Originally launched in March 2011, the Patek Philippe Grand Complication ref. 5216 is the result of 18 successful years of research and development to produce a legendary Grand Complication timepiece with minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, retrograde date, and moon phases. With reference 5216, Patek Philippe rises to a further level of sophistication in minute repeaters, launching the legendary caliber R TO 27 PS QR LU movement with the five most popular complications in a perceptibly larger case that encloses a more voluminous resonant cavity to enhance the sonority of the chimes.
Breaking News: Aldo Magada Departs Zenith. Jean-Claude Biver Takes Over as Interim Head.
In a surprising move, Aldo Magada departs Zenith only two and a half months away from Baselworld 2017 and only after two years and five months on the job. On July 1, 2014, Mr. Magada was appointed CEO and President of Zenith replacing Jean-Frédéric Dufour who left Zenith to become the new CEO of Rolex S.A. Back then, Mr. Jean-Claude Biver, President of the Watches Division of LVMH, said that he was firmly convinced that Aldo’s significant experience in the watchmaking industry, combined with his proven track record in product development and strategy as well as his in-depth knowledge of manufactures would be instrumental to develop Zenith.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph Ceramic. Hands-on with Gorgeous Matte Ceramic Case Chronograph.
Extremely sporty yet relatively elegant, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph Ceramic ref. 205C571 is one of the latest additions to the Master Compressor collection from JLC. In an interesting combination of charcoal grey, light grey, white, blue and black, the watch is very nicely crafted in a matte black ceramic case measuring 46 mm in diameter and 14.27 in thickness. S
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Gentleman's Driver' ref. 26175ST. The Only Royal Oak Offshore with a Chiseled Out Bezel.
Released in 2010 and discontinued shortly after, the so called 'Gentleman's Driver' Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26175ST.OO.D003CU.01 is one of only seven references released by Audemars Piguet with orange accents on their dials. The other six are the following: Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph ref. 26703ST reviewed here, the Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Diver ref. 15707CE reviewed here, the Royal Oak Offshore Volcano ref. 26170ST.OO.D101CR.01, the Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition Oceanografía 'Goliath' ref. 26217 in white gold, rose gold and stainless steel featured here, the Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25770ST and the Royal Oak Offshore Scuba ref. 15701ST.OO.D002CA.01
Eye Candy: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Everose Gold ref. 116515LN Chocolate Dial. An Ultra Sexy Unisex Timepiece Like No Other.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, was introduced in 1963 and designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. With its highly reliable chronograph and bezel with tachymetric scale, it allows drivers to perfectly measure average speeds up to 400 kilometers or miles per hour, as they choose. An icon eternally joined in name and function to the high performance world of motor sport.
Experience: 12 Exceptional Timepieces Between $40K and $100K USD to Wrap Up 2016. Wishing You Could Own Them All in 2017.
As the year 2016 comes to an end, we can only hope for more exceptional timepieces that will take our breath away next year. To wrap up the year, we have put together 12 exceptional timepieces we've reviewed here at WCL, for you to wish owning every one of them as you welcome 2017. All these watches are priced above $40K USD and under $100K USD pack a lot of watch for the money.
News: Presenting the Zenith Heritage Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Westime Edition. A 25-Piece Limited Edition in Bronze and Titanium.
As an exclusive for authorized watch dealer Westime in Southern California, Zenith released a 25-piece limited edition in bronze and titanium of the iconic Heritage Pilot Type 20, enhanced by a deep blue dial. This edition produced especially for Westime and only available through them, features an intense blue dial surrounded by a 45 mm sturdy bronze and titanium case.
Insider: Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days GMT Titanium PAM 719 Pole2Pole Expedition. Hands-on Review of a Watch Perfectly Suited for One of the Greatest Expeditions of All Time.
The new Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days GMT Titanium PAM 719 Pole2Pole Expedition is the latest collaboration between Mike Horn and Officine Panerai. On May 6th, 2016, 50-year old storied adventurer Mike Horn embarked on the greatest adventure of his life to travel for two years across 26,000 miles and six continents. Mike Horn is a Swiss-South African professional explorer that for 25 years, has inspired and educated the world by pushing the limits of human ability through a series of groundbreaking expeditions.
News: Richard Mille to Open Flagship Boutique in New York City During Fall 2017
Richard Mille will open its first boutique in New York City in the fall of 2017. The new boutique will be located at 46 East 57th Street, which is the retail side of the 432 Park Avenue building —currently the tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere— next to Jacob & Co. and only a few steps away from the Phillips auction house.
Eye Candy: Vacheron Constantin Vintage Chronograph. A Treat for the Eyes from the Late 40s.
This time we bring you this photo gallery featuring one of our all-time favorite vintage Vacheron Constantin Chronographs. This example in 18K rose gold circa 1949 is just a real treat for the eyes. The watch features rectangular chrono pushers, silver dial with applied markers and Roman numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock, a running seconds register at 9, a 30-minute chrono register at 3 o'clock and a telemeter scale on the perimeter of the dial.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II Titanium. Seven Years After its Launch, Still One of the Top Grails Among AP Collectors.
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.
