Hodinkee
Weekend Edition: Let Cole Pennington Inspire Your Spirit Of Adventure
Forever on the hunt for a great story, our globetrotting editor delivers high-flying, far-flung tales of horological adventure.
Results for The Royal Oak Launch Story
41,765 articles · 254 videos found · page 930 of 1401
Hodinkee
Deployant
Review: IWC Portugieser Minute Repeater Ref. IW5242-02. Old but gold.
The year 1995 was as eventful as it gets. It was the year the first Toy Story movie was released, the year Operation Desert Storm officially ended, and it was the last time AFC Ajax won the UEFA Champions League. It also marked the debut of a classic IWC timepiece: the original Portugieser Minute RepeaterRead More
Time+Tide
EDITOR’S PICK: Do I really want to see Rolex make titanium watches?
Editor’s note: With Watches & Wonders on the horizon, the rumour mill is about to crank up again in earnest as predictions swirl as to what Rolex will release this year. That’s why we thought we’d revisit this story about a titanium Yachtmaster prototype that was recently spotted in the wild. Did that leak reveal a … ContinuedThe post EDITOR’S PICK: Do I really want to see Rolex make titanium watches? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Quill & Pad
Soldera Wines: Sensational Italian Tuscan With A Hollywood-Worthy Backstory – Reprise
The rise of Brunello has been recent. And, arguably, the single most convincingly 100 percent Brunello example of fine wine is Soldera at Case Basse according to Ken Gargett and other wine experts. But Soldera and the region have a dramatic background, one that might not be common knowledge outside Tuscany. Read on for a Hollywood script-worthy story and mouthwatering descriptions of Tuscan wines you may not (yet) be acquainted with.
Quill & Pad
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures: Stories Of Lost And Found
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures collection consists of three Reverso watches featuring dials with exquisite miniature reproductions of lost paintings by three master painters: Gustave Courbet (1876), Vincent Van Gogh (1888), and Gustav Klimt (1917). Each piece's painting has its own interesting story highlighting why it was considered a “hidden treasure." Joshua Munchow shares those stories with us here.
Hodinkee
Interview: Mystery Solved: Here's Who Bought That Tiffany-Blue Patek 5711 At Phillips
The inside story of how Zach Lu went from underbidder to big winner.
SJX Watches
Up Close: Omega Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold
A surprise launch that was part of last year’s revamp of its retro diver, the Omega Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold is marked the debut of a new gold alloy, joining the brand’s ever-growing stable of proprietary metals like as Moonshine and Sedna golds. The unusual nature of the gold alloy – with a good proportion of copper, it is only 9k in terms of purity – immediately makes the new Seamaster 300 interesting. It stands out amongst the sea of vintage-inspired dive watches thanks to the unique physical properties of the case metal, which will develop a patina, but in a slow, barely discernible manner. The alloy is 37.5% gold, which is 9k But because the Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold is still gold, even if it is low caratage, it is not especially affordable, being twice that of its steel counterpart. That said, from the perspective of conventional gold, it’s much more accessible compared to a typical dive watch with an 18k gold case. With that contradiction in mind, is the Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold a value proposition? Omega was kind enough to lend one for a week, so I endeavoured to find out. Initial thoughts First things first, the aesthetics. The watch is handsome in the metal, with an appealing style that is evidently vintage-inspired despite the thick case. And it definitely feels more luxurious than the steel versions, in part due to the case metal but also the seemingly finer details. Overall, the design feels complete and cohesive – the brown colourway is appea...
Revolution
Women Love Watches: Déborah Maldonado of São Paulo, Brazil
Déborah Maldonado knows all about watches, having worked for IWC since 2012 and being the owner of a popular watch-related Instagram account. She shares her collecting story and her thoughts on how watch brands can broaden their appeal to women.
Hodinkee
Time Off: You Only Live Once: I Took An Audemars Piguet To A Deserted Island
If you're wearing a Royal Oak Offshore on a deserted island and no one is around to gawk at it …
Quill & Pad
Zeitgeist Unique Piece By Armin Strom: Pure Resonance, Sensational Synchronicity
Zeitgeist marks the five-year anniversary of the launch of Armin Strom’s patented resonance technology and focuses on the brand’s ideals and commitment to innovation in watchmaking by going back to the roots of watchmaking while remaining entirely cutting edge.
