To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the manufacture, Zenith presented several special watches this year. Today, we bring you our hands-on review with our now usual live pictures of the new Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II ref. 18.2215.8805/36.C713 in tribute to the legendary explorer and discoverer of the Americas Christopher Columbus. This exceptional timepiece issued in an entirely hand-finished 10-piece limited edition, sets the stage for three major breakthroughs in watchmaking history: a patented Gravity Control system, fusée-chain transmission and an exceptional frequency of 36,000 vph.
News: James Bond's Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 from 1972 Sells for $365,000 USD at Phillips Auction Two. Live and Let Die.
Yesterday November 8th, 2015 in Geneva at the Phillips Watches Auction Number Two in partnership with Bacs & Russo, the Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 worn by Sir Roger Moore as James Bond, sold for $365,000 USD. The most recognizable watch in history with 1 billion people having watched the film “Live and Let Die”, the wristwatch worn on the wrist of Sir Roger Moore as James Bond is in fact a Rolex Submariner reference 5513 made in 1972, and was later modified for the movie. The present Rolex reference 5513 “Q” is the most unforgettable watch prop used in a movie and is even signed inside the caseback “Roger Moore 007”. As a highlight in the most iconic scenes of “Live and Let Die”, this watch is sure to interest both watch collectors and true fans of cinematography alike.
News: Vintage Patek Philippe Split Seconds Chronograph ref. 1436 Sells for $3.29 Million USD. One of Two Examples Known to Exist.
Yesterday November 8th, 2015 in Geneva at the Phillips Watches Auction Number Two in partnership with Bacs & Russo, another vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch sets a record at auction. Selling for $3.301 Million Swiss Francs —roughly $3.291 Million USD at today's exchange rate—, the Patek Philippe Split Seconds chronograph ref. 1436 makes history. With only two examples in stainless steel that are known to exist, this watch is far from the norm where the elite of watch manufacturers would reserve their most complicated and consequently valuable movements for precious metal cases. The consequence is, however, that lovers and collectors of the finest complicated vintage wristwatches will struggle to ever find a favorite piece in a stainless steel case. The perfect example of this theory is Patek Philippe, and only too many passionate collectors of the firm’s vintage pieces regret not to have yet seen a reference 2499, two crown world time, or vintage minute repeater in a stainless steel case.
News: ONLY Watch Auction Brings Crazy Money in Geneva. A Patek Philippe ref. 5016A Sells for $7.3 Million Swiss Francs.
With the proceeds from the sale donated to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy in order to help finance research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative neuromuscular disease affecting 1 in 3,500 boys, therefore 250,000 children, adolescents, and young adults around the world, the ONLY Watch auction executed by Phillips this afternoon in Geneva, brought crazy money. Some of the highlights of the auction include a Patek Philippe ref. 5016A selling for more than $7.3 Million Swiss Francs, a Richard Mille RM 27-02 prototype worn by Rafael Nadal sold for $650,000 Swiss Francs, an F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Bleu selling for $550,000 Swiss Francs, the long awaited Tudor Black Bay One for $375,000 Swiss Francs, a Hublot Classic Fussion Only Watch Britto for $135,000 Swiss Francs, a Louis Vuitton Escale World Time selling for $130,000 Swiss Francs, the Bell & Ross BR01 Skull Bronze Tourbillon bringing in $100,000 Swiss Francs and lastly the Breguet Type XXI Flyback in Platinum ref. 3813 for $90,000 Swiss Francs. Of all 44 lots, this eight lots brought in the most money.
News: The Tudor Heritage Black Bay One Sells for 375,000 Swiss Francs at the 2015 ONLY Watch Auction by Phillips.
For its first participation in the 6th ONLY Watch charity auction to take place on November this year, Tudor has decided to reinterpret one of the least known tool-watches in its history: reference 7923. Launched in the mid-1950s and produced in tiny quantities, this is the brand’s only divers’ watch to have been equipped with a hand-wound movement. It also stands out from the other divers’ watches produced by Tudor with its baton-type hands. Highly sought after by collectors today, this rare reference was an excellent starting point for the creation of a one-off model destined for this unique initiative. The Tudor Heritage Black Bay One created for this auction mixes the best of both worlds —vintage and modern— in a flawless execution. This unique piece Tudor Heritage Black Bay One created for Only Watch 2015 is part of Tudor's heritage inspired approach, reinterpreting the reference 7923 with enlightened freedom.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time. You Can't Get This Much Watch Elsewhere.
