this sale surpassed last year's Christie's Rolex Daytona "Lesson One" Auction —a prestigious single-themed evening auction featuring 50 exceptional examples of the world's most celebrated chronograph wristwatch, that totaled $13,248,167 USD while selling 100% by lot and by value.
News: An Extremely Rare Rolex ref. 5029/5028 with Cloissoné Dial Sells for More Than $1.2 Million USD at Christie's Auction in Geneva.
Today May 12, 2014 in Geneva, Christie's is presenting one of its most exceptional sales ever with 440 watches including a wide array of exceptional, rare and sought-after timepieces. Last night we brought you the information about 50 lots to be followed very closely here. The first part of the auction has just ended a few minutes ago and we are happy to inform you that lot 207, an extremely rare and unique 18K gold Rolex automatic wristwatch ref. 5029/5028 from 1949 featuring star numerals and cloisonné enamel dial sold for $1,249,915 USD, slightly above its estimate between $569,697 - $1,139,394 USD.
News: Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner ref. 7924 and Tudor Oysterdate Monte Carlo ref. 7149/0 Sell for $35,606 and $22,788 USD Respectively at Christie's Auction in Geneva.
A few minutes ago in Geneva, during Christie's Important Watches Auction, two highly collectible stainless steel Tudor references —Lot 247 and 248— sold way above their estimates. The first one, a Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner, ref. 7924, circa 1958 fitted with the automatic calibre 390 and red pointer bezel insert sold for $35,606 USD.
News: Today is Christie's Important Watches Auction in Geneva. 440 Lots Including Some of the Most Sought-after Watches from Patek, Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Panerai Amongst Others.
Today May 12, 2014 in Geneva, Christie's will be presenting one of its most exceptional sales ever with 440 watches including a wide array of exceptional, rare and sought-after timepieces, certain to attract a large international audience. Collector’s pieces signed by the world’s most famous watchmakers, including some with Royal provenance such as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman
Experience: WatchCollectingLifestyle Hosts Luncheon for Chicago Members of The Rolex Forums.
If watch forums like The Rolex Forums, Timezone, ThePurists or Watchuseek had never existed, it is very likely that the boom of digital watch publications —like ours— would've never taken place and we probably would've not been around at all. Little to no credit is given to some of these most visited watch forums in the world regarding the significant amount of consumer generated content that is hosted by them nor the amazing knowledge and expertise that some of their members possess.
News: IWC Presents Two New Ingenieur Watches. The Ingenieur Automatic Carbon Performance Ceramic and The Ingenieur Dual Time in Stainless Steel with Two Dial Variants.
IWC Schaffhausen unveils two magnificent new additions to the Ingenieur watch family. In its role as Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, the Swiss watch manufacturer has been inspired to create new works of haute horlogerie. Limited to an edition of just 1,000, the Ingenieur Automatic Carbon Performance Ceramic, for example, features materials typically found in motor racing.
