When it was launched in 2006, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph in platinum won instant acclaim. It was the manufacture's first self-winding chronograph, manifested a new and unique style with its prominent monocounter and three large calendar apertures, and quickly established itself as one of the most coveted timepieces of the Patek Philippe portfolio. The success story continued with further versions in platinum and rose gold. With the release of the stainless steel reference 5960/1A —which you can read about it here— in 2014, the platinum model was officially discontinued.
News: MB&F L'Epée 1839 Grant Clock. A 50-Piece Limited Edition in Three Colors that is Named after a World War II Tank.
MB&F and L’Epée 1839 continue with their partnership and this time unveil another robot clock by the name of Grant. Named after a World War II Tank also known as the Medium Tank, this M3 was a mid-size American tank utilized by the British and nicknamed 'Grant' in honor of Union general Ulysses S. Grant who led the Union Army to defeat the Confederacy and whom became POTUS succeeding Andrew Johnson. And just like that famous American Tank, the new MB&F L'Epée robot clock is an all-terrain machine where Mad Max meets Transformers.
Insider: Cartier Tank Cintrée Platinum. The Resurrection of a Classic in a 100-Piece Limited Edition.
Originally launched in 1921 as one of the many iterations of the Cartier Tank, the new Tank Cintrée in platinum was released this year taking a prominent position within the SIHH 2018 new releases from Cartier. With its elegant curvature, elongated rectangular case with the unmistakable DNA of the iconic Tank watch, the Tank Cintrée is a watch whose curved design hugs the wrist. While the Tank Cintrée is a forerunner to the Tank Américaine, this is a watch that kind of fell throught the cracks until it was revived by Cartier at the end of 2017 with the release of two fully skeletonized models to celebrate the 100 years of the Tank.
Experience: When Salvage Ferrari Parts Become Sculptures by James Ferrari. The Incredible World of Ferrari Turned into Works of Art.
Here at WCL we are suckers for good art and especially when works of art are the result of unlimited creativity and true originality. After stumbling upon the Ferrari Gallery in the Dallas Design District, we were just blown away by what we had just discovered. Geared with the proper wrist companion, a Hublot Big Bang Unico Carbon Ferrari, we embarked in a discovery of sculptures worthy of the MB&F M.A.D. Gallery in Geneva. These incredible sculptures created out of salvage Ferrari parts from modern Ferraris including the iconic 308, the 328, the 512 Testarossa, the 360 or even the 550 Maranello just to name a few, are not only very unique and eye-catching but true works of art made by the skilled hands of a true artist.
Insider: Armin Strom One Week Air. Light, Impeccable and with a 7-Day Power Reserve.
The Armin Strom One Week Air ref. TI10-WA.11 from the Biel-based manufacture, is a 7-day power reserve manual wound watch that brings the best of Armin Strom in a 100-piece limited edition. The Armin Strom One Week is available in four different iterations —Earth, Water, Fire and Air— and the Air one we are reviewing here, is one of our favorite ones. Powered by the manual wound calibre ARM09, the One Week Air is designed to proudly display its inner workings with a beautiful skeletonized dial ring with white appliqués and power reserve with concentric running seconds indicator at 9 o'clock and is equipped with a light but sturdy titanium case measuring 43.40 mm in diameter and 13 mm in thickness.
News: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table III. The Legend Reinvented in a 'LowPoly' Design.
In 2013, the legend of King Arthur provided inspiration for the release of the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table ref. RDDBEX0511. This exceptional watch cased in 18K pink gold featured 12 hand sculpted and engraved miniature knights also in 18K pink gold with their swords meeting at the center of a black jade engraved dial that intends to depict the Tudor English Oak Round Table made for Henry VIII. Then in 2017, Roger Dubuis released the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table II ref. RDDBEX0495 this time cased in 18K white gold and featuring the 12 knights in bronze. Both watches feature a 45 mm case and are available in a limited edition of 28 pieces each.
Eye Candy: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono Titanium with Platinum ref. 26331IP. One of the Most Beautiful Bi-Metal Royal Oaks.
