After decades designing some of the most iconic watches including the Breguet Marine, the Vacheron Constantin 222, the TAG Heuer Kirium and the Seiko Kinetic Actura, Jorg Hisek decided to launch his own agency named Hysek Design in the late 1990s, after four years working at the Rolex design department. After launching his own watch brand and selling it years later, Jorg Hysek marks his comeback to the watch industry with the release of a very special 50-piece limited edition clock called 'La Colonne du Temps' —the column of time.
News: Phillips Watches to Auction Steve McQueen's Own Rolex Submariner ref. 5513
After several record breaking sales in the last three years and the sale of Paul Newman's very own Rolex 'Paul Newman' Daytona ref. 6239 for $17.7 Million USD —including buyer's premium—, the team at Phillips Watches will be selling on October 25th, 2018, Steve McQueen’s own Rolex Submariner ref. 5513. This watch is the most important Steve McQueen-owned watch to appear in the market and the only one known to bear a special engraving on its case back. Presented as a gift to his top stuntman Loren Janes, this Submariner ref. 5513 reads on the back: “TO LOREN, THE BEST DAMN STUNTMAN IN THE WORLD. STEVE”.
News: IWC Presents Two New Portugieser Watches. A Perpetual Calendar and an Automatic Model.
Today June 1, 2018, IWC has released two new watches to expand its Portugieser collection. A new Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in platinum and a new Portugieser Automatic Time/Date in stainless steel. Both watches are fitted with silver-plated dials, rhodium-plated hands and equipped with Santoni black alligator straps. The reference numbers are IW503406 for the perpetual calendar and IW500712 for the automatic. Both watches are already available for sale as of today via the IWC website or their ADs.
Experience: The 2018 Rally Maya with Franck Muller. When You Load a Ferry with 110 Classic Cars Worth Millions.
For a second year in a row, WCL joined the Rally Maya in its 5th edition this past weekend. This exceptionally orchestrated rally with a route that reaches the confines of the most remote roads through the Yucatán Peninsula kicked-off this year from Cozumel. Despite the bad weather in Cozumel during the first days of the rally and the day before our departure, the organizers were able to successfully load 110 classic cars —worth millions of dollars— plus a dozen support vehicles on a ferry that took off from Cozumel towards Punta Venado —near Playa del Carmen— from where we would be heading towards Tulum.
Experience: Hermès Eau de Pamplemousse Rose. A Fresh Fragrance Like the Sea.
As you probably have figured it out by now, we love everything that comes packed in orange boxes with brown markings. Therefore, we just added the Hermès Eau de pamplemousse rose 'cologne' to the fragrances that suit watchlifestylers very well. Especially because this 'cologne' can be shared by men and women as it is a unisex fragrance. The Eau de pamplemousse rose —pink grapefruit— follows the same notes and aromas as the iconic Eau d'Orange Verte —green orange— but with a fresher scent infused with floral notes of roses.
Eye Candy: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 'The Brick'. The Grey Ruthenium Dial reference 26470OR.OO.1000OR.02
Released back in January at the SIHH 2018, the latest iteration of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in 18K pink gold a.k.a. 'The Brick' is now sporting a gorgeous 'Méga Tapisserie' grey ruthenium-toned dial with contrasting ivory-toned counters. The new watch is exactly like the previous iteration of the Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470OR but with a much more appealing dial. The 18K pink gold case and bracelet harmonize flawlessly against the unique tone of the dial and the inner bezel.
Insider: Arnold & Son Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 Gunmetal Edition. Rugged and Refined Looking at the Same Time.
Following the success of the Arnold & Son TB88 Gunmetal Limited Edition comes the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 Gunmetal Edition. Fitted with a sandblasted stainless steel case with dark grey DLC Gunmetal coating and highly contrasting red gold tones on its movement, this Gunmetal edition of the signature Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is available in a limited edition of 28 pieces. With a look that could make anyone think that this is a military watch, this new iteration of the Arnold & Son Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 combines a rugged and refined look at the same time.
Insider: Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Enamel Tribute 218th Anniversary. Hands-on with a Very Elegant and Understated Timepiece.
With its signature figure eight dial layout, Jaquet Droz presents a new interpretation of its Grande Seconde watch to celebrate the 218th anniversary of Jaquet Droz. The iconic Grande Seconde is fitted this time with an ivory colored 'Grand Feu' enamel dial. Available in yellow, red or white gold case and in 39 mm or 43 mm in case diameter, the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Enamel is one of the most iconic watches from this small manufacture that makes no more than 3,000 watches a year.
News: Introducing the new HYT H0 Querétaro. A 5-Piece Limited Edition Celebrating a Mexican Aqueduct.
While the name 'Querétaro' might not mean much to people outside of Mexico, it sure does to us here at WCL and to the UNESCO. 'Querétaro' is a colonial city located approximately 200 kilometers north of Mexico City that was established in the 17th century and which has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Split in two sections with a rectilinear section and another one with picturesque winding streets, the most prominent colonial monument in the city of 'Querétaro' is its aqueduct.
Experience: Ferrari F12 TDF Tour de France. An Exclusive Limited Edition of Only 799 Cars.
Not everyday, one runs into the ultra exclusive Ferrari F12tdf. The Ferrari F12 TDF —Tour de France— pays homage to the Tour de France, the legendary endurance road race that Ferrari dominated in the 1950s and 60s, particularly with the 1956 250 GT Berlinetta which won four consecutive editions. It was a race that rewarded cars that combined maximum performance with the driveability and ease of use that enabled the competitors to race for hundreds of kilometers a day over fast, tortuous roads and on circuits.
