Adding up to the already amazing lineup of the Vacheron Constantin FiftySix collection —first unveiled at the SIHH 2018— comes the new FiftySix Tourbillon ref. 6000E/000R-B488. Not only this is the first major complication in the new FiftySix collection, but this is also an automatic tourbillon powered by an ultra-thin movement with a peripheral oscillating weight that enables an even slimmer construction and unobstructed views of the full movement that often gets somewhat blocked by the use of a solid central oscillating weight. The FiftySix collection is a retro-contemporary new line of timepieces that takes its inspiration from the iconic Vacheron Constantin reference 6073 from 1956, hence the name FiftySix.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire Rose Gold. Accurate to 1/6th of a Second and Beautiful as Beautiful it gets.
The Duomètre collection is one of our favorite collections from Jaeger-LeCoultre due to its exceptionally beautiful and highly complicated timepeices. The unique technical nature and distinctive styling of the Duomètre places it in the most exclusive echelons of watchmaking. Based on an unprecedented concept nicknamed 'Dual-Wing', its movement is composed of two separate watch mechanisms connected by a shared regulating organ. A true masterpiece of horology, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire ref. 6042522 is a perfect interpretation of the revolutionary ‘Dual-Wing’ concept, featuring two independent power reserves, one of which, in this case, is devoted solely to precise time measurement while the other takes care of the functional displays. Fitted with a 42 mm 18K pink gold case and a gorgeous granulated silvered dial, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire raises in full glory just like the moon goes from its waxing gibbous to a full moon.
News: IWC Schaffhausen Inaugurates Its New ManufakturZentrum. A State-of-the-Art Very Modern Facility.
Last week, IWC Schaffhausen marked the inauguration of its new Manufakturzentrum with a celebration. The official opening of the new production plant for movement components, manufacture movements and cases is a milestone in the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer's 150-year history. In its new production plant, over an area spanning 13,500 square meters, the Schaffhausen-based watch manufacturer brings together the production of movement components, manufacture movements and cases under one roof —a milestone in the company's 150-year history.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Schumacher Rose Gold Limited Edition ref. 26568OM. The Second and Last AP Watch with a Cermet Bezel.
t's been almost five years since the freak skiing accident that put Michael Schumacher in a coma on December 29th, 2013. While today we don't know much about Schumacher's condition, other than he was out of the come a year after his accident, the one thing we know is that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Schumi' is the best and nicest limited edition watch to ever honor one of the greatest Formula One drivers that has ever lived. Available in Titanium, 18K Rose Gold and Platinum, this limited edition along with the Rubens Barrichello —titanium model here, rose gold model here and the platinum model here— are two of the most coveted AP Offshores of all time.
Insider: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton White Gold. Hands-on with a Stunning Openworked Timepiece.
Available in 18K white gold as reference 99110-53-001-53A or 18K pink gold as reference 99110-52-000-52A comes the stunning Girard-Perregaux Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton —a direct descendant of the original model launched in 1975—. With a fully skeletonized dial this watch is similar in looks to the Royal Oak Openworked with its grey galvanized bridges; however, the Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton looks much better as all the wheels and gears have been treated to maintain a nice monochromatic color scheme for its overall design.
Insider: Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB1.2 and FB1.3. Two of the Finest Examples of Exquisite Modern Watchmaking.
A year after its launch by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, the co-president of Chopard and founder of Chopard's in-house manufacture L.U.C division, Ferdinand Berthoud had already received the highest award given in the watchmaking industry. After winning the Grand Prix “Aiguille d’Or” prize at the 16th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève —GPHG— in 2016 with its Chronomètre FB1.1 in 18K white gold —we featured here—, the brand followed with the release of two additional iterations of this incredible watch in 2017. The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB1.2 and FB1.3 share the same design as the first FB1.1 but offer two completely different looks.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5960P. A Discontinued Classic Complication.
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.