Time+Tide
“For me, it’s a life-altering sum of money” – What it feels like to sell a watch you found in your sock drawer for $240,000
Back in June, we told you about Paul Draper*. He got in touch with us after reading our story about how a report estimated that $60 billion USD of watches were gathering dust in people’s homes due to their owners’ failure to recognise what their timepieces were actually worth. The article motivated Paul to take action. Sitting … ContinuedThe post “For me, it’s a life-altering sum of money” – What it feels like to sell a watch you found in your sock drawer for $240,000 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
A Magnificent Watch Collection Goes on Show in London
Soon to open in London and then in other countries in 2022, the OAK Collection is perhaps the first time a private collector is staging an exhibition that’s open to the public. Taking place at the Design Museum with free entry, the OAK Collection exhibition is made up of just the highlights from the owner’s collection, but already numbers over 160 watches. [Edit December 1, 2021: The exhibition in London has been postponed to spring 2022.] Organised into thematic sections, the OAK Collection – short for “one of a kind” – is dominated by Patek Philippe. Most of the watchmaker’s most important historical timepieces are represented in the collection, including a ref. 2523 world time with a blue enamel dial, as well as exceptionally rare variants of the refs. 1518 and 2499. And the collection naturally includes modern-day, special-order Patek Philippe watches commissioned by the owner. One of the exhibition’s highlights is the Patek Philippe ref. 2523 world time with a blue enamel dial that also takes centre stage on the event poster And the collection includes five pocket watches that once belonged to Henry Graves Jr, the American banker who was one of Patek Philippe’s most important clients in the first half of the 20th century. Outside of the Patek Philippe Museum, the OAK Collection contains the largest number of watches that once belonged to Graves. Amongst the former Graves watches in the OAK Collection is the 1935 observatory tourbillon pocket watch ...
SJX Watches
Hands-On: Tudor Pelagos FXD “Marine Nationale”
Leaked online prior to its launch – David Beckham inadvertently revealed the watch on his Instagram account – the Tudor Pelagos FXD “Marine Nationale” was widely expected yet surprisingly, at least in the metal. Developed in collaboration with the combat divers of the Commando Hubert, an elite unit of the Commandos Marine, part of the special forces of the French Navy, or Marine Nationale. The divers covertly travel underwater in pairs, and the Pelagos FXD is one of the tools they use for aquatic navigation. The FXD revives the relationship Tudor maintained with the French Navy for several decades starting in the 1950s when the watchmaker first supplied the navy with dive watches. A Submariner ref. 9401/0 issued to French navy divers in the 1970s Initial thoughts I liked the idea of the FXD when I first saw the photos, and seeing it in the metal reinforced my opinion, enough that I bought one. Beyond its tangible qualities its best characteristic in my opinion is its status as the only watch developed as a military-issue timepiece – that is currently in active service with a unit – in the mid- to high-end segment of modern watchmaking. This sets the FXD apart from watches made by other brands that supply military units with civilian watches bearing the unit insignia, as brands like IWC, Breitling, and Bell & Ross do. Being a military-issue watch the FXD is straightforward, but it also boasts the attention to detail one expects from Tudor, even on the finish...
Quill & Pad
Fly-By Death: 5 Skull-Themed BR 01 Timepieces By Bell & Ross – Reprise
Bell & Ross’s unique BR 01 Instrument stole the spotlight at its launch in 2005 thanks to its unusual circle-in-a-square case, becoming an instant hit. The BR 01 was then used as a jumping-off point for a variety of designs, beginning in 2009 with the then-trendy skull motif – which in Elizabeth Doerr's eyes was a perfect addition. How has the skull motif evolved at Bell & Ross? Find out here!
Time+Tide
Have dive watches just received official formalwear approval?
