Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, the leading auction house for collectors’ timepieces of the highest quality, is pleased to announce the theme of its next New York Auction. Taking place on December 10th, 2019, the Game Changers Auction will be a tightly curated thematic auction dedicated to watches owned by extraordinary people who are considered “game changers” in their fields. The evening sale will also include iconic collectors’ models from leading brands that have changed the course of watchmaking and watch collecting, alongside other important timepieces that are outliers in terms of provenance, aesthetics, condition, and rarity.
News: Panerai Presents Four New Military Green Dial Radiomirs. Edizione Verde Militare PAM 995, PAM 997, PAM 998 and PAM 999.
Four brand new Radiomir watches have just been released by Panerai sporting striking military green dials. Referred to as ‘Edizione Verde Militare’ in Italian —Military Green Edition—, these new four Radiomir watches are exclusively sold at the Panerai boutique network and not at the authorized dealers. Fitted with matte military green dials, the watches seek to blend in with jungle surroundings as Panerai has chosen this identifying color, reinforcing their strong historic identity and military lineage. Four interpretations, unequivocally individual in their functions, dimensions and the materials of which they are made, but conceptually connected by a common visual code of recognition as well as by the aesthetic language of the Radiomir case…
Eye Candy: A. Lange & Söhne Langematik Perpetual Honey Gold. The Sweetest Honey for Discerning Watch Collectors.
A proud member of the Saxonia family, the A. Lange & Söhne Langematik Perpetual in honey gold, stands out from the crowd. With a more traditional and classic case construction at 38.5 mm and available in a limited edition of 100 pieces, this Perpetual Calendar is a perfect example of the horological prowess from the Saxonian manufacture based out of Dresden in Germany. Introduced this year, its solid silver dial is graced with appliques, hour markers and hands made of honey gold. With a simple layout that includes the mandatory information provided by a perpetual calendar including a superimposed leap year indicator on the month subdial, the A. Lange & Söhne Langematik Perpetual Honey Gold is an unparalleled timepiece for Lange purists.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721TI. The Titanium Lightweight Beast.
Since we are the largest source of information on the web for all Audemars Piguet related things, we want to talk about a watch that tends to fly under the radar and that we like to refer to as a rare bird. Slightly less important than the first Royal Oak Offshore ‘The Beast’, the ‘titanium beast’ is still quite rare with very low production numbers. Often mistaken by many as the first Royal Oak Offshore, the titanium reference 25721TI was released five years after the launch of the original Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST in stainless steel. The reference 25721TI in titanium was only produced for six years and six dials were available at the time.
Insider: Franck Muller Vanguard Tourbillon Rally Maya 2019. A Captivating 5-Piece Limited Edition.
Two months ago we brought you the news about the new watches released by Franck Muller to celebrate the the 6th edition of the Rally Maya. Today, we dive deep into the captivating beauty of the Vanguard Tourbillon Rally Maya 2019. Exclusively available in Mexico and in a 5-piece limited edition, the Vanguard Tourbillon is the most special of all watches ever released as the result of the partnership between Rally Maya and Franck Muller Mexico —Raconli Group. A percentage from the proceeds of the sale of these limited edition watches will be donated to a special foundation in the southeast region of Mexico that supports children with Down Syndrome. Now, on with this very good looking watch dressed in the colors of the Mexican flag and accentuated by the signature tourbillon with Franck Muller logo bridge and the figure eight snake logo of the Rally Maya.
News: MB&F Tom & T-Rex Clock. A Collaboration with L'Epée 1839 for ONLY Watch Auction.
All previous MB&F Machines created for the ONLY Watch Auction up to date were unique pieces from existing collections that incorporated visual elements related to the auction. For this year’s ONLY Watch Auction, MB&F and L’Epée have teamed up yet again, to make an incredible clock never released before. The clock seeks to highlight the special nature of the auction. The unconventional, highly metaphorical table clock was created with a small sculpture of a young boy named Tom who represents the children living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy —the cause behind this auction and a degenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of basic motor functions, including the ability to walk. Tom rides a T-Rex friend, who carries him away into fantastical realms as a symbol of the hope offered by the ONLY Watch Auction to the children affected by the disease.
Insider: F.P. Journe lineSport Chronographe Rattrapante. Powered by the New Calibre 1518.