If you ask us which is the brand that gives you the most value for your money, we will always continue to say Jaeger-LeCoultre. Working on this hands-on review was yet another great chance to see why Jaeger-LeCoultre's value equation is so good. Whether you're looking at the brand's greatest complications or just at more simple time telling timepieces. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time is right on the money. Launched as part of the new Geophysic collection about a month ago, this new watch along with the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second bring 'haute horlogerie' movements at luxury timepiece prices. In 1958, the International Geophysical Year, Jaeger-LeCoultre created a chronometer for scientists on mission. Capable of withstanding the magnetic fields of the North Pole while losing nothing of its formidable precision, its overriding characteristic was extreme resistance. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time with its 41.6 mm x 11.84 mm case, is available in either stainless steel or 18K pink gold.
Insider: Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black ref. 79220N. 21 Days of Ownership and Still Loving It.
Today, we are going to approach this hands-on review in a very different way. Instead of focusing on all the technicalities and the pros and cons of this new watch, we will strongly focus on the emotions that surround a watch purchase and why we still love the new Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black a.k.a. the 'BBB' after 21 days of ownership. As you all watch collectors know, timepieces not only track time for us, but they also gather memories as we wear them. You guys also know —especially those of you that are compulsive watch flippers—, that many times we buy watches by impulse and as a mere 'fix' for that watch collecting addiction we have, only to end up flipping the new watch within days or just a few weeks after the purchase. Well, all we can say is that at least for us, this new Tudor BBB is a keeper for us.
Insider: Montblanc 1858 Manual Small Second. Three Different Models Plus One Limited Edition Piece All Under $4K USD.
Just released a week and a half ago at the SIAR 2015 in Mexico City, the new Montblanc 1858 Manual Second is another great addition to the new 1858 collection for the brand. Available in three different models, the Montblanc 1858 Manual Small Second brings a vintage look with contemporary design cues and excellent craftsmanship for the money. The four different models available include: Montblanc ref. 113860 a limited edition in 858 pieces fitted with a matte black dial with 'vintage' beige Arabic numerals and black alligator strap with contrast stitching, Montblanc ref. 112639 with a matte black dial and white Arabic numerals on stainless steel 'Milanese' mesh bracelet, Montblanc ref. 112638 with a matte black dial and white Arabic numerals on brown Sfumato —nubuck— leather strap and lastly a sunburst blue dial model with blue alligator strap for which we have no reference number and a piece that doesn't even appear on Montblanc's website or their brochures.
Insider: Introducing the New MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual. Hands-on with Live Pics and Pricing. The Brand's First Perpetual Calendar Changing How We've Looked at Perpetuals so Far.
Perhaps one of the top five biggest news of the year and a watch that we think for sure will be a prize recipient at the GPHG next year. May we now present you MB&F's first perpetual calendar. The new MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual is a perpetual calendar timepiece that is reinventing the most traditional horological complication. The new MB&F LM Perpetual, developed from the ground up with independent Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, breaks all codes and perspectives on how we've looked at perpetual calendars up until now.
While conventional perpetual calendars are generally modules comprising the complication which is fitted on top of an existing movement, the calendar indications are synchronized by a long lever —called 'grand levier' in French— running across the top of the complication and passing through the center.
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour Limited Edition. 200 Pieces for Those that Play Poker for a Living.
The World Poker Tour —WPT— is the premier name for the internationally televised poker gaming tournaments. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. To mark the announcement of Hublot's entry into the world of poker, the brand has developed yet another limited edition —in addition to all others— named Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour ref. 411.SX.1170.LR.WPT15 with a design that suitably encapsulates the world of poker. The watch chosen to entice the players was the iconic Big Bang, equipped with the in-house Unico Manufacture Chronograph, unique in the industry for its column wheel and double clutch visible on the dial side. The Hublot Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour is available in a 200-piece limited edition and is fitted with a 45 mm mirror polished and microblasted stainless steel case with a matching mirror polished and microblasted bezel with engravings of the four iconic poker game suits —spade, club, heart and diamond.
Insider: Richard Mille RM 63-02 World Timer Automatic. Fitted with a Special Mechanism on its Bezel.
