Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland approximately 25 miles from the German border. Zurich is a very cosmopolitan, affluent city considered one of the top financial centers of the world —home to several global financial companies and banks including UBS and Credit Suisse— and a perfect destination for watch shopping.
Experience: The New Patek Philippe Salon at De Boulle River Oaks District in Houston. A Perfect Evening.
Last Tuesday November 17, 2015, we had the pleasure to attend the celebration of the opening of the new Patek Philippe salon at the new De Boulle location in the ultra upscale River Oaks District in Houston. The River Oaks District, is a luxury retail paradise comparable to the Miami Design District or to Oak Street in Chicago. The new modern development is located on the famous Westheimer Rd. next to the Afton Oaks neighborhood and a block away from Hotel Derek. The River Oaks District is set to become the top shopping destination in Houston with boutiques that include Brunello Cucinelli, Canali, Chopard, Dior, De Boulle, Etro, Giuseppe Zanotti, Intermix, Moncler, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Tom Ford, our favorite Vilebrequin swimwear and also our favorite Vietnamese restaurant from New York and Chicago, Le Colonial. After more than a decade without the opening of a new Patek Philippe Salon in the United States, De Boulle presents a unique shopping experience at its new location.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface. A Very Elegant Dual Time Zone Watch.
Very little introduction is needed for a Grande Reverso, but this Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface is unlike any other Reverso as it is fitted with a second dial on the verso side instead of the traditional case back perfectly suited for engraving. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface was first created in 1994, reinventing the reading of a second time zone, thanks to the magic of its reversible capabilities. This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre takes this amazing watch one step further by releasing it in an ultra thin case. Opposed to what most people think, this watch is powered by one single movement. Fitted with a pink gold case measuring 46.8mm long, 27.4mm wide and only 9.1mm thick, the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface ref. 3782520, features a silvered opaline dial with small seconds on the recto side while on the verso side is equipped with a gorgeous black 'Clous de Paris' 'guilloché' dial for the second time zone with a 24-hour day/night indicator and luminescent material on the hands.
Insider: HYT Skull Maori. A 15-Piece Limited Edition with a Rare Hand Engraved Maori Tribal Tattoo.
Today, we are bringing you our hands-on review of the new HYT Skull Maori. The HYT Skull was released in January 2015 in two model variations —Green Eye and Red Eye— and we brought you our hands-on review here. If you thought that the HYT Skull Green Eye or Red Eye was impressive, the new HYT Skull Maori brings the watch to a new level, thanks to its hand engraved skull featuring a Maori tribal tattoo. The Maori, are a tribe of indigenous people from New Zealand that commonly have a body art, known as 'Moko' or Maori tattooing. This body art form was brought to the New Zealand Maori from Eastern Polynesia. Maori tattooing is considering a sacred form of body art and a legend states that the Maori tattooing came from the underworld. This legend states that a young warrior called Mataora, fell in love with the princess of the underworld, named Niwareka. After marrying and mistreating Niwareka, Mataora sent her back to the underworld, but then filled with guilt, decided to follow her in order to apologize.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting the Richard Mille RM 67-01 Extra Flat. First Time Richard Mille Does an Extra Flat in a Tonneau Shaped Case.
The Richard Mille collection distinguishes itself by having created not one, but several models within a short timespan that have become recognized by collectors and insiders alike as ultimate icons of contemporary watchmaking. And one of the most popular icons must certainly be the RM 010 Automatic, whose pure lines and functions have always found resonance with clients everywhere. Never one to sit still, Richard Mille felt that the moment has arrived to present a new iteration destined to become another icon of the future: the RM 67-01 Automatic Extra Flat. The mechanical aspect of creating a thin automatic has its own set of particular difficulties, but one of the dual challenges is to combine this type of movement design with the creation of a sense of visual depth within the movement —a central tenet to Richard Mille’s approach.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5980/1R-001. One of the Most Beautiful Rose Gold Watches in the World.
Before I started this website, I was already known to be one of the biggest watch purchase instigators out there, every time I would post comments or post pictures on different watch fora —or forums as most people prefer to pluralize the word as such. In only two years of existence, we have positioned our website as one of the leading watch destinations for 'top-notch' watch content with amazing live photography and barely any stock images as many other watch blogs or watch websites do. Furthermore, we are perhaps the biggest instigators of watch purchases when watch collectors are seeking for that little push as they are standing on the edge of a watch purchase. This time, we will limit the use of words for this watch review and let the images do the real talking. When it comes to a watch like the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5980/1R-001, really how much there is to review or say about the watch. We all know how iconic the Nautilus line is —launched in 1976 and still looking timeless— and we also know what makes this Patek Philippe chronograph one of the best watches out there.
News: Presenting the New Tudor Fastrider Black Shield ref. 42000CN. Inspired by the Ducati XDiavel and Available Via Special Order.
Directly inspired by the distinctive sporting elegance of the new Ducati XDiavel, Tudor adds a third model to the existing Fastrider Black Shield collection with a new matte black and white version of the Fastrider Black Shield. Just like the other two models, the new watch is fitted with a 42 mm monobloc high-tech bead blasted black matte ceramic case, automatic chronograph and date function. The Tudor Fastrider was originally created in 2011 to mark the partnership between Tudor and Ducati, becoming the technical and sporty TUDOR line dedicated to the world of performance motorbikes. In 2013, with the Fastrider Black Shield Chronograph and its matte black monobloc ceramic middle case, TUDOR presented the result of a cross-disciplinary approach to design, connecting the world of sports motorbikes to that of fine watchmaking. The collaboration also extended to the customization of a Ducati Diavel using the same design language. In 2015, a new Ducati —the XDiavel— has inspired Tudor to create a new edition of its all-ceramic chronograph.