Revered as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 21st century along with names like Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilainen and Stephen Forsey, François-Paul Journe started designing his vision of contemporary watchmaking back in 1999. Very well known for the Latin words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ —meaning invented and made— inscribed in all of his timepieces, all of his watches are the result of rigorous craftsmanship and manufacture processes where the F.P. Journe himself is always completely involved.
News: ONLY WATCH Auction to Include 50 Unique Pieces from 52 Watch Brands
Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and due to the initiative of Luc Pettavino, President of the Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies, ONLY WATCH is proud to unveil today the names of the 52 watch brands participating in the 8th edition of the biennial charity auction benefiting research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, as well as the 50 lots that will be auctioned. This exceptional and unparalleled project supports the battle against a devastating myopathy that affects 1 in 3000 male births on the planet by funding research. It is expected, this year again, to become the most talked-about topic in the watchmaking industry.
Eye Candy: Greubel Forsey Art Piece Edition Historique. 11-Piece Edition in Platinum.
The initial impulse that gave rise to the Greubel Forsey Art Piece Collection was generated by a desire to create points of convergence between the world of plastic arts and that of the art of watchmaking. This is a ground-breaking new zone of expression that Greubel Forsey intends to share with artists whose aesthetic language is in resonance with its own universe Looking into the wide open heart at its three-dimensional construction and highly original geometry, the Art Piece Edition Historique crowns the avant-garde aesthetic approach behind numerous exceptional creations.
News: Introducing the new HYT SOONOW. A Total of 313 Gold Pins Make the Skull on its Dial.
There are moments when we want now to last forever. At other times, soon can’t come fast enough. The new HYT SOONOW has the answer. Its intriguing and captivating presentation of time’s flow is a constant reminder that every second counts. Because these moments are what add together. “Now or never” is so yesterday. HYT defines the present as an energizing cliffhanger, never as a precariously suspended moment of gratification or information on demand. The meaning of time is the content we give it, every single step of the way. The new HYT SOONOW showcases this dynamic view of the now as a mobile pivotal point between the path traveled so far, and what could potentially lie ahead.
Watch Shopping: Watches of Switzerland Opens Boutique at Encore Boston Harbor. A Memorable Night at Sinatra.
Continuing with their footprint expansion in the U.S., Watches of Switzerland just opened another boutique, this time at the just opened Encore Boston Harbor Hotel. The Encore just opened this past Monday June 24th, 2019 as the first casino in the Boston Metropolitan area. Watches of Switzerland Group has more than 146 showrooms in the UK and the U.S. —including 15 dedicated mono-brand boutiques in partnership with Rolex, TAG Heuer, Omega and Breitling— and has leading presence at Heathrow Airport and 5 online transactional websites. Additionally, Watches of Switzerland Group is proud to be the UK’s largest retailer for Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Omega, TAG Heuer and Breitling. In the U.S., this is the third boutique that opened up in less than a year and their fifth watch retail operation in this country.
News: Introducing the new MB&F HM7 Aquapod Platinum Red. A 25-Piece Limited Edition.
Having captivated the world with its soaring tourbillon and perfect symmetries over the last two years, the jellyfish-inspired HM7 Aquapod emerges from the depths for a new outing in 2019, this time in the most precious of metals and an arresting new shade. Platinum, which sits at the apex of the hierarchy of noble watchmaking materials, makes its debut in HM7, its bright silvery white hue an emphatic counterpoint to the vividly crimson red unidirectional rotating bezel. Used for the first time in any MB&F creation, red is not a color that immediately comes to mind when thinking of marine life.
News: Label Noir Creates the First Rolex Daytona Tourbillon Customization Using a ref. 116520
A world premiere by Label Noir is the new Rolex Daytona Tourbillon inspired by the mythical Daytona Paul Newman. Produced on special order for a customer who wishes to remain anonymous, this unique piece will be delivered after four exhibitions in Geneva, Paris, St-Tropez and Monaco. Before being released to its owner, this very first Rolex Daytona Tourbillon fully customized by Label Noir is in the safe custody of watchmaker Emmanuel Curti, a member of the venerable Société Suisse de Chronométrie —SSC— and CEO of Label Noir.
Experience: Aston Martin DB11 Volante. A Match Made in Heaven with an HYT H1 Dracula.
