Nothing beats an evening at the penthouse of The Joule Hotel here in Dallas surrounded by an exclusive group of watch collectors, the team at the Hublot Dallas Boutique, Rick De La Croix —Hublot's President for Latin America—, amazing watches and us. Yesterday evening, we gathered at this exclusive setting, to host a 'Watch Collectors Night' and a special viewing of all the Hublot Baselworld 2016 novelties in partnership with our friends from Hublot.
Insider: Bremont DH-88 Chronometer Limited Edition. Hands-on with the Watch that Celebrates the 'Greatest Air Race of All Time'.
To celebrate the 'Greatest Air Race of All Time' and the aircraft that captured the world’s imagination with a phenomenal record-breaking flight in 1934, our friends from Bremont recently released the new Bremont Comet DH-88 Chronometer Limited Edition in stainless steel —282 pieces— and in 18K rose gold —82 pieces. This new Bremont watch with a 43 mm case, immortalizes the De Havilland DH-88 Comet, Grosvenor House aircraft.
Insider: Rolex Yacht-Master 37 Everose Gold ref. 268655. Hands-on with the Watch of the Open Seas and Explanation on How to Size the Oysterflex.
Just released last year at Baselworld 2015, the Rolex Yacht-Master 37 Everose Gold ref. 268655 is the 37 mm sibling of the Yacht-Master 40 Everose Gold ref. 116655. Sporting the more rounded case construction of the Yacht-Master line, the Yacht-Master 37 Everose Gold ref. 268655 comes in a perfectly sized case for men with smaller wrists or for ladies not wanting to wear a watch that looks too small or too big.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 ref. 15350ST. Hands-on with the Iconic AP with Oval Case and Off-Centered Dial.
The Millenary collection was launched by Audemars Piguet in 1995 to join the Royal Oak and the Jules Audemars collections and to provide a new three-dimensional approach on their movements. With its oval case, its off-centered dial and a truly neo-classical design, the Audemars Piguet Millenary quickly became an icon and a timepiece that is easily recognizable by watch collectors. In this particular watch, watchmaking art and design intertwine in a beautifully orchestrated play on perspective and balance.
Insider: Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire. Hands-on with the $595,000 USD Sapphire Crystal Timepiece.
Last week we brought you our hands-on review of the Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari King Gold here. Since this watch is pretty much the exact same watch but with a fully polished sapphire crystal case, we'll keep the information relatively identical with some tweaks here and there. Next time you have the opportunity to see one of the Hublot MP or Key of Time creations in person, you'll understand much better the real strength behind this brand, especially when it comes to watches with full sapphire crystal cases.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44mm Forged Carbon ref. 26400AU. Hands-on and In-Depth Explanation of the use of Forged Carbon Cases by AP.
The Audemars Piguet Forged Carbon Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44 mm ref. 26400AU.OO.A002CA.01 is yet another AP forged carbon timepiece that has been discontinued by our friends from Le Brassus. While Audemars Piguet has always been a pioneer in the watchmaking industry by using new materials never used before by other watch companies, they are also well known for halting production of watches with these innovative materials after short periods of time.
Insider: New Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ultra-Fine 1955 Platinum. Hands-on with One of the Thinnest Manual Wound Watches in the World.
Previously only available in 18K 4N pink gold, the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ultra-Fine 1955 makes its appearance in 950 platinum. Testifying to Vacheron Constantin’s ancestral expertise in the making of ultra-thin watches, the new Historiques Ultra-Fine 1955 ref. 33155/000P-B169 stays true to its lineage with an ultra-thin case construction and powered by the same calibre that made its first appearance 61 years ago, during the golden era of watchmaking.
Insider: Panerai Radiomir 1940 10 Days GMT Automatic 'Oro Rosso' PAM 659. Hands-on with a Stunning Blue Dial and Red Gold Radiomir.
This year, has been a special year for Panerai with the release of four new watches fitted with strikingly beautiful blue sun-brushed dials. These four new watches are only available through the Panerai Boutique network and worthy of checking out. The new models sporting this gorgeous blue dials are the Radiomir 1940 3 Days PAM 690 —one of our favorites, and with hands-on review coming up soon—, the Radiomir 1940 10 Days GMT Automatic Oro Rosso PAM 659 we are now reviewing, the Luminor 1950 GMT 3 Days Automatic PAM 688 and lastly the Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic PAM 689 we reviewed here.
Insider: Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari King Gold. Hands-on with an Amazing 50-day Power Reserve Mechanical Timepiece.
Every once in a while, we get to peruse and review timepieces that seem too crazy to wear and too hard to explain with the use of just a few words. The Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari in King Gold we are reviewing here, is one of those crazy timepieces. Priced close to a half a million USD, this amazing mechanical timepiece with a 50-day power reserve, is a true horological feat in its own.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono ref. 26320ST.OO.1220ST.02. Hands-on with the Most Versatile Royal Oak Chrono Out There.
