Greubel Forsey is at the pinnacle of watchmaking and probably at the lowest in terms of top of mind when it comes to Holiday gift shopping. Ultimately, who in its right mind would gift someone a Greubel Forsey? Well, we’ve seen crazy things and gifting a loved one a Greubel Forsey timepiece is not completely out of the question when you have the means to do so. Therefore, for those of you that can afford it all, we’ve pulled five Greubel Forsey watches from our archives that would make an incredible gift under the Christmas tree.
News: Jaquet Droz Opens Pop-Up Store on New York City's Fifth Avenue. Celebrating 280 Years of Achievements in Watchmaking and Artistry.
Jaquet Droz announces the opening of a New York pop-up store for the 280th anniversary celebrations of the brand. A prestigious pop-up store on New York’s Fifth Avenue will close out a cycle of exhibitions that has flitted from Milan to Zurich, Singapore to Tokyo, and Macau to Moscow via Hong Kong and Beijing. Over the past year the brand has brought its most precious craftsmanship to friends and collectors across the globe. The traveling exhibition has given visitors on all continents the opportunity to admire the brand’s historic pieces and most exclusive new creations.
Rare Bird: Richard Mille RM11-01 Roberto Mancini Titanium. The Perfect Chronograph for Soccer Lovers.
If you are a soccer fan, the Richard Mille RM11-01 Roberto Mancini needs no introduction. Released a number of years ago and now totally sold out, this is one of our favorite Mille watches out there. Specifically designed for the king of all sports, the Richard Mille Roberto Mancini honors Italian soccer player and coach of the Italian National team with a colorful chronograph who’s primary function is to assist the timekeeping of a soccer match. Cased in titanium or in red gold and titanium —we personally prefer the full titanium model we have here—, the Richard Mille RM11-01 Mancini was released as a regular production watch and not in a limited edition. Despite that, it is nearly impossible to find one nowadays.
Breaking News: SIHH and Baselworld to Coordinate Their Dates for 2020. Good or Bad? We'll Wait and See.
As of 2020, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève —SIHH— and Baselworld, the two major events in the watch industry, will synchronise their calendars to take place back to back. Starting 2020, the SIHH will be held from April 26th thru the 29th in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from April 30th to May 5th in Basel. Until 2019, the SIHH will continue to take place in mid-January while Baselworld will take place at the end of March. Due to this, professionals, press, and clients shared by large watchmaking brands would have to travel to Switzerland twice in the space of just a couple of months. With the new calendar synchronized until 2024, one trip will now be required.
Eye Candy: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1R. One of Gerald Genta's Icons.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus is a watch that needs little introduction. Launched in 1976, quickly became a legendary and iconic watch just like every other watch designed by Gerald Genta. Perhaps Genta was gifted with the 'Midas Touch' or maybe he was just the biggest visionary the horological world has had so far. Either way, the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711 is one of the sexiest watches out there, specially in its 18K rose gold version with matching integrated bracelet.
Pre-SIHH 2019: Cartier Libre Collection. A Technicolor Vision Revealing Cartier's Wealth of Inspiration.
In preparation for the SIHH 2019 Cartier has just announced the Cartier Libre collection. In this latest edition, creativity shifts lines and meets a technicolor vision with the Tank Chinoise Red, the Diagonale watch and the Baignoire Allongée watches. Year after year, this union between watchmaking and creativity shifts lines, revisits established conventions and reveals Cartier’s wealth of inspiration in terms of form. By highlighting or putting certain aspects into perspective, the color exposes previously imperceptible facets. These four new watches revisit some of the oldest watches ever released by Cartier in the 20s bringing to the table three exceptional timepieces in white gold and one in yellow gold.
Experience: Ferrari 488 Spider. Unmistakable Like an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono with Blue Dial.
Despite we are big Porsche fans here at WCL, a red Ferrari is always one of those cars that sparks our interest and one that we consider to be very special, much like an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph with blue dial. Just like a Ferrari stands out from the crowd, the same goes for an AP Royal Oak Chrono and no matter where in the world you are, both a Ferrari and a Royal Oak have a very unmistakable look. For the last 71 years, Ferrari has been the benchmark when it comes to legendary sports cars and for 46 years, AP changed the course of the watch industry with the release of the Royal Oak in 1972.
