Posts filed under From the Editor

From the Editor: Six Watches I Think Barbie Would Wear. Even if You're Not a Barbie, Take a Look.

The latest Barbie movie just released less than a week ago where Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land has made the world go nuts about everything Barbie, everything pink, Rosa Mexicano —actually the hue of pink used by Barbie—, and that just made me want to talk about some of the watches that I think Barbie would totally wear because of their color scheme.

From the Editor: Brad Pitt Breaks the Watch Internet by Wearing a Steel Vacheron Constantin 222 at Wimbledon

Yesterday, July 16, 2023, during the final match at Wimbledon, Brad Pitt was spotted wearing a legendary Vacheron Constantin 222 in stainless steel and the watch internet broke. In a thrilling display of tennis mastery, the Wimbledon final of 2023 captivated audiences around the world. As the world's oldest tennis tournament, Wimbledon always carries a special allure, especially when celebrities of the caliber of Brad Pitt are wearing special timepieces. This year's final delivered a spellbinding clash that will be etched in the annals of tennis history.

From the Editor: My Thoughts on the New Louis Vuitton Tambour. I Call a Spade a Spade.

Two days ago, on July 5, 2023, at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, Jean Arnault the Director of Watches at LVMH and the fifth and youngest son of tycoon Bernard Arnault introduced the new revamped Louis Vuitton Tambour. Luckily, I was not invited to the press trip for the presentation of this watch and regardless of that, I would’ve still expressed my thoughts the same way.

From the Editor: Timeless Elegance, Trends, and Challenges in the Current Luxury Watch Market

The world of luxury watches has always been synonymous with impeccable craftsmanship, timeless elegance, and status symbols. While technological advancements have made timekeeping accessible to everyone through smartphones and smartwatches, luxury timepieces continue to hold a special place in the hearts of horological enthusiasts and collectors like myself. In this article, I delve into the current state of the luxury watch market, exploring the trends, innovations, and enduring appeal that have captivated discerning individuals across the globe.

From the Editor: Angelus Chronographe Médical x Massena LAB. Not Worth the Money and Here's Why.

I am all about collaborations in the watch industry and I applaud when micro brands go the extra mile to deliver watches of high quality at a reasonable price. The Massena LAB creates, designs, and develops timepieces with renowned watchmakers and it was founded by William Massena, who has been a passionate watch collector since an early age. He was a watch dealer with stores in Miami and New York City and then became the COO —Chief Operating Officer— of Antiquorum in Geneva.

From the Editor: My Thoughts on the AP Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Spider-Man'. Don't Want to Miss This One.

When I thought I had seen it all with the release of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon ‘Black Panther’ in 2021, I was definitely wrong. You can read my thoughts on that particular release here. Now, let me share my thoughts about what I consider to be the lowest any luxury brand could hit, let alone a brand like Audemars Piguet that I’ve been buying since 1998. How can you be part of the ‘Holy Trinity of Watchmaking’ when you release such a watch?

From the Editor: My Honest Thoughts on the New Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Celebration' Dial ref. 124300

Now that the dust has settled, I am going to share my honest thoughts on how I really felt and feel now about the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Celebration' ref. 124300. As I stood in front of the vitrines at the Rolex pavilion during Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva, I just couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. This is the very first time that the Green Giant would do something like this. On one hand, I felt that they were very ballsy to come up with such a dial, but on the other hand, I felt that this wasn’t what I would ever expect from Rolex and their very ‘by the book’ approach.

From Editor: Come Inside the MB&F M.A.D. House. Their new HQ and Atelier.

While I was in Geneva attending Watches & Wonders 2023 at the end of March and the beginning of this month, I was invited by MB&F to come to see their new headquarters and atelier. The newly opened space is called the MB&F M.A.D. House and it was beyond a pleasant surprise and an honor to be there. While their previous headquarters were located in Old Town Geneva as part of their MB&F M.A.D. Gallery, the new MB&F M.A.D. House is located in the municipality of Carouge about 15 minutes away from the M.A.D Gallery.

Posted on April 28, 2023 and filed under MB&F, From the Editor.

From the Editor: Why is the New Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date My Favorite Novelty from Watches & Wonders 2023

The moment I laid eyes on the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date I simply loved it. Not only the watch sports one of my favorite dial colors but it is also one of my favorite complications that screams Vacheron Constantin all the way. Additionally, I love that the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date marks the first sports watch and the first Overseas to be equipped with a retrograde display.

From the Editor: Why I Think the Patek Philippe ref. 5270P-014 Lacquered Green Dial is an Absolute Grail

As we are five days away from Watches & Wonders 2023, I’d like to talk about one of the ultimate showstoppers at last year’s edition of Watches & Wonders. As I wonder what will Patek Philippe present this year, I can’t stop thinking about the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5270 in platinum with green lacquered dial. Without a doubt, the reference 5270P-014 is an absolute grail in my book and here’s why.

