Interview: With Sandrine Stern, Patek Philippe Head of Creation
On the occasion of the New York Grand Exhibition we get a look behind the curtain.
Interview: With Sandrine Stern, Patek Philippe Creative Director
On the occasion of the New York Grand Exhibition we get a look behind the curtain.
Hands-On – The Incredible Details of the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon
Today, we’re not going to do a proper “Monochrome-Style” review, detailing every element of a watch or dissecting every technical feature. Instead, we’re going to do something “for the sake of watchmaking“, for the beauty of an art – because, at a certain point, I think we can move to another level and talk about proper works of art. To illustrate this, we’re going to look at one watch, the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon, by detailing some small but extremely important features, demonstrating what high-end watchmaking is… And you’ll see, it doesn’t need to be loud and demonstrative.
In The Shop: A 1979 Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680, A 1950s Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806, And A 1970s Duward Aquastar Deepstar
Sometimes we like to shake things up a bit.
Women’s Watch Wednesday – Blancpain’s New Quantieme Phases de Lune Has a Tiny Secret on the Moon
Since its inception back in 1984, Blancpain has never built a quartz watch. In fact, I remember the unveiling of the first-ever Blancpain watch at the Basel Fair, wherein the then 34-year-old Jean-Claude Biver announced in the midst of the quartz era that this was a brand dedicated to mechanical watches. The announcement shook attendees at the event, with many naysayers insisting the brand could not last with a mechanical focus. Fast-forward 33 years and not only is Blancpain still a pure mechanical brand, but also it is creating simple mechanical complications for women, just like the recently introduced Blancpain Villeret Quantième Phases de Lune.
WATCHSPOTTING: The story behind the Omega watch that plays a pivotal role in Dunkirk on the wrist of Tom Hardy
*Minor spoiler alert* It’s not unusual for a watch to play a starring role in a movie. Often it’s the prop that shows a countdown in a race against time, or it’s a sentimental object, or an indicator of personal style. In the rather stupendous Christopher Nolan mega-production that is Dunkirk (I’m still a little woozy on my feet a day after watching it on an IMAX screen), it’s very much the former. Without giving too much away, Tom Hardy’s character, a Spitfire pilot in the Royal Air Force, must use his watch to calculate the amount of fuel he has left when his gauge is smashed by enemy fire. The repeated reference to the watch as the movie hurtles on clearly shows an Omega branded watch, that has been confirmed by an employee at Omega to be the Omega “RAF” 1940, ref CK2129, which was delivered to Great Britain’s ministry of Defence in 1940. Hats off to Christopher Nolan for bothering to research and then source such an authentic watch for the role. Nolan is known for his obsessive attention to detail (read this story about how he made Harry Styles tie his army boots differently to be more true to the era), it’s brilliant…
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HOW TO: Build a potentially profitable vintage watch collection with a budget of $3000-$12000 per piece
A few years ago I attended a talk called, ‘How to Start a Collection’. The focus was on vintage rather than modern and the speaker was a prominent collector, so I looked forward to picking up some great tips. His advice was to anchor a collection with some key pieces, and he gave some examples. Impeccable reasoning, but there was a catch: the name of every piece began with Patek, Rolex or Panerai – and none could be had for less than $80,000. Most were some way north of $100k. So, what if you’re a watch addict of far more modest means? One for whom every $500 increment in price gives real pause for thought. And one who both wants and needs to feel that he or she hasn’t done something dumb with their hard-earned money. Someone who, even at a more accessible end of the vintage market, wants the watch to have a fighting chance of holding its value over time, or better still, to appreciate? I asked a range of experts for advice – Jonathan Darracott of Bonhams (London), Pedro Reiser at Sotheby’s (Geneva), Toby Sutton at Watches of Knightsbridge (London) and Alex Ghotbi and Aurel Bacs at Phillips (Geneva). On…
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Introducing: The Richard Mille 67-02 Sprint And High Jump
Two new ultra-light, tough sports watches with exotic cases from Richard Mille.
The Perfect Summer Luxury Watch? The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Funky Colors Reviewed
The summer is here. That means our thoughts turn to the seaside, sunshine, heatwave, mojitos, yacht deck, beach parties… and of course, what watch to wear this summer? You probably don’t want to take your treasured extra-flat, gold perpetual calendar watch out there. So, you’d likely be leaning towards some kind of dive watch, as it would be the best option, both to look classy, and to be able to jump in the pool without having to think about your watch. You’re on the right direction. But do you want to be part of this growing group of Submariner wearers? Maybe not, and thus, Audemars Piguet might have a pleasant and bold option for you, with the new Royal Oak Offshore Diver Funky Colors.
Technical Perspective: Learn The Intricacies Of Wheel Making With Roger Smith
You can tell a lot about a watch from its wheels.