Released in 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono, reference 26331IP.OO.1220IP.01 is the ultimate bi-metal Royal Oak. Showcasing a combination of finishes, this Royal Oak Chronograph in Titanium and Platinum features a 41 mm titanium case with highly polished 950 platinum bezel and highly polished 950 platinum middle links on its bracelet.
News: Bovet Releases the Edouard Bovet Tourbillon. 60-Piece Limited Edition Commemorating the Bicentenary of Bovet's Arrival in China.
Today marks the bicentenary of Edouard Bovet’s first arrival in China, on August 16, 1818, an auspicious day that forever linked the Swiss watchmaking Maison with the nation of China. To commemorate this important milestone, Bovet has just released the double face Edouard Bovet Tourbillon in a limited edition of 60 pieces in three different precious metals. Dedicated to world travel, this new watch presents a triple time zone with hemispherical maps of the Earth, reverse-fitted hands to display the time on both sides of the movement, a power reserve of ten days and all exquisitely executed with hand engraving and blue enamel guilloché.
From the Editor: When a Just Serviced Sealed Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A is Selling for $50K in the Secondary Market. My Thoughts.
It is no secret that Patek Philippe is one of my favorite brands and one that I am proud to wear frequently. In the last two years, we've seen the secondary market prices for Patek Philippe timepieces skyrocket like never before and it looks like this trend is not going anywhere. While Patek Philippe makes incredibly well made timepieces and most of their references are living icons of fine watchmaking, the current prices in the secondary market for the Nautilus ref. 5711/1A are just way out of control and have finally reached an unrealistic level. No matter how bad I want a watch, it is a matter of principle for me to not pay above retail.
Insider: Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Dial ref. 126660 a.k.a James Cameron. Updated Reference with a new Bracelet and a new Movement.
First released in August of 2014 and updated this year, the new Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Dial ref. 126660 just got better if that's even possible at all. A tank of a watch with a 44 mm case and with an ultra thick case construction —17.7 mm thick—, this is the epitome of an ultra-resistant diver's watch engineered by Rolex to conquest the deep. Waterproof to a depth of 12,800 feet —3,900 meters—, the Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Dial ref. 126660 was initially released under reference 116660 to celebrate James Cameron’s historic solo dive documented on National Geographic’s 'DeepSea Challenge 3D' film.
Insider: Rolex GMT Master II Rolesor ref. 126711CHNR a.k.a 'Rootbeer'. A Watch Reminiscent of the Past in a Perfect Modern Execution.
Along with the new Rolex GMT Master II Everose Gold ref. 126715CHNR —reviewed here—, a Rolesor —two tone in stainless steel and everose gold— iteration of this new watch was also released during Baselworld 2018. As we've explained it before, the watch is nicknamed 'Rootbeer' because of its resemblance to the vintage Rolex GMT Master ref. 16753 with the same nickname and which you can see here.
Experience: Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial. The Only Champagne to be Served Over Ice.
Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial is still a relatively new champagne launched a few years ago but one that have not gotten as popular in the U.S. as it is in the rest of the world. This is the first and only champagne especially created to be served over ice. Refreshing, crisp and ideal for champagne based cocktails, this new champagne combines fun, fresh and free sensations while remaining true to the Moët & Chandon style, a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity.
Insider: Santos de Cartier Skeleton Pink Gold. Hands-on with the Most Beautiful Santos Ever Made.
After receiving a small face lift earlier this year, one of the most iconic and popular Cartier watches from the 80s just got even better. Named after Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont whom Cartier made a watch for, the Santos de Cartier features a square case with curved edges and exposed screws that are unmistakable design cues of this legendary watch. Opposed to its siblings that are not skeletonized, the Santos de Cartier Skeleton is only available in the large size with a case measuring almost 40 mm wide —39.8 mm x 47.5 mm actual size.
News: Richard Mille Releases Watch Developed in Collaboration with Sylvester Stallone. The RM 25-01 Tourbillon Adventure Priced at $983,000 USD.