For this particular shoot, we could’ve not picked any other watch better suited for an Aston Martin DB11 Volante in China Grey with red and black interiors. If anyone at Aston Martin had thought of a watch with an identical color scheme, they would’ve never imagines that the HYT H1 Dracula with its black DLC titanium case, grey flange and red fluidic hours would be the perfect watch and a match made in heaven. In the world of Aston Martin ‘Volante’ refers to a drop-top —convertible— car. The DB11 Volante is not only a very sexy convertible but also a powerful V8 twin-turbo —as the V12 is not available on the Volante— machine that drives like a bat out of hell —perhaps dracula out of hell. Big, bold and with an incredibly loud roaring engine, the Aston Martin DB11 Volante is a great four-seater with a little bit more of room than a Ferrari California and of course with a steeper price tag but worth all the money.
News: Westime and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Charity Night Raises $5.32 Million
On Saturday, June 15, 2019, After-School All-Stars founder Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed over 150 philanthropic guests to his private home in L.A. for the seventh annual Arnold Schwarzenegger Westime Charity Night benefiting After-School All-Stars. Westime, the luxury watch and jewelry retailer led by John and Greg Simonian, sponsored the Western- themed event. Through the unwavering commitment of Schwarzenegger and Westime, the annual event has raised $12.8 million over the last seven years, to support free, comprehensive after-school programs for low- income, underserved students across the nation during the hours of 3-6pm.
Insider: Vacheron Constantin Partners with Climber and Photographer Cory Richards. An Overseas Dual Time Prototype Celebrates the Occasion.
Straight from NYC where we are with Vacheron Constantin and Cory Richards, the renowned climber and photographer. Embodying the beauty of the Earth and Nature, the photographs and videos taken on the dizzying slopes of Everest during Cory Richard’s new attempted ascent will be exhibited at the Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world. This creative collaboration with the Manufacture has also given rise to an extremely good looking Overseas Dual Time prototype that the explorer wore on his wrist during his ascent. To set the pace for his adventure on the slopes of Everest, Cory Richards wanted to have a watch enabling him to keep track the time in Nepal, as well as back home in the United States. For that purpose, he chose an Overseas Dual Time.
Eye Candy: Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Mécaniques Sauvages Majestic Tiger. The Art of Wood Marquetry and Gold Engraving.
For three centuries, Vacheron Constantin has perpetuated the tradition of “Les Cabinotiers”, the name originally given to the prestigious watchmakers who exercised their art in light-filled workshops located on the top floors of Geneva buildings. Exceptional bespoke timepieces were devised at the time, brimming with a rare degree of technical and aesthetic complexity, inspired by astronomy, science and art
Experience: La Flor de Las Antillas 'Toro'. Number One Cigar in 2012 and Still as Good as Back Then.
La Flor de Las Antillas 'Toro' was ranked by Cigar Aficionado as the number one cigar for 2012 made by the renowned Nicaraguan cigar company My Father Cigars S.A. which is owned and lead by acclaimed Cuban cigar maker José 'Pepin' Garcia, his son Jaime and daughter Janny. My Father Cigars is a company that started as a small family operation out of Miami with a dozen rollers that slowly grew into one of the most prominent cigar makers establishing their factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. This company is also well known for being the manufacturers of Tatuaje when that brand was first started by Pete Johnson.
News: Presenting the H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Tourbillon Funky Blue
As soon as visitors set foot in Charlottenfels Castle, built by Heinrich Moser in 1854 they are overwhelmed by a sense of wonder at the elegance and sobriety of the high-ceiling rooms and the unobstructed view of the Rhine and the town of Schaffhausen. Today, the Moser family museum can be found on the first floor of this magnificent abode, which exhibits items belonging to Heinrich Moser and recounts his life through his creations and works. Naturally, many of the objects on display are watches, which tell the history of the brand from 1828 to today. It is from these pieces, and particularly those from the 20th century, that H. Moser & Cie. drew inspiration to recreate its Heritage line.
Insider: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Black Ceramic. Sandblasted for an Understated Look.
With its ultra-appealing look and uncompromisingly forward-thinking mechanics, the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic in sandblasted black ceramic is the thinnest full ceramic mechanical watch. Following the success of the Octo Tourbillon Finissimo in 2014, the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in 2016 and last year’s Octo Finissimo Automatic, Bulgari decided to add the beauty and understated look of black ceramic to its Octo lineup. Somewhat stealthy and very light, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic in black ceramic is not your run-of-the-mill timepiece but a feat of horology and mechanics with its ultra slim movement.
