Released in March at Baselworld 2017, the new Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 126600 50th anniversary is finally making its way to the Rolex authorized dealer network. Revisited for its 50th anniversary with a bolder 43 mm case this new Red Sea-Dweller was a dream come true for all those lovers of Red Subs and Double Red Sea-Dwellers. Fitted with a matte black dial and graduated cerachrom bezel, the Sea-Dweller ref. 126600 is ready to be the perfect diver's companion all the way down to 1,220 meters or 4,000 feet down the ocean.
Insider: MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 HM6 Alien Nation. Hands-on with the Half a Million USD Full Sapphire Unique Piece from MB&F.
Here is the latest and greatest release by MB&F. Created in a series of only four unique pieces the new MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 HM6 Alien Nation is the first watch from this manufacture to be cased in a full sapphire case. While the MB&F HM6 Sapphire Vision —you can read our review here— was already fitted with a top and bottom fully made of sapphire crystal, it didn't have a sapphire caseband like the new HM6 Alien Nation.
News: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Villes Lumières Beijing. The Fourth Piece in the Collection.
The new Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection is an invitation to embark upon a nocturnal journey above cities bubbling with creativity. On dials draped with an enamelled base in deep shades, a wide variety of powders creates a bird’s-eye view miniature tableau of these sprawling urban expanses. Traditional Grand Feu champlevé enameling mingles with hand-applied precious powder, an art never yet used in Fine Watchmaking. Joining the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières Geneva, Paris and New York, the new Beijing piece makes its appearance.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST Grey Ruthenium Toned Dial. Hands-on with the Latest 41 mm Royal Oak.
The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST.OO.1220ST.04 is the latest 41 mm Royal Oak released earlier this year with a fantastic grey ruthenium toned dial. This reference is a clear result of the continuous evolution of the Royal Oak and the manufacture's constant forward thinking. Since its launch in 1972, the Royal Oak has gone through several design modifications and the ref. 15400 with this new grey dial is simply perfect. With this new dial, the Royal Oak ref. 15400ST is now available in four different dial variants that include blue, silvered white, black and this new one.
Experience: The 2017 Rally Maya with Franck Muller. A Week with Classic Cars and Wristwatches Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.
A week ago, with had the pleasure of joining Franck Muller Mexico at the 4th edition of the 2017 Rally Maya they were sponsoring. The 4th edition of this classic car rally created by Benjamin de la Peña Mora —a renowned Notary and classic car collector from Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico— took place from May 19th through May 28th, 2017 with a route that extended over 700 kilometers across the Yucatan Peninsula.
Insider: Angelus U21 Tourbillon & Angelus U22 Tourbillon. Hands-on with Two Impressive Tourbillons with Carbon Baseplates.
Marking a new chapter in Angelus’ Urban Collection of cutting-edge watchmaking, the U21 and U22 Tourbillon revisit the singular movement and streamlined design focused on structural optimization with two new executions: the U21 and U22. From the movement to the case design, the objective from the get-go has been to showcase the splendor of the movement’s architecture and tourbillon while reducing as much weight as possible. For this purpose, the U21 and U22 Tourbillon feature a carbon fiber main plate, giving the impression of being a part of the case.
Insider: MCT Sequential Two S210 Sport. Hands-on with the First MCT with Rubber Strap.
A couple of years ago, during a meeting with MCT Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps we told them how important it would be for them to have a rubber strap for their watches. Just because MCT likes to do things right, they listened and went trough a lengthy design process to come out with the perfect rubber strap. Furthermore, they went to the extent of coming out with the Sequential Two S210 Sport we have here.
Insider: Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis. Hands-on with the 20-Piece Latest and Greatest Manufacture Piece from Hublot.
Earlier this year, Hublot released the MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis in three different versions. This new watch joins all the other haute horlogerie MP creations as Hublot's first multi-axis tourbillon. With a very unique design offering unique visibility and an all new case design, the MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis is powered by an in-house calibre that pushes the boundaries in terms of multi-axis tourbillons.
Photo Gallery: Omega Speedmaster Apollo 17 45th Anniversary 'Tribute to Gene Cernan' Limited Edition
Earlier this month, we brought you our hands-on review of the new Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary Tribute to Gene Cernan, the eleventh and last person to have walked on the Moon surface and whom passed away on January 16, 2017. Since today is 'Speedy Tuesday' we thought it would be a good idea to bring you this photo gallery with the stainless steel reference available in a limited edition of 1972 pieces.
News: Richard Mille Unveils the RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal. A 50-Piece Limited Edition Withstanding Shocks of Up to 10,000 Gs.
This past Wednesday May 24th, 2017 in Paris and in the presence of brand partners Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev as well as VIP clients, Richard Mille unveiled the newest tourbillon in its line of timepieces created in partnership with Nadal. The new Richard Mille RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is another record-breaker since its tourbillon movement can withstand shocks of up to 10,000 Gs, setting a complete new threshold in the watch industry.
Photo Gallery: Blancpain Villeret Day Date, where Elegance is the Name of the Game.
Fitted with a 'Grand Feu' Enamel dial the Blancpain Villeret Day Date is the latest addition to this elegant collection from Blancpain. With its round double 'pomme' case in stainless steel measuring 40 mm in diameter and less than 11 mm in thickness, the Blancpain Villeret Day Date is the epitome of elegance and understated wrist presence.