Ever since Sean Connery’s Jame Bond emerged from the ocean in Goldfinger and peeled off his wetsuit to reveal a tuxedo beneath, the question has always been there: should you wear a diving watch with formalwear? (Bond was wearing the Rolex Submariner ref 6538 by the way.) The question arises following the recent launch of … ContinuedThe post Have dive watches just received official formalwear approval? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
WatchAdvice
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Burgundy Red Hands-on Review
Pros: Two watches in oneBurgundy Red dial and Rose gold case is a fantastic comboGood size Reverso may suit most wrists Cons: Some may find it to be expensiveLimited edition and boutique only – can be difficult to come byThe rectangular case may not suit all wrists Over All Rating: 8.6/10 Value for money – 7.5/10Wearability – 9/10Design – 9/10Build Quality – 9/10 I’m quite sure that we all know the story of how the Reverso came about quite well by now. If not, where have you been the last couple of decades? Even though it has been around since 1931, the watch did disappear from the range for a little while, before being resurrected in 1972 by an Italian watch dealer, Giorgio Corvo, who bought up the remaining Reverso cases (around 200) and sold them all in Italy after fitting them with a movement. Convinced that the range will sell, he persuaded Jaeger-LeCoultre to revive the range in the 80s. Fast forward to 1991, on the 60th anniversary of the Reverso, various complications were introduced in the watch. This was no small feat as there is a lot less room inside the rectangular case, and therefore being able to squeeze in complications meant that Jaeger-LeCoultre has had to overcome many obstacles. We may take a two-faced Reverso for granted these days, but even that requires years of development to achieve. This brings us to the watch today, one of the 90th-anniversary models, and quite possibly one of the prettiest, most elegant and stunning Reverso ever to g...
Quill & Pad
New A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Lumen Honeygold, Plus Why October 24/25 Is So Significant To Lange
A. Lange & Söhne launches the Zeitwerk Lumen in a limited edition Honeygold case on October 24, 2021. The brand’s own special gold alloy adds fresh appeal to one of its technically most complex pieces. But there is much more to this launch rooted in history as Sabine Zwettler notes.
Revolution
Pink Dial Project – Bidding Commences 25 Oct, 9am SG
Eight days into the month of October 2021, Revolution is delighted to announce the official launch of the Pink Dial Project 2021.
Hodinkee
Pre-Owned Picks: A Dressy Patek Philippe, An Unexpected Ulysse Nardin, And Rolex's White Dial Wonder
Logan gives the lowdown on his seven selects from launch week.
Hodinkee
Introducing: All of Audemars Piguet's Newest Novelties
Including a 34mm Royal Oak in black ceramic!
Time+Tide
You Can’t Ask That: Cross-pollination across Audemars Piguet collections
This is the sixth video in a series of more conversational, and less directly watch-focused, videos that aim to provide richer telling of the Audemars Piguet story. Why is it called, You Can’t Ask That? These are questions and topics that don’t commonly get addressed in the interviews with either Lucas Raggi, the Research and … ContinuedThe post You Can’t Ask That: Cross-pollination across Audemars Piguet collections appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
You Can’t Ask That: Audemars Piguet explores new materials
This is the fourth video in a series of more conversational, and less directly watch-focused, videos that aim to provide richer telling of the Audemars Piguet story. Why is it called, You Can’t Ask That? These are questions and topics that don’t commonly get addressed in the interviews with either Lucas Raggi, the Research and … ContinuedThe post You Can’t Ask That: Audemars Piguet explores new materials appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Auction Watch: Unique Patek Philippe Ref. 5070/1P – Black Dial on Bracelet
Distinctive with its wide, flat bezel, the ref. 5070 was Patek Philippe’s last chronograph powered by the CH27-70 movement derived from the Lemania 2310. At 42 mm in diameter, the ref. 5070 was the largest high-end chronograph on the market at its launch in 1998. Amongst the four versions of the ref. 5070 – in rose, yellow, or white gold as well as platinum – the platinum version is the rarest. Around 250 were made according to Sotheby’s, with the standard guise for the platinum case being being a metallic, muted-blue dial. Produced at the “special request of an important client” in 2012, the ref. 5070/1P-010 has a black dial, while preserving the standard dial design with its large, applied Arabic numerals in white gold. While the standard model is has the model reference 5070P, this example has the suffix “/1P”, indicating the monochromatic dial is matched by a platinum “brick” bracelet, an uncommon option only available via special order. Importantly, both the black dial and bracelet are mentioned on the certificate, which indicates the watch was sold at the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva. The combination of a platinum case, black dial, and matching bracelet – familiar and simple but endlessly striking – has been seen before on other chronograph models, including a ref. 5004P that sold at Christie’s in 2019. But this is the first ref. 5070P in this livery to be offered publicly. Estimated at HK$4-8 million, or US$500,000-1 million, the uniq...
