A timepiece is capable of embodying the quintessence of an idea and appearing first and foremost as a means of artistic expression. The Art of Invention: this expression testifies to a forward-looking philosophy that has long been a driving force for Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, both in the field of scientific research as applied to fine watchmaking, and in that of aesthetic innovation.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin in 18K Yellow Gold ref. 15202BA. Two Different Dials Available.
When the original Royal Oak first appeared in 1972, it was notable for several reasons and it was available only in stainless steel. However, in 1977 the first 18K yellow gold 39 mm Royal Oak was launched, bringing a whole new character to what would soon be regarded as an iconic design. In 2016, classic 18K yellow gold returned to Audemars Piguet’s product portfolio and was presented in a select group of Royal Oak models including the Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26320BA at the SIHH 2016 as we reported here.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Swiss Mad. A Limited Edition of 50 Pieces.
In response to new legislation on the Swiss Made ordinance for watches, H. Moser & Cie. launched the Swiss Mad Watch on January 12th, 2017. More than a watch, the Swiss Mad Watch is a symbol: it is 100% Swiss, it embodies the greatest strength of Swiss Haute Horlogerie and all that is truly of value, encapsulated in a label worthy of this name. The Venturer Swiss Mad model shares in the spirit of the Swiss Mad Watch.
Experience: Jaeger-LeCoultre Wake-Up Memovox Mobile App. The Most Clever App for Watch Collectors This Year.
Less than two months ago, we brought you our hands-on review of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox Boutique Edition here. Well, today, we are pleased to share with you the news from Jaeger-LeCoultre launching a Wake-Up Alarm Mobile App for iPhone and Android. The new Wake-Up Memovox App will help you wake up to the buzzing sound on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox. This new App is so clever that as soon as we got the news yesterday, we decided to download it immediately thereafter.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie. 11 Years of Research and Development and Priced at $1.1 Million USD.
Just as if the news two days ago about the Mechanical Nano weren't big and impressive enough, Greubel Forsey adds to the excitement in preparation for the SIHH 2017 —from where we will be reporting live next Monday January 16th, 2017— with the release of one of the most impressive timepieces out there, we are talking about the Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie. A timepiece that took eleven years of research and development and assembling of no less than 935 parts in addition to the filling of two patents.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 New Christophe Claret Maestro. The New Entry Level Timepiece for this Brand.
Its name is inspired by the excellence of the master watchmaker. Its sleek style epitomizes mechanical power. At the crossroads between aesthetics and technicality, the new Maestro showcases an original take on the horological creativity of Christophe Claret. Its glass dome provides a striking, almost dizzying view of the movement architecture and the famous Charles X bridges.
News: Greubel Forsey Unveils Mechanical Nano. A Groundbreaking Horological Advancement that Might Change the Watchmaking World as We Know it.
After a decade of research, Greubel Forsey just announced the Mechanical Nano. A groundbreaking horological advancement that might change the watchmaking world as we know it. In what they refer to as EWT —'Experimental Watch Technology'— and after ten years of secretly working on it, Greubel Forsey has finally pushed the boundaries of mechanical miniaturization and produced its first demonstration prototype in 2014. A second prototype
with a watchmaking mechanism was completed in 2016.
News: Right on Time for the SIHH 2017, the New WCL Mobile App is Ready for Download.
Right on time for the SIHH 2017, our new Watch Collecting Lifestyle WCL App is ready for download at the Apple App Store. For those of you that have downloaded our previous mobile app, we ask you to please remove it from your phones and download the new one.
You can download the WCL App by clicking on the image above or following this link. This new App is bigger and better with a more appealing visual design and a much more user friendly interface. Please enjoy as it was develop with all of our readers in mind.
News: SIHH 2017 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève. Now with 30 Exhibiting Brands and Open to the Public for Just One Day.
In only 10 days, on January 16th, 2017 the SIHH 2017 —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève— will open its doors for its 27th edition to reveal all the watch novelties from 30 exclusive brands —instead of 24 as in 2016. Just as we've done it since the launch of WCL, we will be there to bring you our usual live coverage with powerful images of the most exclusive watch event in the world.
News: Pre-SIHH 2017 New Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Tourbillon Universal Time. The World's First Worldtimer with Flying Tourbillon.
Created in 1958 by Jaeger-LeCoultre in honor of the International Geophysical Year, the first Geophysic watch remains a symbol of Swiss expertise par excellence. In keeping with this tradition, JLC launched the Geophysic collection in 2015; a collection of several models combining powerful watchmaking expertise with a classic, timeless aesthetic. This line has now been reinterpreted reinforcing its original qualities: a generously dimensioned case in platinum measuring 43.5 mm in diameter, easily legible functions, visible luminescent hands, the hightech Gyrolab balance wheel and the ability to tell time in 24 cities.
Insider: Patek Philippe Grand Complication ref. 5216R. Hands-on with the Fifth Most Complicated Wristwatch from Patek.
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.
