On August 23, 2006, Audemars Piguet presented the Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II in Istanbul, Turkey. Today, seven years later, this iconic watch is still one of the most coveted timepieces among Audemars Piguet watchlifestylers as well as watch collectors in general. This watch, honoring the Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello —Ayrton Senna's disciple— is a perfect example of the forward thinking and cutting edge design that Audemars Piguet has always had since the launch of the Royal Oak in 1972.
News: H. Moser & Cie. Will No Longer Add the 'Swiss Made' Designation to Their Watches in Reaction to the upcoming 'Swissness Law Ordinance'.
Back in July, 2016, we published a special article to explain the changes to the 'Swissness Law Ordinance' that will go in effect on January 1st, 2017. In that article, we also mentioned that while many watches bear the 'Swiss Made' designation on their dials, movements or case backs, the Swiss law is so subjective and the ordinance has so many loopholes that in reality many of these watches could be more Asian made than Swiss.
Rare Bird: Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time Mexico Limited Edition. Hands-on with a 5-Piece Limited Edition Exclusively Made for Mexico.
Exclusively available in Mexico in a 5-piece limited edition, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time Mexico Limited Edition follows the steps of the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time Unique Piece that was created for Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History —INAH— back in 2013. The INAH Unique Piece was auctioned during the SIAR 2013 at a gala dinner in Mexico City with all proceeds going to the INAH in order to continue to support and promote the recovery of the national heritage of Mexico.
Eye Candy: A. Lange & Söhne Calibre L101.1. A Real Treat to the Eyes and Just Mesmerizing.
The A. Lange & Söhne calibre L101.1 is the beating heart inside the fascinating A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar. Since we took a good amount of macro shots of this beautiful calibre during our review of the watch a while back, we decided to dedicate a full post to these amazing images.
Experience: Por Larrañaga Picadores. A Mild Cigar that Pairs Well with a Zenith Montre d'Aéronef Pilot Type 20 Extra Special 'Bronze'.
Founded in 1834 in Cuba, Por Larrañaga is a brand with a long history. With all its filler and binder tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, the most prestigious area for tobacco leaves in the world, the range includes cigars using both long and short fillers with a totally hand made technique. Available in only three different vitolas —Montecarlos, Panetelas and Petit Coronas—, the Por Larrañaga Picadores were offered for just a few years along with the three existing vitolas between 2015 and 2016.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos 568 by Marc Newson. Hands-on with the Latest Iteration of the Atmos with a Baccarat Crystal Cabinet.
Since 2008, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Australian designer Marc Newson have worked together on new and unique interpretations of the iconic JLC Atmos clock. This year, Marc Newson applied his imagination to give the Atmos a Baccarat crystal cabinet in the shape of a rounded cube. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos 568 Marc Newson features a clear monobloc crystal case that magnifies the view of this exceptional clock from any angle.
Insider: Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days California PAM 718. Hands-on with the 50-Piece Limited Edition in White Gold with an Unsigned Dial.
Since the integrity and reputation of WCL is based on bringing you objective watch reviews and unbiased points of view, we have no other option than to 'call a spade a spade' when it comes to the new Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days California Dial PAM 718 that we just reviewed yesterday. As you all know, it is no secret that we have several Panerais in our watch collection and it is also no secret that we really like Panerai and we praise most of their novelties when they get released.
Watch Goodies: Patek Philippe The Authorized Biography. Live Pictures of the Actual Book that Exceeded Our Expectations in Every Way Possible.
A month away from its official release and after placing our order on the Patek.com website, last Friday we received our very own copy of the most definitive and the only authorized Patek Philippe biography. A must have and a must read, this book exceeded our expectations as soon as we opened the shipping container that came all the way from the U.K as the book was carefully packed inside a second white box with the Patek Philippe logo and the words 'The Authorized Biography' on the front. With our Golden Ellipse ref. 3738 on our wrist and a warm coffee by our desk, we first removed the cellophane wrap from the white box and then proceeded to take the book out.
Experience: Eleventy Blue Nylon and Suede Sneakers. What 'Made in Italy' and 'First Class' Entails When it Comes to Sneakers.
If you are an avid reader here at WCL or one of our longtime followers on Instagram, you know we love a good pair of fashionable sneakers. While most of the time you'll see us sporting Lanvin Captoe sneakers —like those we featured here— in every color possible, we recently discovered that Eleventy happens to make some of the nicest and most comfortable fashionable sneakers out there.
Insider: Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar ref. 5000T. Hands-on with an Exceptional Monochromatic Timepiece in Platinum.
If you like monochromatic watches, the new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar ref. 5000T/000P-B048 is an exceptional timepiece in platinum that will complement your grey and black outfits like no other watch out there. Equipped with the new in-house Vacheron Constantin Calibre 1142 QP and cased in a generous 43 mm case in 950 platinum, the newest grand complication from Vacheron Constantin has chosen to combine two of the finest complications out there: the chronograph and the perpetual calendar.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 New IWC Da Vinci Collection. All Details Including Pricing for Three New References Including a Perpetual Calendar Chronograph.