Experience: 1964 Ferrari 250 Le Mans by Scaglietti. When You Stumble Into a Legendary $14-18 Million USD Racing Car.
It's been a while since we've ran into a special automobile worthy of featuring. Today, we bring you one of the most legendary Ferraris and classic cars ever made, with only thirty-two examples ever produced and its price tag anywhere between $14-18 Million USD. The Ferrari 250 Le Mans, a.k.a Ferrari 250 LM, was presented at the end of 1963 to replace the Ferrari 250 GTO. Originally produced to compete in the GT class, the 250 Le Mans was forced to compete as a sports-prototype since Ferrari didn't meet the 100-vehicle requirement that the FIA stipulated at the time. The Ferrari P series cars, were mid-engine prototype racing machines that at the same time, were street legal. The predecessor to the Ferrari 250 LM was the Ferrari 250 GTO, evolving into a mid-engine racing car sold to the general public and released under the name Ferrari 250 Le Mans. Launched at the Paris Auto Show at the end of 1963, the Le Mans became very successful among the elite of private car racers around the globe. A winner of the 1965 '24 Hours of Le Mans', the 250 LM stands as the last Ferrari to win at an Endurance Race.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574 in Stainless Steel. Hands-On with the New Grail Watch for AP Lovers.
Released almost two months ago, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574 in stainless steel is quickly joining the ranks of grail watches for AP lovers and purists. On this hands-on review of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 26574ST.00.1220ST.01, we will tell you why in our opinion, this is a new AP grail and a perfect daily wearer for most watchlifestylers. Since we already discussed the history of the Royal Oak Perpetual calendars since 1983 during our review of the rose gold version ref. 26574OR.00.1220OR.02 here, we will skip those details and head straight to the watch. But not before we warn you that our live pictures are so good that you better have that card number ready, because we know you will be calling your nearest Audemars Piguet boutique right away after reading this post. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel —Perpetual Calendar— ref. 26574, joins all other Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars previously released since 1983 but with a larger case at 41 mm and a new automatic calibre.
Experience: A Vintage Racing Weekend with Zenith at the Circuit of the Americas. Simply an Unforgettable Experience. Part Two of Two.
If you read yesterday's post about our vintage racing weekend experience with Zenith, continue reading part two of this unbelievable weekend. Now, if you did not read yesterday's post, we advice you to first read part one here. Just as if day one of our vintage racing experience with Zenith wasn't exhilarating enough, wait till you see the last part of our time at the Circuit of the Americas. Could it get any better after what we posted yesterday? Well, it actually does. After a nice evening on Saturday filled with Negronis, Austin's staple Tito's Vodka and a few glasses of champagne, we woke up early morning on Sunday to head to the track for the Hawk Performance Historic GT/GTP Enduro race that was supposed to start at 10:15am. After gearing up with the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Limited Edition and our matching red ear muffs, we arrived at the Paddock. Few minutes later, vintage and modern cars were about to start lining up on the pre-grid for the race.
Experience: A Vintage Racing Weekend with Zenith at the Circuit of the Americas. Simply an Unforgettable Experience. Part One of Two.
This past weekend, we were part of a select group of invitees —mainly collectors— invited by Zenith watches to be part of an amazing vintage racing experience at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The Circuit of the Americas —COTA— is a FIA Formula One grade track with 20 turns, a length of 3.427 miles —5.515 km— and home to the Formula One United States Grand Prix since 2012. Additionally, the circuit also hosts the MOTO GP of the Americas, the Road Racing World Championship, the FIA Endurance Championship and the SVRA U.S. Vintage Racing Championship amongst others. This weekend's experience courtesy of Zenith, was far from average and one that we will hardly ever forget. Being the crazy Formula One fans that we are, setting foot in the actual track, was a long life dream that was about to come true.
Insider: Armin Strom Skeleton Pure Water. One of the Winners of the 2015 Red Dot Product Design Award.
This time, we are bringing you our hands-on review of the Armin Strom Skeleton Pure Water, one of the winners at the 2015 Red Dot Product Design Awards. For those of you not familiar with the Red Dot Award, this competition dates back to 1955 and is organized by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen. With more than 17,000 entries each year is one of the best-respected design competitions in the world. The sought-after award, the “Red Dot”, is the revered international seal of outstanding design quality. You can read more about it here. Now, back to our hands-on review of this Armin Strom Skeleton Pure Water, made by a very exclusive independent brand by nature and also one with a very limited production of around 500 pieces a year —all of them of course handmade. Just to put things in perspective, Rolex makes one million watches a year and a more exclusive brand like Breguet, close to 30,000. The live images under natural light you'll see here, will give you the best idea of what we are talking about, when it comes to a brand like Armin Strom which is known to be a true master of skeletonization.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Introducing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in 18K Yellow Gold. As Warm and Brilliant as the Sun.
n 2016, Audemars Piguet brings the enduring lustre of yellow gold back to the forefront. Launched in 1972, the Royal Oak was the first luxury watch to treat stainless steel, and meticulously craft, polish and decorate it, like a precious metal. As the copy on the first campaign mentioned: "A Tribute to Steel" and then the following one: "Steel at the price of Gold". Using steel in such a manner was a risk, yet ultimately a game-changing triumph. The revolution it launched opened a new and extremely creative chapter for Audemars Piguet, during which it explored traditional and unconventional materials in great depth: platinum, carbon, alacrite, bronze, rubber, ceramic, titanium, tantalum, etc.
Insider: Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II. Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Manufacture in a 10-Piece Limited Edition.
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.
