Another one of our picks and a favorite at the Phillips Watches Auction in Geneva, Lot 69 a rare and stunning Patek Philippe ref. 530 Oversize Chronograph from 1942 just sold for CHF 680,000 Swiss Francs. With an original estimate of 500,000-1,000,000 Swiss Francs, this safe queen is another one of the most expensive Patek Philippe wristwatches ever sold at auction.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar. Grande Complication Prize and Public Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar was presented at the SIHH 2013 and was awarded two prizes at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève the same year —not only it received the Grande Complication Prize but also the Public Prize. This fascinating timepiece available in Platinum or Pink Gold —like the one we are reviewing here— is not only amazing from an horological standpoint but also extraordinary when it comes to its visual appeal and looks.
Insider: Rolex Explorer II ref. 216570 White Dial a.k.a Polar. Hands-on Review of our Favorite Modern Era Rolex.
Considering that it's been a while since we last published a hands-on review of a modern Rolex timepiece, we decided to work on this special review of what we consider to be our favorite modern era Rolex watch. As you all know, Rolex is the typical gateway to the luxury watch category and a brand with the highest 'top of mind' in the luxury watch world. Additionally, Rolex ranks as one of the top five most valuable brands when it comes to luxury goods.
News: Presenting the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time ref. 7700V. Three Different Dials to Make Things Even Better.
After presenting the new version of its iconic Overseas collection at the SIHH 2016 as we brought you all the new models here, today we bring you the news on the just released Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time. Available in three different dials —blue ref. 7700V/110A-B172, silver-toned ref. 7700V/110A-B129 and chocolate brown ref. 7700V/110A-B176—, this new watch brings to the table the strong expertise that Vacheron Constantin possesses in the field of worldtimers.
Insider: Presenting the new Arnold & Son TES Blue Tourbillon. Hands-on with a Strikingly Beautiful 25-piece Limited Edition.
True to English watchmaking heritage, we present you our hands-on with the new Arnold & Son TES Blue Tourbillon with blue CVD main plate. This new watch part of the Royal Collection which combines classic styling with leading-edge technology, was previously only available in 18K red gold with NAC anthracite grey main plate.
Insider: Breguet Hora Mundi ref. 5727. Hands-on with the New Version of this World Timer.
The new Breguet Classique Hora Mundi ref. 5727 ref. 5727BB/12/9ZU in 18K white gold is the perfect successor to the previous iteration of the Hora Mundi ref. 5717 —only available in rose gold or platinum. The Breguet Classique Hora Mundi ref. 5727 is a very easy to use world timer in terms of functionality and one of our all time favorites when it comes to classical design. Still fitted with a robust 43mm case like its predecessor, the new Hora Mundi ref. 5727 maintains all the Breguet design cues including the delicately fluted caseband and the welded lugs with screw bars.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone. One of Our Top Five World Timers in the World.
The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone ref. 116.032 is by far one of the nicest luxury world timers in the industry. This exceptional timepiece from Saxony simultaneously indicates the home time as well as 24 different time zones across the world in a subsidiary hour/minute indicator equipped with night and day indicator. A peripheral city ring makes it possible to set the different time zones with the push of a button conveniently located on the case band. Fitted with an elegant highly polished 18K rose gold case —also available in platinum, 18K yellow gold or 18K white gold— measuring 41.9 mm in diameter and 11 mm in thickness, the A. Lange & Söhne Time Zone is understated, functional and extremely beautiful.
Experience: Thirdman Eau Monumentale. A Cologne that Smells as Classic as a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso on the Wrist.
The Thirdman Eau Monumentale is one of our favorite colognes at this moment. With Extraordinary freshness, unprecedented comfort, unisex and with the ability to splash it or spray it thanks to its removable sprayer, this fragrance is the epitome of modernity, class and understated elegance. A complete new attitude in luxury fragrances that will feel on your skin as classic as that Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso does on your wrist.
Insider: HYT H1 Full Gold. Hands-on with a Massive Watch That's Not As Heavy as We Thought.
The new HYT H1 Full Gold is all that HYT was missing so far. The new HYT H1 Full Gold is fitted with an 18K rose gold case measuring 48.8 mm in diameter and a thickness of 17.9 mm just like all other H1 pieces. Fitted with a gold dial with black fluid, this HYT is very reminiscent of a close relative, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470OR we featured here.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar ref. 3974R. One of the Most Legendary Minute Repeaters in the World.
There are special watches and then there's this ultra rare and legendary Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar ref. 3974R in 18K rose gold. This is for sure, one of the most coveted minute repeaters in the world and one that was only produced in very small quantities by Patek Philippe between 1989 and 2000. Released in 1989 to mark the 150th anniversary of Patek Philippe and the relaunch of their wrist minute repeater, the reference 3974 brings two of the most noble horological complications to the table: a minute repeater and a perpetual calendar.
News: Presenting the New Officine Panerai Radiomir 1940 Minute Repeater Carillon Tourbillon GMT PAM 600. The Most Complicated Panerai Ever and Price Starting at $400K USD.
