An open letter to the Swiss watch industry, in reaction to “Apple being second behind Rolex”

Dear Swiss watch industry, dear Swiss brands, dear CEOs of Swiss manufactures, I love you! Yes, I do love everything the Swiss watch industry represents, everything that is behind the idea of this secular artistry – the heritage, the traditions, the attention to details, this innovation spirit linked to a strong respect to history, the devoted people who work days and days on your watches… I’m not writing you this letter as the managing editor of a watch magazine but mainly as a passionate collector. For this reason, I do care about you. However, dear Swiss watch industry, you certainly heard yesterday that Apple is the second player of the watch industry, just behind Rolex. And that’s not a detail.

9 years ago

Reference Points: The Complete History Of The F.P. Journe Tourbillon, As Told By Francois-Paul Journe Himself (VIDEO)

There is not a more fascinating watchmaker in the world than Francois-Paul Journe. He is indisputably talented, a savant-style technical genius who cares not for the traditional pleasantries that are typically associated with being a watch industry executive. This is likely because he is not in fact a watch industry executive at all – F.P. Journe himself sits on the upper level of his downtown Geneva manufacture, far away from the marketing and operations managers, with all the other watchmakers. He’s charming when he wants to be, abrasive when he doesn’t. F.P. Journe is a special man, and the tourbillon is something special to him. Today, we take you through all of F.P. Journe’s tourbillons to date. And, to narrate the story? Mr. Francois-Paul Journe himself. Obviously.

9 years ago

George Daniels Co-Axial Anniversary Edition By Roger Smith At Bonhams Auction

The first example of George Daniels’s Co-Axial Anniversary Edition by Roger Smith arrives at auction in the September 19, 2016 watch sale of Robert White’s collection of cars, motorbikes, watches, airplane memorabilia, and other items at Bonhams in London.
The timepiece powered by a manually wound, English-style movement, finished in frosted gold plate to Daniels’s exacting standards, and containing the famous co-axial escapement was made only in an edition of 35 pieces.

9 years ago

Introducing: Wempe Celebrates The Zeitmeister Chronometer’s 10th Anniversary With Four New Watches And A Seriously Cool Pendulum Clock

Ten years ago Wempe launched its very own chronometer watches under the Zeitmeister banner. It is a major milestone for the company, mostly associated with its luxury watch boutiques scattered throughout the world. To celebrate the anniversary, Wempe is adding five new timekeepers to its line-up, including a limited edition diver’s chronograph and, wait for it, a pendulum clock.

9 years ago

Hands-on – Richard Mille RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph, the facelift of an icon

The Richard Mille RM 011 is a watch that perfectly sums up the Richard Mille spirit. We know this watch for almost 10 years and we’ve seen it in dozens of editions – some linked to certain events (Le Mans Classic), made for special friends of the brand (Felipe Masse, Roberto Mancini…) and manufactured in all possible colors or materials (red quartz, ceramic, carbon fiber, titanium, gold…). This watch could certainly be the most popular RM watch – and is probably the brand’s best seller too. After so many variations, it was time for this icon to get some fresh air, and after a strong facelift, this watch becomes the Richard Mille RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph.

9 years ago

The new Rolex Exhibition centre and an interview with Cortina’s Jeremy Lim

Ushered into Singapore’s largest permanent Rolex Exhibition centre in Southeast Asia, you get the sense that the Cortina operated Rolex boutique/temple is metaphorically running against headwinds. While most economists are suggesting that the economy is on the downtrend; Jeremy Lim, Chief Operating Officer of Cortina Watch is…

9 years ago