Insider: Blancpain Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde. A Perfect Example of Classicism and Refinement.
Founded in 1735, Blancpain is one of the oldest watch manufactures from the Vallée de Joux. Located down the road from Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Blancpain follows traditional watchmaking principles with sparks of modern creativity and innovation to maintain themselves as one of the top Swiss watch brands. Fueled by the brand's DNA, classicism and refinement are the exact words that describe the new Blancpain Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde, reasserting Blancpain's attachment to authentic horological values.
Eye Candy: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Everose Rainbow ref. 116595RBOW. A True Masterpiece of Gem-Setting Like No Other.
After the huge success of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow in 18K yellow gold ref. 116598RBOW, comes a new iteration in Rolex Everose gold. The new version of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow in 18K Everose gold, features 36 hand-selected baguette-cut sapphires in rainbow hues on the bezel. With a perfect gradient in lieu of the emblematic tachymetric scale, the bezel is set with a gradation of sapphires in rainbow hues. The case is adorned with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds set into the lugs and crown guard, and the dial features 11 baguette-cut sapphire hour markers, each of which matches the color of the corresponding point on the bezel.
Insider: Glashütte Original Senator Cosmopolite Stainless Steel. A Lot of German Watch for the Money.
Previously available with Roman numerals on its dial and a day/night indicator with blue and gold details, the Glashütte Original Senator Cosmopolite is now also available in stainless steel with Arabic numerals on its dial. Powered by the automatic calibre 89-02, this watch gives you 37 time zones taking into consideration quarter hour, half hour and three quarter hour time zones variances. Fitted with a generous 44 mm case in stainless steel and a power reserve of 72 hours, the Senator Cosmopolite was fully conceived and developed in-house.
News: Audemars Piguet Releases Book on 20th Century Complicated Wristwatches. A Must Have.
Audemars Piguet announces its first ever book dedicated entirely to the history of the manufacture's complicated wristwatches, following 4 years of Archival research and writing on the part of the Heritage Department. From the world’s first minute repeating wristwatch crafted in 1892 until the revival of complications in the late 1970s, Audemars Piguet produced a grand total of only 550 complicated wristwatches, of which no two are identical: 35 minute repeaters, 188 calendar wristwatches, 307 chronograph wristwatches and 20 double complication wristwatches featuring both calendar and chronograph.
Insider: Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique Blue. It Doesn't get Much Better Than This.
In what we can only describe as the pinnacle of independent watchmaking, Greubel Forsey once again takes the center stage at Baselworld 2018. Highlighting their expertise in 'black polishing', the brand released four new watches that capitalize on the art of 'black polishing'. One of these four watches is the new Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique Blue. A few weeks ago we featured the Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon Blue here.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph ref. 5990/1A. Hands-on with the Perfect Travel Companion.
Presented during Baselworld 2014 as we reported it here, but already an icon within the Nautilus collection in just a couple of years, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph ref. 5990/1A brings the best in design and functionality from the legendary manufacture from Geneva. The latest complication within the Nautilus line is the perfect travel companion thanks to its sophisticated Travel Time function that indicates the time in two different time zones at a single glance.
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire Galaxy. Two Unisex Watches with a lot of Color and a lot of Bang.
After the huge success of the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire Rainbow, two new watches draw their inspiration from it and make an entrance with a strong punch. The new Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire Galaxy in black and clear sapphire feature bezels set with 48 amethysts and sapphires. With a nice gradient between the 48 stones —but nowhere near to the gradient achieved by Rolex for their Rainbow Daytona—, the color of the stones goes all the way from purple to red in a gradient that includes shades of light blue, violet and bright pink in between.
News: Presenting the New Richard Mille RM 67-02 Editions. Three New Lightweight Watches for Three Different Athletes.
Richard Mille just released three new versions of the lightest sports watch in their collection —the RM 67-02. These new editions have been created along with the brand's professional athlete partners. These sportsmen will now put the 67-02 through extreme field testing on the tennis court, Formula 1 circuit, rally course, ski slope as well as track and field. Please find details of the new editions below, and photos of the three newest production models attached. They are available at Richard Mille authorized retailers, including Richard Mille boutiques, worldwide.
Insider: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton Power Reserve Titanium. A Masterpiece of Skeletonization.
With a 40 mm case and an ultra-slim profile with a total thickness of 5.35 mm, comes the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton Power Reserve in titanium. Following the success of the Octo Tourbillon Finissimo in 2014, the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in 2016 and last year’s Octo Finissimo Automatic, Bvlgari’s mastery of the art of watchmaking was duly acknowledged at last year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève which rewarded both the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton and the Octo Finissimo Automatic. The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton Power Reserve Titanium is an impressive manual wound watch with a level of skeletonization above average.
Insider: H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon. An Incredible Dial Paired with Exceptional Sound.
A minute repeater and a tourbillon in a rectangular case that looks like a smart watch. The Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon by H. Moser & Cie. dares to contrast the two. The Schaffhausen-based Manufacture pairs the contemporary design of the case with a complex flying tourbillon movement, fitted with one of the most challenging complications to produce: a minute repeater. The H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon is available in several references, all of which are different and unique pieces.