Richard Mille first unveiled the RM 58-01 Tourbillon World Timer at the SIHH 2013. Designed for frequent travelers and others alike, this timepiece made a strong impression thanks to its remarkably easy to use multi-time-zone mechanism. When designing the RM 58-01, Richard Mille’s goal was to simplify the setting of this complication as far as possible, notably by removing the pusher. Now, just a week ago, Richard Mille unveiled the RM 63-02 World Timer Automatic at the SIAR in Mexico City. After working on this hands-on review with live pictures, our first impression of the watch is that while the round shape doesn't immediately convey Richard Mille, the rest of the watch DNA does. While there are other Richard Mille timepieces out there with a round shape like the RM 028 Diver or this watch's predecessor the RM 58-01 Tourbillon, we are more used to identify Richard Mille timepieces by their tonneau-shaped cases.
News: The Winners of the 2015 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. Congratulations to the Winners and Especially to Greubel Forsey for Winning the 'Aiguille d'Or' Grand Prix.
Excellence, innovation and watchmaking expertise were duly rewarded today October 29th, 2015 at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, on the occasion of the 15th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève —GPHG— prize-giving ceremony. The international jury of this edition 2015 of the GPHG handed out 16 prizes, including the supreme “Aiguille d’Or”, distinction, awarded to Greubel Forsey for the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision. Jointly hosted by Melanie Winiger and Frédéric Beigbeder, the ceremony was attended by around 1,500 guests including influential figures from the world of watchmaking, finance and politics, who congregated in Geneva for this annual celebration of the 12th art. This 15th edition of the GPHG registered a record participation with representation from all the major watchmaking groups as well as a number of independent companies.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher. Hands-On with The World's First Mechanical Chronograph with Independent Memory and Three Column Wheels.
Earlier this year, Audemars Piguet unveiled the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher ref. 26221FT.OO.D002CA.01. Finally, we were able to get our hands on one of the watches to bring you this hands-on review and live pictures. The watch, was a true collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Michael Schumacher, taking five years to come to fruition after Schumacher challenged Audemars Piguet to create a watch with the ability to measure and record an extended series of consecutive lap times. In late 2010, F1 legend and Audemars Piguet ambassador Michael Schumacher posed an apparently simple question to the engineers at Audemars Piguet: would it be possible to create a mechanical wristwatch designed specifically for use in motorsport which would make it possible to measure and record an extended series of consecutive lap times?
Insider: Armin Strom Skeleton Pure Earth. This 100-Piece Limited Edition is a Perfect Example of Skeletonization.
Since we know that not everyone has a chance to see the watches we review here in the metal —especially when it comes to some of the more exclusive independent brands with a limited distribution network and limited production—, we try to bring you live images under natural light so that those of you that don't have the opportunity to see the watches in person, can get a clear idea of what we are talking about, when we say that Armin Strom is a true master of skeletonization. As we've said it before, Armin Strom is a brand that excels in the art of skeletonization and the Skeleton Pure Earth ref. ST15-PE.40 we are reviewing here, is a perfect example of it. The Armin Strom Skeleton Pure Earth like all other Armin Strom timepieces, is fitted with a case measuring 43.4 mm in diameter and 13.4 mm thick.
Insider: Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition. Our Hands-On Review with Live Pictures and Pricing.
Just released a few days ago at the SIAR 2015 in Mexico City —which we attended—, the new Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition brings the best of the vintage world to the modern era in what we think is a flawless execution. While Montblanc's watchmaking history is still short, the Richemont brand has taken great strides in the past three years to become a 'haute horlogerie' force with a very competitive pricing strategy. Taking advantage of the horological resources of the Richemont watch conglomerate, Montblanc now presents a vintage inspired chronograph powered by the legendary Minerva calibre with its iconic 'V-shaped' bridge. The 1858 collection is inspired by the heritage of Minerva as one of Switzerland's most revered timekeeping specialists and its spirit has been revived in an contemporary vintage timepiece that is just stunning in the metal. Like its historic predecessor from the 1930s, the Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter comes with a black dial and historical shaped hands with aged lume.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574OR. A Look into the History of the Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel Since 1983.