The most exciting news of the week so far are here. May we present you the most complicated Panerai to date and an exceptional piece that combines several complications in one amazing watch. The new Officine Panerai Radiomir 1940 Minute Repeater Carillon Tourbillon GMT PAM 600, combines a minute repeater carrillon, a dual time zone GMT complication and a tourbillon. Fully developed and conceptualized at the manufacture in Neuchâtel, what makes this Panerai more special is the fact that the minute repeater features a carillon with three different sounds indicating the time through a melody.
Insider: Presenting the New HYT H2 Alinghi. Hands-on with the First HYT in Full Untreated Titanium.
For the second year of their partnership with the Alinghi sailing team, HYT and Alinghi hoist their sails even higher with the new H2 Alinghi which follows in the wake of the H4 Alinghi we reviewed here. For this particular watch and for the very first time in the history of HYT, the case on this new HYT H2 Alinghi is built of full untreated titanium.
Insider: Zenith Academy Tourbillon Georges Favre-Jacot. Hands-on with this Futuristic Piece of 'Haute Horlogerie'.
Absolute transparency ensuring unobstructed views of cutting-edge Zenith mechanics: the Zenith Academy Tourbillon Georges Favre-Jacot offers a futuristic take on 'Haute Horlogerie'. Its powerful design and innovative materials reveal an unprecedented ‘engine’ —El Primero Calibre 4805— combining two iconic complications from the Manufacture: the tourbillon and a fusée and chain transmission system.
Experience: Vilebrequin Swimwear and Three Divers. The Perfect Summer Companion for those Divers.
Vilebrequin was launched in Saint-Tropez —the heart of the French Riviera— back in 1971. Daytime, outside. View of the port. Café Sénéquier, meeting place of the happy few on the French Riviera. In the background, the village is abuzz with the news of the imminent arrival of Brigitte Bardot with her admirers, to spend a night at one of the legendary Saint-Tropez nightclubs. Music and champagne, non-stop! The stars have their own country here, governed by the laws of pleasure, carefree living and legend.
Insider: Hublot Classic Fusion Dallas Cowboys Limited Edition. First Luxury Brand to Ever Partner with an NFL Team.
Today, we bring you three of the watches product of the partnership between Hublot and the 'America's Team'. Yes, we are talking about a very special partnership between the legendary Dallas Cowboys and Hublot. Whether you were a fan of Roger Staubach or not, this watch presented at the end of 2014, will interest you as Hublot is the official watch and timekeeper of the Dallas Cowboys and the first luxury brand to ever partner with an NFL team in the U.S.
Macros: Louis Moinet Tourbillon Piece Unique. 18K White Gold Hand Engraved Case & Sapphire Crystal Dial.
Louis Moinet was one of the greatest watchmakers ever and the inventor of the chronograph in 1816. Today, his spirit lives on thanks to Jean-Marie Schaller, who as founder and creative director of the Louis Moinet brand, revived the prestigious name of the inspirational master watchmaker.
Insider: Breguet Classique Small Seconds ref. 7147. Hands-on with a Very Slim and Super Elegant 'Time Only' Watch.
In our book, Breguet stands for ultimate elegance and unparalleled classical horological design and such is the case of the newest addition to the Breguet family. We are talking about the 'time only' Breguet Classique Small Seconds ref. 7147. This new timepiece, that couldn't be more Breguet as it is heavily fueled by the rich DNA and history of the brand is available in 18K rose gold or 18K white gold.
Insider: Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller D-Blue Dial ref. 116660 a.k.a James Cameron. Built like a Marine Tank and Exceptionally Beautiful.
It's been a long time since we've done a hands-on review of a Rolex timepiece. While we've never been big fans of the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller ref. 116660 since its launch several years ago, we've always liked the looks of the D-Blue dial version a.k.a. James Cameron that came out in August of 2014. A watch that doesn't fly under the radar due to its crazy thick case construction —17.7 mm thick—, this ultra-resistant diver's watch was engineered by Rolex to conquest the deep.
Insider: Arnold & Son Eight-Day Royal Navy. A Gorgeous Stainless Steel Timepiece with a Polished Lacquered Guilloché Dial, Priced Just Right.
Demonstrating its rich British history and quality Swiss craftsmanship, the Arnold & Son Eight-Day Royal Navy brings the best from this manufacture in a stainless steel piece at a very nice entry level price point for this calibre of watch. This watch is a testament to Arnold & Son's tradition of building marine chronometers. With a stunning new eight-day power reserve movement, it is part of the sophisticated Royal Collection that took its inspiration from the timepieces commissioned by King George III.
Rare Bird: Zenith El Primero Striking 10th Limited Edition. Equipped with 'Foudroyante' Seconds and 36,000 vph.
The Zenith El Primero Striking Tenth limited edition is without a doubt, one of our favorite chronographs out there and one, that you rarely run into. Released in 2010 in a limited edition of 1969 pieces in stainless steel or 500 pieces in 18K rose gold, its case measuring 42 mm, features the traditional faceted straight lugs of the iconic El Primero chronograph. Christened 'El Primero' —meaning ‘the first'— and presented on January 10th 1969. Its exceptional performance made it possible to develop and launch two calibres, the '3019 PHC' for the chronograph with date and the '3019 PHF' for the chronograph with triple date and moon phase.
