Last year we launched The Backgammon & Watches Society here at WCL. Since then, we’ve been on the search for the coolest backgammon sets and were not going to lie, we already have too many of them. But just like with watches, there’s never such thing as too many. Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world that dates back to Mesopotamia around 5,000 B.C. It is a very sophisticated board game often played by the elite and royals.
Introducing: Louis Erard Excellence Guilloché Main II Limited Edition
Based in the Jura mountains, the birthplace of watchmaking, Louis Erard embodies the values of Swiss mechanics, the tradition that keeps its promises. Combining luxury, timelessness, and elegance at a very reasonable price, this independent brand is renowned for its mechanical watches and, in particular, its iconic regulators. A collection on which the brand, founded by Mr. Louis Erard in 1929, built its reputation.
From the Editor: Counterfeit Rolex Warranty Cards are on the Rise. Here's What You Can Do to Protect Yourself.
Today, Rolex watches are at the peak of their demand and their secondary market prices are simply out of control. With that being said, I’ve noticed that the number of fake/counterfeit Rolex Warranty Cards out there has also skyrocketed. People can easily double their money by selling coveted Rolex professional models in the secondary market and watches that were typically sold ‘naked’ —without boxes or papers— are now being accompanied by fake boxes or real boxes but with counterfeit warranty cards.
Insider: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton Black Ceramic. A Stealthy Very Special Timepiece.
There is no doubt that here at WCL we are huge fans of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton in all of its different iterations. However, there is something really special about the Laureato Skeleton Black Ceramic ref. 81015-32-001-32A. While the 18K rose gold iteration of the Laureato Skeleton wins our hearts, the stealthy understated look of the black ceramic model is something we find very special.
Watch Auctions: Gérald Genta's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Original Prototype Drawing Sells for $610,000 USD
Today, the Gérald Genta: Icon of Time Sale in Geneva came to an end, and the original prototype design by Genta of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from 1972 with accompanying NFT—Lot 1— sold for CHF 564,500 Swiss Francs plus buyer’s fees —approximately $610,000 USD. Wonder who the lucky winner was. Our guess is that it was probably Audemars Piguet directly. We will investigate and try to get you more details.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 50th Anniversary ref. 26240OR with Live Photos
A couple of weeks ago, we brought you our hands-on review of the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 50th Anniversary ref. 26240ST in stainless steel and today, we bring you the rose gold version of it on a blue alligator strap and equipped with a Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 hue —blue— dial. As mentioned before, the AP Royal Oak Chrono has seen many iterations and facelifts since its launch in 1997-1998 under reference 25860.
Introducing: Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0. Within Two Hours the Watch is Already Sold Out Online.
The original Casquette was produced from 1976 to 1978. During that period, Girard-Perregaux made 8200 examples of this innovative quartz watch. Over the years, it has become much sought after by watch aficionados and style-conscious wearers. Now, the GP Casquette returns named Casquette 2.0. This new model upholds the design language of the original but is now encased in ceramic with a grade 5 titanium case back.
Insider: IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition 'Blue Angels'
The Blue Angels are a flight demonstration squadron part of the U.S. Navy and the second oldest in the world after the Patrouille de France. Composed of six F/A-18 Super Hornets, the Blue Angels are as legendary as it gets when it comes to flying squadrons and their blue and yellow color combo is unmistakable.
Experience: Three of the Top Habanos, Hennessy X.O and a Rolex GMT Master II Everose Gold ref. 126715CHNR 'Rootbeer' to Light Them Up
Cuban cigars come in all shapes and forms and today there are 27 different brands. While all Habanos are Cuban, by no means all Cuban cigars are Habanos. The title ‘Habano’ is the Protected Denomination of Origin —Denominación de Origen Protegida D.O.P—, reserved for a selection of the most outstanding brands whose cigars are manufactured to highest standards from tobaccos grown only in particular areas of Cuba.
News: Bonhams to Auction Sir Michael Caine's Personal Watch Collection
The personal watch collection of Sir Michael Caine and Lady Shakira Caine will be offered for sale at Bonhams in London on March 2, 2022 as part of the Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection Sale. Along with the watches a collection of three black and white photographs of them from the 1970s will be also offered as part of the sale. Among the watches in the collection four pieces stand out including Sir Michael’s 18K gold Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date reference 19018 which he has owned since 1979 and which appears in several films, most famously in ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.’
Experience: Goyard Goyardine Ambassade Briefcase. The Color of Money is Green and so is a Rolex Submariner Hulk.