Just released a little bit over a month ago on September 14, 2015, we patiently awaited until we could finally meet with Audemars Piguet to work on a proper hands-on review of this new stunning Perpetual Calendar and bring you our usual live pics under natural light . Well, the reward was worth the wait. As you will see in this post, the live pictures we took bring the watch to a different level, as if you could almost touch the dial. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel —Perpetual Calendar— ref. 26574, joins all other Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars previously released since 1981 but with a larger case at 41 mm and a new automatic calibre. Audemars Piguet has an uninterrupted history of creating exceptional calendar watches that goes back to the company’s origins over 140 years ago. Sales of Audemars Piguet’s first full calendar wristwatches with phases of the moon began in 1924 and according to the Archives, the first perpetual calendar wristwatch was made and delivered in 1950.
News: Introducing the Richard Mille RM 030 Automatic 'Black Dash'. A 50-Piece Limited Edition Right on Time for the SIAR Mexico City 2015.
As the SIAR 2015 kicks-off in Mexico City today, we are pleased to announce the new Richard Mille RM 030 Automatic 'Black Dash'. We will bring you live pictures later today. The newest version of Richard Mille’s RM 030 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor, cloaked in black with scarlet red details, debuts as the dark and dramatic sibling to previous editions of the popular tonneau-shaped timepiece. Like a carbon negative to this year’s White Rush limited edition, the Black Dash incorporates boundary-pushing new materials and a hand-finished innovative movement to achieve a new level of style and performance in haute horlogerie. Black TZP sand-blasted ceramic forms the front and back bezels of the RM 030 Black Dash, while its caseband is comprised of incredibly strong and light black NTPT carbon. The watch’s crown and rubber strap are also black, while the combination of red and white for its Arabic numerals, hands, indicators and inner flange produce a high degree of legibility.
News: The SIAR 2015—Salón Internacional Alta Relojería México— Kicks Off Tomorrow October 20, 2015. Live Coverage Right Here.
Only one day left before the 9th edition of the 'Salón Internacional Alta Relojería México' a.k.a. SIAR kicks-off at the St. Regis Hotel in Mexico City from October 20-22, 2015. The SIAR is the most important show in Latin America for exhibiting, promoting and selling fine timepieces in the region. A premium international event where locals and foreigners of very high disposable income —by invitation only— gather to share their love and passion for horology. Established in 2007, the SIAR has turned into a 'must attend' event among other international horology events including Baselworld and the SIHH. With over 17,000 attendees since its first edition and more than 50 exclusive brands involved, the SIAR is now the greatest watch event in the American continent. Participating brands this year include Armin Strom, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, F.P. Journe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, MB&F, HYT, Richard Mille, De Bethune, MCT, Ressence and Tudor amongst others.
News: Introducing the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black ref. 79220N. What Everyone was Dreaming of and More.
The day Tudor unveiled the Black Bay One unique piece for ONLY Watch Auction —as we reported here—, everyone started dreaming of Tudor one day releasing the model for the general public. While the new Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black ref. 79220N is not exactly identical to the Black Bay One made for the ONLY Watch Auction —as it lacks of the red writing on the dial—, this new model is a wonderful addition to the Heritage Black Bay lineup joining its siblings the Black Bay Burgundy Red and the Black Bay Blue. After receiving the information from the brand, we immediately knew that this watch was going to be a home run and probably sold out the same day its hitting the stores. Hopefully we will be able to get one today as it is supposed to be available at the Tudor authorized dealer network. We'll keep you posted on that front.
News: Introducing the HYT H4 Alinghi. Live Pictures and Pricing. Fitted with a Mechanically Powered White Light Under the Crystal.
Innovation within tradition, the DNA of haute horlogerie, the movement heritage, and so on: forget it all. HYT does things its own way, and discards these received ideas. Need a known quantity to hang on to? Good news: the H4 Alinghi tells the time. As for the rest, you will need to forget anything that has been seen, designed, or even imagined before now. Nothing has changed, except the essential. The chassis is a familiar beast. Since the start of the year, the H4 has had more ink in publicity than it has in its capillary. It is based on the same movement architecture as the H1, HYT's inaugural piece, which has been completely skeletonized. With a 65-hour power reserve, it unveiled its sculptural mechanism for the very first time and opened up a new creative universe for HYT. One so appealing that the brand decided not to meddle with it: the new H4 Alinghi is virtually a carbon copy of its big brother. Or is it? All is not as it seems. Using this as its basis, HYT has returned to its favourite game: creating, surprising, sometimes unsettling, always astounding. This time the brand has applied a radiant idea, as brilliant as it is difficult to spot at first glance.
