For all Super Mario fans the long wait is finally over, RJ-Romain Jerome is now releasing the Super Mario Bros. collection. In honor of the game’s 30th anniversary, RJ is adding the center piece to its Generational Icons collection. In a 46mm case RJ has recreated the essence of the original Super Mario Bros. game from 1985. Nintendo’s legendary character Mario is exceptionally dressed in his recognizable red shirt and blue overalls with his famous jump and iconic mushroom. These most symbolic elements of the game are depicted on the dial and are all captured in the visual style that captivated a generation. The Super Mario Bros. timepiece is limited to 85 pieces to echo 1985, the year the game launched.
The new collaboration between RJ-Romain Jerome and Nintendo is a tribute to this genre-defining video game of the 8-bit era, the first of its kind.
Insider: Breguet Classique ref. 7787. Hands-on with a Simple, Elegant and Beautiful Timepiece.
Today, we bring you our hands-on review of the Breguet Classique ref. 7787BR/12/9V6, a simple, elegant and extremely good looking timepiece. The Breguet Classique ref. 7787 is a perfect example of Breguet's DNA in a timepiece that offers a moon phase and power reserve complications. Fitted with an 18K rose gold case —also available in 18K white gold— measuring 39 mm in diameter by 10.2 in thickness, the Classique ref. 7787 brings the best from this manufacture at a somewhat reasonable price. The Classique ref. 7787 not only features all the traditional Breguet elements, but seems to be one of the best selling Breguets out there for those looking for a point of entry timepiece from this manufacture.
Photo Gallery: Armin Strom One Week Skeleton. Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to all Our U.S. Readers.
In 2009, Armin Strom presented their first in-house movement the manual wound calibre ARM09, which happens to be the same base calibre powering the exceptional One Week Skeleton. The One Week Skeleton ref. RG14-WS.5N is fitted with a satin brushed 18K rose gold case measuring 43.4 mm in diameter and 13.00 mm in thickness. Fitted with a highly polished bezel and an anti-reflective treated sapphire crystal, the view of the skeletonized dial is uncompromised. A perfect watch with brown tones to celebrate Thanksgiving. To all of you in the U.S. celebrating Thanksgiving, we wish you the best day with these captivating images of a stunning watch. We are thankful for your support, for our advertisers and for another year full of blessings and great watches. Now on to the photo gallery.
Insider: Richard Mille RM 38-01 Tourbillon G-Sensor Bubba Watson. Hands-On with the 50-Piece Limited Edition Worth $825,000 USD.
After the success of the Richard Mille Limited Edition RM 038 Golfer’s Tourbillon released in 2011, Richard Mille has undertaken the development of yet another specific tourbillon watch for Bubba Watson with added functionality to complement his powerful drives on the course. Finally, after a long wait, we were able to get our hands on one of these 50-piece limited edition watches and work on a proper hands-on review with live pictures. The Richard Mille RM 38-01 Tourbillon G-Sensor Bubba Watson, is a timepiece that combines a patented G-sensor with a tourbillon mechanism, thus providing new insights for golfers during their game. The mechanical G-sensor, a Richard Mille world first containing more than 50 moving parts within a mere 17mm, allows the user to see the accumulated motion of their swing in G’s. The sensor, placed under 12 o’clock, is able to record the force generated by a golfer’s swing, specifically during the last segment.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual 18K White Gold. A Stunning Flyback Chronograph with Perpetual Calendar.
Our friends from Saxony, A. Lange & Söhne have decided to expand its range of dial and metals for its Datograph chronograph collection several months ago. Two new highly attractive models, one a Datograph Up/Down in 18K pink gold with black dial and the other, an 18K white gold Datograph Perpetual with grey dial are now available. The Datograph Perpetual —available in 18K pink gold and silver dial up until now— is now also available in 18K white gold with a grey dial making it even more appealing to watch connoisseurs. The argenté-colored subsidiary dials and deep-blue moon disc on the new model of the Datograph Perpetual stand out particularly clearly thanks to the dial’s subtle grey background. Since 2006, the name has represented a combination of a flyback chronograph and a perpetual calendar, which will not require correction until 2100. If this does ever become necessary, however, the calendar indicators can be advanced either individually or synchronously. Its chronograph can measure times to an accuracy of one-fifth of a second.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 31. Equipped with an Outstanding 31-Day Power Reserve.
If you ever thought that an 8-day power reserve was impressive, the A. LAnge & Söhne Lange 31 is the first mechanical wristwatch with a power reserve of 31 days. Yes, this exceptional timepiece will run for a whole month when fully wound so that rotate timepieces in your collection as frequently as you want without losing a single beat or having to set your calendar because your timepiece stopped while wearing other watches in your collection. Additionally, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 31 it features a patented constant-force escapement, which makes it possible for the first time to actually harness such an extreme power reserve. This mechanism assures high rate stability and thus consistent rate accuracy for an entire month.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Tribute to Italy ref. 26326ST. Hands-On with this 500-Piece Limited Edition.
As you all know, 2015 has been a very important year for Milan as they hosted the World's Exhibition Expo 2015 from May 1st thru October 31st. As a Tribute to Italy, earlier this year, Audemars Piguet presented the Royal Oak Chronograph Tribute to Italy ref. 26326ST.OO.D027CA.01 in a 500-piece limited edition. Our friends from Le Brassus, seized the opportunity by creating this special limited edition of the Royal Oak Chronograph in stainless steel, a metal always favored by Italian AP connoisseurs. What we love the most about this limited edition because the color combination with plenty of blue in it, is the subtle touches that bring Italy into the design of this 'Tribute to Italy' Royal Oak Chronograph. Those subtle details that include the color blue —a preferred color among Italians— and the indices on the 30-minute counter; which borrow the iconic green, red and white of the Italian flag. The watch just like all other Royal Oak Chronos measuring 41 mm is perfectly fitted for every day wear.
Watch Shopping Guide: Zurich. All That You Dreamed of and More.
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.