The last major facelift to the IWC DaVinci took place in 2007 with the introduction of the new in-house calibre 89. Then in 2009, the IWC Da Vinci Digital Perpetual Calendar Date-Month ref. 3761 was presented as a major innovation for the brand; a year later in 2010, the IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic followed. While the new IWC Da Vinci Collection will be officially unveiled at the SIHH 2017 —from where we will be reporting live—, for now we were given access to three new timepieces including a stunning IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 A. Lange & Söhne Unveils the new Lange 1 Moon Phase with New Calibre L121.3.
In 2002, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Moon Phase was first presented by this manufacture from Saxony. The Lange 1 Moon Phase is without a doubt the most successful watch from A. Lange & Söhne with its highly popular astronomical complication. The new Lange 1 Moon Phase has now been endowed with a new manual wound movement that takes on a particularly realistic approach by combining the moon-phase display with a day/night indicator.
Insider: Richard Mille RM 50-27-01 NTPT USA Limited Edition. Hands-on with the 19-gram Timepiece Priced at $800K USD.
Inspired by the $690,000 USD Richard Mille RM 27-01 Nadal we reviewed here, the Richard Mille RM 50-27-01 is an ultra exclusive USA limited edition truly designed after the legendary watch that Rafael Nadal made famous in a 5-piece limited edition. The RIchard Mille RM 50-27-01 NTPT USA Limited Edition is powered by a movement with a total weight of merely 3.8 grams and that is fully suspended and anchored to the NTPT case by shock absorbers and braided steel cables.
Experience: H. Upmann Robusto Edicion Limitada 2012 and Rolex Datejust ref. 116200 with Roulette Date Wheel.
While the actual number of Rolex Datejusts ref. 116200 fitted with a roulette date wheel still remains unconfirmed by Rolex, we all know that there aren't too many out there. Whether your watch came with a roulette wheel or not, it is pure luck just like the gambling game itself. This is a special feature that for sure makes these watches more desirable if that's something you really crave. Having a roulette date wheel is also a very special thing for those that rotate watches frequently without keeping them in a winder.
Insider: Christophe Claret Mecca. Hands-on with the Timepiece with a Mirascope and the Kaaba at the Center of the Dial.
Regardless of the different religions our readers follow or don't follow, the Christophe Claret Mecca is a timepiece that deserves to be featured here at WCL as it is one of the most fascinating timepieces out there. Religious orientation aside and just like they did with the Christophe Claret Aventicum we reviewed here, the Christophe Claret Mecca follows the same design principle and execution, but this time the mirascope highlights the micro-engraving of the Kaaba, the cube-shaped mosque at the center of Islam's most sacred site — Al-Masjid al-Haram— in the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 New Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon. A Minute Repeater Like No Other.
Marking the first time that Cartier associates a Mysterious Complication with a Minute Repeater, this is a double complication like no other. The new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon. Fitted with a measuring 45 mm in diameter and a mere thickness of 11.15 mm, this new watch is powered by the new Cartier in-house calibre 9407MC.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 2526 for Gübelin. The First Automatic Reference from Patek with a Price Tag of $632 USD Back in 1955.
Not often one runs into the legendary Patek Philippe ref. 2526 and even less often, you run into a reference 2526 with a dial signed for Swiss retailer Gübelin —one of the oldest retailers in Switzerland founded in 1854. The Patek Philippe ref. 2526 was the first automatic wristwatch launched by Patek and introduced to the market in 1953. Fitted with the Patek Philippe 30-jewel automatic calibre 12-600 AT —Patek's first automatic movement— it is by many considered to be the most beautiful automatic movement made by any watch company and one that remains hidden under the solid case back of the reference 2526.
Insider: MB&F Balthazar Table Clock in Collaboration with L'Epée 1839. Hands-on with the Third Robot Clock from this Manufacture.
The third and newest robot table clock in the MB&F line-up is the new Balthazar. First came the Melchior we featured here and earlier this year a small robot-like sibling Sherman as we reviewed it here. The newest member of the MB&F clock family is also a collaboration with. the oldest and most renowned clock maker L'Epée 1839. The new MB&F Balthazar is a sophisticated and imposing high-precision robot clock displaying jumping hours, retrograde seconds and a 35-day power reserve.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronometer ref. 26153. Hands-on with the Stunning Timepiece Equipped with the New Audemars Piguet Escapement.
Without a doubt, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronometer ref. 26153 is one of the most impressive timepieces within AP and its Jules Audemars collection. This collection that is barely known by most people out there but truly loved by the real Audemars Piguet fans is comprised by classical looking timepieces like this one and by watches that are the best example of the rich horological history and expertise of the manufacture from Le Brassus —the oldest watch manufacture still in the hands of the descendants of its founders.
Hands-on: Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Fire. The Only True Resonance Watch in the Market.
A few weeks ago, we brought you the exciting news about Armin Strom releasing a Resonance watch —a true horological feat that only a couple watchmakers like F.P. Journe and Breguet had mastered. Well, today, we finally bring you our hands-on review with our usual live pictures of this fascinating timepiece that is nothing but spectacular. Fitted with an 18K rose gold case measuring 43.4 mm in diameter, the Armin Strom Mirrored Resonance Fire is truly the only Resonance watch in the market.