While in the past, we have already brought you our in-depth hands-on reviews of several of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronographs, the silvered dial Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26320ST.OO.1220ST.02 is one that deserves its own post as it is the most versatile Royal oak Chrono thanks to its clean year-round type of dial.
Insider: Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton. Hands-on with a Stunning Tourbillon with Column-Wheel Chronograph Priced Under $50K USD.
Released earlier this year at Baselworld 2016, the new Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton is one of those watches that packs a lot of bang for your buck. Equipped with a tourbillon and the legendary 12-hour Zenith El Primero column-wheel chronograph mechanism, this stealthy looking watch, is one that we absolutely enjoyed reviewing. Fitted with a matte black ceramic case, a partially skeletonized multi-layer dial and a perforated black rubber strap, this is one of those tourbillons that is made to be worn everywhere.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470ST.OO.A104CR.01. Hands-on with 'The Elephant' in the Room.
Released during the SIHH 2014, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470ST.OO.A104CR.01 is a watch that is not as popular as we now think it should be. This particular second generation Offshore —42 mm case with ceramic crown/pushers and display case back—, wasn't our cup of tea upon its release at the SIHH 2014; nevertheless, today, it is one of our favorite second generation Royal Oak Offshores.
Insider: Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 Platinum. Hands-on with a Watch that Offers a Very Unique Way of Reading the Time.
Now available in 950 platinum, the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 ref. 82035/000P-B168 is inspired by an original cushion-shaped model with its winding crown placed between 1 and 2 o’clock. The American 1921 was created by Vacheron Constantin in the 1920s for the American market, hence the name.
News: Presenting the new Richard Mille RM 11-02 Le Mans Classic 2016. A $180,000 USD 150-Piece Limited Edition.
As part of their involvement with the Le Mans Classic race since 2002, Richard Mille welcomed Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake and renowned musician Pharrell Williams to be part of the event. While Yohan Blake gave the start signal for the Little Big Mans race, Pharrell Williams waved the French flag at the gridline. The Little Big Mans race is a special race that takes place at the historic Bugatti Circiut and that allows young drivers between 6 and 10 years of age, to experience the circuit in decked out go karts.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3820 with Breguet Numerals. One of the Most Beautiful Time Only Watches Out There.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3820 is one of the most iconic 'time only' watches out there and simply one of the best dress watches any one can have. The Patek ref. 3820 featuring applied Breguet numerals is even more special and a watch reserved for those wanting the best. The first Patek Philippe Calatrava was released in 1932 as ref. 96 and since then, its been one of the most iconic and classic watches from Patek with very little changes and always true to the essence of the brand.
News: Presenting the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute to Vincent Van Gogh Second Series. A Stunning Reverso à Eclipse Watch.
Today, we bring you the news on the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso à Eclipse Tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. This watch, is the second series of the Reverso Tribute to Van Gogh. Since its creation in 1931, the JLC Reverso has maintained its 'icon status' through wonderment and by paying homage to renowned artists. This time, Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam are proud to present the second series of the Reverso à Eclipse watch featuring an enameled miniature of Van Gogh's self-portrait on its dial.
Insider: Panerai Radiomir GMT 3 Days Oro Rosso PAM 421. Hands-on with One of Our Favorite Panerais.
The Panerai Radiomir GMT 3 Days Oro Rosso PAM 421 is by far one of our favorite Panerais as it combines several things we typically like to see in a Panerai timepiece. Some of the reasons why we love the Panerai PAM 421 is because it is fitted with an 18K red gold case, paired with a beautiful tobacco brown sandwich dial and it features a power reserve indicator. As far as looks, it really doesn't get any better.
Insider: New Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King ref. 116900. Hands-on with the Second Hottest Watch of the Year from the Green Giant.
The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King ref. 116900 was without a doubt, one of the most surprising releases by the 'Green Giant' during Baselworld 2016 earlier this year. Along with the new Daytona with Cerachrom bezel ref. 116500LN we featured here, the new Rolex Air-King ref. 116900 was the other watch at the Rolex booth that took most of the attention from journalists, retailers and collectors.
Insider: Graham Chronofighter Prodive. Hands-on Review with Never Before Seen Underwater Macro Photography.
This hands-on review is a first here at Watch Collecting Lifestyle for two reasons; first, we've never worked on a review of a Graham timepiece and second, this is the first time anyone in the indsutry has done water macro photography. While many other websites have done video or photography of watches underwater, no one has gotten this close to a watch with macro images underwater or in a wet environment —another reason why we will continue to bring you tripod-free watch photography.
Insider: Officine Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic PAM 689 Sunburst Blue Dial. Hands-on With the 300-piece Limited Edition.
A little bit over a month ago, Officine Panerai released four new watches all fitted with sunburst blue dials and available only through the Panerai Boutique network. The new models sporting this gorgeous blue dials are the Radiomir 1940 PAM 690, the Radiomir GMT 10 Days PAM 659, the Luminor 1950 GMT 3 Days PAM 688 and lastly the Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic PAM 689 we are reviewing here. The new Panerai PAM 689 is pretty much a blue dial version of the PAM 533.
