The silence has been eerie these last two years on the outskirts of Le Mans. Anyone familiar with the world’s most iconic historic racing event will know that every second of July, the whole town vibrates to the sound of scorched tarmac in the distance. The legendary race, Le Mans Classic will return not only in 2022 but exceptionally the next year too, in 2023, to mark the centenary of the very first race on the Le Mans 24 Hours circuit.
From the Archives: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5905P
Released in 2015, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5905P in platinum quickly became one of the hottest watches and a grail watch for many. Available in two dial variations —blue or black—this is a perfectly designed Patek featuring a solid platinum case —with a total weight of 130.3 grams to be precise— that even at 42 mm in diameter, it’s not too big nor too small. As far as its complications, the Patek Philippe ref. 5905P is equipped with an annual calendar and a 60-minute chronograph. Even though the annual calendar automatically takes into account the differing lengths of individual months it is still unable to factor in the differing length of the month of February or the leap years like a Perpetual Calendar would.
From the Editor: Why I think the Tudor Big Block ref. 94300 is Better than a Vintage Rolex Daytona ref. 6265
For nearly half a century, Tudor has made chronographs with an unmistakable look resembling its big brother the Rolex Daytona. Released in 1976 the Tudor ‘Big Block’ chronograph is in my opinion the epitome of a vintage chronograph made to last and to look good forever. Why I think that the Tudor Big Block’ is a much better option than a vintage Rolex Daytona is something I will address later in this article.
Breaking News: Formula One Driver Lando Norris Gets Richard Mille Watch Stolen at Wembley
According to the McLaren F1 Racing Team, driver Lando Norris had his Richard Mille watch stolen during the final of the UEFA Euro 2020 at Wembley. During last Sunday’s match between Italy and England, around 2,500 ticketless fans forced themselves into the stadium. During the chaos, Lando Norris was mugged and his Richard Mille watch stolen.
Introducing: Richard Mille RM 07-01 Colored Ceramics Collection
The undisputed feminine icon of Richard Mille, the RM 07-01 collection, continues to cause a sensation with every new iteration. Three new limited-edition models in technically advanced ceramic, with radiant multi-material guilloché dials, embody the RM 07-01 collection’s no-compromise approach to aesthetics and performance, combining the very highest levels of mechanical watchmaking, movement engineering, and decorative finish.
From the Editor: Knockoff Watches Keep Crossing the Fine Line of Intellectual Property Infringement. Enough is Enough and Something Should Be Done.
What began with brands like Invicta or T.W. Steel copying the designs of Rolex professional watches, U-Boat, and some other brands alike, has now turned into a situation that is totally out of control and not regulated at all. Furthermore, there are now hundreds of these ‘knockoff’ brands that keep crossing the fine lines of intellectual property infringement and have become plain ‘copycats’ profiting from iconic designs of major luxury watch brands. Do I consider this wrong and infuriating? Of course, I do. To say the least.
Experience: Richard Mille RM11-01 Roberto Mancini. Perfect Watch to Wear During the UEFA EURO 2020 Final.
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 RM watches out there. Now that Italy will be playing the final match against England or Denmark at the UEFA Euro 2020 Cup, the RM Mancini could be the perfect companion to watch the final match on Sunday July 11, 2021.
Breaking News: The Timepiece Gentleman is Back. They Didn't Vanish, They Were Just Giving Back to the Community.
For days since we published the news last week, there were strong rumors across social media and via some major watch dealers that the owners at The Timepiece Gentleman —Gentleman Timepieces— were simply working on a PR stunt and had not vanished with millions of dollars in consignment inventory and funding money.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Amethyst ref. 26319OR
Audemars Piguet is delighted to unveil its new Royal Oak Chronograph in 38 mm that will be available solely in Audemars Piguet boutiques. For the first time, the Manufacture is offering a solid 18K pink gold timepiece with a bezel that has been set with an array of 32 baguette-cut amethysts. These purple gemstones surround and match the tones of the timepiece’s purple dial to perfection. Developed by the Manufacture’s artisans, the timepiece’s dial displays a range of purple hues that dance and change color in the light.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Black Ceramic
The history of the use of black ceramics by Audemars Piguet is quite extensive. The first external components honed from ceramics made their debut at Audemars Piguet in the late 1980s. In the early 2000s, new materials and alloys inspired by technical fields as diverse as aeronautics and automotive sports made their way into the watchmaking industry, the Royal Oak Offshore and Royal Oak Concept collections being perfect platforms to experiment with these high-tech materials.