Insider: MB&F Horological Machine No. 9 'Flow'. Hands-on with a Crazy Awesome Looking Timepiece.
Released at the end of September 2018, the new MB&F HM9 Flow in two limited editions of 33 pieces each was conceptualized by Max Büsser and designed by mastermind Eric Giroud. With Guillaume Thévenin who developed the movement, Camile Fournet who worked on the strap and Jean-François Mojon who collaborated on the precision turning of wheels, pinions and axes, amongst others, the HM9 Flow is heavily influenced and inspired by the aerodynamic DNA of the late 40s and 50s automotive design as well as by mid-century aviation design.
Pre-SIHH 2019: New Range of IWC Pilot's Watches Just Unveiled. Four Very Good Looking New Watches.
A whole new range of IWC Pilot’s watches was just unveiled at the Goodwood Aerodome in the U.K. in preparation for the SIHH 2019 —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Our friends from Schaffhausen will be presenting a new Spitfire line, a new Top Gun line and "Le Petit Prince" special editions. For the Spitfire line, all watches are fitted with IWC-manufactured calibres to celebrate the unique engineering of the British fighter aircraft. Within the Top Gun collection IWC will be featuring their new exclusive material named Ceratanium for their first ever completely jet black Pilot’s Watch. Among the products to be unveiled by IWC the ‘Le Petite Prince’ Editions will be the first Pilot's Watch to feature a constant-force tourbillon and the first case to be made from hard gold.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon Platinum ref. 26516PT with Baguette-Cut Diamond Bezel. Hands-on Review.
Amongst other fifteen references of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon which include: stainless steel, 18K rose gold, the Westime Edition —with or without diamonds—, 18K yellow gold, imited edition openworked in platinum and in 18K yellow gold, platinum and titanium reference 26510PT in platinum, frosted gold and the new models with the ‘Evolutive’ tapisserie dials, comes the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon diamond-set platinum model ref. 26516PT.ZZ.1220PT.01 with a bezel featuring with 32 baguette-cut diamonds totaling 3.04 carats. Yet another one of those AP grails for those in love with diamonds.
Pre-SIHH 2019: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracàn Performante
In 2018, inspired by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and its unique automobile aesthetic showcased in the Huracán Performante the watchmakers at Roger Dubuis have developed a timepiece brimming with racing design codes. One of the most striking features of the new aggressive Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán Performante is its brand-new ‘engine’: the RD630 movement with its 12-degree inclined balance wheel representing the calibre signature associated with Lamborghini.
Watch Shopping: UK's Largest Luxury Timepieces Retailer Watches of Switzerland Opens New Flagship Boutiques in Vegas and SoHo
The UK’s largest retailer of luxury timepieces just opened two brand new flagships in New York City and Las Vegas as they’ve set foot in the U.S. On November 29th, Watches of Switzerland opened their first Watches of Switzerland showroom in New York City at 60 Greene Street, SoHo, followed by the Las Vegas store two days later. Additionally, they will also manage the new Omega and Breitling standalone boutiques at the Wynn Plaza Shops in Las Vegas. On display within the space is a collection of the world’s leading timepiece brands, including Blancpain, Breitling, Breguet, Franck Muller, Girard- Perregaux, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Omega, Panerai, Roger Dubuis, Tudor, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk and Vacheron Constantin.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740/1G-001. A Flawless Execution of a Very Long Awaited Complication for the Nautilus Line.
The most awaited complication for the Patek Philippe Nautilus collection was for sure the new perpetual calendar ref. 5740 that was released earlier this year at Baselworld 2018 and we brought you the news here. While we already told you almost everything about this new watch at the time we published our Baselworld news, we had a second opportunity to peruse and admire the watch —while shooting the cover for the third issue of our print magazine— a couple of months ago and because of that we have some new things we would like to share with you.
Eye Candy: Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 1R.6-1 Cement Steel. An Exquisite Timepiece that is Totally Scratch-Resistant.