Insider: IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Racer ref. IW378509. Hands-on with an Underrated In-House Flyback Chronograph.
The IWC Ingenieur was originally launched in 1944 and since then, it has experienced several changes and major redesigns. Perhaps the most noticeable changes, took place in 1976, 2005 and in 2008. Trying to emulate the concept of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus, IWC hired Gerald Genta to give a facelift to the iconic Ingenieur giving birth to the Ingenieur SL 'Steel Line'.
News: The Write Time by Anura Rafael. A Convertible Pen with Integrated Mechanical Watch with Tourbillon.
The Anura Rafael Write Time is a unique convertible object that brings the arts of fine writing and watchmaking together within a modern, striking design. Signature elegance and refined craftsmanship contribute to creating a bespoke style offered on an individual commission basis only. The Anura Rafael Write Time is a sublime object like no other, modern yet imbued with a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of elegance.
Rolex Triple Calendar ref. 6062 'Bao Dai' Sells for $5.1 Million USD. The Most Expensive Rolex Ever Sold at Auction.
Last Sunday May 14th, 2017, this Rolex Triple Calendar ref. 6062 a.k.a 'Bao Dai' from 1952 sold at the Phillips Watches Geneva Watch Auction FIVE for $5.1 Million USD making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold at auction. But what makes this watch so valuable and special? Well, it is all about its provenance. Following the Indochina war in 1954, the world powers meet in Switzerland to negotiate with the Viet Minh on the future of Vietnam.
Budget Watches: Gorilla Fastback Forged Carbon & Black Ceramic Watch. The Watch Launched by Octavio Garcia Former Head Designer for Audemars Piguet.
Today, we're starting a new section for those budget watches that we really like. Even though this is the first time we do a hands-on review of a watch at this price point, but we are absolutely thrilled to tell you everything about it. The new Gorilla Watches were recently officially launched by Octavio Garcia —former Chief Artistic Officer at Audemars Piguet for more than a decade— and his business partner Lukas Gopp —a former employee of brands like IWC, Sector, Ralph Lauren Watches and Audemars Piguet.
Insider: Angelus U10 Tourbillon Calavera. Hands-on with a Unique Piece Like No Other.
From the earliest days of its conception, the Angelus U10 Tourbillon Lumière released in 2015 —we featured it here— was imagined as a piece of mechanical art, paying tribute to some of the most influential and forward-thinking designers from the 60s and 70s, such as Dieter Rams and Achille Castiglioni. Earlier this year, Angelus pushed the envelope even further by integrating striking visual art into this singular watch in a unique piece like no other. The new Angelus U10 Tourbillon Calavera takes its inspiration from the Mexican 'Dia de los Muertos' celebration —Day of the Dead— where sugar-made skulls are painted and decorated with vibrant colors to honor those that have passed away.
Rare Bird: Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 Monticello Motor Club. A Stunning 15-Piece Limited Edition.
Vacheron Constantin is the official timekeeper of the Monticello Motor Club in Sullivan County, New York and as part of their partnership, Vacheron released a very special 15-piece limited edition of the iconic Historiques American 1921 to commemorate the occasion back in 2016. For those of you not familiar with the Monticello Motor Club, this is North America’s Premier Automotive Country Club and Private Race Track located only 90 minutes from New York City and which features 4.1 miles of smooth race-grade asphalt.
Rolex Paul Newman Daytona ref. 6263 a.k.a 'The Legend' from 1969 Sells for $4.18 Million USD. A New World Record for Any Rolex Daytona Sold at Auction.
Setting a new world record for any Rolex Daytona ever sold at auction and holding now the second place for the most expensive Rolex wristwatch ever sold at auction, lot number 237 at the Phillips Watches Geneva Watch Auction FIVE was sold for CHF3,722,000 Swiss Francs plus buyer's fees totaling CHF4,168,640 Swiss Francs —$4,182,023 USD— yesterday evening Sunday May 14th, 2017. This ultra rare 18K yellow gold Rolex Daytona Paul Newman ref. 6263 nicknamed 'The Legend' fitted with a 'lemon' grené dial and with case back stamped 6239 had an original estimate of CHF 800,000-1,600,000 Swiss Francs.
News: Presenting the new Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile in Stainless Steel and Blue Dial
The latest newcomer to the Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile collection is a brand new stainless steel model with a striking blue dial punctuated by luminescent indications and accompanied by leather and rubber straps. As we've told you here before, the name of this collection stems from the historical site of Vacheron Constantin. The new Quai de l’Ile features a comfortable and light 41 mm diameter stainless steel case that is enhanced with alternating polished and satin-brushed finishes.
Watch Goodies: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Table Clock. One of the Coolest AP Clocks Out There.
What watch collector doesn't love big swag from the watch brands? Well, since most of us do, here's one of those very special AP clocks to get you drooling and aspiring for one. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Table Clock is perhaps one of the most rare and least common clocks gifted by AP and one that you rarely see in the wild. This table clock, just like the Royal Oak Desk clock we featured here is also fitted with the 'Le Brassus' themed wooden stand and it was released in 2016.