Experience: Our Five Favorite Watches for ONLY Watch 2021
Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and at the initiative of Luc Pettavino, President of Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies, the ONLY Watch auction is happy to reveal the names of the 54 brands participating in the 9th edition of the biennial charity auction, whose aim is to raise funds for research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and the 53 lots that will be auctioned.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin ref. 15202XT 'ONLY Watch' Unique Piece
Audemars Piguet presents its Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Only Watch unique piece. This dedicated timepiece is the last unique 15202 reference powered by Calibre 2121, the thinnest automatic movement with central rotor and date indication of its time, first introduced on the Royal Oak in 1972. Reference 15202 and Calibre 2121 will officially retire at the end of 2021, making way for the new generation. While offering new grey hues, the “Petite Tapisserie” dial of this unique watch has retained the original Royal Oak’s typography for the signature and AP monogram as introduced with the 5402 A series.
Introducing: Laurent Ferrier École Annual Calendar Navy Limited Edition
After more than a year overshadowed by widespread gloom, there has never been a greater need for a little escape. With this in mind, Laurent Ferrier has revisited his École Annual Calendar, venturing into the field of color. Resplendent in blue and orange, this new creation is offered in a limited edition of only ten pieces, each of them numbered and engraved as "Série Atelier II". This most recent creation is housed in the 18K white gold École-shaped 40 mm case. The name derives from the case made by Laurent during his studies at watchmaking school, which inspired him to create a new version, many years later.
Breaking News: Dallas Grey Watch Dealer 'The Timepiece Gentleman' Seems to Have Vanished with Millions of Dollars in Consignment Inventory and Funding Money
Just because this developing story is happening right here in Dallas where WCL is based, we are covering this story that is outrageous, to say the least. After doing our research, we found information that claims that The Timepiece Gentleman —Gentleman Timepieces— was launched in Dallas, Texas at the end of November of 2017 with a $500 USD profit coming from the sale of a Breitling watch by Anthony Farrer —an ex-convict and felon.
Introducing: MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT Malachite
First launched in 2019, the Legacy Machine FlyingT was MB&F’s first-ever machine dedicated to women. It embodies elegance and vitality over the softer conventions of womanhood. Awarded the prize for Best Ladies’ Complication at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Legacy Machine FlyingT launched in three different 18K white gold versions. Then in 2020, they were joined by limited editions in red gold and platinum, featuring guilloche dials as well as the sixth edition with a Lapis Lazuli dial and an 18K white gold case set with diamonds. Today, MB&F is presenting this masterpiece of horology with a stunning malachite dial.
News: Greubel Forsey to Eliminate Animal Leather Straps and Move to Plant-Based Straps
Greubel Forsey will completely eliminate the use of animal leather from all of its straps. Starting January 1, 2022, a hundred percent of Greubel Forsey straps will be crafted from high-quality plant-based materials. This is a first for the brand and a first in the watch industry. For Greubel Forsey, the main obstacles to innovation are lack of ambition, vision, resources, but also habit, resistance to change, and perhaps a certain amount of prejudice.
Introducing: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Hokusai ‘Kirifuri Waterfall’
For almost two millennia, a two-way cultural exchange between Asia and Europe has had a profound influence on every art form of both East and West from the visual to the performing arts —as well as on techniques for producing textiles, glass and ceramics. This is an exchange that Jaeger-LeCoultre has embraced throughout the Manufacture’s history. Coinciding with 90 years of the Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates this ongoing cultural exchange with an exquisite new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepiece.
Experience: Ardbeg Ten Years Old. Scottish Tweed, a JLC Reverso Tribute Small Seconds Green and one of the Best Single Malt Whiskies.
Scotland gives the world some of the most beautiful landscapes and two things they excel at, their tweed and their scotch. Honoring the green luscious landscapes of Scotland and the deep green bottle of Ardberg Ten Years, we decided to pair this Islay Single Malt with the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds Green. Ardbeg Ten Years Old was launched in 2000 as an extraordinary balance of peaty notes and floral sweetness that makes it one of the best single malt whiskys in the world.
News: Presenting the Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune
The Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune mingles simplicity with informality and demanding details with the daring use of contrasting materials as well as stylistic crossovers. This model with its pure lines carved from ultra-light titanium is joining the Slim d’Hermès collection, created in 2015. The 39.5 mm round case and angular lugs of the Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune exemplify a blend of rigorous discipline and optimal balance, playing with paradoxes, hovering between touches that are at once classical and contemporary, understated and assertive
Insider: Patek Philippe Minute Repeaters. History, Explanation and 10 Facts You Need to Know About Them.
The history of Patek Philippe and Minute Repeaters is a long one. A couple of years ago, we had the opportunity to participate in the Minute Repeater Training and Sound Tasting class at Patek Philippe in New York City. For those of you wondering if Patek invented the Minute Repeater, the answer is no. It was Daniel Quare who invented the repetition mechanism in 1680; however, when it comes to Minute Repeaters, we all have to agree that no one other than Patek Philippe makes the most classical, elegant and perfect sounding timepieces equipped with the king of all complications.