With its original regulator-type display and its ultra-resistant cement steel case, the Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 1R.6-1 takes its cues from the Marine Chronometer No. 7. and its FB-T.FC.R tourbillon calibre with fusee-and-chain transmission that can be admired through a sapphire crystal case-back and two lateral portholes offering a unique view inside this outstanding chronometer. The cement steel case is a carburized iron case where the molecular structure of the steel has been reinforced by a thermo-chemical process involving the diffusion of vapor-phase carbon guaranteeing a hardness of 1200 vickers and making it exceptionally corrosion-resistant and totally scratch-resistant.
Insider: Pricing Guide for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST 'The Beast'. Commanding Higher Prices, After Emmanuel Gueit's Sold for CHF 102,500 Swiss Francs.
n the past month, we've been contacted by several collectors trying to get more information regarding the first series of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore a.k.a. 'The Beast' ref. 25721ST.OO.1000ST.01. with its iconic queen blue dial —more about this particular hue of blue here. Also, recently we've found more activity in places like Timezone, ThePurists and TRF, regarding this iconic watch.
Pre-SIHH 2019: Cartier Privé Collection. Two New Watches in Platinum or Pink Gold.
Pre-SIHH 2019 —which is less than two months away—, Cartier has just unveiled a brand new collection with a tonneau-shaped watch. With its shape both strong and pure, the dial is on the cusp between a rectangle and an oval just as the case curves slightly, tendering one of the first significant modifications aimed at fitting it better to the wrist. This year, Cartier celebrates this legendary watch shape with a redesigned hours and minutes model and a skeleton dual time zone model, taking watch aesthetics to another level.
Insider: Breguet Type XXII Flyback Chronograph ref. 3880. Equipped with a 10Hz High Frequency Movement and Just the Right Amount of Red.
The Breguet Type XXII Flyback Chronograph ref. 3880BR/Z2/9XV in 18K rose gold is perhaps our favorite sporty Breguet out there. As if the flyback chronograph and dual time zone features were not enough, this exceptional watch is also powered by a high frequency automatic movement beating at a frequency of 10 Hertz, yes 10 Hz. What makes this flyback chronograph even more special, is that the red chrono-seconds hand and red-tipped gold chrono-minutes hand, need to run twice around the dial to account for one elapsed minute when the chronograph is activated —in other words this watch features a 30-second/half-minute totalizer at the center— allowing for measurements of up to a 20th of a second.
News: NOMOS Glashütte Autobahn Awarded Gold at the 2019 German Design Awards
The NOMOS Glashütte Autobahn was released in 2018 and it is the most dynamic design from NOMOS Glashütte to date. This minimalist watch has officially joined the top echelons of the international design world by winning the Gold “Excellence in international design” at the 2019 German Design Awards —despite some less than stellar hands-on reviews by some of our competitors. The GDA is presided by the German Design Council, founded as an initiative of the German Federal Parliament in 1953. Since then, it is the leading authority on branding and design in Germany.
Insider: Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Garde-Côtes. A Gorgeous Watch That Won't Break the Bank.
Last time we talked here at WCL about Bell & Ross was back in 2017 when the brand had just released its BR-X1 Tourbillon Sapphire —you can read our review here. Disappointed by seeing the brand trying too hard to conquer uncharted territory in a price point that doesn’t match their brand essence and product offering, we decided to take a hiatus at reviewing any of their watches. However, with the release of the BR V2-94 Garde-Côtes, the brand picked our interest one more time by going back to their basics and what they’re well known for, making good looking watches that won’t break the bank and that give you a little bit more than a TAG Heuer, a Longines or a Baume & Mercier would give you just to name a few.
Insider: Armin Strom Skeleton Pure Chocolate Brown Ceramic Unique Piece. Hands-on with one of the Best Matte Ceramic Cases We've Ever Seen.
As you guys know, Armin Strom is an independent haute horlogerie brand known to master the art of skeletonization but also a brand that excels in making some unique pieces here and there, like the WatchCollectingLifestyle unique piece we shared with you at the end of September, here. Well, this time we are bringing you a hands-on review of a very unique Armin Strom Skeleton Pure featuring a middle case made of matte ceramic.