While there are many wonderful European maroquiniers or leather Maisons from France to choose from, Maison Goyard along with Fauré Le Page are those that typically stand out as Louis Vuitton is extremely more mainstream. Goyard originally started as the House of Martin in 1792 by Pierre-Fraçois Martin specialized in box-making, trunk-making, and packing. Originally the brand was known as a specialist in box-making, trunk-making, and packing. Pierre-Fraçois Martin was the guardian of a young woman named Pauline whom he arranged to marry his employee, Louis-Henry Morel. As her dowry for her wedding, Pierre-Fraçois Martin gave his business to Morel. In 1834, the House of Martin moved its store from 4, rue Neuve des Capucines to 347, rue Saint-Honoré.
Insider: IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition 'Le Petit Prince'. A Subtle but Perfect Valentine's Day Timepiece and Here's Why.
IWC has linked their watches to ‘Le Petit Prince’ —The Little Prince— for a while and numerous limited editions, as well as regular production watches, have been released honoring one of the greatest books ever written. The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition 'Le Petit Prince' ref. IW504803 in 18K Armor Gold is to us a perfect watch to talk about on Valentine’s Day and here’s why.
Watch Auctions: Bid on Gérald Genta's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Original Prototype Drawing Already at CHF 40,000
At the end of December 2021 we brought you the news that Gerald Genta’s very own Royal Oak would be offered for sale at Sotheby’s through three dedicated ‘Gérald Genta: Icon of Time’ auctions starting February 2022. Along with his very own Royal Oak, approximately 30 original Royal Oak design drawings will be offered in each of the sales.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37 mm ref. 15550 50th Anniversary. Our Hands-on Review with Live Pics.
Two weeks ago Audemars Piguet dropped the new watches to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak. Among the new releases, a new 37 mm Royal Oak ref. 15550 50th anniversary made its appearance and here we bring you our hands-on review with live pictures. While we’ve never been the biggest fans of the face lifted ref. 15500 missing the ‘Automatic’ writing on its dial, at a significantly smaller size —4 mm smaller in diameter— the new 37 mm Royal Oak looks quite fine.
Insider: Cartier Ronde Solo de Cartier. A lot of Watch for the Money.
Not sure if we should consider the Ronde Solo de Cartier an entry-level type of watch based on its pedigree, craftsmanship, design, and its in-house movement; however, based on its retail price it’s a very strong contender when it comes to watches priced under $4K. Available on a bracelet or leather strap, the Ronde Solo de Cartier comes in a wide variety of sizes including a 29 mm quartz model, and an automatic in 36 mm or 42 mm ref. W6701011 like the one we are reviewing.
Insider: CIGA Design Blue Planet. The First Chinese Watch to Ever Win at the GPHG.
The CIGA Design Series U Blue Planet is the first Chinese Made watch to ever win at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève and to make it to the shortlist of the nominees. In November 2021, the CIGA Design Blue Planet was awarded the GPHG 2021 Challenge Prize —watches priced under CHF 3,500 Swiss Francs— while competing against other ‘budget-friendly’ or affordable timepieces that included the Doxa SUB 200 C-GRAPH Caribbean, Oris Divers Sixty-Five Cotton Candy, Massena Lab Uni-Racer, Anordain Model 1-Payne’s Grey Fumé and the Furlan Marri Mr. Grey.
Introducing: HYT Hastroid Green Nebula. The Hydromechanical Horologists are Back.
In 2012, HYT created a buzz within the watchmaking community with its hybrid mechanical-fluidic technology allowing the time to be displayed using fluids. After a short hiatus ceasing operations in 2021, HYT was taken over by Kairos Technology Switzerland SA and appointed Davide Cerrato as CEO. Davide, a veteran of the watchmaking industry comes with a proven track record having worked with brands such as Panerai, Tudor, and Montblanc/Minerva. Now, in 2022 HYT returns with a totally new watch, the Hastroid.
Introducing: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel 'Tiger'
To celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2022, nine decades after the Reverso was born, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Tiger’. Created to coincide with the Chinese Lunar New Year and the grand opening of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new flagship boutique in Shanghai, the new timepiece pays tribute to the Year of the Tiger. Swiveling the 18K pink gold watch case —measuring 45.5 mm x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm— to its reverse side reveals a magnificent tiger.
Introducing: Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto. The Best Alternative to a Patek Nautilus 5711.
Today, Laurent Ferrier presents an incredibly gorgeous watch that could very well be the perfect alternative for anyone wanting a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. The new Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto takes its inspiration from the world of motorsports where Laurent Ferrier himself and his partner François Servanin were extremely active in the late 1970s.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 50th Anniversary ref. 26240ST with Live Photos
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph has seen many iterations and facelifts since its launch in 1997-1998 under reference 25860. Perhaps the most significant up until now took place in 2016 when the Royal Oak Chrono reference 26300 went from a 39 mm case to a 41 mm as reference 26320. Then in 2017, its dial was redesigned and reference 26331 replaced reference 26320. Back then, the hour and minute chrono registers were enlarged, the running seconds subdial was scaled down, shorter and wider applied markers were added and the typeface and transfers on the chronograph totalizers were updated.