Time+Tide
EDITOR’S PICK: Study shows that a love of luxury watches is proof of superior virility
EDITOR’S PICK: A recent story in the Calgary Herald suggests that men’s testosterone levels can predict certain forms of business success. Researchers from the University of Bristol note that “among male executives, circulating testosterone has been linked with a number of subordinates and among male financial traders, with daily profits.” So we thought it was … ContinuedThe post EDITOR’S PICK: Study shows that a love of luxury watches is proof of superior virility appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Geneva Watch Days: My three favourites so far. Mood? Mind-blown!
After only one day at Geneva Watch Days, my synapses are already on the verge of becoming fried, from the incessant barrage of impressions and frankly mind-blowing pieces on my wrist. To even try to surmise this into a short story of the top three is a challenge, but that’s why I love writing about … ContinuedThe post Geneva Watch Days: My three favourites so far. Mood? Mind-blown! appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Kurono takes affirmative action to boost their female audience with their Kurono SEIJI release
EDITOR’S NOTE: Since Zach wrote this story earlier in the week, Kurono had a slight change of heart. Originally this watch was only going to be made available to women in a bid to expand their female audience. However, based on community feedback, the brand has now tweaked this policy and will now prioritise women … ContinuedThe post Kurono takes affirmative action to boost their female audience with their Kurono SEIJI release appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Hodinkee
Watch Spotting: That Time Dr. Dre Wore A Mickey Mouse Watch
Character watches pop up in the most surprising places. Here, the photographer who took this picture retells the story of a gangsta-rap giant wearing a kiddie watch.
SJX Watches
Exhibition: Vintage Art-Deco Gems by Vacheron Constantin in Singapore
“Classic with a Twist” is the year’s theme for Vacheron Constantin. The “twist” is obvious in several of the brand’s new releases, including the 1921 Collection Excellence Platine and Égérie for ladies, which were launched at the virtual watch fair Watches & Wonders. Interestingly, the launch also provided a glimpse of a few equally quirky watches from Vacheron Constantin’s vast archive. Now those historical gems have been transformed from virtual to tangible with an exhibition in Singapore that delves into the form watches that Vacheron Constantin produced in the early- to mid-20th century. Intriguing, unorthodox, and pretty, the dozen or so watches are on show from now until August 26 2021. Here’s a roundup of highlights from the Singapore exhibition. Show and service The Singapore event is one of several Classic with a Twist exhibitions taking place around the world over the year. Another is happening simultaneously in Vacheron Constantin’s recently-opened boutique in New York City, where it’ll run until November 2021. But unique to the Singapore event is a complimentary servicing for any American 1921, the distinctive wristwatch that’s celebrating its centenary this year – Vacheron Constantin even created a near-exact replica created with vintage parts for the occasion. The overhaul offer is open to any American 1921 wristwatch owned locally, including examples with expired warranties. The ref. 11677 from 1921 that serves as the inspira...
Time+Tide
What watch does a veteran crocodile hunter (with only three fingers) wear?
What sort of watch does a veteran Aussie crocodile hunter wear? Well, Northern Territory Problem Crocodile Management wildlife officer Tom Nichols (how’s that for a job title by the way), caught a record 352 crocodiles in 2020, and in this intriguing story and short film from ABC News he explains how he goes about hunting … ContinuedThe post What watch does a veteran crocodile hunter (with only three fingers) wear? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Up Close: Hermès H08 Automatic
Unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2021, the H08 is an all-new men’s watch from Hermès. Featuring a cushion-shaped case and a Vaucher movement, the H08 is typical of Hermes in its restrained, thoughtful styling exemplified by the custom typography. Hermès described the H08 at its launch as a relatively affordable, everyday watch with a simple, high-quality execution – which is accurate. Though it comes from a brand better known for its handbags and scarves, the H08 is a watch done well in many ways. Initial thoughts The H08 is surprisingly appealing in the metal. Slim and lightweight, it has a design that is interesting despite being simple. And its technical credentials are solid, albeit not fancy, with the H1837 movement inside being a Vaucher calibre. Although the H08 does evoke other watch designs, it still manages to look original. And it does look like a Hermes product, which might be important to some buyers, thanks to the touch of orange in the seconds hand that remains discreet enough to suit those who don’t care for obvious emblems. The H1837 Characterised by geometric shapes, the styling is modern while incorporating accents that illustrate Hermes’ traditional attention to detail. The font used for the hour numerals, for instance, was designed specifically for the H08 and echoes the cushion shape of the case. And the same font is used for the date, ensuring perfect consistency in its typography (though it does impact legibility of the date somewhat). On t...