From the Editor: Why I Think that the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin White Gold is Pure Perfection

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin reference 4300V was first released in an all-gold version including a matching bracelet during Watches & Wonders 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and only in 18K pink gold. Later, it made its appearance in 18K white gold becoming one of the most understated and under-the-radar luxury watches from Vacheron Constantin that I personally lust for and love.

From the Editor: The Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto is the Most Unexpected Watch of 2023. An Amazing Timepiece for the Price.

Without sounding like a snob, I never thought I would be featuring a Christopher Ward watch here at WCL, but the time has come. For me to talk about certain watches, these watches need to earn the right to be here, not because I think of WCL as the non plus ultra —nothing further beyond— but more than anything, because I truly believe in honest and unbiased watch content.

From the Editor: My Search for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 25854TI is Finally Over. Detailed Explanation of this Reference.

There are a number of words and phrases that would come to mind whenever I thought about finding one of my all-time grails, the titanium Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 25854TI.OO.1150TI.01. A range of adjectives describing this watch that go all the way from understated luxury to ultra cool sportiness, a Neo-vintage watch grail, pure watch badassery for those that really know, the ultimate FU watch, but most definitely, the words that would always come to mind, would be: a grand complication by Audemars Piguet for those that want the sportiest look possible in a very understated way.

From the Editor: Swiss Watch Industry Hits 28% Growth in the U.S. in 2022

According to the figures released by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH, the U.S. hit a record +27.7% growth in 2022 when compared to 2021. These figures do not account for the month of December 2022, but we are confident that with the holiday frenzy, the percentage might go even higher. Today, the U.S. solidifies its position as the most important Swiss watch market in the world with China and Hong Kong distantly following.

From the Editor: Fourth Generation of Royal Oak Offshore Rubberclad Quietly Reintroduced by AP after 9 Years of Discontinuation. In-Depth History and Explanation of this Iconic Watch.

The iconic and legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubberclad ref. 25940 needs very little introduction and is for sure one of those watches that is worth explaining in-depth, especially since it marks the first use of rubber as a main component in the watch industry. The AP Rubberclad is a watch that we've seen on the wrists of dozen of celebrities and AP lovers and a watch that is living testament of the continued innovation that AP has brought to the watch industry since the launch of the Royal Oak in 1972. A few months ago, Audemars Piguet quietly reintroduced the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubberclad under reference 26238OK.OO.A002CA.01.

From the Editor: My 24 Favorite Watches for 24 Days of Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Since most people outside of the U.S. in Europe, Asia and Latin America celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve —and I happen to do the same—, today I have decided to put together a list with my 24 watches from this year to celebrate the 24 days of Christmas. These 24 favorite watches with a little bit of everything from Audemars Piguet to Vacheron Constantin and everything in between are my way of thanking you for your readership and wishing you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays.

Posted on December 23, 2022 and filed under Watchlife, From the Editor.

From the Editor: Here's Why I Think the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Perpetual is a Perfect Watch for Guys Like Me

I’ve always been a big fan of A. Lange & Söhne, but I’ve never taken the plunge and purchased one. It is one of the brands that I really like but it doesn’t seem to fit my style and my lifestyle, as I typically gravitate toward very sporty watches or watches that are fitted with a bracelet. Now, I am not saying that you can’t wear a Lange watch with a pair of jeans and sneakers, nevertheless, every time that I try one on it seems to not go well with what I am wearing until the day that I took these pictures and the wristshot at the end of this article.

From the Editor: Dissecting the Akrivia AK-06. Up Close & Personal with the Great and Not-so-Great.

Akrivia was founded in 2012 by Rexhep Rexhepi who was born in Kosovo –part of the former Yugoslavia— in 1987. His fascination with watchmaking started at a young age. At age 11, Rexhep moved to Geneva where his father was working at the time, and at the age of 15, he began his apprenticeship at Patek Philippe where he was hired full-time after graduating from the apprenticeship.

From the Editor: Rolex Launches Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Programme. Here's What I Think Will Happen in the Secondary Market.

Rolex announced today that they are launching the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Programme. Rolex is now offering the opportunity to purchase pre-owned watches that are certified pre-owned from its official retailers. The Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme now enables retailers in the brand’s official distribution network to sell second-hand models that are certified as authentic and which come with a new two-year international guarantee.

From the Editor: $1.8 Million USD in Watches Stolen from Watch Collector in New Zealand

A total of 70 watches worth over $1.8 Million USD were stolen in New Zealand two weeks ago from a watch collector’s home that goes by the Instagram handle @Horolson. This fine collector had been collecting watches for almost ten years and is a big fan of independent watchmakers, and a seasoned collector that owned at one point more than 100 watches ranging all the way from Patek Philippe Grand Complications to Jaeger-LeCoultre, Roger Dubuis, and everything in between.

Posted on November 26, 2022 and filed under From the Editor, Watch Collectors.