The result of a collaboration that started four years ago culminated yesterday as Richard Mille himself presented the watch designed in collaboration with Sylvester Stallone at a casual lunch in Los Angeles, California. Priced at almost one million USD the new RM 25-01 Tourbillon Adventure is available in a limited edition of 20 pieces and exclusively sold at Richard Mille boutiques worldwide. In the words of Richard Mille himself: "The RM 25-01 is like no watch that has ever existed before. Like Sylvester Stallone himself, it is completely unfettered.
Experience: Lanvin Mesh Cross-Trainer Sneakers. Underrated Like a Titanium Royal Oak Offshore.
Here at WCL we are suckers for any sneakers made by Lanvin and these orange Mesh Cross-Trainer sneakers are the latest addition from the oldest haute couture brand to their wide selection of shoes and sneakers. While Balenciaga tries to make their oversized geek-ready 'wanna be cool' sneakers —that were truly designed to make small feet look big— a trend, Lanvin —founded in 1889 by Madame Jeanne Lanvin— releases well designed and proportioned sneakers for those with a discerning taste when it comes to shoes and watches.
Insider: Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Military Limited Edition. Hands-on with two Vintage Looking Chronometer Watches.
Invigorating its Marine collection and trying to reach a much younger clientele comes the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Military Limited Edition as an ode to the sea and homage to WWII torpedo boats in a vintage inspired limited edition with two dial variations. Each dial variation is available in a limited edition of 300 pieces each and cased in a bead blasted 44 mm stainless steel case. Simple but very well executed, both watches feature vintage font Arabic numerals as well as running seconds subdials at 6 o'clock and vintage inspired spade and whip hands.
Insider: Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar ref. 4010T. A Timeless Classical Complication in a Very Contemporary Modern Execution.
Released at the SIHH 2018 the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar ref. 4010T is one of those watches that screams Vacheron a mile away. Available in platinum ref. 4010T/000P-B345 or in 18K 5N pink gold ref. 4010T/000R-B344, this new watch is the perfect modern expression of the grandeur in watchmaking from the oldest watch manufacture in the world. The new Traditionnelle Traditionnelle Complete Calendar ref. 4010T features a generous 41 mm case with a stepped round construction, angular lugs, slender bezel, a fluted rim on its display case back, railway-type minute track, “bâtons de Genève” hour-markers and dauphine hands.
News: Panerai Releases Two New Radiomir Watches with the New Calibre P.6000. Radiomir Logo PAM 753 and Radiomir Black Seal Logo PAM 754.
The Radiomir is the first watch ever created by Panerai and one of the most legendary watches from the brand. Continuing with their strategy of making their watches slimmer and more wearable amongst those that were not necessarily Paneristi, Panerai has just released two new Radiomir watches equipped with the new manual wound in-house calibre P.6000. The two new watches are the Radiomir Logo —pictured below— and the Radiomir Black Seal Logo —on the picture above.
Insider: Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Chronograph Platinum. A Stunning Blue Dial for Its Massive Platinum Case.
For 20 years, Chopard Manufacture has been creating the watches in the L.U.C collection shaking up the classic codes of complicated Haute Horlogerie. Originally introduced in 2016 and one of our favorite watches back then, the new Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Chrono ref. 161973-9001 is now available in platinum and in a highly exclusive limited edition of only 20 pieces. A very well executed complication, the Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Chrono combines a manual wound chronograph with a finely crafted perpetual calendar in a remarkable in-house movement.
Experience: Alfred Dunhill Cadogan Engine-Turn Slip Card Case. A Perfect Match for a GMT Watch.
As traditional billfold wallets become more scarce with the use of electronic currency and credit cards, well made cardholders have become a necessity and here at WCL they're one of those items we absolutely love. While the Alfred Dunhill Cadogan Engine-Turn Slip card case might not be as exclusive as pulling out a Faure Le Page or Goyard card holder, it still seems to be the perfect pairing for a Tudor Black Bay GMT; at the end of the day the Greenwich Mean Time —GMT— is the mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in London where Alfred Dunhill is from.
